BE1024183B1 - Method of classifying participants in an event, device and associated program - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of ranking contestants based on votes of a plurality of members of an online social network and comprising the steps of: a. receiving an instruction from a member via said online social network to begin said ranking method; b. send an instruction to display a list of participants in the said event and means of voting to select one or more participants; vs. if a participant is selected by a member using said voting means, incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for that participant; d. send an instruction to display a ranking of participants on the basis of at least one vote made by a member using the said means of voting.

Description

Method of classifying participants in an event, device and associated program

Technical Field [0001] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of classifying participants in an event. The classification method of the invention could be described as interactive. Preferably, said test is a sporting event, for example an automobile test. Other types of test or manifestation could nevertheless be envisaged for the method of the invention. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an electronic device capable of implementing at least part of the classification method of the invention. According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a program for implementing at least in part said classification method.

STATE OF THE ART [0002] The state of the art will be discussed in the field of motor racing. Nevertheless, the issues raised in this presentation apply to other types of events or events.

To determine the starting order of the cars of a car race, it is possible to use the results of previous races. Thus, the first to be aligned on the starting line is for example the driver who won the previous race. This can tire the audience who always sees the same driver lined up first. An alternative is to draw lots for the driver who can start first on the starting line. This can at least partially solve the problem of monotony. Nevertheless, the public does not feel involved in the choice of the starting order of the different riders. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to a first aspect, one of the aims of the present invention is to provide a ranking method which is more interactive and which seems modern to the public by taking advantage of new technologies, in particular social networks. lines such as Facebook® and connected devices such as computers, so-called smart mobile phones or tablets for example.

For this purpose, the inventors propose a method of ranking participants in a test, based on votes of a plurality of members of an online social network (or computerized social network, digital or digital, for example: Facebook®), and including the following steps: a. receiving an instruction from a member via said online social network to begin said ranking method; b. send an instruction to display a list of participants (preferably photos) to said event and voting means to select one or more participants (preferably one); vs. if a participant is selected by a member using said means of voting, incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for that participant; d. send an instruction to display a ranking of participants on the basis of at least one vote made by a member using the said means of voting.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to have a method of ranking participants that is more interactive, less monotonous. Viewers who are members of an online social network become actors of the event, of the event. This is particularly important and sought after for certain sporting activities for which there is generally little enthusiasm, such as, for example, car races other than Formula 1 races. Thus, the classification method of the invention can be applied to different types of test. Preferably, these are sports events such as swimming, athletics, football. For each of these sports listed for illustrative purposes, there may be a draw phase. For swimming and athletics, it is necessary to decide the corridor of each athlete. Rather than drawing lots or determining the corridor from an alphabetical order, one could imagine using the method of the invention to interact with the viewer or members of a social network and thus increase their interest in the test.

To obtain the method of the invention, it is not sufficient to provide a computer or electronic device such as a computer, a smart mobile phone or a tablet for example. It is also necessary to be inventive in order to obtain the different steps as described in claim 1. In particular, it is necessary to predict the different interactions between the online social network, a member and a server (or any other electronic device) hosting a program able to implement certain steps of the classification method of the invention.

According to a possible embodiment, the classification method of the invention further comprising a step of proposing to a member of the online social network having selected at least one participant in said step c. share your vote on an online social network.

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method is characterized in that said proposal is made to said member via the display of an icon (preferably an icon similar to one used in said social network online ).

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method is characterized in that in step c. further includes, if a participant is selected by a member using said voting means, a step of transmitting at least one information relating to that member (preferably with his permission).

According to another possible embodiment, the ranking method further comprises a step of ranking members having selected a participant in step c.

According to another possible embodiment, the ranking method is characterized in that the ranking of the members is based on a number of shares of their vote of step c. with other people.

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method comprises a step of requesting (display of a dialog requesting this confirmation for example) to a member to confirm a start choice of said ranking method when an instruction to start said ranking method is received in step a.

According to another possible embodiment, the classification application includes a step of requesting confirmation from a member that he agrees that said online social network transmits personal information about him.

According to another possible embodiment, the ranking method includes a step of requesting a member to provide one or more personal information (preferably, during the first session only and after voting).

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method is characterized in that in step d. is performed if an instruction is received from a member to display a voting result.

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method is characterized in that in step b. the method of classification includes a step of sending an instruction to display said list of participants (preferably photos) and said means of voting on a screen (touch for example) of an electronic device (computer, tablet, mobile phone ).

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method is characterized in that in step b. the method of classification comprises a step of sending an instruction to display said list of participants and said means of voting through a page of said social network online (alternatives: independent page, for example a page linked to an application which is on smartphone).

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method further comprises a step of providing an online social network application (or program) (for example Facebook®) comprising a user interface (for example a web page, for example, a Facebook® page) with an entry to launch a ranking help application (or function, for example 'make the grid' button).

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method further comprises a step of providing said classification assistance application (or program) able to communicate with said on-line social network application and comprising a counter for counting votes.

According to another possible embodiment, the ranking method further comprises a step of drawing a member who has voted for one or more participants.

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method is characterized in that in step b. the ranking method further includes sending an information request display instruction from one or more participants.

According to another possible embodiment, the classification method further comprises a step of sending a display instruction information relating to one or more participants if such a request is made by a member (for example via the means for requesting information from one or more participants).

In a second aspect, the inventors propose an electronic device (for example a server computer) or computer such as for example a server, a computer, a tablet or any other device comprising at least one processor and storage means for saving a program executable by said at least one processor, said program comprising: - a first portion of code for receiving an instruction from a member of an online social network to start a ranking method; a second portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device (for example a computer, mobile phone, tablet) to display a list of participants in a test and means of voting to select one or more participants; a third portion of code for incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for a participant; a fourth portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device to display a ranking of participants on the basis of at least one vote made by a member using said voting means.

The preferred embodiments presented for the classification method of the invention apply to the electronic device, mutatis mutandis.

According to a third aspect, the inventors propose a program for classifying participants in an event and comprising: a first portion of code to receive an instruction from a member of an online social network to start a ranking method ; - a second portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device to display a list of participants in a test and voting means for selecting one or more participants; a third portion of code for incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for a participant; a fourth portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device to display a ranking of participants on the basis of at least one vote made by a member using said voting means.

The preferred embodiments presented for the classification method of the invention apply to the program, mutatis mutandis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0026] These aspects as well as other aspects of the invention will be clarified in the detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the drawings of the figures, in which: FIG. 1 shows an exemplary page of the application of the invention on an online social network; Fig.2 shows an example of a welcome page; FIG. 3 shows an exemplary page of the application of the invention on an online social network; Fig.4 shows an example of a participant presentation page; FIG. 5 shows an example of a provisional classification page; Fig.6 shows an example of an ambassador ranking page.

The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Generally, similar elements are denoted by similar references in the figures. The presence of reference numbers in the drawings can not be considered as limiting, even when these numbers are indicated in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0027] The classification method according to the invention comprises a series of actions. According to some preferred embodiments of the method of the invention, some of these actions are performed by a member of a social network.

Preferably, the ranking method includes an application called OFF-mode which is hosted on the internet, and an ON-mode application, hosted by a social network, for example Facebook ®. The ON-mode and OFF-mode applications communicate preferably via the internet and allow data exchange.

Preferably, the method of the invention comprises a step of displaying on a social network a page 6 corresponding to the method according to the invention (see Figure 1). This page 6 preferably includes an input 24 such as a button or tab to launch a ranking aid application that is programmed to perform the classification method according to the invention. Preferably, the member of the social network has an account to this social network to which he has previously communicated personal information.

After clicking on the entry 24 of the page 6 of Figure 1, a member is preferably redirected to a descriptive page and welcome 1 which allows to learn about the possibilities offered by access to the application of the invention and which briefly describes the method of ranking the participants (see Figure 2). This descriptive and welcome page 1 preferably comprises a logo 10 of the application of the invention and an entry or tab 11. A possible type of use of this descriptive and welcome page 1 is for example to offer a method ranking of participants in a sport or car event. The continuation in the social network application is done by clicking on the entry 11 which can for example include a text such as 'Welcome on this event'.

Preferably, a page relating to the application 2 is then displayed on the social network online (see Figure 3). This page 2 allows access to other pages and functions of the application that will be described later.

During a first connection to the application (or first session), a dialog box generated by the social network preferably appears. This dialog box offers the member user the ability to select the personal information contained in their social network profile that will be communicated to the ranking help application. The personal information of the person who uses the social network and which is recorded in his social network profile and which will be communicated to the ranking aid application are generally defined in three categories. Namely, for the first category, first and last name, profile picture of the online social network, age group, sex, language, country of residence of the person using the social network. The information described in the first category is defined by the social network as public information, that is to say accessible by all. A second category of personal information relates to the list of friends on the social network of the person who uses the social network. The third category concerns the personal email address of the person using the social network.

The dialogue box preferably provides that the user member must communicate the personal information provided in the first category and allows to communicate or not the personal information defined in the second and third categories. This choice can be made in different ways. After making his choice, the member who uses the social network for the data he wants to share with the social network application preferably clicks on a tab of the dialog box to continue the ranking by vote. This personal data of the member who uses the social network is collected by the social network application and preferably transferred to the filing aid application of the invention. These data are stored by the ranking help application.

The method of the invention comprises a step of providing a list of participants in the test and voting means 20 to select one or more of them. This is illustrated in Figure 4.

Preferably, information 18 relating to participants (photos, names, for example) are displayed on a presentation page of the participants 3. The information 18 relating to the participants, information relating to the event in progress as well as Future events are stored in the ranking aid application and managed from this ranking help application. The navigation between the information 18 concerning the different participants is made from the participant presentation page 3. The order of presentation of the different participants on the presentation page of the participants 3 is preferably random. The random order is generated by the classification help application of the invention. Additional details relating for example to the equipment available to each competitor as well as the history of his performances are preferably available on the classification help application and can be obtained by clicking on a details entry 19 (or details tab).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the presentation page of the participants 3 also includes one or more voting buttons (or means, voting entries) for selecting one or more participants. Preferably, this page 3 includes a link 2a to the homepage 2 of the application of the invention on the online social network (illustrated in FIG. 3). Preferably, this page 3 also includes one or more entries 15 (or tabs) to share a vote on a social network (eg Facebook ®, Twitter ®). Preferably, this page 3 also includes an entry (or tab) 17 to view a provisional ranking of participants.

By clicking on this last tab 17, a page 4 of presentation of a provisional ranking is displayed (see Figure 5). This page contains various participant information, voting tabs 20, obtaining more details about a given participant and a ranking number associated with a participant.

The page of the social network application 2 shown in Figure 3 preferably allows access to other pages of said application. For example, button 13 provides access to the ambassador ranking page. 5. An ambassador is a member who voted and shared his / her vote. The button 16 of the example illustrated in FIG. 3 allows access to the presentation page of the participants 3. The button 17 allows access to the temporary ranking page 4. The buttons (or inputs) 14 and 15 allow inviting contacts and sharing data about said application on the social network of the member using the social network. The page of the social network application 2 may also contain the logo 10 which defines the social network application as well as the description of the event concerned by the vote 12.

Preferably, the method according to the invention provides at any time the possibility of seeing a provisional ranking on a page of the provisional ranking 4 of the participants according to the number of votes they received by clicking on the tab 7 2. This ranking is generated by the ranking aid application which counts the number of votes for each participant and ranks them in order of the highest number of votes. the lowest number of votes. The provisional ranking is displayed to the user who uses the social networking application on the preview page of the provisional ranking 4. The display of this ranking includes some of the illustrations and information relating to each of the competitors 18. This provisional ranking is generated at each request of the user of the social network application by the ranking help application. The provisional ranking generated by the ranking aid application changes according to the number of votes for each competitor.

The vote of the member who uses the social network application is preferably by clicking on the vote button 20 which can be located on the presentation page of the participants 3 (Figure 4) and on the presentation page of the projected ranking 4 (Figure 5). A voting button 20 is assigned to each participant and is positioned near the participant information 18. Each participant preferably has their own vote button 20 for the voting process. Several voting buttons 20 for the voting process may appear on the same page, for example on the participants' presentation page 3. Each member who uses the online social network application has a vote or a right to vote. vote that is defined according to his social network account. The right to vote is renewed at each new event that requires a vote ranking of people who use the social network application.

When the person who uses the social network application makes his vote and clicks the button 20 provided for this purpose concerning the participant of his choice, the social network application communicates to the application ranking aid , the choice of the person who uses the social networking application to vote for the participant he has chosen. Preferably, the social network application also communicates to the ranking aid application that the member who uses the social network application has voted and counts the number of votes per member who has been using the social network application since his registration to the social network application.

[0042] Preferably, a member who uses the social network application is invited to publish on a social network page information relating to the social network application. During the vote, a sharing button 15 (or sharing tab) is preferably provided (see Figure 4). Several sharing buttons may be provided for sharing a vote of a member with one or more social networks. Buttons for sharing on social networks 15 and which for example is called 'share' are available on most pages of the social network application, for example to publish information about a participant or the application of social network. The sharing of any information by the person using the social network application relating to the social network application is preferably communicated by the social network application to the ranking aid application.

A button 14 relating to the invitation of his contacts to register with the social network application is preferably proposed in the social network application, for example in the page of the social network application 2 (Figure 3) and in the ambassador ranking page 5 (Figure 6). The invitation by the person using the social network application of at least one of his social network contacts is communicated by the social network application to the ranking aid application.

[0044] Preferably, the ranking aid application assigns a value for each share made by a member with the social network application (such a member is called ambassador). The ranking help application also preferably assigns a value for each invitation made by the person using the social network application. The attribution of values relative to the classification of the ambassadors resumes preferably the values allotted by the information sharing and by the invitations sent.

The ranking of the ambassadors can be displayed for example by a user member by clicking on the button 13 located on the page of the social network application 2 and which is called for example 'See Ambassador Ranking'. The ranking of the ambassadors is then requested by the social networking application to the ranking help application that generates the ranking based on the values associated with each person using the social network application. When the ambassador ranking is generated by the ranking help application, it is communicated to the social network application and posted on the ambassador ranking page. The ranking of the ambassadors can take back the information of the user who uses the social network as well as the personal data of other people who use the application. This information can be displayed on the ambassador ranking page 5 (Figure 6). The personal data of the person using the application 13 and the personal data of other persons of other persons who use the application 23 can be displayed, accompanied for example by a general classification number 21 and the total of the values recorded by the counting aid application 22.

The member who uses the social network application can be notified by the social network of information relating to the social network application. Said person may also be contacted by any other computer means by the application of classification help to indicate to him the means that could enable him to improve his ranking in the ranking of ambassadors.

The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. In general, the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and / or described above. The use of the verbs "to understand", "to include", "to include", or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, can in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article "a", "an", or the definite article "the", "the" or "I", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. The reference numerals in the claims do not limit their scope.

In summary, the invention can also be described as follows. A method of ranking contestants based on votes of a plurality of members of an online social network and comprising the steps of: a. receiving an instruction from a member via said online social network to begin said ranking method; b. send an instruction to display a list of participants in the said event and means of voting to select one or more participants; vs. if a participant is selected by a member using said voting means, incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for that participant; d. send an instruction to display a ranking of participants on the basis of at least one vote made by a member using the said means of voting.

Claims (19)

claims 1. A method of ranking contestants based on votes of a plurality of members of an online social network, and comprising the steps of: a. receiving an instruction from a member via said online social network to begin said ranking method; b. sending an instruction to display a list of participants (3) to said event and voting means (20) to select one or more participants; vs. if a participant is selected by a member using said voting means (20), incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for that participant; d. send an instruction to display a ranking of participants on the basis of at least one vote made by a member using the said means of voting (20). 2. classification method according to the preceding claim further comprising a step of proposing to a member of the online social network having selected at least one participant in said step c. share your vote on an online social network. 3. classification method according to the preceding claim characterized in that said proposal is made to said member via the display of an icon. 4. Classification method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step c. further comprising, if a participant is selected by a member using said voting means (20), a step of transmitting at least one information relating to that member. The ranking method of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a step of ranking members having selected a participant in step c. 6. Classification method according to the preceding claim characterized in that the ranking of the members is based on a number of their vote in step c. with other people or members. A ranking method according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a step of requesting a member to confirm a start choice of said ranking method when an instruction to start said ranking method is received in step a. 8. The method of classification according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a step of requesting a confirmation from a member that he or she agrees that said online social network transmits personal information concerning it. The ranking method of any one of the preceding claims including a step of requesting a member to provide one or more personal information. 10. Classification method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step d. is performed if an instruction is received from a member to display a voting result. 11. Classification method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step b. comprises a step of sending an instruction to display said list of participants and said voting means (20) on a screen of an electronic device. 12. Classification method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step b. comprises a step of sending an instruction to display said list of participants and said voting means (20) through a page of said online social network. The ranking method of any preceding claim further comprising a step of providing an on-line social network application comprising a user interface (6) comprising an entry (24) for initiating a ranking aid application. 14. The method of classification according to the preceding claim further comprising a step of providing said classification help application capable of communicating with said online social network application and comprising a counter for counting votes. 15. The method of classification according to any preceding claim further comprising a step of drawing a member who has voted for one or more participants. 16. Classification method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step b. further includes sending an information request display instruction from one or more participants. 17. The method of classification according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a step of sending a display instruction information relating to one or more participants if such a request is made by a member. An electronic device comprising at least one processor and storage means for saving a program executable by said at least one processor, said program comprising: a first portion of code for receiving an instruction from a member of a social network; line to start a ranking method; a second portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device to display a list of participants in a test and voting means (20) for selecting one or more participants; a third portion of code for incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for a participant; a fourth portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device to display a ranking of participants based on at least one vote made by a member using said voting means (20). 19. Program for classifying participants in an event comprising: - a first portion of code to receive an instruction from an online social network member to start a ranking method; a second portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device to display a list of participants in a test and voting means (20) for selecting one or more participants; a third portion of code for incrementing a counter able to count a number of votes for a participant; a fourth portion of code for sending an instruction to an electronic device to display a ranking of participants based on at least one vote made by a member using said voting means (20).