JP3892613B2 - Automatic contact system, user terminal and server - Google Patents

Description

このような連絡先を持つことで，電話やＴＣＰ／ＩＰ接続，ＨＴＴＰ（ＣＧＩ），Ｅ−ｍａｉｌによりネットワークを介した通信を行うことができる。
【００３３】
図３は本発明によるユーザ端末の構成を示し，上記図１に示す原理構成に示すユーザ端末に対応する。図中，１は上記図１の同じ符号と同じユーザ端末であり，１１は通信部（図１の通信手段に対応），２ａは各種の案内用スクリプトを保持するコンテンツサーバ，２ｂは案内用スクリプトの作成，追加，修正等を行う案内用スクリプトエディタ（図３の構成ではユーザ端末１の外部に設けられているが，ユーザ端末１にこれを設けてユーザが案内用スクリプトを作成する場合もある），４ａ，４ｂはそれぞれ特定の行動プランに対応する案内用スクリプトに設定された行き先施設である。また，ユーザ端末１内の１０１〜１０４は上記図１の案内用スクリプト処理部１０を構成し，１０１は案内用スクリプトのデータを保持する案内用構造保持部，１０２は行き先施設４ａ，４ｂへの時間／場所に合わせた情報提供部，１０３は予約（施設や交通手段の利用）や，予告（到着の一定時間前），通知（到着時）等の送信データを作成する送信データ作成部，１０４は行き先施設からの予約や予告に対する応答（予約受付の通知や，拒否通知等）を含む受信データを解釈する受信データ解釈部，１０５は予約の送信に対して拒否通知を受信した時に，行き先施設（宿泊施設を含む）や，交通手段等のプランの修正を行って案内用構造保持部１０１に保持された案内用スクリプトを修正する修正部である。また，ユーザ端末１内の１２，１３，１５は上記図１の同一符号の各部に対応し，１２は現在位置の緯度，経度を検出するＧＰＳ機構を備える現在位置取得部（図１の位置検出手段に対応），１３は時計を備える現在時刻取得部（図１の時間把握手段に対応），１５はユーザ提示部（図１の入出力部に対応）である。
【００３４】
なお，ユーザ端末１の通信部１１はネットワーク（図１の３）を介してコンテンツサーバ２ａ，案内用スクリプトエディタ２ｂ（ユーザ端末１の外部に設けられた場合），及び行き先施設４ａ，４ｂと接続して通信が行われるが，図３ではネットワーク３は図示省略されている。
【００３５】
図４はユーザ端末の処理フローである。最初に，コンテンツサーバ２ａにアクセスすることで行動プランに対応する案内用スクリプトのダウンロードを行う（図４のＳ１）。この時，ユーザ端末１からコンテンツサーバ２ａに対して，コンテンツサーバ２ａに保持された多数の行動プランのリストを受け取って，ユーザ提示部１５に提示して，その中から好きなものをユーザが選択する。具体的には，出かける地域（エリア）や，ジャンル（「観光」，「散歩」，「デート」等）を選択させることにより，指定されたエリアを指定されたジャンルに適合した案内用スクリプトがコンテンツサーバ２ａからダウンロードされる。
【００３６】
これにより，ユーザ端末１の案内用構造保持部１０１に案内用スクリプトが保持され，これと同時に時間／場所に合わせた情報提供部１０２は当該案内用スクリプトに含まれた行き先施設の連絡先の情報を検索して，最初に検出された連絡先の情報を用いて通信部１１から行き先施設４ａ，４ｂの中の対応する施設に対して予約問い合わせを行う（図４のＳ２）。これに対して行き先施設から応答された通知を受け取ると受信された内容が拒否通知であるか判別し（図４のＳ３），拒否通知であれば当初の行動プランを変更（その施設に寄らないようにする，代替施設を探すなど）するか，行動プランそのものを取り止める（同Ｓ４）。なお，応答された通知は図３の受信データ解釈部１０４で解釈し，予約拒否の通知であれば，修正部１０５が駆動されてプランの変更（ホテル等の施設や交通手段やルートの変更）し，変更した施設や交通手段に対する予約を行って案内用構造保持部１０１に設定する。複数の施設への問い合わせ処理（Ｓ２〜Ｓ４）は，一つの施設の問い合わせの終了により次の施設への問い合わせを順番に行わずに，複数の立ち寄り施設（図３の行き先施設４ｂ等）に対して並列的に実行することができる。
【００３７】
立ち寄る各施設について必要な予約問い合わせが終了した後，案内用スクリプトが実行される（図４のＳ５）。この実行日は予約を行った日より後の日時であっても良い。案内用スクリプトを実行すると，各施設に到着するより一定時間前になったことを，現在位置取得部１２及び現在時刻取得部１３からの現在時刻と現在位置により当該ユーザ端末１の位置（利用者の位置）と行き先施設との距離が一定の距離になって，利用者がその施設へ一定時間で到着できる距離になったことを時間／場所に合わせた情報提供部１０２が検出すると，送信データ作成部１０３で到着予測時間を含む送信データを作成して，通信部１１から該当する行き先施設を呼び出してその送信データ（到着予測時間）を送信して，連絡を行う（図４のＳ６）。
【００３８】
この予測時間の通知の後，ユーザ端末１の利用者が移動して，現在位置取得部１２により取得した位置が目的の行き先施設の位置と一致して行き先施設４ａに到着したことを検出すると，送信データ作成部１０３で到着報告の送信データを作成して通信部１１から行き先施設４ａに到着報告を連絡する（図４のＳ７）。
【００３９】
なお，上記図２に示す本発明の第２の原理構成ではサーバ２が行き先施設や交通手段への予約（プランの変更を含む），到着予測の通知及び到着報告を行う機能を備えているが，上記図２に示す機構と同様の構成と図４に示す処理フローと同様のプログラムを備えることにより実現することができるので，サーバ２の構成と処理フローは図示省略する。
【００４０】
図５は案内用スクリプトにより立ち寄る施設の基本構成を示し，図６は施設における処理フローである。
【００４１】
図５において，４はホテル，映画館，遊戯場等の施設（実際には各施設のサーバを表す），４０はネットワーク（インターネット，電話等）から到着して受信データを受信する受信部，４１はネットワークへデータを送信する送信部，４２は当該施設の各日毎の予約情報を管理する予約システム，４３は施設利用者の個人情報（年齢，趣味等）を収集管理する顧客管理システムである。
【００４２】
図６を用いて施設での処理動作を説明すると，図６のＡ．は予約の処理であり，最初にユーザ端末において，利用者が選択した行動プランに対応する案内用スクリプトをダウンロードした時に，当該施設に対して予約問い合わせが行われると（上記図４のＳ２），その予約データ（人数，日時情報等）がこの施設の受信部（図５の４０）で受信される（図６のＡ．のＳ１）。この予約内容について予約システム（図５の４２）で空き情報（ホテル等が空いているか），営業時間（予約された時間が営業している日時か）などをチェックし（図６のＡ．のＳ２），受け入れられるか判別する（同Ｓ３）。この結果受入れられないことが分かると（空きが無い時や営業していない日時の場合），ユーザに対して拒否通知を送信部（図５の４１）から連絡し（図６のＡ．のＳ４），受入れられる場合は，予約システム（図５の４２）で席（または部屋番号）の予約を行って，ユーザに送信部（図５の４１）から連絡すると共に（図６のＡ．のＳ５），予約された人数を把握する（同Ｓ６）。
【００４３】
図６のＢ．は到着予想時刻の受信処理であり，ユーザ端末から送信された（上記図４のＳ６）到着予想時刻を受信すると（図６のＢ．のＳ１），混雑状態のチェックを行う（同Ｓ２）。チェックにより検出された混雑情報はユーザに対する応答として送信部（図５の４１）からユーザへ通知される（図６のＢ．のＳ３）。一方，予約システムはこの到着予想時刻により一定時間後に到着する予想人数から会場の整備，駐車場の整備等へ反映させる処理を行う（図６のＢ．のＳ４）。この処理としては係りへの連絡（電話等）が含まれる。
【００４４】
図６のＣ．は施設に到着した時にユーザ端末から送信された到着通知を受信した時の処理フローである。到着情報を受信すると（同Ｓ１），顧客管理システム（図５の４３）に反映して（図６のＣ．のＳ２），ユーザに特典（割り引きやプレゼント）を与える（同Ｓ３）。
【００４５】
次に図７はユーザ端末１と各施設のサーバ４との相互の送受信動作シーケンスを示し，上記図３乃至図６に示す構成と処理フローに説明した動作をまとめたものである。すなわち，ユーザ端末１でダウンロードを行って（図７の▲１▼），予約問い合わせが送られると（同ａ），予約システム４２（図５）で席等が空いているか否かの混雑状況（予約受付か，拒否か）などを連絡し（図７のｂ），これと同時に挨拶（イベント情報等）を通知することができる（図７のｃ）。この後，ユーザが行動プランを実行するため，ユーザ端末を起動させると（図７の▲２▼），案内用スクリプトの実行が開始される。
【００４６】
この後，各立ち寄り予定の各施設と一定距離に近づくと，ユーザ端末から施設に対して到着予想時間の連絡が行われ（図７のｄ），施設からの混雑情報等の連絡がユーザ端末に送られる（同ｅ）。この後，ユーザ端末が立ち寄り先の施設に到着すると，時間，場所に応じたイベント処理（図７の▲３▼）によりユーザ端末から到着したことの通知が送られ（図７のｆ），施設側でこれを受け取ると，顧客管理システムによる動作が行われ，特典等のプレゼントの通知がユーザ端末に送られる（同ｇ）。
【００４７】
上記図３乃至図７に示す本発明の構成及び処理機能を用いて次の具体例１のように実施することができる。
【００４８】
具体例１：デートプラン
デートプランとして「コンサートＸに行き，レストランＹで食事をし，ホテルＺに泊まる。」というプランがあるものとする。このようなプランは，個人が作成しても良いが，通常は雑誌等がインターネット上にいくつかの推奨プランを用意され，そのようなコンテンツがコンテンツサーバ（図３の２ａ）により提供されている場合，ユーザはそのサーバのプランリストの中から条件等を絞って目的に適合するプランを探し出し，それを実行したい場合にはその案内用スクリプトのコンテンツを自分の端末にダウンロードする（図４のＳ１）。ダウンロードしたら，ダウンロードされたという情報をコンサートＸ，レストランＹ，ホテルＺに通知する。もし，このユーザが自分の属性情報を公開している場合，その属性情報（性別，年齢，趣味等）も送る。ここで予約が必要なものがあれば，各施設は予約処理を行う。
【００４９】
この時既に予約がいっぱいであれば，その情報をユーザ端末に流す。ここでホテルＺが満室であったとすると，ユーザ端末ではその応答内容を表示してユーザに伝え，ホテルに泊まるのを止めるか，代替ホテルを探すか，またはこのプラン全体を止めるか問い合わせる。ここで，ユーザが代替ホテルを探すことを選ぶと，システムはコンテンツサーバに問い合わせ，代替ホテルを探してもらう。コンテンツサーバはこれに応じて他のホテルＶを提案し，ユーザがこれを承認すると，新たになプランができたことになり，ユーザがこれに納得すると，当日にユーザがこのプランを実行することになる。ユーザは当日に備えてその日の一日のプランをシミュレーションで体験することもできる。
【００５０】
そして，当日になったこの行動プランをユーザ端末上で実行すると（図４のＳ５），実行が開始されたという情報（可能であれば到着予想時間も）が各施設の装置に連絡され，各施設では必要であればそのお客を迎える準備を進め，この時，ユーザ情報が公開されていればその人の好みにあった準備ができる可能性がある。こうしてこの行動プランが実行されていると，システムは実行プランに従って時間，場所に合わせた適切な処理を行うことができる。
【００５１】
また，道案内も行えるので，迷うことがなくなる。各施設には，その場所に着く３０分前などに「もうすぐ着きます」などの情報を提供する。こうすることで，レストランではお客さんが来たらすぐ料理を出すなどのサービスを提供することが可能となる。また，ユーザは直前の混雑状況などを知ることができる。ユーザ端末では，ＧＵＩ（Graphic User Interface) 上で示されている地図上の施設をクリックすればいつでもその施設のリアルタイムの状況等を確認できるようにしておいてもよい。ホテルでは，受付処理も非常に簡単に済ますことが可能になる。最後に各施設は利用してもらったユーザに特典を与えるなどして，ユーザへのアフターサービスも的確に行うことができる。このように通常の旅行会社が提供するような観光プランに関しても同様なことが行える。
【００５２】
具体例２：出張プランの例
図８は本発明により作成した出張プランの例を示す。この例は，出張プランを案内用スクリプトにより作成することで，乗物や宿の予約を自動的に行うことができる。ユーザはＧＵＩエディタ等を用いて，出発地と目的地，出発日時等を入れて出張プランを作成する。このインストラクションの系列をＸＭＬなどのマークアップ言語の記述様式を用いて記述して案内用スクリプトとして出力する。この案内用スクリプトを案内用スクリプトエンジンを積んだ自分の端末（ユーザ端末）にダウンロードすることで，上記図４の処理が実行されて交通手段である新幹線や飛行機の切符や施設である宿泊ホテルを自動的に予約する処理が行われ，実際に実行すれば確実に行き先に自分の情報を伝えてくれる。
【００５３】
図８の出張プランの場合，Ａ．に示すように出発地，目的地，出発時間，日帰り等の日程を決め，次にＢ．に示すように各交通手段による出発地点からの会社線名，特急の名前，乗り継ぎの駅，時間等を決める。このＢ．に示す乗り継ぎの行程から，エディタにより図８のＣ．にその一部が示されるＸＭＬの記述様式を用いた案内用スクリプトを作成することができる。この案内用スクリプトをユーザ端末にダウンロード（図４のＳ１）することで，予約問い合わせ（図４のＳ２）が実行され，この例では図８のＤ．に示す座席予約（新幹線）が行われる。
【００５４】
本発明による予約を行うための通信手段について説明する。
【００５５】
図９は予約の通信手段のブロック構成，図１０は通信処理のフローである。
【００５６】
図９の各ブロックは予約のための通信手段の機能を説明するもので，６０はダウンロードされてユーザ端末に保持された案内用スクリプトコンテンツ，６１は案内用スクリプト内で連絡先が付された各施設のホスト名（連絡先），６２は現在位置と行き先施設の位置から到着予想時間を計算する到着予想時刻推定部，６３は案内用スクリプトによるプランを実行する日時が設定される実行日時入力部，６４はユーザの名前，年齢や趣味等を設定保持するユーザ情報保持部，６５は送信情報の作成部，６６はユーザ端末提示部，６７はＨＴＴＰのリクエストメッセージ作成部，６８はデータの受信部であり，３は通信を行うためのネットワークとして使用するインターネット，４は複数の施設のサーバ（ホスト１，ホスト２，ホスト３）である。
【００５７】
図９において，６０〜６８は上記図３に示すユーザ端末１と同様の機構に含まれるが，予約の通信手段を中心に説明するため図３とは異なるブロック構成となっているが，図９の６０，６１は図３の案内用構造保持部１０１に，６２，６３は図２の時間／場所に合わせた情報提供部１０２に，６５，６７は図３の送信データ作成部１０３に，６８は図３の通信部１１に，６６は図３のユーザ提示部１５にそれぞれ対応する。
【００５８】
図９，図１０の例では，予約の手段にＨＴＴＰプロトコルを利用する。図１０を参照しながら予約の通信処理のフローを説明する。まず，案内用スクリプトコンテンツ（図９の６０）から，経由する各施設や交通手段の連絡先を取り出す（図１０のＳ１）。これは連絡手段のタグの中からphone, http,ip,e-mail 等をシステムに応じて使い別けるキーとして案内用スクリプト内を検索し，連絡手段タグがついている情報の中身を取り出す。ここでは, ＜ｈｔｔｐ＞タグの中身を取り出すものとする。これはＨＴＴＰプロトコルでのサーバ側の接続先を示している。図９の例では，ホスト１〜ホスト３の各サーバ６１が該当する。また，ここではサーバ側がＣＧＩで処理する方法を指示するので，そのＣＧＩプログラム名も合わせて次のように指定する。
【００５９】
http://www.serverl1l.co.jp/cgi/xxx1.cgi
http://www.serverl2l.co.jp/cgi/xxx2.cgi
http://www.serverl3l.co.jp/cgi/xxx3.cgi
ここでサーバ側でサービスする場合に，施設のサーバである場合は支店名，交通手段のサーバである場合は利用する区間，等を特定することが必要になることがある。これは一つのサーバでいろいろなリクエストに対応する場合があるためである。そこで，このような場合予めパラメータを加えて指定しておく。例えば，鉄道会社のサーバに利用する旨を連絡してもどこの区間であるか分からないので，東京〜大阪間を利用するなら，次のように表記することができる。
【００６０】
http://www.JR.co.jp/cgi/xxx1.cgi?SECTION=TokyoOsaka
次に，ユーザ名と連絡先（図９の６４）を取り出す（図１０のＳ２）。これは通常端末側に設定されているものを読み込む。更に，性別や年齢やユーザの好みの情報も属性情報として設定してあり，ユーザが許せばこれらに合わせて各施設のサーバに属性情報として送る。これにより受け入れ側の施設で顧客に合った対応ができるようになる。または，コンテンツサーバで案内用スクリプトをダウンロードするときにユーザにユーザ名，連絡先さらに属性等の入力を促し，これを案内用スクリプトに合わせてユーザ端末に送るようにしてもよい。この場合，複数回利用する場合は，一度入力したらＩＤ（識別番号）で管理し，以降はＩＤの入力だけで済むようにできる。こうすることで，コンテンツサーバでも顧客管理ができる。
【００６１】
ユーザ名：Taro Yamada
連絡先 ：yamada@provider-name.ne.jp
（性別：男）
（年齢：28)
（きらいな食べ物：トマト）
（備考：車椅子）
更に到着時間があらかじめ指定されている場合は，ここで取り出す（図１０のＳ３）。案内用スクリプトでは，各地点への到着時間（その施設の利用時間）を指定することもできる。この場合，ユーザが案内用スクリプトをダウンロードする時にユーザが利用する日時を入力すれば，その地点（施設）に到着する日時が分かる。また，到着時間が明確に指定されていない場合でも，そこまでにかかる時間が分かれば（これが記述されてない場合，交通手段と距離から計算する），システム側で容易に計算して求めることができる。
【００６２】
これらの情報からサーバへの送信データが作成され（図１０のＳ４，図９の６５），それぞれのサーバ向けにＨＴＴＰリクエストメッセージを作成する（図１０のＳ５，図９の６７）。
【００６３】
ホスト１向け
POST /cgi/xxx1.cgi HTTP/1.0
HOST htto://www.serverll1.co.jp
CONTENT-LENGTH: 100
CONTENT-TYPE: text/plain
NAME= “Taro Yamada ”
&E-Mail=“Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
&ARRIVE-TIME= “1999/4/1-10:00”
&STATUS=“DownLoad”
ホスト２向け
POST /cgi/xxx2.cgi HTTP/1.0
HOST htto://www.serverll2.co.jp
CONTENT-LENGTH: 100
CONTENT-TYPE: text/plain
NAME= “Taro Yamada ”
&E-Mail=“Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
&ARRIVE-TIME= “1999/4/1-12:00”
&STATUS=“DownLoad”
ホスト３向け
POST /cgi/xxx3.cgi HTTP/1.0
HOST htto://www.serverll3.co.jp
CONTENT-LENGTH: 100
CONTENT-TYPE: text/plain
NAME= “Taro Yamada ”
&E-Mail=“Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
&ARRIVE-TIME= “1999/4/1-12:00”
&STATUS=“DownLoad”
この時，サーバ側が案内用スクリプトに書かれているその施設のカテゴリ情報等を送ってほしい場合は, 上記のパラメータ列挙部に同様に次のように値を付け加えて送ることができる。
【００６４】
NAME= “Taro Yamada ”
&E-Mail=“Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
&STATUS=“DownLoad”
&SECTION= “TokyoOsaka”
&CATEGORY ＝“武蔵野線”
こうして，それぞれのホストとインターネットを通じてＨＴＴＰプロトコルでデータの送受信を行い（図１０のＳ６），サーバ側から必要に応じて応答メッセージを受け取り（図１０のＳ７，図９の６８），これを受信してユーザ端末に表示する（図１０のＳ８，図９の６６）。これをユーザが見てプランを変更したり，その施設が受け入れられないという返事であるとシステムが自動的にその施設に寄らないようにユーザ端末でプランを変更する操作を行う。
【００６５】
予約を行う場合は，予め予約が必要な場合は最初から，次のようなメッセージを付けてもよい。また，これをシステムが各サーバに連絡を入れる際にユーザに確認してから入れるようにしてもよい。
【００６６】
&REQUEST= “Reservation ”
また，一度施設に連絡をしてから施設のサーバがその応答として予約をするか，その他の打ち合わせが必要な項目に対しての質問状を作成してユーザ側に送り返し，ユーザがこれに答える形で予約をし，施設がホテルなら部屋の種類，交通手段（乗り物）なら席の種類等を選択することができる。
【００６７】
サーバ側では，ＣＧＩプログラムによりＨＴＴＰプロトコルに従って送られてくるデータを処理し，予約システムや顧客管理システムと情報のやりとりをしてユーザに情報を返す。これは，ウエブブラウザ上で個人がホテルや航空チケットや，電車の切符の予約をするときにサーバ側のプログラムが行うのと同じ処理となる。
【００６８】
また，サーバ側がチケットを発行する必要がある場合，この応答としてチケットデータを送り，それをユーザがＩＣカード等に記録するか，または単に印刷することでチケットとして扱うようにしてもよい。更に，ユーザの個人データとしてリクエストに住所や電子メールアドレスをつけて送った場合，後日郵送で送ったり，電子メールの添付ファイルとして送ることも可能である。
【００６９】
上記の図９，図１０に関連して説明した例は，案内用スクリプトをダウンロードしたときに行うデータのやりとりをイメージしているものであるが，同様にナビゲーションの開始時，施設の近くにきた時または到着した時の場合も全く同様な処理で実現することができる。違いは，ARRIVE-TIME(到着時刻) とSTATUS（状態）の値を変えるだけである。
【００７０】
ARRIVE-TIMEは施設に近付けば近づくほど正確な予測時刻を送ることができる。時間が予想できない場合は，ユーザがいる現在の緯度，経度のデータを送ることで対処することもできる。この値によりサーバ側でユーザがいまどのくらい近くにいるかを容易に判断することができる。この場合，ARRIVE-TIME の代わりに次のようなデータを送る。但し，Ｎは北緯，Ｅは東経を表す。
【００７１】
PRESENT-POSITION= “N35.40.39.0E139.46.18.1 ”
ユーザがどのような状態である時のデータかを識別するための「STATUS」は，ダウンロードした時は“DownLoad”, 出発した時は“Start ”, 近くにきた時は“Near”といった値を設定して送る。
【００７２】
この例では, ＨＴＴＰプロトコルを使って実現する方法を示したが，電子メールでやりとりしても良いし，サーバ側（施設側）で担当者が応対する場合でも単純なやりとりであるため，クライアント側（ユーザ端末）で音声合成，認識技術を使うことで自動的に処理することも可能である。
【００７３】
次に本発明による予約の処理を行うために必要な案内用スクリプト（行動プラン）のコンテンツとして▲１▼〜▲３▼の３つの例を以下に示す。なお，▲１▼は上記の具体例１のデートプランに対応し，▲２▼は上記の具体例２の出張プランに対応する。
【００７４】

連絡が必要ない施設は連絡先を取り除いておき, もしくは連絡先があっても端末側で連絡する必要があるかないかを判別してから必要なところだけ送るようにしても良い。この場合, 予約した方が良い新幹線のみ連絡先を入れたり, 乗車率等を調べるため普通列車にも連絡先をいれてもよい。
【００７５】

本発明の原理を用いて最適なチケット購入のシステムを構成することができる。図１１，図１２は本発明による最適チケット購入のシステムの構成と，処理フローである。
【００７６】
図１１において，１０１，１０３，１０４，１１，２ａ，２ｂ，４ａ，４ｂの各符号は上記図３の同じ符号の各部に対応し，その他の符号はこの構成に特有の要素を表す。すなわち，１ａはチケット購入端末，１１は通信部，１０１は案内用構造保持部，１０３は送信データ作成部，１０４は受信データ解釈部，１０６は最適チケット推薦モジュール，１０７はチケットデータベース，１０８は入力手段と出力（表示）手段を含むユーザインターフェース，２ａはコンテンツサーバ，２ｂは案内用スクリプトエディタ，４ａ，４ｂは行き先施設，４ｃはチケットを購入する交通手段（鉄道，航空，バス等の旅客切符発行の代理店等）である。この場合も，インターネット等のネットワーク（図示省略）を介してチケット購入端末１ａとコンテンツサーバや交通手段４ｃ，行き先施設４ａ，４ｂと接続される。
【００７７】
図１１の動作を図１２を参照しながら説明する。案内用スクリプト（行動プラン）全体を実行する上で一番お得なチケットを得ることができるようにするため，チケットデータベース１０７には最新情報が反映するようネットワークを介するか，外部から入手する等により定期的に更新される。
【００７８】
最初にコンテンツサーバ２ａから必要な行動プランのコンテンツを取得し，案内用構造保持部１０１に保持される。この中から，受信データ解釈部１０４でチケットが必要な施設や交通手段を取り出す（図１２のＳ１）。具体的には，必要な有料のチケットのリストと無料のチケット（席の予約等）を取り出し，有料のものについては最適チケット推薦モジュール１０６へ供給して，ここでチケットデータベース１０７を参照して最適な（コストが安く，スケジュールの時間に適合する）チケットを探索して推薦する（図１２のＳ２）。旅行のチケットの場合，交通手段と施設（ホテル等）の利用料金がセットになったものがあればそのチケットを薦め，交通手段についても周遊券の方が有利であれば，その周遊券を推薦する。この場合，値段が安いだけでなく，ユーザの好み（記念チケット，プレミアチケット等）がある場合もあるで，いくつかの案をユーザに提案し，その中からユーザインターフェース１０８でユーザに選んでもらうこともできる。チケットが選択されると，送信データ作成部１０３で必要なチケット予約のためのデータが作成され，コンテンツに含まれた対応する連絡先に通信部１１を介して交通手段４ｃや，行き先施設４ａ，４ｂと接続して，データが送られてチケットを購入することができる（図１２のＳ３）。また，無料の席の予約等は，受信データ解釈部１０４から送信データ作成部１０３を介して通信部１１を起動して，同様に各施設に対して予約のためのデータが送られて予約を行うことができる。
【００７９】
本発明は移動が不自由な人が移動する場合に利用することもできる。すなわち，車椅子やベビーカーを持って移動する人は，事前にその日の行動プランを決めておき，案内用スクリプトと同様の構造を備え，立ち寄り先施設の連絡手段が設定された行動プランスクリプトを作成する。そして，これを実行しながら，行動すると自動的に行く先々に連絡が送られるので，駅や施設において予め係員が降車補助や，階段等を移動するための補助を事前に準備して対応することができる。
【００８０】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば，行動プラン（案内用スクリプト）をコンテンツサーバからダウンロードした時や，提案されたツアーに申し込んだ時に交通手段や各施設への予約を自動的に行うことが可能となる。これにより，従来のようにユーザが施設に行ってから開いていなかったり，満員で入れないといった事態にあうことを防止することができる。
【００８１】
また，案内用スクリプトの行程に従って移動している時に，行き先々の施設等に到着予定を知らせることにより観光施設等では入場者を推定して準備や，施設の管理（入場制限等）を的確に行うことが容易となり，予め知ることにより予定変更に対応することができる。
【００８２】
そして，施設や交通手段側では，どんなお客にも前もって準備をできるため，余裕をもったサーバ，待たせないサービスを提供する等によりサービスの質を高めることができる。更に，来店者予測の手助けとなり，在庫管理を適切に行うことができる。
【００８３】
更に，本発明によるチケットの予約を行うシステムにより，スケジュールに合わせて的確にチケット等の予約ができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の原理構成を示す図である。
【図２】本発明の第２の原理構成を示す図である。
【図３】本発明によるユーザ端末の構成を示す図である。
【図４】ユーザ端末の処理フローを示す図である。
【図５】案内用スクリプトにより立ち寄る施設の基本構成を示す図である。
【図６】施設における処理フローを示す図である。
【図７】ユーザ端末と各施設のサーバとの相互の送受信動作シーケンスを示す図である。
【図８】本発明により作成した出張プランの例を示す図である。
【図９】予約の通信手段のブロック構成を示す図である。
【図１０】通信処理のフローを示す図である。
【図１１】本発明による最適チケット購入のシステムの構成を示す図である。
【図１２】最適チケット購入システムの処理フローを示す図である。
【図１３】提案されたシステムのブロック構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１ ユーザ端末
１０ 案内用スクリプト処理部
１００ 連絡手段
１１ 通信部
１２ 位置検出手段
１３ 時間把握手段
１４ 記憶部
１５ 入出力部
２ 案内用スクリプトコンテンツのサーバ
３ ネットワーク
４ 各種の施設（のサーバ)[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention makes it possible to make reservations for assuring the use of each facility such as a transportation means used for traveling and watching or staying in accordance with an action plan, or playing or staying at a destination, and grasping the situation. The present invention relates to an automatic contact system, a user terminal and a server.
[0002]
Business trips using various means of transportation, such as short-distance or long-distance, and various trips (tours) are planned by many people on their own, or travel companies and affiliated companies such as railways apply for recruitment. Running. In such trips through various means of transportation, it is time-consuming and time-consuming to make reservations for transportation, accommodation, playgrounds, and other facilities, so it is desirable to be able to make reservations easily. ing.
[0003]
[Prior art]
The applicant of the present application has previously proposed an invention relating to a guidance information presentation device, a guidance information presentation processing method, a recording medium recording a guidance information presentation program, a recording medium for a guidance script, and a guidance script generation device (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei. No. 10-330960, filed on November 20, 1998). This invention is hereinafter referred to as the previously proposed invention, and its contents are outlined below.
[0004]
The proposed invention can provide practical guidance or virtual guidance along a route to a certain place as well as information on points, routes, facilities, etc. FIG. 13 shows a block configuration of the proposed system for the purpose of providing guidance information in a format that can be accompanied by guidance and can be used in various systems and devices.
[0005]
In the system shown in FIG. 13, a series of instructions of data (text data, video data, audio data, etc.) of time, place, and guidance information recorded in various formats is described in a markup language or the like. Instructions are time (eg, departure time, transit time, start time, end time, etc.), location (eg, departure point, transit point, arrival point, intersection, transfer point, facility location value, etc.) or (and) It is a unit of a script having guide information including one shot or partial data of various media (map, character, voice, music, image, video, etc.) as a constituent element. For example, in a point A on a certain route, an instruction “outputs voice data (aaa, wav) and image data (xxx.jpg) describing the point A when the point A is present”).
[0006]
Such a series of instructions described using a markup language description format such as XML (eXtensible Markup Langage), for example, is referred to herein as a guidance (or navigation) script (sometimes abbreviated as a navigation script). ) The guidance script is stored and managed in the center 90. Alternatively, it is stored in various media 93 such as a magnetic disk and a CD-ROM, and read by the user terminal 80.
[0007]
In response to a user search request, the operation input unit 81 of the user terminal 80 receives various requests from the guidance script stored in the center 90 via the network 92 from the network access unit 82 or via the media access unit 83. A desired script is selected from the guidance scripts stored in the medium 93 and transferred to the script conversion unit 84. The script conversion unit 84 parses the guidance script and converts it into structured data for guidance. In a situation where the user is actually using the guidance script while moving (navigation mode), the instruction processing unit 85 receives the current situation (current time, current location, etc.) from the situation acquisition unit 86. ), The route information of the guidance structured data is complemented, and guidance information is output from the guidance output unit 88 based on the guidance structured data according to the situation.
[0008]
When the user uses the guidance script in a virtual situation (in the simulation mode), the instruction processing unit 85 obtains a virtual current time or a virtual current point from the situation generation unit 87 for guidance. The route information of the structured data for use is complemented, and guidance is output from the guidance output unit 88.
[0009]
For example, there is a guidance script that provides route guidance from Tokyo Station to the Rainbow Bridge via the Kyobashi Interchange (IC).
▲ 1 ▼ Output of voice data “It is Tokyo Station” at Tokyo Station
(2) Two minutes later, output of voice data “△△ Welcome to the tour” and display of tour summary image data
▲ 3 ▼ Output of voice data “It is Kyobashi IC” at Kyobashi IC
▲ 4 ▼ Output of voice data “I will be rainbow bridge soon” 3Km before Rainbow Bridge
(5) It is assumed that an instruction for outputting the voice data “Rainbow Bridge”,...
[0010]
When the operation input unit 81 reads out the guidance script from the center 90 via the network 92 or the like according to a user's instruction and starts the script processing, the script conversion unit 84 converts the guidance script to convert the guidance structure. Generate data. Based on the structured data for guidance, the instruction processing unit 85 first extracts a description relating to a point or route in the instruction, and displays a route outline with reference to the database unit 89 storing map information and the like. Thereafter, the current location and current time of the user are acquired from the situation acquisition unit 86 using GPS (Global Position System) or the like, and instructions are processed accordingly. As a result, the location where the user is at Tokyo Station is “Tokyo Station”, and when two minutes have passed since then, “△△ Welcome to the Tour”, the guidance output unit 88 provides voice guidance, and the tour summary image data is displayed. indicate. Furthermore, at Kyobashi IC, “Kyobashi is”, “Soon it is a rainbow bridge” 3 km before the Rainbow Bridge, and when it arrives at the Rainbow Bridge, it is “Rainbow Bridge”. Therefore, the user can receive appropriate guidance at an appropriate place at an appropriate time when moving along the route of the tour.
[0011]
Such a guidance script describes a series of instructions concerning time, place, and guidance information using tags in a markup language description format. The generated guidance script is easy to read and write as in the existing markup language, and is easy to search and process. Therefore, it is clear to the creator that what the guidance script data means and the sequence of instructions described therein are described in the order to be guided.
[0012]
In addition, instructions can be rearranged, serialized, parallelized, optimized, etc., data structured (stratified, grouped), etc., and guidance on various times and places can be presented. Guide information can be easily created and modified. In addition, since the guidance script acquired from the center 90 or the like is converted into guidance structured data corresponding to the terminal itself, one guidance script can be used in various apparatuses and systems. On the other hand, for the user, guidance can be obtained along the instruction sequence (time sequence or distance sequence). Furthermore, in addition to obtaining guidance information along the actual position in the navigation mode, it is possible to virtually experience guidance on a certain route in the simulation mode. This guidance script can be easily created and edited using an existing editor, and by registering the generated guidance script in the center etc., this guidance script can be sent via a network etc. Anyone can use the guidance information anywhere.
[0013]
On the other hand, there are systems for reserving various tickets for hotels, amusement parks, theme parks, museums, etc., corresponding to individual facilities, but these systems are organized according to the user's action (or movement) plan. There is no system linked to
[0014]
Several studies have been conducted on agents that help users and servers exchange various types of information.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Even when the user is moving to a facility that has been moved according to a plan, the user often encounters situations where the facility is out of business hours or cannot be used because it is full.
[0016]
On the other hand, if each facility it is known or in advance how many people will come to how much of the time, but can be subjected to a variety of measures to that, it was difficult to guess this. For example, if you can estimate the number of customers at various stores, you can effectively manage inventory, and restaurants and hotels can make preparations to welcome customers.
[0017]
Reserving all the seats for a certain action plan or acquiring tickets for transportation in advance is a cumbersome task, and travel companies mainly deal with such tasks.
[0018]
The present invention relates to an automatic communication system, a user who makes a reservation of use, an advance notice of arrival, and grasps the status of a destination facility by contacting a facility or a transportation means related to a movement or the like by a movement means according to an action plan, a user An object is to provide a terminal and a server.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is to provide a guide for the script that describes the action plan that go anywhere in advance and in what order in advance, guiding script contacts with the location of such facilities and means of transportation or stop by intend to use in its action plan It is described in the above, and when the action is executed or in the simulation, the facility or the transportation means is contacted before the actual use or stoppage, and the facility use is reserved and / or the arrival is notified. In addition, it is possible to make a reservation or advance notice to other facilities by receiving notification of information including the status of the facility at that time.
[0020]
For the description of such an action plan, the guidance script of the previously proposed invention (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-330960) outlined above can be used.
[0021]
FIG. 1 shows a first principle configuration of the present invention, in which a guidance script is processed in a user terminal. FIG. 2 shows a second principle configuration of the present invention, in which a guide script process is received at a server upon receiving information from a user terminal.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a user terminal, 2 is a server that holds the contents of a guidance script, 3 is a wired and wireless network that can be accessed from the user terminal 1, and 4 is a transportation means (railway, airline, Represents various facilities (actually servers of each facility) that are planned to be used or visited by action plans such as companies such as ships, stations, etc.), hotels, amusement facilities, theme parks, etc. 10 in the user terminal 1 is a script processing unit for guidance, 100 is contacted with a facility or transportation plan to be used, reservation of use, advance notice of arrival and notification of arrival, reception of facility status, etc. Communication means for processing, 11 is a communication means for connecting to the network 3 via a wired or wireless connection with transportation means or facilities, 12 is a position detecting means, 13 is a time grasping means, 14 is a storage unit, 15 is This is an input / output unit including an input means for a user to input an operation, an output means for presenting information about a script for guidance, information indicating a situation returned from a facility, and the like.
[0023]
In the case of FIG. 1, the user designates a desired action plan from the input / output unit 15 to the server 2 via the communication means 11 of the user terminal 1 and the network 3 and requests a corresponding guidance script. The server 2 holds a variety of action plans as guidance script contents in advance, and the contents are selected or designated by the user terminal 1 by selecting a menu or searching for a condition input, and are selected or designated. The guidance script that is the content is downloaded to the user terminal 1 and stored in the storage unit 14.
[0024]
At the time of downloading, the contact means 100 of the guidance script processing unit 10 checks its contents and detects that there is a facility that requires reservation, and then activates the communication means 11 to set the transportation means set in the guidance script and various Is sent to one of the corresponding facilities 4 via the network 3 by contact information (telephone number, IP address, etc.) of the facility, and processing such as reservation for the facility 4 is performed. At this time, if the facility side 4 is in a situation where the reservation cannot be received (full state, etc.), a reply is returned to the user terminal, and the user terminal 1 presents status information to the input / output unit 15 and cannot be accepted. The input / output unit 15 designates whether to change to another alternative facility or course.
[0025]
In addition, do not make a reservation at the time of downloading (when reservation is not necessary or impossible, or when the date and time to go out is uncertain), the script processing unit for guidance before or on the day before the actual transfer to the facility Reservation processing can also be performed by activating 10 communication means 100. Furthermore, an output is generated by the position detecting means 12 or the time grasping means 13, and a reservation process can be performed according to a certain time and place (distance) before arrival.
[0026]
When various types of transportation and facilities 4 receive this reservation information, the reservation and customer data are updated in real time by registering with the reservation management and customer management systems in the facility, and the number of accurate users is determined. You can always figure out.
[0027]
After the user makes a reservation, if the user terminal 1 is moved according to the guidance script in a car, train or the like, the guidance script processing unit 10 of the user terminal 1 contains the content of the guidance script in the storage unit 14 and the position detection means. 12 or when the time grasping means 13 detects that it has approached a certain time before or arrives at a facility that is scheduled to be used or is going to stop, the estimated time to arrive at the corresponding facility or transportation means. Notice.
[0028]
In addition, as reservations by the communication means 100 of the user terminal 1 described above, various reservations such as seats for restaurants, movie theaters, concerts, various facilities such as hotel rooms, and limited express tickets such as railways, tour tickets, etc. Tickets and seat reservations are included.
[0029]
Next, in the second principle configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the reference numerals 1 to 4 correspond to the same reference numerals in FIG. 1, and 1 has a simpler configuration than the user terminal in FIG. The user terminal 1a is provided with an input / output unit for inputting a request for a necessary guidance script or presenting output when information corresponding to the request is sent from the server 2. A server for processing, 20 is a script processing unit for guidance, 200 is in contact with a facility or transportation that is scheduled to be used according to the movement of the user terminal according to the guidance script selected by the user terminal 1, Contact means for receiving a notice of arrival and notification of arrival and receiving the status of the facility, etc., 21 is a communication means, 22 is a position detecting means, 23 is a time grasping means, 24 is a script content for guidance A storage unit that paid.
[0030]
In the case of FIG. 2, the reservation process executed by the guidance script processing unit 10 of the user terminal 1 in the configuration of FIG. 1 is performed in the communication means 200 of the guidance script processing unit 20 of the server 2 in the second principle configuration. In response to a request from the user terminal 1, notifications such as reservations, arrival notices, arrivals, etc. are executed corresponding to the position and time, and the results are notified to the user terminal 1. It is different in that it has a simple configuration that displays the contents of the guidance script information and the result of the reservation, etc., but the difference is in the function to make reservations and notices for facilities and means of transportation. The detailed description of the operation in FIG. 2 is omitted.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The data structure as shown in the following (1) and (2) is used to attach the contact information to the facility and transportation means of the guidance script of the present invention. "Point" is the facility, "latitude" is the latitude, "longitude" is the longitude, "addresses" is the address (address), "phone" is the phone number, "route" is the route (transportation), and "http" is Hyper text transfer protocol, “cgi” is a common gateway interface, and “ip” is an Internet protocol.
[0032]

By having such a contact, communication via a network can be performed by telephone, TCP / IP connection, HTTP (CGI), or E-mail.
[0033]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a user terminal according to the present invention, which corresponds to the user terminal shown in the principle configuration shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is the same user terminal as the same reference numeral in FIG. 1, 11 is a communication unit (corresponding to the communication means in FIG. 1), 2a is a content server for holding various guidance scripts, and 2b is a guidance script. Script editor for creating, adding, modifying, etc. (Although it is provided outside the user terminal 1 in the configuration of FIG. 3, the user terminal 1 may be provided with this to create a guide script. ), 4a, 4b are destination facilities set in the guidance script corresponding to the specific action plan. Further, 101 to 104 in the user terminal 1 constitute the guidance script processing unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, 101 is a guidance structure holding unit for holding guidance script data, and 102 is a destination facility 4a, 4b. An information providing unit 103 according to the time / location, a transmission data creating unit 104 for creating transmission data such as reservation (use of facilities and means of transportation), advance notice (predetermined time before arrival), notification (upon arrival), 104 Is a received data interpreting unit that interprets received data including a response to a reservation or advance notice from a destination facility (a notification of reservation acceptance, a rejection notification, etc.), and 105 is a destination facility when a rejection notification is received for the transmission of a reservation. (Including accommodation facilities) and a correction unit that corrects a guide script held in the guide structure holding unit 101 by correcting a plan such as transportation. In addition, 12, 13, and 15 in the user terminal 1 correspond to the parts having the same reference numerals in FIG. 1, and 12 is a current position acquisition unit (position detection in FIG. 1) having a GPS mechanism for detecting the latitude and longitude of the current position. 13) is a current time acquisition unit (corresponding to the time grasping unit in FIG. 1), and 15 is a user presenting unit (corresponding to the input / output unit in FIG. 1).
[0034]
The communication unit 11 of the user terminal 1 is connected to the content server 2a, the guidance script editor 2b (when provided outside the user terminal 1), and the destination facilities 4a and 4b via the network (3 in FIG. 1). In this case, the network 3 is not shown in FIG.
[0035]
FIG. 4 is a processing flow of the user terminal. First, the guidance script corresponding to the action plan is downloaded by accessing the content server 2a (S1 in FIG. 4). At this time, a list of a large number of action plans held in the content server 2a is received from the user terminal 1 to the content server 2a and presented to the user presentation unit 15, from which the user selects a favorite one To do. Specifically, by selecting a region (area) to go out and a genre (such as “sightseeing”, “walking”, “date”, etc.), a guidance script suitable for the specified genre can be created. Downloaded from the server 2a.
[0036]
As a result, the guidance script is held in the guidance structure holding unit 101 of the user terminal 1, and at the same time, the information providing unit 102 according to the time / location is information on the contact information of the destination facility included in the guidance script. The communication unit 11 makes a reservation inquiry to the corresponding facility among the destination facilities 4a and 4b using the contact information detected first (S2 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when a notification returned from the destination facility is received, it is determined whether or not the received content is a rejection notification (S3 in FIG. 4). Or search for an alternative facility) or cancel the action plan itself (S4). The received notification is interpreted by the received data interpretation unit 104 in FIG. 3, and if it is a reservation refusal notification, the correction unit 105 is driven to change the plan (change of facilities such as hotels, transportation means, and routes). Then, a reservation is made for the changed facility or transportation means and set in the guidance structure holding unit 101. Inquiries to multiple facilities (S2 to S4) do not make inquiries to the next facility in order by completing the inquiry of one facility, and stop by multiple facilities (destination facility 4b, etc. in FIG. 3). Can be executed in parallel.
[0037]
After the necessary reservation inquiry is completed for each facility that stops, a guidance script is executed (S5 in FIG. 4). This execution date may be a date and time after the date of making the reservation. When the guidance script is executed, a certain time before the arrival at each facility, the position of the user terminal 1 (user) is determined by the current time and the current position from the current position acquisition unit 12 and the current time acquisition unit 13. If the information providing unit 102 according to the time / location detects that the distance between the destination location) and the destination facility has become a certain distance and the user can reach the facility in a certain time, the transmission data The creation unit 103 creates transmission data including the estimated arrival time, calls the corresponding destination facility from the communication unit 11, transmits the transmission data (estimated arrival time), and contacts (S6 in FIG. 4).
[0038]
After the notification of the predicted time, when the user of the user terminal 1 moves and detects that the position acquired by the current position acquisition unit 12 matches the position of the target destination facility and arrives at the destination facility 4a, The transmission data creation unit 103 creates the transmission data for the arrival report, and notifies the arrival report from the communication unit 11 to the destination facility 4a (S7 in FIG. 4).
[0039]
In the second principle configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the server 2 is provided with functions for making reservations (including plan changes) to destination facilities and transportation means, notification of arrival prediction, and arrival report. 2 can be realized by providing a configuration similar to the mechanism shown in FIG. 2 and a program similar to the processing flow shown in FIG.
[0040]
FIG. 5 shows a basic configuration of a facility that stops by the guidance script, and FIG. 6 shows a processing flow in the facility.
[0041]
In FIG. 5, 4 is a facility such as a hotel, movie theater, or playground (actually represents a server of each facility), 40 is a receiving unit that receives received data from a network (Internet, telephone, etc.), 41 Is a transmission unit that transmits data to the network, 42 is a reservation system that manages reservation information for each day of the facility, and 43 is a customer management system that collects and manages personal information (age, hobbies, etc.) of facility users.
[0042]
The processing operation at the facility will be described with reference to FIG. Is a reservation process. When a guide script corresponding to the action plan selected by the user is first downloaded at the user terminal, a reservation inquiry is made to the facility (S2 in FIG. 4). The reservation data (number of persons, date and time information, etc.) is received by the receiving unit (40 in FIG. 5) (S1 of A. in FIG. 6). About the reservation content, the reservation system (42 in FIG. 5) checks the availability information (whether the hotel etc. is free), the business hours (whether the reserved time is open), etc. (A. in FIG. 6). S2), it is determined whether it is accepted (S3). As a result, if it is found that it is not accepted (when there is no vacancy or when the business is not open), a rejection notice is communicated to the user from the transmission unit (41 in FIG. 5) (S4 in A. of FIG. 6). ), If it is accepted, the reservation system (42 in FIG. 5) reserves the seat (or room number), contacts the user from the transmitter (41 in FIG. 5) (S5 of A. in FIG. 6) ), The number of reserved persons is grasped (S6).
[0043]
B. of FIG. Is a process for receiving the estimated arrival time. When the estimated arrival time transmitted from the user terminal (S6 in FIG. 4) is received (S1 in FIG. 6B), the congestion state is checked (S2). The congestion information detected by the check is notified to the user from the transmission unit (41 in FIG. 5) as a response to the user (S3 in FIG. 6B). On the other hand, the reservation system performs a process of reflecting the expected number of people who arrive after a certain time according to the estimated arrival time to the maintenance of the venue, the maintenance of the parking lot, etc. (S4 in FIG. 6B). This process includes contact with a person in charge (telephone etc.).
[0044]
C. of FIG. Is a processing flow when receiving an arrival notification transmitted from the user terminal when arriving at the facility. When the arrival information is received (S1), it is reflected in the customer management system (43 in FIG. 5) (S2 in C. in FIG. 6), and a privilege (discount or present) is given to the user (S3).
[0045]
Next, FIG. 7 shows a mutual transmission / reception operation sequence between the user terminal 1 and the server 4 of each facility, and summarizes the operations described in the configuration and processing flow shown in FIGS. That is, when downloading is performed at the user terminal 1 ((1) in FIG. 7) and a reservation inquiry is sent (same as a), the reservation system 42 (FIG. 5) indicates whether or not the seats are vacant ( (Reservation accepted or rejected) etc. (b in FIG. 7), and at the same time, greetings (event information etc.) can be notified (c in FIG. 7). Thereafter, when the user starts the user terminal to execute the action plan ((2) in FIG. 7), the execution of the guidance script is started.
[0046]
Thereafter, when a certain distance is reached from each facility scheduled to drop in, the user terminal is notified of the estimated arrival time (d in FIG. 7), and the notification of congestion information from the facility is sent to the user terminal. (Same as e). Thereafter, when the user terminal arrives at the destination facility, a notification that the user terminal has arrived is sent by event processing ((3) in FIG. 7) according to time and place (f in FIG. 7). When this is received, the operation by the customer management system is performed, and a notification of a present such as a privilege is sent to the user terminal (same g).
[0047]
The configuration and processing function of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 can be used as in the following specific example 1.
[0048]
Example 1: Dating plan
It is assumed that there is a plan of “go to concert X, eat at restaurant Y and stay at hotel Z” as a date plan. Such a plan may be created by an individual, but usually a magazine or the like prepares some recommended plans on the Internet, and such content is provided by the content server (2a in FIG. 3). In this case, the user searches for a plan suitable for the purpose by narrowing down conditions and the like from the plan list of the server, and downloads the content of the guidance script to his / her terminal when he / she wants to execute the plan (S1 in FIG. 4). ). After downloading, the information that the download has been made is sent to concert X, restaurant Y, and hotel Z. If this user publishes his / her attribute information, the attribute information (gender, age, hobby, etc.) is also sent. If there is something that needs to be reserved, each facility performs reservation processing.
[0049]
If the reservation is already full at this time, the information is sent to the user terminal. If the hotel Z is full, the user terminal displays the response content and informs the user, and asks whether to stop staying at the hotel, search for an alternative hotel, or stop the entire plan. Here, if the user chooses to search for an alternative hotel, the system queries the content server and asks for an alternative hotel. In response to this, the content server proposes another hotel V, and if the user approves it, a new plan is made. If the user is satisfied with this, the user executes this plan on the same day. become. The user can also experience the daily plan of the day by simulation in preparation for the day.
[0050]
Then, when this action plan for the day is executed on the user terminal (S5 in FIG. 4), information that the execution has been started (if possible, the estimated arrival time) is also communicated to each facility device, If necessary, the facility will proceed with preparations for welcoming the customer. At this time, if the user information is made public, it may be possible to prepare for the person's preference. When this action plan is executed in this way, the system can perform appropriate processing according to time and place according to the execution plan.
[0051]
You can also get directions, so you won't get lost. Each facility will be provided with information such as “I will arrive soon” 30 minutes before the arrival. By doing this, it is possible to provide services such as serving food as soon as a customer arrives at a restaurant. In addition, the user can know the previous congestion situation and the like. The user terminal may be configured to check the real-time status of the facility at any time by clicking the facility on the map shown on the GUI (Graphic User Interface). At the hotel, the reception process can be done very easily. Finally, each facility can give a special benefit to the user who has used it, and can also provide after-sales service to the user accurately. In this way, the same can be done for a sightseeing plan provided by a normal travel agency.
[0052]
Example 2: Example of a business trip plan
FIG. 8 shows an example of a business trip plan created according to the present invention. In this example, it is possible to automatically make a reservation for a vehicle or an inn by creating a business trip plan using a guidance script. Using a GUI editor or the like, the user creates a business trip plan by entering a departure place, a destination, a departure date and time, and the like. This series of instructions is described using a description format of a markup language such as XML and output as a guidance script. By downloading this guidance script to your own terminal (user terminal) loaded with the guidance script engine, the above-described processing of FIG. 4 is executed, and the hotel which is a bullet train or airplane ticket as a means of transportation or an accommodation hotel as a facility. The reservation process is automatically performed, and if it is actually executed, it will surely convey its information to the destination.
[0053]
In the case of the business trip plan of FIG. The starting point, destination, starting time, day trip schedule, etc. are determined as shown in FIG. The company line name from the departure point by each means of transportation, the name of the limited express, the transit station, the time, etc. are determined as shown in. This B. From the connecting process shown in Fig. 8, C. It is possible to create a guidance script using an XML description format partially shown in FIG. A reservation inquiry (S2 in FIG. 4) is executed by downloading this guidance script to the user terminal (S1 in FIG. 4). The seat reservation shown in (Shinkansen) is made.
[0054]
A communication means for making a reservation according to the present invention will be described.
[0055]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of reservation communication means, and FIG. 10 is a flow of communication processing.
[0056]
Each block in FIG. 9 explains the function of the communication means for reservation. 60 is the guidance script content downloaded and held in the user terminal, 61 is each of the contact information attached in the guidance script. The facility host name (contact address), 62 is an estimated arrival time estimation unit for calculating the estimated arrival time from the current location and the location of the destination facility, and 63 is an execution date input unit for setting the date and time for executing the plan by the guidance script , 64 is a user information holding unit for setting and holding the user's name, age, hobby, etc., 65 is a transmission information creation unit, 66 is a user terminal presentation unit, 67 is an HTTP request message creation unit, and 68 is a data reception unit. 3 is the Internet used as a network for communication, and 4 is a plurality of facility servers (host 1, host 2, host 3).
[0057]
9, reference numerals 60 to 68 are included in the same mechanism as that of the user terminal 1 shown in FIG. 3, but have a block configuration different from that shown in FIG. , 60 and 61 in the guidance structure holding unit 101 in FIG. 3, 62 and 63 in the information providing unit 102 in accordance with the time / place in FIG. 2, 65 and 67 in the transmission data creation unit 103 in FIG. Corresponds to the communication unit 11 in FIG. 3, and 66 corresponds to the user presentation unit 15 in FIG.
[0058]
In the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10, the HTTP protocol is used as a reservation means. The flow of reservation communication processing will be described with reference to FIG. First, from the script content for guidance (60 in FIG. 9), the contact information of each facility and transportation means to be routed is extracted (S1 in FIG. 10). This is the phon from the contact tag e, Search the guidance script as a key to use http, ip, e-mail, etc. according to the system, and retrieve the contents of the information with the contact means tag. Here, the content of the <http> tag is taken out. This indicates a connection destination on the server side in the HTTP protocol. In the example of FIG. 9, the servers 61 of the host 1 to the host 3 correspond. Here, since the server side instructs the method of processing by CGI, the name of the CGI program is also specified as follows.
[0059]
http://www.serverl1l.co.jp/cgi/xxx1.cgi
http://www.serverl2l.co.jp/cgi/xxx2.cgi
http://www.serverl3l.co.jp/cgi/xxx3.cgi
Here, when a service is provided on the server side, it may be necessary to specify a branch name if it is a facility server, a section to be used if it is a server for transportation, and the like. This is because a single server may handle various requests. Therefore, in such a case, the parameters are specified in advance. For example, even if it is notified to the server of the railway company that it is used, it does not know which section it is, so if it is used between Tokyo and Osaka, it can be expressed as follows.
[0060]
http://www.JR.co.jp/cgi/xxx1.cgi?SECTION=TokyoOsaka
Next, the user name and contact information (64 in FIG. 9) are taken out (S2 in FIG. 10). This usually reads what is set on the terminal side. Furthermore, sex, age, and user preference information are also set as attribute information, and if the user permits, they are sent as attribute information to each facility server. This makes it possible to respond to the customer at the receiving facility. Alternatively, when downloading the guidance script on the content server, the user may be prompted to input a user name, a contact address, and an attribute, and sent to the user terminal in accordance with the guidance script. In this case, when the information is used a plurality of times, the ID (identification number) is managed once entered, and thereafter only the input of the ID is required. In this way, customer management is possible even with the content server.
[0061]
User Name: Taro Yamada
Contact ： yamada@provider-name.ne.jp
(Gender: male)
(Age: 28)
(Fair food: tomatoes)
(Note: Wheelchair)
If the arrival time is designated in advance, it is taken out here (S3 in FIG. 10). In the guidance script, it is also possible to specify the arrival time (use time of the facility) at each point. In this case, if the user inputs the date and time used when the user downloads the guidance script, the date and time when the user arrives at the point (facility) can be known. Even if the arrival time is not clearly specified, the system can easily calculate and find it if it knows the time it will take (if this is not described, it will be calculated from the means of transportation and distance). it can.
[0062]
Transmission data to the server is created from these pieces of information (S4 in FIG. 10, 65 in FIG. 9), and an HTTP request message is created for each server (S5 in FIG. 10, 67 in FIG. 9).
[0063]
For host 1
POST /cgi/xxx1.cgi HTTP / 1.0
HOST htto: //www.serverll1.co.jp
CONTENT-LENGTH: 100
CONTENT-TYPE: text / plain
NAME = “Taro Yamada”
& E-Mail = “Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
& ARRIVE-TIME = “1999/4 / 1-10: 00”
& STATUS = “DownLoad”
For host 2
POST /cgi/xxx2.cgi HTTP / 1.0
HOST htto: //www.serverll2.co.jp
CONTENT-LENGTH: 100
CONTENT-TYPE: text / plain
NAME = “Taro Yamada”
& E-Mail = “Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
& ARRIVE-TIME = “1999/4 / 1-12: 00”
& STATUS = “DownLoad”
For host 3
POST /cgi/xxx3.cgi HTTP / 1.0
HOST htto: //www.serverll3.co.jp
CONTENT-LENGTH: 100
CONTENT-TYPE: text / plain
NAME = “Taro Yamada”
& E-Mail = “Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
& ARRIVE-TIME = “1999/4 / 1-12: 00”
& STATUS = “DownLoad”
At this time, if you want the server to send the facility category information written in the guidance script, you can add the following value to the parameter enumeration part as follows.
[0064]
NAME = “Taro Yamada”
& E-Mail = “Yamada@provider-name.ne.jp”
& STATUS = “DownLoad”
& SECTION = “TokyoOsaka”
& CATEGORY = “Musashino Line”
Thus, data is transmitted / received to / from each host using the HTTP protocol (S6 in FIG. 10), and a response message is received from the server side as necessary (S7 in FIG. 10, 68 in FIG. 9). Are displayed on the user terminal (S8 in FIG. 10, 66 in FIG. 9). The user sees this and changes the plan, or if the reply is that the facility is not accepted, the system automatically changes the plan at the user terminal so that the system does not stop at the facility.
[0065]
When making a reservation, the following message may be attached from the beginning if a reservation is necessary. Also, this may be entered after the user confirms this when the system contacts each server.
[0066]
& REQUEST = “Reservation”
Also, once the facility server is contacted, the facility server makes a reservation as a response, or creates a questionnaire for other items that need to be discussed and sends it back to the user. If the facility is a hotel, you can select the type of room, and if it is a transportation (vehicle), you can select the type of seat.
[0067]
On the server side, data sent according to the HTTP protocol is processed by the CGI program, information is exchanged with the reservation system and customer management system, and information is returned to the user. This is the same processing that a server program performs when a person makes a reservation for a hotel, air ticket, or train ticket on a web browser.
[0068]
If the server needs to issue a ticket, ticket data may be sent as a response, and the user may record it on an IC card or the like, or simply print it to handle it as a ticket. Furthermore, when an address or an e-mail address is added to the request as personal data of the user, it can be sent later by post or sent as an attached file of the e-mail.
[0069]
The example described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10 above is an image of data exchange performed when the guidance script is downloaded. Similarly, when the navigation is started, it comes close to the facility. In the case of time or arrival, the same processing can be realized. The only difference is changing the value of ARRIVE-TIME (arrival time) and STATUS (status).
[0070]
As ARRIVE-TIME gets closer to the facility, it can send an accurate predicted time. If the time is unpredictable, it can be dealt with by sending data on the current latitude and longitude of the user. With this value, it is possible to easily determine how close the user is now on the server side. In this case, the following data is sent instead of ARRIVE-TIME. N represents north latitude and E represents east longitude.
[0071]
PRESENT-POSITION = “N35.40.39.0E139.46.18.1”
“STATUS” for identifying what data the user is in is set to “DownLoad” when downloaded, “Start” when leaving, “Near” when approaching And send.
[0072]
In this example, the method was realized using the HTTP protocol. However, it may be exchanged by e-mail, or it is a simple exchange even if the person in charge responds on the server side (facility side). It can also be processed automatically by using speech synthesis and recognition technology at the (user terminal).
[0073]
Next, three examples {circle around (1)} to {circle around (3)} are shown as contents of a guidance script (action plan) necessary for performing the reservation processing according to the present invention. Note that (1) corresponds to the date plan of the specific example 1 and (2) corresponds to the business trip plan of the specific example 2.
[0074]

For facilities that do not need to be contacted, contact information may be removed, or it may be sent only where it is necessary after determining whether it is necessary to contact the terminal even if there is a contact. In this case, you may enter contact information only on the Shinkansen that should be reserved, or you can also enter contact information on regular trains to check the boarding rate.
[0075]

By using the principle of the present invention, an optimal ticket purchasing system can be configured. 11 and 12 show the configuration and processing flow of an optimal ticket purchasing system according to the present invention.
[0076]
In FIG. 11, reference numerals 101, 103, 104, 11, 2a, 2b, 4a, and 4b correspond to parts of the same reference numerals in FIG. 3, and other reference numerals represent elements peculiar to this configuration. That is, 1a is a ticket purchase terminal, 11 is a communication unit, 101 is a guidance structure holding unit, 103 is a transmission data creation unit, 104 is a reception data interpretation unit, 106 is an optimal ticket recommendation module, 107 is a ticket database, and 108 is an input User interface including means and output (display) means, 2a is a content server, 2b is a script editor for guidance, 4a and 4b are destination facilities, 4c is a means of transportation for purchasing tickets (issuance of passenger tickets such as railways, airlines, and buses) Agency). Also in this case, the ticket purchase terminal 1a is connected to the content server, the transportation means 4c, and the destination facilities 4a and 4b via a network (not shown) such as the Internet.
[0077]
The operation of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In order to obtain the most advantageous ticket for executing the entire guide script (action plan), the ticket database 107 is obtained via the network or obtained from the outside so that the latest information is reflected. Updated regularly.
[0078]
First, the content of the required action plan is acquired from the content server 2a and held in the guidance structure holding unit 101. Among these, the reception data interpretation unit 104 extracts facilities and transportation means that require a ticket (S1 in FIG. 12). Specifically, a list of required paid tickets and a free ticket (reservation of a seat, etc.) are taken out, and the paid tickets are supplied to the optimum ticket recommendation module 106, where the ticket database 107 is referred to and optimized. A ticket (low cost and suitable for the schedule time) is searched and recommended (S2 in FIG. 12). In the case of travel tickets, if there is a set of transportation and facilities (hotels, etc.) usage fees, we recommend that ticket, and if transportation is more advantageous for transportation, we recommend that it To do. In this case, not only the price is low, but also there may be user preferences (commemorative tickets, premier tickets, etc.). Some proposals are proposed to the user, and the user interface 108 selects them from among them. You can also. When a ticket is selected, necessary data for ticket reservation is created in the transmission data creation unit 103, and the corresponding contact included in the content is sent to the transportation means 4c, destination facility 4a, Connected to 4b, data can be sent to purchase a ticket (S3 in FIG. 12). For reservation of a free seat, the communication unit 11 is activated from the reception data interpretation unit 104 via the transmission data creation unit 103, and similarly, reservation data is sent to each facility. It can be carried out.
[0079]
The present invention can also be used when a person who cannot move moves. In other words, a person who travels with a wheelchair or a stroller decides the action plan for the day in advance, and creates an action plan script that has the same structure as the guidance script and has a means of contacting the destination facility. . And while doing this, when you act, you will be automatically contacted wherever you go, so the staff will prepare in advance to assist you in getting off the train or moving up the stairs in advance at the station or facility. Can do.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when an action plan (guidance script) is downloaded from a content server or applied for a proposed tour, it is possible to automatically make reservations for transportation means and facilities. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user has not opened after entering the facility as in the prior art, or cannot be filled because the user is full.
[0081]
In addition, when traveling according to the guidance script, the tourist facilities will estimate the number of visitors and inform the facility management (admission restrictions, etc.) accurately by notifying the destination facility of the arrival schedule. It becomes easy to do, and it is possible to cope with a schedule change by knowing in advance.
[0082]
And since facilities and means of transportation can be prepared in advance for any customer, it is possible to improve the quality of services by providing a server that can afford it, a service that can not wait. In addition, it helps to predict store visitor and can properly manage inventory.
[0083]
Furthermore, the ticket reservation system according to the present invention makes it possible to make a reservation for a ticket or the like accurately according to the schedule.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first principle configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second principle configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a user terminal.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a facility that stops by a guidance script.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow in a facility.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a mutual transmission / reception operation sequence between a user terminal and a server of each facility.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a business trip plan created according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a block configuration of reservation communication means;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of communication processing.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an optimal ticket purchasing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the optimum ticket purchasing system.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the proposed system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 User terminal
10 Script processing section for guidance
100 Contact means
11 Communication Department
12 Position detection means
13 Time grasp means
14 Storage unit
15 Input / output section
2 Script content server for guidance
3 network
4 Various facilities (servers)

Claims (3)

A storage unit for holding a guide script in which an action plan including a transportation means of the route of travel and a facility of use or a stop-by destination is described based on a predetermined specification, a time grasping means, a position detecting means, a communication means, A user terminal equipped with
The contact information on the network of the guide for the script to the transportation means and stop destination facility is set, of this day to run the movement in accordance with the guide for the script to the transportation and use or stop destination facility When the contact information in the guide script is detected before arrival, the guide script for notifying the transportation means or the use or stop-off facility of the arrival notice information using the contact information from the communication means via the network. A processing unit,
The guidance script processing unit, on the day of movement according to the guidance script, reaches a certain time before arrival at the transportation means or use or stop-off facility set in the guidance script by the time grasping means. If it is detected that the vehicle is within a certain distance of the transportation means or the facility to be visited by the position detection means, the communication means or use or A user terminal that notifies an arrival notice to a destination facility . A storage unit storing a number of guidance scripts in which an action plan including a transportation means of a route of movement and a facility to use or a stop-by facility is described based on a predetermined specification, a server having communication means, and a network A user terminal connected and provided with a communication means,
When the user terminal downloads a guide script for a desired action plan from the server, it is set in the guide script before arriving at the transportation means or the use or stop-off facility on the day of movement. If the contact information for the transportation means or use of the route of travel that has been made or the destination facility is detected, the communication means is used to notify the transportation means or the destination facility via the network using the detected contact information. It has a script processing part for guidance to notify
The user terminal comprises a position detecting means and / or a time grasping means,
The guidance script processing unit, after executing the movement according to the guidance script, arrives at a certain time before arriving at the transportation means or use or stop-off facility set in the guidance script by the time grasping means. If it is detected that the vehicle is within a certain distance of the transportation means or the facility at the destination, the communication means or the destination is detected by the communication means. An automatic communication system characterized by notifying arrival facilities of the arrival notice. A server that holds a number of guidance scripts in which various action plans including information on the means of transportation for transportation and use or contact information via the network to the facility at the stop are described based on predetermined specifications.
When the server receives an instruction to select a desired action plan from a user terminal having communication means connected via the network, the server detects contact information set in the corresponding guidance script, and detects the contact information. A script processing unit for guidance for notifying reservation information to the facility of transportation or use or a stop-by destination via a network,
The guidance script processing unit performs the guidance before arrival at the transportation means or use or stop-off facility on the day for executing movement according to the guidance script corresponding to the action plan instructed from the user terminal. When the contact information in the script is detected, the communication means notifies the information on either reservation or arrival notice to the transportation means or the use or stop-off facility using the contact information via the network,
The server includes position detecting means and / or time grasping means,
The guidance script processing unit is arranged within a certain distance or at a certain distance when the position or time detection information from the user terminal arrives at the transportation means, use or stop-off facility when the action plan using the guidance script is executed. A server characterized in that, upon detecting that it is within the time and that it has arrived at each of the positions, it notifies the arrival means and arrival information to the means of transportation or the facility at the stop.

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