Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To inhibit voting from being performed in the case that the voting based on voting content of another voter is not appropriate.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 includes a user reception part 211 for receiving the designation of a second user as another user from a first user voting for a competition on the basis of voting content of the another user for the competition, a vote reception part 212 for receiving a vote for the competition from the second user, and a determination part 214 for determining whether to execute voting of the first user based on the voting of the second user on the basis of a result obtained by evaluating information on the second user by a prescribed evaluation condition in the case that the vote reception part 212 receives the voting of the second user after receiving the designation of the second user from the first user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a voting device that allows a voter who votes in a competition to reserve a vote based on the voting content of other voters (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

[0007] According to the present invention, the effect is to suppress voting in cases where it is inappropriate to vote based on the votes of other voters. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the system configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] An example of a screen for specifying public users is shown. [Figure 3] This is an example of a screen for executing a vote reservation. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of information terminal 10. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 20. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of competition information stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of voting history information stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of evaluation condition information stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the information processing device 20. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Overview of Information Processing System 1> Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises one or more information terminals 10 (first information terminal 10-1, second information terminal 10-2, third information terminal 10-3) and an information processing device 20. The multiple information terminals 10 and information processing device 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a network N of the Internet, intranet, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or mobile communication network.

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

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

[0012] The competitions include races where the order of finish is determined, such as bicycle racing, auto racing, horse racing, boat racing, dog racing, and automobile racing; matches such as baseball, rugby, and soccer; and electronic sports, and are competitions on which users can vote. The voting targets are those on which users vote for a predetermined value, and are determined by a combination of the competition that the user predicts will win from among multiple candidate competitions (including competitors, competition vehicles, competition teams, or animals) and the betting type. The predetermined value is a tangible or intangible thing that the user can use to obtain goods or services, such as money, electronic currency, or points.

[0013] The betting method is a voting method such as "two consecutive singles" or "three consecutive multiples". "Two consecutive singles" means predicting the winning contestants in the first and second places in the order of the winning positions. For example, the user predicts as "the first place is No. 5 and the second place is No. 3". In this case, the combination number is shown as, for example, "5-3". "Three consecutive multiples" means predicting the contestants who enter from the first place to the third place regardless of the order of the winning positions. For example, the user predicts as "No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5". In this case, the combination number is shown as, for example, "1-2-5".

[0014] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a computer and is composed of one or more physical servers. The information processing device 20 may be configured using virtual servers operating on a hypervisor or may be configured using cloud servers. The information processing device 20 is a device for receiving votes from users for a competition or allowing other users to view the voting targets for which the user has voted.

[0015] The information processing device 20, for example, publicly discloses the voting target for which the user has voted to other users based on the instruction of the user. In the following description, the user who has publicly disclosed the voting target to other users is referred to as the "public user". The information processing device 20 receives a vote (hereinafter referred to as a "piggyback vote") from other users who have viewed the publicly disclosed voting target and includes a voting target that matches or is similar to the publicly disclosed voting target. Before the public user publicly discloses the voting target, the information processing device 20 receives a reservation for a piggyback vote (hereinafter referred to as a "piggyback vote reservation") for the voting target of the public user from other users. In the following description, other users who have made a piggyback vote reservation are referred to as "reservation users". After the public user votes in the competition, the information processing device 20 executes the piggyback vote of the reservation user based on the voting target of the public user in response to the piggyback vote reservation of the reservation user.

[0016] Figures 2 and 3 show an example of a screen for making a ride vote reservation displayed on the information terminal 10. Figure 2 shows an example of a screen for specifying a public user. The screen shown in Figure 2 includes a plurality of display images 151 (display images 151a, 151b, 151c) and operation images 152.

[0017] The display image 151 is an image containing information about the public user specified in the ride vote reservation. In Figure 2, the display image 151 includes an image indicating the public user, text data indicating the user name of the public user, and operation images. The reservation user of the information terminal 10 can view information such as the recovery rate of the public user by pressing the operation image indicating "Details". The recovery rate is the ratio of the refund amount to the voting amount that the user voted for the competition. The reservation user of the information terminal 10 can specify a public user for making a ride vote reservation by pressing the operation image indicating "Reservation".

[0018] The operation image 152 is an operation image for canceling the viewing of the public user. When, for example, the reservation user of the information terminal 10 presses the operation image 152, the information terminal 10 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 2 (for example, a screen displayed immediately after starting a dedicated application for using the betting service).

[0019] Figure 3 shows an example of a screen for executing a ride vote reservation. The screen shown in Figure 3 is displayed when the reservation user presses the operation image indicating "Reservation" included in the display image 151 shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the screen displayed by pressing the operation image indicating "Reservation". The screen shown in Figure 3 includes a display area 161, an input area 162, operation images 163 and 164.

[0020] Display area 161 is an area for reserved users to perform the operation of making a reservation to place a vote on behalf of a public user. Display area 161 includes an input area 162, an operation image 163, and an operation image 164. Input area 162 is an area for reserved users to input the total amount of a predetermined value (i.e., the voting amount) to place a vote on behalf of a public user in a competition held over a predetermined period (e.g., one day). After pressing input area 162, the reserved user inputs the amount available for voting by pressing the image showing the number that matches the amount they wish to vote from among several images showing numbers (e.g., images showing numbers such as 1000, 2000, etc.) that are displayed. Information processing device 20 then executes a vote on behalf of the public user with the same content as the vote made by the public user, within the range of the entered amount. That is, within the range of the entered amount, the information processing device 20 executes a vote on behalf of the public user with the same type and number of tickets of the same type as the tickets purchased by the public user.

[0021] The information processing device 20 may use the amount entered by the reservation user in the input area 162 for one competition, or it may allocate it proportionally to each of the multiple competitions held during the predetermined period. Specifically, if the reservation user enters 2,000 yen in the input area 162, and there are 5 competitions to be held during the predetermined period, the information processing device 20 may use the 2,000 yen for one of the 5 competitions, or it may allocate 400 yen to each of the 5 competitions.

[0022] If the information processing device 20 allocates 400 yen each to five competitions based on the entered total amount, but a public user votes for two of the five competitions held during a predetermined period, the device may increase the amount allocated to each of those two competitions (400 yen). The information processing device 20 will change the total amount allocated to the two competitions to, for example, 1000 yen, so that the total amount allocated to the two competitions does not exceed the total amount set by the reservation user.

[0023] Operation image 163 is an operation image for executing a vote-taking reservation. When the reservation user presses operation image 163, the information terminal 10 sends a predetermined value of "2000 yen" to the information processing device 20, associated with the user ID of user U1. Operation image 164 is an operation image for canceling a vote-taking reservation. When the reservation user presses operation image 164, for example, the information terminal 10 displays a screen different from the screen shown in Figure 3 (for example, the screen shown in Figure 2).

[0024] Incidentally, public users may vote not only in competitions where they have a high probability of winning (so-called "good competitions"), but also in competitions where they have a low probability of winning (so-called "ungood competitions"). In such cases, a problem arises where a public user may vote in an ungood competition after a reserved user has made a reservation to piggyback on that vote, and the piggyback vote will still be executed. To address this, the information processing device 20 decides whether or not to execute the reserved user's piggyback vote based on the results of evaluating the public user's past votes according to predetermined conditions.

[0025] By operating in this manner, the information processing device 20 can determine that a target voted for by a public user is not suitable for piggyback voting, and will therefore refrain from piggyback voting even if a piggyback vote reservation has been made. As a result, users who have made a reservation for piggyback voting can be prevented from having their votes piggybacked on, for example, a target with a low probability of success. The configuration and operation of the information terminal 10 and the information processing device 20 will be described in detail below.

[0026] <Hardware Configuration> Figure 4 shows the hardware configuration of the information terminal 10. The information terminal 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, a communication interface 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15.

[0027] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and it realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 12.

[0028] The memory unit 12 has storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 12 stores programs that the processor 11 executes.

[0029] The communication IF 13 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information processing device 20 via the network N. The communication IF 13 notifies the processor 11 of data received from the information processing device 20. The communication IF 13 also transmits data input from the processor 11 to the information processing device 20.

[0030] The input device 14 accepts input from the user, for example. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The output device 15 is, for example, a display unit and an audio output unit that output information to the user, for example. The output device 15 is, for example, a display or speaker, for example.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20. The information processing device 20 includes a processor 21, a storage unit 22, a communication interface 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25.

[0032] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), and it realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 22.

[0033] The storage unit 22 has a storage medium such as memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 22 stores the program executed by the processor 21. The storage unit 22 also stores competition information related to the competition, a voting history showing the history of public users voting on the competition, and evaluation conditions for evaluating public users' votes.

[0034] The communication IF23 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information terminal 10 via the network N. The communication IF23 notifies the processor 21 of data received from the information terminal 10. The communication IF23 also transmits data input from the processor 21 to the information terminal 10.

[0035] The input device 24 receives input operations from, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 20. The input device 24 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The output device 25 outputs information to, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 20. The output device 25 is, for example, a display or speaker.

[0036] <Functional Block Configuration> Figure 6 shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 20. The processor 21 includes a user reception unit 211, a vote reception unit 212, an evaluation unit 213, a decision unit 214, and a notification unit 215. The processor 21 functions as the user reception unit 211, the vote reception unit 212, the evaluation unit 213, the decision unit 214, and the notification unit 215 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0037] The memory unit 22 stores competition information related to the competition, voting history information showing the history of public users voting on the competition, and evaluation condition information showing predetermined conditions used when evaluating public users' votes. Figures 7 to 9 show examples of information stored in the memory unit 22.

[0038] Figure 7 shows an example of competition information stored in the memory unit 22. In the competition information shown in Figure 7, a competition ID, which indicates competition identification information for identifying a competition, is associated with the competition information. As shown in Figure 7, the competition information includes at least the competition name, venue, date and time, competition grade, attributes, attribute ID, which indicates attribute identification information for identifying the attributes, and the competition entity. In Figure 7, competitions associated with times T11 to T18, indicated by the date and time, represent past competitions, and competitions associated with times T21 to T28 represent competitions scheduled to be held at a time later than the current time.

[0039] Attributes are determined according to the competition grade, event type (morning, regular, night, midnight, etc.), or competition type (men's keirin, women's keirin, etc.). In Figure 5, "Big Race," which indicates a high competition grade, "Girls' Keirin," which indicates women's keirin, and "Midnight," which indicates that the event is held late at night, are shown as examples of attributes.

[0040] Figure 8 shows an example of voting history information stored in the memory unit 22. In the voting history information shown in Figure 8, the voting ID, competition ID, voting date and time, betting type, group number, odds, voting amount, payout amount, and appeal flag are associated with the user ID.

[0041] The User ID is user identification information used to identify users who use the betting service, and the Vote ID is vote identification information used to identify votes. The Appeal Flag is a flag that a public user who predicts a vote has a high probability of being correct assigns to that vote when they make it public. Users viewing public votes can see whether the public user is confident in their vote by referring to the appeal flag assigned to the vote.

[0042] Figure 9 shows an example of evaluation condition information stored in the memory unit 22. In the evaluation condition information shown in Figure 9, an evaluation condition ID, which is evaluation condition identification information for identifying an evaluation condition, is associated with the evaluation condition. The recovery rate is the ratio of the refund amount to the amount of votes cast by the user for the competition. When a joint vote reservation has been made, the information processing device 20 decides whether or not to cast a joint vote on the voting target made public by the public user, based on the results of evaluating the voting history of the public user shown in Figure 8 using, for example, the evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9.

[0043] Returning to Figure 6, the configuration of each part realized by the processor 21 will now be explained. The user reception unit 211 accepts the designation of public users from reserved users who will vote in a competition based on the voting content of public users in the competition (for example, the voting targets that public users have made public). The user reception unit 211 accepts the reserved user's piggyback vote reservation by, for example, accepting the public user that the reserved user will designate from among multiple public users as the target of the piggyback vote reservation.

[0044] Specifically, the user reception unit 211 obtains a user ID corresponding to the public user specified by the reservation user from the information terminal 10 used by the reservation user. The user reception unit 211 accepts the reservation user's vote reservation by associating the user ID corresponding to the reservation user with the user ID corresponding to the public user specified by the reservation user and storing it in the storage unit 22.

[0045] The user reception unit 211 receives from the reserved user an amount of predetermined value, such as money, electronic currency, or points, to be used in the piggyback vote reserved by the reserved user (i.e., the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote), in association with the designation of the public user. The amount of predetermined value includes at least the total amount of predetermined value used in piggyback votes for the designated public user, or the amount of predetermined value used in a single piggyback vote. The user reception unit 211 stores the amount of predetermined value obtained from the reserved user's information terminal 10 in the storage unit 22, associating it with the user ID corresponding to the reserved user and the user ID corresponding to the public user.

[0046] The user reception unit 211 may accept the specification of evaluation conditions to be used when evaluating the votes of public users in connection with the reservation of a vote by a reserved user. The user reception unit 211 accepts the specification of one or more evaluation conditions from among the multiple evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9, for example. As an example, the user reception unit 211 accepts the response rate in past votes of public users as one of the evaluation conditions. In this case, the user reception unit 211 stores the evaluation condition ID corresponding to the evaluation condition related to the response rate from among the evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9 in the storage unit 22, associating it with the user ID of the reserved user.

[0047] The user reception unit 211 may accept the designation of multiple public users from the reserved user. In this case, the user reception unit 211 accepts the designation of multiple public users and the priority of the multiple public users from the reserved user. The priority may be represented by the ranking of the multiple public users designated by the reserved user, or it may be represented by a set of ranks (for example, A, B, C).

[0048] For example, if there is an upper limit to the number of public users for which piggyback voting is possible, the information processing device 20 selects a number of public users up to the upper limit, starting with those with the highest priority, from among multiple public users that meet the evaluation criteria, and places piggyback votes on the voting targets of the selected public users. The information processing device 20 may increase the amount of the vote when piggybacking on the voting targets of public users for those public users, the higher the priority of the public user. The user reception unit 211 stores in the storage unit 22 the user ID and priority corresponding to each of the multiple public users obtained from the reserved user's information terminal 10, associating them.

[0049] The voting reception unit 212 accepts votes for the competition from public users. The voting reception unit 212 obtains the competition ID, betting type, group number, and vote amount from, for example, the information terminal 10 used by the public user, associating them with the user ID corresponding to the public user. The voting reception unit 212 may also accept the appeal flag shown in Figure 8 as associated with the user ID corresponding to the public user. The voting reception unit 212 stores the obtained user ID, competition ID, betting type, group number, vote amount, and appeal flag in the storage unit 22 as a voting history.

[0050] The evaluation unit 213 evaluates information about the public user according to predetermined evaluation conditions, in response to the voting acceptance unit 212 receiving the public user's vote after the reserved user has made a vote reservation. The predetermined evaluation conditions are, for example, the evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9, and are evaluation conditions stored in the storage unit 22 by the user acceptance unit 211 in association with the user ID of the reserved user. Information about the public user includes the voting history showing the content of the public user's votes for the competition and the content of the competition, for example, the voting history information shown in Figure 8 and the competition information shown in Figure 5.

[0051] The evaluation unit 213 identifies past votes corresponding to the votes received by the voting reception unit 212 from public users by referring to the competition information shown in Figure 7 and the voting history information shown in Figure 8, and evaluates whether the identified past votes meet the evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9. Past votes corresponding to votes received by public users are, for example, votes for past competitions that match the venue, competition grade, race distance, or attributes of the competition in which the public user voted.

[0052] As an example, suppose a reservation user specifies evaluation conditions E1, E2, and E3 shown in Figure 9, and makes a reservation to vote on behalf of user U1, and then receives a vote from user U1 for competition RN3 shown in Figure 7. In this case, the evaluation unit 213 refers to the competition information shown in Figure 7 and identifies that the venue for competition RN3 is "Nagoya", the competition grade is "G3", and the attribute is "Big Race".

[0053] Next, the evaluation unit 213 refers to the voting history of user U1 shown in Figure 8 to evaluate whether the vote for competition RN1, a past competition associated with the venue "Nagoya", competition grade "G3", and attribute "Big Race", was correct. The evaluation unit 213 evaluates that the vote was correct if the "Refund Amount" shown in Figure 8 is not 0, and evaluates that the vote was incorrect if the "Refund Amount" shown in Figure 8 is 0. The evaluation unit 213 evaluates that evaluation conditions E1 to E3 are met because user U1's past vote for competition RN1, which corresponds to user U1's vote for competition RN3, was correct.

[0054] As another example, suppose a reservation user specifies evaluation conditions E4 and E5 shown in Figure 9 and makes a reservation to vote on behalf of user U3, and then receives a vote from user U3 for competition RT3 shown in Figure 7. In this case, the evaluation unit 213 refers to the competition information shown in Figure 7 and identifies that the venue for competition RT3 is "Takeo" and its attribute is "Girls Keirin".

[0055] Next, the evaluation unit 213 refers to the voting history of user U3 shown in Figure 8 to evaluate whether the return rate for voting in past competitions, Competition RT1 and Competition RT2, which are associated with the venue "Takeo" and attribute "Girls Keirin," was 100% or higher. The return rate is information that shows the total amount of payouts as a ratio to the total amount of votes. If the return rate is 100%, the total amount of votes and the total amount of payouts are the same.

[0056] Specifically, the evaluation unit 213, by referring to the voting history of user U3 shown in Figure 8, identifies that user U3 voted 4,000 yen for competition RT1 and competition RT2, both held in "Takeo," and received a refund of 79,000 yen. Based on the identified voting amount and refund amount, the evaluation unit 213 identifies that the recovery rate is 1975%. The evaluation unit 213 evaluates that user U3's past votes for competition RT1 and past competition RT2, which correspond to user U3's vote for competition RT3, are votes that show a recovery rate of 100% or more, thus satisfying the evaluation conditions corresponding to evaluation conditions E4 and E5.

[0057] The evaluation unit 213 may update the "evaluation conditions" shown in Figure 9 based on the results of the first vote received by the public user from the public user by the voting reception unit 212 after the user reception unit 211 has received the designation of a public user from the reserved user. For example, if the first vote is correct, the evaluation unit 213 updates the evaluation conditions to prioritize the results of votes cast by the public user for the competition during a predetermined period after the designation has been received, rather than the results of votes cast by the public user for the competition before the designation of the public user was received from the reserved user. The predetermined period is, for example, a fixed period such as one day, a period during which a predetermined number of competitions are held, or a period until the remaining amount of money that the reserved user can vote falls below a predetermined value.

[0058] The evaluation unit 213 may, if the first vote is correct, limit the period covered by "Past Competitions" shown in Figure 9 to the period after the reserved user has designated the public user. By operating in this way, the evaluation unit 213 improves the accuracy of the evaluation by not using the history of previous voting results when the public user gains experience and becomes more likely to make correct predictions. The evaluation unit 213 may also revert the evaluation conditions to the conditions before the update if a predetermined period has elapsed after the evaluation conditions have been updated.

[0059] As another example, if the votes received by the Voting Reception Unit 212 from a public user during a predetermined period after the User Reception Unit 211 has received a reservation for a joint vote from a reserved user to a public user are successful, the evaluation unit 213 may lower the threshold value for the recovery rate used in evaluation conditions E4 to E9 in Figure 9. For example, the evaluation unit 213 might change evaluation condition E4 from "100%" to "50%". On the other hand, if the votes received by the Voting Reception Unit 212 from a public user during the predetermined period are not successful, the evaluation unit 213 may raise the threshold value for the recovery rate.

[0060] By operating in this manner, the evaluation unit 213 can perform piggyback voting by reserved users, even for competitions corresponding to venues, competition grades, or attributes with low response rates in past voting, based on the results of the most recent vote. Conversely, the evaluation unit 213 can also choose not to perform piggyback voting by reserved users, even for competitions corresponding to venues, competition grades, or attributes with high response rates in past voting, based on the results of the most recent vote.

[0061] The decision unit 214, after receiving a designation of a public user from a reserved user, decides whether or not to perform a reserved user vote based on the public user's vote (i.e., piggyback voting) if the voting reception unit 212 has received a vote from the public user. For example, the decision unit 214 selects one or more public users from among several public users and decides to perform a reserved user vote based on the votes of the selected public users. Specifically, the decision unit 214 makes the public users designated by the user reception unit 211 from the reserved user the target of piggyback voting.

[0062] The decision unit 214 determines whether or not to perform a piggyback vote on a target voted for by a public user, based on the results of the evaluation unit 213's evaluation of the public user's voting history for the competition corresponding to the public user's vote after the piggyback vote reservation has been made, according to the evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9. The decision unit 214 may also identify the competition that multiple public users have previously voted for, corresponding to the competition to be held after receiving the designation of multiple public users from the reservation user, and select one or more public users who should perform a piggyback vote based on the results of the evaluation of the voting content of multiple public users for the identified competition.

[0063] The decision unit 214 determines whether to perform a piggyback vote on the public user's votes corresponding to the voting history if the evaluation unit 213 determines that a number of votes from the public user's past votes that are equal to or greater than the percentage set by the reserved user meet one or more predetermined evaluation conditions. If the decision unit 214 decides to perform a piggyback vote, it performs the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote; if it decides not to perform a piggyback vote, it does not perform the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote.

[0064] The decision unit 214 determines whether or not to execute the public user's vote based on the results of evaluating the public user's votes shown in the public user's voting history using evaluation conditions obtained from the reserved user by the user reception unit 211. If the user specifies evaluation conditions E1, E2, and E3, the decision unit 214 determines whether or not to execute the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote based on whether or not the public user's vote in the competition after the joint vote reservation is made corresponds to a correct vote among the public user's multiple past votes.

[0065] In this case, the decision unit 214 obtains the results of the evaluation unit 213's evaluation of the public user's past votes using evaluation conditions E1, E2, and E3 shown in Figure 9. If the past votes for the competition corresponding to the public user's vote after the piggyback vote reservation has been made satisfy evaluation conditions E1, E2, and E3, the decision unit 214 decides to execute a piggyback vote on the target voted for by the public user, in accordance with the reserved user's piggyback vote reservation.

[0066] On the other hand, if the decision unit 214 determines that it will not perform a piggyback vote on the target voted for by the public user if the past votes for the competition corresponding to the public user's vote after the piggyback vote reservation has been made do not satisfy evaluation conditions E1, E2, and E3. By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can suppress the public user from performing piggyback votes on competitions in which they have not been correct in past votes in similar competitions (i.e., competitions in which the public user is not good).

[0067] When the user specifies evaluation conditions E4, E5, and E6, the decision unit 214 determines whether to execute the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote, based on whether the public user's vote in the competition after the piggyback vote reservation is made corresponds to a vote among the public user's past votes that has a recovery rate of 100% or more. By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can execute piggyback votes in competitions in which the public user is likely to receive a payout amount greater than the amount of their vote.

[0068] The decision unit 214 may, for example, if the user specifies evaluation condition E10, decide to execute the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote if the betting type selected in the public user's vote on the competition after the reserved vote is made is included in the betting types selected by the public user in several of the public user's past votes that were successful. On the other hand, the decision unit 214 will not execute the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote if the betting type in the public user's vote after the reserved vote is made does not match any of the betting types in the public user's past successful votes. By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can execute the reserved user's reserved vote when the public user selects a betting type that has a high probability of being successful and makes a vote.

[0069] The decision unit 214 may decide how to perform the piggyback vote based on the priority received by the user reception unit 211 if the reservation user has specified multiple public users. For example, the decision unit 214 may decide to perform the reservation user's vote based on the vote of the public user selected based on priority from among one or more public users selected based on the evaluation of multiple votes from multiple public users received by the vote reception unit 212. Specifically, the user reception unit 211 may have received from the reservation user the designation of user U1 with first priority, user U2 with second priority, and user U3 with third priority as targets for piggyback vote reservations, and these users may have met the evaluation conditions. The user reception unit 211 may also have received a predetermined value of "500 yen" to be used in the piggyback vote from the reservation user.

[0070] The decision unit 214 divides the predetermined value "500 yen" received from the reservation user by the user reception unit 211 into amounts corresponding to the priority associated with each user U1, user U2, and user U3, and allocates the divided amounts to the votes of each user U1, user U2, and user U3. For example, the decision unit 214 might allocate 300 yen to user U1's vote, 150 yen to user U2's vote, and 50 yen to user U3's vote. By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can perform piggyback voting on the voting targets of multiple public users using the voting amounts determined according to the priority specified by the reservation user.

[0071] The decision unit 214 may change the predetermined value assigned to public users depending on the voting status of any of the multiple users. Specifically, in the above example, if user U1 does not vote after a reserved user has made a reservation to join in on a vote, the decision unit 214 will change the predetermined value assigned to users U2 and U3. For example, if user U2 makes a first vote of 300 yen and a second vote of 100 yen, and user U3 makes a third vote of 100 yen and a fourth vote of 100 yen, the decision unit 214 will assign a total of 400 yen to the first and second votes of user U2, who has higher priority, and assign 100 yen to the third vote of user U3, which corresponds to the type of bet user U3 is good at, and assign that to the second vote as well.

[0072] The decision unit 214 may determine whether the competitions voted for by multiple public users specified by the reservation user are competitions that each of those public users is good at or not good at, and may execute piggyback votes based on the priority given by the decision. For example, suppose the user reception unit 211 receives a request from the reservation user to use a predetermined value of "500 yen" for piggyback votes specifying users U1, U2, and U3. Suppose user U1 votes for a competition that they are not good at, user U2 votes for a competition that they are good at, and user U3 votes for a competition that they are neither good at nor bad at. In this case, the decision unit 214 determines user U2 as the first priority, user U3 as the second priority, and user U1 as the third priority. By operating in this manner, the probability of successful piggyback votes is increased.

[0073] In order to improve the probability of success of the piggyback vote, the decision unit 214 may execute a vote by the reserved user based on the second vote of the public user associated with the first vote when the vote reception unit 212 indicates that the result of the first vote received from the public user was correct after the user reception unit 211 has received the designation of the public user from the reserved user. The second vote associated with the first vote is, for example, a vote for a competition that matches at least one of the venue, competition grade, or attributes of the competition in which the first vote was made.

[0074] Specifically, let's assume that after the user reception unit 211 receives the designation of user U3 from the reserved user, the voting reception unit 212 receives a vote from user U3 for competition RN3. Furthermore, let's assume that after user U3's vote for competition RN3 is correct, the voting reception unit 212 receives a vote from user U3 for competition RN4, which has the same "attributes" as competition RN3 as shown in Figure 7.

[0075] In this case, the decision unit 214 decides to execute the reserved user's vote based on the vote for competition RN4, which has the same attributes as the correctly predicted competition RN3. On the other hand, the decision unit 214 also decides that if user U3's vote for competition RN3 is incorrect, the vote reception unit 212 will not execute the reserved user's vote based on user U3's vote for competition RN4. By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can execute votes by riding on the votes of public users who have a high probability of success.

[0076] The decision unit 214 may change the predetermined value (i.e., the voting amount) of the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote, depending on the result of the public user's vote in the competition after the user reception unit 211 has received the designation of a public user from a reserved user. For example, if the public user's vote after receiving the designation of a public user from a reserved user is successful, the decision unit 214 increases the predetermined value of the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote. On the other hand, if the public user's vote after receiving the designation of a public user from a reserved user is unsuccessful, the decision unit 214 decreases the predetermined value of the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote.

[0077] By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can increase the predetermined value of a reserved user's vote when the public user has a high probability of winning in their most recent vote. As a result, the decision unit 214 can increase the probability that the payout amount will be larger when a reserved user votes on behalf of another user.

[0078] If the reservation user designates multiple public users, the decision unit 214 may change the predetermined value to be assigned to each of the multiple public users in the new joint vote, depending on the results of the joint votes for each of the multiple public users. Specifically, suppose the user reception unit 211 receives the designation of users U1 and U2 and the predetermined value "500 yen" to be used in the joint vote from the reservation user, and the decision unit 214 assigns the predetermined value "250 yen" to each of users U1 and U2. Subsequently, suppose the decision unit 214 executes the joint votes of the reservation user for each of the voting targets for users U1 and U2, and as a result, user U1's joint vote for the voting target is successful, but user U2's joint vote for the voting target is unsuccessful.

[0079] The decision unit 214 changes the predetermined value used for the vote on user U1 from "250 yen" to "400 yen" because user U1's vote on the target was correct, and changes the predetermined value used for the vote on user U2 from "250 yen" to "100 yen" because user U2's vote on the target was incorrect. The decision unit 214 then uses the changed predetermined value to execute a new vote on the reserved user. By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can increase the predetermined value used for the vote on a target newly voted for by a public user who made public the target that was correct in the most recent vote. As a result, the decision unit 214 can increase the probability that the refund amount will be larger when a reserved user votes on a target.

[0080] The decision unit 214 may add part or all of the refund value to a predetermined value set in advance for reserved users' votes based on public users' votes in competitions that public users can vote on, if the total refund value of reserved users' votes is equal to or greater than a threshold. The predetermined value is the total amount of votes reserved users use in piggyback votes for a designated public user. The threshold is a value greater than the amount of predetermined value used in a single piggyback vote. The predetermined value and threshold are obtained by the user reception unit 211 from reserved users in association with the designation of public users.

[0081] Specifically, the user reception unit 211 receives from the reservation user the designation of user U1, along with the setting of a total refund value threshold of "5,000 yen" and a predetermined value of "2,000 yen". The decision unit 214 determines that if the reservation user's bet is successful and the refund value is "8,000 yen", it has exceeded the total refund value threshold of "5,000 yen", and adds "3,000 yen" of the refund value "8,000 yen" to the predetermined value "2,000 yen" set by the reservation user. The decision unit 214 then uses the new predetermined value of "5,000 yen", which is the predetermined value "2,000 yen" plus the refund value "3,000 yen", to execute a new bet by the reservation user. By operating in this manner, the decision unit 214 can execute a bet using a larger predetermined value when the reservation user obtains a large refund value.

[0082] In the example shown in Figure 8, public users can cast votes by assigning an appeal flag to the voting targets they believe have a high probability of being correct. The decision unit 214 may determine that the evaluation conditions have been met because the appeal flag has been assigned to the votes of public users received by the vote reception unit 212, and decide to execute the reserved user's vote based on that public user's vote.

[0083] The notification unit 215 notifies a reserved user of information about multiple public users, or notifies a public user designated by the reserved user of information about the reserved user. "Notifying" means, for example, displaying the information sent by the notification unit 215 on the information terminal 10 used by the reserved user or public user, or sending an email or message to the information terminal 10 used by the reserved user or public user.

[0084] Information about public users includes, for example, the user ID corresponding to the public user, or the result of the evaluation unit 213's evaluation of the public user's voting history (e.g., the response rate). Information about reserved users includes, for example, the user ID corresponding to the reserved user, or a predetermined value (i.e., voting amount) specified by the reserved user when they make a reservation to join a vote. The notification unit 215 identifies contact information such as an email address, message account, or IP address associated with the user ID corresponding to the reserved user or public user, for example by referring to the storage unit 22. The notification unit 215 notifies the identified contact information about the public user or the reserved user.

[0085] The notification unit 215 identifies several public users who are expected to have a relatively high probability of correctly predicting the outcome of their votes for competitions held during a predetermined period, based on the results of the evaluation unit 213's evaluation of the voting history according to evaluation conditions, and notifies the reserved user of information about the identified public users.

[0086] The notification unit 215 identifies competition grade "G3" associated with competitions RN3 and RN4, which will be held at times T21 and T22, by referring to the event date and time and competition grade shown in Figure 7, for example. Based on the results of the evaluation unit 213's evaluation of the voting history shown in Figure 8, the notification unit 215 identifies the response rate of each of the multiple public users in past voting for competitions associated with competition grade "G3". From the multiple response rates identified, the notification unit 215 identifies public users whose response rate is above a threshold (e.g., 100%).

[0087] Next, the notification unit 215 notifies the reserved user's information terminal 10 of the results of the evaluation unit 213's evaluation of the identified public user voting history. This operation of the notification unit 215 allows the reserved user to select a public user with a high probability of winning the vote.

[0088] The notification unit 215 may notify the reserved user of information indicating one or more public users that the reserved user specified in past voting among multiple public users. The notification unit 215 obtains the results of the evaluation unit 213's evaluation of the voting history of public users stored in association with the reserved user, for example by referring to the storage unit 22. The notification unit 215 notifies the reserved user's information terminal 10 of the evaluation results. By operating in this manner, the notification unit 215 allows the reserved user to confirm whether the public users they specified in the past were appropriate or not.

[0089] The notification unit 215 may notify the public user designated by the reserved user for piggyback voting that the reserved user has made a piggyback voting reservation. For example, when the user reception unit 211 receives the designation of a public user from the reserved user, the notification unit 215 notifies the public user of information indicating that the reserved user will execute the vote based on the public user's vote. The notification unit 215 may also notify the public user of the number of reserved users who have piggybacked their votes, associated with each of the public user's multiple votes. By operating in this manner, the notification unit 215 allows public users to be aware that piggyback voting has occurred on their votes, thereby increasing their motivation to make their votes public.

[0090] The notification unit 215 may notify the public user of a predetermined value specified by the reserved user who has made a reservation to vote on behalf of the public user. If the target of the vote that the reserved user has voted on is correct, the public user may receive a predetermined percentage (for example, 1% of the vote amount) of the votes cast on behalf of the reserved user. Therefore, by notifying the public user of the predetermined value of the reserved user, the public user can learn of the predetermined value they can receive if their vote on behalf of the reserved user is correct, which further increases their motivation to make their votes public.

[0091] <Operation flow of the information processing device 20> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the information processing device 20. The flowchart in Figure 10 shows the operation in which the information processing device 20 places a vote on a target voted for by a public user in response to a vote reservation received from a reserved user. Here, we illustrate the operation when the evaluation condition is that past votes corresponding to the vote for which a vote reservation has been made have been correct.

[0092] As shown in Figure 10, the notification unit 215 notifies the information terminal 10 used by the reservation user of information about multiple public users (S11). The user reception unit 211 accepts the public user specified by the reservation user based on the information about public users notified to the reservation user by the notification unit 215 (S12). The user reception unit 211 accepts a predetermined value of the vote, for example, in association with a user ID corresponding to the public user.

[0093] If the voting reception unit 212 has not received a vote for the competition from the public user specified by the reservation user (NO in S13), it repeats the operation of accepting votes. If the voting reception unit 212 receives a vote for the competition from the public user specified by the reservation user (YES in S13), the evaluation unit 213 obtains the past voting history of that public user by referring to the storage unit 22 (S14).

[0094] The evaluation unit 213 identifies the attributes of the competition for which the vote received by the vote reception unit 212 was cast. The evaluation unit 213 identifies the votes of public users in past competitions associated with the identified attributes (S15). The evaluation unit 213 determines whether the votes of public users in the identified past competitions were correct or not (S16). If the evaluation unit 213 determines that the votes of public users in past competitions were correct (YES in S16), the decision unit 214 executes a piggyback vote by a reserved user (S17). If the evaluation unit 213 determines that the votes of public users in the identified past competitions were incorrect (NO in S16), the decision unit 214 does not execute a piggyback vote by a reserved user.

[0095] If the reserved user's remaining voting balance is above the threshold (NO in S18), the information processing device 20 repeats the operations from S13 to S17 to perform a piggyback vote for the reserved user based on the voting targets voted for by the public user. The threshold is, for example, the voting amount in a single piggyback vote, and is the voting amount specified by the reserved user. If the reserved user's remaining voting balance is below the threshold (YES in S18), the information processing device 20 pushes a notification to the information terminal 10 that the reserved user's remaining voting balance is below the threshold, and terminates the process of performing the piggyback vote for the reserved user.

[0096] If no operation to terminate processing is performed (NO in S19), the information processing device 20 repeats the processes from S11 to S18. If an operation to terminate processing is performed (YES in S19), the information processing device 20 terminates the process.

[0097] <First variation> In the above explanation, the operation described is that the decision unit 214 decides whether or not to execute a reserved user's piggyback vote based on the results of the evaluation unit 213 of the information processing device 20 evaluating the voting history of public users according to the evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9, but it is not limited to this. The decision unit 214 may, for example, obtain the results of an evaluation unit of an external information processing device (not shown) evaluating the voting history of public users according to evaluation conditions that match or are similar to the evaluation conditions shown in Figure 9, via the network N, and decide whether or not to execute a reserved user's piggyback vote.

[0098] <Second variation> In the above description, the decision unit 214 has shown the operation of deciding whether or not to perform a piggyback vote on the vote received by the voting reception unit 212 after the user reception unit 211 has received the designation of a public user from a reserved user, but it is not limited to this. The decision unit 214 may also decide whether or not to perform a piggyback vote on the vote received by the voting reception unit 212 after the user reception unit 211 has received the designation of a public user from a reserved user, at least a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) before the voting deadline.

[0099] <Effects of the information processing device 20> As described above, the information processing device 20 includes a user reception unit 211 that accepts the designation of public users from reserved users, and a vote reception unit 212 that accepts votes for the competition from public users. When the vote reception unit 212 accepts a vote from a public user, the decision unit 214 decides whether or not to execute the reserved user's vote based on the public user's vote, based on the result of evaluating the public user's voting history according to predetermined evaluation conditions.

[0100] With the information processing device 20 configured in this way, the information processing device 20 can determine whether the reserved user's vote based on the voting target voted for by the public user is appropriate, and if it is appropriate, it can execute the reserved user's vote. As a result, the information processing device 20 can suppress the reserved user's vote if the reserved user's vote based on the voting target voted for by the public user is inappropriate.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments.

[0102] In addition to the embodiments described above, the following should be added. (Note 1) A user reception unit that receives designation of a second user as the other user from a first user who votes in the competition based on the voting content of other users in the competition, A voting reception unit that receives votes for the competition from the second user, If the voting reception unit receives a vote from the second user after receiving a designation from the first user, the decision unit determines whether or not to execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, based on the results of evaluating information about the second user according to predetermined evaluation conditions. An information processing device having With the information processing device configured in this way, if the vote of the first user based on the vote of the second user is deemed inappropriate, the information processing device will not execute the vote of the first user, thereby preventing the execution of inappropriate votes. (Note 2) The information relating to the second user includes the voting history showing the second user's votes for the competition and the details of the competition. The decision unit determines whether or not to execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, based on whether or not the second user's vote in the competition corresponds to a correct vote among the second user's past votes shown in the voting history. The information processing device described in Appendix 1. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can execute the first user's vote based on the second user's votes for games in which the second user correctly predicted the outcome in past voting in similar games. Furthermore, the information processing device can suppress the first user's votes based on the second user's votes for games in which the second user did not correctly predict the outcome in past voting in similar games. (Note 3) The decision unit determines whether or not to execute the vote of the second user based on the result of evaluating the vote of the second user as shown in the voting history of the second user, using the evaluation conditions which are the conditions for voting obtained from the first user. The information processing device described in Appendix 2. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can perform a vote by the first user based on the votes of the second user, using evaluation criteria set by the first user. As a result, the first user can select the second user they prefer or the competition voted for by the second user. (Note 4) The decision unit determines to execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote if the betting type selected in the second user's vote received by the vote reception unit is included in the betting types selected by the second user in the second user's winning votes among multiple past votes of the second user shown in the voting history. The information processing device described in Appendix 2 or 3. With the information processing device configured in this way, if the second user selects a betting method that has a high probability of being correct and places a vote, the information processing device can execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote. As a result, the information processing device can increase the probability that the first user's vote will be correct. (Note 5) The system includes an evaluation unit that evaluates information about the second user according to the predetermined evaluation conditions, The evaluation unit updates the evaluation conditions based on the results of the first vote received by the voting unit from the second user after the user reception unit has received the designation of the second user from the first user. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 4 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, it can evaluate information about the second user based on the results of the most recent vote. (Note 6) The decision unit, after the user reception unit has received the designation of the second user from the first user, and the voting reception unit has indicated that the result of the first vote received from the second user was correct, executes the first user's vote based on the second vote of the second user, which is related to the first vote. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 5 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, the device can execute the first user's vote based on the results of a second user's vote at a time closer to the current time. As a result, the information processing device can execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, which has a higher probability of success. (Note 7) The system includes an evaluation unit that evaluates information about the second user according to the predetermined evaluation conditions, When evaluating information about the second user, the evaluation unit updates the evaluation criteria to prioritize the results of votes cast by the second user during a predetermined period after the user reception unit receives the designation of the second user from the first user, rather than the results of votes cast by the second user before the user reception unit receives the designation of the second user from the first user. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 6 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, it can prioritize evaluating the results of votes taken at a time closer to the current time. As a result, even if the evaluation criteria were not met in past votes, if the evaluation criteria were met in the most recent vote, the first user's vote based on the second user's vote can be executed. (Note 8) The determination unit changes a predetermined value of the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, according to the result of the second user's vote on the competition after the user reception unit has received the designation of the second user from the first user. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 7 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can increase the predetermined value of the first user's vote based on the second user's vote when the second user has a high probability of winning in their most recent vote. As a result, the information processing device can increase the probability that the first user will receive a larger payout by making a vote based on the second user's vote. (Note 9) If the total payout value in the first user's votes is equal to or greater than a threshold, the decision unit adds a portion or all of the payout value to a predetermined value set in advance in the first user's votes based on the second user's votes in competitions that the second user is eligible to vote in. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 8 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, even if the remaining amount of a predetermined value set by the first user becomes small, the information processing device can execute a vote based on the second user's vote by allocating the predetermined value from the refund value. As a result, the first user's opportunities to vote can be increased. (Note 10) The system further includes a notification unit that, based on the results of evaluating information about the second user according to the evaluation conditions, identifies a number of second users who are expected to have a relatively high probability of correctly predicting the outcome of a competition held during a predetermined period, and notifies the first user of the information about the identified number of second users. An information processing device as described in any one of the items 1 to 9 of the appendix. With the information processing device configured in this way, the first user can select the second user who is most likely to correctly predict the outcome of the vote. (Note 11) The notification unit notifies the first user of information indicating one or more second users that the first user designated in a past vote among a plurality of second users. The information processing device described in Appendix 10. With the information processing device configured in this way, the device can verify whether the second user previously designated by the first user was appropriate. (Note 12) When the user reception unit receives a designation of the second user from the first user, the notification unit notifies the second user of information indicating that the first user will perform a vote based on the second user's vote. The information processing device described in Appendix 10 or 11. With the information processing device configured in this way, a second user can see that the first user's vote was based on their own vote, thus increasing their motivation to make their vote public. (Note 13) The user reception unit receives a predetermined amount of value to be used in the vote in connection with the designation of the second user, The notification unit notifies the second user of the predetermined value amount. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 10 to 12. With the information processing device configured in this way, the second user can know the predetermined value of the first user's vote based on their own vote. As a result, the second user can understand the content of the reward they can receive based on the predetermined value of the first user's vote, thus motivating them to vote. (Note 14) The user reception unit receives from the first user the designation of multiple second users and the priority of the multiple second users. The decision unit decides to execute the vote of the first user based on the vote of the second user selected from among one or more second users selected based on the priority, based on the results of evaluating the multiple votes of multiple second users received by the vote reception unit. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 13. With the information processing device configured in this way, the device can execute the first user's vote based on multiple voting targets selected by the second user, using the voting amount determined according to the priority specified by the first user. As a result, the first user can cast a vote based on the votes of more second users. (Note 15) The user reception unit receives the designation of multiple second users from the first user, The decision unit, after receiving designations of multiple second users from the first user, identifies competitions in which the multiple second users have previously voted, and based on the results of evaluating the voting content of the multiple second users for the identified competitions, selects one or more second users from the multiple second users and decides to execute the first user's vote based on the votes of the selected second users. An information processing device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 14. With the information processing device configured in this way, the device can select a second user from among several second users who has a high probability of correctly predicting the outcome, and then decide that the first user should vote on the same target as the selected second user. (Note 16) The computer accepts the designation of a second user as the other user from a first user who votes in the competition based on the voting content of other users in the competition, The steps include: the computer receiving votes for the competition from the second user; After receiving the designation of the second user from the first user, if the second user's vote is received in the step of receiving the vote, the computer decides whether or not to perform the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, based on the result of evaluating information about the second user according to predetermined evaluation conditions. An information processing method having With the information processing method configured in this way, the information processing method will not execute the first user's vote if the first user's vote based on the second user's vote is deemed inappropriate, thus suppressing the execution of inappropriate votes. (Note 17) On the computer, A step in which a first user who votes for the competition based on the voting content of other users designates a second user as the other user, A step of receiving votes for the competition from the second user, After receiving the designation of the second user from the first user, if the vote of the second user is received in the step of receiving the vote, the first user's vote is determined based on the results of evaluating information about the second user according to predetermined evaluation conditions, and whether or not to perform the first user's vote based on the second user's vote. A program to execute. With the program configured in this way, the program will not execute the first user's vote if the first user's vote based on the second user's vote is inappropriate, thus preventing the execution of inappropriate votes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0103] 1. Information Processing System 10 Information terminals 11 processors 12 Storage section 13 Communication IF 14 Input Devices 15 Output Devices 20 Information Processing Devices 21 processors 22 Memory section 23 Communication IF 24 Input Devices 25 Output Devices 211 User Reception Department 212 Voting Department 213 Evaluation Department 214 Decision Section 215 Notification Department

Claims

1. A user reception unit that receives designation of a second user as the other user from a first user who votes in the competition based on the voting content of other users in the competition, A voting reception unit that receives votes for the competition from the second user, If the voting reception unit receives a vote from the second user after receiving a designation from the first user, the decision unit determines whether or not to execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, based on the results of evaluating information about the second user according to predetermined evaluation conditions. It has, The decision unit determines whether or not to execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, based on the result of evaluating whether the second user's vote for the competition corresponds to a correct vote among multiple past votes of the second user included in the voting history showing the content of the second user's vote for the competition and the content of the competition, using the evaluation condition as the evaluation criterion. Information processing device.

2. The decision unit determines whether or not to execute the second user's vote based on the result of evaluating the second user's votes, as shown in the second user's voting history, using the evaluation conditions, which are the conditions for voting, obtained from the first user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The decision unit determines to execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote if the betting type selected in the second user's vote received by the vote reception unit is included in the betting types selected by the second user in the winning votes among the second user's multiple past votes shown in the voting history. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system includes an evaluation unit that evaluates information about the second user according to the predetermined evaluation conditions, The evaluation unit updates the evaluation conditions based on the results of the first vote received by the voting unit from the second user after the user reception unit has received the designation of the second user from the first user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The decision unit, after the user reception unit has received the designation of the second user from the first user, and the voting reception unit has indicated that the result of the first vote received from the second user was correct, executes the first user's vote based on the second vote of the second user, which is related to the first vote. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The system includes an evaluation unit that evaluates information about the second user according to the predetermined evaluation conditions, When evaluating information about the second user, the evaluation unit updates the evaluation criteria to prioritize the results of votes cast by the second user during a predetermined period after the user reception unit receives the designation of the second user from the first user, rather than the results of votes cast by the second user before the user reception unit receives the designation of the second user from the first user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The determination unit changes a predetermined value of the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, according to the result of the second user's vote on the competition after the user reception unit has received the designation of the second user from the first user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. If the total payout value of the first user's votes is equal to or greater than a threshold, the decision unit adds a portion or all of the payout value to a predetermined value set in advance for the first user's votes based on the second user's votes for competitions in which the second user is eligible to vote. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The user reception unit further comprises a notification unit that, before receiving the designation of a second user from the first user, identifies a plurality of second users who are expected to have a relatively high probability of correctly predicting the outcome of a competition held during a predetermined period, based on the results of evaluating information about the second users according to the evaluation conditions, and notifies the first user of the information about the plurality of second users identified. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The notification unit notifies the first user of information indicating one or more second users that the first user designated in a past vote among a plurality of second users. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. When the user reception unit receives a designation of the second user from the first user, the notification unit notifies the second user of information indicating that the first user will perform a vote based on the second user's vote. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The user reception unit receives a predetermined amount of value to be used in the vote in association with the designation of the second user. The notification unit notifies the second user of the predetermined value amount. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. The user reception unit receives from the first user the designation of multiple second users and the priority of the multiple second users. The decision unit decides to execute the vote of the first user based on the vote of the second user selected from among one or more second users selected based on the priority, based on the results of evaluating the multiple votes of the multiple second users received by the vote reception unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The user reception unit receives the designation of multiple second users from the first user. The decision unit, after receiving designations of multiple second users from the first user, identifies competitions in which the multiple second users have previously voted, and based on the results of evaluating the voting content of the multiple second users for the identified competitions, selects one or more second users from the multiple second users and decides to execute the first user's vote based on the votes of the selected second users. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The computer accepts the designation of a second user as the other user from a first user who votes in the competition based on the voting content of other users in the competition, The steps include: the computer receiving votes for the competition from the second user; After receiving the designation of the second user from the first user, if the second user's vote is received in the step of receiving the vote, the computer determines whether or not to execute the first user's vote based on the second user's vote, based on whether or not the second user's vote corresponds to a correct vote among the second user's multiple past votes included in the voting history which shows the second user's vote content for the competition and the content of the competition. An information processing method having

16. On the computer, A step in which a first user who votes in the competition based on the voting content of other users designates a second user as the other user, A step of receiving votes for the competition from the second user, After receiving the designation of the second user from the first user, if the vote of the second user is received in the step of receiving the vote, the first user determines whether to execute the vote of the first user based on the vote of the second user, based on whether the vote of the second user corresponds to a correct vote among the second user's multiple past votes included in the voting history which shows the content of the second user's vote on the competition and the content of the competition. A program to execute.

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