WO2002067161A1 - On-demand personal concierge business model - Google Patents

Abstract

A scheme for enabling a traveler visiting a foreign country to obtain in real time necessary information, solving the conventional problem that it is inconvenient for a foreigner to hire an interpreter or to obtain necessary information. A client from a foreign country contracted and registered through the Internet in advance accesses a system (30) of a center by means of a client system (10) to apply for a service. The center announces on a Web page (33) the content of the application by the foreigner client to service providing registered members competent for foreign languages. Service providing members, if want, select most suitable contents of applications made by foreigners by means of an Internet terminal (41) and send messages of application to the system (30). A server engine (32) of the center optimally matches the applications made by foreigner clients with the applications made by service providing members.

Description

 Description On-demand personal concierge business model Technical field

The present invention relates to a business model for providing an information service using an information communication network. Background art

If a foreign traveler unfamiliar with the destination country seeks to obtain necessary local information such as directions, interpreters, shopping, various procedures, telephone numbers, ticket arrangements, store information, medical information, etc. The only option was to collect information on the street, on the Internet, on TV, etc., or to hire an interpreter or guide. Disclosure of the invention

If a foreign traveler who is unfamiliar with the book wants to obtain necessary local information such as directions, interpreters, shopping, various procedures, telephone number guidance, ticket arrangements, store information, medical information, etc. At first, Japanese people who are good at foreign languages are very few of the developed countries, often suffer from inconvenience, and hiring an interpreter or a guide cost a lot of money. On the other hand, if Japanese tourists who are unfamiliar with foreign countries try to obtain the necessary raw information in the local area, very few Japanese are good at foreign languages, and foreigners are good at Japanese. Often, they also suffered inconvenience. The same is true for third countries. The problem to be solved by the present invention is the inconvenience in this case.

The present invention uses a telecommunications network such as the Internet, a mobile information terminal, and VOIP (Voice Over IP) to provide inquiries from foreign clients to registered service members. Is the most important feature.

With the globalization of society, the number of businessmen and tourists traveling internationally is increasing rapidly. By using the present invention, it is possible to use a low cost, as if with a tourist guide and holding interpreter. You can travel abroad. Since this service can be used as needed, it offers greater flexibility when traveling abroad, and can contribute to the globalization of society. In addition, service providers can work anywhere in the world while contributing to the global community through information and communication networks, and re-use home-based housewives and retired talents, or It can also provide work to talented people in economically poor areas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the system of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows service utilization according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a routine for matching a foreign service providing member in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a routine for matching a foreign client and a service providing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a routine for matching a foreign client and a service providing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a routine in which a foreign client evaluates a service providing member in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an example of a WEB screen when a foreign client makes a reservation for a service in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an example of a WEB screen when the service providing member reserves the standby state according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an example of a WEB screen when a service providing member according to an embodiment of the present invention bids on an optimal matter from a service request list from a foreign client. FIG. 10 is an example of an operator response screen at the center in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displayed on a portable information terminal for service providing member evaluation by a foreign client in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an example of a screen displayed on a portable information terminal when a foreign client applies for a service in one embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of sign ''

1 0 Client system

1 1 Mobile information terminal

1 2 Client ID

 2 0 Dialogue partner

 30 Center system

3 1 exchange

 3 2 sa / engine

3 3 WEB page

 3 4 Client database

 3 5 Service Member Database

 4 0 telephone

 4 1 Internet terminal of service provider

4 1a browser

4 1 b Member ID

 5 0 Communication link

6 0 Actual conversation Best practice for carrying out the invention

When a foreigner comes to Japan, use a mobile phone rented at the airport or a travel agency to send The telephone is connected to the member via the center or the center and the information service is provided in the native language of the foreigner. Also, mobile phones can be rented to Japanese traveling abroad at the airport or at a travel agency, and personal concierge services such as on-demand interpreting services will be provided in Japanese when they arrive. The same applies to third countries.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of using a service in one embodiment of the present invention. When a foreign client travels, apply for the service from the web screen (as shown in Figure 7). In step 102, an e-mail is sent from the center to confirm that it has been accepted. In step 103, the client mails before traveling, or receives a mobile information terminal at an airport, travel agency, or the like. In step 104, the center uses the portable information terminal to contact the center to receive the service at the destination. At this time, each client is assigned an operator in charge one-on-one, and when the client calls the center, the telephone is transferred to the service providing member according to the contents of the inquiry. The solution is to work directly with the client (screen sample figure 10 at this time). In step 105, the foreign client setstle the usage fee after returning to Japan and settles it with a credit card. There is also a method of billing for payment via a communication carrier.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a routine for matching a foreign client and a service providing member in one embodiment of the present invention. When the client calls the center in step 201, the identity of the client is confirmed by the caller ID notification function in step 202 (FIG. 10). When an application for service use is accepted in step 203, a service provision request is transmitted to the web server in step 204. Set a deadline a certain time before the service start time, and if it is before that, use the service request list from multiple foreign clients displayed on the web page (as shown in Fig. 9). In step 207, if the matching is superior to the already provided service providing member, the service providing member is entered. After the deadline, if a service providing member that matches the requirements of the foreign client is found in step 209, the process is completed. Otherwise, the service providing member that satisfies the service requirements from the foreign client is contacted. Contact in order of priority and try to match.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a routine of matching between a foreign client and a service providing member in one embodiment of the present invention. When the client calls the center in step 301, the identity of the client is confirmed by the caller ID notification function in step 302 (Fig. 10), and the application for the service use is accepted in step 303. . On the other hand, in parallel with this, the service providing member transmits the time period during which the service providing member can stand by to the center via the web screen (as shown in Fig. 8) in step 304. A deadline is set a certain time before the service start time, and if it is before that, the service that is scheduled to be in standby state at that time when the foreign client and the service can be provided in step 310 Select the combination that best matches the providing members. Foreign client request in step 3 07 If a service providing member that matches the content is found, the process is completed. If not, the service providing member who meets the service requirements from the foreign client will be contacted in order of priority and matching will be carried out.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a routine for matching a foreign client and a service »member in one embodiment of the present invention. When the client calls the center in step 410, the identity of the client is confirmed by the caller ID notification function in step 402 (Fig. 10), and an application for service use is made in step 400. In step 404, the service providing content is transmitted to the center web server. . On the other hand, in parallel with this, the service providing member transmits the time period during which the service providing member can stand by to the center via the web screen (as shown in Fig. 8). In step 406, the combination that best matches the foreign client and the service providing member scheduled to be in the standby state at the time when the service can be provided is selected. Set a deadline a certain time before the service start time, and if it is before this, use the service request list from multiple foreign clients displayed on the web page (as shown in Figure 9). In step 409, if the matching is superior to the already provided service providing member, the service providing member is entered. After the deadline, the service is completed if a service provider that matches the requirements of the foreign client is found in step 411. Otherwise, the service that satisfies the service requirements from the foreign client is completed. Contact the providing members in order of priority and try to match.

In Fig. 1, when a call is made to the center using the mobile information terminal 11, the client ID is automatically transmitted by the caller ID notification function and the identity can be confirmed, but when starting from the mobile information terminal 11 In places where connection is not possible due to weak radio waves, etc., the service can be used by using a free-dial on a general telephone. In this case, call the designated telephone number and enter the client ID 12 and password to confirm the identity.

In Figure 1, when calling the center using the mobile information terminal 11, the caller ID notification function will automatically send the client ID and confirm the identity, but when starting from the mobile information terminal 11, In places where it is not possible to connect due to weak radio waves, etc., the service can be used by using a free-dial service on a general telephone. In this case, call the designated telephone number and enter the client ID 12 and password to confirm the identity.

In addition, using a digital camera installed inside or outside the portable information terminal 11, foreign clients send image information such as the surrounding scenery to the center to assist in providing services such as directions.

In Figure 1, service provider members who respond to telephone requests for service from foreign clients are recruited from all over the world, and use Internet (IP) Internet telephony for communication link 51 in order to reduce call cost. .

FIG. 6 shows an example in which a foreign client evaluates a service providing member in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows a routine. After completing the provision of the service in Step 501, if the evaluation is to be made in Step 502, the member of the service providing member should use the screen of the portable information terminal as shown in Figure 11 in Step 503. When the evaluation is sent to the center, it is reflected in the center's service providing member database at the center 504 in real time. If the user wants to give a further tip in step 505, the amount is sent to the center using the portable information terminal, and in step 507, it is reflected in the database of the service providing member in the center.

FIG. 7 is an example of a WEB screen when a foreign client reserves a service in one embodiment of the present invention. If the client does not have an ID, he or she first enters information such as country of residence, address, language used, and specialized field on the enrollment registration screen 602, and registers as a member. If you have an ID, enter information such as travel destination and service usage period on the service reservation screen 603 to make a reservation.

FIG. 8 is an example of a WEB screen when the service providing member reserves the standby state according to the embodiment of the present invention. If the service providing member does not have an ID, first enter the information such as country of residence, address, language used, and specialty field on the registration screen 72 to register as a member. If you have an ID, enter the time period during which you can stamp on the standby reservation screen 703 and make a reservation.

FIG. 9 is an example of a WEB screen when a service providing member according to an embodiment of the present invention bids on an optimal case from a service request list from a foreign client.

If the service providing member does not have an ID, first enter the information such as country of residence, address, language used, and specialty field on the enrollment registration screen 8002 and register as a member. If you have an ID, select a service request from a foreign client that you can handle on the inquiry bidding screen 803 and send it to the center.

FIG. 10 is an example of an operator response screen at the center in one embodiment of the present invention. When a call is made from a foreign client to the center, the caller ID notification function displays the acceptance screen 901 of the client information in the center's client database. The information is sent to the WEB server of the center, and the service providing members on standby are displayed on the screen 902 in priority order according to the member information in which the service providing members in standby are registered in advance according to the status of the foreign client and the contents of the inquiry I do.

FIG. 11 is an example of a service providing member evaluation screen displayed on the portable information terminal of the client according to the embodiment of the present invention. After completing the service offer from the service providing member, the client can evaluate the service providing member who has just received the service and give a tip through such a screen.

FIG. 12 is an example of a screen displayed on the portable information terminal when a foreign client applies for a service in one embodiment of the present invention. When applying for a specific service, such as an interpreting service, the foreign client selects from the menu displayed on the portable information terminal the one that is similar to the content of his / her inquiry and sends it to the center.

Claims

The scope of the claims 1. The center that is the subject of the interpreting service, the foreign client who has requested the interpreting service from the center, the partner with whom the foreign client wishes to have a conversation in the destination area, and the destination of the center In the case of a local language, in an interpreting service providing system consisting of four service providing members who are proficient in both the language of the foreign client and have contracted service providing services with the center, the interpreting service is The service provided for the foreign client's request provided through the mobile information terminal held by the foreign client and displayed in real time on the web site managed by the center is provided on the web site. Foreigners who automatically select the most adaptable member from among the service providing members A business model characterized by connecting to clients. 2. The business model according to claim 1, wherein the service providing member or the center provides an information providing service to the foreign client. 3. In the business model described in Claim 1 or Claim 2, the service providing member transmits to the center via the WEB screen in advance the time period during which the service providing member can wait for the service to be provided. Therefore, the center is a business model characterized by matching the optimal service providing members in the standby state in response to inquiries from foreign clients.  4. In the business model described in Claim 3, the inquiries from the foreign client are contacted directly to the service providing member via the center at a predetermined priority via the center, and the foreign client is responded to. A business model characterized by providing information services in the language of specialty.  5. In the business model described in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4, evaluate the service providing member whose client is the respondent. A business model characterized in that the evaluation is reflected in a database managed by the center in real time, and is reflected in matching priorities.  6. In the business model described in Claim 5, the client can give a tip to the service providing member who is the respondent, and the total is paid when the service providing member is paid. Business model characterized by the ability to do.  7. In the business model described in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4, an Internet-compatible mobile phone is lent to a client and the mobile phone is A business model characterized by making a call to the corresponding center for each inquiry from the menu on the screen. 8. In the business model described in Claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, the portable information terminal is a general telephone. model.  9. In the business model described in Claim 2, Claim 3 or Claim 4, a GPS (Global Positioning System) or PHS (Personal Hadyphone System) position confirmation system A business model characterized by using it to help guide directions.  10. In the business model described in Claims 2, 3 or 4, the information provision service provides directions, shopping, various procedures, telephone number guidance, ticket arrangement, A business model characterized by store proposals, accommodation information, or medical information.