JP2018171437A - Game support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game support device which can achieve both safety and convenience of electronic money settlement in collecting play charges of a game machine.SOLUTION: A game support device includes a first game support device 118 and a second game support device 120. The first game support device 118 is connected to a game device 110 via a relay device 112. The first game support device 118 receives a medium ID and a player's face image (biological information) from the game device 110 and performs face authentication (biometric authentication) when game play is started. When authentication is successful, use charges of the game device 110 are settled by a settlement device 114. When settlement of the use charges is permitted by the settlement device 114, the first game support device 118 permits use of the game device 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a fee collection technique for computer games.

  Arcade game machines (professional game machines) that charge a fee for each play have a history of more than 40 years. Although the arcade game market is said to be shrinking, it has a scale of about 400 billion yen in 2014.

  In recent arcade game machines, a fee collection method using electronic money has become widespread (see Patent Document 1). The player pays a collect of cash to charge electronic money to an IC (Integrated Circuit) card (precharge), and holds the IC card over the game machine. The game machine subtracts the electronic money for the play fee from the IC card. The player can continue playing within the amount charged.

Japanese Patent No. 4631705

  However, in the above fee collection method, if the electronic money charged in the IC card runs out, the player needs to be charged again. Therefore, if recharge is required during the game, the game play must be interrupted, and the interest of the game will be lost.

  Also, if the IC card is lost, there is a risk that electronic money is illegally consumed by others. In general, the amount of damage when an IC card is stolen is suppressed by limiting the chargeable amount to a small amount. However, if the amount of money that can be charged is excessively suppressed, charging is frequently required, and thus the above-described problem is easily realized.

  The present invention has been completed on the basis of the above-mentioned problem recognition, and its main object is to achieve both the safety and convenience of electronic money settlement in collecting the play fee of a game machine.

A game support device according to an aspect of the present invention is connected to a game device via a communication network.
This device corresponds in advance to an ID acquisition unit that acquires the player's ID from the game device, a biological information acquisition unit that acquires the second biological information of the player from the game device, and the player's ID and the first biological information. By referring to the attached biometric information table and comparing the first biometric information associated with the acquired ID with the acquired second biometric information, the authentication unit authenticates the player, and is matched by authentication. When the determination is made, the payment request unit that requests payment of the usage fee of the game device to the external payment device, the payment receiving unit that receives a payment permission notification from the payment device, and the payment of the usage fee are permitted by the payment device. And a play permission unit that permits use of the game device.

A game support apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is connected to a game apparatus having a biometric authentication function via a communication network.
The device receives an ID acquisition unit that acquires an ID from a player of the game device, a biometric information transmission unit that transmits first biometric information previously associated with the ID to the game device, and a biometric authentication result from the game device. An authentication result receiving unit, a payment requesting unit that requests payment of a usage fee of the game device to an external payment device, and a payment receiving unit that receives a payment permission notification from the payment device when it is determined to be compatible by authentication, A play permission unit that permits the use of the game device when the payment of the usage fee is permitted by the payment device.

  According to the present invention, it is easy to achieve both safety and convenience when collecting a play fee of a game machine with electronic money.

It is a hardware block diagram of a game system. It is a functional block diagram of the game support device in the first embodiment. It is a data structure figure of a biometric information table. It is a data structure figure of a charge table. It is a data structure figure of an account table. It is a sequence diagram which shows the payment processing process of a usage fee in 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the game support apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is a sequence diagram showing a settlement process of the usage fee.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described by being divided into two embodiments, the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the term “this embodiment” is used in a meaning that does not particularly distinguish “first embodiment” and “second embodiment”.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the game system 100.
In the game system 100, with respect to the game support apparatus 102, a plurality of stores 108a, 108b... 108n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “store 108” when collectively referred to or not particularly distinguished) and a plurality of portable terminals 104 n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “portable terminal 104” when collectively referred to or when not specifically distinguished) are connected via the Internet 106. The game support apparatus 102 is also connected to a settlement apparatus 114. The settlement apparatus 114 is a server operated by a credit card company or a bank.

  The mobile terminal 104 in the present embodiment is assumed to be a smartphone. The mobile terminal 104 may be a tablet terminal or a laptop PC. The mobile terminal 104 and the Internet 106 are wirelessly connected, but may be connected by wire.

The store 108 may be an amusement park or a game center. In the store 108, a plurality of game devices 110 a to 110 f (hereinafter collectively referred to as “game device 110” when collectively referred to or not particularly distinguished) and the relay device 112 are connected by a dedicated line. The game device 110 is an arcade game machine called “satellite”, which is a so-called arcade game machine. The relay device 112 is called a “terminal” and is a device for supporting and assisting game play of one or more game devices 110. The relay device 112 and the Internet 106 are connected by wire, but may be connected wirelessly.
Note that the relay device 112 may be used in common with other types of game devices via a router or the like, and may function as a store server device that communicates outside the store.

  The relay device 112 re-plays (plays a video) the game play result in the game device 110, creates a ranking from a plurality of game play results, and provides a card (item) that can be used in the game. It has a function. In general, the relay device 112 executes support processing as processing for further enhancing the fun of game play in the game device 110 such as game production and analysis.

  A store entry detection device 116 is further connected to the relay device 112. A medium ID (hereinafter also referred to as “CID”) is registered in advance in a game card held by the player. The store entry detection device 116 reads the medium ID from the game card when the player enters the store 108. The relay device 112 can recognize the player who has entered the store 108 by the store entry detecting device 116. Details of the process associated with entering a store will be described later.

The game support device 102 (game support system) includes a first game support device 118 and a second game support device 120.
The first game support device 118 performs biometric authentication of the player. The second game support device 120 performs payment of the usage fee of the game device 110 with the payment device 114.

  A player ID (hereinafter also referred to as “PID”) is registered in the portable terminal 104. The medium ID and the player ID are not necessarily visible to the player, and may be a secret code registered in the game card and the portable terminal 104. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the medium ID is registered in the game card and the player ID is registered in the portable terminal 104. Note that both the medium ID and the player ID may be registered in the mobile terminal 104 or the game card. When it means both or one of the medium ID and the player ID, it is simply called “ID”. The medium ID is an ID for identifying a portable item such as a game card or the portable terminal 104, and the player ID is an ID for identifying a player.

  When using the game system 100, the player needs to make a credit card contract with the settlement apparatus 114 in advance and register a player ID and an account number or credit card number in the second game support apparatus 120. The second game support device 120 associates a player ID with an account number for each player and makes a list. In addition, the player registers the medium ID, player ID, and biometric information in the first game support device 118. The biometric information may be information representing human physical / behavioral characteristics such as a face image (face feature information), fingerprint, iris, vein, voice print, handwriting, palm shape, DNA (gene information). In the present embodiment, description will be made on a face image.

  More specifically, when registering a player in the game support apparatus 102, the player registers an account number or a credit card number in the second game support apparatus 120 via the portable terminal 104 or the like. The second game support device 120 issues a player ID to the portable terminal 104 of the player, and the portable terminal 104 registers the player ID. The player ID issued by the second game support device 120 is also registered in the first game support device 118.

  The first game support device 118 generates a medium ID and issues a game card with the medium ID recorded to the player. As described above, the medium ID is an ID unique to the game card.

  After acquiring the medium ID, the player captures a face image with the mobile terminal 104 and transmits the face image to the first game support device 118. Through the above registration process, the player ID and the account number are associated with each other in the second game support device 120, and the player ID, the medium ID, and the face image are associated with each other in the first game support device 118. A medium ID is recorded on the game card, and a player ID is registered on the portable terminal 104.

  When playing the game, the player holds the game card over the game device 110. At this time, the game apparatus 110 reads the medium ID from the game card using a known near field communication technology such as NFC standard (Near Field Communication). In addition, the game apparatus 110 includes a camera and captures a face image of the player. The game device 110 transmits a medium ID and a face image together with a game ID (hereinafter also referred to as “GID”) that is an ID for identifying a game to the first game support device 118 via the relay device 112. Further, when the medium ID is recorded on the portable terminal 104, the medium ID is assigned to the game apparatus using short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark) between the portable terminal 104 and the game apparatus 110. 110 may be transmitted.

  The first game support device 118 performs face authentication by comparing the received face image (second biometric information) with the registered face image (first biometric information). When the authentication is successful, the second game support device 120 requests the settlement device 114 to settle the usage fee. Details of face authentication and settlement will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, face authentication and small amount payment for a play fee are executed for each play. For this reason, it is not necessary for the player to precharge the game money or the portable terminal 104 in advance. Within the range of the balance of the bank account, payment is executed for each game played. Further, even if the game card is stolen, face authentication is not successful unless the original owner of the game card. Security is ensured by face recognition.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game support apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment.
As described above, the game support device 102 includes the first game support device 118 and the second game support device 120. Each component of the first game support device 118 and the second game support device 120 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various coprocessors, a storage device such as a memory and a storage, and wired or wireless communication that connects them. It is realized by hardware including a line and software stored in a storage device and supplying processing instructions to an arithmetic unit. The computer program may be constituted by a device driver, an operating system, various application programs located in an upper layer thereof, and a library that provides a common function to these programs. Each block described below is not a hardware unit configuration but a functional unit block.

(First game support device 118)
The first game support device 118 includes a communication unit 122, a data processing unit 124, and a data storage unit 126.
The communication unit 122 is in charge of communication processing with the mobile terminal 104 and the store 108 via the Internet 106. In addition, the communication unit 122 performs communication processing with the second game support device 120 via a dedicated line (the Internet 106 when the operating entities of the first game support device 118 and the second game support device 120 are different). The data storage unit 126 stores various data. The data storage unit 126 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the communication unit 122 and the data stored in the data storage unit 126. The data storage unit 126 also functions as an interface between the communication unit 122 and the data storage unit 126. The data storage unit 126 stores various information such as a medium ID, a game ID, a player ID, and face image information (details will be described later).

  The data processing unit 124 includes an authentication unit 142 and a store entry management unit 144. The store entry management unit 144 manages who is in which store by the method described later. The authentication unit 142 performs face authentication.

The communication unit 122 includes a game ID acquisition unit 128, a first ID acquisition unit 130 (ID acquisition unit), a third ID acquisition unit 132, a biometric information acquisition unit 134, a payment request unit 136, a payment reception unit 138, and a play permission unit 140. .
The game ID acquisition unit 128 receives a game ID (GID) from the game device 110 at the start of game play. First ID acquisition unit 130 receives a medium ID (CID) from game device 110 at the start of game play. When the player holds the game card over game device 110 at the start of the game play, game device 110 reads the medium ID from the game card and transmits it to first game support device 118.

  When the player enters the store 108, the store entry detection device 116 acquires the medium ID from the game card. The store entry detection device 116 may acquire the player ID instead of the medium ID, or may identify the player by an ID other than the two IDs. In the present embodiment, the ID (third ID) read by the store entry detection device 116 is assumed to be a medium ID. The third ID acquisition unit 132 receives the medium ID read by the store entry detection device 116 and the store ID for identifying the store when the store entry is detected and when the store exit is detected. Thereby, the store entry management part 144 can grasp | ascertain who is in which store at any time.

  The biometric information acquisition unit 134 receives the face image of the player taken by the game device 110 at the start of the game play. When the face authentication is successful, the settlement request unit 136 requests the second game support apparatus 120 to settle the usage fee. The settlement receiving unit 138 receives a settlement permission notification (first settlement permission notification) from the second game support device 120. The play permission unit 140 permits game play in the game device 110 when the payment of the usage fee is completed in the payment device 114.

(Second game support device 120)
Second game support device 120 includes a communication unit 146, a data processing unit 148, and a data storage unit 150.
The communication unit 146 performs communication processing with the payment device 114 and the first game support device 118 via a dedicated line (the Internet 106 when the management subject is different from the first game support device 118 and the payment device 114). The data storage unit 150 stores various data. The data storage unit 150 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the communication unit 146 and the data stored in the data storage unit 150. The data storage unit 150 also functions as an interface between the communication unit 146 and the data storage unit 150. The data storage unit 150 stores various information such as a medium ID, a game ID, a player ID, a usage fee, and an account number (details will be described later).

The communication unit 146 includes a request receiving unit 152, a settlement request unit 154, and a settlement notification unit 156.
The request receiving unit 152 receives a usage fee settlement request from the settlement request unit 136 of the first game support device 118. The settlement request unit 154 transmits a usage fee settlement request to the settlement apparatus 114. The settlement notification unit 156 receives information indicating whether settlement is possible from the settlement device 114, and transmits a settlement permission notification (first settlement permission notification) to the settlement reception unit 138 of the first game support device 118.

FIG. 3 is a data structure diagram of the biological information table 158.
The biometric information table 158 is stored in the data storage unit 126 of the first game support device 118. In the biometric information table 158, a medium ID (CID), a player ID (PID), and a biometric information ID (hereinafter also referred to as “BID”) that is an ID of a face image (first biometric information) are associated. A face image is associated with each BID.

  When registering the player, the data processing unit 124 registers the medium ID, the player ID, and the biometric information ID of the face image in the biometric information table 158 in association with each other. In FIG. 3, a player (P03) having a game card with medium ID = C01 (hereinafter referred to as “game card (C01)”) has registered a face image (B01). When starting the game play, the player (P03) inputs the medium ID (C01) to the game apparatus 110 and causes the camera of the game apparatus 110 to photograph his / her face. The authentication unit 142 compares the face image (B01) associated with CID = C01 with the acquired face image (second biometric information) using a known image authentication technique, and performs face authentication.

  Players entering the store 108 are managed as needed by the store management unit 144 as described above. When the player (P03) enters the store 108a, the store management unit 144 registers the player (P03) in the store list (not shown) of the store 108a. Further, the authentication unit 142 extracts face information (B01) corresponding to the player (P03) from the enormous amount of face information stored in the data storage unit 126, and selects it as a collation candidate. By extracting the customer's face information as a verification candidate, face authentication processing at the time of game play can be executed promptly.

  When the player holds the game card directly over the game device 110, the medium ID can be specified. However, when authentication is performed by short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 104, the mobile terminal of another player near the game device 110 can be identified. There is a possibility that the medium ID is also received. In this case, it becomes difficult to specify the medium ID of the player who will play the game. As a result, the face information of the plurality of players specified in the store entry list (or the face information of the plurality of players specified by the medium ID received by the game apparatus 110) and the face information photographed by the game apparatus 110 are collated. Will do. At that time, if face information to be collated is limited to a limited number, face authentication processing can be executed promptly.

  In the biometric information table 158 of FIG. 3, the game card (C02) is associated with three players: a player (P06), a player (P02), and a player (P11). In other words, these three players share one medium ID. The three players may share one game card in which the medium ID (C02) is registered. Alternatively, each of the three players may own three cards registered with the medium ID (C02). Only one representative of the three may own one game card in which the medium ID (C02) is registered.

  For example, the medium ID can be shared by brothers or parents. When the grandfather owns the game card registered with the medium ID (C02), if the grandfather passes the game card to the two grandchildren, the two grandchildren can enjoy the game play with the payment of the grandfather. Specifically, when the grandchild player (P02) plays a game using the game card (C02), the three pieces of face information (B03), face information (B14) associated with the medium ID (C02) or Game play is permitted when face authentication is successful for any of the face information (B11). In the above case, face authentication should be successful with the face information (B14) corresponding to the player (P02).

  As a modification, the payment may not be performed unless the face authentication of all of the plurality of players associated with one medium ID is successful. For example, when one medium ID is shared by the parent and child, the game play may not be permitted unless the face authentication of both the parent and the child is successful. According to such a control method, even if the child takes out the parent's game card, it is possible to place a restriction that the child cannot play the game device 110 unless he / she is with the parent.

  One player may have a plurality of medium IDs. In FIG. 3, the player (P03) has two medium IDs, a medium ID (C01) and a medium ID (C04). When the first game support device 118 manages the progress of the game on the game device 110, the medium ID and the game progress information are associated with each other. When one player has a plurality of medium IDs, one person can manage a plurality of types of progress information.

FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram of the charge table 160.
The fee table 160 is stored in the data storage unit 126 of the first game support device 118. The fee table 160 registers a usage fee per game play. The fee table 160 is set by the operator of the game support apparatus 102 when the game apparatus 110 is newly introduced. In the fee table 160, the game ID and the play fee are associated one to one. At the start of the game play, the game device 110 transmits the game ID to the first game support device 118 together with the medium ID and the face information. If the authentication unit 142 succeeds in face authentication, the settlement request unit 136 refers to the fee table 160 to identify the usage fee, and requests the second game support device 120 to settle the usage fee.

  In general, the usage fee for the game apparatus 110 is determined by the operator of the store 108. For this reason, even in the same game, the play fee often varies depending on the store 108. Variations in play fees tend to lead to an unfair feeling of the player. In the present embodiment, the usage fee for each game is uniformly managed in the fee table 160. For this reason, so-called “one price for one thing” is maintained, and the game can be enjoyed at the same usage fee regardless of which store 108 is played.

  Also, depending on the store 108, the usage fee may be strategically suppressed for attracting customers. When the large-scale store 108 lowers the usage fee, the neighboring store 108 has to reduce the usage fee, and the management of the small-scale store 108 is particularly pressured. In the present embodiment, since the first game support device 118 sets a unified price, it becomes easy to prevent exhaustion of the small-scale store 108. In some cases, such as when the operators of a plurality of stores are the same, the usage fee at each store may be intentionally changed. In that case, in addition to the game ID (GID), a store ID may be set separately, and a fee table may be provided for each store ID.

FIG. 5 is a data structure diagram of the account table 162.
The account table 162 is stored in the data storage unit 150 of the second game support device 120. The account table 162 associates player IDs with account numbers or credit card numbers. The account numbers in the account table 162 are registered based on the declaration from the player when the player is registered in the game system 100.

  If the face authentication is successful in the first game support device 118, the settlement request unit 136 transmits the player ID and the usage fee, and requests the second game support device 120 for settlement. The settlement request unit 154 refers to the account table 162, designates the account number or the credit card number corresponding to the player ID, and requests the settlement apparatus 114 to settle the usage fee.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a usage fee settlement process in the first embodiment.
The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed when a player registered in the game system 100 starts game play. First, the player causes the game device 110 to read the medium ID (CID) of the game card (S10). Next, biometric information is input in accordance with an instruction from the game device 110 (S12). As described above, in this embodiment, face information is used as biometric information.

  The game device 110 transmits input information including a game ID (GID), a medium ID (CID), and a face image to the relay device 112 (S14), and the relay device 112 transmits this input information to the first game support device 118. (S16). The authentication unit 142 of the first game support device 118 refers to the biometric information table 158 and performs face authentication by comparing with the registered face image (S18). As a result of authentication, when the face image does not match (hereinafter referred to as “failure”), the play permission unit 140 of the first game support device 118 does not permit the game device 110 to play. Here, the following description will be given on the assumption that the face image is matched (hereinafter referred to as “success”) as a result of authentication.

  After the authentication is completed, the settlement request unit 136 identifies the usage fee with reference to the fee table 160, and transmits a settlement request including the player ID (PID) and the usage fee to the second game support device 120 (S20). The request receiving unit 152 of the second game support device 120 receives the settlement request, the settlement request unit 154 refers to the account table 162 to identify the account number, and issues a settlement request including the account number and usage fee to the settlement device 114. (S22).

  The settlement apparatus 114 executes a settlement process when the balance of the designated bank account is equal to or higher than the usage fee (S24). The settlement notification unit 156 transmits a settlement availability notification to the second game support device 120 (S26). The settlement notification unit 156 of the second game support device 120 receives the settlement permission notification and transmits a settlement permission notification to the first game support device 118 (S28).

The play permission unit 140 of the first game support device 118 transmits a permission notice to the relay device 112 when the deduction of the usage fee from the account balance is completed (S30) (S32). The relay device 112 transfers a permission notice to the corresponding game device 110 (S34). When the withdrawal has failed, the play permission unit 140 does not permit game play. On the condition that the permission notification is received, the game apparatus 110 starts the game execution (S36).
As described above, when the face authentication is successful and the usage fee is deducted from the account, the game apparatus 110 can execute the game.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, face authentication (biometric authentication) has been described as being executed by the first game support device 118. In the second embodiment, the game apparatus 110 has a face authentication (biometric authentication) function, and the game apparatus 110 executes face authentication. The hardware configuration of the game system 100 in the second embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the game system 100 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the game support apparatus 102 in the second embodiment.
In FIG. 7, the role of the functional block having the same reference numeral in FIG. 2 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. A biometric information transmission unit 164 and an authentication result reception unit 166 are added to the communication unit 122 of the first game support device 118 of the second embodiment.

  The biometric information transmission unit 164 transmits the registered face image to the game device 110 via the relay device 112. The authentication result receiving unit 166 receives a face authentication result from the game apparatus 110.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a usage fee settlement process in the second embodiment.
The game device 110 acquires the medium ID at the start of the game (S10), and acquires a face image (S12). The game device 110 transmits input information including a game ID (GID) and a medium ID (CID) to the relay device 112 (S14), and the relay device 112 transmits this input information to the first game support device 118 (S16). ). The biometric information transmission unit 164 transmits the registered face image corresponding to the medium ID to the game device 110 via the relay device 112 (S38, S40).

  The game device 110 collates the transferred face image with the face image acquired in S12, and executes face authentication (S44). When the authentication fails, the game device 110 does not permit game play. Here, the following description will be made assuming that the authentication is successful.

  The game device 110 transmits the authentication result (authentication success) to the first game support device 118 via the relay device 112 (S44, S46), and the authentication result receiving unit 166 receives the authentication result. The subsequent processing steps are the same as those after S20 in FIG.

  When the entry of a certain player is detected, the biological information transmission unit 164 of the game ID acquisition unit 128 may transmit the face image of the player together with the medium ID to the game device 110 of the corresponding store. In this case, in the game device 110, the face image of the store clerk is downloaded in advance before the game play is started. When the game apparatus 110 starts the face authentication by comparing the downloaded face image with the captured face image at the start of the game play, the face authentication can be performed at a higher speed.

The game system 100 has been described above based on the embodiment.
According to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to fully charge the IC card in advance for electronic money settlement. The player can continue playing the game on the game device 110 without being interrupted for charging. Since a small payment is executed for each one play or a payment is executed by a short-term credit, there is an advantage that the “prepayment” of charging is unnecessary and the financial burden on the player is reduced. This electronic money payment includes a credit card payment.

  By capturing a face image and performing face authentication, unauthorized use associated with theft of the medium ID is suppressed. Even if face authentication is not actually performed, it is considered that acquiring biological information such as a face image in the game apparatus 110 greatly contributes to crime prevention. Even if unauthorized use occurs, if the medium ID, the face image, and the play history are registered in association with each other in the first game support device 118 or the game device 110, unauthorized users can be easily determined at a later date.

  In the present embodiment, the first game support device 118 specifies a face image based on the medium ID, and the second game support device 120 specifies an account number based on the player ID. In other words, biometric authentication is performed based on the medium ID, and balance confirmation is performed based on the player ID. Security is enhanced by performing two confirmation processes using two IDs, a medium ID and a player ID. After the face authentication is successful in the first game support device 118 based on the medium ID and the face information, the player may send a player ID from the mobile terminal 104 to the second game support device 120 and make a settlement request. In this case, even if the unauthorized user can succeed in face authentication by some method, the payment is not executed unless the player ID is leaked.

  In addition, the operation burden of the game support apparatus 102 is reduced. In the case of a method of charging an IC card, the charge amount (balance) recorded on the IC card is “deposit”, and the operator is obliged to strictly manage it. In this embodiment, since payment is executed for each play or payment is executed by short-term credit, there is an advantage that the game operator is freed from the burden associated with deposit management.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment and modification, A component can be deform | transformed and embodied in the range which does not deviate from a summary. Various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications. Moreover, you may delete some components from all the components shown by the said embodiment and modification.

  Although it has been described that the game system 100 is configured by the mobile terminal 104, the game support device 102, the relay device 112, the game device 110, and the store entry detection device 116, some of the functions of the game support device 102 are the game device 110 and the relay. It may be realized by the device 112, or a part of the functions of the game device 110 and the relay device 112 may be assigned to the game support device 102. In addition, a third device other than the game support device 102, the game device 110, and the relay device 112 may take part of the functions of these devices.

  An aggregate of the functions of the game device 110, the relay device 112, and the game support device 102 described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 can be grasped as a single “information processing device” on a global basis. How to allocate a plurality of functions necessary for realizing the present invention to one or a plurality of hardware depends on the processing capability of each hardware, the specifications required for the game system 100, and the like. It only has to be decided.

  Similarly, the first game support device 118 and the second game support device 120 may be integrally formed, and a part of the function of the first game support device 118 is configured as a part of the second game support device 120. Part of the functions of the second game support device 120 may be configured as a part of the first game support device 118, or the third device may be the first game support device 118 and the second game. A part of the function of the support device 120 may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the player can continue the game play as long as the player's bank account balance is equal to or higher than the usage fee. As a modification, in the second game support device 120, “a withdrawal limit” may be set. For example, when a parent gives a game card to a child, if the limit of withdrawal per day is set to 3,000 yen, the child can enjoy a game without cash within a range of 3,000 yen. Not only can children be prevented from playing games indefinitely, but it is also beneficial for parents because they don't have to give children cash.

  In the present embodiment, the face authentication is described as being performed at the start of game play. As a modified example, when a predetermined timing during game play (for example, when charging for purchase, purchase of an item, etc., confirmation timing such as confirmation of play by the same player, confirmation of leaving or sitting, etc. at regular intervals is satisfied) ), The game apparatus 110 may image the player and transmit the face image to the first game support apparatus 118. The authentication unit 142 of the first game support device 118 performs authentication every time a face image is received. When the authentication fails, the play permission unit 140 transmits warning information to the game device 110 or another device. The warning information here may be control information that stops the execution of the game or restricts the execution of the game, or information that instructs the player suspected of fraud to display a warning on the game device 110. There may be. Alternatively, it may be a fraud report to an administrator of an external device, for example, the relay device 112 or the store 108. In addition, the play permission unit may notify the authentication result to an external device such as a monitoring center or an operator's mobile terminal as needed.

  The player's face changes with age. For example, a child's face changes with growth, and a player may change his hairstyle. Therefore, it is desirable that the face image (first biological information) associated with the biological information table 158 is updated as appropriate. As a modification, the registered face image (first biological information) may be updated by the following method. When the face image (second biological information) of the player is acquired, the authentication unit 142 collates the acquired face image with the registered face image. If the matching rate is the first threshold value, for example, 80% or more, it is regarded as authentication success, and if it is less than 80%, it is regarded as authentication failure.

  Here, the registration data is not updated if the relevance rate is a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, for example, 90% or more. On the other hand, when the matching rate is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, for example, 80% or higher and lower than 90%, the authentication unit 142 registers the newly acquired face image as the next authentication image. According to such a control method, the face image for authentication (first biological information) can be appropriately maintained while capturing a slight change in the player's face. The face image registered in the past may be updated with the newly registered face image, or a new face image may be additionally registered while maintaining the face image registered in the past.

  At the time of authentication in the game apparatus 110, faces other than the player are reflected in the camera of the game apparatus 110, and the possibility that face authentication is executed by the face of another person is not zero. Therefore, in face authentication, the player may clearly instruct execution. For example, the authentication unit 142 may execute face authentication by pressing a predetermined determination button after the player has photographed the face on the camera. In addition, when there are a plurality of faces reflected on the camera, the player may confirm the face to be authenticated. Furthermore, not only the determination button but also the authentication unit 142 may execute face authentication when a predetermined gesture is executed. For example, the authentication execution unit (not shown) of the game apparatus 110 has registered and detected in advance a gesture of a predetermined pattern such as wink, smile, thumb up, and the same facial expression continues for a predetermined time or more. It is also possible to capture a face image on the condition and transmit it to the game support apparatus 102. In addition, a gesture instruction unit (not shown) of the game apparatus 110 displays a gesture for a face authentication start condition set in advance, such as “Make your eyes closed” or “Look carefully” at the screen or It may be instructed by voice.

  If a face image is captured during game play, various expressions of the player may be captured. By acquiring various face images and extracting features from them, the authentication accuracy of face authentication can be improved.

  When performing face authentication on the game device 110, the game device 110 may execute face authentication each time a face image is captured, and stop the game execution when face authentication fails, or the first game support The warning information may be transmitted to an external device such as the device 118.

  Information acquired at an arbitrary timing during the game may be other biological information such as a fingerprint in addition to the face information. Even if biometric authentication is not executed, acquiring biometric information during a game has a great deterrent effect against unauthorized use. In the case where biometric authentication is not performed only by acquiring biometric information, there is an advantage that the cost of the game support device 102 can be suppressed. As described above, the game apparatus 110 may acquire the biological information without imposing a burden on the player by imaging the player at a predetermined timing, for example, when playing a boss character in the game play.

  Since the game card may be any card that registers a medium ID, it can be manufactured at a lower cost than an IC card. Note that the player ID may be used instead of the medium ID, and the medium ID may be used instead of the player ID.

  In the present embodiment, the game support apparatus 102 performs payment for the usage fee. The usage fee collected by the game support device 102 is distributed as sales at each store 108. As a modification, a part of the usage fee collected by the game support device 102 may be used for the operation cost of the game support device 102. For example, when the manufacturer of the game apparatus 110 operates the game support apparatus 102, the housing price of the game apparatus 110 may be suppressed instead of using a part of the usage fee as its own profit. According to such a fee collection method, the store 108 can suppress fixed costs when the game apparatus 110 is introduced. If the game device 110 becomes a popular game, the operation cost is increased, and if it is not popular, the operation cost is decreased. Sales of the game apparatus 110 vary greatly depending on whether or not the game is hit. When the operator of the game support device 102 takes over this sales risk, the store 108 can easily introduce the new game device 110.

  When the game apparatus 110 transmits input information to the game support apparatus 102, the relay apparatus 112 may transmit a store ID. In the fee table 160, a play fee may be set not only for each game but also for each store 108. For example, even if it is the same game, the play fee may be set higher in the store 108 where the latest game device 110 has just been introduced, and the play fee may be set lower for the old game device 110. Good. Alternatively, in order to increase the ability to attract customers when the weather is bad, it is possible to collectively reduce the play fee of the store 108 located in the bad weather area.

  In the present embodiment, an arcade game has been described. However, the game system 100 may be implemented for a home game machine, a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like.

  The present invention can be applied to applications other than games. The game support device 102 is not limited to game support, and may be configured as a payment support device. For example, in addition to making small payments at retail stores such as convenience stores, payment support devices are also used for facility usage expenses such as museums, sparrow villas, art galleries, movie theaters, and betting in public gambling such as horse racing, bicycle racing, casinos, and pachinko. The electronic money settlement by the settlement apparatus 114 may be supported by performing user authentication using the medium ID, the player ID, and the biometric information.

  In this case, the payment support apparatus is connected to a payment terminal installed in a store or facility such as a convenience store via a communication network. The payment support apparatus includes a first ID acquisition unit that acquires a user ID from a payment terminal, a biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of the user, biometric information that is associated with the acquired user ID in advance, and the acquired biometric information By verifying the information, the authentication unit for authenticating the user, when the authentication is successful, the settlement request unit for requesting the settlement of the fee specified in the settlement terminal to the external settlement device, and the settlement completion notification from the settlement device You may provide the payment receiving part to receive, and the permission part which approves the payment in a payment terminal, when the payment completion notification is received.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Game system, 102 Game support apparatus, 104 Portable terminal, 106 Internet, 108 Store, 110 Game apparatus, 112 Relay apparatus, 114 Payment apparatus, 116 Entrance detection apparatus, 118 1st game support apparatus, 120 2nd game support apparatus 122 communication unit 124 data processing unit 126 data storage unit 128 game ID acquisition unit 130 first ID acquisition unit 132 third ID acquisition unit 134 biometric information acquisition unit 136 settlement request unit 138 settlement reception unit 140 Play authorization unit, 142 authentication unit, 144 store entry management unit, 146 communication unit, 148 data processing unit, 150 data storage unit, 152 request reception unit, 154 settlement request unit, 156 settlement notification unit, 158 biometric information table, 160 fee Table, 162 account table, 16 4 biometric information transmitting unit, 166 authentication result receiving unit

Claims (12)

Connected to the game device via a communication network,
An ID acquisition unit for acquiring the ID of the player from the game device;
A biological information acquisition unit that acquires second biological information of the player from the game device;
The biometric information table in which the player ID and the first biometric information are associated with each other in advance is referred to, and the first biometric information associated with the acquired ID is compared with the acquired second biometric information. An authenticating unit for authenticating the player;
A payment requesting unit that requests an external payment device for payment of the usage fee of the game device when it is determined to be compatible by authentication;
A payment receiver for receiving a payment permission notification from the payment device;
A play permission unit that permits the use of the game device when the payment of the usage fee is permitted by the payment device;
A game support apparatus comprising:   The game support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biological information is a face image.   The authentication unit authenticates the player when any of the plurality of first biological information previously associated with the acquired ID matches the acquired second biological information. Item 3. The game support device according to Item 1 or 2. A third ID acquisition unit that acquires the ID of the player when entering the store where the game device is installed;
The game support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit selects, as a collation candidate, first biometric information associated with an ID of a player who has entered the store. The biometric information acquisition unit acquires second biometric information of the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied during play of the game device,
The authentication unit also performs authentication when the second biological information is acquired during play,
The game support device according to claim 1, wherein the play permission unit notifies an external device of an authentication result of the second biometric information acquired during play. A game ID acquisition unit for acquiring a game ID for identifying the game device;
The game support device according to claim 1, wherein the settlement request unit specifies a usage fee of the game device with reference to a fee table associating the game ID with a usage fee.   The game support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ID is at least one of a medium ID that identifies a player's portable object and a player ID that identifies the player. The game support device includes first and second game support devices,
The first game support device includes:
Connected to the game device and the second game support device via a communication network;
A first ID acquisition unit for acquiring a first ID from a player of the game device;
A biological information acquisition unit that acquires second biological information of the player;
Referring to the biometric information table in which the first ID of the player and the first biometric information are associated in advance, the first biometric information associated with the acquired first ID and the acquired second An authentication unit for authenticating the player by collating the biometric information of
A settlement request unit that transmits a second ID that is associated with the first ID in advance to the second game support device when it is determined to be compatible by authentication, and requests settlement of a usage fee of the game device; ,
A payment receiver for receiving a first payment acceptability notification from the second game support device;
A play permission unit that permits the use of the game device when payment of a usage fee is permitted by the second game support device;
The second game support device includes:
Connected to the settlement apparatus and the first game support apparatus via a communication network;
A request receiving unit for receiving a settlement request including the second ID from the first game support device;
A settlement requesting unit that designates an account number associated with the second ID and requests the settlement apparatus to settle the usage fee of the game apparatus;
2. A payment notification unit that transmits the first payment permission notification to the first game support device when receiving a second payment permission notification from the payment device. Game support device. Connected to a game device having a biometric authentication function via a communication network,
An ID acquisition unit for acquiring an ID from a player of the game device;
A biological information transmitting unit that transmits first biological information associated with the ID in advance to the game device;
An authentication result receiving unit for receiving a result of biometric authentication from the game device;
A payment requesting unit that requests an external payment device for payment of the usage fee of the game device when it is determined to be compatible by authentication;
A payment receiver for receiving a payment permission notification from the payment device;
A play permission unit that permits the use of the game device when the payment of the usage fee is permitted by the payment device;
A game support apparatus comprising: The game support device includes first and second game support devices,
The first game support device includes:
Connected to the game device and the second game support device via a communication network;
A first ID acquisition unit for acquiring a first ID from a player of the game device;
A biometric information transmitting unit that transmits first biometric information associated with the first ID in advance to the game device;
An authentication result receiving unit for receiving a result of biometric authentication from the game device;
A settlement request unit that transmits a second ID that is associated with the first ID in advance to the second game support device when it is determined to be compatible by authentication, and requests settlement of a usage fee of the game device; ,
A payment receiver for receiving a first payment acceptability notification from the second game support device;
A play permission unit that permits the use of the game device when payment of a usage fee is permitted by the second game support device;
The second game support device includes:
Connected to the settlement apparatus and the first game support apparatus via a communication network;
A request receiving unit for receiving a settlement request including the second ID from the first game support device;
A settlement requesting unit that designates an account number associated with the second ID and requests the settlement apparatus to settle the usage fee of the game apparatus;
The payment notifying unit, which receives the second payment permission notification from the payment apparatus, transmits the first payment permission notification to the first game support device. Game support device. A function of acquiring an ID from a player of the game device;
A function of acquiring second biological information of the player;
The biometric information table in which the player ID and the first biometric information are associated with each other in advance is referred to, and the first biometric information associated in advance with the acquired ID is compared with the acquired second biometric information. A function of authenticating the player;
A function for requesting an external settlement device to settle the usage fee of the game device when it is determined to be compatible by authentication;
A function of receiving a payment acceptability notification from the payment device;
A game support program for causing a computer to exhibit a function of permitting use of the game device when payment of a usage fee is permitted by the settlement device. A function of acquiring an ID from a player of a game device having a biometric authentication function;
A function of referring to a biometric information table in which a player ID and first biometric information are associated in advance, and transmitting the first biometric information associated with the ID to the game device;
A function of receiving a result of biometric authentication from the game device;
A function for requesting an external settlement device to settle the usage fee of the game device when it is determined to be compatible by authentication;
A function of receiving a payment acceptability notification from the payment device;
A game support program for causing a computer to exhibit a function of permitting use of the game device when payment of a usage fee is permitted by the settlement device.

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