Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide technology that allows even users with little voting experience to easily cast their votes. [Solution] An information processing device is provided that accepts votes for each of the multiple competitions in which voting is possible for the voting targets, and includes a reception unit that receives instructions from a first player to vote for the same voting targets as all or part of the voting targets that a second player is voting for or predicting, and a payment processing unit that gives a reward to the first player when the first player votes for the same voting targets as all or part of the voting targets that a second player is voting for or predicting for at least two of the multiple competitions.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, in various competitions where voting is conducted, such as horse racing, motorcycle racing, and boat racing, a voting device that accepts votes from voters is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A voter can vote by writing the voting items necessary for voting on a ballot paper and inputting it into the voting device. For example, in the case of horse racing, items such as the racecourse where the race is held, the voting methods such as single win and multiple win, and the horses to vote for can be written on the ballot paper and input into the voting device to cast a vote.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the voting method adopted in the above-mentioned competitions is complex and has a high threshold for novice users. For example, in the case of horse racing, motorcycle racing, boat racing, etc., it is complex because the voting method and the horses or competitors to be voted on must be selected from many voting patterns. This is considered to be one of the reasons for keeping away users who have never voted or have little voting experience.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows users with little voting experience to easily vote.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that accepts votes for each of a plurality of competitions for which voting is possible, and includes a reception unit that receives instructions from a first player to vote for the same voting targets as all or part of the voting targets that a second player is voting for or predicting, and a payment processing unit that gives a reward to the first player when the first player votes for the same voting targets as all or part of the voting targets that a second player is voting for or predicting for at least two or more of the plurality of competitions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that allows even users with little voting experience to easily cast a vote. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the system configuration of the voting system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of server and terminal hardware configuration. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a server's functional block configuration. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a user management database and a predictor management database. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a reward definition database. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the processing steps performed by the voting system. [Figure 7] This is an example of a screen that displays the rewards paid to the user. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, components denoted by the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0010] <System Configuration> Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the voting system 1 according to this embodiment. The voting system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a server 10 and one or more terminals 20. The server 10 and terminals 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a communication network N such as the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN, or mobile communication. The server 10 and terminals 20 may also be referred to as information processing devices.

[0011] Server 10 may consist of one or more physical servers, or it may be configured using a virtual server running on a hypervisor, or it may be configured using a cloud server. Terminal 20 is a terminal used by the user, and the user can cast a vote on the voting target by operating Terminal 20. Terminal 20 may be, for example, a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet device, or a personal computer.

[0012] Server 10 manages the betting targets that tippers (Tipsters) bet on, the betting targets that users bet on, the predetermined value owned by users, and the payout amount (payout money) according to the results of the competition (race) in various sports where betting is conducted, such as bicycle racing, horse racing, boat racing, and auto racing.

[0013] A betting target is an object to which a predetermined value is voted. It is a unique target determined by a combination of the designation of the participant (including athletes and animals) that is expected to win and the designation of the betting method. Specifically, in the case of bicycle racing, this would include a quinella ticket designating riders 5 and 3 as the first and second place finishers, and a trifecta ticket designating riders 1, 2, and 5. A quinella ticket is a ticket in which the first and second place finishers are predicted in the correct order, while a trifecta ticket is a ticket in which the first, second, and third place finishers (in any order) are predicted. In the case of horse racing, this would include a win bet on horse number 1 and a place bet on horse number 5.

[0014] The predetermined value may be, for example, money, or points that can be used to vote for a target. In addition to voting, the points may also be usable in a designated service or game. Furthermore, the points may be points that users can receive for free within the designated service or game (free points), or points that can be received in exchange for monetary payment (by charging) within the designated service or game (paid points). The predetermined value may simply be referred to as "value."

[0015] In this embodiment, a user (first player) can vote on the target that a designated predictor (second player) has voted for or predicted by. In other words, instead of predicting who (or what) will win and deciding on the target to vote for, the user can vote using the target that a predictor has voted for or predicted by. In the following description, voting by designating a predictor to use, rather than predicting the target oneself, will be expressed as "piggybacking." The user can designate a predictor to piggyback on after confirming the target that the predictor has voted for or predicted. For example, suppose a user designates predictor A as the predictor to piggyback on via the screen of terminal 20, and further designates that they will vote a predetermined value on the trifecta ticket for horses 1, 5, and 6 that predictor A has voted for. In this case, server 10 will vote the user's predetermined value on the trifecta ticket for horses 1, 5, and 6. It is also possible for a user to designate a predictor to piggyback on before the predictor votes or makes a prediction. In this case, after the predictor designated by the user has voted or made a prediction, the server 10 casts the user's predetermined value on the voting target that the predictor has voted for or predicted.

[0016] The predictor can be any person. For example, it can be a group composed of multiple persons, or it can be a single person. Also, it can be a famous person such as an entertainer, or an ordinary person without a name. Further, the predictor is not necessarily limited to an actual person and can be a virtual person created by computer simulation.

[0017] Also, when a user rides with the same predictor multiple times, the user is given a reward (bonus) according to the number of times of riding. For example, when the user rides with predictor B in 3 competitions (3 races) out of all the competitions held in one day, a predetermined reward is given for riding with the same predictor B 3 times. The predetermined reward may be of the same value as a predetermined value (for example, if the predetermined value is money, the reward is also money), or it may be a value different from the predetermined value (for example, if the predetermined value is money, the reward is points, etc.). The reward (refund) received when the voting target wins is referred to as the "first reward", and the reward given according to the number of times of riding may be referred to as the "second reward". Also, the reward (refund) received when the voting target wins may be referred to as the "reward", and the reward given according to the number of times of riding may be referred to as the "bonus" or "privilege".

[0018] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 10 and the terminal 20. The server 10 and the terminal 20 have a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphical processing unit), a memory, a storage device 12 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (SolidState Drive), a communication IF (Interface) 13 for wired or wireless communication, an input device 14 for receiving an input operation, and an output device 15 for outputting information. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and / or a microphone, etc. The output device 15 is, for example, a display and / or a speaker, etc.

[0019] <Functional Block Configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of server 10. Server 10 includes a storage unit 100, a display control unit 101, a reception unit 102, a voting processing unit 103, a payment processing unit 104, and a video processing unit 105. The storage unit 100 can be realized using a storage device 12 included in server 10. Also, the display control unit 101, the reception unit 102, the voting processing unit 103, the payment processing unit 104, and the video processing unit 105 can be realized by the processor 11 of server 10 executing a program stored in the storage device 12. Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium (Non-transitory computer readable medium). The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

[0020] The storage unit 100 stores a user management DB 100a, a predictor management DB 100b, and a reward definition DB 100c.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows an example of the user management DB 100a and the predictor management DB 100b. In the "User ID" of the user management DB 100a, an identifier for uniquely identifying a user within server 10 is stored. In the "Nickname", the nickname input by the user at the time of user registration is stored. "Owned Value" stores the amount of a predetermined value owned by the user. "Points" stores the amount of points owned by the user. In "Points", the amount of paid points and the amount of free points may be stored separately. In the "Voting History", the voting target voted by the user and the predetermined value voted are stored for each race. In the "Voting History", further, the predictors co-ridden by the user may be stored for each race.

[0022] The "Predictor ID" in the Predictor Management DB100b stores an identifier that uniquely identifies a predictor (including groups of predictors) within Server 10. The "Nickname" stores the predictor's nickname. The "Value Held" stores the amount of a predetermined value owned by the predictor. The "Increase / Decrease" stores the amount by which the predictor's value has increased or decreased based on a predetermined time (e.g., the start of the first race). For example, in the example in Figure 4, predictor C100 owned 32,610 yen at the start of the first race and now owns 53,200 yen, an increase of 20,590 yen. The "Vote History" stores the betting targets and the predetermined value voted for by the predictor for each race.

[0023] Figure 5 shows an example of the reward definition DB100c. "Number of times" indicates how many times the user has joined the same predictor. "Support bonus" indicates the reward given to the user regardless of whether the voted target is correct or not. In the example in Figure 5, the support bonus indicates that a predetermined amount of free points will be given according to the number of times the user has joined the predictor. For example, if the user has joined the predictor twice, 15 free points will be given. It is considered that the act of a user joining the same predictor multiple times is equivalent to the user supporting the same predictor. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reward given to the user regardless of whether the voted target is correct or not is called the "support bonus". On the other hand, the "correct prediction bonus" indicates the reward given to the user if the voted target is correct. In the example in Figure 5, the correct prediction bonus indicates that the payout amount will be increased by a percentage according to the number of times the user has joined the predictor. For example, if the user has joined the predictor five times, the payout amount will be increased by 2.5%. The correct prediction bonus is not limited to this, and a predetermined amount of reward may be given.

[0024] The display control unit 101 performs various processes necessary to display on the terminal 20's display a screen for receiving the user's designation of a predictor, a video showing the predictor making a prediction, and a screen showing the amount of reward. The display control unit 101 may also send data to the terminal 20 for displaying various screens in response to access from the web browser provided on the terminal 20, or from a dedicated application installed on the terminal 20.

[0025] The reception unit 102 has the function of receiving instructions from the user to vote for the same vote targets as all or some of the vote targets that the predictor has voted for or predicts. In other words, the reception unit 102 receives from the user the selection of predictors to join, directly or indirectly. For example, the reception unit 102 may directly receive the selection of predictors to join, the selection of vote targets to vote for, and the specification of a predetermined value to vote for, via the screen of the terminal 20. Alternatively, the reception unit 102 may indirectly receive the selection of predictors to join by receiving instructions from the user to join the same predictor as other users (e.g., friends or other users in the same group) who are also joining. The reception unit 102 also has the function of receiving from the predictor the specification of the vote targets to vote for and the predetermined value to vote for.

[0026] The voting processing unit 103 has the function of voting for the target specified by the predictor for each competition. Furthermore, the voting processing unit 103 has the function of executing a process for voting for all or some of the target targets received from the user by the reception unit 102, with a predetermined value specified by the user for each competition. The voting processing unit 103 may also perform voting for the target targets received from the user and predictor by accessing an external system that handles the acceptance of votes for the competition and the payment of refunds.

[0027] The payment processing unit 104 has a function to reward (bonus) a user if the user votes for the same targets as all or some of the targets voted for or predicted by the predictor in at least two or more of the multiple competitions.

[0028] Furthermore, the payment processing unit 104 may, either by the server 10 itself or by using an external system, process the payment of a reward (refund) to the user for each competition, corresponding to the predetermined value voted for by the first player, if the voted target for which the user has voted with a predetermined value is eligible for reward payment (i.e., the voted target is correct).

[0029] The video processing unit 105 has the function of receiving a video of the predictor making a prediction from the predictor's terminal or the like, and passing it to the display control unit 101.

[0030] <Processing Procedure> Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure performed by the voting system 1. Using Figure 6, the processing procedures performed by the server 10 and terminal 20 will be explained in detail. In Figure 6, the terminal used by the user is referred to as terminal 20a, and the terminal used by the predictor is referred to as terminal 20b. Furthermore, in the following explanation, the calculation of the reward (bonus) given to the user will be performed according to the reward definition DB shown in Figure 5.

[0031] First, each predictor's terminal 20b transmits video data of the predictor making their predictions to the server 10 (S101). The transmission of video data continues for a predetermined period (a period that includes the time periods in which at least multiple competitions are held, for example, one day).

[0032] Next, the predictor's terminal 20b receives the prediction of the target to vote for or predict and the amount of a predetermined value to vote for (S102). Subsequently, the user's terminal 20a requests the server 10 to display a screen accepting the prediction of the user, in accordance with the user's operation (S103). The server 10 transmits screen data of the screen accepting the prediction of the user to terminal 20a in accordance with the request (S104). The display of terminal 20a, which has received the screen data, shows a screen accepting the prediction of the user and a screen accepting the amount of a predetermined value to vote for each target to vote for or predict. If the prediction of the user has not finished voting or predicting, the target to vote for or predict for each prediction of the user may not be displayed on the screen.

[0033] Next, terminal 20a transmits information to server 10 indicating the predictor selected by the user on the screen for accepting predictor selection, the target to vote for, and the amount of predetermined value to vote for (S105). The receiving unit of server 10 receives this information from terminal 20a and accepts the selection of the predictor, the target to vote for, and the amount of predetermined value to vote for (S106).

[0034] The voting processing unit 103 casts a predetermined value in an amount specified by the predictor for the voting target selected by the predictor (S107). The voting processing unit 103 also casts a predetermined value in an amount specified by the user for the voting targets received in the processing procedure of step S106. (S108). The processing procedures from steps S102 to S108 are repeated for each competition. In addition, the processing procedure in step S107 may be executed at any time after step S102.

[0035] Here, the payment processing unit 104 rewards the user if the user votes for the same target as all or part of the target voted for or predicted by the same predictor in at least two or more competitions held within a predetermined period (e.g., one day). For example, if a user joins predictor A's vote three times (directly or indirectly), the payment processing unit 104 will give the user 30 free points. In addition, if the target voted for by the user is correct, the payment processing unit 104 will increase the payout amount by 1.5% and give it to the user.

[0036] Furthermore, the conditions under which a reward is given when a user joins the same predictor may be set so that the reward is given according to the number of times the user joins "consecutively". In other words, the payment processing unit 104 may give a reward to a user if the user votes for all or some of the same voting targets as the same predictor who votes for or predicts for consecutive competitions among multiple competitions.

[0037] Furthermore, the reward paid to the user may increase the more times the user consecutively votes with the same predictor. In other words, the payment processing unit 104 may increase the reward paid to the user the more competitions in which the user votes for all or part of the same voting targets as those voted for or predicted by the predictor. In this case, in the reward definition DB 100c shown in Figure 5, "number of times" may mean how many times consecutively the user voted with the same predictor. For example, "2 times" may mean that the user voted with the same predictor twice in a row.

[0038] For example, suppose a user follows predictor A's lead for the first race and races 3 through 5 out of 10 races held in a day. In this case, the user has followed predictor A's lead for three consecutive races (races 3 through 5), and will receive a support bonus of 30 points once all races are completed.

[0039] The payment processing unit 104 may also configure the system to reward a user "after each competition ends" if the user votes for all or part of the same betting targets as the predictor for consecutive competitions among multiple competitions. For example, suppose a user bets on predictor A for races 3 through 5. In this case, the user will have bet on predictor A for two consecutive races by the time of the 4th race, and will receive 15 support bonus points when the 4th race ends. Furthermore, the user will have bet on predictor A for three consecutive races by the time of the 5th race, and will receive an additional 30 support bonus points when the 5th race ends. In other words, user A will receive a total of 45 support bonus points when the 5th race ends.

[0040] The number of times a user has supported the same predictor may be reset at predetermined intervals. In other words, the payment processing unit 104 may reset the number of competitions in which a user has voted for the same target as all or part of the target that the predictor has voted for or predicted, at predetermined intervals. For example, if the predetermined period is set to one day, the number of times a user has supported predictor A is reset every day. Also, for example, if the predetermined period is set to two days based on a predetermined day (for example, two days based on an odd-numbered day), the number of times a user has supported predictor A is reset every two days. Also, for example, if the predetermined period is set to one week based on the beginning of the week (for example, Monday), the number of times a user has supported predictor A is reset every Monday.

[0041] Figure 7 shows an example of a screen displaying rewards paid to the user. The screen shown in Figure 7 may be displayed when a predetermined operation is performed on the screen that accepts the selection of a predictor. Figure 7(a) shows a list of tickets that Team A will bet on in the 10th race, and a button for the user to specify the amount of a predetermined value to bet. For example, Figure 7(a) shows a state where the user has selected Team A as a predictor to join and has chosen to bet 1000 points on the 1-7 ticket, 1000 points on the 1-7-3 ticket, 500 points on the 3-4-1 ticket, and 500 points on the 1-6-2 ticket, which are predicted by Team A. Figure 7(a) also shows the amount of rewards that the user may be given. In the example in Figure 7(a), if the user joins Team A and the 3-4-1 ticket is correct, a support bonus of 150 points will be awarded, and a winning bonus of up to 2703 points (500 points × 98.3 times × 5.5%) may be awarded. When button B10 is pressed, the specified points are voted for each bet selected in Figure 7(a). Figure 7(b) shows an example of a screen that displays the amount of reward given when a user repeatedly bets on the same predictor. By referring to the screen in Figure 7(b), the user can check in advance how much reward will be given for how many times they bet on the same predictor.

[0042] <Summary> According to the embodiment described above, the system accepts the selection of predictors to join with the user, and the user casts a predetermined value specified by the user for all or part of the targets voted for by the predictors. This makes it possible to provide a technology that allows even users with little voting experience to easily cast their votes.

[0043] Furthermore, if a user votes for the same target as the same predictor in multiple competitions (i.e., repeatedly supports the same predictor), that user will receive a reward based on the number of competitions (times) in which they supported the same predictor. This is expected to encourage users to support predictors who seem to have little experience, for example, if they can receive a reward, thus preventing users from favoring a particular predictor.

[0044] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The flowcharts, sequences, elements, and their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, and sizes described in the embodiments are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1...Voting system, 10...Server, 11...Processor, 12...Storage device, 13...Communication interface, 14...Input device, 15...Output device, 20...Terminal, 100...Storage unit, 101...Display control unit, 102...Reception unit, 103...Voting processing unit, 104...Payment processing unit, 105...Video processing unit

Claims

1. An information processing device that accepts votes for each of the multiple competitions in which voting is possible for the target of voting, A reception unit receives instructions from the first player to vote for all or part of the same voting targets as the second player who votes for or predicts to vote for, A payment processing unit that rewards the first player if the first player votes for the same voting targets as all or some of the voting targets that the second player votes for or predicts for in at least two or more of the multiple competitions, Information processing device.

2. For each competition, the system includes a voting processing unit that executes a process of voting for a predetermined value or a portion thereof, as specified by the first player, on the voting targets received by the reception unit. The payment processing unit, when the voting target for which the first player has voted a predetermined value is eligible for reward payment, performs a reward payment process to the first player for each competition, corresponding to the predetermined value voted by the first player. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The payment processing unit shall reward the first player if the first player votes for the same voting targets as all or some of the voting targets that the second player votes for or predicts for in consecutive games among the plurality of games. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The payment processing unit increases the reward paid to the first player as the number of competitions in which the first player votes for the same target as all or some of the target voted for or predicted by the second player increases. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The payment processing unit resets, at predetermined intervals, the number of competitions in which the first player has voted for all or part of the same voting targets as those voted for or predicted by the second player. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. For multiple competitions where voting is possible for a given subject, a computer that accepts votes for each competition, The first player receives votes for all or part of the same voting targets as those voted for or predicted by the second player, If the first player votes for the same voting targets as all or some of the voting targets that the second player votes for or predicts for in at least two of the multiple competitions, the first player is rewarded. A program to execute.

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