Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To make it easier for forecasters to improve the content of their predictions. [Solution] The information processing device 20 has a notification unit 214 that notifies the first user of information indicating the target of the second vote when the second user makes a second vote based on the first vote made by the first user for the competition.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a voting prediction disclosure system is known that discloses the content predicted by a predictor who predicts the result of a competition to voters who vote in the competition (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional voting prediction disclosure system, a predictor cannot know what kind of vote a voter who voted referring to the content predicted by the predictor actually cast. Therefore, there is a problem that even if the content disclosed by the predictor is not useful to the voters, the content disclosed by the predictor cannot be improved.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to make it easy to improve the content disclosed by a predictor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a notification unit that notifies a first user of information indicating a voting target of a second user when the second user casts a second vote based on a first vote cast by the first user for a competition.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the effect is to make it easier for predictors to improve the content of their predictions. [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 diagram shows the hardware configuration of information terminal 10. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 20. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a competition table stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a voting history table stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a screen that appears when you start the process of checking other users' information. [Figure 8] This is an example of a screen showing other users who voted based on the first vote. [Figure 9] An example of a screen displaying the votes of a second user is shown. [Figure 10] An example of a screen showing the number of other users who have considered the vote of the first user is shown. [Figure 11] This shows an example of a voting screen for a first-time user who has previously made their voting results public. [Figure 12] This flowchart illustrates the process of notifying the first user of a second user's vote. [Figure 13] This flowchart illustrates the process by which a second user notifies the first user of the attributes of the competition they will be voting on. [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 one or more information terminals 10 (first information terminal 10-1, second information terminal 10-2, third information terminal 10-3) and an information processing device 20. The multiple information terminals 10 and the information processing device 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a network N of the Internet, intranet, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or mobile communication network.

[0010] Information terminal 10 is a terminal used by users (hereinafter referred to as "users") who use the services in information processing system 1, and is an information processing terminal such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. The service is, for example, a betting service that accepts votes for competitions.

[0011] The information terminal 10 has, for example, a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as "dedicated app") installed for users to use the service. Through the dedicated app, users can vote for contestants in a competition and make their voting choices public to other users.

[0012] The competitions include races where the order of finish is determined, such as bicycle racing, auto racing, horse racing, boat racing, dog racing, and automobile racing; matches such as baseball, rugby, and soccer; and 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 multiple candidate competitions (including competitors, competition vehicles, competition teams, or animals) and the betting type. 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.

[0013] The betting type is a voting method such as, for example, "two consecutive singles" or "three consecutive multiples". "Two consecutive singles" means predicting the first and second place competitors in the order of their finishing positions. The user makes a prediction such as, for example, "the first place is No. 5 and the second place is No. 3". In this case, the combination number is shown as, for example, "5-3". "Three consecutive multiples" means predicting the competitors who will rank from the first place to the third place regardless of the finishing order. The user makes a prediction such as, for example, "No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5". In this case, the combination number is shown as, for example, "1-2-5".

[0014] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a computer and is composed of one or more physical servers. The information processing device 20 may be configured using virtual servers operating on a hypervisor, or may be configured using cloud servers. The information processing device 20 is a device for enabling other users to view the voting targets for which a user has voted. The information processing device 20, for example, publicly discloses the voting targets for which a user has voted to other users based on the instructions of the user. The information processing device 20 accepts the votes of other users (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "following votes") based on the voting targets of other users publicly disclosed by the user. <000.org / <1000091>

[0015] By the way, in order to increase the number of other users who view the voting targets publicly disclosed by the user or the number of other users who vote based on the voting targets publicly disclosed by the user, the user may want to know the voting targets voted by other users. In response to this, the information processing device 20 notifies the user of the voting targets of other users who have voted based on the voting targets publicly disclosed by the user.

[0016] When the information processing device 20 operates in this way, the user can know the voting targets referred to by other users in their votes for the competition and the voting targets voted by other users. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to publicly disclose the voting targets that other users want to view or the voting targets that they want to refer to in their votes for the competition. Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of the information terminal 10 and the information processing device 20 will be described in detail.

[0017] <Hardware Configuration> Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the information terminal 10. The information terminal 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, a communication interface 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15.

[0018] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and it realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 12.

[0019] The memory unit 12 has storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 12 stores programs that the processor 11 executes.

[0020] The communication IF 13 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information processing device 20 via the network N. The communication IF 13 notifies the processor 11 of data received from the information processing device 20. The communication IF 13 also transmits data input from the processor 11 to the information processing device 20.

[0021] The input device 14 accepts input from the user, for example. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The output device 15 is, for example, a display unit and an audio output unit that output information to the user, for example. The output device 15 is, for example, a display or speaker, for example.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20. The information processing device 20 includes a processor 21, a storage unit 22, a communication interface 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25.

[0023] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), and it realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 22.

[0024] The storage unit 22 has a storage medium such as memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 22 stores programs executed by the processor 21. The storage unit 22 also stores competition information for multiple competitions, and information regarding the voting targets and voting amounts of multiple users in multiple competitions.

[0025] The communication IF23 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information terminal 10 via the network N. The communication IF23 notifies the processor 21 of data received from the information terminal 10. The communication IF23 also transmits data input from the processor 21 to the information terminal 10.

[0026] The input device 24 receives input operations from, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 20. The input device 24 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The output device 25 outputs information to, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 20. The output device 25 is, for example, a display or speaker.

[0027] <Functional Block Configuration> Figure 4 shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 20. The processor 21 includes an acquisition unit 211, a voting unit 212, an attribute identification unit 213, and a notification unit 214. The processor 21 functions as the acquisition unit 211, voting unit 212, attribute identification unit 213, and notification unit 214 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0028] The memory unit 22 stores a competition table showing competition information for multiple competitions, and a voting history table showing information about the voting targets and voting amounts for multiple users in multiple competitions. Figures 5 and 6 show examples of information stored in the memory unit 22.

[0029] Figure 5 shows an example of a competition table stored in the memory unit 22. In the competition table shown in Figure 5, a competition ID for identifying a competition is associated with competition information. As shown in Figure 5, the competition information includes at least the competition name, venue, date, competition grade, attributes, attribute ID for identifying the attributes, and the competition entity.

[0030] Attributes are information determined according to the competition grade, event type (morning, regular, night, midnight, etc.), or competition type (men's keirin, women's keirin, etc.). In Figure 5, "Big Race" indicates a high competition grade, "Girls' Keirin" indicates women's keirin, and "Midnight" indicates that the event is held late at night.

[0031] Figure 6 shows an example of a voting history table stored in the memory unit 22. The voting history table shown in Figure 6 includes at least a user ID to identify the user, a voting ID to identify the user's vote, a competition ID, betting type, group number, odds, betting amount, voting date and time, and information to identify the public user.

[0032] A public user is the first user who makes public the betting type and combination numbers that the user used as a reference when voting in a competition. Information to identify a public user is, for example, the public user's user ID or username. The betting amount includes the amount of paid value wagered in the bet, the amount of free value wagered in the bet, and the sum of paid and free value wagered in the bet. Paid value is, for example, money or electronic currency. Free value is, for example, intangible things such as points or medals obtained by the user by using the betting service.

[0033] Returning to Figure 4, the configuration of each part realized by the processor 21 will now be explained. The acquisition unit 211 acquires information regarding the voting targets and voting amounts of multiple users from multiple information terminals 10 used by multiple users. The acquisition unit 211 may also acquire competition information from an external information processing device (not shown). The external information processing device is, for example, a server used to provide betting services used by users. The acquisition unit 211 stores the voting targets and voting amounts acquired from the multiple information terminals 10 in the storage unit 22, for example as shown in Figure 6. The acquisition unit 211 also stores the competition information acquired from the external information processing device in the storage unit 22, for example as shown in Figure 5.

[0034] The voting unit 212 receives user IDs, voting instructions for the target of voting in the competition, and voting amounts from multiple information terminals 10 used by multiple users, thereby accepting votes from users in the competition. The voting unit 212 executes the user's vote in the competition according to the voting instructions. The voting unit 212 stores the target of voting and voting amount received from the user in the storage unit 22, associating them with the user ID.

[0035] When the voting unit 212 receives a voting instruction from the information terminal 10 of the user who issued the voting instruction, based on the voting target of the first user who made the vote public, it accepts the second user's vote (i.e., a "piggyback vote") based on the voting target of the first user. The voting unit 212 identifies the voting target associated with the competition ID and the user ID of the first user who made the vote public, as received from the information terminal 10 of the second user who issued the voting instruction, by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6. The voting unit 212 executes the second user's vote on the identified voting target of the first user.

[0036] When the voting unit 212 receives a voting instruction from the second user's information terminal 10 based on the first user's voting target, it stores the first user's user ID in the storage unit 22 in association with the second user's user ID that sent the instruction. For example, as shown in Figure 6, when the voting unit 212 receives a voting instruction from the information terminal 10 of user U2 based on the voting target of the first user, user U1, for competition V21, it stores the first user's user ID "U1" in the storage unit 22 as the user ID of a public user that the second user used as a reference for their vote, in association with the second user's user ID "U2".

[0037] The attribute identification unit 213 identifies the attributes of the competitions voted for by the second user by referring to the competition table and voting history table stored in the storage unit 22. These attributes are used, for example, to notify the first user of the attributes of the competitions voted for by the second user. By knowing the attributes of the competitions voted for by the second user, the first user can make their vote public, taking into account the attributes of the competitions the second user will vote for.

[0038] The attribute identification unit 213 identifies the competition ID of the competition in which the user voted, for example by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6. The attribute identification unit 213 identifies the attributes of the competition associated with the identified competition ID by referring to the competition table shown in Figure 5.

[0039] The attribute identification unit 213 identifies the attributes of the competition and the other competition when a user who has voted based on a first vote for a competition has also voted based on a third vote for a different competition than the one the first user voted for before the first vote. For example, if the first vote is vote V12 shown in Figure 6, the third vote is vote V11 corresponding to vote date and time T11, which is earlier than vote date and time T12 corresponding to vote V12.

[0040] The attribute identification unit 213 identifies a second user who has made multiple votes by referencing multiple votes made by the first user, user U1, by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6, for example. The attribute identification unit 213 identifies the attributes associated with the multiple votes made by the identified second user by referencing the attributes shown in Figure 5, by referring to the attributes made by user U1.

[0041] Specifically, the attribute identification unit 213 refers to the voting history table shown in Figure 6 and identifies that user U4 cast vote V45 based on user U1's vote V16, and that user U4 cast vote V43 based on user U1's vote V13. The attribute identification unit 213 refers to the competition table shown in Figure 5 and identifies that the attribute associated with the competition ID "RT1" corresponding to votes V16 and V45 is "Girls Keirin". The attribute identification unit 213 identifies that the attribute associated with the competition ID "RN2" corresponding to votes V13 and V43 is "Big Race".

[0042] The notification unit 214 notifies the user of the information terminal 10 of information indicating the voting targets stored in the storage unit 22. When the second user makes a second vote based on the first user's first vote on the competition, the notification unit 214 notifies the first user of information indicating the voting targets for the second vote. "Notifying" means, for example, displaying the voting targets on the information terminal 10 used by the first user, or sending an email or message to the information terminal 10 used by the first user.

[0043] The notification unit 214, for example by referring to the public users shown in Figure 6, first identifies that the second user, user U2, has made a second vote corresponding to vote ID "V21" based on the first vote of the first user, user U1.

[0044] Next, the notification unit 214 refers to the voting history table shown in Figure 6 to identify the competition ID "RN1", betting type "2-way exacta", combination number "2-5", and odds "9.5" associated with voting ID "V21". The notification unit 214 refers to the competition table shown in Figure 5 to identify the venue "Nagoya" and competition name "A Cup" associated with competition ID "RN1". The notification unit 214 notifies user U1's information terminal 10 of at least one of the identified competition ID "RN1", betting type "2-way exacta", combination number "2-5", odds "9.5", venue "Nagoya", or competition name "A Cup" as information indicating the target of user U2's bet.

[0045] Figures 7 to 9 show examples of screens displayed by the first user's information terminal 10 based on information indicating the voting targets for the second vote, which is notified by the notification unit 214. Figure 7 shows an example of a screen that initiates an operation to check information of other users who have voted based on the content of the vote published by the first user. The screen shown in Figure 7 includes a display area 151, a display area 152, an operation image 153, an operation image 154, and an operation image 155.

[0046] Display area 151 is for displaying information about the first user. In Figure 7, it shows an image of the first user, the first user's username, and the number of medals, which represent the free value held by the first user. Display area 152 is for displaying the number of other users, including the second user, who have viewed information about the first user's first vote or have voted based on that information. In Figure 7, it shows the number of views of the prediction, the number of bets made on the prediction, the number of medal bets, the number of money bets, and the total amount of bets made on the prediction.

[0047] The number of views of the prediction indicates the total number of other users who viewed information about the first vote. The number of follow-up bets indicates the total number of other users who voted based on the information about the first vote. The number of medal bets indicates the total number of other users who voted using medals, out of the number of other users indicated by the number of follow-up bets. The number of money bets indicates the total number of other users who voted using paid value (e.g., cash or electronic money), out of the number of other users indicated by the number of follow-up bets. The total amount of follow-up bets indicates the total amount of votes cast by other users who voted based on the information about the first vote. The information terminal 10 displays, for example, the total number of other users corresponding to "number of views of the prediction," "number of follow-up bets," "number of medal bets," and "number of money bets," as well as the total amount of votes corresponding to "total amount of follow-up bets," in the display area 152 as it obtains them from the notification unit 214.

[0048] Operational image 153 is an operational image for displaying information about multiple other users (i.e., piggyback users) who voted based on the first vote. When the first user presses operational image 153, the information terminal 10 displays the piggyback users. Operational image 154 is an operational image for displaying the voting targets of the first vote that the first user has made public to other users. When the first user presses operational image 154, the information terminal 10 displays the voting targets of the first vote.

[0049] Operation image 155 is an operation image that allows the user to stop viewing the screen shown in Figure 7. When the user presses operation image 155, the information terminal 10 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 7 (for example, a screen for voting in a competition).

[0050] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen displaying other users who voted based on the first vote. The screen shown in Figure 8 is displayed when the first user presses the operation image 153 shown in Figure 7. The screen shown in Figure 8 includes a display area 161, a display area 162, multiple display images 163 (display image 163a, display image 163b, display image 163c), and an operation image 164. The display area 161 is an area for displaying the subject of the content displayed on the screen. In Figure 8, the subject "List of users who have joined" is displayed.

[0051] Display area 162 is an area for displaying images of "follower users" who voted based on the first vote of the first user. Display area 162 displays display image 163a for user U2, display image 163b for user U3, and display image 163c for user U4. In Figure 8, display image 163 shows the user's name and the image corresponding to that user. Operation image 164 is an operation image for the user to stop viewing the screen displayed in Figure 8. The information terminal 10 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 8 (for example, the screen shown in Figure 7) when, for example, the user presses operation image 164.

[0052] Figure 9 shows an example of a screen displaying information about the second user's vote. The screen shown in Figure 9 is displayed when the first user presses the display image 163a shown in Figure 8. In Figure 9, as an example, the case where user U2 is the second user is shown. The screen shown in Figure 9 includes a display area 171, a display area 172, multiple display images 173 (display image 173a, display image 173b, display image 173c, display image 173d), and an operation image 174.

[0053] Display area 171 is an area for displaying the subject of the content displayed on the screen. In Figure 9, the subject "User U2's Votes" is displayed. Display area 172 is an area for displaying the votes of the second user. In Figure 9, multiple display images 173 showing multiple votes by the second user, User U2, are displayed.

[0054] Each of the multiple display images 173 is an image containing text that shows information about each of the multiple votes of the second user. In Figure 9, the display image 173 includes the venue of the competition, the name of the competition, the betting type, the group number, the amount of the vote using paid value, and the amount of the vote using free value. The "★" shown in the display image 173 indicates that it is a vote by the second user based on the first vote of the first user, and the "×" shown in the display image 173 indicates that it is a vote by the second user that is different from the vote based on the first vote of the first user. When the information terminal 10 receives notification from the notification unit 214 regarding the second user's vote, it displays the vote of the second user indicated by that information in the display image 173.

[0055] Operation image 174 is an operation image that allows the user to stop viewing the screen shown in Figure 9. When the user presses operation image 174, for example, the information terminal 10 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 9 (for example, the screen shown in Figure 8).

[0056] As described above, the notification unit 214 displays information about the second user's votes on the first user's information terminal 10, making it easier for the first user to know what kind of voting information other users want to refer to. As a result, the first user can improve their ability to publish voting predictions for competitions that other users want to refer to.

[0057] Returning to Figure 4, the notification unit 214 notifies, for example, if there are some differences between the voting targets of the first vote and the voting targets of the second vote, in a way that allows identification of the voting targets that are common to the first vote and the voting targets that are different. The first vote is the vote of the first user who made their vote for the competition public to other users, and the second vote is the vote of the second user who can vote for the competition by referring to the vote of the first user.

[0058] The notification unit 214 identifies vote V21 corresponding to vote ID "V21" which was voted on by user U2, a second user, referencing vote V11 which corresponds to vote ID "V11" of user U1, by referring to the public users shown in Figure 6, for example. The notification unit 214 identifies vote V22 corresponding to vote ID "V22" which was voted on by user U2, not referencing vote V21 of user U1. The notification unit 214 identifies the voting targets for votes V21 and V22, respectively, by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6.

[0059] The notification unit 214 notifies the user in an identifiable manner of the voting targets common to vote V11 and vote V21, and the voting targets of vote V22 that differ from those of vote V11, based on the identified voting targets and public users. The notification unit 214 displays, for example, on the first user's information terminal 10 an identifiable manner of voting, showing vote V21, which has voting targets common to vote V11, and vote V22, which has voting targets different from those of vote V11.

[0060] Specifically, the notification unit 214 displays a voting target (display image 173a shown in Figure 9) that includes the image "★" indicating that it is the vote of the second user whose voting target is the same as the first vote of the first user, based on the information associated with votes V11 and V21. The notification unit 214 also displays a voting target (display image 173b shown in Figure 9) that includes the image "×" indicating that it is the vote of the second user whose voting target is different from the first vote of the first user, based on the information associated with votes V11 and V22.

[0061] By displaying in this way the notification unit 214 distinguishes between second votes that are the same as the target of the first vote and second votes that are different from the target of the first vote, the notification unit 214 makes it easier for first users to find out which of their votes other users have used as a reference. As a result, first users can improve their ability to publish votes that are more likely to be useful to other users.

[0062] The notification unit 214 may identify the number of other users who referenced each of the multiple votes published by the first user, and notify the first user's information terminal 10 of the number of other users identified. Figure 10 shows an example of a screen displaying the number of other users who referenced the first user's vote. The screen shown in Figure 10 is displayed when the first user presses the operation image 154 shown in Figure 7. The screen shown in Figure 10 includes a display area 181, multiple display images 182 (display image 182a, display image 182b), a display area 183, multiple display images 184 (display image 184a, display image 184b), and an operation image 185.

[0063] Display area 181 is an area for displaying the voting targets published by user U1. In Figure 10, display images 182a and 182b, which show the voting targets published by user U1, are displayed. In Figure 10, display image 182 shows the venue, name of the competition, betting type, group number, and "number of users who have joined in". The "number of users who have joined in" is the number of other users who have voted using the betting type and group number shown in display image 182 as a reference.

[0064] The notification unit 214 identifies the number of public users associated with each of the multiple competitions in which the first user has made their vote public, for example by referring to the competition ID and public users shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 identifies the venue, competition name, betting type, and group number associated with the competition ID corresponding to the identified number by referring to the competition table shown in Figure 5 and the voting history table shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 notifies the information terminal 10 of the identified venue, competition name, betting type, group number, and number of public users, thereby displaying the display image 182 shown in Figure 10.

[0065] By displaying the number of other users who have referenced the vote published by the first user on the information terminal 10, the notification unit 214 makes it easier for the first user to know the number of "followers" in each of the multiple votes. As a result, the first user can understand which votes are easy for other users to refer to, making it easier for them to publish votes that are easy for other users to refer to.

[0066] Display area 183 is an area for displaying information that shows multiple users (i.e., "follower users") who voted based on the voting target selected by the first user from among the multiple voting targets shown in display area 181. In Figure 10, when the first user presses display image 182a, display images 184a and 184b are displayed, showing multiple users who voted based on the voting target shown in display image 182a. In Figure 10, display image 184 shows the user's name and the image corresponding to that user.

[0067] Operation image 185 is an operation image used by the first user to stop viewing the screen shown in Figure 10. When the user presses operation image 185, for example, the information terminal 10 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 10 (for example, the screen shown in Figure 7).

[0068] The notification unit 214 may notify the first user of information indicating the target of a vote made by the second user for a different competition than the one voted for in the first vote. For example, by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6, the notification unit 214 identifies that user U3, who voted for competition RT1 V31 based on user U1's vote, has now voted for a different competition RT2 V32 without referring to user U1's vote. The notification unit 214 then notifies the first user's information terminal 10 of information indicating the target of the identified vote V32.

[0069] In this way, the notification unit 214 notifies the first user of the voting targets of the second user who voted for a competition without referring to the first user's vote. As a result, the notification unit 214 can notify the first user of the voting targets of the second user for other competitions different from the competition for which the first user's vote was referred. Consequently, the first user can learn about the votes of other users for competitions different from the competition for which they made their vote public, making it easier for other users to learn about votes they may want to refer to.

[0070] Incidentally, the first user who publishes their vote may want to know whether other users' votes were paid or free. Specifically, if a betting service is running a campaign that encourages voting with free value, the first user will want to know what other users have voted for using free value. Also, if the first user can receive a reward from the betting service operator because other users have voted with paid value based on the vote they published, the first user will want to know what other users have voted for using paid value.

[0071] In response to this, the notification unit 214 allows, for example, the user to specify at least one of the first and second values ​​for each voting target, and extracts and displays the voting targets for which the selected value from the first and second values ​​has been specified. The first value is a paid value such as money or electronic money, and the second value is a free value such as points or medals.

[0072] The notification unit 214 identifies the value selected by the first user based on value selection information, which is obtained by the acquisition unit 211, for example, by the first user operating the information terminal 10, indicating a paid or free value. The notification unit 214 identifies the voting target for the vote using the value indicated by the value selection information by referring to the paid or free value shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 displays the identified voting target on the first user's information terminal 10.

[0073] Specifically, if the value selection information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 is a paid value, the notification unit 214 refers to the paid value shown in Figure 6 to identify that user U2 used paid value to vote in vote V21 and vote V24. The notification unit 214 refers to the voting history table shown in Figure 6 to identify the voting targets for the identified vote V21 and vote V24. The notification unit 214 notifies the first user's information terminal 10 of the identified voting targets for vote V21 and vote V24, causing the information terminal 10 to display the voting targets for vote V21 and vote V24.

[0074] By having the notification unit 214 identify voting targets that use paid or free value and display them on the first user's information terminal 10, the notification unit 214 makes it easier for the first user to know whether other users' votes use paid or free value. As a result, the first user can more easily understand which voting targets other users are likely to vote on using paid value, or which voting targets other users are likely to vote on using free value.

[0075] The notification unit 214 may notify the first user of information indicating the target of votes that meet predetermined conditions among the votes of multiple users who have voted based on the first vote. The predetermined conditions are, for example, that the total amount of votes cast during a predetermined period of voting is equal to or greater than a threshold, or that the vote was made using monetary or electronic money or other paid value. The predetermined period is, for example, one month. The threshold is a predetermined value, for example, a value set by the operator of the betting service.

[0076] The notification unit 214, for example, by referring to the "Total" shown in Figure 6, identifies the total amount of votes cast by each of the multiple users who cast a vote based on the first vote during a predetermined period, and determines whether the identified total amount of votes is equal to or greater than a threshold. The notification unit 214, by referring to the "Paid Value" shown in Figure 6, determines whether each of the multiple users who cast a vote based on the first vote used paid value to cast their vote.

[0077] The notification unit 214 identifies users whose total voting amount is above a threshold or users who have voted using paid value, based on the determination result of whether the total voting amount is above a threshold and the determination result of whether the vote was cast using paid value. The notification unit 214 notifies the first user's information terminal 10 of the target of the votes cast by the identified users by referring to, for example, the voting history table shown in Figure 6.

[0078] By operating in this manner, the notification unit 214 can notify the first user of votes from users who meet predetermined conditions set by the betting service operator, such as a threshold for the amount of the vote or the type of value to bet. As a result, the first user is more likely to make public their votes for games preferred by users who meet the predetermined conditions set by the betting service operator, thereby encouraging users to make the votes that the betting service operator expects.

[0079] The notification unit 214 notifies the first user of, for example, a user who has voted based on the first vote and a user who has voted based on the third vote which was cast by the first user before the first vote. For example, if the first vote is vote V12 shown in Figure 6, the third vote is vote V11 corresponding to vote date and time T11, which is earlier than vote date and time T12 corresponding to vote V12.

[0080] The notification unit 214 identifies that user U2 cast a vote in competition RN2 based on the vote of the first user, and that user U2 also cast a vote in competition RN1 based on the vote of the first user, by referring to the competition ID and public user shown in Figure 6, for example. The notification unit 214 identifies that the first user cast a vote in competition RN1 before voting in competition RN2, by referring to the voting date and time included in the voting history table shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 notifies the first user's information terminal 10 of the second user's username or user ID.

[0081] By notifying the first user of users who have cast multiple votes based on the votes of multiple first users, the notification unit 214 can inform the first user of users who are relatively likely to refer to the first user's votes. As a result, when the first user decides which competition to vote for, they can choose a competition that is preferred by users who are likely to refer to their votes.

[0082] The notification unit 214 may notify the first user of information indicating the voting targets of the second user's second vote, which are based on the first user's first vote, and which are also the voting targets of the third user's third vote, which was based on the first vote. The third vote is a vote made by a third user, different from the first and second users, using the voting targets of the first vote as a reference. The voting targets are, for example, the betting type and set number shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 identifies the votes of users U2 and U4, which were based on the vote of user U1, by referring to the public users shown in Figure 6, for example. The notification unit 214 identifies the voting targets of the identified user U2 that match the voting targets of the identified user U4, by referring to the betting type and set number shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 notifies the first user of the identified voting targets.

[0083] Specifically, the notification unit 214, by referring to the public users shown in Figure 6, identifies votes V21 and V23 by user U2, and votes V41, V42, V43, and V45 by user U4, which are votes based on votes by user U1. The notification unit 214 identifies that the target of the identified vote V21 (betting type "exacta", combination number "2-5") matches the target of vote V41, and that the target of the identified vote V23 (betting type "exacta", combination number "3-7") matches the target of vote V43. The notification unit 214 associates the target of vote V21 and the target of vote V23 with their respective competition IDs and notifies the first user's information terminal 10.

[0084] By notifying the first user of common voting targets among multiple users' votes, the notification unit 214 makes it easier for the first user to find out which voting targets are popular among other users who want to refer to them. As a result, the first user can improve their ability to publish voting targets that are popular among users who want to refer to them, thereby increasing the number of users who vote based on the votes published by the first user.

[0085] The notification unit 214 may also associate the voting target with a common voting target among multiple users and notify the first user of information about the competition corresponding to that voting target. The competition information may include, for example, the attributes of the competition and the time of the event. The notification unit 214 identifies the time of the event and the attributes of the competition associated with the competition ID corresponding to the voting target common among multiple users by referring to the attributes and time of the event shown in Figure 5. The notification unit 214 associates the identified time of the event and attributes with the voting target and notifies the first user's information terminal 10.

[0086] Furthermore, the notification unit 214 may associate the voting information of users with a common voting target in the voting of multiple users with the voting information of the first user. The voting information may include, for example, odds and voting amounts. The notification unit 214 identifies the odds and voting amounts associated with the competition ID corresponding to the common voting target among multiple users by referring to the odds and voting amounts shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 associates the identified odds and voting amounts with the voting target and notifies the first user's information terminal 10.

[0087] By having the notification unit 214 notify the first user's information terminal 10 of competition information or user voting information in association with the voting target in this manner, the information terminal 10 can display more information about other users' votes to the first user when the first user decides which vote to make public based on information about other users' votes.

[0088] The notification unit 214 may, when the first user makes a vote to make public to other users, display voting targets that match or are similar to voting targets in the first user's past multiple votes that were frequently referenced by other users. For example, the notification unit 214 identifies voting attributes of voting targets that are relatively popular among multiple users who have voted based on the first user's votes. On the screen where the first user selects a voting target, the notification unit 214 displays on the information terminal used by the first user that voting targets that match the identified voting attributes and voting targets that do not match the identified voting attributes. Voting attributes are at least one of the betting type, odds, or sport.

[0089] The notification unit 214 identifies the betting types of other users (users U2, U3, and U4) who have voted based on user U1's vote, for example, by referring to the betting types and public users and betting types shown in Figure 6. The notification unit 214 identifies "2-way exacta," which has been selected relatively frequently by other users among the identified betting types, as the voting attribute to bet on.

[0090] The notification unit 214 identifies the competitions selected by other users who voted based on user U1's vote, for example, based on the group number shown in Figure 6 and the competitions included in the competition information shown in Figure 5. The notification unit 214 sets, for example, the competitions that other users have selected relatively more times among the identified competitions as voting attributes.

[0091] The notification unit 214 notifies the information terminal 10 used by the first user of the betting type and competition that it has identified as voting attributes. On the screen where the first user places a vote, the information terminal 10 displays the betting type and competition obtained from the notification unit 214 in a way that makes them distinguishable from other betting types and competitions.

[0092] Figure 11 shows an example of a screen where a first user, who has previously made their voting decisions public, casts a vote. The screen shown in Figure 11 includes display area 191, display area 192, display area 193, operation image 194, and operation image 195. Display area 191 is the area for displaying the name of the competition that the first user is voting for. In Figure 11, the competition name "Nagoya J Cup" is displayed. Display area 252 is the area for the first user to select the betting type when voting for the competition.

[0093] The betting type "2-way exacta" shown with the image "★" in display area 252 is a betting type included in the voting attributes notified to the information terminal 10 by the notification unit 214, and is a betting type that has been selected relatively frequently in the past votes of users who have referenced the past votes of the first user. On the other hand, betting types for which the image "★" is not displayed in display area 252 are betting types that have been selected relatively less frequently in the past votes of users who have referenced the past votes of the first user. In this way, the information terminal 10 displays, based on the betting types included in the voting attributes obtained from the notification unit 214, the betting types that have been selected relatively frequently and those that have been selected relatively infrequently by other users who have voted referencing the first user's votes.

[0094] Display area 193 is the area where the first user selects the athletes for voting in the competition. In display area 193, the first user can also specify the finishing order of the athletes they have selected. In Figure 11, the first user predicts that the athlete "Taro Sato" will finish in "1st place" and the athlete "Jiro Yamada" will finish in "2nd place".

[0095] The competition "Sato Taro" with the image "●" displayed in display area 193 is a competition included in the voting attributes notified to the information terminal 10 by the notification unit 214, and is a competition that has been included in the group number relatively often in past votes by users who have referenced the votes of the first user. On the other hand, competitions that do not have the image "●" displayed in display area 193 are competitions that have been included in the group number relatively few times in past votes by users who have referenced the votes of the first user. In this way, the information terminal 10 displays, based on the voting attributes obtained from the notification unit 214, the competitions that have been selected many times and those that have been selected few times by other users who have voted referencing the votes of the first user.

[0096] Operation image 194 is an operation image for the first user to vote in a competition. By pressing operation image 194, the first user votes for the competition shown in display area 191, using the betting method specified in display area 192, and for the competition selected in display area 193. When the first user presses operation image 194, the information terminal 10 transmits the competition name shown in display area 191, the betting method shown in display area 192, and the competition or group number shown in display area 193 to the information processing device 20.

[0097] Operation image 195 is an operation image for the first user to cancel voting for the competition shown in Figure 11. When the first user presses operation image 195, the information terminal 10 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 11 (for example, a screen for voting for another competition).

[0098] As described above, the notification unit 214 operates in such a way that when the first user votes for a competition, it can inform the first user of the voting targets that other users have voted for frequently in past voting. As a result, the first user can make their vote public to other users, selecting voting targets that other users are likely to vote for.

[0099] The notification unit 214 may also notify the first user of information regarding the first user's past votes corresponding to the identified voting attribute. The notification unit 214 identifies the competition ID of user U1 corresponding to the identified voting attribute by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6, for example. The notification unit 214 notifies the information terminal 10 of the identified competition ID of user U1, as well as the voting target and voting amount associated with the competition ID.

[0100] The information terminal 10 displays information about user U1's past votes, notified by the notification unit 214, when the first user presses, for example, the image "★" or image "●" shown in Figure 11. By operating in this manner, the notification unit 214 can inform the first user of the content of their past votes, including voting targets that were selected relatively frequently in other users' votes.

[0101] Furthermore, the notification unit 214 may also notify the first user of information regarding past votes of other users associated with the identified voting attribute. The notification unit 214 notifies the information terminal 10 of the competition IDs of multiple other users associated with the identified voting attribute, as well as the voting targets and voting amounts associated with the competition IDs, by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6, for example.

[0102] The information terminal 10 displays information about other users' past votes, notified by the notification unit 214, when the first user presses, for example, the image "★" or the image "●" shown in Figure 11. By operating in this manner, the notification unit 214 can inform the first user of the voting targets and voting amounts of other users' past votes.

[0103] The notification unit 214 may notify the first user of competition information indicating the competitions that can be voted on, corresponding to the attributes identified by the attribute identification unit 213. Specifically, the attribute identification unit 213 identifies votes V21 and V23, which are votes cast by user U2, who cast their votes based on the votes of user U1, by referring to the public users shown in Figure 6. The attribute identification unit 213 identifies competition RN1 associated with vote V21 and competition RN2 associated with vote V23 by referring to the competition IDs shown in Figure 6. The attribute identification unit 213 identifies the attribute "Big Race" associated with competition RN1 and competition RN2 by referring to the attributes shown in Figure 5.

[0104] Next, the notification unit 214 refers to the event date shown in Figure 5 to identify the betting-eligible competitions corresponding to the attribute "Big Race" identified by the attribute identification unit 213. For example, if the current date is "February 28, 2022", the notification unit 214 identifies competitions RN3, RN4, RH3, and RH4, which correspond to the attribute "Big Race", as betting-eligible competitions. The notification unit 214 refers to the competition table shown in Figure 5 to notify the first user's information terminal 10 of the competition information indicating the identified competitions (for example, the competition name, venue, date, and competition grade shown in Figure 5).

[0105] With the attribute identification unit 213 and notification unit 214 operating in this manner, the notification unit 214 can notify the first user of information about competitions that are likely to be voted for by users who frequently refer to the first user's votes. As a result, the first user can make their votes for competitions preferred by users who frequently refer to their votes public to those users, thereby increasing the likelihood that their publicly available votes will be helpful to other users.

[0106] The attributes of the multiple competitions identified by the attribute identification unit 213 may be the same or different. When the attribute identification unit 213 identifies multiple attributes, the notification unit 214 identifies multiple voteable competitions corresponding to each of the multiple attributes and notifies the first user's information terminal 10 of the competition information indicating the identified multiple competitions.

[0107] The notification unit 214 may, when it receives a vote from the first user for a competition corresponding to an attribute, notify the second user of information indicating the target of the vote. Specifically, when the information processing device 20 performs the process of receiving votes, the acquisition unit 211 receives a vote from the first user's information terminal 10 for a competition (e.g., competition RN3) corresponding to the attribute "big race" identified by the attribute identification unit 213. When an external information processing device (not shown) performs the process of receiving votes for a competition, the acquisition unit 211 acquires information from the external information processing device indicating that the first user has voted for a competition corresponding to the attribute "big race".

[0108] The notification unit 214 notifies user U2 (i.e., the second user who voted based on the first user's vote) of the voting target of the first user's vote received by the acquisition unit 211, corresponding to the "big race" identified by the attribute identification unit 213. By operating in this manner, the notification unit 214 can notify the second user of the voting target of the first user who voted for a competition that the second user is likely to vote in. As a result, the notification unit 214 can increase the likelihood that the second user will vote in the competition.

[0109] <Operation flow of the information processing device 20> Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts illustrating the operation flow in the information processing device 20. Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow for notifying the first user of the second user's vote. Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow for notifying the first user of the attributes of the competition in which the second user will vote.

[0110] As shown in Figure 12, the notification unit 214 obtains information about the second user's vote by referring to the storage unit 22 (S11). The notification unit 214 obtains the competition ID, betting type, group number, and public user of the competition in which user U2 voted, by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6, for example. Based on the obtained public user, the notification unit 214 determines whether the second user's vote was a vote based on the first user's vote (i.e., a "piggyback vote") (S12).

[0111] If the notification unit 214 determines that the second user's vote was based on the first user's vote (YES in S12), it identifies the competition and the betting target (i.e., the betting type and group number) corresponding to the competition ID of the vote (S13). By referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6, the notification unit 214 identifies the type of value and the betting amount specified by the second user for the identified competition (S14). The type of value is at least one of either paid value or free value. The notification unit 214 notifies the first user of the identified target information and the betting amount (including the type of value) (S15). If the notification unit 214 determines that the second user's vote was not based on the first user's vote (NO in S12), it does not identify the betting target and betting amount or notify the first user.

[0112] If no operation to terminate processing is performed (NO in S16), the information processing device 20 repeats the processes from S11 to S15. If an operation to terminate processing is performed (YES in S16), the information processing device 20 terminates the process.

[0113] When notifying the first user's information terminal 10 of the attributes of the competition in which the second user voted, as shown in Figure 13, the notification unit 214 first obtains information about the first user's vote by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6 (S21). Based on the information about the first user's vote obtained, the notification unit 214 identifies the first vote that was made public to other users (S22).

[0114] The notification unit 214 obtains information about the votes of multiple users by referring to the voting history table shown in Figure 6 (S23). Based on the obtained information about the votes of multiple users, the notification unit 214 identifies one or more users who voted based on the first vote (i.e., "piggyback votes") (S24). The notification unit 214 selects one user from the one or more identified users (S25).

[0115] The notification unit 214 determines whether the selected user cast their vote based on the third vote that the first user cast before the first vote (S26). If the notification unit 214 determines that the selected user cast their vote based on the third vote (YES in S26), it identifies the attributes of the competition corresponding to the first vote and the attributes of the competition corresponding to the third vote by referring to the attributes shown in Figure 5 (S27). The notification unit 214 identifies the competitions that can be voted on based on the identified attributes by referring to the event dates shown in Figure 5 (S28), and notifies the first user of the competition information indicating the identified competitions (S29).

[0116] If the notification unit 214 determines that the selected user has not voted based on the third vote (NO in S26), it does not identify the attributes of the competition corresponding to the first vote. If the notification unit 214 has not selected all of the multiple users in S25 (NO in S30), it repeats the process from S25 to S29. If the notification unit 214 has selected all of the multiple users in S25 (YES in S30), it proceeds to the next process (i.e., S31).

[0117] If no operation to terminate processing is performed (NO in S31), the information processing device 20 repeats the processes from S21 to S30. If an operation to terminate processing is performed (YES in S31), the information processing device 20 terminates the process.

[0118] <Effects of the information processing device 20> As described above, the information processing device 20 has a notification unit 214 that notifies the first user of information indicating the target of the second vote made by the second user in the competition, when the second user makes a vote based on the first vote made by the first user in the competition.

[0119] With the information processing device 20 configured in this way, the first user can see the votes of other users who are using their own published votes as a reference, making it easier for other users to publish voting targets they want to refer to. As a result, the information processing device 20 can increase the number of votes cast by users voting on the competition.

[0120] 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.

[0121] In addition to the embodiments described above, the following should be added. (Note 1) The system includes a notification unit that, when a second user makes a second vote based on a first vote made by the first user in a competition, notifies the first user of information indicating the target of the second vote. Information processing device. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can more easily find out which votes the second user wants to refer to, and the system can be improved to publish the votes for the competitions that the second user wants to refer to as vote predictions. (Note 2) The notification unit, when there is a difference between the voting targets for the first vote and the voting targets for the second vote, notifies the public in a way that allows them to identify the voting targets that are common to the first vote and the voting targets that are different. The information processing device described in Appendix 1. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can easily see which votes other users have referenced, thus enabling improvements to publish votes that are easier for other users to refer to. (Note 3) The notification unit allows specifying at least one of the first value and the second value for each voting target, and extracts and displays the voting targets for which the selected value from the first value and the second value is specified. The information processing device described in Appendix 1 or 2. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can easily find out whether other users' votes were made using paid value or free value. As a result, the first user can easily identify voting targets that other users are likely to vote on using paid value, or voting targets that other users are likely to vote on using free value. (Note 4) The notification unit identifies the voting attributes of voting targets that are relatively frequently voted for by multiple users who have voted based on the vote of the first user, and displays on the information terminal used by the first user in the screen where the first user selects a voting target, the voting targets that match the voting attributes and the voting targets that do not match the voting attributes in a way that allows the first user to distinguish between them. 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, the first user can find out which voting targets have been voted for most frequently by other users in past voting when voting for a competition. As a result, the first user can make their vote, in which they have selected voting targets that other users are likely to vote for, public to other users. (Note 5) The notification unit notifies the first user of information indicating the target of the vote cast by the second user for a different competition than the one voted for in the first vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 4 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can learn about the voting targets for other competitions that are different from those for which the second user referenced the first user's vote. As a result, the first user can more easily learn about the votes that other users may want to refer to. (Note 6) The notification unit notifies the first user of users who have voted based on the first vote and who have voted based on a third vote that the first user voted before the first vote. 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, the first user can identify users who are more likely to refer to their votes. As a result, when deciding which competition to vote for, the first user can select a competition favored by users who are more likely to refer to their votes. (Note 7) The notification unit notifies the first user of information indicating the target of the votes that meet predetermined conditions among the votes of multiple users who have voted based on the first vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 6 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can easily publish their votes for games preferred by users who meet the predetermined conditions set by the betting service operator. As a result, the betting service operator can encourage users to make the votes they expect. (Note 8) The notification unit notifies the first user of information indicating the voting targets of the second user's second vote that are the same as the voting targets of the third user's third vote, which was cast based on the first vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 7 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can easily find out which voting topics are popular among other users who refer to them. As a result, the first user can improve their ability to make public voting topics that are popular among users who want to refer to them, thereby increasing the number of users who vote based on the votes made public by the first user. (Note 9) If a user who has voted for the aforementioned competition based on the first vote then votes for a third competition different from the aforementioned competition, which the first user had voted for prior to the first vote, the system further includes an attribute identification unit that identifies the attributes of the aforementioned competition and the other competition, The notification unit notifies the first user of competition information indicating the competitions that can be voted on, corresponding to the attribute identified by the attribute identification unit. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 8 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can learn about competitions that are likely to be voted for by users who frequently refer to the first user's votes. As a result, the first user can make their votes for competitions preferred by users who frequently refer to their votes public to those users, thereby increasing the likelihood that the published votes will be useful as reference for other users. (Note 10) When the notification unit receives a vote from the first user for a competition corresponding to the attribute, it notifies the second user of information indicating the target of the vote. The information processing device described in Appendix 9. With the information processing device configured in this way, a second user can find out which competitions the first user voted for in the competitions they are most likely to vote for. As a result, the second user can increase the likelihood of voting for those competitions. (Note 11) The system includes a step in which, when a second user makes a second vote based on a first vote made by the first user in a competition, the computer notifies the first user of information indicating the target of the second user's vote. Information processing methods. With this information processing method configured, the first user can more easily find out which votes the second user wants to refer to, and the system can be improved to publish the votes for the competitions that the second user wants to refer to as vote predictions. (Note 12) On the computer, When a second user makes a second vote based on a first vote made by the first user in a competition, the first user is notified of information indicating the target of the second user's vote. A program to be executed. With the program structured in this way, the first user can easily find out which votes the second user wants to refer to, and the program can be improved to publish the votes for the competitions that the second user wants to refer to as vote predictions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1. Information Processing System 10 Information terminals 11 processors 12 Storage section 13 Communication IF 14 Input Devices 15 Output Devices 20 Information Processing Devices 21 processors 22 Memory section 23 Communication IF 24 Input Devices 25 Output Devices 211 Acquisition Department 212 Voting Department 213 Attribute identification part 214 Notification Department

Claims

[Claim 1] The system includes a notification unit that, when a second user makes a second vote based on a first vote made by the first user in a competition, notifies the first user of information indicating the target of the second vote. Information processing device.

Images