JP2024058742A - Service terminal, computer program used therefor, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a service terminal to which characteristics corresponding to a facility can be imparted.SOLUTION: A game machine 3A provides a play of a game in return for settlement of compensation by one of a plurality of settlement methods, and is installed in one of a plurality of stores 6. The game machine 3A, when the settlement by private type electronic money is included in the plurality of settlement methods, and the stores 6 are managed by an issuer of the private type electronic money, and identifies an issuer privilege as a privilege set by the issuer, on the basis of information on a store ID which can identify the issuer. Then, the game machine 3A, when the compensation of the play of the game has been settled by the private type electronic money, assigns the issuer privilege to the play of the game, so as to be limited to the settlement by the private type electronic money among the plurality of settlement methods.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a service terminal installed in a specified facility among a plurality of service terminals each of which provides a specified service in exchange for payment of a fee by one of a plurality of payment methods.

Among a number of service terminals that each provide a specific service in exchange for payment by one of a number of payment methods, there are service terminals installed in specific facilities. For example, a gaming device that functions as such a service terminal is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6864861

In the game device of Patent Document 1, the fee to play the game is paid by one of several payment methods. Also, when the fee to play is paid, different types of items may be given depending on the payment method. However, these items are not set by the operator of the facility where the game device is installed, nor are they set for each facility. This type of game device is often installed in multiple facilities operated by different operators, and the facilities are often in a competitive relationship, but it is difficult to differentiate the game device of Patent Document 1 from other facilities. For example, the operator of each facility often issues so-called private electronic money and runs various campaigns based on user information, but it is difficult to apply such campaigns with the game device of Patent Document 1.

The present invention aims to provide a service terminal etc. that can have characteristics according to the facility.

The service terminal of the present invention is a service terminal installed at a specified facility among a plurality of service terminals each of which provides a specified service in exchange for payment of a consideration by one of a plurality of payment methods, and is equipped with a benefit identification means for identifying an issuer benefit as a benefit set by an issuer of the self-operated electronic money based on issuer information that can identify the issuer, when the plurality of payment methods include payment by a type of self-operated electronic money that is limited to services provided by the issuer among electronic money as electronic value issued in exchange for currency, and when the specified facility is operated by the issuer of the self-operated electronic money, and a benefit granting means for granting the issuer benefit to the specified service, when the consideration is paid by the self-operated electronic money, so that payment by the self-operated electronic money among the plurality of payment methods is limited to the use of the self-operated electronic money.

The computer program of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each of the means of the above-mentioned service terminal.

The control method of the present invention causes a computer incorporated in a service terminal installed in a specified facility among a plurality of service terminals each providing a specified service in exchange for payment of a consideration by one of a plurality of payment methods to execute a benefit identification procedure for identifying an issuer benefit as a benefit set by an issuer based on issuer information that can identify the issuer, when the plurality of payment methods include payment by a type of private electronic money that is electronic value issued in exchange for currency and whose payment objects are limited to services provided by the issuer, and the specified facility is operated by the issuer of the private electronic money, and a benefit assignment procedure for assigning the issuer benefit to the specified service, when the consideration is paid by the private electronic money, so that payment by the private electronic money among the plurality of payment methods is limited.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a network system to which a service terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the payment terminal. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a system built in a network system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for granting an issuer benefit. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a main part of a control system in the network system. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an application section provided in the program of the game machine. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of brand data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of second facility data. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a benefit providing process.

(overall structure)
An embodiment of the service terminal of the present invention will be described below. The service terminal of this embodiment is configured as a part of a network system. The service terminal of this embodiment plays a role in providing a specified service in the network system in exchange for a specified fee. First, an overview of the network system will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 includes a server SV. A service terminal 3, a payment terminal 4, a setting device 5, and a member management device MU are connected to the server SV via a network NT.

As an example, the server SV is configured as a logical server system that combines multiple server units 2A, 2B, etc. (hereinafter, sometimes represented by reference symbol 2). The server units 2 may be installed collectively at a specific location on the network NT, or may be installed in a distributed manner on the network NT using cloud computing to configure a so-called cloud-type server system. The network NT may be configured appropriately as long as it is possible to communicatively connect the service terminal 3, payment terminal 4, setting device 5, and member management device MU to the server SV. As an example, the network NT may include the Internet as a WAN, and various connection facilities or devices such as LANs or access points that connect the server SV, service terminal 3, payment terminal 4, setting device 5, and member management device MU to the Internet.

The payment terminal 4 is a computer device for electronically paying the price for a specified service. The payment terminal 4 may realize payment as appropriate, but as an example, it realizes payment via a payment medium that records medium information for electronically paying the price. For this reason, the payment terminal 4 has a function as a reader that reads the medium information of the payment medium. Various media may be used as appropriate as the payment medium, for example, an IC card including an IC tag, or various cards such as a card that displays a code such as a two-dimensional code created in accordance with a specified standard so as to include medium information, but as an example, a mobile terminal device 7b of the user terminal device 7 described below is used.

The payment terminal 4 can appropriately execute various payment methods such as payment by credit card, payment by debit card, or payment using a code such as a two-dimensional code through a payment medium (e.g., a mobile terminal device 7b), and the payment methods include payment by electronic money. Electronic money is issued in exchange for currency and is electronic value that can be used in the same way as currency at the time of payment. Electronic money can be appropriately classified, such as classification according to the time of payment, such as prepaid (paid in advance) type or postpaid (paid later) type, but it may also be classified according to the payment object. Specifically, electronic money includes, for example, self-owned electronic money and third-party electronic money. Self-owned electronic money is a type of electronic money whose payment object is limited to services provided by the issuer. Third-party electronic money is a type of electronic money whose payment object includes services provided by third parties other than the issuer (payment for third-party services is allowed). The payment terminal 4 may accept only one of these two types of electronic money, but as an example, both are accepted. In other words, the payment terminal 4 is configured as a multi-payment terminal capable of accepting payments using multiple payment methods, including both in-house electronic money and third-party electronic money.

The payment terminal 4 and the service terminal 3 may be installed in any suitable location related to the specified service, but in the example of FIG. 1, they are both installed in a store 6. The store 6 is an example of a facility for providing a specified service. The service terminal 3 is a computer device for providing a specified service. The service terminal may include any suitable device for providing various services, but in the example of FIG. 1, a game machine 3A and a vending machine 3B are shown as examples of such devices. An appropriate number of payment terminals 4, game machines 3A, and vending machines 3B may be installed in each store 6, but in the example of FIG. 1, one of each is installed.

Game machine 3A is a game device that provides games. Game machine 3A may include various game devices (computer devices) that provide games, but in the example of FIG. 1, it is configured as an arcade game machine. Arcade game machines are commercial (business) game machines (devices) that are installed in appropriate facilities such as amusement facilities and allow users to play games in exchange for collecting (consuming) a specified fee. Game machine 3A is installed in a store 6, which is a specified facility, and provides games as a specified service. Game machine 3A may provide various games such as action games, simulation games, role-playing games, or prize games (games in which the objective is to win prizes, such as crane games).

The vending machine 3B is a vending device that sells one or more products. The products sold by the vending machine 3B may be appropriately set from various items such as beverages, food, newspapers, magazines, books, toys, and various gaming media such as medals. The concept of a vending machine also includes ticket vending machines that sell tickets such as train tickets, admission tickets, and tickets, and camera machines that take a picture of the user and print it out. Alternatively, a fuel pump may also be included in the concept of a vending machine. Furthermore, the vending machine 3B is not limited to products, and may be used to provide services. For example, such services may include charging electronic money (issuing it in exchange for currency). In other words, the vending machine 3B may provide a charging service for charging electronic money, and may function as a currency collecting device that collects the consideration (currency) to be collected in exchange for the issuance of electronic money in that service.

The specified service may include various services as appropriate, but as an example, it includes games provided via game machine 3A and vending machine 3B at store 6, provision of goods, or provision of services such as charge services. The price for these services is paid via payment terminal 4. Specifically, for example, the price for playing a game and the price required to purchase goods are paid via payment terminal 4. Alternatively, when a charge service is provided via vending machine 3B, electronic money is charged via payment terminal 4 in exchange for the price (currency) collected by vending machine 3B. For this reason, game machine 3A and vending machine 3B (hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they may be referred to as service terminal 3) are connected to payment terminal 4 for the payment of these prices.

The payment terminals 4 may be installed in one-to-one correspondence with each service terminal, but are installed in one-to-many correspondence. In other words, one payment terminal 4 is installed so that it can be shared between multiple service terminals 3 (including both service terminals 3 of the same type, such as two game machines 3A, and service terminals 3 of different types, such as one game machine 3A and one vending machine 3B). In addition, the payment terminals 4 and service terminals 3 can be installed in any number of stores 6, but two stores 6 are shown in the example of Figure 1.

The vending machine 3B may also be configured as a device that provides certain services or intangible goods in exchange for payment of a fee (value) (for example, a device that allows the user to watch videos, etc., a currency exchange machine that exchanges and provides currency, a device that provides certain services such as laundry and car washing, a device that provides information requested by the user for a fee, etc.). In other words, the vending machine 3B may be configured as a device that provides various tangible or intangible services. These various services may function as specified services.

The member management device MU is a computer device for managing registered users who use each service at each store 6 as members. For this reason, the member management device MU is installed in each store 6. The member management device MU can perform various management operations related to each member, for example managing the member information of each member. The member information can include various information related to each member as appropriate, for example a member ID (information unique to each member for identifying each member), member rank (for example, in cases where ranks according to usage such as premium member and regular member are provided), or member attributes (name, age, gender, etc.).

The setting device 5 is a computer device that performs various management related to the private electronic money. The setting device 5 may perform various management as appropriate, for example, management of each user of the private electronic money or management of the usage status of each user. In addition, such management includes setting various campaigns using the private electronic money. The setting device 5 may be installed in an appropriate location. For example, if one store 6 issues its own private electronic money, it may be installed in that store 6, or if there are multiple affiliated stores, it may be installed in a facility (e.g., a head office) that integrates them so that it can be shared by multiple affiliated stores. In the example of FIG. 1, the setting device 5 is installed in each store 6. In this case, the setting device 5 may be configured as a computer device separate from the member management device MU, but as an example, one computer device serves the roles of both the setting device 5 and the member management device MU.

Specifically, various devices such as dedicated computers or mobile information terminals (e.g., smartphones or tablet terminals) may be appropriately used as the setting device 5 and the member management device MU, but in the example of FIG. 1, a personal computer is used. A personal computer can provide various functions by executing specific software (applications), and such functions include a member management function and a private electronic money management function. In other words, software for the member management function (hereinafter sometimes referred to as member software) and software for the private electronic money management function (hereinafter sometimes referred to as money software) are installed on the personal computer.

The member software and the money software may be separate software, but as an example, they are configured as software for a common web browser (hereinafter, may be referred to as browser software). Browser software is well-known software for viewing various websites. The various websites include websites for member management functions (hereinafter, may be referred to as member sites) and websites for management functions of private electronic money (hereinafter, may be referred to as money sites). For this reason, the browser software functions as member software when accessing a member site, and as money software when accessing a money site. In the following, the personal computers when the member software is used and when the money software is used are referred to as the member management device MU and the setting device 5, respectively, to distinguish between them.

A user terminal device 7 may be connected to the network system 1 via the network NT. The user terminal device 7 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is provided for personal use by a user. As the user terminal device 7, various computer devices such as a portable game machine and a portable tablet terminal device may be used, but in the example of FIG. 1, a stationary or notebook type personal computer 7a and a mobile terminal device 7b such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) are shown. These user terminal devices 7 can provide users with various services by implementing various computer software. Such software includes browser software. Therefore, the user terminal device 7 can access the member site and the money site through this browser software. Furthermore, payment software (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a payment app) may be installed in the mobile terminal device 7b. In this case, the mobile terminal device 7b functions as a payment medium through the payment app. A single mobile terminal device 7b can support multiple types of electronic money, in which case a different payment app is installed for each type of electronic money (functioning as a different payment medium for each payment app).

(Appearance of the payment terminal)
Next, the appearance of the payment terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the payment terminal 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the payment terminal 4 is provided with a housing HG. The housing HG is provided with a monitor MO, a touch sensor TS, and a reader device (not shown). The monitor MO is a well-known display device. The monitor MO is provided on the front side of the housing HG so as to face the user. Various information can be appropriately displayed on the monitor MO, and such information includes information related to payment, such as options for selecting a payment method. The touch sensor TS is a well-known detection device that outputs a signal according to the position of a touch operation. The touch sensor TS is arranged to cover the display surface of the monitor MO, and inputs an instruction through a touch operation to the options displayed by the monitor MO.

The reader device is a well-known input device that reads the media information stored in the payment medium. The payment medium may store the media information appropriately, for example, through various codes. In this case, for example, the reader device may be configured as a camera that reads the code. Alternatively, the payment medium may store the media information through an electronic recording medium such as an IC tag (IC chip). In this way, the reader device can be configured appropriately according to the recording method of the media information, and as an example, the mobile terminal device 7b records the media information through an IC tag, and the reader device is configured as a device that reads the media information of the IC tag (has a reader function). The reader device may have only a reader function, but as an example, it also has a writer function. Specifically, the reader device is configured as a transceiver that receives a signal output by the IC tag through a short-range wireless communication standard and transmits a signal for writing information to the IC tag. The reader device may be positioned appropriately, but as an example, it is positioned at a position corresponding to the monitor MO inside the housing HG so that the mobile terminal device 7b that is brought close to (held over) the monitor MO performs reading, etc.

(System built on a network system)
Next, referring to Fig. 3, a system constructed in the network system 1 for realizing the issuer privilege granted by the service terminal will be described. The issuer privilege is a privilege prepared by the issuer of private electronic money. In many cases, privileges set by the developer or seller of a service terminal are prepared for the service terminal, but the issuer privilege is a privilege that can be set as appropriate by a different issuer of the private electronic money (which is often the purchaser of the service terminal 3) for its own convenience. In other words, the service terminal 3 provides a specified service in the network system 1 so as to grant such an issuer privilege. For this reason, the network system 1 includes a system for realizing this.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an overview of an example of a system constructed in the network system 1. As shown in Figure 3, a payment system 10, a money management system 20, an electronic money system 30, and an arcade system AS are constructed on the server SV of the network system 1. These systems 10, 20, 30, and AS are systems realized by appropriately using the server unit 2A and the like included in the server SV. In the following, a mobile terminal device 7b is used as an example of a user terminal device 7, and a case will be described in which the mobile terminal device 7b is used as an example of a payment medium. In addition, a game machine 3A will be described as a representative of the service terminal 3.

The electronic money system 30 is a system operated by an issuer of electronic money. The electronic money system 30 provides various services related to payments using electronic money, such as a service for managing the payment history of payments using electronic money. The payment terminal 4 may allow payments using any type (number) of electronic money, and as an example, allows payments using three types of electronic money: private electronic money, first third-party electronic money, and second third-party electronic money. In this case, the electronic money system 30 includes a private electronic money system, a first third-party electronic money system, and a second third-party electronic money system that correspond to the three types of electronic money, respectively, but they are not shown in the example of FIG. 3. All of these are appropriately constructed using the server unit 2, and each is operated by a different operator. However, the operator of the private electronic money system (the server unit 2 may be realized by rental, in which case the user who rents it) is the same as the operator of the store 6.

The money management system 20 provides services related to the management of electronic money, such as issuing electronic money and managing users. For this reason, the money management system 20 is connected to the electronic money system 30 in order to appropriately send and receive various information. Furthermore, the management of electronic money includes, for example, providing a website for issuing electronic money. For this reason, a mobile terminal device 7b may be connected to the money management system 20 via browser software. The money management system 20 provides, for example, services such as charging (issuing in exchange for currency) prepaid electronic money to the mobile terminal device 7b via the website.

The money management system 20 includes a private electronic money management system 20A, a first third-party electronic money management system 20B, and a second third-party electronic money management system 20C, which correspond to three types of electronic money, respectively. These are money management systems 20 that manage the private electronic money, the first third-party electronic money, and the second third-party electronic money, respectively. For example, the private electronic money management system 20A provides the above-mentioned money site and member site as websites for issuing private electronic money, etc. For this reason, in addition to the mobile terminal device 7b, the member management device MU and the setting device 5 may be connected to the private electronic money management system 20A. Furthermore, the private electronic money management system 20A is interposed between the mobile terminal device 7b, the member management device MU, and the setting device 5 and the payment system 10, and also plays a role of sharing various information with the payment system 10. For this reason, the payment system 10 is connected to the money management system 20.

In addition, each electronic money may be settled by either the payment terminal 4 or the payment system 10, but as an example, the in-house electronic money is settled by the payment system 10. In this case, the balance of the in-house electronic money may be managed by the payment system 10 (in this case, the payment system 10 may function as the in-house electronic money management system 20A), but as an example, it is managed by the in-house electronic money management system 20A. Therefore, the management of the in-house electronic money management system 20A includes the management of the balance of the in-house electronic money. On the other hand, the first third-party electronic money and the second third-party electronic money are settled by the payment terminal 4. In this case, information on the balance of the first third-party electronic money and the balance of the second third-party electronic money are recorded in the mobile terminal device 7b via the payment app for the first third-party electronic money and the payment app for the second third-party electronic money, respectively, and the payment is executed in the payment terminal 4 through the update of these balances. The balance of each electronic money is managed via medium identification information for identifying each payment medium. When a payment app is used, the medium identification information is managed uniquely for each mobile terminal device 7b (payment medium) via the payment app.

The payment system 10 is constructed as a system that provides multiple payments, for example, using a server unit 2A and a database DB1 (one of the server units 2). The payment system 10 is interposed between the money management system 20 and the electronic money system 30, and the payment terminal 4 of each store 6, and provides them with various services related to multiple payments. Electronic money payments can be realized appropriately in the payment system 10, but in the case of first third-party electronic money and second third-party electronic money, for example, the medium information includes information on the balance of the electronic money, and the payment terminal 4 directly executes the payment. In this case, the payment system 10 receives the payment result from the payment terminal 4, and provides a service that is shared (provided) with the money management system 20 and the electronic money system 30 as appropriate.

On the other hand, in the case of in-house electronic money, the payment system 10 provides a payment service that is interposed between the payment terminal 4 and executes payment by electronic money via a payment app on the mobile terminal device 7b. Specifically, for example, when the consideration for play provided by the game machine 3A is paid, the payment system 10 obtains payment information provided from the payment terminal 4 and executes payment based on the payment information. The payment information may include information for realizing the payment as appropriate, for example, the consideration requested from the game machine 3A and medium information read via the payment app. Similarly, the medium information may include various information, and may include balance information as described above, but as an example, it includes medium identification information for identifying each payment medium instead of balance information. The payment system 10 obtains balance information corresponding to the medium identification information from the in-house electronic money management system 20A and executes payment. The payment system 10 provides the payment result to the in-house electronic money management system 20A so that it is reflected, and also provides it to the payment terminal 4 so that it is sent to the game machine 3A via the payment terminal 4. Furthermore, the payment system 10 appropriately shares the payment result with the electronic money system 30 for private electronic money so that the payment result is reflected.

Similarly, the payment system 10 is interposed between the setting device 5 and the member management device MU, and provides an information sharing service that shares various information between the setting device 5 and the member management device MU. The information sharing service includes, for example, an ID linking service that links (mutually associates) the member ID of each store 6 with the medium identification information of the payment medium owned by each member. The member ID and the medium identification information may be linked as appropriate, for example, by inputting the corresponding ID (including medium identification information) when one is issued. In other words, ID linking is performed via the in-house electronic money management system 20A. The payment system 10 appropriately obtains the linking result of ID linking via the in-house electronic money management system 20A. The result of ID linking may be referred to or modified as appropriate in the setting device 5 or the mobile terminal device 7b, etc., via a money site, etc.

The arcade system AS is constructed as a system that uses, for example, the server unit 2B and the database DB2 (one of the server units 2) to provide various game machine services related to games (services) to each game machine 3A. The game machine services may include various services, and as an example, include a distribution service that distributes and updates programs or data via the network NT. The arcade system AS appropriately distributes various programs or data necessary for providing games to the game machine 3A through such a distribution service. For this reason, the arcade system AS is connected to the game machine 3A. The game machine services may also include, for example, a matching service that matches with other users, an authentication service that receives user identification information from the game machine 3A and authenticates the user, a service that receives data such as the usage history of the authenticated user from the game machine 3A and stores it, or provides the stored data to the game machine 3A, and a billing service that collects fees from users.

The arcade system AS may be connected to other systems, etc., as appropriate, via the network NT for the purpose of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, it may be connected only to the game machine 3A, but in the example of FIG. 3, it is connected to the payment system 10. The issuer benefits may be set as appropriate, for example, they may be set as a type of campaign via the setting device 5. In this case, the information transmitted and received between the arcade system AS and the payment system 10 includes information on the campaign (issuer benefits). The arcade system AS is connected to the in-house electronic money management system 20A or the setting device 5, and may directly obtain information on the campaign (set by the operator on an appropriate basis, such as for each store 6) via them, but as an example, it obtains information indirectly via the payment system 10.

The payment system 10 and the arcade system AS may be operated by different operators, but as an example, they are operated by the same operator. Furthermore, the payment system 10 and the arcade system AS may be constructed for each store 6 or for multiple affiliated stores, but as an example, they are constructed so as to be shared by multiple stores 6 including stores 6 operated by different operators. For this reason, the operator of the payment system 10 and the arcade system AS is different from both the operator of the store 6 and the operator of the electronic money system 30. Various systems may be constructed in the network system 1 as appropriate, but as an example, it includes the payment system 10, the money management system 20, the electronic money system 30, and the arcade system AS.

(Details of issuer benefits)
Next, the issuer privilege will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. As described above, the issuer privilege is a privilege that is provided independently by the issuer of the private electronic money. At the service terminal 3 installed in the store 6 (facility) operated by the issuer, the use of the private electronic money issued by the issuer is permitted as a payment method for paying for services. The issuer privilege can be granted under various conditions, but as an example, it is granted on the condition that the payment is made with the private electronic money. In other words, the issuer privilege is granted only to users of the private electronic money.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for granting an issuer benefit. The issuer benefit may be realized as appropriate, for example, by benefit data (which may be updated as appropriate) prepared separately from the program as data for associating each game machine 3A with each issuer benefit. As an example, the issuer benefit is realized by a program (which may be updated as appropriate, including the content of the benefit) including a portion corresponding to the benefit data (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an application portion). The application portion is a portion for realizing the issuer benefit in the program. In other words, the issuer benefit is realized by a program incorporated in each game machine 3A. However, the content of the issuer benefit differs depending on the issuer, in other words, the store 6 (facility). For this reason, the program is provided with multiple application portions corresponding to multiple issuer benefits, and each game machine 3A identifies the target application portion (issuer benefit) based on information that can identify the issuer (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as issuer information), and grants the issuer benefit to the game (service) through the application of the identified application portion. The issuer information may be provided to each game machine 3A as appropriate, for example, via various recording media or computer devices when the game machine 3A is installed in each store 6, or from the payment system 10 via the payment terminal 4, but as an example, the issuer information is provided from the arcade system AS. The example in FIG. 4 shows the procedure for such a case. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the granting of the issuer benefit includes seven procedures from F11 to F17.

Specifically, first, the arcade system AS transmits issuer information to the game machine 3A (F11). When the game machine 3A acquires the issuer information, it stores it so that it can be used as needed. Any suitable information capable of identifying each issuer (in other words, each issuer's benefit) may be used as the issuer information, such as benefit data or a cabinet ID (information for identifying each game machine 3A) associated with each issuer. As an example, a store ID uniquely assigned to each store 6 to identify each store 6 (a different system of store IDs may be used between stores 6 operated by different operators, or the ID may be unique across all stores, including stores 6 operated by different operators) is used. In the case of private electronic money, the issuer and the operator of the store 6 that can use it are the same. For this reason, the store ID functions as issuer information.

On the other hand, when a user of a private electronic money at the store 6 (hereinafter, a user of a private electronic money among users of the store 6 may be referred to as a user MH and may be distinguished from a user) plays a game through the game machine 3A, the payment is collected through the payment terminal 4. For this reason, the user MH brings the mobile terminal device 7b close to the payment terminal 4 to execute payment (F12). Specifically, the user MH first operates the game machine 3A or the payment terminal 4 to specify the service (payment) to be paid. The payment terminal 4 provides an opportunity to collect the payment based on the specification. Then, when the mobile terminal device 7b is brought close (held) within a range where short-distance wireless communication is possible at that opportunity, medium information is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 7b to the payment terminal 4. The medium information may include any appropriate information, and examples thereof include information such as medium identification information and medium type (information indicating the type of payment medium, such as a card or a mobile terminal device 7b).

When the payment terminal 4 acquires the medium information from the mobile terminal device 7b, it requests the payment system 10 to settle the consideration (F13). This request may include various information necessary for the settlement, such as the medium information and the consideration to be settled. When this request is sent, the payment system 10 acquires it and executes the settlement based on the request (F14). Specifically, the payment system 10 cooperates with the in-house electronic money management system 20A to execute the settlement so as to deduct the current consideration from the balance of the medium identification information. After the settlement, the payment system 10 transmits the settlement result to the payment terminal 4 (F15). The payment system 10 shares the settlement result with the in-house electronic money system 30 at an appropriate time so that it is reflected in the settlement history.

When the payment result is sent from the payment system 10, the payment terminal 4 acquires it and sends it to the game machine 3A (F16). When the payment result is sent from the payment terminal 4, the game machine 3A acquires the result and determines whether or not to provide play based on that result. Specifically, the game machine 3A permits play of the game if the payment has been properly paid, and does not permit play of the game if the payment has not been properly paid. Furthermore, when permitting play, the game machine 3A determines whether or not an issuer benefit is required, and grants an issuer benefit if necessary (F17).

Specifically, the payment result includes information on the payment type for identifying (distinguishing) the payment method. In the case of electronic money, the payment type includes a money type for identifying each electronic money, such as first third-party electronic money, second third-party electronic money, and in-house electronic money. When the payment system 10 supports payments with multiple in-house electronic money (for example, when multiple stores 6 are operated by different issuers), multiple money types corresponding to the multiple in-house electronic money may be prepared, but as an example, the same single money type (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as in-house money type) is assigned to all of the multiple in-house electronic money. In other words, the money type is assigned to third-party electronic money so that it can be identified as a specific type (brand), such as first third-party electronic money or second third-party electronic money, but is assigned to in-house electronic money to the extent that it can be identified as in-house electronic money.

However, there are also cases where two or more types of self-owned electronic money are assigned multiple self-owned money types. For example, if self-owned electronic money issued by the parent company and self-owned electronic money issued by individual stores coexist in multiple affiliated stores, they may each be assigned a different self-owned money type to distinguish them from each other. In any case, it is preferable to assign a self-owned money type to at least two or more types of self-owned electronic money so that multiple types of self-owned electronic money are lumped together.

If the payment type is a type other than the self-owned money type, the game machine 3A determines that the payment is not eligible (not eligible) for the issuer benefit. On the other hand, if the payment type is the self-owned money type, the game machine 3A determines that the payment is eligible (required) for the issuer benefit. However, the issuer benefit may be available to all users of the self-owned electronic money, or may be available to some of them based on appropriate benefit conditions. If it is limited to some, the game machine 3A further determines whether the benefit conditions are met, and determines that the payment is eligible for the issuer benefit if the benefit conditions are met.

Furthermore, if the game machine 3A determines that the game machine 3A is eligible for an issuer benefit, it identifies the issuer benefit to be granted. As described above, issuer benefits are set according to the issuer. Therefore, if there are multiple issuer benefits, the issuer benefit to be granted is identified based on the issuer information. More specifically, the game machine 3A first identifies its own store ID using the store ID information already saved as issuer information. Then, the game machine 3A identifies the application section that should be applied to the store 6 (issuer) corresponding to that store ID, that is, the issuer benefit that corresponds to its own store 6 (issuer), among multiple application sections provided in the program as a part for realizing each issuer benefit.

When the target application section (issuer benefit) is identified, the game machine 3A actually grants the issuer benefit through application of the identified application section. The issuer benefit may include various benefits related to the game as appropriate, and may include appropriate benefits according to the type of game, such as changing various settings included in the game (such as the strength with which a crane grips a prize in a crane game), granting an item, using a special character, or the right to play a special mode (including progression, etc.) such as a game event (such as a tournament in which multiple users compete for the results). As an example, the issuer benefit is granted in this manner.

Each application unit may be provided as a fixed program, or may be changed as appropriate by the issuer. The change may be realized as appropriate, and may be changed (updated) by the operator of the arcade system AS through human operation between the operator of each store 6 (corresponding to the issuer of the private electronic money) and the operator of the arcade system AS (for example, communication between the operators using various communications including email, etc.). Alternatively, the update of the application unit may be performed via the setting device 5. Specifically, when the operator of each store 6 sets an issuer benefit as a type of campaign through the setting device 5, the private electronic money management system 20A transmits the setting result (campaign information including the issuer benefit) to the arcade system AS via the payment system 10. The arcade system AS updates the program based on the acquired setting result, and distributes the updated program to the game machine 3A. The update via the setting device 5 may be realized as appropriate, but is realized as described above as an example.

(Configuration of main parts of the control system)
Next, with reference to Fig. 5, a configuration of a main part of a control system related to the granting of issuer benefits in the network system 1 will be described. Fig. 5 shows an example of a main part of a control system in the network system 1. Note that the configuration in Fig. 5 is one specific example of the configuration of the network system 1 in Fig. 3, and components corresponding to those in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the payment system 10 is provided with a control unit 11 and a memory unit 12. The memory unit 12 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The memory unit 12 stores a computer program PG1 to be referenced by the control unit 11, and system data SD. The system data SD may include various types of data as appropriate, but the example in FIG. 5 shows brand data MD and first facility data FD1.

The first facility data FD1 is a type of facility data for managing terminals installed in each store 6 (facility). Various terminals may be installed in each store 6, which may be managed by the facility data as appropriate, but the terminals managed by the first facility data FD1 include the payment terminal 4. In other words, the payment terminal 4 of each store 6 is managed by the first facility data FD1. The brand data MD is data for managing the payment methods available at the payment terminal 4. Details of the brand data MD will be described later.

The control unit 11 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., CPUs, etc.) of one or more server units 2. Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 11 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 11 with the computer program PG1, and in the example of Figure 5, the payment management unit 13 is shown as an example of a logical device.

The payment management unit 13 is a logical device that performs various processes related to multi-payment. Such processes include, for example, a process of executing a payment using electronic money or the like based on medium information read by the payment terminal 4 from the mobile terminal device 7b (payment medium). Specifically, the payment management unit 13 executes a process of transmitting and receiving with the in-house electronic money management system 20A to realize a payment using in-house electronic money, for example, and updating the balance. The payment management unit 13 also executes a process of sharing the payment result with an appropriate terminal or system such as the payment terminal 4, the money management system 20, or the electronic money system 30.

The payment terminal 4 is provided with a control unit 41 and a storage unit 42. The storage unit 42 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 42 stores a computer program PG2 and terminal data to be referenced by the control unit 41. The terminal data may include various types of data as appropriate, but the example in FIG. 5 shows brand data MD and first facility data FD1.

The terminal data may be stored in the storage unit 42 by any suitable method, for example, it may be pre-installed, or it may be stored in the storage unit 42 via various recording media. In this way, the terminal data may be stored in the storage unit 42 by any suitable method, and as an example, the brand data MD and the first facility data FD1 (which may be only the part corresponding to each payment terminal 4) are provided from the payment system 10 via the network NT.

The control unit 41 is configured using computer hardware resources of one or more server units 2. Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 41 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 41 with the computer program PG2, and in the example of Figure 5, a payment execution unit 43 is shown as an example of a logical device.

The payment execution unit 43 is a logical device that performs various processes to realize payment via the mobile terminal device 7b (payment medium). Such processes include processes of reading medium information of the mobile terminal device 7b and updating the medium information (e.g., the balance when a balance is recorded). In addition, processes of transmitting the medium information read from the mobile terminal device 7b to the payment system 10 so that payment is executed based on the medium information, and acquiring the result and transmitting it to a service terminal 3 such as a game machine 3A, are also included. Furthermore, the payment execution unit 43 also executes processes of acquiring and storing various data, such as the first facility data FD1 and brand data MD, from the payment system 10.

The arcade system AS is provided with a control unit AS1 and a memory unit AS2. The memory unit AS2 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The memory unit AS2 stores computer programs to be referenced by the control unit AS1 and system data. Various types of data may be included as appropriate in the system data, but in the example of Figure 5, only the second facility data FD2 is shown as an example of system data.

The second facility data FD2 is a type of facility data for managing terminals installed in each store 6 (facility), similar to the first facility data FD1. However, the terminals managed by the second facility data FD2 include the service terminal 3. In other words, the service terminal 3 (game machine 3A, etc.) of each store 6 is managed by the second facility data FD2. Details of the second facility data FD2 will be described later.

The control unit AS1 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU, etc.) of one or more server units 2. Various logical devices are configured in the control unit AS1 by combining the hardware resources that configure the control unit AS1 with the computer programs in the memory unit AS2. Various processes such as sending and receiving information to and from the game machine 3A (service terminal 3) can be appropriately realized through these logical devices, but are omitted from the example of Figure 5.

The game machine 3A is provided with a control unit 31 and a storage unit 32. The storage unit 32 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 32 stores a computer program PG3 and game data GD to be referenced by the control unit 31. The game data GD may appropriately include various data related to the game, such as play data for managing various play results, image data for displaying various images (including game screens), or audio data for playing various sounds such as background music, and the example in FIG. 5 shows second facility data FD2.

The second facility data FD2 is as described above, but includes information on the game machines 3A installed in each store 6. In other words, it includes information that can identify the store 6 in which each game machine 3A is installed, that is, issuer information. For this reason, the second facility data FD2 is provided from the arcade system AS so as to include information on the store 6 in which each game machine 3A is installed. Specifically, the game data GD may be stored in the storage unit 32 by an appropriate method, and may be pre-installed, for example, or may be stored in the storage unit 32 via various recording media. In this way, the game data may be stored in the storage unit 32 by an appropriate method, but as an example, the second facility data FD2 (which may be only the portion corresponding to each game machine 3A) is provided from the arcade system AS via the network NT.

The control unit 31 is configured using computer hardware resources of one or more server units 2. Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 31 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 31 with the computer program PG3, but in the example of Figure 5, a game providing unit 33 and a bonus application unit 34 are shown as examples of logical devices.

The game providing unit 33 is a logical device that performs various processes related to the provision of the game. For example, such processes include processes such as drawing and displaying a game screen, progressing the game based on the user's playing behavior, and evaluating the user's playing behavior. On the other hand, the reward application unit 34 is a logical device that performs various processes for realizing issuer rewards. For example, such processes include processes such as determining whether a reward is necessary, identifying the target issuer reward, and granting the identified issuer reward. As an example of such a process, the reward application unit 34 executes a reward granting process. The procedure for the reward granting process will be described in detail later.

The payment system 10, the payment terminal 4, the arcade system AS, and the game machine 3A are provided with various input devices and output devices as appropriate. For example, the input devices of the payment terminal 4 include the above-mentioned reader device and touch sensor TS, and the output devices include a monitor MO. These are then connected to the control unit 41 to input various signals and control their operation. Similarly, the game machine 3A is provided with various input devices such as a touch sensor for inputting play actions, and various output devices such as a speaker for playing audio and a display device for displaying a game screen, etc. However, these are not shown in the figures.

(Application of the Program)
Next, referring to FIG. 6, an application section provided in the program PG3 of the game machine 3A (service terminal 3) will be described. Each application section is a section for realizing each issuer benefit as described above. Each game machine 3A is placed in each store 6, and an issuer benefit corresponding to the operator is prepared for each store 6 by the operator (issuer of private electronic money). Issuer benefits can be prepared appropriately according to various units such as a store 6 or a series of stores, but the example of FIG. 6 shows a case where three issuers prepare three issuer benefits. In addition, it is considered that a common issuer benefit is often prepared by the management body in a series of stores, but individual issuer benefits may be prepared in individual stores 6. The example of FIG. 6 shows a case where individual issuer benefits are prepared in some of such series of stores. Specifically, the example of FIG. 6 shows a case where two of the three stores 6 correspond to series of stores, but an individual issuer benefit is prepared in one of the two stores 6. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, program PG3 is provided with three application sections, a “first application section” to a “third application section”, for granting three issuer benefits, a “first benefit” to a “third benefit”, respectively.

Specifically, the "first application unit" is an application unit for granting the "first benefit", the "second application unit" is an application unit for granting the "second benefit", and the "third application unit" is an application unit for granting the "third benefit". Furthermore, the "first benefit" is an issuer benefit prepared by the parent company of the affiliated stores, the "second benefit" by the operator of "Store B", and the "third benefit" by the operator of "Store C". "Store A" and "Store B" are affiliated stores and share a common parent company. It can be said that both "Store A" and "Store B" are operated by the same parent company, but each of these stores 6 has an individual operator (e.g., store manager) and is effectively operated by that individual operator. Private electronic money may be issued not only by the parent company but also by the individual operator. For example, if private electronic money is issued by both a management parent and "Store B," the private electronic money issued by the management parent can be used at both "Store A" and "Store B," but the use of private electronic money issued by "Store B" is restricted to "Store B." For this reason, even if the management parent is the same (even if they are stores in the same chain), different private electronic money may be issued at "Store B" and different issuer benefits may be offered; the example in Figure 6 shows such a case.

The program PG3 is distributed commonly to the game machines 3A installed in all of "Store A" to "Store C", but the target application part to be applied at each store 6 is different. For example, the issuer benefit that can be granted on the game machine 3A installed in "Store A" is the "First Benefit". On the game machine 3A installed there, the "First Application Part" out of the application parts "First Application Part" to "Third Application Part" should be identified as the target application part. For this reason, each application part is described so as to be associated with each store 6, and the target application part is identified based on the second facility data FD2 as issuer information.

For example, in the case of "Store A", game machine 3A first references the second facility data FD2 and identifies the store 6 in which it is installed ("Store A"). Next, game machine 3A identifies an application unit ("first application unit") associated with its own store 6. Game machine 3A then applies the "first application unit" out of the "first application unit" to "third application units" to realize the granting of the "first benefit". The "first application unit" can be appropriately configured to realize the granting of the "first benefit", but may also include information on the benefit conditions if, for example, a benefit condition is attached to the granting of the issuer benefit. The benefit conditions may be managed separately from the program PG3, such as benefit data, but in any case, the granting of the "first benefit" includes the determination of the benefit conditions. The same is true for "Store C".

In the case of "Store B", the application of the "first application section" (granting of the "first benefit") is the same as in the case of "Store A", but "Store B" also provides a "second benefit". That is, in "Store B", if the payment is made using self-operated electronic money issued by the parent company (hereinafter sometimes referred to as main self-operated money), the "first benefit" is granted, and if the payment is made using self-operated electronic money issued by the operator of "Store B" (hereinafter sometimes referred to as secondary self-operated money), the "second benefit" is granted. In this case, it is necessary to identify which self-operated electronic money was used for the payment. For this reason, separate self-operated money types are assigned to the main self-operated money and secondary self-operated money, and they are distinguished based on that.

Specifically, at least the "second application unit" is written so as to be associated with the self-owned money type for the secondary self-owned money. The game machine 3A of "Store B" determines whether it is main self-owned money or secondary self-owned money based on the type of self-owned money in addition to its own store 6. If the self-owned electronic money used for payment is main self-owned money, it identifies the "first application unit" as the application unit associated with its own store 6, and if it is secondary self-owned money, it identifies the "second application unit" as the application unit associated with its own store 6, and grants the "first benefit" and "second benefit" through the application of these, respectively. Identification of main self-owned money and secondary self-owned money can be realized as appropriate, but as an example, it is performed based on different self-owned money types like this. In this case, the types of self-owned money for the secondary self-owned money may be prepared as appropriate, for example, a predetermined number for each chain (a management group formed by multiple affiliated stores) or a predetermined number for all stores regardless of chain, but in any case it is preferable for them to be used across multiple chains (overlapping between different chains). As an example, each application section of program PG3 is used in this manner. In this example, the main self-owned money and the secondary self-owned money function as multiple types of self-owned electronic money of the present invention. Also, the "first benefit" and the "second benefit" function as two or more benefits of the present invention.

Although program PG3 is commonly installed on each game machine 3A of "Store A" to "Store C," appropriate adjustments may be made to it depending on the circumstances of each store 6 or each game machine 3A. In other words, program PG3 may include parts that differ between game machines 3A of each store 6. For example, when the issuer benefits (or benefit conditions) of each issuer are updated via setting device 5, program PG3 to be updated may be limited to game machines 3A installed in the store 6 to be updated. In any case, program PG3 may be configured as appropriate so long as it has multiple application sections that respectively correspond to multiple issuer benefits.

(Details of various data)
Next, the brand data MD and the second facility data FD2 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the brand data MD. As shown in Fig. 7, the brand data MD includes a brand record MDR for managing payment methods available for each payment terminal 4. In addition, in order to realize such management, the brand record MDR includes information on a "terminal ID", a "store ID", a "brand ID", and a "payment type". These pieces of information are recorded in the brand record MDR so that they are associated with each other.

"Terminal ID" is information indicating a unique terminal ID for each payment terminal 4 in order to identify each payment terminal 4. "Store ID" is information indicating a unique store ID for each store 6 in order to identify each store 6. "Brand ID" is information indicating a unique brand ID for each payment method in order to identify each payment method. For example, separate brand IDs are assigned to in-house electronic money, first third-party electronic money, and second third-party electronic money. Then, for the terminal ID of a payment terminal 4 that can use all of these, information on all of these brand IDs is described in the "brand ID". On the other hand, for the terminal ID of a payment terminal 4 that can only use some of the in-house electronic money, first third-party electronic money, and second third-party electronic money, only information on some of the brand IDs is described in the "brand ID".

"Payment type" is information indicating the payment type assigned to each payment method (brand). For example, for self-owned electronic money, first third-party electronic money, and second third-party electronic money, information on the money type (sometimes commonly called a payment code) indicating each is described in "payment type" as payment type information. Even when multiple types of self-owned electronic money exist, they are basically assigned a common self-owned money type, but multiple self-owned money types may be assigned as necessary, for example, when there are two or more types of self-owned electronic money within the same series. In this case, information on the self-owned money type corresponding to each self-owned electronic money is described in "payment type".

The brand data MD is not limited to these and may include appropriate information related to various payment methods. Alternatively, the above-mentioned information may be omitted as appropriate. For example, each payment terminal 4 may use brand data MD in which only information associated with the "terminal ID" of each payment terminal 4, such as only the "brand ID" or only the "brand ID" and "store ID", is extracted, and the "terminal ID" information is omitted. In other words, information other than the "brand ID" indicating its own payment method may be omitted as appropriate from the brand data MD of each payment terminal 4.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the second facility data FD2. As shown in Figure 8, the second facility data FD2 includes a facility record FDR for managing the service terminal 3 installed in each store 6 (facility). In addition, in order to realize such management, the facility record FDR includes information on "store ID", "details", and "casing ID". In the facility record FDR, these pieces of information are recorded so that they are mutually associated.

"Store ID" is information indicating the above-mentioned store ID. "Details" is information indicating details of each store 6. The details of each store 6 appropriately include various information necessary for managing each store 6, such as the operator, address, and contact information. "Housing ID" is information indicating a housing ID that is uniquely assigned to each service terminal 3 in order to identify each service terminal 3. Note that the second facility data FD2 is not limited to these, and may include appropriate information according to management convenience, etc. Alternatively, each of the above-mentioned information may be omitted appropriately. For example, in each service terminal 3, only information associated with the "housing ID" of the service terminal 3, such as only the "store ID" or only the "store ID" and "housing ID", may be extracted, and information unnecessary for providing the service, such as "details", may be appropriately omitted from the second facility data FD2 used. In other words, in the second facility data FD2 of each service terminal 3, information other than the "store ID" indicating the store 6 in which it is located may be appropriately omitted.

(Network system processing)
Next, referring to FIG. 9, a description will be given of a privilege granting process executed in the network system 1 in relation to granting of an issuer privilege. The privilege granting process is a process for granting an issuer privilege. An issuer privilege is granted when a fee for a service, such as playing a game, is paid with private electronic money, but in addition to the payment conditions, a separate privilege condition may be required. The example of FIG. 9 shows a privilege granting process when the privilege condition is required. In this case, when a fee is paid via the payment terminal 4 and the payment result is transmitted from the payment terminal 4, the privilege application unit 34 starts the privilege granting process of FIG. 9 and first obtains the payment result (step S101). The payment result may include various information related to the payment as appropriate, such as information on whether the payment was successful or not, and, if the payment was successful, information on the payment type indicating the payment method.

Next, the benefit application unit 34 determines whether the granting conditions are met (step S102). The granting conditions are conditions for determining whether the issuer benefit is granted. As an example, the issuer benefit is granted when both the payment conditions and the benefit conditions are met. For this reason, the granting conditions include these payment conditions and benefit conditions. The payment conditions are met when the consideration is paid by private electronic money as described above. The benefit conditions are additional conditions for determining whether the benefit is granted when the payment conditions are met. The benefit conditions can be set as appropriate, and include conditions (which may be combined as appropriate) such as an amount condition that is met when the consideration amount is a predetermined amount or more, a time condition that is met at a predetermined time, a usage condition that is met depending on the usage status of the game (service), and a facility condition that is met at a specific store 6 (or a specific service terminal 3) among multiple stores 6 (facilities). If the conditions for granting the bonus are not met, i.e., if the payment conditions are not met (payment is not made with private electronic money), or if the payment conditions are met but the bonus conditions are not met (step S102: No), the bonus application unit 34 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current bonus granting process.

On the other hand, if the granting conditions are met, that is, if the payment is made with the self-owned electronic money (the payment conditions are met) and the benefit conditions are met (step S102: Yes), the benefit application unit 34 identifies the issuer benefit to be granted (step S103). Specifically, the benefit application unit 34 refers to the "store ID" information in the second facility data FD2 and first identifies the store 6 in which it is installed. Then, the benefit application unit 34 identifies the application unit associated with the identified store 6 (its own store 6) or the issuer benefit corresponding to that application unit as the target issuer benefit. When there is a main self-owned money and a secondary self-owned money, there is a possibility that there are two or more application units corresponding to two or more issuer benefits. In this case, the benefit application unit 34 further identifies the application unit corresponding to the current payment (the self-owned electronic money used) based on the self-owned money type included in the payment type. Information on the type of own-type money (for example, brand data MD for only that portion, etc.) may also be stored in the game machine 3A, and the bonus application unit 34 may perform this determination while referring to that information, but as an example, it is determined based on the type of own-type money (payment type) included in the payment result. Specifically, the two application parts corresponding to the main own-type money and the secondary own-type money, respectively, are described in association with information on the type of own-type money indicating each of the own-type electronic money. Therefore, the bonus application unit 34 determines the application part associated with the type of own-type money included in the payment result based on the type of own-type money.

Then, the benefit application unit 34 grants the issuer benefit identified in step S103 (step S104). Specifically, the benefit application unit 34 achieves this grant by applying (executing) the application unit corresponding to the issuer benefit identified in step S103. After this grant, the benefit application unit 34 terminates the current benefit granting process. As a result, the issuer benefit is granted so that it is limited to the user MH of the private electronic money. Specifically, when a price is paid with private electronic money and the benefit conditions are met, the issuer benefit prepared by the issuer of the private electronic money is granted for a service (e.g., playing a game, etc.).

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the price of a game (service) is paid with private electronic money, the issuer benefit set by the issuer of the private electronic money is given to the game. Since private electronic money is a type of electronic money that limits the payment object to the service provided by the issuer, the store 6 (facility) where the private electronic money can be used corresponds to the store 6 operated by the issuer. In other words, the issuer benefit, which can be set arbitrarily by the operator of the store 6 where the game machine 3A is installed, is given to the game so that payment is limited to the private electronic money. By using this issuer benefit, it is possible to give the store 6 characteristics according to the store 6. Therefore, it is possible to realize a campaign unique to the store 6. As a result, it is possible to differentiate from other stores 6 by using the issuer benefit (characteristics). In addition, it is possible to promote the use of private electronic money, and ultimately to capture users.

Also, for example, if the use of main home-type money and secondary home-type money is permitted in affiliated stores, multiple issuer benefits are used depending on the type of home-type money, and the store 6 corresponding to the secondary home-type money is given issuer benefits that other affiliated stores do not have. This allows multiple affiliated stores 6 to have characteristics for the entire affiliated store through the main home-type money, while also allowing each store 6 to have characteristics through the secondary home-type money. Furthermore, differentiation between the affiliated stores 6 can be achieved through the secondary home-type money. In particular, when multiple secondary home-type money exists (multiple secondary home-type money may be assigned a common home-type money type), differentiation between the affiliated stores can be further enhanced through the multiple issuer benefits corresponding to them.

On the other hand, private electronic money can be issued relatively easily by the operator of each store 6. For this reason, although the private electronic money that can be used at each store 6 is limited, from the perspective of the game machine 3A (or payment terminal 4) that may be installed at any store 6, there may be cases where payments are made using a large number of private electronic moneys. On the other hand, there are often only a limited number of payment types that identify payment methods, and it is often undesirable to prepare unlimited resources. If a common private money type is assigned to at least two or more types of private electronic money (all, or an appropriate part such as between main private money or between secondary private money of other series) among multiple types of private electronic money, it is possible to reduce the need to prepare such resources. In other words, it is possible to realize a game machine 3A that can provide many issuer benefits using a small number of private money types.

Furthermore, when each issuer benefit is realized by a program PG3 that is commonly distributed to each game machine 3, it is possible to facilitate management and updating of the programs for realizing multiple issuer benefits. For example, the number of issuers of private electronic money can be enormous, and managing a program for issuer benefits for each issuer can lead to cumbersome management. The time and effort required for such management can be reduced by using a commonly distributed program PG3.

In the above embodiment, the bonus application unit 34 of the game machine 3A functions as the bonus identification means, bonus granting means, and result acquisition means of the present invention by executing the process of Fig. 9. Specifically, the bonus application unit 34 functions as the bonus identification means by executing step S103 in Fig. 9, as the bonus granting means by executing step S104, and as the result acquisition means by executing step S101.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and may be implemented in a form with various modifications or changes. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented in a form obtained by appropriately combining various technical means included in the above-described form and the following modified form. For example, in the above-described form, the fee for the specified service is collected via the payment terminal 4. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. The fee for the specified service may be collected directly by the service terminal 3.

In the above embodiment, the service terminal 3 executes the process of FIG. 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, all or part of the process of FIG. 9 may be executed as appropriate by another system such as the arcade system AS. In this case, the service terminal 3 that actually grants the issuer benefit may be understood to indirectly execute all of the process of FIG. 9, or a combination of the service terminal 3 and another system such as the arcade system AS that executes all of the process of FIG. 9 may be understood to be the service terminal of the present invention.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, the corresponding components shown in the attached drawings are noted in parentheses to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, but this does not limit the present invention to the illustrated forms.

The service terminal of the present invention is a service terminal (3) installed in a specified facility (6) among a plurality of service terminals (3) each of which provides a specified service in exchange for payment of a consideration by one of a plurality of payment methods, and is equipped with a benefit identification means (34) for identifying an issuer benefit as a benefit set by an issuer of the self-type electronic money based on issuer information that can identify the issuer, when the plurality of payment methods include payment by a type of self-type electronic money that is limited to services provided by the issuer among electronic money as electronic value issued in exchange for currency, and when the specified facility is operated by the issuer of the self-type electronic money, and a benefit granting means (34) for granting the issuer benefit to the specified service, when the consideration is paid by the self-type electronic money, so that payment is limited to the self-type electronic money among the plurality of payment methods.

According to the present invention, when a payment for a specific service is made with private electronic money, an issuer benefit set by the issuer of the private electronic money is given to the specific service. Since private electronic money is a type of electronic money that limits the payment objects to services provided by the issuer, a facility where private electronic money can be used corresponds to a facility operated by the issuer. In other words, an issuer benefit that can be set arbitrarily by the operator of the facility where the service terminal is installed is given to the specific service so that payment is limited to the private electronic money. This makes it possible to give the service characteristics according to the facility where the service terminal is installed by using this issuer benefit. This makes it possible to realize a campaign unique to the facility. As a result, it is possible to differentiate from other facilities by using the issuer benefit (characteristics). In addition, it is possible to promote the use of private electronic money, and ultimately to capture users.

There may be one type of in-house electronic money, or multiple types. When multiple types of in-house electronic money exist, they are issued by multiple issuers, and each facility can only use the in-house electronic money issued by the facility's operator, but there are also cases where the use of two types of in-house electronic money is permitted in an overlapping manner. For example, when multiple affiliated facilities under a common management entity have in-house electronic money issued by that management entity and in-house electronic money issued by the facility's operator, each facility is permitted to use both the in-house electronic money of each facility and the in-house electronic money of the management entity. When the use of two types of in-house electronic money is permitted, a common issuer benefit may be provided for them, or an issuer benefit may be provided for each type of in-house electronic money.

Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the service terminal of the present invention, the in-house electronic money includes multiple types of in-house electronic money, the issuer benefit includes two or more benefits corresponding to the multiple types of in-house electronic money, and when the specified consideration is paid with any of the multiple types of in-house electronic money, the benefit granting means may grant, as the issuer benefit, a benefit among the two or more benefits corresponding to the in-house electronic money with which the specified consideration is paid. In this case, for example, in a plurality of affiliated facilities, it is possible to give characteristics to the affiliated facilities as a whole, while also giving characteristics to each facility. Also, differentiation between affiliated facilities can be realized.

The issuer benefit may be granted only on the condition (payment condition) that the payment is made with the in-house electronic money, or may be granted when various additional benefit conditions are satisfied. Such benefit conditions may include various conditions as appropriate. For example, in one aspect of the service terminal of the present invention, the benefit granting means grants the issuer benefit when the consideration is paid with the in-house electronic money and specified benefit conditions are satisfied, and the benefit conditions may include at least one of the following: an amount condition that is satisfied when the amount of the specified consideration is equal to or greater than a specified amount, a time condition that is satisfied at a specified time, a usage condition that is satisfied depending on the usage status of the specified service, and a facility condition that is satisfied at a specific facility among a plurality of facilities in which the plurality of service terminals are respectively installed, and may be satisfied when the one of the conditions is satisfied.

The specified consideration may be paid directly by the service terminal, or indirectly via an appropriate device, etc. For example, one aspect of the service terminal of the present invention may be one that is connected to a payment terminal (4) for paying the consideration, and includes result acquisition means (34) for acquiring a payment result from the payment terminal, including information on a payment type that can identify the payment method used to pay the consideration.

In addition, when the in-house electronic money includes multiple types of in-house electronic money, the payment by each in-house electronic money may be appropriately identified. For example, the payment type may be identified for each in-house electronic money, or the payment by any of the multiple types of in-house electronic money may be simply uniformly identified as a payment by the in-house electronic money. For example, in one aspect of the service terminal of the present invention, the payment type includes the in-house electronic money type as a type indicating the in-house electronic money, and when the in-house electronic money includes multiple types of in-house electronic money, the in-house money type may be commonly assigned to at least two or more types of in-house electronic money among the multiple types of in-house electronic money. The in-house electronic money can be issued relatively easily by the operator of each facility. For this reason, although the in-house electronic money that can be used at each facility is limited, there may be cases where a service terminal (or a device that indirectly performs payment, such as a payment terminal) that can be installed at any facility is responsible for payments by a large number of in-house electronic money. On the other hand, the payment types that identify the payment method are often finite, and at least the preparation of unlimited resources is often not desirable. If a common private-type money type is assigned to at least two or more types of private-type electronic money among multiple types of private-type electronic money, the preparation of such resources can be reduced. In other words, a service terminal that can accommodate the granting of many issuer benefits using a small number of private-type money types can be realized.

As the specified service, various services such as the sale of various products and the provision of various services such as games may be appropriately adopted. The service terminal may also be configured as various terminals that provide such services. For example, in one embodiment of the service terminal of the present invention, multiple game machines (3A) each providing a game may be used as the multiple service terminals, and the game provided by each game machine may function as the specified service.

The computer program (PG3) of the present invention is configured to cause the computer (31) to function as each of the means of the above-mentioned service terminal.

The control method of the present invention causes a computer (31) incorporated in a service terminal (3) installed in a specified facility among a plurality of service terminals (3) each providing a specified service in exchange for payment of a consideration by one of a plurality of payment methods to execute a benefit identification procedure for identifying an issuer benefit as a benefit set by an issuer based on issuer information that can identify the issuer, when the plurality of payment methods include payment by a type of private electronic money that is limited to services provided by the issuer among electronic money as electronic value issued in exchange for currency, and the specified facility is operated by the issuer of the private electronic money, and a benefit assignment procedure for assigning the issuer benefit to the specified service so that payment by the private electronic money is limited to the plurality of payment methods, when the consideration is paid by the private electronic money. The service terminal of the present invention can be realized by executing the computer program or control method of the present invention.

3 Service terminal 4 Payment terminal 6 Store (facility)
31 Control unit (computer)
34 Benefit application unit (benefit identification means, benefit granting means, result acquisition means)
3A Game machine (service terminal)
FD2 Second facility data (issuer information)
PG3 Computer Program

Claims (8)

A service terminal installed in a predetermined facility among a plurality of service terminals each providing a predetermined service in exchange for payment of a consideration by one of a plurality of payment methods,
a privilege specification means for specifying an issuer privilege as a privilege set by an issuer of the private electronic money based on issuer information that can specify the issuer, when the plurality of payment methods include a payment by the private electronic money of a type that is limited to the services provided by the issuer among electronic money as electronic value issued in exchange for currency, and the predetermined facility is operated by the issuer of the private electronic money;
a privilege granting means for granting the issuer privilege to the predetermined service when the consideration is paid by the private-type electronic money so that payment by the private-type electronic money among the plurality of payment methods is limited to the payment by the private-type electronic money;
A service terminal comprising: The said self-operated electronic money includes a plurality of types of self-operated electronic money,
The issuer privilege includes two or more privileges corresponding to the plurality of types of in-house electronic money,
The service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the bonus granting means grants, when the specified consideration is paid with any of the plurality of types of self-owned electronic money, a bonus corresponding to the self-owned electronic money used to pay the specified consideration, among the two or more bonuses, as the issuer bonus, when the specified consideration is paid with any of the plurality of types of self-owned electronic money. the privilege granting means grants the issuer privilege when the consideration is settled with the private electronic money and a predetermined privilege condition is satisfied;
3. The service terminal according to claim 2, wherein the privilege conditions include at least one of an amount condition that is satisfied when the amount of the specified consideration is equal to or greater than a specified amount, a timing condition that is satisfied at a specified time, a usage condition that is satisfied depending on the usage status of the specified service, and a facility condition that is satisfied at a specific facility among a plurality of facilities in which the plurality of service terminals are respectively installed, and are satisfied when any one of the conditions is satisfied. The service terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a result acquisition means that is connected to a payment terminal for paying the consideration and acquires from the payment terminal a payment result including information on a payment type that can identify the payment method used to pay the consideration. The payment type includes a self-operated money type as a type indicating the self-operated electronic money,
The service terminal according to claim 4, wherein when the home-type electronic money includes a plurality of types of home-type electronic money, the home-type money type is assigned in common to at least two or more types of home-type electronic money among the plurality of types of home-type electronic money. A plurality of game machines each providing a game are used as the plurality of service terminals,
4. The service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a game provided by each game machine. A computer program configured to cause a computer to function as each of the means of the service terminal described in any one of claims 1 to 3. A computer is provided in a service terminal installed in a predetermined facility among a plurality of service terminals each of which provides a predetermined service in exchange for payment of a fee by one of a plurality of payment methods,
a benefit specification step of specifying an issuer benefit as a benefit set by an issuer of the in-house electronic money based on issuer information that can specify the issuer, when the plurality of payment methods include a payment by the in-house electronic money, which is electronic value issued in exchange for currency and whose payment objects are limited to services provided by the issuer, and the specified facility is operated by the issuer of the in-house electronic money;
a privilege granting step of granting the issuer privilege to the predetermined service when the consideration is paid by the private-type electronic money so that payment by the private-type electronic money among the plurality of payment methods is limited to the payment by the private-type electronic money;
A control method for executing the above.

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