Program, terminal, and method for providing information by widget

Abstract

To provide information through widgets placed on a terminal's home screen.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer, which is a terminal 100, to acquire an information content relating to an item to be purchased selected based on preferences of a user of the terminal 100 and a display period set to be included in a purchase enable period set for the item to be purchased. The program also displays the information content within a widget 110 arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal 100 during the acquired display period. Furthermore, the program causes an application 120 to display a first form for adding the item to be purchased to an electronic cart when the application 120 is launched via the widget 110 that displays the information content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a terminal, and a method for providing information by means of a widget. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known technology that allows users to purchase betting tickets for public races online, allowing them to enjoy public races easily regardless of location. However, since the period during which betting tickets can be purchased for public races is limited, it is necessary to select an appropriate time to provide users with information about the betting tickets.

[0003] Therefore, there is known a technique for improving convenience by devising a method for presenting information about races used by users to consider their betting contents. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for calculating a basic consideration time required for each user to consider their betting contents, and preferentially displaying information about races for which the time from the current time to the closing time for sales of betting tickets is longer than the calculated basic consideration time.

[0004] Also, a technology called widget is known. A widget is a function provided in association with an app. A widget displays information related to a specific app in a simple manner in a small area displayed on the home screen of a device such as a smartphone or tablet, or provides a shortcut function for the app that allows the user to easily launch the app by tapping, clicking, or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-162237 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When a user uses a terminal to purchase a betting ticket, from the standpoint of transaction security, etc., tasks such as identity verification are required at the time of purchase, which often takes additional time in addition to the consideration of the betting ticket from when the app is launched until the betting ticket is purchased. On the other hand, a user may obtain information by looking at the home screen of the device, for example, when they are short on time, and later want to operate the app based on that information.

[0007] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a program, a terminal, and a method that enable users to use a widget placed on the home screen of a terminal to make considerations based on information displayed on the widget. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a program according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: On the terminal computer, Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of the terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for adding the purchase object to an electronic cart. Make the following happen.

[0009] Moreover, a terminal according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of the terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for adding the purchase item to an electronic cart.

[0010] Moreover, the method according to the third aspect of the present invention comprises: The terminal computer, Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of the terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for adding the purchase item to an electronic cart. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program, a terminal, and a method that enable consideration based on information displayed on a widget by using the widget arranged on the home screen of the terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing cooperation between the terminal and other devices. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a session diagram showing communication between an application and a server without going through a widget. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a top screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vote input screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a first form. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a payment form. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a payment completion screen. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a session diagram showing interactions between a widget, an application, and a server. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a session diagram showing interactions between a widget, an application, and a server. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a race list. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a widget. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a first form. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a widget. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a widget. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a second form. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a second form. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a first form. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a payment form. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a payment completion screen. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of widget processing. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of application processing. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a second form in the modified example. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a second form in the modified example. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a session diagram showing interactions between a widget, an application, and a server in a modified example. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a widget according to a modified example. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a second form in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiment is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, a person skilled in the art can adopt an embodiment in which each or all of the elements are replaced with an equivalent, and such an embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0014] (Relationship between terminals, servers and programs) The program according to this embodiment is a program for a computer that is a terminal. The terminal according to this embodiment is a terminal computer such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer, and provides information provided from one or more servers to a user who uses the terminal.

[0015] The terminal according to this embodiment can be used, for example, when acquiring information about races (hereinafter also referred to as "information content") such as upcoming races, predictions for each race, favorite riders, notable races, and target tickets from a server that provides a bicycle racing betting service, and presenting it to the user. Target tickets (hereinafter referred to as "targets") are, for example, bets suggested based on information such as predicted lineups and predicted race developments, and refer to tickets that should be brought to the attention of ticket buyers.

[0016] The terminal and server of this embodiment are generally realized by causing a computer to execute a program, but it is also possible to cause the processing to be executed by a dedicated electronic circuit.

[0017] In addition, as an intermediate form between a computer and a dedicated electronic circuit, it is also possible to configure the terminal and server of this embodiment by applying a technology such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which compiles a program into a design script for an electronic circuit and dynamically configures the electronic circuit based on the design script.

[0018] The terminal according to this embodiment can be realized by a terminal computer that realizes a smartphone or the like by executing a terminal program provided by a business operator or an administrator via a distribution server or the like.

[0019] The terminal program may be an "app" with a so-called "widget." A widget is displayed on the home screen of a terminal, and displays information related to the app and accepts certain operations without launching the app itself or while the app is running in the background.

[0020] The server of this embodiment is realized by one or more server computers that communicate with terminals that access the information content provided by the server, executing each function realized by one or more server programs.

[0021] In general, programs executed by terminal computers and server computers can be recorded on computer-readable non-transitory information recording media such as compact disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, ROMs (Read Only Memory), EEPROMs (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), flash memories, semiconductor memories, etc. These information recording media can also be distributed and sold independently of the terminal computers and server computers.

[0022] In terminal computers and server computers, programs recorded on non-transitory information recording media such as flash memory and hard disks are read into a temporary storage device called a Random Access Memory (RAM), and the instructions contained in the read program are then executed by a Central Processing Unit (CPU). However, in architectures that allow for mapping and execution of ROM and RAM in a single memory space, the instructions contained in the program stored in ROM are directly read and executed by the CPU.

[0023] Furthermore, terminal programs and server programs can be distributed and sold to terminal computers and server computers, etc. from a distribution server managed by the operator via a temporary transmission medium such as a computer communication network, independently of the computer on which the program is executed.

[0024] In addition, when a terminal or server is composed of multiple computers, the programs running on each computer are multiple different terminal programs or server programs that have different functions but work together. Therefore, the combination of these multiple programs can be considered as a system program for realizing the terminal or server.

[0025] Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the terminal provides the user with information content related to the bicycle racing betting sales service provided by the server through a widget or an application.

[0026] (Overall composition) 1 is an explanatory diagram showing cooperation between a terminal 100 and other devices. The following description will be made with reference to this diagram. One or more terminals 100 are connected to a server 200 via a computer communication network 300 such as the Internet.

[0027] The terminal 100 is a terminal used by a user who utilizes the bicycle racing betting sales service provided by the server 200. The user checks information content related to the race, such as targets and predictions of the race development, via a widget or an application placed on the home screen of the terminal 100, and considers purchasing a betting ticket.

[0028] The server 200 is operated by a business or an operator that provides bicycle racing betting sales services, and provides information content about races to users using the terminals 100 via a computer communication network 300 .

[0029] A user who uses the bicycle racing betting service registers himself / herself in advance in the server 200 via the terminal 100. In addition to basic information such as name, address, and payment method, the user can register information based on the user's preferences such as a favorite cyclist, bicycle racing track, etc., during user registration. The information based on the user's preferences may include the user's behavior history such as browsing history and purchase history. It may also include favorite cyclists, bicycle racing tracks, etc. registered by other users who have similar information based on the user's preferences, but which the user has not yet registered. For example, other users who register the same cyclists, bicycle racing tracks, etc. as the favorite cyclists, bicycle racing tracks, etc. registered by the user have at least similar information based on the user's preferences. In addition, the behavior history of other users who have similar information based on the user's preferences may also be included.

[0030] (Transmission of data between apps and servers without going through a widget) Before describing data transmission between a widget, an application, and a server in this embodiment, data transmission between an application and a server in a case where an application is directly launched without going through a widget will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] First, when a user operates the terminal 100 to directly launch the application 120 (201), the application 120 transmits a top screen request to the server 200 to request a top screen (202). When the server 200 receives the top screen request from the application 120, it transmits a response specifying a top screen to the terminal 100 (203). Then, the application 120 displays the received top screen (204).

[0032] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the top screen 121. On the top screen 121, for example, the most recent races for each race venue held on that day are displayed in a list. Next to each race displayed in the list, a race ticket button RT for displaying the race entry list for that race, and a vote input button VI for proceeding to a vote input screen are displayed.

[0033] Here, when the user presses the vote input button VI for the Omiya 1st race (205), the terminal 100 sends a vote input screen request specifying the Omiya 1st race to the server 200 to request a vote input screen (206). When the server 200 receives the vote input screen request from the terminal 100, it sends a response specifying the vote input screen for the Omiya 1st race to the terminal 100 (207). Then, the application 120 displays the vote input screen for the Omiya 1st race specified in the received response (208).

[0034] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the betting input screen 122. On the betting input screen 122, a betting ticket can be selected by specifying the betting type BT and the finishing order AO. Here, the user selects a betting ticket for the betting ticket "1-4" by selecting the betting type BT and specifying the car number "1" for the first place and the car number "4" for the second place (209), and then presses the betting button VB (210).

[0035] The terminal 100 transmits to the server 200 a first form request that requests a first form, specifying the two-horse bet "1-4" (211). On receiving the first form request from the terminal 100, the server 200 transmits to the terminal 100 a response that specifies a first form that reflects the two-horse bet "1-4" (212). The application 120 then displays the first form specified in the response received from the server 200 (213).

[0036] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the first form 123. The first form 123 is an electronic cart called a betting box, and displays a betting ticket TK1, its odds OD1, and the number of purchases PN1. The number of purchases PN1 can be increased by the user pressing the plus button PB, and can be decreased by pressing the minus button MB, and the initial value is set to "1". Pressing the home button HB allows the user to return to the top screen 121 shown in the example of FIG. 3. In addition, the user can proceed to a payment form for confirming the payment by pressing the betting confirmation button VC.

[0037] Here, when the user presses the bet confirmation button VC (214), the terminal 100 sends a payment form request to the server 200 to request a payment form specifying one betting ticket for the two-way bet "1-4" (215). On receiving the payment form request, the server 200 sends a response specifying a payment form reflecting one betting ticket for the two-way bet "1-4" to the terminal 100 (216). The application 120 then displays the payment form specified in the response received from the server 200 (217).

[0038] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the payment form 124. The payment form 124 displays one ticket TK1 for the two-horse bet "1-4" specified in the first form 123 of Fig. 5 as the betting content, as well as the number of purchases, the total amount, a PIN input field PI for inputting a PIN for identity verification, and a payment button SB for completing the payment.

[0039] When the user confirms the voting details, enters the PIN number, and presses the payment button SB (218), the terminal 100 sends a payment request specifying the voting details and the PIN number to the server 200 (219). When the server 200 receives the payment request, it authenticates the user using the specified PIN number, completes the payment of the total amount related to the voting details, and sends a response specifying a payment completion screen to the terminal 100 (220). Then, the application 120 displays the payment completion screen specified in the response received from the server 200 (221). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the payment completion screen 125. The payment completion screen 125 displays the voting details, the payment amount, etc.

[0040] (Transmission of data between widgets, apps, and servers) Next, data transmission and reception between the widget, the application, and the server in this embodiment will be described. The widget in this embodiment includes a check box, and when an area of ​​an unchecked check box is tapped, the check box is checked, and when an area of ​​a checked check box is tapped, the check box is unchecked. In addition, when an area other than the check box is tapped, the application can be started.

[0041] 8 and 9 are session diagrams showing data exchange when a user of the terminal 100 selects a betting ticket from the suggested targets via the widget 110 or the application 120. Here, the application 120 is for accessing information content related to races provided by the server 200, and the widget 110 provides some of the functions provided by the application.

[0042] First, in the terminal 100, the widget 110 obtains information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of the user of the terminal 100 and a display period set to be included in a purchase period set for the race related to the purchase target. That is, the widget 110 obtains a race list L shown in the example of FIG. 10 from the server 200 (301).

[0043] 10, the race list L is linked to the race name, the period during which tickets set for that race can be purchased, the display period during which information content about that race is displayed on the widget 110, and the information content. The race list L is created in advance by the server 200 based on information based on the user's preferences. Here, it is assumed that the user has registered "Tamano Velodrome" as his / her favorite Velodrome, and the server 200 has selected races "Tamano [1R]" to "Tamano [9R]" to be held at the Velodrome based on the information based on the user's preferences, and created the race list L.

[0044] The purchase period included in the race list L is set in advance by the organizer of the race, and is, for example, the period from the time when the sale of betting tickets begins to the time when the betting Internet betting closes. The display period is set by the operator or the business that provides the bicycle race betting sales service so that it is included in the purchase period. For example, the display period is the period that excludes the time taken by the user to purchase the betting ticket from the purchase period. The time taken by the user to purchase the betting ticket can be, for example, the average or median of the time from the time when the server 200 receives the betting input screen request from the terminal 100 (paragraph

[0033] ) to the time when the server 200 transmits the response specifying the payment completion screen to the terminal 100 (paragraph

[0040] ) in the race for which the user purchased the betting ticket. In addition, the display period may be any time period specified by the user within the period that excludes the time taken by the user to purchase the betting ticket from the purchase period. In this case, the user can use the so-called spare time to make a review based on the information displayed on the widget by specifying a time period that includes, for example, commuting time, returning home time, traveling time during work, etc. The information content is, for example, a target for each race included in the race list L. The target may be provided by a business entity that predicts races through a network (not shown) or may be predictions by users that have a proven track record or that have received support from many users.

[0045] Next, the Widget 110 displays the information content during the acquired display period. First, as shown in Fig. 8, when the Widget 110 acquires the race list L from the server 200, the Widget 110 prepares information content for races within the display period from among the races included in the race list L based on a predetermined algorithm. Here, it is assumed that the Widget 110 prepares content 1 for the Tamano No. 1 race (302). Then, when the user displays the home screen by pressing the home button of the terminal 100 or the like (303), the Widget 110 displays content 1 within the Widget 110 (304).

[0046] 8 and 9, the widget 110 and the application 120 that are active, i.e., those displayed on the screen of the terminal 100 or those in the foreground, are indicated by thick lines. For example, in the example of Fig. 8, the widget 110 is active in the section from (303) to (309), and the application 120 is active in the section from (309) to (310).

[0047] Also, there is an OS (Operating System) that starts the application 120 when the widget 110 is tapped, but the following description is based on the assumption that an OS that supports an extended function that can include, in the widget 110, an interactive element that does not start the application 120 even if a user operates the information content displayed by the widget 110. That is, the description is based on the assumption that the widget 110 includes a checkbox, and when the area of ​​the checkbox is tapped, the checked state changes and the application 120 is not started. The OS that starts the application 120 when the widget 110 is tapped will be described later.

[0048] As shown in the example of FIG. 11, the widget 110 displays the target of the Tamano 1st race as the content 1. Here, the bets "1⇔2" and "1⇔3" are displayed as the target, and the user can select these targets by the check boxes CB111 and CB112. The bet "1⇔2" means two two-bet bets "1-2" and "2-1", and the bet "1⇔3" means two two-bet bets "1-3" and "3-1". When the user taps the area of ​​the check box CB111 or CB112, the tapped check box is checked, and when the user taps the area other than the check box CB111 or CB112, the app 120 is started. The user can also start the app 120 by directly tapping the icon IC of the app 120.

[0049] In addition, if the display periods of multiple races included in the race list L overlap, the information content of the races prepared by the widget 110 may be switched in sequence at predetermined intervals, such as every 10 minutes, according to a predetermined algorithm.

[0050] Next, when the application 120 is started via the widget 110 that displays the information content, the application 120 displays a first form for adding a purchase item to an electronic cart. Here, it is assumed that the user taps a location other than the checkboxes CB111 and CB112 without selecting either the checkboxes CB111 and CB112 to start the application 120 (305). The widget 110 sends to the application 120 a start request specifying that neither the checkboxes CB111 nor CB112 are checked (306).

[0051] When the application 120 receives a start request from the widget 110, the terminal 100 transmits a first form request (307) to the server 200 to request a first form specifying that neither check box CB111 nor CB112 is checked. When the application 120 is directly started by tapping the icon IC or the like without going through the widget 110, a top screen request is transmitted to the server 200 (202) as shown in Fig. 2, but when the application 120 is started through the widget 110, a first form request is transmitted.

[0052] When the server 200 receives the first form request from the terminal 100, the server 200 transmits a response specifying the first form reflecting the fact that neither the check boxes CB111 nor CB112 are checked to the application 120 (308).

[0053] When the application 120 receives a response from the server 200, the application 120 displays the first form specified in the received response (309). The first form is called a voting box as shown in the example of FIG. 12. In this figure, the electronic cart itself is shown, but the first form 123 may be a form showing a state before a purchase target is added to the electronic cart. The first form 123 reflects the content in which neither of the check boxes CB111 and CB112 of the widget 110 in the example of FIG. 11 is checked. This first form 123 corresponds to the first form 123 shown in FIG. 5 when the application 120 is directly started without going through the widget 110. Returning to FIG. 12, the betting tickets TK1 to TK4, the odds OD1 to OD4 of each betting ticket, and the purchase quantities PN1 to PN4 are displayed in the first form 123.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 11, none of the check boxes are checked in the widget 110, so in the first form 123 of FIG. 12, the purchase quantities PN1 to PN4 of all the corresponding tickets are set to 0.

[0055] Here, it is assumed that the application 120 is terminated without the user performing any substantial operation on the application 120 (310). For example, a situation may be considered in which the first form 123 is displayed, but the user does not have time to consider it and immediately closes the application 120. When the application 120 is terminated without performing any operation on the application 120 after the user performs an operation on the widget 110 that displays information content and the application 120 is started via the widget 110, the application 120 makes a note of the purchase object. That is, when the application 120 is terminated (including the transition of the application to background execution; the same applies below) without the user operating the vote confirmation button VC in the first form 123, the application 120 makes a note of the fact that no specific process has been performed on the first form 123 or that neither of the check boxes CB111 and CB112 of the widget 110 has been checked, that is, records the content in the storage device of the terminal 100 (311). Here, the note by the application 120 is referred to as note 1. Memo 1 is recorded in the terminal 100 during the purchase period from 0:00 to 20:35 shown in the example of FIG. 10, and is deleted when the purchase period has elapsed.

[0056] Next, the Widget 110 switches the information content to be prepared for display after a predetermined time has elapsed based on a predetermined algorithm. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the Widget 110 prepares information content for a race that is within the display period from the race list L shown in FIG. 10. Here, it is assumed that the Widget 110 prepares content 2 for the Tamano No. 2 race (312). Then, when the user displays the home button of the terminal 100 (313), the Widget 110 displays content 2 shown in FIG. 13 within the Widget 110 (314). In FIG. 13, the check box CB121 is checked, but initially it is displayed in an unchecked state.

[0057] In the content 2 displayed by the widget 110, the bets on the horse bet "3⇔7" and the trifecta "3-7-4" are displayed as possible bets, and the user can select these bets by using the check boxes CB121 and CB122.

[0058] When the user of the terminal 100 performs a predetermined operation on the widget 110 that displays information content, the application 120 makes a note of the purchase target. That is, assume that the user checks the check box CB121 out of the check boxes CB121 and CB122 (315) as shown in Fig. 13. In this case, the widget 110 sends a note request specifying the content of the check box CB121 to the application 120 (316).

[0059] When the application 120 receives the memo request from the widget 110, it makes a note of the contents of the check box CB121 specified in the memo request (317). Here, the memo made by the application 120 is called memo 2. Memo 2 is recorded in the terminal 100 during the purchase period from 0:00 to 20:55 shown in the example of Fig. 10, and is deleted when the purchase period has elapsed. It is then assumed that a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation by the user.

[0060] 9, suppose that the Widget 110 switches the information content to be prepared for display from the race list L shown in FIG. 10 based on a predetermined algorithm and prepares content 3 for the third race at Tamano (318). When the user displays the home screen of the terminal 100 (319), the Widget 110 displays content 3 shown in FIG. 14 within the Widget 110 (320). In FIG. 14, the checkbox CB132 is checked, but initially it is displayed unchecked.

[0061] In the content 3 displayed by the widget 110, the bet "5⇔6" and the third place "4, 3 or 2" are displayed as targets, and the user can select these targets by using the check boxes CB131 and CB132. The bet "5⇔6" means two quinellas "5-6" and "6-5", while the third place "4, 3 or 2" is a prediction of the third place bet following these quinellas. In other words, the bet "5⇔6" means bets for the quinellas "5-6" and "6-5", while the third place "4, 3 or 2" means bets for the trifecta "5-6-4", "5-6-3", "5-6-2", "6-5-4", "6-5-3", and "6-5-2".

[0062] 14, assume that the user checks the check box CB132 out of the check boxes CB131 and CB132 (321). In this case, the widget 110 sends a memo request specifying the content of the check box CB132 to the application 120 (322).

[0063] When the application 120 receives the memo request from the widget 110, the application 120 makes a note of the contents of the check box CB132 specified in the memo request (323). Here, the memo made by the application 120 is referred to as memo 3. Memo 3 is recorded in the terminal 100 during the purchase period from 0:00 to 21:15 shown in the example of Fig. 10, and is deleted when the purchase period has elapsed.

[0064] When there are multiple purchase targets memorized in app 120, app 120 may memorize the most recent one. When there are multiple purchase targets memorized and the purchase availability periods of the multiple purchase targets overlap when app 120 is launched, app 120 may adopt the purchase target memorized last during the overlapping purchase availability periods.

[0065] Here, when the application 120 is started without going through the widget 110 within the purchase period set for the noted purchase object, the application 120 displays the second form for inputting the purchase object into the electronic cart. For example, assume that the user performs an operation to directly start the application 120 instead of the widget 110 at 12 p.m. (324). The terminal 100 transmits a second form request to the server 200 to request the second form, specifying the memo 1, memo 2, and memo 3 recorded in the storage device of the terminal 100 (325). In the memo 1, it is noted that no specific processing was performed on the first form 123 in (311), etc. In the memo 2, the content of the check box CB121 in (317) is noted. In the memo 3, the content of the check box CB132 in (323) is noted.

[0066] When the server 200 receives the second form request, the server 200 transmits (326) a response specifying a second form that reflects the contents of Memo 1, Memo 2, and Memo 3 to the terminal 100. Then, the application 120 displays (327) the received second form.

[0067] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the second form 126. The second form 126 is a form in which the user can continue to consider buying a betting ticket that was being done in the widget 110 or the application 120. In the second form 126, a state in which a predetermined operation such as a check operation has been performed is maintained. In the second form 126, the target of the first race at Tamano, which is the content of memo 1, the target of the second race at Tamano, which is the content of memo 2, and the target of the third race at Tamano, which is the content of memo 3, are displayed in a state in which the check state at the time of making the memo is maintained. Note that since the first form 123 is opened once in (309), memo 1 does not need to be displayed in the second form 126.

[0068] The check boxes CB211, CB212, CB221, CB222, CB231, and CB232 in the second form 126 correspond to the check boxes CB111, CB112, CB121, CB122, CB131, and CB132 in the first form, respectively. Also displayed in the second form 126 is a voting button VB21 for purchasing a betting ticket using a voting method called "multi-voting," in which betting tickets corresponding to the checked contents of the check boxes CB211 to CB232 are collectively voted for. In addition to this, there may be a button for unchecking all the check boxes CB211 to CB232 and a button for changing the checked state of all the check boxes CB211 to CB232 to checked (both not shown).

[0069] In the second form 126, it is assumed that the user changes the checks in the check boxes CB211 to CB232, so that the check boxes CB212 and CB221 are checked as shown in Fig. 16. In this state, when the user presses the voting button VB21 (328), the terminal 100 transmits to the server 200 a first form request for requesting a first form, in which the contents of the check boxes CB212 and CB221 are specified (329). On receiving the first form request, the server 200 transmits to the terminal 100 a response specifying the first form request reflecting the contents of the check boxes CB212 and CB221 (330). Then, the application 120 displays the received first form (331).

[0070] 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the first form 123 reflecting the contents of the check boxes CB212 and CB221. The contents of the check box CB212, which is the bet "1⇔3", and the contents of the check box CB221, which is the bet "3⇔7", are reflected, and tickets TK1 to TK4 for the pair bets "1-3" and "3-1" for the Tamano 1st race and the pair bets "3-7" and "7-3" for the Tamano 2nd race are displayed. The purchase quantities PN1 to PN4 are each set to "1" as the initial value.

[0071] In the second form 126 in Fig. 16, the check boxes CB211, CB222, CB231, and CB232 are not checked. Therefore, in the first form 123 in Fig. 17, the betting tickets based on the exacta "1⇔2" in the Tamano 1st race, the trifecta "3-7-4" in the Tamano 2nd race, the exacta "5⇔6" in the Tamano 3rd race, and the third place "4, 3, 2" are not reflected.

[0072] When the user presses the bet confirmation button VC (332), the terminal 100 sends a payment form request specifying one each of the betting tickets TK1-TK4 to the server 200 (333). Upon receiving the payment form request, the server 200 sends a response specifying a payment form reflecting one each of the betting tickets TK1-TK4 to the terminal 100 (334). Then, the application 120 displays the payment form specified in the response received from the server 200 (335).

[0073] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the payment form 124. This payment form reflects the tickets TK1 to TK4 in the first form 123 of Fig. 17. When the user confirms the betting details, enters the PIN number, and presses the payment button SB (336), the terminal 100 transmits a payment request specifying the betting details and the PIN number to the server 200 (337).

[0074] When the server 200 receives the payment request, it authenticates the user with the specified PIN, then completes the payment of the total amount related to the betting details, and sends a response specifying a payment completion screen to the terminal 100 (339). Then, the application 120 displays the payment completion screen specified in the response received from the server 200 (340). Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the payment completion screen 125, which reflects the voting details and the like in the payment form 124.

[0075] (Widget processing and application processing) 20 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of widget processing executed by the widget 110 in this embodiment. The following description will be made with reference to FIG.

[0076] The widget 110 starts widget processing when, for example, the terminal 100 is powered on. When the widget processing starts, the widget 110 goes into a standby state until an event occurs (step S401).

[0077] 10 from the server 200, the widget 110 records the race list L in the storage device of the terminal 100 (step S402). After that, the process returns to step S401.

[0078] When the preparation start time of content n arrives, the widget 110 prepares to display content n (step S403). The preparation start time of content n is determined by the widget 110 according to a predetermined algorithm. For example, since the display period of contents 7 to 9 is from 22:30 to 23:30, the widget 110 sets the preparation start time of content n so that the widget 110 prepares by switching contents 7 to 9 at predetermined intervals, such as every 10 minutes. Then, the process returns to step S401.

[0079] Next, when the user operates the home button of the terminal 100 to display the home screen, the widget 110 displays the content n that is prepared at that time within the widget 110 (step S404). Then, the process returns to step S401.

[0080] When the content n is displayed in the widget 110, if the user presses the check box to operate it, the widget 110 checks or unchecks the check box in response to the user's operation to change the checked content (step S405). Then, the widget 110 sends a memo request specifying the changed checked content to the application 120 (step S406). After that, the process returns to step S401.

[0081] Next, when the content n is displayed in the widget 110, if the user presses an area other than the check box to start the application 120, the widget 110 sends a start request to the application 120 (step S407). Then, the process returns to step S401.

[0082] If another event occurs, the widget 110 executes another process corresponding to the event that occurred (step S408), and then the process returns to step S401.

[0083] 21 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of application processing executed by the application 120 in this embodiment. The following description will be made with reference to FIG.

[0084] The application 120 starts application processing, for example, when the power of the terminal 100 is turned on. When the application processing starts, the application 120 goes into a standby state until an event occurs (step S501).

[0085] When the application 120 receives an activation request from the widget 110 and is activated by the widget 110, the application 120 transmits a first form request to the server 200 (step S502). After that, the process returns to step S501.

[0086] Next, when the application 120 receives a response specifying the first form from the server 200, it displays the received first form (step S503). The first form has a form shown in FIG. 17, for example. The application 120 determines whether or not the user has operated the first form 123 (step S504). If the user has operated the first form 123 by pressing the vote confirmation button VC (Yes in step S504), the application 120 executes a corresponding process, such as sending a payment form request to the server 200 (step S505).

[0087] On the other hand, if there is no operation from the user (No in step S504), the application 120 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S506). If there is no operation from the user, the application 120 goes into a standby state until the predetermined time has elapsed (No in step S504, No in step S506). If there is no operation from the user and the predetermined time has elapsed (No in step S504, Yes in step S506), the application 120 makes a note of the contents of the first form (step S507). Here, the user operation determined in step S504 may be limited to a substantial operation such as pressing the vote confirmation button VC for transitioning to a payment form, and may not include operations such as pressing the plus button PB or the minus button MB, or changing the purchase quantities PN1 to PN4.

[0088] When the application 120 is put into the background in step S504, the control may proceed to step S507 and memoize the application 120, as in the case where a predetermined time has elapsed without any substantial operation. After that, the process returns to step S501.

[0089] When the application 120 receives the memo request from the widget 110, the application 120 makes a note of the content specified in the memo request (step S508), and then the process returns to step S501.

[0090] When the application 120 receives an operation from the user to directly start the application 120, such as tapping the icon IC of the application 120, the application 120 determines whether or not a memo is recorded in the storage device of the terminal 100 (step S509). When the application 120 determines that a memo is recorded (Yes in step S509), the application 120 transmits a second form request specifying all the memos recorded in the storage device of the terminal 100 to the server 200 (step S510). Note that, instead of specifying all the memos, the application 120 may delete memos whose purchase period has expired on its side before transmitting the request to the server 200.

[0091] On the other hand, if the application 120 determines that no memo is recorded in the storage device of the terminal 100 (No in step S509), it transmits a top screen request to the server 200 (step S511). After that, the process returns to step S501.

[0092] Next, when the application 120 receives a response specifying a second form from the server 200, it displays the second form specified in the received response (step S512). The second form includes only those notes that are still in the purchase period among those specified by the application 120 in step S510. Notes that are not in the purchase period are deleted on the server 200 side. Then, the process returns to step S501.

[0093] Furthermore, when the application 120 receives a response specifying a payment form from the server 200, the application 120 displays the payment form specified in the received response (step S513). After that, the process returns to step S501.

[0094] If another event occurs, the application 120 executes another process corresponding to the event that occurred (step S514). The process in step S505 and the process after sending the top screen request to the server 200 in step S511 are included in step S514. That is, the process of receiving the top screen 121 and displaying the top screen 121, and sequentially transitioning to the vote input screen 122, the first form 123, the payment form 124, and the payment completion screen 125 in response to an instruction from the user is processed in step S514. After that, the process returns to step S501.

[0095] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a purchase target is memoized when a predetermined operation is performed on the widget 110 or when the app 120 is terminated without any operation on the app 120 after it is started via the widget 110. The memoized purchase target is restored when the user later starts the app 120 directly. This allows the user to reconsider a purchase target that was in the middle of being considered in the widget 110 arranged on the home screen of the terminal 100 when the user later starts the app 120.

[0096] (Variation 1) The information content includes information that changes over time. The app 120 may display in the second form how the information included in the information content at the time the purchase target was noted has changed by the time the second form is displayed.

[0097] For example, the information content included in the race list L shown in the example of Fig. 10 may include the odds of the betting tickets that are the targets for each race. The odds change depending on the number of users who bet on each betting ticket, and therefore change over time.

[0098] In the second form displayed by the app 120 in (327) of FIG. 9, when displaying the memo 1, memo 2, and memo 3, if the target odds, which are the contents of the memos, have changed by a predetermined value or more compared to the time when each memo was made, the app 120 may display how the odds have changed.

[0099] For example, as shown in the example of Fig. 22, when the average odds, which is the average of the odds of the betting tickets included in the target for each race, are increased by a predetermined value or more, the application 120 may display a comment CM1 indicating that the average odds have increased. Conversely, when the average odds of the betting tickets included in the target for each race are decreased by a predetermined value or more, the application 120 may display a comment CM2 indicating that the average odds have decreased.

[0100] In addition, when the application 120 is launched without going through the widget 110 within the purchase period set for the noted purchase item, if the information contained in the information content at the time of the note has changed in a manner disadvantageous to the user, the display of the second form may be suppressed.

[0101] That is, as in the example shown in FIG. 23, for the target race, the third race at Tamano, for which the odds have dropped significantly, for example, the check boxes CB231 and CB232 may be made inactive so that they cannot be selected.

[0102] In this way, the application 120 presents the odds of the betting ticket to be purchased that have changed significantly since the time when the odds were noted down, so the user can consider the presented information before purchasing the betting ticket. Also, the application 120 suppresses the display of the second form when the odds have changed unfavorably to the user, so that the user can be prevented from betting on a betting ticket that is unfavorable to the user.

[0103] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, an OS has been described assuming that the widget 110 includes a check box, and when the area of ​​the check box is tapped, the checked state changes, and the application 120 does not start. In the following, an OS will be described in which the widget 110 does not include a check box, and the application 120 starts when any area in which the widget 110 is displayed is tapped.

[0104] FIG. 24 is a session diagram showing data exchange when a user of the terminal 100 selects a betting ticket from among targets related to purchase targets suggested by the widget 110. In FIG.

[0105] First, assume that the widget 110 prepares content 4 for the fourth race at Tamano (601) from the race list L shown in the example of Fig. 10. When the user displays the home screen of the terminal 100 (602), the widget 110 displays content 4 within the widget 110 (603).

[0106] 25, the widget 110 displays the target time for the fourth race at Tamano as content 4. When the user taps on any part of the widget 110 (604), the widget 110 sends a memo request specifying the details of content 4 to the app 120 (605).

[0107] When the application 120 receives the memo request from the widget 110, the application 120 makes a note of the details of the content 4 specified in the memo request (606). Then, the application 120 displays a memo screen, which is the second form (607).

[0108] 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a memo screen which is the second form 126. The memo screen displays the details of content 4 and a voting button VB21. When the user checks the details of the betting ticket which has been noted on the memo screen and presses the voting button VB21, the screen transitions to the first form which is a voting box. The user can then continue the voting procedure.

[0109] Some OSs can transmit which part of the widget 110 was tapped to the application 120 that was started by the tap. For example, when one of the two "bet" is tapped in Fig. 25, only the bet related to that "bet" is added to the memo (for example, when the "bet" next to "2⇔3" is tapped, only the bet for "2⇔3" is displayed in the second form in the memo in Fig. 26), and when a location other than that is tapped, both bets are memoized as shown in Fig. 26. In this way, it is possible to provide a function similar to "check" in the above embodiment.

[0110] In the memo screen shown in FIG. 26, if the user immediately moves the application 120 to the background or leaves it alone, when the application 120 is started again, as in the above embodiment, the application may start from the memo screen, i.e., the second form, instead of the normal top screen.

[0111] (Appendix 1) On the terminal computer, Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of the terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for adding the purchase object to an electronic cart. A program to make that happen.

[0112] (Appendix 2) In the terminal, When the user performs a predetermined operation on the widget that displays the information content, the app makes a note of the purchase target; When the app is launched without using the widget within a purchase available period set for the noted purchase object, the app displays a second form for adding the purchase object to an electronic cart. 2. The program according to claim 1, which causes the program to execute the steps described above.

[0113] (Appendix 3) the information content includes an interactive element that does not launch the app even when operated by the user; When the user interacts with the interactive element, the app makes a note of the purchase. 3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

[0114] (Appendix 4) The user performs an operation on the widget that displays the information content, whereby the app is launched via the widget, When the app is closed without any operation being performed on the app, the app makes a note of the purchase target. 4. The program according to claim 1, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

[0115] (Appendix 5) If there are multiple purchases to be noted, the app notes the most recent one. 5. The program according to claim 2, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

[0116] (Appendix 6) If there are a plurality of purchase targets to be noted, and the purchase available periods of the plurality of purchase targets overlap when the application is launched, the application adopts the purchase target that was last noted during the overlapping purchase available periods. 5. The program according to claim 2, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

[0117] (Appendix 7) the information content includes time-varying information; and displaying, on the second form, how the information included in the information content at the time when the purchase object was noted down has changed up to the time when the second form is displayed. 7. The program according to any one of claims 2 to 6, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

[0118] (Appendix 8) the information content includes time-varying information; suppressing display of the second form when the app is launched without using the widget within a purchase available period set for the noted purchase target and information included in the information content at the time of the note has changed to a disadvantage to the user; 7. The program according to any one of claims 2 to 6, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

[0119] (Appendix 9) Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of a terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for adding the purchase object to an electronic cart. Terminal.

[0120] (Appendix 10) The terminal computer, Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of the terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for adding the purchase object to an electronic cart. method.

[0121] Various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0122] The present invention can be suitably adopted in a program, a terminal, and a method that utilizes a widget arranged on a home screen of a terminal and enables consideration based on information displayed on the widget. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 100 devices 110 Widgets 120 Apps 121 Top screen 122 Voting entry screen 123 1st Form 124 Payment Form 125 Payment completion screen 126 Second Form 200 Servers 300 Computer Communication Network AO Finishing Order BT betting style CB111, CB112, CB121, CB122, CB131, CB132, CB211, CB212, CB221, CB222, CB231, CB232 Check boxes CM1, CM2 Comments HB Home button IC App Icon L Race List MB Minus button OD1, OD2, OD3, OD4 Odds PB Plus button PN1, PN2, PN3, PN4 Purchase quantity PI PIN input field RT Race Entry List Button SB payment button TK1, TK2, TK3, TK4 tickets VB, VB21 Voting Buttons VC vote confirmation button VI Voting Entry Button

Claims

1. On the terminal computer, Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of the terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for inputting the purchase object into an electronic cart. A program to make that happen.

2. In the terminal, When the user performs a predetermined operation on the widget that displays the information content, the app makes a note of the purchase target; When the app is launched without using the widget within a purchase available period set for the noted purchase object, the app displays a second form for inputting the purchase object into an electronic cart. The program according to claim 1, which causes the program to execute the steps of:

3. the information content includes an interactive element that does not launch the app even when operated by the user; When the user interacts with the interactive element, the app makes a note of the purchase.

3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

4. The user operates the widget to display the information content, and the app is then launched via the widget. When the app is closed without any operation being performed on the app, the app makes a note of the purchase target.

3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

5. If there are multiple purchases to be noted, the app notes the most recent one. The program according to claim 2, which causes the program to execute the steps of:

6. If there are a plurality of purchase targets to be noted and the purchase available periods of the plurality of purchase targets overlap when the application is launched, the application adopts the purchase target that was last noted during the overlapping purchase available periods. The program according to claim 2, which causes the program to execute the steps of:

7. the information content includes time-varying information; and displaying, in the second form, how the information included in the information content at the time when the purchase object was noted down has changed up to the time when the second form is displayed.

7. The program according to claim 2, 5 or 6, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

8. the information content includes time-varying information; suppressing display of the second form when the app is launched without going through the widget within a purchase available period set for the noted purchase target and when information included in the information content at the time of the note has changed to a disadvantage to the user; 7. The program according to claim 2, 5 or 6, which causes the program to execute the above steps.

9. Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of a terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for inputting the purchase object into an electronic cart. Terminal.

10. The terminal computer, Acquire information content related to a purchase target selected based on the preferences of a user of the terminal and a display period set to be included in a purchase available period set for the purchase target; displaying the information content within a widget arranged within a home screen displayed on the terminal during the acquired display period; When an app is launched via the widget that displays the information content, the app displays a first form for inputting the purchase object into an electronic cart. method.

Images