Server apparatus, information providing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a server apparatus or the like capable of providing more useful information according to a user who purchases a lottery ticket.SOLUTION: In a sales proxy server 300, a registration unit 341 registers a team that each user supports among a plurality of competitive bodies as a supported team. An acquisition unit 342 acquires voting contents of like-minded users whose supported team matches that of the user, from among users who have already voted for a match. A totalizing unit 343 totalized the voting distribution of the like-minded users for the match based on the voting contents acquired by the acquisition unit 342. Then, a providing unit 344 provides the voting distribution totalized by the totalizing unit 343 in guidance information and delivers it to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, an information providing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, lottery tickets for sports (sports promotion lottery) have been sold and have gained popularity. These sports lottery tickets include, for example, a lottery ticket called toto (registered trademark) in which users predict and vote on the results of a specified number of matches out of the soccer (J-League) matches held in the same period (the win or loss of each home team). Currently, a new sports lottery called WINNER (registered trademark) that predicts and votes on the result of a single match has also been introduced. This new sports lottery includes a lottery ticket of the "single match score selection method" in which, in a single match of soccer or basketball, users predict each score obtained by both teams (soccer), or the score difference between the scores obtained by both teams (basketball). These sports lottery tickets can be purchased not only at the nearest sales store but also via the Internet from a user terminal (such as a smartphone or a personal computer).

[0003] As a prior art of such sports lottery, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of an information providing device that makes it easier for a user to find a match to vote on. In the invention of this Patent Document 1, the information providing device estimates the team that the user supports, and displays, on the user terminal, the matches in which the estimated team participates as recommended voting matches.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the invention described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, since the games of the teams supported by the user are displayed as recommended voting games, the user can easily find the games for which they want to vote. However, in reality, when many users try to vote on such games, they will be confused about which option to choose. For example, in the case of a sports lottery with a single-game score selection method, in the case of soccer, it is necessary to choose and vote from 18 options, and in the case of basketball, it is necessary to choose and vote from 16 options. Therefore, among users, there are also many users who want to refer to the game results predicted by other users.

[0006] In particular, for users who have determined in their hearts the team (favorite team / favorite club) they support, there are many cases where they vote on the games in which the supported team participates. And from such users, there has been a demand to refer to the game results predicted by other users who have a deep understanding of the team they support.

[0007] From such a situation, there has been a demand for a technology that can provide more useful information according to the users who purchase the lottery.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a server device, an information providing method, and a program that can provide more useful information according to the users who purchase the lottery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The server device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a server device that provides guidance information regarding a game to a user who tries to vote on a game in which a plurality of competitors participate, a registration unit that registers, as supported competitors, the competitors supported by each user among the plurality of competitors, An acquisition unit that acquires the voting content of like-minded users among the voted users who have already voted for the game, where the like-minded users match the user and the supporting sports team; A totaling unit that totals the voting distribution of the like-minded users in the game based on the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit; A providing unit that includes the voting distribution totaled by the totaling unit in the guidance information and provides it to the user. It is characterized by comprising the above.

[0010] Also, the server device according to the above aspect Further includes a selection unit that selects, as a comparison sports team, a sports team different from the supporting sports team registered by the user from among the plurality of sports teams. The acquisition unit further acquires the voting content of comparison users who have registered the comparison sports team as the supporting sports team among the voted users. The totaling unit further totals the voting distribution of the comparison users in the game based on the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit. The providing unit may further include the voting distribution of the comparison users totaled by the totaling unit in the guidance information and provide it to the user.

[0011] Also, in the server device according to the above aspect The selection unit may select, as the comparison sports team, a sports team that satisfies a predetermined frequency condition from the voting content that the user has voted on in the past.

[0012] Also, in the server device according to the above aspect The acquisition unit further acquires the voting content of the voted users excluding the like-minded users. The totaling unit further totals each of the voting distributions of the voted users classified for each different supporting sports team based on the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit. The providing unit may further include, in the guidance information, the voting distribution that is most different from the voting distribution of the like-minded users among the voting distributions aggregated by the aggregating unit for each of the support competition bodies, and provide it to the user.

[0013] Also, in the server device according to the above aspect, The aggregating unit may aggregate the voting distribution consisting of the options up to a predetermined number of top options with a large number of votes and the ratio occupied by the options.

[0014] Also, in the server device according to the above aspect, When the providing unit provides the user with a voting screen for receiving votes for the game, the size of the operation object for specifying the options on the voting screen may be changed according to the voting distribution.

[0015] An information providing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is An information providing method executed by a server device that provides guidance information related to a game to a user who attempts to vote in a game in which a plurality of competition bodies participate, A registration step of registering, as a support competition body, each competition body supported by each user among the plurality of competition bodies; An acquisition step of acquiring the voting content of like-minded users whose support competition bodies match the user among the users who have already voted in the game; An aggregation step of aggregating the voting distribution of the like-minded users in the game based on the voting content acquired in the acquisition step; A providing step of including the voting distribution aggregated in the aggregation step in the guidance information and providing it to the user; characterized by comprising.

[0016] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention is To a computer that provides guidance information related to a game to a user who attempts to vote in a game in which a plurality of competition bodies participate, A registration step of registering, as a supported sports team, each sports team supported by each user among the plurality of sports teams; An acquisition step of acquiring the voting content made by a like-minded user whose supported sports team matches that of the user, among the users who have already voted in the game; An aggregation step of aggregating the voting distribution of the like-minded users in the game based on the voting content acquired in the acquisition step; A provision step of including the voting distribution aggregated in the aggregation step in the guidance information and providing it to the user; characterized by causing the above to be executed.

[0017] The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. Furthermore, the information recording medium for recording the above program is a non-transitory recording medium and can be distributed and sold independently of the computer. Here, the non-transitory recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Examples of non-transitory recording media include compact discs, flexible discs, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, semiconductor memories, etc. Also, a transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagating signal) itself. Examples of transitory recording media include electrical signals, optical signals, electromagnetic waves, etc. Note that a temporary storage area is an area for temporarily storing data and programs, and is, for example, a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory).

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, more useful information can be provided according to the user who purchases the lottery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the embodiments of the present invention, as an example of a sports lottery (sports promotion lottery), a voting system that can be purchased from a user terminal for a single game score selection method voting ticket that predicts and votes on a single game result will be described, but the same applies to a voting system that can purchase voting tickets of other methods. For example, in a voting system that can purchase a voting ticket of a multiple game winning team selection method that predicts the winning team for each of a predetermined number of games (for example, 13 games or 5 games, etc.), the same applies. In addition, in addition to such sports lotteries, the same applies to a voting system that can purchase voting tickets for public competitions such as motorcycle racing, horse racing, and boat racing. That is, the following embodiments are for explanation purposes and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each of these elements or all elements are replaced with equivalents, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0021] (Overall configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, a voting system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sponsor server 200, a sales agency server 300, and a user terminal 400. The sponsor server 200, the sales agency server 300, and the user terminal 400 are communicably connected via the Internet 900. Note that the sponsor server 200 and the sales agency server 300 may be communicably connected via, for example, a dedicated line or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). In addition, although only a few user terminals 400 are shown in FIG. 1, this is for ease of understanding of the invention, and in actuality, a huge number of user terminals 400 are included according to the number of users who use the voting system 100.

[0022] The organizer server 200 is, for example, a server device installed by the organizer of a sports lottery. As an example, it manages various information related to voting using the single-game score selection method, where users predict and vote on a single game result. In the following, as a specific example, voting using the single-game score selection method for soccer will be described, but voting using the single-game score selection method for basketball may also be applicable.

[0023] In the single-game score selection method for soccer, users will vote by selecting a game result within 90 minutes (excluding extra time) from among the 18 options shown below. <Home win> 1. 1-0 2. 2-0 3. 2-1 4. 3-0 5. 3-1 6. 3-2 7. Other home wins <Draw> 8. 0-0 9. 1-1 10. 2-2 11. Other draws <Away win> 12. 0-1 13. 0-2 14. 1-2 15. 0-3 16. 1-3 17. 2-3 18. Other away wins

[0024] Such voting using the single-game score selection method is, for example, in the odds format. Each odd changes sequentially according to the voting situation for the 18 available voting options, and the odds are finalized after the voting deadline. If the voting content of the lottery tickets purchased by the user matches the actual game result (the finalized game result), the winning amount corresponding to the finalized odds will be refunded.

[0025] Therefore, the organizer server 200 manages team information, game schedule information, voting information, odds information, result information, etc. of each team participating in the game to be voted on, and appropriately provides this information to the proxy sales server 300.

[0026] The proxy sales server 300 is, for example, a server device that sells voting tickets to users on behalf of the organizer of the sports lottery. The proxy sales server 300 provides information regarding the game to be voted on received from the organizer server 200 to the user terminal 400. Note that the proxy sales server 300 can sell all types of voting tickets in the sports lottery. For the sake of easy understanding of the invention, an example will be described where the proxy sales server 300 sells a voting ticket of a single game score selection method for soccer to users.

[0027] In addition, the proxy sales server 300 registers the teams (favorite teams / favorite clubs) supported by each user, and provides guidance information including the voting distribution of like-minded users who support the same team to users who attempt to purchase voting tickets.

[0028] The user terminal 400 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, etc., and is operated by each user who attempts to purchase a voting ticket. The user terminal 400 accesses the proxy sales server 300 according to an operation by the user, receives information regarding the game to be voted on, and displays various screens. For example, on the voting screen for purchasing a voting ticket for a game in which the supported team of a user who has registered a supported team appears, guidance information including the voting distribution of like-minded users who support the same team is displayed on the user terminal 400 of that user. Then, when an operation necessary for voting is performed by the user on the user terminal 400 on which the voting screen is displayed, the user terminal 400 transmits the voting content to the proxy sales server 300.

[0029] (Overview of the information processing apparatus) A typical information processing apparatus 500 in which the proxy sales server 300 and the like according to the present embodiment are realized will be described.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 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 storage unit 507, an interface 508, an operation unit 509, and a display unit 510.

[0031] The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 500, is connected to each component, and exchanges control signals and data.

[0032] The ROM 502 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after power-on. When this is executed, the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 507 is read into the RAM 503, and the execution of the program by the CPU 501 is started.

[0033] The RAM 503 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the auxiliary storage unit 507, as well as other data necessary for communication.

[0034] The NIC 504 is for connecting the information processing apparatus 500 to a computer communication network such as the Internet, and includes those conforming to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when 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, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line, and the like.

[0035] The image processing unit 505 processes the image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 507 or the like by the CPU 501 or an image arithmetic processor (not shown) provided in the image processing unit 505, and then records this processed data 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 synchronization timing and output to the display unit 510 via the interface 508 or the like. That is, the image processing unit 505 generates an image required during the progress of the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 500 under the control of the CPU 501, and causes the display unit 510 to display the image.

[0036] The audio processing unit 506 converts the audio data read from the auxiliary storage unit 507 or the like into an audio signal and outputs it to, for example, an external speaker. That is, the audio processing unit 506 generates the audio that should be generated during the progress of the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 500 under the control of the CPU 501, and causes the speaker to output the audio.

[0037] The auxiliary storage unit 507 is a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 500. For example, the auxiliary storage unit 507 stores a program for realizing the sales agency server 300 according to the present embodiment. Then, under the control of the CPU 501, the auxiliary storage unit 507 appropriately reads out the stored programs and data, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 503 or the like.

[0038] The operation unit 509 and the display unit 510 are connected to the interface 508. Note that the interface 508 may transmit and receive necessary information to and from other connected external devices.

[0039] The operation unit 509 receives operation inputs from workers or the like who use the information processing apparatus 500.

[0040] The display unit 510 draws an image corresponding to the image data output by the image processing unit 505 and presents it to workers or the like who use the information processing apparatus 500.

[0041] In addition, the information processing apparatus 500 may be configured to include a drive unit such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM instead of the auxiliary storage unit 507. In this case, the information processing apparatus 500 reads programs and data from a DVD-ROM or the like mounted on the drive unit and operates in the same manner as described above.

[0042] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the functional configuration and the like of the sales agency server 300 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. This sales agency server 300 is realized by the above-described information processing apparatus 500. For example, when the information processing apparatus 500 is powered on, a program for causing it to function as the sales agency server 300 is executed, and the sales agency server 300 according to the present Embodiment 1 is realized. Note that the organizer server 200 and the user terminal 400 are also realized by the information processing apparatus 500 in the same manner, but the description thereof will be omitted here, and the most characteristic sales agency server 300 in Embodiment 1 will be described below.

[0043] (Functional Configuration of the Sales Agency Server According to Embodiment 1) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the sales agency server 300 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in the figure, the sales agency server 300 includes a receiving unit 310, a transmitting unit 320, a storage unit 330, and a control unit 340.

[0044] The receiving unit 310 receives various information sent from the organizer server 200 or the user terminal 400. For example, the receiving unit 310 receives information regarding a game sent from the organizer server 200. The receiving unit 310 also receives voting content and the like sent from the user terminal 400. In addition, the receiving unit 310 also receives information for registering a cheering team sent from the user terminal 400.

[0045] Note that the above-described NIC 504 or the like can function as such a receiving unit 310.

[0046] The transmission unit 320 is controlled by the control unit 340 and transmits necessary information to the organizer server 200 or the user terminal 400. For example, the transmission unit 320 transmits to the user terminal 400 a selection screen for selecting a game to vote on, a voting screen for voting on the selected game, and the like. Then, when an operation necessary for the user to vote is performed on the voting screen, the transmission unit 320 transmits request information for requesting the purchase of a voting ticket according to the voting content to the organizer server 200.

[0047] Note that the above-described NIC 504 or the like can function as such a transmission unit 320.

[0048] The storage unit 330 stores various information necessary for selling voting tickets to users. For example, the storage unit 330 stores user management information 331 for managing each user and sales information 332 indicating the content of the voting tickets sold to each user.

[0049] Specifically, the storage unit 330 stores user management information 331 as shown in FIG. 4. This user management information 331 includes a user ID 331a, a user name 331b, a supported team 331c, and a payment method 331d.

[0050] Here, the supported team 331c represents which team the user indicated by the user ID 331a is supporting (which team is registered as the favorite team / favorite club). As an example, the supported team (favorite team / favorite club) set by the user at the time of user registration or the like is registered in the supported team 331c. Also, the payment method 331d is a credit card number, a bank account number, or the like used at the time of purchasing a voting ticket.

[0051] Also, the storage unit 330 stores sales information 332 as shown in FIG. 5. This sales information 332 includes a game ID 332a, a purchase date and time 332b, a purchasing user ID 332c, and a voting content 332d.

[0052] Here, the game ID 332a is information for identifying the game related to the voting ticket purchased by the user indicated by the purchase user ID 332c. Note that the game ID 332a is assumed to include games for which voting has not ended (games for which voting tickets are on sale). Also, the voting content 332d indicates the option that the user indicated by the purchase user ID 332c voted (purchased) among the 18 options in the single-game score selection method. Note that in the voting content 332d in FIG. 5, only one option is shown, but this is an example, and multiple options may be included, or the number of votes cast, etc. may be included.

[0053] In addition to this, the storage unit 330 also stores information related to the games received by the reception unit 310 from the organizer server 200. For example, the storage unit 330 also stores information on each team participating in the game, information on the latest odds, and information on the voting deadline, etc.

[0054] Note that the auxiliary storage unit 507 etc. described above can function as such a storage unit 330.

[0055] Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 340 controls the entire proxy sales server 300. This control unit 340 includes, for example, a registration unit 341, an acquisition unit 342, a tallying unit 343, a provision unit 344, and a sales unit 345.

[0056] The registration unit 341 registers, as a supported team (supported sports entity), the team that each user supports among a plurality of teams (sports entities). For example, the registration unit 341 registers, as a supported team (favorite team / favorite club), the team set as a favorite (pushed setting) by the user during user registration etc. Note that even after a supported team has been registered once, another team may be re-registered as the supported team. That is, the latest supported team is managed as the supported team 331c in the user management information 331 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0057] The acquisition unit 342 acquires the voting content of like-minded users whose support teams match the user who attempts to purchase a voting ticket among the users who have already voted in games where the voting has not closed. For example, when a user logs in from the user terminal 400 to the sales agency server 300, the acquisition unit 342 refers to the user management information 331 shown in FIG. 4 described above to identify the support team of that user (the user who attempts to purchase a voting ticket). Then, the acquisition unit 342 acquires, from the sales information 332 in FIG. 5 described above, the voting content 332d for a game where the voting has not closed and the voting content 332d made by like-minded users. Note that, in the above-described storage unit 330, the purchase information of each user classified by support team may be managed (stored). In that case, the acquisition unit 342 acquires the voting content for a game where the voting has not closed and the voting content classified into the support team that matches the support team of the user who attempts to purchase a voting ticket.

[0058] The aggregation unit 343 aggregates the voting distribution of like-minded users in games where the voting has not closed based on the voting content acquired by the above-described acquisition unit 342. For example, the aggregation unit 343 counts the number of votes for each option in the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit 342, and aggregates the voting distribution consisting of the options up to a predetermined number (for example, the top 3) with the largest number of votes and the ratio they occupy.

[0059] The providing unit 344 provides the voting distribution aggregated by the above-described aggregation unit 343 to the user terminal 400, for example, included in the guidance information about the game. For example, when a user who attempts to purchase a voting ticket selects a game in which their support team participates from a selection screen including a list of games, the providing unit 344 provides guidance information including the voting distribution aggregated by the aggregation unit 343 on the voting screen for that game. Specifically, when a user who has registered "Team A" as a supporting team attempts to vote in a game in which "Team A" participates, the providing unit 344 presents the user with the voting distribution of like-minded users by adding the badges BG1 to BG3 of "◎", "○", and "▲" to the top three options SL among the respective options SL with the largest number of votes from like-minded users (other users who support "Team A") on the voting screen TG1 as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, symbols other than the badges BG1 to BG3 may be added to the option SL. For example, the providing unit 344 may add the recommended symbol RC only to the option SL with the largest number of votes from like-minded users among the respective options SL on the voting screen TG2 as shown in FIG. 7. In addition to this, the providing unit 344 may represent the top three options with a large number of votes from like-minded users in a pie chart PC on the voting screen TG3 as shown in FIG. 8. Note that the pie chart PC is an example, and the top options may be represented by other types of graphs. Furthermore, the providing unit 344 may change the size of each option SL (more specifically, the operation object for specifying the option) according to the voting distribution of like-minded users on the voting screen TG4 as shown in FIG. 9. That is, the option SL with a larger number of votes from like-minded users is drawn larger, and conversely, the option SL with a smaller number of votes from like-minded users is drawn smaller.

[0060] Note that the voting screens TG1 to TG4 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 described above are voting screens when the user selects a game in which their supporting team participates. However, even when the user selects another game (a game in which their supporting team does not participate), the providing unit 344 may provide the user with a voting screen similar to the voting screens TG1 to TG4.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 3, when the sales unit 345 is requested to purchase a voting ticket by the user's operation while the voting screens TG1 to TG4 as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 described above are displayed on the user terminal 400, the sales unit 345 sells the voting ticket for the requested voting content to the user along with the settlement of the payment. More specifically, the sales department 345 sends invitation information for requesting the purchase of voting tickets related to the voting content to the organizer server 200 through the transmission unit 320, and determines the sale of the voting tickets by receiving normal response information from the organizer server 200 through the reception unit 310. When the sale of the voting tickets is determined, the sales department 345 adds information about the newly sold voting tickets to the sales information 332 shown in FIG. 5 described above. That is, the sales department 345 adds information on the game ID 332a, the purchase date and time 332b, the purchasing user ID 332c, and the voting content 332d to the sales information 332.

[0062] Note that the above-described CPU 501 etc. can function as the control unit 340 having such a configuration.

[0063] (Operation of the sales agency server according to Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the operation of the sales agency server 300 according to Embodiment 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of information providing processing executed by the sales agency server 300. This information providing processing is started, for example, when a user logs in from the user terminal 400 to the sales agency server 300.

[0064] First, the sales agency server 300 determines whether a supporting team has been registered (step S11). For example, the control unit 340 refers to the user management information 331 as shown in FIG. 4 and determines whether any team is registered in the supporting team 331c of the target user.

[0065] When the sales agency server 300 determines that the supporting team has been registered (step S11; Yes), the process proceeds to step S13 described later.

[0066] On the other hand, when it is determined that the supporting team has not been registered (step S11; No), the sales agency server 300 registers the supporting team according to the user's operation (step S12). For example, the control unit 340 (registration unit 341) transmits a registration screen for registering a support team to the user terminal 400, and registers the team designated by the user in the support team 331c of the user management information 331.

[0067] The sales agency server 300 acquires the voting content submitted by like-minded users (step S13). That is, the control unit 340 (acquisition unit 342) acquires the voting content submitted by like-minded users whose support team matches that of the user who intends to purchase a voting ticket among the users who have already voted in a match for which voting has not closed. For example, after identifying the support team of the user by referring to the user management information 331 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 340 acquires, from the sales information 332 in FIG. 5, the voting content 332d for a match for which voting has not closed and which is the voting content 332d submitted by like-minded users.

[0068] The sales agency server 300 aggregates the voting distribution of like-minded users (step S14). That is, the control unit 340 (aggregation unit 343) aggregates the voting distribution of like-minded users in a match for which voting has not closed based on the voting content acquired in step S13 above. For example, the control unit 340 counts the number of votes for each option for the voting content acquired in step S13, and aggregates the voting distribution consisting of the options up to a predetermined number (for example, the top 3) with the largest number of votes and the ratio they occupy.

[0069] The sales agency server 300 provides the user terminal 400 with a selection screen including a list of matches (step S15). For example, the control unit 340 provides the user terminal 400 with a selection screen for selecting a match to vote on.

[0070] The sales agency server 300 determines whether the match to vote on has been selected by the user (step S16). For example, the control unit 340 determines whether any match has been selected from the selection screen provided to the user terminal 400.

[0071] When the proxy sales server 300 determines that no game to vote on has been selected (step S16; No), it waits until a game is selected.

[0072] On the other hand, when it is determined that a game to vote on has been selected (step S16; Yes), the proxy sales server 300 provides the user terminal 400 with a voting screen including the voting distribution of like-minded users (step S17). That is, when the user selects a vote for the game in which their favorite team participates from the selection screen, etc., the control unit 340 (providing unit 344) provides guidance information including the voting distribution tabulated in step S14 above on the voting screen for voting on that game. For example, in the voting screen TG1 as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 340 presents the voting distribution of like-minded users to the user by adding the badges BG1 to BG3 of "◎", "○", and "▲" to the top three options SL with a large number of votes from like-minded users among each option SL. Note that symbols other than the badges BG1 to BG3 may be added to the option SL. For example, in the voting screen TG2 as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 340 may add a recommended symbol RC only to the option SL with the largest number of votes from like-minded users among each option SL. In addition to this, the control unit 340 may represent the top three options with a large number of votes from like-minded users in a pie chart PC in the voting screen TG3 as shown in FIG. 8. Note that the pie chart PC is an example, and the top options may be represented by other types of graphs. Furthermore, in the voting screen TG4 as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 340 may change the size of each option SL (more specifically, the operation object for specifying the option) according to the voting distribution of like-minded users. That is, the option SL with a large number of votes from like-minded users is drawn larger, and conversely, the option SL with a small number of votes from like-minded users is drawn smaller.

[0073] In addition, when a purchase of a voting ticket is requested by a user's operation while voting screens TG1 to TG4 as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are displayed on the user terminal 400, the proxy sales server 300 sells the voting ticket of the requested voting content to the user along with the payment settlement. That is, the control unit 340 (sales unit 345) transmits request information for requesting the purchase of a voting ticket related to the voting content to the organizer server 200 through the transmission unit 320, and receives normal response information from the organizer server 200 through the reception unit 310, thereby finalizing the sale of the voting ticket.

[0074] Through such information providing processing, a voting screen (voting screens TG1 to TG4 as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9) including the voting distribution of like-minded users who support the same team is provided to the user who intends to purchase a voting ticket. Therefore, the user can vote with reference to the game results predicted by like-minded users who have a deep understanding of the team that the user supports.

[0075] As a result, more useful information can be provided according to the user who purchases the lottery ticket.

[0076] (Embodiment 2) In the above-described Embodiment 1, the case where only the voting distribution of like-minded users is displayed on the voting screens TG1 to TG4 as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 has been described. However, the voting distribution of users other than like-minded users may also be displayed together. Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 characterized by also displaying the voting distribution of users other than like-minded users together will be described.

[0077] (Functional Configuration of Proxy Sales Server According to Embodiment 2) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the proxy sales server 300 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in the figure, the proxy sales server 300 includes a reception unit 310, a transmission unit 320, a storage unit 350, and a control unit 360. Note that the reception unit 310 and the transmission unit 320 have the same configuration as the reception unit 310 and the transmission unit 320 shown in FIG. 3 described above.

[0078] The storage unit 350 stores user management information 331, sales information 332, and purchase history information 351 indicating the details of the voting tickets purchased by each user. Note that the user management information 331 is the same information as the user management information 331 shown in FIG. 4 described above. Also, the sales information 332 is the same information as the sales information 332 shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0079] Specifically, the storage unit 350 stores purchase history information 351 as shown in FIG. 12. This purchase history information 351 includes a user ID 351a, a game ID 351b, a purchase date and time 351c, and voting content 351d.

[0080] Here, the game ID 332a is information for identifying the game related to the voting ticket purchased by the user indicated by the user ID 351a. Also, the voting content 351d indicates the option voted (purchased) by the user indicated by the user ID 351a among the 18 options in the single-game score selection method. Note that in the voting content 351d of FIG. 12, only one option is shown, but this is just an example, and multiple options may be included, or the number of votes cast, etc. may also be included.

[0081] In addition to this, the storage unit 350 also stores information related to the game received by the reception unit 310 from the organizer server 200. For example, the storage unit 350 also stores information about each team participating in the game, the latest odds information, and the voting deadline information, etc.

[0082] Note that the auxiliary storage unit 507 etc. described above can function as such a storage unit 350.

[0083] Returning to FIG. 11, the control unit 360 includes a registration unit 341, a selection unit 361, an acquisition unit 362, a totaling unit 363, a providing unit 364, and a sales unit 345. Note that the registration unit 341 and the sales unit 345 have the same configuration as the registration unit 341 and the sales unit 345 in the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 3 described above.

[0084] The selection unit 361 selects, as a comparison team (comparison sports entity), a team different from the support team (support sports entity) registered by the user from among a plurality of teams (sports entities). That is, the selection unit 361 selects, as a comparison team, a team that satisfies a predetermined frequency condition from among the voting contents voted by the user in the past, excluding the support team. For example, the selection unit 361 refers to the voting content 351d of the target user from the purchase history information 351 as shown in FIG. 12 described above, and selects, as a comparison team, a team that has voted a predetermined number of times or more within a certain period, excluding the support team. When there are a plurality of teams that have voted a predetermined number of times or more within a certain period, the selection unit 361 may select one team randomly selected from among them as a comparison team, or may select, as a comparison team, the team that has received the most votes among them.

[0085] The acquisition unit 362 acquires the voting contents made by like-minded users and the voting contents made by comparison users who have registered the comparison team as the support team, among the users who have already voted in the games whose voting deadlines have not expired. For example, the acquisition unit 362 acquires, from the sales information 332 in FIG. 5, the voting content 332d for a game whose voting deadline has not expired and the voting content 332d made by like-minded users, in the same manner as the acquisition unit 342 according to the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 362 acquires, from the sales information 332 in FIG. 5, the voting content 332d for a game whose voting deadline has not expired and the voting content 332d made by comparison users who have registered the comparison team selected by the above selection unit 361 as the support team. Note that the storage unit 350 described above may manage (store) the purchase information of each user classified by support team. In that case, the acquisition unit 362 acquires the voting content for a game whose voting deadline has not expired, the voting content classified into the support team that matches the user's support team, and the voting content classified into the support team that matches the comparison team selected by the selection unit 361.

[0086] Based on the voting content acquired by the above-mentioned acquisition unit 362, the aggregation unit 363 aggregates the voting distribution of like-minded users and the voting distribution of comparison users in games where the voting has not closed. For example, for the voting content of like-minded users acquired by the acquisition unit 362, the aggregation unit 363 counts the number of votes for each option, and aggregates the voting distribution of like-minded users consisting of the options up to a predetermined number (for example, the top 3) with the largest number of votes and the proportion they account for. Furthermore, for the voting content of comparison users acquired by the acquisition unit 362, the aggregation unit 363 counts the number of votes for each option, and aggregates the voting distribution of comparison users consisting of the options up to a predetermined number (for example, the top 3) with the largest number of votes and the proportion they account for.

[0087] The providing unit 364 provides each voting distribution aggregated by the above-mentioned aggregation unit 363 to the user terminal 400, for example, included in the guidance information about the game. For example, on the voting screen TG5 as shown in FIG. 13, the providing unit 364 represents the top 3 options with the largest number of votes by like-minded users in the pie chart PC1, and represents the top 3 options with the largest number of votes by comparison users in the pie chart PC2. Note that the pie charts PC1 and PC2 are just examples, and the top options may be represented by other types of graphs respectively.

[0088] Note that the above-mentioned CPU 501, etc. can function as the control unit 360 having such a configuration.

[0089] (Operation of the sales agency server according to Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, the operation of the sales agency server 300 according to Embodiment 2 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the information providing process according to Embodiment 2. In the information providing process shown in FIG. 14, steps S11, S12, S15, and S16 have the same processing content as the information providing process according to Embodiment 1 described in FIG. 10 above. Therefore, for the processing content that has been described, a simplified description will be given below. Also, the information providing process shown in FIG. 14 is also started, for example, from the user terminal 400 to the sales agency server 300 when the user logs in.

[0090] First, the sales agency server 300 determines whether a support team has been registered (step S11). If it is determined that the support team has been registered (step S11; Yes), the process proceeds to step S13 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the support team has not been registered (step S11; No), the sales agency server 300 registers a support team according to the user's operation (step S12).

[0091] The sales agency server 300 selects a comparison team (step S21). That is, the control unit 340 (selection unit 361) selects a team different from the support team registered by the user as the comparison team from among a plurality of teams. For example, the control unit 360 refers to the voting content 351d of the target user from the purchase history information 351 as shown in FIG. 12, and selects, as the comparison team, a team that has voted a predetermined number of times or more within a certain period excluding the support team.

[0092] The sales agency server 300 acquires the voting content of like-minded users and the voting content of comparison users (step S22). That is, the control unit 360 (acquisition unit 362) acquires, from the sales information 332 in FIG. 5, the voting content of like-minded users whose support teams match the user who is about to purchase a voting ticket among the voted users who have already voted for a match whose voting deadline has not passed. Furthermore, the control unit 360 acquires, from the sales information 332 in FIG. 5, the voting content 332d for a match whose voting deadline has not passed, and the voting content 332d of comparison users who have registered the comparison team selected in step S21 above as the support team.

[0093] The sales agency server 300 tabulates the voting distribution of like-minded users and the voting distribution of comparison users (step S23). For example, the control unit 360 (aggregation unit 363) counts the number of votes for each option regarding the voting content of the like-minded users obtained in step S22 above, and aggregates the voting distribution of the like-minded users consisting of the options up to a predetermined number of top ranks (for example, the top three) with the most votes and the ratio occupied by those options. Furthermore, the control unit 360 also counts the number of votes for each option regarding the voting content of the comparison users obtained in step S22, and aggregates the voting distribution of the comparison users consisting of the options up to a predetermined number of top ranks (for example, the top three) with the most votes and the ratio occupied by those options.

[0094] The sales agency server 300 provides the user terminal 400 with a selection screen including a list of matches (step S15), and determines whether the match to vote on has been selected by the user (step S16). When the sales agency server 300 determines that the match to vote on has not been selected (step S16; No), it waits until a match is selected.

[0095] On the other hand, when it is determined that the match to vote on has been selected (step S16; Yes), the sales agency server 300 provides the user terminal 400 with a voting screen including the voting distribution of the like-minded users and the voting distribution of the comparison users (step S24). For example, the control unit 360 (providing unit 364) represents the top three options with the most votes by the like-minded users in the pie chart PC1 on the voting screen TG5 as shown in FIG. 13, and represents the top three options with the most votes by the comparison users in the pie chart PC2. Note that the pie charts PC1 and PC2 are just examples, and the top options may be represented by other types of graphs respectively.

[0096] When the purchase of a voting ticket is requested by the user's operation in the state where the voting screen TG5 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the user terminal 400, the sales agency server 300 sells the voting ticket for the requested voting content to the user along with the settlement of the payment. That is, the control unit 360 (sales unit 345) transmits request information for requesting the purchase of a ballot ticket related to the voting content to the organizer server 200 through the transmission unit 320, and receives normal response information from the organizer server 200 through the reception unit 310, thereby finalizing the sale of the ballot ticket.

[0097] Through such information provision processing, a voting screen (voting screen TG5 as shown in FIG. 13) including the voting distribution of like-minded users and the voting distribution of comparison users is provided to users who attempt to purchase a ballot ticket. Therefore, users can vote with reference to not only the game results predicted by like-minded users who deeply understand the team they support, but also the game results predicted by other comparison users.

[0098] As a result, more useful information can be provided according to the users who purchase lottery tickets.

[0099] (Other Embodiments) In the above-described Embodiment 2, the case where the voting distribution of comparison users who support the comparison team selected by the selection unit 361 is presented together with the voting distribution of like-minded users has been described. Alternatively, among the voting distributions of voted users classified for each supporting team, the voting distribution that is most different from the voting distribution of like-minded users may be presented together with the voting distribution of like-minded users. For example, the acquisition unit 362 further acquires the voting content of voted users excluding like-minded users. Further, the aggregation unit 363 further aggregates each of the voting distributions of voted users classified for each different supporting team based on the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit 362. Then, the provision unit 364 presents, together with the voting distribution of like-minded users, the voting distribution that is most different from the voting distribution of like-minded users among the voting distributions aggregated by the aggregation unit 363 for each supporting team.

[0100] In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, as an example of a sports lottery ticket, a voting ticket of a single game score selection method for predicting and voting on a single game result has been described for a voting system that can be purchased from a user terminal. However, the present invention is similarly applicable to a voting system that can purchase voting tickets of other methods. For example, it is similarly applicable even in a voting system that can purchase a voting ticket of a multiple game winning team selection method for predicting the winning team for each of a predetermined number of games (for example, 13 games, 5 games, etc.). In addition to such sports lottery tickets, the present invention is similarly applicable even in a voting system that can purchase voting tickets for public competitions such as motorcycle racing, horse racing, and boat racing.

[0101] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server device, an information providing method, and a program that can provide more useful information according to a user who purchases a lottery ticket.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0102] 100 Voting system 200 Organizer server 300 Sales agency server 310 Receiver 320 Transmitter 330, 350 Storage unit 331 User management information 332 Sales information 351 Purchase history information 340, 360 Control unit 341 Registration unit 342, 362 Acquisition unit 343, 363 Totaling unit 344, 364 Provision unit 345 Sales unit 361 Selection unit 400 User terminal 500 Information processing device 501 CPU 502 ROM 503 RAM 504 NIC 505 Image processing unit 506 Audio processing unit 507 Auxiliary memory unit 508 Interface 509 Operation unit 510 Display unit 900 Internet

Claims

1. A server device that provides guidance information regarding a game to a user who attempts to vote on a game in which a plurality of competing entities participate, comprising: a registration unit that registers, as respective supported competing entities, the competing entities supported by each user among the plurality of competing entities; an acquisition unit that acquires the voting content of like-minded users who have already voted on the game and whose supported competing entities match the user and the supported competing entity; a totaling unit that totals the voting distribution of the like-minded users in the game based on the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit; a providing unit that provides the user with the voting distribution, included in the guidance information, totaled by the totaling unit; A server device characterized by comprising the above.

2. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects, as a comparison competing entity, a competing entity different from the supported competing entity registered by the user from among the plurality of competing entities, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires the voting content of comparison users who have registered the comparison competing entity as the supported competing entity among the users who have already voted, the totaling unit further totals the voting distribution of the comparison users in the game based on the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit, and the providing unit further provides the user with the voting distribution of the comparison users, included in the guidance information, totaled by the totaling unit. The server device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The selection unit according to claim 2 selects, as the comparison competing entity, a competing entity that satisfies a predetermined frequency condition from the voting content voted by the user in the past. The server device according to claim 2.

4. The acquisition unit further acquires the voting content of the users who have already voted excluding the like-minded users, the totaling unit further totals each of the voting distributions of the users who have already voted classified for each different supported competing entity based on the voting content acquired by the acquisition unit, and the providing unit further provides the user with, among the voting distributions totaled by the totaling unit for each supported competing entity, the voting distribution that is most different from the voting distribution of the like-minded users, included in the guidance information. The server device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

5. The totaling unit according to claim 1 or 2 totals the voting distribution consisting of options up to a predetermined number of top votes and the ratio occupied by the options. The server device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

6. When the providing unit provides the user with a voting screen for accepting votes for the game, the size of the operation object for designating options on the voting screen is changed according to the voting distribution. The server device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

7. An information providing method executed by a server device that provides a user who intends to vote in a game in which a plurality of competitors participate with guidance information regarding the game, A registration step of registering, as a supported competitor, each competitor supported by each user among the plurality of competitors, An acquisition step of acquiring the voting content of like-minded users whose supported competitor matches that of the user among the users who have already voted in the game, An aggregation step of aggregating the voting distribution of the like-minded users in the game based on the voting content acquired in the acquisition step, A providing step of providing the user with the voting distribution aggregated in the aggregation step included in the guidance information, An information providing method characterized by comprising.

8. A computer that provides a user who intends to vote in a game in which a plurality of competitors participate with guidance information regarding the game, A registration step of registering, as a supported competitor, each competitor supported by each user among the plurality of competitors, An acquisition step of acquiring the voting content of like-minded users whose supported competitor matches that of the user among the users who have already voted in the game, An aggregation step of aggregating the voting distribution of the like-minded users in the game based on the voting content acquired in the acquisition step, A providing step of providing the user with the voting distribution aggregated in the aggregation step included in the guidance information, A program characterized by causing the above to be executed.

Images