JP2016045514A - Information provision device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for enabling a voting ticket to be purchased by designation of a popularity order in the manner that meets the wish of a purchase applicant.SOLUTION: A popularity order odds file generation unit 42 generates, for each track, race, and kind of ticket, an odds file in which odds information is stored in a popularity order odds file storage unit 43. A popularity order odds file processing unit 45 updates an odds file group 43a stored in the popularity order odds file storage unit 43. A popularity order number extraction unit 46 extracts, according to a request from a voting terminal device, the object of voting (set number) corresponding to the track, race, kind of ticket, and popularity order designated by a purchase applicant. The extracted set number is transmitted to the voting terminal device via a communication unit 47 by a main control unit 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for a purchase applicant to purchase a voting ticket in a public competition race.

  Public competition is a professional sport held as gambling. The voting ticket purchaser can purchase the voting ticket by predicting the race results, that is, the order of arrival of the competitors (in this case, horses on which the riders are riding), for each ceremony. .

  The prediction of the race result is usually made by considering various information such as the competitor's past results, the athlete's condition on the day of the race, and odds. However, advanced knowledge and experience are required for appropriate examination of such information. Therefore, especially for beginners, the prediction of a race result is not only time consuming but also difficult. For this reason, it is considered that even beginners can easily purchase voting tickets. As one method that enables easy purchase of voting tickets, designation of popularity ranking is considered.

  The odds represent a payout rate for each voting target, and the higher the popularity ranking, the lower the value. As a result, the odds are information representing the popularity ranking of the vote target for each formula. From this, the purchase applicant can confirm the popularity ranking of each voting object by the odds.

  The popularity ranking represents the high probability (expected win rate) that a payout can be obtained by specifying a vote target. For this reason, when purchasing a voting ticket based on the designation of popularity ranking, the purchase applicant may consider the payout rate, the expected winning rate, and the like.

  In odds, not all of the voting targets are in different rankings. That is, a plurality of voting objects may have the same rank. Usually, the purchase applicant decides the purchase amount and purchases a voting ticket for each voting target. Therefore, it can be said that in the purchase of a voting ticket specifying the popularity ranking, it is necessary to consider the number of voting objects in the designated ranking. This is because if the purchase price for one vote is fixed, the total purchase price changes depending on the number of votes, and if the total purchase price is fixed, the purchase price for one vote changes depending on the number of votes. It is. That is, in any case, the voting ticket cannot be purchased with an amount as expected by the purchase applicant. Thereby, in the purchase of a voting ticket by specifying the popularity ranking, it is considered necessary to be able to purchase the voting ticket in accordance with the desire of the purchase applicant.

JP 2001-222671 A JP 2002-117427 A JP 2002-207843 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-227002

  An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique for enabling purchase of a voting ticket by designating a popularity ranking in accordance with a desire of a purchase applicant.

  One system to which the present invention is applied includes a storage unit storing popularity order information representing popularity order of votes to be voted for each race of public competition and for each ceremony for which a voting ticket can be purchased in the race, and the storage unit Referring to the above, the specifying unit that specifies the voting target that satisfies the specified condition including the order of popularity and the order specified by the terminal device, and the specifying unit specifies a plurality of voting targets that satisfy the specified condition. A control unit that notifies the terminal device of one or more voting objects extracted from the plurality of voting objects.

  In the case of applying the present invention, a purchase applicant can purchase a voting ticket by designating a popularity ranking in accordance with his / her desire.

It is a figure explaining the structural example of the voting system constructed | assembled using the information provision apparatus by this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function structural example of a voting terminal device. It is a figure explaining the function structural example of an information server. It is a figure explaining the function structural example of an inquiry terminal device. It is a figure explaining an example of a popularity order vote card. It is a figure explaining an example of a voting ticket issued by designation of popularity ranking. It is a figure explaining the structural example of an odds file, (a) is this embodiment, (b) is a modification. It is a figure explaining the example of a popularity order selection screen. It is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the process which a voting terminal device, an information server, and a voting server perform when a purchase applicant purchases a voting ticket. It is a flowchart of voting object specific processing. It is a flowchart of a group number extraction process. It is a figure showing the structural example of the information processing apparatus which can be used as an information server which is the information provision apparatus by this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a voting system constructed using the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This voting system is a system that is constructed so that, for example, a person who visits a public stadium or an off-site voting ticket issuing place can purchase a voting ticket. As shown in FIG. 1, this voting system is constructed by connecting a voting server 2, an information server 4, a plurality of voting terminal devices 6, and an inquiry terminal device 8 to a network 1. The information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment is realized in the form of an information server 4.

  The type of public stadium is not particularly limited, but here a racetrack is assumed as a public stadium. The voting system may be a system that targets even those who do not come to the racetrack (public stadium) and the voting ticket office.

  The voting server 2 is a server that performs processing related to the issuance of voting tickets. The voting terminal device 6 is a terminal device that is assumed to be used by those who wish to purchase voting tickets, and communicates with the voting server 2 to issue voting tickets. The information server 4 is a server that provides information requested from the voting terminal device 6 or the inquiry terminal device 8. The user of the inquiry terminal device 8 can confirm information provided by the information server 4. The voting server 2, the information server 4, the voting terminal device 6, and the inquiry terminal device 8 will be described in detail with reference to various explanatory diagrams of FIGS.

  The voting terminal device 6 reads a voting card inserted by a person who wants to purchase a voting ticket and issues a voting ticket. The purchase applicant can purchase a voting ticket using the voting terminal device 6.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the voting terminal apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the voting terminal device 6 includes a main control unit 61, a display unit 62, a voting ticket issue unit 63, a banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 64, a popularity order voting terminal operation setting unit 65, a journal information storage unit 66, a screen. An input unit 67, a voting card reading unit 68, a coin deposit / withdrawal unit 69, a popularity order voting availability determination unit 70, and a communication unit 71 are provided.

  The main control unit 61 controls the voting terminal device 6 as a whole. The display unit 62 is used to display information to be presented to the user (mainly the purchase applicant). The betting ticket issuing unit 63 issues a betting ticket that the user desires to purchase under the control of the main control unit 61. The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 64 deposits banknotes inserted by the user for purchase of voting tickets, and dispenses banknotes to be returned to the user.

  Each voting ticket terminal device 6 corresponds to a voting card (hereinafter referred to as “popular order voting card”) that specifies a popularity ranking (also expressed as “popular order”). The popularity order voting terminal operation setting unit 65 sets an operation at the time of issuing a voting ticket using a popularity order voting card. The operation to be set will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the popularity order voting card. Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the example of the popularity order vote card 500 is demonstrated concretely. Here, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 shows the popularity order voting card 500 after the mark is entered.

  On the popularity order voting card 500, mark areas 501 and 502 are provided at two ends in the longitudinal direction. In each of the mark areas 501 and 502, a plurality of marks representing the types of voting cards are printed. Thereby, the voting terminal device 6 can determine (specify) the type of the inserted voting card by reading the mark in the mark area 501 or 502.

  On the popularity order voting card 500, there are a previous day area 511, a place name area 512, a race number area 513, a popularity order selection area 514, and an amount designation area 515 as an entry area on which the applicant wishes to enter a mark. Is provided.

  The previous day area 511 is an area for allowing the purchase applicant to specify whether or not he / she wishes to purchase a voting ticket for a race to be held on the next day. If you wish to purchase a voting ticket the day before the race date, you can mark it.

  The field name area 512 is an area for allowing a purchase applicant to designate a racetrack where a purchase desired race is held. The race number area 513 is an area for allowing a purchase applicant to designate a purchase desired race. The popularity order selection area 514 is an area for allowing a purchase applicant to designate a popularity order for each expression. In the present embodiment, the purchase applicant can select a desired formula from the following formulas: single win, double win, double frame, single frame, common horse, double horse, wide, triple, and triple. Can be selected. A plurality of formulas can be selected, and for each formula, the purchase applicant can designate a maximum of 10 ranks from 1 to 10. By specifying the rank, the expression is also specified.

  The reason why the order that can be specified by each formula is set to be between 1 and 10 because it is assumed that those who wish to purchase voting tickets specifying the popularity order specify a relatively high order. is there. Since a mark entry column is provided for each numerical value of 1 to 10, it is possible to designate a maximum of 10 ranks. The popularity order voting card 500 shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and an arbitrary rank may be designated for each expression. It should be noted that a cancellation column may be provided for each column of the popularity order selection area 514 so that an entry error or cancellation after entry is possible.

  The money designation area 515 includes a money area 515a per unit and a unit area 515b. In the amount area 515a per point, numerical values of 1 to 5, 10, 20, and 30 are printed, and the purchase applicant designates a desired numerical value with one or more marks. . The unit area 515b is an area for designating the unit of the numerical value designated in the amount area 515a per point. Accordingly, for example, when the numerical value designated in the amount area 515a per point is “15” and the unit designated in the unit area 515b is “thousand yen”, the purchase amount for one point, that is, one voting unit is 10,000. It will be 5,000 yen.

  The popularity order voting card 500 is provided with the areas 511 to 515 as described above. Therefore, in the popularity order voting card 500 in which the mark is filled as shown in FIG. 5, a voting ticket is given for 100 yen for the third popularity of the A-field 1 race, and for 100 yen for the popularity of the 1-game 3 races. Can be purchased.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a voting ticket issued by designation of popularity ranking.
In FIG. 6, “triple unit” in the notation 600 a represents a formula specified by the purchase applicant. “9” indicates that the popularity ranking notation 600b designated by the purchase applicant is 9. The combination of three numerical values “3-7-12” represents that the notation 600c of the voting target having the ninth popularity rank is a combination of “3”, “7”, and “12” with horse numbers.

  The odds are updated sequentially until the vote is closed. As time passes, the ranking of voting targets may change. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a notation 600d notation of the update time of the odds at the time of purchase of the voting ticket 600 is printed on the voting ticket 600. Also, in the voting ticket 600, as shown in the notation 600e, the popularity ranking such as “The popularity ranking is the popularity ranking at the time of purchase (voting) and not the final ranking (final ranking)” is purchased (voting). You may make it print the note etc. to the effect of time.

  Further, the voting ticket 600 is printed and issued for each expression, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of expressions may be printed and issued on one voting ticket 600.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The journal information storage unit 66 stores information such as a communication history with the voting server 2 or the information server 4. The display unit 62 is provided with, for example, a touch panel, and the screen input unit 67 performs input processing according to an operation on the touch panel. The voting card reading unit 68 reads the voting card inserted by the user.

  The coin deposit / withdrawal unit 69 is a function for depositing a coin inserted by a user for purchase of a voting ticket and for dispensing a coin to be returned to the user.

  The popularity-order voting permission determination unit 70 determines whether or not a voting ticket can be purchased using a popularity-order voting card inserted by a user. If the popularity order voting card 500 is inserted such that the designated content is inappropriate (for example, there is an inappropriate mark) or a race for which the popularity ranking is not valid is selected, whether the popularity order voting is permitted The determination unit 70 does not issue a voting ticket.

  The communication unit 71 enables communication with an external device via the network 1. Communication with the voting server 2 and the information server 4 is performed via the communication unit 71.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a functional configuration example of the information server.
The information server 4 is a computer (information processing apparatus) installed for storing and providing various information including odds. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information server 4 includes a main control unit 41, a popularity order odds file generation unit 42, a popularity order odds file storage unit 43, a timing unit 44, a popularity order odds file processing unit 45, and a popularity order set number extraction. Unit 46 and communication unit 47.

  The main control unit 41 controls the entire information server 4. The popular order odds file generation unit 42 generates an odds file storing odds information on the popular order odds file storage unit 43 for each racetrack, race, and formula. The odds file is generated, for example, according to a predetermined schedule.

  The popular order odds file storage unit 43 is used to store the generated odds file. Reference numeral 43 a denotes an odds file group stored on the popular order odds file storage unit 43. The odds file group 43a includes an odds file for each expression of each race in each field.

The time measuring unit 44 is a function for measuring time.
The popularity order odds file processing unit 45 updates the odds file group 43 a stored in the popularity order odds file storage unit 43. The update is performed, for example, by acquiring data (for example, difference) related to voting from the voting server 2. By the popular order odds file processing unit 45, the odds file generated for each racetrack, race, and expression is sequentially updated.

  In the present embodiment, the user of the inquiry terminal device 8 is allowed to confirm odds by designating the date and time. Therefore, the update of the odds file is performed by generating and saving another odds file.

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams for explaining a configuration example of the odds file. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are odds files in which the formulas are single wins, FIG. 7 (a) is the embodiment, and FIG. 7 (b) is a modified odds file. Each file configuration example is shown. Here, a configuration example of the odds file will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

  The odds file 700 has an entry (record) for each vote target. Each entry stores information of item number 702, number 704, previous odds 706, odds 708, ranking 710, and odds fluctuation rate 712, as shown in FIG. 7A.

  The item number 702 is identification information assigned to the entry. In this embodiment, integers are assigned in ascending order from 1.

  A number 704 is information representing a vote target. Since identification of the odds file 700 shown in FIG. 7A is a single win, there is only one numerical value written as a specific example of the number.

  At present, according to formulas that can be specified in horse racing, the number (number) is between 1 and 3 depending on the formula. As a result, the numbers by formula are collectively referred to as “set numbers”. The “number” is used only when a single win is assumed for each formula.

The previous odds 706 is information representing the previous odds value (previous odds value), and the odds 708 is information representing the latest odds value (latest odds value). The rank 710 is information representing the popularity rank according to the latest odds value. The odds fluctuation rate 712 is information representing the degree of fluctuation from the immediately preceding odds value to the latest odds value. The odds fluctuation rate (%) 712 is calculated as follows, for example.
Odds change rate = ((previous odds value-latest odds value) / latest odds value) · 100

  In FIG. 7A, the latest odds value 708 is the same for two entries with numbers (horse numbers) 704 of “16” and “5”. Thereby, the ranking 710 of the two entries is the same “2”. However, the item number 702 is “2” for the entry whose number 704 is “16” and “3” for the entry whose number 702 is “5”. In the present embodiment, the assignment of item numbers between a plurality of entries having the same rank according to odds is performed using the odds fluctuation rate as an index. This is because, among a plurality of entries having the same ranking by odds, an entry having a larger odds fluctuation rate can be expected to have a higher popularity ranking among the plurality of entries. In other words, it can be expected that the rearrangement of entries (change in the assignment of item numbers) when the next odds file 700 is updated can be further suppressed. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the item number 702 assigned to each entry is determined in consideration of the odds fluctuation rate 712 in addition to the latest odds value 708. The index is not limited to the odds fluctuation rate because it only needs to be useful for predicting the future ranking. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the fluctuation range of odds may be used. If the value of the odds 708 is the same as in “item number 2” and “item number 3” in FIG. 7B, the future rank may be predicted based on the odds fluctuation range 714.

The odds fluctuation range 714 is expressed by the following calculation formula, and ranks higher as the difference of “+: (plus)” increases. Further, it is assumed that “−: (minus)” is small.
Odds fluctuation range = previous odds-odds

  The popular order group number extraction unit 46 responds to a request from the voting terminal device 6 or the like, a voting object (set number (this group number is a horse number) corresponding to a place designated by a purchase applicant, a race, a ceremony, and a popularity order. And a combination of frame numbers))). The extraction of the set number by the popular set number extracting unit 46 is performed under the control of the main control unit 41.

  The communication unit 47 is a function that enables communication with the voting server 2 and each voting terminal device 6 via the network 1.

  When the popularity ranking voting card 500 is inserted, the voting terminal device 6 inquires of the information server 4 about the group number by designating the place, race, type, and popularity ranking. However, in the popularity ranking by odds, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, there may be a plurality of voting objects having the same ranking. For this reason, in this embodiment, the selection method of the voting target when there are a plurality of voting targets of the same rank is also specified in the information server 4.

  As described above, the popularity order voting terminal operation setting unit 65 of the voting terminal device 6 sets the operation at the time of issuing a voting ticket using the popularity order voting card. In this embodiment, as one of the operations, the purchase requester is made to set a method for selecting a voting target to be actually purchased from a plurality of voting targets having the same rank.

  In the present embodiment, the selection method for voting is selected from two types: a method for automatically selecting the information server 4 (automatic selection method) and a method for selection by the purchase applicant (manual selection method). I try to let them. In this selection method, for example, after confirming that the popularity order voting card 500 is appropriate, the purchase applicant is set. The selection method is set on the display unit 62 under the control of the main control unit 61. This is performed by displaying necessary information, causing the screen input unit 67 to detect an operation performed by the purchase applicant, and causing the popularity order voting terminal operation setting unit 65 to process the detection result. The setting result of the selection method is transmitted to the information server 4 via the main control unit 61 and the communication unit 71.

  The main control unit 41 of the information server 4 outputs various data received from the voting terminal device 6 for extracting the set number to the popular order set number extracting unit 46, and causes the set number to be extracted. At this time, when there is only one voting target with the designated rank, the popularity order group number extraction unit 46 extracts the number information (group number) of the entry with the designated rank. When there are a plurality of voting objects of the designated rank, the popularity order set number extraction unit 46 extracts number information as follows according to the designated selection method.

  When the automatic selection method is designated as the selection method, the popular order number extraction unit 46 extracts only the number information of entries whose item numbers match the designated order. When the manual selection method is designated as the selection method, the popular order number extraction unit 46 extracts number information from all the entries of the designated rank.

  The main control unit 41 notifies the voting terminal device 6 of the extracted number information as a response to the inquiry when there is only one number information extracted by the popular order number extraction unit 46. When there is a plurality of pieces of number information extracted by the popular order number extraction unit 46, the extracted number information is notified to the voting terminal device 6 as a response to the inquiry.

  The notification of a plurality of pieces of number information (group numbers) from the information server 4 means that the voting target to be actually purchased is not fixed in the order specified by the purchase applicant. From this, when a plurality of set numbers are notified (returned) from the information server 4, the main control unit 61 of the voting terminal device 6 wants to purchase a voting ticket from the notified set numbers. Control to make the purchaser select the number.

  In that case, the main control unit 61 generates a popularity order selection screen as shown in FIG. 8 and causes the display unit 62 to display the vote order ticket by an operation to the popularity order selection screen detected by the screen input unit 67. Identify the group number that should be purchased. In this way, when the purchase applicant sets the manual selection method, the purchase applicant desires to select the desired combination number from among the combination numbers of the same rank. The group number selected by the purchase applicant is transmitted to the voting server 2, and the voting ticket of the group number is issued.

  In the popularity order selection screen 800 shown in FIG. 8, a win is designated as the formula 802, 2 (second popularity) is designated as the popularity ranking 804, and two set numbers 806 (here, one horse number each) are extracted. Is the case. Each pair number 806a, 806b presents the odds fluctuation rate in addition to the purchase amount and the odds value. As a result, the purchase applicant can select the group number in consideration of the odds fluctuation rate.

  A “select” button 808 is arranged for each group number. The purchaser can operate the “selection” button 808a or 808b of the group number for which the voting ticket is desired to be purchased to make the group number 806 selected. Thereafter, by operating the “Purchase” button 810, the purchase applicant can purchase the voting ticket of the set number 808 a or 808 b in the selected state. In the present embodiment, a plurality of group numbers are selected so that multiple types of voting tickets can be purchased. In FIG. 8, buttons and the like for instructing cancellation of voting ticket purchase are omitted.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of voting objects of the specified popularity ranking, one of the plurality of voting objects is automatically selected, or among the plurality of voting objects Ask the purchaser to select the voting target to purchase the voting ticket. The automatic selection of the voting object and the selection of the voting object by the purchase applicant himself / herself can be selected by the purchase applicant through the setting. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of voting targets that satisfy the conditions specified by the purchase applicant, he / she can purchase the voting ticket in the form he / she desires.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing apparatus that can be used as an information server that is the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Here, a configuration example of an information processing apparatus that can be used as the information server 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the information processing apparatus includes a CPU 401, an FWH (Firm-Ware Hub) 402, a memory (memory module) 403, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 404, a hard disk device (HD) 405, a controller 406, and A BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) 407 is provided. This configuration is an example, and the configuration of the information processing apparatus that can be used as the information server 4 is not limited to that shown in FIG.

  The FWH 402 is a memory that stores firmware. This firmware is read by the CPU 401 into the memory 403 and executed. In order to realize the OS (Operating System) and the main control unit 41, the popular order odds file generation unit 42, the popular order odds file processing unit 45, and the popular order set number extraction unit 46 shown in FIG. One or more application programs (hereinafter referred to as “information providing application”) are stored. The CPU 401 can read and execute the OS and the information providing application from the hard disk device 405 via the controller 406 after the activation of the firmware is completed. Communication via the NIC 404 is enabled by starting up the OS.

  The information providing application may be stored in a storage other than the hard disk device 405 or a recording medium. The storage or recording medium may be accessible by an external device that can communicate with the NIC 404 via the network 1 (or another network). Therefore, the information providing application may be received from an external device.

  The BMC 407 is a dedicated management device for managing the information processing device. The BMC 407 performs on / off of the CPU 401, monitors errors occurring in each component, and the like.

  In the information processing apparatus configured as described above, the communication unit 47 is the NIC 404. The popular order odds file storage unit 43 is realized by, for example, the memory 403, the hard disk device 405, and the controller 406. The timer unit 44 is a hard timer mounted on the CPU 401, for example.

  In the above assumption, the main control unit 41, the popularity order odds file generation unit 42, the popularity order odds file processing unit 45, and the popularity order composition number extraction unit 46, the CPU 401 stores the information providing application on the hard disk device 405 in the memory 403. This is realized by reading out and executing. Therefore, all of these are realized by the CPU 401, FWH 402, memory 403, hard disk device 405, and controller 406.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the inquiry terminal device.
This inquiry terminal device 8 is a terminal device installed so that visitors can check the odds of each race. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the inquiry terminal device 8 includes a main control unit 81, a display unit 82, an input unit 83, and a communication unit 84.

  The main control unit 81 controls the entire inquiry terminal device 8. The display unit 82 is used to display information to be displayed to the user. The input unit 83 is a function used for inputting information necessary for the user. The communication unit 84 enables communication with the information server 4 and the like via the network 1.

  In confirming the odds, the user can designate the date and time when the user wishes to confirm the odds. This is because the odds file 700 is updated sequentially. Thereby, the user can confirm the change of odds accompanying the update in the same race.

  The odds file 700 corresponding to the date and time specified by the user (actually, other fields, races, and expressions are specified) is read by the main control unit 41, for example. Information extracted by the main control unit 41 from the file 700 is transmitted to the inquiry terminal device 8 via the communication unit 47. Thereby, the user of the inquiry terminal device 8 can confirm the desired odds.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the voting terminal device, the information server, and the voting server when a purchase applicant purchases a voting ticket. Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the processing executed by the voting terminal device 6, the information server 4, and the voting server 2 when a purchase applicant purchases a voting ticket using the voting terminal device 6 will be described in detail. To do. Here, the description will be made with attention paid to the functional configuration. In FIG. 9, for convenience, it is assumed that a purchase applicant purchases a voting ticket using the popularity order voting card 500.

  For example, the purchase applicant inserts a voting card in which a necessary mark is filled into the voting terminal device 6 after making a deposit necessary for purchasing a voting ticket. The inserted voting card is detected by, for example, a sensor constituting the voting card reading unit 68, and the detection result is notified to the main control unit 61 of the voting terminal device 6. Accordingly, the inserted voting card is conveyed and read by the voting card reading unit 68 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 61. The result of the reading is output to, for example, the main control unit 61 and the popularity order voting availability determination unit 70, and the popularity order voting availability determination unit 70 determines the type of the voting card (SA1).

  If the vote order determination unit 70 determines that the vote card type is the popularity vote card 500, then it is determined whether or not the sale of the designated voting ticket for the designated race has started. (SA2). The transition to SA3 is performed when the voting ticket can be sold.

  Each voting terminal device 6 specifies the date and time (schedule) for starting sales of voting tickets for each place and each race, for example, by notification from the voting server 2 or the information server 4. The popularity order voting permission determination unit 70 stores the specified date and time as information, and uses it to determine whether or not voting tickets can be sold.

  In SA3, the main control unit 61 controls the display unit 62, the screen input unit 67, and the popularity order voting terminal operation setting unit 65 to cause the purchase applicant to set a method for selecting a vote target. After the setting, the main control unit 61 describes the set selection method (indicated as “terminal operation setting” in FIG. 9; hereinafter, this notation is used), the place, race, and expression designated by the popularity order voting card 500. Another information is sent to the information server 4 for inquiry together with voting data including popularity ranking.

  The main control unit 41 of the information server 4 controls the popularity order set number extraction unit 46 and sets the voting target (set number corresponding to each formula) using the terminal operation settings and the voting data received from the voting terminal device 6. The voting target specifying process for specifying and notifying the specified voting target is executed (SB1). As a result, a set number (number information) corresponding to the voting data is transmitted to the voting terminal device 6 as a response to the inquiry.

  In the popularity order voting card 500 shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of ranks can be designated for each expression in a designated place and race. The voting data is information generated for each formula, and there are as many popular orders as 1 to 10 in one voting data. In FIG. 9, for convenience, it is assumed that only one vote information having only one popularity order is transmitted from the voting terminal device 6 to the information server 4. Also, it is assumed that there is only one vote target in the specified popularity order, or that the terminal operation setting is an automatic selection method.

  The main control unit 61 of the voting terminal device 6 that has received the set number as a response to the inquiry generates voting data using the set number instead of the popularity order, transmits the generated voting data to the voting server 2, A voting process is requested (SA4).

  The voting server 2 determines whether or not voting is possible based on the received voting data, and returns the determination result to the voting terminal device 6 (SC1).

  When the reply from the voting server 2 indicates that voting is possible, the main control unit 61 of the voting terminal device 6 outputs the voting data that is allowed to be voted to the voting ticket issuing unit 63 together with the purchase price and the popularity order. Then, the voting ticket 600 on which the voting data and the popularity order are printed is issued (SA5). If there is a voting card to be inserted thereafter, the purchase applicant inserts another voting card (SA5 → SA1). If there is no other voting card to be inserted, the series of processes of the voting terminal device 6 ends here. If there is a surplus in the deposit amount, the series of processing ends after the purchase applicant has refunded the surplus amount.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the voting target specifying process executed by the information server 4 as the SB1. This voting target specifying process is a process executed to respond to the reception of the voting data by the popularity order voting card 500 from the voting terminal device 6 and the terminal operation setting, and the CPU 401 executes the information providing application. This is realized. Next, the voting target specifying process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The description here is made assuming the configuration example shown in FIG.

  The voting data and the terminal operation setting transmitted from the voting terminal device 6 are received by the NIC 404 of the information server 4, and the NIC 404 notifies the CPU 401 of the reception. Thereby, the CPU 401 acquires the voting data received by the NIC 404 and the terminal operation setting (S11).

  Next, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the received voting data is appropriate (S12). If the received voting data is for a race that does not sell voting tickets, the voting data is inappropriate, so the determination in S12 is NO and the process proceeds to S13. If the received voting data is appropriate for selling the voting ticket, the determination in S12 is YES and the process proceeds to S14.

  In S <b> 13, the CPU 401 transmits a message to the voting terminal apparatus 6 as a response to the effect that voting based on the received voting data cannot be performed. Thereafter, the voting target specifying process ends.

  In FIG. 9, it is not assumed that this message is transmitted from the information server 4 to the voting terminal device 6. When the voting terminal device 6 receives the message, the main control unit 61 causes the display unit 62 to display information for notifying the voting applicant that an inappropriate voting card has been inserted.

  In S14, the CPU 401 selects one of the received voting data (indicated as “designated field / race / by formula” in FIG. 10). Next, the CPU 401 reads out the odds file 700 corresponding to the selected voting data from, for example, the hard disk device 405 (S15). After that, the CPU 401 refers to the read odds file 700 and executes, for each popularity order included in the selected voting data, a pair number extraction process for extracting a pair number corresponding to the popularity order (number information indicating a vote target). (S16). The process proceeds to S17 after the group number extraction process is executed.

  In S17, the CPU 401 determines whether there is an unprocessed expression. As described above, each voting data to be received is data that is for the same place and the same race and has different formulas. Therefore, if unprocessed voting data exists, the determination in S17 is YES and the process returns to S14. On the other hand, when there is no unprocessed voting data, the determination in S17 is NO, and the voting target specifying process ends here.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, for each voting data, a set number corresponding to each popularity order in the voting data is extracted. Thereby, the frequency of reading the odds file 700 is suppressed, and the faster combination number extraction is enabled.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the group number extraction process executed as S16. In this group number extraction process, the group numbers corresponding to the popularity order included in the voting data are sequentially extracted for only the voting data selected in S14. Finally, the group number extraction process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the CPU 401 selects one of the popularity orders in the selected voting data (S31). Next, the CPU 401 refers to the read odds file 700 and determines whether there is a selected popularity order (S32). If there are a plurality of entries of the same rank (voting targets), and there is no entry whose rank is the selected popularity order, the determination in S32 is NO and the process proceeds to S39. If there is an entry whose rank is the selected popularity order, the determination in S32 is YES and the process proceeds to S33.

  In S33, the CPU 401 determines whether or not there are a plurality of entries having the selected popularity order as a rank. If there are a plurality of entries that rank in the selected popularity order, the determination in S33 is YES and the process proceeds to S36. If there is only one entry with the selected popularity order as the ranking, the determination in S33 is NO and the process proceeds to S34.

  In S <b> 34, the CPU 401 extracts group number information in the entry having the selected popularity order as a rank. Subsequently, the CPU 401 stores the extracted set number information as data to be transmitted to the voting terminal device 6 (S35). Thereafter, the CPU 401 determines whether there is an unprocessed popularity order (rank) (S42). When the unprocessed popularity order exists in the selected voting data, the determination in S42 is YES and the process returns to S31, and the unprocessed popularity order is selected. If there is no unprocessed popularity order in the selected voting data, the determination in S42 is NO and the process proceeds to S43.

  In S43, the CPU 401 transmits the stored group number information to the voting terminal device 6 in association with the voting data, for example. Thereafter, the set number extraction process ends.

  In S36 where the determination in S33 is YES and the process proceeds to S36, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the received terminal operation setting is a setting of an automatic selection method (shown as “automatic ticketing setting” in FIG. 11). If the purchase applicant has set the automatic selection method, the determination in S36 is YES and the process proceeds to S37. If the purchase applicant has set the manual selection method, the determination in S36 is NO and the process proceeds to S38.

  In S37, the CPU 401 extracts group number information of an entry (voting target) whose item number matches the selected popularity order. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S35. Thereby, the extracted set number information is stored.

  On the other hand, in S <b> 38, the CPU 401 extracts a set number from all entries whose rank matches the selected popularity order. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S35.

  When there are a plurality of group number information corresponding to the popularity order, the voting terminal device 6 displays a popularity order selection screen as shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 62 and allows the purchase applicant to select a desired vote target. . When there is only one set number information corresponding to the popularity order, the voting terminal device 6 uses the set number represented by the set number information as the set number according to the popularity order. Thereby, according to the setting (terminal operation setting) previously set by the purchase applicant, the group numbers corresponding to the specified popularity order are automatically or manually determined.

  In S39, in which the determination in S32 is NO and the process proceeds, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the received terminal operation setting is a setting for the automatic selection method. If the purchase applicant has set the automatic selection method, the determination in S39 is YES and the process proceeds to S40. If the purchase applicant has set the manual selection method, the determination in S39 is NO and the process proceeds to S41.

  In S40, the CPU 401 extracts group number information of an entry (voting target) whose item number matches the selected popularity order. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S35. Thereby, the extracted set number information is stored.

  On the other hand, in S41, the CPU 401 reads the rank of the entry whose item number matches the selected popularity order, and extracts the set number from all the entries storing the rank that matches the read rank. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S35.

  In the present embodiment, the information server 4 for specifying and notifying the voting target (group number) corresponding to the popularity order designated by the purchase applicant is installed, but a plurality of functions including the function of the information server 4 are provided. You may mount in one information processing apparatus. Further, the function of the information server 4 may be divided and installed in a plurality of information processing apparatuses. For this reason, the method for realizing the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited.

  Further, in the present embodiment, assuming that there are a plurality of voting objects corresponding to the designated popularity order, an automatic selection method for automatically selecting one voting object, and a desired voting object to a purchase applicant One of the manual selection methods to be selected is selected by the purchase applicant. This selection may be performed when it is found that there are a plurality of voting objects corresponding to the specified popularity order. The selection method of the tendency that the purchase applicant prefers may be fixedly set without causing the purchase applicant to select the selection method for voting. This is because, even if the selection method is fixedly set in this way, it is considered that many purchase applicants can purchase voting tickets in a form according to their wishes.

  Various other voting target selection methods are conceivable. Specify the number of voting objects to be selected among multiple voting objects, automatically select the specified number of voting objects, automatically select all voting objects, and select the purchase amount per voting object, Other selection methods such as letting a purchase applicant specify are also conceivable. For this reason, the selection method is not particularly limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 2 Voting server 4 Information server 6 Voting terminal device 41 Main control part 42 Popularity order odds file generation part 43 Popularity order odds file storage part 43a Odds file group 44 Timekeeping part 45 Popularity order odds file processing part 46 Extraction of popularity order group number extraction Department 47 Communication Department 500 Popularity voting card 600 Voting ticket

Claims (6)

A storage unit storing popularity order information representing the popularity order of voting targets for each public competition race and for each ceremony for which a voting ticket can be purchased in the race,
With reference to the storage unit, a specifying unit that specifies a voting target that is specified from the terminal device, satisfies the specified condition including the order and the popularity order,
A control unit that notifies the terminal device of one or more voting targets extracted from the plurality of voting targets when the specifying unit specifies a plurality of voting targets that satisfy the specified condition;
An information providing apparatus comprising: When there are a plurality of voting targets that satisfy the specified condition, the specifying unit determines a rank among the plurality of voting targets based on a predetermined index, and the determined rank is determined based on the plurality of voting targets. Used to extract the one or more voting objects from
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The indicator is a rate of change of the prediction of the popularity order,
The specific unit increases the ranking as the voting target having the larger fluctuation rate,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 2. The indicator is a fluctuation range of the prediction of the popularity order,
The specific unit increases the ranking as the voting target having the larger fluctuation range,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 2. The extraction of the one or more voting objects from the plurality of voting objects is performed according to a setting designated by the terminal device together with the designated condition.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information providing apparatus is an information providing apparatus. For each race of public competition, and for each type of voting ticket that can be purchased in the race, an information processing device that can access a storage unit that stores popularity order information that represents the popularity order of votes,
Referring to the storage unit, the voting target specified by the terminal device, specifying the voting target that satisfies the specified condition including the formula and the popularity order,
When a plurality of voting targets satisfying the specified condition are specified, the terminal device is notified of one or more voting targets extracted from the plurality of voting targets.
A program characterized by causing processing to be executed.

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