Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To allow a voter to easily vote for a competition while referring to the content of a prediction predicted by a predicting person.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 includes: a registering unit 112 which registers a predicting person who predicts a result of a competition and a user in association with each other; and a notification unit 114 which, when the predicting person has a plan to disclose a first prediction indicating the predicted content of a result of a first competition among a plurality of competitions, notifies the user of the information regarding the predicting person before the first prediction is disclosed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a voting prediction disclosure system in which a predictor who predicts a winning vote in a competition discloses the predicted content of the winning vote to voters who vote in 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] By using the conventional voting prediction disclosure system, a voter can vote in a competition while referring to the predicted content of the winning vote disclosed by the predictor. However, when the timing of disclosing the content predicted by the predictor is late, there is a problem that the voter may vote before the content predicted by the predictor is disclosed.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to make it easier for a voter to vote in a competition while referring to the content predicted by the predictor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a registration unit that registers by associating a predictor who predicts the result of a competition with a user, and when the predictor is scheduled to disclose a first prediction indicating the predicted content of the result of a first competition among a plurality of the competitions, a notification unit that notifies the user of information about the predictor before the first prediction is disclosed. [Effect of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, there is an effect that a voter can easily vote in a competition while referring to the content predicted by a predictor. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 9

[0009] [Overview of Information Processing System 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the 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, for example, a computer and is composed of 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.

[0011] The information processing apparatus 10 is a device that notifies a voter who votes in a competition (hereinafter referred to as a "user") of information about a predictor who predicts the result of the competition. The competition is, for example, motorcycle racing, auto racing, horse racing, boat racing, or electronic sports, and is a competition in which a user can vote for a voting target. The information about the predictor includes, for example, competition name information indicating the name of the competition predicted by the predictor, or information indicating the situation in which the predictor predicts the result of the competition (hereinafter referred to as "situation information"). The situation information is, for example, information indicating any one of "before prediction start", "during prediction", and "public".

[0012] The information processing apparatus 10 identifies a predictor registered in association with a user and notifies the user of information about the identified predictor. The information processing apparatus 10 registers the user and the predictor in association with each other, for example, when the registration conditions are satisfied. The registration conditions are, for example, that the user has operated the information terminal 20 to register the predictor in association, that the user has voted in past competitions based on the content predicted by the predictor (hereinafter referred to as "prediction content"), or that the result of the vote by the user based on the prediction content has been correct.

[0013] Before publicly disclosing to a plurality of users the content of the prediction made by a predictor regarding the result of a competition, the information processing apparatus 10 notifies the users registered in association with the predictor of information regarding the predictor. On the other hand, at a time before publicly disclosing to a plurality of users the content of the prediction made by a predictor regarding the result of a competition, the information processing apparatus 10 does not notify users not registered in association with the predictor of information regarding the predictor.

[0014] The information terminal 20 is a device used by a user who votes in a competition using the information processing system 1, and is, for example, a device such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet terminal, or a personal computer.

[0015] The information terminal 20 is installed with a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as the "dedicated app") for, for example, a user to vote for a voting target in a competition, register the user in association with a predictor, or acquire information regarding the predictor. The user can vote for a voting target in a competition, register the user in association with a predictor, or acquire information regarding the predictor via the dedicated app.

[0016] The voting target is a target for which a user votes a predetermined value, and is determined by a combination of a competition entity (including a competitor, a competition vehicle body, or an animal) that the user predicts will win among a plurality of competition 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 the user to obtain an article or service, such as money, electronic currency, or points.

[0017] By operating the information processing apparatus 10 and the information terminal 20 in this way, the user of the information terminal 20 can easily know the name of the competition predicted by the predictor registered in association with the user. Further, the user can know the situation predicted by the predictor before the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition is made public. As a result, the information processing system 1 can prevent the user from voting without checking the content predicted by the predictor at a time earlier than when the predictor makes the prediction public. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to vote in the competition while referring to the content predicted by the predictor. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and the information terminal 20 will be described in detail.

[0018] [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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The storage unit 12 has a storage medium such as a memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 12 stores a program executed by the processor 11. Further, the storage unit 12 stores the voting content of the user and the groups the user is participating in, in association with the user ID.

[0021] The communication IF 13 has a communication controller for performing wired communication or wireless communication with the information terminal 20 via the network N. The communication IF 13 notifies the processor 11 of the data received from the information terminal 20. Further, the communication IF 13 transmits the data input from the processor 11 to the information terminal 20.

[0022] 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, a touch panel, a mouse, or a 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, a speaker, or the like.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information terminal 20. The information terminal 20 includes a processor 21, a storage unit 22, a communication IF 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25.

[0024] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU, and realizes various functions by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0025] The storage unit 22 includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 22 stores a program executed by the processor 21.

[0026] The communication IF 23 includes a communication controller for performing wired communication or wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 10 via the network N. The communication IF 23 notifies the processor 21 of data received from the information processing apparatus 10. Further, the communication IF 23 transmits data input from the processor 21 to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0027] The input device 24 receives an input operation from, for example, a user. 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 or the like that output information to the user. The output device 25 is, for example, a display, a speaker, or the like.

[0028] [Example of the display screen of the information terminal 20] Figures 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the information terminal 20. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for a user to perform an operation to register a predictor. The screen shown in Figure 4 includes a display area 251, a display area 252, a display area 253, an operation image 254, an operation image 255, an operation image 256, an operation image 257, an operation image 258, and an operation image 259.

[0029] The display area 251 is an area for displaying a subject name indicating the content displayed on the screen. In Figure 4, the subject name "Predictor List" is displayed. The display areas 252 and 253 are areas for displaying information indicating predictors that can be registered by the user of the information terminal 20. In each of the display areas 252 and 253, for example, as information indicating a predictor, a face photo of the predictor, the name of the predictor, the hit rate of the predictor, and the number of users who registered the predictor are displayed.

[0030] For example, as shown in the display area 252, when there is one predictor, a face photo of the predictor is displayed as information indicating the predictor. On the other hand, as shown in the display area 253, when there are a plurality of predictors, face photos of each of the plurality of predictors are displayed as information indicating the predictors.

[0031] The operation images 254 and 255 are operation images for a user to view detailed information about a predictor. The detailed information about the predictor includes, for example, the gender and age of the predictor, and the names of the competitions that the predictor predicted in the past. The information terminal 20 displays the detailed information about the predictor shown in the display area 252 when the operation image 254 is pressed by the user, and displays the detailed information about the predictor shown in the display area 253 when the operation image 255 is pressed by the user.

[0032] The operation images 256 and 257 are operation images for the user to register predictors. The information processing apparatus 10, for example, acquires information indicating that the user has pressed the operation image 256 from the information terminal 20, and associates and registers the user of the information terminal 20 with the predictor shown in the display area 252. The information processing apparatus 10, for example, acquires information indicating that the user has pressed the operation image 257 from the information terminal 20, and associates and registers the user of the information terminal 20 with the predictor shown in the display area 253.

[0033] The operation image 258 is an operation image for the user to end the registration of predictors. By pressing the operation image 258, the user can switch the content displayed on the screen to other content. The operation image 259 is an operation image for the user to perform an operation different from the registration of predictors via a dedicated application. By pressing the operation image 259, the user can switch to a screen for voting in a competition, for example.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which information about the predictors registered by the user is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 5 includes a display area 261, a display area 262, a display area 263, an operation image 264, and an operation image 265. The screen shown in FIG. 5 is a screen on which the information terminal 20 displays information about the predictors based on the information processing apparatus 10 pushing the information about the predictors to the information terminal 20. The push notification is that the information processing apparatus 10 transmits information about the predictors without receiving a request from the information terminal 20.

[0035] The display area 261 is an area for displaying an outline of the content displayed on the screen. In FIG. 5, an outline such as "Your favorite predictor makes a prediction" is displayed. The display area 262 is an area for displaying the names of one or more predictors registered by the user. In FIG. 5, "Mr. AAA" and "Team C", which are the predictors registered by the user of the information terminal 20, are displayed.

[0036] The display area 263 shows the names of one or more competitions predicted by one or more predictors shown in the display area 262. In FIG. 5, the competition names "Ogura 2R" and "Kurume 3R" are displayed.

[0037] The operation image 264 is an operation image for starting a dedicated application for the user to vote on a competition. By pressing the operation image 264, the user can start the dedicated application. Through the launched dedicated application, the user can view the content predicted by the predictors shown in the display area 262 or vote on the competition corresponding to the competition name shown in the display area 263.

[0038] The operation image 265 is an operation image for not starting a dedicated application for the user to vote on a competition. By pressing the operation image 265, the user can switch the content displayed on the screen to other content without starting the dedicated application. In FIG. 5, when the user of the information terminal 20 presses the operation image 265 displayed as "Close", the content displayed on the screen can be switched to other content without starting the dedicated application for voting on the competition.

[0039] By viewing the display area 263 shown in FIG. 5, for example, the user can know that the registered predictors are scheduled to start making predictions and the names of the competitions for which the predictors will start making predictions. Then, by pressing the operation image 264 shown in FIG. 5, the user can view the content predicted by the predictors through the dedicated application.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the content predicted by a predictor is displayed. FIG. 6(a) is a screen on which the content of the prediction in the state where the predictor is making a prediction is displayed. FIG. 6(b) is a screen on which the content of the prediction in the state after the predictor has made a prediction is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 6 includes a display area 271, a display area 272, a display area 273, a display area 274, and an operation image 275.

[0041] In the display area 271, the name of the competition that the predictor predicts is displayed. In FIG. 6, the characters "Ogura 2R" indicating the competition name are displayed. The display area 272 is an area for displaying an image or moving image generated by imaging the predictor who predicts the result of the competition. The display area 273 is an area for displaying the name of the predictor, which is the name of the predictor corresponding to the image or moving image displayed in the display area 272. In FIG. 6, the characters "Team C" indicating the name of the predictor are displayed.

[0042] The display area 274 is an area for displaying the situation where the predictor corresponding to the name of the predictor shown in the display area 273 predicts the result of the competition, or the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition. For example, when the predictor is predicting the result of the competition, in the display area 274, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the characters "Predicting" indicating the prediction situation are displayed. When it is after the predictor has predicted the result of the competition, in the display area 274, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the characters "Published" indicating the prediction situation and the voting target predicted to win the competition are displayed.

[0043] The operation image 275 is an operation image for the user to vote on the competition based on the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when it is after the predictor has predicted the result of the competition, the user can vote for the voting target included in the display area 274 by pressing the operation image 275. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when it is before the predictor predicts the result of the competition, the user cannot vote even if the operation image 275 is pressed.

[0044] By the information terminal 20 displaying the prediction content shown in FIG. 6(a), the user can know the situation predicted by the predictor before the predictor makes the prediction public. Then, after the predictor has made the prediction, by the information terminal 20 displaying the prediction content shown in FIG. 6(b), the user can vote on the competition while referring to the prediction made public by the predictor.

[0045] [Functional Block Configuration] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. The processor 11 includes an acquisition unit 111, a registration unit 112, a video distribution unit 113, and a notification unit 114. The processor 11 functions as the acquisition unit 111, the registration unit 112, the video distribution unit 113, and the notification unit 114 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0046] The storage unit 12 stores user data including a user name and predictor identification information (hereinafter referred to as "predictor ID") for identifying a predictor in association with user identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user ID") for identifying a user. The storage unit 12 stores predictor data including a predictor name in association with the predictor ID. The storage unit 12 stores competition data including a competition name, a time when the competition starts, and a predictor ID corresponding to a predictor who predicts the result of the competition in association with competition identification information (hereinafter referred to as "competitor ID") for identifying a competition.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the storage unit 12. FIG. 8(a) shows an example of user data. FIG. 8(b) shows an example of predictor data. FIG. 8(c) shows an example of competition data.

[0048] In the user data shown in FIG. 8(a), a user ID, a user name, one or more predictor IDs, and one or more competition IDs are associated. The predictor ID is, for example, a predictor ID corresponding to a predictor registered in association with the user, and is a predictor ID stored in the storage unit 12 by the registration unit 112 in association with the user ID. The competition ID is, for example, a competition ID corresponding to a competition selected by the user operating the information terminal 20, and is a competition ID acquired from the information terminal 20 used by the user.

[0049] In the predictor data shown in FIG. 8(b), a predictor ID and a predictor name are associated with each other. The storage unit 12 may store, as predictor data, at least one of a gender, an age, a competition ID indicating a competition predicted by the predictor in the past, or a hit result indicating whether the content predicted in the past was a hit, in association with the predictor ID.

[0050] In the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c), a competition ID, a competition name, a start time at which the competition starts, a plurality of predictor IDs corresponding to a plurality of predictors who predict the competition corresponding to the competition ID, a prediction start time at which each of the plurality of predictors starts a prediction, and a prediction disclosure time at which each of the plurality of predictors discloses a prediction are associated with each other.

[0051] The storage unit 12 may store a voting history indicating the content voted by the user in the past, a prediction utilization history indicating the content voted based on the content predicted by the predictor in the past, or a hit result history indicating whether the result of the vote by the user in the past was a hit.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 7, the configuration of each part of the processor 11 will be described. The acquisition unit 111 acquires a competition ID for identifying a competition selected by the user from among a plurality of competitions. The competition selected by the user is a competition selected by the user operating the information terminal 20. For example, it is a competition for which the user plans to vote or a competition in which the user is interested. The acquisition unit 111 acquires, for example, a user ID and a competition ID corresponding to the competition selected by the user from the information terminal 20 via the communication IF 13. The acquisition unit 111 stores the acquired competition ID in the storage unit 12 in association with the user ID as user data.

[0053] The acquisition unit 111 acquires first operation information indicating, for example, that the user has operated the information terminal 20 used by the user to vote for the first competition. The first operation information is, for example, information indicating that the user has launched a dedicated application for voting for the competition, or information indicating that the information terminal 20 has displayed a screen for voting for the competition by the user launching the dedicated application. When the acquisition unit 111 acquires the first operation information, it notifies the notification unit 114 of the user ID and the first operation information.

[0054] The acquisition unit 111 may acquire second operation information indicating that the user has operated the information terminal 20 to register a predictor. The second operation information is, for example, information indicating that the user has pressed the operation image 256 or 257 shown in FIG. 4. The acquisition unit 111 may acquire third operation information indicating that the user has operated the information terminal 20 to vote based on the content predicted by the predictor. The third operation information is, for example, information indicating that the user has pressed the operation image 275 shown in FIG. 6(b). When the acquisition unit 111 acquires the second operation information or the third operation information, it notifies the registration unit 112 of the user ID and the second operation information or the third operation information.

[0055] The registration unit 112 registers by associating a predictor who predicts the result of the competition with the user. The registration unit 112 registers by associating the predictor with the user, for example, when it determines that conditions for registering by associating the predictor with the user (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "registration conditions") are satisfied. Details of the registration conditions will be described later. The registration unit 112 registers by associating the predictor with the user by, for example, storing a predictor ID corresponding to the predictor in association with the user ID corresponding to the user in the storage unit 12 as shown in the user data in FIG. 8(a).

[0056] The registration unit 112 associates and registers the predictor and the user in response to, for example, an operation performed by the user to put the predictor in a predetermined relationship with the user. The operation to put the predictor in a predetermined relationship is an operation for the user to register the predictor, and for example, is an operation in which the user presses the operation image 256 shown in FIG. 4. The registration unit 112 determines that, for example, based on the second operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 111, the condition for associating and registering the predictor "AAA" shown in the display area 252 with the user is satisfied, and associates and registers the predictor "AAA" with the user.

[0057] Specifically, the registration unit 112 associates the predictor ID corresponding to the predictor "AAA" shown in the display area 252 including the operation image 256 with the user ID corresponding to the user of the information terminal 20 based on the second operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 111 from the information terminal 20, and stores it in the storage unit 12. By operating in this way, the registration unit 112 can register the predictor preferred by the user.

[0058] The registration unit 112 may associate and register the predictor and the user in response to the user voting in the competition based on the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition. The registration unit 112 identifies, for example, that the user of the information terminal 20 has voted based on the content predicted by the predictor "Team C" shown in the display area 273 by acquiring the third operation information from the acquisition unit 111. The registration unit 112 determines that the identified content satisfies the registration condition, and associates and registers the predictor "Team C" with the user of the information terminal 20.

[0059] Specifically, the registration unit 112 associates the predictor ID ( "T003" shown in FIG. 8(b)) corresponding to the predictor "Team C" shown in the display area 273 with the user ID corresponding to the user of the information terminal 20, and stores it in the storage unit 12. By operating in this way, the registration unit 112 can register the predictor who predicted the prediction content referred to by the user in past votes.

[0060] The registration unit 112 may associate and register a predictor and a user according to the fact that the user's vote based on the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition is correct. For example, when it is determined that the registration conditions are met based on the fact that the result of the vote cast by the user of the information terminal 20 based on the content predicted by the predictor "Team C" shown in the display area 273 is correct, the registration unit 112 associates and registers the predictor "Team C" and the user. By operating in this way, the registration unit 112 can associate and register predictors with a high probability of being correct with users.

[0061] If the viewing history indicating the history of videos viewed by the user includes a video related to the predictor, the registration unit 112 may associate and register the predictor and the user. The video related to the predictor is, for example, a video that was previously displayed in the display area 272 shown in FIG. 6 and is a video distributed by the predictor to publicly predict the competition. For example, the registration unit 112 associates and registers the predictor associated with the video included in the viewing history of the user obtained from the storage unit 12 and the user. By operating in this way, the registration unit 112 can register predictors that the user is interested in.

[0062] The video distribution unit 113 distributes a plurality of videos related to a plurality of predictors to the user. For example, the video distribution unit 113 distributes to the information terminal 20 a video corresponding to a competition or a predictor selected by the user operating the information terminal 20. The video distributed by the video distribution unit 113 is displayed via a dedicated application installed on the information terminal 20, such as the video displayed in the display area 272.

[0063] When a predictor plans to publicly disclose a first prediction indicating the content of predicting the result of a first competition among a plurality of competitions, the notification unit 114 notifies the user of information about the predictor before the first prediction is publicly disclosed. The information about the predictor includes, for example, information indicating the predictor's name or information indicating the first competition predicted by the predictor.

[0064] The notification unit 114 identifies a predictor who predicts the result of the first competition based on, for example, the competition data acquired from the storage unit 12, and the time when the predictor discloses the first prediction. The notification unit 114 identifies a user associated and registered by the registration unit 112 with the predictor identified by the notification unit 114 based on, for example, the user data acquired from the storage unit 12. The notification unit 114 notifies the identified user of information regarding the predictor at a time before the time when the identified predictor discloses the first prediction.

[0065] Specifically, the notification unit 114 identifies a predictor ID "T003" associated with a competition ID "KU2R" corresponding to the competition name "Kurume 2R", which is the first competition, by referring to the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c). The notification unit 114 identifies a user "XXX" associated with the predictor ID "T003" by referring to the user data shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0066] Subsequently, the notification unit 114 identifies a predictor name "Team C" corresponding to the predictor ID "T003" by referring to the predictor data shown in FIG. 8(b). The notification unit 114 notifies at least one of the predictor name "Team C" or the competition name "Kurume 2R" at a time before the prediction disclosure time "13:15" associated with the predictor ID "T003" and the competition ID "KU2R". By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can prevent the user from voting before the prediction disclosure time without checking the prediction content of the predictor. And the user can easily vote on the competition while referring to the content predicted by the predictor.

[0067] The notification unit 114 may notify the user of information about the predictor at a time before the time when the identified predictor starts making predictions. For example, the notification unit 114 notifies the user "XXX" of information about the predictor at a time before the prediction start time "13:05" associated with the predictor ID "T003" and the competition ID "KU2R". Further, the notification unit 114 may push - notify the information about the predictor to the information terminal 20 used by the user. For example, the notification unit 114 notifies the information terminal 20 to display the information about the predictor on the output device 25.

[0068] On the other hand, the notification unit 114 does not notify other users different from the user, for whom the registration unit 112 has not made a registration associated with the predictor, of information about the predictor. For example, when the notification unit 114 notifies the user of information indicating the predictor name "Team C", it does not notify or push - notify users "YYY" and "ZZZ" who have not registered the predictor ID "T003" corresponding to the predictor name "Team C" in association with their user IDs.

[0069] It is assumed that users tend to register predictors they can trust. Therefore, the content predicted by the predictors registered in association with the user is considered more trustworthy to the user than the content predicted by predictors not registered in association with the user. By not notifying users for whom the notification unit 114 has not made a registration associated with the predictor of information regarding the prediction of that predictor, the notification unit 114 can prevent a large amount of information indicating untrustworthy predictions from being provided to the user. Therefore, the information processing system 1 can efficiently provide useful information to the user while suppressing the load on the communication network.

[0070] The notification unit 114 may notify the user of situation information indicating the situation in which the predictor is making a prediction. The situation information is information indicating, for example, any one of the situation before the predictor predicts the result of the first competition, the situation in which the predictor is predicting the result of the first competition, or the situation in which the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the first competition has been made public.

[0071] The notification unit 114 identifies the prediction start time associated with the predictor by referring to, for example, the game data shown in FIG. 8(c) in order to notify the user of the situation information indicating that the predictor has not yet started predicting the first game. The notification unit 114 notifies the user information terminal 20 of the user registered by the registration unit 112 in association with the predictor of the situation information indicating that the predictor has not yet started predicting the first game at a time before the prediction start time. Based on, for example, obtaining the situation information indicating that the predictor has not yet started predicting the first game, the information terminal 20 displays that the predictor is "before prediction start" for the first game.

[0072] By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can motivate the user so that the user registered with the predictor refrains from voting in the first game until it is time to vote while referring to the content predicted by the predictor. And the user can vote at a time when they can vote while referring to the content predicted by the predictor. On the other hand, the notification unit 114 does not notify the user not registered in association with the predictor of the situation information indicating that the predictor has not yet started predicting the first game even at a time before the prediction start time, thus preventing the user from receiving unnecessary information.

[0073] The notification unit 114 identifies the prediction start time and the prediction disclosure time associated with the predictor and the first game by referring to, for example, the game data shown in FIG. 8(c) in order to notify the user of the situation information indicating that the predictor has started predicting the first game. The notification unit 114 notifies the user information terminal 20 of the user registered by the registration unit 112 in association with the predictor of the situation information indicating that the predictor has started predicting the first game at a time between the prediction start time and the prediction disclosure time. Based on, for example, obtaining the situation information indicating that the prediction has started, the information terminal 20 displays that the predictor is "predicting" the first game.

[0074] On the other hand, for a user not registered in association with the predictor, the notification unit 114 does not notify the status information indicating that the predictor has started predicting the first competition even at a time between the prediction start time and the prediction disclosure time.

[0075] The notification unit 114 refers to, for example, the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c) to identify the prediction disclosure time and the competition start time associated with the predictor and the first competition in order to notify the user of the status information indicating that the predictor has disclosed the prediction. At a time between the prediction disclosure time and the competition start time, the notification unit 114 notifies the information terminal 20 of the user registered in association with the predictor by the registration unit 112 of the status information indicating that the predictor has disclosed the first prediction. Based on, for example, having acquired the status information indicating that the predictor has disclosed the first prediction, the information terminal 20 displays that the predictor's first prediction is "being disclosed".

[0076] On the other hand, for a user not registered in association with the predictor, the notification unit 114 does not notify the status information indicating that the predictor has disclosed the first prediction even at a time between the prediction disclosure time and the competition start time.

[0077] The notification unit 114 may push-notify the user of the status information indicating the situation where the predictor predicts the result of the first competition. The push notification is to transmit the status information to the information terminal 20 without receiving a request from the information terminal 20. The notification unit 114 push-notifies the status information to, for example, the information terminal 20 of the user registered by the registration unit 112 in association with the predictor.

[0078] When the information terminal 20 is push-notified of the situation information from the notification unit 114, it displays on the output device 25 any one of "before expected disclosure", "during prediction", or "during disclosure" indicated by the situation information. Specifically, when the information terminal 20 is push-notified of the situation information indicating that it is the situation before the predictor predicts the result of the first competition from the notification unit 114, it displays the characters "before expected disclosure" on the output device 25. When the information terminal 20 is push-notified of the situation information indicating that it is the situation where the predictor is predicting the result of the first competition from the notification unit 114, it displays the characters "during prediction" on the output device 25. When the information terminal 20 is push-notified of the situation information indicating that it is the situation where the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the first competition has been disclosed from the notification unit 114, it displays the characters "during disclosure" on the output device 25.

[0079] By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can notify the user, who is the user registered by the registration unit 112 in association with the predictor and who is not operating the dedicated application for voting in the competition, of the situation predicted by the predictor. On the other hand, the notification unit 114 does not push-notify the situation information to the users not registered in association with the predictor.

[0080] The notification unit 114 notifies the user of the situation information indicating the situation predicted by the predictor in the competition corresponding to the competition ID registered in association with the user. The notification unit 114 identifies, for example, by referring to the user data shown in FIG. 8(a), the competition ID associated with the user ID and obtained by the acquisition unit 111 from the information terminal 20 of the user corresponding to the user ID. The notification unit 114 identifies, for example, by referring to the user data shown in FIG. 8(a) and the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c), the predictor registered in association with the user among the plurality of predictors predicting the competition corresponding to the identified competition ID. The notification unit 114 notifies the user of the situation information indicating the situation predicted by the identified predictor.

[0081] By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 enables the user to obtain situation information indicating the situations predicted by the predictors the user is interested in for the competitions the user is interested in. As a result, the user can vote for the competitions the user is interested in while referring to the prediction content the user considers useful. On the other hand, for example, when none of the multiple predictors predicting the competition corresponding to the specified competition ID are predictors registered in association with the user, the notification unit 114 does not notify the user of the situation information.

[0082] When the acquisition unit 111 acquires the first operation information, the notification unit 114 may notify the user that there is a plan to publicly disclose a first prediction in which a predictor predicted the result of the first competition. The first operation information is information indicating that the user operated the information terminal 20 to vote for the first competition. The notification unit 114 identifies, for example, by referring to the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c), the predictor who predicts the result of the competition corresponding to the competition ID included in the first operation information. The notification unit 114 determines, by referring to the user data shown in FIG. 8(a), whether the predictor ID corresponding to the identified predictor is associated with the user ID acquired from the information terminal 20 that output the first operation information.

[0083] When it is determined that the predictor ID is associated with the user ID, the notification unit 114 notifies the information terminal 20 used by the user that there is a plan to publicly disclose the first prediction. When it is determined that the predictor ID is not associated with the user ID, the notification unit 114 does not notify the information terminal 20 used by the user that there is a plan to publicly disclose the first prediction. By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can make the user aware that the predictor registered by the user is going to predict the result of the competition.

[0084] The notification unit 114 pushes a recommendation message to the user, which includes recommendation information containing competition information indicating a competition in which a plurality of predictors publicly disclose their predictions among the plurality of predictors registered in association with the user by the registration unit 112, for example. The competition information includes, for example, at least any one of the competition name, the time when the competition starts, and the predictors who predict the result of the competition. The recommendation information is information for prompting the user to vote on the competition corresponding to the competition name included in the competition information.

[0085] The notification unit 114 identifies a plurality of predictors registered in association with the user by referring to, for example, the user data shown in FIG. 8(a) and the predictor data shown in FIG. 8(b). The notification unit 114 identifies one or more competitions in which the identified plurality of predictors publicly disclose their predictions and the time when the one or more competitions start by referring to the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c). The notification unit 114 pushes a recommendation message including the competition name indicating the identified one or more competitions and the time when the one or more competitions start to the information terminal 20 used by the user.

[0086] Incidentally, the user is likely to be interested in a competition in which the number of predictors registered in association with the user is large. Therefore, the notification unit 114 may notify the user of recommendation information including competition information indicating a competition in which the number of predictors registered in association with the user is relatively large among the plurality of competitions. For example, the notification unit 114 notifies the user of recommendation information including competition information indicating the competition in which the number of predictors registered in association with the user is the largest among the plurality of competitions. By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 motivates the user to vote on the competition by viewing the recommendation information even for a competition for which the user has not planned to vote.

[0087] The notification unit 114 may notify the user of guidance information indicating one or more videos corresponding to one or more predictors as distribution video candidates among the plurality of videos. Each of the plurality of videos is a video of a predictor who predicts a competition and includes a video captured in a situation where the predictor predicts the result of the competition.

[0088] The notification unit 114 identifies one or more predictors registered in association with the user by referring to the user data shown in, for example, FIG. 8(a). The notification unit 114 identifies one or more competition IDs associated with the identified one or more predictors by referring to the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c). The notification unit 114 determines one or more videos that have captured the situation predicted by one or more predictors in the competition corresponding to the identified one or more competition IDs as distribution video candidates. The notification unit 114 notifies the user of guidance information indicating the one or more videos that are distribution video candidates.

[0089] When the user operates the information terminal 20 to select one of the one or more videos included in the guidance information, the video distribution unit 113 distributes the video selected by the user to the user based on the guidance information. The video distribution unit 113, for example, acquires selection information indicating the video selected by the user from the information terminal 20, and distributes the video indicated by the selection information to the information terminal 20 used by the user. By operating the video distribution unit 113 and the notification unit 114 in this way, the user can easily view the video capturing the situation where the predictor registered in association with the user predicts the result of the competition, so that the user can understand the reason for the prediction of the predictor.

[0090] The notification unit 114 may notify the user of guidance information indicating, as distribution video candidates, one or more videos corresponding to one or more predictors selected based on the situation information indicating the situation where the predictors predict the result of the competition among the plurality of predictors. For example, the notification unit 114 preferentially selects, as distribution video candidates, videos of predictors in a situation where they are predicting the result of the competition rather than videos of predictors in a situation before the prediction starts among the plurality of predictors, and notifies the user of the guidance information indicating the selected distribution video candidates. By operating the notification unit 114 in this way, the information processing system 1 can preferentially provide information of high value to the user while suppressing the load on the communication network.

[0091] The notification unit 114 may notify the user of guidance information indicating one or more videos corresponding to predictors whose prediction time for the result of the competition is earlier than that of other predictors as candidate distribution videos. The notification unit 114 identifies the prediction start times in one or more competitions predicted by one or more predictors registered in association with the user by referring to the competition data. The notification unit 114 selects a predetermined number of prediction start times from the identified prediction start times in ascending order of time, and notifies the user of guidance information indicating the videos corresponding to the predictors associated with the selected prediction start times as candidate distribution videos. The notification unit 114 may use the prediction disclosure time or the time when the competition starts instead of the prediction start time.

[0092] Specifically, the notification unit 114 identifies the predictors "T004" and "T005" registered in association with the user "U003" by referring to the user data shown in FIG. 8(a). The notification unit 114 identifies the times "13:00", "13:35", "14:00", and "14:05", which are the prediction start times associated with the predictors "T004" and "T005", by referring to the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c).

[0093] Subsequently, the notification unit 114 selects the two earliest prediction start times, which are the times "13:00" and "13:35", from the identified prediction start times. The notification unit 114 notifies the user of guidance information indicating the video in which the predictor "T004" corresponding to the time "13:00" predicts the result of the competition "Ogura 1R" and the video in which the predictor "T005" corresponding to the time "13:35" predicts the result of the competition "Ogura 2R" as candidate distribution videos.

[0094] By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can notify the user of guidance information so that the user can view the videos corresponding to the predictors in a prediction situation where it is easy to vote on the competition.

[0095] [Flow of operations in the information processing apparatus 10] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations in the information processing apparatus 10. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 shows the operations when the situation predicted by the predictor registered in association with the user is notified to the information terminal 20 used by the user in the competition selected by the user.

[0096] The acquisition unit 111 acquires from the information terminal 20 a competition ID corresponding to the competition selected by the user and a user ID corresponding to the user using the information terminal 20. The acquisition unit 111 accepts the competition selected by the user by storing the competition ID in the storage unit 12 in association with the user ID (S11).

[0097] The notification unit 114 determines whether a predictor who predicts the result of the competition selected by the user is registered in association with the user (S12). If the notification unit 114 determines that the predictor is not registered in association with the user (NO in S12), the information processing apparatus 10 determines whether an operation to end the process has been performed (S19). If the notification unit 114 determines that the predictor is registered in association with the user (YES in S12), the notification unit 114 determines whether the current time is a predetermined time (S13). The predetermined time is a time before the start time of the competition, for example, 9:00 am.

[0098] If the current time is not the predetermined time (NO in S13), the notification unit 114 repeats the process of S13. If the current time is the predetermined time (YES in S13), the notification unit 114 notifies that a predictor registered in association with the user appears in a video including the content predicting the result of the competition selected by the user (S14).

[0099] The notification unit 114 determines whether the predictor registered in association with the user has started predicting the result of the competition selected by the user (S15). The notification unit 114 determines whether the predictor has started predicting, for example, by specifying the time when the predictor starts predicting the result of the competition, which is included in the competition data stored in the storage unit 12. If the notification unit 114 determines that the predictor has not started predicting (NO in S15), it repeats the process of S15. If the notification unit 114 determines that the predictor has started predicting (YES in S15), it notifies the user that the predictor has started predicting (S16).

[0100] The notification unit 114 determines whether the predictor registered in association with the user has made public the content of predicting the result of the competition selected by the user (S17). The notification unit 114 determines whether the predictor has made the prediction public, for example, by specifying the time when the predictor makes public the content of predicting the result of the competition, which is included in the competition data stored in the storage unit 12. If the notification unit 114 determines that the predictor has not made the prediction public (NO in S17), it repeats the process of S17. If the notification unit 114 determines that the predictor has made the prediction public (YES in S17), it notifies the user that the predictor has made the prediction public (S18).

[0101] If an operation to end the process has not been performed (NO in S19), the information processing apparatus 10 repeats the processes from S11 to S18. When an operation to end the process has been performed (YES in S19), the information processing apparatus 10 ends the process.

[0102] [First Modification Example] In the above description, the operation of specifying the prediction start time associated with the predictor by the notification unit 114 referring to the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c) is exemplified, but it is not limited to this. The notification unit 114 may specify the prediction start time associated with the predictor by referring to the prediction information stored in the storage unit 12 in association with each of the plurality of predictors, the competition name of the competition predicted by the predictor, and the order in which the predictor predicts the competition.

[0103] The notification unit 114 identifies a predictor who predicted the result of the first competition by referring to the prediction information stored in the storage unit 12 in response to the acquisition unit 111 acquiring result information indicating the result of the first competition. The result information includes, for example, the finishing order of the voting target and the time when the finishing order was determined. The notification unit 114 identifies the second competition that the predictor will predict next after the first competition based on the order in which the competitions included in the prediction information are predicted, and specifies the time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the finishing order included in the result of the first competition was determined as the prediction start time of the second competition associated with the predictor.

[0104] Specifically, in response to the acquisition unit 111 acquiring result information of "Competition A" including the finishing order of the voting target and the time "13:00" when the finishing order was determined, the notification unit 114 refers to the prediction information to identify "Predictor X" who predicted the result of "Competition A". The notification unit 114 identifies that "Predictor X" will predict "Competition B" next after "Competition A" based on the order in which the competitions included in the prediction information are predicted. The notification unit 114 specifies the time "13:05", which is 5 minutes after the time "13:00" when the finishing order of "Competition A" was determined, as the prediction start time for "Predictor X" to start predicting "Competition B".

[0105] By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can notify the user of the prediction start time according to the time when the competition is in progress, so that the user can know the prediction start time of the predictor with high accuracy.

[0106] [Second Modified Example] In the above description, the operation of the notification unit 114 identifying the prediction start time of the predictor by referring to the information stored in the storage unit 12 is exemplified, but it is not limited to this. In the information processing apparatus 10, the notification unit 114 may specify the time when the acquisition unit 111 acquires prediction start information indicating that the predictor has started predicting a competition from an information terminal (not shown) used by the predictor as the prediction start time of the predictor. The prediction start information is transmitted from the information terminal to the information processing apparatus 10, for example, when the predictor operates the information terminal to start the prediction.

[0107] By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can notify the user of the time corresponding to the time when the predictor starts predicting the competition. Therefore, the user can know the prediction start time of the predictor with high accuracy.

[0108] [Third Modification Example] In the above description, an operation of specifying the prediction disclosure time associated with the predictor by the notification unit 114 referring to the competition data shown in FIG. 8(c) is exemplified, but it is not limited to this. In the information processing apparatus 10, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire the time when the prediction content information indicating the content predicted by the predictor is acquired from the information terminal used by the predictor, and the notification unit 114 may specify this time as the prediction disclosure time. The prediction content information is transmitted from the information terminal to the information processing apparatus 10, for example, when the predictor inputs the content of predicting the competition into the information terminal.

[0109] By operating in this way, the notification unit 114 can notify the user of the prediction disclosure time according to the timing when the predictor discloses the prediction of the competition. Therefore, the user can know the prediction disclosure time of the predictor with high accuracy.

[0110] Further, the prediction content information may include image data or moving image data. The image data or moving image data is, for example, captured image data or captured moving image data generated by capturing a board such as a flip on which the content predicted by the predictor for the competition is described. In this case, in the information processing apparatus 10, an image recognition unit (not shown) extracts the content predicted by the predictor for the competition from the image data or moving image data included in the prediction content information. The notification unit 114 specifies the time when the content predicted by the predictor for the competition is extracted by the image recognition unit as the prediction disclosure time. When the information processing apparatus 10 has a vote reception unit (not shown) for receiving votes for the competition, the vote reception unit may receive the user's vote based on the prediction content extracted by the image recognition unit.

[0111] [Effects of Information Processing Apparatus 10] As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 has a registration unit 112 that registers by associating a predictor who predicts the result of a competition with a user. Then, when the notification unit 114 plans to disclose the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition, before the content predicted for the result of the competition is disclosed, information about the predictor is notified to the user.

[0112] With the information processing apparatus 10 configured in this way, even when the time for disclosing the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition is late, the user can know that there is a plan to disclose the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition. And since the user can vote in the competition while referring to the prediction disclosed by the predictor, the information processing apparatus 10 can prevent the user from voting without checking the content predicted by the predictor before the predictor discloses the prediction.

[0113] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments, but 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 dispersed and integrated in an arbitrary unit. Also, new embodiments resulting from an arbitrary 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.

[0114] In addition to the above embodiments, the following is further appended. (Supplementary Note 1) A registration unit that registers by associating a predictor who predicts the result of a competition with a user, a notification unit that, when the predictor plans to disclose a first prediction indicating the content predicted for the result of a first competition among a plurality of the competitions, notifies the user of information about the predictor before the first prediction is disclosed; An information processing apparatus having the above. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to vote in the competition while referring to the content predicted by the predictor. (Appendix 2) The notification unit does not notify information about the predictor to other users different from the user, who are not registered by the registration unit in association with the predictor. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to prevent a large amount of information related to predictions from being provided to the user, and the user can obtain useful information. (Appendix 3) The registration unit registers the predictor and the user in association with each other in response to an operation performed by the user to establish a predetermined relationship with the predictor. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, the user can register a predictor that the user prefers. (Appendix 4) The registration unit registers the predictor and the user in association with each other in response to the user voting on the competition based on the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to register a predictor who predicted the prediction content that the user referred to in past votes. (Appendix 5) The registration unit registers the predictor and the user in association with each other in response to the user's vote based on the content predicted by the predictor for the result of the competition being correct. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to register a predictor with a high probability of being correct in association with the user. (Appendix 6) When the browsing history indicating the browsing history of the video viewed by the user includes a video related to the predictor, the registration unit registers the predictor and the user in association with each other. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to register predictors in which the user is interested. (Appendix 7) The notification unit push-notifies the user with situation information indicating a situation in which the predictor predicts the result of the first competition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to notify a user who is not operating the information terminal of the situation predicted by the predictor. (Appendix 8) The notification unit notifies the user of the situation information indicating that the predictor has started predicting the first competition. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 7. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to motivate the user to vote in the competition. (Appendix 9) The notification unit notifies the user of the situation information indicating that the predictor has published the first prediction. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 7 or 8. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to motivate the user to view the content predicted by the predictor. (Appendix 10) The notification unit notifies the user of the situation information indicating that it is before the predictor starts predicting the first competition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 7 to 9. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to motivate the user to refrain from voting in the first competition until it is time to vote while referring to the content predicted by the predictor. (Appendix 11) It further has an acquisition unit that acquires competition identification information for identifying the competition selected by the user among the plurality of competitions. The notification unit notifies the user of the situation information indicating the situation predicted by the predictor in the competition corresponding to the competition identification information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 7 to 10. Since the information processing apparatus is configured in this way, it is possible to notify the user of the prediction status of an appropriate predictor. (Appendix 12) It further has an acquisition unit that acquires operation information indicating that the user has operated the information terminal used by the user to vote on the first competition. When the acquisition unit acquires the operation information, the notification unit notifies the user that the predictor plans to publicly disclose the first prediction in which the predictor predicted the result of the first competition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 7 to 10. Since the information processing apparatus is configured in this way, it is possible to make the user aware that a predictor plans to publicly disclose a prediction. (Appendix 13) The notification unit push-notifies the user with recommendation information including competition information indicating the competition in which a plurality of the predictors publicly disclose their predictions, among the plurality of predictors registered in association with the user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 12. Since the information processing apparatus is configured in this way, even in a competition that the user does not plan to vote on, the user can be motivated to vote on the competition. (Appendix 14) It further has a video distribution unit that distributes a plurality of videos related to the plurality of predictors to the user. The notification unit notifies the user of guidance information indicating one or more of the videos corresponding to one or more of the predictors as video distribution candidates among the plurality of videos. The video distribution unit distributes the video selected by the user based on the guidance information to the user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 13. Since the information processing apparatus is configured in this way, the user can easily view the video of the situation in which the registered predictor predicted the result of the competition, so the reason for the predictor's prediction can be grasped. (Appendix 15) The notification unit notifies the user of the guidance information indicating, as the distribution video candidates, one or more of the videos corresponding to one or more of the predictors selected based on the situation information indicating the situation in which the predictor predicts the result of the competition among the plurality of predictors. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 14. With the information processing apparatus configured in this way, the user can easily view the videos corresponding to the predictors in a prediction situation where it is easy to vote on the competition. (Appendix 16) The computer associates and registers a predictor who predicts the result of a competition with a user, and when the predictor plans to publicly disclose a first prediction indicating the content of predicting the result of a first competition among a plurality of the competitions, the computer notifies the user of information about the predictor before the first prediction is publicly disclosed. Information processing method. With the information processing method configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to vote on the competition while referring to the content predicted by the predictor. (Appendix 17) In a computer, a step of associating and registering a predictor who predicts the result of a competition with a user, and a step of notifying the user of information about the predictor before a first prediction indicating the content of predicting the result of a first competition among a plurality of the competitions is publicly disclosed when the predictor plans to publicly disclose the first prediction, A program for causing the above to be executed. With the program configured in this way, it becomes easier for the user to vote on the competition while referring to the content predicted by the predictor.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0115] 1 Information processing system 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Processor 12 Storage unit 13 Communication IF 14 Input device 15 Output device 20 Information terminal 21 Processor 22 Memory unit 23 Communication IF 24 Input device 25 Output device 111 Acquisition unit 112 Registration unit 113 Video distribution unit 114 Notification unit

Claims

【Claim 1】 A registration unit that associates and registers a predictor who predicts the result of a competition with a user; When the predictor plans to disclose a first prediction indicating the content of predicting the result of a first competition among a plurality of the competitions, a notification unit that notifies the user of information about the predictor before the first prediction is disclosed; An information processing apparatus having the above.

Images