Race content reproduction method and race content reproduction program

Abstract

A race content reproduction device (100) generates and outputs a display screen of a display unit (130) including an image of racehorses racing. The race content reproduction device (100) acquires travel information indicating the history of travel positions of a first racehorse from travel race information of a first race conducted in the past, and acquires travel information of a second racehorse from travel race information of a second race conducted in the past and different from the first race. The race content reproduction device (100) uses the acquired travel information of the first racehorse and travel information of the second racehorse to generate a display screen of content of a virtual race between the first racehorse and the second racehorse that have not actually competed in the same race.

Description

Race content reproduction method and race content reproduction program

[0001] The present invention relates to a race content replay method and a race content replay program.

[0002] In publicly managed sports events such as horse racing, bicycle racing, and auto racing, users bet on the race participants, for example, racehorses in a horse race. When predicting the outcome of an upcoming race, users may want to check the details of past races, for example, the position of the horses at each time point.

[0003] As a technology for providing information to users using information on past races, for example, there is a technology that uses race details stored in a storage medium to display the running positions of horses on the track at predetermined positions using recognizable frames, etc. There is also a technology that obtains information on the race details of past races, creates virtual information that recreates the race, and provides it to bettors (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-240466 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-133007

[0005] For example, there may be cases where multiple horses A, B, and C selected at will by a user have never run in the same race. In this case, even if past race details are referenced using conventional technology, there will be no information on a single race in which multiple horses A, B, and C raced together. As a result, conventional technology cannot reproduce the race details of multiple horses A, B, and C selected at will by a user based on past race details.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention aims to reproduce virtual race content as if multiple racing subjects had run in the same race by combining and displaying information on the past races of multiple racing subjects.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a race content reproduction method and a race content reproduction program are proposed, which, in race content reproduction that generates and outputs a display screen including images of the racing subjects racing, acquires running position history information of a first racing subject from running race information of a first race that was held in the past, acquires running position history information of a second racing subject from running race information of a second race that was held in the past and is different from the first race, and uses the acquired running position history information of the first racing subject and the running position history information of the second racing subject to generate a display screen that reproduces the race content between the first racing subject and the second racing subject.

[0008] According to one embodiment, by combining and displaying information on past races of multiple racing subjects, it becomes possible to reproduce virtual race content as if multiple racing subjects had run in the same race.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a display example of a race content replay method according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a race content replay system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of a race content replay device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a race content replay device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information on running race information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen for racehorses to be entered in a replay race. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of display processing example 1 of a replay race using a combination of running race information. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of display processing example 2 of a replay race using a combination of running race information. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of overall processing of race content replay processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of partial processing of the overall processing shown in FIG. 9. (Part 1) FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of partial processing of the overall processing shown in FIG. 9. (Part 2) FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of partial processing of the overall processing shown in FIG. 9. (Part 3) FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another display example of a replay race. (Part 1) FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another display example of a replay race. (Part 2) FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another display example of a replay race. (Part 3) Figure 16 shows another example of displaying a replay race. (Part 4)

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a race content replay method and a race content replay program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a display example of a race content replay method according to an embodiment. The race content replay method according to the embodiment displays a replay race, which is a replay of a race that is the subject of racing, on a display screen of a user's terminal as reference information when a user places a bet on a publicly managed race or the like using a terminal via the Internet, for example.

[0012] In the embodiment, the race and the racing subject will be described as racehorses in a horse race. Alternatively, the race and the racing subject may be athletes in publicly managed races such as boat racing, auto racing, and bicycle racing, or subjects of various racing events such as motor sports and track and field.

[0013] In the race content reproduction method of the embodiment, the race content is reproduced by processing a combination of information on the past race content of each of multiple racehorses. Here, even if multiple racehorses have never actually run in the same race, the race content is reproduced as if they had run in the same race. This makes it possible to provide users with reference information when purchasing betting tickets by voting.

[0014] The racehorses for the replay race replayed by the race content replay method of the embodiment can be selected arbitrarily by the user, for example, or the racehorses to run can be automatically selected based on the race entry information for the upcoming competition (race).

[0015] In the process of generating a replay race, for example, running position history information (corresponding to the running information of the running race information 500 described below) of a first racing subject (racehorse) is obtained from the running race information of a first race held in the past. Furthermore, running position history information of a second racing subject is obtained from the running race information of a second race held in the past that is different from the first race. Then, using the obtained running position history information of the first racing subject and the running position history information of the second racing subject, a display screen is generated that replays the race content between the first racing subject and the second racing subject. The first racing subject and the second racing subject may each be singular or plural. Furthermore, the first racing subject and the second racing subject may be the same racing subject who ran in different races.

[0016] In the race content replay method of the embodiment, the race content replay device 100, such as a server, acquires various necessary information and executes a program to generate the display content (replayed race) to be displayed on the display screen 130 of the user U's terminal 120. This method can also be implemented by the race content replay device 100 accessing the cloud. Furthermore, the user U's terminal 120, which is communicatively connected to the race content replay device 100, can acquire various necessary information and execute a program to generate the display content (replayed race) on the display screen 130.

[0017] The display screen 130 of the terminal 120 displays, for example, a re-enacted race featuring multiple racehorses selected by the user U. For example, the re-enacted race is an image of the position and trajectory of each racehorse, which changes over time during the race, using an identifier for each racehorse. The re-enacted race may also display the position of each racehorse, which changes over time during the race, in a virtual space (metaverse) of 3D graphics of an actual racecourse.

[0018] The race content replay device 100 generates images of a replay race display section 140 and a running information display section 170 for each racehorse on a display screen 130, and transmits and outputs these to the terminal 120 of the user U. The replay race display section 140 includes a running position display section 150 and a CG (Computer Graphics) image display section 160, and the user can select to display either or both of the running position display section 150 and the CG image display section 160 on the replay race display section 140.

[0019] Each actual racehorse is provided with a position sensor of an RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system, and the position of each racehorse is detected by the RTK and recorded and stored in a recording unit. Currently, the position detection accuracy of RTK is high enough to detect each racehorse individually in a horse racing competition.

[0020] The race content replay device 100 acquires past race information (position by time) for each racehorse, and displays an image of the replayed race on the replay race display unit 140 (running position display unit 150, CG image display unit 160). Information on the position of each racehorse during the replay race uses, for example, the latitude and longitude of each racehorse obtained by RTK, and the ranking is determined by sorting the position of racehorse K according to the direction of travel during the race period, from front to back.

[0021] (Running position display unit 150) The running position display unit 150 displays identifiers 151 of multiple racehorses as they run during the race period, as seen from above. The top of the running position display unit 150 indicates the most recent time displayed during the race period, and the bottom indicates a past time. The position of each racehorse at the most recent time displayed in FIG. 1 indicates, for example, a predetermined time range just before the finish line, with the horse number "12" at the top being in the lead of the race (first place), horse number "10" in second place, and horse number "2" at the bottom being at the back of the race (fifth place).

[0022] The running position display unit 150 visually displays the changes in the positions of racehorses when they have run in past races using the identifiers 151 during the race period. In the example of Figure 1, the display shows the position (rank) of each racehorse just before the finish line at the most recent time, for example, a predetermined time range just before the finish line. In addition, the running range of each racehorse on the course during this time range is shown as the length of the running trajectory 152, and the running movement range of each racehorse (the degree of catching up indicated by its speed) can also be shown.

[0023] In the example of FIG. 1 , the identifier 151 displays the position of each racehorse using an identifiable circle (circle) and horse number. The identifier 151 may also be in the shape of a horse (planar shape). The running position display unit 150 also displays, with a dotted line, the running path 152 of the racehorse over a predetermined time range, for example, a predetermined period from the position of the identifier 151 at the most recent time to be displayed to a time that goes back a predetermined time. Alternatively, the running position display unit 150 may display the running path 152 of the racehorse over the entire competition period of the race, based on a user selection or the like.

[0024] Here, the race content replay device 100 displays multiple racehorses (identifiers 151) on the replay race display unit 140 (running position display unit 150, CG image display unit 160) by combining running race information from when each raced in the past.

[0025] For example, the race content replay device 100 acquires different running race information from when any multiple racehorses have run in the past, by user selection or the like, in the running position display unit 150. Then, the race content replay device 100 displays a replay race on the running position display unit 150, which combines the running race information of each racehorse.

[0026] For example, race information for each racehorse that has run in different past races is acquired, and the time-wise positions (identifiers 151) and display images of the running tracks 152 of each racehorse are synthesized (superimposed) and displayed on a single running position display unit 150. In this way, even if any multiple racehorses selected by the user U have never actually run in the same race at the same time, the race contents can be reproduced as if they had run in the same race.

[0027] The race content replay device 100 acquires past race information for each racehorse with each horse number selected by the user U (horse numbers "12," "10," "6," "11," and "2"), aligns the time axes of each racehorse, and starts them at the same time. After this, the replay race displayed on the running position display unit 150 recreates the running state of each racehorse, in which the position of each racehorse moves in the distance direction of the course as time passes after the start of the race. The running state is displayed with the position (ranking) of each racehorse by time and a running trajectory 152 indicated by a dotted line. A line 155 on the side of the running position display unit 150 indicates the position of the pole on the inside of the race course.

[0028] Furthermore, the race content replay device 100 displays the corresponding racehorse information 153 in a pop-up or the like when the user U selects (by using the cursor or the like) the horse number of each racehorse displayed on the running position display unit 150. In the example of FIG. 1 , for horse number "12," the racehorse information 153 (held on October 18, 2021, a G1 race, and the horse's name "Deep **") included in the past running race information used in the replay race is displayed.

[0029] The virtual race displayed on the running position display unit 150 allows the user U to understand the running conditions of each racehorse by combining the past race information of the racehorse selected at will. This allows the user U to select a racehorse for which to place a bet (purchase a betting ticket) in the future, by referring to the running conditions of a specific racehorse displayed as a replay race and the running conditions of each racehorse.

[0030] (CG image display unit 160) Of the reproduced race display unit 140, the CG image display unit 160 displays CG (Computer Graphics) images CG of actual racehorses. The CG image display unit 160 displays CG images 161 corresponding to the running positions of each racehorse during the reproduced race displayed in the running position display unit 150.

[0031] The CG image 161 is formed by combining and arranging CG images of each racehorse. For example, the CG image display unit 160 arranges the CG image 161 of each racehorse in a similar appearance and color scheme to the corresponding actual racehorse, and arranges the image at the position of each racehorse during the competition period of the reproduced race. In the example of FIG. 1 , the CG image 161 of each racehorse displays a horse number as an identifier 162. The horse number is the same as the horse number of each racehorse displayed on the running position display unit 150.

[0032] The CG image display unit 160 is a screen that realistically displays the racing state of the racehorses in the re-enacted race, and the CG images 161 are updated on the screen at a predetermined update cycle. The position (rank) of the CG image 161 of each racehorse, whose position is detected by RTK at each update cycle, is displayed in the same position as the position of each racehorse in the running position display unit 150.

[0033] During the re-enacted race, the CG image display unit 160 generates a pseudo running state for each racehorse shown in the CG image 161 by, for example, applying motion processing to the original CG image (character image). The running state (movement of the legs and neck, etc.) of each racehorse shown in the CG image 161 differs from the running state of an actual racehorse, but the position of the racehorse shown in the CG image 161 indicates the position of the actual racehorse that ran in the past, as indicated by the RTK of the past running race information.

[0034] The CG image display unit 160 can change the viewpoint of the entire CG image through operation by the user U. The CG image 161 of the CG image display unit 160 shown in FIG. 1 is a viewpoint looking at the front of the race, with the leading racehorses displayed largest. Here, for the sake of convenience, only a few (five) racehorses at the front are shown in the CG image 161 within the frame showing the CG image display unit 160 in FIG. 1. Depending on the viewpoint, the CG image display unit 160 may not be able to clearly display the CG images 161 of all racehorses, as racehorses in the background may be hidden by the racehorses in the foreground, or racehorses in the background may appear small.

[0035] In addition, the reproduced race display section 140 can also enlarge and display only either the running position display section 150 or the CG image display section 160 by a selection operation by the user U.

[0036] The CG image display unit 160 uses the CG images 161 to create a sense of realism in the virtual space, as if the viewer were at an actual racecourse, and even a sense of realism that cannot be obtained at an actual racecourse. For example, by operating the user U, the viewer can switch from the viewpoint of the leading side (front) of the racehorse shown in Figure 1 to the center of the entire racehorse, the rear end, or even a diagonal top view, thereby displaying images with a variety of realism that cannot be obtained with real images.

[0037] (Running information display unit 170) The running information display unit 170 updates and displays the running information of each racehorse running in the reenacted race. Based on the display content of the running information display unit 170, which displays a list of the running conditions of each selected racehorse, the user U can specifically grasp, in numerical values ​​or the like, the changing running conditions of each racehorse during the competition period.

[0038] For example, the running information display unit 170 displays the running information of the top-ranked racehorses at the most recent time of display. In the example of Fig. 1, the running information display unit 170 displays the running information 171 of each of the top three running horses (horse numbers "12", "10", and "6").

[0039] In the display example of Figure 1, the latest time displayed is when the user is near the finish line, and at this time, the running information 171 displayed is information about one complete stride (stride length) on the final straight line (1. average distance, 2. maximum distance, 3. current distance) and time / sensing information 175 (bar on the horizontal axis).

[0040] Information regarding one complete stride (stride length) in the final straightaway is calculated based on the past race information of the corresponding racehorse. For example, (1) the average distance in the running information 171 of racehorse "12" (horse name: Deep **) is calculated as the distance traveled per stride of racehorse "12" based on the positional changes over the entire race period detected by the RTK indicated in the past race information. (2) The maximum distance is calculated as the distance traveled per stride of racehorse "12" during the period with the greatest positional changes (fastest running) over the entire race period detected by the RTK indicated in the past race information. (3) The current distance is calculated as the distance traveled per stride of racehorse "12" at the time detected by the RTK of the past race information, which corresponds to the latest time of the replay race displayed in the replay race display unit 140 (running position display unit 150, CG image display unit 160).

[0041] The time and sensing information 175 displays the overall scale (width) of the horizontal axis corresponding to the information regarding one complete stride (stride length) in the final straightaway, 2. "8.13 m" maximum distance. Within this scale, (3) "7.24 m" is displayed as a horizontal axis bar 175a. The proportion (width) of the horizontal axis bar within the scale makes it possible to understand the running condition (effort exerted) of racehorse "12" at the most recent time. Furthermore, by displaying (1) average distance within the scale as a dotted line 175b, the running condition (proportion of maximum distance and average distance) of racehorse "12" throughout the entire race period can be understood based on the position of the dotted line within the scale.

[0042] The race content replay device 100 updates and displays the display information of the replay race display unit 140 and the running information display unit 170 for each racehorse on the display screen 130 at a predetermined update cycle for each racehorse during the display period of the replay race. This update display sequentially displays the position of each racehorse, which changes in response to the running of each racehorse, based on the position information of each racehorse that changes with time, as indicated by the running race information. Furthermore, the race content replay device 100 can repeatedly display a single replay race, and can display replay races any number of times.

[0043] (Configuration Example of Race Content Replay System) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a race content replay system. Fig. 2 shows a system configuration example related to horse racing.

[0044] The race content replay system includes an RTK system 201, an RTK server 202, an RTK database (DB) 203, a race replay generation server 210, a video distribution server 211, and a terminal 120. The race replay generation server 210 shown in Fig. 2 corresponds to the race content replay device 100 shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the terminal (PC / smartphone) 120 of user U shown in Fig. 2 is the terminal 120 shown in Fig. 1.

[0045] The RTK system 201 is a group of devices that use RTK to detect the position of the racehorse K. The RTK system 201 includes an existing satellite positioning system (GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System, not shown), a reference station 201b installed at the racetrack, and a position sensor (not shown) attached to the saddle or the like of each racehorse K.

[0046] The RTK server 202 corrects the position information of the racehorses K obtained from the GNSS at the reference station 201b, thereby detecting with high accuracy the position of each racehorse K equipped with a position sensor, and outputs the position information Sa of each racehorse K.

[0047] The RTKDB 203 records and holds running race information Sa, Sb, Sc, ... for each racehorse for each race. The details of the running race information will be described later, but it includes the horse name, race entry number (horse number), and running information for each racehorse for each race. The running information Sa includes information on the position of each racehorse by time during the competition period from the start to the end of the competition.

[0048] The reenactment race generation server 210 generates images for the reenactment race display section 140 (running position display section 150, CG image display section 160) and the running information display section 170 included in the display screen 130 shown in FIG.

[0049] The reenactment race generation server 210 acquires the running race information of a plurality of racehorses selected by the user U from the past running race information Sa, Sb, Sc, ... recorded and held by the RTKDB 203. The reenactment race generation server 210 combines the acquired running race information of the plurality of racehorses to generate the reenactment race information S1.

[0050] The reenacted race information S1 includes display information S2 of the running position display unit 150 and display information S3 of the CG image display unit 160. The display information S2 of the running position display unit 150 is display information that combines information on the positions of each racehorse selected by the user U at different times during past races, and displays the combined information in an overlapping manner on the display screen of one of the running position display units 150 of the reenacted race display unit 140. Furthermore, the display information S3 of the CG image display unit 160 is display information for the display screen of one of the CG image display units 160 that is generated in accordance with the position of the running position display unit 150.

[0051] The reenactment race generation server 210 generates display information S2 for the running position display unit 150 of the reenactment race display unit 140, and also generates display information S3 for the CG image display unit 160. Here, the display information S2 for the running position display unit 150 of the reenactment race generation server 210 is information that displays the positions of each racehorse selected by the user U in past races as positions on a plane.

[0052] In addition, the display information S3 of the CG image display unit 160 of the reenactment race generation server 210 is information that displays the position of each racehorse selected by the user U during a past race using a CG image 161. The CG image 161 is rendered as a three-dimensional virtual image (3DCG image) of each racehorse K.

[0053] The reenactment race generation server 210 generates CG images 161 (motion images) of each racehorse K for the display information S3 of the CG image display unit 160. Based on a 3DCG image (character image) prepared in advance for each racehorse K, the reenactment race generation server 210 generates, as display information S3, a motion image (CG image 161) that moves in response to the running state (position) of each racehorse K during the race period for this 3DCG image.

[0054] During the race period, the video distribution server 211 transmits and outputs display information S2, S3 of the replay race display unit 140 (running position display unit 150, CG image display unit 160) generated by the replay race generation server 210 to the terminal 120 via the network. The display screen of the replay race display unit 140 (running position display unit 150, CG image display unit 160) is displayed on the display screen 130 (see FIG. 1 ) of the user U's terminal 120.

[0055] 2 may be integrated into a single server or may be arranged in the cloud. For example, the reenactment race generation server 210 may be arranged in the cloud.

[0056] In the system configuration example of FIG. 2 , the generation of the display screen for the replay race by the race content replay device 100 of the embodiment is performed by a server on the system side (replay race generation server 210). This is not limiting, and the system configuration may be such that these functions of the race content replay device 100 are performed by the terminal 120 side. In this case, the terminal 120 accesses the RTKDB 203, acquires past race information for multiple racehorses, and generates the display screen for the replay race display unit 140. By performing the replay race image generation process on the terminal 120 side, it is unnecessary for the system side to transfer image information for the replay race to the terminal 120, and the amount of data transfer can be reduced, thereby easing the traffic load on the network.

[0057] (Configuration Example of Race Content Replay Device) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the race content replay device. Each function of the race content replay device 100 (corresponding to the race replay generation server 210 in Fig. 2) will be described.

[0058] The race content replay device 100 includes the functions of an acquisition unit 301 , a racehorse selection unit 302 , a replay race image generation unit 303 , and an output unit 304 .

[0059] The acquisition unit 301 acquires past race information Sa, Sb, Sc, . . . from the RTK DB 203 .

[0060] The user U selects a racehorse to run in the replay race using operation information Su. The racehorse selection unit 302 extracts the running race information of the corresponding racehorse from the running race information Sa1, Sb1, Sc1 based on the operation information Su of the racehorse selected by the user U. The running race information Sa1, Sb1, Sc1, ... is the running race information of the racehorse selected by the user U from the running race information Sa, Sb, Sc, ... of a plurality of racehorses.

[0061] The re-enacted race image generation unit 303 generates information S1 of a re-enacted race for the racehorse selected by the user U, based on the running race information Sa1, Sb1, Sc1, ... selected by the racehorse selection unit 302. The re-enacted race image generation unit 303 includes a running position display image generation unit 303a and a CG image generation unit 303b.

[0062] The reenacted race image generation unit 303 generates display information S1 of the reenacted race based on the position at each time included in the running race information of each racehorse indicated by the running race information Sa1, Sb1, Sc1, .... The display information S1 of the reenacted race is display information that combines information on the position at each time when each racehorse selected by the user U ran in a past race, and displays the combined information in an overlapping manner on the display screen of one running position display unit 150 of the reenacted race display unit 140.

[0063] Here, the multiple racehorses displayed as a re-enacted race can be selected by the user U to be displayed not only based on the running race information of different racehorses in different races, but also based on the running race information of the same racehorse in different races.

[0064] The running position display image generation unit 303a generates a display screen for the running position display unit 150 of the reenactment race display unit 140. The running position display image generation unit 303a generates display information S1 of the reenactment race as display information S2 of the reenactment race that displays each racehorse in a two-dimensional manner on the running position display unit 150. The running position display image generation unit 303a generates, as display information S2 of the reenactment race, an image in which identifiers 151 (circular frames and horse numbers, etc.) and running tracks 152, etc. are assigned to each of the plurality of racehorses described above.

[0065] The display information S2 of the running position display unit 150 is display information that combines information on the positions of each racehorse selected by the user U by time of running in past races and displays the combined information superimposed on the display screen of one of the running position display units 150 (see FIG. 1 ) of the replay race display unit 140. In this case, the running position display image generation unit 303a performs image processing to superimpose the information on the positions of each racehorse by time of running in past races (corresponding to RTK information) on the same coordinates.

[0066] The race course has multiple corners (turning points), but the coordinates of the corners may be converted into straight lines. In this case, the running position display unit 150 displays the race course of the re-created race as a straight line.

[0067] The CG image generation unit 303b generates a display screen for the CG image display unit 160. The running position display image generation unit 303a generates display information S1 for the reenacted race, and generates display information S3 for the reenacted race that displays each racehorse as a CG image 161 on the running CG image display unit 160 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0068] The CG image 161 generated by the CG image generation unit 303b is a motion image that uses a 3DCG image (character image) of each racehorse K, and moves the legs and other parts of the stationary racehorse K shown in this 3DCG image (character image) to imitate the movements of the racehorse K when running.

[0069] Furthermore, the CG image generation unit 303b performs drawing processing at a size according to the position and ranking of each racehorse on the CG image display unit 160, in accordance with the position (ranking) of the racehorses, which changes with time during the reproduced race. For example, as shown in Figure 1, when the CG image display unit 160 displays the viewpoint from the front of the lead, the leading racehorse K (horse number "12") is drawn at the largest and in the forefront position so that it is positioned at the front.

[0070] The running status (position at each time) of each racehorse during the race shown by the display information S2 of the running position display unit 150 and the display information S3 of the CG image display unit 160 is the same position (ranking), but the difference is whether the display format is flat or a three-dimensional image created by CG.

[0071] The output unit 304 outputs the display information S2, S3 of the reenacted race generated by the reenacted race image generation unit 303 to the terminal 120 of the user U via a network or the like.

[0072] (Example of Hardware Configuration of Race Content Recreation Device) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a race content recreation device. In Fig. 4, the race content recreation device 100 can be, for example, a general-purpose server or a terminal PC. The race content recreation device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401 such as a processor, memory 402, a network IF 403, a recording medium IF 404, and a recording medium 405. Furthermore, each component is connected to each other by a bus 400.

[0073] Here, the CPU 401 is a control unit that controls the entire race content replay device 100. The CPU 401 may have multiple cores. The memory 402 includes, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a flash ROM. Specifically, for example, the flash ROM stores an OS program, the ROM stores application programs, and the RAM is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The programs stored in the memory 402 are loaded into the CPU 401, causing the CPU 401 to execute the coded processes.

[0074] The network IF 403 is connected to the network NW via a communication line and can be connected to an external computer via the network NW. The network IF 403 serves as an interface between the network NW and the inside of the device and controls the input and output of data from the external computer. The network IF 403 can be, for example, a modem or a LAN adapter.

[0075] The recording medium IF 404 controls reading and writing of data from and to the recording medium 405 under the control of the CPU 401. The recording medium 405 stores the written data. Examples of the recording medium 405 include a magnetic disk such as an HDD, an optical disk, a solid state drive (SSD), and a universal serial bus (USB) memory.

[0076] In addition to the above-described components, the race content replay device 100 may also include, for example, an input device, a display, and the like.

[0077] Each function of the race content replay device 100 shown in Fig. 3 can be realized by executing a program on the CPU 401 shown in Fig. 4. The memory 402 and recording medium 404 shown in Fig. 4 are used as storage units for information handled by each functional unit (acquisition unit 301 to output unit 304) in Fig. 3.

[0078] Each of the servers and the terminal 120 shown in FIG. 2 can be realized using the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

[0079] (Example of Running Race Information) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of running race information. Running race information 500 shown in Fig. 5 is held in a storage unit such as a memory of the race content reproducing device 100.

[0080] The running race information 500 includes entry information and running information of past races. The running information includes static information on each item, such as the date and time of past races, event information (event title), the race horse's running order (race R number), race entry number, horse name, finishing order, environmental information (running distance, turf / dirt, clockwise / counterclockwise, weather, etc.). The running information includes dynamic information indicating the horse's position (for example, coordinates such as latitude and longitude) at each relative time 1, 2, ..., during the race of the race horse indicated by the running information.

[0081] The RTKDB 203 holds information relating to all past races for each item in Fig. 5. The acquisition unit 301 of the race content replay device 100 can acquire running race information Sa, Sb, Sc, ... of racehorses that ran in all past races from the RTKDB 203 and display it on the display screen 130. Then, the racehorse selection unit 302 of the race content replay device 100 selects, from all past races, running race information corresponding to the racehorse to be used in the replay race, and records and holds it, in response to a selection operation by the user U.

[0082] In the example of FIG. 5, records Sa1, Sb1, Sc, and Sd1 are race information for racehorses that ran in different races, and records Sc1 and Sc2 show race information for racehorses that ran in the same race.

[0083] For example, the racehorse selection unit 302 of the race content replay device 100 selects, in response to a selection by the user U, running race information corresponding to the racehorses to be used in the replay race from the running race information Sa, Sb, Sc, and Sd relating to all past races held by the RTKDB 203. In Figure 5, the running race information Sb1, Sc (Sc1, Sc2), and Sd1 of the racehorses in the replay race to be displayed on the display screen 130 shown in Figure 1 are indicated by bold frames.

[0084] (Example of a selection screen for racehorses to be entered in a reenactment race) Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for racehorses to be entered in a reenactment race. When processing information about a reenactment race, the race content reenactment device 100 first displays a selection screen 600 for racehorses to be entered in the reenactment race on the display screen 130.

[0085] The racehorse selection screen 600 is provided with selection buttons 601 (601a to 601n) for the race information of a plurality of racehorses. For example, when the user U operates the selection button 601a, selection buttons 602 (602a to 602n) for a plurality of racehorses A to N are displayed as information for determining which one to enter in the race. For example, by selecting the selection button 602a, past race information 500 (race information buttons 500a to 500n) for racehorse A is displayed. The race information 500 displayed is the race information shown in FIG. 5.

[0086] For example, suppose user U selects the race information button 500a and operates the confirm button 605. In this case, the race content reproduction device 100 selects the race entry information indicated by the race information button 500a for the corresponding racehorse A, "January 2, 2020, G1 *** Cup, and environmental information, etc.", as one racehorse to be entered in the reproduction race. Similarly, by selecting each of the selection buttons 601, 602, and 500, the second and subsequent racehorses to be entered can be selected. In this case, the display order of the race information buttons 500 for the past race information 500 is sorted in order of the environment closest to the upcoming race. Races with similar environments may also be highlighted.

[0087] 6 illustrates a case in which the racehorses to be entered in the replay race are manually selected by the user U, but this is not limiting. The race content replay device 100 can also automatically select past race information for a racehorse based on the race information 500 for the racehorse that will be entering the upcoming race. For example, the race content replay device 100 may automatically select past race information 500 for the racehorse that is closest to the environment indicated by the environmental information (running distance, turf / dirt, clockwise / counterclockwise, weather, etc.) from the entry information for the upcoming race.

[0088] 6, the racehorses entered in the replay race are not limited to being different racehorses, but may be different past races of a single racehorse. In this case, by selecting different past race information 500 of a single racehorse, the race content replay device 100 can display different past races of this single racehorse as replay races.

[0089] (Example 1 of display processing for a replay race using a combination of running race information) Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of Example 1 of display processing for a replay race using a combination of running race information. Figures 7(a) to 7(e) are diagrams showing the running states of each racehorse selected from the running race information 500 of each of past races A to E, respectively, and Figure 7(f) shows the running state to be displayed as a replay race on the display screen 130 (for example, the running position display unit 150).

[0090] For ease of explanation, FIGS. 7( a ) to 7 ( e ) show the race information 500 of each of the past races A to E, respectively, in accordance with the display format of the race position display unit 150 .

[0091] 7(a), the user U selects the racehorse with horse number "6" indicated by a thick circle from among the racehorses that ran in the running race information 500. Similarly, the user U selects horse number "3" for race B in FIG. 7(b), horse number "1" for race C in FIG. 7(c), horse number "1" for race D in FIG. 7(d), and horse number "5" for race E in FIG. 7(e).

[0092] In this case, the race content replay device 100 extracts the running race information 500 of each racehorse (horse numbers "6", "3", "1", "1", "5") selected by the user U from each of races A to E. Then, as shown in FIG. 7( f), the race content replay device 100 aligns the coordinate axes of the images displayed on the screen showing the running states indicated by the running race information 500 of each racehorse (horse numbers "6", "3", "1", "1", "5") and synthesizes (overlaps) them.

[0093] In overlaying the images, the race content replay device 100 aligns the coordinates (ranges) of past races A to E in Figures 7(a) to 7(e) with the coordinates (ranges) of the running position display unit 150 that displays the replayed race. This makes it possible to generate a display screen of a replayed race in which each racehorse from different races A to C virtually races on a single running position display unit 150.

[0094] According to the replay race displayed on the running position display unit 150 shown in FIG. 7( f), the user U can know the position (ranking) of each racehorse selected by the user U according to its identifier 151. Also, FIGS. 7( a) to 7(f) show the position of each racehorse at the latest time, for example, a predetermined time range just before the finish line. The running range of each racehorse on the course just before the finish line within this time range is shown by the length of the running trajectory 152, and the running movement status of each racehorse (the degree of catching up indicated by its speed) can also be shown. Based on this display of the replay race, the user U can obtain reference information about the running status (ranking, positioning, etc.) of each racehorse in a virtual race combining racehorses selected at their discretion.

[0095] The racehorses shown in FIG. 7(f) have the same horse number "1" and "1", but in this case, they can be distinguished from each other by displaying the names of the racehorses.

[0096] (Reproduced Race Display Processing Example 2 Using a Combination of Running Race Information) Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of a display processing example 2 of a reproduced race using a combination of running race information. In the explanation of Figure 7, a virtual race screen was generated using only the racehorses selected by the user U, but in Figure 8, in addition to this, the race content reproducing device 100 automatically selects other racehorses near each racehorse and displays them on the display screen 130 of the reproduced race (running position display unit 150). The other racehorses near each racehorse are called ghosts, and the ghost racehorses are presented as information that will affect the running of the racehorse selected by the user U.

[0097] Similar to Figures 7(a) to 7(e), Figures 8(a) to 8(e) show the running states of each racehorse selected from the running race information 500 of each of past races A to E. In this display processing example 2, the race content replay device 100 displays a replay race for each selected racehorse on the display screen 130 (running position display unit 150), as shown in Figure 8(f). Furthermore, if there are other racehorses near each selected racehorse, the race content replay device 100 obtains the running states of the other racehorses (ghosts) from the corresponding running race information 500 and simultaneously displays them on the running position display unit 150.

[0098] The display state of the replayed race shown in FIG. 8( f) will be described. The race content replay device 100 acquires from the running race information 500 of past race A other racehorses (horse numbers "1" and "3") that are located within a predetermined range (e.g., radius r) centered on the position of the racehorse (horse number "6") selected in past race A at the most recent time. The race content replay device 100 then simultaneously displays the positions of these other racehorses (horse numbers "1" and "3") along with the racehorse (horse number "6") on the running position display unit 150. In this case, for example, the racehorse selected by the user (horse number "6") is highlighted in a conspicuous color scheme such as red, and the other ghost racehorses (horse numbers "1" and "3") are displayed in an inconspicuous color scheme such as gray.

[0099] In this way, by providing auxiliary display of other racehorses (ghosts) that raced against a selected racehorse, it becomes possible to estimate whether the running of the other racehorses (ghosts) influenced the judgment of the running state of each selected racehorse. For example, when viewed in the corresponding Figure 8(a) , the running trajectory of another racehorse (ghost, horse number "3") ahead of the selected racehorse (horse number "6") is shown approaching the racehorse (horse number "6") at an angle. In this case, based on the indication that the selected racehorse (horse number "6") is in a position to deviate, information can be provided for estimating whether the running of the other racehorses (ghosts) influenced the running of the selected racehorse.

[0100] 7 and 8 display the replay race in a straight line. However, the race content replay device 100 may display a race with multiple corners (curves) in accordance with the race course of an actual horse race. When displaying the replay race in a straight line on the running position display unit 150, the race content replay device 100 may convert the coordinates of the corners into straight lines.

[0101] Furthermore, in actual horse racing competitions, there are multiple running distances for each race type, etc. Therefore, the running distances of the multiple racehorses selected for the replay race may differ. In this case, the race content replay device 100 may perform a process to align the running distances of the racehorses based on the running distances included in the past running race information 500 of each racehorse selected by the user U, if the running distances of the racehorses differ. For example, the race content replay device 100 sets the running distance used in the replay race to a relative distance (reference distance) of a predetermined fixed span, and performs scaling of the span (distance interpolation / thinning) to align the running distance (span) of the racehorse selected by the user U to the reference distance.

[0102] In horse racing, there are multiple race distance divisions for each race type. For example, in short distance divisions, the running distances are 1000m and 1200m. In medium distance divisions, there are 2000m, 2200m, 2400m, and 2500m. In long distance divisions, there are 3000m, 3200m, and 3600m. Since the running conditions (lap times, speed distribution, etc.) of each racehorse differ for each race distance division, by selecting racehorses for the same distance division in the running distance of each racehorse in the reenactment race, the running conditions (pitch, etc.) of each racehorse in the reenactment race can be made as common as possible.

[0103] In response to this, the race content replay device 100 may allow the user U to select a racehorse within a running distance range of a certain race distance category. For example, when a certain racehorse A is selected on the racehorse selection screen 600 by the user U shown in Fig. 6, the race content replay device 100 presents to the user U that the running distance included in the environmental information of the running race information 500 of this racehorse A is 2000 m (middle distance). This allows the user U to select another racehorse B in the same middle distance category.

[0104] Furthermore, when user U selects a racehorse A (middle distance) on the racehorse selection screen 600, the race content reproduction device 100 may display only racehorses B, C, D, etc. that have running race information 500 in the same middle distance category as selectable when selecting other racehorses.

[0105] 7 and 8, examples of display on the running position display unit 150 have been described. The running states of each racehorse, including ghosts, during the replay race can also be displayed as a three-dimensional CG image 161 (see FIG. 1) on the CG image display unit 160.

[0106] (Example of Processing by the Race Content Recreation Device) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall processing of the race content recreating process. Also, FIGS. 10 to 12 are flowcharts showing examples of each part of the overall processing shown in FIG. 9. The overall processing shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of race content recreating by program execution by the control unit (CPU 401) of the race content recreating device 100 (race recreating generation server 210). In this case, the race content recreating device 100 displays information on the display screen 130 of the recreating race, which will be described below, on the user's terminal 120. Alternatively, the following processing may be performed by the control unit (CPU 401) of the terminal 120 owned by the user.

[0107] First, the race content replay device 100 acquires information on each racehorse selected by the user U (step S901). Next, the race content replay device 100 acquires past race entry information for each acquired racehorse (for example, part of the running race information 500 in FIG. 5 ) (step S902).

[0108] Next, the race content replay device 100 determines whether the selection of racehorses has been completed (step S903). If the selection of racehorses by the user U has been completed (step S903: Yes), the race content replay device 100 proceeds to the processing of step S904. On the other hand, if the selection of racehorses by the user U has not been completed (step S903: No), the race content replay device 100 returns to the processing of step S901.

[0109] Next, the race content replay device 100 acquires running information for each selected racehorse (for example, part of the running race information 500 in FIG. 5) (step S904). Then, the race content replay device 100 generates and displays one replay race screen based on the acquired running information for each racehorse (step S905), and ends the above processing. One replay race screen is each of the running position display unit 150 and the CG image display unit 160 displayed on the display screen 130.

[0110] 9, a virtual replay race can be displayed using the past race information 500 of multiple racehorses. After the replay race is over, the user U can replace the racehorses and execute the same process again, referring to the finishing order and running condition of each racehorse.

[0111] Next, examples of partial processing of the overall processing shown in Fig. 9 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 are flowcharts each showing an example of partial processing of the overall processing shown in Fig. 9.

[0112] 10 shows a specific example of the process (step S901) for acquiring information on each racehorse based on the selection by user U shown in FIG. 9. The race content reproduction device 100 displays a list of selectable racehorses (step S1001, see FIG. 6).

[0113] Next, the race content replay device 100 displays information about the racehorse selected by the user U from the list display (step S1002). In this process, for example, the horse names shown in FIG.

[0114] Then, when the user U has finished selecting the racehorse (step S1003: Yes), the above processing ends. On the other hand, if the user U has not finished selecting the racehorse (step S1003: No), the race content reproduction device 100 returns to the processing of step S1002 and performs processing related to the selection of another racehorse.

[0115] 11 shows a specific example of the process (step S902) for acquiring past race information for the racehorses acquired as shown in FIG. 9 . The race content replay device 100 displays a list of past races for each racehorse selected by the user U (step S1101). Next, the race content replay device 100 accepts a selection of a past race for the racehorse (step S1102). For example, the device waits for the user U to select the running race information 500 (see FIG. 6 ) to be used in the replay race from among multiple past races for the racehorse (step S1102: No), and then proceeds to the process of step S1103 upon selection of a race (step S1102: Yes).

[0116] In step S1103, the race content replay device 100 acquires and displays the entry information of the racehorse selected by the user U for the relevant race (step S1103). For example, the race content replay device 100 acquires the entry information from the running race information 500 of the racehorse selected by the user U. Then, the race content replay device 100 determines whether or not to use the racehorse of the acquired and displayed entry information in the replay race (step S1104).

[0117] If the user U selects that the racehorse in the displayed race information will be used in the reenacted race (step S1104: Yes), the race content reenactment device 100 proceeds to step S1105. On the other hand, if the user U does not select that the racehorse in the displayed race information will be used in the reenacted race (step S1104: No), the race content reenactment device 100 returns to step S1101.

[0118] In step S1105, the race content replay device 100 determines the race entry information (race running information 500) of each racehorse to be used in the replay race (step S1105), and ends the above processing. Through the above processing, each racehorse to be raced in the replay race is determined.

[0119] Figure 12 shows a specific example of the process (step S905) of generating and displaying one replay race screen based on the running information of each racehorse obtained as shown in Figure 9. The race content replay device 100 generates a screen showing the racing state based on the running information (running race information 500) of each racehorse obtained (step S1201).

[0120] For example, the race content replay device 100 displays on the screen the running race information 500 of a racehorse selected by the user U from the running race information 500 of each of past races A to E shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(e). In generating a screen of the racing state, the race content replay device 100 displays on the screen in time the change in position of each racehorse over time (each relative time) indicated by the running information of the running race information 500 of each racehorse during the competition period.

[0121] The race content replay device 100 then determines whether screen generation for each racehorse has been completed (step S1202). When one race for each racehorse has finished, it determines that screen generation for that racehorse has been completed (step S1202: No), and returns to step S1201. When screen generation for all racehorses has been completed (step S1202: Yes), the race content replay device 100 proceeds to the processing of step S1203.

[0122] In step S1203, the race content reproduction device 100 performs a distance matching process for each race distance category (step S1203). For example, if the running distances indicated by the past running information of each racehorse selected by user U are different, a process is performed to match the running distances of these racehorses. In this matching process, for example, as described above, the running distances can be matched for each race distance category.

[0123] Next, when converting corners (curves) of the course on which the race is to be run into straight lines, the race content replay device 100 performs processing in step S1204. For example, when the course is displayed in a straight line as shown in the running position display unit 150 shown in FIG. 1 etc., the race content replay device 100 converts the coordinates of the corners indicated by the running information of the running race information 500 of each racehorse into straight lines (step S1204).

[0124] The race content replay device 100 then displays the replayed race with the generated images of each racehorse superimposed on one display screen 130 (each of the running position display unit 150 and the CG image display unit 160) (step S1205). For example, the race content replay device 100 performs image processing to superimpose information on the position of each racehorse at each time it ran in a past race (equivalent to RTK information) on the same coordinates.

[0125] Furthermore, when other racehorses (ghosts) in the vicinity of each racehorse are to be displayed (step S1206) as selected by the user U, the process of step S1206 is performed, and the above process ends. As shown in Figure 8, by displaying other nearby racehorses (ghosts), it is possible to present information that will affect the running of the racehorse selected by the user U.

[0126] (Other Display Examples of the Replay Race) Other display examples of the replay race will be described below. Figures 13 to 16 are diagrams showing other display examples of the replay race.

[0127] 13 shows another display example 1 of a replay race. A display screen 1300 of this display example 1 simultaneously displays different races for the same racehorse A. As shown in the display screen 1300, races in which racehorse A has previously competed were of different race types and distances. In this case, the race content replay device 100 performs a process of aligning the different distances to the reference distance. As a result, the distances of each race are aligned to a fixed span (horizontal axis) indicated by the reference distance.

[0128] The left end of the horizontal axis indicates the race start position (start S), and the right end indicates the race end position (goal G). By simultaneously starting each race for racehorse A, the race content reproduction device 100 displays the position of the target horse (racehorse A) at each relative time using identifiers 1301 (1301a, 1301b, 1301c, ..., 1301n). That is, at the start of the race, identifier 1301 of racehorse A is located at start S, and moves toward goal G during the race. Note that, as shown in FIG. 13 , when distance matching is performed for different running distances, the longer the running distance, the slower the pace (movement amount) tends to be.

[0129] According to the display screen 1300 of display example 1 shown in Figure 13, by relatively displaying the running positions of racehorse A when it ran in the past on the same screen, it becomes possible to visualize the strengths and weaknesses of racehorse A for different running distances (race types).

[0130] Figure 14 shows another display example 2 of the reproduced race. In addition to the simultaneous display of different races for the same racehorse A shown in Figure 13, the display screen 1400 of this display example 2 also displays another racehorse B (ghost) 1301x near racehorse A. By displaying the ghost racehorse B (1301x), the user U can understand the overall running status of each race of the racehorse A selected by the user U during the competition period, and the positional relationship between the racehorse A and the other racehorses B (ghosts) near racehorse A.

[0131] 14, it can be seen that racehorse A, indicated by identifier 1301b, was surrounded by other racehorses B (1301x) just before the finish line, but the exact positions of these racehorses are not known. In this case, the user U can select the screen to switch to the running position display unit 150 or the CG image display unit 160, thereby making it possible to grasp in more detail the positional relationship between racehorse A (1301b) and the other racehorse B (ghost) 1301x.

[0132] 15 shows another display example 3 of reproduced races. A display screen 1500 of this display example 3 simultaneously displays different races involving different racehorses A to D. In the example shown on display screen 1500, the target horses that user U focuses on are racehorses A and B, and the other horses are racehorses C and D. In Race 1 (1800 m) on the top row, racehorse D ran in addition to racehorse A, and in Other Race 2 (2200 m) on the bottom row, racehorse D ran in addition to racehorse B.

[0133] The race content replay device 100 displays each of the racehorses A to D by assigning them identifiers 1501a to 1501d. In display example 3 of FIG. 15 , when comparing racehorses A and B, who did not face off against each other, racehorse D, which ran in the same race as racehorses A and B, is displayed in an identifiable manner. This makes it possible to compare the running conditions of racehorses A and B, such as their leg strength, through racehorse D. The selection of racehorse D (running race information 500) which ran in the same race as racehorses A and B is manually selected by the user U. Alternatively, the race content replay device 100 can automatically select racehorse D (running race information 500) which ran in the same race as racehorses A and B.

[0134] Figure 16 shows another display example 4 of a reproduced race. In the above-described embodiment, races with different running distances are displayed as relative distances over the same span. This is not limiting, and running distances may be displayed as absolute distances. In the example of Figure 16, races in which racehorses A (1601a) and B (1601b) have previously run are 2200m, racehorse C (1601c) has previously run are 2400m, and racehorse D (1601d) has previously run are 3200m.

[0135] In this case, the race content reproducing device 100 extracts and displays only the last predetermined distance of the race (for example, a range 1000 m back from the goal G) from the running information of the running race information 500 of each of the racehorses A to D.

[0136] When displaying the data based on relative distance, the comparison is made based on the running speed after distance matching calculation, rather than the actual running speed of the racehorses. In contrast, by displaying the data based on absolute distance, it is possible to compare the running conditions of racehorses A to D at their actual speeds without performing distance matching calculations. Furthermore, by displaying the race distance in association with each racehorse, it is possible to grasp the running condition of each racehorse (for example, racehorse D is tired because it is nearing the finish line of a long 3,200-meter race).

[0137] The technology for reproducing and displaying race details according to the embodiment can be applied not only to the horse racing described above but also to other publicly managed sports events such as boat racing and bicycle racing. Furthermore, it can be applied to various sports events, not just publicly managed sports events. For example, it can be provided to various sports events that do not include payouts, such as track and field events, auto races, and marathons, and can reproduce and display race details featuring athletes or other competitive actors arbitrarily selected by a user U.

[0138] The race content replay device of the embodiment described above generates and outputs a display screen including images of the racing subjects (racehorses) during the race. The race content replay device acquires running position history information of a first racehorse from running race information of a first race held in the past, and acquires running position history information of a second racehorse from running race information of a second race held in the past that is different from the first race. The race content replay device generates a display screen replaying the race content between the first racehorse and the second racehorse using the acquired running position history information of the first racehorse and the second racehorse. This makes it possible to replay the race content as if multiple racehorses had run in the same race, even if they have never actually run in the same race. This makes it possible to provide users with reference information when purchasing betting tickets by voting.

[0139] In addition, the race content reproducing device of the embodiment may acquire running position history information of other racehorses that were around the first racehorse from the running race information in the acquisition process, and may generate a display screen that reproduces the race content of the other racehorses in an identifiable manner in the generation process. This makes it possible to reproduce the environment of the first racehorse during the race, and therefore to provide the user with useful information that affects the running of the first racehorse, such as the fact that the first racehorse was unable to accelerate because another racehorse was immediately before it when it was running.

[0140] In addition, the generation process of the race content replay device of the embodiment may be to generate a display screen that shows a planar display of images of the running positions of the first racehorse and the second racehorse superimposed and assigned identifiers. Furthermore, the generation process of the race content replay device of the embodiment may be to generate a display screen that shows the running trajectories of the first racehorse and the second racehorse. This makes it possible to provide the user with an easy-to-understand view of the running states of the multiple racehorses competing in the replayed race.

[0141] Furthermore, in the race content reproducing device of the embodiment, if the running distance of the first race and the running distance of the second race are different, the generation process may generate a display screen in which the running distance of the first race and the running distance of the second race are matched to a reference running distance. For example, in horse racing, the running distance may differ depending on the race type, but by matching the running distance, it is possible to reproduce a race in which the first racehorse and the second racehorse raced over the same running distance.

[0142] Furthermore, the race content reproducing device of the embodiment may generate a display screen showing CG images in which character images corresponding to the first racehorse and the second racehorse are given running motions. These CG images can display the racehorses racing against each other in a three-dimensional manner, providing the user with an easy-to-understand and realistic sense of their running state.

[0143] Alternatively, the first racehorse and the second racehorse may be the same racehorse. In this case, the race content replay device of the embodiment acquires running position history information of the first racehorse from running race information of a first race held in the past, and acquires running position history information of the first racehorse from running race information of a second race held in the past that is different from the first race. Then, in the generation process, the acquired running position history information of the first racehorse in the first race and the acquired running position history information of the first racehorse in the second race are used to generate a display screen replaying the race content of the first racehorse in different races held in the past. This makes it possible to replay a race that combines the running conditions of multiple past races for a single racehorse selected by the user. For example, it becomes possible to provide the user with an easy-to-understand explanation of the differences in running conditions between races.

[0144] Furthermore, the race content replay device of the embodiment can use information detected by an RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system as the running position history information of the racehorses, which allows the positions of each racing subject, which change during the race, to be accurately detected, and the positions and rankings of each racehorse to be correctly displayed on the display screen.

[0145] Furthermore, the race content reproduction device of the embodiment may generate a display screen including information about the running state of the racehorse included in the running race information. This information about the running state of the racehorse can be calculated, for example, as the average distance, maximum distance, current distance, etc., per stride, making it possible to provide specific information about the running state that changes over time during the race.

[0146] The method for recreating race content described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a PC or a workstation. The race content recreating program described in this embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and is executed by the computer by reading it from the recording medium. The race content recreating program described in this embodiment may also be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0147] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Race content replay device 120 Terminal 130 Display screen 140 Replay race display section 150 Running position display section 151, 162 Identifier 152 Running track 160 CG image display section 161 CG image 170 Running information display section 171 Running information 201 RTK system 202 RTK server 203 RTK database (DB) 210 Replay race generation server 211 Video distribution server 301 Acquisition section 302 Racehorse selection section 303 Replay race image generation section 303a Running position display image generation section 303b CG image generation section 304 Output section 401 CPU 402 Memory 405 Recording medium 500 Running race information 600 Racehorse selection screen K Racehorse NW Network U User

Claims

1. A race content reproduction method for generating and outputting a display screen including images of racing subjects racing, characterized in that a computer executes the following processes: acquiring running position history information of a first racing subject from running race information of a first race held in the past; acquiring running position history information of a second racing subject from running race information of a second race held in the past that is different from the first race; and using the acquired running position history information of the first racing subject and the running position history information of the second racing subject, generating a display screen that reproduces the race content between the first racing subject and the second racing subject.

2. The race content reproduction method described in claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition process acquires, from the running race information, running position history information of other racing subjects that were around the first racing subject, and the generation process generates a display screen that reproduces the race content of the other racing subjects in an identifiable manner.

3. The method for reproducing race content described in claim 1, characterized in that the generation process involves overlaying images of the running positions of the first racing subject and the second racing subject, assigning identifiers, and generating a display screen that shows them in a two-dimensional manner.

4. The race content reproduction method according to claim 3, characterized in that the generation process generates a display screen showing the running tracks of the first racing subject and the second racing subject.

5. The method for reproducing race content described in claim 3, characterized in that the generation process generates a display screen in which, if the running distance of the first race and the running distance of the second race differ, the running distance of the first race and the running distance of the second race are aligned with a reference running distance.

6. The method for reproducing race content described in claim 1, characterized in that the generation process generates a display screen showing CG images in which running motions are added to character images corresponding to the first racing subject and the second racing subject.

7. The race content reproduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first racing subject and the second racing subject are the same racing subject, the acquisition process acquires running position history information of the first racing subject from running race information of a first race held in the past, and acquires running position history information of the first racing subject from running race information of a second race held in the past that is different from the first race, and the generation process uses the acquired running position history information of the first racing subject in the first race and the running position history information of the first racing subject in the second race to generate a display screen that reproduces the race content of the first racing subject in a different race held in the past.

8. The method for reproducing race content according to claim 1, wherein the running position history information of the race subjects is information detected by an RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system.

9. The race content reproduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that the generation process generates a display screen including information relating to the running state of the racing subject contained in the running race information.

10. A race content replay program that generates and outputs a display screen including images of racing subjects racing, the program causing a computer to execute the following processes: acquire running position history information of a first racing subject from running race information of a first race held in the past; acquire running position history information of a second racing subject from running race information of a second race held in the past that is different from the first race; and generate a display screen that replays the race content between the first racing subject and the second racing subject using the acquired running position history information of the first racing subject and the running position history information of the second racing subject.

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