JP7633582B2 - 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.

Auctions (online auctions) are known in which goods are traded in an auction format over the Internet. In a typical online auction, bids are solicited for a set period of time for an item, and the highest bidder at the end of the auction period is declared the successful bidder.

JP 2020-154726 A

However, in general, in an auction, only the highest bidder can win the item, so the winning bid price tends to skyrocket. As a result, in conventional auction systems, users with limited financial resources may be deprived of the opportunity to win an item, and there is a risk that the winning bidders will be fixed to users with abundant financial resources. Furthermore, in such a situation, users with limited financial resources may hesitate to participate in the auction, which may result in a lack of participation and excitement in the auction.

The present invention aims to provide an information processing device, information processing method, and program that can give users who lack financial resources the opportunity to win products in an auction.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by having a voting reception unit that receives votes from users predicting the results of a competition, a dividend awarding unit that awards dividends to the users when the votes are correct, and an auction control unit that controls an auction in which bids can be made for products using dividends within the range of the amount of the awarded dividends.

According to one aspect of the present invention, even users who lack financial resources can be given the opportunity to win products in an auction.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a voting screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a bidding screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reference screen. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of functions of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user-related information. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of voting-related information. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of bid-related information. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of competition-related information. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of product related information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an information processing flow according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of a payout awarding process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of a bid acceptance process. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another information processing flow according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of a voting candidate presentation process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information processing device, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
The embodiment described below is merely an example given to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved from the embodiment described below without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Naturally, the present invention also includes equivalents thereof.

The screen examples described in this specification and the drawings are merely examples, and the screen configuration and design, the content of the displayed information, and the GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc., can be freely designed according to the system design specifications and user preferences, etc., and can be changed as appropriate.

In addition, in this specification, a user is a user of the information processing device of the present invention, specifically, a user of the service provided by the information processing device of the present invention, and more specifically, a person who can participate in an auction provided by the information processing device of the present invention. Note that, unless otherwise specified, a user is an individual, but a group of multiple people may also be a user, and is the unit to which a service account is assigned. Also, users who have mutually approved each other (friends) may be able to play together or form a team.

<About the auction according to this embodiment>
The communication system (hereinafter referred to as information processing system S) shown in FIG. 1 is a communication system including an information processing device (hereinafter referred to as server 10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and provides auctions to users.

An auction is a trading method in which products are traded in an auction format, where users who wish to win an item put up for auction place bids by specifying the desired purchase price (bid amount), and when the set period ends, the user who has bid the highest amount wins the item. In addition, in the auction of this embodiment, a participation condition is set that a bid on the product cannot be made unless dividends (winnings) obtained in a game are used. Note that if there are multiple possible bids for an item, the same number of users as the possible bids for the item can win the bids for that item, beginning with the user who bid the highest amount.

Goods are the subject of trading in an auction, and include so-called physical items such as food and beverages, clothing, and tools, as well as services such as transportation, storage, finance, and labor, and even land, capital, and information, and anything else that has value that can be exchanged in the market.

A game refers to a game in which the outcome of a competition is predicted. For example, a game in which a person predicts the outcome (such as the finishing order of the competition objects) of a public competition actually held by a public institution as a gambling game, such as horse racing, bicycle racing, boat racing, or auto racing, places a bet (hereinafter referred to as a vote) using currency or a special currency, and if the bet based on the prediction is correct, the person can receive a dividend (a refund for the winning result) according to the odds as a winning amount.

In this embodiment, the competition is held periodically according to a schedule, for example, every day. Furthermore, the competition is held repeatedly within a specified period, such as multiple times per day, and users can vote for each of these competitions. For example, if the competition is keirin, approximately 9 to 12 races are held per day at each venue, and users can vote for each of these races. Note that the specified period is not limited to one day, and may be one to several hours, several days, one to several weeks, one to several months, or one to several years. Furthermore, the number of races held within the specified period may be only one.

When voting, the user selects the betting content that they predict from among the different betting options prepared for each competition. The betting content is the predicted content related to the vote, specifically, the predicted content regarding the finishing order of the competition. Items of the betting options and betting content include, for example, betting type (win, place, consecutive win combination, exacta, etc.), betting target (competition target or combination of competition targets), and betting amount (amount of currency or dedicated currency that is cast for the bet), etc. Examples of betting are win (betting type), number 1 (competition target), 2000 yen (betting amount), or trifecta (betting type), 2-3-5 (combination of competition targets), 1000 yen (betting amount), etc.

Currency refers to so-called "money" that is used in general society to exchange for goods and services. In this embodiment, the currency may be cash currency such as paper money or coins, or deposit currency such as ordinary savings or current accounts. Currency also includes virtual currency that can be used in third-party apps (apps that allow payment using barcodes, stacked two-dimensional codes, matrix two-dimensional codes, etc.).

The dedicated currency is a pseudo-currency with different properties from the above-mentioned currencies, and cannot be exchanged for goods or services in the general society, but is a value that can be used in the game and auction of this embodiment. Specifically, the dedicated currency can be used for voting or bidding. In addition, the dedicated currency is awarded to the user as a dividend when the vote is correct. Therefore, hereinafter, when the term "dividend" is used in this embodiment, it refers to the dedicated currency.

The special currency can be obtained by the user by converting currency (charging). A predetermined amount of special currency may be given to the user free of charge as a login bonus or the like. On the other hand, when converting special currency into currency, it cannot be converted into currency at any time unconditionally; only the amount that is awarded as a dividend in a successful vote and that is not used in a bid can be converted into currency. In other words, in this embodiment, special currency that is not used in a vote, as well as special currency awarded as a dividend in a successful vote, cannot be converted into currency if it is used in a bid (specifically, if it is used in a bid but is returned without winning the bid).

Odds refer to the payout rate, and are values that indicate how many times the value of the bet (currency or special currency) will be paid out if the bet is correct. The odds in this embodiment are determined according to the official odds of the publicly-run competition that is actually being held (odds set by the organizer of the publicly-run competition), and may therefore fluctuate in real time depending on the voting status of the user himself or herself or others.

As described above, in the auction of this embodiment, the payout obtained in the game, i.e., the payout that is paid out if the bet made on the outcome of the competition is correct, is used to place bids on the product within the range of the payout amount. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the competitions and the products are each associated with each other, so that, for example, to place a bid on product A, a player votes for competition A associated with product A, and then places a bid using the payout that is obtained if the bet is correct. In other words, a bid on a product cannot be made without using the payout obtained in the competition related to the product.

Note that there may be multiple competitions associated with a product. For example, there may be two competitions, competition B1 and competition B2, associated with product B. In this case, the bid acceptance period for competition B2 may be set between the time competition B1 is held and the time competition B2 is held, the current price of the target product B (the amount that can be bid at that time) may be made public to the user, and in the game of competition B2, betting options (betting type, betting target, and betting amount) that will result in a payout equal to or greater than the current price may be presented to the user. At this time, betting options that will result in a payout equal to or greater than the difference between the user's current bid amount and the current price may also be presented to the user.

Here, an example of a series of steps in an auction in this embodiment will be described.
(1) First, a user predicts the outcome of a competition on a voting screen G1 as shown in FIG. 2 and casts a vote using currency or a dedicated currency.
(2) If the user's bet is successful, the user receives a payout calculated based on the odds. At this time, the user is presented with products for which an auction is being held that are associated with the competition (products for which the payout can be used to place bids) and that can be bid on within the payout amount range. The user can also receive all or part of the payout in exchange for currency, but the portion of the payout that has been converted into currency cannot be used for bidding. When converting into currency, the user selects a currency as the payout method and specifies the amount to be converted on the winning screen (not shown).
(3) The user selects a product for which he/she wishes to place a bid from among the products presented on a product list screen (not shown). Note that if the amount of the dividend is equal to or less than the current price (the amount that can be bid at that time), the user cannot select that product.
(4) The user specifies (inputs) a bid amount for the selected product on the bid screen G2 as shown in Fig. 3. At this time, the bid amount can be specified within the range of the amount of the dividend paid out. Even after a bid amount has been specified, if the bid amount is equal to or less than the current price, the bid amount can be changed to a bid amount higher than the current price within the range of the dividend amount.
(5) When the auction period ends, the user who has bid the highest amount will be the successful bidder for that item. If there are multiple available bids for the item, the number of users equal to the available bids will be successful, starting with the user who bid the highest amount. Users who are unsuccessful will be refunded the amount of the special currency equivalent to their bid amount.

In addition to the above, a planned bid amount may be set in advance, and then a betting content that will earn a dividend equal to or greater than the planned bid amount if the bet is successful may be determined by calculating backwards from the planned bid amount. An example is as follows.
(1) A user selects an item for which he or she wishes to place a bid from among the items presented on a product list screen (not shown).
(2) The user specifies (inputs) a planned bid amount on a planned bid amount specification screen (not shown). At this time, if the specified planned bid amount is equal to or less than the current price (the possible winning bid amount at that time), the user is notified (alert).
(3) The user predicts the outcome of the competition associated with the product and places a bet using currency or a dedicated currency on a betting screen G1 as shown in Fig. 2. At this time, the server 10 automatically determines and presents to the user betting options (betting types, betting objects, and betting amounts) that will be equal to or greater than the planned bid amount if the user's bet is correct, and the user can select the betting content from among the options.
(4) If the user's bet is correct, the user receives a payout calculated based on the odds. The user then selects whether or not to place a bid within the range of the planned bid amount set in advance. Note that the actual bid amount is not limited to the planned bid amount, and the user can change and specify an amount as appropriate as long as it is within the planned bid amount.
(5) When the auction period ends, the user who has bid the highest amount will be the successful bidder for that item. If there are multiple available bids for the item, the number of users equal to the available bids will be successful, starting with the user who bid the highest amount. Users who are unsuccessful will be refunded the amount of the special currency equivalent to their bid amount.

The voting candidates presented in (3) above can be further narrowed down by the user specifying any item (multiple items can also be specified). For example, if a core competition object (e.g., number 3) is specified as an item, the voting candidates are narrowed down to combinations (such as trifecta) that include number 3. Also, if a betting amount (e.g., 1,000 yen) is specified as an item, the voting candidates are narrowed down to competition objects or betting types (e.g., competition objects with odds of 5 times or more or combinations that include these competition objects) that are equal to or greater than the set planned bid amount (e.g., 5,000 yen).
In addition, if it is determined that the planned bid amount is not met even if the betting content previously designated by the user hits the mark, the betting candidates may be presented as alternative betting candidates. Alternative betting candidates include alternatives to increase the betting amount while maintaining the betting type and betting target, or alternatives to change the betting type or betting target among the betting contents. An alternative to changing the betting type, for example, is a betting candidate that changes from a win bet to another betting type with higher odds, such as a trifecta, without changing the first place prediction (without changing the main race target).

Also, as shown in the reference screen G3 of FIG. 4, a plurality of users who have specified the planned bid amount may be grouped, and the users in the group may share information (voting contents) with each other. For example, a user belonging to a group may be able to view all or part of the voting contents (e.g., other than the voting amount) of other users belonging to the same group. Also, the voting contents of users in the same group who have a high planned bid amount (users who are likely to be an obstacle to winning the bid for the product) may be notified to other users on a priority basis. In this case, the contents to be notified are the voting contents and user information of users who have a high planned bid amount, and the number of notifications is controlled according to the number of possible bids for the product. For example, if the number of possible bids is one, the voting contents and user information of the top three users, and if the number of possible bids is two, the voting contents and user information of the top ten users, etc. may be notified. Also, the voting contents of users in the same group who have a high hit record (including, for example, the number of hits, the hit rate, the hit amount, the number of high dividends, the recovery rate, etc. calculated based on the past voting history) may be notified to other users.

As described above, in the auction of this embodiment, users predict the outcome of the competition and place their votes, and if their votes are correct, they can receive a dividend that serves as the funds to participate in the auction. Therefore, even users who lack financial resources can be given the opportunity to win a bid for a product in the auction. In particular, since the funds to participate in the auction are obtained, it is possible to increase the motivation for users to vote, and it is also possible to stimulate the gambling spirit of voting, which can also liven up the game.
In addition, in the auction of this embodiment, since the dividend obtained by voting is necessary to participate in the auction, the participants in the auction can be limited based on the voting results. Therefore, even if a user has a lot of money, he or she cannot participate in the auction unless he or she votes correctly. In this respect, the successful bidders in the auction are not limited to users with a lot of money, and even users who do not have enough money can be given the opportunity to win a bid on a product in the auction.

<Configuration of information processing device and user terminal according to this embodiment>
Next, the configurations of an information processing device and a user terminal 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information processing device according to this embodiment is configured by a computer for controlling an auction, specifically a server computer (hereinafter referred to as a server 10). The server 10 is an example of a computer, and as shown in FIG. 1, is communicatively connected to the user terminal 12 via a network 14, and constitutes an information processing system S together with the user terminal 12.

The server 10 may be composed of one computer, or may be composed of multiple computers distributed in parallel. The server 10 may also be a server computer for an ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). In this case, a series of steps in the information processing flow described below (excluding the input and display of information) are executed by the server computer, and the user terminal 12 only needs to input information to be handed over to the server computer and display information distributed from the server computer.

As shown in Fig. 1, the server 10 has, as hardware devices, a processor 21, a memory 22, a communication interface 23, and a storage 24, which are electrically connected via a bus 25. In addition, as software, an operating system (OS) and a dedicated program for processing information related to games and auctions are installed in the server 10. These programs correspond to the "programs" of the present invention. When the processor 21 operates in accordance with the above programs, the server 10 functions as an information processing device of the present invention and executes a series of processes related to games and auctions.
The program of the present invention may be acquired by reading it from a computer-readable recording medium, or may be acquired (downloaded) via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

The processor 21 may be configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

The memory 22 may be composed of semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The communication interface 23 may be, for example, a network interface card or a communication interface board. The standard of data communication by the communication interface 23 is not particularly limited, and examples include communication by a wireless LAN based on Wi-fi (registered trademark), communication by a 3G to 5G or later generation mobile communication system, or communication based on LTE (Long Term Evolution).

The storage 24 may be configured with a flash memory, a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO disc), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), or a universal serial bus memory (USB memory). The storage 24 may be built into the server 10, or may be attached to the server body in an external format. The storage 24 may also be configured with an external computer (e.g., a database server) communicably connected to the server body. A distributed ledger technology such as a blockchain may be used as a technology for recording various data in order to avoid unauthorized data tampering.

The server 10 distributes information necessary for voting and bidding to each user in progressing the game and auction, and also collects and stores information from each user. The information stored by the server 10 includes user-related information, voting-related information, bidding-related information, competition-related information, and product-related information. The server 10 also performs various information processing related to the progress of the game and auction, including processing to control the game and auction.

On the other hand, the user terminal 12 is a client terminal operated by a user, and is used by the user to participate in games to predict and vote on the results of competitions, and to participate in auctions to bid on products. Specifically, the user terminal 12 is composed of a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a television set capable of inputting information, a wearable terminal, and the like. Note that for convenience of illustration, only three user terminals 12 are shown in FIG. 1, but of course, in reality, the number of user terminals 12 will correspond to the number of users.

On the user terminal 12 side, the information distributed from the server 10 is output (displayed, played, etc.) and information to be handed over to the server 10 is input. Specifically, a dedicated application software (hereinafter, "app") for participating in games and auctions is installed on the user terminal 12, and this app transmits and receives data to and from the server 10 and inputs and outputs information. For example, the data received from the server 10 is expanded and various information is displayed on the display of the user terminal 12. In addition, information indicating the contents of votes or bids entered by user operation is transmitted to the server 10.

<Functions of the information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention>
The configuration of the server 10, which is an information processing device according to this embodiment, will be described again from the functional standpoint.
5, the server 10 has a storage unit 30, a data generation unit 40, a game control unit 50, and an auction control unit 60. Of these functional units, the storage unit 30 is realized by the memory 22 or the storage 24, and the other functional units are realized by the cooperation of the hardware devices constituting the server 10 and the programs installed in the server 10. When the server 10 is composed of multiple computers, the above functions may be distributed so that each of the multiple computers performs a different function.
Each functional unit will be described in detail below.

[Memory unit]
The storage unit 30 stores various information such as information related to each user and information related to the progress of the game and the auction, etc. As shown in FIG. 5 , the information stored in the storage unit 30 includes user-related information, voting-related information, bid-related information, competition-related information, and product-related information.

The user-related information is information about a user and is stored for each user. As shown in FIG. 6, the user-related information includes information about a user ID, a name, a profile, a currency holding amount, a dividend holding amount, a voting history, a bidding history, a group, and the like.
The profile is information about the user's attributes (category), such as gender, age, and occupation. The number of owned currencies is the amount (value) of special currency owned by the user, and is the amount of value that can be used for voting. The number of owned dividends is the amount (value) of special currency obtained as a dividend when a bet is successful, and is the amount of value that can be used for voting or bidding. The dividends are classified according to the competition in which the dividends are obtained, and products that can be bid on are specified for each type of dividend. In other words, the dividends can be used for bidding in an auction of products corresponding to the competition in which the dividends are obtained. The voting history is information about the votes that the user has made so far, and is associated with voting-related information, which will be described later, by the voting ID. The bidding history is information about the bids that the user has made so far, and is associated with bidding-related information, which will be described later, by the bidding ID. The group is an item that is set when the user specifies the planned bid amount, and indicates information about the group to which the user belongs.

The voting-related information is information about a vote made by a user, and is stored for each vote. As shown in Fig. 7, the voting-related information includes a voting ID, a voting date and time, a user ID of the user who made the vote, a competition ID of the competition to which the vote pertains, voting details, odds, bid information, whether or not the bid was a win, and a payout amount (amount of winning).
The betting content is the content of the prediction of the outcome of the competition, and includes, for example, information regarding the betting type, the betting target, and the betting amount. The bidding information includes, if there is a bid using the dividend of this betting, information indicating the bid (bid ID) and information regarding the difference with the planned bid amount.

The bid-related information is information about bids made by users, and is stored for each bid. As shown in Fig. 8, the bid-related information includes a bid ID, a bid date and time, a user ID of the user who made the bid, a product ID indicating the product that is the subject of the bid (information indicating the auction in which a bid is being made), voting information, a bid amount, an expected bid amount, and whether or not the bid has been won.
The voting information includes information (voting ID) indicating a vote that has received (or will receive) a dividend that serves as a source of funds for a bid, and information regarding the amount of the dividend.

The race-related information is information about the race, and is stored for each race. As shown in Fig. 9, the race-related information includes the race ID, the grade of the race, the date and time of the race, the venue, the athletes (race subjects), voting candidates, the race results (finishing order, payouts, etc.), and a product ID indicating a product associated with the race (a product that can be bid on using the payouts for this race).
The voting candidates are information about candidates (options) that can be selected when a user votes, and include a candidate ID, candidate details (betting type and voting target), odds, etc. The odds are calculated by a known method of determining dividends, such as the pari-mutuel method or the bookmaker method.

Product-related information is information about products that have been or will be put up for auction, and is stored for each product. As shown in FIG. 10, product-related information includes the product ID, product name, product type, the period during which the corresponding auction is held (start date and time to end date and time), a competition ID indicating a related competition (a competition in which the dividend required for bidding on this product can be obtained), the starting price, the current price (the amount that can be won at any point during the auction), the final winning price (the amount that can be won at the end of the auction), and a user ID indicating the winning bidder.

[Data Generation Section]
The data generating unit 40 generates (including updates) various information (data) necessary for the progress of the game and the auction, and stores the generated various information in the storage unit 30. The various information includes, for example, the above-mentioned competition-related information, as well as information related to the game, such as a program guide (race schedule) with predictions from experts and the like and competition footage. In addition to the above-mentioned product-related information, the information includes information related to the auction, such as an auction list aggregated by competition or by date and time of the event. The data generating unit 40 also appropriately updates various information, such as user-related information, voting-related information, bid-related information, competition-related information, and product-related information, based on the processing by each functional unit described below, and stores the information in the storage unit 30.

[Game control unit]
The game control unit 50 executes necessary information processing related to the progress of the game, and as shown in FIG. 5, has an information distribution unit 51, a vote acceptance unit 52, a selection acceptance unit 53, and a payout award unit .

The information distribution unit 51 communicates with the user terminal 12 to distribute information (data) necessary for the user to progress in the game to the user terminal 12, and causes the user terminal 12 to display a game screen, i.e., a screen reflecting the results of information processing by the game control unit 50, on the user terminal 12. The information necessary for the progress of the game includes competition-related information and competition footage generated by the data generation unit 40.

The voting reception unit 52 acquires information (data) based on the voting operation (operation to specify the voting content) performed by the user on the user terminal 12 by communicating with the user terminal 12. Specifically, it acquires information based on the voting operation performed within the acceptance period set for each competition. The information based on the voting operation includes voting-related information.

The selection reception unit 53 acquires information (data) based on the payout selection operation performed by the user on the user terminal 12 by communicating with the user terminal 12. Specifically, it acquires information based on the payout selection operation performed during the voting acceptance period or at the time of the awarding of the payout after the vote is correct. The information based on the payout selection operation is information indicating how the payout that can be received if the vote is correct will be received, and includes, for example, information that the payout has been selected to be converted into currency, or information that the payout has been selected to be received as a dedicated currency that is a value that can be used for voting or bidding.

The payout unit 54 determines whether each bet was a winner based on the competition results, and awards a payout to users whose bets were winners. The amount of the payout is determined based on the bet amount and odds, and the type of payout is determined based on information based on the payout selection operation acquired by the selection reception unit 53. Information about the awarded payout is overwritten on the user-related information of the user to whom the payout is to be awarded.

[Auction control section]
The auction control unit 60 executes necessary information processing related to the progress of the auction, and as shown in FIG. 5, has an information distribution unit 61, a bid reception unit 62, a successful bidder determination unit 63, a product selection unit 64, a voting candidate selection unit 65, a designation reception unit 66, and a group generation unit 67.

By communicating with the user terminal 12, the information distribution unit 61 distributes information (data) necessary for the user to proceed with the auction to the user terminal 12, and causes the user terminal 12 to display an auction screen, i.e., a screen reflecting the results of information processing by the auction control unit 60, on the user terminal 12. The information necessary for the auction to proceed includes product-related information and an auction list generated by the data generation unit 40. In addition, to users who belong to a group generated by the group generation unit 67 described below, information regarding the voting details of other users in the group is distributed as appropriate.

The bid acceptance unit 62 acquires information (data) based on the bidding operation performed by the user on the user terminal 12 by communicating with the user terminal 12. Specifically, it acquires information based on the bidding operation (operation to specify the bid target product and the bid amount) performed during the auction period. The information based on the bidding operation includes bidding-related information. The bidding operation also includes an operation performed before the voting operation or before the winning vote is known, that is, an operation to specify the bid target product and the planned bid amount. At this time, the bid amount and the planned bid amount are limited to the range of the amount of the dividend obtained when the bet on the competition associated with the product that is the subject of the auction is correct. Furthermore, if the bid amount or the planned bid amount is less than the possible winning amount (including both the current price and the final winning bid price), the bid acceptance unit 62 accepts a change in the bid amount or the planned bid amount within the range of the dividend amount. Note that the bid acceptance unit 62 judges whether or not each user is allowed to participate in the auction, and if the user is not allowed to participate in the auction (for example, if the user has not received a dividend in the related competition), it does not accept information based on the bidding operation from that user.

The successful bidder determination unit 63 determines the results of the auction based on the bid amounts submitted by each user. Specifically, as with known auctions, the successful bidder is determined in order of the number of items up for auction, starting with the user with the highest bid amount. For example, if one item is up for auction, the successful bidder is the user who bid the highest amount. If ten items are up for auction, the ten users with the highest bid amounts are selected as the successful bidders. On the other hand, the successful bidder determination unit 63 refunds special currency equivalent to the bid amount to users whose bid amount does not reach the bid amount and who are unable to win the bid for the item. Note that the refunded special currency can be used again for voting, but cannot be converted into currency.

The product selection unit 64 selects from among multiple products products that can be used in the auction based on the dividend awarded to the user. Specifically, it selects a product associated with the competition in which the dividend was awarded. It also selects products that can be bid on based on the amount of the dividend. Note that the number of products selected is not particularly limited and may be one or more.

The voting candidate selection unit 65 selects voting candidates (betting type, voting target, and voting amount) based on the bid amount or planned bid amount included in the bid-related information, and the current price of the product included in the product-related information. Specifically, for a user who has performed an operation to specify a product to be bid and a planned bid amount, a voting candidate that is likely to be awarded a dividend equal to or greater than the planned bid amount if the bet is successful is selected based on the planned bid amount, the current price of the product, and the voting candidate. At this time, if the specification acceptance unit 66, which will be described later, acquires information based on an item specification operation, the voting candidates are further narrowed down based on the specified items. In addition, for a user who has performed a voting operation and performed an operation to specify a product to be bid and a planned bid amount, if it is determined based on odds or the like that the bet will not reach the planned bid amount even if the bet is successful, a voting candidate that is an alternative to the voting candidate that has changed some of the items specified in the vote is selected. Furthermore, a voting candidate that will be awarded a dividend equal to or greater than the current price of the product if the bet is successful, that is, a voting candidate that is likely to be able to win the bid for the product, is selected. At this time, if the planned bid amount is specified by the user, a voting candidate that will be awarded a dividend equal to or greater than the difference between the planned bid amount and the current price is selected.

The designation reception unit 66 acquires information (data) based on an item designation operation performed by the user on the user terminal 12 by communicating with the user terminal 12. Specifically, during the reception period set for the competition related to the product that is the subject of the auction, information based on the item designation operation, which is an operation for narrowing down voting candidates, is acquired. The information based on the item designation operation is information for further limiting voting candidates from those narrowed down by the voting candidate selection unit 65, and includes information indicating the item designated by the user, such as information specifying items such as the betting type, betting target, or betting amount.

The group generation unit 67 groups users who have performed a bidding operation before the voting operation or before the winning vote result is known, that is, users who have performed an operation to specify the product to be bid and the planned bid amount.

The above describes the configuration of the server 10 and the user terminal 12. Generally, the server 10 and the user terminal 12 have various functions other than those described above, but here we will only describe the characteristic functions that provide the desired effect in the information processing system S of the present invention, and will not illustrate or describe other known functions, etc.

<Information processing flow according to one embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the flow of information processing for controlling an auction (hereinafter referred to as an auction control flow) among the information processing executed in the information processing system S configured as described above will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 16. The auction control flow employs the information processing method of the present invention, in other words, each step in the auction control flow corresponds to a component of the information processing method of the present invention.
It should be noted that the flow described below is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of steps may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Auction control flow (part 1)]
The auction control flow proceeds, for example, along the flow shown in FIG.
11, first, the server 10 (more specifically, the voting acceptance unit 52), which is a computer, accepts votes for a race from the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S101). Specifically, data indicating the betting details (betting type, betting object, and betting amount) specified by the user's voting operation is obtained.

After the game is over, the server 10 (more specifically, the payout awarding unit 54) determines whether the bet was correct (S102), and if the bet was correct (S102: YES), executes a payout awarding process (S103). Details of the payout awarding process (S103) will be described later.

Next, the server 10 (more specifically, the information distribution unit 61) distributes an auction list containing biddable items to the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S104). Specifically, the server 10 presents to the user items for which an auction is being held that are associated with the competition (items for which biddable items can be used with the payout) and that can be bid on within the payout amount range.

Then, when the server 10 (more specifically, the bid receiving unit 62) receives a bid from the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S105: YES), specifically, when data indicating the bid details (the bid target product and the bid amount) is acquired through the user's bidding operation, the server 10 executes a bid receiving process (S106). Details of the bid receiving process (S106) will be described later.

After that, when the server 10 (more specifically, the successful bidder determination unit 63) determines that the auction period has ended (S107: YES), it determines the successful bidder based on the bid amount (S108). Specifically, depending on the number of items that can be sold, the successful bidders are identified in order starting with the users with the highest bid amounts. Note that if the auction period has not yet ended (S107: NO), the state remains in which bids can still be accepted, i.e., the bid amount can be changed.

After the auction ends, the server 10 (more precisely, the successful bidder determination unit 63) determines whether or not the user has won the bid for the item (S109), and if the user has won the bid for the item (S109: YES), the item is awarded to the user (S110), and if the user has not won the bid for the item (S109: NO), the server 10 refunds the dedicated currency equivalent to the bid amount to the user (S111).

The server 10 (data generation unit 40) then updates various related information based on the results of the game and the auction (S112), and the server 10 (information distribution units 51, 61) notifies the user by distributing the results of the game and the auction to the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S113), and ends the process. Note that even if the vote is not correct (S102: NO) or if no bid is accepted from the user terminal 12 of the user during the auction period (S105: NO), the various related information is updated (S112), the user is notified (S113), and the process ends.
The above is an example of the auction control flow.

[Dividend awarding process]
Next, an example of the payout awarding process will be described with reference to FIG.
The dividend awarding process is a process executed by the server 10 (mainly the dividend awarding unit 54, etc.) and is a process executed in step S103 of the above-mentioned auction control flow. Specifically, it is a process of awarding dividends to users whose bets are correct.

As shown in FIG. 12, first, the server 10 (more specifically, the payout awarding unit 54), which is a computer, calculates a payout amount based on the betting amount and odds (S201), determines the type of payout (currency or dedicated currency) to be awarded in accordance with information based on the payout selection operation acquired from the user (S202), and awards the payout to the user (S203).
Then, the server 10 (data generation unit 40) updates various information such as user-related information (S204), and the server 10 (information distribution unit 51) notifies the user by distributing information regarding the awarded dividend to the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S205), and the processing is terminated.
The above is an example of the payout awarding process.

[Bid acceptance processing]
Next, an example of the bid acceptance process will be described with reference to FIG.
The bid acceptance process is a process executed by the server 10 (mainly the bid acceptance unit 62, etc.) and is a process executed in step S106 of the above-mentioned auction control flow. Specifically, it is a process of accepting bids for a product based on the bid contents specified by the user.

As shown in FIG. 13, first, the server 10 (more specifically, the bid receiving unit 62), which is a computer, determines whether the bid amount specified by the user is within the range of the dividend amount held by the user (S301), and if it is within the range of the dividend amount (S301: YES), reduces the dividend amount held by the user according to the bid amount (S302), and accepts the bid (S303).
Then, the server 10 (data generation unit 40) generates bid-related information and updates various information such as user-related information and product-related information (S304), and the server 10 (information distribution unit 61) distributes a bid completion notification to the user's user terminal 12 via the network 14 (S305), and the processing is terminated.
On the other hand, if the amount of the payout is outside the range (S301: NO), the bid is not accepted, a bid rejection notice is sent to the user terminal 12 of the user (S306), and the process ends.
The above is an example of the bid acceptance process.

[Auction control flow (part 2)]
The auction control flow may proceed along the flow shown in FIG.
14, first, the server 10 (more specifically, the bid receiving unit 62) which is a computer receives a designation of a product to be bid and a planned bid amount from the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S401). Specifically, data indicating the bid details (product to be bid and planned bid amount) is obtained through the user's bidding operation.

Next, the server 10 (more specifically, the information distribution unit 61, the voting candidate selection unit 65, and the designation reception unit 66) executes a voting candidate presentation process (S402). Details of the voting candidate presentation process (S402) will be described later.

Then, the server 10 (more specifically, the voting acceptance unit 52) accepts votes for the competition from the users' user terminals 12 via the network 14 (S403). After the competition ends, the server 10 (more specifically, the dividend awarding unit 54) determines whether the votes were correct (S404), and if the votes were correct (S404: YES), executes the dividend awarding process (S405). Details of the dividend awarding process (S405) are as described above.

Then, when the server 10 (more specifically, the bid receiving unit 62) receives a bid from the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S406: YES), specifically when data indicating a bid amount specified within the range of the planned bid amount by the user's bidding operation is acquired, the server 10 executes a bid receiving process (S407). Details of the bid receiving process (S407) are as described above.

After that, when the server 10 (more specifically, the successful bidder determination unit 63) determines that the auction period has ended (S408: YES), it determines the successful bidder based on the bid amount (S409). Note that if the auction period has not yet ended (S408: NO), the auction remains in a state in which bids can still be accepted, i.e., the bid amount can be changed.

After the auction ends, the server 10 (more precisely, the successful bidder determination unit 63) determines whether or not the user has won the bid for the item (S410), and if the user has won the bid for the item (S410: YES), the item is awarded to the user (S411), and if the user has not won the bid for the item (S410: NO), the server 10 refunds the dedicated currency equivalent to the bid amount to the user (S412).

The server 10 (data generation unit 40) then updates various related information based on the results of the game and the auction (S413), and the server 10 (information distribution units 51, 61) notifies the user by distributing the results of the game and the auction to the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S414), and ends the process. Note that even if the vote is not correct (S404: NO) or if no bid is accepted from the user terminal 12 of the user during the auction period (S406: NO), the various related information is updated (S413), the user is notified (S414), and the process ends.
The above is another example of the auction control flow.

[Voting Candidate Presentation Processing]
Next, an example of the voting candidate presentation process will be described with reference to FIG.
The voting candidate presentation process is a process executed by the server 10 (mainly the voting candidate selection unit 65, etc.) and is a process executed in step S402 of the above-mentioned auction control flow. Specifically, it is a process of selecting voting candidates in the game based on the planned bid amount specified by the user and presenting them to the user.

As shown in FIG. 15, first, the server 10 (more specifically, the voting candidate selection unit 65), which is a computer, selects voting candidates (betting type, voting target, and voting amount) based on the planned bid amount specified by the user (S501). Specifically, based on information such as the planned bid amount, the current price of the product, and the voting candidates (including odds), it selects voting candidates that are likely to award a payout equal to or greater than the planned bid amount if the bet is correct. Note that if a vote has already been made, an alternative voting candidate is selected.

Next, when the server 10 (more specifically, the voting candidate selection unit 65) receives an item designation from the user's user terminal 12 via the network 14 (S502: YES), specifically when the designation receiving unit 66 acquires data indicating the items designated by the user's item designation operation to narrow down the voting candidates, the server 10 further narrows down the voting candidates based on the designated items (S503).

Then, the server 10 (more specifically, the information distribution unit 61) distributes the voting candidates selected by the voting candidate selection unit 65 and narrowed down by the item specification to the user's user terminal 12 via the network 14 (S504), and ends the processing.
On the other hand, if no item designation has been received (S502: NO), the voting candidates selected by the voting candidate selection unit 65 are delivered to the user terminal 12 of the user via the network 14 (S504), and the process ends.
The above is an example of the voting candidate presentation process.

<Other embodiments>
Up to this point, specific examples have been given of the information processing device, information processing method, and program of the present invention, but the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other embodiments may also be considered.

In the above embodiment, the server computer (i.e., the server 10) functions as the information processing device of the present invention, but this is not limited to this, and some of the functions of the server 10 may be provided in the user terminal 12. For example, the functions of the game control unit 50 or the auction control unit 60 may be provided in the user terminal 12.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the user information, etc. is stored and held in a server computer (i.e., server 10), but a separate database server (not shown) may be provided and the information may be stored all together in the database server, or the information may be stored on the user terminal 12.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the provision of race-related information, calculation of odds, acceptance of bets, and refunds are also performed by a server computer (i.e., server 10), but all or part of the above processes may be performed by a server computer (public racing server) managed by the organization hosting the public racing event. Specifically, server 10 transmits and receives data and information to and from the public racing server, receives data including race-related information from the public racing server, and transmits data including user voting-related information to the public racing server. In this case, the public racing server indirectly accepts bets and issues refunds for each user.

In the above embodiment, the user predicts the outcome of the competition and casts their vote, but the user may also refer to the predictions of other users and cast their vote by piggybacking on those predictions. For example, a prediction support video may be distributed to the user as a video related to voting based on predictions of the outcome of the competition, and as a video to support the user's voting. In the prediction support video, at least one performer appears, and during the filming of the video, the performer predicts the outcome of the competition before it takes place, actually casts a vote, and checks whether or not their prediction was correct while watching the competition on TV or the like. The user can watch the prediction support video and use it as a reference when casting their vote.

In the above embodiment, a publicly managed race was assumed as an example of a competition. However, the content of the competition is not limited to this, and any competition in which a user can predict the outcome and place a bet may be used. For example, the competition may predict the outcome or content of a sporting event such as track and field, swimming, baseball, soccer, rugby, basketball, and martial arts such as boxing. The competition may also predict the outcome of a gaming tournament such as so-called e-sports.

<Summary>
The main features of the information processing device, information processing method, and program according to the above-described embodiment are as follows.

[1] The information processing device according to this embodiment has a vote acceptance unit that accepts votes from users predicting the outcome of a competition, a dividend awarding unit that awards dividends to users when their votes are correct, and an auction control unit that controls an auction in which users can bid on products using dividends within the amount of the awarded dividends.
According to the information processing device, even a user who lacks financial resources can be given the opportunity to win a bid for a product in an auction. That is, even if a user lacks financial resources, if his/her betting is correct, he/she can obtain sufficient funds to participate in the auction. In particular, since the funds to participate in the auction are obtained, it is possible to increase the motivation of the user to vote, and also to stimulate the gambling spirit of voting. Furthermore, since the dividend obtained by voting is necessary to participate in the auction, it is possible to limit the participants in the auction based on the voting results, and even a user with abundant financial resources cannot participate in the auction unless he/she votes correctly. In this respect, the successful bidders in the auction are not limited to users with abundant financial resources, and even a user who lacks financial resources can be given the opportunity to win a bid for a product in an auction.

[2] In the above information processing device, the dividend awarding unit awards a dividend in a value selected by the user from among currency or a value usable for voting or auction.
This not only increases the degree of freedom for users and improves user convenience, but also allows users to use all of the dividends they receive from voting in the auction, giving users who lack financial resources more opportunities to win products in the auction.

[3] In the above information processing device, the product is associated with a competition, and the auction control unit determines whether or not to allow participation in an auction in which bids can be made for the product, based on the voting results for the competition associated with the product.
This makes the conditions for participating in the auction even stricter, so that users who lack financial resources can be given even more opportunities to win products in the auction.

[4] In the above information processing device, the auction control unit determines a successful bidder for the product based on the bid amounts from users who are determined to be eligible to participate in the auction in which they can bid on the product.
This limits the successful bidders for the product to those who satisfy the conditions for participation in the auction, thereby providing users who lack financial resources with an even greater opportunity to win a bid for the product in the auction.

[5] In the above information processing device, the auction control unit selects an auction for a product for which bids can be made according to the amount of the dividend.
This allows an appropriate auction item to be automatically selected according to the amount of the dividend, improving user convenience and providing users with limited financial resources with an increased opportunity to win a bid for an item in an auction.

[6] In the above information processing device, the auction control unit allows the bid amount to be changed within the range of the payout if the bid amount is less than the possible bid amount for the product.
This allows users to change their bid amount depending on the bidding status of other users, improving user convenience and providing users with limited financial resources with an increased opportunity to win items in the auction.

[7] In the above information processing device, if the bid amount is less than the available bid amount for the product, the auction control unit refunds the bid amount to the user as a value that can be used for voting.
This allows a user to use the funds again to vote if they are unable to win a product, improving user convenience and providing users with insufficient funds with an even greater opportunity to win products in an auction.

[8] In the above-mentioned information processing device, when a user specifies a planned bid amount, the auction control unit presents to the user a selection of voting candidates that will be awarded a dividend equal to or greater than the planned bid amount if the bet is correct, narrowed down based on the items specified by the user.
This suggests voting candidates according to the planned bid amount, which not only improves user convenience but also gives users who lack financial resources more opportunities to win products in the auction.

[9] In the above-mentioned information processing device, the auction control unit accepts votes from users and, if the user specifies a planned bid amount and the vote is correct but does not meet the planned bid amount, presents the user with alternative voting candidates in which some of the items specified in the vote have been changed.
This suggests alternative voting candidates according to the planned bid amount, improving user convenience and providing users with limited financial resources with an increased opportunity to win products in the auction.

[10] In the above-mentioned information processing device, when multiple competitions are held and the auction allows bids to be made using the total of the payouts awarded in the multiple competitions, the auction control unit presents to the user, between the first and second competitions, the current bid amount for the product, or betting candidates that will be awarded a payout equal to or greater than the bid amount if the bet in the second competition is correct.
This allows the user to know the possible winning bid amount for the product, and furthermore, voting candidates according to the possible winning bid amount for the product are suggested, improving user convenience and providing users with insufficient financial resources with more opportunities to win products in the auction.

[11] In the above information processing device, when a planned bid amount is specified by a user, the auction control unit presents to the user voting candidates that will award a dividend that is equal to or greater than the difference between the planned bid amount and the possible winning bid amount.
This suggests voting candidates according to the planned bid amount and the possible winning bid amount of the product, improving user convenience and providing users with insufficient financial resources with an increased opportunity to win the product in the auction.

[12] In the above information processing device, the auction control unit groups a plurality of users who have specified planned bid amounts, and presents a vote received from one user belonging to the group to the other users belonging to the group.
This allows users to refer to the voting contents of other users, making it easier for them to take measures when selecting voting candidates, improving user convenience, and providing users who lack financial resources with an increased opportunity to win products in auctions.

[13] In the above information processing device, the auction control unit presents votes received from users who have a high track record of winning in past votes, among the users who belong to the group, to other users who belong to the group.
This allows users to select voting candidates by referring to the votes of other users who are likely to be correct, improving user convenience and providing users who lack financial resources with an increased opportunity to win products in an auction.

[14] In the above information processing device, the auction control unit presents votes received from users belonging to the group who have specified the highest planned bid amount for the competition associated with the product to other users belonging to the group.
This allows users to refer to the voting details of other users who are likely to be obstacles by offering high planned bid amounts, making it easier for them to take measures when selecting voting candidates, improving user convenience and providing users who lack financial resources with an increased opportunity to win products in the auction.

[15] Furthermore, according to the information processing method of this embodiment, a computer accepts votes from users predicting the outcome of a competition, and if the vote is correct, the computer awards a dividend to the user. The computer controls an auction in which bids for products can be made using the dividend within the amount of the awarded dividend.
According to the above information processing method, even users who lack financial resources can be given the opportunity to win a bid for a product in an auction.

[16] Furthermore, according to the program of this embodiment, a computer receives votes from users predicting the outcome of a competition, and if the vote is correct, a dividend is awarded to the user. The computer also controls an auction in which users can bid on products using the dividends up to the amount of the awarded dividend.
According to the above program, even users who lack financial resources can be given the opportunity to win products in an auction.

10 Server 12 User terminal 14 Network 21 Processor 22 Memory 23 Communication interface 24 Storage 25 Bus 30 Memory unit 40 Data generation unit 50 Game control unit 51 Information distribution unit 52 Vote acceptance unit 54 Selection acceptance unit 54 Dividend award unit 60 Auction control unit 61 Information distribution unit 62 Bid acceptance unit 63 Successful bidder determination unit 64 Auction selection unit 65 Vote candidate selection unit 66 Designation acceptance unit 67 Group generation unit G1 Voting screen G2 Bid screen G3 Reference screen S Information processing system

Claims (4)

a processor, the processor comprising:
Accept votes from users to predict the outcome of the competition,
When the user wins the vote, the user is prompted to select whether to receive a dividend in the form of a first value that can be used for the vote or a second value having a use different from that of the first value;
accepting bids for a product associated with the competition using the first value;
using the second value to disable the acceptance of bids for a product associated with the competition;
Information processing device. The processor accepts votes from users predicting the outcome of the competition;
a processor causing the user to select whether to receive a dividend in the form of a first value usable for the vote or a second value having at least a part different from the first value when the vote is a winning vote;
a processor accepting bids for a product associated with the competition using the first value;
a processor using the second value to disable acceptance of bids for a product associated with the competition;
Information processing methods. causing the processor to accept votes from users predicting the outcome of the competition;
a processor that, when the vote is a winning vote, allows the user to select whether to receive a dividend in the form of a first value that can be used for the vote or a second value having a use different from that of the first value;
causing a processor to accept bids for a product associated with the competition using the first value;
causing a processor to disable the acceptance of bids for a product associated with the competition using the second value;
program. A server and a terminal are included,
The server,
Votes for predicting the outcome of the competition are accepted from users' terminals,
When the user wins the vote, the user is prompted to select whether to receive a dividend in the form of a first value that can be used for the vote or a second value having a use different from that of the first value;
accepting bids for a product associated with the competition using the first value;
using the second value to disable the acceptance of bids for a product associated with the competition;
Information processing system.

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