Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that allow a first user to accurately notice an influence of the first user's vote on a second user's vote.SOLUTION: A server computer 10 is communicatively connected to a user terminal 12 and a race result distribution device 14. The server computer 10 receives a vote predicting a result of a predetermined competition from a user, and when receiving from a second user a second vote based on a first vote after receiving the first vote from a first user, sends a push notification regarding reception of the second vote to the first user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, services have been provided that enable voting on public competitions and the like through communication networks. Users who use this service predict the results of the competition and place bets on their predictions by voting. The votes are received by the server computer of the service provider, and when the results of the competition are determined, a dividend (refund) corresponding to the winning result of the vote is given to the user.

[0003] Also, in the above service, a user can vote based on the votes of others. For example, in the service described in Patent Document 1, each user can refer to the prediction content of the votes cast by others for the target race and vote with the same prediction content.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, if a user (hereinafter referred to as the first user) can vote with reference to the vote of another user (hereinafter referred to as the second user), it becomes easier for the second user to vote. In this way, the vote of the first user affects the second user and can, for example, arouse the second user's motivation to vote. Also, if the first user can be made aware of the influence of their vote, it is expected to stimulate the first user's awareness (motivation) regarding their vote and cause the first user to vote actively thereafter.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of accurately making a first user aware of the influence of the vote of the first user on the vote of the second user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reception unit that receives a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user, and when the reception unit receives a second vote based on the first vote from a second user after receiving the first vote from the first user, a notification unit that sends a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to accurately make a first user aware of the influence of the vote of the first user on the vote of the second user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program of the present invention will be described by taking one specific embodiment (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment) as an example. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example given for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed or improved from the embodiment described below without departing from its gist. Also, of course, equivalents of the present invention are included therein.

[0011] Also, the screen examples shown in the drawings referred to in the following description are merely examples, and the configuration example of the screen, the content of the information displayed, the GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc. can be freely designed according to the system design specifications, the user's preferences, etc., and can be changed as appropriate.

[0012] Also, in this specification, the "apparatus" includes not only one apparatus that exhibits a predetermined function alone but also a plurality of apparatuses that cooperate to exhibit a predetermined function although they are separated from each other.

[0013] Also, in this specification, the "user" is a user of the information processing apparatus of the present invention. Specifically, it is a user of the service provided by the information processing apparatus of the present invention and is a unit to which a service use account is assigned. Note that the user is an individual unless otherwise specified, but a group of multiple people may also be regarded as a user.

[0014] [Service using the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment] First, a voting service as a service provided using the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

[0015] The voting service is an online service that allows voting to be conducted at any location where a communication line is available for a predetermined competition held in a predetermined area. Voting is performed by predicting the result of a predetermined competition and wagering a value for voting, that is, a bet. Voting for each race can be conducted within the acceptance period set for each race, and after the end of the acceptance period, voting for that race is closed.

[0016] The predetermined competition is held in a virtual space such as the real space or a game space, for example, a public competition, and hereinafter, it is assumed to be a race such as horse racing, motorcycle racing, boat racing, and auto racing. However, the predetermined competition is not limited to public competitions, and any competition that can be a voting target is acceptable. For example, a sports game that is the subject of betting, a game tournament such as so-called e-sports, or other competitions that compete for victory or defeat other than these may also be acceptable.

[0017] When a user conducts voting in the voting service, the user operates a communication terminal. The voting service may be made available by accessing a predetermined website, or may be made available by installing a predetermined application program on the user's terminal.

[0018] The voting procedure will be described as follows: while viewing the operation screen displayed on the terminal, the user selects the race to be voted on, predicts the result of the race, and places a betting value (a bet) for the prediction. To select the race to be voted on, the user selects the date and venue of the race, and if multiple races are held on the same date and venue, the user selects which race the race is to be held on. To predict the race result, the user specifies a betting method (betting formula) such as a double, trifecta, or trifecta, and predicts the finishing order according to the specified betting method. In addition, multiple finishing order predictions can be made in one vote; for example, multiple predictions may be made by changing the combination of finishing orders, or multiple betting methods may be used and the finishing order predictions may be made for each betting method.

[0019] The voting value is a value that a user can use in the service, and in this embodiment, it is a value exclusive to the service, and includes a first value and a second value that are different in nature from each other. The first value corresponds to a predetermined value, has a monetary value, and can be obtained, for example, by purchasing it for a fee or by satisfying a predetermined condition, and can be converted into money. The second value is a point that has no monetary value, and can be obtained, for example, by a user satisfying a predetermined condition, such as logging in to the service, and cannot be converted into money. However, it is not limited to the above case, and both the first value and the second value may be converted into money, or neither value may be converted into money.

[0020] The voting value may be electronic money or money that can be withdrawn from a cash card or bank account linked to the user's service account. Also, a virtual currency that can be used by a third-party app that allows settlement or payment using a barcode, a stacked two-dimensional code, a matrix two-dimensional code, or the like may be used as the voting value. Furthermore, the voting value may include a value different from the first value and the second value (for example, a third value described below).

[0021] The user designates one or both of the first value and the second value as the value to be wagered on the prediction, and sets the amount to be wagered for the designated value. Also, when making a plurality of predictions with different contents (combinations of finishing orders) in one vote, the type of value to be wagered and the amount to be wagered are set for each prediction.

[0022] When the above procedures are completed, a vote confirmation screen shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the user's terminal. The screen displays the race to be voted on, the content of the prediction, the payout odds (odds) set for the prediction, and the respective amounts wagered for the first value and the second value for the prediction. When the user checks these displayed contents and finally presses the vote execution button on the screen, the vote is completed.

[0023] Then, when the race on which the vote was cast ends and the result of the race, that is, the finishing order is determined, it is judged whether each vote is a winning one. A user whose prediction of the vote is a winning one can obtain a payout (refund amount) according to the odds set for the prediction. The payout is given the same value as the value used for the vote. For example, when the prediction of a vote using the first value is a winning one, an amount (quantity) of the first value corresponding to the payout is given. However, it is not limited to this, and the payout may be given a value different from the value used for the vote. For example, voting with a non-convertible second value and giving a third value as the payout may be possible. In this case, the third value is a value used to participate in an event such as a lottery in the voting service. Also, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in an event participated in using the third value, for example, when winning in a lottery event, the first value or another convertible reward may be given.

[0024] In addition, each user can perform a public setting operation as a setting operation for voting. The public setting operation is an operation for making information regarding one's own vote public to other users. Specifically, it is an operation of selecting whether to permit vote disclosure through a selection screen (not shown). Also, in this embodiment, the public setting operation can be performed only when voting is conducted using the first value. Note that when a vote includes a plurality of predictions, the public setting operation may be performed only for the predictions for which the investment amount of the first value is set. Alternatively, when at least one or more predictions for which the investment amount of the first value is set are included, the public setting operation may be performed collectively for the plurality of predictions.

[0025] Also, the public range may be specified in the public setting operation. For example, at least one of the users who can view the disclosed vote, the disclosure time, and the disclosed content may be restricted. Also, viewing of the disclosed vote may be free or paid. Also, when a vote is conducted using a value other than the first value, the public setting operation for that vote may be performed, that is, the vote using the second value may be disclosed.

[0026] The vote for which the public setting operation has been performed is made public to other users, and other users can view information regarding the disclosed vote through the vote disclosure screen of FIG. 2 displayed on the terminal. Information regarding the disclosed vote includes the name and image (icon image) of the user who cast the vote, the user rank that varies according to the number of votes, etc., the race for the vote target, the content of the prediction, the payout ratio (odds) set for the prediction, and the investment amounts of the first value and the second value for the prediction, respectively.

[0027] In addition, information other than the above information, such as the median number of correct predictions, winning rate, and recovery rate on the day for the user who conducted the publicly disclosed vote, may be further displayed on the vote disclosure screen. The median number of correct predictions on the day is the total number of votes for which the prediction was correct among the votes cast by the user on the day of the race. The winning rate on the day is the ratio of the number of votes for which the prediction was correct on the day of the race to the number of votes cast by the user on the day of the race. The recovery rate on the day is the ratio of the total amount of dividends obtained on the day of the race to the total value invested by the user in the vote on the day of the race. The fact that the recovery rate exceeds 100% means that the user has won on that day.

[0028] Then, a user who views the vote disclosure screen can use the publicly disclosed vote by pressing the vote utilization button displayed on the same screen. That is, the user can view the publicly disclosed vote of others and use the prediction of that vote to cast a vote with the same prediction. As a result, even a user with little voting experience can easily cast a vote, and thus, the user's motivation for voting can be aroused.

[0029] Hereinafter, the publicly disclosed vote will be referred to as the first vote, the user who conducted the first vote will be referred to as the first user, the vote using the first vote will be referred to as the second vote, and the user who conducted the second vote will be referred to as the second user. As described above, the second vote is a vote made based on the prediction of the first vote and corresponds to a vote based on the first vote. Based on the first vote means that it is made with reference to the prediction of the first vote. Specifically, it is to piggyback on the prediction of the first vote and make the same prediction as that prediction.

[0030] In addition, when the second user conducts the second vote, the content of the first vote may be edited. Specifically, the type of value and / or the amount of value invested used in the first vote may be changed, and the second user's own prediction not included in the first vote may be added.

[0031] In addition, when the first vote includes a plurality of predictions, specifically, a plurality of predicted orders with different combinations from each other, the second user may specify one or more predicted orders from among the plurality of predicted orders, and perform a second vote using the specified predicted order (hereinafter also referred to as the specified prediction). However, it is not limited to this, and all of the plurality of predictions included in the first vote may be used collectively. In other words, the second vote may be performed using the first vote as a voting unit.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the second vote is performed, a push notification indicating that is made to the first user. Specifically, the notification message shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the terminal of the first user. Thereby, the first user can recognize that the first vote, which is his / her own vote, has been used by other users.

[0033] In addition, when each of the predictions of the first vote and the second vote is correct, a payout corresponding to the payout ratio (odds) of the correct prediction is given to each of the first user and the second user. In addition to this, a privilege corresponding to the payout obtained by the second user is given to the first user. The privilege is given using the same value as the value used for the second vote. Also, when there are a plurality of second users, that is, when the first vote is used by a plurality of second users, the above privilege is determined according to the number of second users whose predictions are correct, strictly speaking, the total value of the payouts obtained by each second user.

[0034] By the way, in the voting service, in addition to performing the above vote, the user can communicate with users who are in a friend relationship. Specifically, users who are in a friend relationship can exchange messages through a chat screen (not shown), or form a group and vote in units of the group. Also, users who belong to the same group can refer to each other's vote predictions and share the prediction content within the group.

[0035] Note that the friend relationship corresponds to a predetermined relationship, and is a relationship formed by mutual agreement, where one user sends a friend request and the other user accepts the request. Incidentally, users with a predetermined relationship are not limited to those with a friend relationship. For example, if a certain user X uses the votes of another user Y more than a predetermined number of times, user Y may be regarded as a user having a predetermined relationship with user X.

[0036] [Configuration of the Information Processing Apparatus and Peripheral Devices According to the Present Embodiment] The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured by a computer, specifically, a server computer 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the server computer 10 as the information processing apparatus is communicably connected to a terminal (hereinafter referred to as a user terminal 12) used by a user for service use and a race result distribution device 14. The communication network 16 connecting the devices may include a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, and Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.

[0037] The server computer 10 executes a series of information processing related to the provision of the voting service. Specifically, the server computer 10 communicates with the user terminal 12 to receive the user's vote, determines whether each vote prediction has hit after the race ends, and awards a prize money to the user who has cast a winning vote. The server computer 10 may be a single computer, or may be a plurality of computers in parallel and distributed. Also, the server computer 10 may be a server computer for ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the server computer 10 has, as hardware devices, a processor 21, a memory 22, a communication interface 23, and a storage 24, and these devices are electrically connected via a bus 25. Also, programs for an operating system (OS) and a program for providing a voting service are installed in the server computer 10 as software. These programs correspond to the "programs" of the present invention.

[0039] When the processor 21 operates according to the above programs, the server computer functions as the information processing apparatus of the present invention and executes a series of processes related to the present invention. Note that the programs may be obtained by being read from a computer-readable recording medium, or may be obtained by being received (downloaded) via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0040] The processor 21 may be constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The memory 22 may be constituted by semiconductor memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0041] The communication interface 23 may be configured by, for example, a network interface card, a communication interface board, or the like. The standard for data communication by the communication interface 23 is not particularly limited, and examples include communication by a wireless LAN based on Wi-fi (registered trademark), communication by a mobile communication system of the 3G to 5G or later generations, or communication based on LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0042] The storage 24 may be configured by a flash memory, a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO disc), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), a universal serial bus memory (USB memory), or the like. Further, the storage 24 may be built into the housing of the server computer that forms the information processing device, or may be attached to the server computer 10 in an external form. Furthermore, the storage 24 may be configured by another computer or the like that is communicably connected to the server computer 10. Note that, as a technique for recording various data, a distributed ledger technique such as blockchain may be used for the purpose of avoiding unauthorized data tampering or the like.

[0043] The user terminal 12 is configured by a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or other terminals having a communication function. The user terminal 12 receives various operations performed by the user when using the voting service, and transmits data corresponding to the received operations to the server computer 10 via the communication network 16. The operations performed by the user on the user terminal 12 include various selections, designations, instructions, requests, commands, permissions or rejections, registrations, and other input operations.

[0044] The race result distribution device 14 is composed of a computer or the like used by the race organizer, and when each race ends and the race result is determined, it distributes the race result, that is, the information indicating the finishing order, to the server computer 10 and the user terminal 12. Note that the race result distribution device 14 may have an IP camera installed at the race venue, take a video of the race with the IP camera, and distribute the video data. Also, instead of obtaining the race result from the race result distribution device 14, for example, a company providing a voting service may input the race result after the race ends and transmit the input information to the server computer 10.

[0045] [Regarding the functions of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment] The functions of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, that is, the functions of the server computer 10, will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the server computer 10 includes a reception unit 31, a storage unit 32, a display control unit 33, a notification unit 34, a hit determination unit 35, a dividend granting unit 36, and a privilege granting unit 37. Among these functional units, the storage unit 32 is realized by the memory 22 or the storage 24. The functional units other than the storage unit 32 are realized by the cooperation of various hardware devices of the server computer 10 and the programs installed in the server computer 10. Hereinafter, each functional unit will be described in detail.

[0047] (Reception Unit) The reception unit 31 receives the operations performed by the user using the voting service through the user terminal 12 by communicating with the user terminal 12. Specifically, it acquires the data indicating the operation content. The operations received by the reception unit 31 include, for example, voting for a race. More specifically, for example, regarding the target race R, assume that user X makes a first vote as the first user, and user Y makes a second vote using the first vote as the second user. In this case, the reception unit 31 receives the first vote for race R from user X and the second vote from user Y. Note that a voting reception period is set for each race including race R, and the reception unit 31 receives votes cast within the reception period for race R.

[0048] The first vote received by the reception unit 31 includes the content of the prediction, the type of value invested in the prediction, the amount of value invested, and the like. Also, when the first vote is made using the first value, user X can perform a public setting operation for the first vote. In this case, the reception unit 31 receives the public setting operation from user X. In other words, when the first vote is made using the first value, the reception unit 31 can receive a public setting operation for the first vote. And upon receiving the public setting operation, the first vote by user X is made public to other users.

[0049] The second vote received by the reception unit 31 includes the name and identification information of user X who made the first vote used in the second vote, the content of the prediction included in the second vote, and the type of value invested in the prediction and the amount of value invested, and the like.

[0050] In addition, when the reception unit 31 receives a first vote from user X that includes a plurality of different predictions (specifically, the prediction ranking), user Y can specify one or more predictions from among the plurality of predictions included in the first vote and make a second vote using the specified prediction (designated prediction). In this case, the reception unit 31 will receive the second vote from user Y based on one or more designated predictions. However, it is not limited to this, and when using the first vote, it may be used in voting units. That is, user Y can use all of the plurality of predictions included in the first vote collectively, and the reception unit 31 may receive the second vote from user Y that uses all of the plurality of predictions.

[0051] Furthermore, the reception unit 31 receives from user X, who is the first user, a push notification mode selection operation (hereinafter referred to as a notification mode selection operation) for notifying the reception of the second vote. The notification mode selection operation is performed through the notification mode selection screen shown in FIG. 6. The notification mode will be described later.

[0052] (Memory unit) The memory unit 32 stores various types of information necessary for providing the voting service. As shown in FIG. 5, the information stored in the memory unit 32 includes user information, race information, voting information, voting usage information, race result information, and the like.

[0053] User information is information about users who have a usage account for the voting service and is stored for each user. As shown in FIG. 7, user information includes identification information such as the user's name and ID, profile, the number of voting values held, identification information of users in a friendship relationship, voting history, and hitting performance. The voting history indicates the target race and the content of the prediction for the votes that the user has made so far. The hitting performance is the hitting performance of the predictions of the votes that the user has made so far, and specifically includes the content of the predicted hits and the dividends (refund amounts). Note that the hitting performance may include the hitting rate, the number of hits, the total amount of dividends, and the recovery rate on the day.

[0054] Race information is information about the races that are the voting targets and is stored for each race. As shown in FIG. 8, race information includes the name of the race, the venue where the race is held, the date and time of the race, the race participants, the conditions of the racecourse, the candidates for the finishing order, the payout multipliers (odds) set for each candidate, and the current number of votes.

[0055] The voting information is information regarding the votes of each user received by the reception unit 31, and is stored for each vote. As shown in FIG. 9, the voting information includes the voter, the race to be voted on, the identification ID of the vote, the content of the prediction, the investment amount for each of the first value and the second value for the prediction, whether the vote is a vote using the votes of other users, and whether to publish the vote or not. The voting information regarding a vote that uses the votes of other users includes the user from whom it is used (i.e., the first user) and the ID of the vote that is used (i.e., the first vote).

[0056] The vote usage information is information regarding the first vote that is used, and is stored for each vote. As shown in FIG. 10, the vote usage information includes the ID of the first vote, the identification information of the first user who cast the first vote, the content of the prediction of the first vote (predicted order of arrival), the number of times the first information is used, the identification information of the second user who is the user, and the push notification mode. Also, when the first vote includes a plurality of predictions with different contents (order of arrival) from each other, the second user can specify one or more predictions as described above and cast a second vote using the specified prediction. In this case, among the vote usage information, the number of times the first information is used and the identification information of the second user are stored for each specified prediction (see FIG. 10).

[0057] The race result information is information on the final result of the race distributed by the race result distribution device 14, and is stored for each race. As shown in FIG. 11, the race result information includes the name of the race, the venue where the race is held, the date and time of the event, and the race result (final order of arrival) for each voting method.

[0058] (Display control unit) The display control unit 33 controls the user terminal 12 and causes the user terminal 12 to display a predetermined operation screen while the user uses the voting service. Specifically, the display control unit 33 generates screen display data according to the user operation received by the reception unit 31, and transmits the generated display data to the user terminal 12. The operation screens displayed on the user terminal 12 by the display control unit 33 include a screen for voting operation, the voting confirmation screen shown in FIG. 1, a screen for voting disclosure operation, the voting disclosure screen shown in FIG. 2, and the notification mode selection screen shown in FIG. 6, etc.

[0059] (Notification Unit) When the reception unit 31 receives the second vote from the second user after receiving the first vote from the first user, the notification unit 34 sends a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. Specifically, the notification unit 34 transmits notification data to the user terminal 12 of the first user, and causes the display of the user terminal 12 to display the notification message shown in FIG. 3. Note that the push notification is not limited to notification by character information such as a message, and may be notification by sound, light, or vibration.

[0060] The message displayed as the push notification may include information regarding the reception of the second vote, for example, user information such as the name of the second user who cast the second vote, the number of times the second vote was received, the amount of value input for the second vote and the total value (total amount), and the presence or absence of a friend relationship between the second user and the first user.

[0061] In this embodiment, the second vote can be cast when the first vote is made public. In other words, the reception unit 31 can receive the second vote only when the first user performs a public setting operation on the first vote. Therefore, when the reception unit 31 receives the second vote after the first user performs a public setting operation on the first vote, the notification unit 34 sends a push notification to the first user. On the contrary, when the first user does not perform a public setting operation, the second vote using the first vote is not cast, so the notification unit 34 does not send a push notification to the first user.

[0062] In addition, when the notification condition is satisfied, the notification unit 34 sends a push notification to the first user. Specifically, according to the notification mode selected by the first user, a push notification is sent when the condition corresponding to the mode is satisfied. The notification mode is set according to the presence or absence of push notifications, notification conditions, and notification timing. In this embodiment, six types of modes can be selected. The first user selects one of the modes on the notification mode selection screen of FIG. 6. Note that the notification mode may be reviewed and changed again after being selected by the first user.

[0063] The first notification mode is a mode in which, each time the reception unit 31 receives a second vote, a push notification is sent to the first user. The second notification mode is a mode in which, when the number of times the reception unit 31 receives the second vote reaches a predetermined number of times or more, a push notification is sent to the first user. The predetermined number of times set for the number of times the second vote is received can be set to any value of 2 or more on the notification mode setting screen.

[0064] The third notification mode is a mode in which the notification conditions when the second user who has cast the second vote and the first user are in a friend relationship are different from the notification conditions when the second user and the first user are not in a friend relationship. Specifically, in the third notification mode, when the number of times the reception unit 31 receives the second vote from the second user who is in a friend relationship with the first user reaches the first value, the notification unit 34 sends a push notification to the first user. Here, the first value is any value of 1 or more. In the following, a case where the first value is 1 will be taken as an example for explanation. On the other hand, when the number of times the reception unit 31 receives the second vote from the second user who is not in a friend relationship with the first user reaches the second value, the notification unit 34 sends a push notification to the first user. The second value is a value larger than the first value and can be set on the notification mode setting screen.

[0065] The fourth notification mode is a mode that performs push notifications every time a certain period of time elapses. In the fourth notification mode, for example, when receiving a second vote using the vote of the first user (the first vote), when the elapsed time from that moment reaches a predetermined time, the notification unit 34 performs a push notification to the first user. The reception time point of the second vote in this case is the time point of the first reception of the second vote using the vote of the first user, and corresponds to the reference time point. Also, if the reception unit 31 newly receives a second vote before the predetermined time elapses from the time when the previous push notification was made, when the elapsed time from the previous notification time point reaches the predetermined time, the notification unit 34 performs a push notification to the first user again. Here, the previous notification time point corresponds to the reference time point. Note that the predetermined time set with respect to the elapsed time from the reference time point may be any arbitrarily determined time in advance, or may be freely changed by the first user.

[0066] The fifth notification mode is a mode that performs a push notification to the first user at a time corresponding to the end of the reception period of the vote for the target race, for example, immediately after the end time point, or at a time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the end time point. In the fifth notification mode, after the end of the reception period, the notification unit 34 performs a push notification to the first user that includes the number of times the second vote has been received by the reception unit 31 and information about the second user who cast the second vote. Specifically, the notification unit 34 generates notification data after the end of the reception period and transmits it to the user terminal 12 of the first user. On the side of the user terminal 12 of the first user, as shown in FIG. 12, a notification message including the number of times the second vote has been received and the name of the second user who cast the second vote is displayed.

[0067] In addition, when the number of times of receiving the second vote exceeds a predetermined number, information on all second users may be included in the push notification. However, in order to prevent the amount of information displayed from becoming excessive, the users whose information is to be displayed in the push notification may be restricted. For example, a display priority may be assigned to the second users, and information may be displayed only for the top N (N is a natural number) second users. In this case, the display priority may be determined based on the presence or absence of a friendship relationship, the number of times the first user has used the first vote, the amount of value invested in the vote, and the like.

[0068] Furthermore, in the fifth notification mode, information regarding the benefits granted to the first user when each of the first vote and the second vote hits the prediction, specifically, the amount and value of the benefits granted as the benefits, etc. are included in the push notification (see Fig. 12).

[0069] The sixth notification mode is a mode in which no push notification is performed even when the reception unit 31 receives the second vote. That is, when the first user does not require a push notification, the first user can select the sixth mode, and thereby omit the push notification even if the second vote is received.

[0070] Also, when there is a friendship relationship between the second user who has received the second vote by the reception unit 31 and the first user, the push notification performed by the notification unit 34 in the above-described first to fifth notification modes may include information regarding the second user, such as the user name (see Fig. 13).

[0071] (Hit determination unit) After the target race ends, the hit determination unit 35 acquires the final result of the target race from the race result distribution device 14, and based on the acquired race result, determines whether the prediction (prediction order) of the vote made for the target race has hit. Also, for a vote including a plurality of predictions, the hit determination unit 35 determines the presence or absence of a hit for each prediction.

[0072] (Payout granting unit) The dividend granting unit 36 grants a dividend (refund amount) according to the race result (specifically, the determined finishing order) and the dividend rate to the users who have voted correctly. In the present embodiment, the dividend is granted by the same type of value as the value used for voting. However, it is not limited thereto, and the dividend may be granted by a value different from the value used for voting.

[0073] (Benefit granting unit) The benefit granting unit 37 grants a benefit to the first user when the predictions of the first vote and the second vote using the first vote are both correct. The benefit is determined according to the dividend amount obtained by the second user who used the first vote and the number of second users (that is, the number of times the second vote is received).

[0074] [Regarding the information processing method according to the present embodiment] Next, as an example of the information processing method according to the present embodiment, an information processing flow using the above server computer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. However, the information processing flow described below is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the execution order of the steps may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0075] The flow shown in FIG. 14 (hereinafter, the voting flow) is an information processing flow regarding the reception of votes from users and the push notifications associated therewith, and each step of the voting flow is executed by the server computer 10.

[0076] In the voting process, first, votes for the target race are accepted from users. The voting is conducted within the acceptance period set for the target race and can be accepted until the end of the period, that is, until the voting deadline. Here, it is assumed that the server computer 10 accepts the first vote from the first user and the second vote based on the first vote from the second user (S001, 002). That is, the first user casts the first vote using the first value, performs a public setting operation on the first vote, and the second user casts the second vote using the prediction of the publicly disclosed first vote.

[0077] When the server computer 10 accepts the second vote from the second user, it starts the process related to the push notification using this as a trigger. Specifically, the server computer 10 identifies the notification mode selected by the first user. And when the notification mode is the first mode (Yes in S003), the server computer 10 sends a push notification regarding the acceptance of the second vote, specifically, a notification message, to the first user when accepting the second vote (S004).

[0078] When the notification mode is the second mode (Yes in S006), the server computer 10 waits until the number of times the second vote is accepted reaches a predetermined number of times or more (S007). And when the number of acceptance times reaches the predetermined number of times, the server computer 10 sends a push notification to the first user (S004).

[0079] When the notification mode is the third mode (Yes in S008), the server computer 10 determines whether the second user who accepted the second vote is in a friend relationship with the first user (S009). And when it is determined that the second user is in a friend relationship with the first user, the server computer 10 sends a push notification to the first user when accepting the second vote from that second user. If the server computer 10 determines that the second user is not a friend of the first user, the server computer 10 waits until the number of receptions of the second vote from the second user who is not a friend of the first user (hereinafter, non-friend user) reaches a predetermined number (S010). Then, when the number of receptions of the second vote from the non-friend user reaches the predetermined number, the server computer 10 sends a push notification to the first user (S004). As described above, in the third mode, the notification condition changes according to the presence or absence of a friend relationship between the second user who has cast the second vote and the first user.

[0080] When the notification mode is the fourth mode (Yes in S011), the server computer 10 determines the elapsed time from the time when the first second vote was received or from the time when the previous push notification was made (S012), and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time, the server computer 10 sends a push notification to the first user (S004).

[0081] When the notification mode is the fifth mode (Yes in S013), the server computer 10 waits until the voting for the target race closes, that is, until the end of the voting reception period (S014). Then, after the end of the voting reception period, the server computer 10 sends a push notification to the first user at a time corresponding to the end time (S015).

[0082] When the notification mode does not fall into any of the first to fifth modes, that is, when it is the sixth mode, the server computer 10 omits the push notification to the first user even if it receives the second vote from the second user.

[0083] After the push notification is made in each notification mode, or after the push notification is omitted in the sixth mode, if the voting for the target race has not closed yet (Yes in S005), the server computer 10 returns to step S002 and repeats the above series of steps. Then, when the voting for the target race closes, the voting flow for that target race ends.

[0084] [Other Embodiments] So far, specific examples have been given and described for the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program of the present invention. However, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments are also conceivable.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the server computer 10 that executes information processing for voting functions as the information processing apparatus of the present invention, but it is not limited thereto. Some of the functions of the server computer 10 may be realized by the user terminals 12 of each of the first user and the second user. For example, when the user terminals 12 of each of the first user and the second user communicate in a P2P (peer-to-peer) manner, the function as a reception unit that receives the second vote, or the function as a notification unit that performs a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user, may be configured by the user terminals 12 of one or both users.

[0086] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the first user publicly discloses the first vote, and the second user uses the publicly disclosed first vote to cast the second vote. However, it is not limited to such a case. For example, when the first user and the second user who are in a friend relationship with each other form a group and the prediction of each user's vote is shared within the group, the prediction of the first vote cast by the first user is shared, and the second vote using the shared prediction may be received from the second user belonging to the same group as the first user. Alternatively, when the first user predicts the result of a race and casts the first vote and distributes his / her prediction content to the public as video or posting information on an SNS (Social Networking Service), the second user may be able to cast the second vote using the prediction of the first vote by referring to the distributed video or posting information.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the push notification regarding the reception of the second vote is performed in the manner shown in FIGS. 3, 12, 13, etc. However, other examples (hereinafter referred to as modification examples) can also be considered regarding the implementation method of the push notification. Hereinafter, the modification examples will be described. In the following, regarding the modification examples, the points different from the above-described embodiment will mainly be described, and the description of the points common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

[0088] In the modification example, the server computer 10 constituting the information processing apparatus of the present invention, specifically, the reception unit 31, can receive a first vote including a plurality of different predictions from a first user. On the other hand, the second user can specify one or more predictions among the plurality of predictions included in the first vote and perform a second vote using the specified predictions. In this case, the reception unit 31 receives the second vote using the specified predictions from the second user. When such a second vote is received by the reception unit 31, the server computer 10, specifically, the notification unit 34, performs a push notification including information regarding the specified prediction to the first user.

[0089] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, a notification message including the content (prediction order) of the specified prediction used in the second vote is displayed on the user terminal 12 of the first user. At this time, the notification unit 34 may further perform a push notification to the first user including information regarding the number of times the second vote based on the specified prediction is received, in other words, the number of times the specified prediction is used (see FIG. 15).

[0090] [Summary] The present invention is achieved by the configurations shown in the following [1] to

[15] , and each configuration can achieve various effects.

[0091] [1] The information processing apparatus of the present invention includes a reception unit that receives a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user, and a notification unit that, when the reception unit receives a second vote based on the first vote from a second user after receiving the first vote from the first user, performs a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. According to the above configuration, when the second user casts a second vote based on the first vote by the first user, the first user can be actively notified of this. As a result, it becomes easier for the first user to notice the influence of the first vote, and as a result, the first user can be encouraged to actively cast a vote.

[0092] [2] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the reception unit receives a second vote after the first user performs a setting operation for the first vote, the notification unit may perform a push notification to the first user. On the other hand, when the first user does not perform a setting operation, the notification unit may not perform a push notification to the first user. According to the above configuration, a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote based on the vote is performed to the first user only when the first user performs a setting operation for the first vote. As a result, the first user can be encouraged to perform a setting operation for the first vote.

[0093] [3] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the reception unit receives a vote performed using any one of a plurality of values available to the user, and the setting operation may be made acceptable when a vote using a predetermined value among the plurality of values is performed. According to the above configuration, a setting operation can be performed for the first vote using a predetermined value among the plurality of values. That is, when a first vote using a predetermined value is performed, a second vote based on the first vote is received. As a result, the first user can be encouraged to vote using a predetermined value.

[0094] [4] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the notification unit may perform a push notification to the first user when the number of times the reception unit receives the second vote reaches a predetermined number of times of 2 or more. According to the above configuration, it is possible to collectively notify the first user of the reception of the second vote for a predetermined number of times. As a result, compared with the case where a push notification is sent each time the second vote is received, the data communication load required for the notification can be reduced, and the trouble for the first user to check the notification content can be alleviated.

[0095] [5] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the notification unit may perform a push notification to the first user when the elapsed time from the reference time reaches a predetermined time. According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to notify the first user of the reception of the second vote at predetermined time intervals. As a result, compared with the case where a push notification is sent each time the second vote is received, the data communication load required for the notification can be reduced, and the trouble for the first user to check the notification content can be alleviated.

[0096] [6] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the reception unit may receive a vote cast within the vote reception period, and the notification unit may perform a push notification to the first user at a time corresponding to the end of the reception period. According to the above configuration, it is possible to collectively notify the first user of the reception of the second vote performed within the vote reception period after the end of the reception period. As a result, compared with the case where a push notification is sent each time the second vote is received, the data communication load required for the notification can be reduced, and the trouble for the first user to check the notification content can be alleviated.

[0097] [7] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is more preferable that the notification unit performs a push notification to the first user including the number of times the second vote is received by the reception unit and information about the second user who cast the second vote after the end of the reception period. According to the above configuration, the first user can know the number of times the second vote is received and information about the second user who cast the second vote through the push notification. That is, the first user can grasp in more detail the influence of the first vote he / she cast on other users.

[0098] [8] The information processing apparatus of the present invention may further include a privilege granting unit that grants a privilege corresponding to the number of times of receiving the second vote to the first user. In this case, the notification unit may perform a push notification including information about the privilege granted to the first user to the first user after the end of the reception period. According to the above configuration, after the end of the reception period, the effect of the present invention of notifying the first user of the reception of the second vote becomes more significant. More specifically, when the second vote based on the first vote is received, a privilege corresponding to the number of times of receiving the second vote is granted to the first user. Therefore, if information about the reception of the second vote, particularly the number of times of receiving the second vote, can be notified to the first user after the end of the vote reception period, the first user can be effectively incited to vote.

[0099] [9] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the notification unit performs a push notification to the first user when the notification condition is satisfied, and the notification condition when the first user has a predetermined relationship with the second user and the notification condition when the first user does not have a predetermined relationship with the second user may be different. According to the above configuration, the notification condition can be changed according to the presence or absence of a predetermined relationship between the first user and the second user. Thereby, for example, the second vote of the second user with a high degree of interaction with the first user can be notified to the first user prior to the second vote of the second user with a low degree of interaction.

[0100]

[10] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the number of times the reception unit receives the second vote from the second user having a predetermined relationship with the first user reaches a first value, the notification unit may perform a push notification to the first user. Also, when the number of times the reception unit receives the second vote from the second user not having a predetermined relationship with the first user reaches a second value greater than the first value, the notification unit may perform a push notification to the first user. According to the above configuration, the second vote of the second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user can be notified to the first user in more detail, specifically, more frequently, than the second vote by a second user who has no predetermined relationship with the first user.

[0101]

[11] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the first user has a predetermined relationship with the second user, the notification unit may perform a push notification including information about the second user to the first user. According to the above configuration, when the second user who has cast the second vote has a predetermined relationship with the first user, information about the second user can be notified to the first user together with the acceptance of the second vote. As a result, the first user can obtain an opportunity to deepen the friendship with the second user.

[0102]

[12] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the reception unit may receive a first vote including a plurality of different predictions from the first user, and receive a second vote based on a designated prediction designated by the second user from among the plurality of predictions from the second user. In this case, it is more preferable that the notification unit performs a push notification including information about the designated prediction to the first user. According to the above configuration, among the plurality of predictions included in the first vote, it is possible to notify the first user which prediction (designated prediction) the second vote was based on. Thereby, the first user can grasp the influence given to each of the plurality of predictions included in the first vote by other users (second users).

[0103]

[13] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is more preferable that the notification unit performs a push notification to the first user further including information about the number of times of acceptance of the second vote based on the designated prediction. According to the above configuration, since the number of times of acceptance of the second vote based on the designated prediction can be notified to the first user, the first user can grasp more quantitatively the influence given to each of the plurality of predictions included in the first vote by other users (second users).

[0104]

[14] The information processing method of the present invention is characterized in that when a computer receives a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user and then receives a second vote based on the first vote from a second user after receiving the first vote from the first user, the computer sends a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. According to the above method, when the second user makes a second vote based on the first vote by the first user, actively notifying the first user of this makes it easier for the first user to notice the influence of the first vote.

[0105]

[15] The program of the present invention causes a computer to receive a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user, and when a second vote based on the first vote is received from a second user after receiving the first vote from the first user, causes the computer to send a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. If the above program is executed on a computer, when the second user makes a second vote based on the first vote by the first user, actively notifying the first user of this makes it easier for the first user to notice the influence of the first vote.

Explanation of Signs

[0106] 10 Server computer 12 User terminal 14 Race result distribution device 16 Communication network 21 Processor 22 Memory 23 Communication interface 24 Storage 25 Bus 31 Reception unit 32 Storage unit 33 Display control unit 34 Notification unit 35 Hit determination unit 36 Payout awarding unit 37 Privilege awarding unit

Claims

1. A reception unit that receives a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user, A display control unit that controls the display screen of the terminal operated by the first user, When the reception unit receives a second vote based on the first vote from the second user after receiving the first vote from the first user, and when the notification condition set for the second vote is satisfied, a notification unit that sends a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user, having, The display control unit causes the terminal to display a setting screen for the notification condition, an information processing apparatus.

2. After the first user performs a setting operation on the first vote, when the reception unit receives the second vote, the notification unit sends the push notification to the first user, If the first user does not perform the setting operation, the notification unit does not send the push notification to the first user, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The reception unit receives the vote performed using any one of a plurality of values available to the user, The setting operation can be received when the vote using a predetermined value among the plurality of values is performed, the information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The notification unit sends the push notification to the first user when the number of times of receiving the second vote by the reception unit reaches a predetermined number of times of 2 or more, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The notification unit sends the push notification to the first user when the elapsed time from the reference time reaches a predetermined time, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The reception unit receives the vote performed within the reception period of the vote, The notification unit sends the push notification to the first user at a time corresponding to the end of the reception period, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. After the end, the notification unit sends the push notification including the number of times of receiving the second vote by the reception unit and information about the second user who performed the second vote to the first user, the information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. further having a privilege granting unit that grants a privilege corresponding to the number of times of receiving the second vote to the first user, The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the notification unit performs, after the end time, a push notification to the first user, the push notification further including information regarding the privilege granted to the first user.

9. A reception unit that receives a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user, When the reception unit receives a second vote based on the first vote from a second user after receiving the first vote from the first user, a notification unit that performs a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user when a notification condition is satisfied, comprising An information processing apparatus, wherein the notification condition when the first user has a predetermined relationship with the second user is different from the notification condition when the first user does not have the predetermined relationship with the second user.

10. When the number of times the reception unit has received the second vote from the second user having the predetermined relationship with the first user reaches a first value, the notification unit performs the push notification to the first user, The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the number of times the reception unit has received the second vote from the second user not having the predetermined relationship with the first user reaches a second value greater than the first value, the notification unit performs the push notification to the first user.

11. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein when the first user has a predetermined relationship with the second user, the notification unit performs a push notification including information regarding the second user to the first user.

12. The reception unit receives the first vote including a plurality of different predictions from the first user, and receives the second vote based on a designated prediction designated by the second user from among the plurality of predictions from the second user, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the notification unit performs a push notification including information regarding the designated prediction to the first user.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the notification unit performs a push notification to the first user, the push notification further including information regarding the number of times the second vote based on the designated prediction has been received.

14. A computer receives a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user, A computer controls a display screen of a terminal operated by a first user, When the computer receives a second vote from a second user based on the first vote after receiving the first vote from the first user, and when the notification conditions set for the second vote are satisfied, the computer sends a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. When controlling the display screen, the computer causes the terminal to display a setting screen for the notification conditions. Information processing method. **Claim 15**: A computer receives a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user. When the computer receives a second vote from a second user based on the first vote after receiving the first vote from the first user, and when the notification conditions are met, the computer sends a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. An information processing method, wherein the notification conditions when the first user has a predetermined relationship with the second user are different from the notification conditions when the first user does not have the predetermined relationship with the second user. **Claim 16** On a computer Cause the computer to receive a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user. Control the display screen of a terminal operated by a first user. When the computer receives a second vote from a second user based on the first vote after receiving the first vote from the first user, and when the notification conditions set for the second vote are satisfied, cause the computer to send a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. A program that causes the terminal to display a setting screen for the notification conditions when controlling the display screen. **Claim 17**: On a computer Cause the computer to receive a vote predicting the result of a predetermined competition from a user. When the computer receives a second vote from a second user based on the first vote after receiving the first vote from the first user, and when the notification conditions are met, cause the computer to send a push notification regarding the reception of the second vote to the first user. A program, wherein the notification conditions when the first user has a predetermined relationship with the second user are different from the notification conditions when the first user does not have the predetermined relationship with the second user.

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