Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing system, information processing method, and program for managing the order of users for a target facility. [Solution] This disclosure provides an information processing system for managing the order of users for a target facility, comprising a control unit that performs the following: a process for receiving usage request information transmitted from a user terminal used by each user; an order determination process for determining the order of each user based on the usage request information and waiting information from a storage unit; an output process for transmitting and outputting waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal; a process for receiving priority usage request information transmitted from a user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights ahead of general waiting users; an update process for updating the order of each user based on the priority usage request information and waiting information from a storage unit; and an update information output process for transmitting and outputting waiting-related information based on the updated order to each user's user terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is known an information processing system that sells a sales priority right for selling a prior priority right that allows a person to receive a service at a facility ahead of others (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the system of Patent Document 1 above, if a person who wishes to purchase a prior priority right, they can receive the service provided at the facility without having to queue. However, there is room for improvement in managing the overall order including those who do not purchase the prior priority right.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program for managing the order of users regarding a target facility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present disclosure, an information processing system for managing the order of users regarding a target facility, a process of receiving usage request information transmitted from a user terminal used by each user, an order determination process of determining the order of each user based on the usage request information and standby information in a storage unit, Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, The process involves receiving priority usage request information sent from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights over general waiting users, and Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. An information processing system is provided that includes a control unit that performs an update information output process, which sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the updated order to each user's user terminal.

[0007] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the information processing method by an information processing device for managing the order of users for a target facility, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, The process involves receiving priority usage request information sent from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights over general waiting users, and Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. An information processing method is provided, in which the control unit of an information processing device performs an update information output process that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the order in which the updates were made to each user's user terminal.

[0008] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the program causes an information processing device that manages the order of users for the target facility to perform information processing, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, The process involves receiving priority usage request information sent from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights over general waiting users, and Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. A program is provided that causes the control unit of the information processing device to execute an update information output process, which sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the update order to each user's user terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing system, information processing method, and program for managing the order of users at a target facility. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example configuration of an information processing device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example configuration of a user terminal according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a facility-side terminal according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the information processing according to the same embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a user terminal screen according to the same embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows another example of the screen of a user terminal according to the same embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of the screen of a user terminal according to the same embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows another example of the screen of a user terminal according to the same embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows another example of the screen of a user terminal according to the same embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail while referring to the attached drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an information processing system 1 as an example of this embodiment. The information processing system 1 is an information processing system that manages the order of users regarding a target facility, and includes a process of receiving usage request information transmitted from user terminals used by each user, an order determination process of determining the order of each user based on the usage request information and the standby information in the storage unit, an output process of transmitting and outputting standby-related information based on the determined order to the user terminals of each user, a process of receiving priority usage request information transmitted from the user terminal of a priority user who uses a priority higher than that of general standby users, an update process of updating the order of each user based on the priority usage request information and the standby information in the storage unit, and an update information output process of transmitting and outputting standby-related information based on the updated order to the user terminals of each user. With such a configuration, the order of users regarding the target facility can be managed.

[0013] The facilities covered include, for example, amusement park attractions and shops. Shops include, for example, restaurants (including various types of eateries), clothing stores, and street vendors. Street vendors include, for example, street stalls, mobile food trucks, and kitchen cars that primarily sell food, goods, and accessories on the street, mainly on a takeout basis. Mobile food trucks include both parked and mobile food trucks. Kitchen cars also include both parked and mobile kitchen cars. Priority rights are, for example, the right to enter a facility, receive services, use facilities, or purchase goods before general waiting users, and priority right information may be data associated with such rights. Some amusement park attractions and restaurants are popular and require customers to wait in line to enter. Similarly, some clothing stores are popular and may restrict entry to customers purchasing clothes. Users who utilize priority access (early access) can become priority users and enter popular amusement park attractions, restaurants, clothing stores, and other places where people normally have to wait in line, without having to wait in line.

[0014] Priority information may be displayed on the screen of the priority user's terminal. The priority information displayed on the user terminal's display device may be text information consisting of at least one of the following: characters, figures, or symbols, or it may be information that can be read by a computer such as a facility terminal, such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark).

[0015] Priority rights can only be used within a certain time frame in which priority information is stored, provided that priority information is stored in the memory unit.

[0016] The information processing system 1 in Figure 1 comprises an information processing device 10 acting as a server, a user terminal 20 used by a user, and a facility-side terminal 30 used by a person in charge of a target facility such as a store. The information processing device 10, the user terminal 20, and the facility-side terminal 30 are connected to each other via a network NW and can send and receive various types of information from each other. Note that there may be multiple user terminals 20 and facility-side terminals 30. Furthermore, if, for example, a user or facility-side person directly inputs or outputs information via the input / output section of the information processing device 10, the functions of the user terminal 20 and facility-side terminal 30 can be omitted.

[0017] The information processing device 10 is a server device used by system administrators and others when operating and managing various services. For example, it may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or it may be logically implemented using cloud computing technology.

[0018] The information processing device 10 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, an output unit 14, and a communication unit 15, as shown in Figure 2.

[0019] The user terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, and a communication unit 25, as shown in Figure 3, for example. Similarly, the facility-side terminal 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input unit 33, an output unit 34, and a communication unit 35, as shown in Figure 4, for example. The user terminal 20 and the facility-side terminal 30 are computers handled by the user to input and output various types of information, and are composed of, for example, smartphones, tablet computers, or personal computers. The user and the facility-side staff can access the information processing device 10, for example, through applications or web browsers running on each terminal (user terminal 20 and facility-side terminal 30).

[0020] When the information processing device 10 receives various commands (requests) from other information processing devices via the input unit 13 or the communication unit 15, the control unit 11 executes processing by program, and the processing result of the program (e.g., image or sound) is sent to the output unit 14 or other information processing devices (user terminal 20, facility terminal 30), etc. Alternatively, the information processing device 1 receives a command (request) from other information processing devices via the communication unit 15, and transmits the processing result of the program executed by the control unit 11 to the other information processing device. In this case, a part of the above program may be transmitted to the other information processing device and executed on that device. In this case, the other information processing device can be, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone terminal, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc., and is connected to the information processing device 10 wirelessly or by wire via a network such as the Internet.

[0021] The control units 11, 21, and 31 handle data transfer between each unit and control the entire device. This is achieved, for example, by having the CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) execute a program stored in a predetermined memory.

[0022] The memory units 12, 22, and 32 store various types of data and programs, such as non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories like RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), as well as magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidiscs, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), etc.

[0023] The memory unit 12 stores user information about the user and facility information about the target facility.

[0024] User information may include, for example, identification information assigned to each user (number, ID, etc.), name, age (generation), gender, address, contact information, payment-related information, priority rights information, priority rights usage history information, service usage history information, etc. Contact information may include, for example, email address, telephone number, individual account information for linked applications or social media, and any means of contact that allows notification to the user is acceptable. Payment-related information may include credit card information, financial institution account information, electronic money information, and any other information that allows for payment of priority rights purchases, etc. Priority rights information includes information such as the type, number, and validity period of priority rights currently owned by each user, and may also include information on how many priority rights are held that can be used for which target facilities and during what time frame. Priority rights usage history information may include information on priority rights previously owned and used (including type, number, acquisition date and time, usage date and time, number of users, etc.), or information on priority rights that were owned but expired without being used. Service usage history information includes history information on the use of services provided by this system, and may include, for example, history of obtaining waiting-related information (ticket information) as a general waiting user (e.g., target facility, date and time, service type, number of users). It may also include detailed information on services used at the target facility, such as ordered menu information. This information is stored in the memory unit by acquiring input information from the user terminal or the facility's terminal, and is updated as needed.

[0025] Facility information may include, for example, identification information assigned to each target facility (facility number, facility ID, etc.), store name, region, facility location (address), contact information, person in charge information, and priority rights-related information. Contact information may include email addresses, telephone numbers, individual account information for linked applications or social media, etc., as long as it is a means of communication that allows communication with the target facility. Person in charge information may include the name and contact information of the person in charge at the target facility. Priority rights-related information may include upper limits on the number of priority rights sold or used for each predetermined period, such as by date and time. Facility information may also be associated with and stored user history information and user information of users who have used the facility.

[0026] Input units 13, 23, and 33 are for users and system administrators to input various types of data, and can be implemented using, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, buttons, or microphone.

[0027] Output units 14, 24, and 34 output various information generated by the control unit. Examples of output units include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), touch panels, printers, speakers, and vibration devices.

[0028] Communication units 15, 25, and 35 are for communicating with other information processing devices and have the function of receiving various data and signals transmitted from other information processing devices, etc., and the function of transmitting various data and signals to other information processing devices, etc., in accordance with commands from the control unit. The communication units are implemented by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), an adapter for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark), a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for wireless communication, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or RS232C connector for serial communication, etc.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 11 of this system performs the following processes: receiving usage request information transmitted from the user terminal 20 used by each user (S1); determining the order of each user based on the usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit (S2); outputting waiting-related information based on the determined order and sending it to each user's user terminal for output (S3); receiving priority usage request information transmitted from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights ahead of general waiting users (S4); updating the order of each user based on the priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit (S5); and outputting updated information (S6) sending waiting-related information based on the updated order and sending it to each user's user terminal for output. Note that a "user" may be a single individual or a group of multiple people.

[0030] In step S1, the control unit 11 receives information requesting use from the user terminal 20. Users who wish to use the target facility send information requesting use using their user terminal 20 in a predetermined manner. The predetermined method may include, for example, reading a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code, AR marker, etc.) associated with the target facility with the user terminal's camera, accessing the target facility's homepage, or accessing the website of a service operated by the system administrator. At that time, for example, a screen (output unit 24) that accepts the operation to send information requesting use is displayed on the user terminal, as shown in Figure 6. The user can send information requesting use to the information processing device 10 by selecting, for example, the "Get a numbered ticket" button 26 shown in Figure 6. The control unit 11 may display a screen as shown in Figure 6 on the user terminal 20 to obtain contact information such as an email address and the number of people, etc., in response to the user's input. The contact information is not limited to an email address, but may be any information that can be notified to the user terminal, such as a telephone number, other applications (gourmet sites, fashion sites, facility introduction sites, etc.), personal account information for SNS services or chat services. The number of people information refers to the number of people who wish to use the service. This information may also include other optional information such as the age (generation), gender, and address of the users. The timing for receiving the number of people information is not limited to this; for example, users could be prompted to enter this information on the screen shown in Figure 7, or at other times.

[0031] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 may store the received request information in the storage unit. For example, when the control unit 11 receives request information, it can assign identification information to each user (each user terminal) and store various information included in the request information in the storage unit in association with the identification information. The control unit 11 may also store date and time information, such as the time the request information was received, in association with the request information.

[0032] In step S2, the control unit 11 determines the order of each user based on the user request information and the waiting information in the storage unit. For example, if the control unit receives user request information and determines from the storage unit information that there are two sets of waiting users (including a general waiting user and a priority user), it will determine that user's turn to be third, which is the next in line after the number of waiting sets (or individuals). In other words, the control unit 11, in principle, determines the order on a first-come, first-served basis based on the order in which user request information is received.

[0033] In step S3, the control unit 11 sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal. For example, the screen shown in Figure 7 is displayed on the user terminal 20. The waiting-related information may include, for example, the number of remaining waiting groups (18 groups in the example in Figure 6), the reservation number (reservation identification information), etc. The waiting-related information may also include information on the waiting time. For example, the estimated waiting time may be calculated by multiplying the number of waiting groups by a predetermined time and displayed on the user terminal. In this case, the user can understand not only the number of waiting groups and people, but also how long they will have to wait. The number of waiting groups may include information on either the number of waiting groups and / or the number of people. The waiting-related information includes information that serves as a so-called "queue ticket". On the screen shown in Figure 7, a button to cancel the request to use the facility is displayed, and if the user selects it, cancellation information is sent to the information processing device 10. The control unit 11 can change or delete the waiting information for that user from the waiting information.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 11 may display an image of a button (priority right purchase request button) 27 that allows the user to request the purchase of priority rights to use the target facility before general waiting users. By selecting the priority right purchase request button 27, the user can purchase priority rights. If the number of priority rights has reached the limit and priority rights cannot be purchased, the priority right purchase request button 27 may be grayed out or a diagonal line may be displayed to prevent the user from selecting it. The user can purchase priority rights using any payment method. The payment method may be any method, such as a credit card or electronic money.

[0035] In step S4, the control unit 11 receives priority usage request information transmitted from the user terminal 20 of the priority user who will be using the priority right. The priority usage request information may also include information on the number of users. In this example, the system is configured so that the priority usage request information (priority usage request information) is transmitted to the information processing device 10 at virtually the same time that the user purchases the priority right. However, the system may also display separate buttons for purchasing priority rights and for using priority rights, allowing the user to make a selection. For example, after a user purchases a priority right, or if the user already possesses a priority right, the priority usage request information may be transmitted to the information processing device when the user performs an operation to express their desire to use the priority right (such as selecting the "Request Use" button). In that case, the storage unit of the information processing device 10 stores information such as whether or not the user possesses priority rights and the number of rights they possess, associated with each user's user information. Users may possess priority rights that are common to multiple target facilities and can be used at any of them, or they may possess individual priority rights that are only usable at each target facility. All information, including priority information held by each user, is stored in the storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 and updated as needed.

[0036] In step S5, the control unit 11 executes an update process to update the order of each user based on the priority usage request information and the waiting information in the storage unit. Specifically, the control unit 11 modifies the information in the storage unit 12 so that the order of users using priority rights (the current priority users) is placed before waiting users who are waiting without using priority rights (general waiting users). For example, if there is currently one group of priority users waiting using priority rights, followed by two groups of general waiting users, and a new group of priority usage request information is received, the control unit 11 places the user who sent the priority usage request information in the next position after the priority users who were waiting earlier (i.e., second in line). As a result of this update process, the general waiting users are moved down one position, changing from the second and third groups to the third and fourth groups, respectively. The order of priority users who are already waiting does not change. In other words, priority users are treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

[0037] In step S6, the control unit 11 executes an update information output process that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the updated order to each user's user terminal. For example, the user terminal 20 of users (priority users and general waiting users) whose remaining waiting number is less than or equal to a predetermined value (e.g., 2 groups or less, 3 groups or less, 4 groups or less, which can be set arbitrarily) displays the screen shown in Figure 8. In the example in Figure 8, a message indicating that the timing for using the target facility is approaching is displayed, such as "You will be called shortly." The information to be displayed on such a display screen is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance in association with the remaining waiting number (number of waiting groups, number of people waiting). The control unit may also send and output waiting-related information to each user's user terminal each time the order is updated. In addition, the reservation number (reservation identification information), which is information for identifying the reservation information, may also be displayed. For example, a specific number such as "2 groups remaining" may be displayed, or a range number such as "2 to 3 groups remaining" may be displayed, or a message indicating the waiting time such as "Approximately 10 minutes remaining" may be displayed.

[0038] Here, the control unit 11 may ensure that for general waiting users whose turn has been pushed back and whose waiting count has increased (e.g., from 2nd to 3rd) due to the update process described above, the information such as the number of waiting users displayed on the user terminal does not change before and after the update process (e.g., maintaining the remaining 2 groups). For example, the control unit 11 may choose not to send waiting-related information to general waiting users whose turn has been pushed back, or it may send information on the number of waiting users for general users excluding the presence of priority users, or it may use other methods to prevent any change in the number of waiting users. In this way, general waiting users can wait without realizing that their turn has been pushed back (they have been cut in line by priority users).

[0039] Furthermore, the control unit 11 may configure the content displayed on the user terminal to differ between general waiting users and priority users. In other words, since priority users will not be interrupted, a specific number of waiting users will always be displayed, while general waiting users may be interrupted by priority users, so a more ambiguous number (e.g., 10 or fewer remaining, 3 to 5 remaining) may be displayed. In this case, the storage unit 12 will store separately the content to be sent to and displayed to general waiting users and the content to be sent to and displayed to priority users.

[0040] The control unit 11 may display a screen, for example, as shown in Figure 9, on a user terminal where the waiting list is zero, i.e., when it is the user's turn to use the facility. In the example in Figure 9, a message indicating that it is the user's turn ("It is your turn"), a message prompting the user to show the screen on their terminal to the facility staff (store staff) ("Please show this screen to the staff at the store"), and a button 28 for processing the used item are displayed. When the facility staff (or the user themselves) selects button 28 when using the facility, a message 29 indicating that the right to use the facility (numbered ticket or priority right) has been used may be displayed, as shown in Figure 10. At that time, information indicating that the user (either a general waiting user or a priority user) has started using the facility (in other words, information that they entered using a priority right or information that they entered using a numbered ticket) is transmitted from the user terminal to the information processing device 10. As a result, the control unit 11 updates the waiting information in the storage unit. Consequently, the waiting users' turns advance in order (the waiting list decreases). The control unit may update the standby information in the storage unit based on the information of the user who has used the facility in this manner, and transmit standby-related information to the user terminals 20 of other standby users for display. This allows standby users to grasp the number of standbys and estimated standby times, which are updated in real time.

[0041] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 can transmit the information from the storage unit, which is updated as needed, to the facility-side terminal 30, allowing these screens to be displayed on the facility-side terminal 30. The facility-side terminal 30 can display various information, such as waiting information, to the person in charge of the target facility, and may also acquire input information from the person in charge. For example, the person in charge of the target facility may transmit to the information processing device 10 via the facility-side terminal 30 whether various users who were waiting have used the target facility, or whether a user who was waiting has canceled. In this case, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 may update the information in the storage unit 12 based on the received information. The control unit may also display a list of users who are currently waiting on the facility-side terminal 30. Specifically, the display may include the queue number (identification information assigned when the facility usage request information is received), the time when the facility usage request information (or priority usage information) was received, and the number of users entered by the user. The control unit may assign a queue number when the usage request information is received and store it in association with the user information. Alternatively, the facility staff may set the number of available (sellable) priority rights for a given time slot (e.g., 12:00 to 13:00, 17:00 to 18:00) via a facility terminal, that is, the maximum number of priority rights for each predetermined time slot. The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 may update the information in the storage unit 12 based on the received information.

[0042] As described above, this embodiment is an information processing system for managing the order of users for a target facility, and includes a control unit that performs the following: a process for receiving usage request information transmitted from a user terminal used by each user; a sequence determination process for determining the order of each user based on the usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit; an output process for transmitting and outputting waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal; a process for receiving priority usage request information transmitted from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights ahead of general waiting users; an update process for updating the order of each user based on the priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit; and an update information output process for transmitting and outputting waiting-related information based on the updated order to each user's user terminal. With this, it is possible to manage the order of users for a target facility. In particular, it is possible to manage the order while distinguishing between general waiting users and users who have priority rights (the right to use the facility first).

[0043] In this embodiment, the control unit may perform information processing such that the waiting-related information output to the user terminal of a user whose turn has been delayed due to the update process (general waiting user) does not reflect the fact that the turn has been delayed in the update information output process. For example, as shown in Figure 7, if a general user who is 18th in line becomes 19th in line due to priority use by a priority user, the control unit may maintain the screen display of 18th in line (without changing it to 19th in line).

[0044] In this embodiment, the waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of a general waiting user includes information on the number of people or groups waiting, and if the user's turn is above a certain value, it may be indicated with a more specific numerical value than when it is below that value. "Specific numerical value" means that the range of numerical values ​​to be displayed is narrow. For example, if the number of people waiting is above a predetermined value stored, such as 5, 10, or 15 (in units of groups or people), the control unit may display the actual number of people waiting (e.g., "6 groups", "12 groups", "18 groups") with a specific numerical value, and if it is below the specific value, it may be indicated with a numerical value with a range of 2 or more (e.g., "2-3 groups", "5-9 groups", "10 groups or less").

[0045] In this embodiment, the waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of a priority user may be shown using more specific numerical values ​​than the waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of a general waiting user. For example, the control unit may display the actual number of waiting users (e.g., "1 group", "2 groups") on the user terminal of a priority user, and a number with a range of 2 or more (e.g., "2-3 groups", "5-9 groups", "10 groups or less") on the user terminal of a general waiting user. The conditions for which the control unit displays information on each user's terminal are stored in the storage unit in advance, in association with the user type and the number of waiting users.

[0046] In this embodiment, the control unit may transmit and display waiting-related information to the facility-side terminal. For example, the control unit may transmit and display information on all users currently waiting (number of users, queue ticket ID, user information, user type (general user or priority user)), the time when waiting started (i.e., when the request for use was received), the number of users, etc., to the facility-side terminal of the target facility. This allows facility staff to easily grasp the waiting information. Furthermore, it is preferable to repeatedly transmit the waiting information from the information processing device 10 to the facility-side terminal 30 so that it is updated in real time if there is a change in the waiting information.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control unit may output notification information to the user terminal of a user whose waiting number (number of people or groups waiting) falls below a predetermined value. For example, when the number of remaining groups falls to 5 or less, 3 or less, or when the estimated waiting time reaches a predetermined time (10 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute), the control unit may output an alarm sound, vibration, or a specific image display (such as "It's almost your turn.") to the user terminal of a waiting user. The conditions for such notifications from the control unit to the user terminal are also stored in the memory unit in advance.

[0048] In this embodiment, the maximum number of priority rights within a predetermined time frame may be stored in response to input from a facility staff member to the facility-side terminal. This allows the number of priority rights used for each time frame to be appropriately limited according to the facility's needs.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the control unit receives information requesting the purchase of priority rights, it may determine whether or not to issue priority rights based on information regarding the upper limit and the number of rights to be issued. For example, when information requesting the purchase of priority rights is received, it may determine that priority rights can be issued if the number of rights to be issued is less than the upper limit, and determine that priority rights cannot be issued if the number of rights to be issued has reached the upper limit. This allows for appropriate restriction of priority rights issuance until the upper limit is reached.

[0050] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure that various modifications or alterations may be conceived within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] The apparatus described herein may be implemented as a single device, or as a group of devices (e.g., cloud servers) that are partially or entirely connected by a network. For example, the control unit and storage unit of an information processing apparatus may be implemented as different servers connected to each other by a network.

[0052] The series of processes performed by the apparatus described herein may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Computer programs for implementing each function of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment can be created and implemented on a PC or the like. Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium containing such a computer program can also be provided. Examples of recording media include magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and flash memory. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed without using a recording medium, for example, via a network.

[0053] Furthermore, the processes described using flowcharts in this specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown. Some processing steps may be executed in parallel. Additional processing steps may be adopted, and some processing steps may be omitted.

[0054] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely descriptive or illustrative and not limiting. In other words, the technology relating to this disclosure may produce other effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the description herein, in addition to or instead of the effects described herein.

[0055] Furthermore, the following configurations also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. (Item 1) An information processing system that manages the order of users for a target facility, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, The process involves receiving priority usage request information sent from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights over general waiting users, and Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. An information processing system comprising a control unit that performs update information output processing, which sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the order in which updates were made to each user's user terminal. (Item 2) The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the waiting-related information output to the user terminal of a user whose turn has been delayed by the update process is configured so as not to reflect the fact that the turn has been delayed in the update information output process. (Item 3) The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of the general waiting user includes information on the number of people or groups waiting, and when the user's position is above a certain value, it is indicated by a more specific numerical value than when it is below a certain value. (Item 4) The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the standby-related information displayed on the user terminal of the preferred user is indicated by more specific numerical values ​​than the standby-related information displayed on the user terminal of the general standby user. (Item 5) The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit transmits standby-related information to a facility-side terminal for display. (Item 6) The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the user terminal of a user whose standby count falls below a predetermined value to output notification information. (Item 7) The information processing system according to claim 5, which stores the maximum number of priority rights within a predetermined time frame in response to input from a facility staff member to the facility terminal. (Item 8) The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit, upon receiving information requesting the purchase of priority rights, determines whether or not to issue priority rights based on information regarding the upper limit and the number of rights to be issued. (Item 9) An information processing method using an information processing device that manages the order of users for a target facility, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, The process involves receiving priority usage request information sent from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights over general waiting users, and Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. An information processing method in which the control unit of an information processing device performs an update information output process, which involves sending and outputting waiting-related information based on the order in which updates were made to each user's user terminal. (Item 10) A program that causes an information processing device, which manages the order of users for a target facility, to perform information processing, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, The process involves receiving priority usage request information sent from the user terminal of a priority user who has priority rights over general waiting users, and Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. A program that instructs the control unit of an information processing device to execute an update information output process, which sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the update order to each user's user terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Information Processing System 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Control Unit 12 Storage section 20 User Terminals 30 Facility-side terminals

Claims

1. An information processing system that manages the order of users for a target facility, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, A process to receive priority usage request information transmitted from the user terminal of a priority user who purchased priority rights prior to general waiting users after receiving the waiting-related information, among users who received the waiting-related information based on the order determined in response to the transmission of the aforementioned usage request information, Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. It includes a control unit that performs update information output processing, which sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the updated order to each user's user terminal, The waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of the aforementioned general waiting user includes information on the number of people or groups waiting, and when the user's position is above a certain value, it is indicated by a more specific number than when the user's position is below that value. The information processing system displays waiting-related information on the user terminal of the priority user, regardless of whether the priority user's position is above a certain value, and the number of people or groups waiting is shown as a specific numerical value.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the waiting-related information output to the user terminal of a user whose turn has been delayed by the update process is configured so as not to reflect the fact that the turn has been delayed in the update information output process.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the standby-related information displayed on the user terminal of the preferred user is indicated by more specific numerical values ​​than the standby-related information displayed on the user terminal of the general standby user.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit transmits standby-related information to a facility-side terminal for display.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the user terminal of a user whose standby count falls below a predetermined value to output notification information.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4, which stores the maximum number of priority rights within a predetermined time frame in response to input from a facility staff member to the facility terminal.

7. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit, upon receiving information requesting the purchase of priority rights, determines whether or not to issue priority rights based on information regarding the upper limit and the number of rights to be issued.

8. An information processing method using an information processing device that manages the order of users for a target facility, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, A process to receive priority usage request information transmitted from the user terminal of a priority user who purchased priority rights prior to general waiting users after receiving the waiting-related information, among users who received the waiting-related information based on the order determined in response to the transmission of the aforementioned usage request information, Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. The control unit of the information processing device executes an update information output process that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the update order to each user's user terminal. The waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of the aforementioned general waiting user includes information on the number of people or groups waiting, and when the user's position is above a certain value, it is indicated by a more specific number than when the user's position is below that value. An information processing method in which the waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of the priority user is shown as a specific numerical value regardless of whether the priority user's position is equal to or greater than the specified value.

9. A program that causes an information processing device, which manages the order of users for a target facility, to perform information processing, A process for receiving usage request information sent from the user terminal used by each user, Based on the aforementioned usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an order determination process is performed to determine the order of each user. Output processing that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the determined order to each user's user terminal, A process to receive priority usage request information transmitted from the user terminal of a priority user who purchased priority rights prior to general waiting users after receiving the waiting-related information, among users who received the waiting-related information based on the order determined in response to the transmission of the aforementioned usage request information, Based on the aforementioned priority usage request information and the waiting information of the storage unit, an update process is performed to update the order of each user. The control unit of the information processing device is instructed to execute an update information output process that sends and outputs waiting-related information based on the updated order to each user's user terminal. The waiting-related information displayed on the user terminal of the aforementioned general waiting user includes information on the number of people or groups waiting, and when the user's position is above a certain value, it is indicated by a more specific number than when the user's position is below that value. The program displays the waiting-related information on the user terminal of the priority user in a specific numerical value, regardless of whether the priority user's position is above a certain value.

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