JP2005122227A - Network service system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem of a conventional network service system: when performing advertisement intermediation activity overseas by use of the conventional network service system, an inter-cultural translation function including language is not absent, so that minute information exchange cannot be performed. <P>SOLUTION: In this network service system, an inter-cultural conversion function including the language is provided between a domestic information provider group and an overseas information user group via a network in the network, and both of an information provider side and an information user side use the function in common to realize convenience of both the sides. The information provider can communally use an inter-cultural conversion means including the language to drastically reduce cost necessary for conversion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an information service system using a network.

Conventional network service systems have the following forms.
Providing services to unspecified number of people through a website with pages written in their own language (Japanese) and foreign language (English) via the Internet. There are websites where specific service companies advertise the activities of multiple companies as advertising services for multiple companies, and conduct similar projects that inform the unspecified number of users of each company's services through the network. A number of overseas companies use a specific web service company to provide service information to a large number of overseas users using a common language (English) .However, in the service business form targeted by the present invention, There are problems that cannot be solved by network service systems.
Examples of service system technology via the past network include Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-306742, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-007777, and the like. However, these methods cannot implement the advertisement / advertisement mediation service for foreign countries for the following reasons.

There are many excellent SMEs in Japan. In particular, the majority of service businesses are SMEs. These companies have a limited number of employees and can provide excellent technical services in their business fields, but few people have mastered the Internet-related technologies that are steadily advancing. The reality is that there are few specialists who are good at foreign cultures and languages. In Japan, the services and technologies of these excellent SMEs can be obtained by the general public through word-of-mouth and domestic advertisements, and domestic users can enjoy the benefits of these excellent services and technologies. . However, this information is rarely provided to people overseas. Reasons include the cost of overseas advertising, different lifestyles including language, and the inability to provide detailed services, information and follow-up to foreigners.

  For example, in terms of travel, many small and medium-sized hotels, inns, inns, and national lodgings in Japan have excellent services that are not available at major hotels and major inns, such as relatively cheap accommodation and easy access to local culture. is there. Major hotels and ryokan have their own websites, and not only Japanese but also English sites are prepared to promote overseas customers. However, even in small and medium-sized hotels and inns, small and medium-sized companies can provide people who can regularly update their websites, and even those who can open a website in a foreign language and respond to inquiries from overseas. The current situation is that it cannot be held individually.

However, the tendency to expect high-quality services at low cost, especially among young people in their 20s, will continue to increase. Under such a trend, they are not seeking the services of major hotels and ryokan, but are looking for accommodation facilities such as the aforementioned small and medium-sized hotels and ryokan. Currently, there is no way to connect both supply and demand. Therefore, business opportunities are lost for SMEs.

Next, what kind of problems will arise when these service businesses use the current network service configuration described in 0002 is described.
In the self-promotion website format of SMEs, this method cannot solve this problem because there is no technical and financial allowance for SMEs to individually create domestic and overseas websites and update the contents regularly. .
A similar method of gathering similar companies and requesting a common website from an external company to promote individual companies is good for domestic advertising, but few people can understand web pages written in Japanese overseas. , Overseas advertising and brokerage services cannot be realized.
In this form, companies can exchange information between English-speaking or English-speaking information providers and information users, but this method is not a problem for overseas advertising and mediation services in Japanese-based countries such as Japan. It will not be solved. Checking service contents, such as accommodation schedules, and exchanging more complicated and detailed information is essential for this type of service. Such a request cannot be solved simply by providing a foreign language page. A means of transcultural conversion by human communication including some partial automation is required. Therefore, it can be seen that this method is also not suitable for the network service for mediating advertisements for foreign countries described in the present invention.
As can be seen from the above, it is understood that the conventional network service system method cannot solve the demand for domestic SME services through advertising and advertising overseas.

JP-A-2001-306742 Internet information service introduction mediation network system Information intermediary network system

In a service system that provides information on services, products, cultural activities, etc. of various domestic small and medium-sized enterprises to overseas users through a network, we have found a means of joint use that can eliminate obstacles of different cultures including language and information. It is an object of the present invention to find out a method in which a provider and an information user understand service contents smoothly and appropriately and promote convenience of both.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a conversion service means having a cross-cultural conversion function including a language between a group of information providers and a group of information users connected to a network, and both of them share the use It is a network service system that measures the convenience between domestic information provider groups and overseas information user groups.

The second problem solving means is to group the information provision contents described on the network by service category, provide a cross-cultural conversion means between the information provider group and the information user group, and provide a plurality of related information, It is a network service system that promotes the convenience of both.

The third problem solving means is a network service system characterized in that the intercultural conversion between the information provider and the information user includes various conversion means such as text translation, speech translation, format translation, and illustration conversion. .

The present invention makes it possible to promote and exchange information on excellent services, products, traditional culture, etc. possessed by many small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan at low cost and efficiently, and in other cultures including language problems that occur with overseas customers. The matter will be resolved, and it will produce new demands for domestic information providers and excellent quality services for overseas information users at reasonable prices. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a plurality of related information, for example, information on tourist spots near the accommodation facility, historical culture, famous products, etc. can be obtained for overseas travelers, and the added value information for users is increased, and the promotion of local industries I can expect. Furthermore, the information provider group can jointly use the cross-cultural conversion means including the language, and the cost required for the conversion can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the conversion is performed individually.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present system.
In the figure, 101 indicates accommodation facilities such as various hotels, inns, and guest houses in the region, and 102 indicates similar accommodation facilities in other regions. This division is not limited to a region, but may be a division between a hotel and an inn. This is a classification for making it easier for the user to perform a classification search.
Each accommodation facility is connected to a network represented by 103 WWW (world wide web) and has, for example, a mail function, an IP telephone function, a homepage function, and the like. Reference numeral 104 denotes a part (hereinafter referred to as CSU) having a cross-cultural conversion service means that constitutes the central part of the idea. CSU cooperates with companies that have 101, 102 accommodation facilities, and translates each company's services to overseas customers 105 or 106 through 103 WWW in the form appropriate to the language and cultural circumstances of the customer's country. It is a part that facilitates exchange and contributes to both interests.

The difference between the customers 105 and 106 is necessary when the method of expressing the service content provided by the country 104 is different for each country. For example, 105 provides a service to an English-speaking customer and a service to a Chinese customer 106. In order to provide a website, it is necessary to provide a website or web page written in a language suitable for each country. Reference numeral 107 denotes an outline of service functions provided by a company having 104 shared use service means.

A company having a CSU informs the bank 108 of the credit card number received from the customer who wishes to make an accommodation reservation and the desired accommodation company name through a communication means such as the Internet. Credit card number confirmation and reservation fee will be deducted in cash from the card number and transferred to the account of the desired accommodation company. The reservation is now complete, and the company at the accommodation will prepare for the arrival of the customer. If there is a reservation change notification including cancellation, additional service request, etc., that is difficult for the company that has CSU means after booking to the company that has CSU means, such as cancellation, the CSU company (company that has CSU means) Translated individually and contact related accommodation companies in Japanese.
Occasionally, when an overseas customer makes a detailed inquiry about accommodation, for example, for a large number of people, the customer and the CSU company cooperate with the information provider through Internet phone calls, PC-TV conferences, etc. To promote mediation between the two.

Next, the income of the CSU company will be described. The company's revenue source is that it earns membership fees regularly from companies that advertise overseas through CSU companies, such as domestic lodging equipment companies, souvenir sales companies, local products, etc. Depending on the size of customer referrals, you can also earn income by introducing additional commission systems according to the degree of contribution to business performance.

Next, taking a reservation method as an example, it will be described in detail with reference to FIG. For example, in the accommodation reservation system, a map of the whole country written in the language and culture style of the customer's country first separated by prefecture is shown on the web page, and the region that the customer wants to use is selected. Further, on the next page, the map of the selected prefecture is shown, and the customer further selects the city where he / she wants to stay. As a result, a list of accommodations in the selected municipality is displayed on the web page in the language and culture style of the customer's country as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, a company 104 having a CSU converts the activity content of an information providing company into a cultural expression suitable for the partner country, and publishes it on the WWW. Although it is described in Japanese in FIG. 2, it is a web page written in the language / culture style of the country that the information provider wants to advertise, sometimes in English, and sometimes in Chinese.
This screen shows the main items of each accommodation facility that foreign customers want to know. The accommodation facilities are also described for each region as described in FIG. 1 or for each type of accommodation facility in the same region. Here, if the customer obtains rough information and finds a preferred accommodation facility, detailed information on the facility can be obtained from FIG. 3 by clicking on the company name with the mouse. If there is no accommodation you like, you can return to the top page by clicking “Return”. Here, if the customer selects B Inn in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 appears on the web screen, and detailed information on B Inn can be obtained. In particular, it is possible to obtain important information such as a neighborhood map of B Ryokan, an access method from the nearest station to B Ryokan, and necessary expenses. On this page, you can obtain additional information necessary for your travel plans by obtaining an overview photo of the ryokan, nearby sightseeing spots, and information on the nearest travel agency. If the customer wants to stay on this page, click “Reserve” and go to the next page to make a reservation. If you don't like this page, you can click "Back" and return to Figure 2 or the top page to find other accommodations.

If it is OK at B inn, the reservation screen shown in FIG. 4 appears next. Although FIG. 4 is also in Japanese here, the web page screen is written in a language / culture style suitable for the country of the information user. The customer enters the necessary items in each item of this table in their own language. The total amount of accommodation is the total estimated amount calculated from the number of guests and the number of accommodations, and is provided for the convenience of the customer. The amount of accommodation is basically written in yen, but it is also possible to display the amount in local currency by referring to the international exchange rate.
After the customer completes, this table is sent over the WWW to the company with the CSU. Since the web service company does not know the reservation status of each accommodation facility, the contents described in the foreign language are automatically or manually translated into Japanese and notified to the corresponding B inn in Japanese. The situation is shown in FIG.
Upon receiving this notification, B Ryokan promptly confirms its accommodation reservation status, and if possible, indicates the reservation number in Japanese as shown in FIG. 6 and notifies the CSU company.

If the reservation is full and cannot be accepted, the CSU company is notified of the contents shown in FIG.
The CSU company translates the information obtained from the B Ryokan into the language / culture style of the customer's country reserved at the B Ryokan and notifies it by e-mail. At this time, if the B Ryokan is full and the reservation cannot be made, the CSU company can select the conditions close to the B Ryokan from the member companies, contact the member companies close to the conditions, and then provide a service recommended to the customer.
If the B Ryokan is reserved, the CSU company notifies the bank of the credit card number sent from the customer, and the bank transfers the amount equivalent to the reservation fee to the B Ryokan account.
B Ryokan confirms the payment of the reservation fee on the day of check-in, and confirms the identity by looking at the credit card number for confirmation.
When the customer checks out, the extra expenses are settled with a credit card, and a receipt is given after receiving the signature. B Ryokan immediately performs the procedure of depositing the amount of the reservation price from the total amount into the B Ryokan account from the customer's credit card. It is also possible for the CSU company to replace the procedure for this difference amount as a B inn. In any case, once the series of accommodation services has been successfully completed, the accommodation company will notify the CSU company and send a thank-you email to the customer, as well as to inform their acquaintances, including visiting again and friends. The CSU company completes a series of intermediary services by executing a service according to this request from the member company. The CSU company can also receive a success fee with a notice of accommodation completion from a member company.
In addition, if you stay as an incentive to the customer and you stay through a CSU company, you can also write a coupon on the website and discount it from the normal rate if you show it when you arrive at the reserved accommodation facility.

  In the above explanation, the language and culture form between domestic information providers and overseas information users was translated through humans, but it is also possible to translate them with currently used automatic translators. It is also possible to select the optimum translation from a plurality of typical mutual translation patterns and communicate with each other.

  In the above explanation, we have mainly explained the language as an example of cross-cultural conversion, but the format change, for example, in Japan there are cases where documents are written in vertical writing, but depending on the partner country, the function to convert to the language of the horizontal writing partner country Is also included. In addition, the conversion of illustrations into illustrations suited to the culture of each country is also included in the cross-cultural conversion function.

  In the above description, the accommodation facility reservation method has been described as an example of an overseas advertising advertisement mediation for accommodation facilities, but the present invention is not limited to this description, and for example, when a local specialty product is promoted and promoted overseas. Applicable.

  By using the present invention, many SMEs in Japan can jointly use a CSU company, each company does not have to have a CSU function individually, can advertise SME activities overseas at low cost, and more complicated Information provision and mediation work are also carried out smoothly, which is useful for the global activities of SMEs. Furthermore, there are significant advantages that lead to the activation of these companies.

Network service system overview diagram Accommodation Search Page 1 Accommodation Search Page 2 Accommodation Facility Reservation Page (listed in the language of the customer's country) Accommodation Reservation Application Form (translated into Japanese) Accommodation facility contact table (Japanese) Reservation answer sheet (written in the language of the customer's country)

Explanation of symbols

101 Accommodation facilities in region A 102 Accommodation facilities in region B 103 World Wide Web
104 Common Web Service Company 105 Information Users in Region C 106 Information Users in Region D 107 Main Functions of Shared Use Services 108 Financial Institution

Claims (3)

  Cross-cultural conversion means that can be used jointly by information providers who are unfamiliar with the culture including the language of the information users in the information service system that connects the information providers and the information users with different cultures including the language Is a network service system characterized by mediating information providers and information users on a network.   A network service characterized by grouping information provided by service category, providing a cross-cultural conversion means between the information provider group and the information user group, and providing a plurality of related information required by the information provider system. A network service system characterized in that the intercultural conversion means between the information provider and the information user includes various conversion means such as text translation, speech translation, format translation and illustration conversion.

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