Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, information processing method, and program, which make it easy to find a venue suitable for a completion watching event when planning the competition watching event and to recruit participants for the competition watching event.SOLUTION: An information processing device provided herein comprises: a storage unit configured to store venue information including information on competition watching events that can be held at each of one or more venues; a search unit configured to search for venues that can secure a space for the number of expected participants at the time of the specified competition watching event from among the stored venues, based on information on completion watching event specified by a first user; a registration unit configured to register event information including the venue specified by the first user among the searched venues and information on the competition watching event specified by the first user; and a provision unit configured to provide the registered event information to a second user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, restaurant reservation systems have been known that allow users to search for and reserve restaurants and other establishments by setting an area, genre, date and time, number of people, cost, and the like.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reservation system that displays on a screen already confirmed reservations and seats that can be reserved for the customer's desired date and time, and when the screen is scrolled in the time direction, it assumes that the customer's desired date and time has changed and displays seats that can be reserved for the new date and time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-204172 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional systems such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 do not function satisfactorily for organizers of sporting event viewing events, such as live viewing, when planning and recruiting participants. For example, sporting event viewing events of a wide variety of genres and scales have recently been held, and when planning a sporting event viewing event, it has been extremely difficult to find a venue suitable for each of these events. Furthermore, even if organizers are fortunate enough to find a venue, they then have to recruit participants for the event again, which is even more time-consuming and cumbersome.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can easily search for a venue suitable for a sports viewing event and can easily recruit participants for the sports viewing event when planning the sports viewing event.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores venue information including information on sports viewing events that can be held for each of one or more venues, and based on a sports viewing event designated by a first user (organizer), a search unit that searches for a venue among the venues that can secure a space for the number of participants scheduled to participate at the start time of the designated sports viewing event, a registration unit that registers event information including the venue designated by the first user among the searched venues and information on the sports viewing event designated by the first user, and a providing unit that provides the registered event information to a second user.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, when planning a sports viewing event, it is possible to easily search for a venue suitable for the sports viewing event and to easily recruit participants for the sports viewing event.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples given to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed or improved from the embodiments described below without departing from its gist. Also, of course, equivalents of the present invention are included. Also, in the following description, although examples of screens displayed on the terminal are not illustrated, the configuration examples of the screens, the information to be displayed, and the specific contents of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) can be freely designed and changed according to the design specifications and user preferences.

[0011] <Regarding Competitive Watching Events> 1 (hereinafter referred to as "event information providing system S") is a communication system including an information processing device (hereinafter referred to as "server 30") according to one embodiment of the present invention. The event information providing system S provides a first user U1, who is the organizer, with information about venues where a competition viewing event can be held, and also provides a second user U2, who is a potential participant, with event information including information about the venue where the competition viewing event will be held (hereinafter referred to as "event information providing service").

[0012] A "sports viewing event" is a type of event known as live viewing, in which live footage from a stadium where a sporting event is being held is screened at another venue, and multiple spectators watch the event together. A screen is usually set up at the venue, and participants who visit the venue enjoy cheering on the athletes (teams or individuals) they are rooting for while watching the competition footage screened on the screen.

[0013] In this embodiment, in principle, any user U who uses the event information providing system S can host a competition watching event. The following describes a case where a certain user U (first user U1) who uses the event information providing system S becomes the organizer who plans a competition watching event and solicits participants for the competition watching event from other users U (second users U2) who are potential participants. Note that the organizer who plans the competition watching event may, of course, be a venue manager or a specialized event planning company, etc.

[0014] "Competition" is not limited to sports such as baseball, soccer, basketball, etc., or athletics, swimming, or martial arts, but may also include any sport in which multiple athletes compete under certain rules. For example, it may include video games (including electronic sports), Go, Shogi, chess, Othello, poker, backgammon, mathematics, abacus, mental arithmetic, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, music, or cooking.

[0015] A "venue" is any facility equipped with the equipment to show live footage of the competition, and includes not only restaurants and other establishments, but also hotels, halls, ceremony halls, event spaces, studios, sports facilities, etc. Furthermore, the venue may be divided into sections with separate spaces, seats, tables, etc., to make it easier for participants cheering for the same athlete (participants cheering for the same target) to gather together.

[0016] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the venue 50 is divided into a plurality of areas, a first area 51 and a second area 52, and a screen 53 is disposed in each of the first area 51 and the second area. In this case, in a competition between competitors A and B, participants who are cheering for competitor A can gather in the first area 51, and participants who are cheering for competitor B can gather in the second area 52. A partition such as a curtain, a partition screen, or a fence can be provided at the boundary 54 between the first area 51 and the second area 52, but the division does not necessarily have to be particularly clear.

[0017] "Screen" refers to any display device capable of projecting live footage of a competition. For example, this includes displays such as LED screens or large monitors that receive live broadcasts and display competition footage, or projection screens that display competition footage projected from a film projector or projector.

[0018] The term "support target" refers to a competitor in a competition who is supported by a participant. Therefore, it can also be said that the participant is a fan of that support target. The support target may be a team or an individual.

[0019] The "target participants" are users U who may participate in the competition viewing event, and include all users U who are searching for a venue for the competition viewing event. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the target participants are referred to as second users U2, but may include all users U who use the event information providing system S.

[0020] "Participant" refers to a user U who is actually at the venue of the competition viewing event among the above-mentioned target participants or a user U who plans to participate. In other words, participants also include users U who have not yet come to the venue of the competition viewing event but who have already purchased tickets for the competition viewing event and are therefore certain to participate in the competition viewing event or who are highly likely to participate.

[0021] 3, a general flow of steps up to the holding of a competition watching event will be described using the event information providing system S. In this embodiment, the main participants involved in holding a competition watching event are the organizer (first user U1), potential participants (second user U2), and a venue manager or other venue personnel (third user U3) who provides the venue where the competition watching event is held.

[0022] First, if the venue manager believes that the venue he or she manages or administers meets the conditions for hosting a sports viewing event and intends to offer the venue to the organizer as a venue for a sports viewing event, the venue manager will register the venue in advance in the event information provision system S as a venue capable of hosting a sports viewing event.

[0023] When planning a sports viewing event, the organizer specifies the target sports, decides the date and time of the event and the expected number of participants (number of reservations), etc., and then uses the event information providing system S to search for a venue that can secure space for the expected number of participants on the date and time of the event. If a suitable venue is found as a result of the venue search, the organizer uses the event information providing system S to make a reservation for that venue. At this time, the organizer may search and reserve by venue, or if the venue is divided into sections, the organizer may search and reserve by section.

[0024] The "date and time of the event" generally refers to the time period including the actual competition time and a predetermined time before and after the competition time.

[0025] In addition, when the venue is divided and multiple organizers simultaneously hold competition viewing events in the same venue, if one organizer A holds a competition viewing event where participants who are supporting athlete A gather, another organizer B may be prevented from holding a competition viewing event where participants who are supporting athlete B gather (hereinafter referred to as a competing competition viewing event). For example, when another organizer B searches for a venue, the same venue may not be displayed in the search results.

[0026] Examples of cases where a competing sports viewing event would prevent another organizer, B, from holding a sports viewing event at the same venue include the following: (a) When the target spectator events are the same (date: "Athlete A" vs. "Athlete B"), and one organizer A holds a spectator event to support Athlete A, another organizer B holds a spectator event to support Athlete B, who is the opponent. (b) When the target competition viewing events are the same (date of month, "FC○○" vs. "△△SC"), and one organizer A holds a competition viewing event to support Athlete A, a player belonging to FC○○, while another organizer B holds a competition viewing event to support Athlete B, a player belonging to the opposing team, △△SC.

[0027] On the other hand, if the venue staff member who has accepted the venue reservation determines that the competition viewing event can be held, he / she uses the event information providing system S to approve the provision of the venue and completes the venue reservation from the organizer.

[0028] When the organizer determines the venue for holding the sports viewing event, the organizer determines the participation fee (ticket price) per participant in the sports viewing event in consideration of the venue fee (venue usage fee) of the reserved venue, the expected number of participants, etc., and creates tickets on the event information providing system S. At this time, the event information providing system S may automatically calculate the minimum amount of the participation fee that can be profitable from the venue fee and the expected number of participants. Even in this case, the organizer can freely determine the participation fee by referring to the minimum amount of the participation fee without being restricted by the minimum amount of the participation fee.

[0029] Then, after registering the information regarding the sports viewing event created by the organizer (hereinafter referred to as event information) on the event information providing system S, the organizer uses the event information providing system S to publicly disclose part or all of the event information to sell tickets and recruit participants. At this time, the organizer may preferentially or restrictively disclose the event information to potential participants who are highly likely to participate and are presumed to be interested in the sports viewing event to recruit participants.

[0030] "Ticket" refers to data for permitting participation in a sports viewing event. The ticket contains event information. The ticket may be a tangible object printed on a paper medium or the like, or data for printing, in addition to a so-called electronic ticket. Further, when the venue 50 is divided into a first area 51 and a second area 52 for each support target, the ticket may be associated with each of the first area 51 and the second area 52.

[0031] "Event information" refers to information for identifying a sports viewing event. For example, it includes information such as the content of the sport targeted by the sports viewing event, the date and time of the event, the venue of the event, the participation fee, the attributes of the organizer, or the past event history.

[0032] On the other hand, when a potential participant is thinking of participating in a sports viewing event, the participant searches for a sports viewing event that suits the participant's hobbies and preferences using the event information providing system S. Then, when the participant finds a sports viewing event that suits the participant's hobbies and preferences from among the sports viewing events that are currently accepting participants, the participant uses the event information providing system S to purchase a ticket for the sports viewing event and apply to participate.

[0033] On the day of the event, the organizer will hold a sports viewing event, and participants who have purchased tickets will participate in the sports viewing event according to the start time. The event information providing system S may also be used to manage participants' entry and exit to the venue.

[0034] <Configuration of the Event Information Provision System S> Next, the configuration of the event information providing system S for providing the above event information providing service to the user U will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the event information providing system S is constructed to provide a first user U1 with information about venues where a sports watching event can be held, and to provide a second user U2 with event information including information about the venue where the sports watching event will be held, and is composed of an information terminal (hereinafter referred to as "user terminal 10") operated by the user U (first user U1 to third user U3), and a server 30. The user terminal 10 and the server 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network N such as the Internet. The user terminal 10 may also be connected to a GPS satellite (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0035] The user terminal 10 is equipped with a program stored in the terminal and a processor that executes the program, and is carried and operated by the user U who is its owner. As the user terminal 10, known devices used as information processing terminals, such as smartphones, mobile phones, notebook PCs, tablet terminals, wearable terminals, or game devices equipped with communication functions, etc. can be used. Note that the number of user terminals 10 constituting the event information providing system S is not particularly limited and may be any number. However, in FIG. 1, for the sake of illustration, the number of user terminals 10 held by the first user U1 is 1, the number of user terminals 10 held by the second user U2 is 3, and the number of user terminals 10 held by the third user U3 is 1.

[0036] The server 30 is a computer constituting the information processing apparatus of the present invention. For example, it is composed of a server computer managed by an information providing company and undertakes a series of processes related to the event information providing service. Specifically, it manages the information of the user U for each user U (for the third user U3, it is the venue information) and distributes various data to each user U. Also, the server 30 is not limited to a server device composed of a single computer that exhibits a specific function, and may be composed of a group of server devices composed of a plurality of computers that are distributed and cooperate to exhibit a specific function.

[0037] The network N may be any that can connect the user terminal 10 and the server 30 in a state where data communication is possible. Whether it is wired or wireless, it includes the Internet, mobile communication networks, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), intranet, and Ethernet (registered trademark), etc. Also, the user terminals 10 may communicate with each other via the network N, or may communicate directly without passing through the network N through Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark), etc.

[0038] In the event information providing system S of this embodiment, the user terminal 10 and the server 30 cooperate with each other through the above configuration to realize an event information providing service. Specifically, part of the event information providing process is performed on the server 30 side, and part of the graphic processing and the like is executed on the user terminal 10 side. For example, a program including certain rules, logic, and algorithms is executed on the server 30 side. Meanwhile, the user terminal 10 side synchronizes with the server 30 and provides the event information providing service to the user U using the same rules, logic, and algorithms as the program executed on the server 30.

[0039] <Configuration of User Terminal 10> Next, the configuration of the user terminal 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the user terminal 10 has a hardware configuration including a processor 11, a storage device 12, a communication interface (referred to as communication I / F in Figure 4) 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15, and these devices are electrically connected via a bus not shown.

[0040] The processor 11 includes, for example, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit, or a digital signal processor, and executes various types of arithmetic processing based on programs or data stored in the storage device 12, and controls each part of the user terminal 10. The programs executed by the processor 11 include an OS (Operating System), which is system software for controlling the entire user terminal 10, and application programs for the event information provision service, and the functions of the user terminal 10 constituting the event information provision system S are fulfilled by reading and executing these various programs by the processor 11.

[0041] The memory device 12 includes, for example, a memory or a storage, etc., and stores various programs or data. The memory is composed of semiconductor memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), provides a working area for the processor 11 by temporarily storing programs and data, and temporarily stores various data generated by the processing executed by the processor 11. The storage stores various data related to the event information providing service, and is composed of, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an FD (Flexible Disc), an MO disk (Magneto-Optical disc), a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an SD card (Secure Digital card), and a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), etc.

[0042] The communication interface 13 is composed of, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc., and controls the communication processing of the user terminal 10. The communication standard by the communication interface 13 is not particularly limited, and any communication standard for the public can be applied without limitation. Also, the communication method by the communication interface 13 may be a wireless method or a wired method.

[0043] The input device 14 is a device that receives the operation of the user U and generates data indicating the content of the received operation. As an example, operation keys, operation buttons, a microphone for sound collection, and a camera for photographing provided on the user terminal 10 can be used.

[0044] The output device 15 is a device that draws a screen to display images, character string information, etc., and plays back audio. As an example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, a head-mounted display, a speaker, etc., provided in the user terminal 10 can be used. In this embodiment, the output device 15 includes at least a display. The display may be a device that combines the functions of both the input device 14 and the output device 15, such as a touch panel display.

[0045] Next, the configuration of the user terminal 10 will be explained again from a functional perspective with reference to FIG. 5, the user terminal 10 includes multiple functional units, specifically, an operation identification unit 16, a terminal storage unit 17, a terminal generation unit 18, a terminal transmission / reception unit 19, and a display processing unit 20. These functional units are realized by the cooperation of hardware devices of the user terminal 10 and programs stored in the user terminal 10 as software.

[0046] [Operation specification part 16] The operation identification unit 16 is mainly realized by the processor 11 and the input device 14, and identifies the content of various operations performed by the user U through the input device 14 of the user terminal 10. The operations identified by the operation identification unit 16 include an operation by the first user U1 to search for or reserve a venue where a competition viewing event will be held, an operation to determine a participation fee, an operation to register event information, etc.; an operation by the second user U2 to search for or determine a venue where a competition viewing event will be held, an operation to purchase a ticket and apply to participate in the competition viewing event, etc.; and an operation by the third user U3 to register a venue, an operation to approve the provision of the venue, etc.

[0047] [Terminal side storage unit 17] The terminal-side storage unit 17 is mainly realized by the processor 11 and the storage device 12, and stores various data related to the event information providing service (for example, character data, image data, video data, and audio data).

[0048] [Terminal side generation unit 18] The terminal-side generation unit 18 is mainly realized by the processor 11 and the storage device 12, and generates data etc. according to the operation content of the user U identified by the operation identification unit 16. The data generated here includes operation data according to the first user U1's operation of searching for or reserving a venue for the competition viewing event, an operation of determining the participation fee, and an operation of registering event information. The data also includes operation data according to the second user U2's operation of searching for or determining the venue for the competition viewing event, and an operation of purchasing a ticket and applying to participate in the competition viewing event. The data also includes operation data according to the third user U3's operation of registering a venue and approving the provision of the venue. These generated data are transmitted to the server 30 by the terminal-side transmission / reception unit 19.

[0049] [Terminal side transceiver 19] The terminal-side transmitting / receiving unit 19 is mainly realized by the processor 11, the storage device 12, and the communication interface 13, and transmits and receives data and information between the server 30 and the user terminal 10 of another user U. For example, the terminal-side transmitting / receiving unit 19 receives various data related to the event information providing service sent from the server 30, and transmits the various operation data described above to the server 30.

[0050] [Display processing unit 20] The display processing unit 20 is mainly realized by the processor 11, the storage device 12, and the output device 15, and executes display processing to display on the display using the browsing function the data and information received by the terminal-side transmitting / receiving unit 19. Specifically, the display processing unit 20 expands various data related to the event information providing service received by the terminal-side transmitting / receiving unit 19 from the server 30, and displays text, images, and other information on the display.

[0051] Note that the user terminal 10 may be provided with a function of acquiring the position of the user terminal 10, that is, the position information (coordinate position) of the user U carrying the user terminal 10, by a method of detecting the position of the user terminal 10 based on a signal from a GPS satellite (not shown), or by a method of detecting the position of the user terminal 10 based on the radio wave intensity from a base station of a mobile phone system, an access point of Wifi communication, or the like.

[0052] <Configuration of Server 30> Next, the configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 30 has the same hardware configuration as a general server computer, and includes a processor 31, a storage device 32, and a communication interface (denoted as communication I / F in FIG. 4) 33, and these devices are electrically connected via a bus (not shown).

[0053] The processor 31 is composed of a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, etc., and executes various processes by executing a program installed in the server 30. The program executed by the processor 31 is an OS which is system software for controlling the entire server 30, and an application program for causing the server 30 to function as the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

[0054] The storage device 32 includes, for example, a memory or a storage, etc., and stores various programs or data. The memory is composed of semiconductor memories such as a ROM and a RAM, provides a working area for the processor 31 by temporarily storing programs and data, and temporarily stores data generated by various processes executed by the processor 31. The storage stores various data related to the user U and games, etc., and is composed of, for example, a flash memory, an HDD, an SSD, an FD, an MO disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD card, and a USB memory, etc. Note that a server computer for a database connected to the server 30 via the network N may be used as the storage.

[0055] The communication interface 33 for communication is constituted by, for example, a network interface card or the like, and controls the communication processing of the server 30. The communication standard by the communication interface 33 is not particularly limited, and any public communication standard can be applied without limitation. Further, the communication method by the communication interface 33 may be a wireless method or a wired method.

[0056] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the configuration of the server 30 will be described again from the functional aspect. As shown in FIG. 6, the server 30 includes a plurality of functional units, specifically, a server-side storage unit 34, a server-side transmission / reception unit 35, a server-side generation unit 36, a search unit 37, a registration unit 38, a provision unit 39, a participation fee calculation unit 40, and a management unit 41. These functional units are realized by the cooperation of the hardware devices of the server 30 and a program as software stored in the server 30. When the server 30 is constituted by a plurality of computers, the above functions may be distributed so that each of the plurality of computers exhibits different functions from each other.

[0057] [Server-side storage unit 34] The server-side storage unit 34 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and stores various data including data related to the venue, data related to event information, data related to the user U, and other data related to the event information providing service.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, the venue information table T1, which is data related to the venue, includes items related to an ID for specifying the venue and attributes of the venue (name, contact information, address, URL, maximum capacity, facilities, and venue fee). It also includes items related to holdable events indicating the genres of competitions that can be held at the venue, and holdable dates and times (available dates and times) indicating the dates and times that can be reserved as the venue for the competition viewing event. Note that the holdable events and holdable dates and times are managed by a separate table (not shown) associated with each venue.

[0059] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the event information table T2, which is data related to event information, includes items such as an arrangement number for identifying the competition viewing event, the name of the competition viewing event, information regarding the organizer of the competition viewing event (organizer ID and organizer name), and items related to the holding date, holding time, participation fee, and capacity of the competition viewing event. It also includes items related to the competition targeted by the competition viewing event, that is, items related to the competition genre, competition target (versus cards, etc.), competition date, and competition time. It also includes items related to the venue associated with the above venue information, that is, items related to the venue name, venue contact information, venue address, and venue URL. It also includes information regarding the sales record of tickets for participating in the competition viewing event, that is, items related to the total number of tickets, the number of sold tickets, and the breakdown of the sold tickets (denoted as sold ticket A and sold ticket B in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, FC○○ is associated with ticket A, and △△SC is associated with ticket B. Therefore, it can be inferred that user U who purchased ticket A is a fan of FC○○, and user U who purchased ticket B is a fan of △△SC. It also includes items related to the information of the participants in the competition viewing event, that is, items related to the number of participants, participation rate, and breakdown of the participants (denoted as participants in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the number of participants includes the number of users U who have actually participated and the number of users U who plan to participate in the future. Therefore, the number of participants is equal to the number of sold tickets. Also, the participants are synonymous with ticket purchasers, and the breakdown of the participants shows the user IDs of the participants associated with the user information described later. Furthermore, it includes items related to the characteristics of the venue.

[0060] The "characteristics of the venue" refer to the dynamic characteristics of the venue, such as the atmosphere of the venue and the degree of excitement of the venue, which arise from attributes related to the objects of support of the participants. That is, the characteristics of the venue include, for example, the atmosphere of the venue influenced by which competitor has many participants cheering for them (the number of fans for each competitor), and the degree of excitement of the venue due to the number of participants, etc. The characteristics of this venue are determined by various factors, but are also affected by, for example, information on ticket sales performance and information on the gathered participants, etc., and may change over time.

[0061] The characteristics of the venue can also be predicted, for example, by analyzing the sales volume of each ticket when tickets are sold by classifying them for each object of support by associating tickets with competitors, that is, analyzing which tickets associated with which competitor are purchased more. For example, in a competition where Competitor A and Competitor B compete, if more tickets associated with Competitor A are purchased, it can be predicted that more fans of Competitor A will gather at that venue and the atmosphere will be one of cheering for Competitor A. Also, even when tickets are sold without associating tickets with competitors, etc., the characteristics of the venue can be predicted by analyzing the object of support of each participant who purchased the ticket and identifying which competitor has many participants cheering for them.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the user information table T3, which is data related to the user U, includes items related to the ID for identifying the user U and the personal information of the user U (including attributes such as name, gender, age, address, and phone number, etc.). Also, it includes information related to the hobbies and interests of the user U, that is, items related to the genre of interest and the object of support, etc. The item related to the object of support is for identifying the competitor who is the object of support that the user U supports. That is, the item related to the object of support indicates that the user U is a fan of a specific team or a specific individual, etc., and is cheering for those teams or individuals, etc. The information also includes items related to other users U who are friends with the user U and who are linked by mutual approval between the users U (hereinafter referred to as "friends"), and past history identifying competition viewing events that the user U has previously participated in (such as genre, support target, organizer of competition viewing events that the user U has previously participated in, or other users U who have previously participated together). The friends section shows a user ID that identifies other users U linked to the user U. The past history section shows a serial number associated with event information indicating competition viewing events that the user U has previously participated in.

[0063] [Server-side transmitting / receiving unit 35] The server-side transmitting / receiving unit 35 is mainly realized by the processor 31, the storage device 32, and the communication interface 33, and transmits and receives data and information to and from the user terminal 10. For example, the server-side transmitting / receiving unit 35 transmits various data related to the event information providing service to the user terminal 10 of the user U, and receives various operation data from the user terminal 10.

[0064] [Server-side generation part 36] The server-side generation unit 36 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and generates data to be transmitted by the server-side transmission / reception unit 35. The data generated here specifically includes various data related to the event information provision service corresponding to the various operation data received from the user terminal 10. The various data related to the event information provision service include data indicating information about the venue searched by the search unit 37 (described later), data indicating event information registered by the registration unit 38 (described later), and data indicating the minimum participation fee calculated by the participation fee calculation unit 40 (described later).

[0065] [Search Section 37] The search unit 37 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and searches registered venues for venues that can secure space for the number of participants expected at the date and time of the specified competition viewing event based on the content of the competition viewing event specified by the first user U1. If the venue is divided into sections, the search is performed by section. If the venue is divided into sections, the first user U1 searching for a venue for a competing competition viewing event may be excluded from the search even if the section is vacant. Data indicating the search results is sent to the user terminal 10 of the first user U1 by the server-side transceiver 35. Furthermore, based on the conditions specified by the second user U2, the search unit 37 searches for a competition watching event that meets the conditions from among the competition watching events registered by the registration unit 38 (described later). The search unit 37 then transmits the searched event to the user terminal 10 of the second user U2 by the server-side transceiver 35.

[0066] [Registration Section 38] The registration unit 38 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and registers event information including information on the venue selected by the first user U1 from among the searched venues in the server-side storage unit 34 based on operation data from the first user U1. Furthermore, the registration unit 38 registers in the server-side storage unit 34 venues where the competition watching event can be held, based on operation data from the third user U3.

[0067] [Provider 39] The providing unit 39 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and provides the registered event information to the second user U2 by transmitting data indicating the event information to the user terminal 10 in cooperation with the server-side transmitting / receiving unit 35. At this time, tickets are also sold when providing the event information, and the tickets are provided to the second user U2 who has purchased them.

[0068] In addition, the providing unit 39 can also select a second user U2 who is suitable for the competition event from among the second users U2, and preferentially or restrictively provide event information to the selected second user U2. Specifically, the user information (attributes, interest genres, support targets, past history, etc.) of the second user U2 is compared with the event information to calculate the degree of fitness, and a second user U2 who satisfies a predetermined condition such as the degree of fitness being equal to or greater than a predetermined value is selected, and event information is provided.

[0069] The "degree of fitness" indicates the degree to which the ongoing competition viewing event matches the hobbies and interests of the second user U2. For example, when it is a competition viewing event related to the interest genre of the second user U2, when it is a competition viewing event related to a competitor classified as a support target similar to the support target of the second user U2, or when it is a competition viewing event related to a competition viewing event that the second user U2 has participated in the past, etc., the degree of fitness becomes high. Also, by analyzing the ticket sales situation, when it is a competition viewing event where there are friends of the second user U2 or participants with a history of participating in the same competition event in the past (participation history), etc., the degree of fitness also becomes high. Furthermore, for a competition viewing event held at a venue close to the address or current location of the second user U2, the degree of fitness may be increased.

[0070] [Participation fee calculation unit 40] The participation fee calculation unit 40 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and calculates the minimum amount of the participation fee that can make a profit when holding a competition viewing event from the venue fee of the determined venue and the number of people scheduled to participate. Specifically, the minimum amount of the participation fee is calculated by dividing the venue fee by the number of people scheduled to participate. The minimum amount of the participation fee calculated here is generated as data in cooperation with the server-side generation unit 36, and the data indicating the minimum amount of the participation fee is transmitted to the user terminal 10 of the first user U1 by the server-side transmission / reception unit 35.

[0071] [Management unit 41] The management unit 41 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and is mainly responsible for managing tickets and performing settlement of the price (participation fee) of sold tickets. It also cancels sold tickets, manages ticket sales records, tallying the number of participants and analyzing participant data. It also manages the entry and exit of second users U2 to and from the venue.

[0072] In general, the user terminal 10 and the server 30 have various functions other than those described above, but here we will only explain the characteristic functions that have an effect on the event information providing system S of the present invention, and will not illustrate or explain other known functions, etc.

[0073] <Processing flow of the event information provision system S> Next, the flow of processing executed in the event information providing system S configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. The information processing method of this embodiment is realized by using an event information providing system S that functions as a computer system; in other words, the information processing performed by the event information providing system S applies the information processing method of this embodiment.

[0074] [Event information provision processing] First, an example of the event information providing process will be described with reference to FIG. The "event information provision process" is a process executed on the server 30, which searches for a venue from among pre-registered venues that can secure space for the number of participants expected at the time of the specified competition viewing event, based on the competition viewing event specified by the first user U1, registers event information including information about the venue specified by the first user and the competition viewing event specified by the first user from among the searched venues, and provides the registered event information to the second user U2.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 10, first, when the server 30 receives operation data corresponding to an operation to search for a venue for holding a competition viewing event from the first user U1 and accepts an event plan (S101), it determines a venue where the competition viewing event can be held (S102), and registers event information including information on the determined venue (S103). Then, it selects a second user U2 who is the recipient of the registered event information (S104), provides the registered event information to the selected second user U2 (S105), and ends the process.

[0076] Hereinafter, details of each process (event venue determination process, event information registration process, and event information recipient selection process) executed within the above event information provision process will be described.

[0077] [Event Venue Determination Process] Based on FIG. 11, an example of the event venue determination process will be described. The "event venue determination process" is a process executed on the server 30 and is the process executed in step S102 of the above event information provision process.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 11, first, the server 30 searches for one or more venues that meet the conditions specified by the first user U1 from among the venues pre-registered in the server-side storage unit 34 (S201). Then, when there is a venue that meets the conditions such as the opening date and time and the planned number of participants (S202: YES), the search result is transmitted to and displayed on the user terminal 10 of the first user U1 (S203). Next, when the server 30 receives operation data corresponding to an operation to reserve a venue for holding a competition viewing event from among the venues shown as the search result from the first user U1 and accepts the venue reservation (S204: YES), it confirms with the third user U3 whether to approve the venue provision (S205). Then, the server 30 receives operation data from the third user U3 corresponding to an operation approving the provision of the venue, and when the provision of the venue is approved by the third user U3 (S205: YES), it determines the venue where the competition viewing event will be held (S206) and terminates the processing.

[0079] On the other hand, if there is no venue that meets the conditions specified by the first user U1 (S202: NO), if the venue reservation is not accepted from the first user U1 (S204: NO), or if the provision of the venue is not approved by the third user U3 (S205: NO), the process ends. At this time, a notification according to each content may be sent to the first user U1.

[0080] [Event information registration process] Next, an example of the event information registration process will be described with reference to FIG. The "event information registration process" is a process executed by the server 30, and is the process executed in step S103 of the event information provision process described above.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 12, first, the server 30 reads the venue information of the designated venue designated and determined by the first user U1 from among the venues pre-registered in the server-side storage unit 34 (S301). Next, the server 30 calculates the minimum participation fee based on the relationship between the venue fee included in the venue information and the number of people expected to participate in the competition viewing event set by the first user U1 (S302), and transmits and presents data indicating the calculated minimum participation fee to the user terminal 10 of the first user U1 (S303). Then, the server 30 receives operation data corresponding to the operation to determine the participation fee from the first user U1 and determines the participation fee (S304), registers the event information including the venue information for which the participation fee has been determined (S305), and ends the processing.

[0082] [Event information recipient selection process] Next, an example of the event information destination selection process will be described with reference to FIG. The "event information provider selection process" is a process executed on the server 30 and is the process executed in step S104 of the above-described event information provision process.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 13, first, the server 30 reads the user information (attributes, interest genres, support targets, past history, etc.) of the second user U2 from the user information recorded in the server-side storage unit 34 (S401). Next, the server 30 compares the read user information of the second user U2 with the registered event information (S402), calculates the degree of fitness for the competitive viewing event for each second user U2 (S403), selects the second user U2 that satisfies a predetermined condition such as the calculated degree of fitness being equal to or greater than a predetermined value as the event information provider (S404), and ends the process.

[0084] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In the above-described embodiment, the program of the present invention is executed on the server 30 to function as the information processing apparatus of the present invention. However, a part or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus of the server 30 may be provided in the user terminal 10. For example, a function corresponding to the search unit 37 or the like may be provided in the user terminal 10.

[0085] <Summary> The main features of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present embodiment described above are as follows.

[0086] [1] The information processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a storage unit that stores venue information including information on a competitive event viewing event that can be held for each of one or more venues, and based on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, a search unit that searches for a venue from among the venues that can secure a space for the planned number of participants at the start time of the specified competitive event viewing event, a registration unit that registers event information including the venue specified by the first user and information on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, and a providing unit that provides the registered event information to the second user. According to the above information processing apparatus, based on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, a venue that can secure a space for the planned number of participants at the start time is searched, and event information including the venue specified by the first user and information on the competitive event viewing event is provided to the second user. Thus, when planning a competitive event viewing event, the first user can easily find a venue suitable for the competitive event viewing event and can easily recruit participants for the competitive event viewing event from among the second users.

[0087] [2] In the above information processing apparatus, the event information includes information on the attributes of the first user or competitive event viewing events held by the first user in the past. According to the above information processing apparatus, by providing the second user with event information including information on the attributes of the first user or competitive event viewing events held by the first user in the past, it becomes easier for the second user to select a competitive event viewing event. Therefore, the first user can more easily recruit participants for the competitive event viewing event from among the second users.

[0088] [3] In the above information processing apparatus, the providing unit provides the second user with data for permitting participation in the competitive event viewing event. According to the above information processing apparatus, by providing the second user with data for permitting participation in the competitive event viewing event, the labor involved in selling or managing tickets for participating in the competitive event viewing event can be reduced. Therefore, the first user can more easily recruit participants for the competitive event viewing event from among the second users.

[0089] [4] The information processing device further includes a participation fee calculation unit that calculates the minimum participation fee for the competition watching event based on the venue fee for the venue designated by the first user and the number of participants expected to participate. According to the above-mentioned information processing device, by providing the first user with the minimum participation fee for the competition viewing event calculated from the venue fee for the venue specified by the first user and the expected number of participants, the first user can easily grasp the break-even point when planning a competition viewing event, allowing the first user to more easily find a venue suitable for the competition viewing event and more easily recruit participants for the competition viewing event from among second users.

[0090] [5] In the above-mentioned information processing device, the memory unit stores second user information including information regarding the second user's attributes or participation history in past competition viewing events, and the providing unit provides the registered event information to a second user whose value calculated based on the second user information and the event information satisfies a predetermined condition. According to the information processing device, by searching for venues with areas that can secure space for the number of participants expected, the first user can more easily find a venue suitable for a sports watching event. On the other hand, it is also efficient for the venue side, as it allows multiple events to be held simultaneously.

[0091] [6] In the information processing device described above, the venue is divided into a plurality of areas, and the search unit searches for a venue having an area that can secure space for the number of participants expected. According to the information processing device described above, each area corresponds to one of the multiple athletes competing in the competition, making it an attractive competition viewing event where participants can get excited by splitting up into groups based on the athletes they are rooting for, making it even easier for first users to recruit participants in the competition viewing event from among second users.

[0092] [7]In the above information processing apparatus, the venue is divided into a plurality of areas, and each area corresponds to one of a plurality of competitors competing in the competition. According to the above information processing apparatus, since a screen for screening the competition is arranged for each area, for the participants, it becomes an attractive competition viewing event that can be enlivened for each area. Therefore, the first user can more easily recruit participants in the competition viewing event from among the second users.

[0093] [8]In the above information processing apparatus, the competition viewing event is one in which the competition is screened on a screen for viewing, and a screen is arranged in each area. According to the above information processing apparatus, by setting the holding time of the competition viewing event to a predetermined time including before and after the competition time, the first user can more easily search for a venue suitable for the competition viewing event.

[0094] [9]In the above information processing apparatus, the holding time is a predetermined time period including before and after the competition time of the competition. According to the above information processing apparatus, by providing event information to the second user for whom the value calculated based on the attribute of the second user or the participation history in the past competition viewing event and the attribute of the competition viewing event satisfies a predetermined condition, the first user can inform the second user who is highly likely to be interested in the designated competition target event of the event information. Therefore, the first user can more easily recruit participants in the competition viewing event from among the second users.

[0095]

[10] Also, according to the information processing method according to the present embodiment, a computer stores venue information including information on competitive event viewing events that can be held for each of one or more venues, and based on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, searches for a venue among the venues that can secure a space for the number of participants scheduled to participate at the start time of the specified competitive event viewing event, registers event information including the venue specified by the first user and information on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, and provides the registered event information to the second user. According to the above information processing method, based on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, searching for a venue that can secure a space for the number of participants scheduled to participate at the start time, and providing event information including the venue specified by the first user and information on the competitive event viewing event to the second user, the first user can easily find a venue suitable for the competitive event viewing event when planning the competitive event viewing event, and can easily recruit participants for the competitive event viewing event from among the second users.

[0096]

[11] Also, according to the program according to the present embodiment, a program executed by a computer, which causes the computer to store venue information including information on competitive event viewing events that can be held for each of one or more venues, search for a venue among the venues that can secure a space for the number of participants scheduled to participate at the start time of the specified competitive event viewing event based on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, register event information including the venue specified by the first user and information on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, and provide the registered event information to the second user. According to the above program, based on the competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, searching for a venue that can secure a space for the number of participants scheduled to participate at the start time, and providing event information including the venue specified by the first user and information on the competitive event viewing event to the second user, the first user can easily find a venue suitable for the competitive event viewing event when planning the competitive event viewing event, and can easily recruit participants for the competitive event viewing event from among the second users. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 User terminal 11 processors 12 Storage device 13 Communication Interface 14 Input Devices 15 Output Devices 16 Operation specific part 17 Terminal side memory unit 18 Terminal side generation unit 19 Terminal side transceiver 20 Display processing section 30 servers 31 processors 32 Storage device 33 Communication Interface 34 Server-side storage unit 35 Server-side transmission / reception unit 36 Server-side generation unit 37 Search Section 38 Registration Department 39 Providing Department 40 Participation Fee Calculation Department 41 Management Department 50 event venues 51 Area 1 52 Second area 53 screens 54 Boundary N Network S Event Information System T1 Venue Information Table T2 Event Information Table T3 User Information Table U1 First User U2 Second user U3 Third user

Claims

1. Comprising a processor, Based on an operation searched by a first user, the processor presents a first venue where a plurality of competitive event viewing events can be held, which can be reserved under conditions including the holding time and the competition of the first competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, Receives an operation to reserve the first venue from the first user, After receiving the reservation operation, the processor generates event information for transmission to other users, The event information includes the first venue designated by the first user from the presented first venues and information regarding the first event designated by the first user, The processor provides the event information to a second user whose fitness determined based on the user information of the other user and the information of the first event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, An information processing apparatus.

2. Based on an operation searched by a first user, a processor presents a first venue where a plurality of competitive event viewing events can be held, which can be reserved under conditions including the holding time and the competition of the first competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, The processor receives an operation to reserve the first venue from the first user, After receiving the reservation operation, the processor generates event information for transmission to other users, The event information includes the first venue designated by the first user from the presented first venues and information regarding the first event designated by the first user, The processor provides the event information to a second user whose fitness determined based on the user information of the other user and the information of the first event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, An information processing method.

3. Cause the processor to present a first venue where a plurality of competitive event viewing events can be held, which can be reserved under conditions including the holding time and the competition of the first competitive event viewing event specified by the first user, based on an operation searched by the first user, Cause the processor to receive an operation to reserve the first venue from the first user, Execute a process of causing the processor to generate event information for transmission to other users after receiving the reservation operation, The event information includes the first venue designated by the first user from the presented first venues and information regarding the first event designated by the first user, A process of causing a processor to provide the event information to a second user whose degree of fitness determined based on the user information of the other user and the information of the first event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Program. **Claim 4** A system comprising a user terminal and a server, wherein the server presents a first venue where a plurality of competitive event viewing events can be held, which can be reserved under conditions including the holding time and the competition of the first competitive event viewing event designated by the first user, based on an operation for searching by the first user using the user terminal; the server receives an operation for reserving the first venue from the first user; after receiving the operation for reserving, the server generates event information to be transmitted to other users; the event information includes the first venue designated by the first user from among the presented first venues and information regarding the first event designated by the first user; the server provides the event information to a second user whose degree of fitness determined based on the user information of the other user and the information of the first event is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. System.

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