Sales proxy server, screen processing method and program

Abstract

To provide a sales proxy server or the like for suitably stimulating the intuition and inspiration of a user who is undecided about where to vote and supporting the purchasing of a voting ticket(s).SOLUTION: A presentation unit 332 presents, to a terminal device, a specific screen including a list of voting targets to a user accessing to purchase a voting ticket(s) from the terminal device. A determination unit 335 determines a voting candidate(s) recommended to the user from the voting targets included in the specific screen if a certain period of time passes without a reception unit 333 accepting a prescribed operation while the presentation unit 332 is presenting the specific screen. An extraction unit 336 extracts an attribute value(s) characteristic of the voting candidate(s) determined by the determination unit 335. Then, a screen processing unit 337 synthesizes a suggestion image(s) suggesting that the attribute value(s) extracted by the extraction unit 336 is lucky for the user into the specific screen and lets the terminal device present the same.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sales agent server, a screen processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known betting systems that allow users to purchase betting tickets for publicly managed sports events such as horse racing, bicycle racing, and boat racing from their terminal devices via the Internet, etc. In these betting systems, for example, when a user specifies a race and type of betting (betting type) from the terminal device, a list of betting combinations, including odds, etc., is displayed on the terminal device. The user can select the desired combination from the displayed list and purchase a betting ticket.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention for a display device that can reduce the effort required for a user to identify multiple items that the user wants to exclude from a long list of items to purchase. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6759403 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to purchase a betting ticket for a publicly managed race, including the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, a user operates a terminal device to view, for example, a race entry list screen and an odds screen containing a list of betting targets, and then selects the desired betting target from a betting screen which also contains a list of betting targets and places a bet.

[0006] However, many users become confused about who to vote for on these screens (specific screens) that contain a list of voting targets, and end up not purchasing a voting ticket. For example, the race entry screen often displays the popularity ranking and predicted ranking of each betting target, but because this information is uniform and aimed at all users, it hardly stimulates the intuition or inspiration of users who are undecided about who to vote for. And while users are still undecided, the voting deadline may arrive, causing them to miss their opportunity to purchase a betting ticket. Even if users manage to decide who to vote for after being undecided while viewing the race entry screen, odds screen, etc., they may become undecided again when actually trying to vote on the voting screen.

[0007] Therefore, there was a need for technology that could appropriately stimulate the intuition and inspiration of users who were undecided about who to vote for, and assist them in purchasing voting tickets.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a sales agent server, a screen processing method, and a program that can appropriately stimulate the intuition and inspiration of a user who is undecided about who to vote for, and support the purchase of a voting ticket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A sales agent server according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: A sales agent server that sells betting tickets for publicly managed gaming events, a presentation unit that presents a specific screen including a list of voting targets to a user who accesses the terminal device to purchase a voting ticket; a reception unit that receives an operation from a user on the specific screen presented by the presentation unit; a determination unit that, when a certain time has elapsed without the reception unit receiving a predetermined operation while the presentation unit is presenting the specific screen, determines voting candidates to be recommended to the user from among voting targets included in the specific screen; and an extracting unit that extracts attribute values ​​specific to the voting candidates determined by the determining unit; a screen processing unit that synthesizes a suggestion image, which suggests that the attribute value extracted by the extraction unit is good luck for the user, with the specific screen and presents the image on the terminal device; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0010] In addition, in the sales agent server according to the above aspect, The specific screen may include a race entry screen, an odds screen, and a voting screen.

[0011] In addition, in the sales agent server according to the above aspect, When the extraction unit extracts a number as the attribute value, the screen processing unit may combine the suggestion image, which suggests that the number is a lucky number for the user, with the specific screen.

[0012] In addition, in the sales agent server according to the above aspect, When the extraction unit extracts a color value as the attribute value, the screen processing unit may synthesize the suggestion image, which suggests that the color value is a lucky color for the user, onto the specific screen.

[0013] A screen processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: A screen processing method executed by a sales agent server that sells betting tickets for publicly managed competitions, comprising: a presentation step of presenting a specific screen including a list of voting targets to a user who has accessed the terminal device to purchase a voting ticket; a receiving step of receiving an operation from a user on the specific screen presented in the presenting step; a determination step of determining voting candidates to be recommended to the user from among voting targets included in the specific screen when a certain time has elapsed without a predetermined operation being accepted in the acceptance step while the specific screen is being presented in the presentation step; an extraction step of extracting attribute values ​​specific to the voting candidates determined in the determination step; a screen processing step of synthesizing a suggestion image, which suggests that the attribute value extracted in the extraction step is good luck for the user, with the specific screen and presenting the suggestion image on the terminal device; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0014] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: The computer that sells betting tickets for publicly managed lotteries a presentation step of presenting a specific screen including a list of voting targets to a user who has accessed the terminal device to purchase a voting ticket; a receiving step of receiving an operation from a user on the specific screen presented in the presenting step; a determination step of determining voting candidates to be recommended to the user from among voting targets included in the specific screen when a certain time has elapsed without a predetermined operation being accepted in the acceptance step while the specific screen is being presented in the presentation step; an extraction step of extracting attribute values ​​specific to the voting candidates determined in the determination step; a screen processing step of synthesizing a suggestion image suggesting that the attribute value extracted in the extraction step is good luck for the user with the specific screen and presenting the suggestion image on the terminal device; The present invention is characterized in that the following is executed.

[0015] The above program may be distributed or sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. Furthermore, the information recording medium on which the above program is recorded is a non-transitory recording medium and can be distributed and sold independently of the computer. Here, a non-transitory recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Examples of non-transitory recording media include compact discs, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, and semiconductor memories. A transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagation signal) itself. Examples of transitory recording media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. A temporary storage area is an area for temporarily storing data and programs, such as volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately stimulate the intuition and inspiration of a user who is undecided about who to vote for, and to assist the user in purchasing a voting ticket. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a voting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a typical information processing device in which a betting ticket sale agency server according to an embodiment of the present invention is realized. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a betting ticket sale agency server according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing examples of various screens transmitted to a terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of voting candidate information stored in a storage unit. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing examples of specific screens, in which (a) is an example of a racecard screen, and (b) is an example of an odds screen. [Figure 7]1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a betting type selection screen for selecting a type for a race, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a win betting screen. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing examples of suggestive images superimposed on a racecard screen, where (a) is a diagram showing a first type of suggestive image, and (b) is a diagram showing a second type of suggestive image. [Figure 9] (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of an odds screen on which a first type of suggestive image is synthesized, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voting screen on which a second type of suggestive image is synthesized. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing examples of suggestive images superimposed on a racecard screen, where (a) is a diagram showing a third type of suggestive image, and (b) is a diagram showing a fourth type of suggestive image. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a vote reception process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a screen processing subroutine. [Figure 13] 10A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a betting screen for a trifecta, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a betting screen on which a fifth type of suggestive image is synthesized. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing examples of suggestive images superimposed on a trifecta betting screen, where (a) is a diagram showing a sixth type of suggestive image, and (b) is a diagram showing a seventh type of suggestive image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, a betting system will be described in which betting tickets (betting tickets: winning tickets) for horse races in publicly managed sports are purchased from a terminal device operated by a user, but the present invention is not limited to horse races, and can be similarly applied to betting systems in which betting tickets are purchased for other publicly managed sports, such as bicycle racing and boat racing. In other words, the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, a person skilled in the art may adopt embodiments in which each or all of the elements are replaced with equivalents, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0019] (Overall composition) A betting system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system in which, for example, a user can arbitrarily select and purchase a horse racing ticket (betting ticket), and as shown in Fig. 1, is configured to include a promoter server 200, a betting ticket sales agency server 300, and a terminal device 400 operated by a user. The promoter server 200, the betting ticket sales agency server 300, and the terminal device 400 are connected to each other via the Internet 900 so as to be able to communicate with each other. Although only three terminal devices 400 are shown in FIG. 1, this is for ease of understanding the invention, and in reality, a huge number of terminal devices 400 will be included depending on the number of users.

[0020] The promoter server 200 is a server device installed by the horse racing promoter, and manages information related to the races that it sponsors. The information related to the race includes, for example, information about the racehorses and jockeys participating in the race, information about betting tickets for each betting type before the race (before voting closes) (such as odds for betting tickets for each betting type), and information about finishing order and payouts after the race. The promoter server 200 transmits this type of information related to the race to the betting ticket sales agency server 300. The promoter server 200 also receives information about purchased betting tickets sent from the betting ticket sales agency server 300.

[0021] The betting ticket sales agency server 300 is, for example, a server computer or the like, and sells betting tickets to users on behalf of the horse racing organizer. The betting ticket sales agency server 300 generates various screens from information about the race received from the organizer server 200 and provides these to the terminal device 400. The betting ticket sales agency server 300 also accepts betting ticket purchase applications from the terminal device 400 and transmits these purchase applications to the organizer server 200. In addition, if a betting ticket purchased from the terminal device 400 wins, the betting ticket sales agency server 300 performs a refund process for the betting ticket.

[0022] The terminal device 400 is, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer, and is used by a user who purchases a betting ticket. The terminal device 400 accesses the betting ticket sale agency server 300 in response to a user's operation, and receives and displays various screens generated by the betting ticket sale agency server 300. The terminal device 400 then accepts an operation from the user on the displayed screen, and transmits operation information indicating the content of the operation to the betting ticket sale agency server 300.

[0023] (General configuration of information processing device) A typical information processing device 500 in which the betting ticket sale agency server 300 according to this embodiment is implemented will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 504, an image processing unit 505, an audio processing unit 506, an auxiliary memory unit 507, an interface 508, an operation unit 509, a display unit 510, and a speaker 511.

[0025] The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 500, and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data.

[0026] ROM 502 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after power is turned on. When this IPL is executed, a program stored in auxiliary memory unit 507 is read into RAM 503, and execution of the program by CPU 501 begins.

[0027] The RAM 503 is used to temporarily store data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the auxiliary storage unit 507, as well as other data necessary for communication.

[0028] The NIC 504 is used to connect the information processing device 500 to a computer communication network such as the Internet, and may be configured as a device conforming to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used in constructing a LAN (Local Area Network), an analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, or a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line.

[0029] The image processing unit 505 processes image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 507 or the like using an image calculation processor (not shown) provided in the CPU 501 or the image processing unit 505, and then records this in a frame memory (not shown) provided in the image processing unit 505. The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronous timing and output to the display unit 510 via the interface 508 or the like. In other words, under the control of the CPU 501, the image processing unit 505 generates images required in the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 500, and displays the images on the display unit 510.

[0030] The audio processing unit 506 converts audio data read from the auxiliary storage unit 507 or the like into an audio signal and outputs it to the speaker 511 via the interface 508. In other words, under the control of the CPU 501, the audio processing unit 506 generates audio to be generated during the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 500 and outputs the audio from the speaker 511.

[0031] The auxiliary storage unit 507 is a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs and various data necessary for controlling the operation of the entire information processing device 500. For example, the auxiliary storage unit 507 stores a program for realizing the betting ticket sale agency server 300 according to this embodiment. Then, under the control of the CPU 501, the auxiliary storage unit 507 reads out the stored programs and data as appropriate, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 503 or the like.

[0032] An operation unit 509, a display unit 510, and a speaker 511 are connected to the interface 508. Note that the interface 508 may also transmit and receive necessary information to and from other connected external devices.

[0033] The operation unit 509 is, for example, a button or a touch panel (touch screen), and receives operation inputs from the user who uses the information processing device 500.

[0034] The display unit 510 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and displays an image corresponding to the image data output by the image processing unit 505 to the user of the information processing device 500.

[0035] The speaker 511 outputs a sound corresponding to the audio data output by the audio processing unit 506 and presents it to the user of the information processing device 500 .

[0036] Additionally, the information processing device 500 may be provided with a drive unit such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM instead of the auxiliary storage unit 507. In this case, the information processing device 500 reads out programs and data from a DVD-ROM or the like attached to the drive unit and operates in the same manner as described above.

[0037] The functional configuration of the betting ticket sale agency server 300 realized by the above-described information processing device 500 will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 10. When the information processing device 500 is powered on, a program that causes it to function as the betting ticket sale agency server 300 is executed, and the betting ticket sale agency server 300 according to this embodiment is realized. The promoter server 200 and the terminal device 400 are also realized by an information processing device 500, but a description of these will be omitted and the following will describe the betting ticket sale agency server 300, which is the most distinctive feature of this embodiment.

[0038] (Functional configuration of the horse racing ticket sales agency server 300) 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the betting ticket sale agency server 300 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the betting ticket sale agency server 300 includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0039] The communication unit 310 transmits and receives necessary information to and from the organizer server 200 or the terminal device 400 . For example, the communication unit 310 receives information about the race sent from the organizer server 200. The information about the race received by the communication unit 310 is stored in the storage unit 320. In addition, in response to an access from the terminal device 400, the communication unit 310 transmits a screen generated by the control unit 330 to the terminal device 400. For example, the communication unit 310 transmits one of the screens generated by the control unit 330 (a screen generation unit 331 described later) as shown in Fig. 4 to the terminal device 400 to display it. 4 includes, for example, specific screens (more specifically, a racecard screen, odds screen, and betting screen, etc.) that include a list of betting targets (each participating horse) in the race. The communication unit 310 then receives from the terminal device 400 operation information from the user regarding the screen that has been sent to the terminal device 400.

[0040] The above-mentioned NIC 504 or the like can function as such a communication unit 310.

[0041] The storage unit 320 stores information about races received by the communication unit 310. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information about races held in various locations, and information about the horses and jockeys participating in those races. Furthermore, the storage unit 320 stores user information for managing users, and when the control unit 330 (determining unit 335, described later) determines a voting candidate, it stores voting candidate information about the determined voting candidate. The voting candidate information is information about voting candidates that are recommended for purchase by the user of the terminal device 400 when the user is determined to be unsure of which to vote for on a specific screen containing a list of voting candidates. For example, the storage unit 320 stores voting candidate information 321 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] The voting candidate information 321 shown in FIG. 5 includes, for example, a user ID 321a, a race ID 321b, a race name 321c, a race date 321d, a voting candidate 321e, and an attribute value 321f. The voting candidate 321e is information for recommending at least one horse among the horses running in the race to the user. The voting candidate 321e is not limited to one horse, but may be multiple horses among the horses running in the race. The voting candidate 321e may also include information about the jockey who will ride the horse. Furthermore, attribute value 321f is an attribute value unique to the horse shown in betting candidate 321e, and is information extracted by extraction unit 336, which will be described later. For example, numerical values ​​such as the horse number and gate number (in the case of one horse per gate) in a race are unique numerical values ​​and can therefore be attribute value 321f. Furthermore, the color value of the gate number in a race (any of white, black, red, blue, yellow, green, orange, or pink) is also unique if the gate number is one horse per gate, and can therefore be attribute value 321f. In addition, if the name (horse name) of a horse shown in betting candidate 321e contains a word or phrase that evokes a number or color, and the names of the other participating horses do not contain the same word or phrase that evokes a number or color, then this is a unique numerical value or color value and can therefore be attribute value 321f. Furthermore, if the voting candidates 321e include information about the jockey who will ride, and if the jockey's name contains a word or phrase that evokes a number or color, and the names of the other jockeys do not contain the same word or phrase that evokes a number or color, then this is a unique numerical value or color value and can therefore be attribute value 321f. Also, if the color of the jockey's racing uniform (for example, the main color) is different from the colors of the racing uniforms of the other jockeys, then this is a unique color value and can therefore be attribute value 321f. Note that, since the color of the hat worn by the jockey is, in principle, the same as the color of the gate number, the color value of the gate number is used with priority.

[0043] In addition, the storage unit 320 also stores information such as the latest odds received by the communication unit 310 from the sponsor server 200. The above-mentioned auxiliary storage unit 507 or the like can function as such a storage unit 320.

[0044] 3, the control unit 330 controls the entire betting ticket sale agency server 300. This control unit 330 includes a screen generation unit 331, a presentation unit 332, a reception unit 333, a discrimination unit 334, a determination unit 335, an extraction unit 336, a screen processing unit 337, and an application unit 338.

[0045] The screen generation unit 331 generates one of the above-mentioned screens shown in Fig. 4 in accordance with an operation from the user. The screen generated by the screen generation unit 331 is presented on the terminal device 400 by the presentation unit 332. For example, the screen generation unit 331 generates a specific screen including a list of betting targets (each participating horse) in a race. This specific screen includes, for example, a racecard screen, an odds screen, and a betting screen. Specifically, the screen generation unit 331 generates a racecard screen RG as shown in Fig. 6(a). The screen generation unit 331 also generates an odds screen OG as shown in Fig. 6(b). Such racecard screen RG and odds screen OG include a list of betting targets for the race. In addition, the box number areas in the list of voting targets are colored white, black, red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and pink, corresponding to boxes 1 to 8.

[0046] The screen generation unit 331 also generates a selection screen SG for allowing the user to select a bet type (betting type) as shown in FIG. 7(a). On this selection screen SG, for example, any of the following bets can be selected: "Win," "Place," "Box Place" (Box Number Double Place), "Box Exacta" (Box Number Double Exacta), "Place" (Horse Number Double Exacta), "Exacta" (Horse Number Double Exacta), "Wide" (Extended Horse Number Double Exacta), "Trifecta" (Horse Number Trifecta), and "Trifecta" (Number Trifecta). When the "Win" bet type is selected on the selection screen SG, for example, the screen generation unit 331 generates a betting screen (Win Betting Screen) BG as shown in FIG. 7(b). This betting screen BG also includes a list of betting targets for the race. The betting screen BG also includes an arrangement of squares SQ from which betting targets can be selected. When any of the squares SQ is selected by the user, the participating horse with the corresponding horse number (in the case of a win betting screen) will be selected. In addition, the betting screen BG also has a deposit button TB, and when the user presses the deposit button TB with at least one of the above-mentioned squares SQ selected, the horse number selected by the square SQ (in the case of a win betting screen) is entered into the electronic cart as a bet. In addition, the screen generation unit 331 also generates a purchase screen for finalizing the votes entered in the electronic cart and purchasing a voting ticket.

[0047] 3 , the presentation unit 332 presents the screen generated by the screen generation unit 331 to the terminal device 400. For example, the presentation unit 332 presents the screen generated by the screen generation unit 331 to the terminal device 400 by transmitting the screen to the terminal device 400 via the communication unit 310.

[0048] The receiving unit 333 receives from the terminal device 400 a user operation on the screen presented on the terminal device 400 by the presentation unit 332 described above. For example, the reception unit 333 receives operation information sent from the terminal device 400 via the communication unit 310, and receives operation content from the user according to the received operation information. As a specific example, when the voting screen BG of Fig. 5(b) described above is presented on the terminal device 400, the reception unit 333 receives user operations such as selecting or deselecting a square SQ or pressing the input button TB.

[0049] The determination unit 334 determines whether the user is unsure who to vote for when the presentation unit 332 presents a specific screen (such as the above-mentioned race card screen RG, odds screen OG, and voting screen BG) containing a list of voting targets to the terminal device 400. For example, if a certain time has passed without the reception unit 333 receiving a predetermined operation while a specific screen is being presented on the terminal device 400, the discrimination unit 334 determines that the user is unsure of who to vote for. Specifically, if the racecard screen RG of FIG. 6(a) or the odds screen OG of FIG. 6(b) is presented on the terminal device 400, the discrimination unit 334 determines that the user is unsure of who to vote for if a certain time has passed without any operation. In addition, if the betting screen BG of FIG. 7(b) is presented on the terminal device 400, the discrimination unit 334 determines that the user is unsure of who to vote for if a certain time has passed without the insert button TB being pressed. In other words, the discrimination unit 334 determines that the user is unsure of who to vote for not only if a certain time has passed without any operation, but also if a certain time has passed without the insert button TB being pressed, even if an operation such as selecting or deselecting a square SQ has been performed. The time information (starting time information) that serves as the starting point for determining the passage of a certain period of time is set by clearing the previous information each time a specific screen is displayed due to a screen transition or the like.

[0050] When the determining unit 334 determines that the user is unsure about who to vote for, the determining unit 335 determines voting candidates to recommend to the user from the list of voting targets included in the specific screen. For example, the determination unit 335 determines the betting target (entrant horse) with the smallest odds value from the list of betting targets as a betting candidate. Furthermore, when there are multiple betting targets with odds values ​​less than a certain value, the determination unit 335 may randomly select one betting target from among them and determine it as a betting candidate. Note that the method by which the determination unit 335 determines betting candidates from the list of betting targets is not limited to these, and betting candidates may be determined according to other methods. For example, the determination unit 335 may predict the race results of the betting targets and determine the betting candidates based on the prediction results. Specifically, when the betting ticket sale agency server 300 is able to use a trained prediction model for horse racing, the determination unit 335 derives the race results (e.g., score values ​​corresponding to each betting target) by inputting parameter values ​​for each betting target into the prediction model. The determination unit 335 then determines the betting target predicted to win based on the derived race results as a betting candidate. In this way, the voting candidates determined by the determination unit 335 are stored in the storage unit 320 as the voting candidate information 321 of Fig. 5 described above. Note that the attribute value 321f in the voting candidate information 321 is set by the extraction unit 336 described below. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the functions of the determining unit 334 and the deciding unit 335 are described as being separate units. However, the functions of the determining unit 334 may be included in the deciding unit 335 . In this case, when a certain period of time has passed without the receiving unit 333 receiving a predetermined operation while the presentation unit 332 is presenting the specific screen on the terminal device 400, the determination unit 335 determines a voting candidate to recommend to the user from among the voting targets included in the specific screen.

[0051] The extraction unit 336 extracts attribute values ​​specific to the voting candidates determined by the determination unit 335 described above. For example, among the attribute information of the betting candidates (runners) determined by the determining unit 335, the horse number does not overlap with the horse numbers of other runners, so the extraction unit 336 extracts the numeric value of the horse number as an attribute value unique to the betting candidate. Furthermore, when the gate numbers of the betting candidates determined by the determining unit 335 are one horse per gate, the extraction unit 336 may extract the numeric value of the gate number as an attribute value unique to the betting candidate. Furthermore, when the gate numbers of the betting candidates determined by the determining unit 335 are one horse per gate, the color of the gate number does not overlap with the color of the gate numbers of other runners, so the extraction unit 336 may extract the color value of the gate number as an attribute value unique to the betting candidate. In addition, when the name (horse name) of the runner determined by the determining unit 335 contains a word or phrase associated with a number or color, and the names of the other runners do not contain the same word or phrase associated with a number or color, the extraction unit 336 may extract the numeric value or color value as a unique attribute value. Furthermore, the extraction unit 336 may extract attribute values ​​from information about the jockeys riding the betting candidates (racehorses) determined by the determination unit 335. For example, if the jockey's name contains a word or phrase associated with a number or color, and the names of the other jockeys do not contain the same word or phrase associated with a number or color, the numerical value or color value may be extracted as a unique attribute value. Also, if the color of a jockey's racing uniform (for example, the main color) is different from the colors of the racing uniforms of the other jockeys, the extraction unit 336 may extract the color value as a unique attribute value. The attribute value extracted by the extraction unit 336 in this manner is set as the attribute value 321f of the voting candidate information 321 in FIG.

[0052] The screen processing unit 337 synthesizes a suggestion image, which suggests that the attribute value extracted by the extraction unit 336 is good luck for the user, on a specific screen and causes the terminal device 400 to present the image. For example, the screen processing unit 337 synthesizes a first type of suggestive image SS1 on the racecard screen RG as shown in Figure 8(a). This suggestive image SS1 is, as an example, an image for suggesting a horse number as a lucky number, and in this example, the horse number "7" is extracted as a unique attribute value by the extraction unit 336. The screen processing unit 337 may also synthesize a second type of suggestive image SS2 on the racecard screen RG as shown in Figure 8(b). This suggestive image SS2 is also an image for suggesting a horse number as a lucky number, but it is synthesized near the corresponding horse number and clearly points to that horse number. In other words, when the race card screen RG as shown in Figure 6(a) above is presented on the terminal device 400 and the discrimination unit 334 above determines that the user is unsure who to vote for, the voting candidates are determined by the decision unit 335 above, and attribute values ​​are extracted by the extraction unit 336 above, and the screen processing unit 337 combines suggestion images SS1 and SS2 as shown in Figures 8(a) and (b) with the race card screen RG. By presenting these suggestion images SS1 and SS2, users who are unsure of who to vote for will be stimulated with intuition and inspiration, and it is expected that the user's desire to select the suggested candidate as their vote will increase.

[0053] Furthermore, the screen processing unit 337 may synthesize a suggestive image onto a specific screen other than the racecard screen RG shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). For example, the screen processing unit 337 may combine a first type of suggestive image SS1 with an odds screen OG as shown in Fig. 9(a). Also, the screen processing unit 337 may combine a second type of suggestive image SS2 with a voting screen BG as shown in Fig. 9(b). Note that the screen processing unit 337 may combine the second type of suggestive image SS2 with the odds screen OG, and the screen processing unit 337 may combine the first type of suggestive image SS1 with the voting screen BG. Note that these suggestion images SS1 and SS2 are examples of suggestion images when the above-mentioned extraction unit 336 extracts numerical values ​​as attribute values. Therefore, when the extraction unit 336 extracts color values ​​as attribute values, the screen processing unit 337 may combine different types of suggestion images with the specific screen.

[0054] For example, the screen processing unit 337 may synthesize a third type of suggestive image SS3 on the racecard screen RG as shown in Figure 10(a). This suggestive image SS3 is, as an example, an image for suggesting the color of the gate number as a lucky color, and in this example, the color of the 7th gate (gate number is 7), "orange," is extracted as a unique attribute value by the extraction unit 336. The screen processing unit 337 may also synthesize a fourth type of suggestive image SS4 on the racecard screen RG as shown in Figure 10(b). This suggestive image SS4 is also an image for suggesting the color of the gate number as a lucky color, but it is synthesized near the corresponding gate number and clearly indicates the color of that gate number.

[0055] The suggestion images SS1 to SS4 described above are only examples, and suggestion images of other shapes or display contents may be combined with the specific screen. Furthermore, instead of combining the suggestion images SS1 to SS4 with the specific screen, the screen processing unit 337 may process the data of the specific screen to incorporate the contents of the suggestion images SS1 to SS4 into the specific screen.

[0056] Returning to FIG. 3, the application unit 338 applies the contents of the bet cast by the user to the promoter server 200, thereby finalizing the purchase of the betting ticket. For example, when any square SQ is selected on the betting screen BG as shown in Figure 7(b) above and the input button TB is pressed, the betting details indicated in the betting selection are input into the electronic cart, and then when the user instructs the purchase of a betting ticket for the betting details through a specified purchase screen, the application unit 338 will, for example, send purchase information including the user ID and the betting details to the organizer server 200 to confirm the purchase of the betting ticket.

[0057] The above-described CPU 501, image processing unit 505, and the like can function as the control unit 330 configured as described above.

[0058] (Operation of the horse racing ticket sales agency server 300) The operation of the betting ticket sale agency server 300 configured as above will be explained below with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the betting ticket sale agency server 300's betting acceptance process executed by the control unit 330 of the betting ticket sale agency server 300. Figure 12 is a flowchart of a subroutine showing details of the screen processing in the betting acceptance process. The betting acceptance process of Figure 11 is started, for example, when the terminal device 400 accesses the betting ticket sale agency server 300 (for example, by logging in, etc.).

[0059] The control unit 330 generates a screen and presents it on the terminal device 400 (step S11). That is, the screen generation unit 331 generates one of the screens shown in Fig. 4 in accordance with an operation by the user. Then, the presentation unit 332 presents the screen generated by the screen generation unit 331 to the terminal device 400. For example, the screen generation unit 331 generates a specific screen including a list of betting targets for a race. This specific screen includes, for example, a racecard screen RG as shown in Fig. 6(a), an odds screen OG as shown in Fig. 6(b), and a betting screen BG as shown in Fig. 7(b). Then, the presentation unit 332 presents the racecard screen RG, odds screen OG, betting screen BG, etc. to the terminal device 400 by transmitting the screen generated by the screen generation unit 331 to the terminal device 400 via the communication unit 310.

[0060] The control unit 330 determines whether or not a specific screen including a list of voting targets is being presented (step S12). That is, the determination unit 334 determines whether a specific screen including a list of betting targets, such as the racecard screen RG, odds screen OG, or betting screen BG, is being presented on the terminal device 400.

[0061] When the control unit 330 determines that the specific screen is not being presented (step S12; No), the control unit 330 advances the process to step S14, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific screen is being presented (step S12; Yes), the control unit 330 sets the current time as the time information that serves as the starting point (starting point time information) (step S13). When it is determined in step S12 that the specific screen is not being displayed, the control unit 330 may check whether a value has been set in the start time information. If a value remains in the start time information even though the specific screen is not being displayed, the control unit 330 may delete the value from the start time information.

[0062] The control unit 330 determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the screen (step S14). For example, if a specific screen is being presented on the terminal device 400, the control unit 330 determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the specific screen.

[0063] When the control unit 330 determines that no operation has been performed on the screen (step S14; No), it determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the start time (step S15). That is, the determination unit 334 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed from the difference between the time set in the start time information and the current time. If a screen other than the specific screen (a screen that does not include a list of voting targets) is being presented to the terminal device 400, no time is set in the start time information, and therefore in this step S15, the control unit 330 determines that a certain period of time has not elapsed.

[0064] If the control unit 330 determines that the certain time has not elapsed since the start time (step S15; No), the control unit 330 returns the process to step S14 described above. On the other hand, if it is determined that a certain time has elapsed since the start time (step S15; Yes), the control unit 330 executes a screen processing process (step S16). Hereinafter, the screen processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0065] When the screen processing (subroutine) of FIG. 12 starts, the control unit 330 determines a voting candidate from the list of voting targets (step S21). For example, the determination unit 335 determines the betting target (entrant) with the smallest odds value from the list of betting targets as the betting candidate. Furthermore, when there are multiple betting targets with odds values ​​less than a certain value, the determination unit 335 may determine one betting target selected at random from among them as the betting candidate. Additionally, the determination unit 335 may predict the race results of the betting targets and determine the betting candidates based on the prediction results.

[0066] The control unit 330 extracts attribute values ​​specific to the voting candidates (step S22). That is, the extraction unit 336 extracts attribute values ​​specific to the voting candidates determined in step S21 above. For example, the extraction unit 336 extracts the numeric value of the horse number of a betting candidate as the unique attribute value. Furthermore, when the gate numbers of the betting candidates determined in step S21 are one horse per gate, the extraction unit 336 may extract the numeric value of the gate number or the color value of the gate number as the unique attribute value. In addition, when the horse name of a betting candidate (entrant) determined in step S21 contains a word or phrase that evokes a number or color, and the names of other entrants do not contain the same word or phrase that evokes a number or color, the extraction unit 336 may extract the numeric value or color value as the unique attribute value. Furthermore, the extraction unit 336 may extract attribute values ​​from information about the jockeys riding the betting candidates (racehorses) determined in step S21. For example, if a jockey's name contains a word or phrase associated with a number or color, and the names of other jockeys do not contain the same word or phrase associated with a number or color, the extraction unit 336 may extract the numerical value or color value as a unique attribute value. Also, if the color of a jockey's racing uniform (for example, the main color) is different from the colors of the racing uniforms of other jockeys, the extraction unit 336 may extract the color value as a unique attribute value.

[0067] The control unit 330 combines the suggestion image based on the attribute value with the specific screen (step S23). That is, the screen processing unit 337 synthesizes a suggestion image, which suggests that the attribute value extracted in step S22 above is good luck for the user, on the specific screen and causes the terminal device 400 to present the image. For example, if a racecard screen RG as shown in FIG. 6(a) is presented on the terminal device 400, the screen processing unit 337 will composite suggestion images SS1 and SS2 onto the racecard screen RG as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). If an odds screen OG as shown in FIG. 6(b) is presented on the terminal device 400, the screen processing unit 337 will composite suggestion image SS1 onto the odds screen OG as shown in FIG. 9(a). The screen processing unit 337 may also composite suggestion image SS2 onto the odds screen OG. If a voting screen BG as shown in FIG. 7(b) is presented on the terminal device 400, the screen processing unit 337 will composite suggestion image SS2 onto the voting screen BG as shown in FIG. 9(b). The screen processing unit 337 may also composite suggestion image SS1 onto the voting screen BG. Note that these suggestion images SS1 and SS2 are examples of suggestion images when a numerical value is extracted as the attribute value in the above-described step S22. Therefore, when a color value is extracted as the attribute value in step S22, the screen processing unit 337 may combine a different suggestion image with the specific screen. For example, if the racecard screen RG as shown in Figure 6(a) is presented on the terminal device 400, the screen processing unit 337 may combine suggestion images SS3 and SS4 with the racecard screen RG as shown in Figures 10(a) and (b).

[0068] When the control unit 330 completes this screen processing, it returns to the vote acceptance processing of FIG. 11 and proceeds to step S19, which will be described later.

[0069] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S14 that an operation on the screen has been performed (step S14; Yes), the control unit 330 determines whether or not the operation is for transitioning the screen (step S17). That is, the control unit 330 determines whether or not an object or the like that causes a screen transition has been operated by the user.

[0070] If the control unit 330 determines that the operation is to transition the screen (step S17; Yes), the process returns to step S11. That is, in step S11, the control unit 330 generates a transition destination screen and presents it to the terminal device 400.

[0071] On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation is not for transitioning the screen (step S17; No), the control unit 330 determines whether or not the operation is for purchasing (step S18). That is, the control unit 330 determines whether or not the user has instructed to purchase a betting ticket for the betting content through a predetermined purchase screen, with the betting content indicated in the bet on the promising bet being added to the electronic cart.

[0072] If the control unit 330 determines that the operation is not a purchase operation (step S18; No), it resets the current time (step S19). That is, the control unit 330 resets the start time information to the current time (step S19). Note that if a screen other than the specific screen is being presented on the terminal device 400, no time is set in the start time information, and therefore the control unit 330 does not reset the current time in step S19. Then, the control unit 330 returns the process to step S14 described above.

[0073] On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation is a purchase operation (step S18; Yes), the control unit 330 requests the sponsor server 200 to purchase a betting ticket (step S20). That is, the application unit 338 applies to the promoter server 200 for the purchase of the betting ticket that has been bet, thereby finalizing the purchase of the betting ticket by the user.

[0074] Through the vote acceptance process of Figure 11 and the screen processing process of Figure 12, if it is determined that the user is unsure who to vote for because no operation is performed while a specific screen is being presented on the terminal device 400, suggestion images SS1 to SS4 such as those shown in Figures 8(a), (b) to 10(a), (b) are presented. By presenting these suggestion images SS1 to SS4, users who are unsure who to vote for will be stimulated with intuition and inspiration. It is expected that the user's desire to select the suggested voting candidates as their voting destination will increase. This makes it possible to support the user in purchasing voting tickets for the voting candidates.

[0075] As a result, it is possible to appropriately stimulate the intuition and inspiration of users who are undecided about who to vote for, and to assist them in purchasing voting tickets.

[0076] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, suggestion images SS1 to SS4 as shown in Figures 8(a), (b) to 10(a), (b) are presented to suggest to the user a single betting candidate corresponding to a lucky number or a lucky color, but the suggestion images may also suggest more specific betting candidates that include the betting candidates. For example, a case will be described in which a trifecta betting screen BG as shown in FIG. 13(a) is presented on the terminal device 400. This trifecta betting screen BG has squares SQ arranged in a matrix, in which betting targets (each horse number) and each ranking can be associated and selected. When the user selects one of the squares SQ, the horse number and ranking indicated vertically and horizontally are selected. This trifecta betting screen BG also has a submit button TB, and when the submit button TB is pressed with the first place horse number, second place horse number, and third place horse number selected in at least three squares SQ, the betting contents indicating the combination of betting targets are entered into the electronic cart. In such a trifecta betting screen BG, the user must select the horse numbers for first to third place, so the screen processing unit 337 superimposes a fifth type of suggestion image SS5 onto the betting screen BG, as shown in FIG. 13(b), for example. This suggestion image SS5 is an image that suggests the horse number "7" as a lucky number and recommends more specific bets that include that horse number to the user. This example shows a case where bets of "7-5-9" and "7-5-1" are recommended to the user.

[0077] In addition, the screen processing unit 337 may, for example, superimpose a sixth type suggestion image SS6 on the betting screen BG, as shown in Fig. 14(a). This suggestion image SS6 is an image that suggests the horse number "7" as a lucky number and the color (yellow) of the gate number "5" as a lucky color, as well as recommending more specific bets that include these horse numbers to the user. This example also shows a case where the bets "7-5-9" and "7-5-1" are recommended to the user.

[0078] Furthermore, the screen processing unit 337 may, for example, superimpose a seventh type suggestion image SS7 on the betting screen BG as shown in Fig. 14(b). This suggestion image SS7 is, for example, an image that suggests the horse number "7" as a lucky number and recommends the user's bets with the same lucky number to the user. This example also shows a case where "7-5-9" and "7-5-1" are recommended to the user.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the betting system 100 for horse racing has been described as an example of publicly managed gaming, but it can also be applied to other publicly managed gaming events such as bicycle racing and boat racing.

[0080] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sales agent server, a screen processing method, and a program that can appropriately stimulate the intuition and inspiration of users who are undecided about who to vote for, and assist them in purchasing voting tickets. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100 Voting System 200 Host Server 300 Betting ticket sales agent server 310 Communications Department 320 Storage section 330 Control Unit 331 Screen generation section 332 Presentation section 333 Reception Department 334 Discrimination part 335 Decision Section 336 Extraction part 337 Screen processing department 338 Application Department 400 Terminal Equipment 500 Information processing equipment 501 CPU 502 ROM 503 RAM 504 NIC 505 Image Processing Unit 506 Audio Processing Unit 507 Auxiliary storage 508 Interface 509 Operation Unit 510 Display Unit 511 Speaker 900 Internet

Claims

1. A sales agent server that sells betting tickets for publicly managed competitions, a presentation unit that presents a specific screen including a list of voting targets to a user who accesses the terminal device in order to purchase a voting ticket; a reception unit that receives an operation from a user on the specific screen presented by the presentation unit; a determination unit that, when a certain time has elapsed without the reception unit receiving a predetermined operation while the presentation unit is presenting the specific screen, determines a voting candidate to be recommended to a user from among voting targets included in the specific screen; an extracting unit that extracts an attribute value specific to the voting candidate determined by the determining unit; a screen processing unit that synthesizes a suggestion image, which suggests that the attribute value extracted by the extraction unit is good luck for the user, onto the specific screen and presents the suggestion image on the terminal device; A sales agent server comprising:

2. The specific screen includes a race entry screen, an odds screen, and a voting screen.

2. The sales agent server according to claim 1.

3. the screen processing unit, when the extraction unit extracts a numerical value as the attribute value, synthesizes the suggestion image, which suggests that the numerical value is a lucky number for the user, on the specific screen; 3. The sales agent server according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the screen processing unit, when the extraction unit extracts a color value as the attribute value, synthesizes the suggestion image, which suggests that the color value is a lucky color for a user, on the specific screen.

3. The sales agent server according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A screen processing method executed by a sales agent server that sells betting tickets for publicly managed competitions, comprising: a presentation step of presenting a specific screen including a list of voting targets to a user who has accessed the terminal device in order to purchase a voting ticket; a receiving step of receiving an operation from a user on the specific screen presented in the presenting step; a determination step of determining voting candidates to be recommended to a user from among voting targets included in the specific screen when a certain time has elapsed without a predetermined operation being accepted in the acceptance step while the specific screen is being presented in the presentation step; an extraction step of extracting an attribute value specific to the voting candidate determined in the determination step; a screen processing step of synthesizing a suggestion image, which suggests that the attribute value extracted in the extraction step is good luck for the user, on the specific screen and presenting the suggestion image on the terminal device; A screen processing method comprising:

6. A computer that sells betting tickets for public lotteries a presentation step of presenting a specific screen including a list of voting targets to a user who has accessed the terminal device in order to purchase a voting ticket; a receiving step of receiving an operation from a user on the specific screen presented in the presenting step; a determination step of determining voting candidates to be recommended to a user from among voting targets included in the specific screen when a certain time has elapsed without a predetermined operation being accepted in the acceptance step while the specific screen is being presented in the presentation step; an extraction step of extracting attribute values ​​specific to the voting candidates determined in the determination step; a screen processing step of synthesizing a suggestion image, which suggests that the attribute value extracted in the extraction step is fortunate for the user, with the specific screen and presenting the suggestion image on the terminal device; A program characterized by executing the above.

Images