Information Processing Apparatus, Computer Program, and Information Processing Method

Abstract

To promote an increase in new participants in voting to a competition.SOLUTION: An information processing device for managing a user's vote to a competition result includes a link information issuing part, a user management part, and a reward providing part. In the information processing part, the link information issuing part issues link information associated with a first user, the user management part associates a second user with the first user to register the second user when the second user executes prescribed operation via the link information, and the reward providing part provides the first user associated with the second user with a reward when the second user votes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, information processing apparatuses for sharing information related to public competitions have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that activates communication among those who have voted in a race by comparing prediction information and provisional ranking information and changing the display content for voters, from after the racing target arrives at the finish line until the race result is finalized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, as a competition organizer, there is a need to have more people vote on the competition results. However, the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 only activates communication among those who have already voted in a public competition, and there is room for improvement from the perspective of increasing new participants.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a computer program that promote an increase in new participants in voting for a competition.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for managing a user's vote on the result of a competition, comprising a link information issuing unit, a user management unit, and a reward granting unit, wherein the link information issuing unit issues link information associated with a first user, the user management unit registers the second user in association with the first user when the second user executes a predetermined operation via the link information, and the reward granting unit grants a reward to the first user associated with the second user when the second user casts a vote.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, since a reward is given to the first user by the vote of the second user who has performed a predetermined operation via the link information associated with the first user, it motivates the first user to actively carry out a promotional activity to encourage voting in the competition in the form of using the link information, and can promote an increase in new participants in the voting for the competition.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various characteristic matters shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Further, an invention can be achieved independently for each characteristic matter.

[0010] <1. First Embodiment> (1-1. Overview of the Voting Management System 1) The voting management system 1 in one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of user terminal devices 10 (an example of an "information processing device") and a server 20 (an example of an "information processing device").

[0011] The user terminal device 10 is configured to communicate with the server 20 via the communication line 5. The server 20 manages voting in public competitions. Here, a public competition means a competition in which spectators predict and vote on the results of a race using a bicycle, boat, motorcycle, racehorse, or the like. The user of the user terminal device 10 can vote in the public competition for the server 20 by predicting the result of the competition and operating the user terminal device 10.

[0012] The server 20 issues link information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to the first user U1. The first user U1 attaches the link information to his or her own blog, videos posted on a video viewing site, and his or her own content such as SNS (Social Networking Service).

[0013] The second user U2 who has viewed the content of the first user U1 registers as a member of, for example, the voting service S provided by the voting management system 1 by passing through the link information. When the membership registration is performed, the server 20 registers the first user U1 and the second user U2 in an associated manner. Note that the link information may be directly transmitted from the first user U1 to the second user U2 by mail and SNS. For example, a form in which the link information is transmitted to the second user U2 in an email magazine regularly distributed by the first user U1 is conceivable.

[0014] Thereafter, when the second user U2 votes in the public competition managed by the server 20, the server 20 gives a reward to the first user U1. This motivates the first user U1 to actively carry out a promotional activity to encourage voting in the public competition managed by the server 20 in his or her own content. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.

[0015] (1-2. Hardware Configuration of Voting Management System 1) Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hardware configuration in the voting management system 1 will be described.

[0016] (1-2-1. Hardware Configuration of User Terminal Device 10) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal device 10 according to the present embodiment. The user terminal device 10 is an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and in addition to a touch panel display 14 capable of displaying an image and receiving an operation, a speaker 15 for outputting sound, a microphone 16 for inputting sound, and a camera 17 for imaging a subject, further includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and operation buttons 18.

[0017] The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and controls the overall operation of the user terminal device 10.

[0018] A part of the storage unit 12 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and is used as a work area when executing processing based on various programs by the control unit 11. Also, a part of the storage unit 12 is a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data such as images and programs used for the processing of the control unit 11.

[0019] The programs stored in the storage unit 12 are, for example, an OS (Operating System) for realizing the basic functions of the user terminal device 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, programs for realizing functions such as email, web browsing, video playback, and other various functions, and include the computer program according to the present embodiment.

[0020] The communication unit 13 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) and has a function of connecting to the communication line 5. Note that the communication unit 13 may have a function of connecting to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a function of connecting to a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), a function enabling short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and infrared communication, instead of or together with the NIC.

[0021] The operation button 18 is provided on the side surface of the user terminal device 10 and is a power button for starting or stopping the user terminal device 10, a volume adjustment button for the sound output from the speaker 15, and the like.

[0022] These control unit 11, storage unit 12, communication unit 13, touch panel display 14, speaker 15, microphone 16, camera 17, and operation button 18 are electrically connected to each other via the system bus 19. Therefore, the control unit 11 can access the storage unit 12, display an image on the touch panel display 14, grasp the operation state of the touch panel display 14 and the operation button 18 by the user, input sound to the microphone 16, output sound from the speaker 15, control the camera 17, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 13.

[0023] (1-2-2. Hardware Configuration of Server 20) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 20 according to the present embodiment. The server 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls the operation of the entire server 20, and a storage unit 22 that is used as a work area when various programs are executed by the control unit 21 and stores various programs and various data in advance. Hereinafter, the differences from the user terminal device 10 will be mainly described.

[0024] The server 20 is connected to other information processing devices such as the user terminal device 10 via the communication line 5, and includes a communication unit 24 that transmits and receives various data to and from other information processing devices. Further, it may include an operation input unit 25 composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc. that accepts input of various operations, and a monitor 26 such as a liquid crystal display device that displays various images.

[0025] These control unit 21, storage unit 22, communication unit 24, operation input unit 25, and monitor 26 are electrically connected to each other via the system bus 27.

[0026] (1-3. Functional Configuration of Control Unit 21) Referring to FIG. 4, the functions of the control unit 21 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 21 of the server 20 has functions as a link information issuing unit 21a, a user management unit 21b, and a reward granting unit 21c.

[0027] The link information issuing unit 21a issues link information associated with the first user U1. Here, the link information may be, for example, a URL specifying a web page related to the voting service S provided by the voting management system 1, or a hyperlink that causes the user terminal device 10 to execute a function of installing software related to the voting service S. That is, the link information means information that causes the user terminal device 10 to execute a transition to a different web page or execute a specific function.

[0028] When the second user U2 executes a predetermined operation via the link information, the user management unit 21b associates the second user U2 with the first user U1 and registers it in the storage unit 22. The predetermined operation includes an operation involving the transmission and reception of information necessary for the use of the voting service S by the user terminal device 10b. More specifically, the predetermined operation includes membership registration for the voting service S, voting for a public competition managed by the voting management system 1, installation of software (including so-called apps) having a function to realize the voting service S, registration of an account necessary for voting, and submission of an identity certificate.

[0029] When the reward granting unit 21c grants a reward to the first user U1 registered in association with the second user U2 when the second user U2 votes on a public competition managed by the voting management system 1. Details of each function will be described later.

[0030] The functions described above may be realized by software appropriately installed in the server 20, or may be realized by hardware. When realized by software, the control unit 41 can realize various functions by executing a program constituting the software.

[0031] When realized by executing a program, the program may be stored in the storage unit 22 built in the server 20, or may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium. Also, a program stored in an external storage device may be read out and realized by so-called cloud computing. Or, when realized by hardware, it can be realized by various circuits such as ASIC, SOC, FPGA, or DRP. Also, the functional configuration described above may be such that some of the functional configurations are processed by the server 20 by software or hardware.

[0032] (1-4. Regarding user management) With reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, user management will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A, the link issuance management table T1 stored in the storage unit 22 includes an "issuing user" column and a "link information" column. Here, the "issuing user" corresponds to the first user described above. Thus, in the link issuance management table T1, the first user and the link information are stored in association with each other.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5B, the user management table T2 stored in the storage unit 22 includes a "registered user" column, an "issuing user" column, and a "granted points" column. Here, the "registered user" corresponds to the second user described above. In this way, in the user management table T2, the second user is registered in association with the first user. Note that in FIG. 5B, it is exemplified that there is no issuing user associated and registered with U2-002, which is the "registered user".

[0034] Here, the "granted points" column refers to the points granted to the newly registered second user. Points are a value that can be used for voting in public competitions managed by the voting management system 1. When the user management unit 21b registers the second user U2 in the user management table T2 in association with the first user U1, it grants a value that can be used for voting to the second user U2. In this way, by granting a value that can be used for voting to the newly registered second user U2, the psychological barrier to voting in public competitions can be reduced.

[0035] As an example, points can be exchanged for actual currency. However, it is preferable that the "granted points" cannot be exchanged for currency and can only be used for voting. In this way, by making it impossible to use the granted points for other purposes, it motivates the second user U2 to use the granted points for voting.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5C, the voting management table T3 stored in the storage unit 22 includes a "registered user" column, a "voting amount" column, an "issuing user column", and a "reward amount" column. In the voting management table T3, the second user (i.e., the "registered user") who voted in the public competition managed by the voting management system 1 and the first user (i.e., the "issuing user") associated with the second user are stored in association with each other. Further, the amount of the reward granted to the first user is stored as the "reward amount". Hereinafter, the amount of the reward granted to the first user will be described.

[0037] (1-5. Regarding the amount of the reward) Referring to FIG. 6, the amount of the reward given by the reward granting unit 21c to the first user will be described. The reward to the first user is given using a predetermined value. The value used for the reward here may be cash, electronic money, virtual currency, etc., or may be points available for voting in the voting management system 1 described above.

[0038] The reward granting unit 21c determines the amount of the reward to be given to the first user based on the amount of the value (for example, the above-mentioned points) voted by the second user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the second user U2-001 votes 500p (points) (the first vote), 25p is given to the first user U1-001 at a rate of 5% (corresponding to record No1 in FIG. 5C). By doing so, it serves as an incentive for the first user U1 to actively encourage the second user U2 to vote a larger amount.

[0039] Also, the reward granting unit 21c may be configured to give an additional reward to the first user when the amount of the vote cast by the second user exceeds a predetermined amount. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a first threshold value (=1000p) and a second threshold value (=2000p) for the amount of the vote are set.

[0040] When the vote by the second user U2-001 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value (the second vote), 120p, which is 10% of the vote amount (an additional rate of 5% compared to the first vote), is given to the first user U1-001 (corresponding to record No3 in FIG. 5C). Also, when the vote by the second user U2-003 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (the third vote), 360p, which is 15 percent of the vote amount (an additional rate of 10% compared to the first vote), is given to the first user U1-002 (corresponding to record No4 in FIG. 5C).

[0041] Note that the additional reward exceeding the first threshold value and the additional rate exceeding the second threshold value may be different allocations. For example, when exceeding the first threshold value, an additional rate of 5% may be added, and when exceeding the second threshold value, an additional rate of 10% may be further added.

[0042] Regarding the awarding of rewards to the first user by the reward awarding unit 21c, a period during which the vote is valid may be set. For example, it may be specified that a reward is given to the associated first user U1 only when the second user U2 votes within a predetermined period after registering as a member of the voting service S.

[0043] (1-6. Flow of processing of the voting management system 1) Referring to FIG. 7, the flow of processing in the voting management system 1 will be described. In step S110, the server 20 issues link information to the user terminal device 10a used by the first user U1. In step S210, the user terminal device 10a receives the link information.

[0044] In step S220, the first user U1 operates the user terminal device 10a to attach the received link information to his or her content. In step S310, the second user U2 operates the user terminal device 10b to access the link information by performing an operation such as clicking on the link information in the content of the first user U1.

[0045] In step S320, the second user U2 operates the user terminal device 10b to input and transmit registration information for membership registration, for example, on the linked website. In step S120, the server 20 receives the registration information. In step S130, the server 20 performs a registration process on the user management table T2 in the storage unit 22.

[0046] In step S330, the second user U2 operates the user terminal device 10b to transmit the voting content for the public competition managed by the voting management system 1. In step S140, the server 20 receives the voting content. In step S150, the server 20 adds a record to the voting management table T3 in the storage unit 22 and awards a reward to the first user U1. In step S230, the user terminal device 10a receives a notification that the reward has been awarded.

[0047] In step S340, the first user U1 operates the user terminal device 10b to transmit identification and account information. In step S160, the server 20 receives the identification and account information. In step S170, the server 20 registers the identification and account information in the storage unit 22.

[0048] (1-7. Variation)

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, the voting management system 1 in the variation will be described. The reward granting unit 21c in the variation determines the amount of the reward to be granted to the first user U1 according to the period from a first predetermined operation (for example, membership registration) by the second user U2 to the most recent time when the second predetermined operation (for example, voting) by the second user U2 is performed.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 8, the reward granting unit 21c uses, as the evaluation target period, the period between the third vote, which is the most recent vote among the three votes cast by the second user U2, and the membership registration, and determines the amount of the reward to the first user U1 according to the length of the evaluation target period. The evaluation target period may be calculated on a monthly or daily basis. Regarding the determination of the evaluation amount based on the length of the evaluation target period, a threshold value for the period may be set in advance, and the reward amount may be increased each time the threshold value is exceeded, or the reward amount may be increased in proportion to the evaluation target period.

[0051] With such a specification, after membership registration, a higher reward will be given to the first user U1 associated with the second user U2 who has voted for a longer period, which serves as an incentive to actively encourage the first user U1 to continue the voting behavior for the second user U2.

[0052] <2. Second Embodiment> (2-1. Video Distribution by the Voting Management System 1) Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the voting management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The voting management system 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the server 20 distributes the competition video 8. The following description will focus on the differences.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the first user U1 operates the user terminal device 10a to upload his own content video 7 to the server 20. The server 20 distributes the competition video 8 for a public competition that manages voting by attaching the content video 7 of the first user U1 and the link information 6 thereto. The second user U2 can view the distributed competition video 8 using the user terminal device 10b.

[0054] The method of distributing the competition video 8 by the server 20 may be either a live distribution or a non-live distribution method. In the case of live distribution, a higher sense of presence can be experienced. Also, it may be either a streaming or a download method, but streaming distribution can be selected for live distribution.

[0055] The content video 7 of the first user U1 attached to the competition video 8 is, for example, a video predicting the result of the competition. That is, the first user U1 can include a prediction about the result of the competition in the content video 7.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 21 of the server 20 further includes a prediction disclosure unit 21d and a video distribution unit 21e. When the prediction disclosure unit 21d receives a prediction about the result of the competition from the first user U1, it discloses the prediction to the second user U2 associated with the first user U1. The video distribution unit 21e distributes the content video 7 related to the prediction of the competition provided by the first user U1.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the competition video 8 distributed from the server 20 will be described. In FIG. 11A, a content video 7 by the first user U1 is displayed so as to overlap with the competition video 8. The content video 7 contains what the first user U1 describes about the development and prediction of a competition (hereinafter referred to as the target competition to be predicted), and at the same time, as the competition video 8 being displayed, a past competition video of the players participating in the target competition is distributed.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 11B, according to the progress of the content video 7, a link icon 30 is displayed below the competition video 8. When the first user U1 clicks the link icon 30, a prediction disclosure screen 31 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The prediction disclosure unit 21d discloses, on the prediction disclosure screen 31, the prediction by the first user U1 on the result of the target competition before the start of the target competition. By adopting such a specification, it is possible to create an opportunity for the second user U2 who is not used to voting to vote on the result of the competition.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 12, on the prediction disclosure screen 31, link information 6, prediction information 32, and entrant information 33 are displayed. The prediction information 32 is the prediction by the first user U1 on the result of the competition. The second user U2 can vote on the competition by clicking "Vote" in the link information 6. Also, by clicking "Member Registration" in the link information 6, it is possible to register as a member in the voting management system 1.

[0060] The user management unit 21b registers the second user U2 who has performed a predetermined operation (in this example, "Vote" or "Member Registration") via the link information 6 as being associated with the first user U1 in the storage unit 22.

[0061] Here, the reward granting unit 21c may be configured to grant an additional reward to the first user U1 when the second user U2 who has confirmed the disclosed prediction information 32 casts a vote based on the prediction. Here, the vote based on the prediction may be a vote that completely matches the prediction by the first user U1 (for example, a vote that includes all of 1.~3. in the prediction information 32), or a vote that is the same as a part of the prediction by the first user U1 (a vote that includes a part of 1.~3. in the prediction information 32). Or, it may be a vote that modifies a part of the prediction by the first user U1 (a vote that modifies a part of 1.~3. in the prediction information 32).

[0062] Note that the additional reward (second reward) when a vote is cast based on the prediction is, after all, positioned as a bonus for the second user U2 having cast a vote based on the prediction of the first user U1, and it is preferably granted in a form that is added to the reward (first reward) to the first user U1 by the vote of the second user U2 described in the above first embodiment. By adopting such a specification, it becomes an incentive for the first user U1 to disclose the prediction of the result of the competition and increase the number of second users U2 who cast votes based on their own prediction information. Also, since the second user U2 will frequently cast votes based on the prediction of the first user U1 with a high hit rate, it becomes an incentive for the first user U1 to try to hit the prediction of the competition.

[0063] Here, the prediction disclosure unit 21d may also disclose the prediction to a user not associated with the first user U1 (hereinafter referred to as the third user U3), and may disclose the prediction to the second user U2 under conditions more favorable than those for the third user U3. For example, when the third user U3 confirms the prediction of the first user U1, it may be configured to charge a fee, and disclose it to the second user U2 for free (or at a lower cost).

[0064] By doing so, the second user U2 can check the prediction information of the associated first user U1 under advantageous conditions, which serves as an incentive to vote via the link information of the first user U1. In addition, since the second user U2 can check the prediction information of the first user U1 via the link information under advantageous conditions, it serves as an incentive to watch the content video 7 of the first user U1.

[0065] Regarding the amount of the second reward, an interest rate based on the voting amount of the second user U2 may be set, or it may be a fixed amount for each vote. Alternatively, a threshold value for the voting amount may be set, and the reward amount may be increased each time the threshold value is exceeded, or the reward amount may be increased in proportion to the voting amount.

[0066] In addition, the prediction disclosure unit 21d may disclose to the third user U3 the prediction of the first user U1 regarding the competition related to the content video 7 when the first user U1 watches the content video 7, and may be configured to disclose the prediction to the second user U2 even if the second user U2 has not watched the content video 7 as an advantageous condition.

[0067] For example, in FIGS. 11A and 11B, in the case of the third user U3, the link icon 30 is displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the content video 7 is distributed, but in the case of the second user U2, the link icon 30 may be displayed simultaneously with the distribution of the content video 7. By doing so, the third user has to watch the content video 7 until the prediction information 32 can be confirmed, but the second user U2 associated with the first user U1 can view the prediction information at an early stage, which serves as an incentive to perform a predetermined operation from the link information associated with the first user.

[0068] (2-2. Modified Example 1) Referring to FIG. 13, the voting management system 1 in the first modified example of the second embodiment will be described. The first modified example is different from the above embodiment in that, depending on a predetermined operation by the second user U2, the association between the first user U1 and the second user U2 may or may not be changed.

[0069] In Modification 2, the predetermined operations are classified into a first group and a second group. The first group includes, as an example, membership registration. The second group includes, as an example, voting.

[0070] When the user management unit 21b executes membership registration as an operation belonging to the first group, it associates the first user U1 and the second user U2 in an unchangeable manner hereafter (the first association). On the other hand, each time voting as an operation belonging to the second group is executed, the first user U1 and the second user U2 are associated in a changeable manner hereafter (the second association).

[0071] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the second user U2 obtains membership information from the link information associated with the first user U1-001. Thereafter, voting is performed from the link information associated with the content video of the first user U1-002 for the first to third races, and voting is performed from the link information associated with the content video of the first user U1-003 for the fourth and fifth races.

[0072] In this case, the reward granting unit 21c grants rewards for all of the first to fifth races for the first user U1-001 with which the second user U2 is associated in the first association. On the other hand, the reward granting unit 21c grants rewards only for the first to third races for the first user U1-002 with which the second user U2 is associated in the second association, and grants rewards only for the fourth and fifth races for the first user U1-003 with which the second user U2 is associated in the second association.

[0073] Thus, since the first association is not changed, the first reward occurs for the first user U1-001 associated with the first reward for all the votes of the second user U2. On the other hand, the second association is changed for each vote, and the reward occurs for the first user U1-002 or the first user U1-003 associated with each vote. By adopting such a specification, it becomes a motivation for the first user U1-001 to actively encourage new membership registration for the second user U2. Also, for the votes of the second user U2 who has already registered as a member, an association (second association) occurs. Thus, it becomes a motivation for the first user U1-002 to upload the content video 7.

[0074] Note that in the first association and the second association, the same amount of reward may be given, or different amounts of reward may be given. For example, 3 percent of the voting amount may be given as a reward to the first user U1-001 associated with the first association, and 5 percent of the voting amount may be given as a reward to the first user U1-002 associated with the second association. In this way, by making the reward for the second association higher than the reward for the first association, a reward can be given to the first user U1-001 who made the first association in the long term, and at the same time, the first user U1-002 who made the second association can be given the motivation to upload the content video 7.

[0075] (2-3. Modification Example 2) Referring to FIG. 14, the vote management system 1 in the modification example 2 of the second embodiment will be described. In the modification example 2, the difference is that the amount of the reward is changed according to the state of the second user U2 who has performed a predetermined operation.

[0076] The state of the second user U2 can be classified according to the time period. As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, it may be before membership registration (the first period), from after membership registration to the first vote (the second period), from after membership registration to viewing the content video (the third period), from after viewing the content video to before account registration and submission of identity proof (the fourth period), and after before account registration and submission of identity proof (the fifth period). After classifying the state of the second user U2 according to the time period in this way, the amount of the reward given to the first user U1 may be changed depending on the state at the time when a predetermined operation is performed.

[0077] For example, when the second user U2 in the state of the first period performs membership registration via the link information, 5% of the voting amount of the second user U2 may be given as the first reward to the first user U1 associated with the link information. Also, when the second user U2 in the state of the third period votes via the link information, 3% of the voting amount of the second user U2 may be given as the first reward to the first user U1 associated with the link information.

[0078] By adopting such a specification, the amount of the reward given to the first user U1 associated according to the state of the second user U2 can be set in more detail, which serves as an incentive for the first user U1 to actively carry out promotional activities for the second user U2.

[0079] <3. Third Embodiment> Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the voting management system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The voting management system 1 according to the third embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that the amount of the reward given to the first user U1 is varied according to the relationship between the first user U1 and the second user U2. The following will be mainly described with reference to the differences.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 21 in the third embodiment further includes a relationship determination unit 21f. The relationship determination unit 21f determines the relationship between the first user U1 and the second user U2 based on the communication history between the first user U1 and the second user U2. The reward giving unit 21c varies the amount of the reward given to the first user U1 based on the result of the determination by the relationship determination unit 21f.

[0081] As the communication history, for example, it may be the history of message transmission and reception between the first user U1 and the second user U2, or it may be an index regarding the evaluation from the second user U2 for the content video 7 uploaded by the first user U1.

[0082] In the competition video 8 shown in FIG. 16A, a "like" giving icon 36 and a message icon 37 are displayed below the content video 7. When the second user U2 wants to give a high evaluation to the content video 7 uploaded by the first user U1, the second user U2 presses the "like" giving icon 36 to give a "like". Also, when the second user U2 wants to send a message to the first user U1, the second user U2 presses the message icon 37, inputs a message, and sends it.

[0083] As an example, the relationship determination unit 21f determines the relationship between the first user U1 and the second user U2 based on the number of "likes" given by the second user U2 to the first user U1 and the number of messages. Here, the relationship determination unit 21f may calculate, for example, an evaluation score for determination by setting 1 point for one "like" and 10 points for one message.

[0084] In this case, in the example shown in FIG. 16B, since the second user U2 has sent 5 messages and given 10 "likes" to the first user U1-001, the evaluation score in the relationship between the second user U2 and the first user U1-001 is 60 points. On the other hand, since the second user U2 has sent 3 messages and given 5 "likes" to the first user U1-002, the evaluation score is 35 points.

[0085] The reward granting unit 21c varies the amount of reward to be granted to the first user U1 based on the evaluation points calculated by the relationship determination unit 21f. Specifically, a threshold value for the evaluation points may be set and the reward amount may be increased each time the threshold value is exceeded, or the reward amount may be increased in proportion to the evaluation points.

[0086] Such a configuration motivates the first user U1 to promote communication with the second user U2. The second user U2 will use the voting service S more frequently through communication with the first user U1, and the second user U2 will more likely become a regular user of the voting service S.

[0087] <4. Other embodiments> Although the embodiment and its modified examples of the present invention have been described above, the application of the present disclosure is not limited to the above. For example, in the above embodiment, the reward amount for the first user U1 is determined based on the voting amount for each vote cast by the second user U2, but the present disclosure is not limited to this aspect. For example, the reward amount for the first user U1 may be determined based on the cumulative amount of votes cast by the second user U2.

[0088] Specifically, a threshold may be set for the cumulative total of votes cast by the second user U2, and each time the cumulative total exceeds the threshold, an additional reward may be given to the first user U1.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the voting management system 1 managed votes for publicly managed races, but this is not limited to the above. In other words, the races for which votes are managed by the voting management system 1 are not limited to publicly managed races, but may be baseball or soccer games, or video or computer game matches (so-called e-sports).

[0090] In the above embodiment, the user terminal device 10 and the like have been described as a terminal having a touch panel display 14 such as a smartphone, but it is not limited to this example. By installing software on a home PC or the like, the user terminal device 10 may be realized to accept operations such as a mouse.

[0091] Also, the sharing of predetermined information via the communication line 5 is mainly performed via a WAN such as the Internet. However, between information processing devices, it may be performed only via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and infrared communication without using a WAN.

[0092] In the above embodiment, an example of an aspect in which each function is provided in the user terminal device 10 or the server 20 has been described. However, it is not limited to this form, and for some functions, the user terminal device 10, the server 20, or a configuration in which both the user terminal device 10 and the server 20 are provided in a form different from the above embodiment may be used.

[0093] Also, each step described as being to be executed by the user terminal device 10 in the above embodiment may also be executed by the server 20.

[0094] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the above-described program.

[0095] <5. Features of the Embodiment> Hereinafter, the features of the embodiment of the present invention will be summarized.

[0096] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for managing a user's vote on the result of a competition, comprising a link information issuing unit 21a, a user management unit 21b, and a reward granting unit 21c. The link information issuing unit 21a issues link information 6 associated with a first user U1. When a second user U2 executes a predetermined operation via the link information 6, the user management unit 21b registers the second user U2 in association with the first user U1. When the second user U2 casts a vote, the reward granting unit 21c grants a reward to the first user U1 associated with the second user U2.

[0097] With such a configuration, since a reward is given to the first user U1 by the vote of the second user U2 who has performed a predetermined operation via the link information 6 associated with the first user U1, it motivates the first user U1 to actively carry out a promotional activity to encourage voting in the competition in the form of using the link information 6.

[0098] The reward granting unit 21c may determine the amount of the reward based on the value of the vote cast by the second user U2.

[0099] With such a configuration, it motivates the first user U1 to encourage the second user U2 to cast more votes.

[0100] When registering the second user U2 in association with the first user U1, the user management unit 21b may assign a value that can be used for voting to the second user U2.

[0101] With such a configuration, a value available for voting is assigned to the registered second user U2, and the psychological barrier of the second user U2 against voting in the competition can be reduced.

[0102] The information processing apparatus may further comprise a prediction disclosure unit 21d. When the prediction disclosure unit 21d receives a prediction on the result of the competition from the first user U1, it may disclose the prediction to the second user U2 associated with the first user U1.

[0103] With such a configuration, since the prediction by the first user U1 can be confirmed and voted on, it is possible to create an opportunity for the second user U2, who is not used to voting, to vote in the competition.

[0104] When the second user U2 who has confirmed the disclosed prediction votes based on the prediction, the reward giving unit 21c may give an additional reward to the first user U1.

[0105] With such a configuration, it becomes an incentive for the first user U1 to actively disclose the prediction regarding the result of the competition and increase the number of second users U2 who vote based on their own prediction information.

[0106] The prediction disclosure unit 21d may disclose the prediction to a third user not associated with the first user U1, and disclose the prediction to the second user U2 under conditions more favorable than those for the third user.

[0107] With such a configuration, since the prediction information of the associated first user U1 can be confirmed under favorable conditions, it becomes an incentive to perform a predetermined operation via the link information 6 of the first user U1.

[0108] The information processing apparatus further includes a video distribution unit 21e. The video distribution unit 21e distributes a video regarding the prediction of the competition provided by the first user U1. The prediction disclosure unit 21d discloses the prediction of the first user U1 regarding the competition related to the video to the third user when the third user views the video, and may be configured to disclose the prediction to the second user U2 associated with the first user U1 even if the second user U2 has not viewed the video as an advantageous condition.

[0109] With such a configuration, while the third user cannot confirm the prediction of the first user U1 without viewing the video content, the second user U2 can confirm the prediction of the first user U1 at an early stage, so it becomes an incentive to perform a predetermined operation from the link information associated with the first user U1.

[0110] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for causing a computer to function as an information processing apparatus that manages user votes on the results of a competition, the method including causing the computer to execute a link information issuing step, a user management step, and a reward granting step. In the link information issuing step, link information associated with a first user U1 is issued. In the user management step, when a second user U2 executes a predetermined operation via the link information, the second user U2 is registered in association with the first user U1. In the reward granting step, when the second user U2 casts a vote, a reward is granted to the first user U1 associated with the second user U2.

[0111] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as an information processing apparatus that manages user votes on the results of a competition, the program including causing the computer to execute a link information issuing step, a user management step, and a reward granting step. In the link information issuing step, link information associated with a first user U1 is issued. In the user management step, when a second user U2 executes a predetermined operation via the link information, the second user U2 is registered in association with the first user U1. In the reward granting step, when the second user U2 casts a vote, a reward is granted to the first user U1 associated with the second user U2.

[0112] As described above, various embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Such embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0113] 1: Voting management system 5: Communication line 6: Link information 7: Content video 8: Competitive video 10: User terminal device 11: Control unit 12: Memory unit 13: Communication unit 14: Touch panel display 15: Speaker 16: Microphone 17: Camera 18: Operation button 19: System bus 20: Server 21: Control unit 21a: Link information issuing unit 21b: User management unit 21c: Reward granting unit 21d: Prediction disclosure unit 21e: Video distribution unit 21f: Relationship determination unit 22: Memory unit 24: Communication unit 25: Operation input unit 26: Monitor 27: System bus 30: Link icon 31: Prediction disclosure screen 32: Prediction information 33: Runner information 36: Granted icon 37: Message icon 41: Control unit

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein the processor causes a second user's terminal to display a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction of a result of a competition by a first user, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for membership registration, registers the second user in association with the first user when the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, and awards a reward to the first user associated with the second user when the second user votes.

2. An information processing method, wherein a processor causes a second user's terminal to display a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction of a result of a competition by a first user, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for membership registration, registers the second user in association with the first user when the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, and awards a reward to the first user associated with the second user when the second user votes.

3. A program for causing a processor to execute a process of causing a second user's terminal to display a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction of a result of a competition by a first user, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for membership registration, registering the second user in association with the first user when the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, and awarding a reward to the first user associated with the second user when the second user votes.

4. A system comprising a server and a terminal, wherein the server causes a second user's terminal to display a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction of a result of a competition by a first user, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for membership registration, registers the second user in association with the first user when the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, and awards a reward to the first user associated with the second user when the second user votes. ​ ​

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