Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To make it easier for users to vote in competitions. [Solution] The information processing device 10 includes a voting reception unit 111 that accepts the specification of the betting type when voting in a competition, and the specification of the competition target which is the competition selected by the user from among the competition participants, and a display control unit 112 that displays support information on the information terminal 20 to assist in the selection of a voting target different from the specified voting target when the number of voting targets accepted is less than the number of voting targets that need to be specified for the specified betting type.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in various competitions such as bicycle racing, horse racing, or motorboat racing, a voting system is known in which voters can vote using an information terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When voting in a competition, a voter (hereinafter referred to as a "user") selects a predetermined number of competitors corresponding to the betting type selected by the voter. However, there are cases where the number of competitors the user wants to select is less than the number of competitors corresponding to the betting type. In such a case, there is a problem that the user cannot vote using the selected betting type because the user cannot determine which competitor to select among the plurality of competitors.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to make it easier for a user to vote in a competition.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a voting reception unit that receives the specification of a betting type when voting in a competition, and the specification of a voting target which is a competition selected by the user from among the competitions participating in the competition, and a display control unit that displays support information on an information terminal to assist in the specification of a voting target different from the specified voting target when the number of voting targets received is less than the number of voting targets that need to be specified for the specified betting type. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this invention, the effect is to make it easier for users to vote in competitions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the system configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information terminal 20. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a screen where a user can perform actions to vote in a competition. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a screen displaying support information on the information terminal 20. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a screen displaying the voting results of other users on the information terminal 20. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a screen on the information terminal 20 displaying statistical data regarding the voting content of other users. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 10. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing the operation flow in the information processing device 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Overview of Information Processing System 1> Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises an information processing device 10 and one or more information terminals 20 (first information terminal 20-1, second information terminal 20-2, third information terminal 20-3). The information processing device 10 and the multiple information terminals 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a network N such as the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or a mobile communication network.

[0010] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a computer and is composed of one or more physical servers. The information processing device 10 may be configured using virtual servers that operate on a hypervisor, or it may be configured using cloud servers.

[0011] The information processing device 10 is a device that accepts votes for competitions in which voting is possible for the target of voting. For example, it is a device that assists voters, who are users of an information terminal 20, in placing a predetermined value bet on the competition they predict will win. The predetermined value is a tangible or intangible thing that the user can use to obtain goods or services, such as money, electronic currency, or points.

[0012] The competitions are, for example, bicycle racing, auto racing, horse racing, boat racing, or electronic sports, and are competitions on which users can vote. The voting targets are those on which users vote for a predetermined value, and are determined by a combination of the competition that the user predicts will win from among several candidate competitions (including competitors, competition vehicles, or animals) and the betting method (voting method).

[0013] Specifically, when the competition subject to voting is bicycle racing, the voting targets are, for example, "first place is No. 5 and second place is No. 3" selected in the betting type "double single", or "No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5" selected in the betting type "triple multiple". Note that "double single" means predicting the competition bodies of the first and second places in the order of finishing positions, and "triple multiple" means predicting the competition bodies that enter from the first place to the third place regardless of the finishing order.

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

[0015] The information terminal 20 is installed with, for example, a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as "dedicated app") for the user to vote on the voting target in the competition or to obtain information on the competition or competition body. The user can vote on the voting target in the competition or obtain information on the competition or competition body through the dedicated app.

[0016] In the voting for a competition, there may be a case where the number of competition bodies corresponding to the betting type specified by the user is more than the number of competition bodies the user wants to vote for. Specifically, it is a case where the user specifies the betting type "triple multiple" even though the number of competition bodies the user wants to vote for is 2. In such a case, since the user cannot determine which competition bodies to select in addition to the competition bodies the user wants to vote for, the user may not be able to vote in the betting type "triple multiple" and may miss the opportunity to vote.

[0017] In contrast, in the information processing system 1, the information processing device 10 receives from the information terminal 20 the betting type specified by the user and the competition bodies selected by the user. Then, when the number of competition bodies selected by the user is less than the number of competition bodies corresponding to the betting type specified by the user, the information processing device 10 causes the information terminal 20 to display support information for the user to select other competition bodies different from the competition bodies received from the information terminal 20.

[0018] When the information processing device 10 and the information terminal 20 operate in this way, the user can select the required number of competing entities in the designated betting formula while referring to the support information displayed on the information terminal 20, making it easier to vote on the competition. As a result, the information processing system 1 can prevent the user from missing the opportunity to vote because they cannot select the number of competing entities corresponding to the betting formula.

[0019] In this specification, "designating" a betting formula, a competing entity, or a voting target includes the user selecting a betting formula, a competing entity, or a voting target on the screen for voting on the competition displayed on the information terminal 20 before executing the operation of voting on the competition. Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of the information processing device 10 and the information terminal 20 will be described in detail.

[0020] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, a communication IF (Interface) 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15.

[0021] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), and realizes various functions by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0022] The storage unit 12 has a storage medium such as a memory, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 12 stores the program executed by the processor 11. In addition, the storage unit 12 stores the voting content including the betting formula designated by the user when voting on the competition and the competing entity selected by the user when voting on the competition.

[0023] The communication IF 13 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information terminal 20 via the network N. The communication IF 13 notifies the processor 11 of data received from the information terminal 20. The communication IF 13 also transmits data input from the processor 11 to the information terminal 20.

[0024] The input device 14 receives input operations from, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 10. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The output device 15 outputs information to, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 10. The output device 15 is, for example, a display or speaker.

[0025] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information terminal 20. The information terminal 20 includes a processor 21, a storage unit 22, a communication interface 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25.

[0026] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU, and it performs various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 22.

[0027] The memory unit 22 has storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 22 stores the program that the processor 21 executes.

[0028] The communication IF23 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information processing device 10 via the network N. The communication IF23 notifies the processor 21 of data received from the information processing device 10. The communication IF23 also transmits data input from the processor 21 to the information processing device 10.

[0029] The input device 24 accepts input from the user, for example. The input device 24 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The output device 25 is, for example, a display unit and an audio output unit that output information to the user, for example. The output device 25 is, for example, a display or speaker, for example.

[0030] <Example of the display screen of information terminal 20> Figures 4 to 7 show examples of screens displayed on the information terminal 20. Figure 4 shows an example of a screen used by a user to vote in a competition. The screen shown in Figure 4 includes a display area 251, a display area 252, a display area 253, multiple operation images 254 (operation image 254a, operation image 254b), operation image 255, and operation image 256.

[0031] Display area 251 is an area for displaying the name of the competition in which the user will bet. In Figure 4, the competition name "Hiroshima 7R" is shown. Display area 252 is an area for the user to select the betting type when betting on the competition. In Figure 4, the betting type "Trifecta" is selected. The user of the information terminal 20 can, for example, press the operation image "Trifecta" displayed in display area 252 to specify the betting type "Trifecta" when betting on the competition corresponding to the competition name "Hiroshima 7R" displayed in display area 251.

[0032] Display area 253 is the area where the user selects the athletes for voting in the competition. In display area 253, the user can also specify the finishing order of the selected athletes. In Figure 4, the user predicts that the athlete "Taro Sato" will finish in "1st place" and the athlete "Jiro Yamada" will finish in "2nd place". In Figure 4, the user selects athlete "Taro Sato" by pressing operation image 254a, and selects athlete "Jiro Yamada" by pressing operation image 254b.

[0033] Operation image 255 is an operation image for the user to vote in a competition. By pressing operation image 255, the user votes for the competition shown in display area 251 using the betting method specified in display area 252 and for the competition body selected in display area 253. When the user presses operation image 255, the information terminal 20 transmits the competition name shown in display area 251, the betting method shown in display area 252, and the competition body shown in display area 253 to the information processing device 10.

[0034] Operation image 256 is an operation image for the user to cancel voting for the competition shown in Figure 4. When the user presses operation image 256, the information terminal 20 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 4 (for example, a screen for voting for another competition).

[0035] In Figure 4, the betting type "trifecta" is selected, as shown in display area 252. As shown in display area 253, the user predicts that the first-place finisher will be participant "Taro Sato" and the second-place finisher will be participant "Taro Yamada". However, in Figure 4, no participant corresponding to the third-place finisher has been selected, so the user cannot bet on the race. Therefore, the information processing device 10 displays support information on the information terminal 20 to help the user specify the number of betting targets corresponding to the betting type, making it easier for the user to predict the participant corresponding to the third-place finisher.

[0036] Figure 5 shows an example of a screen displaying support information on the information terminal 20. For example, the information terminal 20 displays the screen shown in Figure 5 after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the user pressed operation image 254a or operation image 254b on the screen shown in Figure 4. The information terminal 20 may also display the screen shown in Figure 5 when operation image 255 is pressed while no sport is selected for betting in the betting method selected in the display area 252. The screen shown in Figure 5 differs from the screen shown in Figure 4 in that support image 257 is displayed.

[0037] Support image 257 is an example of support information that the information processing device 10 displays on the information terminal 20. In Figure 5, the information terminal 20 displays support image 257 to prompt the user to predict that the competitor, "Shiro Ito," will finish in "3rd place."

[0038] Figure 6 shows an example of a screen displayed by the information terminal 20 showing the voting results of other users. The screen shown in Figure 6 displays the voting results of other users, different from the user using the information terminal 20, as supporting information. The screen shown in Figure 6 differs from the screen shown in Figure 5 in that multiple predictor images 258 (predictor image 258a, predictor image 258b, predictor image 258c) are displayed.

[0039] The predictor image 258 is an image representing a user other than the user using the information terminal 20. Other users include, for example, predictors who predict the outcome of a competition and whom the user has registered as a favorite predictor, or other users that the user has registered through mutual approval.

[0040] When a user of the information terminal 20 presses the predictor image 258, the information terminal 20 displays support information based on the votes cast by the user corresponding to that predictor image 258. In Figure 6, support image 257 is displayed to indicate that the user corresponding to predictor image 258a predicted that the third-place finisher would be participant Shiro Ito. By pressing support image 257, a user of the information terminal 20 can cast a vote predicting that the third-place finisher will be participant Shiro Ito.

[0041] Figure 7 shows an example of a screen displayed by the information terminal 20 that shows statistical values ​​regarding the voting content of other users. The screen shown in Figure 7 displays statistical values ​​as supporting information regarding the voting content of multiple users different from the user using the information terminal 20 who voted for a competition. The statistical values ​​are, for example, the number of other users who voted for each of the multiple competitions, or the average amount of votes cast by other users who voted for each of the multiple competitions. The screen shown in Figure 7 differs from the screen shown in Figure 4 in that multiple images 259 (image 259a, image 259b) are displayed.

[0042] Image 259 is an image showing statistical values ​​for multiple users who voted for each of the multiple competitions (i.e., participating athletes) displayed in the display area 253. In Figure 7, Image 259a shows the number of users who voted for participating athlete "Saburo Koga," and Image 259b shows the number of users who voted for participating athlete "Shiro Ito." Users using the information terminal 20 can predict which competition will finish in "3rd place" by referring to the statistical values ​​shown in the multiple images 259.

[0043] <Functional Block Configuration> Figure 8 shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 10. The processor 11 includes a vote reception unit 111, a display control unit 112, and a specification unit 113. The processor 11 functions as the vote reception unit 111, the display control unit 112, and the specification unit 113 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0044] The memory unit 12 stores the voting details of each of the multiple users. The memory unit 12 may also store the voting targets specified by each of the multiple users before they cast their votes. The memory unit 12 stores the forecasters registered as favorite forecasters by each of the multiple information terminals 20, and other users registered by the user through mutual approval, as registered forecasters and registered users, respectively, associated with the user.

[0045] The following describes the configuration of each part realized by the processor 11. The voting reception unit 111 accepts the designation of the betting type when voting for a competition, and the designation of the competition to be voted for, which is the competition selected by the user from among the participating competitions. When the user performs a voting operation by pressing the operation image 255 on the screen shown in Figure 4, or when the user selects a betting type and a competition on the screen shown in Figure 4, the voting reception unit 111 accepts the designation of the betting type and the designation of the competition to be voted for from the information terminal 20.

[0046] If the display control unit 112 has missing voting information specified by the user for a betting type specified by the user, it displays support information on the information terminal 20 to help the user specify the missing voting information. If the number of voting targets received is less than the number of voting targets that need to be specified for the specified betting type, the display control unit 112 displays support information on the information terminal 20 to help the user specify a voting target different from the specified voting target. The display control unit 112 displays at least one of the unspecified competition targets as support information. Support information is, for example, the information shown in the support image 257 on the screen shown in Figure 5. Support image 257 is an operation image to help the user specify "Ito Shiro" as a voting target.

[0047] The display control unit 112 identifies multiple other users who have specified different voting targets than those accepted by the voting acceptance unit 111, for example, by referring to multiple voting contents of multiple users stored in the storage unit 12. The display control unit 112 then identifies the voting target with the most votes among the multiple voting targets voted for by the identified other users. The display control unit 112 then displays support information on the information terminal 20 to assist in the selection of the identified voting target.

[0048] Specifically, when a user performs a betting operation as shown in Figure 5, the betting reception unit 111 acquires the betting type "trifecta" and the participating player "Taro Sato" corresponding to the finishing position "1st place" and the participating player "Jiro Yamada" corresponding to the finishing position "2nd place". The display control unit 112 displays support information on the information terminal 20 because the number of betting targets "2" accepted by the betting reception unit 111 is less than the number of betting targets "3" required when specifying the betting type "trifecta".

[0049] The display control unit 112 displays support information on the information terminal 20 to help users specify one of the voting targets other than the designated voting targets "Taro Sato" and "Jiro Yamada" (i.e., "Saburo Koga" or "Shiro Ito" as shown in Figure 5) as their voting target. If the display control unit 112 determines, by referring to the storage unit 12, that the number of users who voted for "Shiro Ito" is greater than the number of users who voted for "Saburo Koga", it displays a support image 257 on the information terminal 20 to help users specify "Shiro Ito".

[0050] By operating in this manner, the display control unit 112 can prompt the user to specify a voting target even if the user of the information terminal 20 is unable to decide which target to vote for in the competition, by displaying support information to make it easier for the user to vote. As a result, the user of the information terminal 20 can vote in the competition while referring to the displayed support information, thus preventing them from missing the opportunity to vote in the competition.

[0051] The display control unit 112 displays support information on the information terminal 20 after a predetermined time has elapsed from, for example, the time when the voting reception unit 111 receives the designation of the betting type, or the time when the voting reception unit 111 last receives the designation of the voting target. The predetermined time is a period of time during which it can be assumed that the user using the information terminal 20 has interrupted the voting operation because they are unable to decide on the voting target, and is, for example, 30 seconds. The display control unit 112 may also obtain the predetermined time set by the user operating the information terminal 20 from the information terminal 20.

[0052] The display control unit 112 displays support information on the information terminal 20 if the voting reception unit 111 does not receive a predetermined action from the user between the time the voting reception unit 111 receives the specification of the betting type, or the time the voting reception unit 111 last received the specification of the voting target, and a predetermined time has elapsed since then. The predetermined action is, for example, the action of the user further specifying the voting target by operating the information terminal 20.

[0053] Specifically, in the screen shown in Figure 5, if the user does not specify a new voting target within a predetermined time period from the time the voting reception unit 111 receives the user's specification of a voting target by pressing the operation image 254b, the display control unit 112 displays the support image 257. On the other hand, if the user specifies a new voting target within a predetermined time period from the time the voting reception unit 111 receives the user's specification of a voting target by pressing the operation image 254b, the display control unit 112 does not display the support image 257.

[0054] By operating in this manner, the display control unit 112 can display support information on the information terminal 20 used by users who are unable to decide on a voting target and require support information. As a result, users can decide on a voting target while referring to the support information, making it easier for them to vote in the competition.

[0055] The display control unit 112 may display an image indicating the voting target included in the support information on the information terminal 20 in a different display manner from the image indicating the voting target received by the vote reception unit 111. For example, in the screen shown in Figure 5, the display control unit 112 displays a support image 257, which is a different image from the operation image 254, which is the image indicating the voting target received by the vote reception unit 111, on the information terminal 20 as an image indicating the voting target included in the support information.

[0056] The image indicating the voting target included in the support information may be a different mark from the circle (○) mark shown in support image 257, for example, a double circle (◎) or a triangle (△). The image indicating the voting target included in the support information may be, for example, a mark of the same shape as the mark shown in operation image 254 but in a lighter (or darker) color than that mark, a mark showing a design such as a crown, or a mark showing a frame of a different color than the frame of operation image 254.

[0057] With the display control unit 112 operating in this manner, users of the information terminal 20 can easily distinguish between the voting method they have specified and the voting targets included in the support information. As a result, users can more easily refer to the voting targets included in the support information.

[0058] By the way, if a user wants to bet a large amount or cast many votes, the support information indicating a single sport may be insufficient. Therefore, the display control unit 112 may notify the user of support information to help them specify a number of voting targets corresponding to the number of sports that correspond to at least one of the voting amount or the number of votes the user will cast, based on the voting conditions set by the user. The voting conditions include, for example, the voting amount or number of votes the user will cast. In the information processing device 10, the storage unit 12 stores data relating the voting amount and number of votes to the number of sports to support.

[0059] The display control unit 112 obtains the voting amount or number of votes set by the user operating the information terminal 20 from the information terminal 20. By referring to the storage unit 12, the display control unit 112 identifies the number of sports to be supported that are associated with the voting amount or number of votes obtained from the information terminal 20. The display control unit 112 notifies the information terminal 20 of support information to assist in specifying the number of sports to be voted for.

[0060] For example, if the display control unit 112 determines that the number of athletes to be supported is "2" on the screen shown in Figure 4, it notifies the information terminal 20 of support information to assist in designating the athletes "Saburo Koga" and "Shiro Ito" as voting targets. By operating in this manner, the display control unit 112 can display support information appropriate to the user's voting amount or number of votes on the information terminal 20. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to vote according to the voting amount or number of votes they wish to cast.

[0061] [Display other users' votes] The display control unit 112 may, in response to the user's selection of information indicating other users who have voted for multiple sports, including the target of the vote received from the user by the vote reception unit 111, display support information indicating a different target of vote from the target of vote specified by the other users. The information indicating other users is, for example, the predictor image 258 on the screen shown in Figure 6.

[0062] The voting reception unit 111 identifies the second user selected by the first user based on the predictor image 258 selected on the screen shown in Figure 6, for example, from the information terminal 20 used by the first user. The display control unit 112 identifies the voting targets included in the voting content cast by the second user, or the voting targets specified by the second user before voting, by referring to the storage unit 12. The display control unit 112 displays support information indicating the voting targets that the first user did not specify among the identified voting targets on the information terminal 20 used by the first user.

[0063] Specifically, the voting reception unit 111 obtains information from the information terminal 20 indicating that the predictor image 258a has been pressed, for example, when the first user presses the predictor image 258a on the screen shown in Figure 6, and identifies the second user corresponding to the predictor image 258a. The display control unit 112, by referring to the storage unit 12, determines that the second user has specified the following players: "Taro Sato" for "1st place", "Jiro Yamada" for "2nd place", and "Shiro Ito" for "3rd place". Since the first user has not specified a player corresponding to "3rd place", the display control unit 112 displays a support image 257 on the information terminal 20 showing the player "Shiro Ito" that the second user has specified for "3rd place".

[0064] By operating in this manner, the display control unit 112 can display voting targets specified by other users on the information terminal 20 used by a user who is unable to decide which voting target to choose. As a result, users can choose the same voting target as other users, making it easier to vote even if they are unable to decide on a voting target themselves.

[0065] The display control unit 112 may display images of voting targets that are different from the voting targets specified by the user, from among multiple other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user. The predetermined relationship is, for example, a registered predictor that the user has registered as their favorite predictor, or a registered user that the user has registered by mutually approving each other (a user with whom the user has a so-called friend relationship). By operating in this manner, the display control unit 112 can display the voting content of other users or predictors that the user likes on the information terminal 20. The user can then specify the same voting targets as those specified by other users or predictors that they like.

[0066] [Displaying statistics] Incidentally, users may want to know what other users have voted for or the amount of money they have voted for. Therefore, the identification unit 113 identifies multiple other users who have voted for multiple voting targets, including the voting targets received by the voting reception unit 111 from the user. When a user operates the information terminal 20 as shown in Figure 7, the identification unit 113 identifies other users from among the multiple other users whose votes were received by the voting reception unit 111 who have specified contestant "Taro Sato" for "1st place" and contestant "Jiro Yamada" for "2nd place" as their voting targets. The display control unit 112 displays statistical information showing statistical values ​​regarding the voting content of the other users identified by the identification unit 113. The statistical values ​​include, for example, the number of other users or the average amount of money voted by other users.

[0067] Specifically, when a user operates the information terminal 20 as shown in the screen in Figure 7, the identification unit 113 identifies the first number of other users who have designated the athlete "Saburo Koga" as the competition body corresponding to a "3rd place" finish. The identification unit 113 then identifies the second number of other users who have designated the athlete "Shiro Ito" as the competition body corresponding to a "3rd place" finish.

[0068] The display control unit 112, for example, notifies the information terminal 20 of the first and second vote counts as statistical values, thereby displaying image 259a showing the first vote count and image 259b showing the second vote count on the information terminal 20. This operation of the display control unit 112 and the identification unit 113 allows the display control unit 112 to provide the user with more information to refer to when specifying their voting targets. This makes it easier for the user to decide which voting targets to specify, by referring to both support information and statistical information.

[0069] The identification unit 113 may identify multiple users who have a predetermined relationship with the user and who have voted for multiple voting targets, including the voting targets accepted by the voting acceptance unit 111, as multiple other users. The predetermined relationship is, for example, a registered predictor that the user has registered as their favorite predictor, or a registered user that the user has registered by mutual approval with the user. The display control unit 112 displays statistical information showing, for example, statistical values ​​regarding the voting content of multiple registered users or multiple registered predictors registered by the user.

[0070] With the display control unit 112 and the identification unit 113 operating in this manner, the display control unit 112 can provide the user with information about voting targets specified by other users or forecasters preferred by the user. The user can then decide which voting targets to specify by referring to the support information and statistical information about voting targets specified by other users or forecasters preferred by the user.

[0071] <Operation flow in the information processing device 10> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation flow in the information processing device 10. The flowchart in Figure 9 shows the operation from when the information processing device 10 receives the designation of the betting type and voting target from the information terminal 20 until the information processing device 10 displays support information on the information terminal 20.

[0072] The voting reception unit 111 executes a process to accept the betting type and voting target specified by the user from the information terminal 20. If the voting reception unit 111 has not accepted the betting type and voting target from the information terminal 20 (NO in S11), the voting reception unit 111 repeats the process of accepting the betting type and voting target from the information terminal 20.

[0073] When the voting reception unit 111 receives the betting type and voting targets from the information terminal 20 (YES in S11), the display control unit 112 identifies the required number of voting targets, which is the number of voting targets that must be specified in the betting type received by the voting reception unit 111 from the information terminal 20, and the designated number of voting targets, which is the number of voting targets received by the voting reception unit 111 from the information terminal 20.

[0074] If the number of votes for the designated target is equal to or greater than the required number of votes (NO in S12), the display control unit 112 does not perform the process to display support information on the information terminal 20. If the number of votes for the designated target is less than the required number of votes (YES in S12), the display control unit 112 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the vote acceptance unit 111 accepted the betting type and the target of the vote. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S13), the display control unit 112 repeats the process of determining whether the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0075] If a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S13), the display control unit 112 generates support information to be displayed on the information terminal 20 (S14). The display control unit 112 identifies multiple other users who have specified different voting targets than those received by the voting reception unit 111 from the information terminal 20, for example, by referring to multiple voting contents voted for by multiple users stored in the storage unit 12. The display control unit 112 identifies the voting target with the most votes among the multiple voting targets voted for by the identified multiple other users. The display control unit 112 generates support information to support the identified voting target. The display control unit 112 notifies the information terminal 20 of the generated support information, causing the support information to be displayed on the information terminal 20. (S15).

[0076] If no operation to terminate processing is performed (NO in S16), the information processing device 10 repeats the processes from S11 to S15. If an operation to terminate processing is performed (YES in S16), the information processing device 10 terminates the process.

[0077] <Effects of the information processing device 10> As described above, the information processing device 10 has a voting reception unit 111 that accepts the specification of the betting type when voting in a competition, and the specification of the competition target which is selected by the user from among the competitions participating in the competition. The display control unit 112 then displays support information on the information terminal 20 to assist in the selection of a voting target different from the specified target when the number of accepted voting targets is less than the number of voting targets that need to be specified for the specified betting type.

[0078] With the information processing device 10 configured in this way, users can specify their voting targets while referring to the support information displayed on the information terminal 20, making it easier to vote in competitions. Even if it is difficult for a user to select the required number of competitions for a specified betting type, they can still specify the required number of competitions as voting targets by referring to the support information. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can prevent users from missing voting opportunities due to being unable to select the required number of competitions for a given betting type.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments.

[0080] In addition to the embodiments described above, the following should be added. (Note 1) A voting reception section that accepts the specification of the betting type when voting for a competition, and the specification of the competition to be voted for by the user from among the participating sports, A display control unit that, when the number of votes received is less than the number of votes that need to be specified in the specified betting method, displays support information on the information terminal to assist in specifying a vote that is different from the specified vote. An information processing device having This configuration of the information processing device makes it easier for users to vote in competitions while referring to supporting information. (Note 2) The display control unit displays support information on the information terminal after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time the voting reception unit receives the designation of the betting method, or from the time the voting reception unit last received the designation of the voting target. The information processing device described in Appendix 1. With the information processing device configured in this way, support information can be displayed on the information terminal used by the user who needs it. (Note 3) The display control unit causes the image indicating the voting target included in the support information to be displayed on the information terminal in a different display manner than the image indicating the voting target received by the voting reception unit. The information processing device described in Appendix 1 or 2. With the information processing device configured in this way, users can easily distinguish between the voting targets they have specified and the voting targets included in the support information. (Note 4) The display control unit, in response to the user's selection of information indicating other users who have voted for multiple sports, including the target of the vote received from the user by the vote reception unit, displays support information indicating a target of vote that differs from the target of vote received from the user, among the multiple targets of vote specified by the other users. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 3 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, users can select the same voting target as other users. (Note 5) The display control unit displays images of voting targets that are different from the voting target specified by the user, among a group of other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user. The information processing device described in Appendix 4. With the information processing device configured in this way, users can select the same voting targets that other users have specified as their preferred targets. (Note 6) The display control unit notifies the user of support information to assist in the selection of a number of voting targets corresponding to the number of competitions that correspond to at least one of the voting amounts or the number of votes the user casts for a competition, based on the voting conditions set by the user. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 5 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, it can notify users of support information appropriate to the amount or number of votes they intend to cast, making it easier for users to vote according to the amount or number of votes they wish to cast. (Note 7) The voting reception unit further includes an identification unit that identifies multiple other users who have voted for multiple voting targets, including the voting target received from the user. The display control unit displays statistical information showing statistical values ​​related to the voting content of other users identified by the identification unit. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 6 of the appendix. This configuration of the information processing device allows for a greater amount of information to be referenced by the user in order to specify their voting targets. (Note 8) The identification unit identifies multiple users who have a predetermined relationship with a user and who have voted for multiple voting targets, including the voting target received by the voting reception unit, as multiple other users. The information processing device described in Appendix 7. With the information processing device configured in this way, users can specify their voting targets while referring to statistical information about voting targets designated by other users or predictors of their choice. (Note 9) The computer accepts the user's selection of the betting type for voting in the competition, and the selection of the competition to be voted for from among the participating sports. If the number of votes received is less than the number of votes that must be specified in the designated betting method, the computer will display support information on the information terminal to assist in selecting votes for targets different from those received. Information processing methods. This information processing method makes it easier for users to vote in competitions while referring to the support information. (Note 10) On the computer, The steps include: specifying the betting type when voting for a competition, and accepting the selection of the competition to be voted for from among the participating sports; The steps include: displaying support information on an information terminal to assist in selecting a different voting target from the accepted targets when the number of voting targets received is less than the number of voting targets that need to be specified in the designated betting method; A program to execute. This program structure makes it easier for users to vote in competitions while referring to the support information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Information Processing System 10 Information Processing Devices 11 processors 12 Storage section 13 Communication IF 14 Input Devices 15 Output Devices 20 Information terminals 21 processors 22 Memory section 23 Communication IF 24 Input Devices 25 Output Devices 111 Voting Reception Department 112 Display Control Unit 113 Specific section

Claims

[Claim 1] A voting reception unit that accepts the designation of the betting type when voting for a competition, and the designation of the competition to be voted for, which is the competition selected by the user from among the competitions participating in the said competition, A display control unit that, when the number of votes received is less than the number of votes that need to be specified in the specified betting method, displays support information on the information terminal to assist in specifying a vote that is different from the specified vote. An information processing device having

Images