JP7705100B2 - Information processing device, computer program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

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

In recent years, information processing devices have been developed that share information about publicly managed races. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that stimulates communication between people who have voted in a race from when the race objects reach the finish line until the race results are determined by comparing predicted information with provisional winning order information and changing the display content for the voters.

JP 2016-184382 A

By the way, the organizers of the competition have a need to have as many people as possible vote on the results of the competition. However, the information processing device described in Patent Document 1 only stimulates communication between people who have already voted in the public competition, and there is room for improvement in terms of increasing the number of new entrants.

The present invention aims to provide an information processing device and a computer program that promote an increase in new entrants to voting in competitions.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device that manages users' votes on the results of a competition is provided, the information processing device comprising a link information issuing unit, a user management unit, and a reward granting unit, the link information issuing unit issues link information associated with a first user, the user management unit registers the second user in association with the first user when the second user performs a predetermined operation via the link information, and the reward granting unit grants a reward to the first user associated with the second user when the second user casts a vote.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a reward is given to a first user based on a vote by a second user who performs a predetermined operation via link information associated with the first user, which motivates the first user to actively use the link information to promote voting in the competition, thereby promoting an increase in new entrants to voting in the competition.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of a vote management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal device 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 20. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control unit 21 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a link issuing management table T1, Fig. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a user management table T2, and Fig. 5C is a diagram showing an example of a vote management table T3. 13 is a diagram for explaining the voting amount of the second user U2 and the reward to the first user U1. A flow chart showing the processing flow of the vote management system 1. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the timing of a vote by a second user U2 and the reward to a first user U1 in a modified example. FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a vote management system 1 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit 21 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 11A is a diagram for explaining one aspect of the competition video 8. Fig. 11B is a diagram for explaining another aspect of the competition video 8. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a forecast disclosure screen 31 that discloses forecast information. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a first user U1 and a second user U2 in the first modified example. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a reward to a first user U1 according to a state of a second user U2 in a second modified example. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit 21 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 16A is a diagram for explaining one aspect of the competition video 8 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 16B is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a first user U1 and a second user U2.

Below, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. In addition, each feature can be an invention independently.

1. First embodiment
(1-1. Overview of Voting Management System 1)
A vote management system 1 in one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of user terminal devices 10 (an example of an "information processing device") and a server 20 (an example of an "information processing device").

The user terminal device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the server 20 via the communication line 5. The server 20 manages voting in public races. Here, a public race refers to a race in which spectators predict and bet on the results of races using bicycles, boats, motorcycles, race horses, etc. A user of the user terminal device 10 can predict the results of the race and operate the user terminal device 10 to place a bet on the public race on the server 20.

The server 20 provides the first user U1 with a URL (Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
The first user U1 issues link information such as a Video Locator (Video Locator for Video Locator) to the first user U1. The first user U1 attaches the link information to his/her own content such as his/her own blog, a video uploaded to a video viewing site, or a social networking service (SNS).

The second user U2 who has viewed the content of the first user U1, for example, registers as a member to the voting service S provided by the voting management system 1 via the link information. When the member registration is completed, the server 20 registers the first user U1 and the second user U2 in association with each other. The link information may be sent directly from the first user U1 to the second user U2 by email, SNS, or the like. For example, the link information may be sent to the second user U2 in an email newsletter that is periodically distributed by the first user U1.

After that, when the second user U2 votes in a public race managed by the server 20, the server 20 gives a reward to the first user U1. This motivates the first user U1 to actively promote his/her content to encourage voting in the public race managed by the server 20. Each component will be explained in detail below.

(1-2. Hardware configuration of the voting management system 1)
The hardware configuration of the vote management system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1-2-1. Hardware Configuration of User Terminal Device 10)
2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a user terminal device 10 according to this embodiment. The user terminal device 10 is an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and includes a touch panel display 14 capable of displaying images and receiving operations, a speaker 15 for outputting sound, a microphone 16 for inputting sound, and a camera 17 for capturing an image of a subject, as well as a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and an operation button 18.

The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microprocessor, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and controls the overall operation of the user terminal device 10.

A part of the storage unit 12 is composed of, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area when the control unit 11 executes processes based on various programs. In addition, a part of the storage unit 12 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data such as images and programs used for processing by the control unit 11.

The programs stored in the memory unit 12 include, for example, an OS (Operating System) for implementing the basic functions of the user terminal device 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, programs for implementing e-mail, web browsing, video playback, and various other functions, and include the computer program according to this embodiment.

The communication unit 13 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) and has a function of connecting to the communication line 5. Note that the communication unit 13 may have a function of connecting to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) instead of or together with the NIC, a function of connecting to a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), a function of enabling short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and infrared communication, etc.

The operation buttons 18 are provided on the side of the user terminal device 10 and include a power button for starting or stopping the user terminal device 10 and a button for adjusting the volume of the sound output by the speaker 15.

The control unit 11, memory unit 12, communication unit 13, touch panel display 14, speaker 15, microphone 16, camera 17, and operation buttons 18 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 19. Therefore, the control unit 11 can access the memory unit 12, display images on the touch panel display 14, grasp the operation state of the touch panel display 14 and the operation buttons 18 by the user, input sound to the microphone 16, output sound from the speaker 15, control the camera 17, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 13.

(1-2-2. Hardware configuration of server 20)
3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 20 according to this embodiment. The server 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls the overall operation of the server 20, and a storage unit 22 that is used as a work area when the control unit 21 executes various programs and in which various programs and various data are stored in advance. The following description will focus on the differences from the user terminal device 10.

The server 20 is connected to other information processing devices such as the user terminal device 10 via a communication line 5, and includes a communication unit 24 for transmitting and receiving various data between the other information processing devices. The server 20 may also include an operation input unit 25, which is configured with a keyboard, mouse, etc., and receives input for various operations, and a monitor 26, such as a liquid crystal display device, for displaying various images.

The control unit 21, memory unit 22, communication unit 24, operation input unit 25, and monitor 26 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 27.

(1-3. Functional configuration of the control unit 21)
The functions of the control unit 21 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 21 of the server 20 has functions as a link information issuing unit 21a, a user management unit 21b, and a reward granting unit 21c.

The link information issuing unit 21a issues link information associated with the first user U1. Here, the link information may be, for example, a URL that specifies a web page related to the voting service S provided by the voting management system 1, or a hyperlink that causes the user terminal device 10 to execute a function to install software related to the voting service S. In other words, the link information means information that causes the user terminal device 10 to transition to a different web page or execute a specific function.

When the second user U2 performs a predetermined operation via the link information, the user management unit 21b associates the second user U2 with the first user U1 and registers them in the storage unit 22. The predetermined operation includes an operation involving the transmission and reception of information required for the use of the voting service S by the user terminal device 10b. More specifically, the predetermined operation includes registering as a member of the voting service S, voting in public races managed by the voting management system 1, installing software (including so-called apps) with a function to realize the voting service S, registering an account required for voting, and submitting identification.

The reward granting unit 21c grants a reward to the first user U1 who is registered in association with the second user U2 when the second user U2 votes in a public race managed by the betting management system 1. Details of each function will be described later.

The above-mentioned functions may be realized by software appropriately installed on the server 20, or may be realized by hardware. When realized by software, the control unit 41 can realize various functions by executing the programs that constitute the software.

When the function is realized by executing a program, the program may be stored in the memory unit 22 built into the server 20, or may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium that is readable by a computer. The function may also be realized by reading out a program stored in an external storage device, so-called cloud computing. When the function is realized by hardware, it may be realized by various circuits such as an ASIC, an SOC, an FPGA, or a DRP. In addition, some of the above-mentioned functional configurations may be processed by the server 20 using software or hardware.

(1-4. User Management)
User management will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 5C. As shown in Figure 5A, the link issuance management table T1 stored in the storage unit 22 has an "issuing user" column and a "link information" column. Here, the "issuing user" corresponds to the first user described above. In this way, the first user and the link information are stored in association with each other in the link issuance management table T1.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the user management table T2 stored in the storage unit 22 has a "registered user" column, an "issuing user" column, and an "assigned points" column. Here, the "registered user" corresponds to the second user described above. In this way, the second user is registered in association with the first user in the user management table T2. Note that FIG. 5B illustrates an example in which there is no associated and registered issuing user for the "registered user" U2-002.

Here, the "Awarded Points" column refers to points that are granted to a newly registered second user. Points are a value that can be used for voting in public competitions managed by the voting management system 1. When the user management unit 21b associates the second user U2 with the first user U1 and registers the second user U2 in the user management table T2, it grants the second user U2 a value that can be used for voting. In this way, by granting the newly registered second user U2 a value that can be used for voting, it is possible to lower the psychological barrier to voting in public competitions.

As an example, the points can be exchanged for actual currency. However, it is preferable that the "awarded points" cannot be exchanged for currency and can only be used for voting. In this way, by making the awarded points unavailable for other purposes, the second user U2 is motivated to use the awarded points for voting.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the voting management table T3 stored in the memory unit 22 includes a "Registered User" column, a "Voting Amount" column, an "Issuing User" column, and a "Reward Amount" column. In the voting management table T3, a second user (i.e., a "Registered User") who voted in a public race managed by the voting management system 1 is associated with a first user (i.e., an "Issuing User") who is associated with the second user and stored. Furthermore, the amount of reward granted to the first user is stored as the "Reward Amount." The amount of reward granted to the first user will be explained below.

(1-5. Amount of Remuneration)
The amount of reward given to the first user by the reward giving unit 21c will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The reward to the first user is given using a predetermined value. The value used for the reward here may be cash, electronic money, virtual currency, etc., or may be points that can be used for voting in the voting management system 1 described above.

The reward granting unit 21c determines the amount of reward to be granted to the first user based on the amount of value (for example, the points mentioned above) voted by the second user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, if the second user U2-001 votes 500p (points) (first vote), 25p is granted to the first user U1-001 as a commission of 5% (corresponding to record No. 1 in FIG. 5C). In this way, the first user U1 is motivated to actively encourage the second user U2 to vote a larger amount.

The reward granting unit 21c may also be configured to grant an additional reward to the first user if the amount of the vote cast by the second user exceeds a predetermined amount. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a first threshold value (= 1000p) and a second threshold value (= 2000p) for the amount of the vote are set.

If the vote by the second user U2-001 is greater than or equal to the first threshold but less than the second threshold (second vote), 10% of the vote amount (an additional 5% commission compared to the first vote) or 120p is awarded to the first user U1-001 (corresponding to record No. 3 in FIG. 5C). Also, if the vote by the second user U2-003 is greater than or equal to the second threshold (third vote), 360p, which is 15% of the vote amount (an additional 10% commission compared to the first vote), is awarded to the first user U1-002 (corresponding to record No. 4 in FIG. 5C).

The additional reward when the first threshold is exceeded and the additional commission when the second threshold is exceeded may be allocated differently. For example, when the first threshold is exceeded, an additional 5% may be added as an additional commission, and when the second threshold is exceeded, an additional 10% may be added as an additional commission.

In addition, a period during which a vote is valid may be set for the reward granting unit 21c to grant a reward to the first user. For example, a reward may be granted to the associated first user U1 only if the second user U2 votes within a predetermined period after the second user U2 registers as a member of the voting service S.

(1-6. Processing flow of the voting management system 1)
7, the flow of processing in the vote management system 1 will be described. In step S110, the server 20 issues link information to the user terminal device 10a used by the first user U1. In step S210, the user terminal device 10a receives the link information.

In step S220, the first user U1 operates the user terminal device 10a to attach the received link information to his/her own content. In step S310, the second user U2 operates the user terminal device 10b to access the link information in the content of the first user U1 by performing an operation such as clicking on the link information.

In step S320, the second user U2 operates the user terminal device 10b to, for example, input and transmit registration information for member registration on the linked website. In step S120, the server 20 receives the registration information. In step S130, the server 20 performs registration processing on the user management table T2 in the memory unit 22.

In step S330, the second user U2 operates the user terminal device 10b to transmit the details of his/her bet on the public race managed by the betting management system 1. In step S140, the server 20 receives the details of his/her bet. In step S150, the server 20 adds a record to the betting management table T3 in the memory unit 22 and grants a reward to the first user U1. In step S230, the user terminal device 10a receives notification that the reward has been granted.

In step S340, the first user U1 operates the user terminal device 10b to transmit identification and account information. In step S160, the server 20 receives the identification and account information. In step S170, the server 20 registers the identification and account information in the memory unit 22.

(1-7. Modifications)

The voting management system 1 in the modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The reward granting unit 21c in the modified example determines the amount of reward to be granted to the first user U1 depending on the period from when the second user U2 performed a first predetermined operation (for example, registering as a member) to the most recent time when the second user U2 performed a second predetermined operation (for example, voting).

As shown in FIG. 8, the reward granting unit 21c determines the amount of reward to the first user U1 according to the length of the evaluation period, which is the period between the third vote, which is the most recent of the three votes cast by the second user U2, and membership registration. The evaluation period may be calculated in months or days. In determining the evaluation amount based on the length of the evaluation period, a threshold value for the period may be set in advance, and the reward amount may be increased each time the threshold value is exceeded, or the reward amount may be increased in proportion to the evaluation period.

By adopting this specification, a higher reward is given to the first user U1 who is associated with the second user U2 who has been voting for a longer period of time after registering as a member, which motivates the first user U1 to actively encourage the second user U2 to continue voting.

<2. Second embodiment>
(2-1. Video distribution by voting management system 1)
A voting management system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12. The voting management system 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the server 20 distributes competition videos 8. The following description will focus on the differences.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the first user U1 operates the user terminal device 10a to upload his/her own content video 7 to the server 20. The server 20 attaches the first user U1's content video 7 and link information 6 to a competition video 8 for a public race for which voting is managed, and distributes the competition video 8. The second user U2 can watch the distributed competition video 8 using the user terminal device 10b.

The method of distribution of the competition video 8 by the server 20 may be either live distribution or non-live distribution, but live distribution allows a greater sense of realism. In addition, either streaming or downloading may be used, but streaming distribution may be selected for live distribution.

The content video 7 of the first user U1 attached to the competition video 8 is, for example, a video predicting the outcome of the competition. In other words, the first user U1 can include a prediction about the outcome of the competition in the content video 7.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 21 of the server 20 further includes a prediction disclosure unit 21d and a video distribution unit 21e. When the prediction disclosure unit 21d receives a prediction for the outcome of the competition from the first user U1, it discloses the prediction to the second user U2 associated with the first user U1. The video distribution unit 21e distributes a content video 7 related to the competition predictions provided by the first user U1.

The competition video 8 distributed from the server 20 will be described with reference to Figures 11A and 11B. In Figure 11A, a content video 7 by the first user U1 is displayed so as to overlap with the competition video 8. The content video 7 contains the first user U1 describing the development and predictions for the upcoming competition (hereinafter referred to as the competition to be predicted), and the competition video 8 displayed at the same time is a past competition video of the athletes participating in the competition to be predicted that has been distributed.

As shown in FIG. 11B, a link icon 30 is displayed below the competition video 8 as the content video 7 progresses. When the first user U1 clicks on the link icon 30, a prediction disclosure screen 31 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The prediction disclosure unit 21d discloses the first user U1's prediction for the outcome of the competition to be predicted on the prediction disclosure screen 31 before the start of the competition to be predicted. This specification can provide an opportunity for the second user U2, who is not accustomed to voting, to vote for the outcome of the competition.

As shown in FIG. 12, the prediction disclosure screen 31 displays link information 6, prediction information 32, and runner information 33. Prediction information 32 is a prediction for the outcome of the race made by the first user U1. The second user U2 can vote for the race by clicking "Vote" in the link information 6. In addition, the second user U2 can register as a member in the voting management system 1 by clicking "Register as a member" in the link information 6.

The user management unit 21b registers the second user U2 who has performed a predetermined operation (in this example, "voting" or "member registration") via the link information 6 in the memory unit 22 in association with the first user U1.

The reward granting unit 21c may be configured to grant an additional reward to the first user U1 when the second user U2, who has confirmed the disclosed prediction information 32, casts a vote based on the prediction. Here, a vote based on a prediction may be a vote that completely matches the prediction made by the first user U1 (for example, a vote that includes all of 1. to 3. in the prediction information 32), or a vote that includes part of the same prediction made by the first user U1 (a vote that includes part of 1. to 3. in the prediction information 32). Or, it may be a vote that modifies part of the prediction made by the first user U1 (a vote that modifies part of 1. to 3. in the prediction information 32).

The additional reward (second reward) in the case of voting based on a prediction is merely a bonus for the second user U2 voting based on the prediction of the first user U1, and is preferably given in addition to the reward (first reward) given to the first user U1 for the vote by the second user U2 described in the first embodiment above. This specification motivates the first user U1 to disclose his/her prediction for the outcome of the competition and to increase the number of second users U2 who vote based on their own prediction information. In addition, the second user U2 will frequently vote based on the predictions of the first user U1, which have a high hit rate, which motivates the first user U1 to try to get the competition predictions right.

Here, the prediction disclosure unit 21d may also disclose predictions to a user not associated with the first user U1 (hereinafter referred to as the third user U3), and may disclose predictions to the second user U2 under more favorable conditions than the third user U3. For example, the third user U3 may check the predictions of the first user U1 for a fee, but may disclose the predictions to the second user U2 free of charge (or at a lower cost).

In this way, the second user U2 can check the predicted information of the associated first user U1 under favorable conditions, which motivates the second user U2 to vote via the link information of the first user U1. In addition, the second user U2 can check the predicted information of the first user U1 through the link information under favorable conditions, which motivates the second user U2 to watch the content video 7 of the first user U1.

The amount of the second reward may be set as an interest rate based on the amount of the vote of the second user U2, or may be a fixed amount for each vote. Alternatively, a threshold value for the amount of the vote may be set, and the reward amount may be increased each time the threshold is exceeded, or the reward amount may be increased in proportion to the amount of the vote.

The prediction disclosure unit 21d may also be configured to disclose to the third user U3 the predictions of the first user U1 for a competition related to the video when the third user U3 watches the content video 7 made by the first user U1, and to disclose predictions to the second user U2 even if the second user U2 has not watched the content video 7, as a favorable condition.

11A and 11B, for the third user U3, the link icon 30 is displayed a predetermined time after the content video 7 is distributed, but for the second user U2, the link icon 30 may be displayed simultaneously with the distribution of the content video 7. In this way, the third user must watch the content video 7 until he or she can confirm the predicted information 32, but the second user U2 associated with the first user U1 can see the predicted information at an early stage, which motivates the second user U2 to perform a predetermined operation from the link information associated with the first user.

(2-2. Modification 1)
The vote management system 1 in the modified example 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The modified example 1 differs from the above embodiment in that the association between the first user U1 and the second user U2 may or may not be changed depending on a predetermined operation by the second user U2.

In the second variant, the predetermined operations are classified into a first group and a second group. An example of the first group includes membership registration. An example of the second group includes voting.

When member registration is performed as an operation belonging to the first group, the user management unit 21b associates the first user U1 with the second user U2 in a manner that will not be changed thereafter (first association). On the other hand, each time voting is performed as an operation belonging to the second group, the user management unit 21b associates the first user U1 with the second user U2 in a manner that will be changed thereafter (second association).

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the second user U2 looks up membership information from the link information associated with the first user U1-001. Then, for the first to third races, he or she casts a vote from the link information associated with the content video of the first user U1-002, and for the fourth and fifth races, he or she casts a vote from the link information associated with the content video of the first user U1-003.

In this case, the reward granting unit 21c grants rewards to the first user U1-001 who has a first association with the second user U2 for all of the first to fifth races. On the other hand, the reward granting unit 21c grants rewards to the first user U1-002 who has a second association with the second user U2 only for the first to third races, and grants rewards to the first user U1-003 who has a second association with the second user U2 only for the fourth and fifth races.

In this way, the first association does not change, so the first reward is generated for all votes by the second user U2 to the associated first user U1-001. On the other hand, the second association is changed for each vote, and a reward is generated for each vote to the associated first user U1-002 or first user U1-003. This specification motivates the first user U1-001 to actively encourage the second user U2 to register as a new member, and also motivates the first user U1-002 to upload content videos 7, because an association (second association) is generated for votes by the second user U2 who is already registered as a member.

The first and second associations may be awarded the same amount of reward, or different amounts of reward. For example, the first user U1-001 who has been associated with the first association may be awarded 3 percent of the voting amount as a reward, and the first user U1-002 who has been associated with the second association may be awarded 5 percent of the voting amount as a reward. In this way, by making the reward for the second association higher than the reward for the first association, the first user U1-001 who has been associated with the first association is awarded a long-term reward, while the first user U1-002 who has been associated with the second association is motivated to upload content videos 7.

(2-3. Modification 2)
The voting management system 1 in the modified example 2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. The modified example 2 differs in that the amount of reward is changed depending on the state of the second user U2 who has performed a predetermined operation.

The state of the second user U2 can be classified according to time. As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, it may be before membership registration (first period), from membership registration to first vote (second period), from membership registration to watching the content video (third period), from watching the content video to before registering an account and submitting identification (fourth period), and before and after registering an account and submitting identification (fifth period). In this way, the state of the second user U2 may be classified according to time, and the amount of reward to the first user U1 may be changed depending on the state in which the second user U2 was when a specified operation was performed.

For example, if the second user U2 in the first period registers as a member via link information, the first user U1 associated with the link information may be given 5% of the voting amount of the second user U2 as the first reward. Also, if the second user U2 in the third period votes via link information, the first user U1 associated with the link information may be given 3% of the voting amount of the second user U2 as the first reward.

By adopting such specifications, the amount of reward to the first user U1 associated with the state of the second user U2 can be set more precisely, which motivates the first user U1 to actively promote the second user U2.

<3. Third embodiment>
A vote management system 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. The vote management system 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the above embodiment in that the amount of reward given to the first user U1 varies depending on the relationship between the first user U1 and the second user U2. The following description will focus on the differences.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 21 in the third embodiment further includes a relationship determination unit 21f. The relationship determination unit 21f determines the relationship between the first user U1 and the second user U2 based on the history of communication between the first user U1 and the second user U2. The reward granting unit 21c varies the amount of reward to be granted to the first user U1 based on the result of the determination by the relationship determination unit 21f.

The communication history may be, for example, a history of sending and receiving messages between the first user U1 and the second user U2, or an indicator of the evaluation from the second user U2 of the content video 7 uploaded by the first user U1.

In the competition video 8 shown in FIG. 16A, a "Like" icon 36 and a message icon 37 are displayed at the bottom of the content video 7. When the second user U2 wants to give a high rating to the content video 7 uploaded by the first user U1, the second user U2 presses the "Like" icon 36 to give a "Like". When the second user U2 wants to send a message to the first user U1, the second user U2 presses the message icon 37, enters the message, and sends it.

As an example, the relationship determination unit 21f determines the relationship between the first user U1 and the second user U2 based on the number of "likes" and messages given by the second user U2 to the first user U1. Here, the relationship determination unit 21f may calculate the evaluation points for the determination, for example, by assigning one "like" as 1 point and one message as 10 points.

In this case, in the example shown in FIG. 16B, the second user U2 has sent five messages to the first user U1-001 and given the first user U1-001 a "like" ten times, so the evaluation score for the relationship between the second user U2 and the first user U1-001 is 60 points. On the other hand, the second user U2 has sent three messages to the first user U1-002 and given the first user U1-002 a "like" five times, so the evaluation score is 35 points.

The reward granting unit 21c varies the amount of reward to be granted to the first user U1 based on the evaluation points calculated by the relationship determination unit 21f. Specifically, a threshold value for the evaluation points may be set and the reward amount may be increased each time the threshold value is exceeded, or the reward amount may be increased in proportion to the evaluation points.

This configuration motivates the first user U1 to promote communication with the second user U2. The second user U2 will use the voting service S more frequently through communication with the first user U1, and the second user U2 will more likely become a regular user of the voting service S.

4. Other embodiments
Although the embodiment and its modified examples of the present invention have been described above, the application of the present disclosure is not limited to the above. For example, in the above embodiment, the reward amount for the first user U1 is determined based on the voting amount for each vote cast by the second user U2, but the present disclosure is not limited to this aspect. For example, the reward amount for the first user U1 may be determined based on the cumulative amount of votes cast by the second user U2.

Specifically, a threshold may be set for the cumulative total of votes cast by the second user U2, and each time the cumulative total exceeds the threshold, additional rewards may be awarded to the first user U1.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the voting management system 1 managed votes for publicly managed races, but this is not limited to this aspect. In other words, the races for which votes are managed by the voting management system 1 are not limited to publicly managed races, but may be baseball or soccer games, or video games or computer game matches (so-called e-sports).

In the above embodiment, the user terminal device 10 etc. has been described as a terminal having a touch panel display 14 such as a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The user terminal device 10 may be realized by installing software on a home PC or the like, and may be configured to accept operations such as a mouse.

In addition, the sharing of specific information via the communication line 5 is mainly performed via a WAN such as the Internet, but between information processing devices, the sharing may be performed only via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and infrared communication without using a WAN.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example of a form in which each function is provided by the user terminal device 10 or the server 20 is described, but this is not limited to this form, and some functions may be provided by the user terminal device 10, the server 20, or both the user terminal device 10 and the server 20 in a form different from the above embodiment.

Furthermore, each step described in the above embodiment as being executed by the user terminal device 10 may also be executed by the server 20.

Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that stores the above-mentioned program.

5. Features of the embodiment
The features of the embodiments of the present invention are summarized below.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device that manages users' votes on the results of a competition, the information processing device comprising a link information issuing unit 21a, a user management unit 21b, and a reward granting unit 21c, in which the link information issuing unit 21a issues link information 6 associated with a first user U1, the user management unit 21b registers the second user U2 in association with the first user U1 when the second user U2 performs a predetermined operation via the link information 6, and the reward granting unit 21c grants a reward to the first user U1 associated with the second user U2 when the second user U2 casts a vote.

By configuring in this way, a reward is given to the first user U1 based on the vote of the second user U2 who performs a specified operation via the link information 6 associated with the first user U1, which motivates the first user U1 to actively engage in promotional activities encouraging voting in the competition using the link information 6.

The reward granting unit 21c may determine the amount of the reward based on the amount of value voted by the second user U2.

This configuration motivates the first user U1 to encourage the second user U2 to vote a larger amount.

When the user management unit 21b registers the second user U2 in association with the first user U1, the user management unit 21b may assign a value that can be used for voting to the second user U2.

By configuring in this way, the registered second user U2 is given value that can be used for voting, which can lower the psychological barrier for the second user U2 to voting in the competition.

The information processing device may further include a prediction disclosure unit 21d, which, upon receiving a prediction for the outcome of a competition from a first user U1, may disclose the prediction to a second user U2 associated with the first user U1.

This configuration allows the second user U2, who is not accustomed to voting, to vote in a competition because the first user U1's predictions can be confirmed and then voted for.

The reward granting unit 21c may grant an additional reward to the first user U1 if the second user U2, who has confirmed the disclosed prediction, votes based on the prediction.

This configuration motivates first user U1 to proactively disclose his/her predictions for the outcome of the competition, thereby increasing the number of second users U2 who vote based on their own prediction information.

The prediction disclosure unit 21d may disclose the prediction to a third user not associated with the first user U1, and may disclose the prediction to the second user U2 under more favorable conditions than the third user.

This configuration allows the user to check the predicted information of the associated first user U1 under favorable conditions, which motivates the user to perform a predetermined operation via the link information 6 of the first user U1.

The information processing device may further include a video distribution unit 21e, which distributes a video relating to predictions for a competition provided by a first user U1, and a prediction disclosure unit 21d which discloses the predictions of the first user U1 for a competition related to the video to a third user when the third user watches the video, and which discloses predictions to a second user U2 associated with the first user U1, even if the second user U2 does not watch the video, as a favorable condition.

With this configuration, the third user cannot check the predictions of the first user U1 without watching the video content, while the second user U2 can check the predictions of the first user U1 at an early stage, which motivates the second user U2 to perform a predetermined operation from the link information associated with the first user U1.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for causing a computer to function as an information processing device that manages users' votes on the results of a competition, the information processing method comprising: causing the computer to execute a link information issuing step, a user management step, and a reward granting step; in the link information issuing step, link information associated with a first user U1 is issued; in the user management step, when a second user U2 performs a predetermined operation via the link information, the second user U2 is associated with the first user U1 and registered; and in the reward granting step, when the second user U2 casts a vote, a reward is granted to the first user U1 associated with the second user U2.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device that manages users' votes on the results of a competition, the program causing the computer to execute a link information issuing step, a user management step, and a reward granting step, in which the link information issuing step issues link information associated with a first user U1, the user management step registers the second user U2 in association with the first user U1 when the second user U2 performs a predetermined operation via the link information, and the reward granting step grants a reward to the first user U1 associated with the second user U2 when the second user U2 casts a vote.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

1: Voting management system 5: Communication line 6: Link information 7: Content video 8: Competition video 10: User terminal device 11: Control unit 12: Memory unit 13: Communication unit 14: Touch panel display 15: Speaker 16: Microphone 17: Camera 18: Operation button 19: System bus 20: Server 21: Control unit 21a: Link information issuing unit 21b: User management unit 21c: Reward granting unit 21d: Prediction disclosure unit 21e: Video distribution unit 21f: Relationship determination unit 22: Memory unit 24: Communication unit 25: Operation input unit 26: Monitor 27: System bus 30: Link icon 31: Prediction disclosure screen 32: Prediction information 33: Runner information 36: Grant icon 37: Message icon 41: Control unit

Claims (4)

a processor, the processor comprising:
displaying, on a terminal of a second user, a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction by the first user for the outcome of the competition, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for member registration;
When the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, the second user is registered in association with the first user;
If the second user votes, a reward is awarded to the first user associated with the second user.
Information processing device. the processor displays, on the terminal of the second user, a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction by the first user for a result of the competition, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for member registration;
a processor that, when the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, registers the second user in association with the first user;
a processor that, if the second user votes, awards a reward to the first user associated with the second user;
Information processing methods. displaying, on a terminal of a second user, a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction by the first user for the outcome of the competition, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for member registration;
When the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, the second user is registered in association with the first user;
If the second user votes, a reward is awarded to the first user associated with the second user.
A program that causes a processor to execute a process. A server and a terminal are provided,
The server,
displaying, on a terminal of a second user, a screen including prediction information indicating a prediction by the first user for the outcome of the competition, first link information for voting based on the prediction, and second link information for member registration;
When the second user executes membership registration via the second link information, the second user is registered in association with the first user;
If the second user votes, a reward is awarded to the first user associated with the second user.
system.

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