JP2021179680A - Control method of server, server, and control program of server - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control method of a server configured to manage store information so as to properly provide store information of an available store to a user.SOLUTION: A control method of a server which includes a communication interface and a memory is provided. The memory stores last operation time which is determined based on a terminal operation signal which is received via the communication interface and transmitted from a store terminal on receipt of user operation on the store terminal associated with a store and the number of unoccupied seats in the store associated with each store information. The server performs control so as to reduce the number of unoccupied seats in the store of which the time elapsed from the last operation time exceeds a lapse time threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a server control method, a server, and a server control program that provide store information.

There is known a vacant seat information server that provides information on a store having vacant seats in response to a vacant seat information inquiry received from a user based on the vacant seat information updated by a notification from the store.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a reservation support system that receives and stores vacant seat information input from a facility terminal and transmits a search result of a facility that matches the request information received from the user terminal to the user terminal.

JP-A-2015-153403

If the store does not update the vacant seat information in a timely manner, the probability that the number of vacant seats managed by the server and the actual number of vacant seats match is reduced. At this time, it becomes difficult to appropriately provide the user with information on the stores that can be entered.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a server control method, a server, and a server control program that can manage store information so that the store information of stores that can be entered by the user can be appropriately provided. do.

The server control method according to the present invention is a server control method including a communication interface and a memory, and the memory includes vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats in the store in association with each of a plurality of stores, and The server stores the final operation time determined based on the terminal operation signal transmitted from the store terminal and received via the communication interface in response to the acceptance of the user's operation by the store terminal associated with the store. This includes reducing the number of vacant seats in stores where the elapsed time from the last operation time exceeds the elapsed time threshold.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, the server stores the reduced number of vacant seats in the memory as the number of managed vacant seats included in the vacant seat information, and the time when the number of managed vacant seats is stored is set as the final operation time. It is preferable to store it in a memory.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, when the server includes seat allocation information indicating an increase / decrease in the number of vacant seats in the received terminal operation signal, the vacant seats of the store are stored in the memory based on the seat allocation information. It is preferable to update the number of seats and the number of managed vacant seats as well as the last operation time.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, when the server does not include seat allocation information in the received terminal operation signal and the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats are different, the number of managed vacant seats is updated by the number of vacant seats. It is preferable to update the last operation time at the same time.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, when the server does not include the seat allocation information in the received terminal operation signal and the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats are different, the number of vacant seats is updated by the number of managed vacant seats. It is preferable to update the last operation time at the same time.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the memory stores a capacity corresponding to a plurality of tables in association with each of the plurality of stores, and the server reduces the number of vacant seats according to the capacity.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the server reduces the number of vacant seats according to the number of reductions stored in the memory.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, the memory stores a decrease number corresponding to each of the plurality of elapsed time threshold values, and the server stores a plurality of elapsed times based on the elapsed time from the last operation time. It is preferable to specify one of the time thresholds and reduce the number of vacant seats by using the reduction number corresponding to the specified elapsed time threshold.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, the memory stores the decrease number associated with the time zone, and the server reduces the number of vacant seats by using the decrease number associated with the time zone including the current time. It is preferable to let it.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, the memory stores the decrease number associated with the day of the week, and the server reduces the number of vacant seats by using the decrease number associated with the day of the week including the current time. Is preferable.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the terminal operation signal includes the final operation time.

Further, in the server control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the seat allocation information includes the current vacancy information indicating the number of seats that are actually vacant.

The server according to the present invention has a communication interface capable of communicating with a store terminal, vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats in the store in relation to each of the plurality of stores, and a user's access to the store terminal associated with the store. A memory and a processor for storing a final operation time determined based on a terminal operation signal transmitted by the store terminal and received via a communication interface in response to an operation reception are provided, and the processor is provided with a final operation time. It is configured to reduce the number of vacant seats in stores whose elapsed time from the time exceeds the elapsed time threshold.

The server control program according to the present invention is a server control program including a communication interface and a memory, and the memory includes vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats in the store in association with each of a plurality of stores, and vacant seat information. The final operation time determined based on the terminal operation signal transmitted by the store terminal and received via the communication interface in response to the acceptance of the user's operation by the store terminal associated with the store is stored in the server. It is executed to reduce the number of vacant seats in the store where the elapsed time from the last operation time exceeds the elapsed time threshold.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to control the server so that the store information can be managed so as to appropriately provide the store information of the stores that can be entered by the user.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation outline of an information provision system. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of a server. It is a figure which shows the example of the vacant seat information and the last operation time. It is a functional block diagram of a server processing part. It is a flowchart of the vacant seat number management process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of a store terminal. It is a functional block diagram of a store processing department. It is a figure which shows the example of the store number registration screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the user terminal. It is a functional block diagram of a user processing part. It is a figure which shows the example of the search screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the store information screen.

Hereinafter, the server control method, the server, and the server control program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the drawings or embodiments described below.

The server of the present disclosure includes a communication interface and a memory. The memory stores the number of vacant seats and the last operation time of the store associated with each of the plurality of stores. The final operation time is determined based on the terminal operation signal transmitted by the store terminal and received via the communication interface in response to the acceptance of the user's operation by the store terminal associated with the store. The server reduces the number of vacant seats in the store where the elapsed time from the last operation time exceeds the elapsed time threshold. Thereby, the server of the present disclosure can manage the store information so as to appropriately provide the store information of the stores that can be entered by the user.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of operation of the information providing system 1.

The information providing system 1 includes a server 2, store terminals 3-1 and 3-2 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "store terminal 3"), and a user terminal 4. In the information providing system 1, the server 2, the store terminal 3, and the user terminal 4 are communicably connected to each other via the communication network 5.

The communication network 5 is, for example, the Internet on which communication by TCP / IP (Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is performed. The devices communicating by the communication network 5 are connected by wire or wirelessly. The wireless connection may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection such as, for example, IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11ac. The communication network 5 may include a radio base station (not shown) that provides a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) connection such as a so-called 4G (4th Generation) line.

At time t1, the store terminal 3-1 of the store A sends a terminal operation signal including seat allocation information indicating that the number of vacant seats should be "8" according to the user's operation to the server via the communication network 5. Send to 2. Further, at time t1, the store terminal 3-2 of the store B sends a terminal operation signal including seat allocation information indicating that the number of vacant seats should be "4" according to the user's operation via the communication network 5. And send it to the server 2. The server 2 updates the number of vacant seats included in the vacant seat information of the store A and the store B stored in the memory to "8" and "4", respectively, based on the terminal operation signal received via the communication network 5, respectively. "Time t1" is stored as the last operation time of the store.

At time t2, the store terminal 3-2 of the store B sends a terminal operation signal including seat allocation information indicating that the number of vacant seats should be "8" according to the user's operation to the server via the communication network 5. Send to 2. The server 2 updates the number of vacant seats included in the vacant seat information of the store B stored in the memory to "8" based on the terminal operation signal received via the communication network 5, and sets the final operation time of the store B to "8". Time t2 ”is memorized.

The time t3 is a time that exceeds the elapsed time threshold value THp from the “time t1” stored as the final operation time of the store A. The time t3 is not a time that exceeds the elapsed time threshold THp from the “time t2” stored as the last operation time of the store B. At time t3, the server 2 reduces the number of vacant seats in store A, which is a store whose elapsed time from the last operation time exceeds the elapsed time threshold value THp. In the example of FIG. 1, the server 2 reduces the number of vacant seats included in the vacant seat information of the store A from "8" to "6".

It is assumed that the server 2 receives a search request for store information of "a store that can accommodate eight people" from the user terminal 4 via the communication network 5 at the current time tonow after the time t3. In this case, the server 2 transmits the store information of the store B associated with the vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats of 8 or more to the user terminal 4 via the communication network 5.

As described above, the information providing system 1 including the server 2 according to the present embodiment can manage the store information so that the store information of the stores that can be entered by the user can be appropriately provided.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 2.

The server 2 connects to the store terminal 3 and the user terminal 4 via the communication network 5, receives the terminal operation signal from the store terminal 3, and uses the user terminal 4 to specify the store information based on the search request received from the user terminal 4. Send to. Therefore, the server 2 includes a server communication unit 21, a server storage unit 22, and a server processing unit 23.

The server communication unit 21 is an example of a communication interface, and has a circuit for connecting the server 2 to the communication network 5. The server communication unit 21 supplies the data received from the store terminal 3 or the like to the server processing unit 23. Further, the server communication unit 21 transmits the data supplied from the server processing unit 23 to the user terminal 4 and the like.

The server storage unit 22 is an example of a memory, and has, for example, at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, and an optical disk device. The server storage unit 22 stores driver programs, operating system programs, application programs, data, and the like used for processing by the server processing unit 23. The various programs may be installed in the server storage unit 22 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The computer-readable portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (DVD Read-Only Memory), or the like. Further, the server storage unit 22 stores vacant seat information 221 as data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of vacant seat information 221 and final operation time 222 stored in the server storage unit 22.

The server storage unit 22 stores vacant seat information 221 including the number of vacant seats that the store can provide to the customer in association with each of the plurality of stores. For example, in the vacant seat information 221 shown in FIG. 3, the number of vacant seats “8” and the number of managed vacant seats “6” are stored in association with the store A, respectively. The number of managed vacant seats is the number of vacant seats adjusted in the number of vacant seats management process of the server 2. The vacant seat number management process will be described later. Further, the final operation time 222 of each store is stored in association with the vacant seat information of each store in the vacant seat information 221. For example, the final operation time "2020/04/01 18:30" is stored in association with the vacant seat information of the store A in the vacant seat information 221.

The server storage unit 22 stores an elapsed time threshold value for identifying a store that reduces vacant seats based on the elapsed time from the last operation time. Further, the server storage unit 22 stores store information (for example, store genre, nearest station, estimated budget, etc.) indicating the attributes of each of the plurality of stores. The server storage unit 22 may store a plurality of elapsed time threshold values, and may further store a decrease number corresponding to each elapsed time threshold value. Further, the server storage unit 22 may store a plurality of reduction numbers associated with the time zone or the day of the week. Further, the server storage unit 22 may store the capacity corresponding to the plurality of tables in association with each of the plurality of stores.

The server processing unit 23 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The server processing unit 23 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the server 2, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The server processing unit 23 controls the operation of the server communication unit 21 and the like so that various processes of the server 2 are executed by appropriate means based on the program and the like stored in the server storage unit 22. The server processing unit 23 executes processing based on a program (operating system program, driver program, application program, etc.) stored in the server storage unit 22. Further, the server processing unit 23 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the server processing unit 23.

The server processing unit 23 has a vacant seat number management unit 231, a store information specifying unit 232, and a store information transmitting unit 233. Each of these units included in the server processing unit 23 is a functional module implemented by a program executed on the processor included in the server processing unit 23. Alternatively, each of these parts of the server processing unit 23 may be mounted on the server 2 as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, or firmware.

By executing the vacant seat number management process, the vacant seat number management unit 231 stores the elapsed time from the last operation time in the server storage unit 22 among the vacant seats stored in the server storage unit 22 in association with the store. Reduce the number of vacant seats in stores that exceed the elapsed time threshold.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the vacant seat number management process. The vacant seat number management unit 231 executes the following vacant seat number management process at predetermined intervals.

First, the vacant seat number management unit 231 determines whether or not a terminal operation signal has been received from the store terminal 3 via the server communication unit 21 (step S1). The terminal operation signal is a signal transmitted by the store terminal 3 in response to the acceptance of the user's operation. The terminal operation signal includes a terminal operation signal including seat allocation information for updating the number of vacant seats in the store and a terminal operation signal not including seat allocation information. The seat allocation information is information indicating the increase or decrease in the number of vacant seats, such as the current vacant information indicating the number of seats that are actually vacant, the entry of customers, the acceptance of reservations, and the prospect of leaving the store due to the start of settlement. The transmission of the terminal operation signal by the store terminal 3 will be described later.

When it is determined that the terminal operation signal has been received (step S1: Y), the vacant seat number management unit 231 determines whether or not the received terminal operation signal includes seat allocation information (step S2). When the received terminal operation signal includes seat allocation information (step S2: Y), the vacant seat number management unit 231 manages the number of vacant seats in the store stored in the server storage unit 22 for the store corresponding to the seat allocation information. The number of vacant seats is updated based on the seat allocation information, the final operation time is updated (step S3), and the number of vacant seats management process is completed. When the server storage unit 22 does not store the number of managed vacant seats as the vacant seat information 221, the vacant seat number management unit 231 does not have to update the number of managed vacant seats in step S3. Even when only the number of vacant seats is updated in this way, the vacant seat number management unit 231 updates the final operation time.

When the received terminal operation signal does not include seat allocation information (step S2: N), the vacant seat number management unit 231 determines the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats stored in the server storage unit 22 for the store corresponding to the terminal operation signal. It is determined whether or not the difference is (step S4). When it is determined that the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats are different (step S4: Y), the vacant seat number management unit 231 performs the vacant seat number adjustment process (step S5).

In the vacant seat number adjustment process, the vacant seat number management unit 231 updates the managed vacant seat number and the final operation time according to the vacant seat number stored in the server storage unit 22. By operating in this way, in the information providing system 1, the terminal operation signal that does not include the seat allocation information is used as a signal requesting the update of the number of vacant seats by the number of vacant seats shown in the seat allocation information previously transmitted by the store terminal 3. Can be handled.

Further, in the vacant seat number adjustment process, the vacant seat number management unit 231 updates the vacant seat number and the final operation time according to the management vacant seat number stored in the server storage unit 22. By operating in this way, the information providing system 1 can handle the terminal operation signal that does not include the seat allocation information as a signal that requests the update of the number of vacant seats by the number of managed vacant seats adjusted by the server 2.

When it is determined that the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats do not differ (step S4: N), the vacant seat number management unit 231 ends the vacant seat number management process.

When it is determined that the terminal operation signal has not been received (step S1: N), the vacant seat number management unit 231 has elapsed about the vacant seat information 221 stored in association with the plurality of stores stored in the server storage unit 22. It is determined whether or not the time exceeds the elapsed time threshold value (step S6). The elapsed time is the time from the last operation time stored in the server storage unit 22 to the current time. The elapsed time threshold value is stored in the server storage unit 22.

When the elapsed time exceeds the elapsed time threshold value for each of the plurality of stores, the vacant seat number management unit 231 reduces the number of vacant seats in the store stored in the server storage unit 22 (step S7). ), End the vacant seat number management process. Further, when the elapsed time of the store does not exceed the elapsed time threshold value (step S6: N), the vacant seat number management unit 231 ends the vacant seat number management process without reducing the number of vacant seats in the store.

In step S7, the vacant seat number management unit 231 may store the reduced number of vacant seats in the server storage unit 22 as the final operation time. At this time, in the vacant seat number management process executed thereafter, the vacant seat number management is performed when the terminal operation signal is not received longer than the elapsed time threshold value from the time when the vacant seat number is reduced in the previously executed vacant seat number management process. Section 231 further reduces the number of vacant seats.

In step S7, the vacant seat number management unit 231 may reduce the number of vacant seats according to the decrease number stored in the server storage unit 22. That is, the vacant seat number management unit 231 is obtained by subtracting the decrease number (for example, 4) stored in the server storage unit 22 from the vacant seat number (for example, 16) of the store whose elapsed time exceeds the elapsed time threshold. Update the number of managed seats. Further, the vacant seat number management unit 231 is obtained by multiplying the vacant seat number (for example, 16) of the store whose elapsed time exceeds the elapsed time threshold value by the decrease number (for example, 0.5) stored in the server storage unit 22. Will update the number of managed vacant seats.

The vacant seat number management unit 231 may make the number for reducing the vacant seat number different according to the elapsed time from the last operation time. In this case, the server storage unit 22 stores a plurality of elapsed time threshold values (for example, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.) and a corresponding decrease number (for example, 4, 10, 24, etc.). Then, in step S6, the vacant seat number management unit 231 performs a comparison between the elapsed time and the elapsed time threshold value for a plurality of elapsed time threshold values arranged in ascending order. Then, the vacant seat number management unit 231 specifies the reduction number corresponding to the maximum elapsed time threshold that satisfies the condition as the reduction number used for reducing the vacant seat number of the store in step S7.

The vacant seat number management unit 231 may make the number of vacant seats to be reduced different depending on the time zone. In this case, the server storage unit 22 stores a plurality of time zones (for example, ~ 18:00, 18:00 to 21:00, 21:00 to 21:00) and a decrease number (for example, 2, 12, 2) in association with each other. There is. Then, in step S7, the vacant seat number management unit 231 reduces the number of vacant seats by using the reduced number associated with the time zone including the current time.

The vacant seat number management unit 231 may make the number of vacant seats to be reduced different depending on the day of the week. In this case, the server storage unit 22 stores the day of the week (for example, Monday to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and the number of reductions (for example, 8, 12, 8, 4) in association with each other. Then, in step S7, the vacant seat number management unit 231 reduces the number of vacant seats by using the reduced number associated with the day of the week including the current time.

The vacant seat number management unit 231 may make the number of vacant seats to be reduced different according to the capacity of the table for each store. In this case, the server storage unit 22 stores the capacity corresponding to the plurality of tables in association with each of the plurality of stores. Then, in step S7, the vacant seat number management unit 231 reduces the number of vacant seats in the store whose elapsed time exceeds the elapsed time threshold value according to the stored capacity.

Returning to FIG. 4, the store information specifying unit 232 searches the store information stored in the server storage unit 22 in response to the search request received from the user terminal 4 via the communication network 5 and the server communication unit 21, and stores the store. Identify the store information that corresponds to the search criteria included in the request.

The search request includes the desired number. The desired number is the number of seats desired at the time of entering the store. The store information specifying unit 232 refers to the vacant seat information 221 stored in the server storage unit 22, and identifies the store information of the store in which the number of vacant seats is equal to or greater than the desired number. Further, when the number of managed vacant seats is stored as the vacant seat information 221 in the server storage unit 22, the store information specifying unit 232 may specify the store information of the store in which the number of managed vacant seats is equal to or greater than the desired number.

The store information transmission unit 233 transmits the store information specified by the store information identification unit 232 to the user terminal 4 that has transmitted the search request via the server communication unit 21 and the communication network 5.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the store terminal 3.

The store terminal 3 communicates with the server 2 via the communication network 5. The store terminal 3 transmits a terminal operation signal in response to an input operation by the user of the store terminal 3. Therefore, the store terminal 3 includes a store communication unit 31, a store storage unit 32, a store operation unit 33, a store display unit 34, and a store processing unit 35.

In the present embodiment, a personal computer (PC) is assumed as the store terminal 3, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The store terminal 3 may be, for example, an information processing device such as a multifunctional mobile phone (so-called “smartphone”), a tablet terminal, or a tablet PC.

The store communication unit 31 includes a communication interface circuit and connects the store terminal 3 to the communication network 5. The store communication unit 31 transmits the data supplied from the store processing unit 35 to the server 2 or the like via the communication network 5. Further, the store communication unit 31 supplies the data received from the server 2 or the like to the store processing unit 35 via the communication network 5.

The store storage unit 32 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The store storage unit 32 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, and the like used for processing in the store processing unit 35. For example, the store storage unit 32 stores, as a driver program, an input device driver program that controls the store operation unit 33, an output device driver program that controls the store display unit 34, and the like. Further, the store storage unit 32 stores, as an application program, a screen display program for displaying the vacant seat number registration screen based on the received vacant seat number registration screen information. Further, the store storage unit 32 may temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process.

The store operation unit 33 may be any device as long as the store terminal 3 can be operated, for example, a keyboard having a plurality of key buttons and outputting a signal corresponding to the pressed key button, and movement on the installation surface. A mouse or the like that outputs a signal according to the amount. The user can input characters, numbers, symbols, etc. using the store operation unit 33. When the store operation unit 33 is operated by the user, the store operation unit 33 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. Then, the generated signal is supplied to the store processing unit 35 as a user's instruction.

The store display unit 34 may be any device as long as it can display images, images, and the like, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The store display unit 34 displays an image corresponding to the video data supplied from the store processing unit 35, an image corresponding to the image data, and the like.

The store processing unit 35 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The store processing unit 35 is, for example, a CPU and comprehensively controls the overall operation of the store terminal 3. The store processing unit 35 has a store communication unit 31 and a store display so that various processes of the store terminal 3 are appropriately executed based on a program stored in the store storage unit 32, an operation on the store operation unit 33, and the like. It controls the operation of the unit 34 and the like. The store processing unit 35 executes processing based on the program stored in the store storage unit 32. Further, the store processing unit 35 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the store processing unit 35.

The store processing unit 35 includes at least a store browsing execution unit 351. The store browsing execution unit 351 is a functional module realized by a program executed by the processor included in the store processing unit 35. Alternatively, the store browsing execution unit 351 may be mounted on the store terminal 3 as firmware.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a vacant seat number registration screen.

The vacant seat number registration screen 341 is a store browsing execution unit in response to a predetermined operation on the store operation unit 33 by the user of the store terminal 3 (for example, double-clicking on the icon on the menu screen displayed on the store display unit 34). 351 is a screen to be displayed on the store display unit 34. For example, the store browsing execution unit 351 responds to a predetermined operation on the store operation unit 33, and displays the vacant seat number registration screen information on the server 2 via the store communication unit 31 and the communication network 5. Sends a vacant seat registration request signal. Based on the vacant seat number registration screen information received from the server 2 via the communication network 5 and the store communication unit 31, the store browsing execution unit 351 causes the store display unit 34 to display the vacant seat number registration screen 341. The vacant seat number registration screen 341 has a vacant seat number input field 3411 and a determination button 3412.

The vacant seat number input field 3411 is a field for inputting the number of vacant seats that the store can provide to the customer. A drop-down list for selecting and inputting the number of vacant seats is displayed in the vicinity of the vacant seat number input field 3411 in response to a predetermined operation (for example, clicking) on the drop-down icon at the right end of the vacant seat number input field 3411. The user inputs the number of vacant seats in the vacant seat number input field 3411 by selecting a desired number from the drop-down list. Further, the vacant seat number input field 3411 may be configured so that a desired number can be directly input by a keyboard or the like.

The decision button 3415 is a button for confirming the number of vacant seats displayed on the vacant seat number registration screen 341. When the store operation unit 33 accepts a user's predetermined operation (click, etc.) for the enter button 3415, the store browsing execution unit 351 sends a terminal operation signal including vacant seat update information via the store communication unit 31 and the communication network 5. Send to server 2.

The store browsing execution unit 351 transmits a terminal operation signal to the server 2 via the store communication unit 31 and the communication network 5 in response to the acceptance of the user's operation by the store operation unit 33 other than the predetermined operation for the enter button 3415. You may. By receiving the terminal operation signal from the store terminal 3, the server 2 can determine that the user has performed some operation on the store operation unit 33 at the store corresponding to the store terminal 3. Therefore, the vacant seat number management unit 231 of the server 2 can execute a predetermined vacant seat number adjustment process in response to the reception of the terminal operation signal that does not include the seat allocation information.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user terminal 4.

The user terminal 4 communicates with the server 2 via the communication network 5. The user terminal 4 transmits a search request signal and receives store information in response to an input operation by the user of the user terminal 4. Therefore, the user terminal 4 includes a user communication unit 41, a user storage unit 42, a user operation unit 43, a user display unit 44, and a user processing unit 45.

In the present embodiment, a multifunctional mobile phone is assumed as the user terminal 4, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The user terminal 4 is, for example, information on a personal computer, a mobile phone (so-called "feature phone"), a mobile information terminal (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), a portable game machine, a portable music player, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, and the like. It may be a processing device.

The user communication unit 41 includes a communication interface circuit and connects the user terminal 4 to the communication network 5. The user communication unit 41 transmits the data supplied from the user processing unit 45 to the server 2 or the like via the communication network 5. Further, the user communication unit 41 supplies the data received from the server 2 or the like via the communication network 5 to the user processing unit 45.

The user storage unit 42 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The user storage unit 42 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, and the like used for processing in the user processing unit 45. For example, the user storage unit 42 stores, as a driver program, an input device driver program that controls the user operation unit 43, an output device driver program that controls the user display unit 44, and the like. Further, the user storage unit 42 stores, as an application program, a screen display program for transmitting a search request and displaying received store information. Further, the user storage unit 42 may temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process.

The user operation unit 43 may be any device as long as the user terminal 4 can be operated, and is, for example, a touch panel or the like superimposed on the user display unit 44. The user can input characters, numbers, symbols, etc. using the user operation unit 43. When the user operation unit 43 is operated by the user, the user operation unit 43 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. Then, the generated signal is supplied to the user processing unit 45 as a user's instruction.

The user display unit 44 may be any device as long as it can display images, images, and the like, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The user display unit 44 displays a video corresponding to the video data supplied from the user processing unit 45, an image corresponding to the image data, and the like.

The user processing unit 45 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The user processing unit 45 is, for example, a CPU and comprehensively controls the overall operation of the user terminal 4. The user processing unit 45 has a user communication unit 41 and a user display so that various processes of the user terminal 4 are appropriately executed based on a program stored in the user storage unit 42, an operation on the user operation unit 43, and the like. It controls the operation of the unit 44 and the like. The user processing unit 45 executes processing based on the program stored in the user storage unit 42. Further, the user processing unit 45 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the user processing unit 45.

The user processing unit 45 includes at least a user browsing execution unit 451. The user browsing execution unit 451 is a functional module realized by a program executed by the processor included in the user processing unit 45. Alternatively, the user browsing execution unit 451 may be mounted on the user terminal 4 as firmware.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen.

In the search screen 441, the user browsing execution unit 451 responds to a predetermined operation on the user operation unit 43 by the user of the user terminal 4 (for example, tapping the application icon on the menu screen displayed on the user display unit 44). This is the screen to be displayed on the display unit 44. For example, the user browsing execution unit 451 requests a search screen information for displaying a search screen on the server 2 via the user communication unit 41 and the communication network 5 in response to a predetermined operation on the user operation unit 43. Send a signal. Based on the search screen information received from the server 2 via the communication network 5 and the user communication unit 41, the user browsing execution unit 451 causes the user display unit 44 to display the search screen 441. The search screen 441 has a desired number input field 4411, a desired date input field 4412, a desired time input field 4413, and a determination button 4414.

The desired number input field 4411 is a field for inputting a desired number. The desired number is the number of seats desired at the time of entering the store. Further, the desired number may be the number of people entering the store corresponding to the number of people wishing to enter the store or the number of tables desired to be used at the time of entering the store. In the desired number input field 4411, "(vacant seats available)" is input as an initial value. A drop-down list for selecting and inputting the desired number is displayed in the vicinity of the desired number input field 4411 in response to a predetermined operation (for example, tapping) on the drop-down icon at the right end of the desired number input field 4411. The user inputs the desired number in the desired number input field 4411 by selecting the desired number from the drop-down list. Further, the desired number input field 4411 may be configured so that a desired number can be directly input by a software keyboard or the like superimposed on the search screen 441.

The desired date input field 4412 and the desired time input field 4413 are fields for inputting the desired date and time to enter the store. "(Today)" is input as an initial value in the desired date input field 4412, and "(current time)" is input as an initial value in the desired time input field 4413. Like the desired number input field 4411, the desired date input field 4412 and the desired time input field 4413 are configured so that the desired date and time can be selected and input from the drop-down list. Further, the desired date input field 4412 and the desired time input field 4413 may be configured so that the desired date and time can be directly input, similarly to the desired number input field 4411.

When the initial value "(vacant seats)" entered in the desired number input field 4411 is selected as the desired number, the user browsing execution unit 451 makes a search request with the desired number set to 1. In this case, the store (store C in the example of FIG. 3) in which the number of managed vacant seats in the vacant seat information 221 is 0 does not satisfy the search condition. Further, the search screen 441 does not have to have the desired number input field 4411. In this case, the user browsing execution unit 451 always makes a search request with the desired number set to 1.

When the initial value "(today)" input in the desired date input field 4412 and the initial value "(current time)" input in the desired time input field 4413 are selected as the desired date and time, the user browsing execution unit 451 sets the user browsing execution unit 451. Make a search request that does not include the desired date and time. The server 2 accepts the search request by setting the day to which the time when the server 2 receives the search request belongs as the desired date, or setting the time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the server 2 receives the search request as the desired time. Further, the user browsing execution unit 451 may make a search request by setting a time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the search request is transmitted as a desired time. Further, the search screen 441 does not have to have the desired date input field 4412 and the desired time input field 4413.

The enter button 4414 is a button for confirming the search condition displayed on the search screen 441. When the user operation unit 43 accepts a predetermined user operation (tap or the like) for the enter button 4414, the user browsing execution unit 451 transmits a search request to the server 2 via the user communication unit 41 and the communication network 5. The search request includes the desired number entered in the desired number input field 4411, the desired date and time entered in the desired date input field 4412 and the desired time input field 4413.

In such a search screen, when the user operation unit 43 accepts a predetermined operation of the user for the decision button 4414, the user browsing execution unit 451 transmits a search request to the server 2 via the user communication unit 41.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a store information screen.

The store information screen 442 is a screen displayed on the user display unit 44 by the user browsing execution unit 451 of the user terminal 4 based on the store information received from the server 2. The store information screen 442 has a store information display area 4421 and a store information display area 4422.

In the store information display area 4421, information based on the store information corresponding to the store B is displayed. When the user of the user terminal 4 performs a predetermined operation such as tapping on the image displayed in the store information display area 4421 or the store name area, the user browsing execution unit 451 via the user communication unit 41 and the communication network 5. , A request signal requesting detailed information about the store B is transmitted to the server 2. Then, the user browsing execution unit 451 receives detailed information about the store B from the server 2 via the communication network 5 and the user communication unit 41, and displays it on the user display unit 44.

Further, the store information display area 4421 includes a reservation button 4421a. When the user of the user terminal 4 performs a predetermined operation such as tapping the reservation button 4421a, the user browsing execution unit 451 sends a reservation request signal requesting a reservation according to the search conditions included in the search request to the user communication unit. It is transmitted to the reservation management server via 41 and the communication network 5.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which a store information display area 4422 similar to the store information display area 4421 is displayed for a store C different from the store B. The number of store information display areas displayed on the store information screen is not limited to 2 in this embodiment, and may be 1 or 3 or more. Further, when all the store information display areas cannot be displayed on the display of the user display unit 44, the user browsing execution unit 451 may display the store information screen in a scrollable manner.

By adopting the above-described configuration, the information providing system 1 of the present disclosure controls the server so that the store information can be managed so as to appropriately provide the store information of the stores that can be entered by the user. According to the information providing system 1 of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication between the server 2 and the user terminal 4 and the processing time in the server 2 required to obtain desired store information, so that efficient information processing can be performed. It will be possible.

According to the modification, the vacant seat number registration screen has an vacant table number input field (not shown) for inputting the number of tables that the store can provide to the customer, instead of the vacant seat number input field 3411. In this modification, the store storage unit 32 of the store terminal 3 stores the number of seats per table in the store. The store browsing execution unit 351 multiplies the number of empty tables entered in the number of empty tables input field by the number of seats per table stored in the store storage unit 32 in response to a predetermined operation of the user with respect to the enter button. Calculate the number of vacant seats. Then, the store browsing execution unit 351 transmits a terminal operation signal including vacant seat update information according to the calculated number of vacant seats to the server 2 via the store communication unit 31 and the communication network 5.

In this modification, the number of seats per table in the store may be stored in the server storage unit 22 in association with the store. In this case, the store browsing execution unit 351 sends a terminal operation signal including vacant seat update information according to the number of vacant tables input in the vacant table number input field in response to the user's predetermined operation for the enter button, in the store communication unit. It is transmitted to the server 2 via 31 and the communication network 5. Then, the vacant seat number management unit 231 of the server 2 multiplies the number of vacant tables included in the received terminal operation signal by the number of vacant seats per table in the store stored in the server storage unit 22 in association with the store. Calculate the number.

Further, in this modification, the number of seats per table in the store may not be stored in the store storage unit 32 or the server storage unit 22. In this case, the vacant seat information stored in the server storage unit 22 of the server 2 includes the number of vacant tables that the store can provide to the customer in relation to each of the plurality of stores. The store browsing execution unit 351 of the store terminal 3 transmits a terminal operation signal including vacant seat update information according to the input number of vacant tables to the server 2. The vacant seat number management unit 231 of the server 2 updates the vacant seat information based on the number of vacant tables included in the received terminal operation signal. On the search screen 441 displayed on the user display unit 44 of the user terminal 4, the desired number input in the desired number input field 4411 is the number of tables desired at the time of entering the store.

According to another modification, the terminal operation signal transmitted by the store terminal 3 to the server 2 via the communication network 5 in response to the acceptance of the user's operation may include the final operation time. The store terminal 3 uses the time of the system clock (not shown) at the time when the user's operation is received as the final operation time.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made to this without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 Information provision system 2 Server 231 Vacancy number management department 232 Store information identification department 233 Store information transmission unit 3,3-1, 3-2 Store terminal 4 User terminal 5 Communication network

Claims (14)

It is a control method of a server equipped with a communication interface and memory.
The memory is associated with each of the plurality of stores, and is transmitted by the store terminal in response to the vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats in the store and the acceptance of the user's operation on the store terminal associated with the store. The final operation time determined based on the terminal operation signal received via the communication interface is stored.
The server
To reduce the number of vacant seats in stores whose elapsed time from the last operation time exceeds the elapsed time threshold.
How to control the server, including that. The server stores the reduced number of vacant seats in the memory as the number of managed vacant seats included in the vacant seat information, and stores the time in which the managed vacant seats are stored in the memory as the final operation time. Item 1. The server control method according to Item 1. The server
When the received terminal operation signal includes seat allocation information indicating an increase or decrease in the number of vacant seats, the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats of the store stored in the memory are updated based on the seat allocation information, and the final The server control method according to claim 2, wherein the operation time is updated. The server
When the received terminal operation signal does not include the seat allocation information and the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats are different, the number of managed vacant seats is updated and the final operation time is updated according to the number of vacant seats. The server control method according to claim 3. The server
When the received terminal operation signal does not include the seat allocation information and the number of vacant seats and the number of managed vacant seats are different, the number of vacant seats is updated and the final operation time is updated according to the number of managed vacant seats. The server control method according to claim 3. In the memory, the capacity corresponding to a plurality of tables is stored in association with each of the plurality of stores.
The method for controlling a server according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the server reduces the number of vacant seats according to the capacity. The method for controlling a server according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the server reduces the number of vacant seats according to the number of reductions stored in the memory. In the memory, the decrease number corresponding to each of the plurality of elapsed time thresholds is stored.
The server identifies one of the plurality of elapsed time thresholds based on the elapsed time from the last operation time, and reduces the number of vacant seats by using the reduction number corresponding to the specified elapsed time threshold. Item 7. The server control method according to Item 7. In the memory, the decrease number is stored in relation to the time zone.
The method for controlling a server according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the server reduces the number of vacant seats by using the number of reductions associated with the time zone including the current time. In the memory, the decrease number is stored in association with the day of the week.
The method for controlling a server according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein the server reduces the number of vacant seats by using the number of reductions associated with the day of the week including the current time. The server control method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the terminal operation signal includes the final operation time. The server control method according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the seat allocation information includes currently vacant information indicating the number of seats that are actually vacant. A communication interface that can communicate with store terminals,
Vacancy information including the number of vacant seats in the store associated with each of the plurality of stores, and transmission by the store terminal in response to the acceptance of the user's operation to the store terminal associated with the store is transmitted via the communication interface. A memory that stores the final operation time determined based on the terminal operation signal received by
With a processor,
The processor
To reduce the number of vacant seats in stores whose elapsed time from the last operation time exceeds the elapsed time threshold.
The server is configured to be. A server control program that has a communication interface and memory.
The memory is associated with each of the plurality of stores, and is transmitted by the store terminal in response to the vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats in the store and the acceptance of the user's operation on the store terminal associated with the store. The final operation time determined based on the terminal operation signal received via the communication interface is stored.
To the server
To reduce the number of vacant seats in stores whose elapsed time from the last operation time exceeds the elapsed time threshold.
A server control program that lets you do things.

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