Server device, system, control method for server device, and program

Abstract

Provided is a server device which contributes to improvement of convenience for a user who tries to reserve a facility or an event. The server device comprises: a search control means; a reservation control means; and an authentication control means. The search control means searches for a facility or an event which requires reservation, and presents to the user facilities or events which require reservation and which have been acquired through the search as search results. The reservation control means executes control for reservation of a facility or an event selected from among the presented search results by the user. The reservation control means stores, upon successful reservation, authentication information on the user and reservation information on the reserved facility or event in association with each other. The authentication control means identifies, upon reception of an authentication request including authentication information on a person to be authenticated, the person to be authenticated through a comparison process using the authentication information. The authentication control means authenticates the person to be authenticated on the basis of the reservation information on the identified person to be authenticated.

Description

Server device, system, server device control method and storage medium

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a storage medium.

[0002] There is technology that presents travel plans to users.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a travel system in which a user selects a desired destination from a preference category via the Internet and requests a travel agency to plan the trip according to the user's preferences.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-050147

[0005] As described in Patent Document 1, the Internet is often used to create travel plans. Specifically, users planning a trip use search sites and information providers to find hotels and events they like. However, users cannot make reservations for the hotels and events they find on the search sites or information providers, and must make reservations through accommodation reservation sites or the homepages of event organizers. However, the names of hotels and other accommodations on the search sites and reservation sites may differ, and users may have difficulty verifying whether the hotel, event, etc. they actually want to book is the one they want.

[0006] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a storage medium that contribute to improving convenience for users who wish to reserve facilities or events.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device comprising: a search control means for searching for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords entered by a user, and presenting at least one or more of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as search results; a reservation control means for controlling reservations for a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and, if the user is successful in reserving the facility or event selected by the user, storing the user's authentication information in association with the reservation information for the reserved facility or event; and an authentication control means for, when an authentication request including authentication information for a person to be authenticated is received from a terminal installed at the venue of the reserved facility or event, identifying the person to be authenticated by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticating the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including: a business operator terminal installed at a facility or event venue; and a server device, wherein the server device searches for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords entered by a user and presents at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as search results; a reservation control means that controls the reservation of a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results and, if the user is successful in reserving the facility or event selected by the user, stores the user's authentication information in association with the reservation information of the reserved facility or event; and an authentication control means that, upon receiving an authentication request including authentication information of a person to be authenticated from a business operator terminal installed at the reserved facility or event venue, identifies the person to be authenticated by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticates the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control means for a server device that searches for facilities or events that require reservations corresponding to search keywords entered by a user, presents at least one of the facilities or events that require reservations obtained by the search to the user as search results, controls the reservation of a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and, if the user is successful in reserving the facility or event selected by the user, stores the user's authentication information in association with the reservation information of the reserved facility or event, and, upon receiving an authentication request including the authentication information of a person to be authenticated from a terminal installed at the venue of the reserved facility or event, identifies the person to be authenticated by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticates the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute the following processes: search for facilities or events that require reservations corresponding to search keywords entered by a user, and present at least one of the facilities or events that require reservations obtained by the search to the user as search results; control reservations for a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and, if the user is successful in reserving the facility or event selected by the user, store the authentication information of the user in association with the reservation information of the reserved facility or event; and, when an authentication request including authentication information of a person to be authenticated is received from a terminal installed at the venue of the reserved facility or event, identify the person to be authenticated by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticate the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.

[0011] According to each aspect of the present invention, a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a storage medium are provided that contribute to improving convenience for users who wish to reserve facilities or events. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects described above.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of an operation of an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a control server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of an authentication control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a service server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a business operator terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a control server according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management database according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control server according to the present disclosure.

[0013] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units, not hardware units. Connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. Note that in this specification and drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be assigned the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

[0014] A server device 100 according to one embodiment includes a search control unit 101, a reservation control unit 102, and an authentication control unit 103 (see FIG. 1 ). The search control unit 101 searches for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords entered by a user, and presents at least one facility or event requiring reservations obtained through the search to the user as search results (step S1 in FIG. 2 ). The reservation control unit 102 controls the reservation of a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results. When the reservation control unit 102 successfully reserves the selected facility or event, it stores the user's authentication information in association with the reservation information for the reserved facility or event (step S2). When the authentication control unit 103 receives an authentication request including the authentication information of an authenticatee from a terminal installed at the venue of the reserved facility or event, it identifies the authenticatee by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information. The authentication control unit 103 then authenticates the authenticatee based on the identified reservation information of the authenticatee (step S3).

[0015] When a user wishes to reserve a facility or event displayed as a search result, the server device 100 reserves the facility or event directly, without going through another business, etc. As a result, the user does not need to search for a reservation page for the facility or event that can be obtained by searching using an existing search engine, etc., and can reliably reserve the desired facility, etc. In other words, convenience for users who are trying to reserve a facility or event is improved.

[0016] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [System Configuration] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing system includes a tourist center and a plurality of service providers.

[0019] A tourist center is an organization that promotes tourist destinations and attracts visitors. Alternatively, a tourist center may be a joint venture between a local tourist association and a company that has a partnership with the tourist association. A service provider is a business that operates in a tourist destination and provides services to users (tourists) who visit the destination. Note that the tourist center and the service provider are entities that belong to different domains and have no capital or other relationship. Therefore, the tourist center and the service provider (the business that operates the tourist destination) must have entered into a specified partnership agreement, etc.

[0020] The tourist center manages and operates the control server 10. The control server 10 is a server that realizes the main functions of the tourist center. For example, the control server 10 provides a search service (information site) related to facilities and events at tourist destinations. The control server 10 may be installed in the tourist center building or on a network (cloud).

[0021] Each service provider has a service server 20 and a business operator terminal 30. The service server 20 controls the business of each service provider. The service server 20 may be installed in the building of each service provider, or may be installed on a network (on the cloud).

[0022] The business operator terminal 30 is installed at a location (a facility, an event venue) where the service provider provides the service in a tourist destination, etc. The business operator terminal 30 is a terminal used when the service provider provides the service to the user.

[0023] For example, if the service provider is a hotel, the user (the person making the hotel reservation) performs check-in procedures by operating the business operator terminal 30. Alternatively, if the service provider is an art museum, the user is authenticated by the business operator terminal 30 and enters the museum.

[0024] In FIG. 3, the service servers 20 and business terminals 30 related to service providers other than hotels (art museums, ski resorts) are omitted from the illustration.

[0025] A user has a terminal 40 such as a smartphone. The user operates the terminal 40 to access the control server 10 or the like, and inputs and acquires various pieces of information.

[0026] The devices shown in FIG. 3 (control server 10, service server 20, etc.) are connected by wired or wireless communication means and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0027] The configuration of the information processing system shown in Fig. 3 is an example and is not intended to limit the configuration. For example, multiple control servers 10 may be included in the system. Furthermore, although Fig. 3 illustrates three service providers, it goes without saying that this is not intended to limit the number of service providers included in the information processing system.

[0028] [Overall Operation] Next, an overall operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0029] <User Registration> First, the user operates the terminal 40 to access the control server 10 of the tourist center and create an account. The user then registers as a user on the information providing site. By registering as a user, an account is created on the information providing site.

[0030] Specifically, the user inputs their personal information (profile; for example, name, date of birth, gender, address, etc.), authentication information, hobbies and preferences (for example, likes and dislikes regarding various travel events), etc. into the control server 10.

[0031] When the control server 10 acquires information about a user, it generates a user ID for identifying the user. The control server 10 manages the user ID, profile, authentication information, hobbies, preferences, etc. of the user through each account.

[0032] The authentication information may be, for example, biometric information or an authentication code. In the embodiment of the present application, biometric information will be used as an example of authentication information.

[0033] Examples of biometric information include data (features) calculated from physical characteristics unique to an individual, such as a face, fingerprint, voiceprint, veins, retina, or iris pattern. Alternatively, the biometric information may be image data such as a face image or fingerprint image. The biometric information may be any information that includes the user's physical characteristics. In the embodiment of the present application, a case will be described in which biometric information related to a person's "face" (a face image or features generated from a face image) is used.

[0034] <Searching for and Reservations with Service Providers> After completing user registration, users can search for information on the information providing site provided by the tourist center. For example, the information providing site (control server 10) displays search results such as those shown in FIG.

[0035] The user can make a reservation for a facility or event that is presented by the information search. In the example of Figure 4, the user operates the terminal 40 to press the "reserve" button corresponding to the facility or event for which the user wishes to make a reservation.

[0036] In response to the press of the reservation button, the information providing site (control server 10) acquires information (reservation information) related to the reservation of a facility or event. For example, the control server 10 acquires the reservation date (date of facility use) and information associated with facility use (for example, the room grade when reserving a hotel) using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like.

[0037] When the control server 10 acquires the reservation information, it transmits a "reservation availability determination request" including the acquired reservation information to the service server 20 corresponding to the facility or event selected by the user.

[0038] Upon receiving the reservation availability determination request, the service server 20 controls whether or not to accept the acquired reservation information. Specifically, the service server 20 presents the reservation information included in the reservation availability determination request to a staff member or the like of the service provider. The staff member refers to the presented reservation information and determines whether or not to accept the reservation. The staff member inputs whether or not to accept the reservation into the service server 20.

[0039] When the control server 10 receives a notification of reservation acceptance (reservation completion) from the service server 20, it registers the reservation information accepted by the service provider in the user's account. That is, the control server 10 stores the user ID, authentication information (biometric information), and reservation information in association with each other. Once the reservation information is registered in the account, the control server 10 notifies the user that the reservation is complete.

[0040] <Provision of Services> Once a reservation for a facility or event is completed, the user can receive services from the service provider. For example, if a user reserves a hotel, the user visits the hotel on the check-in date. In this case, the user performs check-in procedures using the provider terminal 30.

[0041] The business operator terminal 30 acquires biometric information (e.g., a facial image) of the user (person to be authenticated) in front of the business operator terminal 30. The business operator terminal 30 transmits an "authentication subject detection notification" including the acquired biometric information and the service provider ID to the service server 20 (see FIG. 5). In the following description, the service provider ID may be simply referred to as a "provider ID."

[0042] The service provider ID is an ID for identifying the service provider in which the business terminal 30 is installed. The service provider ID is shared between the tourist center and each service provider by any method. For example, a system administrator determines a service provider ID and inputs the determined service provider ID and information about the service provider (e.g., facility name, location, contact information, address of the service server 20, etc.) into the control server 10.

[0043] The system administrator then notifies the service provider of the determined service provider ID, and the service provider sets the notified service provider ID in the service server 20 and the business operator terminal 30.

[0044] The service server 20 transmits an “authentication request” including the biometric information of the acquired authentication-subject detection notification and the service provider ID to the control server 10. In other words, the service server 20 transfers the received authentication-subject detection notification to the control server 10.

[0045] The control server 10 identifies the user (person to be authenticated) using the biometric information included in the authentication request and the biometric information registered in each user's account. The control server 10 authenticates the person to be authenticated using the reservation information of the identified user.

[0046] The control server 10 notifies the service server 20 of the authentication result (authentication success or authentication failure).

[0047] If the authentication of the person to be authenticated is successful, the hotel service server 20 proceeds with the check-in procedure for the person to be authenticated via the business operator terminal 30.

[0048] If the authentication of the person to be authenticated fails, the hotel service server 20 notifies the user via the business operator terminal 30 that the check-in procedure cannot be continued.

[0049] Next, details of each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0050] [Control Server] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration (processing modules) of the control server 10 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 6, the control server 10 includes a communication control unit 201, a user registration unit 202, a search control unit 203, a reservation control unit 204, an authentication control unit 205, and a storage unit 206.

[0051] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the service server 20. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the service server 20. The communication control unit 201 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0052] The user registration unit 202 is a means for controlling user registration. When a user operates the terminal 40 to perform a predetermined operation on the information providing site (for example, pressing an account creation button), the user registration unit 202 acquires information about the user.

[0053] The user registration unit 202 acquires information about the user, such as personal information (profile; e.g., name, date of birth, gender, address, etc.), authentication information (biometric information; e.g., facial image), and hobby and preference information (e.g., likes and dislikes regarding various travel events).

[0054] The user registration unit 202 generates a feature amount from the acquired face image.

[0055] Since existing technology can be used for the feature generation process by the user registration unit 202, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the user registration unit 202 extracts the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. from the face image as feature points. The user registration unit 202 then calculates the positions of the feature points and the distances between the feature points as feature amounts (generating a feature vector consisting of multiple feature amounts).

[0056] Furthermore, when the user registration unit 202 acquires information about a user, it generates a user ID for identifying the user. The user ID may be any information that can uniquely identify the user. For example, the user registration unit 202 may assign a unique value each time information about a user is acquired and use the number as the user ID.

[0057] When the user registration unit 202 generates a user ID, it stores the user ID, biometric information (feature amounts), personal information (name, address, etc.), hobbies and interests, etc. in a user management database (see FIG. 7). Note that the user management database shown in FIG. 7 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, a "face image" may be registered in the user management database as biometric information.

[0058] The search control unit 203 is a means for providing a search service to a user. The search control unit 203 searches for facilities or events that require reservations corresponding to search keywords entered by the user. The search control unit 203 presents at least one facility or event that requires reservations obtained by the search to the user as a search result.

[0059] Specifically, when a user operates terminal 40 to perform a predetermined action on the information providing site (for example, entering a search keyword in a predetermined area and pressing the search button), the search control unit 203 displays a list of facility names, event names, etc. that match the search keyword.

[0060] 4, when the search control unit 203 acquires the search keyword "hotels in Tokyo," it displays a list of hotels that have contracts with the tourist information center and are located in Tokyo as search results on the terminal 40. Alternatively, when the search control unit 203 acquires the search keyword "events in Tokyo," it displays a list of events (e.g., fireworks displays) held in Tokyo that are hosted by service providers that have contracts with the tourist information center as search results on the terminal 40.

[0061] Detailed explanation of the control (algorithm) of the search service by the search control unit 203 will be omitted, as the search service can be realized using existing technology. The search control unit 203 obtains the search results desired by the user by searching a database that stores indexed information about service providers (e.g., facility names, locations, names of events they host, and details thereof). Note that the database may be generated by staff at the tourist center or the like and set in the control server 10 in advance.

[0062] The reservation control unit 204 is a means for controlling reservations made by users with service providers (facilities, events). The reservation control unit 204 controls reservations for facilities or events selected by the user from the search results presented by the search control unit 203. When the reservation control unit 204 successfully reserves the facility or event selected by the user, it stores the user's authentication information and the reservation information for the reserved facility or event in association with each other.

[0063] Specifically, when a user presses the "reserve" button in the list of search results, the reservation control unit 204 controls the reservation of the facility or event desired by the user.

[0064] For example, in FIG. 4, if a user wishes to make a reservation at "Hotel A," the reservation control unit 204 acquires information such as the user's desired stay period (check-in date, check-out date), the grade of the room in which the user will be staying, etc. as "reservation information."

[0065] The reservation control unit 204 acquires reservation information according to the type of service provider for which the user makes a reservation. For example, if the user wishes to make a reservation for an art museum (purchase a ticket for the art museum), the reservation control unit 204 acquires the date on which the user will visit the art museum as reservation information.

[0066] Further description of the reservation information acquired by the reservation control unit 204 will be omitted because the reservation information differs depending on the service provider for which the user makes a reservation, and reservation information relating to an individual service provider is not within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] Upon acquiring the reservation information, the reservation control unit 204 transmits a reservation availability determination request including the acquired reservation information and information about the user (reserving person) (e.g., name, gender, date of birth, address, contact information, etc.) to the service server 20. The reservation control unit 204 transmits the reservation availability determination request to the service server 20 of the service provider (a facility operated by the service provider or an event held by the service provider) for which the user wishes to make a reservation.

[0068] The reservation control unit 204 acquires the result of the reservation availability determination request (reservation accepted or reservation rejected).

[0069] When the reservation acceptance (positive response) is received, the reservation control unit 204 registers the service provider ID of the service provider for which the reservation has been completed and the reservation information in the user's account (an entry in the user management database) (see FIG. 7). Note that the information written in the reservation information field in FIG. 7 is specific information regarding the hotel stay period, museum tickets, etc. Also, for ease of understanding, the provider ID field in FIG. 7 lists a specific facility name as the provider ID.

[0070] When the reservation with the service provider that the user desires to reserve is completed, the reservation control unit 204 notifies the user of this fact.

[0071] If a reservation rejection (negative response) is received, the reservation control unit 204 notifies the user that the reservation is not possible.

[0072] The authentication control unit 205 is a means for controlling the authentication of a user who receives a service from a service provider. The authentication control unit 205 processes an authentication request received from the service server 20.

[0073] The authentication control unit 205 receives an authentication request including authentication information of the person to be authenticated from the business terminal 30 installed at the reserved facility or event venue. The authentication control unit 205 identifies the person to be authenticated by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and authentication information stored in the user management database. The authentication control unit 205 authenticates the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.

[0074] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the authentication control unit 205 according to the first embodiment. The operation of the authentication control unit 205 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] When an authentication request is received, the authentication control unit 205 performs a matching process (one-to-N matching; N is a positive integer, same below) using the biometric information included in the authentication request and the biometric information stored in the user management database (step S101).

[0076] Specifically, the authentication control unit 205 calculates features from the facial image included in the authentication request. The authentication control unit 205 sets the calculated features as a matching target and performs a matching process with features registered in the user management database. More specifically, the authentication control unit 205 sets the calculated features (feature vector) as a matching target and performs one-to-many matching with multiple features in the user management database.

[0077] The authentication control unit 205 calculates the similarity between the feature to be matched and each of the multiple feature values ​​on the registration side. The similarity can be calculated using chi-square distance, Euclidean distance, or the like. Note that the greater the distance, the lower the similarity, and the closer the distance, the higher the similarity.

[0078] The authentication control unit 205 determines that the matching process is successful if, among the multiple feature quantities stored in the user management database, there is a feature quantity whose similarity with the feature quantity to be matched is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If such a feature quantity is not present, the authentication control unit 205 determines that the matching process is unsuccessful.

[0079] If the matching process fails (step S102, No branch), the authentication control unit 205 sends a negative response to the service server 20 indicating that authentication of the person attempting to receive a service from the service provider has failed (step S103).

[0080] If the matching process is successful (step S102, Yes branch), the authentication control unit 205 determines whether the user identified by the matching process (the entry with the highest similarity) has a valid reservation (reservation information) (determine whether a reservation exists; step S104).

[0081] Specifically, if the user identified by the matching process does not have reservation information for the service provider corresponding to the service provider ID included in the authentication request (if there is no reservation information in the user management database), the authentication control unit 205 determines that there is no valid reservation.

[0082] If the user identified by the matching process has a reservation with the service provider corresponding to the service provider ID included in the authentication request, the authentication control unit 205 determines the validity of the reservation information for that service provider.

[0083] For example, if the date on which the user visits the hotel (the date on which the authentication request is received) is the check-in date of the reservation information, the authentication control unit 205 determines that the reservation information is valid. In this case, the authentication control unit 205 determines that the user has a valid reservation.

[0084] On the other hand, if the date on which the user visited the hotel is before the check-in date in the reservation information, the authentication control unit 205 determines that the reservation information is invalid. In this case, the authentication control unit 205 determines that the user does not have a valid reservation.

[0085] If the user (person to be authenticated) does not have a valid reservation (step S105, No branch), the authentication control unit 205 transmits a negative response to the service server 20 (step S103).

[0086] If the user (person to be authenticated) has a valid reservation (step S105, Yes branch), the authentication control unit 205 sends a positive response to the service server 20 indicating that authentication of the person to be authenticated who is attempting to receive a service from the service provider has been successful (step S106).

[0087] The storage unit 206 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the control server 10 .

[0088] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the service server 20 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the service server 20 includes a communication control unit 301, a task execution unit 302, and a storage unit 303.

[0089] The communication control unit 301 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 301 receives data (packets) from the control server 10. The communication control unit 301 also transmits data to the control server 10. The communication control unit 301 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 301 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 301. The communication control unit 301 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0090] The business execution unit 302 is a means for executing the business of the service provider. For example, the business execution unit 302 processes a reservation availability determination request received from the control server 10.

[0091] The operation execution unit 302 provides the reservation information and reservation person information (e.g., name, etc.) included in the received reservation acceptance determination request to a staff member of the service provider. For example, the operation execution unit 302 displays the reservation information, etc. on a display, etc. Alternatively, the operation execution unit 302 transmits the reservation information, etc. to a terminal (not shown in FIG. 3, etc.) carried by the staff member, etc. The operation execution unit 302 obtains from the staff member, etc., whether the reservation can be accepted, using a GUI, etc.

[0092] Alternatively, the business execution unit 302 may refer to a database that manages the business of the service provider and automatically determine whether or not to accept a reservation. For example, the business execution unit 302 may refer to a database that manages hotel reservation information and determine whether or not to accept a new reservation.

[0093] If the reservation is accepted, the operation execution unit 302 sends a positive response indicating this to the control server 10. If the reservation is rejected, the operation execution unit 302 sends a negative response indicating this to the control server 10.

[0094] The business execution unit 302 stores the reservation information and the reservation user information in a database or the like as needed.

[0095] The business execution unit 302 processes the authentication-subject notification received from the business operator terminal 30. Specifically, the business execution unit 302 transmits (transfers) the received authentication-subject detection notification to the control server 10 as an “authentication request.”

[0096] The task execution unit 302 receives a response to the authentication request (authentication success, authentication failure) from the control server 10. The task execution unit 302 performs processing according to the authentication result.

[0097] For example, the business execution unit 302 of the service server 20 installed in a hotel performs processing related to the check-in of the person to be authenticated (e.g., assigning a room, etc.), or the business execution unit 302 of the service server 20 installed in an art museum notifies the business operator terminal 30 that the person to be authenticated is permitted to enter the museum.

[0098] The business execution unit 302 performs processing and control appropriate for the service provider in which the service server 20 is installed. The operation of the business execution unit 302 specific to each service provider is different from the gist of the present disclosure, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] The storage unit 303 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the service server 20 .

[0100] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the business operator terminal 30 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 10, the business operator terminal 30 includes a communication control unit 401, a biometric information acquisition unit 402, a business execution unit 403, and a storage unit 404.

[0101] The communication control unit 401 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 401 receives data (packets) from the service server 20. The communication control unit 401 also transmits data to the service server 20. The communication control unit 401 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 401 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 401. The communication control unit 401 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0102] The biometric information acquisition unit 402 is a means for controlling a camera and acquiring biometric information (e.g., a facial image) of a person to be authenticated. The biometric information acquisition unit 402 periodically or at a predetermined timing captures an image of the area in front of the device. The biometric information acquisition unit 402 determines whether the acquired image contains a human facial image, and if a facial image is included, extracts the facial image from the acquired image data.

[0103] Note that since existing technologies can be used for the facial image detection process and facial image extraction process by the biometric information acquisition unit 402, detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the biometric information acquisition unit 402 may extract a facial image (face region) from image data using a learning model trained by a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). Alternatively, the biometric information acquisition unit 402 may extract a facial image using a technique such as template matching.

[0104] The biometric information acquisition unit 402 passes the extracted face image to the task execution unit 403 .

[0105] The business execution unit 403 is a means for executing the business assigned to the business operator terminal 30 .

[0106] When the biometric information (face image) is acquired from the biometric information acquisition unit 402, the business execution unit 403 transmits an authentication target detection notification including the biometric information and the service provider ID to the service server 20 of the company (own store).

[0107] The business execution unit 403 also executes business operations according to each service provider. For example, the business execution unit 403 cooperates with the hotel service server 20 to perform check-in procedures for a person who has been successfully authenticated (a person to be authenticated who has been determined to have been successfully authenticated).

[0108] Alternatively, when the business execution unit 403 of the business terminal 30 installed in the art museum receives a notification from the service server 20 that the person to be authenticated is permitted to enter the museum, it opens the gate and allows the person who has been successfully authenticated to pass through the gate.

[0109] The business execution unit 403 performs processing and control suitable for the service provider that manages the business terminal 30. The operation of the business execution unit 403 specific to each service provider is different from the gist of the disclosure of this application, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0110] The storage unit 404 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the business operator terminal 30 .

[0111] [Terminal] Examples of the terminal 40 include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a game console, a mobile terminal device such as a tablet, a computer (personal computer, laptop computer), etc. The terminal 40 can be any equipment or device that can accept user operations and communicate with the control server 10, etc. Furthermore, the configuration of the terminal 40 is clear to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0112] [System Operation] Next, the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0113] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. The operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0114] When business operator terminal 30 detects a person to be authenticated in front of it, business operator terminal 30 acquires biometric information of the person to be authenticated (step S01).

[0115] The business operator terminal 30 transmits an authentication subject detection notification including the acquired biometric information to the service server 20 (step S02).

[0116] Service server 20 transmits the received authentication-subject detection notification to control server 10 as an authentication request (step S03).

[0117] Control server 10 authenticates the person to be authenticated using the biometric information included in the authentication request and the information (biometric information, reservation information) registered in the user management database (step S04).

[0118] The control server 10 transmits the authentication result (authentication success, authentication failure) to the service server 20 (step S05).

[0119] The service server 20 and the business operator terminal 30 execute the business according to the authentication result (step S06).

[0120] As described above, when a user requests a reservation for a facility or event found in a search result, the control server 10 according to the first embodiment directly reserves the facility or event. The control server 10 manages the results of the reservation procedure using a common ID (authentication information; biometric information) across multiple facilities (automatically completing the reservation). The control server 10 also provides an authentication service for users who have reserved a facility or event. This eliminates the need for service providers to independently build an authentication system (biometric authentication system), thereby reducing the burden on the service provider. In other words, by storing multiple pieces of reservation information in association with a common ID in the control server 10, users can use the reserved facility or event after verifying their identity using facial recognition or other methods.

[0121] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0122] In the first embodiment, the control server 10 (information provider site) presents facilities or events that match the search keywords to the user as search results. In the second embodiment, the control server 10 presents travel plans that match the search keywords.

[0123] The configuration of the information processing system according to the second embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description corresponding to FIG. 3 will be omitted.

[0124] The following description will focus on the differences between the first and second embodiments.

[0125] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration (processing modules) of the control server 10 according to the second embodiment. Referring to Fig. 12, a travel plan control unit 207 is added to the configuration of the control server 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0126] The travel plan control unit 207 is a means for generating a travel plan corresponding to the search keywords entered by the user. The travel plan control unit 207 generates a travel plan in response to a predetermined action on the information providing site by the user operating the terminal 40 (for example, entering a search keyword for a desired travel plan and pressing a search button).

[0127] In this case, the travel plan control unit 207 generates a travel plan that incorporates service providers (facilities operated by the service providers and events held by the service providers). For example, when the travel plan control unit 207 acquires the search keyword "Tokyo sightseeing," it generates a travel plan that includes facilities operating in Tokyo, events held in Tokyo, etc.

[0128] The travel plan control unit 207 may generate a travel plan by referencing a database that stores combinations of search keywords and travel plans (extracting from the database). Alternatively, the travel plan control unit 207 may generate a travel plan by using a learning model (obtaining from the learning model).

[0129] The database and learning model used to generate the travel plan are prepared by staff at the tourist center, etc. The staff at the tourist center, etc. input the database and learning model into the control server 10 in advance.

[0130] The search keywords entered by the user into the information site may be not only geographical information of the travel plan (for example, the name of a tourist spot) but also seasonal information (desired season, date and time of travel, etc.). The travel plan control unit 207 generates at least one travel plan that matches the user's desired location and time.

[0131] The travel plan control unit 207 assigns an ID (hereinafter referred to as a travel plan ID) to the generated travel plan and manages it in association with the facilities (service providers) included in each travel plan. The travel plan control unit 207 stores the travel plan ID in association with at least one service provider ID.

[0132] The travel plan control unit 207 displays the generated travel plan on the terminal 40. At this time, the travel plan control unit 207 enables the user to make a bulk reservation with the service providers included in the travel plan presented to the user. For example, the travel plan control unit 207 displays a GUI such as that shown in FIG. 13 on the terminal 40.

[0133] In the example of Figure 13, travel plan A shows a travel plan in which the traveler arrives at Tokyo Station at 17:45 on September 10, 2022, travels by taxi, and checks into Hotel A at 18:00.

[0134] When a user requests to reserve a travel plan (when the travel plan reservation button is pressed), the travel plan control unit 207 controls reservations with each service provider included in the travel plan. Specifically, the travel plan control unit 207 sends a reservation availability determination request to the service server 20 of each service provider stored in association with the travel plan ID of the travel plan selected by the user.

[0135] In the example of FIG. 13, a reservation availability determination request is sent to the service server 20 of the hotel A and the service server 20 of the museum D.

[0136] The reservation information of each service provider in the travel plan is included in the reservation availability determination request sent to each service server 20. In the example of Fig. 13, when travel plan A is selected, a reservation availability determination request including reservation information specifying the stay date as "September 10, 2022" is sent to the service server 20 of hotel A.

[0137] The travel plan control unit 207 receives responses (reservation accepted, reservation rejected) to the reservation availability determination request from each service server 20. If the travel plan control unit 207 receives a negative response (reservation rejected) from at least one service server 20, it determines that the reservation for the travel plan has failed. If the travel plan control unit 207 receives positive responses (reservation accepted) from all service servers 20, it determines that the reservation for the travel plan has been successful.

[0138] If the travel plan reservation fails, the travel plan control unit 207 notifies the user of this fact.

[0139] If the travel plan reservation is successful, the travel plan control unit 207 notifies the user of this fact. Furthermore, the travel plan control unit 207 stores the travel plan ID of the successfully reserved travel plan, the provider IDs of the service providers included in the travel plan, and the reservation information of each service provider in the user management database (see FIG. 14).

[0140] If the reservation of the travel plan fails, the travel plan control unit 207 may notify the user whether or not the reservation of each facility is possible. For example, in the above example, if the reservation of Hotel A is successful but the reservation of Museum D is unsuccessful, the travel plan control unit 207 may notify the user of this fact. That is, when the user presses the "Book Travel Plan" button, the travel plan control unit 207 allows the user to make reservations for multiple facilities (Hotel A and Museum D in the above example) simultaneously. The travel plan control unit 207 may also notify the user whether or not the reservation of multiple facilities is possible. Specifically, the travel plan control unit 207 may notify the user whether or not the reservation of each facility is possible when reservations for all facilities have been completed, when reservations for some of the facilities have been successfully made, etc.

[0141] In this way, the travel plan control unit 207 generates at least one travel plan that includes at least one facility or event that requires a reservation. The travel plan control unit 207 presents the generated at least one travel plan to the user. The travel plan control unit 207 controls the collective reservation of at least one facility or event included in the travel plan selected by the user. When the collective reservation of at least one facility or event is successful, the travel plan control unit 207 stores the user's authentication information and the reservation information of at least one facility or event included in the travel plan for which the collective reservation was successful, in association with each other.

[0142] The basic operation of the authentication control unit 205 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the authentication control unit 205 described in the first embodiment. When the authentication control unit 205 receives an authentication request from the service server 20, it identifies the person to be authenticated by a matching process using biometric information. The authentication control unit 205 identifies the service provider (facility, event) visited by the person to be authenticated based on the service provider ID included in the authentication request, and authenticates the person to be authenticated by determining whether or not there is a valid reservation for the identified service provider.

[0143] In this way, the authentication control unit 205 according to the second embodiment receives an authentication request from the business operator terminal 30 installed at the facility or event venue that has been booked collectively, and processes the authentication request.

[0144] As described above, the control server 10 stores the user's biometric information and the reservation information of the service provider, and provides authentication services. That is, when a user visits a service provider with which they have made a reservation by reserving a travel plan, the user's biometric information is acquired and transmitted to the control server 10. The control server 10 identifies the user through a matching process and determines whether to authenticate the user based on the corresponding reservation information.

[0145] <Modification of Second Embodiment> The travel plan control unit 207 may generate a travel plan based on the user's attributes and / or hobby and preference information.

[0146] Specifically, the travel plan control unit 207 may generate a travel plan based on the gender and age of the user. For example, the travel plan control unit 207 may generate a travel plan preferred by men and a travel plan preferred by women.

[0147] Alternatively, the travel plan control unit 207 may generate a travel plan based on the user's hobbies and preferences. For example, the travel plan control unit 207 may generate a travel plan that includes events related to the user's interests.

[0148] In this way, the control server 10 may present to the user a travel plan that is likely to be acceptable to the user based on the user's attributes (profile) and hobbies and preferences.

[0149] As described above, the control server 10 according to the second embodiment presents a travel plan including multiple services (facilities, events) to a user. The control server 10 enables a user to make a collective reservation for facilities and events included in the selected travel plan. The control server 10 provides an authentication service for the collective reservation of facilities and events. In other words, the control server 10 provides an authentication service that authenticates a user when the user uses each of the collective reservation of services (facilities, events). As a result, the user can enjoy a highly convenient biometric authentication service without having to register biometric information, etc. with each service (service provider).

[0150] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0151] In the third embodiment, the control server 10 not only manages reservations made by users but also manages the entire travel plan. For example, in travel plan A shown in Fig. 13, when the control server 10 obtains information from an external server or the like indicating that a train arriving at Tokyo Station is delayed, the control server 10 determines that the user will be delayed in arriving at Hotel A and notifies Hotel A of the user's delay.

[0152] The configuration of the information processing system according to the third embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description corresponding to FIG. 3 will be omitted.

[0153] The following description will focus on the differences between the first to third embodiments.

[0154] The travel plan control unit 207 according to the third embodiment acquires information about the components of a travel plan registered in the user management database. For example, in the example of Fig. 13, the travel plan control unit 207 acquires delay information about trains arriving at Tokyo Station and traffic congestion information about the road from Tokyo Station to Hotel A from an external server or the like.

[0155] The travel plan control unit 207 determines whether an event that will affect the travel plan has occurred based on the acquired information. For example, even if a train arriving at Tokyo Station is delayed, if the train delay does not occur on a day when Hotel A is to be used, it is determined that the event (train delay) will not affect the travel plan. On the other hand, if the train delay occurs on a day when Hotel A is to be used and before the train arrives at Tokyo Station, it is determined that the event will affect the travel plan.

[0156] When an event that affects the travel plan occurs, the travel plan control unit 207 provides information to the service providers affected by the information. In the example above, if the travel plan control unit 207 determines that the user's arrival at Hotel A will be delayed due to a train delay, it notifies Hotel A that the user's arrival will be delayed. In contrast, the art museum included in the same travel plan is not affected by the train delay, so no notification is sent to the art museum.

[0157] The travel plan control unit 207 transmits the affected details to the service server 20 of the service provider affected by the event. For example, in the above example, the travel plan control unit 207 notifies the service server 20 of Hotel A that the user's check-in will be delayed. The service server 20 of Hotel A notifies the employees of Hotel A of the notified details.

[0158] Alternatively, the travel plan control unit 207 may change the reservation details of a service provider affected by the event. For example, in the above example, consider a case where a user has booked a time-based event at a hotel affected by a train delay. In this case, the travel plan control unit 207 may cancel the already-booked event that cannot be made due to the train delay and automatically book an event that will be held after the user's scheduled arrival time. The travel plan control unit 207 may change the reservation after obtaining the user's consent to the reservation change (e.g., the user pressing a confirmation button). Alternatively, if the user's arrival is delayed due to a train delay or traffic congestion, the travel plan control unit 207 may not only cancel the already-booked event and make a new reservation, but also notify event-related parties (stores) that the event has been canceled. Regarding train delays (delays in the user's arrival), the travel plan control unit 207 may determine the possibility of a delay using operation information from each train company. The travel plan control unit 207 may also determine the high possibility of the user being delayed using operation information. Regarding car delays, the travel plan control unit 207 may determine that there is a high possibility that the user will be delayed due to information about traffic congestion or accidents.

[0159] In this way, when the travel plan control unit 207 detects the occurrence of an event that affects facilities or events that have been booked together, it notifies the service providers of the affected facilities or events of the details of the impact of the event. In other words, when an event (incident, accident) that affects the travel plan occurs, the control server 10 notifies the service providers affected by the event of the details of the impact. As a result, the user does not need to deal with train delays, etc. (in the above example, notifying Hotel A of the delay) themselves, thereby reducing the burden on the user (improving user convenience).

[0160] As described above, the control server 10 according to the third embodiment manages the entire travel plan and notifies the relevant service providers, etc. of necessary information when a change occurs in the travel plan. As a result, the user does not need to contact them themselves, improving convenience for the user.

[0161] Next, the hardware of each device constituting the information processing system will be described. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control server 10.

[0162] The control server 10 can be configured using an information processing device (a so-called computer), and has the configuration shown in Fig. 15. For example, the control server 10 includes a processor 311, a memory 312, an input / output interface 313, and a communication interface 314. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0163] However, the configuration shown in Fig. 15 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the control server 10. The control server 10 may include hardware not shown, and may not include the input / output interface 313 as necessary. Furthermore, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the control server 10 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in Fig. 15; for example, the control server 10 may include multiple processors 311.

[0164] The processor 311 is a programmable device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

[0165] The memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0166] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like that accepts user operations.

[0167] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a network interface card (NIC).

[0168] The functions of the control server 10 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules can also be realized by semiconductor chips.

[0169] The service server 20, the business operator terminal 30, and the like can also be configured using information processing devices, similar to the control server 10, and their basic hardware configurations are no different from that of the control server 10, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0170] The control server 10 is equipped with a computer, and the functions of the control server 10 can be realized by causing the computer to execute a program. The control server 10 also executes the control method of the control server 10 by the program.

[0171] [Modification] The configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the configuration, etc. of the system.

[0172] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a user creates an account on an information providing site before starting to use the system. However, a user may not create an account on the information providing site, but may use an existing account such as a frequent flyer membership or SNS (Social Networking Service) account to receive information and reservation services from the information providing site. In other words, a user may use an external account other than the information providing site.

[0173] The control server 10 may have a database for absorbing spelling variations in search keywords entered by users. For example, keywords such as "ski resort A," "A ski resort," and "ski A" may be registered in the database as search keywords corresponding to "ski resort A," thereby absorbing spelling variations in the search keywords. Alternatively, spelling variations may be absorbed using a learning model using machine learning.

[0174] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which biometric information is used as authentication information to identify a user. However, an authentication code may be used instead of or in addition to biometric information as authentication information. When creating an account, a user may register a two-dimensional barcode or the like converted from an email address or the like as authentication information in the control server 10. In this case, when using a facility or the like, the user presents the two-dimensional barcode to the business operator terminal 30. The business operator terminal 30 transmits the presented two-dimensional barcode to the control server 10. The control server 10 uses the acquired two-dimensional barcode to identify the person to be authenticated.

[0175] In the above embodiment, the case where the business operator terminal 30 transmits an authentication subject detection notification including authentication information to the service server 20 has been described. However, the business operator terminal 30 may transmit an authentication request including authentication information to the control server 10. In other words, the authentication request may be transmitted directly from the business operator terminal 30 to the control server 10 without going through the service server 20.

[0176] In the above embodiment, the control server 10 authenticates the user, but the service server 20 may perform the authentication. The control server 10 uses the reservation information to identify the service server 20 of the facility reserved by the user. The control server 10 transmits the reservation information and authentication information (e.g., facial information) of the reservation user to the identified service server 20. The service server 20 stores the acquired authentication information and reservation information in association with each other. In response to receiving an authentication request from the authentication terminal 20, the service server 20 makes a reservation for the person to be authenticated (performing authentication without going through the control server 10).

[0177] In the above embodiment, the case where the user management database is configured inside the control server 10 has been described, but the database may also be constructed on an external database server or the like. That is, some of the functions of the control server 10 may be implemented in another device. More specifically, the above-described "search control unit (search control means)," "reservation control unit (reservation control means)," etc. may be implemented in any of the devices included in the system.

[0178] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a facial image is transmitted as biometric information from the business operator terminal 30 (service server 20) to the control server 10. However, feature quantities generated from a facial image may be transmitted from the business operator terminal 30 to the control server 10 as biometric information. Alternatively, the user management database of the control server 10 may store a facial image instead of feature quantities as the user's biometric information. In this case, the control server 10 may generate feature quantities from a facial image each time authentication processing is performed.

[0179] The form of data transmission and reception between the devices (the control server 10, the service server 20, and the business operator terminal 30) is not particularly limited, but the data transmitted and received between these devices may be encrypted. Biometric information and the like is transmitted and received between these devices, and in order to appropriately protect this information, it is desirable to transmit and receive encrypted data.

[0180] In the flow charts (flowcharts, sequence diagrams) used in the above explanation, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the order of execution of the steps executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected, such as by executing each process in parallel.

[0181] The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the above-described configurations are required. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with another configuration.

[0182] From the above explanation, it is clear that the present invention has industrial applicability, and the present invention can be suitably applied to information processing systems for booking facilities such as hotels.

[0183] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes: [Supplementary Note 1] A server device comprising: a search control means that searches for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords entered by a user, and presents at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as a search result; a reservation control means that controls reservations for a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and, if the user is successful in reserving the facility or event selected by the user, stores the authentication information of the user in association with the reservation information of the reserved facility or event; and an authentication control means that, upon receiving an authentication request including authentication information of an authenticatee from a terminal installed at a venue of the reserved facility or event, identifies the authenticatee by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticates the authenticatee based on the reservation information of the identified authenticatee. [Supplementary Note 2] The server device according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a travel plan control means for generating a travel plan corresponding to the search keywords input by the user, wherein the travel plan control means: generates at least one or more travel plans including at least one of the facilities or events requiring the reservation; presents the generated at least one or more travel plans to the user; controls a collective reservation of the at least one or more facilities or events included in the travel plan selected by the user; and, upon successful collective reservation of the at least one or more facilities or events, stores the authentication information of the user in association with the reservation information of the at least one or more facilities or events included in the travel plan for which the collective reservation was successful. [Supplementary Note 3] The server device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the authentication control means receives the authentication request from the terminal installed at the venue of the facilities or event for which the collective reservation was made. [Supplementary Note 4] The server device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the travel plan control means generates the travel plan based on attribute or hobby / preference information of the user.[Supplementary Note 5] The server device according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein, when detecting the occurrence of an event that affects the facilities or events booked collectively, the travel plan control means notifies service providers of the facilities or events affected by the event of the details of the impact of the event. [Supplementary Note 6] The server device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the authentication information is biometric information or an authentication code. [Supplementary Note 7] A system comprising: a business operator terminal installed at a facility or event venue; and a server device, wherein the server device comprises: a search control means that searches for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords entered by a user, and presents at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as search results; a reservation control means that controls reservations for a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and, if the user is successful in reserving the facility or event selected by the user, stores the authentication information of the user in association with the reservation information of the reserved facility or event; and an authentication control means that, upon receiving an authentication request including authentication information of a person to be authenticated from a business operator terminal installed at the reserved facility or event venue, identifies the person to be authenticated by performing a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticates the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.[Supplementary Note 8] A control means of the server device searches for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords entered by a user, and presents at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as search results, controls the reservation of a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and when the reservation of the facility or event selected by the user is successful, stores the authentication information of the user in association with the reservation information of the reserved facility or event, and when an authentication request including the authentication information of a person to be authenticated is received from a terminal installed at the venue of the reserved facility or event, identifies the person to be authenticated by a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticates the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated. [Supplementary Note 9] A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute the following processes: a process of searching for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords entered by a user, and presenting at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as search results; a process of controlling reservations for a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and, when the user is successful in reserving the facility or event selected by the user, storing the authentication information of the user in association with the reservation information of the reserved facility or event; and a process of receiving an authentication request including authentication information of a person to be authenticated from a terminal installed at the venue of the reserved facility or event, identifying the person to be authenticated by comparing the authentication information included in the authentication request with the stored authentication information, and authenticating the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.

[0184] The disclosures of the above-cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that may be made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concepts thereof.

[0185] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 control server 20 service server 30 business operator terminal 40 terminal 100 server device 101 search control means 102 reservation control means 103 authentication control means 201 communication control unit 202 user registration unit 203 search control unit 204 reservation control unit 205 authentication control unit 206 storage unit 207 travel plan control unit 301 communication control unit 302 business execution unit 303 storage unit 311 processor 312 memory 313 input / output interface 314 communication interface 401 communication control unit 402 biometric information acquisition unit 403 business execution unit 404 storage unit

Claims

1. a search control means for searching for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to a search keyword input by a user, and presenting at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as a search result; a reservation control means for controlling a reservation of a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and for storing, when the user succeeds in reserving the selected facility or event, authentication information of the user and reservation information of the reserved facility or event in association with each other; an authentication control means for, when receiving an authentication request including authentication information of a person to be authenticated from a terminal installed at the reserved facility or event venue, identifying the person to be authenticated by a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticating the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated; A server device comprising:

2. a travel plan control unit for generating a travel plan corresponding to the search keyword input by the user; The travel plan control means generating at least one travel plan including at least one facility or event requiring said reservation; Presenting the generated at least one travel plan to the user; The server device of claim 1, which controls a collective reservation of at least one or more facilities or events included in a travel plan selected by the user, and when the collective reservation of at least one or more facilities or events is successful, stores in association with the authentication information of the user and the reservation information of the at least one or more facilities or events included in the travel plan for which the collective reservation was successful.

3. 3. The server device according to claim 2, wherein the authentication control means receives the authentication request from the terminal installed in a facility or a venue of the collectively reserved event.

4. 4. The server device according to claim 3, wherein the travel plan control means generates the travel plan based on attributes or hobby / preference information of the user.

5. The server device according to claim 4, wherein when the travel plan control means detects the occurrence of an event that affects the facilities or events booked together, it notifies service providers of the facilities or events affected by the occurred event of the details affected by the occurred event.

6. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the authentication information is biometric information or an authentication code.

7. A business terminal installed at a facility or event venue; A server device; Including, The server device includes: a search control means for searching for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to a search keyword input by a user, and presenting at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as a search result; a reservation control means for controlling a reservation of a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and for storing, when the user succeeds in reserving the selected facility or event, authentication information of the user and reservation information of the reserved facility or event in association with each other; an authentication control means for, when receiving an authentication request including authentication information of an authenticatee from a business terminal installed at the reserved facility or event venue, identifying the authenticatee by a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticating the authenticatee based on the reservation information of the identified authenticatee; A system comprising:

8. In the server device, Searching for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to search keywords input by the user, and presenting at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as a search result; performing control over a reservation for a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and when the reservation for the facility or event selected by the user is successful, storing the authentication information of the user and reservation information for the reserved facility or event in association with each other; A control means of a server device which, upon receiving an authentication request including authentication information of a person to be authenticated from a terminal installed at the reserved facility or event venue, identifies the person to be authenticated by a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticates the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated.

9. A computer installed in the server device A process of searching for facilities or events requiring reservations that correspond to a search keyword input by a user, and presenting at least one of the facilities or events requiring reservations obtained by the search to the user as a search result; a process of controlling a reservation for a facility or event selected by the user from the presented search results, and, when the reservation for the facility or event selected by the user is successful, storing the authentication information of the user and reservation information for the reserved facility or event in association with each other; a process of receiving an authentication request including authentication information of a person to be authenticated from a terminal installed at the reserved facility or event venue, identifying the person to be authenticated by a matching process using the authentication information included in the authentication request and the stored authentication information, and authenticating the person to be authenticated based on the reservation information of the identified person to be authenticated; A program for executing the above.