Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To allow a person who votes for a competition to easily refer to voting contents of another voter whose voting contents the voting person wishes to refer to.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 has: a registration section 113 for registering a user who differs from a voting user as a registration user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user on the basis of operation of the voting user who votes for a competition; and a display processing section 114 for displaying voting contents of a first registration user who votes for a first competition on an information terminal 20 that a voting user uses for voting from among multiple registration users when the voting user designates the first competition from among multiple competitions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system is known in which a person who has predicted the result of a competition discloses the predicted content to viewers who want to vote on the competition (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a viewer who wants to vote on a competition votes with reference to the content predicted or voted by other voters, if the prediction results by a large number of other voters are displayed, it is difficult for the viewer to find the prediction results by other voters who the viewer wants to refer to the prediction results.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to make it easy for a person who votes on a competition to refer to the voting content of other voters who want to refer to the voting content.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus of the present invention includes a registration unit that registers, based on the operations of voting users who vote in a competition, a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user, and a display processing unit that, when the voting user designates a first competition among a plurality of competitions, causes a voting content of a first registered user who voted for the first competition among the plurality of registered users to be displayed on an information terminal used by the voting user for voting.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is an effect that it becomes easier for a person who votes in a competition to refer to the voting content of another voter who wants to refer to the voting content.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 11

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10 and one or more information terminals 20 (first information terminal 20-1, second information terminal 20-2, third information terminal 20-3). The information processing apparatus 10 and the plurality of information terminals 20 are communicably connected to each other via a network N such as the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or a mobile communication network.

[0010] The information processing apparatus 10 is a device used to manage a voting service that accepts votes for a competition in which a plurality of competing entities participate. Voting for a competition is performed by a user using the information terminal 20 selecting a competing entity that the user predicts will win the competition, and the information terminal 20 notifying the information processing apparatus 10 of information indicating the competing entity selected by the user.

[0011] Competitions include, for example, motorcycle racing, auto racing, horse racing, boat racing, soccer, tennis, or electronic sports. Competing entities include, for example, competitors, racing car bodies, racehorses, or sports teams. The voting target is the target for which a user votes a predetermined value, and is determined by a combination of the competing entity (including a competitor, a racing car body, or an animal) that the user predicts will win among a plurality of competing entities that are candidates for the voting target and a betting formula (voting method). The predetermined value is a tangible or intangible thing that can be used by a user to obtain an article or service, such as money, electronic currency, or points. In the present embodiment, the magnitude of the predetermined value voted by the user may be referred to as the voting amount.

[0012] In the voting service provided using the information processing system 1, in addition to accepting votes, various services are provided. For example, in the voting service, a service is provided to disclose the voting content by a certain user or the content predicted by a certain user about the result of a competition to other users. The voting content includes information indicating the name of the competition for which the vote was cast and the competing entity for which the vote was cast. The voting content may include information indicating the voting amount. By providing such a service, users can vote with reference to the voting content of other users, which is suitable for users with little voting experience.

[0013] In the information processing system 1, a user who uses the service can register in advance other users whose voting content the user wants to refer to. When there are many users who disclose their voting content, it is difficult to find the voting content of other users that the user wants to refer to. In contrast, in the information processing system 1, a user can register other favorite users. By registering other users, the user can easily refer to the voting content of the other favorite users.

[0014] The information processing apparatus 10 is composed of, for example, one or more physical servers. The information processing apparatus 10 may be configured using virtual servers operating on a hypervisor or may be configured using cloud servers.

[0015] The information terminal 20 is a device used by a user, such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. For example, a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as the "dedicated app") for providing a voting service to the user is installed on the information terminal 20. The user can vote for the voting target, view the distributed video, or view the content voted by other users via the dedicated app.

[0016] When the information terminal 20 receives an operation to start a dedicated application, it displays a display screen of the voting service. The display screen is, for example, a screen that displays the voting content or prediction content of other users, or a screen for receiving an operation to vote on a competition.

[0017] The information terminal 20 may display a screen for receiving an operation for the user to register another user that the user likes. For example, on a screen that displays the voting content or prediction content of other users, when a predetermined operation is performed in a state where the voting content or prediction content corresponding to another user that the user likes is displayed, the information terminal 20 requests the information processing apparatus 10 to register the other user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship (first relationship) with the user.

[0018] The information processing apparatus 10 registers a registered user in association with the user in response to a request from the information terminal 20. After the registered user is registered, the user can preferentially cause the information terminal 20 to display the voting content or prediction content of the registered user. For example, when an operation for viewing the voting content or prediction content of the registered user is performed on the information terminal 20, the information processing apparatus 10 extracts the voting content or prediction content by the registered user from the voting content or prediction content by a large number of users, and causes the information terminal 20 to display the extracted voting content or prediction content.

[0019] By operating in this manner, the information processing apparatus 10 and the information terminal 20 make it easier for a user who wants to vote on a competition to refer to the voting content or prediction content of other users that the user wants to refer to. In the following description, the case where the information terminal 20 displays the voting content of other users is exemplified, but the information terminal 20 may display the prediction content together with or instead of the voting content.

[0020] In this specification, a user who registers other users may be referred to as a voting user, and a registered user may be referred to as a registered user. Also, a user having a first relationship with a registered user may be referred to as a first voting user, and a user having a second relationship with a registered user may be referred to as a second voting user. Although details will be described later, the first relationship is, as described above, a relationship in which the first voting user registers the registered user as a favorite user. The second relationship is a relationship in which the second voting user and the registered user mutually approve each other (so-called friend relationship). Also, a registered user who votes for the first competition may be referred to as a first registered user, and a registered user who votes for the second competition may be referred to as a second registered user.

[0021] The first information terminal 20-1 shown in FIG. 1 is an information terminal 20 used by a first voting user, the second information terminal 20-2 is an information terminal 20 used by a second voting user, and the third information terminal 20-3 is an information terminal 20 used by a registered user. In this specification, in the description of operations where it is not necessary to distinguish between the first information terminal 20-1, the second information terminal 20-2, and the third information terminal 20-3, these may be referred to as the information terminal 20. Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of the information processing apparatus 10 and the information terminal 20 will be described in detail.

[0022] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, a communication IF (Interface) 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15.

[0023] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), and realizes various functions by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0024] The storage unit 12 has a storage medium such as a memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 12 stores the programs executed by the processor 11. Further, the storage unit 12 stores at least either the voting content of the user or the user's prediction regarding the outcome of the competition, in association with the user ID.

[0025] The communication IF 13 has a communication controller for performing wired or wireless communication with the information terminal 20 via the network N. The communication IF 13 notifies the data received from the information terminal 20 to the processor 11. Further, the communication IF 13 transmits the data input from the processor 11 to the information terminal 20.

[0026] The input device 14 receives an input operation from, for example, the administrator of the information processing apparatus 10. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The output device 15 outputs information to, for example, the administrator of the information processing apparatus 10. The output device 15 is, for example, a display or a speaker, etc.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information terminal 20. The information terminal 20 has a processor 21, a storage unit 22, a communication IF 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25.

[0028] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU, and realizes various functions by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 22.

[0029] The storage unit 22 has a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 22 stores the programs executed by the processor 21.

[0030] The communication IF 23 has a communication controller for performing wired or wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 10 via the network N. The communication IF 23 notifies the processor 21 of the data received from the information processing apparatus 10. Also, the communication IF 23 transmits the data input from the processor 21 to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0031] The input device 24 receives an input operation from a user, for example. The input device 24 is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, or a microphone. The output device 25 is, for example, a display unit and an audio output unit that output information to the user. The output device 25 is, for example, a display or a speaker.

[0032] <Example of the display screen of the information terminal 20> Figures 4 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of the screens displayed on the information terminal 20. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the voting content publicly disclosed by other users is displayed. The screen shown in Figure 4 includes a display area 251, a display area 252, a display area 253, and a display area 254.

[0033] The display area 251 is a first area for displaying a list of the voting content of other users. In the display area 251, one or more voting contents selected based on the conditions selected by the user from the plurality of conditions displayed in the display area 254 are displayed among the plurality of voting contents of other users for the competition selected by the user from the plurality of competitions displayed in the display area 253.

[0034] As an example, in the display area 251, the name or nickname of another user, the voting amount, and the recovery rate are displayed. The recovery rate is a value calculated by the winning amount / voting amount by voting. When a user votes 100 yen and wins 200 yen, the recovery rate is 200%. The recovery rate of the previous day is the recovery rate of that user in the competition held on the day before the display date of the screen, and the recovery rate of the current day is the recovery rate in the competition that has ended at the current time among the competitions held on the display date of the screen. By looking at the voting amount and the recovery rate, the user can determine whether he / she is a user who has value in checking the details of the voting content.

[0035] The display area 252 is a second area for displaying different voting content from the voting content displayed in the display area 251 in a different manner from the display area 251. In the display area 252, for example, a plurality of voting contents of other users for a competition different from the competition for which the voting content is displayed in the display area 251 are sequentially displayed. In the display area 252, for example, a plurality of voting contents are displayed while sequentially moving in a predetermined direction. Details of the voting content displayed in the display area 251 and the display area 252 will be described later.

[0036] The display area 253 is an area for the user to select a competition for which he / she wants to display the voting content of other users. In FIG. 4, the competitions "Hiroshima 7R" and "Toride 6R" are displayed, and "Toride 6R" indicated by a thick line is selected. The user can switch the displayed competition name by sliding a finger in the display area 253.

[0037] The display area 254 is an area for the user to input conditions for selecting the voting content to be displayed in the display area 251. In FIG. 4, three conditions, "Popular", "New Arrival", and "Registered Users", are displayed, but other conditions may be displayed in the display area 254.

[0038] "Popular" is a condition that preferentially displays users with a high frequency of displaying voting content or users with a high frequency of voting on the same voting content as the voting content they have referred to. "New arrivals" is a condition that displays voting content in ascending order of the time elapsed since the setting to publicly disclose the voting content. "Registered users" is a condition that preferentially displays registered users who have been registered as favorite other users by the users using the information terminal 20. In FIG. 4, it is displayed in order from the voting content for "Toride 6R" by popular users.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which the voting content of other users is displayed in detail. The screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed when one of the plurality of other users displayed in the display area 251 in FIG. 4 is selected. In the display area 255, the user name and the voting amount shown in FIG. 4 are displayed.

[0040] In the display area 256, the voting content and odds by the other user displayed in the display area 255 are displayed. The voting content is represented by a combination of numbers indicating the voting target (that is, the competitive body) (For example, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4). When another user casts multiple votes, a plurality of voting contents are displayed in the display area 256.

[0041] The operation image 257 is an operation image for performing a "piggyback vote" in which, after referring to the voting content of other users, a vote is cast for voting content that has at least partial commonality with the said voting content. The user can vote for the selected voting content by selecting the operation image for the "piggyback vote" while in a state of having selected the voting content they also wish to vote for from among the plurality of voting contents displayed in the display area 256. When the operation image 257 is selected by the user, the information terminal 20 transmits voting data including user identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user ID") for identifying the user, a competition ID for identifying the competition, and the voting content selected by the user to the information processing apparatus 10. When the information terminal 20 receives a notification indicating that the vote has been received from the information processing apparatus 10, it displays that the vote has been completed.

[0042] The operation image 258 is an operation image for registering another user displayed in the display area 255 as a favorite registered user. In response to the user selecting the operation image 258, the information terminal 20 transmits the user ID of the user using the information terminal 20, the user ID of the other user, and a registration request message indicating that registration is requested to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the voting content publicly disclosed by registered users is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 6 differs from the screen shown in FIG. 4 in that "registered users" is selected in the display area 254, and the voting content of three users, "Suzuki", "Ando", and "Kimura", registered as registered users on the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in the display area 251. By selecting "registered users", the user can preferentially view the voting content of the registered users whose voting content they wish to refer to among the voting content of a large number of other users, thus shortening the time required to view the desired voting content.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the voting content of a registered user is displayed in detail. The screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when "Suzuki" is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 6. The screen shown in FIG. 7 is different from the screen shown in FIG. 5 in that an operation image 259 is displayed instead of the operation image 258 in the screen shown in FIG. 5. The operation image 259 is an operation image for changing a registered user registered as a favorite to an unregistered user who is not registered.

[0045] In response to the user selecting the operation image 259, the information terminal 20 transmits the user ID of the user using the information terminal 20, the user ID of the registered user, and a registration cancellation request message indicating a request for cancellation of registration to the information processing apparatus 10. When receiving the registration cancellation request message, the information processing apparatus 10 changes the registered user to an unregistered state.

[0046] <Functional Block Configuration> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. The processor 11 includes a vote reception unit 111, a public operation reception unit 112, a registration unit 113, and a display processing unit 114. The processor 11 functions as the vote reception unit 111, the public operation reception unit 112, the registration unit 113, and the display processing unit 114 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0047] The storage unit 12 stores user data including at least one of voting content or prediction content in association with a user ID. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the user data stored in the storage unit 12. In the user data shown in FIG. 9, a user ID, voting content (competition ID, voting target, voting amount), a public flag, and a registered user ID are associated with each other. A user with a public flag of ○ indicates that the user's voting content is public. The registered user ID is the user ID of a registered user registered by the user as a favorite other user. In the user data, a plurality of voting contents may be associated with one user ID. In this case, a public flag may be associated with each voting content.

[0048] The vote reception unit 111 receives an operation for the user to vote in the competition. When a vote operation is performed on the screen for the user to vote on the information terminal 20, or when the operation image 257 is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, the vote reception unit 111 receives the vote data transmitted by the information terminal 20, thereby receiving the operation for voting.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the vote reception unit 111 receives a vote for the first competition from a registered user who is registered as a user having a first relationship with the first voting user by the operation of the first voting user who votes in the competition. In this case, the vote reception unit 111 causes the storage unit 12 to store the received vote content in association with the user ID of the registered user. Specifically, the vote reception unit 111 causes the storage unit 12 to store in association with the user ID of the registered user, the competition ID of the first competition, the voting target, and the voting amount.

[0050] After receiving the vote, the vote reception unit 111 causes the third information terminal 20-3 used by the registered user to display a screen on which the registered user can perform an operation to disclose the vote content. For example, immediately after the vote is performed, the vote reception unit 111 displays an operation image for performing an operation to disclose on the screen for performing the vote. The vote reception unit 111 may cause the third information terminal 20-3 used by the registered user to display a screen for performing an operation to disclose the vote content, which is different from the screen for performing the vote, for the period during which voting can be performed in the competition in which the registered user has voted.

[0051] The public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation for publicly displaying the voting content of the user who voted in the competition. When the vote reception unit 111 receives a vote for the first competition from a registered user via the third information terminal 20-3, the public operation reception unit 112 then receives a public operation for publicly displaying the voting content of the registered user. When the public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation, for example, by changing the public flag in the user data shown in FIG. 9 to a state indicating that it is publicly available, in association with the voting content stored in the storage unit 12, the voting content is set to a publicly available state.

[0052] The registration unit 113 registers a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship (i.e., the first relationship) with the voting user, based on the operation of the voting user who votes in the competition. The first relationship in the present embodiment is a relationship in which when the voting user performs a predetermined operation (for example, an operation of selecting "registrant" on the screen shown in FIG. 4) on the first information terminal 20-1, the voting content is preferentially displayed on the information terminal 20.

[0053] When the registration unit 113 receives a registration request from the first information terminal 20-1 indicating that the voting user has selected the operation image 258 for "favorite registration" on the first information terminal 20-1, the registration unit 113 registers the user displayed on the screen where the operation image 258 is displayed as a registered user. The registration unit 113 stores the user ID of the user registered as a registered user in association with the user ID of the voting user in the user data stored in the storage unit 12.

[0054] The display processing unit 114 executes processing for displaying various information on the information terminal 20. The display processing unit 114 displays various screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 on the information terminal 20, for example. Hereinafter, various operations of the display processing unit 114 will be described.

[0055] [Display of Voting Content of Registered Users] When the voting user designates the first competition among a plurality of competitions, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 used by the voting user to display the voting content of the first registered user who voted for the first competition among the plurality of registered users. When the public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 used by the first voting user to display the voting content of the registered users. The display processing unit 114 does not cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display the voting content of the registered users for whom the public operation reception unit 112 has not received a public operation.

[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the voting user using the first information terminal 20-1 selects "Toride 6R" displayed in the display area 253 as the first competition and selects "Registrant" displayed in the display area 254, the display processing unit 114 selects the first registered user who voted for "Toride 6R" among the plurality of registered users registered by the voting user using the first information terminal 20-1. The display processing unit 114 causes the voting content of the first registered user who has made public the voting content for "Toride 6R" among the selected first registered users to be transmitted to the first information terminal 20-1, and thereby causes the voting content to be displayed in the display area 251 of the first information terminal 20-1.

[0057] The display processing unit 114 causes the voting content of the first registered user to be displayed in a first area (for example, the display area 251 in FIG. 6) in which the voting content of one or more registered users can be listed among the plurality of display areas of the first information terminal 20-1. The first area occupies the largest proportion in the display area of the first information terminal 20-1. By causing the display processing unit 114 to list and display a plurality of voting contents in such a first area, an overview of the voting contents of a plurality of registered users that the voting user wants to refer to can be easily seen.

[0058] The display processing unit 114 may display the voting content of the second registered user who voted for a second competition different from the first competition that the voting user has not specified, among the plurality of display areas of the first information terminal 20-1, in a second area different from the first area among the plurality of display areas. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the display processing unit 114 transmits, to the first information terminal 20-1, the voting content of the second registered user who voted for a competition different from "Toride 6R" (for example, "Hiroshima 7R") selected by the voting user among the plurality of registered users registered by the voting user using the first information terminal 20-1, so that the voting content is displayed in the display area 252 of the first information terminal 20-1. By operating in this way, the display processing unit 114 enables the voting user to obtain information about other competitions, so that the voting user is motivated to vote for other competitions as well.

[0059] The display processing unit 114 displays the voting content of the first registered user in the first area of the first information terminal 20-1 for a longer time than the time for which the voting content of the second registered user is displayed in the second area of the first information terminal 20-1. For example, the display processing unit 114 continuously displays the voting content displayed in the first area until the voting user performs an operation to transition to another screen, and makes the voting content displayed in the second area not be displayed after a certain period of time regardless of the presence or absence of the voting user's operation. For example, the display processing unit 114 displays while switching the plurality of voting contents for the second competition at regular intervals set in advance by the user.

[0060] By the display processing unit 114 thus displaying the voting content of the competition selected by the voting user in the first area for a long time and displaying the voting content of the competition not selected by the voting user in the second area for a short time, the voting user can sufficiently check the information about the competition under consideration for voting over time, and can also obtain information about the competitions not under consideration.

[0061] When the voting user designates the first competition, the display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display the voting content of the first registered user on the condition that the voting user satisfies the viewing condition for viewing the voting target of the first registered user among the plurality of registered users. In this case, if the voting user does not satisfy the viewing condition, the display processing unit 114 does not cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display the voting target of the first registered user.

[0062] The viewing condition is, for example, that the voting user has registered the first registered user as his / her own registered user. The viewing condition may be that the voting user has paid a predetermined consideration required to confirm the voting content of the first registered user. The predetermined consideration is the consideration paid to the operator providing the voting service using the information processing apparatus 10, and a part of the consideration may be paid to the first registered user who has made the voting content public. A part of the consideration may be paid to the first registered user who has made the voting content public and whom the voting user has confirmed the voting content, or to the first registered user on whom the voting user has made a piggyback vote. By causing the display processing unit 114 to display the voting content on the first information terminal 20-1 based on such a viewing condition, the value of making the voting content public is increased, and the user is motivated to make the voting content public.

[0063] The viewing condition may be that the voting user has registered in advance an amount equal to or greater than a threshold value as a predetermined value to be used for voting. When there is electronic currency (for example, points) provided to the voting user for free and the cash of the voting user as the predetermined value, the display processing unit 114 may cause the voting content to be displayed on the first information terminal 20-1 on the condition that cash equal to or greater than the threshold value is registered to be available for voting.

[0064] The predetermined value used for voting is associated with the user ID in the user data, for example, according to the user's operation. In this case, the display processing unit 114 refers to the user data and, when the voting user can use an amount equal to or greater than the threshold value for voting, causes the voting content to be displayed on the first information terminal 20-1. When the voting user can only use an amount less than the threshold value for voting, the display processing unit 114 does not display the voting content on the first information terminal 20-1, but instead displays a message prompting the registration of the predetermined value, such as "Please register the amount to be used for voting". By operating in this way, the display processing unit 114 increases the probability that the user will vote after viewing the voting content.

[0065] When there are multiple first registered users, the display processing unit 114 may cause a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the multiple first registered users to be displayed on the first information terminal 20-1 in the order based on the information regarding the past competitions in which the voting user voted among the competitions voted on by the multiple first registered users in the past. The information regarding the past competitions is, for example, at least any one of the number of times the first registered user voted in the past, the voting amount when the first registered user voted in the past, or the result when the first registered user voted in the past.

[0066] The display processing unit 114 causes a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the multiple first registered users to be displayed on the first information terminal 20-1 in the order of the number of votes cast in the past in descending order, the amount of votes cast in the past in descending order, or the order of the results shown in the voting results in the past competitions. The result shown in the voting result is represented by at least any one of whether the voting content was a hit, the odds of the winning voting content, or the amount of the refund obtained by the winning voting content. By causing the display processing unit 114 to display a plurality of voting contents on the information terminal 20 in the order based on the information regarding the past competitions in this way, it is easier for the voting user to refer to the voting contents of registered users with more voting experience or better past results, so the value of referring to the voting contents is increased.

[0067] The display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to a plurality of first registered users in the order of the results indicated by the voting results in past competitions having attributes common to the attributes of the first competition. The past competition having attributes common to the attributes of the first competition is, for example, a competition in which at least one of the plurality of competing bodies participating in the first competition has participated. The past competition having attributes common to the attributes of the first competition may be a competition held at the same venue as the venue where the first competition is held. By causing the display processing unit 114 to display the voting contents based on the results of the registered users in past competitions having attributes similar to the first competition in this way, the probability that the user can obtain a good voting result regarding the first competition is increased.

[0068] Among the voting results in a plurality of past competitions in which the first registered user has voted in the past, the display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to a plurality of first registered users in the order based on information regarding one or more past competitions in which the voting user has voted for voting contents that are at least partially common with the voting contents after referring to the voting contents of the plurality of first registered users. That is, the display processing unit 114 may determine the order in which to display the voting contents of the plurality of registered users based on the performance when the voting user has ridden on the votes of the plurality of first registered users in the past.

[0069] For example, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to a plurality of first registered users in the order corresponding to the number of times the voting user has voted for voting contents that are at least partially common with the voting contents after referring to the voting contents of the first registered users in past competitions. By operating in this way, the display processing unit 114 makes it easier for the user to refer to the voting contents of the first registered users who have ridden on the votes many times in the past. Such an operation of the display processing unit 114 is suitable when the user wants to ride on the votes based on the voting contents of the same first registered user.

[0070] The display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 corresponding to a plurality of first registered users to display a plurality of voting contents in an order based on the results when the voting user casts a vote for a voting content that has at least partial commonality with the voting content of the first registered users in past competitions. That is, when the voting user casts a follow-up vote after referring to the voting contents of a plurality of first registered users in past competitions, the display processing unit 114 preferentially causes the first information terminal 20-1 to display the voting content of the first registered user with good results in the follow-up vote over the voting contents of other first registered users. By operating in this manner, the display processing unit 114 makes it easier for the user to refer to the voting contents of the first registered users who obtained good results among those who cast follow-up votes in the past, thereby increasing the probability of obtaining good results in new votes.

[0071] The display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 used by the voting user to display information indicating a common voting target included in the voting contents of a plurality of first registered users in the first competition. For example, on the screen displaying the voting contents shown in FIG. 7, the display processing unit 114 causes the user to be able to distinguish between the voting targets for which other first registered users have also voted and the voting targets for which other first registered users have not voted. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when other first registered users have voted for the voting targets including No. 2 and No. 5, the display processing unit 114 displays the display modes of No. 2 and No. 5 in a state different from the display modes of other numbers.

[0072] The display processing unit 114 may cause the user to be able to distinguish between the combinations for which other first registered users have also voted and the combinations for which other first registered users have not voted among the combinations of a plurality of voting targets. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when other first registered users have also voted for the combination of "No. 2 - No. 5 - No. 4", the display processing unit 114 displays the display mode of the combination in a state different from the display modes of other combinations.

[0073] The display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display information recommending a voting target (including a combination of voting targets) common to a plurality of first registered users. By causing the display processing unit 114 to display on the first information terminal 20-1 a voting target common to a plurality of first registered users in a manner that allows the voting user to recognize it, it becomes easier for the voting user to vote for a voting target for which many other first registered users have voted, and the probability of getting no hits at all can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the motivation of the voting user for voting from decreasing.

[0074] In the screen shown in FIG. 6 where an overview of the voting contents of a plurality of first registered users is listed, the display processing unit 114 may preferentially display on the first information terminal 20-1 a first registered user who has cast a vote including a voting target common among the plurality of first registered users more than other first registered users. By operating in this way, the display processing unit 114 makes it easier for the voting user to refer to the voting contents of the first registered user who has cast a vote including a voting target common among the plurality of first registered users. As a result, the probability of getting no hits at all even though the voting user has voted can be reduced, so it is possible to prevent the motivation of the voting user for voting from decreasing.

[0075] After the vote reception unit 111 receives the vote of the registered user for the first competition, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 to display the vote content when the public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation within the time when the first voting user can vote for the first competition. The display processing unit 1114 does not cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display the vote content when the public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation after the time when the first voting user can vote for the first competition has passed. By operating in this way, it is possible to prevent the vote content regarding a competition for which the voting user cannot vote from being displayed.

[0076] However, even if a voting user is unable to vote, there may be cases where a registered user wishes to check what kind of votes were cast. Therefore, the display processing unit 114 may switch the operations required to display the voting content depending on whether the timing at which the public operation reception unit 112 received a public operation is within the time when the first voting user can vote in the first competition.

[0077] Specifically, when the public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation within the time when the first voting user can vote in the first competition, the display processing unit 114 displays the voting content without performing the operations for displaying the voting content related to the competition in which voting is not possible. On the other hand, when the public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation after the time when the first voting user can vote in the first competition, the voting content is displayed on the condition that the first voting user has performed the operations for displaying the voting content. By operating in this way, the display processing unit 114 prevents the voting content related to the competition in which the voting user cannot vote from always being displayed, and enables the voting user to refer to the voting content when the voting user wishes to refer to the voting content of the registered user.

[0078] [Registered users with a friendship relationship] In addition to the registered users in the first relationship, the voting user may register other users in a second relationship different from the first relationship. As described with reference to FIG. 7, the first relationship is a relationship that occurs when a voting user (for example, the first voting user) and a registered user are associated without receiving approval from the registered user by an operation of the voting user. In contrast, the second relationship is a relationship that occurs when a voting user (for example, the second voting user) and a registered user are associated by receiving approval from the registered user in response to an operation of the voting user. It is assumed that the registered user and the second voting user in the second relationship are closer to the registered user than the first voting user in the first relationship with the registered user. In this specification, the second relationship may be referred to as a friendship relationship.

[0079] For a registered user, even if there is voting content that the user does not want to disclose to a first voting user with whom a predetermined relationship (first relationship) has occurred without the user's approval, it is assumed that there will be no problem in disclosing the voting content to a second voting user in such a friend relationship. Therefore, the display processing unit 114 may change the condition for disclosing the voting content of the registered user between the registered user and the first voting user in the first relationship and the registered user and the second voting user in the second relationship.

[0080] As an example, when the public operation reception unit 112 has not received a public operation from the registered user, the display processing unit 114 does not display the voting content of the registered user on the first information terminal 20-1 used by the first voting user in the first relationship. On the other hand, even when the public operation reception unit 112 has not received a public operation from the registered user, the display processing unit 114 displays the voting content on the second information terminal 20-2 used by the second voting user having a second relationship different from the first relationship with the registered user. By operating in this way, the display processing unit 114 enables the registered user to disclose the voting content to the second voting user in the friend relationship without performing an operation for disclosing the voting content, thus saving the trouble of operation. As a result, it becomes easier to share the voting content among users having a friend relationship.

[0081] The display processing unit 114 may switch whether to notify the registered user that a piggyback vote based on the voting content of the registered user has been cast depending on whether the registered user has a first relationship or a second relationship. Specifically, when a first voting user who is not in a friend relationship with the registered user votes based on the voting content, the display processing unit 114 does not notify the registered user that the first voting user has voted based on the voting content. On the other hand, when a second voting user who is in a friend relationship with the registered user votes based on the voting content, the display processing unit 114 notifies the registered user that the second voting user has voted based on the voting content. By operating in this way, the display processing unit 114 enables the registered user to grasp that a user in a friend relationship has referred to the voting content, promotes communication between users in a friend relationship, and thus increases the value of registering as a friend.

[0082] [Push Notification of Voting Content] As described above, the display processing unit 114 displays the voting content of the registered user in the display area 252 (second area) of the information terminal 20 regardless of the operation of the user of the information terminal 20. That is, the display processing unit 114 push-notifies the voting content of the registered user to the voting user. The order in which the display processing unit 114 push-notifies a plurality of voting contents is arbitrary, but the display processing unit 114 may determine the priority order of push-notifying the voting contents corresponding to a plurality of competitions based on the voting deadline of each of the plurality of competitions.

[0083] As an example, when the vote reception unit 111 receives a vote from a registered user for the first competition at a time prior to a predetermined time until the vote closing time of the first competition, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 to display the vote content in response to receiving an operation of designating the first competition by the first voter. On the other hand, when the vote reception unit 111 receives a vote from a registered user for the first competition at a time within a predetermined time until the vote closing time of the first competition, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 to display the vote content. By operating in this manner, the display processing unit 114 can prevent the vote content from being notified too frequently while there is sufficient time until the vote closing time. Further, when the vote closing time is approaching, the user can be made more likely to notice the vote content.

[0084] The display processing unit 114 may switch the conditions for push-notifying the vote content of the registered user to the information terminal 20 based on the vote closing times of the plurality of competitions. As an example, when the public operation reception unit 112 receives a public operation for the vote content of the first competition by the registered user at a time prior to a predetermined time until the vote closing time of the first competition, the display processing unit 114 notifies the first voter of the vote content. On the other hand, when the public operation reception unit 112 receives or does not receive a public operation for the vote content of the first competition by the registered user at a time within a predetermined time until the vote closing time of the first competition, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 to display the vote content. By operating in this manner, since the vote content regarding the competition whose vote closing time is approaching is successively displayed on the information terminal 20, the user is motivated to vote for the competition.

[0085] When the vote reception unit 111 receives votes for the first competition from a plurality of registered users, the display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display information for prompting voting for the first competition. At this time, the display processing unit 114 may push-notify information such as the number of registered users who voted for the first competition, their names, or the amount of votes to the information terminal 20, and cause these information to be displayed on the information terminal 20. While the first voting user using the first information terminal 20-1 is displaying the voting content for a competition other than the first competition in the first area of the first information terminal 20-1, the display processing unit 114 may display information for prompting voting for the first competition in the second area of the first information terminal 20-1. When a plurality of registered users vote, for the first voting user, since they can vote after referring to the voting content of the plurality of registered users, the probability of obtaining a good voting result increases. As a result, the first voting user is motivated to vote.

[0086] When the vote reception unit 111 receives votes for the same voting target in the first competition from a plurality of registered users, the display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display information indicating the voting target. When a plurality of users vote for the same voting target, it is assumed that the probability of the voting target winning the competition is high. By operating in this way, it becomes difficult for the user to miss the chance to vote for the competition with a voting target that has a high probability of winning.

[0087] When the monetary value of the vote cast by the registered user for the first competition is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display the voting content. When the monetary value of the vote cast by the registered user for the first competition is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is assumed that the registered user has confidence in winning. By operating in this way, the voting user can refer to the voting content of the registered user with a high probability of winning, so it becomes difficult for the user to miss the chance to vote for the competition with a voting target that has a high probability of winning.

[0088] Incidentally, when the first voting user has already voted in the first competition, the first voting user is not interested in which voting target is desirable to vote for, and is considered to be interested in the points of agreement or difference between the registered user and their own voting target. Therefore, the display processing unit 114 may display different voting content on the first information terminal 20-1 depending on whether the first voting user has already voted in the first competition or not.

[0089] For example, when the first voting user has already voted in the first competition, the display processing unit 114 causes the first information terminal 20-1 to display voting content corresponding to the difference between the voting content of the first competition by the first voting user and the voting content of the first competition by the registered user. Specifically, when the registered user votes in the first competition after the first voting user has voted in the first competition and the voting content of both is the same, the display processing unit 114 notifies the first information terminal 20-1 of a message such as "User XX has purchased the same ticket". By the display processing unit 114 notifying such a message, it is possible to give a sense of security to the users who have already voted and improve the user satisfaction.

[0090] When the voting content of the first competition by the first voting user and the voting content of the first competition by the registered user do not match, the display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display voting content indicating the non-matching voting target. When the voting content of both matches, the display processing unit 114 does not notify the first information terminal 20-1 of the voting content of the registered user, and when the voting content of both does not match, the display processing unit 114 may cause the first information terminal 20-1 to display voting content indicating the non-matching voting target. By the display processing unit 114 displaying such a message on the information terminal 20, the users who have already voted can refer to the voting content of the registered user and make additional votes.

[0091] By thus switching the content of the message displayed on the information terminal 20 by the display processing unit 114 according to the voting state of the user, it becomes possible to notify the user of useful information regardless of the voting state of the user.

[0092] <Operation flowchart of information processing apparatus 10> FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 starts when a user using the first information terminal 20-1 launches a dedicated application for voting in a competition and opens a screen for viewing the voting contents of other users (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 4).

[0093] When an operation for designating the first competition is performed on the first information terminal 20-1, the first information terminal 20-1 transmits data indicating that the first competition has been designated in the display area 253 of the screen shown in FIG. 5 to the information processing apparatus 10. When the display processing unit 114 receives the data indicating that the first competition has been designated and thus accepts the designation of the first competition (S11), it determines whether it is specified to display registered users (S12). That is, the display processing unit 114 determines whether "registered users" is selected in the display area 254 of the screen shown in FIG. 5.

[0094] When it is not specified to display registered users (NO in S12), the display processing unit 114 selects one or more voting contents from the plurality of voting contents of a plurality of users who have made their voting contents public based on the conditions specified in the display area 254 of the first information terminal 20-1 (S13). The display processing unit 114 displays the voting contents in the first area of the first information terminal 20-1, for example, in the order of popularity of the users who have made their voting contents public or in the order of arrival of the voting contents (S14).

[0095] When an operation for registering a user whose voting content is being displayed on the first information terminal 20-1 as a registered user is performed, the first information terminal 20-1 transmits the user ID of the user of the first information terminal 20-1, the user ID of the user to be registered, and a registration request to the information processing apparatus 10. When the registration unit 113 receives the registration request (S15), it registers the selected user as a registered user by associating the user ID of the user using the first information terminal 20-1 with the user ID of the user to be registered in the user data stored in the storage unit 12 (S16).

[0096] After that, the vote reception unit 111 monitors whether the registered user has voted for the second competition (S17). When the display processing unit 114 determines that any of the registered users has voted for the second competition (YES in S17), the voting content for the second competition is displayed in the second area of the first information terminal 20-1 (S18). The display processing unit 114 determines whether a competition other than the first competition is specified in the display area 253 of the first information terminal 20-1 (S19). If it is determined that another competition is specified (YES in S19), the process returns to S12. When the display processing unit 114 determines that no other competition is specified (NO in S19), it determines whether the operation of the first information terminal 20-1 has ended (S20), and repeats the process of S19 until the operation of the first information terminal 20-1 ends.

[0097] In S12, when the display processing unit 114 determines that "registered user" is selected in the display area 254 of the screen shown in FIG. 5 and it is specified to display the registered users (YES in S12), it selects the voting contents of a plurality of registered users who have made their voting contents public (S21). The display processing unit 114 causes the voting content corresponding to the first competition among the voting contents of the registered users who have made their voting contents public to be displayed in the first area of the first information terminal 20-1 (S22).

[0098] When an operation to delete the registration of a registered user is performed on the first information terminal 20-1, the first information terminal 20-1 transmits the user ID of the user of the first information terminal 20-1, the user ID of the registered user to be deleted, and a request to delete the registration to the information processing apparatus 10. When the registration unit 113 receives a request to delete the registration (YES in S23), it deletes the user ID of the user associated as a registered user with the user ID of the user using the first information terminal 20-1 from the user data stored in the storage unit 12, thereby deleting the registration of the registered user (S24). Through the above procedure, the user of the first information terminal 20-1 can view the voting contents of other users, register other users as registered users, or delete them from the registered users.

[0099] <Example of the processing sequence in the information processing system 1> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence in the information processing system 1. FIG. 11 shows a part of the data transmitted and received among the first information terminal 20-1, the second information terminal 20-2, the third information terminal 20-3, and the information processing apparatus 10. As described above, the first information terminal 20-1 is an information terminal 20 used by a first voting user having a first relationship with a registered user who uses the third information terminal 20-3. The second information terminal 20-2 is an information terminal 20 used by a second voting user having a second relationship (friend relationship) with a registered user who uses the third information terminal 20-3.

[0100] The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 11 starts from the point in time when the registered user who uses the third information terminal 20-3 votes in the first competition (S31). When the third information terminal 20-3 transmits the voting content to the information processing apparatus 10, the voting reception unit 111 of the information processing apparatus 10 causes the storage unit 12 to store the voting content in association with the registered user who uses the third information terminal 20-3 (S32). In response to the voting reception unit 111 receiving the voting content, the display processing unit 114 transmits the voting content to the second information terminal 20-2. The second information terminal 20-2 displays the received voting content (S33). The second information terminal 20-2 displays the received voting content in, for example, a second area where the voting content can be displayed in real time.

[0101] Thereafter, when an operation to publicly disclose the voting content regarding the first competition is performed on the third information terminal 20-3 (S34), the third information terminal 20-3 transmits the user ID of the user of the third information terminal 20-3, the competition ID of the first competition for which the public disclosure operation was performed, and public setting data indicating that the public disclosure operation was performed, to the information processing apparatus 10. When the voting reception unit 111 receives the public setting data, it sets the voting content of the user of the third information terminal 20-3 to the public state by setting the public flag associated with the user ID of the user of the third information terminal 20-3 in the user data (S35).

[0102] When the voting reception unit 111 sets the voting content of the user of the third information terminal 20-3 to the public state, the display processing unit 114 transmits the voting content to the first information terminal 20-1. The first information terminal 20-1 displays the received voting content (S36). The display processing unit 114 may not transmit the voting content to the second information terminal 20-2 that has already transmitted the voting content, but may retransmit the voting content, or may notify the second information terminal 20-2 that the voting content has been made public.

[0103] Thereafter, when a piggyback vote based on the displayed voting content is performed on the first information terminal 20-1 (S37), the first information terminal 20-1 transmits the user ID of the user of the first information terminal 20-1 and information for specifying the voting content on which the piggyback vote was performed to the information processing apparatus 10. When receiving the information, the voting reception unit 111 stores the voting content in the storage unit 12 in association with the user ID of the user of the first information terminal 20-1, thereby executing the voting process for the user of the first information terminal 20-1 (S38).

[0104] Similarly, when a piggyback vote based on the displayed voting content is performed on the second information terminal 20-2 (S39), the second information terminal 20-2 transmits the user ID of the user of the second information terminal 20-2 and information for specifying the voting content on which the piggyback vote was performed to the information processing apparatus 10. When receiving the information, the voting reception unit 111 stores the voting content in the storage unit 12 in association with the user ID of the user of the second information terminal 20-2, thereby executing the voting process for the user of the second information terminal 20-2 (S40).

[0105] When the user of the first information terminal 20-1 performs a piggyback vote, the display processing unit 114 does not notify the third information terminal 20-3 that the piggyback vote has been performed, but when the user of the second information terminal 20-2 performs a piggyback vote, the display processing unit 114 notifies the third information terminal 20-3 that the piggyback vote has been performed. The display processing unit 114 may notify the third information terminal 20-3 of the user name of the second information terminal 20-2 that has performed the piggyback vote.

[0106] When the third information terminal 20-3 receives a notification that a piggyback vote has been cast, it displays that a piggyback vote has been cast, for example, in the second display area (S41). The third information terminal 20-3 may further display the user name of the second information terminal 20-2 that cast the piggyback vote. By the third information terminal 20-3 displaying that a piggyback vote has been cast or displaying the user name of the user who cast the piggyback vote, communication between the user of the second information terminal 20-2 and the user of the third information terminal 20-3 who are in a friend relationship is promoted, and the pleasure for the user to vote in the competition increases.

[0107] [Processing by Program] In the above description, an example is given of a case where the processor 11 included in the information processing apparatus 10 executes a program stored in the storage unit 12, and the information processing apparatus 10 executes processing for displaying the voting content of other users on the information terminal 20 or registering other users as registered users. However, the subject that executes the above processing is not limited to the processor 11 included in the information processing apparatus 10, and part or all of the above processing may be performed by the processor 21 included in the information terminal 20 executing a program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0108] That is, the storage unit 22 stores a program for causing the processor 21 to execute a step of registering a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user based on the operation of the voting user who votes in the competition, and a step of, when the voting user designates a first competition among a plurality of competitions, causing the information terminal 20 used by the voting user to display the voting content of the first registered user who voted for the first competition among the plurality of registered users. The processor 21 may execute the program.

[0109] Similarly, the storage unit 22 stores a program for causing the processor 21 to execute steps of receiving a vote for the first competition from a registered user registered as a user having a first relationship with the first voting user by the operation of the first voting user who votes in the competition, receiving a public operation for publicly disclosing the voting content of the registered user, and causing the information terminal used by the first voting user to display the voting content indicating the voting content of the registered user when the public operation is received. The processor 21 may execute the program.

[0110] [Effect by Information Processing System 1] As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a registration unit 113 that registers a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user based on the operation of the voting user who votes in the competition. Then, when the voting user designates the first competition among a plurality of competitions, the display processing unit 114 causes the information terminal 20 (for example, the first area of the information terminal 20) used by the voting user to display the voting content of the first registered user who voted for the first competition among the plurality of registered users. By configuring the information processing apparatus 10 in this way, even when there are a large number of publicly disclosed voting contents, it becomes easier for the user who votes in the competition to refer to the voting contents of other voters who want to refer to the voting contents.

[0111] Further, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a vote reception unit 111 that receives a vote for the competition from a registered user registered as a user having a first relationship with the user by the operation of the user who votes in the competition, and a public operation reception unit 112 that receives a public operation for publicly disclosing the voting content of the registered user. Then, when the public operation reception unit 112 receives the public operation, the display processing unit 114 push-notifies the voting content of the registered user to the first information terminal 20-1 used by the user having a first relationship with the registered user, and causes the first information terminal 20-1 (for example, the second area of the first information terminal 20-1) to display it. By configuring the information processing apparatus 10 in this way, it becomes easier for the person who votes in the competition to refer to the voting content publicly disclosed by other voters who want to refer to the voting content.

[0112] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by being functionally or physically distributed and integrated in arbitrary units. Also, new embodiments resulting from any combination of a plurality of embodiments are included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination have the effects of the original embodiments combined.

[0113] In addition to the above embodiments, the following is further appended. (Supplementary Note 1) A registration unit that registers a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user based on an operation of the voting user who votes in a competition, When the voting user designates a first competition among a plurality of competitions, a display processing unit that causes the voting content of a first registered user who voted for the first competition among the plurality of registered users to be displayed on an information terminal used by the voting user for voting, An information processing apparatus having the same. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for a user who votes in a competition to refer to the voting content of other voters who want to refer to the voting content. (Supplementary Note 2) The display processing unit displays the voting content of the first registered user in a first area capable of displaying a list of the voting content of one or more of the registered users among the plurality of display areas of the information terminal. The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for a user who votes in a competition using an information terminal to refer to the voting content of a plurality of registered users. (Supplementary Note 3) The display processing unit causes the voting content of the second registered user who has voted for a second competition different from the first competition not specified by the voting user among the plurality of display areas of the information terminal to be displayed in a second area different from the first area among the plurality of display areas. The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, the user is motivated to vote for other competitions as well. (Supplementary Note 4) The display processing unit causes the voting content of the first registered user to be displayed in the first area for a time longer than the time for which the voting content of the second registered user is displayed in the second area. The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 3. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, the user can check the information regarding the competition under consideration for voting over a sufficient period of time, and can also obtain information regarding other competitions. (Supplementary Note 5) When the voting user designates the first competition, the display processing unit causes the voting content of the first registered user to be displayed on the information terminal on the condition that the voting user satisfies the viewing condition for viewing the voting target of the first registered user among the plurality of registered users, and when the voting user does not satisfy the viewing condition, the voting target of the first registered user is not displayed on the information terminal. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to prevent the voting content of other users from being displayed on the information terminal 20 of a user for whom the voting content of other users should not be displayed. (Supplementary Note 6) When there are a plurality of first registered users, the display processing unit causes a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the plurality of first registered users to be displayed on the information terminal in an order based on information regarding past competitions voted on by the plurality of first registered users and related to the past competition voted on by the voting user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, when voting based on the voting contents of other registered users, the past voting results can be referred to. (Appendix 7) The display processing unit causes the information terminal to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the plurality of first registered users in the order of the results indicated by the voting results in the past competitions. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 6. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier to refer to the voting contents of registered users with good past results, so the probability of obtaining good voting results increases. (Appendix 8) The display processing unit causes the information terminal to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the plurality of first registered users in the order of the results indicated by the voting results in the past competitions having an attribute common to the attribute of the first competition. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 7. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier to refer to the voting contents of registered users with good results in similar past competitions, so the probability of obtaining good voting results increases. (Appendix 9) The display processing unit causes the information terminal to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the plurality of first registered users in the order based on information regarding one or more of the past competitions in which the voting user voted on voting contents that are at least partially common with the voting contents after referring to the voting contents of the plurality of first registered users among the voting results in the plurality of past competitions in which the first registered users voted in the past. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to consider the past results of the registered users that the user referred to in the past, so the probability of obtaining good voting results increases. (Appendix 10) The display processing unit causes the information terminal to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the plurality of first registered users in an order corresponding to the number of times of voting for voting contents that at least partially match the voting contents after the voting user refers to the voting contents of the first registered user in the past competition. The information processing apparatus according to appended note 9. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to refer to the voting contents of registered users who have voted equally in the past, so the probability of getting good voting results increases. (Appended note 11) The display processing unit causes the information terminal to display a plurality of voting contents corresponding to the plurality of first registered users in an order based on the results when voting for voting contents that at least partially match the voting contents after the voting user refers to the voting contents of the first registered user in the past competition. The information processing apparatus according to appended note 9 or 10. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to refer to the voting contents of registered users with good performance records among the registered users who have voted equally in the past, so the probability of getting good voting results increases. (Appended note 12) The display processing unit causes the information terminal to display information indicating a common voting target included in the voting contents of the plurality of first registered users in the first competition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of appended notes 1 to 10. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to grasp a voting target that may have high voting value. (Appended note 13) Executed by a computer Based on the operation of a voting user who votes in a competition, registering a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user. When the voting user designates the first competition among a plurality of competitions, among the plurality of registered users, the step of causing an information terminal used by the voting user to display the voting content of the first registered user who voted for the first competition; An information processing method having With the information processing method configured in this way, it becomes easier for a user who votes for a competition to refer to the voting content of other voters who want to refer to the voting content. (Appendix 14) On a computer, Based on the operation of a voting user who votes for a competition, registering a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user; When the voting user designates the first competition among a plurality of competitions, among the plurality of registered users, the step of causing an information terminal used by the voting user to display the voting content of the first registered user who voted for the first competition; A program for causing execution. With the program configured in this way, it becomes easier for a user who votes for a competition to refer to the voting content of other voters who want to refer to the voting content. (Appendix 15) A vote reception unit that receives a vote for the first competition from a registered user registered as a user having a first relationship with the first voting user by the operation of the first voting user who votes for the competition; A public operation reception unit that receives a public operation for publicizing the voting content of the registered user; When the public operation reception unit receives the public operation, a display processing unit that displays the voting content of the registered user on a first information terminal used by the first voting user; An information processing apparatus having With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for a user who votes for a competition to refer to the voting content of other users who want to refer to the voting content. (Appendix 16) After the vote reception unit receives the vote of the registered user for the first competition, when the public operation reception unit receives the public operation within the time when the first voter can vote for the first competition, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display the vote content; when the public operation reception unit receives the public operation after the time when the first voter can vote for the first competition has passed, the display processing unit does not cause the first information terminal to display the vote content. The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 15. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to prevent information regarding a competition for which voting is not possible from being displayed on the information terminal 20. (Supplementary Note 17) When the public operation reception unit has not received the public operation, the display processing unit does not cause the first information terminal to display the vote content, and causes the second information terminal used by a second voter who has a second relationship different from the first relationship with the registered user to display the vote content. The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 15 or 16. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, the registered user can reduce the operations for notifying the vote content to a person in the second relationship (for example, a close relationship). (Supplementary Note 18) The first relationship is a relationship generated by associating the first voter and the registered user without receiving the approval of the registered user by the operation of the first voter, and the second relationship is a relationship generated by associating the second voter and the registered user by receiving the approval of the registered user according to the operation of the second voter. The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 17. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to reduce the operations for notifying the vote content to other users in a close relationship with mutual approval, while preventing all vote content from being notified to other users who are not in such a close relationship. (Supplementary Note 19) When the first voting user votes based on the voting content, the display processing unit does not notify the registered user that the first voting user has voted based on the voting content. When the second voting user votes based on the voting content, the display processing unit notifies the registered user that the second voting user has voted based on the voting content. The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 17 or 18. Since the information processing apparatus is configured in this way, it is possible to grasp that a user in a close relationship has referred to the voting content, so communication between users is promoted. (Supplementary Note 20) When the vote reception unit receives a vote for the first competition by the registered user and a vote for a second competition started after the first competition, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display the voting content corresponding to the first competition before the voting content corresponding to the second competition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 15 to 19. Since the information processing apparatus is configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to vote before the time available for voting has passed. (Supplementary Note 21) When the vote reception unit receives the registered user's vote for the first competition at a time earlier than a predetermined time before the voting deadline of the first competition, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display the voting content in response to receiving an operation for designating the first competition by the first voting user. When the vote reception unit receives the registered user's vote for the first competition at a time within a predetermined time before the voting deadline of the first competition, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display the voting content. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 15 to 20. Since the information processing apparatus is configured in this way, it is possible to prevent the voting content from being notified too frequently and make it easier for the user to notice the voting content when the voting deadline is approaching. (Supplementary Note 22) When the public operation reception unit receives a public operation on the voting content of the first competition by the registered user at a time earlier than a predetermined time until the voting deadline of the first competition, the display processing unit notifies the voting content to the first voting user, and at a time within a predetermined time until the voting deadline of the first competition, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display the voting content regardless of whether the public operation reception unit has received the public operation on the voting content of the first competition by the registered user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 15 to 20. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to provide useful information to users who are considering voting while preventing the voting content from being displayed for a long time without obtaining permission from the registered user. (Appendix 23) When the vote reception unit receives votes for the first competition from a plurality of the registered users, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display information for prompting voting for the first competition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 15 to 22. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, users are motivated to vote. (Appendix 24) When the vote reception unit receives votes for the same voting target in the first competition from a plurality of the registered users, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display information indicating the voting target. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 23. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier to vote for a voting target for which many users are voting, so the probability of getting no votes at all can be reduced. (Appendix 25) When the monetary value of the vote cast by the registered user for the first competition is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display the voting content. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 15 to 24. With the information processing apparatus configured in this manner, since the voting user can refer to the voting content of the registered user with a high probability of winning, it is difficult for the user to miss the chance to vote in a competition where there is a voting target with a high probability of winning. (Appendix 26) When the first voting user has already voted in the first competition and when the first voting user has not voted in the first competition, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display different voting content. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 15 to 25. With the information processing apparatus configured in this manner, useful information can be notified to the user regardless of the voting state of the user. (Appendix 27) When the first voting user has already voted in the first competition, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display voting content corresponding to the difference between the voting content of the first competition by the first voting user and the voting content of the first competition by the registered user. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 26. With the information processing apparatus configured in this manner, a sense of security can be given to the voted user, and the satisfaction of the user can be improved. (Appendix 28) When the voting content of the first competition by the first voting user does not match the voting content of the first competition by the registered user, the display processing unit causes the first information terminal to display voting content indicating the non-matching voting target. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 27. With the information processing apparatus configured in this manner, the voted user can refer to the voting content of the registered user and make additional votes. (Appendix 29) Executed by a computer Receiving a vote for the first competition from a registered user registered as a user having a first relationship with the first voting user by an operation of the first voting user who votes in the competition. A step of receiving a public operation for publicly disclosing the voting content of the registered user; When the public operation is received, a step of causing a voting content indicating the voting content of the registered user to be displayed on a first information terminal used by the first voting user; An information processing method having the above. With the information processing method configured in this way, it becomes easier for a user who votes in a competition to refer to the voting content of other users who want to refer to the voting content. (Appendix 30) On a computer, A step of receiving a vote for a first competition from a registered user registered as a user having a first relationship with the first voting user by an operation of the first voting user who votes in the competition; A step of receiving a public operation for publicly disclosing the voting content of the registered user; When the public operation is received, a step of causing a voting content indicating the voting content of the registered user to be displayed on a first information terminal used by the first voting user; A program for causing the above to be executed. With the program configured in this way, it becomes easier for a user who votes in a competition to refer to the voting content of other users who want to refer to the voting content.

Explanation of Signs

[0114] 1 Information processing system 10 Information processing device 11 Processor 12 Storage unit 13 Communication IF 14 Input device 15 Output device 20 Information terminal 21 Processor 22 Storage unit 24 Input device 25 Output device 111 Voting reception unit 112 Public operation reception unit 113 Registration unit 114 Display processing unit

Claims

**Claim 1** A registration unit that registers, based on the operations of voting users who vote in a competition, a user different from the voting user as a registered user having a predetermined relationship with the voting user; A display processing unit that, when the voting user designates a first competition among a plurality of competitions, causes an information terminal used by the voting user to vote to display the voting content of a first registered user who voted for the first competition among the plurality of registered users; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

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