Information processor, program, and method for processing information

Abstract

To provide an information processor which can keep the state in which a user is unable to make a guess of the result of a competition.SOLUTION: The information processor of the present invention includes a voting accepting unit and a held value notification unit. The voting accepting unit accepts a voting for the result of a competition from a user. The held value notification unit notifies the user of the held value on which the result of guessing according to the content of the voting is reflected, on the condition that an operation regarding viewing of a video of the competition for which voting has been accepted is received from the user after the voting is accepted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for acquiring a voting history including a hit result of voting content made by a user, extracting a competition video (race video) corresponding to the voting history, and collecting it into one video.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, no consideration has been given to the fact that the user can infer the hit result before watching the competition video.

[0005] The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing method capable of keeping the user in a state where the user cannot infer the competition result.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a vote reception unit and a holding value notification unit. The vote reception unit receives a vote from a user regarding the result of a competition, and the holding value notification unit notifies the user of a holding value in which a hit result corresponding to the vote is reflected, on the condition that an operation regarding viewing of the competition video from the user is received after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to keep the user in a state where the user cannot infer the competition result.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various characteristic matters shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Also, an invention can be established independently for each characteristic matter.

[0010] <1. First Embodiment> (1-1. Possession Value Notification System 1) An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a server 10 that constitutes a part of a possession value notification system 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The possession value notification system 1 includes a server 10 and a user terminal 20.

[0011] The server 10 is configured to be communicable with the user terminal 20 via a communication line 5. After the end of a competition for which a vote has been received, the server 10 notifies the user of the possession value in which the winning result according to the content of the vote is reflected on the condition that it receives an operation regarding viewing of the competition video from the user. By notifying the user of the possession value in response to such an operation by the user, the server 10 realizes notification of the possession value to the user at an appropriate timing. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described.

[0012] (1-2. Hardware Configuration of Possession Value Notification System 1) Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hardware configuration of the possession value notification system 1 will be described.

[0013] (1-2-1. Hardware Configuration of Server 10) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of server 10 according to the present embodiment. Server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. Further, server 10 may include an operation input unit 14 configured with a keyboard and a mouse, etc., for receiving inputs of various operations, and a monitor 15 such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying various images.

[0014] The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and controls the overall operation of server 10.

[0015] A part of the storage unit 12 is configured with, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and is used as a work area etc. when executing processes based on various programs by the control unit 11. Also, a part of the storage unit 12 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data and programs used for the processing of the control unit 11.

[0016] The programs stored in the storage unit 12 are, for example, an OS (Operating System) for realizing the basic functions of server 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, programs for realizing various functions, etc., and include the computer program according to the present embodiment.

[0017] The communication unit 13 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) and has a function of connecting to the communication line 5. Note that the communication unit 13 may have a function of connecting to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a function of connecting to a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), a function enabling short-distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and infrared communication, instead of or together with the NIC. The server 10 is connected to other information processing devices such as the user terminal 20 via the communication line 5 and can transmit and receive various data to and from other information processing devices.

[0018] These control unit 11, storage unit 12, communication unit 13, operation input unit 14, and monitor 15 are electrically connected to each other via the system bus 16. Therefore, the control unit 11 can access the storage unit 12, display an image on the monitor 15, grasp the operation state of the operation input unit 14 by the user, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 13.

[0019] (1-2-2. Hardware Configuration of User Terminal 20) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 20 according to the present embodiment. The user terminal 20 is an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. Further, the user terminal 20 may include a display unit 25 such as a touch panel display capable of displaying an image and receiving an operation, a speaker 26 for outputting sound, a microphone 27 for inputting sound, a camera 28 for imaging a subject, and operation buttons 29. Hereinafter, the differences from the server 10 will be mainly described.

[0020] The operation buttons 29 are provided on the side surface of the user terminal 20 and are a power button for starting or stopping the user terminal 20, a volume adjustment button for the sound output from the speaker 26, and the like.

[0021] These control unit 21, memory unit 22, communication unit 23, display unit 25, speaker 26, microphone 27, camera 28, and operation buttons 29 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 30. Therefore, the control unit 21 can access the memory unit 22, display an image on the display unit 25, grasp the operation state of the touch panel display (display unit 25) and the operation buttons 29 by the user, input sound to the microphone 27, output sound from the speaker 26, control the camera 28, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 23, etc.

[0022] (1-3. Functional Configuration of Server 10) As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a vote reception unit 11a, a viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b, and a holding value notification unit 11c.

[0023] The vote reception unit 11a receives the vote of the user U1 on the result of the competition. The viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b receives the operation of the user U1 regarding the viewing of the competition video. The holding value notification unit 11c notifies the user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote is reflected on the condition that the operation regarding the viewing of the competition video is received from the user U1 after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received. The details of each function will be described later.

[0024] The above-described functional configuration may be realized by software (including so-called apps) appropriately installed in the server 10, or may be realized by hardware. When realized by software, various functions can be realized by the control unit 11 executing the program constituting the software.

[0025] When implemented by executing a program, the program may be stored in the storage unit 12 incorporated in the server 10, or may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Further, a program stored in an external storage device may be read out and implemented by so-called cloud computing. Or, when implemented by hardware, it can be implemented by various circuits such as ASIC, SOC, FPGA, or DRP. Also, some of the above-described functional configurations may be processed by the user terminal 20 by software or hardware.

[0026] (1-4. Function of the vote reception unit 11a) The vote reception unit 11a receives a vote from the user terminal 20 regarding the result of the competition of the user U1, and records the received vote content in the storage unit 12 or the like. Note that the competition includes various sports, for example, races using bicycles, automobiles, boats, or racehorses, or baseball or soccer games.

[0027] (1-5. Function of the viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b) The viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b acquires information regarding an operation related to viewing a competition video from the user U1. The operation related to viewing is, for example, an operation for starting viewing (clicking the play button) for viewing a competition video. Also, the operation related to viewing may be an operation for selecting not to view.

[0028] (1-6. Function of the holding value notification unit 11c) After the end of the competition for which the vote has been received, the holding value notification unit 11c notifies the user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote is reflected, on the condition that it receives an operation related to viewing the video of the competition from the user U1. It can be said that the condition (notification condition) for notifying the holding value in which the hit result is reflected includes receiving an operation related to viewing the video of the competition from the user. The holding value notification unit 11c determines whether it has received the operation based on the information related to the operation related to viewing the video of the competition by the user U1 received by the viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b from the user terminal 20.

[0029] The "holding value" referred to here is the value held by the user. In the present embodiment, it means the value managed by the server 10 as something held by the user for use within the service. Also, the "value" referred to here may be a coin such as cash, electronic money, virtual currency, etc., or may simply be points available for use within a specific service.

[0030] Note that the reflection of the hit result according to the content of the vote may be performed by recording the return amount calculated based on the result of the competition and the content of the vote in the storage unit 12 or the like. Also, it may be performed by adding the return amount to the holding value of the user U1 and recording the added value in the storage unit 12 or the like. Such addition and recording can be performed by the result reflection unit or the like possessed by the control unit 11.

[0031] The "return amount" referred to here is the amount returned to the user when the content of the vote is a hit (the amount of so-called "payout" in cycling, horse racing, etc.), which is the amount obtained by multiplying the voting amount by the magnification set according to the content of the vote (the so-called determined "odds", "payout rate" in cycling, horse racing, etc.).

[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, the relationship between the notification of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote performed by the holding value notification unit 11c and the actual holding value will be described.

[0033] First, the held value, which is the value held by user U1 during the period P1 before vote reception, will be described. During the period P1, the "actual held value VA" recorded by server 10 is V1. Also, the "notified held value VB" notified to user U1 and recognized by user U1 is also V1. That is, VA and VB are equal.

[0034] Next, during the period P2 from vote reception to the end of the competition, VA is V2, and VB is also V2. That is, VA and VB are equal. Here, V2 is the amount obtained by subtracting the vote amount from V1.

[0035] Next, during the period P3 from the end of the competition to the reception of operations related to viewing, VA is V3, and VB is V2. Here, V3 is the held value in which the winning result is reflected. When the voting content is a hit, V3 is the amount obtained by adding the return amount to V2. That is, V3 is larger than V2. On the other hand, when the voting content is not a hit, V3 does not increase and is equal to V2. Therefore, depending on the winning result, VA and VB may not be equal.

[0036] In this period P3, if user U1 knows V3, which is the held value in which the winning result is reflected, user U1 may be able to guess the result of the competition. And if user U1 can guess the result of the competition, compared to the case where V3 is not known and cannot be guessed, the interest in the development of the competition video and the excitement during video viewing will decrease.

[0037] Next, during the period P4 after the reception of operations related to viewing, VA is V3, and VB is also V3. That is, VA and VB are equal. After receiving an operation related to viewing the competition video from user U1, it is assumed that user U1 knows about the development of the competition or has lost interest. Therefore, the impact of user U1 knowing V3 is greatly reduced. Also, user U1 needs to grasp the actual held value in order to vote on the results of other competitions.

[0038] As described above, by configuring to control the notification to the user of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected based on the operation related to viewing by the user after the end of the competition, it is possible to keep the user from being able to guess the competition result until the operation is received.

[0039] (1-7. Flow of processing by the holding value notification system 1) Referring to FIG. 6, the flow from the receipt of voting by the holding value notification system 1 to the notification to the user U1 of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected will be described.

[0040] First, as shown in FIG. 6, S110 is executed. In S110, the voting reception unit 11a receives the vote of the user U1 for the result of the competition transmitted (S210) from the user terminal 20, and records the received content in the storage unit 12 or the like.

[0041] After the end of the competition for which the vote has been received, S120 is executed. In S120, the winning result based on the result of the competition and the content of the vote is reflected in the holding value of the user U1.

[0042] Next, the viewing-related operation information acquisition unit step S130 is executed. The user terminal 20 receives the operation related to viewing by the user U1, and transmits the information related to the received operation to the server 10 (S230). In S130, the viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b of the server 10 receives the information related to the reception of the operation related to viewing.

[0043] Next, the viewing-related operation reception step S140 is executed. In S140, when the holding value notification unit 11c determines that it has received the operation related to viewing based on the received information, it transmits the holding value in which the winning result corresponding to the content of the vote is reflected to the user terminal 20 and notifies the user U1. The user terminal 20 receives the reflected holding value. The user terminal 20 notifies the user U1 of the reflected holding value by display (S240) or the like to the display unit 25.

[0044] (1-8. Modification example) The operation related to viewing may be an operation to switch to the video of the next competition. Also, the operation related to viewing may be an operation to complete the viewing of the video of the competition. It can be said that the operation to switch to the video of the next competition includes the operation to complete the viewing of the video of the competition being viewed.

[0045] Also, the operation to complete the viewing of the video of the competition may be an operation to complete the viewing of the video while the operation for starting the viewing has not been performed, that is, in a state where the video of the competition has not been viewed. That is, the operation to complete the viewing can also be said to be an operation by the user who permits the notification of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected in a state where the video of the competition has not been viewed.

[0046] Also, the holding value notification unit 11c may be configured to notify the user U1 of the holding value in which the winning result related to the competition is reflected regardless of whether the operation related to the viewing of the video of the competition is received or not when the retention period has passed without receiving the operation related to the viewing of the video of the competition from the user U1 after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received. The retention period is a period from the end of the competition and is a period of a predetermined length (for example, 6 days). By configuring in this way, even when the user loses interest in viewing and forgets to view, it is possible to control so that the notification is finally made. Also, the holding value notification unit 11c may be configured to notify the user that there is an unviewed video of the competition before the expiration of the retention period.

[0047] Also, the vote reception unit 11a may be configured not to receive a vote from the user U1 for the result of another competition after the end of the competition for which the vote has been cast and before notifying the user U1 of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an inconsistency between the actual holding value amount that can be voted (that is, the holding value amount in which the winning result is reflected) and the holding value amount recognized by the user during the period from the end of the competition where the user's holding value amount is unknown to the notification of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected.

[0048] Further, the vote reception unit 11a may be configured to notify (induce) the user U1 to confirm the result of the competition when the user U1 attempts to vote newly after the end of the voted competition and before notifying the user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected.

[0049] Confirmation of the result of the competition is, for example, viewing of the video of the competition. Alternatively, the server 10 may accept an operation by the user U1 who assumes that the reflected holding value may be notified without viewing the video of the competition. In such a case, the holding value notification unit 11c may notify the user U1 of the reflected holding value on the condition that an operation regarding viewing of the video of the competition from the user, which is an operation assuming completion of viewing the video in an unviewed state, is accepted.

[0050] <2. Second Embodiment> (2-1. Holding Value Notification System 1 According to the Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, the holding value notification system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The holding value notification system 1 in the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it determines whether to notify the user of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected based also on the viewing status of the user. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences.

[0051] (2-2. Functional Configuration of Server 10) As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a vote reception unit 11a, a viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b, a holding value notification unit 11c, and a viewing status acquisition unit 11d.

[0052] (2-3. Function of Viewing Status Acquisition Unit 11d) The viewing status acquisition unit 11d acquires the viewing status of the video of the competition by the user U1 from the user terminal 20. Here, the viewing status is, for example, the status of how far the user U1 has viewed the video.

[0053] (2-4. Function of Holding Value Notification Unit 11c) The holding value notification unit 11c notifies the user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected based on the viewing status of the user U1 according to the operation. That is, after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received, the holding value notification unit 11c receives an operation related to the viewing of the competition video from the user U1, and further notifies the user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected when the viewing status satisfies a predetermined condition (viewing status condition). It can be said that the notification conditions include receiving an operation related to the viewing of the competition video from the user and satisfying the viewing status condition.

[0054] The viewing status condition is, for example, whether the viewing of the video has started, whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the competition in the video being viewed, whether the time when the result of the competition is determined in the video being viewed has passed, whether the viewing of the video has been completed, etc. Note that the predetermined time from the start of the competition may be set commonly for all competitions, or may be set for each competition (for example, for each race).

[0055] Also, the time when the result of the competition is determined may be determined regardless of the content of the vote, or may be determined according to the content of the vote. For example, when the content of the vote is to predict only the first place in the race, the time when the first place is determined (the time of the official announcement by the race organizer) or the time when the first place reaches the goal (the time when it can be confirmed on the video that the leading vehicle has reached the goal) can be set. On the other hand, when the content of the vote is to predict the combination of the first to third places in the race, the time when the first to third places are determined (the time of the official announcement by the race organizer) or the time when the third place reaches the goal (the time when it can be confirmed on the video that the third place has reached the goal) can be set.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 8, the relationship between the notification of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote performed by the holding value notification unit 11c is reflected and the actual holding value will be described.

[0057] In the example of Fig. 8, different from the example of Fig. 5, in addition to period P3, a further period P3' is provided. Period P3' is the period from the reception of an operation related to viewing until the viewing status condition is satisfied. When the viewing status condition to be satisfied is the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 4 minutes) from the start of the competition in the video being viewed, the period until the elapse of the predetermined time is period P3'.

[0058] Also, in Fig. 8, instead of period P4, a period P4' is provided. Period P4' is the period after the viewing status condition is satisfied.

[0059] In period P3', VA is V3, and VB is V2 which is the holding value in which the hitting result is not reflected. Therefore, depending on the hitting result, VA and VB may not be equal.

[0060] In period P4' after the reception of the operation related to viewing, VA is V3, and VB is also V3. That is, VA and VB are equal.

[0061] By configuring in this way, on the condition of receiving an operation related to the viewing of the video related to the competition result to be voted on, it is possible to further notify the user of the holding value in which the hitting result is reflected according to the viewing status. That is, the holding value notification unit 11c can more appropriately determine the timing at which the holding value in which the hitting result is reflected should be notified to the user U1.

[0062] (2-7. Flow of processing by the holding value notification system 1) Referring to Fig. 9, the flow from the reception of the vote by the holding value notification system 1 to the notification to the user U1 of the holding value in which the hitting result is reflected will be described.

[0063] After the execution of S130, S135 is executed. In S135, the viewing status acquisition unit 11d acquires the viewing status of the competition video by the user U1 transmitted from the user terminal 20 (S235).

[0064] In S140, when the holding value notification unit 11c determines that an operation related to viewing has been received based on the received information and also determines that the viewing status condition is satisfied, it transmits the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote is reflected to the user terminal 20 and notifies the user U1.

[0065] <3. Third Embodiment> (3-1. Holding Value Notification System 1 According to the Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, the holding value notification system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The holding value notification system 1 in the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the like in that it has a reservation setting unit. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences.

[0066] (3-2. Functional Configuration of Server 10) As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a vote reception unit 11a, a viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b, a holding value notification unit 11c, a viewing status acquisition unit 11d, and a reservation setting unit 11e.

[0067] (3-3. Function of Reservation Setting Unit 11e) The reservation setting unit 11e receives a reservation setting for postponing the notification to the user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected. The reservation setting is, for example, a viewing reservation (request for viewing later) performed by the user U1 at the time of voting.

[0068] The reservation setting unit 11e may be configured to be able to receive the reservation setting until a predetermined time of the competition. By configuring in this way, it is possible to avoid the situation where the user postpones the reflection after knowing the result.

[0069] Note that the predetermined time is, for example, the time point when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the competition (for example, the time point when 3 minutes have elapsed), the time point when the first place reaches the goal, the time point when all the players reach the goal, etc. In the case of a race or the like that is performed by a competition running a plurality of laps on a predetermined course or the like, it can also be the time point when the remaining number of laps of the leading player becomes a predetermined number.

[0070] Also, the hold setting unit 11e may be configured to receive from the user U1 whether a hold setting is necessary when the vote reception unit 11a receives a vote. That is, the hold setting unit 11e confirms with the user U1 whether a hold setting is necessary. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent omission of hold setting by confirming with the user whether a hold setting is necessary at the time of voting.

[0071] In one aspect, on the touch panel display of the user terminal 20, confirmation such as "Do you want to watch the race later? (Yes / No)" is made to the user U1, and when an operation of selecting "Yes" is received from the user U1, a hold setting based on the viewing reservation is executed.

[0072] Also, a hold setting may be made during viewing of the competition video after voting. In one aspect, during viewing of the live-distributed competition video, a hold setting is made by clicking a "Watch Later" button or the like on the touch panel display of the user terminal 20.

[0073] Also, the hold setting unit 11e may be configured to confirm with the user whether the hold setting is necessary when the competition that is the target of the vote is of a predetermined type, or when the voting amount related to the vote or the return amount in case of a win is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, at the time of receiving the vote by the vote reception unit 11a. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to confirm the hold setting regarding the result of a competition in which the user's interest is particularly high.

[0074] Also, the hold setting unit 11e may be configured to be able to cancel the hold setting according to the operation of the user U1 or a predetermined condition. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to control so as to notify without waiting for the user to view the result of a competition in which the user's interest has decreased.

[0075] The cancellation of the hold setting by the operation of user U1 may be, for example, a cancellation operation in the hold setting list. Also, the hold setting may be cancelled in response to a cancellation operation of the viewing reservation for the video being viewed. Further, the hold setting may be cancelled in response to a viewing completion operation that completes viewing of a video that is being viewed or is in the middle of being viewed and is a video for which a viewing reservation has been made.

[0076] Also, the hold setting unit 11e may accept a hold setting from the user for each competition (for example, for each race), or the hold setting unit 11e may automatically accept a hold setting according to a predetermined setting criterion. That is, when the predetermined setting criterion is satisfied, even if an operation by the user for each competition is not performed, the hold setting unit 11e can process it as having accepted the hold setting. The predetermined setting criterion is, for example, a race of a predetermined grade or higher, or a voting amount of a predetermined amount or more. The predetermined setting criterion may be changeable by the user.

[0077] (3-4. Function of the holding value notification unit 11c) When there is a hold setting, the holding value notification unit 11c notifies user U1 according to the operation. More specifically, after the end of the competition for which voting has been received, when a hold setting is made according to a predetermined condition by the operation of user U1 or by the server 10 or the like, the holding value notification unit 11c accepts an operation related to viewing the video of the competition from user U1, and notifies user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the voting is reflected. The holding value notification unit 11c may further notify user U1 of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected when the viewing status condition is satisfied.

[0078] If there is a hold setting, it is necessary to satisfy the notification conditions in order to notify the holding value that reflects the winning result. That is, after the competition ends, depending on whether there is a hold setting, the holding value notification unit 11c changes the timing of notifying the user U1 of the holding value that reflects the winning result according to the content of the vote. If there is no hold setting, the holding value notification unit 11c notifies the user U1 of the holding value that reflects the winning result according to the content of the vote as soon as the return amount is determined after the competition ends. On the other hand, if there is a hold setting, even if the return amount is determined after the competition ends and the winning result according to the content of the vote is reflected, the holding value notification unit 11c does not notify the user U1 until it receives an operation related to viewing the video of the competition from the user U1.

[0079] In this way, by accepting the hold setting, it is possible to control so as not to notify the holding value that reflects the winning result before satisfying the notification conditions for the competition result for which the user's interest is presumed to be relatively high. On the other hand, for the competition result for which the user's interest is presumed to be relatively low and for which no hold setting has been made (or the setting has been cancelled), it is possible to control to notify the holding value that reflects the winning result regardless of the viewing situation or the like.

[0080] (3-7. Processing flow by the holding value notification system 1) Referring to FIG. 11, the flow from receiving a vote by the holding value notification system 1 to notifying the user U1 of the holding value that reflects the winning result will be described.

[0081] After the execution of S110, S115 is executed. In S115, the hold setting unit 11e accepts a hold setting for holding the notification to the user U1 of the holding value that reflects the winning result, which is transmitted from the user terminal 20 (S215) in response to the operation of the user U1.

[0082] After that, if the cancellation of the hold setting is not performed, when an operation related to viewing is received in the same manner as in the first embodiment or the like, the holding value that reflects the winning result according to the content of the vote is notified.

[0083] <4. Fourth Embodiment> (4-1. Holding value notification system 1 according to the fourth embodiment) Hereinafter, the holding value notification system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The holding value notification system 1 in the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the like in that it includes a display content determination unit that controls displays related to other videos, user icons, etc. that are displayed together with the video of the competition. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences.

[0084] (4-2. Functional configuration of server 10) As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a vote reception unit 11a, a viewing-related operation information acquisition unit 11b, a holding value notification unit 11c, a viewing status acquisition unit 11d, a suspension setting unit 11e, and a display content determination unit 11f.

[0085] (4-3. Function of display content determination unit 11f) The display content determination unit 11f is configured to select, as a video to be displayed together with the competition video, a video including an image or sound related to the competition by a person who has predicted the result of the competition, when the vote by the user U1 is made based on the content of the prediction.

[0086] The video including the image or sound related to the competition by the person who has predicted the result of the competition is, for example, a video including the image or sound of the person who has predicted the result of the competition watching the competition. The image or sound is content related to live commentary, explanation, or impressions, etc.

[0087] Also, the user U1 may be configured to be able to confirm the content of the prediction of the person who has predicted the result of the competition at the time of voting and vote on the same content. The vote reception unit 11a records in the storage unit 12 or the like that the vote by the user U1 is made based on the content of the prediction of the person.

[0088] In addition, the fact that the vote by user U1 was conducted based on the content of the prediction may be determined based on the fact that user U1 has a record of checking the content of the prediction or the fact that the vote was conducted with content identical to or similar to the content of the prediction. In one aspect, it may be conditioned on being exactly the same.

[0089] With such a configuration, the user can view the video of the competition together with the video providing related information. By viewing the state of watching of the person whose voting content is close to the prediction simultaneously with the competition video, a higher sense of presence can be experienced.

[0090] The video 42 determined as the video to be displayed together with the competition video is displayed on the display unit 25 of the user terminal 20 overlaid on the competition video 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 13. In another aspect, the video 40 and the video 42 may be displayed without being overlaid.

[0091] In addition, the display content determination unit 11f determines one or more icons to be displayed together with the competition video, which are icons indicating one or more users who have voted on the result of the competition, and determines the display mode of the one or more icons based on the situation of the competition and the content of the respective votes of the one or more users. With such a configuration, it is possible to grasp other users who have voted on the result of the competition related to the video, and it becomes possible to share a sense of unity with other users.

[0092] In addition to the fact that users have voted on the result of the same competition, the display content determination unit 11f can determine the users to be displayed as user icons based on the relevance between predetermined users. Also, it may be configured such that information such as the voting content of the user corresponding to the user icon can be obtained by a predetermined operation on the user icon. With such a configuration, the user can obtain information regarding the voting content and the like of other users with high relevance among users.

[0093] The relevance between specific users may, in one aspect, be a relevance determined based on various information of the users. The user information may be, for example, information regarding the friendship relationship between user U1 and user U2 (hereinafter also referred to as "friend information"). The friend information is an index of exchanges inside and outside the service that manages the voting content of users for the results of competitions related to the possession value notification system 1.

[0094] Examples of exchanges within the service include, for example, forming a chat group and having conversations in the chat room, or exchanging service accounts, IDs, etc. with each other and being connected so as to be able to communicate. Examples of exchanges outside the service include, for example, making some contact (so-called "liking", "following", "adding friends", etc.) on a specific social networking service (SNS).

[0095] In one aspect, as shown in FIG. 14, the one or more icons displayed together with the video of the competition are the user icon I1 of user U1 himself and the user icons I2 and I3 of user U2 and user U3 who have formed a chat room with user U1.

[0096] The display content determination unit 11f determines to display the icons of users whose at least part of the voting content matches the situation of the competition in a manner different from the icons of users whose voting content does not match the situation of the competition. By doing so, it is possible to distinguish users who are likely to hit and users who are not likely to hit, and to grasp the voting content of other users.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 14, competitors R1 to R4 are engaged in a bicycle race, and it is assumed that at a certain point in the race, they are running in the order of competitor R1 to competitor R4. And suppose user U2 voted on the result of the race that competitor R1 came first, competitor R2 came second, and competitor R3 came third. In such a case, since the situation of the race matches the content of the vote of user U2, the display content determination unit 11f may determine to display the user icon I2 larger than other icons.

[0098] Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the display content determination unit 11f may also determine to display the content of the vote that matches the situation of the race among the votes received from the user, together with the icon of the user. With such a configuration, it is possible to more clearly confirm the content of the votes of each user that are likely to be correct.

[0099] <5. Other Embodiments> As described above, the embodiments and their modifications in the present invention have been explained, but the application of the present disclosure is not limited to the above content.

[0100] (5-1. Video Distribution) For example, the control unit 11 of the server 10 may have a video distribution unit that distributes videos of the race. The video distribution unit can distribute a plurality of videos. A part of the plurality of videos may be distributed by the server 10, and other video distribution servers may distribute other videos.

[0101] Also, there may be several versions of the distributed video. Examples of video versions include a full version including from the start to the end of the race, a highlight version edited only with the highlights of the race, a composite version in which a plurality of races are connected, and the like. The video distribution unit may be configured to receive a selection of the video version from the user at the start of viewing the video. In such a case, the user terminal 20 may be configured to display a selection screen on the display unit 25 and receive a selection by the user.

[0102] (Example in the case of multiple competitions) Also, when voting is being conducted for multiple competitions, the holding value notification unit 11c may be configured to notify the user of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected when the notification condition is satisfied even for competitions that are not the target of the hold setting until the notification condition is satisfied for at least one of the competitions that are the target of the hold setting among the multiple competitions.

[0103] For example, the case where user U1 with a holding value of 3,000 yen casts the following vote as a vote for the result of a bicycle race will be described. A vote of 1,000 yen was cast for the first race, and no hold setting was made. Then, a vote of 2,000 yen was cast for the second race, and a hold setting was made by video reservation. Also, the winning return amount for the result of the first race was 3,000 yen, and the winning return amount for the result of the second race was 4,000 yen.

[0104] In such a case, before the notification condition for the second race is satisfied (for example, before the start of viewing or before the completion of viewing), if the video of the first race has been viewed, the holding value of 3,000 yen will be notified (VB: 3,000 yen), and 7,000 yen will be notified after the completion of viewing the video of the second race (VB: 7,000 yen). In such an example, the notification condition for the second race for which the hold setting was made is not satisfied, but the video of the first race has been viewed and the notification condition is satisfied. Therefore, before the notification condition for the second race is satisfied, the user U1 is notified of the holding value in which the winning result of the first race is reflected.

[0105] On the one hand, before the notification conditions for the second race are met (e.g., before the start of viewing or before the completion of viewing), if the video of the first race has not been viewed, the display of the holding value will notify a holding value of 0 yen (VB: 0 yen), and after the completion of viewing the video of the second race, 7,000 yen will be notified (VB: 7,000). In such an example, before viewing the video of the second race, the notification conditions for the second race with the hold setting have not been met, and the notification conditions for the video of the first race have not been met either. Therefore, before the notification conditions for the second race are met, the holding value reflecting the winning result of the first race is not notified to user U1.

[0106] Also, in one aspect, the holding value notification unit 11c may be configured to notify the user of the holding value reflecting the winning result when the notification conditions are met for a race that is not the target of the hold setting even before the notification conditions are met for all the races that are the targets of the hold setting among the plurality of competitions.

[0107] (5-3. Others) In the above embodiment, the aspect in which the server 10 mainly provides each function has been described. However, some functions may be provided by the user terminal 20, or a configuration in which both the server 10 and the user terminal 20 provide them may be adopted.

[0108] Also, the information processing device such as the server 10 may include not only a device physically configured as one unit but also a device in which a plurality of devices are connected communicably by wire or wirelessly and function as substantially one information processing device.

[0109] Also, each step described as being executed by the server 10 in the above embodiment can also be executed by the user terminal 20.

[0110] As described above, various embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Such embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0111] <6. Features of Embodiment> Hereinafter, the features of the embodiments of the present invention will be summarized.

[0112] The server 10 according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vote reception unit 11a and a holding value notification unit 11c. The vote reception unit 11a receives votes from users regarding the result of a competition, and the holding value notification unit 11c notifies the user of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote is reflected, on the condition that an operation regarding viewing of the competition video is received from the user after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received. It is an information processing device.

[0113] By adopting such a configuration, the notification of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected to the user is controlled based on the operation regarding viewing by the user after the end of the competition, so that the user cannot guess the competition result until a predetermined condition is satisfied. can be kept in a state.

[0114] The holding value notification unit 11c may be configured to notify the user of the holding value in which the hit result is reflected based on the viewing status of the user according to the operation. By adopting such a configuration, on the condition that an operation regarding viewing of the video related to the competition result targeted for voting is received, and further, the holding value in which the hit result is reflected is notified to the user according to the viewing status.

[0115] Server 10 further includes a hold setting unit 11e. The hold setting unit 11e accepts a hold setting for holding the notification to the user of the holding value reflected by the winning result. The holding value notification unit 11c may be configured to notify the user according to the operation when there is a hold setting. In this way, by accepting the hold setting, it is possible to control so as not to notify the holding value reflected by the winning result before satisfying a predetermined condition for a competition result estimated to have relatively high user interest. On the other hand, for a competition result estimated to have relatively low user interest for which no hold setting has been made (or the setting has been cancelled), it is possible to control to notify the holding value reflected by the winning result regardless of the viewing status or the like.

[0116] The hold setting unit 11e may be configured to be able to accept the hold setting until a predetermined time of the competition. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the situation where the user holds the reflection after knowing the result.

[0117] It may be configured to accept from the user the necessity of the hold setting when accepting the vote by the vote acceptance unit 11a. In this way, by confirming with the user the necessity of the hold setting at the time of voting, it is possible to prevent the omission of the hold setting.

[0118] The hold setting unit 11e may be configured to accept from the user the necessity of the hold setting when accepting the vote by the vote acceptance unit 11a, if the competition that is the target of the vote is of a predetermined type, or if the vote amount related to the vote or the return amount at the time of winning is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. In this way, by confirming with the user whether to set a hold when the type of the competition targeted by the vote, or the vote amount or the return amount satisfies a predetermined amount, it is possible to confirm the hold setting for a competition result in which the user's interest is particularly high.

[0119] The vote reception unit 11a may be configured not to accept votes from users for the results of other competitions after the end of a voted competition and before notifying the user of the holding value reflecting the winning result. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a discrepancy between the amount of the voteable amount due to accepting votes and the amount of the holding value recognized by the user during the period from the end of the competition where the amount of the user's holding value is unknown to the notification of the holding value reflecting the winning result.

[0120] The server 10 further includes a display content determination unit 11f. The display content determination unit 11f may be configured to select, when a vote is made based on the prediction content, a video to be displayed together with the video, which is a video including an image or sound related to the competition by a person who has predicted the result of the competition. By adopting such a configuration, the user can view the competition video together with a video providing related information. By viewing the viewing state of a person whose voting content is close to the prediction simultaneously with the competition video, a higher sense of immersion can be experienced.

[0121] The display content determination unit 11f may be configured to determine one or more icons to be displayed together with the video, which are icons indicating one or more users who have voted on the result of the competition, and to determine the display mode of the one or more icons based on the situation of the competition and the content of each vote of the one or more users. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to grasp other users who have voted on the result of the competition related to the video, and it becomes possible to share a sense of unity with other users.

[0122] The display content determination unit 11f may be configured to determine to display the icons of users whose at least part of the voting content matches the situation of the competition in a manner different from the icons of users whose voting content does not match the situation of the competition. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to distinguish between users who are likely to win and users who are unlikely to win, and to grasp the voting content of other users.

[0123] A computer program according to an aspect of the present invention is a computer program that causes a computer to execute a vote reception step and a holding value notification step. In the vote reception step, votes from users on the result of a competition are received. In the holding value notification step, after the end of the competition for which votes have been received, the user is notified of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote is reflected, on the condition that an operation regarding viewing of the video of the competition is received from the user.

[0124] An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a vote reception step and a holding value notification step. In the vote reception step, a computer receives votes from users on the result of a competition. In the holding value notification step, after the end of the competition for which votes have been received, the computer notifies the user of the holding value in which the hit result according to the content of the vote is reflected, on the condition that an operation regarding viewing of the video of the competition is received from the user.

Explanation of Signs

[0125] 1: Holding value notification system, 5: Communication line, 10: Server, 11: Control unit, 11a: Vote reception unit, 11b: Viewing-related operation information acquisition unit, 11c: Holding value notification unit, 11d: Viewing status acquisition unit, 11e: Suspension setting unit, 11f: Display content determination unit, 12: Storage unit, 13: Communication unit, 14: Operation input unit, 15: Monitor, 16: System bus, 20: User terminal, 21: Control unit, 22: Storage unit, 23: Communication unit, 25: Display unit, 26: Speaker, 27: Microphone, 28: Camera, 29: Operation button, 30: System bus, 40: Video, 42: Video, I1, I2, I3: User icon, P1, P2, P3, P3', P4, P4': Period, R1, R2, R3, R4: Competitor, U1, U2, U3: User, VA, VB: Holding value

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a vote reception unit and a holding value notification unit, wherein the vote reception unit receives votes from users regarding the result of a competition, and the holding value notification unit notifies the user of a holding value in which the winning result according to the vote is reflected, on the condition that after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received, the user's operation regarding viewing of the video of the competition is received. Information processing apparatus.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding value notification unit notifies the user of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected, based on the user's viewing status according to the operation. Information processing apparatus.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a hold setting unit, wherein the hold setting unit receives a hold setting for holding the notification of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected to the user, and the holding value notification unit, when there is the hold setting, performs the notification to the user according to the operation. Information processing apparatus.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hold setting unit can receive the hold setting until a predetermined time of the competition. Information processing apparatus.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein when receiving a vote by the vote reception unit, the necessity of the hold setting is received from the user. Information processing apparatus.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the hold setting unit, when receiving a vote by the vote reception unit, receives the necessity of the hold setting from the user when the competition that is the target of the vote is a predetermined type, or when the voting amount related to the vote or the return amount at the time of winning is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. Information processing apparatus.

7. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after the end of the voted competition and before notifying the user of the holding value in which the winning result is reflected, the vote reception unit does not receive votes from the user regarding the results of other competitions. Information processing apparatus.

8. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a display content determination unit, wherein the display content determination unit selects, as a video to be displayed together with the video, a video including an image or sound related to the competition by a person who has predicted the result of the competition, when the vote is made based on the content of the prediction. Information processing apparatus.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display content determination unit selects, as the video to be displayed together with the video, a video including an image or sound related to the competition by a person who has predicted the result of the competition, when the vote is made based on the content of the prediction. Information processing apparatus.

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display content determination unit determines one or more icons to be displayed together with the video, the icons indicating one or more users who have voted on the result of the competition, and determines a display mode of the one or more icons based on the situation of the competition and the content of each vote of the one or more users. Information processing apparatus.

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display content determination unit determines to display an icon of a user whose at least part of the vote content matches the situation of the competition in a different manner from an icon of a user whose vote content does not match the situation of the competition. Information processing apparatus.

11. A computer program that causes a computer to execute a vote reception step and a holding value notification step, wherein in the vote reception step, the computer receives a vote from a user on the result of a competition, and in the holding value notification step, after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received, the computer notifies the user of the holding value in which the hit result corresponding to the vote content is reflected on the condition that the computer receives an operation from the user regarding viewing of the video of the competition. Program.

12. An information processing method comprising a vote reception step and a holding value notification step, wherein in the vote reception step, the computer receives a vote from a user on the result of a competition, and in the holding value notification step, after the end of the competition for which the vote has been received, the computer notifies the user of the holding value in which the hit result corresponding to the vote content is reflected on the condition that the computer receives an operation from the user regarding viewing of the video of the competition. Information processing method.

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