JP2024076872A - Server device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To send school information and cram school information to users more efficiently.SOLUTION: At least one processor included in a server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to perform processes for receiving school search information for searching for at least one school desired by a first user from among a plurality of schools from a user terminal device possessed by the first user, retrieving, based on the received school search information, school information on the at least one school and cram school information on a cram school associated with the at least one school from a database in which a school previously associated with a second user different from the first user and a cram school that the second user had attended are stored, and transmitting the school information and the cram school information to the user terminal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a server device, method, and program that transmits information about educational institutions such as schools and educational facilities for taking exams at educational institutions to users.

There is a known system that searches for schools based on keywords entered by a user and provides information on schools found as a result of the search, or on cram schools and other facilities for taking entrance exams to those schools. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that searches for schools and provides the user with information introducing the schools found as a result of the search. However, there is no known system that provides the user with information on the schools found as a result of the search, and further provides the user with information on cram schools and other facilities suitable for taking entrance exams to those schools.

JP 2002-157249 A

This disclosure has been made against the background described above, and aims to transmit school information and cram school information to users more efficiently.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a server device including at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute a process of receiving school search information for searching for at least one school desired by a first user from a user terminal device possessed by the first user, searching for school information of the at least one school and cram school information of a cram school associated with the at least one school from a database storing schools previously associated with a second user different from the first user and cram schools attended by the second user based on the received school search information, and transmitting the school information and the cram school information to the user terminal device.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method "in a computer including at least one processor, the at least one processor executing a predetermined instruction command, the method including a step of receiving school search information for searching for at least one school desired by a first user from a user terminal device possessed by the first user, a step of searching for school information of the at least one school and cram school information of a cram school associated with the at least one school based on the received school search information from a database storing schools previously associated with a second user different from the first user and cram schools attended by the second user, and a step of transmitting the school information and the cram school information to the user terminal device."

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program is provided that causes a computer to function as a processor configured to execute a process of receiving school search information for searching for at least one school desired by a first user from a user terminal device possessed by the first user, searching for school information of the at least one school and cram school information of a cram school associated with the at least one school from a database that stores schools previously associated with a second user different from the first user and cram schools attended by the second user based on the received school search information, and transmitting the school information and the cram school information to the user terminal device.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure allow school information and cram school information to be transmitted to users more efficiently.

The above-mentioned effects are merely illustrative for the convenience of explanation and are not limiting. In addition to or instead of the above-mentioned effects, any effect described in this disclosure or any effect obvious to a person skilled in the art may be achieved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic UI screen used for displaying search results, etc. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal device 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 200 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing information stored in memory 213 of server device 200. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing information stored in memory 213 of server device 200. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing information stored in memory 213 of server device 200. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the second user terminal device 100-2 and the server device 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 5D is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing the processing of server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the processing of server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in FIG. 5C. FIG. 6C is a flowchart showing the processing of server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in FIG. 5D. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing the processing of server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing the processing of server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 10D is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modified example of the communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in FIG. 8B.

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate common components and processes.

1. Overview of the System 1 According to the Present Disclosure With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an overview of the school introduction and cram school introduction according to the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic UI screen used for displaying search results, etc. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The basic UI screen illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a school introduction information box 300, a summary information box 310 in which summary information obtained by summarizing learning content information, etc. indicating the learning content of the students of this school is displayed, and a cram school introduction information box 312. The cram school introduction information box 312 includes a cram school review selection button 330. The school introduction information box 300 displays school introduction information introducing the school found as a result of the search. The summary information box 310 displays summary information obtained by summarizing learning content information, etc. indicating the learning content of the students of this school. The cram school introduction information box 312 displays information indicating a cram school suitable for taking the entrance exam of this school, such as a cram school attended by a student who passed the entrance exam of this school. The cram school review selection button 330 is used to accept an operation to display cram school review information indicating the reputation of this cram school.

The basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1 displays a school introduction information box 300 that introduces schools. In this case, the school is an educational institution that includes at least one of kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, compulsory education schools, high schools, secondary education schools, special needs schools, universities, graduate schools, and technical colleges, etc., as defined in Article 1 of the School Education Act. Furthermore, in addition to the schools defined in Article 1 of the School Education Act, this educational institution may broadly include educational institutions that provide education equivalent to schools, such as universities and vocational schools, such as the Air Force Academy and the National Defense Academy. In addition, a cram school may be an educational facility that provides education to students who will be taking the exams for the above-mentioned educational institutions, and may be called, in addition to being called a cram school, for example, a cram school, a preparatory school, etc. The system 1 can provide information on any educational institution and information on educational facilities for taking the exams for any educational institution, but below, the UI screens, etc. used in the system 1 will be described as a specific example of a case where information on a junior high school and a cram school for taking the exams for the junior high school is provided.

Next, the configuration of system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, system 1 includes a first user terminal device 100-1 owned and used by a first user, a second user terminal device 100-2 owned and used by a second user, and a server device 200 operated by the operator of system 1. The server device 200 collects information on schools and cram schools from the second user via the second user terminal device 100-2, and provides the information to the first user via the first user terminal device 100-1.

The first user of system 1 is a student who is going to take the exam for a school introduced in the basic UI screen, their guardian, the school's teacher, and other related parties. In other words, the first user is a user who is using system 1 to search for a school to take the exam for and a cram school for the exam. The second user of system 1 is a former student who has taken the exam for a school introduced in the basic UI screen, the guardian of the former student, the school's teacher, and other related parties. In other words, the second user is a user who provides system 1 with information about the school the first user is going to take the exam for and the cram school for the exam. The first user can become the second user after taking the exam for a school. The second user can become the first user if he or she takes an exam for another school.

When the first user terminal device 100-1 and the second user terminal device 100-2 are referred to collectively, they may be simply referred to as the user terminal device 100. The user terminal device 100 and the server device 200 are connected to each other via a communication network 140 such as the Internet, a WAN, a VPN, or a LAN, allowing the transmission of information and data. Note that FIG. 2 shows a configuration including one each of the first user terminal device 100-1, the second user terminal device 100-2, and the server device 200. However, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and the system 1 may include multiple each of these devices.

Next, the information providing service provided by the system 1 will be described. The operator of the system 1 uses the server device 200 to collect various information on schools and cram schools from the Internet. The operator also uses the server device 200 to conduct a questionnaire survey of the second user via the second user terminal device 100-2, and collects learning content information J (FIG. 4B) indicating the content of the learning the second user underwent in preparation for the exam. The learning content information J indicates one or more schools that the second user took the exam for, whether or not he/she passed the school that he/she took the exam for, one or more cram schools that he/she attended in preparation for the exam, the study time at the cram school, the study time at home or other places other than the cram school, whether or not he/she took seasonal courses such as summer courses at the cram school, the time when he/she entered the cram school, the progress of the deviation value of mock exams during the exam, and the cost of studying for the exam. The operator of the server device 200 may purchase the information on schools and cram schools and the information on the second user from a company that collects such information. The information collected in this manner is stored in the server device 200.

The first user accesses the server device 200 via the first user terminal device 100-1 and searches for schools using keywords such as the school name, the school location, and the location of the school in the exam. The server device 200 receives the keywords from the first user terminal device 100-1 and performs a search, obtains school introduction information E (Figure 4A) that introduces the schools obtained as a result of the search, and sends it to the first user terminal device 100-1. As shown in Figure 1, the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school introduction information E from the server device 200, displays it in the school introduction information box 300 on the basic UI screen displayed on the display device, and shows it to the first user.

Furthermore, the server device 200 generates aggregate information by aggregating the learning content information J of one or more second users who have taken the exam for the school obtained as a result of the search, and transmits the aggregate information to the first user terminal device 100-1. The first user terminal device 100-1 receives the aggregate information from the server device 200, includes it in a basic UI screen, and displays it on a display device to show to the first user. The aggregate information includes information indicating the number of successful and unsuccessful second users who have taken the exam for the school obtained as a result of the search. The aggregate information also indicates information indicating the second users' average study time at a cram school, the average study time at home or other places other than the cram school, whether or not they took seasonal courses such as summer courses at the cram school, the average time they started at the cram school, the average deviation value trends of mock exams and the like during the exam, and the average cost of studying for the exam, divided into those who passed and those who failed.

Furthermore, the server device 200 transmits to the first user terminal device 100-1 cram school introduction information S (FIG. 4C) in the form of a list introducing one or more cram schools that a second user who took an exam for a school found as a result of the search and passed attended in order to take the exam for that school. The first user terminal device 100-1 receives the cram school introduction information, includes it in the basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1, and displays it on the display device to show it to the first user. Note that the display order of the cram school introduction information S for each cram school in the display portion of the cram school introduction information S can be changed, for example, in a predetermined order at regular time intervals, or randomly.

For example, the first user further inputs a prefecture into the prefecture narrowing box 308 included in the basic UI screen and operates the input button (not shown). The first user terminal device 100-1 then transmits information indicating one of the prefectures input by the first user to the server device 200. The server device 200 searches for a school in one of the prefectures received from the first user terminal device 100-1, and generates school introduction information E, summary information, and cram school introduction information S in list format for the school obtained by this search. The server device 200 transmits the generated school introduction information E, summary information, and cram school introduction information S to the first user terminal device 100-1. The first user terminal device 100-1 receives this information and displays it in the school introduction information box 300, summary information box 310, and cram school introduction information box 312 in the basic UI screen displayed on the display device to show it to the user.

In addition, when the first user operates the Exam Experience button 304 on the basic UI screen, the first user terminal device 100-1 transmits information indicating that the Exam Experience button 304 has been operated to the server device 200. When the server device 200 receives this information, it transmits information including the second user's exam experience, etc. to the first user terminal device 100-1. The first user terminal device 100-1 includes the information including the second user's exam experience, etc. in (described below with reference to FIG. 7D), displays it on the display device, and shows it to the first user.

When the first user operates the "Cram School for Successful Applicants" button 306 on the basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1, the first user terminal device 100-1 transmits information to the server device 200 indicating that the "Cram School for Successful Applicants" button 306 has been operated. The server device 200 generates information indicating the cram school attended by the second user who took the exam for the school obtained as a result of the search and passed, and transmits this information to the first user terminal device 100-1. The first user terminal device 100-1 receives this information from the server device 200, includes it in the "Cram School for Successful Applicants" UI screen, displays it on the display device, and shows it to the user. Note that UI screens other than the basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1 and boxes and buttons included in the UI screen will be described further below with reference to FIG. 7A, etc.

As described above, in system 1, a first user can search for a school to take the exam and obtain information about it. Furthermore, the first user can obtain not only school information, but also the exam experience of a second user who was accepted into that school, and information about cram schools suitable for taking the exam and passing the exam to that school. Furthermore, the first user can obtain information such as how to use a cram school suitable for taking the exam and passing the exam to that school.

2. Configuration of the user terminal device 100 FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal device 100 according to the present disclosure. The user terminal device 100 does not need to have all of the components shown in FIG. 3A, and it is possible to adopt a configuration in which some components are omitted, and it is also possible to add other components. The user terminal device 100 is, for example, a portable terminal device capable of wireless communication, such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a PDA, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc. As the user terminal device 100, any of these devices can be suitably used as long as it is capable of executing application programs required for the information provision service according to the present disclosure.

When the system 1 includes a plurality of first user terminal devices 100-1, it is not necessary that all of the plurality of first user terminal devices 100-1 are devices of the same type. Similarly, when the system 1 includes a plurality of second user terminal devices 100-2, it is not necessary that all of the plurality of second user terminal devices 100-2 are devices of the same type. For example, one first user terminal device 100-1 may be a desktop computer, and another first user terminal device 100-1 may be a portable information terminal. Also, for example, one second user terminal device 100-2 may be a smartphone, and another second user terminal device 100-2 may be a PDA.

3A, the user terminal device 100 includes an output interface (output IF) 111 to which output devices such as a display device and a speaker (not shown) are connected, a processor 112, a memory 113 including a RAM, a ROM, or a non-volatile memory (HDD in some cases), a communication interface 114 including a communication processing circuit 115 and an antenna, and an input interface 116 to which input devices such as a touch panel and hard keys are connected. These components are electrically connected to each other via control lines and data lines. The touch panel, display device, speaker, etc. may be disposed outside the user terminal device 100 and connected via the output interface 111 and the input interface 116. Alternatively, the touch panel, display device, speaker, etc. may be included in the user terminal device 100 and connected via the output interface 111 and the input interface 116.

The processor 112 is composed of at least one processor (CPU), or a combination of at least one CPU and at least one GPU specialized for a specific process such as image processing. The processor 112 functions as a control unit that controls other components connected thereto based on various programs stored in the memory 113. Specifically, the processor 112 reads and executes from the memory 113 an application program including instructions for using the information provision service according to the present disclosure, and a program for executing the OS.

The memory 113 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory, a HDD, etc., and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores an application program including instructions for using the information provision service of the present disclosure, and a program including instructions for executing the OS. The RAM is a memory used for writing and reading data while the program stored in the ROM is being processed by the processor 112. The non-volatile memory is a memory into which data is written and read by the execution of a program, and data written therein is stored even after the execution of the program is terminated and the user terminal device 100 is turned off. Note that a removable storage medium, a database, etc. may be connected to the memory 113 (not shown).

The communication interface 114 functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives information between a remotely located server device 200 and other user terminal devices 100 via the communication processing circuit 115 and an antenna, and receives wireless signals from beacons. The communication processing circuit 115 performs processing to receive from the server device 200 programs for executing application programs according to the present disclosure and various information used in the application programs, etc., according to the progress of the application programs. It also performs processing to transmit the results of processing resulting from the execution of the application programs to the server device 200.

The communication processing circuit 115 performs communication processing for a wideband wireless communication method that complies with the LTE method. Alternatively, the communication processing circuit 115 performs communication processing for a wireless LAN that complies with IEEE 802.11, or a wireless communication method that complies with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Furthermore, the communication processing circuit 115 can also perform communication processing for wired communication instead of or in addition to wireless communication.

The output interface 111 is connected to output devices such as a display device and a speaker, and functions as an output unit that outputs various information. The input interface 116 is connected to input devices such as a touch panel and a hard key, and functions as an input unit that receives input of various information. However, the user terminal device 100 may not include all of these output devices and input devices, or may include output devices and input devices other than these. Examples of the output interface 111 and the input interface 116 include various types such as a serial port, a parallel port, a USB, and an HDMI (registered trademark). In addition, the output interface 111 and the input interface 116 may connect the output device and the input device by wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)). In this case, the output interface 111 and the input interface 116 may share the functions of the communication interface 114.

3. Configuration of the server device 200 FIG. 3B is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 200 according to the present disclosure. The server device 200 does not need to include all of the components shown in FIG. 3B, and may have a configuration in which some components are omitted, or may add other components. As shown in FIG. 3B, the server device 200 includes an input/output interface 211, a processor 212 consisting of one or more CPUs or a combination of one or more CPUs and one or more GPUs, a memory 213 including RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory, HDD, etc., and a communication interface 214. These components are electrically connected to each other via control lines and data lines.

Although not specifically shown, the input/output interface 211 functions as an information input/output unit for inputting and outputting information between various external devices such as a printer or a display device. The input/output interface 211 can adopt a known connection format such as a serial port, a parallel port, a USB, or an HDMI (registered trademark) depending on the application.

The processor 212, like the processor 112 of the user terminal device 100, is composed of at least one processor (CPU), or a combination of at least one CPU and at least one GPU specialized for a specific process such as image processing. The processor 212 functions as a control unit for controlling other connected components based on various programs stored in the memory 213. In the present disclosure, in particular, the processor 212 executes a process of receiving operation information inputted in the user terminal device 100 via the communication interface 214, and a process of progressing an application program in the user terminal device 100 in response to the received operation information.

Furthermore, processor 212 executes processing for receiving school search information from a user terminal device possessed by the first user for searching for at least one school desired by the first user from among a plurality of schools. Processor 212 also executes processing for searching for school information of at least one school and cram school information of a cram school associated with at least one school, based on the received school search information, from a database storing schools previously associated with a second user different from the first user and cram schools attended by the second user. Processor 212 also executes processing for transmitting cram school information, or cram school information and school information, to the user terminal device. Note that hereinafter, cram school information, or cram school information and school information, are also referred to as cram school information and school information.

The memory 213 includes the above-mentioned storage device and functions as a storage unit. Furthermore, the memory 213 stores an application program for a process of receiving, from a user terminal device possessed by the first user, selection information for selecting at least one educational institution desired by the first user from among a plurality of educational institutions. The memory 213 also stores an application program for a process of receiving, from a user terminal device possessed by the first user, school search information for searching for at least one school desired by the first user from among a plurality of schools. The memory 213 also stores an application program for a process of searching for school information of at least one school and cram school information of at least one school associated with the cram school based on the received school search information from a database in which schools previously associated with a second user different from the first user and cram schools attended by the second user are stored. The memory 213 also stores an application program for a process of transmitting school information and cram school information to the user terminal device.

As an example, the communication interface 214 performs processes such as modulation and demodulation to transmit and receive programs for executing application programs related to the present disclosure, various information, and the like, to and from the user terminal device 100 via the communication network 140. The communication interface 214 communicates information and data with the user terminal device 100 according to the above-mentioned wireless communication method or a known wired communication method.

4. Information stored in memory 213 of server device 200 Below, with reference to Figures 4A to 4C, information stored in memory 213 of server device 200 for realizing the information provision service by system 1 will be described. Figures 4A to 4C are diagrams showing information stored in memory 213 of server device 200. The tables shown in Figures 4A to 4C include information collected by the operator of system 1 from schools, cram schools, and second users, or information purchased from vendors by the operator of system 1, and constitute a database to be provided to the first user.

Figure 4A shows a school information table that includes school information showing information about a school. As shown in Figure 4A, the school information table includes multiple rows, and each row includes school information that corresponds to school identification (ID) information A, school type information B, school name information C, school location information D, school introduction information E, examinee identification information F, and school review information U.

School identification information A uniquely identifies each of the multiple schools included in the database. School type information B indicates the type of school identified by the associated school identification information A, such as whether the school is a kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, high school, university, co-educational school, boys' school, or girls' school. School name information C indicates the name of the school identified by the associated school identification information A. School location information D indicates the address, latitude, longitude, etc. of the location of the school identified by the associated school identification information A. Note that if a school is located in multiple locations, school location information D indicates the addresses, etc. of these multiple locations.

The school introduction information E indicates, for example, the contents of a pamphlet for prospective students of the school identified by the associated school identification information A, and may include images of the school's educational policy, characteristics, school buildings and grounds, and information introducing the school. The prospective student identification information F identifies one or more second users who have taken the entrance exam for the school identified by the associated school identification information A. The school word-of-mouth information U indicates word-of-mouth information indicating the reputation of the school identified by the associated school identification information A.

Figure 4B shows a second user information table containing information about a second user. The second user information table contains multiple rows, and each row contains second user information that corresponds to mutually related second user identification information G, passed school identification information H, failed school identification information I, learning content information J, exam experience information K, enrolled school information L, interview information M, cram school identification information N, attended school information O, and preferred school information P at the time of enrollment.

The second user identification information G uniquely identifies each of the multiple second users included in the database. The set of passed school identification information H and failed school identification information I is included in the school identification information A of the school information table shown in FIG. 4A, and the set of passed school identification information H and the set of failed school identification information I do not overlap. The set of examinee identification information F in the school information table is included in the second user identification information G. In other words, the information included in each row of the school information table can be associated with information included in each of some rows of the second user information table via the examinee identification information F and the second user identification information G. Note that while the enrollment preference information P is information indicating the school that the second user was aiming for when entering the cram school, the set of passed school identification information H and failed school identification information I can be information indicating the school that the second user was aiming for when taking the exam. Furthermore, by examining the deviation value, etc. of the school indicated by the accepted school identification information H and the deviation value, etc. of the school indicated by the cram school aspiration information P at the time of enrollment, the first user can estimate how the academic ability of the second user has changed as a result of studying at the cram school, that is, whether the academic ability has improved, neither improved nor decreased, or has decreased.

The passed school identification information H is the school identification information A of the school that the second user, identified by the associated second user identification information G, took and passed the exam for. Note that if the second user did not pass any of the schools that he took the exam for, the passed school identification information H does not include any school identification information A. Note that if the second user took the exam for one or more schools that he passed, the passed school identification information H includes one or more school identification information A.

The failed school identification information I is the school identification information A of the school for which the second user, identified by the associated second user identification information G, took the exam and failed. If the second user passed all of the schools for which he took the exam, the failed school identification information I does not include any school identification information A. If the second user failed one or more of the schools for which he took the exam, the failed school identification information I includes one or more school identification information A.

The learning content information J shows the learning history of the second user identified by the second user identification information G, in association with the school identification information A of the school that the second user took an exam for. In other words, the learning content information J shows the learning history of the second user for each school that the second user took an exam for. The learning history includes, for example, the time when the user first enrolled in a cram school, the study time at the cram school, the study time at home or other places other than the cram school, the history of changing cram schools between multiple cram schools, the history of deviation value changes in mock exams and the like at the exam institution, the monthly or yearly expenses spent on exams, and the history of taking seasonal courses such as summer and winter courses at the cram school.

The exam experience information K shows the exam experience of the second user identified by the second user identification information G in association with the school identification information A of the school that was taken. In other words, the exam experience information K shows the exam experience of this second user for each school that was taken. The exam experience information K further includes information such as the name of the second user who inputted this exam experience information K, and the types of examinee and guardian. The exam experience information K also includes information used to narrow down the exam experience information K. The school attended information L is the school identification information A of the school that the second user identified by the second user identification information G enrolled in. If this second user did not enroll in any of the schools that they enrolled in, the school attended information L does not include any school identification information A.

The interview information M shows the contents of the interview and the answers given to the second user identified by the second user identification information G, in association with the school identification information A of the school for which the second user took the exam. In other words, the interview information M shows the interview and the answers given to the second user for each school for which the second user took the exam. The interview information M further includes information used to narrow down the exam experience information K. The interview information M also includes information such as the name of the second user who answered the interview used to generate the interview information M, and the type of student and guardian.

The cram school identification information N is identification information that uniquely identifies the cram school that the second user identified by the second user identification information G attended to take the exam. If the second user did not attend a cram school, the cram school identification information N does not include any identification information. If the second user attended one or more cram schools, the cram school identification information N includes one or more identification information. The school information O indicates the name of the school that the second user attended when he or she started attending the cram school. In other words, the school information O indicates the elementary school that the second user attended if the second user is taking a junior high school exam, and indicates the junior high school that the second user attended if the second user is taking a high school exam. The school of choice information P at the time of admission indicates the name of the school that the second user was aiming for when he or she started attending the cram school. The second user identification information may further include information indicating that the second user was accepted as a reserve candidate.

Figure 4C shows a cram school information table including cram school information indicating information on cram schools. As shown in Figure 4C, the cram school information table includes multiple rows, and each of the multiple rows includes cram school information in which mutually related cram school identification information Q, cram school name information R, cram school introduction information S, pass record information T, cram school location information V, and cram school review information W are associated with each other. The cram school identification information Q uniquely identifies each of the multiple cram schools included in the database. Note that the set of attending cram school identification information N shown in Figure 4B is included in the set of cram school identification information Q. In other words, the information included in each row of the second user information table can be associated with information included in each part of the rows of the cram school information table via the attending cram school identification information N and the cram school identification information Q. The cram school name information R indicates the name of the cram school identified by the associated cram school identification information Q. The cram school review information W indicates review information indicating the reputation of the cram school identified by the associated cram school identification information Q. Note that the cram school review information W posted by the second user includes the second user identification information G of the second user who posted it.

Cram school introduction information S indicates the contents of pamphlets for test takers from the cram school identified by the associated cram school identification information Q, and may include information introducing the cram school, such as the cram school's teaching policy, characteristics, and images of the cram school building. Passing record information T indicates the cram school's test-taking record, such as the schools that test takers who have belonged to the cram school identified by the associated cram school identification information Q have passed and the number of successful applicants. Cram school location information V indicates the address, latitude, longitude, etc. of the location of the cram school identified by the associated cram school identification information Q. Note that if the cram school is located in multiple locations, cram school location information V indicates the addresses, etc. of these multiple locations.

6. Communication sequence between the user terminal device 100 and the server device 200 The communication sequence between the user terminal device 100 and the server device 200 shown in Figures 5A to 5D will be described below. Figure 5A shows the communication sequence between the second user terminal device 100-2 and the server device 200 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5A, the processor 212 (Figure 3B) of the server device 200 transmits question information indicating questions for creating the second user information table shown in Figure 5B to the second user terminal device 100-2 via the communication interface 214. The question information is information for asking the second user about their name, the schools they passed, the schools they failed, their learning content, their exam experience, the schools they enrolled in, their answers to interviews, the cram schools they attended, etc., and the second user information table is generated from the answers to these questions. The processor 112 (Figure 3A) of the second user terminal device 100-2 receives the question information from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 112 displays the question information on the display device via the output interface 111 to show it to the second user (S100).

The second user inputs a response to the question information displayed on the display device using the input device of the second user terminal device 100-2. The second user may input school review information U and cram school review information W along with the response to the question information. The processor 112 of the second user terminal device 100-2 receives the user's response input via the input interface 116 (S102). Furthermore, the processor 112 transmits response information indicating the received response to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the response information from the second user terminal device 100-2 via the communication interface 214 (S104).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 generates, from the received response information, second user identification information G, passed school identification information H, failed school identification information I, learning content information J, exam experience information K, attended school information L, interview information M, and cram school identification information N, which are included in the second user information table. Each time the processor 212 generates new information, it adds a new row to the second user information table, registers the information in the new row, and stores it in the memory 213.

Figures 5B to 5D show the communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5D, the first user operates the input device of the first user terminal device 100-1 to launch dedicated application software (APP) for receiving information provision services from the system 1. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the operation input of the first user via the input interface 116. Furthermore, the processor 112 reads the dedicated application software from the memory 113 and launches it (S120).

The first user performs an operation on the input device of the first user terminal device 100-1 to log in to the server device 200. When the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the operation input of the first user via the input interface 116, the processor 112 transmits information for logging in to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the information for logging in from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 and performs processing such as authentication of the first user. Furthermore, the processor 212 transmits information permitting the first user to log in to the server device 200 via the communication interface 214. When the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the information permitting the login from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114, the processing for the first user to log in to the server device 200 is completed (S122).

Note that it is not essential that the first user has registered an account with the server device 200 in order to receive information provided from the server device 200. In other words, when the server device 200 provides information without the first user registering an account, login processing between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 is not required, and login processing is performed only when the first user needs to register an account in order to receive information. This also applies to the processing described with reference to other figures.

When the login process is complete, the processor 212 of the server device 200 sends a school type selection UI screen (described later with reference to FIG. 7A) for selecting a school type to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school type selection UI screen from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114, displays it on the display device via the output interface 111, and shows it to the first user (S124).

When the first user performs an operation to select a school type on the school type selection UI screen displayed on the display device, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school type selection operation input via the input interface 116 (S126). The processor 112 transmits school type information indicating the type of school indicated by the received school type selection operation input to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the school type information from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S128).

When the processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the school type information, it transmits a school search UI screen (described later with reference to FIG. 7B) for inputting school search information to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school search UI screen from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114, displays it on the display device via the output interface 111, and shows it to the first user (S130).

The first user inputs school search information into the school search UI screen displayed on the display device and operates the search button. When the user performs these operations, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school search information and search start instruction information via the input interface 116 (S132). The processor 112 transmits the received school search information to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the school search information from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S134).

When the processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the school search information, it searches for school information included in the school information search table (FIG. 4A) based on the received school search information, and acquires school information of a school that matches the school search information. The processor 212 also searches the second user information table (FIG. 4B) using the examinee identification information F included in the school information indicating the acquired school information, and acquires information of a second user who took an exam at a school that matches the school search information. The processor 212 further aggregates the passed school identification information H, failed school identification information I, and learning content information J included in the acquired second user information to generate aggregate information (FIG. 1). The processor 212 further searches for cram school information included in the cram school information table (FIG. 4C) based on the passed school identification information H and the attending cram school identification information N included in the second user information of the second user who took an exam at a school that matches the school search information, and acquires cram school information of one or more cram schools attended by the second user who passed the exam at a school that matches the school search information. The one or more cram schools attended by the second user who was accepted into a school that matches the school search information are considered to be suitable cram schools for taking the exam for the school that matches the school search information. Note that in the processing of S136, it is not necessary to acquire all of the information contained in the school information and cram school information (FIGS. 4A and 4C). For example, the information displayed in the basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1, that is, school introduction information E (FIG. 4A) for one or more schools, may be acquired as school information, and cram school introduction information S for one or more cram schools may be acquired as cram school information (S136).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the information acquired or generated in the processing of S136 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives this information from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114, and displays it on the display device via the output interface 111 to show it to the first user. Note that the information acquired or generated in the processing of S136 may further include at least one of cram school name information R and passing record information T. Depending on the aspect of the information provision service by the system 1, the cram school introduction information S may be transmitted from the server device 200 to the first user terminal device 100-1 in another processing (S138).

As shown in FIG. 5C, when the first user operates the "Successful applicants' cram school" button 306 on the basic UI screen, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating the first user's operation via the input interface 116. The processor 112 transmits, via the communication interface 114, to the server device 200, cram school selection information indicating that the "Successful applicants' cram school" button 306 included in the basic UI screen has been selected. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the "Successful applicants' cram school selection information" from the server device 200 via the communication interface 214 (S160).

When the successful applicant cram school selection information is received, the processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits a cram school narrowing down UI screen (not shown) to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The cram school narrowing down UI screen includes a prefecture narrowing down box 308 for the first user to input the location (prefecture) of the cram school, for example, in order to narrow down the cram school information to be displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the cram school narrowing down UI screen via the communication interface 114 and displays it on the display device to show to the first user (S162).

The first user performs an operation to narrow down the cram schools on the cram school narrowing down UI screen displayed on the display device. In response to this user operation, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating an operation to narrow down the cram schools via the input interface 116. Furthermore, the processor 112 transmits cram school narrowing down information for narrowing down the cram schools to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the cram school narrowing down information via the communication interface 214 (S164).

When the cram school narrowing information is received, the processor 212 of the server device 200 searches for cram school information included in the cram school information table (FIG. 4C) based on the received cram school narrowing information. For example, as described above, when the cram school narrowing information indicates the location of the cram school, the processor 212 acquires cram school information of a cram school that matches the cram school narrowing information based on the cram school location information V in the cram school information table. Furthermore, the processor 212 searches for second user information included in the second user information table and acquires information of a second user that includes the same cram school identification information as the cram school identification information Q included in the cram school narrowing information. The information acquired in this process is, for example, one or more interview information M in the information of the second user that includes the same cram school identification information N as the cram school identification information Q included in the cram school narrowing information, and one or more cram school location information V of a cram school that matches the cram school narrowing information. In this process, the cram school introduction information S included in the successful applicants cram school UI screen includes the successful applicant production information 314 as information indicating that the examinee who studied at the cram school corresponding to the cram school introduction information S was accepted into the school corresponding to the school introduction information E included in the UI screen. At least one of the cram school name information R and the success rate information T may be further added to the cram school introduction information S and displayed. When the first user searches for a cram school using a general search engine, no school is selected, and it is unclear which cram school students studied at which schools they were accepted into. Therefore, information indicating which cram school students studied at were accepted into a particular school, such as successful candidate production information 314, cannot be displayed as a search result. On the other hand, in the information provision service provided by system 1, information indicating which cram school students studied at which schools they were accepted into can be displayed to the first user (S166).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the information acquired in the processing of S166 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S168).

The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the information sent by the server device 200 via the communication interface 114, displays it on the display device along with the basic UI screen, and shows it to the first user. In the basic UI screen, one or more pieces of interview information M and one or more pieces of cram school location information V are first displayed in a list. When the first user performs an operation to select one of the listed pieces of interview information M, etc., the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating the selected interview information M, etc. via the input interface 116. Upon receiving this information, the processor 112 displays all the contents of the interview information M selected by the first user on the display device and shows it to the first user (S170).

As shown in FIG. 5D, when the first user operates the Exam Experience Story button 304 on the basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating the first user's operation via the input interface 116. The processor 112 transmits exam experience story selection information indicating that the exam experience story button 304 on the basic UI screen has been selected to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the exam experience story selection information from the server device 200 via the communication interface 214 (S180).

Upon receiving the exam experience selection information, the processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits an exam experience narrowing down UI screen (not shown) to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The exam experience narrowing down UI screen includes information indicating, for example, "category", "passing result", and "respondent" in order to narrow down the exam experience information to be displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1. In the "category", for example, information such as the result of the exam (enrollment/decline of enrollment, etc.), selection of a preferred school, learning at a cram school, learning outside of a cram school, and support system is selected. In the "passing result", information such as passing and failing is selected. In the "respondent", information such as the guardian and the examinee is selected. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the exam experience narrowing down UI screen via the communication interface 114, displays it on the display device, and shows it to the first user (S182).

When the first user performs an operation to input information for narrowing down the exam experience stories on the exam experience story narrowing down UI screen, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating the operation input via the input interface 116. The processor 112 transmits exam experience story narrowing down information indicating the operation thus input to the server device 200 via the communication interface 214. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the exam experience story narrowing down information from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S184).

When the examination experience narrowing information is received, the processor 212 of the server device 200 searches for school information and second user information contained in the school information table and the second user information table (FIGS. 4A and 4B) based on the received examination experience narrowing information. As a result of this search, the processor 212 acquires one or more pieces of examination experience information K that match the examination experience narrowing information from among the examination experience information K of the second user who took the exam at the school corresponding to the school introduction information E displayed on the basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1 (S186). The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the one or more pieces of examination experience information K acquired in the processing of S186 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the examination experience information K from the server device 200 via the processor 112 (S188).

The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 generates exam experience summary information that shows an overview of each of the received exam experience information K, and displays it in a list on the exam experience UI screen. The exam experience summary information displayed on the exam experience UI screen is further provided with an exam experience details button 328, a cram school review selection button 330, and a school review selection button 332. When the first user operates the exam experience details button 328 attached to any of the exam experience summary information on the exam experience UI screen, the processor 112 receives information indicating that the exam experience details button 328 has been operated via the input interface 116, and displays all of the exam experience information K corresponding to the operated exam experience details button 328. The exam experience summary information may be created in the server device 200 and attached to the exam experience information K (S190).

When the first user operates the school review selection button 332 attached to any of the exam experience summary information on the exam experience UI screen, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating that the school review selection button 332 has been operated via the input interface 116. Furthermore, the processor 112 transmits review selection information indicating that the school review selection button 332 has been operated and selected to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 transmits review selection information indicating that information indicating reviews of the school corresponding to the school introduction information E displayed on the exam experience UI screen (school review information) has been selected to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the review selection information via the communication interface 214. Note that even if the first user searches for a cram school using a general search engine, school review information for a particular cram school that the second user attended and took the exam for cannot be searched for. Similarly, even if a first user searches for a school using a general search engine, the test-taking experience of a second user who attended a specific cram school and took the exam at the school that is the subject of the search cannot be found. On the other hand, in the information provision service by system 1, the relationship between which cram school the second user attended to pass the specific school, the test-taking experience of the second user, and the school review information is already known. Therefore, according to the information provision service by system 1, information on the school review information of the second user who attended a specific cram school and took the exam at the school that is the subject of the search, and information on the test-taking experience of the second user who attended a specific cram school and took the exam at the school that is the subject of the search can be provided to the first user (S192).

Upon receiving the review selection information, the processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the school review information U corresponding to the received review information to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school review information U from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114 (S194). The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 includes the review information received in the processing of S194 in a UI screen, displays it on the display, and shows it to the first user. The server device 200 can search the second user information table using the examinee identification information F corresponding to the school review information U, and obtain the second user information included in the row including the second user identification information G corresponding to the examinee identification information F. Therefore, the server device 200 may selectively include in the word-of-mouth information U one or more pieces of information, such as the name of the school indicated by the passed school identification information H included in the second user information thus acquired, the name of the school indicated by the failed school identification information I, the school name indicated by the enrollment school information L, the name of the cram school indicated by the attending cram school identification information N, the school name indicated by the attending school information O and the school name indicated by the preferred school information P at the time of enrollment, etc., in the word-of-mouth information U and transmit it to the first user terminal device 100-1. By displaying such information together with the school word-of-mouth information U, it is possible to show the first user that the school word-of-mouth information U is highly reliable. In addition, by considering the schools indicated by the passed school information H and the schools indicated by the preferred school information P at the time of enrollment, the first user can know how much the second user's academic ability improved between the time of enrolling in the cram school and the time of taking the exam (S196).

7. Processing of the Server Device 200 The processing of the server device 200 will be described below. Figures 6A to 6C are flowcharts showing the processing of the server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in Figures 5B to 5D. First, referring to Figure 6A, the processing of the server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in Figure 5B will be described. As shown in Figure 6A, the processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits and receives information to and from the user terminal device 100 via the communication interface 214, and performs a login process to permit the first user using the first user terminal device 100-1 to access the server device 200 (S300).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits a school type selection UI screen (described later with reference to FIG. 7A) to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S302). The processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not school type selection information has been received from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the processor 212 has received school type selection information, it proceeds to processing of S306 (Y), and if not (N), it remains in processing of S304 (S304).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 sends a school search UI screen to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S306). The processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not school search information has been received from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the first user terminal device 100-1 has received school type information (Y), the processor 212 proceeds to processing S310, and if not (N), the processor 212 remains in processing S308 (S308).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 searches the school information search table (FIG. 4A) based on the received school search information, and obtains information on schools that match the school search information. The processor 212 also searches the second user information table (FIG. 4B) and obtains information on the second user who took the exam for the school that matches the school search information. The processor 212 then aggregates the passed school identification information H, failed school identification information I, and learning content information J contained in the acquired information on the second user to generate aggregate information (FIG. 1). The processor 212 then searches the cram school information table (FIG. 4C) based on the passed school identification information H and cram school identification information N contained in the information on the second user who took the exam for the school that matches the school search information, and obtains information on one or more cram schools attended by the second user who passed the exam for the school that matches the school search information (S310). The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the information acquired or generated in the process of S310 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S312).

Next, referring to Figure 6B, the processing of the server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in Figure 5C will be described. As shown in Figure 6B, the processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not examinee's cram school selection information has been received from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the processor 212 has received examinee's cram school selection information (Y), it proceeds to processing of S322, and if not (N), it remains in processing of S320 (S320).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits a cram school narrowing down UI screen to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S322). The processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not cram school narrowing down information has been received from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the processor 212 has received cram school narrowing down information (Y), it proceeds to processing of S326, and if not (N), it remains at processing of S324 (S324).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 searches for cram school information in the cram school information table (Figure 4C) based on the cram school narrowing down information received in the process of S322, and performs a cram school narrowing down process to obtain information on cram schools that match the cram school narrowing down information. Furthermore, the processor 212 searches for second user information in the second user information table, and obtains information on the second user that includes the same cram school identification information as the cram school identification information Q included in the cram school narrowing down information. The information obtained in this process is one or more of the information on the second user that includes the same cram school identification information as the cram school identification information Q included in the cram school narrowing down information, for example, interview information M and cram school location information V. The processor 212 transmits the information obtained by the above process to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. As described above, the first user terminal device 100-1 that receives the information transmitted in this process includes the successful candidate production information 314 in the cram school introduction information S displayed on its display device. Depending on the nature of the information provision service in the system 1, if the cram school introduction information S is sent to the first user terminal device 100-1 in this process, the processor 212 of the server device 200 may include the successful candidate production information 314 in the cram school introduction information S (S326).

Next, referring to FIG. 6C, the processing of the server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in FIG. 5D will be described. As shown in FIG. 6C, the processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not exam experience story selection information has been received from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the processor 212 has received exam experience story selection information (Y), it proceeds to processing of S342, and if not (N), it remains at processing of S340 (S340).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 sends an exam experience story narrowing UI screen to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S342). The processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not exam experience story narrowing information has been received from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the processor 212 has received exam experience story narrowing information (Y), it proceeds to processing of S346, and if not (N), it remains in processing of S344 (S344).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 searches for school information and second user information contained in the school information table and second user information table (Figures 4A and 4B) based on the received exam experience narrowing information. As a result of this search, the processor 212 acquires one or more exam experience information K that matches the exam experience narrowing information from the exam experience information K of the second user who took the exam at the school corresponding to the school introduction information E displayed on the basic UI screen shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the processor 212 transmits the acquired exam experience information K to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S346).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not it has received review selection information from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the processor 212 has received review selection information (Y), it proceeds to processing of S356, and if it has not received review selection information (N), it remains in processing of S354 (S354). The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits school review information U corresponding to the received review information to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S356).

8. UI screen displayed on the first user terminal device 100-1 The following describes the UI screen displayed on the first user terminal device 100-1. Figures 7A to 7D are diagrams illustrating UI screens displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in Figures 2 and 3A. When the login process (optional) is completed, the process of S124 (Figure 5B) is performed, and the school type selection UI screen shown in Figure 7A is first sent to the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1. Note that Figure 7A shows junior high school, high school, and university as school types.

For example, when a first user performs an operation to select a junior high school on the school type selection UI screen, the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school search UI screen shown in FIG. 7B from the server device 200 and displays it on the display device. Note that FIG. 7B illustrates an example in which the prefecture in which the junior high school is located, the deviation score for the junior high school entrance exam, the type of school (co-ed, boys' school or girls' school), and the school name are used as search conditions for junior high schools.

In addition, FIG. 7B shows an example of a case where, in addition to this information, a search button, a search button with review information, and an access ranking for junior high school information are displayed on the school type selection UI screen. The search button is used by the first user to instruct the server device 200 to execute a search using the information entered on the school type selection UI screen. The search button with cram school review information is used to instruct the server device 200 to execute a search similar to that of the search button, as well as to display cram school review information W for cram schools attended by successful applicants who passed the junior high school entrance exam obtained as a result of the search.

When the first user selects a junior high school using the school search UI screen shown in FIG. 7B, the first user terminal device 100-1 displays the basic UI screen shown in FIG. 1 on the display. When the user selects the successful candidate's cram school button 306 included in the basic UI screen, the first user terminal device 100-1 displays the successful candidate's cram school UI screen shown in FIG. 7C on the display device. The successful candidate's cram school UI screen includes a list of interview information M and school word-of-mouth information U received by the first user terminal device 100-1 from the server device 200, classroom information generated from cram school location information V (FIGS. 4A to 4C), school introduction information E, cram school introduction information S with attached information on successful candidate production 314, and a prefecture narrowing down box 308 for narrowing down cram schools by location (e.g. prefecture). The successful candidate's cram school UI screen also includes an interview list box 316 in which the answers to the interview of the second user who passed the school's entrance examination are displayed in the form of a list. In some cases, the interview list box 316 may display the interview responses of the second user who failed the school's entrance exam. The successful applicants' cram school UI screen also includes a school review list box 318 in which school review information is displayed in list form, and a classroom information box 320 in which information indicating one or more locations of the cram school is displayed.

On the other hand, when the user selects the exam experience story button 304 included in the basic UI screen, the first user terminal device 100-1 displays the exam experience story UI screen shown in FIG. 7D on the display device. The exam experience story UI screen includes a narrowing down information box 322 for inputting narrowing down information, and an exam experience story list information box 324 in which one or more exam experience story summary information boxes 326 in which exam experience story summary information is displayed are displayed in the form of a list.

The order of the communication sequence between the user terminal device 100 and the server device 200 described above, the order of processing by the server device 200, and the order of displaying the Successful Candidate School UI screen and the Exam Experience UI screen shown in Figures 7C and 7D are examples. Therefore, these orders, etc. can be changed as appropriate depending on changes in the specifications of the information provision service by the system 1. The information used in the information provision service by the system 1 shown in Figures 4A to 4C is also an example. Therefore, this information can also be changed as appropriate depending on changes in the specifications of the information provision service by the system 1. The UI screens shown in Figures 1 and 7A to 7D are examples and can be changed as appropriate depending on changes in the specifications of the information provision service by the system 1. The information provision service by the system 1 can be applied to providing other information, such as information on taking qualification exams, in addition to providing information on school entrance exams.

The operator of system 1 can earn revenue by having the cram school register its information on the server device 200 and receiving a registration fee from the cram school. The operator of system 1 can also earn revenue by registering a first user on the server device 200 and providing an information provision service only to the registered first user and receiving a usage fee from the first user.

As described above, when the first user searches for a cram school using a general search engine, no school is selected, and it is unclear which cram school students studied at which schools were accepted into. Therefore, information indicating which cram school students studied at were accepted into a particular school, such as information on successful applicants 314, cannot be displayed as a search result. On the other hand, in the information provision service provided by system 1, information indicating which cram school students studied at which schools were accepted into a particular school can be displayed.

As described above, even if the first user searches for a cram school using a general search engine, the school review information U of the school that the second user took the exam for by attending a specific cram school cannot be found. Similarly, even if the first user searches for a school using a general search engine, the exam experience of the second user who took the exam for the searched school by attending a specific cram school cannot be found. On the other hand, in the information provision service by the system 1, the relationship between which cram school the second user attended and passed the specific school, the exam experience of the second user, and the school review information U is already known. Therefore, according to the information provision service by the system 1, the school review information U of the school that the second user took the exam for by attending a specific cram school and the exam experience of the second user who took the exam for the searched school by attending a specific cram school can be provided to the first user.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same components and processes as those illustrated in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, various processes are described for transmitting cram school review information W (FIG. 4C) included in the cram school information from the server device 200 to the first user terminal device 100-1 and displaying it on the UI screen. The processes in the second embodiment are executed by the user terminal device 100 and the server device 200 of the system 1 shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B.

1. Communication sequence between the user terminal device 100 and the server device 200 First, a communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 will be described. Figures 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the communication sequence between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 shown in Figure 2.

First, a process for searching for a school in response to an operation by a first user and displaying school introduction information for the school found as a result of the search, as well as cram school review information for a cram school attended by a second user who passed the entrance exam for the school found as a result of the search, will be described. As shown in FIG. 8A, the processes of S120 to S130 shown in FIG. 5B are carried out between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200. When the first user operates the search with review information button included in the school search UI screen shown in FIG. 7B, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating this operation via the input interface 116 (S200).

When the processor 112 receives this information, it transmits the school search information and the school search information with cram school reviews to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the school search information and the school search information with cram school reviews from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S202).

When the processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the school search information, it searches the school information search table (Fig. 4A) based on the received school search information, and acquires school information of a school that matches the school search information. The processor 212 also searches the second user information table (Fig. 4B) using the examinee identification information F included in the acquired school information, and acquires information of the second user who took the exam for the school that matches the school search information. The processor 212 further searches the cram school information table (Fig. 4C) based on the passed school identification information H and the attended cram school identification information N included in the second user information who took the exam for the school that matches the school search information, and acquires cram school information of one or more cram schools attended by the second user who was passed to the school that matches the school search information (S204).

The processor 212 transmits the school introduction information E, cram school introduction information S, and cram school review information W contained in the acquired information to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school introduction information E, cram school introduction information S, and cram school review information W via the communication interface 114 (S206). Furthermore, the processor 112 displays a school/cram school introduction UI screen (described later with reference to FIG. 10A) containing the school introduction information E and a list of the cram school introduction information S on the display device via the output interface 111, and shows it to the first user. Note that in the school/cram school introduction UI screen, the cram school introduction information S includes the successful candidate production information 314 and the cram school review selection button 330. Furthermore, it is not necessary for all of the school introduction information and cram school introduction information to be displayed on the school/cram school introduction UI screen; for example, only image information such as the school name and cram school name and the school and cram school building may be displayed (S208).

When the first user operates the cram school review selection button 330 included in the school/cram school introduction UI screen, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating this operation via the input interface 116 (S210). The processor 112 displays the school introduction information and the cram school review information corresponding to the selected cram school review selection button 330 on the cram school introduction/cram school review UI screen (described below with reference to FIG. 10B). It is not necessary for all of the cram school introduction information to be displayed on the cram school introduction/cram school review UI screen; for example, only image information such as the cram school name and the cram school building may be displayed (S212). It is also possible to display cram school review information for a cram school attended by a second user who failed the entrance exam for a school introduced by the school introduction information, together with the school introduction information.

Next, a process for searching for a cram school based on at least one of the location and school name of the cram school specified by the first user and displaying cram school introduction information for the cram school found as a result of the search, as well as cram school review information for the cram school found as a result of the search, will be described. As shown in FIG. 8B, first, the processes of S120 and S122 shown in FIG. 5B are carried out between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200.

When the first user performs an operation on the input device of the first user terminal device 100-1 to select searching for a cram school, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating this operation via the input interface 116 (S220). The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 transmits cram school search selection information indicating that the first user has selected to search for a cram school to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the cram school search selection information via the communication interface 214 (S222).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits a cram school search UI screen (described later with reference to FIG. 10C) for searching for a cram school to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the cram school search UI screen via the communication interface 114, displays it on the display device via the input interface 116, and shows it to the first user (S224).

When the first user performs an operation to select the search button with cram school reviews on the cram school search UI screen, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating this operation via the input interface 116 (S226). Furthermore, the processor 112 transmits cram school search information with reviews, which includes cram school search information indicating at least one of the cram school's location and school name, and is used to search for cram school introduction information S and cram school review information W, to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the cram school search information with reviews from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S228).

If the cram school search information indicates a school name, the processor 212 of the server device 200 searches the cram school information table (Fig. 4C) to obtain cram school information that includes the school name included in the cram school search information in the passing record information T. Alternatively, if the received cram school search information includes prefecture information, the processor 212 searches the cram school information table (Fig. 4C) to obtain cram school information that includes the prefecture included in the cram school search information in the cram school location information V (S230). The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the cram school introduction information S and cram school review information W included in the cram school information obtained in the processing of S204 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the cram school introduction information S and cram school review information W from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114 (S232).

The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 displays a cram school introduction/review UI screen (described later with reference to FIG. 10D) containing a list of cram school introduction information S of one or more cram schools and cram school review information W of the cram school received from the server device 200 on the display device via the output interface 111, and shows it to the first user. Note that in the cram school introduction/review UI screen, the cram school review information W contains successful student production information 314 and a cram school review selection button 330 (S234).

When the first user operates the cram school review selection button 330 included in the cram school review information W on the cram school introduction/review UI screen, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating this operation via the input interface 116 (S236). The processor 112 displays the cram school introduction information S and the cram school review information W corresponding to the selected cram school review selection button 330 on the cram school introduction/review UI screen (Figure 10B) (S238).

2. Processing of the server device 200 The processing of the server device 200 will be described below. Figures 9A and 9B are flowcharts showing the processing of the server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in Figures 8A and 8B. First, the processing of the server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in Figure 8A will be described with reference to Figure 9A. As shown in Figure 9A, the server device 200 performs the processing of S300 to S306 shown in Figure 6A. The processor 212 of the server device 200 judges whether or not it has received cram school search information with cram school reviews from the first user terminal device 100-1. If the processor 212 has received cram school search information with cram school reviews (Y), it proceeds to the processing of S402, and if not (N), it remains in the processing of S400 (S400).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 searches for school information contained in the school information search table (Fig. 4A) and acquires school information of a school that matches the school search information. The processor 212 also searches the second user information table (Fig. 4B) using the examinee identification information F contained in the acquired school information and acquires information of a second user who took an exam for a school that matches the school search information. The processor 212 further searches the cram school information table (Fig. 4C) based on the passed school identification information H and the attended cram school identification information N contained in the second user information of the second user who took an exam for a school that matches the school search information, and acquires cram school information of one or more cram schools attended by the second user who was passed to a school that matches the school search information (S402).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the school introduction information E, cram school introduction information S, and cram school review information W contained in the information acquired in the processing of S402 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S404).

Next, the processing of the server device 200 in the communication sequence shown in FIG. 8B will be described with reference to FIG. 9B. As shown in FIG. 9B, first, the processor 212 of the server device 200 performs the processing of S300 shown in FIG. 6A. The processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not it has received cram school search and selection information from the first user terminal device 100-1. If the processor 212 has received cram school search and selection information (Y), it proceeds to processing of S422, and if it has not received it (N), it remains at processing of S420 (S420).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 sends a cram school search UI screen (Figure 10C) for searching for cram schools to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S422). The processor 212 of the server device 200 determines whether or not cram school search information with reviews has been received from the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. If the processor 212 has received cram school search information with reviews (Y), it proceeds to processing of S426, and if not (N), it remains in processing of S424 (S424).

If the cram school search information indicates a school name, the processor 212 of the server device 200 searches the cram school information table (Fig. 4C) to obtain cram school information that includes the school name included in the cram school search information in its passing record information T. Alternatively, if the received cram school search information includes prefecture information, the processor 212 searches the cram school information table (Fig. 4C) to obtain cram school information that includes the prefecture included in the cram school search information in its cram school location information V (S426). The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the cram school introduction information S and cram school review information W included in the cram school information obtained in the processing of S204 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214 (S428).

3. UI screen displayed on the first user terminal device 100-1 The following describes the UI screen displayed on the first user terminal device 100-1. Figures 10A to 10D are diagrams illustrating UI screens displayed on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 shown in Figures 2 and 3A. First, the school/cram school introduction UI screen displayed in the processing of S208 and the like shown in Figure 8A will be described. As shown in Figure 10A, the school/cram school introduction UI screen includes at the top the school introduction information E (Figure 4A) of the school found by the search, and below the school introduction information E, it includes in list form the cram school introduction information S of one or more cram schools attended by the second user who took the entrance exam for this school and passed.

Next, we will explain the cram school introduction/review UI screen that is displayed in processing such as S212 shown in Figure 8A. As shown in Figure 10B, the cram school introduction/review UI screen includes, at the top, cram school introduction information S of the cram school selected by the first user using the cram school review selection button 330, and below the cram school introduction information S, includes in list form cram school review information W of this cram school posted by the second user.

Each cram school review information W may selectively include one or more pieces of information included in the second user information of each second user who posted the cram school review information W. As described above, the information included in the second user information is the school name indicated by the passed school identification information H, the school name indicated by the failed school identification information I, the school name indicated by the enrollment school information L, the cram school name indicated by the attending cram school identification information N, the school name indicated by the attending school information O, and the school name indicated by the enrollment preference information P. By attaching such information to the cram school review information W, the first user can be informed to some extent of the identity of the second user who posted the cram school review information W. Also, as described above, the first user can know to what extent the second user's academic ability improved between the time of entering the cram school and the time of taking the exam by considering the school indicated by the passed school information H and the school indicated by the enrollment preference information P. Therefore, the first user's trust in the cram school review information W is improved. The cram school introduction/cram school review UI screen shown in FIG. 10B may also be displayed when the first user operates the cram school review selection button 330 included in the successful applicants cram school UI screen and the exam experience story UI screen shown in FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D in the first embodiment.

Next, we will explain the cram school search UI screen displayed in the processing of S224 shown in Figure 8B. As shown in Figure 10C, the cram school search UI screen includes a box for narrowing down cram schools by prefecture, a box for narrowing down cram schools by school name, a box for narrowing down cram schools by cram school name, a search button, a search button with cram school review information, and an access ranking. The search button is used to perform a search so that the basic UI screen shown in Figure 1 is displayed as a search result. The search button with cram school review information is used to perform a search so that the cram school introduction/cram school review UI screen shown in Figure 10D is displayed as a search result.

Next, we will explain the school introduction/review UI screen that is displayed in the processing of S234 shown in Figure 8B. As shown in Figure 10D, the school introduction/review UI screen includes a list of school introduction information boxes 312 that include successful student production information 314 and a school review selection button 330.

When the cram school review information W is displayed as described above, as mentioned above, information that allows the first user to know to some extent the identity of the second user can be added to the cram school review information W. This can therefore increase the first user's trust in the cram school review information W. Furthermore, if it is possible to search for cram schools using the cram school search UI screen shown in FIG. 10C, the first user can display the cram school review information W on the display device of the first user terminal device 100-1 using the location of the cram school, the name of the school that the first user is planning to take, and the name of the cram school.

4. Modifications Note that, with reference to Figures 8A and 8B, a case has been described above in which all of the cram school review information W of the cram school found by the search is transmitted from the server device 200 to the first user terminal device 100-1, and the cram school review information W is displayed in response to the operation of the first user on the first user terminal device 100-1. However, it is not necessary to transmit all of the cram school review information W of the cram school found from the server device 200 to the first user terminal device 100-1 at the time the search is performed. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, the process shown in Figure 8A can be modified as follows.

As shown in FIG. 11, the processes of S120 to S128 shown in FIG. 5B are carried out between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200, followed by the processes of S220 to S230 shown in FIG. 8B. Furthermore, the processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the school introduction information E and the cram school introduction information S (FIGS. 4A and 4C) from the school information and cram school information acquired by the process of S230 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the school introduction information E and the cram school introduction information S from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114 (S260).

The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 displays the school/cram school introduction UI screen (FIG. 10A) including the received school introduction information E and cram school introduction information S on the display device via the output interface 111 and shows it to the first user. When the first user operates the cram school review selection button 330 included in the school/cram school introduction UI screen, the processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives information indicating this operation via the input interface 116 (S262).

The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 transmits cram school review selection information indicating which cram school's cram school review selection button 330 was operated to the server device 200 via the communication interface 114. The processor 212 of the server device 200 receives the cram school review selection information via the communication interface 214 (S264). The processor 212 of the server device 200 searches the cram school information table to obtain the cram school review information indicated by the cram school review selection information received in the processing of S264 (S266).

The processor 212 of the server device 200 transmits the cram school review information acquired in the processing of S266 to the first user terminal device 100-1 via the communication interface 214. The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 receives the cram school review information from the server device 200 via the communication interface 114 (S268). The processor 112 of the first user terminal device 100-1 displays the cram school introduction/cram school review UI screen (FIG. 10B) including the received cram school review information on the display device via the output interface 111, and shows it to the first user (S270). By changing the processing shown in FIG. 8B in this way, the amount of information communicated between the first user terminal device 100-1 and the server device 200 can be reduced.

The processes and procedures described in this specification can be realized not only in the manner explicitly described in the embodiments, but also by computer-executed software, computer hardware, or a combination of these. Specifically, the processes and procedures described in this specification are realized by implementing logic corresponding to the processes in media such as integrated circuits, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, magnetic disks, and optical storage. In addition, the processes and procedures described in this specification can be implemented as computer programs and executed by various computers, including terminal devices and server devices.

Even if the processes and procedures described herein are described as being executed by a single device, software, component, or module, such processes or procedures may be executed by multiple devices, multiple software, multiple components, and/or multiple modules. Furthermore, even if the various information described herein is described as being stored in a single memory or storage unit, such information may be stored in multiple memories provided in a single device or multiple memories distributed across multiple devices. Furthermore, the software and hardware elements described herein may be realized by integrating them into fewer components or by breaking them down into more components.

100 User terminal device 100-1 First user terminal device 100-2 Second user terminal device 111 Output interface 112, 212 Processor 113, 213 Memory 114, 214 Communication interface 115 Communication processing circuit 116 Input interface 200 Server device 211 Input/output interface 300 School introduction information box 302 Exam experience details button 304 Exam experience story button 306 Cram school button 308 Prefecture narrowing down box 310 Summary information box 312 Cram school introduction information box 314 Information on successful applicants 316 Interview list box 318 School review list box 320 Classroom information box 322 School review selection button 324 Exam experience story list information box 326 Exam experience story summary information box 328 Exam experience story detailed information box 330 Cram school review selection button

Claims (10)

A server device including at least one processor,
The at least one processor:
receiving school search information for searching for at least one school desired by a first user from a user terminal device possessed by the first user;
Searching for school information of the at least one school and cram school information of the cram school associated with the at least one school based on the received school search information from a database in which schools and cram schools attended by the second user, which are previously associated with a second user different from the first user, are stored;
Transmitting the cram school information to the user terminal device;
A server device configured to execute a process for: The server device according to claim 1 transmits exam experience information indicating the exam experience for the school associated with the second user to the user terminal device. The server device according to claim 1 further transmits the school information to the user terminal device. The server device according to claim 3, wherein the school information includes school introduction information that introduces the school. The server device according to claim 3, wherein the school information includes information indicating the reputation of the school. The server device according to claim 3, wherein the school information includes aggregate information that aggregates learning content information indicating the learning content of multiple second users. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the cram school information includes cram school introduction information that introduces the cram school. The server device according to claim 7, wherein the cram school introduction information includes information indicating that the second user who attended the cram school was accepted into the school if the second user who attended the cram school was accepted into the school. A method performed by a computer including at least one processor by executing a predetermined instruction command by the at least one processor, comprising:
receiving school search information for searching for at least one school desired by a first user from a user terminal device possessed by the first user;
A step of searching for school information of the at least one school and cram school information of the cram school associated with the at least one school based on the received school search information from a database in which schools and cram schools attended by the second user, which are previously associated with a second user different from the first user, are stored;
transmitting the school information and the cram school information to the user terminal device;
The method includes: Computer,
receiving school search information for searching for at least one school desired by a first user from a user terminal device possessed by the first user;
Searching for school information of the at least one school and cram school information of the cram school associated with the at least one school based on the received school search information from a database in which schools and cram schools attended by the second user, which are previously associated with a second user different from the first user, are stored;
Transmitting the school information and the cram school information to the user terminal device.
A program that causes a processor to function as configured to perform operations for the purpose of

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