JP7477774B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program.

Currently, public races such as horse races, bicycle races, and boat races are held. Patent Document 1 discloses a voting prediction publication system on an internet website that publishes predictions for public races, whereby the objective reliability of a forecaster is displayed as an image, allowing visitors to the website to visually recognize the reliability of the forecaster and use the predictions as reference.

JP 2010-160612 A

Using the technology described in Patent Document 1, users can receive notifications of reliable forecasters, but they are left to decide on their votes alone. This situation is thought to be one of the factors that alienates users with little voting experience.

The present invention aims to provide a technology that allows even users with little voting experience to easily cast their votes.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that executes processing related to voting for voting targets in a competition, and has a management unit that manages a group including a plurality of players, and a reception unit that receives votes from a first user included in the group for a voting content that is specified according to the voting content predicted or voted for by a second user included in the group.

The present invention provides technology that allows even users with little voting experience to easily cast their votes.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a voting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a server and a terminal. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional block configuration of a server. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a user management DB, a group management DB, and a prognosticator management DB. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the voting system. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a chat screen displayed on a terminal. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the voting system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting ride-sharing for multiple events. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure for determining the amount of a predetermined value.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar configurations.

<System Configuration>
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a voting system 1 according to this embodiment. The voting system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a server 10 and one or more terminals 20. The server 10 and the terminals 20 are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network N such as the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN, or mobile communication. The server 10 and the terminals 20 may be referred to as information processing devices.

The server 10 may be configured with one or more physical servers, or may be configured with a virtual server that runs on a hypervisor, or may be configured with a cloud server. The terminal 20 is a terminal used by a user. The terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc.

The server 10 performs various processes in various competitions, such as predictions and votes by users and doctrinators, management of the predetermined value voted by users and doctrinators, management of the predetermined value held by users and doctrinators, and management of the amount of refunds (payouts, etc.) according to the results of the competition (race).

Users form groups with other users to predict and vote on the results of competitions. The users may be any type of users, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that the group includes users with little experience voting.

A prognosticator is a person or group consisting of one or more people who predicts and votes on the results of a competition. A prognosticator may be a famous person such as a celebrity, or an unknown ordinary person. In addition, a prognosticator is not necessarily limited to a real person, but may be a fictional person created by computer simulation, etc.

The competitions include, for example, bicycle racing, horse racing, boat racing, auto racing, soccer, futsal, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, handball, rugby, badminton, table tennis, billiards, bowling, dodgeball, boxing, wrestling, professional wrestling, track and field, horse racing, bicycle racing, etc. This embodiment includes any competition in which multiple participants (including teams, athletes, and animals) compete against each other for superiority.

A voting target is an object for which a predetermined value is voted for, and in this embodiment, the contestants who will be taking part in the competition are the voting targets. For example, in the case of a competition in which contestants numbered 1 to 5 compete, each of contestants numbered 1 to 5 is a voting target.

A betting method is a method of betting (betting) a predetermined value on a betting target. For example, a win bet is a method of predicting which betting target will come first and betting a predetermined value, and a place bet is a method of predicting which betting targets will come first to third and betting a predetermined value. A dyadic bet is a method of predicting the first and second place betting targets in the order of arrival and betting a predetermined value, and a dyadic combination is a method of predicting two betting targets that will come first and second (regardless of order of arrival) and betting a predetermined value. A trifecta is a method of predicting the first, second and third place betting targets in the order of arrival and betting a predetermined value, and a trifecta is a method of predicting three betting targets that will come first to third (regardless of order of arrival) and betting a predetermined value. The betting methods according to this embodiment include betting methods other than these methods. Note that there are also competitions where there is no designated betting method, such as a soccer lottery in which you guess which team will win.

The predetermined value to be voted for may be money or points. In addition to voting, the points may be usable in a predetermined service or game. Furthermore, the points may be points that a user who plays a predetermined service or game can receive for free within the predetermined service or game (free points), or points that can be received in exchange for paying money (by charging) within the predetermined service or game (paid points). The predetermined value may simply be referred to as "value."

In this embodiment, in the case of a competition in which voting is performed by specifying the voting target and voting method, the voting target, voting method, and amount of the predetermined value specified by the user or predictor when placing the vote are referred to as the "voting content." Similarly, in the case of a competition in which voting is performed by specifying only the voting target, the voting target and amount of the predetermined value specified by the user or predictor when placing the vote are referred to as the "voting content."

In this embodiment, "prediction" includes both the meaning of predicting which voting content will be correct in order to cast a vote, and simply making a prediction without casting a vote.

If the result of the competition is that the user's bet is correct, the user can receive a refund of a specified value. For example, if the correct bet is at 3:1 odds, the user can receive a refund of a specified value that is 3 times the amount of the bet.

Users can form groups with other users. In addition, multiple users belonging to the same group each predict which candidate will win the same competition and cast their votes. At this time, each user in the group can see each other's predictions or votes. Users can also chat within the group.

A user can vote for a voting content that is specified according to the voting content predicted or voted for by other users in the group. In other words, a user can vote by imitating other users in the group. "Voting content that is specified according to the voting content predicted or voted for by other users in the group" specifically means the following voting content:

1. In the case of a competition in which voting is performed by specifying the betting target and betting method, the betting content predicted or voted for by the other user is the same as the betting target and betting method, or the betting target, betting method, and predetermined value are the same. If the betting content of the other user includes multiple betting content, it is one or more betting content that is the same as all or part of the betting content predicted or voted for by the other user, or the betting target, betting method, and predetermined value are the same. For example, if another user in the group bets on a bifecta of numbers 3 and 5, the "betting content specified according to the betting content predicted or voted for by the other user in the group" is a bifecta of numbers 3 and 5.

2. In the case of a competition in which voting is performed by specifying only the betting target, the betting content predicted or voted for by the other user that has the same betting target, or that has the same betting target and the same specified value. If the voting content of the other user includes multiple voting content, one or more voting content that has the same betting target or that has the same betting target and the same specified value as all or part of the voting content predicted or voted for by the other user. For example, if another user in the group votes for the home team, the "voting content specified according to the voting content predicted or voted for by the other user in the group" will be the home team.

In addition, users can watch videos (images) taken in real time on the screen of the terminal 20 showing how the docent predicts the outcome of the competition and how the docent explains his or her prediction, and can have the experience of enjoying the competition together with the docent. Users can also vote for the content of the vote that is specified according to the prediction or vote made by the docent.

In this embodiment, when a user votes for a specific voting content that is determined based on the voting content predicted or voted for by other users or forecasters in the group, this is expressed as the user "piggybacking" on the other users or forecasters.

<Hardware Configuration>
2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 10 and the terminal 20. The server 10 and the terminal 20 each have a processor 11 such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphical processing unit (GPU), a storage device 12 such as a memory, a hard disk drive (HDD) and/or a solid state drive (SSD), a communication interface (IF) 13 for wired or wireless communication, an input device 14 for accepting input operations, and an output device 15 for outputting information. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and/or a microphone. The output device 15 is, for example, a display and/or a speaker.

<Function block configuration>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of the server 10. The server 10 includes a storage unit 100, a display control unit 101, a management unit 102, a reception unit 103, a voting processing unit 104, an assignment unit 105, and a notification unit 106. The storage unit 100 can be realized using a storage unit 12 provided in the server 10. The display control unit 101, the management unit 102, the reception unit 103, the voting processing unit 104, the assignment unit 105, and the notification unit 106 can be realized by the processor 11 of the server 10 executing a program stored in the storage unit 12. The program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

The memory unit 100 stores a user management DB 100a that manages various information related to users, a group management DB 100b that manages groups including multiple users, and a forecaster management DB 100c that manages forecasters.

Figure 4 shows an example of the user management DB 100a, group management DB 100b, and forecaster management DB 100c. The "user ID" in the user management DB 100a stores an identifier for uniquely identifying a user within the server 10. The "nickname" stores the nickname entered by the user when registering the user. The "owned value" stores the amount of a predetermined value possessed by the user. The "voting history" stores the content of the votes cast by the user.

The "Group ID" in the group management DB 100b stores an identifier for uniquely identifying a group within the server 10. The "User ID" stores the user ID of each user included in the group.

In the "doctor ID" of the doctor management DB 100c, an identifier for uniquely identifying the doctor within the server 10 is stored. In "nickname", the nickname of the doctor is stored. In "owned value", the amount of a predetermined value possessed by the doctor is stored. In "prediction", the predictions made by the doctor or the voting details already cast for upcoming competitions are stored. In "voting history", the voting details cast by the doctor for competitions that have already ended are stored for each competition.

The display control unit 101 performs various processes required for displaying on the terminal 20 a screen for accepting votes from users, a screen for displaying the predicted or voted for contents by other users in the group, a chat screen, a screen for displaying predictions by predictors, etc. For example, the display control unit 101 transmits data for displaying various screens to the terminal 20 in response to access from a web browser provided on the terminal 20 or in response to access from a dedicated application installed on the terminal 20.

The management unit 102 manages groups including multiple players. For example, the management unit 102 performs processes such as creating a group, adding a new user to a group, and deleting a user who is leaving the group from the group. A group may be created when a user who convenes the group (hereinafter referred to as the "host user") agrees to other users joining the group.

The reception unit 103 receives votes from each user included in the group for the voting content designated by each user. The reception unit 103 also receives votes from a user included in the group (first user) for voting content that is specified according to the voting content predicted or voted for by another user included in the group (second user).

The voting processing unit 104 performs a process of voting for the voting content accepted by the acceptance unit 103. The voting processing unit 104 also records the voting content in the "voting history" of the user management DB 100a. The voting processing unit 104 may notify other information processing devices capable of communicating with the server 10 of the voting content, thereby requesting the other information processing devices to perform voting processing.

If the vote of the user or forecaster is correct, the granting unit 105 grants the user or forecaster a predetermined value that is refunded based on the predetermined value voted.

In addition, when a user (first user) votes for a voting content that is specified according to the voting content of another user (second user), the granting unit 105 grants a bonus (a predetermined reward) to the user and/or the other user. The bonus is a reward that is different from the predetermined value that can be received when the voting content is correct.

The awarding unit 105 may also be configured such that, when a user (first user) votes for a voting content that is specified according to the voting content voted by another user (second user), and the voting content becomes eligible for a reward as a result of the competition, the awarding unit 105 awards a bonus (a predetermined reward) to the user and/or the other user.

Note that granting a predetermined value or bonus to a user includes both the meaning that the server 10 performs the process of paying the predetermined value or bonus to the user, and the meaning that the server 10 determines the amount of the predetermined value or bonus to be paid to the user, with the actual payment process being performed by another information processing device.

The bonus may be granted to the user and/or the other users when the user votes for a vote that is specified according to the vote content cast by the other users in the group by explicitly instructing the other users to piggyback on the user. The bonus may also be granted when the user does not explicitly piggyback on the other users, but the vote content selected by the user himself/herself coincidentally corresponds to the vote content specified according to the vote content cast by the other users.

The notification unit 106 notifies other users in the group other than the user of the voting content cast by the user (second user). At this time, the above-mentioned reception unit 103 may receive an instruction from the other users (first users) to vote for the voting content specified according to the "voting content cast by the user (second user)" notified by the notification unit 106.

In addition, when a user (second user) votes for a voting content that is specified according to the voting content predicted or voted for by the doctrinator, the notification unit 106 may notify other users included in the group of information about the doctrinator.

<Processing Procedure>
(Create a group)
First, a group is created among a plurality of users. A group is created when the other users agree to participate in the group with the user (host user) who convenes the group. Specifically, when the management unit 102 receives a request to create a group from a user (host user), the management unit 102 transmits a message to the terminals 20 of the other users indicating an invitation to participate in the group. Furthermore, when the management unit 102 receives a notification from each terminal 20 that the other users agree to participate in the group, the management unit 102 creates a group including the user who received the request to create the group and the users who agreed to participate in the group.

Of the multiple users included in the group, users other than the host user may be users who have a specified relationship with the host user. The specified relationship may be users who have a friend relationship. In other words, the management unit 102 may create a group that includes the host user and users who have a friend relationship with the host user and have agreed to join the group. In this case, the management unit 102 sends a message to the terminal 20 of the user who has a specified relationship with the host user and is designated by the host user, indicating an invitation to join the group.

The specified relationship may also be a user located within a specified distance from the location of the host user. In other words, the management unit 102 may create a group including the host user and users located within a specified range from the host user's location who have agreed to participate in the group. In this case, the management unit 102 sends a message to the terminal 20 of a user designated by the host user who is located within a specified distance from the location of the host user, inviting the user to participate in the group.

After creating a group, the management unit 102 may remove from the group any users who have joined the group and have moved outside a specified range from the host user's location. The management unit 102 may also temporarily remove from the group any users who have moved outside a specified range from the host user's location, and treat the users as having rejoined the group if they return within the specified range within a specified period of time. The management unit 102 may also delete the group itself if the host user is the only user remaining in the group.

The specified relationship may also be a user who has sent and received messages with the host user a specified number of times or more. In other words, the management unit 102 may create a group including the host user and users who have sent and received messages with the host user a specified number of times or more and who have agreed to join the group. In this case, the management unit 102 sends a message to the terminal 20 of the user who has sent and received messages with the host user a specified number of times or more and who has been designated by the host user, inviting the user to join the group.

(Voting process)
Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure performed by the voting system 1. The processing procedure related to the voting process performed by the server 10 and the terminal 20 will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the terminal 20 used by user A, the terminal 20 used by user B, and the terminal 20 used by user C are terminal 20a, terminal 20b, and terminal 20c, respectively. In the example of Fig. 5, it is assumed that user A, user B, and user C form a group. In the following description, it is assumed that the competition is one in which voting is performed by specifying the voting target and voting method.

In step S100, when terminal 20a receives an instruction from user A regarding the content of the vote, it transmits a message indicating the content of the vote to server 10. The message includes, for example, the voting target, voting method, and the amount of a predetermined value to be voted designated by user A. The reception unit 103 of server 10 receives the instruction regarding the content of the vote from terminal 20a.

In step S101, the voting processing unit 104 of the server 10 performs processing to vote on the voting content received from the terminal 20a.

In step S102, the notification unit 106 of the server 10 notifies the terminals 20a, 20b, and 20c of a message indicating the vote made by user A. The message is a character string, and may be displayed, for example, as a statement by user A on a chat screen where messages can be sent and received within a group. Alternatively, the message may be push data, and the vote of user A may be displayed on a screen that lists the votes of each user.

The notification unit 106 may send a message indicating that the bet has been completed to the terminal 20a used by user A, and may send a message notifying the contents of the vote made by user A (e.g., voting 100 points each for No. 3 to win and No. 7 to win) to the terminals 20b and 20c used by users other than user A. In other words, the notification unit 106 may change the contents of the message to be sent between the user who cast the vote and the other users.

The processing procedures of steps S103 to S105 are the same as steps S100 to S102, respectively, replaced with a case where user B casts a vote instead of user A, so a detailed explanation is omitted. Similarly, the processing procedures of steps S106 to S108 are the same as steps S100 to S102, respectively, replaced with a case where user C casts a vote instead of user A, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

In the processing procedure of step S103, user B can also piggyback on the voting content of user A notified in the processing procedure of step S102 and vote. In this case, the reception unit 103 of the server 10 accepts an instruction from user B to vote for the "voting content specified according to the voting content voted by user A" notified by the notification unit 106 in the processing procedure of step S102. Similarly, in the processing procedure of step S106, user C can also piggyback on the voting content of user A notified in the processing procedure of step S102 or the processing content of user B notified in the processing procedure of step S105 and vote. In addition, if the voting content of other users includes multiple voting contents, the user can also piggyback on some of the multiple voting contents and vote. For example, assume that user A votes for win number 3 and win number 7. In this case, user B can also vote for only one of win number 3 and win number 7.

When a user piggybacks on another user's bet, the amount of the predetermined value to be bet may be specified by the user at his/her discretion, or may be automatically determined by the betting processing unit 104 of the server 10. For example, the betting processing unit 104 may automatically determine the amount of the predetermined value to be bet by the user so that it is the same amount as the amount of the predetermined value to bet by the other user. For example, when user C piggybacks on user A's bet, assume that user A bets 1,000 yen and 500 yen on win number 1 and win number 5, respectively. In this case, the betting processing unit 104 may determine the amount of the predetermined value to be bet by user C on win number 1 and win number 5 to be 1,000 yen and 500 yen, respectively.

In addition, when a user specifies the amount of the predetermined value to be voted (i.e., the total amount of the predetermined value to be voted), the voting processing unit 104 may automatically determine the amount of the predetermined value to be voted by the user for each voting target and voting method so that the amount is the same ratio as the ratio of the amount of the predetermined value voted by other users for each voting target and voting method.

For example, suppose that user C joins in on user A's betting, and user A bets 1,000 yen and 500 yen on win bet No. 1 and win bet No. 5, respectively. Also, suppose that user C specifies 300 yen as the predetermined value of the bet. In this case, the betting processing unit 104 sets the amount of the predetermined value that user C bets on win bet No. 1 and win bet No. 5 to 200 yen and 100 yen, respectively.

After the processing procedure of step S108 is completed, the competition is held and it is determined whether or not each user's vote was correct.

In step S109, the granting unit 105 of the server 10 grants a predetermined value to the user who has made a winning bet. For example, if user A bets on horse number 3, horse number 3 comes in first, and the odds for horse number 3 to win are 10:1, the granting unit 105 grants user A a predetermined value that is 10 times the predetermined value bet by user A.

In addition, when a user in a group votes for a voting content that is specified according to the voting content of other users, the granting unit 105 grants a bonus to the user and/or the other users. For example, when user C votes in a joint manner on the voting content voted by user A, the granting unit 105 grants a bonus to user A and/or user C. In addition, the granting unit 105 grants a bonus to user A, user B and/or user C even if user A, user B and user C happen to vote for the same voting target and voting method.

At this time, the granting unit 105 may further grant a bonus to the user and/or other users when the votes cast by the user and other users are eligible for a reward as a result of the competition. In other words, the granting unit 105 may grant a bonus when the votes of the user and other users are correct, and may not grant a bonus when the votes are incorrect.

In addition, when there are multiple users who voted for a voting content that is specified according to the voting content voted by other users, the granting unit 105 may vary the amount of bonus according to the number of users. For example, when granting a bonus to user A and user C because user A and user C voted for the same voting target and voting method, the granting unit 105 may grant a bonus to user A, user B, and user C because user A, user B, and user C voted for the same voting target and voting method, and ... in the latter case.

In step S110, the notification unit 106 of the server 10 notifies terminals 20a, 20b, and 20c of the predetermined value and bonus granted to each user in the processing procedure of step S109.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen displayed on terminal 20. The chat screen displays the votes cast by other users in the group in a chat format. The example in Figure 6 shows an example of a chat screen displayed on terminal 20 of user C.

When a message (B10, B11) is selected on the chat screen D10 that displays each user's voting details, the terminal 20 displays the voting screen D20. The voting screen D20 shows an example of the display when message B10 is selected. The voting screen D20 displays the same voting target and voting method as the voting target and voting method in the voting details selected on the chat screen D10. When the amount of a specified value to be voted is entered in the input field B20 of the voting screen D20, the entered amount of the specified value is voted for the voting target and voting method displayed on the voting screen D20.

(Piggybacking on the forecaster)
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure performed by the voting system 1. Using FIG. 7, the processing procedure when a user piggybacks on a prediction made by a predictor will be specifically described. In FIG. 7, the terminal 20d is the terminal 20 used by the predictor. Other points not specifically mentioned may be the same as those in FIG. 5.

In step S200, the reception unit 103 of the server 10 receives from the terminal 20d the predictions or voting details made by the dodders regarding the competition.

In step S201, the notification unit 106 notifies the terminals 20a to 20c of the information of the doctrinator. The information of the doctrinator includes the betting details of the doctrinator, the doctrinator's nickname, the value of the bet, the hit rate, etc. For example, a message such as "Doctor XXX has bet 500 yen on the quinella 1-7 and 1,000 yen on the win number 1. Doctrinator XXX's hit rate today is 40%" is displayed on the screen of the terminals 20a to 20c. Now, assume that user A decides to join the doctrinator in betting.

In step S202, the terminal 20a receives an instruction from the user to join the betting of the forecaster. At this time, the amount of the predetermined value to be voted may be arbitrarily specified by the user, or may be automatically determined by the voting processing unit 104 of the server 10.

For example, the voting processing unit 104 may automatically determine the amount of the predetermined value bet by the user so that it is the same as the amount of the predetermined value bet by the forecaster. For example, when a user piggybacks on the betting content of a forecaster, the forecaster bets 1,000 yen and 500 yen on win number 1 and win number 5, respectively. In this case, the voting processing unit 104 may determine the amount of the predetermined value bet by the user to be 1,000 yen and 500 yen, respectively. Also, when the user specifies the amount of the predetermined value bet (i.e., the total amount of the predetermined value bet), the amount of the predetermined value bet by the user for each betting target and betting method may be automatically determined so that it is the same ratio as the amount of the predetermined value bet by the forecaster for each betting target and betting method.

For example, assume that user A joins in on the betting of forecaster A, who bets 1,000 yen and 500 yen on win number 1 and win number 5, respectively. Also assume that user A specifies 600 yen as the predetermined value of the bet. In this case, the betting processing unit 104 sets the amount of the predetermined value that user A will bet on win number 1 and win number 5 to 400 yen and 200 yen, respectively.

Furthermore, when a user piggybacks on a prognosticator's vote, the user may vote for the same predetermined value as the prognosticator's vote. For example, if the prognosticator votes for cash, the user may also vote for cash. Alternatively, when a user piggybacks on a prognosticator's vote, the user may vote for a predetermined value (second value) different from the predetermined value (first value) voted for by the prognosticator. For example, if the prognosticator votes for cash, the user piggybacking on the prognosticator may vote for points.

In step S203, the terminal 20a sends a voting message to the server 10 indicating that the user will join the other forecaster in voting. The message includes the name of the forecaster (nickname or forecaster ID) of the forecaster who will join the other forecaster, the target of the vote, the voting method, and the amount of the predetermined value to be voted.

In step S204, the voting processing unit 104 of the server 10 performs processing to vote on the voting content received from the terminal 20a.

In step S205, the notification unit 106 of the server 10 notifies terminals 20a, 20b, and 20c of a message indicating that user A has piggybacked on a forecaster and has bet on the content of the bet. The message is a character string, and may be displayed, for example, as a statement by user A on a chat screen that allows messages to be sent and received within a group. For example, the chat screen may display a message such as "User A has piggybacked on forecaster X and bet 100 yen on quinella 1-7 and 200 yen on win number 1." Alternatively, the message may be push data, and the content of user A's bet may be displayed on a screen that lists the bets of each user.

After the processing procedure of step S205 is completed, the competition is held and it is determined whether or not each user's vote was correct.

In step S206, if the voting contents of the forecaster and user A are correct, the awarding unit 105 of the server 10 awards a predetermined value to the forecaster and user A.

In addition, the granting unit 105 grants a bonus to a user when the user votes for a voting content specified according to the voting content voted by the prognosticator. Alternatively, the granting unit 105 may grant a bonus to a user when the user votes for a voting content specified according to the voting content voted by the prognosticator and the voting is correct.

In step S207, the notification unit 106 of the server 10 notifies the terminals 20a, 20b, and 20c of the predetermined value and bonus granted to each user in the processing procedure of step S206. The notification unit 106 of the server 10 also notifies the terminal 20d of the predetermined value granted to the predictor in the processing procedure of step S206.

(Multiple events can be shared at once)
In this embodiment, the server 10 provides a function that allows users or forecasters in a group to collectively vote on the contents of votes for multiple races held within a predetermined period. The predetermined period is assumed to be, for example, a morning, afternoon, or one day, but is not limited to this.

On the screen displayed on the terminal 20, the user specifies other users or forecasters with whom they wish to share a ride together for a specified period of time, and pays a specified value in advance to bet. The voting processing unit 104 of the server 10 then allocates the paid specified value to each event, and automatically votes the specified value for each event according to the votes cast by other users or forecasters for each event. This makes it easier for users to vote, as they no longer need to decide for each event whether to share a ride or make their own forecast and then vote for each event.

First, the reception unit 103 receives from the user a request to share a ride in multiple races held within a specified period, a designation of other users or forecasters who wish to share a ride, and the amount of a specified value to be paid in advance. The amount of the specified value paid in advance by the user may be, for example, equal to or greater than the minimum payment amount per race multiplied by the number of races held within the specified period. For example, if the race is horse racing, the specified period is one day, the number of races held per day is the first to sixth races, and the minimum payment amount per race is 500 yen, then the user must pay 500 x 6 = 3,000 yen or more in advance before the first race starts.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that accepts a piggyback to multiple competitions. A in Figure 8 is a screen D100 that accepts votes from users in a competition. Screen D100 displays a button B100 for selecting to piggyback with a tipster (Tipstar) and a button B101 for selecting to piggyback with another user in a group. When button B100 is pressed on screen D100, the screen transitions to screen D110, which recommends the user to piggyback with the tipster for multiple competitions held within a specified period. Screen D110 displays the nickname (XXXX team) of the tipster who is recommended to piggyback, and the amount of a specified value (xxxxx coins) that the user will pay in advance. By pressing button B110, the user can piggyback with the tipster for multiple competitions held in one day.

Similarly, when button B101 is pressed on screen D100, the screen transitions to screen D120, which encourages the user to carpool with other users for multiple competitions held within a specified period of time. Screen D120 displays the nickname (YYYY) of the user offering the carpool, and the amount of a specified value (yyyyy coins) that the user will pay in advance. By pressing button B120, the user can carpool with other users in the group for multiple competitions held in one day.

Note that screen D120 may be displayed when button B10 or B11 is pressed on screen D10 shown in FIG. 6.

The voting processing unit 104 determines the amount of the predetermined value to be voted for each betting target and voting method in each competition based on the number of competitions held within a specified period, the amount of the predetermined value paid in advance, and the contents of the votes cast by the user's co-pilots or other users.

The processing procedure for determining the amount of the predetermined value to be bet will be described below with reference to FIG. 9. In the following description, the race is a horse race, and races 1 (first race) to 6 (sixth race) are held on one day. Also, it is assumed that user A will bet with user B for each race from the first race to the sixth race. Also, the betting tickets (ticket A, ticket B, ticket C, and ticket D) in FIG. 9 indicate the betting object and betting method for user B (e.g., win number 1, 2-horse combination for numbers 3 and 8). The betting amount indicates the amount of the predetermined value bet by user B on each betting ticket. For example, in the first race, user B bet 400 yen on ticket A, 400 yen on ticket B, 500 yen on ticket C, and 500 yen on ticket D.

The betting processing unit 104 first calculates the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet on each race by dividing the amount of the predetermined value paid in advance by the user by the number of races to be held within a predetermined period. Next, the betting processing unit 104 compares the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet on each race with the total amount of the predetermined value bet by user B on each betting ticket.

If the amount of the predetermined value available for betting on each race is the same as the sum of the amount of the predetermined value bet by user B on each betting ticket, the betting processing unit 104 bets user A's predetermined value for each betting ticket bet by user B in an amount equal to the amount of the predetermined value bet by user B on each betting ticket.

If the amount of the predetermined value available for betting on each race is less than the sum of the amounts of the predetermined value bet by user B on each betting ticket, the betting processing unit 104 determines the amount of the predetermined value to bet on each betting ticket according to a predetermined betting pattern.

If the amount of the predetermined value available for betting on each race is greater than the total amount of the predetermined value bet by user B on each betting ticket, the betting processing unit 104 bets user A's predetermined value in an amount equal to the amount of the predetermined value bet by user B on each betting ticket, and bets the remaining predetermined value on each betting ticket according to a predetermined betting pattern.

The above-mentioned predetermined voting pattern may be, for example, one of the following four patterns:

(Voting pattern 1)
The voting processing unit 104 bets on the most betting tickets (betting objects and betting methods) in ascending order of odds. Specifically, the voting processing unit 104 bets the minimum amount of bets per betting ticket for each betting ticket in descending order of odds, and when all betting tickets have been bet, it again bets the minimum amount of bets per betting ticket in descending order of odds. The voting processing unit 104 repeats this process until all the predetermined values that can be bet for each race have been bet. A specific example will be explained using FIG. 9. In the following example, the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet for each race is 500 yen, and the minimum amount of bets per betting ticket is 100 yen (the same applies to other betting patterns).

In the first race, the odds are lowest for ticket D, followed by ticket A, ticket B, and ticket C, so the betting processing unit 104 bets 100 yen each for ticket D, ticket A, ticket B, and ticket C, in that order. Here, the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet for each race is 500 yen, so 100 yen remains. Therefore, the betting processing unit 104 again bets 100 yen each for ticket D, ticket A, ticket B, and ticket C, in that order. In this case, when an additional 100 yen is bet on ticket D, betting of the predetermined value of 500 yen is completed. In other words, the betting processing unit 104 bets 200 yen for ticket D, and 100 yen each for ticket A, ticket B, and ticket C. The amount of the predetermined value to bet on each betting ticket is determined in the same manner for the second to sixth races.

(Voting pattern 2)
The voting processing unit 104 bets on the most betting tickets (betting objects and betting methods) in descending order of odds. Specifically, the voting processing unit 104 bets the minimum amount of bets per betting ticket for each betting ticket in descending order of odds, and when all betting tickets have been bet, it again bets the minimum amount of bets per betting ticket in descending order of odds. The voting processing unit 104 repeats this process until all the predetermined values available for betting have been bet for each race.

A specific example will be explained using FIG. 9. In the first race, the odds are highest for ticket C, followed by ticket B, ticket A, and ticket D, so the betting processing unit 104 bets 100 yen each for ticket C, ticket B, ticket A, and ticket D, in that order. Here, the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet for each race is 500 yen, leaving 100 yen. Therefore, the betting processing unit 104 again bets 100 yen each for ticket D, ticket A, ticket B, and ticket C, in that order. In this case, when an additional 100 yen is bet for ticket C, betting of the predetermined value of 500 yen is completed. In other words, the betting processing unit 104 bets 200 yen for ticket C, and 100 yen each for ticket A, ticket B, and ticket D. The amount of the predetermined value to bet for each betting ticket is determined in the same manner for the second to sixth races.

(Voting pattern 3)
The voting processing unit 104 bets the same amount of a predetermined value as the user who is sharing the bet, in ascending order of odds. Specifically, the voting processing unit 104 bets the same amount of a predetermined value as the user who is sharing the bet, in ascending order of odds, for each betting ticket. When all betting tickets have been bet, the voting processing unit 104 repeats this process until all the predetermined values available for betting have been bet for each race.

A specific example will be explained using Figure 9. In the first race, the odds are lowest for ticket D, followed by ticket A, ticket B and ticket C, so the betting processing unit 104 bets 500 yen, 400 yen, 500 yen and 400 yen for ticket D, ticket A, ticket B and ticket C, respectively. Here, the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet for each race is 500 yen, so the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet for each race is reached at the time of betting on ticket D. Therefore, the betting processing unit 104 bets 500 yen only on ticket D. The amount of the predetermined value to bet on each betting ticket is determined in the same manner for the second to sixth races.

(Voting pattern 4)
The voting processing unit 104 bets the same amount of a predetermined value as the user who is sharing the bet, in descending order of odds. Specifically, the voting processing unit 104 bets the same amount of a predetermined value as the user who is sharing the bet, in descending order of odds, for each betting ticket. When all betting tickets have been bet, the voting processing unit 104 repeats this process until all the predetermined values available for betting have been bet for each race.

A specific example will be explained using FIG. 9. In the first race, the odds are lowest for ticket C, followed by ticket B, ticket A and ticket D, so the betting processing unit 104 bets 400 yen, 500 yen, 400 yen and 500 yen for ticket C, ticket B, ticket A and ticket D, respectively. Here, the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet for each race is 500 yen, so when 400 yen is bet for ticket A and the remaining 100 yen is bet for ticket B, the amount of the predetermined value that can be bet for each race is reached. Therefore, the betting processing unit 104 bets 100 yen and 400 yen for ticket B and ticket D, respectively. The amount of the predetermined value to bet for each betting ticket is determined in the same manner for the second to sixth races.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a user can cast a vote by piggybacking on the votes of other users who belong to the same group. This makes it possible to provide a technique that allows even users with little voting experience to easily cast a vote.

The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The flow charts, sequences, elements included in the embodiments, and their arrangements, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., described in the embodiments are not limited to those exemplified, and may be modified as appropriate. In addition, configurations shown in different embodiments may be partially substituted or combined.

<Additional Notes>
<Appendix 1>
An information processing device that executes processing related to voting for voting targets in a competition,
A management unit that manages a group including a plurality of players;
A reception unit that receives a vote from a first user included in the group for a voting content that is specified according to a voting content predicted or voted for by a second user included in the group;
An information processing device having the above configuration.

According to Appendix 1, users can vote by imitating other users in the group, so even users with little voting experience can easily cast their vote.

<Appendix 2>
An awarding unit that awards a predetermined reward to the first user and/or the second user when the first user votes for a voting content specified according to the voting content voted by the second user,
2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

According to Appendix 2, if a user votes for a specific voting content that is determined based on the voting content of other users, a specific reward is awarded, which can increase the motivation of users who have little voting experience to play.

<Appendix 3>
The granting unit further grants the predetermined reward to the first user and/or the second user when the voting content voted by the first user and the second user becomes a reward target as a result of the competition.
3. The information processing device according to claim 2.

According to Appendix 3, if a user votes for a specific item based on the item voted for by other users and their vote is correct, a specified reward is awarded, which can increase the motivation of users with little voting experience to play.

<Appendix 4>
The granting unit varies the predetermined reward according to the number of first users who voted for a voting content specified according to the voting content voted by the second user when a plurality of first users vote for the voting content specified according to the voting content voted by the second user.
4. The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

According to Appendix 4, the more users who vote for a specific voting content that is determined based on the voting content of other users, the greater the reward, which makes it possible to stimulate voting within the group.

<Appendix 5>
a notification unit that notifies other users included in the group of the voting content cast by the second user;
5. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

According to Appendix 5, the votes cast by each user are notified to the group, which makes it possible to further stimulate voting among users in the group.

<Appendix 6>
The reception unit receives an instruction from the first user to vote for a voting content specified according to a voting content of the second user notified by the notification unit.
6. The information processing device according to claim 5.

According to Appendix 6, it becomes possible to vote within a group using notifications indicating the votes of other users, so that each user can easily cast a vote for a specific vote that is determined according to the votes cast by other users.

<Appendix 7>
The notification unit further notifies the other users of information about a predictor when the second user votes for a voting content that is specified according to a voting content predicted or voted for by a predictor other than the users included in the group.
7. The information processing device according to claim 5 or 6.

According to Appendix 7, each user can know that other users have voted for a specific voting content that is determined according to the voting content cast by the forecaster.

<Appendix 8>
Among the plurality of users included in the group, users other than a host user who convenes the group are users located within a predetermined distance from a location of the host user.
8. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

According to Appendix 8, users who are in close proximity can form groups, making it possible for them to ride along with nearby users.

<Appendix 9>
Among the plurality of users included in the group, users other than a host user who convenes the group are users who have exchanged messages with the host user a predetermined number of times or more.
8. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

According to Appendix 9, groups will be formed with users who have connections with each other, which will prevent problems from arising between users in cases where users try to share a ride but are unsuccessful.

1... Voting system, 10... Server, 11... Processor, 12... Storage device, 13... Communication IF, 14... Input device, 15... Output device, 20... Terminal, 100... Storage unit, 100a... User management DB, 100b... Group management DB, 100c... Forecaster management DB, 101... Display control unit, 102... Management unit, 103... Reception unit, 104... Voting processing unit, 105... Assignment unit, 106... Notification unit

Claims (3)

A processor that executes processing related to voting for voting targets in a competition,
The processor,
receiving an instruction from a first user to make a vote that is specified according to the content of a vote made by a second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user;
When the instruction is received, if the second user makes a first vote that is specified according to the content predicted or voted by the doppelganger, notify the first user of information about the first vote.
Information processing device. 1. An information processing method executed by a processor that executes processing related to voting for a voting target in a competition, comprising:
a processor receives an instruction from a first user to cast a vote that is specified according to the content of a vote cast by a second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user;
When the instruction is received, if the second user makes a first vote that is specified according to the content predicted or voted by the doppelganger, the processor notifies the first user of information about the first vote.
Information processing methods. A processor that executes processing related to voting for voting targets in a competition,
A function of receiving an instruction from a first user to make a vote that is specified according to the content of a vote made by a second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user;
When the instruction is received, if the second user makes a first vote that is specified according to the content predicted or voted by the predictor, a function of notifying the first user of information about the first vote;
A program for executing.

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