WO2017037533A1

WO2017037533A1 - Server and method for providing proposals for service information corresponding to a user request

Info

Publication number: WO2017037533A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/001287
Authority: WO
Inventors: Atsushi Yamada
Original assignee: Gurunavi, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-09-02
Filing date: 2016-09-01
Publication date: 2017-03-09
Also published as: WO2017037533A8

Abstract

A control method for a server includes: storing service information in a storage unit for each of a plurality of facilities, the service information indicating a plurality of service contents that are provided at each of the facilities; receiving, from a user terminal, a plurality of service contents that a user desires and ranked choices of the user for each service content; extracting a first facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; transmitting, to a facility terminal of the extracted first facility, a request signal that requires a proposal of a service to the user; when a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, extracting a second facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; and transmitting the request signal to a facility terminal of the extracted second facility.

Description

SERVER AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PROPOSALS FOR SERVICE INFORMATION

CORRESPONDING TO A USER REQUEST

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a server, a control method for a server, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for a server.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Conventionally, an organizing user who holds an event searches for a service provider (for example, a restaurant, or the like) with the use of a personal computer, a mobile phone, or the like, which is connectable with the Internet, or the like, specifies a date and time and service contents, and makes a reservation for predetermined service.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-99095 (JP 2012-099095 A) describes a party reservation support system that receives party requirements from user terminals, that searches for a party requirement that satisfies a condition of a shop, and that transmits the found party requirement to a shop terminal of the shop. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The party reservation support system described in JP 2012-099095 A transmits, to a user terminal, a proposed party condition transmitted from the shop terminal of a shop that coincides with the party requirement. However, when there is no shop that satisfies the party requirement, the user terminal cannot receive a proposed party condition from a shop terminal. In this case, the user needs to change the party requirement.

[0005] In the party reservation support system described in JP 2012-099095 A, when a party requirement contains a first choice and second choice of a user, a user terminal may receive a large number of proposed party conditions from shop terminals of shops that satisfy the second-choice party requirement. In this case, when the number of proposed party conditions received from the shop terminals of the shops that satisfy the second-choice party requirement reaches an upper limit number of party proposed conditions received, the user terminal cannot receive proposed party conditions from shop terminals of shops that satisfy the first-choice party requirement.

[0006] The invention provides a server that allows a user to efficiently find a facility that satisfies his or her requirement, a control method for the server, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for the server.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention provides a control method for a server including a storage unit. The control method includes: storing service information in the storage unit for each of a plurality of facilities, the service information indicating a plurality of service contents that are provided at each of the facilities; receiving, from a user terminal, a plurality of service contents that a user desires and ranked choices of the user for each service content; extracting a first facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; transmitting, to a facility terminal of the extracted first facility, a request signal that requires a proposal of a service to the user; when a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, extracting a second facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; and transmitting the request signal to a facility terminal of the extracted second facility. According to the above first aspect, the request signal is sequentially transmitted at predetermined time intervals in order from the facility terminal of a facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the subsequently highest ranked choice, so it is possible to reduce the processing load that is exerted on the server at a time.

[0008] A second aspect of the invention provides a server. The server includes: a storage unit that stores service information for each of a plurality of facilities, the service information indicating a plurality of service contents that are provided at each of the facilities; a reception unit that receives, from a user terminal, a plurality of service contents that a user desires and ranked choices of the user for each service content; an extraction unit that extracts a first facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; and a transmission unit that transmits, to a facility terminal of the extracted first facility, a request signal that requires a proposal of a service to the user. The extraction unit, when a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, extracts a second facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities, and the transmission unit transmits the request signal to a facility terminal of the extracted second facility. According to the above second aspect, the server sequentially transmits the request signal at predetermined time intervals in order from the facility terminal of a facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the subsequently highest ranked choice, so it is possible to reduce the processing load that is exerted on the server at a time.

[0009] A third aspect of the invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for a server including a storage unit, the control program causing the server to execute instructions for: storing service information in the storage unit for each of a plurality of facilities, the service information indicating a plurality of service contents that are provided at each of the facilities; receiving, from a user terminal, a plurality of service contents that a user desires and ranked choices of the user for each service content; extracting a first facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; transmitting, to a facility terminal of the extracted first facility, a request signal that requires a proposal of a service to the user; when a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, extracting a second facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; and transmitting the request signal to a facility terminal of the extracted second facility. According to the above third aspect, the request signal is sequentially transmitted at predetermined time intervals in order from the facility terminal of a facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the subsequently highest ranked choice, so it is possible to reduce the processing load that is exerted on the server at a time.

[0010] With the server, the control method for the server and the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the control program for the server, a user is allowed to efficiently find a facility that satisfies his or her requirement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG 1 is a schematic view for illustrating the outline of a matching system;

FIG 2 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of the matching system;

FIG 3A is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of a user terminal;

FIG 3B is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of a facility terminal;

FIG 4 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of a server; FIG 5A is a view that shows an example of the data structure of a user management table;

FIG 5B is a view that shows an example of the data structure of a facility management table;

FIG 6A is a view that shows an example of the data structure of a requirement management table;

FIG 6B is a view that shows an example of the data structure of a proposal management table;

FIG 7 is a view that shows an example of an operation sequence of the matching system;

FIG 8 is a view that shows an example of the subsequent operation sequence of the matching system; FIG 9 is a view that shows an example of a page that is displayed on the user terminal;

FIG 1 OA is a view that shows an example of an e-mail that is displayed on the facility terminal;

FIG I OB is a view that shows an example of a requirement list page that is displayed on the facility terminal;

FIG IOC is a view that shows an example of a proposal input page that is displayed on the facility terminal;

FIG 1 1 A is a view that shows an example of an e-mail that is displayed on the user terminal;

FIG 1 IB is a view that shows an example of a proposal list page that is displayed on the user terminal;

FIG l l C is a view that shows an example of a proposal list page that is displayed on the user terminal;

FIG 1 ID is a view that shows an example of a determination page that is displayed on the user terminal;

FIG. 12A is a view that shows an example of a page that is displayed on the facility terminal; and

FIG 12B is a view that shows an example of a page that is displayed on the user terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the technical scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments and encompasses the invention recited in the appended clams and equivalents thereof.

[0013] FIG 1 is a schematic view for illustrating the outline of a matching system

1.

[0014] The matching system 1 includes a user terminal 2, facility terminals 3a to 3c, a server 4, and the like. The server 4 stores service information, indicating a plurality of service contents that are provided at each facility, for each of a plurality of facilities. The service contents include a food genre that is provided at each facility, an area in which each facility is arranged or a date and time at which a service of each facility is provided, and the like.

[0015] In accordance with operation of an organizing user, the user terminal 2 selects a plurality of service contents that the organizing user desires and the ranked choices of the organizing user for each service content (1). The details of the process of selecting a plurality of service contents and the ranked choices of the organizing user for each service content will be described later.

[0016] The user terminal 2 transmits the plurality of selected service contents and the ranked choices of the organizing user for each service content to the server 4 (2).

[0017] As the server 4 receives the plurality of service contents and the ranked choices of the organizing user for each service content of a service from the user terminal 2, the server 4 extracts a first facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice. The server 4 transmits, to the facility terminal 3a of the extracted first facility, a request signal for requiring a proposal of a service to the user (3).

[0018] When a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, the server 4 extracts second facilities, each of which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice from among the plurality of facilities. The server 4 transmits the request signal to the facility terminals 3b, 3c of the extracted second facilities (4).

[0019] In this way, when the predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal to the facility terminal 3a of the first facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, the server 4 transmits the request signal to the facility terminals 3b, 3c of the second facilities, each of which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the processing load that is exerted on the server 4 at a time. In addition, the server 4 automatically changes the requirement without a burden on the organizing user, the organizing user is allowed to efficiently find a facility that satisfies the requirement.

[0020] FIG 2 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of the matching system 1.

[0021] The matching system 1 includes the user terminal 2, the plurality of facility terminals 3a to 3c, the server 4, and the like. The user terminal 2 and the server 4 are connected to each other via an access point (not shown) or a base station (not shown) and a communication network. The communication network is, for example, the Internet 5. A program that is executed by the user terminal 2 and a program that is executed by the server 4 carry out communication with each other by using a communication protocol, such as a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The facility terminals 3a to 3c and the server 4 are connected to each other via a communication network, and are, for example, connected to each other via the Internet 5. Programs that are respectively executed by the facility terminals 3a to 3c and a program that is executed by the server 4 carry out communication with each other by using a communication protocol, such as a hypertext transfer protocol.

[0022] FIG 3A is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of the user terminal 2.

[0023] The user terminal 2 includes a user terminal communication unit 21, a user terminal storage unit 22, a user terminal operation unit 23, a user terminal display unit 24, a user terminal processing unit 25, and the like. The organizing user is a person in charge of holding an event that a plurality of users attend. The organizing user may be a user who has become a candidate for the organizing user or may be a user selected freely. The event means an entertainment or event that is held at a facility. The event is, for example, a company trip, a New Year party, a year-end party, a barbecue, a banquet, a social gathering, a class reunion, a golf competition, or the like. A multifunctional mobile phone (so-called smartphone) is assumed as the user terminal 2; however, the user terminal 2 is not limited to the multifunctional mobile phone. The user terminal 2 may be any terminal to which the invention is applicable, and may be, for example, a mobile phone (so-called feature phone), a mobile information terminal (personal digital assistant (PDA)), a tablet PC, a personal computer, or the like.

[0024] The user terminal communication unit 21 includes a communication interface circuit including an antenna having mainly a 2.4GHz band, a 5GHz band, or the like, or an antenna having mainly a 2.1 GHz band as a sensitive band. The user terminal communication unit 21 connects the user terminal 2 to the Internet 5 via an access point or a base station. The user terminal communication unit 21 transmits, to the server 4, or the like, data supplied from the user terminal processing unit 25. The user terminal communication unit 21 supplies, to the user terminal processing unit 25, data received from the server 4, or the like.

[0025] The user terminal storage unit 22 includes, for example, at least any one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk drive and an optical disk drive. The user terminal storage unit 22 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, and the like, that are used for processing in the user terminal processing unit 25. For example, the user terminal storage unit 22 stores an input device driver program that controls the user terminal operation unit 23, an output device driver program that controls the user terminal display unit 24, and the like, as the driver program. The user terminal storage unit 22 stores a program, or the like, that executes transmission and reception of a message, as the application program. The user terminal storage unit 22 stores transmitted and received messages and associated data as the data. Furthermore, the user terminal storage unit 22 may temporarily store temporary data associated with predetermined processing.

[0026] The user terminal operation unit 23 may be any device as long as the user terminal 2 is operable by using the user terminal operation unit 23, and is, for example, a touch pad, or the like. The organizing user is allowed to input characters, numerics, and the like, with the use of the user terminal operation unit 23. As the user terminal operation unit 23 is operated by the organizing user, the user terminal operation unit 23 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is supplied to the user terminal processing unit 25 as a command of the organizing user.

[0027] The user terminal display unit 24 may be any device as long as the display unit 24 is able to display a character string, an image, and the like. The user terminal display unit 24 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, or the like. The user terminal display unit 24 displays a transmitted or received message, or the like, supplied from the user terminal processing unit 25.

[0028] The user terminal processing unit 25 includes a user terminal access unit 251 , a user terminal message management unit 252, and the like. The user terminal processing unit 25 is to generally control the overall operations of the user terminal 2. The user terminal processing unit 25 consists of one or plurality of processors and their peripheral circuit (for example, central processing unit (CPU)). The user terminal processing unit 25 controls the operations of the user terminal communication unit 21 , user terminal display unit 24, and the like, such that the programs stored in the user terminal storage unit 22 are executed in an appropriate procedure in response to, for example, operation of the user terminal operation unit 23. The user terminal processing unit 25 executes processing on the basis of the programs (the operating system program, the driver program, the application program, and the like) that are stored in the user terminal storage unit 22. The user terminal processing unit 25 is able to execute a plurality of programs (application programs, or the like) in parallel.

[0029] The user terminal access unit 251 and the user terminal message management unit 252 are functional modules that are implemented by programs that are executed by the processor(s) of the user terminal processing unit 25. Alternatively, the user terminal access unit 251 and the user terminal message management unit 252 may be implemented in the user terminal 2 as firmware.

[0030] The user terminal access unit 251 accesses the world wide web (web), and acquires and displays display data. That is, the user terminal access unit 251 transmits input, selection, or the like, regarding a facility to the server 4 via the user terminal communication unit 21 in response to a command from the organizing user. The user terminal access unit 251 receives display data for displaying processing results for input, selection, or the like, regarding the facility from the server 4 via the user terminal communication unit 21 , and displays a page on the user terminal display unit 24 on the basis of the received display data.

[0031] The user terminal message management unit 252 transmits or receives a message to or from the server 4 via the user terminal communication unit 21.

[0032] FIG 3B is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of each facility terminal 3.

[0033] The facility terminals 3a to 3c have similar configurations, so, in the following description, the facility terminals 3a to 3c may be collectively referred to as facility terminals 3. Each facility terminal 3 includes a facility terminal communication unit 31, a facility terminal storage unit 32, a facility terminal operation unit 33, a facility terminal display unit 34, a facility terminal processing unit 35, and the like. Each facility terminal 3 is a terminal of a manager of a facility that provides a service. A personal computer is assumed as each facility terminal 3; however, each facility terminal 3 is not limited to the personal computer. Each facility terminal 3 may be any terminal to which the invention is applicable. Each facility terminal 3 may be, for example, a multifunctional mobile phone, a mobile phone, a mobile information terminal, a tablet PC, or the like.

[0034] The facility terminal communication unit 31 mainly includes a wired communication interface circuit. The facility terminal communication unit 31 connects the corresponding facility terminal 3 to the Internet 5 via a wire, such as a LAN cable. The facility terminal communication unit 31 transmits data, supplied from the facility terminal processing unit 35, to the server 4, or the like. The facility terminal communication unit 31 supplies data, received from the server 4, or the like, to the facility terminal processing unit 35.

[0035] The facility terminal storage unit 32 includes, for example, at least any one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk drive and an optical disk drive. The facility terminal storage unit 32 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, and the like, that are used for processing in the facility terminal processing unit 35. For example, the facility terminal storage unit 32 stores an input device driver program that controls the facility terminal operation unit 33, an output device driver program that controls the facility terminal display unit 34, and the like, as the driver program. The facility terminal storage unit 32 stores a program, or the like, that executes transmission and reception of a message, as the application program. The facility terminal storage unit 32 stores transmitted and received messages and associated data as the data. Furthermore, the facility terminal storage unit 32 may temporarily store temporary data associated with predetermined processing.

[0036] The facility terminal operation unit 33 may be any device as long as the facility terminal 3 is operable by using the facility terminal operation unit 33, and is, for example, a keyboard, or the like. The manager is allowed to input characters, numerics, and the like, with the use of the facility terminal operation unit 33. As the facility terminal operation unit 33 is operated by the manager, the facility terminal operation unit 33 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is supplied to the facility terminal processing unit 35 as a command of the manager.

[0037] The facility terminal display unit 34 may be any device as long as the facility terminal display unit 34 is able to display a character string, an image, and the like. The facility terminal display unit 34 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, or the like. The facility terminal display unit 34 displays a transmitted or received message, or the like, supplied from the facility terminal processing unit 35.

[0038] The facility terminal processing unit 35 includes a facility terminal access unit 351 , a facility terminal message management unit 352, and the like. The facility terminal processing unit 35 is to generally control the overall operations of the corresponding facility terminal 3. The facility terminal processing unit 35 consists of one or plurality of processors and their peripheral circuit (for example, central processing unit (CPU)). The facility terminal processing unit 35 controls the operations of the facility terminal communication unit 31 , the facility terminal display unit 34, and the like, such that the programs stored in the facility terminal storage unit 32 are executed in an appropriate procedure in response to operation of the facility terminal operation unit 33, or the like. The facility terminal processing unit 35 executes processing on the basis of the programs (the operating system program, the driver program, the application program, and the like) that are stored in the facility terminal storage unit 32. The facility terminal processing unit 35 is able to execute a plurality of programs (application programs, or the like) in parallel.

[0039] The facility terminal access unit 351 and the facility terminal message management unit 352 are functional modules that are implemented by programs that are executed by the processor(s) of the facility terminal processing unit 35. Alternatively, the facility terminal access unit 351 and the facility terminal message management unit 352 may be implemented in each facility terminal 3 as firmware.

[0040] The facility terminal access unit 351 accesses the world wide web (web), and acquires and displays display data. That is, the facility terminal access unit 351 transmits input, selection, or the like, regarding a facility to the server 4 via the facility terminal communication unit 31 in response to a command of the manager. The facility terminal access unit 351 receives display data for displaying processing results for input, selection, or the like, regarding the facility from the server 4 via the facility terminal communication unit 31 , and displays a page on the facility terminal display unit 34 on the basis of the received display data.

[0041] The facility terminal message management unit 352 transmits or receives a message to or from the server 4 via the facility terminal communication unit 31.

[0042] FIG 4 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of the server 4.

[0043] The server 4 includes a server communication unit 41 , a server storage unit 42 and a server processing unit 43. The server 4 consists of a standalone device. The server 4 may consist of a plurality of devices.

[0044] The server communication unit 41 includes a communication interface circuit for transmitting or receiving data via the Internet 5. The server communication unit 41 communicates with the user terminal 2 or the facility terminal 3.

[0045] The server storage unit 42 includes, for example, at least any one of a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk drive. The server storage unit 42 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, and the like, that are used for processing in the server processing unit 43. Each of the programs may be installed from a computer-readable portable storage medium, such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM, into the server storage unit 42 with the use of a known setup program, or the like. The server storage unit 42 stores a user management table (FIG 5A), a facility management table (FIG 5B), a requirement management table (FIG 6A) and a proposal management table (FIG 6B) as the data. Each table in the present embodiment is an example of the type of database, and may be of a type in which data are pooled inside the server 4. The server storage unit 42 further includes a buffer for temporarily storing temporary data associated with predetermined processing.

[0046] The server processing unit 43 includes a reception unit 431, an extraction unit 432, a transmission unit 433, a management unit 434, and the like. The server processing unit 43 generally controls the overall operations of the server 4. The server processing unit 43 consists of one or plurality of processors and their peripheral circuit (for example, CPU). The server processing unit 43 controls the operations of the server communication unit 41, and the like, in an appropriate procedure on the basis of the programs (the operating system program, the driver program, the application program, and the like) that are stored in the server storage unit 42. In addition, the server processing unit 43 may execute a plurality of programs (application programs, or the like) in parallel.

[0047] The reception unit 431, the extraction unit 432, the transmission unit 433 and the management unit 434 are functional modules that are implemented by programs that are executed by the processor(s) of the server processing unit 43. The reception unit 431, the extraction unit 432, the transmission unit 433 and the management unit 434 may be implemented in the server 4 as firmware.

[0048] The reception unit 431 receives information from the user terminal 2 or the facility terminal 3 via the server communication unit 41. The details of processing of the reception unit 431 will be described later.

[0049] The extraction unit 432 extracts a facility that provides a service of service contents in descending order of ranked choices from among the plurality of facilities at predetermined time intervals. The details of processing of the extraction unit 432 will be described later.

[0050] The transmission unit 433 transmits a request signal, which requires a proposal of a service to a user, to the facility terminal of the facility extracted by the extraction unit 432 via the server communication unit 41. The details of processing of the transmission unit 433 will be described later.

[0051] The management unit 434 executes the process of matching an organizing user who selects a facility at which an event is held with a manager of a facility that proposes a service. The details of processing of the management unit 434 will be described later.

[0052] FIG 5A is a view that shows an example of the data structure of the user management table.

[0053] FIG 5A to FIG 6B are views that respectively show examples of the data structures of various tables. The server storage unit 42 may store not all or part of the various tables that will be described below. One or a plurality of other devices (database devices, or the like) different from the server 4 may store all or part of these various tables. In this case, at the time when the server 4 uses information stored in these various tables, the server 4 accesses other device(s) that store the tables and acquires information stored in the tables. Pieces of information, contained in each table, may be stored in a form other than table form or may be, for example, stored independently.

[0054] The data structure shown in FIG 5A shows a series of data associated with a user ID 500 and stored in the server storage unit 42. The user ID 500 is information for identifying a user. The series of data includes, for example, a user name 501, an e-mail address 502, and the like. The above-described series of data is illustrative, and may include another piece of information regarding a user.

[0055] The user name 501 is information that indicates the name of a user. The e-mail address 502 is information that indicates a destination address of the user terminal 2 where the server 4 transmits a proposal signal to the user terminal 2. The proposal signal is a signal that is transmitted in order for the manager of a facility to propose a service to a user.

[0056] FIG. 5B is a view that shows an example of the data structure of the facility management table.

[0057] The data structure shown in FIG 5B shows a series of data associated with a facility ID 510 and stored in the server storage unit 42. The facility ID 510 is information for identifying a facility. The series of data includes, for example, a facility name 511 , an area 512, a food genre 513, business days 514, business hours 515, an e-mail address 516, and the like. The above-described series of data is illustrative, and may include another piece of information regarding a facility.

[0058] The facility name 51 1 is information that indicates the name of a facility. The area 512 is information that indicates an area in which a facility is arranged and a hierarchical structure for expressing the area. For example, the hierarchical structure of the area 512 is composed of (prefectures, large area category, medium area category, small area category). The food genre 513 is information that indicates a food that is provided at a facility and a hierarchical structure for expressing the food. For example, the hierarchical structure of the food genre 513 is composed of (large food genre category, small food genre category). The business days 514 is information that indicates days on which the service of a facility is provided. The business hours 515 is information that indicates hours in which the service of a facility is provided. The e-mail address 516 is information that indicates a destination to which the server 4 transmits a request signal to the facility terminal 3. The request signal is a signal that is transmitted in order for an organizing user to require the manager of a facility to propose a service. The area 512, the food genre 513, the business days 514 and the business hours 515 are examples of a plurality of service contents that are provided at each facility.

[0059] FIG 6A is a view that shows an example of the data structure of the requirement management table. [0060] The data structure shown in FIG 6A shows a series of data associated with a requirement ID 600 and stored in the server storage unit 42. The requirement ID 600 is information for identifying a requirement that an organizing user desires. The series of data includes, for example, a user ED 601, a desired area 602, a desired food genre 603, a desired date and time 604, the number of persons 605, a budget 606, the desired number of proposals received from facilities 607, a determined facility ID 608, and the like. The above-described series of data is illustrative, and may include another piece of information regarding a requirement.

[0061] The desired area 602 contains areas selected by an organizing user and the ranked choices of the organizing user for the selected areas. The desired food genre 603 contains food genres selected by an organizing user and the ranked choices of the organizing user for the selected food genres. The desired date and time 604 contains desired dates and times selected by an organizing user and the ranked choice of the organizing user for the selected desired dates and times. The number of persons 605 is the number of users who attend an event to be held. The budget 606 is a budget per person for an event. The desired number of proposals received from facilities 607 is information that indicates the upper limit of the number of proposal signals that the user terminal 2 can receive from the facility terminals 3. The determined facility ID 608 is information for identifying a facility determined as a facility at which an event is held. The desired area 602, the desired food genre 603 and the desired date and time 604 are examples of the plurality of service contents that the organizing user desires.

[0062] FIG. 6B is a view that shows an example of the data structure of the proposal management table.

[0063] The data structure shown in FIG 6B shows a series of data associated with a proposal ID 610 and stored in the server storage unit 42. The proposal ED 610 is identification information allocated to each proposal of a service proposed by the manager of a facility, that is the user of a facility terminal 3. The series of data includes, for example, a facility ID 611 , a requirement ID 612, a proposal message 613, and the like. The above-described series of data is illustrative, and may include another piece of information regarding a proposal. The proposal message 613 is a proposed content of a service, proposed by the manager of a facility.

[0064] FIG 7 and FIG 8 are views that show an example of the operation sequence of the matching system 1.

[0065] The operation sequence that will be described below is executed mainly by the user terminal processing unit 25, the facility terminal processing units 35 and the server processing unit 43 on the basis of programs that are stored in the user terminal storage unit 22, the facility terminal storage units 32 and the server storage unit 42 in advance in cooperation with the elements of the user terminal 2, facility terminals 3 and server 4.

[0066] Initially, in response to operation of the organizing user, the user terminal access unit 251 of the user terminal 2 logs into the server 4, and transmits a requirement setting page information acquisition request to the server 4 (step S I 00). The requirement setting page information acquisition request is a request for acquiring requirement setting page information. The requirement setting page information is information for displaying a requirement setting page (described later).

[0067] Subsequently, as the management unit 434 of the server 4 receives the requirement setting page information acquisition request from the user terminal 2, the management unit 434 transmits the requirement setting page information to the user terminal 2 (step S I 01 ). The requirement setting page information acquisition request contains the user ED of the organizing user. The management unit 434 consults the user management table, and identifies the user name of the organizing user who has transmitted the requirement setting page information acquisition request. The management unit 434 transmits the requirement setting page information to the user terminal 2. The requirement setting page information contains the identified user name of the organizing user, all the areas and all the food genres, which are shown in a hierarchical structure.

[0068] Subsequently, as the user terminal access unit 251 of the user terminal 2 receives the requirement setting page information from the server 4, the user terminal access unit 251 displays the requirement setting page on the user terminal display unit 24 on the basis of the received requirement setting page information (step SI 02).

[0069] FIG 9 is a view that shows an example of the requirement setting page that is displayed on the user terminal 2.

[0070] The requirement setting page contains an organizing user name 900, selection areas 901 to 903, pull-down menus 904, 905, 907, 909, a date and time addition button 906, an input box 908 and a set button 910.

[0071] The organizing user name 900 is the user name of the organizing user. The selection area 901 is an area for selecting a desired area. A top-level area category (for example, whole country) is displayed in the selection area 901 in an initial state. As the top-level area category has been selected by the organizing user, an area category (for example, Tokyo metropolis) lower than the top-level area category is expanded. Thus, the organizing user is allowed to select sequentially the top-level area category to lower-level area categories. In FIG 9, area categories are selected through operation of the organizing user in order of whole country, Tokyo metropolis, Iidabashi, Yotsuya and agurazaka, and Yotsuya. The pull-down menu 904 is an area for selecting a plurality of ranked choices for a plurality of service contents that the organizing user desires within the selected area category. In the pull-down menu 904, a first choice, a second choice, a third choice, and the like, are displayed as the plurality of ranked choices such that the first choice, the second choice, the third choice, and the like, are allowed to be specified.

[0072] The selection area 902 is an area for selecting a desired food genre. The top-level food genre category (for example, all) is displayed in the selection area 902 in an initial state. As the top-level food genre category is selected by the organizing user, the lower-level food genre category (for example, Italian and French) is expanded. Thus, the organizing user is allowed to sequentially select a food genre category in order from the top-level food genre category to the lower-level food genre category. In FIG 9, the food genre category is selected through operation of the organizing user in order of all foods, and Italian and French. The pull-down menu 905 is an area for selecting a plurality of ranked choices for a plurality of service contents that the organizing user desires within the selected food genre category. As well as the pull-down menu 904, a first choice, a second choice, a third choice, and the like, are displayed in the pull-down menu 905 as the plurality of ranked choices such that the first choice, the second choice, the third choice, and the like, are allowed to be specified.

[0073] The selection area 903 is an area for selecting a desired date and time. A desired date and a desired time are displayed in the selection area 903 as a desired date and time such that a desired date and a desired time are allowed to be specified. The date and time addition button 906 is a button for adding a desired date and time in the subsequent ranked choice, such as a second choice and a third choice.

[0074] The pull-down menu 907 is an area for selecting the number of users who attend an event. The number of users who attend an event is displayed in the pull-down menu 907 such that the number of users is allowed to be specified. The input box 908 is an area for inputting a budget per person. The pull-down menu 909 is an area for selecting the desired number of proposals received from facilities. The desired number of proposals received from facilities is displayed in the pull-down menu 909 such that the desired number of proposals received from facilities is allowed to be specified. The set button 910 is a button for setting the specified requirements.

[0075] Subsequently, as the organizing user depresses the set button 910 with the use of the user terminal operation unit 23, the user terminal access unit 251 transmits a requirement signal, indicating the requirements specified on the requirement setting page, to the server 4 (step S I 03). The requirement signal contains a plurality of service contents that the organizing user desires, the ranked choices of the organizing user for each service content of a service, the number of persons, a budget and the desired number of proposals received from facilities.

[0076] Subsequently, as the reception unit 431 of the server 4 receives the requirement signal from the user terminal 2, the extraction unit 432 extracts a first facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice (step S I 04). The extraction unit 432 identifies the plurality of service contents contained in the requirement signal, the ranked choices of the organizing user for each service content of a service, the number of persons, the budget and the desired number of proposals received from facilities. The extraction unit 432 newly generates a requirement ID, and stores the requirement ED in the requirement management table in association with the specified pieces of information. The extraction unit 432 consults the facility management table, and extracts the first facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice. The service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice are a combination of the service contents of which the ranked choice is the first choice. For example, in the case of the ranked choice set on the requirement setting page of FIG 9, a facility that provides a service of a combination of Yotsuya-sanchome station that is the first choice of the desired area, pasta that is the first choice of the desired food genre and 19:00, September 24, 2015 that is the first choice of desired date and time as the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice is extracted.

[0077] Subsequently, the transmission unit 433 consults the facility management table, identifies the e-mail address of the facility terminal 3 of the first facility extracted by the extraction unit 432, and transmits an e-mail to the identified e-mail address as a request signal for requiring a proposal of a service to the user (step S105). As the facility terminal message management unit 352 of the facility terminal 3 of the first facility receives the request signal from the server 4, the facility terminal message management unit 352 displays the pieces of information, contained in the received request signal, on the facility terminal display unit 34.

[0078] FIG 1 OA is a view that shows an example of an e-mail that is displayed on the facility terminal 3.

[0079] The request signal contains a destination 1000, requirements 1001 of the organizing user, request text 1002 and a URL 1003 for accessing the matching system 1. The e-mail contains the facility name of the facility as the destination 1000, the requirements input in FIG 9 as the requirements 1001 , a message that requires a proposal of a service as the request text 1002 and the URL 1003 for accessing in order to require a proposal of a service.

[0080] Subsequently, in accordance with operation of the manager, the facility terminal access unit 351 of the facility terminal 3 logs into the server 4, and transmits a requirement list page information acquisition request to the server 4 (step SI 06). The requirement list page information acquisition request is a request for acquiring requirement list page information. The requirement list page information is information for displaying a requirement list page (described later).

[0081] Subsequently, as the management unit 434 of the server 4 receives the requirement list page information acquisition request from the facility terminal 3, the management unit 434 transmits the requirement list page information to the facility terminal 3 (step S107). The requirement list page information acquisition request contains a facility ID. The management unit 434 consults the requirement management table and the facility management table, and extracts requirements that apply to the facility, that is, the facility terminal 3 of the first facility. The management unit 434 transmits the requirement list page information, containing the extracted requirements, to the facility terminal 3.

[0082] Subsequently, as the facility terminal access unit 351 of the facility terminal 3 receives the requirement list page information from the server 4, the facility terminal access unit 351 displays the requirement list page on the facility terminal display unit 34 on the basis of the received requirement list page information (step S I 08).

[0083] FIG 10B is a view that shows an example of the requirement list page that is displayed on the facility terminal 3.

[0084] The requirement list page contains requirements 1010, 1012 and propose buttons 101 1 , 1013 respectively for organizing users of which the requirements coincide with the service contents that are provided at the facility of the facility terminal 3.

[0085] The requirements 1010, 1012 both are requirements that the corresponding organizing user desires. The service contents that apply to the facility of the facility terminal 3 and the service contents that do not apply to the facility of the facility terminal 3 may be displayed so as to be distinguished from each other. For example, the service contents that apply to the facility of the facility terminal 3 may be displayed in boldface type or in color different from that of the service contents that do not apply to the facility (for example, red color). Thus, the manager of the facility is allowed to easily recognize that the organizing user expects which service, and is allowed to estimate the level of possibility at which the organizing user selects his or her own facility.

[0086] Subsequently, the facility terminal access unit 351 accepts input of a proposal of a service (step S I 09). When the propose button 1011 has been depressed through operation of the manager, the facility terminal access unit 351 displays a proposal input page for the requirements corresponding to the depressed propose button.

[0087] FIG I OC is a view that shows an example of a proposal input page that is displayed on the facility terminal 3.

[0088] Requirements 1020, a proposal message input box 1021 and a transmit button 1022 are displayed on the proposal input page.

[0089] Subsequently, as a proposal message for proposing a service to the user is input through operation of the manager of the facility and the transmit button 1022 is depressed, the facility terminal access unit 351 transmits a first proposal signal to the server 4 (step SI 10). The first proposal signal contains the proposal message and the requirement ID of the requirements of the organizing user to which a proposal is provided. The management unit 434 of the server 4 receives the first proposal signal from the facility terminal 3, and identifies the proposal message and the requirement ID, which are contained in the received first proposal signal. The management unit 434 newly generates a proposal ID, and stores the facility ID of the facility of the facility terminal 3 that has transmitted the first proposal signal, the identified proposal message and the identified requirement ID in the proposal management table in association with one another. The management unit 434 consults the facility management table, and identifies the facility name, area and food genre of the facility of the facility terminal 3 that has transmitted the first proposal signal. The management unit 434 generates a second proposal signal by incorporating the identified pieces of information into the received first proposal signal. The proposal message is an example of proposal information. Hereinafter, the proposal message may be referred to as proposal information.

[0090] Subsequently, the management unit 434 consults the user management table, identifies the e-mail address of the organizing user who desires the requirements corresponding to the requirement ID contained in the first proposal signal, and transmits an e-mail to the user terminal 2 at the identified e-mail address as the second proposal signal (step Si l l).

[0091] The management unit 434 determines whether the user terminal 2 has received second proposal signals in the desired number of proposals received from facilities. When the user terminal 2 has received second proposal signals in the desired number of proposals received from facilities, the management unit 434 does not transmit the second proposal signal to the user terminal 2, and transmits an error signal to the facility terminal 3. The management unit 434 consults the requirement management table, and identifies the desired number of proposals received from facilities for the requirement ID corresponding to the second proposal signal. The management unit 434 consults the proposal management table, counts the number of transmitted second proposal signals for the requirement ID corresponding to the second proposal signal, and determines whether the user terminal 2 has received the second proposal signal in the desired number of proposals received from facilities on the basis of whether the counted number has reached the desired number of proposals received from facilities. When the user terminal 2 has not received the second proposal signals in the desired number of proposals received from facilities, the management unit 434 transmits the second proposal signal to the user terminal 2. When the user terminal 2 has received the second proposal signals in the desired number of proposals received from facilities, the management unit 434 does not transmit the second proposal signal to the user terminal 2, and transmits an error signal to the facility terminal 3. Thus, it is possible to prevent the user terminal 2 from receiving second proposal signals over the desired number of proposals received from facilities.

[0092] As the user terminal message management unit 252 of the user terminal 2 receives the second proposal signal from the server 4, the user terminal message management unit 252 displays pieces of information, contained in the received second proposal signal, on the user terminal display unit 24.

[0093] FIG 11 A is a view that shows an example of an e-mail that is displayed on the user terminal 2.

[0094] The second proposal signal contains a destination 1 100, the facility name, area and food genre 1 101 of a facility that has provided a proposal, a proposal message 1102, request text 1103 and a URL 1104 for accessing the matching system 1. The e-mail contains the user name of the organizing user as the destination 1100, a proposal message input in FIG I OC as the proposal message 1102 of the facility, a message that requires the user to determine the facility as the request text 1 103, and the URL 1 104 for accessing the matching system 1 in order to determine the facility.

[0095] Subsequently, in accordance with operation of the organizing user, the user terminal access unit 251 of the user terminal 2 logs into the server 4, and transmits a proposal list page information acquisition request to the server 4 (step S I 12). The proposal list page information acquisition request is a request for acquiring proposal list page information. The proposal list page information is information for displaying a proposal list page (described later).

[0096] Subsequently, as the management unit 434 of the server 4 receives the proposal list page information acquisition request from the facility terminal 3, the management unit 434 transmits the proposal list page information to the user terminal 2 (step S I 13). The proposal list page information acquisition request contains the user ID of the organizing user. The management unit 434 consults the requirement management table and the proposal management table, and identifies the proposal message and the facility ID of the facility that has proposed the proposal message. The management unit 434 consults the facility management table, and identifies the facility name, area and food genre associated with the identified facility ED. The management unit 434 transmits the proposal list page information, containing the identified pieces of information, to the user terminal 2.

[0097] Subsequently, as the user terminal access unit 251 of the user terminal 2 receives the proposal list page information from the server 4, the user terminal access unit 251 displays the proposal list page on the user terminal display unit 24 on the basis of the received proposal list page information (step SI 14). [0098] FIG 1 IB is a view that shows an example of the proposal list page that is displayed on the user terminal 2.

[0099] The proposal list page contains sort by newest 1 1 10, sort by ranked choice 111 1 , a proposal 1112, a determine button 11 13, and the like. The proposal list page contains the facility name, area and food genre 1101 of the facility and the proposal message 1 102, displayed in FIG 11 A, as a proposal 11 12. The details of the sort by newest 1110, sort by ranked choice 1111 and determine button 1113 will be described later.

[0100] Subsequently, the management unit 434 of the server 4 repeatedly executes the process of determining whether a determination signal has been received from the user terminal 2 until a predetermined time elapses from transmission of the request signal (step S200). The predetermined time is, for example, two hours. Alternatively, the predetermined time may be, for example, two days. The determination signal is a signal that notifies that the organizing user has determined the facility. When the management unit 434 has not received the determination signal until the predetermined time elapses from transmission of the request signal, the management unit 434 proceeds with the process to step S201. When the management unit 434 has received the determination signal before the predetermined time elapses from transmission of the request signal, the management unit 434 ends the process of the operation sequence of FIG 8. Thus, when the facility has been already determined, the management unit 434 is able to prevent transmission of a request signal to another facility.

[0101] Subsequently, when the predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, the extraction unit 432 consults the facility management table, and extracts a second facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice from among the plurality of facilities (step S201). The service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice are a combination of a service content of which the ranked choice is a second choice and the remaining service contents of which the ranked choice is a first choice. For example, in the case of the requirements of the requirement setting page of FIG 9, a facility that provides a service of a combination of Yotsuya-sanchome station that is the first choice of the desired area, pizza that is the second choice of the desired food genre and 19:00 at September 24, 2015 that is the first choice of the desired date and time as the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice is extracted. In addition, a facility that provides a service of a combination of Yotsuya station that is the second choice of the desired area, pasta that is the first choice of the desired food genre and 19:00 at September 24, 2015 that is the first choice of the desired date and time as the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice is extracted.

[0102] Subsequently, the transmission unit 433 consults the facility management table, identifies the e-mail address of the facility terminal 3 of the extracted second facility, and transmits an e-mail as a request signal that requires a proposal of a service to the user at the identified e-mail address (step S202, step S203). The facility terminal 3 of each second facility, which has received the request signal, executes the processes shown in step S204 to step S209, or step S210 to step S215, with the server 4. The processes of step S204 to step S209 and the processes of step S210 to step S215 are similar to the processes of step SI 06 to step Si l l of FIG 7, so the detailed description is omitted.

[0103] Subsequently, in accordance with operation of the organizing user, the user terminal access unit 251 of the user terminal 2, as in the case of step SI 12 of FIG 7, logs into the server 4, and transmits the proposal list page information acquisition request to the server 4 (step S216).

[0104] Subsequently, as the management unit 434 of the server 4 receives the proposal list page information acquisition request from the user terminal 2 as in the case of step S I 13 of FIG 7, the management unit 434 transmits the proposal list page information to the user terminal 2 (step S217).

[0105] Subsequently, as the user terminal access unit 251 of the user terminal 2 receives the proposal list page information from the server 4, the user terminal access unit 251 displays the proposal list page on the user terminal display unit 24 on the basis of the received proposal list page information (step S218).

[0106] FIG l lC is a view that shows an example of the proposal list page that is displayed on the user terminal 2. [0107] The proposal list page contains sort by newest 1120, sort by ranked choice

1 121 , proposals 1 122, 1 124, 1 126, and determine buttons 1123, 1 125, 1 127.

[0108] Subsequently, the user terminal access unit 251 accepts input to determine a facility (step S219). As the sort by newest 1120 is selected through operation of the organizing user, the user terminal access unit 251 sorts the proposals 1122, 1 124, 1126 in the order in which the server 4 has received the proposal. The user terminal access unit 251 may sort the proposals 1 122, 1124, 1126 in descending order or sort the proposals

1122, 1124, 1 126 in ascending order. As the sort by ranked choice 1 121 is selected through operation of the organizing user, the user terminal access unit 251 sorts the proposals 1122, 1124, 1126 in order of the degree of matching of the proposal with the requirements that the organizing user desires. As any one of the determine buttons 1123, 1125, 1127 has been depressed through operation of the organizing user, the user terminal access unit 251 displays a determination page on the user terminal display unit 24. The determination page is used to determine a reservation for the facility corresponding to the depressed determine button.

[0109] FIG 1 ID is a view that shows an example of the determination page that is displayed on the user terminal 2.

[0110] The determination page contains information 1 130 about the reservation of the facility, input boxes 1 131 , 1 132 and a transmit button 1 133. The determination page contains a facility name, a desired date and time and the number of persons as the information 1130 about the reservation of the facility, contains an input area for inputting the phone number of the organizing user as the input box 1131 , and an input area for inputting a request message to the facility as the input box 1 132.

[0111] Subsequently, as the phone number of the organizing user is input to the input box 1 131 , the request message to the facility is input to the input box 1132 and the transmit button 1133 is depressed through operation of the organizing user, the user terminal access unit 251 transmits the determination signal to the server 4 (step S220). The determination signal contains the information about the reservation of the facility, the input phone number of the organizing user, the request message, and the facility ID of the facility corresponding to the determine button depressed in FIG 1 1 C.

[0112] Subsequently, as the management unit 434 of the server 4 receives the determination signal from the user terminal 2, the management unit 434 determines the facility (step S221). The management unit 434 identifies the information about the reservation of the facility, the phone number of the organizing user, the request message and the facility ED of the facility corresponding to the determine button, contained in the determination signal. The management unit 434 stores the identified facility ED in the requirement management table in association with the requirement ED of the requirements of the organizing user. The management unit 434 consults the facility management table, and identifies the e-mail address of the facility terminal of the facility of the identified facility ID. The management unit 434 transmits the information about the reservation of the identified facility, the phone number of the organizing user and the request message to the e-mail address of the identified facility terminal. Thus, the manager of the facility is allowed to confirm that the facility has been reserved by the organizing user, and is allowed to contact the organizing user for confirmation of reservation, or the like, with the use of the phone number of the organizing user.

[0113] When the determination signal has not been received even when the predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal in step S202 or step S203, the extraction unit 432 of the server 4 extracts a facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice, and transmits an e-mail as the request signal to the facility terminal of the extracted facility. In this way, when the determination signal has not been received even when the predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, the server 4 sequentially expands the range of facilities to which the request signal is transmitted, and sequentially repeatedly transmits the request signal to the facility terminal of a facility of which the ranked choice is the second highest.

[0114] In this way, the server 4 sequentially transmits the request signal at predetermined time intervals in order from the facility terminal of a facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the processing load that is exerted on the server 4 at a time. In addition, the server 4 automatically sequentially expands the requirements without a burden on the organizing user, so it is possible to efficiently find a facility that satisfies requirements that the organizing user desires.

[0115] When the predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal to the facility terminal 3 of the first facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, the server 4 transmits the request signal to the facility terminal 3 of the second facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice. In accordance with operation of the manager of the first facility on the facility terminal 3, the facility terminal 3 transmits a proposal signal, which proposes a service corresponding to the request signal, to the user terminal 2 via the server 4. Before the predetermined time elapses from when the server 4 transmits the request signal to the facility terminal 3 of the first facility, the request signal is transmitted to only the facility terminal 3 of the first facility, and is not transmitted to the facility terminal 3 of the second facility.

[0116] For this reason, before the predetermined time elapses from when the server 4 transmits the request signal to the first facility, the user terminal 2 receives a proposal signal, which proposes a service, from only the facility terminal 3 of the first facility. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the processing load that is exerted on the server 4 at a time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation that the number of proposal signals that the user terminal 2 has received from the facility terminals 3 of the second facilities by the time the predetermined time elapses from when the server 4 transmits the request signal to the first facility reaches the desired number of proposals received from facilities. For this reason, the organizing user is allowed to more easily find a facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice.

[0117] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG 1 to FIG 11 D. For example, the embodiment may be modified or changed as described below.

[0118] (1) In the process of step S200 of FIG 8, the management unit 434 may consult the requirement management table, and may vary the predetermined time in response to the remaining days from the present time to the first-choice desired date and time of the requirements received in the process of step SI 03 of FIG 7. In this case, the management unit 434 varies the predetermined time such that the predetermined time shortens as the remaining days from the present time to the first-choice desired date and time of the requirements is shorter, and varies the predetermined time such that the predetermined time extends as the remaining days from the present time to the first-choice desired date and time of the requirements is longer. For example, when the remaining days from the present time to the first-choice desired date and time of the requirements is shorter than a threshold (for example, one week), the management unit 434 varies the predetermined time to two hours. On the other hand, when the remaining days from the present time to the first-choice desired date and time of the requirements is longer than or equal to the threshold, the management unit 434 varies the predetermined time to two days. A plurality of the thresholds may be provided.

[0119] Therefore, even when the remaining days to the first-choice desired date and time is short, the server 4 automatically changes the requirements in the predetermined time varied to shorten, so the organizing user is allowed to efficiently find a facility that satisfies other requirements. On the other hand, the server 4 extends the predetermined time when the remaining days to the first-choice desired date and time is long, so the organizing user is allowed to find a facility that provides the first-choice service contents after due consideration. In this way, the management unit 434 is able to set the predetermined time to an appropriate time commensurate with the remaining days to the first-choice desired date and time.

[0120] (2) The management unit 434 may vary the predetermined time of step S200 of FIG 8 in response to the number of facilities extracted in the process of step SI 04 of FIG 7. In this case, the management unit 434 varies the predetermined time such that the predetermined time shortens as the number of extracted facilities increases, and varies the predetermined time such that the predetermined time extends as the number of extracted facilities reduces. For example, the management unit 434 varies the predetermined time to two hours when the number of extracted facilities is larger than or equal to a threshold (for example, 50), and varies the predetermined time to two days when the number of extracted facilities is smaller than the threshold (for example, 50). A plurality of the thresholds may be provided.

[0121] Therefore, when the number of facilities that provide the first-choice service contents is large, the organizing user is allowed to efficiently find a facility that satisfies other requirements before the number of second proposal signals that are received by the user terminal 2 reaches the desired number of proposals received from facilities. On the other hand, when the number of facilities that provide the first-choice service contents is small, the probability that the management unit 434 receives a first proposal signal from the facility terminal 3 decreases. Thus, without the number of second proposal signals that are received by the user terminal 2 reaching the desired number of proposals received from facilities, the organizing user is allowed to find a facility that provides the first-choice service contents after due consideration. In this way, the management unit 434 is able to set the predetermined time to an appropriate time commensurate with the number of facilities that provide the first-choice service contents.

[0122] (3) The management unit 434 may vary the predetermined time of step S200 of FIG 8 in response to the number of first proposal signals received from the facility terminals in the process of step S 1 10 of FIG 7. In this case, the management unit 434 varies the predetermined time such that the predetermined time shortens as the number of first proposal signals received increases, and varies the predetermined time such that the predetermined time extends as the number of first proposal signals received reduces. For example, when the number of first proposal signals received is larger than or equal to a threshold (for example, seventy percent of the desired number of proposals received from facilities) at the time when a predetermined percentage of the predetermined time (for example, a half of the predetermined time) has elapsed, the management unit 434 varies the remainder of the predetermined time to two hours. On the other hand, when the number of first proposal signals received is smaller than the threshold (for example, seventy percent of the desired number of proposals received from facilities) at the time when the predetermined percentage of the predetermined time has elapsed, the management unit 434 varies the remainder of the predetermined time to two days. A plurality of the thresholds may be provided.

[0123] Therefore, when the number of first proposal signals received is large, the organizing user is allowed to efficiently find a facility that satisfies other requirements before the number of second proposal signals that are received by the user terminal 2 reaches the desired number of proposals received from facilities. On the other hand, when the number of first proposal signals received is small, the organizing user is allowed to find a facility that provides the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice after due consideration without the number of second proposal signals that are received by the user terminal 2 reaching the desired number of proposals received from facilities. In this way, the management unit 434 is able to set the predetermined time to an appropriate time commensurate with the number of first proposal signals received.

[0124] (4) When there are a plurality of desired dates and times, the proposal input page of FIG IOC may display the plurality of desired dates and times so as to allow the manager to propose which date and time among the plurality of desired dates and times. Similarly, when there are a plurality of desired dates and times, the determination page of FIG 1 ID may display the plurality of desired dates and times so as to allow the organizing user to determine a facility of which date and time among the plurality of desired dates and times. Thus, the user terminal access unit 251 or the facility terminal access unit 351 is able to identify a proposal or determination for which desired date and time among the plurality of desired dates and times.

[0125] FIG 12A is a view that shows an example of another proposal input page that is displayed on the facility terminal 3.

[0126] This proposal input page contains check boxes 1200, 1201. The check boxes 1200, 1201 are selection areas for providing a proposal for which date and time between the first-choice desired date and time and the second-choice desired date and time. As one of the check boxes is selected and the transmit button 1203 is depressed through operation of the manager of the facility, the facility terminal access unit 351 transmits the first proposal signal to the user terminal 2 via the server 4 with the desired date and time corresponding to the selected check box being contained in the first proposal signal.

[0127] FIG 12B is a view that shows an example of another determination page that is displayed on the user terminal 2.

[0128] This determination page contains radio buttons 1210, 1211. The radio buttons 1210, 1211 are selection areas for determining a facility for which date and time between the first-choice desired date and time and the second-choice desired date and time. As one of the radio buttons is selected and the transmit button 1214 is depressed through operation of the organizing user of the user terminal 2, the user terminal access unit 251 transmits the determination signal to the facility terminal 3 of the determined facility via the server 4 with the desired date and time corresponding to the selected radio button being contained in the determination signal.

[0129] (5) In the proposal list page shown in FIG 11C, bonus information may be added to proposal information of a service, transmitted from the facility terminal 3 of a facility (second facility, third facility, ...) other than the first facility that provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice. The bonus is, for example, points that may be used to pay a fee for a service of a facility, rate discount or price discount of a fee that is paid for a service of a facility, providing a free service from a facility, or the like. The free service is, for example, one drink free, novelty goods present, or the like.

[0130] The process of adding bonus information is executed by the management unit 434 of the server 4 in step S217 shown in FIG 8. For example, the management unit 434 initially consults the requirement management table and the proposal management table, and identifies the proposal message transmitted to the organizing user and the facility ID of the facility that has proposed the proposal message. Subsequently, the management unit 434 determines whether the identified proposal message provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice. Subsequently, when the management unit 434 determines that the identified proposal message does not provide a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, the management unit 434 automatically adds predetermined bonus information to the identified proposal message. When the management unit 434 determines that the identified proposal message provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, the management unit 434 does not add the predetermined bonus information to the identified proposal message. Then, the management unit 434 creates proposal list page information. The proposal list page information contains proposal information of a service, transmitted from the first facility, and proposal information of a service, transmitted from a facility (second facility, third facility, ...) other than the first facility and to which the bonus information has been added.

[0131] In the above-described alternative embodiment (5), the management unit 434 may vary the bonus information to be added to the proposal information of the service, transmitted from the facility other than the first facility, in response to the number of facilities extracted in the process of step SI 04 shown in FIG 7. For example, the management unit 434 adds the bonus information to the proposal information of the service, transmitted from the facility other than the first facility, when the number of facilities extracted in the process of step SI 04 is smaller than a first predetermined number. Thus, the organizing user is allowed to prevent a situation that bonus information is intentionally acquired by selecting the facility other than the first facility although the number of the extracted first facilities is larger than or equal to the first predetermined number. The management unit 434 may change the bonus information to be added to the proposal information of the service, transmitted from the facility other than the first facility, to less valuable bonus information as the number of facilities extracted in the process of step SI 04 is larger.

[0132] In the above-described alternative embodiment (5), the management unit 434 may vary the bonus information to be added to the proposal information of the service, transmitted from the facility other than the first facility, in response to the number of the first proposal signals received in the process of step SI 10 shown in FIG 7. For example, when the number of the first proposal signals received in the process of step SI 10 is smaller than a second predetermined number, the management unit 434 adds the bonus information to the proposal information of the service, transmitted from the facility other than the first facility. Thus, the organizing user is allowed to prevent a situation that bonus information is intentionally acquired by selecting the facility other than the first facility although the number of the extracted first facilities is larger than or equal to the second predetermined number. The management unit 434 may change the bonus information to be added to the proposal information of the service, transmitted from the facility other than the first facility, to less valuable bonus information as the number of the first proposal signals received in the process of step SI 10 is larger.

[0133] In the above-described alternative embodiment (5), when the bonus information has been added to the proposal information of the service, transmitted from the facility other than the first facility, the management unit 434 determines an introduction commission that is charged to the facility of the proposal information at the time when the proposal information to which the bonus information has been added is selected by the organizing user. The introduction commission is a commission that the manager of a facility pays to an operating manager who operates the server 4 at the time when the organizing user makes a reservation for the facility and the organizing user has actually utilized a service of the reserved facility. For example, when the introduction commission per person is 80 yen/person, and when the number of users who have utilized a service of the facility is four, 320 yen obtained by multiplying the introduction commission "80 yen/person" by the number of people utilized "4" is paid from the manager of the facility to the operating manager who operates the server 4.

[0134] In the process of determining the introduction commission, when the proposal information to which the bonus information has been added is selected by the organizing user, the management unit 434 initially receives, from the user terminal 2, selection information indicating that one of pieces of proposal information, contained in proposal list page information, has been selected. Subsequently, the management unit 434 identifies the facility of the selected proposal information indicated in the selection information. Then, the management unit 434 determines the introduction commission that is charged to the identified facility of the proposal information in response to the bonus information. For example, the management unit 434 discounts a price equivalent to the bonus information added to the selected proposal information from the introduction commission that is charged to the facility of the selected proposal information. In this case, the facility does not pay part of the introduction commission, corresponding to a reduction in the amount of sales due to the bonus information, so it is possible to prevent a reduction of intention to utilize the matching system 1.

[0135] (6) The service contents may further include persistence or coupon. The persistence or coupon is information that indicates the persistence of the organizing user. The persistence or coupon is displayed in parallel with the area or food genre of a facility. The persistence or coupon is information having a hierarchical structure as well as the area or food genre of a facility. The top-level category of the persistence or coupon includes budget, business hours, persistence, and the like. The lower-level category of the budget includes 1000 yen to 2000 yen, 2000 yen to 3000 yen, and the like. The lower-level category of the business hours includes staying open until late at night, staying open until morning, Sunday openings, and the like. The lower-level category of the persistence includes equipment, menu, drink, coupon, and the like. The lower-level category of the equipment includes sunken table heater seat, private room, with parking lot, and the like. The lower-level category of the menu includes all-you-can-eat menu, all-you-can-drink menu, lunch menu, and the like. The lower-level category of the drink includes stick to wine, stick to Japanese sake, stick to beer, and the like. The lower-level category of the coupon includes coupon available, points accumulate, and the like.

[0136] Thus, the extraction unit 432 extracts a first facility that provides a service that satisfies the requirement of persistence or coupon that is the highest ranked choice as the service content. The extraction unit 432 extracts a second facility that provides a service that satisfies the requirement of persistence or coupon that is the second highest ranked choice as the service content. Thus, the organizing user is allowed to specify ranked choices for various service contents, so the convenience of the organizing user improves.

[0137] (7) The computer program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the user terminal processing unit 25, facility terminal processing unit 35 and server processing unit 43 may be provided such that the computer program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a magnetic recording medium and an optical recording medium.

[0138] Persons skilled in the art understand that various modifications, replacements and changes are allowed to be added to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A control method for a server (4) including a storage unit (42), the control method characterized by comprising:

storing service information in the storage unit for each of a plurality of facilities, the service information indicating a plurality of service contents that are provided at each of the facilities;

receiving, from a user terminal (2), a plurality of service contents that a user desires and ranked choices of the user for each service content;

extracting a first facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities;

transmitting, to a facility terminal (3) of the extracted first facility, a request signal that requires a proposal of a service to the user;

when a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, extracting a second facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; and transmitting the request signal to a facility terminal (3) of the extracted second facility.

2. The control method according to claim 1 , wherein

the service contents include a food genre that is provided at each facility and at least one of an area in which each facility is arranged, a date and time at which a service of each facility is provided, and persistence or coupon.

3. The control method according to claim 2, further comprising:

varying the predetermined time in response to remaining days to a date and time at which the service is provided.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein

the predetermined time is shortened as the remaining days to the date and time at which the service is provided is shorter, and the predetermined time is extended as the remaining days to the date and time at which the service is provided is longer.

5. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: varying the predetermined time in response to the number of the extracted first facilities or the number of proposal signals received from the facility terminals for proposing a service to the user.

6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein

the predetermined time is shortened as the number of the extracted first facilities or the number of proposal signals received from the facility terminals for proposing a service to the user increases, and the predetermined time is extended as the number of the extracted first facilities or the number of proposal signals received from the facility terminals for proposing a service to the user reduces.

7. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein

the request signal contains the ranked choices.

8. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: adding bonus information to proposal information of a service, transmitted from the second facility that has received the request signal.

9. The control method according to claim 8, further comprising: transmitting, to the user terminal, proposal list page information containing proposal information, transmitted from the first facility that has received the request signal, and the proposal information, transmitted from the second facility and to which the bonus information has been added.

10. The control method according to claim 9, wherein

in adding the bonus information, the bonus information is varied in response to the number of the extracted first facilities or the number of proposal signals received from the facility terminals for proposing a service to the user.

11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein

in adding the bonus information, when the number of the extracted first facilities is smaller than a first predetermined number, the bonus information is added to the proposal information transmitted from the second facility.

12. The control method according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein

in adding the bonus information, when the number of proposal signals received from the facility terminals for proposing a service to the user is smaller than a second predetermined number, the bonus information is added to the proposal information transmitted from the second facility.

13. The control method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising: receiving, from the user terminal, selection information that indicates that one of pieces of proposal information contained in the proposal list page information has been selected; and determining a commission that is charged to the facility of the selected proposal information, indicated by the received selection information.

14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein

in determining the commission, when the facility of the selected proposal information is the second facility, the commission is determined in response to the added bonus information.

15. A server (4) characterized by comprising:

a storage unit (42) that stores service information for each of a plurality of facilities, the service information indicating a plurality of service contents that are provided at each of the facilities;

a reception unit (431) that receives, from a user terminal (2), a plurality of service contents that a user desires and ranked choices of the user for each service content;

an extraction unit (432) that extracts a first facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities; and

a transmission unit (433) that transmits, to a facility terminal of the extracted first facility, a request signal that requires a proposal of a service to the user, wherein

the extraction unit, when a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission of the request signal, extracts a second facility, which provides a service of the service contents that correspond to the second highest ranked choice, from among the plurality of facilities, and

the transmission unit transmits the request signal to a facility terminal (3) of the extracted second facility.

16. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for a server (4) including a storage unit (42), the control program causing the server to execute instructions for: