Information processing device, information processing program, and information processing method

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device, an information processing program, and an information processing method that enhance the effectiveness of disseminating specific information and suppress the decline in willingness to vote in races. [Solution] An information processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network includes a receiving unit that receives voting ticket information from the terminal device specifying the user's vote for the competition, and a granting unit that, after the voting content has been specified, grants the user a benefit different from a refund of the voting ticket information when the user requests that the user disclose predetermined information.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the remarkable spread of the Internet and the improvement of communication environments, various services are provided via communication networks. As one such service, for example, a ticket purchase system that enables voting in public competitions such as horse racing, boat racing, and motorcycle racing has been disclosed.

[0003] Also, in recent years, with the expansion of the use of smartphones and the spread of video sharing services and the like, the use of video advertisements on the Internet has been increasing. As a technology related thereto, there is a technology related to advertisement control in network games. As an example of the technology, in an information processing apparatus including a game execution unit that controls the progress of a game, an advertisement display unit that displays an advertisement at a predetermined timing, and a reward providing unit that provides game content for favorably advancing the game to a player as a reward when the advertisement is displayed, the advertisement display unit discloses a technology for notifying that the reward has been provided from an advertiser when the advertisement is displayed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In public gambling, users predict the order of finish in a race and purchase betting tickets specifying the amount they will bet on. After the race, if the bet is correct, the winnings are paid out according to the odds. It is hoped that spreading information about betting to those who have not yet bet will increase the number of users who participate. However, users who have already bet have had no particular motivation to spread information.

[0006] Therefore, we provide technology that facilitates the dissemination of specific information by users who have voted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, according to one aspect of the present invention, includes a receiving unit that receives voting ticket information from the terminal device specifying the user's voting content for a competition, and a granting unit that, after the voting content has been specified, receives an operation from the user to disclose predetermined information, grants the user a benefit different from a refund of the voting ticket information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the dissemination of predetermined information by users who have voted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of an information processing device in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the network configuration of the voting ticket purchase system in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a functional block for the voting ticket purchase system in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the data structure of the database managed by the server in this embodiment. [Figure 5]This figure shows an example of a voting ticket purchase screen in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a message that notifies the user that points will be awarded under predetermined conditions in this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a message indicating that the point awarding process in this embodiment has been completed. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram between the user terminal and the server in this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart relating to the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 1). [Figure 10] This is a flowchart of the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 2). [Figure 11] This is a flowchart of the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 3). [Figure 12] This is a flowchart relating to the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 4). [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a screen for confirming purchased voting tickets in another embodiment. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a screen for selecting the social media platform to post to in another embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a sequence diagram between a user terminal and a server in another embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a flowchart relating to the server-side processing in the aforementioned alternative embodiment. [Figure 17] This is an example of a block diagram showing the configuration of the hardware environment of a computer that runs the program in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, and includes a reception unit 2 and a granting unit 3. As an example of the information processing apparatus 1, a server 16 described later can be cited. As an example of the terminal device, a user terminal 12 described later can be cited.

[0011] The reception unit 2 receives voting ticket information in which the voting content of the user for the competition is specified from the terminal device. The voting ticket information is, for example, information including one or more voting contents. The voting content includes one or more combinations of a voting target, a betting type (corresponding to single win, multiple win, etc.), and a bet amount (voting amount, voting value). The voting target indicates the number or group number of the target to vote on in the competition, and corresponds to, for example, a car number, a horse number, a group number, etc. As an example of the reception unit 2, a user voting ticket information acquisition unit 34 described later can be cited.

[0012] The granting unit 3 grants a value that can be used for voting to the user when the result of the competition includes a voting content that did not hit the mark in the voting ticket information and a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device. As an example of the granting unit 3, a granting unit 37 described later can be cited.

[0013] By configuring in this way, the advertising effect can be enhanced and the voting desire for the race can be continuously maintained even when the voting ticket does not hit the mark. That is, when the voting ticket does not hit the mark, the user has suffered a loss and may lose the voting desire for the competition continuously. Therefore, according to the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, even when it does not hit the mark, by viewing the advertisement, a value that can be used for the race is granted, so that the advertising effect can be enhanced and the voting desire for the race can be continuously maintained. The value that can be used for the race granted here is free coins (coins or points not purchased with cash) or cash points (points corresponding to cash).

[0014] The granting unit 3 sets the amount of value available for voting lower than the amount of value cast for unsuccessful voting tickets. This configuration allows for adjustment of the amount of free coins or cash points in circulation.

[0015] In this case, the advertisement may be displayed when the amount of value held by the user falls below a predetermined amount. In other words, the granting unit 3 displays the advertisement to users whose value holdings have decreased and who are no longer able to continue voting in the competition. With this configuration, users whose amount of free coins or cash points has decreased and who are no longer able to continue voting in the competition can recover free coins or cash points by watching video advertisements, and thus be able to continue voting in the competition.

[0016] Furthermore, if there are multiple advertisements, they may be displayed in a way that allows users to select which advertisements they want to see. This configuration allows users to choose which advertisements they wish to view.

[0017] The awarding unit 3 may determine the value to be awarded to the user based on the total amount of value specified for each of the unsuccessful voting targets included in the received voting ticket information. For example, Suppose the betting ticket information contains three sets of betting options (i.e., three combinations of betting target, betting type, and betting amount). Suppose the first set of betting options is correct, but the second and third sets of betting options are incorrect. In this case, the awarding unit 3 can calculate the sum of the amount specified for the incorrect second set of betting options and the amount specified for the incorrect third set of betting options, and determine the value to award to the user based on this total. With this configuration, even if the amount of the incorrect bets is large, the user can recover free coins or cash points corresponding to that amount, thereby maintaining their motivation to continue betting on races.

[0018] Furthermore, the advertisements may be video advertisements. In this case, video advertisements with different playback times may be displayed on the terminal device according to the total value of the votes cast for each of the unsuccessful voting targets included in the received voting slip information.

[0019] This structure allows users to earn free coins or cash points based on their viewing time, for example, by watching longer videos and voting for larger amounts. By awarding users free coins or cash points based on viewing time, it is possible to prevent user churn and maintain a steady increase in the number of users purchasing voting tickets. On the other hand, the platform operators can earn advertising revenue by showing video ads to users, and therefore do not incur any losses by awarding users free coins or cash points.

[0020] The granting unit 3 may grant the user value that can be used for betting if, within a predetermined period after the race results are determined (for example, until the next race, or until the end of the day), the betting ticket information includes bets that were not won, and if a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device.

[0021] This configuration allows users to have time to watch advertisements in order to earn free coins or cash points.

[0022] If the value specified for each voting target included in the received voting ticket information is a first value (e.g., cash) that affects the payout rate for voting, the granting unit 3 may grant the user a second value (e.g., free coins or cash points, etc.) that does not affect the payout rate as a value that can be used for voting.

[0023] This configuration ensures that even if a user's bet is incorrect, they will still receive free coins or cash points that can be used for future bets, allowing them to continue participating in races.

[0024] The granting unit 3 may grant the user a second value (for example, free coins or cash points) that does not affect the payout rate for voting if the value of each voting target included in the received voting ticket information is a second value.

[0025] This configuration ensures that even if a user's bet is incorrect, they will still receive free coins or cash points that can be used for future bets, allowing them to continue participating in races.

[0026] If the granting unit 3 receives notification from the terminal device that a predetermined input operation has been performed on the terminal device while the advertisement is playing, it may grant the user value that can be used for voting. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to prevent users from obtaining value without watching the advertisement.

[0027] The granting unit 3 may determine the amount of value to grant to the user according to the length of time the advertisement is played. By configuring it in this way, it becomes possible to increase the points awarded to users based on the length of time they watch the video ad.

[0028] The granting unit 3 may grant the user value usable for the vote when a predetermined advertisement is played if none of the voting targets included in the received voting ticket information are correct, or if the amount of value to be refunded is less than the amount of value voted for on the voting targets.

[0029] This structure ensures that even if all betting tickets are unsuccessful or the payout is less than the stake, the race still has value that can be used, thus maintaining the desire to continue betting on races.

[0030] In another embodiment, the reception unit 2 may receive voting ticket information from a terminal device, specifying the user's vote for the competition. In this case, if a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device after the vote is specified, the granting unit 3 may grant the user a benefit different from payment for the voting ticket information. After the vote is specified, i.e., after the voting ticket is purchased, even before the race results are finalized, if a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device, the granting unit 3 may grant the user a benefit different from payment for the voting ticket information.

[0031] Here, the specified advertisement may be a specified video advertisement or a specified still image advertisement. The specified video advertisement or specified still image advertisement may be an advertisement for a specified company or its products or services, or it may be an advertisement for a specified application program.

[0032] Furthermore, the rewards may include, for example, coupons that can be used as payment for the purchase of goods or the provision of services such as food and beverages, gift certificates, tickets for admission to designated venues such as theater performances, or value that can be used for voting. Value that can be used for voting may include free coins or paid points that can be used for voting.

[0033] This configuration enhances the effectiveness of disseminating specific information and helps prevent a decline in the desire to vote in races. Specifically, when an advertisement is played on the terminal device after a betting ticket is purchased, the user receives a reward, which further increases the user's desire to watch the advertisement and helps prevent a decline in the desire to vote in races.

[0034] In another embodiment, the reception unit 2 may receive voting ticket information from a terminal device, specifying the user's vote for the competition. In this case, if the granting unit 3 receives an operation from the user to make certain information public (for example, by posting on social media) after the voting content has been specified, it may grant the user a benefit different from a refund of the voting ticket information. The certain information may be, for example, information on the purchased voting ticket, an advertisement for a certain application program, or an invitation to a virtual space that is deployed by executing a certain application program.

[0035] This configuration promotes the dissemination of specified information by users who have voted. Specifically, when a voting ticket is purchased and the user performs the operation to disclose specified information on the terminal device, the user receives a reward, which further increases the user's motivation to disclose the specified information. Furthermore, when the disclosed specified information is shared by others, it is seen by even more people, and this is repeated in a chain reaction, creating a diffusion effect where the specified information spreads further.

[0036] The granting unit 3 may grant more or higher value benefits than when it receives an operation from the user corresponding to the received voting ticket information to disclose predetermined information when there is no winning target in the received voting ticket information (i.e., there is no winning voting ticket), compared to when it receives an operation from the user corresponding to the received voting ticket information to disclose predetermined information when there is a winning target in the received voting ticket information (i.e., there is a winning voting ticket).

[0037] More rewards, for example, would represent a higher point value if the reward is points, or a higher face value if the reward is a coupon or gift certificate. Furthermore, higher value rewards, for example, would represent tickets for more expensive seats (S seats) if the reward is concert tickets.

[0038] By structuring the system in this way, it is possible to provide greater incentives to users who did not make correct predictions compared to those who did, thereby suppressing a decline in users' motivation to post.

[0039] The granting unit 3 may display a screen for disclosing predetermined information if the amount of value held by the user (e.g., free coins or cash points) is below a predetermined amount. In other words, the granting unit 3 controls whether or not the operation to disclose predetermined information is enabled depending on whether or not the amount of value held by the user is below a predetermined amount. If the granting unit 3 accepts the operation to disclose, it may grant value that can be used for voting as a reward. The predetermined information may be, for example, information on purchased voting tickets, an advertisement for a predetermined application program, or an invitation to a virtual space that is deployed by executing a predetermined application program.

[0040] This configuration allows users who have a low amount of free coins or cash points and are unable to continuously vote in competitions to be rewarded for posting advertisements, application program promotions, or survey promotions on social media, thereby promoting the dissemination of specified information by users who have voted.

[0041] The awarding unit 3 may determine the reward to be given to the user based on the value specified for the unsuccessful bets included in the received betting ticket information. By configuring it in this way, even if the amount of unsuccessful bets is large, a reward commensurate with that amount can be given, thereby suppressing a decline in the willingness to bet on the race.

[0042] The granting unit 3 may determine the rewards to be granted to the user based on the number of times the predetermined information is shared with other users. With this configuration, the rewards are determined according to the increase in the number of people who share the predetermined information posted by the user, thus increasing the motivation of users to post more and spread the predetermined information so that others will share it. In addition, a diffusion effect can be expected as the predetermined information spreads among users on the SNS as sharing to others is repeated in a chain reaction.

[0043] The granting unit 3 may grant a reward to the user if, when the voted targets included in the received voting ticket information are not all correct, or when the amount of value to be refunded is less than the amount of value voted for on the target, the user performs an operation to disclose predetermined information.

[0044] By structuring the system in this way, even if all betting tickets are unsuccessful or the payout is less than the stake, a reward is given even if the bet is not successful, which helps to curb the decline in willingness to bet on races.

[0045] Figure 2 shows an example of the network configuration of the voting ticket purchase system in this embodiment. The voting ticket purchase system 11 includes one or more user terminals 12, one or more advertiser terminals 15, a server 16, and a communication network 17. The one or more user terminals 12, one or more advertiser terminals 15, and the server 16 are connected to each other via the communication network 17 so that they can communicate with one another.

[0046] The user terminal 12 is a portable electronic terminal device having communication capabilities that can connect to a communication network 17, such as a smartphone, tablet, or mobile phone carried by the user. The user terminal 12 includes an operation display unit 13, a microphone for receiving sound input, a speaker for outputting sound, and the like. The operation display unit 13 is a device that allows input operations to be performed on the screen 14 and displays images on the screen 14, and is, for example, a touch panel display. The user terminal 12 may also be a so-called personal computer.

[0047] The user terminal 12 can download and install a predetermined application program from an application program download site on the internet. This allows the user to operate the application program by inputting commands into the operation display unit 13 of the user terminal 12. In this embodiment, as an example, a dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as "dedicated application software") that allows the user to purchase betting tickets for public sports such as horse racing, boat racing, and bicycle racing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "sports"), and to view race result predictions from broadcasters, is installed on the user terminal 12.

[0048] The user can access the server 16 by launching this dedicated application software on the user terminal 12. When the user terminal 12 accesses the server 16, it may be prompted to enter, for example, a pre-registered user ID.

[0049] When the dedicated application software installed on the user terminal 12 is launched, the graphical user interface (GUI) screen described later is displayed on the screen 14 of the user terminal 12. The GUI image displays video content related to the race order predictions by the broadcaster, as well as information on betting tickets. The user can make predictions about the race order by referring to the video content displayed on the GUI image and purchase betting tickets through the user terminal 12 by making the required inputs.

[0050] The user then receives a payout based on the odds (also called the payout multiplier) if their purchased betting ticket correctly predicts the race result. Betting tickets can be purchased for a fee or for free. For example, the odds for a betting ticket may be calculated based on the amount of the first value (paid) bet (purchase price) on that ticket. If the betting ticket is purchased for a fee, the payout will be made in cash, for example. For this reason, the user ID is associated with the user's credit card number or bank account number for payment purposes. If the betting ticket is purchased for free, it can be purchased using a second value (for example, free points or cash points; hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "points") that can be used within the betting ticket purchase system 11.

[0051] The advertiser terminal 15 is a telecommunications terminal device having communication capabilities that can connect to a communication network 17, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, or mobile phone, used by an advertiser or a person contracted by the advertiser to produce advertisements (hereinafter referred to as "advertiser, etc."). In this embodiment, the advertiser terminal 15 may be a personal computer, for example.

[0052] Advertisers access the server 16 using the advertiser terminal 15 and register data for video advertisements to be delivered to user terminals 12, as well as related management information (e.g., number of views, billing method, etc.) with the server 16.

[0053] Server 16 is an information processing device that manages dedicated application programs installed on user terminal 12. For example, server 16 can deliver (e.g., stream) video advertisements provided by advertiser terminal 15 to user terminal 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the server 16 can perform payment processing for the purchase of betting tickets based on the instruction to purchase betting tickets from the user terminal 12. After the race results are determined, the server 16 will perform a payout process to users whose purchased betting tickets were correct, distributing winnings (refunds) based on the correct bet, the amount wagered, and the odds. In addition, after the race results are determined, the server 16 will provide video advertisements to users whose purchased betting tickets were incorrect, and if the user views the video advertisement, the server 16 will grant them value that can be used to bet on the next race.

[0055] Server 16 may be a server system composed of one or more physical information processing devices, or a virtual server system composed of one or more virtual server devices. Video advertisements may be delivered via a different operational delivery server or the like, separate from Server 16.

[0056] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional blocks of the voting ticket purchase system 11 in this embodiment. The functions of the user terminal 12 and the server 16 will be described below.

[0057] The user terminal 12 includes an operation display unit 13, a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 25. The communication unit 21 is an interface that enables communication with devices connected to the communication network 17. Here, the communication unit 21 communicates with the server 16 via the communication network 17.

[0058] The operation display unit 13 is a touch panel display that allows user input and display. In this embodiment, a touch panel display is used as an example, but the system is not limited to this, and the input unit and the display unit may be independent of each other.

[0059] The control unit 22 controls the operation of the entire user terminal 12. By executing the application program according to this embodiment, the control unit 22 functions as a display control unit 23 and a purchase request unit 24.

[0060] The display control unit 23 controls the display state of the screen 14 based on user interface (UI) data 26 of a dedicated application program stored in the storage unit 25. The display control unit 23 also controls the display state of the screen 14 via the dedicated application program based on instructions from the server 16. As a result, the display control unit 23 displays the race betting numbers or group numbers and odds provided by the server 16 on the screen 14. The user predicts the race order while referring to the screen 14 and operates the operation display unit 13 to specify the betting tickets according to their predictions.

[0061] The purchase request unit 24 sends a purchase request to the server 16 to purchase voting tickets in response to instructions from the operation display unit 13. The purchase request unit 24 receives a purchase completion notification from the server 16, which has processed the payment for the purchase request.

[0062] The storage unit 25 stores installed programs (including the dedicated application program according to this embodiment) and various data. In this embodiment, the storage unit 25 stores UI data 27 as an example. Here, the data includes not only status information and text data, but also graphical data.

[0063] The server 16 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a storage unit 41. The communication unit 31 is an interface that enables communication with devices connected to the communication network 17. The communication unit 31 communicates with the user terminal 12 and the advertiser terminal 15 via the communication network 17.

[0064] The control unit 32 controls the operation of the entire server 16. At the same time, the control unit 32 performs control such as executing processing in response to requests from the user terminal 12 or advertiser terminal 15 and returning the execution results to the user terminal 12 or advertiser terminal 15. By executing the application program according to this embodiment, the control unit 32 functions as an advertisement registration unit 33, a user voting ticket information acquisition unit 34, a payment processing unit 35, an advertisement distribution control unit 36, and an allocation unit 37.

[0065] The advertising registration unit 33 receives video advertising data in response to a registration request from the advertiser terminal 15. The advertising registration unit 33 registers the video advertising data in the storage unit 41 and registers information for managing the video advertising data in the advertising management database 42.

[0066] The user betting ticket information acquisition unit 34 acquires betting ticket information specified by the user in response to a betting ticket purchase request from the user terminal 12. The betting ticket information is information about betting tickets purchased in a single purchase operation on the user terminal 12, and includes one or more combinations of the number or group number of the bet subject and the amount (or points) wagered on it. The number of the bet subject is, for example, the number that identifies the bet subject that will come in first place or in the top three places when a bet type such as win or place is selected. The group number of the bet subject is, for example, the combination of numbers that identifies the bet subject when a bet type such as trifecta (three exacta bet), quinella (three exacta bet), exacta (two exacta bet), exacta (two exacta bet), frame exacta (two exacta bet), frame quinella (two exacta bet), wide (two exacta bet).

[0067] The payment processing unit 35 performs payment processing for purchasing voting tickets based on the user's voting ticket information acquired by the user voting ticket information acquisition unit 34. The payment processing is performed based on a pre-registered credit card, account number, etc.

[0068] If the purchased betting slips include a target that was not voted for (the number or group number of the target to bet on in the competition), the ad distribution control unit 36 ​​provides a video advertisement to the user terminal 12 of the user whose bet was not won. The ad distribution control unit 36 ​​monitors the delivery status of the provided video advertisement (playback start, playback in progress, interruption, playback end, etc.) and measures the playback time of the video advertisement when playback has started.

[0069] The awarding unit 37 awards a predetermined amount of points to users who have viewed video advertisements provided by the ad distribution control unit 36. Here, the awarding unit 37 may set the value of the points to be awarded to be lower than the amount or point value of the votes cast for the unsuccessful bets. This allows for adjustment of the amount of free coins or cash points in circulation. The awarding unit 37 also notifies the user terminal 12 of the user to whom the points have been awarded that the point awarding has been completed.

[0070] The memory unit 41 contains an advertising management database 42, a user information management database 43, and user information. This stores the voting ticket information database 44. Hereafter, the database will be referred to as "DB".

[0071] The advertising management DB42 is a database that manages video advertising data registered by the advertiser terminal 15. The user information management DB43 is a database that manages information about users. The user voting ticket information DB44 is a database that manages voting ticket information purchased by users.

[0072] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of the database managed by the server 16 in this embodiment.

[0073] The ad management DB42 contains the following data items: "Ad ID," "Advertiser," "Storage Location," and "Maximum Playback Time." Hereafter, each record in the ad management DB42 may be referred to as ad information. The "Ad ID" field stores information that identifies the video ad (Ad ID). The "Advertiser" field stores information that identifies the advertiser. The "Storage Location" field stores the address indicating the storage location of the video ad data. The "Maximum Playback Time" field stores the playback time when the video ad is played to completion.

[0074] The user information management DB43 includes data items such as "User ID," "Username," "Email Address," "Amount Held," and "Points Held." The "User ID" item stores information that identifies the user (User ID). The "Username" item stores the user's name. The "Amount Held" item stores the amount of money currently available to the user in the voting ticket purchase system 11. The "Points Held" item stores the points currently available to the user in the voting ticket purchase system 11.

[0075] The user betting ticket information DB44 includes the following data items: "User ID", "Race ID", "Betting Ticket ID", "Betting Type", "Betting Target", "Purchase Amount", and "Purchase Points". The "User ID" item stores information that identifies the user (User ID). The "Race ID" item stores information that identifies the competition (Race ID). The "Betting Ticket ID" item stores information that identifies the betting ticket purchased in a single purchase operation by the user (Betting Ticket ID). The "Betting Type" item stores information that identifies the type of bet (Win, Place, Trifecta (3 exacta), Quinella (3 exacta), Exacta (2 exacta), Quinella (2 exacta), Frame Exacta (2 exacta), Frame Quinella (2 exacta), Wide (wide 2 exacta), etc.). The "Vote Target" field stores the winning number or the group number representing the finishing order from first place up to a predetermined position in the competition (race) identified by the Race ID. The "Purchase Amount" field stores the bet amount corresponding to the betting ticket information (this field is used for paid bets, and the bet amount is in currency). The "Purchase Points" field stores the bet amount corresponding to the betting ticket information (this field is used for free bets, and the bet amount is in points).

[0076] Next, the user interface of the dedicated application program installed on the user terminal 12 will be explained using Figures 5, 6, and 7. When the dedicated application program is launched on the user terminal 12, screen 14 displays a screen for selecting races for which betting tickets can be purchased at that time. The user operates the operation display unit 13 to select the target race, and then specifies the betting target and stake (or betting points), after which the screen shown in Figure 5 is displayed.

[0077] Figure 5 shows an example of a voting ticket purchase screen in this embodiment. The voting ticket purchase screen 51 includes a user name display field 52, a points display field 53, a field for specifying additional points 54, a money display field 55, a field for specifying additional money 56, a voting ticket to be purchased display field 57, and a purchase execution button 63.

[0078] The username display field 52 shows the username of the user logged into the voting ticket purchase system 11 via a dedicated application program. The points display field 53 shows the points currently held by the user in the voting ticket purchase system 11. Tapping the "Add Points" field 54 allows the user to add points (charge) that can only be used within the voting ticket purchase system 11 to purchase voting tickets for free. The "Amount Held" display field 55 shows the amount of money currently held by the user in the voting ticket purchase system 11. Tapping the "Add Funds" field 56 allows the user to add (charge) money to the voting ticket purchase system 11 to purchase voting tickets for a fee. The voting ticket purchase system 11 allows users to purchase voting tickets within the amount or points they have charged.

[0079] The section 57 for displaying the betting tickets to be purchased displays information about the betting tickets to be purchased in a single purchase operation. The section 57 for displaying the betting tickets to be purchased includes the list of predicted betting tickets 57a and the total bet / betting points display section 61.

[0080] The list of predicted betting tickets 57a includes a betting group number display field 58, an odds display field 59, a bet amount / betting points display field 60, and a bet amount / betting points increase / decrease setting button 62. The betting group number display field 58 is a field that displays the number or group number to bet on. In the example in Figure 5, the list of predicted betting tickets 57a displays four group numbers: "1st place No. 1, 2nd place No. 4", "1st place No. 3, 2nd place No. 8", "1st place No. 5, 2nd place No. 2", and "1st place No. 8, 2nd place No. 5, 3rd place No. 2".

[0081] The odds display area 59 shows the odds corresponding to the number or group number displayed in the betting group number display area 58. The bet amount / betting points display area 60 shows the bet amount or betting points for each number or group number. Using the bet amount / betting points increase / decrease setting button 62, tapping the "+" button increases the bet amount or betting points set for the corresponding group number. Tapping the "-" button decreases the bet amount or betting points set for the corresponding group number. The total bet amount / betting points display area 61 shows the total of the bet amount / betting points display area 60 for the predicted betting ticket list 57a.

[0082] Pressing the purchase button 63 allows you to purchase voting tickets for the items listed in the voting ticket display section 57.

[0083] Figure 6 shows an example of a message that notifies the user that points will be awarded under certain conditions in this embodiment. Assume that a user purchases a betting ticket using Figure 5, the race is held and the finishing order is determined, and the purchased betting ticket includes bets on horses that did not win. In this case, screen 14 displays a message 71 informing the user that if they have viewed a predetermined video advertisement, they will be awarded points that can be used to bet in the race.

[0084] Message 71 includes a list of video ads 72 and a "close" button 75. When the "close" button 75 is tapped, Message 71 closes.

[0085] The video ad list 72 is a list of one or more viewable video ads 73, and it is possible to scroll using the scroll bar 74. In Figure 6, video ads 73a, 73b, 73c, ... are displayed. Each of the video ads 73a, 73b, 73c, ... has a source address (link destination) set. When a user taps any of the video ads 73 displayed in the video ad list 72, the video ad is delivered from the link destination based on the video ad's link destination. Then, the video ad is played on the user's device 12, and the user can watch the video ad.

[0086] Here, video ad 73 may be, for example, an in-banner video ad or an in-load video ad, and is not limited to these types. An in-banner video ad is a type of video ad delivered in a traditional banner ad space. An in-load video ad is a video ad that plays when the user scrolls down a web page and the video ad appears on the screen. Depending on the specifications of the video ad, it may also be an in-stream video ad. An in-stream video ad is a video ad that plays on the video playback screen of a video site, etc.

[0087] Figure 7 shows an example of a message indicating that point awarding has been completed in this embodiment. In Figure 6, suppose a user taps and selects one of the video ads 73 displayed in the video ad list 72, and plays and watches that video ad. In this case, the user is awarded points that can be used to vote in the race, and a message 81 is displayed informing the user that the points have been awarded. When the "Close" button 82 is tapped, the message 81 is closed.

[0088] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram between the user terminal 12 and the server 16 in this embodiment. The user operates the user terminal 12 to start the installed dedicated application program (S1). Then, the user terminal 12, with the dedicated application program started, requests race information from the server 16 (S2).

[0089] Server 16 sends information about the upcoming race (race name, race details, betting targets, odds, etc.) to user terminal 12 (S3).

[0090] When the user terminal 12 receives race information from the server 16, it displays that race information on screen 14 (S4). The user operates the operation display unit 13 to select the race for which they wish to purchase a betting ticket and specifies the betting ticket (betting target and stake amount (or betting points)) for the selected race. Then, the betting ticket purchase screen 51 shown in Figure 5 is displayed.

[0091] On the betting ticket purchase screen 51, once the user has confirmed the betting tickets to purchase, they tap the purchase execution button 63 (S5). Then, the user terminal 12 sends a purchase request to the server 16, including user betting ticket information (including user ID, race ID, betting type, target of bet (number or group number), and purchase amount (or purchase points)) based on the contents of Figure 5 (S6).

[0092] Server 16 (User Voting Ticket Information Acquisition Unit 34) acquires the purchase request. Server 16 (User Voting Ticket Information Acquisition Unit 34) acquires user voting ticket information from the acquired purchase request, assigns a voting ticket ID, and registers the contents of the user voting ticket information in the User Voting Ticket Information DB 44.

[0093] The server 16 (settlement processing unit 35) performs settlement processing for the purchase of voting tickets based on the purchase request (S7). When the settlement processing is completed, the server 16 updates the contents of the user information management DB 43 based on the settlement details and notifies the user terminal 12 of the completion of the settlement processing (S8).

[0094] Server 16 processes the payouts for the betting slips, including those for the winning bets, once the betting period for that race has ended and the finishing order has been determined after the race.

[0095] Meanwhile, the server 16 (advertisement distribution control unit 36) processes advertisements for the voting ticket information, including the unsuccessful votes (S9). The advertisement display process is performed on the user terminal 12, and includes video The server 16 (ad delivery control unit 36) performs control processing to make the advertisement viewable. The server 16 also sends an ad display confirmation notification to the user terminal 12 to display the message 71 shown in Figure 6 (S10). The ad display confirmation notification includes the addresses (link destination information) of the distributors of one or more video advertisements.

[0096] When the user terminal 12 receives an advertisement display confirmation notification, the display control unit 23 displays a message 71 on the screen 14, for example, as shown in Figure 6 (S11). In the video advertisement list 72 of message 71, one or more video advertisements 73 are displayed for viewing based on the link destination information.

[0097] Then, the user taps on one of the video ads 73 from the list of video ads 72 in message 71 in Figure 6. The user terminal 12 then makes a request to the server 16 to view the ad (S12).

[0098] The server 16 (ad delivery control unit 36) starts delivering the video ad to the requesting user terminal 12 in response to the ad viewing request (S13, S14). The delivered video ad is displayed on the screen 14 of the user terminal 12 (S15).

[0099] When the video advertisement delivery ends (S16), the server 16 (point awarding unit 37) performs a point awarding process (S17) to award points to users who did not correctly predict the target of their vote. When the point awarding process completes the update of the "Points Held" item in the user information management DB 43, the server 16 (point awarding unit 37) notifies the target users that the point awarding has been completed (S18). Based on this notification, the screen 14 of the user terminal 12 displays a message 81 informing users that the point awarding has been completed, as shown in Figure 7 (S19).

[0100] Next, variations of the embodiments for the server-side advertising display processing (S9), video advertising delivery processing (S13, S16), and point addition processing (S17) will be described.

[0101] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 1). When the ad distribution control unit 36 ​​receives notification that the race order has been determined (S21), it extracts user betting ticket information from the user betting ticket information DB 44, including bets that were not successful in this race (S22). The ad distribution control unit 36 ​​identifies each user corresponding to the extracted user betting ticket information from the user information management DB 43 (S23). The following processing from S24 onwards is executed in parallel for each identified user.

[0102] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​obtains one or more pieces of ad information (ad ID, advertiser, storage location, maximum playback time) from the ad management DB 42 (S24). The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​sends an ad display confirmation notification to the user terminal 12 (S25). The ad display confirmation notification includes the storage location (link destination information) of the video ad corresponding to the ad ID obtained in S24. When the user terminal 12 receives the ad display confirmation notification, message 71 is displayed on screen 14 (Figure 6).

[0103] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​waits until it receives a response from the user terminal 12 to the ad display confirmation notification (NO in S26). When the user terminal 12 receives a response to the ad display confirmation notification, the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines whether or not it is a request to deliver a video ad (S27). A request to deliver a video ad includes the user ID and link destination information. If the response is not a request to deliver a video ad (NO in S27), this flow for that user ends.

[0104] If the response is a request for video ad delivery (YES in S27), the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​delivers a video ad to the user terminal 12 based on the link destination information (S28). The ad distribution control unit 36 ​​continues to distribute the video until playback is interrupted or until the predetermined time (or until the end) is reached (NO in S29, NO in S30).

[0105] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines whether the video ad was played for a predetermined time (or until the end) (S29). If the playback of the video ad is interrupted (NO in S29, YES in S30), this flow for that user ends.

[0106] If the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines that the video ad has been played for a predetermined time (or until the end) (YES in S29), the awarding unit 37 updates the points held in the user information management DB 43 based on the user ID and awards the predetermined points to the user (S31). The value of the points to be awarded may be predetermined or determined on a case-by-case basis.

[0107] Subsequently, the point awarding unit 37 notifies the user terminal 12 that the point awarding has been completed (S32). Then, on the user terminal 12 side, message 81 is displayed on screen 14 (Figure 7).

[0108] In the above process, once notification is received that the race results have been finalized (S21), the processes from S22 onwards are executed. The timing of the processes from S22 onwards may be immediately after the completion of S21, or at a predetermined time. A predetermined time may be, for example, before the deadline for betting on the next race or until the end of the day.

[0109] Figure 10 is a flowchart of the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 2). The flow in Figure 10 is the same as the flow in Figure 9, with the addition of processes S41 and S42. In the following, the explanation of processes S21 to S23 is the same as in Figure 9, so that explanation will be omitted, and the processes that are executed in parallel for each specified user (S41, S42, S24-S32) will be explained.

[0110] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​retrieves the user's points from the user information management DB 43 (S41). The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines whether the retrieved user's points are below a predetermined amount (S42). If the retrieved user's points are below a predetermined amount (NO in S42), the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​terminates this flow for that user.

[0111] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​retrieves one or more ad information (ad ID, advertiser, storage location, maximum playback time) from the ad management DB 42 if the acquired user's points exceed a predetermined amount (S24). The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​sends an ad display confirmation notification to the user terminal 12 (S25). The ad display confirmation notification includes the storage location (link destination information) of the video ad corresponding to the ad ID acquired in S24. When the user terminal 12 receives the ad display confirmation notification, message 71 is displayed on screen 14 (Figure 6).

[0112] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​waits until it receives a response from the user terminal 12 to the ad display confirmation notification (NO in S26). When the user terminal 12 receives a response to the ad display confirmation notification, the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines whether the response is a request for video ad delivery (S27). A video ad delivery request includes the user ID and link destination information. If the response is not a request for video ad delivery (NO in S27), this flow for that user ends.

[0113] If the response is a request for video ad delivery (YES in S27), the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​delivers a video ad to the user terminal 12 based on the link destination information (S28). The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​continues to deliver the video until playback of the video ad is interrupted or until it is played for a predetermined time (or until completion) (NO in S29, NO in S30).

[0114] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines whether the video ad was played for a predetermined time (or until the end) (S29). If the playback of the video ad is interrupted (NO in S29, YES in S30), this flow for that user ends.

[0115] If the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines that the video ad has been played for a predetermined time (or until the end) (YES in S29), the awarding unit 37 updates the points held in the user information management DB 43 based on the user ID and awards the predetermined points to the user (S31). The value of the points to be awarded may be predetermined or determined on a case-by-case basis.

[0116] Subsequently, the point awarding unit 37 notifies the user terminal 12 that the point awarding has been completed (S32). Then, on the user terminal 12 side, message 81 is displayed on screen 14 (Figure 7).

[0117] According to Example 2, video advertisements can be displayed when the amount of value held by the user falls below a predetermined amount. This allows users to recover their lost free coins or cash points by watching video advertisements when they have a low amount of free coins or cash points.

[0118] Figure 11 is a flowchart of the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 3). The flow in Figure 11 is the same as the flow in Figure 9, but with the addition of processes S51 and S52 and adjustments to processes S24 and S31. In the following, the explanation of processes S21 to S23 is the same as in Figure 9, so that explanation will be omitted, and the processes that are executed in parallel for each specified user (S11, S52, S24-S32) will be explained.

[0119] The allocation unit 37 retrieves the specified amount (purchase amount or purchase points) for each unsuccessful bet for each bet ticket ID from the user betting ticket information DB 44 based on the user ID of any identified user, and calculates the total amount of that amount (total purchase amount or total purchase points) (S51).

[0120] The awarding unit 37 determines the points to be awarded according to the calculated total amount (S52). In this case, for example, the more the total amount, that is, the greater the loss amount or the number of loss points, the more points may be awarded.

[0121] Based on the calculated total amount, the advertisement distribution control unit 36 acquires one or more advertisement information (advertisement ID, advertiser, storage location, maximum playback time) from the advertisement management DB 42 (S24a). For example, the advertisement distribution control unit 36 may acquire the advertisement information of video advertisements with a longer maximum playback time as the calculated total amount is larger. For example, when the total value is less than m, the advertisement distribution control unit 36 acquires the advertisement information of video advertisements with a maximum playback time less than T1; when the total value is equal to or greater than m and less than n, the advertisement distribution control unit 36 acquires the advertisement information of video advertisements with a maximum playback time equal to or greater than T1 and less than T2; when the total value is equal to or greater than n, the advertisement distribution control unit 36 may acquire the advertisement information of video advertisements with a maximum playback time equal to or greater than T2. At this time, m is an integer, n is an integer, and m < n. Also, T1 is an integer, T2 is an integer, and T1 < T2.

[0122] The advertisement distribution control unit 36 transmits an advertisement display confirmation notice to the user terminal 12 (S25). The advertisement display confirmation notice includes the storage location (link destination information) of the video advertisement corresponding to the advertisement ID acquired in S24a. On the user terminal 12 side, when the advertisement display confirmation notice is acquired, a message 71 is displayed on the screen 14 (Fig. 6).

[0123] The advertisement distribution control unit 36 waits until there is a response from the user terminal 12 to the advertisement display confirmation notice and enters a waiting state (NO in S26). When there is a response from the user terminal 12 to the advertisement display confirmation notice, the advertisement distribution control unit 36 determines whether the response content is a delivery request for a video advertisement (S27). The delivery request for a video advertisement includes the user ID and the link destination information. If the response content is not a delivery request for a video advertisement (NO in S27), this flow regarding the user ends.

[0124] If the response content is a delivery request for a video advertisement (YES in S27), the advertisement distribution control unit 36 delivers a video advertisement to the user terminal 12 based on the link destination information (S28). The advertisement distribution control unit 36 continues to deliver the video until the playback of the video advertisement is interrupted or until it is played for a predetermined time (or until the end) (NO in S29, NO in S30).

[0125] The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines whether the video ad was played for a predetermined time (or until the end) (S29). If the playback of the video ad is interrupted (NO in S29, YES in S30), this flow for that user ends.

[0126] If the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​determines that the video ad has been played for a predetermined time (or until the end) (YES in S29), the awarding unit 37 updates the points held in the user information management DB 43 based on the user ID and awards the user the points determined in S52 (S31a).

[0127] Subsequently, the point awarding unit 37 notifies the user terminal 12 that the point awarding has been completed (S32). Then, on the user terminal 12 side, message 81 is displayed on screen 14 (Figure 7).

[0128] According to Example 3, the points to be awarded to the user can be determined based on the total amount of specified amounts or points for each of the purchased betting targets that were not correctly predicted. This allows users to recover free coins or cash points corresponding to the amount of unsuccessful bets, thereby maintaining their motivation to continue betting on races.

[0129] Furthermore, users can earn points corresponding to the length of video ads they watch, especially if their losses are greater. On the other hand, the platform operators can prevent users from dropping out of the races they are betting on and prevent a decrease in the number of users purchasing betting tickets by showing users video ads that correspond to the points they can earn.

[0130] Figure 12 is a flowchart of the server-side processing in this embodiment (Example 4). The flow in Figure 12 is the same as the flow in Figure 9, but with steps S29-31 replaced by S61, S62, and S31a. In the following, the explanation of the processing from S21 to S26 is the same as in Figure 9, so that explanation will be omitted, and the processing from S27 onwards will be explained.

[0131] If the response is a request for video ad delivery (YES in S27), the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​delivers a video ad to the user terminal 12 based on the link destination information. At this time, the ad delivery control unit 36 ​​starts measuring the playback time of the video ad (S28a). The ad delivery control unit 36 ​​continues to deliver the video until the playback of the video ad is interrupted or terminated (NO in S61).

[0132] If the playback of the video advertisement is interrupted or terminated (YES in S61), the awarding unit 37 determines the points according to the playback time of the video advertisement (S62). For example, the longer the video playback time, the more points may be awarded.

[0133] The granting unit 37 updates the points held in the user information management DB 43 based on the user ID and grants the user the points determined in S62 (S31a).

[0134] Subsequently, the point awarding unit 37 notifies the user terminal 12 that the point awarding has been completed (S32). Then, on the user terminal 12 side, message 81 is displayed on screen 14 (Figure 7).

[0135] According to Embodiment 4, the awarding unit 37 can determine the points to be awarded to the user according to the playback time of the advertisement. This makes it possible to increase the points awarded to the user according to the playback time of the video advertisement.

[0136] In Examples 1 to 4, the awarding unit 37 may set the value of the points to be awarded to be lower than the amount or point value of the votes cast for the unsuccessful betting tickets. This allows for adjustment of the amount of free coins or cash points in circulation.

[0137] Furthermore, for example, if the value specified for each voting target included in the received voting ticket information is currency, the control unit 32 may perform the user-specific processing described in Examples 1 to 4 (S24 to S32 in Figure 9, S41 to S32 in Figure 10, S51 to S32 in Figure 11, and S24 to S32 in Figure 12) to award points to the user. This ensures that even if a vote is unsuccessful, the user is awarded free coins or cash points that can be used for voting, allowing them to continue voting in races.

[0138] Furthermore, for example, if the value specified for each voting target included in the received voting ticket information is points, the control unit 32 may perform the user-specific processing described in Examples 1 to 4 (S24 to S32 in Figure 9, S41 to S32 in Figure 10, S51 to S32 in Figure 11, and S24 to S32 in Figure 12) to award points to the user. This ensures that even if a vote is unsuccessful, the user is awarded free coins or cash points that can be used for voting, allowing them to continue voting in races.

[0139] Furthermore, the awarding unit 37 may be configured to receive notifications from the user terminal 12 indicating that a predetermined input operation has been performed on the operation display unit 13 while a video advertisement is playing. Upon receiving such a notification, the awarding unit 37 may assume that the user has properly viewed the video advertisement and award points to the user.

[0140] Furthermore, in the processing of S22 in Examples 1 to 4, the advertising distribution control unit 36 ​​may extract from the user betting ticket information DB 44 information on betting tickets in which all of the betting targets included in the betting ticket information received for the current race have not been correctly predicted. Alternatively, in the processing of S22 in Examples 1 to 4, the advertising distribution control unit 36 ​​may extract from the user betting ticket information DB 44 information on betting tickets in which the amount or points to be refunded is lower than the amount or points bet on the betting targets. This ensures that even if all betting tickets are incorrect or the refund amount is less than the stake, the race still has value that can be used even if the bets are incorrect, thereby maintaining the motivation to continue betting on the race.

[0141] Furthermore, the advertisements played on the user terminal 12 may be videos or still images. The advertisement data using such videos or still images may also include audio data or music data.

[0142] Furthermore, in another embodiment, after receiving voting ticket information from the user terminal 12 specifying the user's vote for the competition, even before the race results are finalized, the user If, for example, an advertisement is viewed on terminal 12, server 16 (granting unit 37) may grant the user a benefit different from payment for voting ticket information. Benefits different from payment for voting ticket information may include, for example, coupons, gift certificates, tickets that can be used as payment for services such as purchasing goods or providing food and beverages, or value that can be used for voting. Value that can be used for voting may include, for example, free coins or cash points that can be used for voting.

[0143] Specifically, for example, the ad distribution control unit 36 ​​may perform control processing to make the video ad viewable on the user terminal 12. In this case, the ad distribution control unit 36 ​​may send an ad display confirmation notification to the user terminal 12 to display a message similar to the message 71 shown in Figure 6. The ad display confirmation notification may include the addresses (link destination information) of one or more video ad distributors.

[0144] When the user terminal 12 receives an advertisement display confirmation notification, the display control unit 23 displays a message on screen 14 similar to, for example, message 71 shown in Figure 6. In the video advertisement list of the message, one or more video advertisements may be displayed for viewing based on the link destination information, similar to message 71 shown in Figure 6. The user can tap any of the video advertisements from the video advertisement list in the message to view (watch) them.

[0145] When the delivery of the video advertisement ends, the server 16 (granting unit 37) performs a reward granting process to grant the reward. In the reward granting process, points may be granted to the user, as in the above embodiment. Furthermore, the reward granting process is not limited to granting points, but may also grant the user coupons, gift certificates, tickets, or value usable for voting. In this case, the user information management DB 43 is provided with data items for managing coupons, gift certificates, tickets, and value usable for voting, and the server 16 (granting unit 37) may update the relevant items in the user information management DB 43 through the reward granting process.

[0146] When the server 16 (granting unit 37) has finished updating the user information management DB 43, it notifies the target user that the granting of the benefit has been completed. Based on this notification, a message indicating that the granting of the benefit has been completed is displayed on the screen 14 of the user terminal 12.

[0147] The ad distribution control unit 36 ​​may also configure the system to display still image ads to the user instead of video ads. In this case, for example, the user can obtain a reward by displaying the still image ad for a predetermined time. That is, the server 16 (rewarding unit 37) may perform a reward granting process to grant the reward to the user if a predetermined time has elapsed while the still image ad is displayed.

[0148] Furthermore, the ad distribution control unit 36 ​​may, instead of displaying a video ad, show the user a link setting screen with a link that directs them to a predetermined website. In this case, for example, the user may tap the link to transition to the predetermined website, and the server 16 (granting unit 37) may perform a reward granting process to grant the reward to that user.

[0149] Furthermore, the ad distribution control unit 36 ​​may, instead of displaying video ads, display a survey response screen on the user terminal 12 for the user to answer a predetermined questionnaire, or an application evaluation response screen for the user to rate a predetermined application program on a scale of, for example, five levels. By responding to the survey response screen or application evaluation response screen displayed on the user terminal 12, the user can obtain rewards.

[0150] Furthermore, the ad distribution control unit 36 ​​will, instead of video ads, view non-advertising video content. You may also allow viewers to watch (or view) the content. Non-advertising content videos may include, for example, race commentary videos, news videos, live videos of artists singing or playing instruments, game commentary videos, or entertainment-related videos.

[0151] Furthermore, the content of the advertisements may change depending on the timing. For example, from the time a betting ticket is purchased until the results are announced (until the race results are finalized), video or still image advertisements for products and services in a relatively low price range may be shown, and after the results are announced (after the race results are finalized), video or still image advertisements for products and services in a relatively high price range may be shown.

[0152] Furthermore, for example, if the amount of value held by the user is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and after receiving voting ticket information from the user terminal 12 specifying the user's vote for the competition, the user then, for example, views an advertisement on the user terminal 12, the granting unit 37 may grant the user a benefit different from payment for the voting ticket information.

[0153] Furthermore, the rewarding unit 37 may determine the rewards to be given to the user based on the total amount of specified amounts or points for each of the voting targets for which the purchased voting tickets were not correctly predicted. In addition, the rewarding unit 37 may determine the rewards to be given to the user based on the length of time the advertisement is played.

[0154] In yet another embodiment, after receiving voting ticket information from the user terminal 12 specifying the user's vote for the competition, if the user shares, for example, predetermined information with other users on an SNS (Social Networking Service) using the user terminal 12, the server 16 (granting unit 37) may grant the user a benefit different from payment for the voting ticket information. The predetermined information may be information about the voting ticket purchased by the user, or it may be information about advertising and promotion of a predetermined application program. The benefit different from payment for the voting ticket information may be, for example, a coupon, gift certificate, ticket, or value usable for voting, which can be used as payment for services such as the purchase of goods or provision of food and beverages.

[0155] Regarding this alternative embodiment, the user interface of the dedicated application program installed on the user terminal 12 will be explained using Figures 13 and 14. As described above, when the dedicated application program is launched on the user terminal 12, screen 14 displays a screen for selecting races for which betting tickets can be purchased at that time. The user operates the operation display unit 13 to select the target race, and then specifies the betting target and stake (or betting points), after which the betting ticket purchase screen 51 shown in Figure 5 is displayed. By pressing the purchase execution button 63, the user can purchase betting tickets for the contents of the betting ticket display field 57. When the betting ticket purchase process is completed, a screen for confirming the purchased betting tickets (purchased betting ticket confirmation screen) is displayed.

[0156] Figure 13 shows an example of a purchased voting ticket confirmation screen in another embodiment. The purchased voting ticket confirmation screen 91 includes a purchased voting ticket display area 92. The purchased voting ticket display area 92 displays information about the purchased voting tickets.

[0157] Furthermore, a submission confirmation message screen 93 is displayed as an overlay at a predetermined time. This predetermined time could be, for example, the submission confirmation message screen 93 being displayed from after the user casts their vote until the voting results are announced. Alternatively, the submission confirmation message screen 93 could be displayed only after the race results are finalized. Furthermore, the submission confirmation message screen 93 may be displayed if the user's purchased betting ticket contains a winning number or combination number. Alternatively, the posting confirmation message screen 93 may be displayed if the user's purchased voting ticket is incorrect. Or, the posting confirmation message screen 93 may be displayed from the time the user casts their vote until the end of the day.

[0158] The posting confirmation message screen 93 displays a message stating, "You will receive a reward if you post your purchased voting ticket on social media." The posting confirmation message screen 93 also has a "Post" button 94 and a "Close" button 95. Tapping the "Post" button 94 displays the screen shown in Figure 14. Tapping the "Close" button 95 closes the posting confirmation message screen 93.

[0159] Figure 14 shows an example of a posting destination SNS selection screen in another embodiment. The posting destination SNS selection screen 101 includes a posting image display field 102, a posting input field 103, a posting destination SNS selection field 104, and a "Post" button 105. The posting image display field 102 displays the image to be posted to SNS, and in this case, the image displayed in the purchased voting ticket display field 92 is displayed.

[0160] In the posting input field 103, the user can input the content of their post as text by operating the user terminal 12. At this time, the user can add a hashtag (#) to a predetermined string of characters when posting, which will link to a list of posts using the same hashtag on each SNS to which the post is being sent. In this other embodiment, for example, the system may automatically input the race name or the predicted winning car number with a hashtag into the posting input field 103.

[0161] The SNS selection field 104 displays the names of SNS application programs that have been pre-linked with the dedicated application program. The user can select which of these SNS application programs to use for posting by checking a checkbox on the user terminal 12. One or more SNS application programs can be selected.

[0162] Tapping the "Execute Post" button 105 will post (publish) the content of the post image display field 102 and post input field 103 to the selected SNS application program. On the selected SNS, the post will be made public according to the pre-set privacy settings. Here, you can set the scope of who can see the post, such as all users on the SNS, your friends, your friends' friends, etc. On the selected SNS, other users can follow the user who made the post. Users who are followed are called followers.

[0163] Other users on social media (including followers) can share a post, add their own comments, and quote the post to share it on the same social media platform or other social media platforms linked to that user.

[0164] In this alternative embodiment, posting content means making it available for other users to quote, that is, making the posted content shareable to other users, and therefore can be considered sharing in a broad sense.

[0165] Figure 15 is a sequence diagram between a user terminal and a server in another embodiment. The user operates the user terminal 12 to launch the installed dedicated application program (S1). The user terminal 12, with the dedicated application program launched, then requests race information from the server 16 (S2).

[0166] Server 16 sends information about the upcoming race (race name, race details, betting targets, odds, etc.) to user terminal 12 (S3).

[0167] When the user terminal 12 receives race information from the server 16, it displays that race information on screen 14 (S4). The user operates the operation display unit 13 to select the race for which they wish to purchase a betting ticket and specifies the betting ticket (betting target and stake amount (or betting points)) for the selected race. Then, the betting ticket purchase screen 51 shown in Figure 5 is displayed.

[0168] On the betting ticket purchase screen 51, once the user has confirmed the betting tickets to purchase, they tap the purchase execution button 63 (S5). Then, the user terminal 12 sends a purchase request to the server 16, including user betting ticket information (including user ID, race ID, betting type, target of bet (number or group number), and purchase amount (or purchase points)) based on the contents of Figure 5 (S6).

[0169] Server 16 (User Voting Ticket Information Acquisition Unit 34) acquires the purchase request. Server 16 (User Voting Ticket Information Acquisition Unit 34) acquires user voting ticket information from the acquired purchase request, assigns a voting ticket ID, and registers the contents of the user voting ticket information in the User Voting Ticket Information DB 44.

[0170] The server 16 (settlement processing unit 35) performs settlement processing for the purchase of voting tickets based on the purchase request (S7). When the settlement processing is completed, the server 16 updates the contents of the user information management DB 43 based on the settlement details and notifies the user terminal 12 of the completion of the settlement processing (S8).

[0171] The user operates the user terminal 12 to display the purchased voting ticket confirmation screen 91. The user terminal 12 then sends a request to the server 16 to display the purchased voting ticket confirmation screen 91 (including the user ID) (S72).

[0172] When server 16 receives a request to display the purchased voting ticket confirmation screen 91, it retrieves voting ticket information from user voting ticket information DB 44 based on the user ID (S73) and returns that voting ticket information to user terminal 12 (S74). When user terminal 12 receives that voting ticket information, it displays the purchased voting ticket confirmation screen 91 based on the retrieved voting ticket information (S75).

[0173] After the purchased voting ticket confirmation screen 91 is displayed, the server 16 determines whether it is time to display the submission confirmation message screen. If the determination indicates that it is time to display the submission confirmation message screen, the server 16 notifies the user terminal 12 to display the submission confirmation message screen (S77).

[0174] When the user terminal 12 receives an instruction to display the posting confirmation message screen, it overlays the posting confirmation message screen 93 onto the purchased voting ticket confirmation screen 91 (S78). The user checks the contents of the posting confirmation message screen 93 and, if they wish to post the purchased voting ticket to SNS, taps the "Post" button 94. The user terminal 12 then displays the destination SNS selection screen 101 on screen 14 (S79).

[0175] The user operates the user terminal 12 to enter the content to be posted in the post input field 103, select one or more SNS application programs from the destination SNS selection field 104, and tap the "Execute Post" button 105 to perform the posting operation (publication operation) (S80). The request generated by tapping the "Execute Post" button 105 is referred to as a posting request or a public request.

[0176] When server 16 receives a posting request (or publishing request), it posts to the specified SNS. The server 16 (granting unit 37) performs a posting process to grant the reward to the user who made the posting once the posting process is complete (S82). When the reward granting process completes the update of the corresponding item (not shown) in the user information management DB 43, the server 16 (granting unit 37) notifies the user that the reward has been granted (S83). Based on this notification, a message indicating that the reward has been granted is displayed on the screen 14 of the user terminal 12 (S84).

[0177] Figure 16 is a flowchart of the server-side processing in this alternative embodiment. When the server 16 receives a request from the user terminal 12 to display the purchased betting ticket confirmation screen 91 (including the user ID) (S91), it retrieves the purchased betting ticket information from the user betting ticket information DB 44 based on the user ID (S92). Here, the purchased betting ticket information to be retrieved may be limited to, for example, betting tickets before the race results are finalized, or it may not be limited.

[0178] The server 16 displays a purchased betting ticket confirmation screen 91 on the screen 14 of the user terminal 12 based on the acquired purchased betting ticket information (S93). Subsequently, the server 16 determines whether or not to display the submission confirmation message screen 93 at a predetermined timing (S94). Here, the predetermined timing may be, for example, the period from when the user votes until the voting results are announced, or a predetermined period (half a day, one day, three days, one week, etc.) after the race results are finalized. Alternatively, the predetermined timing may be the timing after the race results are finalized when it is determined that the betting ticket purchased by the user contains a winning number or combination number. Alternatively, the predetermined timing may be the timing after the race results are finalized when it is determined that the betting ticket purchased by the user is not a winner. Or, the predetermined timing may be anytime from when the user votes until the end of the day. Furthermore, the submission confirmation message screen 93 may be displayed regardless of whether or not the betting results are correct after the results have been determined.

[0179] If it is determined that the timing is not predetermined (NO in S94), the server 16 terminates this flow. If it is determined that the timing is predetermined (YES in S94), the server 16 displays the submission confirmation message screen 93 (S95).

[0180] After displaying the post confirmation message screen 93, the user terminal 12 displays the destination SNS selection screen 101 in response to user input. On the destination SNS selection screen 101, the user enters a comment in the post input field 103 for the purchased voting ticket information displayed in the post image display field 102, and selects one or more destination SNS in the destination SNS selection field 104. Then, the user operates the user terminal 12 and taps the "Execute Post" button 105. The user terminal 12 then sends a post request to the server 16, including the user ID, the post content from the post image display field 102 and post input field 103, and the content set in the destination SNS selection field 104.

[0181] When a posting request is received from the user terminal 12 (S96), the server 16 makes the specified post to the destination SNS included in the posting request (S97). At this time, the server 16 determines whether or not the posted content is eligible for the reward (S98). If the posted content is not eligible for the reward (NO in S98), this flow ends.

[0182] If the content of the post is eligible for a reward (for example, if the content of the post includes information about purchased voting tickets), the server 16 determines that the content of the post is eligible for a reward. In this case (YES in S98), the server 16 (reward unit 37) updates the corresponding item in the user information management DB 43 (data item that manages the reward) based on the user ID and grants the reward to the user (S99). The reward may be a coupon, a gift certificate, or a value usable for voting, and the amount of the coupon, the gift certificate, or the value usable for voting to be granted may be predetermined or determined on a case-by-case basis.

[0183] Subsequently, the granting unit 37 notifies the user terminal 12 that the granting of the benefit has been completed (S100). Then, on the user terminal 12, a message indicating that the granting of the benefit has been completed is displayed on screen 14.

[0184] In the above example, the posting confirmation message screen 93 is displayed according to a predetermined timing, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a posting screen for posting videos or still images to social media, the "Execute Post" button or "SNS Share" button may be shown or hidden according to a predetermined timing. Here, the predetermined timing may be, for example, the period from when the user votes until the voting results are announced, or a predetermined period (half a day, one day, three days, one week, etc.) after the race results are finalized. Alternatively, the predetermined timing may be the time after the race results are finalized when it is determined that the number or combination number purchased by the user is included in the winning number or combination number. Alternatively, the predetermined timing may be the time after the race results are finalized when it is determined that the user's purchased number is not a winner. Or, the predetermined timing may be anytime from when the user votes until the end of the day. Furthermore, the "Execute Post" button or "SNS Share" button may be displayed regardless of whether the voting results are finalized or not.

[0185] In the above explanation, purchased voting ticket information was used as an example of content to be posted to SNS, but the explanation is not limited to this. For example, advertising for a specific application program (for example, the dedicated application program) may be posted to SNS. In this case, the server 16 may, for example, display a message on the posting confirmation message screen 93 stating that a reward will be given if advertising for the dedicated application program is posted to SNS. In this case, when the user operates the user terminal 12 and taps the "Post" button 94, an SNS posting screen (not shown) will be displayed, and the advertising information for the dedicated application program (including information on the advertising website) and information on the website for installing the dedicated application program may be automatically entered into the text input field for posting content.

[0186] Furthermore, the content posted may be controlled depending on the winning status of the user's voting ticket. For example, for a user whose purchased voting ticket is successful, after the result is determined, the server 16 may display on the posting confirmation message screen 93 a message stating that a reward will be given if the user posts information about their purchased voting ticket to SNS, an advertisement for a designated application program (for example, including the dedicated application program), an advertisement for a video distributed within the designated application program, or a message stating that a reward will be given if the user posts information about their purchased voting ticket to SNS. In this case, the server 16 checks in S98 whether the voting content is eligible for a reward.

[0187] Furthermore, for example, for a user whose purchased betting ticket did not win, after the winning result is determined, the server 16 may display a message on the posting confirmation message screen 93 stating that a reward will be given if the user posts information about the purchased betting ticket, information about the betting ticket purchased for the next race, or an advertisement for a designated application program (for example, including the dedicated application program) or an advertisement for a video distributed within the designated application program to the social networking service. In this case, the server 16 checks in S98 whether the betting content is eligible for the reward.

[0188] Furthermore, the content of the advertisements posted may change depending on the timing. For example, the content of the advertisements may change from after the purchase of the betting ticket until the results are announced, and after the results are announced. More specifically, for example, from after the purchase of the betting ticket until the results are announced (until the race results are finalized), the content of the advertisements may be related to products or services in a relatively low price range. The advertisements may be video ads or still image ads. After the voting results are announced (after the race results are finalized), the content of the advertisements may be video ads or still image ads for products or services in a relatively high price range.

[0189] Furthermore, the content of the advertisements may change depending on whether or not the purchased voting slip contains a winning vote. For example, if the purchased voting slip contains a winning vote, the advertisement may be a video or still image advertisement for a relatively high-priced product or service. On the other hand, if the purchased voting slip does not contain a winning vote, the advertisement may be a video or still image advertisement for a relatively low-priced product or service.

[0190] Furthermore, server 16 may grant more rewards or higher-value rewards to users who post when their vote was incorrect, compared to users who post when their vote was correct. This can help curb the decline in user motivation to post by providing more incentives to users who did not get the vote right compared to users who did.

[0191] Furthermore, if the amount of value held by the user (for example, free coins, cash points, or points held) is below a predetermined amount, the server 16 may display a post confirmation message screen 93 that includes a message granting a reward if the user posts the predetermined information described above to the SNS. In this case, when the server 16 receives an operation from the user terminal 12 to make a post corresponding to the content of that message, the server 16 may grant a reward such as a coupon, gift certificate, or value usable for voting.

[0192] This allows users who have a low amount of free coins or cash points and are unable to continue voting in competitions to be rewarded by posting advertisements, application program promotions, or survey promotions on social media, thereby mitigating the decline in their willingness to vote in races.

[0193] The server 16 (granting unit 37) may determine the rewards to be granted to the user based on the value specified for the unsuccessful bets included in the received betting ticket information. This allows for the granting of rewards commensurate with the amount of unsuccessful bets, even if the amount is large, thereby suppressing a decline in the user's willingness to bet on races.

[0194] The server 16 (rewarding unit 37) may determine the rewards to be given to the user based on the number of times the predetermined information posted by the user (for example, purchased voting tickets, advertisements, etc.) is shared by other users. For example, the server 16 (rewarding unit 37) may periodically check the number of shares of the posted information and determine the rewards to be given to the user each time the number of shares exceeds a threshold in stages (each time the number of shares exceeds 1,000, 2,000, ..., 10,000). As a result, the rewards are determined in accordance with the increase in the number of people who share the information, which increases the motivation of users to post more and spread the predetermined information so that others will share it.

[0195] Furthermore, when the server 16 (granting unit 37) receives a selection of a bet on a competition (race), if predetermined information is posted after the selection, it may grant a reward based on the total amount of unsuccessful bets on the selected competition. This allows users to specify the races in which they lost a large amount and receive a reward.

[0196] Furthermore, if the server 16 (assignment unit 37) receives a vote, and all of the voting targets included in the received voting ticket information are not correct, or if the refund amount is less than the value of the vote cast for the voting target, the server 16 (assignment unit 37) will not refund the amount of the vote. When the value is low, a reward may be given to the user if the user agrees to disclose certain information. This can help prevent a decline in the willingness to bet on races, even if all bets are unsuccessful or the payout is less than the stakes, by providing a reward.

[0197] Figure 17 is an example of a block diagram of the hardware environment of a computer that executes the program in this embodiment. Computer 111 functions as a user terminal 12 and a server 16. Computer 111 consists of a CPU 112, ROM 113, RAM 114, storage device 115, input I / F 116, output I / F 117, communication I / F 118, reader 119, and bus 120.

[0198] Here, CPU refers to the central processing unit. ROM refers to read-only memory. RAM refers to random access memory. I / F refers to the interface. The bus 120 is connected to the CPU 112, ROM 113, RAM 114, storage device 115, input I / F 116, output I / F 117, communication I / F 118, and, if necessary, a reader 119.

[0199] When computer 111 is server 16, CPU 112 reads the program according to this embodiment from storage device 115 and functions as an advertising registration unit 33, a user voting ticket information acquisition unit 34, a settlement processing unit 35, an advertising distribution control unit 36, and an assignment unit 37. ROM 113 reads This indicates memory dedicated to data retrieval. RAM114 is memory for temporary storage.

[0200] The storage device 115 is a device for storing large amounts of information. Various types of storage devices can be used as the storage device 115, such as hard disks, solid-state drives (SSDs), and flash memory cards. The storage device 115 stores programs according to the embodiment of the present invention, as well as various data stored in the storage unit 41.

[0201] Input I / F116 can be connected to input devices such as keyboards, mice, electronic cameras, webcams, microphones, scanners, sensors, tablets, touch panel displays, and information reading devices. Output I / F117 can be connected to output devices such as displays, touch panels, projectors, printers, and speakers.

[0202] The communication interface 118 is an interface such as a port for connecting to a communication network and communicating with other devices. The communication network may be the internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a dedicated line, wired, wireless, or other communication network. The reader 119 is a device for reading portable recording media.

[0203] The program that implements the processing described in the above embodiments (including this embodiment, other embodiments, and other embodiments) may be stored, for example, in the storage device 115 via a communication network and communication I / F 118 from the program provider. Alternatively, the program that implements the processing described in the above embodiments may be stored in a commercially available and distributed portable storage medium. In this case, the portable storage medium may be set in the reader 119, and the program may be read and executed by the CPU 112. Various types of storage media can be used as portable storage media, such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, USB memory devices, and semiconductor memory cards. The program stored in such a storage medium is read by the reader 119.

[0204] Furthermore, the program may be installed on a standalone computer, or it may be installed on a cloud computer and only its functionality may be provided to the user. In this embodiment, the user terminal 12 is equipped with an application that can communicate with the server 16. In this embodiment, a program was installed to control the voting ticket purchase system, but this is not the only method. For example, a user may access the server 16 using a web browser installed on the user terminal 12 and use the system according to this embodiment that is running on the server 16.

[0205] According to this embodiment, advertising effectiveness can be enhanced, and even if a bet is not successful, the desire to continue betting on races can be maintained. Furthermore, it can promote the dissemination of predetermined information by users who have placed bets.

[0206] The embodiments of this specification have been described above based on the embodiments and modifications described above. The embodiments described above are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of this specification and do not limit it. This specification may be modified and improved without departing from its spirit and the scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in this specification. Furthermore, any technical features that are not described as essential in this specification may be deleted as appropriate.

[0207] In addition to the embodiments described above, the following should be added. (Note 1) An information processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, A reception unit receives voting ticket information from the aforementioned terminal device, which specifies the user's vote for the competition. The system includes a granting unit that, if the results of the competition include votes that were not correct in the voting ticket information, and a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device, grants the user value that can be used for voting. Information processing device. This structure enhances advertising effectiveness and helps maintain the desire to continue betting on races even if the betting slip is not successful. (Note 2) The granting unit sets the amount of value available for the vote lower than the amount of value cast for the unsuccessful ballots. The information processing device described in Appendix 1. By configuring it in this way, the amount of free coins or cash points in circulation can be adjusted. (Note 3) The advertisement is displayed when the amount of value held by the user is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. The information processing device described in Appendix 2. This configuration allows users who have a low amount of free coins or cash points and are unable to continue voting in competitions to recover those coins or cash points by watching video advertisements, enabling them to continue voting in competitions. (Note 4) If there are multiple advertisements, the multiple advertisements will be displayed in a selectable format on the terminal device. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3. This configuration allows users to select the ads they want to see. (Note 5) The granting unit determines the value to be granted to the user based on the total amount of value specified for each of the unsuccessful voting targets included in the received voting ticket information. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4. This structure allows players to maintain their motivation to continue betting on races, as they can recover a corresponding amount of free coins or cash points even if their bets are large and do not win. (Note 6) The aforementioned advertisement is a video advertisement, Depending on the total value of the votes cast for each of the unsuccessful voting targets included in the received voting slip information, video advertisements with different playback times will be displayed on the terminal device. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5. This structure allows users to earn free coins or cash points based on their viewing time, for example, by watching longer videos and voting for larger amounts. By awarding users free coins or cash points based on viewing time, it is possible to prevent user churn and maintain a steady increase in the number of users purchasing voting tickets. On the other hand, the platform operators can earn advertising revenue by showing video ads to users, and therefore do not incur any losses by awarding users free coins or cash points. (Note 7) The granting unit grants the user value usable for the bet if, within a predetermined period after the order of finish of the competition is determined, the betting ticket information includes bets that were not won, and if the predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device. The information processing device described in Appendix 1. This configuration allows users to have time to watch advertisements in order to earn free coins or cash points. (Note 8) The granting unit grants the user a second value, which does not affect the payout rate, if the value specified for each voting target included in the received voting ticket information is a first value that affects the payout rate for the vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7. This configuration ensures that even if a user's bet is incorrect, they will still receive free coins or cash points that can be used for future bets, allowing them to continue participating in races. (Note 9) The granting unit grants the user the second value as a value usable for the vote if the value of the vote cast for each voting target included in the received voting ticket information is a second value that does not affect the payout rate for the vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 8. This configuration ensures that even if a user's bet is incorrect, they will still receive free coins or cash points that can be used for future bets, allowing them to continue participating in races. (Note 10) When the granting unit receives notification from the terminal device that a predetermined input operation has been performed on the terminal device while the advertisement is being played, it grants the user value that can be used for the vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 9. By structuring it this way, it is possible to prevent users from obtaining value without watching advertisements. (Note 11) The granting unit determines the amount of value to grant to the user according to the playback time of the advertisement. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 10. By configuring it in this way, it becomes possible to increase the points awarded to users based on the length of time they watch the video ad. (Note 12) The granting unit grants the user the value available for voting when the predetermined advertisement is played, if none of the voting targets included in the received voting ticket information are correct, or if the amount of value to be refunded is less than the amount of value voted for on the voting targets. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 11. By structuring the system in this way, even if all betting tickets are unsuccessful or the payout is less than the stake, the race still retains value that can be used even if the bets are not successful, thus encouraging continued participation in the races. (Note 13) A communication processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, The terminal device receives a reception process that receives voting ticket information specifying the user's vote for the competition, If, as a result of the aforementioned competition, the voting slip information includes votes that were not correct, and a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device, a granting process is performed to grant the user value that can be used for voting. An information processing program that executes [something]. This structure enhances advertising effectiveness and helps maintain the desire to continue betting on races even if the betting slip is not successful. (Note 14) An information processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, The terminal device receives voting slip information that specifies the user's vote for the competition. If, as a result of the aforementioned competition, the voting slip information includes votes that were not correct, and a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device, the user is given value that can be used for voting. An information processing method for carrying out an action. This structure enhances advertising effectiveness and helps maintain the desire to continue betting on races even if the betting slip is not successful. (Note 15) A terminal device capable of communicating with an information processing device via a communication network, A reception process that accepts voting ticket information, which contains the user's vote for the competition as specified by the input operation, If, as a result of the aforementioned competition, the voting slip information includes votes that were not correct, and a predetermined advertisement is played, a granting process is performed to grant the user value that can be used for voting. An information terminal program characterized by the following features. This structure enhances advertising effectiveness and helps maintain the desire to continue betting on races even if the betting slip is not successful. (Note 16) An information processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, A reception unit receives voting ticket information from the terminal device, which specifies the user's voting content for the competition. After the voting content has been specified, if the user requests that the user disclose predetermined information, the granting unit grants the user a benefit different from a refund of the voting ticket information. An information processing device equipped with the following features. By configuring it in this way, the user who cast the vote will perform the operation to make the specified information public. As a result, users receive benefits, creating an incentive for them to spread the specified information. This can encourage users who have voted to spread the specified information. (Note 17) The granting unit grants more or higher value benefits than when it receives an operation from the user corresponding to the received voting ticket information to disclose the predetermined information when there is no winning target in the received voting ticket information. The information processing device described in Appendix 16. By structuring the system in this way, it is possible to provide greater incentives to users who did not guess correctly compared to users who did, thereby promoting the dissemination of specific information by users who made incorrect votes. (Note 18) The aforementioned attachment unit, If the amount of value held by the user is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the predetermined information is displayed. Upon receiving the aforementioned request to make the request public, the recipient will be granted the aforementioned benefit, which is a value that can be used for voting. The information processing device described in Appendix 16 or 17. This configuration allows users who have a small amount of value to use for voting and are unable to continuously vote in competitions to be rewarded for posting advertisements, application program promotions, or survey promotions on social media, thereby promoting the dissemination of specific information by users with less value to use. (Note 19) The granting unit determines the reward to be granted to the user based on the value specified for the unsuccessful bet included in the received betting ticket information. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 16 to 18. By configuring the system in this way, it is possible to provide rewards based on the amount of unsuccessful votes, thereby encouraging users who cast unsuccessful votes to spread specific information. (Note 20) The granting unit determines the benefits to be granted to the user according to the number of times the predetermined information has been shared with other users. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 16 to 19. By configuring the system in this way, the specified information is spread to users other than the user who initially shared it, and the rewards are determined according to the number of shares, thus motivating users to spread the information to others. (Note 21) The granting unit grants the reward to the user when it receives an operation from the user to disclose the predetermined information, if the target of the votes included in the received voting ticket information is not all correct, or if the amount of value to be refunded is less than the amount of value voted for on the target of the vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 16 to 20. By structuring the system in this way, even if all the bets are unsuccessful or the payout is less than the stake, a reward is still given, which encourages users who placed unsuccessful bets to spread the information in question. (Note 22) A computer that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, The terminal device receives a reception process that receives voting ticket information specifying the user's vote for the competition, If, after the voting content has been specified, the user requests that the user disclose predetermined information, a granting process is performed to grant the user a benefit different from a refund of the voting ticket information. An information processing program that executes [something]. By configuring the system in this way, users who vote receive a reward for disclosing the specified information, thus creating an incentive for users to spread the information. This promotes the dissemination of the specified information by users who have voted. (Note 23) An information processing method performed by a computer capable of communicating with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, The computer receives voting slip information from the terminal device, which specifies the user's vote for the competition. If, after the voting content has been specified, the computer receives an operation from the user to disclose predetermined information, the computer grants the user a benefit different from a refund of the voting ticket information. Information processing methods. By configuring the system in this way, users who vote receive a reward for disclosing the specified information, thus creating an incentive for users to spread the information. This promotes the dissemination of the specified information by users who have voted. (Note 24) An information processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, A reception unit receives voting ticket information from the terminal device, which specifies the user's voting content for the competition. If a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device after the voting content has been specified, the granting unit grants the user a benefit different from the payment of the voting ticket information. An information processing device equipped with the following features. By structuring the system in this way, users receive a reward for viewing an advertisement after voting, thus creating an incentive to watch ads. This increases the motivation for users who have voted to view the advertisement, allowing for more effective advertising. (Note 25) A computer that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, The terminal device receives voting slip information that specifies the user's vote for the competition, and If a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device after the voting content has been specified, a granting process is performed to grant the user a benefit different from the payment of the voting ticket information. An information processing program that executes [something]. By structuring the system in this way, users receive a reward for viewing an advertisement after voting, thus creating an incentive to watch ads. This increases the motivation for users who have voted to view the advertisement, allowing for more effective advertising. (Note 26) An information processing method performed by a computer capable of communicating with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, The computer receives voting slip information from the aforementioned terminal device, which specifies the user's vote for the competition. If a predetermined advertisement is played on the terminal device after the voting content has been specified, the computer grants the user a benefit different from the payment of the voting ticket information. Information processing methods. By structuring the system in this way, users receive a reward for viewing an advertisement after voting, thus creating an incentive to watch ads. This increases the motivation for users who have voted to view the advertisement, allowing for more effective advertising. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0208] 1. Information Processing Device 2 Providing Department 3 Acquisition part 4. Decision-making section 5 Terminal devices 11. Voting ticket purchase system 12 User terminals 15 Advertiser terminals 16 servers 17 Communication Networks 31 Communications Department 32 Control Unit 33 Advertising Registration Department 34. User Voting Ticket Information Acquisition Unit 35 Payment Processing Unit 36. Ad Delivery Control Unit 37 Granting section 41 Storage section 42. Advertising Management Database 43 User Information Management Database 44 User Voting Ticket Information Database

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device that can communicate with a terminal device used by a user via a communication network, A reception unit receives voting ticket information from the terminal device, which specifies the user's voting content for the competition. After the voting content has been specified, if the user requests that the user disclose predetermined information, the granting unit grants the user a benefit different from a refund of the voting ticket information. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

Images