JP2015153039A - Settlement system, privilege management method of the same, and computer program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a settlement system that enables a privilege to be granted to a user while mutually associating charging among a plurality of charging object apparatuses with one another.SOLUTION: A settlement system intended for a plurality of charging object apparatuses 3A, 3B ... includes: a plurality of information reading devices 11 that read settlement reference information such as a card ID from a card 4 of a user in response to occurrence of charging; and a settlement execution device that executes settlement processing by referring to the settlement reference information read by each of the information reading devices 11. In each of the information reading devices 11, apparatus identification information on a unique apparatus ID and the like is set for each charging object apparatus. The settlement execution device associates a content of the settlement processing with the apparatus identification information and medium identification information to record the resultant content in settlement history information D11, determines whether a spending state of the user satisfies a prescribed privilege grant condition on the basis of the settlement history information D11 when the user uses the specific charging object apparatus 3B, and grants the prescribed privilege to the user when the spending state thereof satisfies the prescribed privilege grant condition.

Description

The present invention relates to a settlement system that allows a user to consume a monetary value in response to billing generated in each of a plurality of billing target devices.
About.

  In a commercial facility where a plurality of business devices are installed such as an amusement facility, money expressed in electronic information like virtual currency is used as a mechanism for collecting charges from users corresponding to the billing of each billable device Mechanisms that allow users to consume target value are becoming widespread. In this type of payment system, in addition to the method in which the billing target device itself is independent or the billing target device and the server communicate to execute the settlement process, a terminal device for settlement is mounted on the billing target device. In addition, a method has been proposed in which payment reference information recorded on a medium possessed by a user is read by a terminal device, and the monetary value related to the user's possession is consumed using the payment reference information (for example, Patent Documents). 1 and 2).

JP 2010-9528 A JP 2012-108746 A

  In facilities such as stores where multiple chargeable devices are installed, if a specific chargeable device is used for a fee with the aim of a synergistic effect between devices, you can receive a discount on the charge for another specific chargeable device In some cases, it is desirable to introduce services such as. However, the conventional settlement system does not consider adjusting the charges in each device in association with each other. Therefore, in order to introduce the above-described service, the operator of the facility has to rely on human resources, such as issuing a discount ticket, and the operator has been inconvenienced.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a settlement system or the like that can grant a privilege to a user by mutually linking billing among a plurality of billing target devices.

  A payment system according to an aspect of the present invention is a payment system that executes a payment process that causes a user to consume a monetary value in response to occurrence of a charge in each of a plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of charge targets Payment reference information provided in association with each of the devices, held in a medium possessed by the user as information to be referred to in the payment process, and including medium identification information unique to each medium. A plurality of information reading devices that read from the medium in response to the occurrence of the payment, and a payment execution device that executes the payment processing with reference to the payment reference information read by each information reading device. In each of the devices, unique device identification information is set for each billing target device, and the settlement execution device is charged with each billing device. The user uses at least a part of the plurality of accounting target devices, and history recording means for recording the contents of the settlement processing performed in this manner in the settlement history information in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information. And determining whether or not the consumption state of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition based on the settlement history information, and granting a predetermined privilege to the user satisfying the privilege grant condition And a privilege granting means to be provided.

  Further, the privilege management method according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to execute a settlement process that causes a user to consume a monetary value in response to occurrence of billing in each of a plurality of billing target devices. Payment reference information provided in association with each of the chargeable devices, held in a medium possessed by the user as information to be referred to in the payment process, and including medium identification information unique to each medium A plurality of information reading devices that read from the medium in response to the occurrence of the billing, and a payment execution device that executes the payment processing with reference to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, Each of the information readers is a privilege management method applied to a payment system in which unique device identification information is set for each device to be charged, and the plurality of charging devices A procedure for recording the contents of the settlement processing performed for each billing of the device in the settlement history information in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information, and at least a part of the plurality of billing target devices. When the user uses, whether or not the consumption state of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition is determined based on the settlement history information, and predetermined for a user who satisfies the privilege grant condition And a procedure for granting the privilege.

  Furthermore, the computer program according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to execute a settlement process that causes a user to consume a monetary value in response to occurrence of charging in each of a plurality of charging target devices, and the plurality of charging Payment reference information provided in association with each target device, held in a medium possessed by the user as information to be referred to in the payment process, and including medium identification information unique to each medium. A plurality of information reading devices that read from the medium in response to the occurrence of billing, and a payment execution device that executes the payment processing with reference to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, the plurality of information Each of the reading devices has a privilege management computer program applied to a payment system in which unique device identification information is set for each billing target device. And at least one computer provided in the settlement system, the contents of the settlement processing performed for each billing of the plurality of billing devices, the device identification information and the medium identification information When the user uses at least a part of the plurality of billing target devices, and the history recording means that records the payment history information in association with each other, the consumption status of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined privilege granting condition. Whether or not it is satisfied is determined based on the settlement history information, and is configured to function as a privilege granting unit that grants a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege granting condition.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the payment system which concerns on one form of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a server system. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a store system. The figure which shows the example which discounts the consumption of a virtual currency at the time of utilization of a specific chargeable apparatus as a privilege to a user. The flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of making a user consume virtual currency corresponding to the charge which generate | occur | produced in the charge object apparatus. The flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of the store operator changing the data of apparatus management information. The flowchart which shows a process sequence at the time of changing so that the discrimination | determination of consumption and a discount process may be implemented by the server side with respect to the process sequence of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a payment system according to the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the payment system will be described with reference to FIG. The settlement system 1 according to the present embodiment is charged for a plurality of billing target devices 3A, 3B,..., 3N (hereinafter sometimes represented by reference numeral 3) installed in each of the plurality of stores 2. Correspondingly, it is provided to allow the user to consume an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the billing contents. Virtual currency is an example of a monetary value that a user can acquire in exchange for cash. As an example, the store 2 is an amusement facility in which at least a part of the chargeable device 3 is an amusement game machine (typically a game machine) for business use. However, in each store 2, it is not necessary for all chargeable devices 3 to be game machines. In each store 2, in addition to at least one game machine, various devices that provide a predetermined service to the user in exchange for payment of a fee may be provided as the chargeable device 3. For example, when a vending machine or the like that sells a product such as juice is installed in the store 2, these devices may be included in the billing target device 3 in the settlement system 1 of this embodiment. The chargeable device 3 may be configured in accordance with various specifications as long as it can communicate with the settlement system of the present embodiment according to a predetermined protocol. The manufacturer and provider of the chargeable device 3 may be different from each other. In addition to the payment method using the payment system 1, the billing target device 3 may be compatible with other payment methods using cash or the like.

  The settlement system 1 includes a store system 10 constructed for each store 2 and a server system 20 provided in common for each store system 10. In FIG. 1, only one store system 10 is shown in detail. The store system 10 discriminates the amount of virtual currency to be consumed by the user in accordance with the billing contents generated in each billing target device 3, and is unique for each card as settlement reference information from the card 4 possessed by the user. The card ID is read, the card ID and the consumption amount of the virtual currency are designated, and the server system 20 is requested for settlement. The card 4 is a medium given to the user to identify the user, and a unique card ID for each card 4 is recorded as medium identification information. However, the medium possessed by the user is not limited to the card 4 as long as the medium identification number can be held, and an IC chip or the like attached to the mobile phone may be used as the medium. The medium identification information may be identification information uniquely set for each user. In short, it is sufficient that the medium identification information is guaranteed to be unique for each medium.

  The server system 20 manages the amount of virtual currency held by the user in association with the user's card ID, and consumes the virtual currency held in the account corresponding to the card ID in response to a request from the store system 10. The processing result is notified to the store system 10. That is, the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment is a prepaid method in which the user acquires virtual currency in advance in exchange for cash or the like, and the user consumes the virtual currency within the range of the balance to pay the fee of the charging target device 3. It is a payment system. In addition, the balance of the virtual currency held by the user is held on the server system 20 side, and a thin client method (server processing method) settlement system is executed on the server system 20 side to reduce (withdraw) the balance.

  The store system 10 includes a reader 11 as an information reading terminal device attached in association with each of the chargeable devices 3 on a one-to-one basis, a management PC (abbreviation of personal computer, the same applies hereinafter) 12, and a setting terminal PC13. , A vendor terminal PC 14 and a router 15 are included. Each reader 11, management PC 12, setting terminal PC 13 and merchant terminal PC 14 are connected to each other via a store LAN 16 built in the store 2 so as to communicate with each other. Each reader 11 is configured as a device physically different from the billing target device 3 and is billable in a state where it can communicate bidirectionally according to a predetermined protocol with a control unit (not shown) of the corresponding billing target device 3. It is attached to the device 3. The router 15 is connected to the Internet 5. Thereby, each of the reader 11, the management PC 12, and the setting terminal PC 13 connected to the in-store LAN 16 is a computer device that can be connected to the server system 20 via the Internet 5 and functions as a client for the server system 20.

  The reader 11 functions as an information input / output unit that receives billing information from the billing target device 3 and provides the result of the settlement process to the billing target device 3 and an information reading unit that reads the card ID from the card 4 possessed by the user. . The management PC 12 cooperates with the server system 20 to perform a payment process that causes the user to consume a predetermined virtual currency according to the content of the billing that has occurred in the billing target device 3 while referring to the information provided from the reader 11. Run. The setting terminal PC13 functions as means for managing information held by the management PC 12 of the store 2 by the operator of the store 2. These functions will be described in detail later.

  The merchant terminal PC 14 functions as a terminal for an operator of the store 2 to browse information such as a settlement history provided from the server system 20. In the example of FIG. 1, the reader 11 and the setting terminal PC 13 are connected to the management PC 12 via the wireless LAN access point 17, but they may be connected by wire. The merchant terminal PC 14 is not necessarily provided in the store 2. For example, the trader terminal PC 14 may be installed at the head office or sales office of a corporation that is the business entity of the store 2. The sales entity of the store 2 may be a person who operates only a single store 2 or a person who operates a plurality of stores 2.

  The server system 20 includes server units 21 </ b> A, 21 </ b> B (hereinafter, these may be represented by reference numeral 21) as a plurality of computer devices, and a router 22 that connects these server units 21 to the Internet 5. I have. However, the server system 20 may use a single server unit. Alternatively, the server system 20 may be logically constructed using cloud computing.

  Further, the user terminal device 6 can be connected to the server system 20 via the Internet 5. The user terminal device 6 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for a user's personal use. For example, a stationary or book-type PC 6 </ b> A or a mobile terminal device 6 </ b> B such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 6. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to the network and are used for personal use of the user, such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal device 6. It's okay. The user terminal device 6 is used, for example, for a user to access the server system 20 to view his / her settlement history, or for a user to perform a charge operation for purchasing virtual currency and depositing it in his / her account. The payment system 1 may be provided with a further terminal device. For example, in the store 2, a charging machine for the user to purchase virtual currency using cash or a credit card may be further provided and connected to the router 15.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the payment system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the control system of the server system 20 will be described first. As shown in FIG. 2, the server system 20 includes, as its subsystems, a transaction management system 31 that manages transactions related to virtual currency, a currency management system 32 that manages virtual currency, and a virtual currency transaction. There is provided an accounting system 33 for managing payments to the operator of the store 2 that occurs. The transaction management system 31 is provided with a transaction control unit 34 as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and software. The transaction control unit 34 executes various processes necessary for consumption of virtual currency in accordance with the settlement request sent from the store system 10.

  In the payment request, for example, a card read from the user's card 4 as transaction information necessary for specifying how the user is going to consume the virtual currency in which billing target device 3 in which store 2 It is assumed that an ID, a consumption amount of virtual currency, a store code specifying the store 2, and the like are included. The transaction control unit 34 accesses the user information D1 in which the correspondence between the card ID and the account specifying information (for example, user ID) attached to the user's virtual currency account is recorded, and corresponds to the card ID. The user ID is determined. Further, the transaction control unit 34 accesses the balance information data D2 of the currency management system 32, and reduces the consumption amount from the balance of the virtual currency account recorded in association with the user ID in the data D2. Thus, the virtual currency is consumed. Further, the transaction control unit 34 records the transaction information in the transaction information data D3 of the currency management system 32 in association with the user ID. In transaction information data D3, information specifying transaction details such as transaction date and time, store code, and consumption of virtual currency is recorded in association with the user ID. When the user accesses the currency management system 32 from the user terminal device 6, the user confirms his / her account balance from his / her user terminal device 6, and increases the balance of the account by performing a predetermined charging operation. be able to.

  When the transaction control unit 34 causes the currency management system 32 to perform the process of consuming the virtual currency, the transaction control unit 34 notifies the store system 10 of the processing result, that is, whether or not the consumption is successful. Moreover, when the consumption process of the virtual currency corresponding to the single transaction, that is, the payment request from the store system 10, is finished, the transaction control unit 34 records the contents of the current payment process in the data D4 of the consumption information. In the consumption information data D4, information specifying transaction details such as transaction date and time, store code, consumption of virtual currency, and user ID (or card ID) is recorded. Thereby, the consumption information data D4 functions as history information in which the history of settlement processing of the virtual currency is recorded. The consumption information data D4 is aggregated every appropriate aggregation period (one month as an example) and recorded in the aggregation information data D5. The accounting system 33 aggregates consumption information in a predetermined aggregation unit such as each store 2 or each sales entity of the store 2 based on the data D5 of the aggregation information, and the payment amount to the sales entity of the store 2 is calculated according to the aggregation result. The calculation result is recorded in the payment information data D6. The purchase price of the virtual currency is the sales of the business entity of the server system 20, and when the charge of the chargeable device 3 is paid in the virtual currency, the business entity of the store 2 is not charged, so the business of the server system 20 The main body needs to apportion the sales price corresponding to the consumption amount of the virtual currency and pay to the sales main body of the store 2. Therefore, processing such as calculation of the payment amount is required. The accounting system 33 creates a payment notice PD for the business entity of the store 2 based on the payment information data D7 and transmits it to the vendor terminal PC14. It should be noted that the vendor terminal PC14 can appropriately access the total information data D5 to check the consumption history and the like. Further, when the device management information data D10 (see FIG. 3) of the management PC 12 is sent from the store system 10 to the transaction control unit 34, the transaction control unit 34 stores the device management information data D10 in the management PC information data D7 and the store code. Save in association.

  Next, the control system of the store system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the billing target device 3 and the reader 11, management PC 12, and setting terminal PC 13 of the store system 10. First, in the store system 10, a charge management unit 41 is provided in each charge target device 3. The billing management unit 41 generates billing information corresponding to the billing content generated in the billing target device 3 and outputs the billing information to the reader 11. The chargeable device 3 is a kind of computer device, and an operation control unit 7 that operates the device according to a predetermined procedure is provided as a logical device by a combination of computer hardware and software. For example, when the chargeable device 3 is a game machine, a game control unit that advances the game in accordance with a user operation is provided as an operation control unit. The charge management unit 41 is also a logical device similar to the operation control unit 7, and the charge management unit 41 can be realized by adding an appropriate program module to the program for realizing the operation control unit 7. .

  In the billing target device 3, a plurality of billing items may be provided as user options. For example, when the chargeable device 3 is a game machine, in a game provided by the game machine, items such as game start or continuation, game mode, item purchase, and use are generally prepared as user options. . Further, in a game machine for business use, in order to select and play a mode or the like desired by the user, a fee corresponding to the selected content is charged to the user. That is, in the game machine, each of the user's options is prepared as an item to be charged (charged item), and a charge is set according to the charged item. When the charge target device 3 is a vending machine, each of a plurality of products is prepared as a charge item. The operation control unit 7 determines which of the charge items has been selected according to the user's instruction, and the charge management unit 41 acquires the selection result, that is, which charge item has been selected, from the operation control unit 7. If the quantity is a chargeable item (for example, an item for which the purchase quantity can be selected), the charge management unit 41 also acquires the quantity selected by the user. Payment processing by the payment system 1 is started by acquiring a user's selection result in the charge management unit 41. When the completion of payment is notified from the charge management unit 41, the operation control unit 7 provides the user with a service corresponding to the charge item selected by the user. For example, when the chargeable device 3 is a game machine, the operation control unit 7 starts playing the game in the game mode selected by the user or gives the user the item selected by the user. When the chargeable device 3 is a vending machine, the product selected by the user is paid out. Note that the item purchase includes consuming a consideration and obtaining permission to use the item in the game.

  The billing management unit 41 generates billing information according to the billing content provided from the operation control unit 7, that is, the billing item selected by the user, or the billing item and quantity selected by the user. Here, it is assumed that the charge to be charged to the user is calculated by multiplying the unit price and quantity of the charge item, and information specifying the charge is generated as the charge information. For chargeable items whose quantity cannot be selected, the charge is calculated with the quantity as 1. The charging management unit 41 transmits the generated charging information (that is, a purchase fee for items such as play fees and items) to the reader 11 according to a predetermined protocol.

  The reader 11 is provided with an information management unit 42 and an ID reading unit 43. The information management unit 42 is a logical device realized by a combination of the computer hardware and software of the reader 11. The ID reading unit 43 is provided as a peripheral device that reads the card ID recorded on the card 4. For example, when a card ID is recorded on the IC chip of the card 4, the ID reading unit 43 is configured to read information from the IC chip. However, the card ID is not limited to the IC chip but may be recorded in a magnetic storage layer or an optical storage layer, or may be recorded in an optically readable manner such as a barcode. The ID reading unit 43 can be appropriately configured according to the card ID recording method for the card 4. The reader 11 is provided with a display for displaying the consumption of virtual currency and the like, but is not shown in FIG.

  In the information management unit 42, a device ID is set as device identification information for identifying the billing target device 3. The device ID may be identification information unique to the reader 11 such as a MAC address assigned to uniquely identify the reader 11 on the network as an example, or the device ID of the store 2 to distinguish the billing target device 3. It may be a device number set by an operator or the like. The device ID is held in a storage unit (for example, EEPROM) of the reader 11 as an example. When receiving the billing information from the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3, the information management unit 42 activates the ID reading unit 43 to start reading the card ID. When the reading is completed, the information management unit 42 specifies the acquired card ID and its own device ID, and transmits the charging information received from the charging management unit 41 to the management PC 12.

  The management PC 12 is provided with a transaction control unit 44 as a logical device. The transaction control unit 44 determines the amount of virtual currency to be consumed by the user based on the billing information and the device ID received from the reader 11, and the determined virtual currency consumption and the card ID received from the reader 11. The transaction information including the store code uniquely set for each store 2 is provided to the server system 20 to request settlement. The store code is held in the storage unit 45 of the management PC 12 as an example. The storage unit 45 further stores billing management information data D10 and settlement history information data D11 used for consumption determination and the like.

  The device management information data D10 includes setting information indicating the correspondence between the charge notified from the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3 and the consumption amount of the virtual currency, and discount information. The billing management data D10 is recorded in association with the device ID so that it can be determined which billing target device 3 corresponds to the data. The transaction control unit 44 uses the device ID to identify the device management information data D10 of the billing target device 3 for which charging has occurred, and responds to the fee notified from the charging management unit 41 according to the management data D10. Thus, the consumption amount of the virtual currency that the user should consume can be determined.

  The consumption amount setting information in the device management information data D10 describes the correspondence between the charge (charge amount) of the chargeable device 3 expressed in currency units and the consumption amount of the virtual currency. For example, setting information is described so that one point is associated with a charge of 1 yen. By manipulating the set value of the consumption amount of the virtual currency in the setting information, the amount of monetary value that the user should consume when paying the fee charged by the chargeable device 3 in the virtual currency is appropriately set. Can be changed. For example, if 100 yen of virtual currency can be purchased with cash of 100 yen, and a charge of 100 yen is specified in the billing information output from the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3, consumption of 80 points If the amount is described in the setting information of the data D10, a discount equivalent to 20 yen is realized. Such a discount need not necessarily be set. Further, the correspondence relationship between the charge and the consumption amount described in the setting information is applied regardless of the user.

  On the other hand, the discount information in the data D10 of the device management information indicates the virtual currency specified according to the setting information as the privilege when the consumption state of the virtual currency by the user satisfies a predetermined discount condition (privilege granting condition). This information is used to discount consumption. The discount information describes the discount conditions and the details of the discount when the discount conditions are satisfied. The discount condition is set in association with the user's consumption status in at least one billing target device 3 in the store 2. For example, a discount condition is set so as to be satisfied when a user consumes virtual currency at a specific billing target device 3 selected from a plurality of billing target devices 3 installed in the store 2. The discount condition may further include a time requirement or a quantitative requirement. For example, the discount condition may be satisfied when the user consumes a certain amount or more of virtual currency within a certain period of time in a specific billing target device 3. To give a specific example, when a user uses a vending machine as a billing target device, the user spends a certain amount of virtual currency on a specific game machine within a certain period from that point in time to the past. Discount conditions can be set so that discounts are implemented if consumed. In this case, if the game device is a first billing target device for determining whether or not the discount condition is satisfied and the vending machine is a second billing target device for discount execution, the second billing target device 3 In the discount information of the device management information data D10 associated with the device ID of the device, the discount condition and the content of the discount (discount amount or discount rate) are described in association with the device ID of the first chargeable device 3. That's fine. That is, the discount condition and the discount contents may be described in the device management information data D10 corresponding to the device ID of the chargeable device 3 to be discounted. However, the billing target device (the second billing target device) to be discounted may be all the billing target devices 3 installed in the store 2 or may be limited to a part of the billing target devices 3. Good. Further, the discount information may be recorded in the storage unit 45 as data different from the device management information data D10 associated with the device ID.

  The settlement history information data D11 is data in which a history of settlement processing for billing generated in each billing target device 3 of the store 2 is recorded. In the settlement history information data D11, information necessary for determining settlement contents such as processing date / time, device ID, card ID, and virtual currency consumption is recorded for each settlement process. By searching the payment history information data D11 using the card ID, it is possible to grasp the consumption status of the user's virtual currency in the store 2 and determine whether the discount condition is successful or not.

  FIG. 4 shows a more specific example of discount using the discount information described above. It is assumed that the user purchases the billing item a1 with the first billing target device 3A in exchange for the consumption of the virtual currency Na point. In the payment history information data D11, information indicating the contents of such payment is recorded as needed. Thereafter, it is assumed that the user purchases some billing item at the second billing target device 3B in the same store 2. In the data D10 of the device management information corresponding to the second billing target device 3B, as a discount condition, the user uses a virtual currency of Nc points (<Na points) or more in the first billing target device 3A within a certain period. The consumption is set. When the condition is satisfied, the discount amount is set to discount the consumption amount of the virtual currency by Nb points. In this case, when the user purchases some billing item at the second billing target device 3B, the discount condition and the discount contents are specified using the device management information data D10 corresponding to the second billing target device 3B. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a record of payment that satisfies the discount condition in the data D11 of the payment history information by using the card ID of the user and the device ID corresponding to the first chargeable device 3A as a clue. Then, if there is a record, it is assumed that the discount condition is satisfied, and the consumption amount of the virtual currency for the charge of the second chargeable device 3B is the original consumption amount determined according to the setting information for the device 3B. , Nb point discount. The discount contents may be set so that paid items are provided to the user free of charge. That is, the aspect of not charging is also included in the concept of discount for charging.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the management PC 12 is provided with a setting management unit 46 as a logical device for allowing the operator of the store 2 to appropriately set the setting information and discount information of the data D10 of the device management information. . The setting management unit 46 browses the setting information and discount information of the device management information data D10 to the setting terminal PC13 or presents a management page as a Web page for changing the setting information and discount information. Therefore, the operator of the store 2 accesses the management page provided by the management PC 12 using the Web browsing function of the setting terminal PC13, confirms the setting status of the setting information and discount information, and charges and consumption of virtual currency The discount relationship when the discount condition is satisfied or the discount condition can be changed as appropriate. By using this function, flexible fee setting and discount setting are possible.

  Next, processing executed in the payment system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure when the user consumes the virtual currency in response to the billing generated in the billing target device 3. When the user selects a mode, item, or the like as a charge item in the charge target device 3, the charge management unit 41 of the charge target device 3 starts the processing of FIG. Based on the information from the item, the billing item or the like (a quantity may be included) is determined (step S11). Next, the charge management unit 41 calculates a charge to be charged (charge amount) according to the determination result of step S1, and notifies the reader 11 of charge information specifying the charge (step S12). When the information management unit 42 of the reader 11 receives the billing information from the billing target device 3, the billing information is stored and the processing of FIG. 5 is started. First, the ID reading unit 43 is activated to read the card ID. In response to this, when the user performs an operation of reading the card ID (an operation of touching the card 4 with the reader 11 as an example), the card ID of the card 4 is read (step S21). Next, the information management unit 42 notifies the management PC 12 of the read card ID, its own device ID, and the previously stored billing management information (step S22).

  When receiving the device ID or the like from the reader 11, the transaction control unit 44 of the management PC 12 identifies the device management information data D10 corresponding to the device ID, and based on the setting information recorded in the device management information data D10. Then, the consumption amount of the virtual currency to be consumed by the user is determined in accordance with the fee specified by the billing information (step S31). Next, the transaction control unit 44 performs a discount process with reference to the discount information recorded in the device management information data D10 and the settlement history data D11 (step S32). For example, the transaction control unit 44 extracts the user's payment processing information from the payment history information data D11 using the card ID notified from the reader 11 as a key, and the user's consumption status becomes discount information according to the extracted information. It is determined whether or not the recorded discount condition is satisfied. When the discount condition is satisfied, the transaction control unit 44 discounts the consumption determined in step S31 according to the discount contents described in the discount information, and the virtual currency that the user should consume the consumption after the discount The final amount is determined. If the discount condition is not satisfied, or if the discount condition is not set in the data D10 of the device management information, the transaction control unit 44 determines the consumption determined in step S31 as the final consumption as it is. After the process of step S32, the transaction control unit 44 sets transaction information for designating the store code held in the storage unit 45, the card ID received from the reader 11, and the consumption amount of the virtual currency determined in step S32. In addition, the server system 20 is requested for settlement (step S33).

  Upon receiving a settlement request from the management PC 12, the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 acquires the user ID corresponding to the card ID from the user information data D1, and records it in the balance information data D2 in association with the user ID. The amount of virtual currency corresponding to the billing item is consumed by the user by subtracting the amount of consumption specified in the transaction information from the balance of the account of the virtual currency that has been set (step S41). However, when the balance is less than the consumption, consumption is stopped. Thereafter, the transaction control unit 34 notifies the settlement result to the management PC 12 (step S42). The settlement result is notified as a settlement failure when the consumption is successfully subtracted, and when the settlement is not completed due to the completion of the settlement or the balance shortage. In the settlement, the server system 20 also executes recording of transaction information data D3 and consumption information in data D4, etc., but the description of these processes is omitted.

  The transaction control unit 44 of the management PC 12 notifies the result notified from the server system 20 to the reader 11 of the charge target device 3 that has been charged (step S34). Subsequently, the withdrawal control unit 44 records the payment contents in the current payment process, that is, the processing date and time, the device ID, the card ID, the virtual currency consumption, and the like in the data D11 of the payment history information (step S35). Further, in response to the notification of the result of the settlement process from the management PC 12, the information management unit 42 of the reader 11 further notifies the result to the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3 (step S25). Note that, when the payment process is performed between the management PC 12 and the server system 20, in order to be able to specify which billing target device 3 corresponds to the billing generated, for example, the transaction ID for each settlement request in step S33. Etc. are used to distinguish payment requests from each other.

  Upon receiving the settlement result from the reader 11, the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3 notifies the operation control unit 7 of the result (step S13). If the payment is completed, the operation control unit 7 provides a service according to the user's selection. For example, the operation control unit 7 starts the game in the mode selected by the user, continues the game being played by the user, or gives the user an item purchased by the user. In the case of payment failure, the operation control unit 7 executes predetermined error processing, for example.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a processing procedure when the operator of the store 2 operates the data D10 of the device management information using the setting terminal PC13. When the operator activates the Web browser of the setting terminal PC13 and specifies the URL of the management page of the management PC 12, the setting terminal PC13 requests the management PC 12 to access the management page (step S51). In response to this, the setting management unit 46 of the management PC 12 transmits the data of the management page to the setting terminal PC 13 (step S61). When the operator updates the setting value of the data D10 of the device management information related to any of the chargeable devices 3 at the setting terminal PC13, the update information is provided from the setting terminal PC13 to the management PC12 (step S52). In response to this, the setting management unit 46 of the management PC 12 updates the device management information data D10 according to the update information (step S62). Next, the setting management unit 46 transmits the updated device management information data D10 together with the store code to the server system 20 (step S63). In response to this, the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 uses the new data D10 provided from the management PC 12 to the data D10 of the device management information stored in the management PC information data D7 in association with the store code. Update (step S71).

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications are possible. Hereinafter, modification examples will be sequentially described. In the above embodiment, the charge management unit 41 of the charge target device 3 notifies the reader 11 of the charge as the charge information, and the consumption corresponding to the charge is determined by the management PC 12. In S12, the billing item and quantity are output as billing information from the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3. In step S31, the transaction control unit 44 of the management PC 12 calculates the virtual currency consumption according to the billing item and quantity. Also good. In this case, in the device management information data D10 of the storage unit 45, information describing the correspondence relationship between the billing item and the virtual currency consumption (unit consumption) per item may be stored as setting information. .

  By distributing the device management information data D10 to each reader 11 and storing it in the storage unit of the reader 11, it is possible to cause the reader 11 to determine the consumption amount of the virtual currency (including discount processing). However, the consumption amount determined by the reader 11 may be provided to the management PC 12 and the discount process may be performed by the management PC 12 to instruct the reader 11 of the final consumption amount. In the above-described embodiment, the reader 11 is connected to the billing target device 3 so as to be able to communicate with the billing target device 3 and the information is taken into the reader 11 from the billing target device 3. A reader that notifies the billing target device 3 of a payment completion signal without reading information from the device may be used for at least some billing target devices.

  The determination of the consumption amount of the virtual currency and the discount process can be performed by the server system 20. In this case, the setting information data D10 of the management PC 12 is recorded in the management PC information data D7 in association with the store code, and the contents of the settlement process are also recorded in the consumption information data D4. The server system 20 is requested to make a settlement with transaction information designating the store code, device ID, card ID and billing information from the side, and consumption determination and discount processing are performed using the data D4 and D7. . An example of the processing procedure is shown in FIG. In this example, when steps S21 and S22 are executed by the information management unit 42 of the reader 11 and the management PC 12 is notified of the card ID, the device ID, and the billing information, the management PC 12 responds to the notified information. The transaction control unit 44 adds the device ID to generate transaction information, and attaches this to the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 to request settlement (step S33a). In response to this, the transaction control unit 34 accesses the management PC information data D7 corresponding to the store code, specifies the device management information data D10 corresponding to the store code and the device ID, and is included in the data D10. According to the set information, the consumption amount of the virtual currency corresponding to the billing information is determined (step S31a). Subsequently, the transaction control unit 34 performs a discount process with reference to the discount information included in the data D10 specified in step S31a (step S32a), and determines the final consumption amount of the virtual currency. Further, the transaction control unit 34 executes a settlement process using the card ID provided from the management PC 12 and the billing information acquired from the management PC 12, and consumes the balance of the virtual currency possessed by the user (step S41). . Thereafter, the transaction control unit 34 notifies the management PC 12 of the result of the settlement process (step S42). The result is sequentially notified from the management PC 12 to the charge management unit 7 of the charge target device 3 (steps S34 and S25). After notifying the result of the payment process, the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 records the contents of the current payment process in the transaction information data D3 and the consumption information data D7 (step S43).

  According to the processing of FIG. 7, since the consumption information data D4 of the server system 20 is used instead of the payment history information data D11 of the management PC 12, management of the payment history information in the management PC 12 can be omitted. . If the consumption information data D4 of the server system 20 is taken into the management PC 12 in step S32 of FIG. 5, the management of the settlement history information in the management PC 12 can be omitted. When the management PC 12 sequentially records the contents of the payment process in the data D11 of the payment history information, the data D11 is limited to the contents of the payment process corresponding to the charge generated at the own store 2, and the user's The success or failure of the discount condition is determined based on the consumption situation. However, when the consumption information data D4 in the server system 20 is used, it is possible to determine whether the discount can be applied in consideration of the consumption status of the other stores 2. For example, with reference to the consumption information data D4 of a plurality of stores 2 related to the same sales entity, whether or not the user has consumed a certain amount of virtual currency for the first billable device 3 in the group of stores 2 When a certain amount or more is consumed, it is possible to perform a discount on any of the second chargeable devices 3 installed in the two groups of stores. Alternatively, when the user consumes a predetermined amount or more of the virtual currency with respect to the first billable device 3 in any one of the stores 2 without referring to the store code, the second one regardless of which store 2 is used. It is also possible to perform processing such as performing a discount on the chargeable device 3. The management PC 12 substantially functions as an in-store server with respect to each reader 11 in the store 2, but if the function implemented in the management PC 12 is installed in the server system 20, the management PC 12 manages it in the store 2. Management in units of stores can be realized without providing the PC 12.

  In the above embodiment, the discount condition is set in association with the consumption amount of the virtual currency by the user. Alternatively, or in addition, the discount condition can be set in association with the number of consumptions. Further, by referring to the transaction date and time included in the payment history information data D11 or the consumption information data D4, the user can first check the store 2 within an appropriate period (for example, one day, one week, or one month). The discount condition may be satisfied when the chargeable device 3 is used. Alternatively, the discount condition may be satisfied when the user uses the billing target device 3 continuously for a certain number of times or more at the store 2 or a group of stores 2 related to the same business entity. Consumption status includes consumption, number of consumptions, first time consumption, continuous frequency, frequency of user consumption of virtual currency, average value of user consumption within a predetermined unit period, etc. The consumption status may be determined.

  In the above embodiment, the reader 11 is directly attached to the billing target device such as the billing target device 3, but the billing information is received and settled by being connected to the control unit of the billing target device so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. As long as the notification of the processing result is possible, the reader 11 may be physically separated from the billing target device. The reader 11 may be attached so as to be integrated with the billing target device 3 when the billing target device 3 is manufactured, or may be attached as a so-called retrofit device after the billing target device 3 is manufactured. In the payment system 1 of this embodiment, it is necessary to install a program for configuring the charge management unit 41 in the charge target device 3, and when the reader 11 is retrofitted, the charge target device 3 needs to be modified. However, the charging information, that is, the charge to be charged, or the charge item or quantity is extracted from the control unit necessary for the original operation control of the chargeable device 3 such as the operation control unit 7 and is provided to the reader 11, and the reader 11 It is sufficient to add a function for receiving the result of the settlement process from the control unit 11 and notifying the control unit of the billing target device 3 to the billing target device 3, and the burden of the repair is relatively small.

  In the above embodiment, a prepaid and thin client payment system is taken as an example. However, the payment system of the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a postpaid payment system. The settlement system of the present invention can also be applied to a settlement system in which a balance of monetary value is recorded on a medium such as a card and settlement is performed using the balance information. Further, even when balance information is recorded on a medium such as a card, the balance information is read on the information reading terminal device side, and the monetary value from the balance is consumed on the management PC or server system side in the store. The present invention is also applicable to a payment system that writes back balance information after consumption to a medium such as a card. In this case, the payment reference information acquired from the medium acquires not only the medium identification information such as the card ID but also the balance information from the user's medium as the payment reference information. On the other hand, in a payment system in which the balance information is not recorded on the medium but held on the server side, information necessary for specifying the balance information on the server (card ID in the above embodiment) is used as the payment reference information from the medium. As long as you get it. Naturally, the contents of the payment process are appropriately changed according to the method of the payment system.

  Further, the payment system of the present invention does not necessarily need to be a server client type payment system. For example, in the above-described form, when the balance information of the virtual currency is held in the card 4 possessed by the user, the reader 11 or the management PC 12 determines the consumption amount of the virtual currency that the user should consume and applies the discount It is possible to implement the payment system of the present invention only with the computer device in the store 2 by determining whether or not the payment is possible and executing the payment process between the reader 11 and the card 4 based on the result. .

  In the above embodiment, the facility in which a plurality of chargeable devices are installed is an amusement facility in which at least one amusement machine provided for a user's play is charged as a chargeable device. The present invention is not limited to an example in which payment is made for a billing target device installed in such a facility. In addition, the chargeable devices such as game machines have the input / output function for the user and various arithmetic processing functions necessary for operation control according to the user's operation integrated in a computer device as a single physical device. It is not limited to the configuration. For example, if a game machine is taken as an example, calculation control necessary for the progress of the game is executed on the server side, and a computer device as a client for the server is used as a remote operation terminal device that should have an input / output function Accordingly, even a configuration in which a plurality of computer devices cooperate to function as a logical game machine can be included in the chargeable device of the present invention. In addition, the game machines include game machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines (including slot machines). Therefore, the amusement facilities include amusement halls where pachinko machines, pachislot machines, etc. are installed.

  In the above embodiment, the consumption amount in other chargeable devices is discounted on the condition that the user has consumed the virtual currency in the specific chargeable device 3, but the privilege to the user is in a mode other than the discount. It may be granted. For example, according to the consumption of virtual currency at a specific store 2, the user is given points that are valid only in the same store 2 or only in the group of stores 2 related to the same subject, and the user is given a prize according to the number of points earned. When a service that grants (for example, a character product or an item of a game) is implemented, a certain number of points are given to the user in response to the establishment of the privilege granting conditions, or the points are given in an additional manner. A privilege may be granted in such a manner. Even when a discount is implemented, the target for determining the discount condition and the target for applying the discount do not necessarily need to be based on the device to be charged. For example, when a user purchases a specific item with a game machine, a setting can be made in units of billing items such that some or all products are discounted with a vending machine. Furthermore, the system may be provided with means for informing the user inside or outside the store about the implementation of discounts in facilities such as stores. For example, by sending information indicating the discount implementation status of each store 2 from the server system 20 to the user terminal device 6, users outside the store may be guided to the store 2. Alternatively, the store 2 is provided with a guide device that informs the user of the discount implementation status in the chargeable device 3 in the store, thereby encouraging the use of the chargeable device 3, thereby increasing consumption of virtual currency in the store 2 You may make it plan.

  Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

  A settlement system (1) according to one aspect of the present invention performs a settlement process for causing a user to consume a monetary value in response to the occurrence of billing in each of a plurality of billing target devices (3A, 3B,... 3N). The system is provided in association with each of the plurality of chargeable devices, is held in a medium (4) possessed by the user as information to be referred to in the settlement process, and is unique for each medium A plurality of information readers (11) that read settlement reference information including medium identification information (a card ID as an example) from the medium in response to the occurrence of the charge, and settlement reference information read by each information reader. A payment execution device (12, 20) for executing the payment processing with reference to each of the plurality of information reading devices, and a unique device identification for each billing target device. Information (device ID as an example) is set, and the settlement execution device stores the contents of the settlement processing performed for each billing of the plurality of billing devices with the device identification information and the medium identification information. The history recording means (44, S35; 34, S43) for recording the payment history information (D11; D4) in association with each other, and when the user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices, the user's Based on the payment history information, it is determined whether the consumption status of monetary value satisfies a predetermined privilege granting condition, and a privilege granting means (44, S32; 34, S32a).

  In addition, the privilege management method according to one aspect of the present invention executes a settlement process that causes a user to consume a monetary value in response to occurrence of billing in each of a plurality of billing target devices (3A, 3B,... 3N). Configured to be associated with each of the plurality of billing target devices, held in the medium (4) possessed by the user as information to be referred to in the settlement process, and unique to each medium Reference is made to a plurality of information reading devices (11) for reading settlement reference information including medium identification information (card ID as an example) from the medium in response to the occurrence of the billing, and settlement reference information read by each information reading device. A payment execution device (12, 20) for executing the payment processing, and each of the plurality of information reading devices has unique device identification information for each of the chargeable devices. A privilege management method applied to the set settlement system (1), wherein the contents of the settlement processing performed for each billing of the plurality of billing target devices are the device identification information and the medium identification information. (S35; S43) that is recorded in the payment history information (D11; D4) in association with each other, and when the user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices, the consumption of the monetary value of the user Determining whether a situation satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition based on the settlement history information, and providing a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege grant condition (S32; S32a). Is.

  Furthermore, the computer program according to an aspect of the present invention executes a settlement process that causes the user to consume a monetary value in response to the occurrence of billing in each of the plurality of billing target devices (3A, 3B,... 3N). A medium configured and associated with each of the plurality of chargeable devices, held in the medium (4) possessed by the user as information to be referred to in the settlement process, and unique to each medium A plurality of information reading devices (11) that read settlement reference information including identification information (for example, a card ID) from the medium in response to the occurrence of the billing, and the payment reference information read by each information reading device A payment execution device (12, 20) for executing the payment processing, and each of the plurality of information reading devices includes a unique device for each billing target device. A privilege management computer program applied to a payment system in which identification information (device ID as an example) is set, wherein at least one computer (12; 20) provided in the payment system is connected to the plurality of charges The history recording means (44, S35; for recording the contents of the settlement processing performed for each charge of the target device in the settlement history information (D11; D4) in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information. 34, S43), and whether or not the consumption status of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition when the user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices. A privilege granting means (44, S32; 34, S32a) for discriminating based on information and granting a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege granting condition, Those that are configured to function with.

  According to each aspect of the present invention, the consumption status of a user's virtual currency relating to a plurality of billing target devices corresponds to the medium identification information of the medium owned by the user and the device identification information for the billing target device used by the user In addition, it is recorded in the settlement history information. Therefore, for the use of the user in at least a part of the plurality of billing target devices, the privilege granting condition is set in association with the consumption status of the user's virtual currency in the specific billing target device (one or a plurality of billing devices) By doing so, it is possible to provide a service that gives a privilege to a user by linking billing among a plurality of billing target devices to each other.

  In the above embodiment, a combination of computer program modules for operating the management PC 12 and the server system 20 corresponds to the computer program according to one aspect of the present invention. The computer program according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a state stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention in a computer, the game system of the present invention can be realized using the computer. The storage medium storing the computer program may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CDROM.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the privilege granting unit may grant the privilege in association with billing in at least a part of the plurality of billing target devices (billing target device 3B in FIG. 4 as an example). According to this, when the user uses at least some of the chargeable devices, it is determined whether or not the user's consumption status satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition by referring to the settlement history information Can give a certain benefit to the billing of the billing target device that the user intends to use. For example, it is possible to give a privilege such as discounting a part or all of the amount of virtual currency that the user should consume for using the billing target device.

  The privilege granting condition is set in association with the consumption of the monetary value corresponding to the billing in the first billing target device selected from the plurality of billing target devices (billing target device 3A in FIG. 4 as an example), The privilege granting unit is selected from the plurality of billing target devices and associated with billing in a second billing target device (billing target device 3B in FIG. 4 as an example) that is different from the first billing target device. It is good also as what provides a privilege. According to this, if the user consumes the virtual currency so that the privilege grant condition is satisfied in the first billing target device, it is associated with the billing of the billing target device when the second billing target device is subsequently used. The user can receive the given privilege. Thereby, a synergistic effect can be produced in the use of the first and second chargeable devices, and the motivation to use these chargeable devices can be given to the user.

  Further, the plurality of chargeable devices are configured as business devices installed in a predetermined facility (2) by a predetermined sales entity, and the first chargeable device and the second chargeable device are the same. It may be selected from a group of chargeable devices installed in a facility or a group of chargeable devices installed in a plurality of facilities related to the same business entity. According to this, the privilege associated with the billing in the billing target device is given within the range in which the business entities match. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of settlement among a plurality of business entities related to the provision of a privilege, and to reduce the labor required for accounting processing.

  The facility may further include privilege setting means (46, S62) for changing at least one of the privilege granting condition and the content of the privilege. According to this, it is possible to appropriately change the privilege granting condition and the content of the privilege according to the convenience of the business operator or the operator of the facility.

  A payment system according to an aspect of the present invention is provided in the billing target device, and billing management means (41, S12) that generates and outputs billing information for discriminating billing contents in response to the occurrence of the billing ) May be further included. In this case, the information reading device reads the payment reference information from the medium in response to the output of the charging information from the charging management means, and the payment execution device is determined based on the charging information. The amount of monetary value to be consumed by the user in accordance with the billing information output from the billing management means according to the setting information of the correspondence relationship between the billing content and the amount of monetary value to be consumed by the user Consumption amount determining means (44, S31; 34, S31a) for determining, and payment executing means (44, 34, S33, S33) for executing the payment processing based on the payment reference information and the determination result of the consumption amount determining means. S41; 44, 34, S33a, S41), and the privilege granting unit reduces the amount of monetary value determined by the consumption determination unit. Scripture may be those that confer. According to this, even if there is a difference in the configuration of each billing target device, if billing management means is provided in those devices and billing information is output, the user is consumed corresponding to the billing information. The amount of the monetary value should be determined, and if a predetermined privilege provision condition is satisfied, the amount of consumption can be reduced and the privilege can be granted to the user. Therefore, even if the device side does not correspond to a discount or the like in which the devices are linked to each other, it is possible to determine the discount or the like in the course of the payment processing on the payment execution device side.

    In the payment system according to an aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of information reading devices is configured as a device physically different from the billing target device and is in a state in which the billing target can communicate with the billing target device. It may be attached to the device. According to this, the information reading device is configured as a separate device for the billing target device, and the information reading terminal device is used not only for the billing target device but also for the existing billing target device that has already been operated. Can be attached. Furthermore, if a function for detecting billing contents and generating billing information is added to an existing billing target device, the billing information extracted from the billing target device and the settlement reference information read by the information reading device are used. However, it is possible to execute the settlement process according to the present invention.

  In the payment system according to one aspect of the present invention, at least some of the plurality of chargeable devices may be game machines. According to this, at the amusement facility where the amusement machine is installed, it is possible to give a privilege to the user by linking the amusement machines with each other or with the amusement machines and other chargeable devices.

1 payment system 2 stores (amusement facilities)
3A, 3B Chargeable devices (game machines)
4 cards (mediums owned by users)
7 Operation Control Unit 10 Store System 11 Reader (Information Reading Terminal Device)
12 Management PC
13 Setting terminal PC
14 PC for business
15 router 16 in-store LAN
17 Wireless LAN Access Point 20 Server System 31 Transaction Management System 32 Currency Management System 33 Accounting System 34 Transaction Control Unit (Settlement Execution Unit, Consumption Determination Unit)
41 Billing management section (billing management means)
44 Transaction control unit (consumption determining means, settlement execution means)
46 Setting management section (privilege setting means)

Claims (10)

A payment system that executes a payment process that causes a user to consume a monetary value in response to occurrence of a charge in each of a plurality of chargeable devices,
Settlement associated with each of the plurality of chargeable devices, held in a medium possessed by the user as information to be referred to in the settlement process, and including a medium identification information unique to each medium A plurality of information reading devices that read reference information from the medium in response to the occurrence of the charge;
A payment execution device that executes the payment processing with reference to the payment reference information read by each information reading device,
In each of the plurality of information reading devices, unique device identification information is set for each billing target device,
In the settlement execution device,
A history recording means for recording the contents of the settlement processing performed for each of the plurality of billing target devices in the settlement history information in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information;
When a user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices, it is determined based on the payment history information whether the consumption status of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition, Privilege granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege granting condition;
Is a payment system.   The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein the privilege granting unit grants the privilege in association with billing in at least some of the plurality of billing target devices. The privilege granting condition is set in association with consumption of the monetary value corresponding to the billing in the first billing target device selected from the plurality of billing target devices,
The settlement according to claim 1, wherein the privilege granting unit grants the privilege in association with billing in a second billing target device selected from the plurality of billing target devices and different from the first billing target device. system. The plurality of billable devices are configured as business devices installed in a predetermined facility by a predetermined sales entity,
The first billing target device and the second billing target device are a group of billing target devices installed in the same facility, or a group of billing target devices installed in a plurality of facilities related to the same business entity. The payment system according to claim 3, wherein the payment system is selected.   The settlement system according to claim 4, wherein the facility is further provided with privilege setting means for changing at least one of the privilege granting condition and the content of the privilege. Provided in the billing target device, further comprising billing management means for generating and outputting billing information for determining billing contents in response to the billing occurrence;
The information reading device reads the payment reference information from the medium in response to the output of the charging information from the charging management unit,
In the settlement execution device, the billing information output from the billing management unit is set according to the setting information of the correspondence between the billing content determined based on the billing information and the amount of monetary value to be consumed by the user. A consumption determining means for determining the amount of monetary value to be consumed by the user correspondingly;
Payment execution means for executing the payment processing based on the payment reference information and the determination result of the consumption amount determination means;
Is provided,
The settlement system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the privilege granting unit grants the privilege by reducing the amount of monetary value determined by the consumption determination unit.   7. Each of the plurality of information reading devices is configured as a device physically different from the billing target device, and is attached to the billing target device so as to be communicable with the billing target device. Payment system.   The payment system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices is a game machine. The payment processing is configured to execute a payment process that causes a user to consume a monetary value in response to the occurrence of charging in each of the plurality of charging target devices, and is provided in association with each of the plurality of charging target devices. A plurality of payment reference information, which is held in a medium possessed by the user as information to be referred to in processing, and which includes unique medium identification information for each medium, is read from the medium in response to the occurrence of the accounting An information reading device, and a payment execution device that executes the payment processing with reference to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, and each of the plurality of information reading devices includes A privilege management method applied to a payment system in which unique device identification information is set,
A procedure for recording the contents of payment processing performed for each of the plurality of chargeable devices in payment history information in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information;
When a user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices, it is determined based on the payment history information whether the consumption status of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition, A procedure of giving a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege granting condition;
A privilege management method with The payment processing is configured to execute a payment process that causes a user to consume a monetary value in response to the occurrence of charging in each of the plurality of charging target devices, and is provided in association with each of the plurality of charging target devices. A plurality of payment reference information, which is held in a medium possessed by the user as information to be referred to in processing, and which includes unique medium identification information for each medium, is read from the medium in response to the occurrence of the accounting An information reading device, and a payment execution device that executes the payment processing with reference to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, and each of the plurality of information reading devices includes A computer program for privilege management applied to a payment system in which unique device identification information is set, and at least provided in the payment system One of the computer,
A history recording means for recording the contents of settlement processing performed for each of the plurality of billing target devices in the settlement history information in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information; and
When a user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices, it is determined based on the payment history information whether the consumption status of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined privilege grant condition, Privilege granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege granting condition;
A computer program for privilege management configured to function as

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