JP7683958B2 - System, server device, information providing method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system, a server device, an information providing method and a storage medium.

In recent years, advances in communication and information processing technologies have made it possible for users to enjoy a variety of services. For example, there are communication services that allow a user to ask a question to an unspecified number of other users and receive answers.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes that information that is more relevant to what a visitor to an area wants to know is provided to the visitor. The method of Patent Document 1 is an information providing method for providing answers to questions about an area, and obtains multiple answer area information related to the answer area to be answered from multiple terminals that satisfy a predetermined condition. In this method, question area information related to the question area to be the subject of the question and question information indicating the content of the question are obtained from one terminal that satisfies the predetermined condition. In this method, one or more destination terminals to which the question information is transmitted are identified from the multiple terminals based on the multiple answer area information and the question area information. In this method, the question information is transmitted to the one or more destination terminals, and one or more answer information indicating the content of the answer to the content of the question indicated by the question information is obtained from at least one of the one or more destination terminals. Furthermore, in this method, one or more answer information is transmitted to the one terminal.

Patent Document 2 describes a system that provides a system for matching more appropriate respondents in a system where users engage in question-and-answer sessions. The posting server of Patent Document 2 receives and stores posting data including an arbitrary message and first location information, which is location information of the first user terminal, from a first user terminal. The second user terminal acquires a question text written in natural language, and transmits a question set consisting of the question text and second location information indicating a location associated with the question text to a management server. The management server acquires multiple posting data stored in the posting server, and when receiving a question set from a second user terminal, determines an answer candidate who is a candidate who will answer the question based on a result of comparing the second location information included in the question set with the first location information included in the posting data, and the question text with the message included in the posting data, and transfers the question text to the first user terminal owned by the extracted answer candidate.

Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a form of active information provision from a server to a user terminal.

JP 2018-206338 A JP 2015-075780 A JP 2020-129354 A

As mentioned above, advances in communication technology and information processing technology have created an environment in which users can obtain useful information from an unspecified number of users. However, the information obtained from an unspecified number of users may differ from the information the user truly needs or from information that is truly useful to the user. Specifically, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, respondents who answer questions from other users are selected based on the area in which they are staying. However, if the selected respondent is only staying in the area temporarily, the respondent cannot provide truly useful information in response to the questioner's question.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a system, server device, information providing method and storage medium that contribute to providing more appropriate information to users seeking information.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including a server device, a first terminal that transmits a question message including location information and question content of a first user to the server device, and a second terminal possessed by each of a plurality of second users, wherein the server device extracts at least one or more third users residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among the plurality of second users, transmits a request message including the question content to the second terminals of the at least one or more third users, the second terminals of the at least one or more third users transmit an answer message including an answer to the question content to the server device, and the server device transmits the answer message to the first terminal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a server device is provided that includes a communication control unit that controls communication with other devices, and a question and answer control unit that receives a question message including location information and question content of a first user from a first terminal, extracts at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users, transmits a request message including the question content to the second terminals of the at least one third user, receives an answer message including an answer to the question content from the second terminals of the at least one third user, and transmits the answer message to the first terminal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information provision method in which a server device receives a question message including location information and question content of a first user from a first terminal, extracts from a plurality of second users at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user, transmits a request message including the question content to the second terminals of the at least one third user, receives an answer message including an answer to the question content from the second terminals of the at least one third user, and transmits the answer message to the first terminal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute the following processes: receiving a question message including location information and question content of a first user from a first terminal; extracting at least one or more third users residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users; sending a request message including the question content to the second terminals of the at least one or more third users; receiving an answer message including an answer to the question content from the second terminals of the at least one or more third users; and sending the answer message to the first terminal.

According to each aspect of the present invention, a system, a server device, an information providing method, and a storage medium are provided that contribute to providing information more suitable to a user who requests information. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information providing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information providing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the local supporter registration unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of table information that stores addresses and area names in association with each other. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a local supporter database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a contact information database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a message exchange unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the question and answer control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of table information that stores areas in association with coordinate ranges that define the areas. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of the tourist terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of the supporter terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the response control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information providing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a message exchange unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a subject of interest database according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the question control unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a server device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tourist database according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a message exchange unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a tourist terminal according to the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the push message processor according to the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the answer control unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a tourist terminal according to a modified example of the present disclosure. FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a tourist terminal according to a modified example of the present disclosure. FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a tourist terminal according to a modified example of the present disclosure.

First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. The reference numbers in the drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example to aid in understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units rather than hardware units. The connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional. The unidirectional arrows are used to show the main signal (data) flow diagrammatically, and do not exclude bidirectionality. In this specification and drawings, elements that can be described in the same way may be given the same reference numbers to avoid duplicated explanations.

The system according to one embodiment includes a server device 101, a first terminal 102, and a second terminal 103 (see FIG. 1). The first terminal 102 transmits a question message including the location information and question of the first user to the server device 101. The second terminal 103 is a terminal owned by each of the multiple second users. The server device 101 extracts at least one or more third users who reside in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among the multiple second users. The server device 101 transmits a request message including the question to the second terminal 103 of at least one or more third users. The second terminal 103 of at least one or more third users transmits an answer message including the answer to the question to the server device 101. The server device 101 transmits the answer message to the first terminal 102.

A first user (e.g., a tourist) inquires of the server device 101 about the information he or she wants to know about a tourist spot. The server device 10 requests a resident of the tourist spot (a third user) to answer the inquiry (question). The resident of the tourist spot is familiar with the information about the tourist spot and can answer the information that the tourist really wants to know. Therefore, the tourist can easily obtain the information that he or she really wants to know. In other words, the server device 101 can provide information that is more suitable for the tourist (user) who is requesting information. In this way, the server device 101 does not set a user who is simply staying at the tourist spot as the answerer to the question, but sets a resident who lives in the area that includes the tourist spot as the answerer. As a result, more useful and more suitable information is provided to the questioner (tourist).

Specific embodiments are described in further detail below with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[System Configuration]
2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the information providing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information providing system includes a server device 10.

The server device 10 provides users with the ability to connect with others. The server device 10 realizes what is known as a social networking service (SNS).

Users send and receive text, photos, videos, etc. to and from other people via the server device 10. The server device 10 enables message exchange between users. In addition, users may receive information from organizations such as companies and local governments via the server device 10.

The server device 10 has a function of providing information in response to a request from a user. More specifically, the server device 10 accepts questions from a user and answers the questions. Questions and answers are sent and received via SNS.

In the first embodiment, a case is described in which a tourist asks a question to the server device 10 and the server device 10 answers the question.

For example, when a tourist arrives at a tourist destination, he or she uses the tourist terminal 20 he or she carries to input a question such as "What would you recommend for lunch?" to the server device 10 (see the top row of Figure 3). At that time, the tourist terminal 20 notifies the server device 10 of its current location (location information, coordinate information).

The server device 10 identifies the tourist destination (area) that the tourist is visiting based on the current location acquired from the tourist terminal 20. In the example of Figure 2, the server device 10 identifies whether the tourist is asking the question from area A or area B.

Once the tourist destination (area) visited by the tourist has been identified, the server device 10 requests a local supporter to answer the tourist's questions.

A local supporter is a resident who lives in an area of a specified unit (specified range) and who has registered in advance in the system that he or she is willing to support tourists (willing to provide information, willing to answer questions). Each local supporter possesses a terminal. In the example of Figure 2, the local supporters in area A possess supporter terminals 30-1 to 30-3, and the local supporters in area B possess supporter terminals 30-4 to 30-6. Local supporters can also be called citizen supporters.

In the following explanation, unless there is a particular reason to distinguish between the supporter terminals 30-1 to 30-6, they will simply be referred to as "supporter terminal 30."

As described above, when a question is received from a tourist, the server device 10 requests a local supporter to answer the question. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, when a tourist is visiting area A, the server device 10 requests a local supporter living in area A to answer the tourist's question.

More specifically, the server device 10 sends tourists' questions to supporter terminals 30-1 to 30-3 carried by regional supporters in region A and requests answers to the questions.

When the server device 10 receives a response from each regional supporter, it notifies the tourist of the response. Specifically, the server device 10 transmits the response obtained from each regional supporter to the tourist terminal 20. The tourist terminal 20 outputs the response obtained from each regional supporter (see FIG. 3).

The tourist will act based on the provided answer. In the example of Figure 3, the tourist selects a restaurant of his/her choice and heads to eat. At that time, the tourist may operate the tourist terminal 20 to notify the server device 10 of the answer he/she used as reference. In the example of Figure 3, the tourist presses the "Reference" button corresponding to the answer he/she used as reference.

In response to pressing the button, the server device 10 stores and manages the regional supporters who have provided useful information to tourists. The server device 10 manages the evaluation of the regional supporters using "evaluation points."

Next, we will explain in detail each device included in the information provision system related to the first embodiment.

Here, we will omit an explanation of the preparations that users (tourists, local supporters) make to use the SNS. SNS users are assigned a user ID (identifier). For example, user A is assigned a user ID such as "ID01", and user B is assigned a user ID such as "ID02". The terminals owned by each user (tourist terminal 20, supporter terminal 30) store the owner's user ID and the user IDs of others (e.g., friends). In addition, the server device 10 stores the user ID in association with the contact information (e.g., telephone number, email address, SNS (Social Networking Service) account, etc.) of the terminal owned by the user corresponding to the user ID.

[Server device]
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 10 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 4, the server device 10 includes a communication control unit 201, a local supporter registration unit 202, a message exchange unit 203, a local supporter management unit 204, and a storage unit 205.

The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the tourist terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the tourist terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 passes the data received from the other devices to the other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits the data acquired from the other processing modules to the other devices. In this way, the other processing modules transmit and receive data with the other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to the other devices.

The local supporter registration unit 202 is a means for realizing the registration of a local supporter. When a user (a user who intends to become a local supporter) presses a specific button or the like displayed on the supporter terminal 30, the local supporter registration unit 202 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the supporter terminal 30 for performing local supporter registration.

For example, the regional supporter registration unit 202 displays a GUI such as that shown in FIG. 5 on the supporter terminal 30.

The local supporter operates the supporter terminal 30 to input personal information such as name, age, gender, and address. Note that the local supporter does not need to register personal information such as name and gender in the system. The local supporter only needs to register at least their address in the server device 10.

The regional supporter registration unit 202 obtains the user's user ID from the supporter terminal 30 along with the above personal information.

The regional supporter registration unit 202 converts the acquired address into a region. The regional supporter registration unit 202 refers to table information that stores addresses and region names in correspondence with each other, and converts the address of the regional supporter into a predetermined region (see FIG. 6).

The regional supporter registration unit 202 stores the acquired user ID, the region converted from the address, personal information, etc. in a regional supporter database in association with each other (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7, the regional supporter database stores the user ID, area of responsibility, evaluation points, and personal information (attribute information) in association with each other. Note that the regional supporter database shown in FIG. 7 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, a "face image" may be registered in the regional supporter database as biometric information.

In this way, the local supporter registration unit 202 registers a user (second user) who is willing to support a tourist (first user) in the system as a "local supporter." The local supporter registration unit 202 also acquires at least the address of the local supporter, converts the acquired address into the area of responsibility, and registers the address in the local supporter database.

The message exchange unit 203 is a means for realizing message exchange between users. The message exchange unit 203 receives a message from a terminal, which includes the user ID of the message sender, the user ID of the message destination, content (text, photos, videos, etc.), etc.

The message exchange unit 203 refers to a contact information database such as that shown in FIG. 8 configured in the memory unit 205, and acquires contact information (email address, SNS account, etc. of the message destination) corresponding to the user ID of the message destination. The message exchange unit 203 transmits text, photos, videos, etc. to the acquired contact information.

Here, the messages processed by the server device 10 include three messages in addition to the normal messages sent and received between users.

The first message is a question message that a tourist asks the server device 10.

The second message is a request message in which the server device 10 requests a response from a local supporter.

The third message is a reply message in which the tourist answers the question.

The question message includes a question flag that indicates that the message is a question message. In the question message, the user ID of the questioner (tourist) is set as the message sender ID, and nothing is set as the message destination ID (the message destination ID is blank). The question message also includes the current location of the questioner (tourist terminal 20) and the content of the question.

The request message includes a request flag that indicates that the message is a request message. In the request message, the tourist's user ID is set as the message sender ID, and the regional supporter's user ID is set as the message destination ID. The request message also includes a question.

The reply message includes a reply flag that indicates that the message is a reply message. In the reply message, the user ID of the respondent (regional supporter) is set as the ID of the message sender, and the user ID of the questioner (tourist) is set as the ID of the message destination. The reply message also includes the content of the reply.

The message exchange unit 203 has a submodule called the question and answer control unit 211 (see Figure 9). The question and answer control unit 211 is a means for processing question messages, request messages, and answer messages. The question and answer control unit 211 is a means for controlling questions from tourists and answers from local supporters.

When the message exchange unit 203 receives a question message and an answer message, it passes these messages to the question and answer control unit 211. Note that since the request message is a message sent from the server device 10 to the supporter terminal 30, the message exchange unit 203 does not receive the message.

The operation of the question and answer control unit 211 will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the question and answer control unit 211.

The question and answer control unit 211 determines whether the flag set in the message is a question flag (step S101). If the question flag is set, the question and answer control unit 211 executes the processing from step S102 onwards.

When a question message is received (step S101, Yes branch), the question and answer control unit 211 identifies the area corresponding to the tourist's visited place based on the current location included in the question message (step S102). For example, the question and answer control unit 211 refers to table information that stores an area in association with a coordinate range that defines the area, and identifies the corresponding area (see FIG. 11).

The question and answer control unit 211 searches the local supporter database using the identified area as a key and extracts local supporters living in the area (step S103).

The question and answer control unit 211 generates a request message to be sent to the extracted regional supporters (step S104). The question and answer control unit 211 sets a request flag in the flag storage area of the message, sets the tourist's user ID as the message sender ID, and sets the user ID of each regional supporter as the message destination ID. The question and answer control unit 211 also transcribes the question content included in the question message into the request message.

The question and answer control unit 211 extracts the tourist's user ID to be set in the request message from the question message. More specifically, the question and answer control unit 211 extracts the ID of the message sender of the question message as the tourist's user ID. The question and answer control unit 211 also generates the same number of request messages as the number of regional supporters extracted above.

The question and answer control unit 211 sends the generated request message to each regional supporter (step S105).

As described above, the messages received by the question and answer control unit 211 are of two types: question messages and answer messages. Therefore, if the judgment result of step S101 is "No", the question and answer control unit 211 has received an answer message.

If an answer message is received (step S101, No branch), the question and answer control unit 211 transfers the message to the tourist terminal 20 (step S106).

The regional supporter management unit 204 is a means for managing regional supporters. More specifically, the regional supporter management unit 204 receives a reference notification regarding the regional supporter's answer from the tourist and processes the notification. More specifically, the regional supporter management unit 204 receives an "answer reference notification" from the tourist terminal 20.

The answer reference notification includes the user ID of the respondent (local supporter) whose answer the tourist used as reference. The local supporter management unit 204 searches the local supporter database using the user ID as a key. The local supporter management unit 204 adds "1" to the setting value in the evaluation point field of the local supporter identified by the search.

The regional supporter management unit 204 also controls point inquiries from regional supporters. When the regional supporter management unit 204 receives a "point inquiry" (described later), it searches the regional supporter database using the user ID included in the inquiry as a key, and identifies the corresponding regional supporter. The regional supporter management unit 204 transmits a response including the evaluation points of the identified regional supporter to the supporter terminal 30.

The memory unit 205 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the server device 10. The memory unit 205 includes a regional supporter database, a contact information database, etc.

[Tourist terminal]
The tourist terminal 20 is a first terminal that transmits a question message including the location information and question content of the tourist (first user) to the server device 10.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the tourist terminal 20 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Figure 12, the tourist terminal 20 comprises a communication control unit 301, a question control unit 302, and a memory unit 303.

The communication control unit 301 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 301 receives data (packets) from the server device 10. The communication control unit 301 also transmits data to the server device 10. The communication control unit 301 passes the data received from the other devices to the other processing modules. The communication control unit 301 transmits data acquired from the other processing modules to the other devices. In this way, the other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from the other devices via the communication control unit 301. The communication control unit 301 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to the other devices.

The question control unit 302 is a means for controlling questions from tourists. When a tourist performs a predetermined action (e.g., pressing the "Question Chat" button on the menu screen), the question control unit 302 displays an interface for the tourist to input a question.

For example, the question control unit 302 displays an area for inputting a question as shown in the top row of Fig. 3, and acquires the question content. When the tourist presses the "Send" button shown in Fig. 3, the question control unit 302 confirms the question content. Note that while the "Send" button is shown in Fig. 3 for ease of understanding, in reality, the button becomes hidden once the question content is confirmed.

The question control unit 302 acquires location information of the device (tourist terminal 20). For example, the question control unit 302 receives GPS signals from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite to perform positioning and generate location information including the latitude and longitude of the device. Alternatively, the question control unit 302 may communicate with a wireless access point and treat the location of the wireless access point as the location of the device. Alternatively, the question control unit 302 may generate location information based on the strength of radio waves received from the wireless access point.

The question control unit 302 sets a question flag in the flag storage area, sets the tourist's user ID as the message sender ID, and generates a question message. The question control unit 302 also stores the generated location information and question content in the question message.

The question control unit 302 sends the generated question message to the server device 10.

The question control unit 302 receives an answer message from the server device 10. The question control unit 302 receives at least one answer message. The question control unit 302 displays the answer contents contained in the received answer messages. For example, the question control unit 302 displays the answer contents contained in the received answer messages in the order of the received answer messages. For example, the question control unit 302 performs a display as shown in FIG. 3 (a display including three answer contents).

The question control unit 302 also displays buttons for tourists to evaluate (assess) the answers from the local supporters in accordance with the content of the answer (see FIG. 3). Tourists press the "Reference" button corresponding to the answer content that they found useful.

The question control unit 302 sends an "answer reference notification" to the server device 10, which includes the user ID of the message sender (the user ID of the local supporter whose answer was evaluated) contained in the answer message corresponding to the reference button.

The memory unit 303 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the tourist terminal 20. The memory unit 303 stores the user ID of the user (tourist) and the user IDs of friends, etc.

[Supporter terminal]
The supporter terminal 30 is a second terminal possessed by each of a plurality of local supporters (a plurality of second users).

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the supporter terminal 30 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Figure 13, the supporter terminal 30 includes a communication control unit 401, a registration unit 402, an answer control unit 403, a point control unit 404, and a memory unit 405.

The communication control unit 401 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 401 receives data (packets) from the server device 10. The communication control unit 401 also transmits data to the server device 10. The communication control unit 401 passes the data received from the other devices to the other processing modules. The communication control unit 401 transmits data acquired from the other processing modules to the other devices. In this way, the other processing modules transmit and receive data with the other devices via the communication control unit 401. The communication control unit 401 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from the other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to the other devices.

The registration unit 402 is a means for realizing the registration of a local supporter. The registration unit 402 accesses the server device 10 in response to a predetermined action of the local supporter (e.g., pressing the "Regional Supporter Registration" button displayed on the menu screen).

The registration unit 402 receives data for displaying a GUI such as that shown in FIG. 5 from the server device 10, and acquires information such as the name and address of the local supporter through the GUI. The registration unit 402 transmits the user ID of the local supporter together with the acquired name, etc. to the server device 10.

The answer control unit 403 is a means for controlling the answers of the local supporter. The answer control unit 403 receives a request message from the server device 10. In response to receiving the request message, the answer control unit 403 displays an interface for the local supporter to input an answer.

For example, the answer control unit 403 displays the content of the question included in the request message, and requests the local supporter to answer the question.

The answer control unit 403 displays an area for inputting an answer as shown in Fig. 14 and acquires the answer content. When the local supporter presses the "Send" button shown in Fig. 14, the answer control unit 403 confirms the answer content.

Although not shown in FIG. 14, the answer control unit 403 may display a button (e.g., a "Cancel" button) on the answer input screen to allow the local supporter to indicate his or her intention not to answer the question.

The answer control unit 403 sets an answer flag in the flag storage area. The answer control unit 403 also sets the user ID of the respondent (regional supporter) as the message sender ID and the user ID of the questioner (tourist) as the message destination ID, and generates an answer message. The answer control unit 403 also stores the acquired answer content in the answer message.

The answer control unit 403 sends the generated answer message to the server device 10.

The point control unit 404 is a means for controlling and managing the evaluation points granted to the local supporter. The point control unit 404 sends a "point inquiry" to the server device 10 in response to a predetermined action of the local supporter (e.g., pressing the "check points" button displayed on the menu screen). The point inquiry includes the user ID of the local supporter.

The point control unit 404 displays the evaluation points contained in the response from the server device 10 (response to the point inquiry).

The memory unit 405 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the supporter terminal 30. The memory unit 405 stores the user ID of the user (regional supporter) and the user IDs of friends, etc.

In the above explanation, the processing configuration etc. of the tourist terminal 20 and the supporter terminal 30 have been explained as different types of terminals, but in reality, a user's terminal may operate as both a tourist terminal 20 and a supporter terminal 30. In other words, a user (tourist, local supporter) possesses a terminal that has the functions of both the tourist terminal 20 and the supporter terminal 30 described above.

[System Operation]
Next, a description will be given of the operation of the information providing system according to the first embodiment, with the explanation of the operation relating to the registration of a local supporter being omitted.

Figure 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information provision system according to the first embodiment. With reference to Figure 15, the system operation when answering a tourist's question will be described.

The tourist terminal 20 obtains the tourist's question (step S01).

The tourist terminal 20 generates a question message including the acquired question and sends the question message to the server device 10 (step S02).

When the server device 10 receives the question message, it extracts a local supporter who can answer the question and sends a request message to the supporter terminal 30 of the extracted local supporter (step S03).

Upon receiving the request message, the supporter terminal 30 displays the question contained in the request message and obtains a response from the local supporter (step S04).

The supporter terminal 30 generates a response message including the acquired response and sends it to the server device 10 (step S05).

The server device 10 forwards the answer message to the tourist terminal 20 of the questioner (tourist) (step S06).

Upon receiving the reply message, the tourist terminal 20 displays the reply contained in the reply message (step S07).

The tourist terminal 20 transmits to the server device 10 an answer reference notification corresponding to the answer that the tourist referred to (adopted by the tourist) (step S08).

Upon receiving the answer reference notification, the server device 10 updates the regional supporter database (DB; Data Base) by incrementing the evaluation points of the regional supporter that the tourist referred to (step S09). In this way, when a tourist refers to an answer from a regional supporter, the tourist terminal 20 transmits an answer reference notification to the server device 10. In response to receiving the answer reference notification, the server device 10 increases the evaluation of the regional supporter who provided the answer that the tourist referred to.

As described above, in the information provision system according to the first embodiment, the server device 10 extracts a local supporter (third user) who lives in a region corresponding to the current location of the tourist (first user) from among a plurality of local supporters (second users). The server device 10 transmits a request message including a question to the supporter terminal 30 of the extracted local supporter. The supporter terminal 30 of the local supporter (third user) who has been requested to respond transmits a response message including the response to the question to the server device 10. The server device 10 transmits the response message to the tourist terminal 20. In this way, when a tourist uses SNS to ask the server device 10 about the content he or she wants to know about a tourist spot, the server device 10 requests a response from a resident (resident) of the tourist spot. The resident of the tourist spot is familiar with the information about the tourist spot and can respond with the information that the tourist really wants to know. In other words, the tourist can easily obtain the information that he or she really wants to know without having to select and discard information. The tourist feels that convenience has improved.

Second Embodiment
Next, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the first embodiment, a case where the server device 10 requests each regional supporter in the region to answer a tourist's question is described. In the second embodiment, a case where the server device 10 designates a respondent is described. More specifically, the server device 10 selects a regional supporter (fourth user) to answer the question from among regional supporters (third users) living in the tourist destination, and transmits a request message to the supporter terminal 30 of the selected regional supporter.

Note that the configuration of the information provision system in the second embodiment can be the same as that in the first embodiment, so the explanation corresponding to Figure 2 will be omitted.

Below, we will mainly explain the differences between the first and second embodiments.

The question and answer control unit 211 in the second embodiment selects (selects) a respondent from among local supporters pre-registered in the system, and asks the selected respondent to answer the tourist's question.

In the example of Figure 2, when a tourist is visiting area A, the question and answer control unit 211 selects an answerer from among three local supporters who have supporter terminals 30-1 to 30-3 and requests them to answer the question.

The question and answer control unit 211 selects (determines) an answerer using various methods.

<Selection method 1>
The question control unit 302 of the tourist terminal 20 according to the second embodiment notifies the server device 10 of the tourist's attribute information (profile; for example, gender, age, etc.) when sending a question message. Specifically, the question control unit 302 sends the question message including the attribute information in addition to the question content to the server device 10. Note that the tourist's attribute information may be information registered in an SNS app, or the tourist terminal 20 may acquire the attribute information anew.

The question and answer control unit 211 selects a respondent using the tourist's attribute information and the attribute information of each local supporter registered in the system. For example, the question and answer control unit 211 selects a local supporter who has the same attributes (e.g., gender and/or age) as the questioner as the respondent.

More specifically, the question and answer control unit 211 extracts local supporters from the local supporter database for the area corresponding to the place visited by the tourist (the place where the question was asked). Furthermore, the question and answer control unit 211 identifies local supporters that have the same attributes as the tourist from among the extracted local supporters (entries).

The question and answer control unit 211 transmits a request message to the identified regional supporter. For example, if a tourist visiting region A is a woman in her twenties, the question and answer control unit 211 selects a woman in her twenties from among the regional supporters of region A as a respondent, and transmits a request message to the supporter terminal 30 of the selected respondent.

In this way, the server device 10 may select a respondent (fourth user) based on attribute information of a tourist (first user) and attribute information of at least one local supporter (third user).

<Selection method 2>
The question and answer control unit 211 may select an answerer based on the content of the question and the interests of the local supporter obtained from the local supporter's posts (conversations with others).

The message exchange unit 203 according to the second embodiment includes a message analysis unit 212 as shown in FIG. 16. The message analysis unit 212 analyzes messages posted by local supporters and calculates the interests of the local supporters.

For example, if a message sent by a local supporter to others (family, friends) contains a predetermined keyword, the message analysis unit 212 determines that the local supporter is interested in matters related to the keyword.

For example, if keywords such as "lunch," "lunchtime," "dinner," "Japanese food," "Chinese food," and "French food" are frequently included in a conversation, the message analysis unit 212 sets the interest of the local supporter who posted the keyword to "food."

Alternatively, if keywords such as "temples," "gardens," "castles," and "history" are frequently included in the conversation, the message analysis unit 212 sets the interest of the local supporter who posted the keywords to "history."

The message analysis unit 212 stores the number of times a keyword has been posted for each local supporter, and when the number of times a keyword has been posted exceeds a predetermined value, the matter related to the keyword that has exceeded the predetermined value is set as the local supporter's interest. For example, in the above example of food, when keywords such as "lunch" and "dinner" are repeatedly posted, the interest of the local supporter is set to "food."

The message analysis unit 212 associates the user ID of the local supporter with the interest and stores it in the interest database (see FIG. 17). Note that in the second embodiment, for ease of understanding, the local supporter database and the interest database are described as different databases, but the interest of each local supporter may be stored in the local supporter database.

The message analysis unit 212 may analyze messages (calculate topics of interest) in real time, or may analyze messages retroactively. When analyzing retroactively, the message exchange unit 203 accumulates conversations (posts) of local supporters together with their user IDs. The message analysis unit 212 may analyze the accumulated conversations (dialogue logs) periodically or at a predetermined timing, and calculate topics of interest of local supporters.

When the question and answer control unit 211 receives a question message, it identifies the question genre from the question content of the question message (keywords contained in the question). For example, if keywords such as "lunch" and "Japanese food" are included, the question and answer control unit 211 sets the genre of the question to "meals." The question and answer control unit 211 can identify the question genre by referring to table information that stores keywords and question genres in correspondence with each other.

Alternatively, the question and answer control unit 211 may identify the question genre using a learning model obtained by machine learning. For example, a learning model is obtained by performing machine learning using training data in which a label (question genre) is assigned to the question content. The question and answer control unit 211 obtains the question genre by inputting the question content into the learning model. Note that any algorithm such as a support vector machine, boosting, or neural network can be used to generate the learning model. Note that the algorithm such as the support vector machine can use publicly known technology, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The question and answer control unit 211 searches the local supporter database and extracts local supporters corresponding to the questioner's current location. Furthermore, the question and answer control unit 211 identifies local supporters who are interested in the question genre from among the extracted local supporters.

The question and answer control unit 211 sends a request message to the identified regional supporter. For example, if the question genre of a tourist visiting region A is "food," the question and answer control unit 211 selects a regional supporter in region A who has a strong interest in food as the respondent. The question and answer control unit 211 sends a request message to the supporter terminal 30 of the selected respondent.

In this way, the server device 10 may select an answerer (fourth user) to answer the question based on the content of the question and the interests of the local supporter (third user).

<Selection method 3>
When selecting a local supporter to be requested to answer a question, the question and answer control unit 211 may select the local supporter based on the evaluation (evaluation points) of each local supporter. For example, the question and answer control unit 211 may preferentially select a local supporter with a high evaluation and request them to answer the question from the tourist.

<Selection method 4>
The question and answer control unit 211 may select an answerer by combining selection methods 1 to 3. Specifically, the question and answer control unit 211 may select a local supporter to be an answerer based on attribute information of the answerer and the local supporter, the content of the question, and the interests of the local supporter.

Next, we will explain a modified example of the second embodiment.

<Modification 1 of the second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, it has been described that one local supporter is selected to answer the tourist's question. However, the local supporters may include a plurality of people who can give accurate answers to the question. Also, it may be preferable for the tourist to refer to a plurality of answers rather than deciding on his/her action based on the answer from a single answerer.

The question and answer control unit 211 in the second embodiment may, when multiple regional supporters are selected (extracted) by executing any one of the above selection methods 1 to 4, send a request message to each of these extracted regional supporters.

For example, if two local supporters are extracted by selection method 1, the question and answer control unit 211 may send a request message to the supporter terminals 30 of the two local supporters. In this case, the question and answer control unit 211 sends each of the answer messages obtained from the two supporter terminals 30 to the tourist terminal 20.

The server device 10 may obtain from the tourist the desired number of respondents. Basically, users can use the information provision system free of charge. However, functions such as allowing tourists to specify the number of respondents may be optional and made into a paid service. Alternatively, if the use of the information provision system itself requires a fee, the system usage fee may be set higher when the function for specifying the number of respondents is used. Alternatively, the system usage fee may be set to change depending on the desired number of respondents.

<Modification 2 of the second embodiment>
When there are multiple local supporters suitable to answer a question, the question and answer control unit 211 may process the question and answer one by one.

For example, in the example of Figure 2, each of the three local supporters in area A is assumed to be able to give an accurate answer to the question. In this case, the question and answer control unit 211 selects one of the three and requests an answer. The question and answer control unit 211 notifies the questioner of the answer obtained. If the questioner uses the answer as a reference (adopts the answer), the question and answer control unit 211 ends the process.

On the other hand, if the questioner does not use the answer as a reference (rejects the answer and requests another answer), the question and answer control unit 211 requests an answer to the question from another local supporter and provides the obtained answer to the questioner (tourist). The question and answer control unit 211 repeats this type of control.

In this case, the question control unit 302 of the tourist terminal 20 according to the second embodiment displays a button for acquiring the tourist's intention (whether to refer to the answer or not) (see FIG. 18). When the tourist presses the "not to refer" button, the question control unit 302 sends a follow-up question message to the server device 10. The follow-up question message is a message in which a follow-up flag has been set in the flag storage area of an already sent question message.

When the question and answer control unit 211 of the server device 10 receives the re-question message, it selects a regional supporter different from the previously selected regional supporter and requests an answer (sends a request message).

In this way, if the tourist does not refer to the answer of the first answerer (fourth user), the tourist terminal 20 sends a follow-up question message corresponding to the question message to the server device 10. In response to receiving the follow-up question message, the server device 10 selects a different answerer (fifth user) from among local supporters (third users) who are appropriate as answers, different from the first answerer.

The server device 10 may transmit related information (e.g., attributes, interests, evaluation points, etc.) regarding the respondent (regional supporter) of the answer message to the tourist terminal 20 together with the answer message. The tourist terminal 20 may display the related information together with the answer content. Tourists may evaluate the respondent based on the answer of the regional supporter and the related information. Alternatively, when the server device 10 first receives a question message, it may extract candidates for respondents who will answer the question message and transmit related information (attributes, etc.) of the extracted candidates to the tourist terminal 20. The tourist terminal 20 may display the transmitted related information and enable tourists to select the regional supporter they want to be the first to answer.

As described above, in the information provision system according to the second embodiment, the server device 10 selects an answerer from among the local supporters in the tourist destination visited by the tourist to be asked to answer the question depending on the questioner and the content of the question. As a result, more useful information can be provided to the tourist. In other words, there is no mismatch, such as a local supporter who is knowledgeable about the history of the tourist destination answering a question about food, so the information the tourist wants to know is provided accurately.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the server device 10 answers questions from tourists is described. In the third embodiment, a case where an organization such as a local supporter or a local government actively provides useful information to tourists is described.

Note that the configuration of the information provision system in the third embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment, so the explanation corresponding to Figure 2 will be omitted.

The following will focus on the differences between the first to third embodiments.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 10 relating to the third embodiment. Referring to Figure 19, a tourist management unit 206 has been added to the configuration of the server device 10 relating to the first embodiment.

The tourist management unit 206 is a means for managing tourists. In particular, the tourist management unit 206 manages the current location of tourists.

The tourist management unit 206 identifies the tourist's current location using various methods.

For example, the tourist management unit 206 identifies the current location of the tourist from the current location included in the question message.

Alternatively, the tourist terminal 20 may notify the server device 10 of the tourist's user ID and current location periodically or at a predetermined timing. The tourist management unit 206 may identify the tourist's current location based on the notification.

Alternatively, the tourist management unit 206 may identify the tourist's current location based on the tourist's evaluation of the answer (answer reference notification). For example, if a tourist presses the "Reference" button in response to an answer recommending "Japanese Restaurant A", the tourist management unit 206 identifies the tourist's current location as Japanese Restaurant A or near Japanese Restaurant A. By identifying the current location based on the tourist's selection in this way, the tourist management unit 206 can estimate the tourist's current location even if the GPS function of the tourist terminal 20 is disabled. For example, if a tourist presses the "Reference" button in response to a question about a restaurant for dinner, the tourist management unit 206 can estimate that the tourist is eating at that restaurant during dinner time.

The tourist management unit 206 associates the tourist's user ID with the current location and stores them in the tourist database (see FIG. 20). Note that the tourist database shown in FIG. 20 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored.

The message exchange unit 203 of the server device 10 according to the third embodiment includes a push information control unit 213, as shown in Fig. 21. The push information control unit 213 is a means for proactively providing information (push-type information provision) from the server device 10 to tourists.

The push information control unit 213 provides information according to the tourist's current location. For example, the push information control unit 213 provides information about tourist attractions near the tourist's current location (tourist attraction information) and information about events (event information).

Specifically, the push information control unit 213 accesses the tourist database periodically or at a predetermined timing, and determines whether or not a tourist has visited a predetermined location (spot). When a tourist has visited a predetermined spot, the push information control unit 213 transmits information about the spot to the tourist terminal 20.

For example, if the predetermined spot is a historical building such as a temple or a castle, the push information control unit 213 sends a push message including tourist information about the historical building to the tourist terminal 20.

The push message is a message in which a push flag is set in the flag storage area and the tourist's user ID is set as the message destination ID. For example, the push message includes tourist attraction information about the above-mentioned historical building.

Alternatively, if the predetermined spot is an event venue, the push information control unit 213 may send a push message to the tourist terminal 20 including event information regarding an event being held at the event venue.

When the push information control unit 213 acquires evacuation information from the local government (the local government's server), it may transmit a push message including the evacuation information to the tourist terminal 20. In this case, the push information control unit 213 may not transmit the push message if the tourist's current location is not in an area subject to evacuation, and may transmit the push message if the tourist's current location is in an area subject to evacuation.

Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of a tourist terminal 20 according to the third embodiment. Referring to Figure 22, a push message processing unit 304 has been added to the configuration of the tourist terminal 20 according to the first embodiment.

The push message processing unit 304 is a means for processing the push message received from the server device 10. The push message processing unit 304 displays the information contained in the push message and provides the information to tourists (see Figure 23).

<Modification of the third embodiment>
Next, a modified example of the third embodiment will be described. The server device 10 may obtain information to be provided to tourists from a local supporter.

Specifically, when the push information control unit 213 determines that a tourist is staying in a predetermined location (spot), it extracts a local supporter in the area corresponding to the spot. The push information control unit 213 sends a request message including the tourist's current location to the supporter terminal 30 of the extracted local supporter. In the request message described above, the push information control unit 213 sets information about the tourist's current location instead of the question content. For example, the push information control unit 213 converts the tourist's current location into a landmark, and sends a request message including the landmark (e.g., the name of a soccer field or the name of a historical building) to the supporter terminal 30.

The response control unit 403 of the supporter terminal 30 displays the received request message and requests a response from the local supporter. For example, the response control unit 403 displays as shown in FIG. 24 and obtains the response from the local supporter.

The answer control unit 403 generates an answer message including the acquired answer and transmits it to the server device 10. The server device 10 changes the received answer message to a push message (sets a push flag in the flag storage area) and transmits it to the tourist terminal 20.

In this way, the server device 10 may obtain push information to be notified to the tourist from the local supporter. The server device 10 may request the local supporter to provide information regarding the current location of the tourist. In particular, the server device 10 may transmit a request message including a landmark corresponding to the current location of the tourist to the supporter terminal 30 of the local supporter.

Alternatively, the server device 10 may identify information that a tourist needs (information that the tourist will appreciate) from the tourist's attribute information, interests (hobbies and preferences), and behavioral history, and provide that information. For example, the server device 10 may provide a tourist who visits many historical buildings with information such as the locations of nearby historical buildings via a push message. The message analysis unit 212 of the server device 10 may analyze the tourist's posts and calculate the tourist's interests (hobbies and preferences) and behavioral history.

In addition, the question and answer control unit 211 of the server device 10 may select a local supporter who can provide the useful information based on the information that is useful to the tourists (information that will be appreciated) and the local supporter's attribute information and interests, and request the local supporter to provide the information.

As described above, the server device 10 according to the third embodiment may proactively notify tourists of information (push notifications). Tourists can obtain information that they would likely have missed without the push notifications. In addition, for example, in the event of a disaster, the server device 10 can provide tourists with evacuation information (disaster prevention information; for example, information on shelters, etc.), allowing tourists to enjoy sightseeing in a safer and more secure environment.

Next, we will explain the hardware of each device that makes up the information provision system. Figure 25 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 10.

The server device 10 can be configured by an information processing device (so-called a computer) and has the configuration illustrated in Fig. 25. For example, the server device 10 has a processor 311, a memory 312, an input/output interface 313, a communication interface 314, etc. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

However, the configuration shown in FIG. 25 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 may include hardware not shown, and may not include an input/output interface 313 as necessary. In addition, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the server device 10 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in FIG. 25, and for example, multiple processors 311 may be included in the server device 10.

The processor 311 is, for example, a programmable device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

Memory 312 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. Memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

The input/output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a device that accepts user operations such as a keyboard or a mouse.

The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), etc.

The functions of the server device 10 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules may also be realized by a semiconductor chip.

In addition, the terminals (tourist terminal 20, supporter terminal 30) can also be configured using information processing devices in the same way as the server device 10, and since their basic hardware configuration is no different from that of the server device 10, explanation will be omitted.

The server device 10, which is an information processing device, is equipped with a computer, and the functions of the server device 10 can be realized by causing the computer to execute a program. The server device 10 also executes the information provision method using the program.

[Modification]
The configuration, operation, and the like of the information providing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the system configuration, and the like.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a tourist visiting a tourist spot sends a question to the server device 10. However, residents of the tourist spot (residents including local supporters) may also send questions about the tourist spot to the server device 10. In other words, the information provision system disclosed in the present application may allow residents of a tourist spot to send and receive questions and answers to each other.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the server device 10 requests the local supporter to answer the tourist's question. Here, the local supporter does not need to be staying in the target area when receiving the answer request, as long as the local supporter lives in the target area (has a residence). In other words, if it is confirmed that the local supporter is a resident of the tourist destination, the current location of the local supporter can be any location, and the local supporter does not necessarily need to be in the tourist destination (the tourist's current location).

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which information is provided to a user via a message exchange type SNS. However, information may be provided via other types of SNS, such as a photo posting type, a message spreading type, a diary type, or the like.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the server device 10 answers tourists' questions by obtaining answers to the tourists' questions from local supporters and presenting the answers to the tourists. However, the server device 10 may also refer to a database prepared in advance, automatically select answers to the tourists' questions, and provide the selected answers to the tourists. In other words, the server device 10 may store a large number of expected questions and answers (combinations of questions and answers) and answer questions from tourists using the expected questions and answers.

In the above third embodiment, a case where evacuation information is notified to tourists from the server device 10 has been described. In this case, the tourist terminal 20 displays as shown in FIG. 26. In response to the notification, the tourist may transmit information such as his/her own safety information, status, and evacuation site to the server device 10. When the push information control unit 213 of the tourist terminal 20 receives the evacuation information, it displays a GUI that asks about the tourist's safety, status, and evacuation site, and acquires the safety information, etc. The push information control unit 213 transmits the acquired safety information, etc. to the server device 10. The server device 10 may use the acquired information to provide further information to the tourist. For example, the server device 10 may request the local government (local government officials) to provide information on better evacuation sites.

The server device 10 may provide information in a language that is appropriate for the user (tourist, local supporter, local government employee, etc.). More specifically, the server device 10 may accept questions and answers in various languages and translate the accepted questions and answers to the language of the user to whom the message is to be sent. For example, when a question in a foreign language is accepted, the question and answer control unit 211 of the server device 10 translates the foreign language into Japanese and stores it in a request message. The local supporter recognizes the question in Japanese and transmits the answer in Japanese to the server device 10. The question and answer control unit 211 of the server device 10 translates the answer in Japanese into a foreign language, stores it in an answer message, and transmits it to the tourist terminal 20. Alternatively, conversely, when the local supporter is a foreigner, the server device 10 translates the question from the tourist into a foreign language and requests the foreigner's local supporter to answer the question. The server device 10 translates the acquired answer in a foreign language into Japanese and transmits an answer message including the answer in Japanese to the tourist terminal 20. The server device 10 may obtain the nationality of the user from the local supporter registration or the tourist profile and may grasp the language used. In this manner, the server device 10 may translate the question content or the answer content.

The server device 10 may translate the information contained in the push message and provide it to the user. In other words, the server device 10 may provide information in an accurate and easy-to-understand manner to tourists with different languages, cultures, and experiences.

Furthermore, if a user (tourist, local supporter) thinks that the translated information contains a mistranslation or an unnatural expression, the user may notify the server device 10. In response to the notification, the server device 10 may improve the translation engine.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the contributions of the regional supporters to tourists are quantified using "evaluation points." The evaluation points may be converted into a regional currency that can be used in the region where the regional supporter lives, or into points that can be used at stores in the region, etc.

The server device 10 may send an answer message including additional information regarding the answer of the local supporter to the tourist terminal 20. For example, when the local supporter sends information (answer) about a restaurant, the server device 10 (question and answer control unit 211) may send an answer message including additional information regarding the restaurant to the tourist terminal 20. For example, the server device 10 may send an answer message including information such as the restaurant's location, contact information, and website address as additional information. In addition, when the tourist terminal 20 receives an answer message including additional information, it may display the answer message including a button (e.g., a details button) for displaying the additional information (see FIG. 27). Note that the server device 10 may refer to a pre-prepared database that stores store names and their details regarding the additional information.

The server device 10 may determine a local supporter to be requested to answer a question based on the wording (e.g., place name, tourist spot name) included in the question from the tourist. For example, when the server device 10 receives a question such as "What is the recommended lunch in tourist spot A?", it may extract a local supporter who lives in tourist spot A and request the local supporter to answer. By such operation of the server device 10, even if the tourist does not actually visit the tourist spot, the tourist can obtain the information he/she wants to know about the tourist spot (he/she can research it in advance). By such a response, the server device 10 can identify the area that the tourist plans to visit without obtaining the tourist's location information. As a result, the tourist's concerns when using the system (concerns about providing location information) are eliminated, and the possibility of the system being used can be increased.

When registering a local supporter, the server device 10 may verify the identity of the supporter. Specifically, the server device 10 acquires the local supporter's biometric information (e.g., a facial image) and an identification document (e.g., a passport) containing the biometric information. The server device 10 performs one-to-one matching using the biometric information on the identification document and the biometric information acquired from the local supporter. If the matching is successful, the server device 10 may register the local supporter.

The server device 10 may store the current location of a tourist in association with the content of the question asked by the tourist, and provide useful information to an association or the like managing the tourist destination. For example, the server device 10 may provide information such as a ranking of the most frequently asked questions for each tourist destination to a tourist association or the like. The tourist association or the like may understand the needs of tourists based on the information provided by the server device 10.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that when a tourist refers to an answer from a local supporter, the evaluation of the local supporter increases (the evaluation points increase). However, the evaluation of the local supporter may increase in response to the local supporter answering a question. That is, the server device 10 may add a predetermined value to the evaluation points of the local supporter in response to receiving an answer message from the local supporter. In this way, the server device 10 may increase the evaluation points in response to the fact that the answer of the local supporter is referred to and/or the local supporter answers a question. In addition, the server device 10 may set different values for the points to be given to the local supporter when the answer is adopted and the points to be given to the local supporter when the local supporter simply answers. Alternatively, the server device 10 may manage the number of answers to questions for each local supporter and change the points to be given to the local supporter in response to the number of answers. For example, the server device 10 may give more points to a local supporter who frequently answers questions.

In the second embodiment, when selecting a local supporter to answer a question, the server device 10 may obtain a request from the tourist regarding the method of selecting the local supporter. For example, the server device 10 may obtain the tourist's preference regarding whether the local supporter should be selected based on attributes or based on interests. The tourist terminal 20 may provide an interface that displays candidates for the above selection method and allows the tourist to select from the candidates (see FIG. 28). Alternatively, the tourist terminal 20 may provide an interface that allows direct input from the tourist. In this way, when multiple options are possible for selecting a local supporter, information on each option (e.g., details of the selection method) may be displayed together, and a respondent may be selected from the multiple options. In addition, the tourist may select one respondent from the multiple options (respondents) presented, or may select multiple respondents.

The form of data transmission and reception between each device (server device 10, tourist terminal 20, supporter terminal 30) is not particularly limited, but data transmitted and received between these devices may be encrypted. Private information such as videos and photos is transmitted and received between these devices, and in order to appropriately protect this information, it is desirable to transmit and receive encrypted data.

In the flow diagrams (flowcharts, sequence diagrams) used in the above explanation, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the order of execution of the steps performed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the steps shown in the diagrams can be changed to the extent that does not interfere with the content, such as by executing each process in parallel.

The above embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the configurations described above are required. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of an embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of an embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of an embodiment with other configurations.

The above explanation makes clear the industrial applicability of the present invention, and the present invention is particularly applicable to information provision systems that provide various information to users.

A part or all of the above-described embodiments may be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
[Appendix 1]
A server device;
a first terminal that transmits a question message including location information and question content of a first user to the server device;
a second terminal owned by each of a plurality of second users;
Including,
the server device extracts at least one or more third users who reside in an area corresponding to a current location of the first user from among the plurality of second users, and transmits a request message including the content of the question to second terminals of the at least one or more third users;
a second terminal of the at least one third user transmits a response message including a response to the question to the server device;
The server device transmits the reply message to the first terminal.
[Appendix 2]
The system described in Appendix 1, wherein the server device selects a fourth user from among the at least one third user to answer the question, and sends the request message to the second terminal of the fourth user.
[Appendix 3]
The system described in Appendix 2, wherein the server device selects the fourth user based on attribute information of the first user and attribute information of the at least one third user.
[Appendix 4]
The system described in Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the server device selects the fourth user based on the content of the question and the interests of the at least one or more third users.
[Appendix 5]
The first terminal comprises:
if the first user does not refer to the answer of the fourth user, transmitting a re-question message corresponding to the question message to the server device;
The system described in any one of Appendices 2 to 4, wherein the server device selects a fifth user different from the fourth user from among the at least one or more third users in response to receiving the re-question message.
[Appendix 6]
The system described in any one of appendix 1 to 5, wherein the server device generates a push message including tourist attraction information or event information based on a current location of the first user, and transmits the generated push message to the first terminal.
[Appendix 7]
The system described in any one of appendix 1 to 5, wherein the server device generates a push message including evacuation information based on a current location of the first user and transmits the generated push message to the first terminal.
[Appendix 8]
The system described in any one of appendix 1 to 7, wherein the server device sends the request message including a landmark corresponding to the current location of the first user to a second terminal of at least one third user.
[Appendix 9]
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the server device translates the question content or the answer content.
[Appendix 10]
The first terminal comprises:
When the first user refers to the answer content, a notice of reference to the answer is sent to the server device;
The system described in any one of appendix 1 to 9, wherein the server device increases the evaluation of the third user who provided an answer that the first user used as reference in response to receiving the answer reference notification.
[Appendix 11]
The system described in Appendix 10, wherein the server device selects the fourth user based on the evaluations of the at least one third user.
[Appendix 12]
A system described in any one of appendix 1 to 11, wherein each of the multiple second users is willing to support the first user and has at least an address registered in the server device.
[Appendix 13]
A communication control unit that controls communication with other devices;
receiving a question message including location information and question content of the first user from the first terminal;
extracting at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users;
Sending a request message including the question to a second terminal of the at least one third user;
receiving a response message including an answer to the question from a second terminal of the at least one third user;
a question and answer control unit that transmits the answer message to the first terminal;
A server device comprising:
[Appendix 14]
In the server device,
receiving a question message including location information and question content of the first user from the first terminal;
extracting at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users;
Sending a request message including the question to a second terminal of the at least one third user;
receiving a response message including an answer to the question from a second terminal of the at least one third user;
The reply message is transmitted to the first terminal.
[Appendix 15]
A computer installed in the server device
A process of receiving a question message including location information and question content of a first user from a first terminal;
A process of extracting at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to a current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users;
A process of transmitting a request message including the question content to a second terminal of the at least one third user;
receiving a response message including an answer to the question from a second terminal of the at least one third user;
sending the response message to the first terminal;
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing the above.

The disclosures of the above cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and amendments that a person skilled in the art can make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the scope of the claims, and the technical ideas.

10 Server device 20 Tourist terminal 30 Supporter terminal 30-1 Supporter terminal 30-2 Supporter terminal 30-3 Supporter terminal 30-4 Supporter terminal 30-5 Supporter terminal 30-6 Supporter terminal 101 Server device 102 First terminal 103 Second terminal 201 Communication control unit 202 Regional supporter registration unit 203 Message exchange unit 204 Regional supporter management unit 205 Memory unit 206 Tourist management unit 211 Question and answer control unit 212 Message analysis unit 213 Push information control unit 301 Communication control unit 302 Question control unit 303 Memory unit 304 Push message processing unit 311 Processor 312 Memory 313 Input/output interface 314 Communication interface 401 Communication control unit 402 Registration unit 403 Answer control unit 404 Point control unit 405 Memory unit

Claims (8)

A server device;
a first terminal that transmits a question message including location information and question content of a first user to the server device;
a second terminal owned by each of a plurality of second users;
Including,
the server device extracts at least one or more third users who reside in an area corresponding to a current location of the first user from among the plurality of second users, and transmits a request message including the content of the question to second terminals of the at least one or more third users;
a second terminal of the at least one third user transmits a response message including a response to the question to the server device;
The server device includes:
Sending the reply message to the first terminal;
selecting a fourth user who will answer the question from the at least one third user, and transmitting the request message to a second terminal of the fourth user;
the first terminal transmits, to the server device, a re-question message corresponding to the question message if the first user does not refer to the answer of the fourth user;
A system in which the server device selects a fifth user different from the fourth user from among the at least one third user in response to receiving the re-question message. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the server device selects the fourth user based on attribute information of the first user and attribute information of the at least one third user. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the server device selects the fourth user based on the content of the question and the interests of the at least one or more third users. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server device generates a push message including tourist attraction information or event information based on a current location of the first user, and transmits the generated push message to the first terminal. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server device generates a push message including evacuation information based on a current location of the first user and transmits the generated push message to the first terminal. A communication control unit that controls communication with other devices;
receiving a question message including location information and question content of the first user from the first terminal;
extracting at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users;
Sending a request message including the question to a second terminal of the at least one third user;
receiving a response message including an answer to the question from a second terminal of the at least one third user;
a question and answer control unit that transmits the answer message to the first terminal;
Equipped with
The question and answer control unit:
selecting a fourth user who will answer the question from the at least one third user, and transmitting the request message to a second terminal of the fourth user;
receiving, from the first terminal, a re-question message corresponding to the question message when the first user does not refer to the answer of the fourth user;
The server device selects a fifth user different from the fourth user from among the at least one third user in response to receiving the re-question message . In the server device,
receiving a question message including location information and question content of the first user from the first terminal;
extracting at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to the current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users;
Sending a request message including the question to a second terminal of the at least one third user;
receiving a response message including an answer to the question from a second terminal of the at least one third user;
An information providing method for transmitting the response message to the first terminal, comprising:
selecting a fourth user who will answer the question from the at least one third user, and transmitting the request message to a second terminal of the fourth user;
receiving, from the first terminal, a re-question message corresponding to the question message when the first user does not refer to the answer of the fourth user;
an information providing method comprising: selecting a fifth user different from the fourth user from among the at least one third user in response to receiving the re-question message; A computer installed in the server device
A process of receiving a question message including location information and question content of a first user from a first terminal;
A process of extracting at least one third user residing in an area corresponding to a current location of the first user from among a plurality of second users;
A process of transmitting a request message including the question content to a second terminal of the at least one third user;
receiving a response message including an answer to the question from a second terminal of the at least one third user;
sending the response message to the first terminal;
A program for executing
selecting a fourth user who will answer the question from the at least one third user, and transmitting the request message to a second terminal of the fourth user;
receiving, from the first terminal, a re-question message corresponding to the question message if the first user does not refer to the answer of the fourth user;
selecting a fifth user, different from the fourth user, from among the at least one third user in response to receiving the re-question message;
A program for executing .

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