JP2003085323A - Voting system, point control device, and point control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase a balance corresponding to a voting fund at a desired timing when a voting to various competitions such as horse racing is performed from a home. SOLUTION: A user votes by using points purchased beforehand without purchasing a voting ticket with money. When the user purchases the points, a point control device 1 receives the number of purchased points and account information of the user from a user terminal 41. The point control device 1 instructs an account control device 31 to settle a point trade through a debit settlement center 11. The account control device 31 performs the authentication of the user and, after succeeding an authentication, performs a settlement required by the trade of the points. The point control device 1 increases or decreases the points of the user based on the contents of voting received from the user terminal 4 and dividend information received from the voting processing device 31.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voting system used for voting in competitions, a point management system for managing points corresponding to voting funds, and a point management program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an increasing number of forms in which goods are traded via the Internet. Voting tickets for horse racing, bicycle races, etc. (for example, winning horse voting tickets) are also called "tickets". Therefore, like other products, voting tickets are sold via the Internet and sent to the purchaser. It is possible to realize. In this case, when the voting ticket is sold, money can be given and received by immediate settlement. On the other hand, when the prediction of a winning horse or the like is correct, the user redeems the sent voting ticket at a predetermined place to obtain a refund, so it takes time to give and receive the refund. Therefore, in such a voting ticket sales form, even if the prediction such as a winning horse in a certain race is correct,
I couldn't immediately use the refund to vote for the next race.

[0003] As a system that allows voting from a home for a horse race and uses a refund for one race to purchase a voting ticket for the next race, the Japan Central Horse Race Association (hereinafter referred to as JRA).
Is written. ) Is operated by the PAT telephone voting system. Hereinafter, this system is referred to as a PAT system.
The PAT system includes a JRA host computer and a financial institution host computer, and a terminal used by a user is connected to the JRA host computer.
The terminal is, for example, a personal computer having a dedicated application program. The user is J
By signing a PAT telephone voting contract with RA, it becomes possible to vote from the terminal.

In the PAT system, the JRA host computer and the user's terminal are connected via a telephone line. The terminal acquires and displays various kinds of information regarding the race from the JRA host computer, and also transmits voting information input by the user to the JRA host computer. The JRA host computer performs processing such as transmission of information regarding races, reception of voting information, and calculation of refund. The information on the race includes, for example, information on odds, weather on the racetrack, condition of the racetrack, jockeys, and the like.
As the voting information, for example, there is information such as a prediction of a winning horse, a purchase amount of a winning horse voting ticket (hereinafter, referred to as a betting ticket), and the like.

A user opens an account used in the PAT system in advance at a financial institution and deposits a certain amount or more in the account. The JRA host computer issues an instruction to the host computer of the financial institution to prohibit depositing or withdrawing money into the account within a predetermined period including the race period. The host computer of the financial institution prohibits deposit and withdrawal into the account in response to this instruction. For example,
The host computer of the financial institution locks the account from the day before the race date until the day after the race end date.

The user votes by using the deposit of this account as a fund. The terminal outputs the voting information to JR according to the user's operation.
Send to A's host computer. The JRA host computer receives the voting information via the telephone line and manages each received voting information. In addition, after the race is over, the balance in the case where the payout is refunded to the vote that won the horse is calculated. When users vote for the next race,
Vote this balance as a fund. After the completion of all the races, the JRA host computer instructs the financial institution host computer to perform settlement processing. The host computer of the financial institution will change the user's account to the JRA account,
Withdraw the user's betting ticket purchase amount. In addition, the JRA withdraws the refund amount to be refunded to the user from the JRA account to the user's account.

In the PAT system, the refund is actually transferred to the user's account after the end of the race period. However, the JRA host computer calculates the balance when the refund is refunded, and allows the user to purchase a betting ticket within the range of the balance. Therefore, the user can use the amount refunded in one race to purchase the voting ticket in the next race. Also, users can vote at home without going to a racetrack or the like.

[0008]

However, the conventional PAT
Voting using the system had the following restrictions. First, a person who would like to vote from home using the PAT system had to make a PAT telephone voting contract with JRA in advance. Also, JRA
Since they are not always recruiting people who want to use the PAT system, there were many cases where users could not immediately contract even if they wanted to use the PAT system. It is desirable for users to be able to vote from home without contracting with JRA. It is also desirable for race organizers to allow non-contractors to vote, because accepting votes from non-contractors will increase profits.

Secondly, since the host computer of the financial institution prohibits payment to the account during the race period, there is a limitation that the user cannot add funds for voting. Therefore, if the balance becomes 0, the user
I couldn't vote for the rest of the race. For users,
Even if the balance decreases, it is preferable to increase the balance at a desired timing.

Although the PAT system is a system for voting for horse racing, it is desirable to be able to vote without being subject to the above restrictions even in various sports such as bicycle races, boat racing, and auto racing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a voting system in which a person who wants to vote for a competition can vote from home or the like without having a contract with the competition organizer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a voting system capable of increasing the balance corresponding to voting funds at a desired timing. Furthermore, it aims at providing the point management apparatus and point management program applied to this voting system.

[0012]

A voting system according to the present invention receives voting information indicating the content of voting for a competition via a communication network, and a voting processing device for accepting the voting and a voting processing device purchased by a voter and used for voting. Managed points for each voter, convert the points voted by the voter into an amount of money, output the voting information to the voting processing device, and sell the points to the account management device of the financial institution connected via the communication network. And a point management device that executes settlement processing associated with cash exchange.

For example, the point management device includes a settlement center for relaying information exchanged between the point management device and the account management device, and the point management device communicates the points purchased by the voter and the account information of the voter from the terminal of the voter through the communication network. Payment information that is received via the purchase information receiving means, and the points received by the purchase information receiving means are converted into an amount of money, and the amount information, voter account information, and point manager account information are sent to the payment center. A transmission means, a point holding means for holding the points of each voter, and a point updating means for updating the points held by the point holding means,
The settlement center receives the amount information transmitted by the settlement information transmission means, the voter's account information, and the point manager's account information, and the account management device determines the amount of money from the voter's account to the point manager's account. Instruct to withdraw.

Further, for example, the point management device receives the cash information and the cash information receiving means for receiving the account information of the deposit destination account for the cash amount and the cash amount from the voter's terminal through the communication network, and the cash points for cashing. Converted to
By outputting the information about the amount of money to be redeemed, the account information of the payee's account, and the account information of the point manager, a cashing means for instructing the account management device to deduct the money from the point manager's account to the payee's account. The point updating means subtracts the cashed points from the points of the voter.

Further, the purchase information receiving means receives, from the voter's terminal, information on the expiration date of the points designated by the voter, and the cashing means converts the points owned by the voter into the amount of money on the expiration date. By converting and outputting the information on the amount to be redeemed, the account information of the deposit recipient's account, and the account information of the point manager, the account management device is instructed to deduct the amount of the redemption amount from the point manager's account to the deposit recipient's account. May be.
According to such a configuration, even if the voter does not perform the operation of redeeming the points, the points are redeemed on the due date.

In addition, the point management device converts the points included in the voting information into a monetary amount by voting information receiving means for receiving voting information for voting by points from the terminal of the voter via the communication network, and voting by money. Voting information is transmitted to the voting processing device via the communication network, and the point updating means subtracts the points included in the voting information from the points of the voter.

The voting processing device transmits information on the refund amount according to the result of the competition to the point management device via the communication network, and the point updating means converts the amount of refund amount into points, and the points are determined by the voter. Add to points.

The point management device according to the present invention is
A point management device that manages, for each voter, the points purchased by the voter and used for voting in the competition, and the points purchased by the voter and the account information of the voter are sent from the voter's terminal via a communication network. The purchase information receiving means to be received and the points received by the purchase information receiving means are converted into the amount of money, and the amount information, the voter's account information, and the point management are provided to the settlement center which instructs the account management device of the financial institution to make the settlement. Information transmission means for transmitting the account information of a person, point holding means for holding the points of each voter, account information of the points to be redeemed and the destination account of the redeemed amount from the terminal of the voter via the communication network The cash information receiving means to be received and the points to be cashed are converted into cash amount, and the cash amount information, the account information of the deposit destination account, and the point manager's account By outputting the report, the cash management means for instructing the account management device to withdraw the cash amount from the point manager's account to the deposit destination account, and the point holding means according to the voting, the acquisition of the refund money and the cash conversion of the points. And a point updating means for updating the held points.

Further, the point management program according to the present invention votes the points purchased by the voter and the account information of the voter to a computer for managing the points purchased by the voter and used for voting in the competition for each voter. Process of receiving from a person's terminal via a communication network, converting the received points into an amount of money, and a payment center that instructs the account management device of a financial institution to settle the amount of money, voter's account information, and point management Process of transmitting the customer's account information, the process of receiving points for cash conversion and the account information of the deposit destination account for the cash conversion amount from the voter's terminal via the communication network, converting the points for cash conversion into the cash conversion amount, By outputting the information, the account information of the deposit destination account, and the account information of the point manager, whether the account of the point manager is displayed on the account management device. Processing to instruct the withdrawal of the cash amount of the payment destination account, and voting, acquisition of refunds, and is characterized in that to execute the process of updating the point of voters according to the cash point.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a voting system according to the present invention. The voting system of this example includes a point management device 1, a debit settlement center 11, and a voting processing device 21. Point management device 1, debit settlement center 11, voting processing device 21
Are connected via the Internet 51, and the account management device 31 and the user terminal 41 are also connected to the Internet 51.

In this example, a user (voter) pays a point manager and purchases points corresponding to the fee. Users vote using the purchased points. The points of the user are managed by the point manager, and when voting, the points for the votes are subtracted, and when the prediction is correct, the points for the refund amount are added. The user redeems the points and receives the amount of money corresponding to the points from the point manager. The conversion rate between points and money is fixed in advance.

The user terminal 41 is managed by a user who votes. The account management device 31 is managed by the financial institution in which the user has opened an account. Note that this financial institution is a financial institution that provides an instant settlement service on the Internet. In addition, the account opened by the user is
An account used for instant payment. Voting processing device 21
Is managed by the organizer of the competition. The point management device 1 and the debit settlement center 11 are managed by a point manager. The organizer of the competition may manage the points, but here is an example in which a person other than the organizer of the competition becomes the point manager. Further, in this example, a case where the voting processing device 21 is managed by JRA and the user votes for a horse race will be described as an example.

The point management device 1 manages the points of each user in a database. Further, the voting information indicating the voting contents is received from the user terminal 41, and the voting information of each user is managed. Then, the information of the amount of money corresponding to the voted points is transmitted to the voting processing device 21 as the information of the betting ticket purchase price, and after the race result is determined, the voting processing device 21.
The payout information (payout information) is received from. The point management device 1 increases or decreases the points of each user based on voting information and payout information.

The voting processing device 21 is the point management device 1
Get information about betting ticket purchase price from, and manage how many run horses and how many votes were cast. And after the race result is confirmed,
The payout information is transmitted to the point management device 1.

The account management device 31 manages the information of each customer of the financial institution and the balance of each account in the database. Then, payment processing is performed according to instructions from the point management device 1 and the voting processing device 21. The debit payment center 11
Information is relayed between the point management device 1 and the account management device 31.

Next, the configurations of the point management device 1, the voting processing device 21, the debit settlement center 11, and the account management device 31 will be described. In the point management device 1, the control unit 2 controls the entire point management device 1 according to a program stored in the storage device 3. The storage device 3 stores a program for executing a point purchase / point cashing acceptance process, a voting acceptance process, a process of transmitting voting information to the voting processor 21, a dividend information acceptance process, and the like. In addition, the storage device 3 holds the information of the WEB page displayed on the user terminal 41. For example, it holds information such as a point purchase application screen and a voting screen. The network interface unit 4 transmits / receives information to / from other devices via the Internet 51.

The user database 5 manages points and voting information of each user. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information managed by the user database 5. Figure 2
(A) is an example of the information regarding the point of each user. A user ID is assigned to each user. When the user purchases points, the order identification ID is assigned to the points. After that, if the same user purchases additional points, the points are assigned another order identification ID. The user database 5 also manages the expiration date of points. This expiration date indicates the expiration date for which the point management device 1 manages points, and when the due date is reached, points are automatically redeemed for cash.
The user database 5 also manages information on an account for settlement and an account to which the points are redeemed when the points are redeemed. As the account information, for example, a bank name, an account number, etc. are managed. The expiration date and information of each account are specified when the user purchases points. The user database 5 manages the number of points, the expiration date, the account information, the user's e-mail address, etc. in association with the user ID and the order identification ID.

FIG. 2B shows an example of voting information. Figure 2
As shown in (b), the voting information includes at least the number of points to be voted, information identifying the competition to be voted,
Includes predictions of competition results. In this example, the case where the competition to be voted for is specified by the race day, the race place, and the race name is shown, but the information specifying the competition may be other than the race day. In addition, the prediction of the competition result includes a number indicating the horse number and the frame number of the running horse and types such as a win, a horse number consecutive win, and a frame number consecutive win. Prediction of competition results depends on the type of competition. In this example, the user votes by designating the race date, race place, race name, expected horse, and the number of points. At the time of voting, the user also specifies the user ID and the order identification ID corresponding to the points. When a user votes, a voting identification ID is assigned for each vote. The vote identification ID is identification information for identifying each vote. The user database 5 manages a user ID, an order identification ID, the number of points, information about a race that has been voted (race date, race place, race name, etc.) and a prediction of a horse for each vote identification ID.

In the voting processing device 21, the control unit 22
Controls the voting processing device 21 as a whole according to a program stored in the storage device 23. The storage device 23 stores a program that executes a process of receiving voting information, a process of calculating odds or the like according to a voting situation, a process of transmitting payout information to the point management device 1, and the like. The network interface unit 24 transmits / receives information to / from other devices via the Internet 51. Race information database 25
Manages the odds in each race and the voting status of each racehorse.

In the debit payment center 11, the control unit 12 controls the entire debit payment center 11 according to a program stored in the storage device 13. The program stored in the storage device 13 causes the control unit 12 to relay information exchange between the point management device 1 and the account management device 31. Further, the storage device 13 holds the information of the WEB page displayed on the user terminal 41. The network interface unit 14 transmits / receives information to / from other devices via the Internet 51.

In the account management device 31, the control unit 32
Controls the entire account management device 31 according to a program stored in the storage device 33. The storage device 33 stores a program for executing deposit withdrawal processing and the like. The network interface unit 34 uses the Internet 51
Information is transmitted to and received from other devices via the.

The customer database 35 manages customer data of financial institutions. For example, information such as the age of a user who has an account at a financial institution is managed in association with the account number. The account database 36 also manages the balance of each account in association with the account number. The user, the JRA, and the point manager each open an account at a financial institution that manages the account management device 31, and information on the balance of each account is held in the account database 36.

The user terminal 41 is composed of an information processing device such as a personal computer. User terminal 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a browser, and the WEB page acquired from the point management device 1 or the debit settlement center 11 is displayed by the browser. Further, the user terminal 41 transmits the information input by the user to the WEB page to the point management device 1 or the debit settlement center 11 according to the operation of the user.
The user terminal 41 connects to the Internet 51 and connects to the WE
It may be a mobile phone device or a stationary phone device capable of displaying B content.

Information on the WEB page held by the point management device 1 and the debit settlement center 11 is HTML (Hype
rtext Markup Language), CompactHTML,
This is information described in a page description language such as WML (Wireless Markup Language). The WEB page is designated by inputting a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) into the user terminal 41 or selecting a part to which a link is set.

In the above voting system, the purchase information receiving means, the cash information receiving means, and the voting information receiving means are realized by the network interface section 4. The payment information transmitting means, the cash converting means, and the voting information transmitting means are realized by the control unit 2 and the network interface unit 4. The point holding means is realized by the user database 5. The point updating means is realized by the control unit 2.

In the above voting system, the storage device 3 of the point management device causes the computer to receive points purchased by the voter and account information of the voter from the terminal of the voter via the communication network. A process of converting the received points into an amount of money and transmitting the amount information, the voter's account information, and the point manager's account information to the settlement center which instructs the account management device of the financial institution to make the settlement, The process of receiving the account information of the deposit destination account of the exchange amount from the voter's terminal via the communication network, converting the points to be exchanged into the exchange amount, the exchange amount information, the account information of the deposit destination account, and the point manager By outputting the account information of the account management device, the account management device is instructed to withdraw the amount of money to be transferred from the point manager's account to the deposit destination account. , And voting, stores point management program for acquisition of payout, and in response to cash point to execute processing of updating the point of voters.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing progress when selling points to the user. The user uses the account used for immediate payment
It has been established in advance at a financial institution. Financial institutions
Assign a settlement ID and password to the user who opened the account and notify in advance. The settlement ID and password are the ID and password used to authenticate the account management device 31 that the user has opened an account.

When the user wants to purchase points, the user terminal 41 transmits information such as the number of points to be purchased to the point management device 1 (step S71). At this time, the user terminal 41 first displays the application screen for point purchase according to the user's operation.
Get from and display. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a point purchase application screen. This WEB page is
It has an input field 201 for the number of points to be purchased, an input field 202 for the expiration date of points, and an input field 205 for the user's e-mail address. Further, it is also provided with an input field 203 of information of an account used for settlement and an input field 204 of information of an account into which the points are to be redeemed. A bank name, an account number, or the like is input as the account information. Information such as the number of points to purchase, expiration date, account, etc. is entered on the WEB page, and button 2
If 07 is clicked with the mouse, the user terminal 41
Transmits the input information to the point management device 1.

This WEB page also has a user ID input field 206, but when the user first purchases points, the user ID is not input. User I
D is input when the user purchases additional points.

Upon receipt of each information from the user terminal 41, the control unit 2 of the point management device 1 assigns the user ID and the order identification ID to the user who purchased the points (step S72). Further, the control unit 2 transmits the URL of the payment ID and password input screen provided in the debit payment center 11 to the user terminal 41, and the URL is displayed.
Displays the input screen for the payment ID and password (step S73). In this way, the user terminal 4
Switching the WEB page displayed in 1 is called redirect. Further, the control unit 2 converts the price of points according to the number of points designated by the user. Then, the price and the information of the account for the settlement are transmitted to the debit settlement center 11. At this time, the control unit 2 also transmits the account information of the point manager to the debit settlement center 11.

The point management device 1 redirects the user terminal 41 to the debit settlement center 11
Obtain the payment ID and password input screen from
indicate. The user inputs the payment ID and password on this WEB page, and the user terminal 41 uses the input payment ID and password for the debit payment center 1.
1 (step S74).

The control unit 12 of the debit settlement center 11
The information of the account for payment received in step S73 and the payment ID and password received in step S74 are transmitted to the account management device 31 (step S75).

Then, the control unit 32 of the account management apparatus 31.
Authenticates the user who applied for the purchase of points (step S76). In step S76, the control unit 3
2 authenticates whether the user has opened an account for immediate settlement. The customer database 35 holds the account number of each account, the settlement ID, and the password in advance in association with each other. The control unit 32 authenticates whether or not an account is opened by confirming whether or not the received account number, settlement ID, and password are held in the customer database 35. The control unit 32 also confirms whether or not the user satisfies the conditions such as age. The control unit 32 refers to the information such as age managed by the customer database 35 together with the account number, and confirms that the predetermined condition is satisfied. The control unit 32 sends the result of the authentication to the debit settlement center 11 (step S77). An account used for instant payment has been opened,
When the conditions such as age are satisfied, the information that the authentication is successful is transmitted. There is no account opened,
If conditions such as age are not met, information indicating that authentication has failed is transmitted.

The control unit 12 of the debit settlement center 11
When the information indicating that the authentication is successful is received, the user's account information, the point manager's account information, and the point price information are transmitted to the account management device 31 to instruct the settlement (step S78). Control unit 32 of account management device 31
Pays according to this instruction (step S79).
That is, a process of deducting an amount of money corresponding to the price of points from the user's account to the point manager's account is executed. Subsequently, the control unit 32 transmits information indicating that the payment is completed to the debit payment center 11 (step S80),
The debit settlement center 11 relays this information to the point management device 1.

When the control unit 2 of the point management device 1 receives the information indicating that the payment is completed, the control unit 2 of the point management device 1 associates the user ID and the order identification ID assigned in step S72 with the number of points purchased by the user. The information is registered in the user database 5 (step S81). Control unit 2
In addition to the number of points, the user database 5 includes information such as the expiration date of points, the account that has been settled, the account into which the amount of money to be redeemed when redeeming points, the e-mail address of the user, etc.
Register with. Further, the control unit 2 assigns the URL of the WEB page displaying the balance of points to the user.

Subsequently, the control unit 2 transmits the purchase result of points to the user terminal 41 (step S82). The control unit 2 transmits the information such as the URL of the WEB page displaying the balance of the number of points, the user ID, the order identification ID, the number of purchased points, etc. as the purchase result of the points. The control unit 2 transmits, for example, a WEB page indicating the purchase result of points to the user terminal 41. Alternatively, the point purchase result may be transmitted to the user terminal 41 by e-mail. The control unit 2 may send both the WEB page and the electronic mail to the user terminal 41.

Although the case where the authentication in step S76 is successful has been described here, when the control unit 12 of the debit settlement center 11 receives the information indicating that the authentication has failed, the control unit 12 points the information. It is transmitted to the management device 1. When the control unit 2 of the point management system 1 receives the information indicating that the authentication has failed, the control unit 2 transmits a WEB page indicating that points cannot be sold to the user terminal 41.

The operation when the user purchases additional points is the same as the operation in steps S71 to S82. However, the user also transmits the user ID in step S71, and the control unit 2 of the point management device 1 operates in step S7.
In step 2, only the order identification ID is assigned. As a result,
The additionally purchased points are managed with an order identification ID different from the previously purchased points. In addition, the point management device 1, the debit settlement center 11, the account management device 21
Are steps S71 to S regardless of the race period.
The operation of 82 is performed. Therefore, the user can purchase additional points even during the race period.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the progress of processing when a user votes. First, the user terminal 41 transmits the user ID, the order identification ID, and the voting information to the point management device 1 (step S91). Step S9
In 1, the user terminal 41 first acquires the voting screen from the point management device 1 and displays it according to the operation of the user. This WEB page contains user ID and order identification I
An input field for D and voting information is provided. The entry fields for voting information include race date, racetrack, and race name entry fields.
It has input fields for horse numbers and frame numbers to vote, and input fields for points to vote. The user is a user ID, an order identification ID,
Then, the voting information is input, and the user terminal 41 transmits the input information to the point management device 1.

Upon receiving the voting information and the like, the control unit 2 of the point management device 1 determines the voting identification ID for the voting information.
Are assigned (step S92). The control unit 2 registers the user ID, the order identification ID, and the voting information in the user beta base 5 in association with the voting identification ID. continue,
The control unit 2 converts the points voted by the user into the amount of money, and uses this amount as the betting ticket purchase amount. Then, the voting information and the voting identification ID are transmitted to the voting processing device 21 (step S93). In step S92, the voting information indicated by the horse betting ticket purchase amount is transmitted instead of the points.

Upon receiving the voting information, the control unit 22 of the voting processing device 21 performs a voting acceptance process (step S9).
4). The control unit 22 registers the voting identification ID and voting information in the race information database 25. Also, the odds, voting status, and the like held in the race information database 25 are updated. After accepting the vote, the control unit 22 sends information indicating the acceptance result of the vote to the point management device 1 together with the vote identification ID (step S95). The control unit 22 transmits information indicating that the voting is completed when the voting is normally accepted. In addition, when the reception time of the voting information has passed the voting deadline, the information indicating that the voting is not accepted is transmitted.

Further, the voting processing device 21 prints out the accepted voting information and voting identification ID (step S).
96). The voting processing device 21 transmits voting information and voting identification ID information to a printing device (not shown) connected via, for example, a LAN, and causes the printing device to print voting information and the like. The printed voting information is stored by JRA.

When the control unit 2 of the point management device 1 receives the information indicating that the voting is completed and the voting identification ID, the voting identification I is selected from the information held in the user database 5.
The user ID and order identification ID corresponding to D are referred to. Then, the number of voted points is subtracted from the balance of the number of points held corresponding to the user ID and the order identification ID, and the balance of the number of points is updated (step S97).

Then, the control unit 2 determines the user terminal 41 based on the acceptance result of the voting received from the voting processing device 21.
The voting result information is transmitted to (step S98). That is, when the vote is completed, the information to that effect is transmitted to the user terminal 41. If the vote is not accepted, information indicating that the vote has failed is transmitted to the user terminal 41. The control unit 2 transmits to the user terminal 41 a WEB page indicating the voting result information. Alternatively, an electronic mail indicating the voting result information may be transmitted. Further, it is preferable that the control unit 2 transmits the information on the balance of points together with the information on the voting result.

When the race result is confirmed, the voting processor 2
The race result is input to 1. For example, the race result is input to a terminal (not shown) connected to the voting processing device 21 via a LAN or the like, and the voting processing device 21 receives the race result from this terminal. Control unit 22 of voting processing device 21
Transmits payout information determined according to the race result to the point management device 1 (step S99). Step S99
In, the control unit 22 extracts the voting information matching the race result from the race information database 25. Then, the refund for the vote is calculated. The control unit 22 transmits the information about the refund as dividend information to the point management device 1 together with the voting identification ID.

When receiving the payout information, the control unit 2 of the point management device 1 converts the payout amount indicated by the payout information into points. Further, the control unit 2 refers to the user ID and the order identification ID corresponding to the vote identification ID from the information held in the user database 5. Then, the points converted from the refund are added to the balance of the number of points held in association with the user ID and the order identification ID (step S100). Then, the control part 2 transmits the information of the balance of points to the user terminal 41 (step S101). The control unit 2 is a WE indicating the balance of points.
The page B or the electronic mail is transmitted to the user terminal 41.

Further, the control unit 22 of the voting processing device 21 is
The JRA account information, the account information of the point manager, and the amount of money to be settled are transmitted to the account management device 31,
The payment is instructed (step S102). Step S10
In 2, the control unit 22 transmits the total refund amount as the amount to be withdrawn from the JRA to the point manager. Further, the total betting ticket purchase amount (the betting ticket purchase amount transmitted and received in step S93) converted from the number of points voted by each user is transmitted from the point manager to the JRA.

The control unit 32 of the account management device 31 performs settlement according to the instruction from the voting processing device 21 (step S1).
03). That is, the processing of withdrawing the total amount of refund from the JRA account to the point manager's account is executed. In addition, J
Execute the process of withdrawing to the RA account.

When the user tries to vote for the next race, the user terminal 41, the point management device 1 and the like perform the same operations as in steps S91 to S103. As mentioned above, the user can purchase additional points even during the race period. Therefore, even if the winning horse is not hit and the points are reduced, it is possible to vote for the subsequent race by purchasing the additional points. Further, since the point management device 1 adds the number of points corresponding to the refund amount after the race ends, the user can vote for the next race by using the points corresponding to the refund amount.

The processing of steps S102 and S103 may be executed each time the race is completed. Alternatively, the processes of steps S102 and S103 may be collectively executed for a plurality of races. That is, the voting processing device 1
The total refund amount and the total betting ticket purchase amount in a plurality of races may be transmitted to the account management device 21, and the account management device 21 may collectively perform settlement for a plurality of races.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the progress of processing when the user redeems points. First, the user terminal 41 transmits the user ID corresponding to the points to be redeemed, the order identification ID, and the information on the number of points to be redeemed to the point management device 1 (step S111). In step S111, the user terminal 41 acquires and displays the cash application screen from the point management device 1 according to the operation of the user. This WEB page has input fields for a user ID, an order identification ID, and the number of points to be redeemed. The user inputs the user ID, the order identification ID, and the number of points, and the user terminal 41 transmits the input information to the point management device 1.

The control unit 2 of the point management device 1 converts the number of points received from the user terminal 41 into a monetary amount, and sets the monetary amount as a monetary amount (step S112). Subsequently, the control unit 2 extracts the account information corresponding to the received user ID and order identification ID from the user database 5. Here, the information of the deposit account of the exchange amount is extracted.
The control unit 2 transmits the exchange amount, the information of the deposit destination account of the exchange amount, and the information of the point manager's account to the account management device 21 (step S113). The control unit 22 of the account management device 21 executes a process of deducting the amount of money for conversion from the point manager's account to the user's account based on the information received in step S113 (step S114). Also,
The control unit 2 of the point management device 1 subtracts the number of points designated as points to be redeemed from the point balance corresponding to the user ID and the order identification ID.

In FIG. 6, the case where the user carries out the cashing procedure has been described. However, even if the user does not carry out the procedure, all the points of the user are cashed when the expiration date comes, and the cashing amount is transferred to the account. Deposited. The operation of the point management device 1 at this time will be described. Point management device 1
The control unit 2 checks whether or not there is a point that expires every predetermined period (for example, every day). When there is a point at which the expiration date expires, the control unit 2 converts all the points into a redemption amount. The subsequent operation is step S113.
It is similar to the subsequent operation. In this way, since the points are automatically redeemed on the expiration date, even if the user forgets to redeem the points, the redeemed amount is deposited in the user's account.

In the above example, the point management device 1 allocates the order identification ID and distinguishes between the previously purchased points and the additionally purchased points. The points and the additionally purchased points may be managed without distinction. In this case, the control unit 2 does not need to assign the order identification ID in step S72, and the points are managed in correspondence with the user ID. When the user designates the user ID to purchase additional points, the control unit 2 adds the number of points for the additional purchase to the points corresponding to the user ID in step S81. If the added points are not distinguished from the previously purchased points, the control unit 2 may ignore the expiration date designated at the time of the additional purchase. That is,
The points may be redeemed for the date specified when the user first purchased the points. Or the expiration date
It may be renewed within the expiration date specified at the time of additional purchase.

In the above example, the point manager,
Although the case where the competition organizer is different is shown, the competition organizer may manage points. In this case, the point management device 1 is managed by the competition organizer. Further, the point management device 1 and the voting processing device 21 may be realized by the same device such as a computer. If the competition organizer and the point manager are the same, step S7
At 9, the amount of points purchased by the user is deducted into the competition organizer's account. Further, in this case, it is not necessary to perform the processing of steps S102 and S103.

The control unit 2 of the point management device 1 may collectively send the voting information of a plurality of users to the voting processing device 21 at regular intervals. That is, the process of transmitting the voting information received from the user terminal 41 to the voting processing device 21 (the process of step S93) may be performed at regular time intervals, and at this time, the plurality of voting information may be collectively transmitted. However,
If the interval for sending voting information is long, the odds may fluctuate abruptly, so the sending interval is several minutes (for example, 3 minutes).
It is preferable that Further, when the voting information is transmitted to the voting processing device 21 at regular intervals, the transmission of the voting result information to the user terminal 41 (the processing of step S98) may be delayed. When the voting result information is transmitted as soon as possible, the voting information of each user may be individually transmitted to the voting processing device 21.

The voting system may include a plurality of point management devices 1. If multiple point management devices 1 are provided, even when many users vote,
The processing of receiving voting information from each user can be distributed, and the load on one point management device can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to horse racing voting, but also bicycle racing,
It can also be applied to voting in other competitions such as boat racing and auto racing.

[0069]

According to the voting system of the present invention, the voting information indicating the voting contents for the competition is received via the communication network, the voting processing device for accepting the voting, and the points used by the voters for voting. Is managed for each voter,
Points that the points voted by the voter are converted into the amount of money and the voting information is output to the voting processing device, and the account management device of the financial institution that is connected via the communication network executes the settlement process associated with the sales of points and the cash conversion. Since it has a management device, voters can vote without going to a predetermined place such as a stadium. Voters can also vote without a special contract with the competition organizer. In addition, voters
By purchasing points, you can add points equivalent to voting funds.

The point management device according to the present invention is
Purchase information receiving means for receiving the points purchased by the voter and the voter's account information from the voter's terminal via the communication network, and the points received by the purchase information receiving means are converted into monetary amounts to manage the account of the financial institution. A settlement information transmitting means for transmitting the amount information, the voter's account information, and the point manager's account information to a settlement center which instructs the device to make a settlement, a point holding means for holding each voter's points, and a cash exchange. Points to be exchanged and the amount of money to be received from the voter's terminal via the communication network to the exchange information receiving means, and the points to be exchanged are converted into the amount of money to be exchanged, the amount of money information, By outputting the account information and the account information of the point manager, the withdrawal of the conversion amount from the point manager's account to the deposit destination account can be made to the account management device. Since the voter is provided with a cashing means for instructing, and a point updating means for updating the points held by the point holding means according to voting, obtaining a refund, and redeeming the points, the voter can obtain points and account information from the terminal. You can purchase points or redeem cash by sending. Therefore, the voter can add points corresponding to the voting funds at a desired timing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information managed by a user database.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing progress when selling points.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a point purchase application screen.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the progress of processing at the time of voting.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the progress of processing at the time of cash exchange.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 point management device 2 control unit 3 storage devices 5 user database 11 Debit settlement center 21 voting processor 22 Control unit 23 Storage 25 Race Information Database 31 Account management device 35 Customer Database 36 account database 41 User terminal 51 Internet

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A voting processing device that receives voting information indicating the content of voting for a competition via a communication network, receives voting, and manages the points purchased by the voters and used for voting for each voter. The point management that converts the points voted by the person into the amount of money, outputs the voting information to the voting processing device, and causes the account management device of the financial institution connected via the communication network to execute the settlement process associated with the sale of the points and the cash conversion. A voting system comprising: a device. 2. A settlement center for relaying information exchanged between the point management device and the account management device, wherein the point management device communicates the points purchased by the voter and the account information of the voter from the terminal of the voter through a communication network. The purchase information receiving means received via, and the points received by the purchase information receiving means are converted into the amount of money,
Settlement information transmitting means for transmitting the amount information, voter account information, and point manager account information to the settlement center, point holding means for holding each voter's points, and points held by the point holding means The payment center receives the amount information, the voter account information, and the point manager's account information transmitted by the payment information transmitting means, and the settlement center receives the voter's account in the account management device. The voting system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction is made to deduct the amount from the account to the account of the point manager. 3. The point management device converts the points to be redeemed and the points to be redeemed into redeeming amounts, and means for receiving the redeeming information from the voter's terminal via the communication network. However, by outputting the information about the amount of money to be redeemed, the account information of the payee's account, and the account information of the point manager, the money is instructed to the account management device to withdraw the money from the point manager's account to the payee's account. 3. The voting system according to claim 2, further comprising means, wherein the point updating means subtracts the cashed points from the points of the voter. 4. The purchase information receiving means receives, from the voter's terminal, information on the expiration date of the points designated by the voter, and the cashing means exchanges the points owned by the voter on the expiration date of the expiration date. By converting the amount of money into the amount of money and outputting the information of the amount of money to be exchanged, the account information of the payee's account, and the account information of the point manager, the debit amount of money from the point manager's account to the payee's account can be deducted to the account management device. The voting system according to claim 3, which gives an instruction. 5. The point management device includes voting information receiving means for receiving voting information for voting by points from a voter's terminal through a communication network, and converting points included in the voting information into an amount of money, thereby converting the points into money. The voting information transmitting means for transmitting the voting information of the voting to the voting processing device via the communication network, wherein the point updating means subtracts the points included in the voting information from the points of the voter. The voting system according to claim 4. 6. The voting processing device transmits information on the refund according to the result of the competition to the point management device via the communication network, and the point updating means converts the amount of the refund into points, The voting system according to claim 5, wherein is added to the points of the voter. 7. A point management device for managing, for each voter, the points purchased by the voter and used for voting in a competition, wherein the points purchased by the voter and the account information of the voter are sent from the voter's terminal. The purchase information receiving means received via the communication network and the points received by the purchase information receiving means are converted into the amount of money,
A settlement information transmitting means for transmitting the amount information, voter's account information, and point manager's account information to a settlement center which instructs the account management device of the financial institution to perform settlement, and holds each voter's points. Point holding means, cash exchange information receiving means for receiving the points to be redeemed and the account information of the deposit destination account of the redemption amount from the voter's terminal via the communication network, and converting the points to be redeemed into the redemption amount, By outputting the information, the account information of the deposit destination account, and the account information of the point administrator, a cash conversion means for instructing the account management device to withdraw the amount of money to be converted from the point administrator account to the deposit account, voting, Point renewal means for renewing the points held by the point holding means in response to the acquisition of a refund and the redemption of points. Int management device. 8. The computer for managing the points purchased by the voters and used for voting in the competition for each voter, the points purchased by the voter and the account information of the voter from the terminal of the voter via the communication network. Process of receiving the information, converting the received points into the amount of money, and the payment center that instructs the account management device of the financial institution to settle the amount of money,
The process to send the voter's account information and the point manager's account information, the point to be redeemed and the process to receive the account information of the destination account for the redeemed amount from the voter's terminal via the communication network, the point to be redeemed By converting the converted amount into the converted amount, and outputting the information of the converted amount, the account information of the deposit destination account, and the account information of the point administrator, the withdrawal of the converted amount from the point administrator's account to the deposit account A point management program for executing the processing for instructing, and the processing for updating the points of the voter according to voting, acquisition of a refund, and redemption of points.