JP7249038B2 - Server management type point management system for automatic service equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server-managed point management system for automated service equipment.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a server-managed point management system for automatic service equipment that can be installed in correspondence with each game machine in a game arcade or in correspondence with each laundry machine in a laundromat.
In more detail, it can be installed corresponding to each game machine in the game arcade, or can be installed corresponding to each laundry machine in the laundromat store, and information exchange due to communication device failure, communication line failure, server failure, etc. The present invention relates to a server management type point management system for automatic service equipment, which can be operated even if the equipment is out of order.
In this specification, automatic service equipment refers to equipment that automatically provides various products or services upon receipt of payment, such as beverage vending machines, game machines, coin laundry machines, automatic massage machines, etc. .
Service shall include the provision of goods or services.
A server management type point management system transmits point information generated based on the payment of consideration for automatic service equipment to a point server using a communication line such as the Internet, and transmits the point information managed by the point server to the above communication. It is a point system in which points are transmitted to and displayed on a terminal processing device attached to the automatic service equipment via a line.

As a first conventional technology, there is known a technology that can be operated even when an abnormality occurs in the point system by recording the same point information in both the point card and the host processing means (for example, See Patent Document 1).
As a second conventional technology, there is known a point bank system that collectively manages information on customers using services and customer points in a database (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-20721 (Figures 1 to 3, paragraphs 0007 to 0009) JP 2005-334150 (Figures 1 to 5, paragraphs 0014 and 0068)

The first conventional technology is a point system in which points are usually managed by a point server. Point information is also recorded on the point card in case the exchange of information fails. As a result, point information recorded on the point card may be tampered with and misused, which makes it difficult to adopt.
The second conventional technology is a point system in which points are managed by a point server. However, no consideration is given to point processing when the point server stops operating, or when information exchange becomes unsatisfactory, such as when a communication line is disconnected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide server-managed point management for automatic service equipment that can at least give points for the use of the automatic service equipment even if information exchange between the point server and the point processing terminal device is unsatisfactory. It is to provide a system.

In order to achieve this object, the first invention according to claim 1 is configured as follows.
an automatic service device comprising at least a toll acceptance device and operating in response to a billing signal output from the toll acceptance device ;
a point card terminal processing device provided for each of the automatic service devices and reading at least point card identification information recorded on the point card;
a point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device via a communication line and that transmits and receives point information in association with the point card identification information;
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device includes at least a card reader that reads the point card identification information recorded on the point card, and point- related group information including the point card identification information read by the card reader to the point server. The point card identification information and the date and time of processing are specified based on the payment point information given based on the charging signal output from the transmitting communication device and the charge acceptance device and input to the point card terminal processing device. a point terminal recording device that records as the point related group information in association with date and time information; a point related group information transmission instruction device that instructs transmission of the point related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device to the point server; and running an online mode or an offline point processing mode,
if it is possible to exchange information with the point server, execute the online mode;
In the online mode, after executing a point card approval process for determining the record of the point card identification information in the point server, the latest point information is acquired from the point server as the point information, and the automatic service device is operated. , point payment point processing when using the point information, and the point-related group information is transmitted to the point server based on the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device, and the payment point information is transmitted to the point server to the latest point information, and
executing the offline point processing mode if information exchange with the point server is unsuccessful;
In the offline point processing mode, the point payment point processing is inexecutable, the point-related group information is not transmitted to the point server based on the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device, and the information exchange is malfunctioning. After recovery, the point-related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device during the period in which the information exchange was unsatisfactory is transmitted to the point server based on an instruction from the point-related group information transmission instruction device. ,
When the information exchange is possible or after the information exchange malfunction is recovered, the point server associates the point-related group information received from the point card terminal processing device with the same point card identification information. A point server record for recording and, after calculating the latest point information by adding the payment point information in the order of the date and time information for each point card identification information, recording the latest point information in association with the point card identification information. A server-managed point management system for automatic service equipment, comprising a device.

In order to achieve this object, the second invention according to claim 2 is configured as follows.
an automatic service device comprising at least a toll acceptance device and operating in response to a billing signal output from the toll acceptance device ;
a point card terminal processing device provided for each of the automatic service devices and reading at least point card identification information recorded on the point card;
a point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device via a communication line and that transmits and receives point information in association with the point card identification information;
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device includes at least a card reader that reads the point card identification information recorded on the point card, and point- related group information including the point card identification information read by the card reader to the point server. a transmitting communication device;
Payment point information given based on the billing signal output from the charge acceptance device and input to the point card terminal processing device ,
a point terminal recording device that records the point card identification information and the date and time information specifying the processing date and time as the point-related group information;
a point-related group information transmission instructing device for instructing transmission of the point- related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device to the point server outside the business hours of the automatic service device , and in online mode or offline Run point processing mode,
if it is possible to exchange information with the point server, execute the online mode;
In the online mode, at least after executing a point card approval process for determining whether the point card identification information is recorded in the point server, the latest point information is acquired from the point server as the point information,
Point payment point processing when the automatic service device is used using the point information, and the point-related group information is transmitted to the point server based on the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device, and the point server can execute charging payment point processing for adding the payment point information to the latest point information in
executing the offline point processing mode if information exchange with the point server is unsuccessful;
In the offline point processing mode, the point payment point processing is inexecutable, the point-related group information is not transmitted to the point server based on the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device, and the information exchange is malfunctioning. After recovery, the point-related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device during the period in which the information exchange was unsatisfactory is transmitted to the point server based on an instruction from the point-related group information transmission instruction device. ,
The point server associates the point-related group information received from the point card terminal processing device with the same point card identification information when the information exchange is possible or after recovery from the information exchange malfunction. In addition to recording, after calculating the new latest point information by adding the payment point information in the order of the date and time information for each of the point card identification information, the latest point information is recorded in association with the point card identification information A server-managed point management system for automatic service equipment, comprising a server recording device.

In order to achieve this object, the third invention according to claim 3 is configured as follows.
an automatic service device comprising at least a toll acceptance device and operating in response to a billing signal output from the toll acceptance device ;
a point card terminal processing device provided for each of the automatic service devices and reading at least point card identification information recorded on the point card;
a point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device via a communication line and that transmits and receives point information in association with the point card identification information;
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device includes at least a card reader that reads the point card identification information recorded on the point card;
Payment point information, which is associated with the point card identification information read by the card reader and is output from the charge acceptance device and given based on the charging signal input to the point card terminal processing device , and processing a communication device that transmits point-related group information including date and time information specifying date and time to the point server;
When information exchange between the point server and the point card terminal processing device fails, information between the point terminal recording device for recording the point-related group information and the point server and the point card terminal processing device a point-related group information transmission instructing device for instructing transmission of the point-related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device to the point server after recovering from the exchange failure, and an online mode or an offline point processing mode and run
if it is possible to exchange information with the point server, execute the online mode;
In the online mode, at least after executing a point card approval process for determining whether the point card identification information is recorded in the point server, the latest point information is acquired from the point server as the point information,
Point payment point processing when the automatic service device is used using the point information, and the point-related group information is transmitted to the point server based on the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device, and the point server can execute charging payment point processing for adding the payment point information to the latest point information in
executing the offline point processing mode if information exchange with the point server is unsuccessful;
In the offline point processing mode, the point payment point processing is inexecutable, the point-related group information is not transmitted to the point server based on the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device, and the information exchange is malfunctioning. After recovery, the point-related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device during the period in which the information exchange was unsatisfactory is transmitted to the point server based on an instruction from the point-related group information transmission instruction device. ,
When the information exchange is possible or after the information exchange malfunction is recovered, the point server associates the point-related group information received from the point card terminal processing device with the same point card identification information. In addition to recording, after calculating the new latest point information by adding the payment point information in the order of the date and time information for each of the point card identification information, the latest point information is recorded in association with the point card identification information A server-managed point management system for automatic service equipment, comprising a server recording device.

In order to achieve this object, the fourth invention according to claim 4 is constructed as follows.
The server management type point management for automatic service equipment according to the first invention, characterized in that the timing for instructing the transmission of the payment point information by the point-related group information transmission instruction device is outside the business hours of the automatic service equipment. System.

In order to achieve this object, the fifth invention according to claim 5 is configured as follows.
A server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first to fourth aspects of the invention, wherein the automatic service equipment is a game machine that enables a game to be played based on acceptance of a predetermined amount of charge. is.

According to the first invention, in the point card terminal processing device, each time the payment point information is generated in the automatic service equipment, the payment point information and the date and time information related to the payment point information are associated with the point card identification information. Recorded in the point terminal recording device as point-related group information. Then, the point-related group information is transmitted to the point server according to an instruction from the point-related group information transmission instruction device. In the point server, the latest point information is calculated by adding payment point information in the order of date and time information for each point card identification information received, and recorded in the point server recording device.
Thus, even if information exchange between the point card terminal processing device and the point server fails, the payment point information can be reflected in the latest point information after recovery from the failure. In other words, even when the user is off-line, the point information can be obtained by using the automatic service equipment, so there is an advantage that the use of the automatic service equipment can be encouraged.

According to the second invention, when information exchange between the point card terminal processing device and the point server is malfunctioning, each time payment point information is generated in the automatic service device, the payment point information and the Date and time information related to the payment point information is recorded in the point terminal recording device. Then, according to instructions from the point-related group information transmission instruction device, the recorded payment point information and the like are transmitted to the point server outside the business hours of the automatic service equipment. The point server calculates the latest point information based on the received point card identification information, payment point information, and date and time information related to the payment point information, and records it in the point server recording device.
As a result, even if information exchange between the point card terminal processing device and the point server fails, the payment point information can be reflected in the latest point information after recovery from the failure. In other words, even when the user is off-line, the point information can be obtained by using the automatic service equipment, so there is an advantage that the use of the automatic service equipment can be encouraged.

According to the third invention, when information exchange between the point card terminal processing device and the point server is not working properly, each time payment point information is generated in the automatic service device, the payment point information and the Date and time information related to the payment point information is recorded in the point terminal recording device. Then, after recovery from the malfunction, the recorded payment point information and the like are transmitted to the point server at a predetermined timing according to an instruction from the point-related group information transmission instruction device. The point server calculates the latest point information based on the received point card identification information, payment point information, and date and time information related to the payment point information, and records it in the point server recording device.
Thus, even if information exchange between the point card terminal processing device and the point server fails, the payment point information can be reflected in the latest point information after recovery from the failure. In other words, even when the user is off-line, the point information can be obtained by using the automatic service equipment, so there is an advantage that the use of the automatic service equipment can be encouraged.

According to the fourth invention, since the main configuration is the same as the first invention, it has the same effects as the first invention.
Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the timing for transmitting payment point information from the point-related group information transmission instructing device to the point server is after business hours of the automatic service equipment are closed. As a result, even when a common system is used in a plurality of stores, there is an advantage that the payment point information can be reflected in the latest point information.

According to the fifth invention, since the main configuration is the same as the first to fourth inventions, it has the same effect as the first to third inventions.
Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the invention is a game machine in which the automatic service machine is capable of playing a game based on acceptance of a predetermined amount of money. A user can obtain points each time he or she plays a game, and can use the points in cash or exchange them for goods, so that the user can get a sense of value. On the other hand, business operators have the advantage of being able to retain users (customers) with this sense of value.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the game machine as the automatic service device and the point card terminal processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; (A) is an example of one-to-one; C) is a one-to-three example, and (D) is a table showing their relationship. FIG. 4 shows a game machine as an automatic service device of Example 1 according to the present invention, where (A) is a schematic diagram of the game machine and (B) is a block diagram of the game machine. FIG. 5 shows a toll acceptance device attached to a game machine as an automatic service device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, wherein (A) is a coin sorting device, (B) is an electronic money processing device, and (C) is an electronic money processing device. 2D code payment processing device, (D) is a flow chart of the toll acceptance device. FIG. 6 shows a point card terminal processing device in the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, (A) is an external view of the point card terminal processing device, and (B) is a point card 3 is a block diagram of a terminal processing device; FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 8 shows tables in the point card terminal processing device in the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a point terminal table and (B) is a point terminal base table. be. FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining normal operation of the point card terminal processing device in the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the point card terminal processing device in the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention when information exchange fails. FIG. 11 is a display on the point card terminal processing device of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (A) is the initial screen, (B) is the password input screen, (C ) is the reception screen, (D) is the offline point service screen, (E) is the ID error screen, (F) is the point usage input screen, (G) is the point usage display screen, and (H) is an example of the point usage result screen. is. 12A and 12B are displays on the point card terminal processing device of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is an offline mode screen, (B) is an offline point service screen, (C) is an example of a point addition screen. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a store server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 14 shows tables in the store server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention; (A) is a store server history table; is. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the store server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is a registration flowchart, (B) is a menu screen, and (C) is A new registration screen, (D) is an example of a correction screen. FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the shop server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 17 shows the point server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, (A) is a block diagram, and (B) is an example of alignment point processing table APTL. 18 shows tables managed by the point server of the first embodiment of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a point member table and (B) is a point server. It is an example of a history table. FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the point server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a flowchart (normal time) for explaining the operation of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a flowchart (at the time of malfunction) for explaining the operation of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. FIG. 23 shows a point card terminal processing device in a server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, (A) is a block diagram of the point card terminal processing device, and (B) is a second point card terminal processing device. Point terminal table. FIG. 24 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the point card terminal processing device in the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a display on the point card terminal processing device of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, (A) is the initial screen, (B) is the reception screen, and (C). is an example of an offline point service screen, and (D) is an example of a payment point display screen. FIG. 26 is a store server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, (A) is a block diagram, and (B) is an example of a store server history table. FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the store server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 shows a point server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, (A) is a block diagram, and (B) is an example of a point server table. FIG. 29 is a point server of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, (A) is a flowchart for explaining the operation, and (B) is a point card identification information time order table. is an example. FIG. 30 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the server management type point management system for automatic service equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

A server-managed point management system for automatic service equipment according to the present invention comprises:
at least an automated service device with a toll acceptance device;
a point card terminal processing device provided for each of the automatic service machines and reading at least point card identification information recorded on the point card;
a point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device via a communication line and that transmits and receives point information in association with the point card identification information;
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device includes at least a card reader that reads point card identification information recorded on the point card, a communication device that transmits the point card identification information read by the card reader to the point server, and the fee A point terminal recording device for recording, as point-related group information, payment point information given based on the acceptance of fees by the receiving device, in association with the point card identification information and date and time information, and the points recorded in the point terminal recording device a point related group information transmission instruction device for instructing transmission of related group information to the point server;
The point server records the point-related group information received from the point card terminal processing device in association with the same point card identification information, and records the point payment points in order of the date and time information for each point card identification information. A server management type point management system for automatic service equipment, comprising a point server recording device that adds information to calculate the latest point information and then records the latest point information in association with the point card identification information. be.
and at least an automated service device with a toll acceptance device;
a point card terminal processing device provided for each of the automatic service devices and reading at least point card identification information recorded on the point card;
a point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device via a communication line and that transmits and receives point information in association with the point card identification information;
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device includes at least a card reader that reads point card identification information recorded on the point card, a communication device that transmits the point card identification information read by the card reader to the point server, and the fee a point terminal recording device that records payment point information given based on the acceptance of fees by the receiving device as point-related group information in association with the point card identification information and date and time information; , a point-related group information transmission instruction device for instructing transmission of the point-related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device to the point server;
The point server records the point-related group information received from the point card terminal processing device in association with the same point card identification information, and records the point payment points in order of the date and time information for each point card identification information. A server management type point management for automatic service equipment, comprising a point server recording device for adding information to calculate new latest point information and then recording the latest point information in association with the point card identification information. A system is preferred.
moreover,
at least an automated service device with a toll acceptance device;
a point card terminal processing device provided for each of the automatic service machines and reading at least point card identification information recorded on the point card;
a point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device via a communication line and that transmits and receives point information in association with the point card identification information;
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device includes at least a card reader that reads point card identification information recorded on the point card, a communication device that transmits the point card identification information read by the card reader to the point server, and the point card terminal processing device. a point terminal recording device for recording point-related group information associated with the point card identification information when information exchange between the server and the point card terminal processing device is malfunctioning; and the point server and the point card terminal processing device a point-related group information transmission instruction device that transmits the point-related group information recorded in the point terminal recording device to the point server after recovery from the malfunction of information exchange with
The point server records the point-related group information received from the point card terminal processing device in association with the same point card identification information, and records the point payment points in order of the date and time information for each point card identification information. A server management type point management for automatic service equipment, comprising a point server recording device for adding information to calculate new latest point information and then recording the latest point information in association with the point card identification information. A system is preferred.
Furthermore,
It is preferable that timing for instructing transmission of the payment point information by the point-related group information transmission instruction device is outside business hours of the automatic service equipment.
Moreover, it is preferable that the automatic service device is a game machine that enables a game to be played based on acceptance of a predetermined amount of money.

Referring to FIG. 1, an overview of a server-managed point management system 104 for automated service equipment 102 according to the present invention will be described.
The server management type point management system 104 is composed of an automatic service device 102, a point card terminal processing device 110, a shop server 114, a communication line 116, a point server 118, and a point card 120 which will be described later.

First, the automatic service equipment 102 will be described.
The automatic service device 102 is a device having a function of determining receipt of a predetermined fee and automatically providing goods or services. In the first embodiment, the automatic service device 102 is game machines 1061 to 1062 installed in a facility (amusement facility, so-called game center) 100 (first facility 1001 to n-th facility 100n in FIG. 1). Specifically, a large number of game machines 1061a to 1061n are arranged in the first facility 1001, a large number of game machines 1062a to 1062n in the second facility 1002, and a large number of game machines 106na to 106nn in the nth facility 100n. there is In the following description, the game machine will be generically referred to as the game machine 106. FIG. Each game machine 106 is individually attached with a point card terminal processing device 110 having a terminal display device 108 which is a display device constituted by a liquid crystal display device or the like. Note that the terminal display device 108 and the point card terminal processing device 110 are generally described using the same numbers for convenience of explanation, but when necessary, they will be described using individual numbers. Point card terminal processing device 110 is connected to store servers 114 (first store server 1141, second store server 1142, n-th store server 114n) via a LAN (Local Area Network) using router 112, and store server 114 It is connected to point server 118 via communication line 116 . In other words, the store server 114 and the point server 118 use the global IP address to specify the communication partner, and exchange information (signals, data, etc.) through communication. A management computer 122 or the like is connected to the communication line 116, and connected to the shop server 114, so that various management operations can be performed.

The communication line 116 is a line (telecommunication circuit) used for transmitting and receiving signals and data. Internet communication line is used.

The facility 100 in the first embodiment includes at least a building having a roof, pillars, and walls, a room that is part of the building, or a partition, in which a plurality of game machines 106 with point card terminal processing devices 110 are arranged. means a partition that has been Automated service equipment 102 may be washing machines, dryers, detergent vending machines, etc., if facility 100 is a laundromat. When the facility 100 is a vending machine stand, the automatic service equipment 102 is a beverage vending machine, a food vending machine, a variety of goods vending machines, a microwave oven, an automatic music provider, etc., and when it is a health land, an automatic These include massage machines and automatic tanning machines. Manned or unmanned management of facility 100 does not matter.

Next, the network of various devices will be explained using the facility 1001 as an example.
As shown in FIG. 2, point card terminal processors 110 (1101a-1101n) are installed in association with game machines 1061a-1061n. Specifically, the point card terminal processors 110 (1101a-110nc) are provided corresponding to the charge acceptance devices 126 (1261a-126nc) attached to the game machines 106 (1061a-1061n). In other words, one game machine 106 may appear to have a plurality of game machines 106 installed therein, but the charge acceptance device 126 is provided for each game machine 106 .
Usually, the game machine 106 is configured for each housing, and as shown in FIG. 2 or 3, one charge acceptance device 1261a is attached to the game machine 1061a, and one point is associated with this charge acceptance device 1261a. A card terminal processing device 1101a is installed. However, for example, like a crane game, a plurality of toll acceptance devices 1262a and 1262b are installed for one game machine case, and in FIGS. Point card terminal processors 1102a and 1102b are individually associated with charge acceptance devices 1262a and 1262b, respectively. 2 and 3(C), three toll acceptance devices 126na, 126nb, and 126nc are attached to the game machine 1061n, and point card terminal processing devices 110na, 110nb, and 110nc are associated with them, respectively. is installed. Furthermore, four or more toll accepting devices 126 and point card terminal processing devices 110 may be provided for one game machine 106 in some cases. Therefore, the relationship between automatic service equipment identification information AID and point terminal identification information TID, which will be described later, is, as shown in FIG. , one-to-two, or one-to-three.

Next, the game machine 106, which is the automatic service device 102, will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
The game machine 106 has a function of providing execution of a predetermined game using coins C of a predetermined value, such as 100-yen coins 100C and 500-yen coins 500C. , trading card game machines, photo vending machines, etc.

Next, the main hardware configuration of the game machine 106 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
The gaming machine 106 includes a gaming machine controller 132, which is generally an automated service equipment controller 128, gaming hardware 134, a toll acceptance device 126, a gaming machine identification storage device 136, and a gaming machine communication device 138. .

The game machine control device 132 outputs a start signal STS to the game hardware 134 based on the charging signal CHS representing the receipt of the charge or the point use charging signal PCS, and activates the game hardware 134 to operate the automatic service device. It has a function of providing game execution to the user USR of 102 (game machine 106). The game machine control device 132 is a so-called microprocessor (Micro-Processing Unit) in the first embodiment. Note that point use billing signal PCS is output by point billing signal output device 172 in point card terminal processing device 110 . Furthermore, the game machine control device 132 outputs a coin C acceptance prohibition signal to the coin sorting device 142 so that no new coin C is accepted during the game with the consideration.

The game hardware 134 receives the start signal STS from the game machine control device 132, and operates various actuators at predetermined timings or displays predetermined displays on the display based on the user's operation of the operation button or the like. It has a function to provide a game by playing, etc.

The charge acceptance device 126 has a function of outputting a charging signal CHS such as a pulse signal to the game machine control device 132 when the charge set in the game machine 106 is accepted, and a known charge acceptance device 126 is used. As described above, the toll acceptance device 126 is provided for each game machine 106. FIG.
As the charge acceptance device 126, for example, a known coin sorting device 142, electronic money processing device 144, two-dimensional code payment processing device 146, or the like is used alone or in combination. In Embodiment 1, a coin sorting device 142, an electronic money processing device 144, and a two-dimensional code payment processing device 146 are used in combination. In addition, as the charge acceptance device 126, a known credit card processing device, debit card processing device, or the like can be used.

Toll acceptor 126 will now be described with reference to FIG.
In the first embodiment, the fee acceptance device 126 uses a coin sorting device 142, an electronic money processing device 144, and a two-dimensional code payment processing device 146. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the coin sorting device 142 detects the denomination and authenticity of the coin C inserted into the coin slot 142E by means of a coin sensor 142S. , and the counterfeit coin is guided to the return port 142R. A coin C passing through the receiving passage 142A is detected by a receiving sensor 142RS, and the receiving sensor 142RS outputs a pulse signal PS as a charging signal CHS. The pulse signal PS is an electrical signal having a constant voltage and time width.

The electronic money processing device 144, as shown in FIG. 5(B), is composed of a known electronic money processing device. Information is read, electronic money information corresponding to the fee set in the game machine 106 is subtracted from the read electronic money information, and the balance is recorded in the recording device of the electronic money card. It outputs charging signal CHS of signal PS.

The two-dimensional code payment processing device 146 is, as shown in FIG. In the case of the Presented Mode) method, the user USR takes an image of the two-dimensional code displayed on the two-dimensional display device 146D using his/her own user terminal, and in the case of the CPM (Consumer-Presented Mode) method, 146C causes the user USR to image the two-dimensional code displayed on the display device of the user terminal device, and when the two-dimensional code settlement of the charge set in the game machine 106 is completed, the charging signal CHS of the pulse signal PS to output

Next, the game machine identification information storage device 136 will be explained.
The game machine identification information storage device 136 has a function of storing the automatic service machine identification information AID individually determined for each game machine 106 and outputting it in response to a request, and a known storage device is used. The automatic service device identification information AID consists of numbers, alphabets, or a combination thereof, and is stored in advance by the administrator. The automatic service machine identification information AID is used to specify which game machine 106 the payment is for when the electronic money processing device 144 or the two-dimensional code payment processing device 146 is used to settle the game fee. . Also, in point information management, it is used to identify which game machine 106 the point information is about.

Next, the game machine communication device 138 will be described.
The game machine communication device 138 has a function of exchanging information by communication with the point card terminal processing device 110, and a known communication device is used. This communication is performed wirelessly or by wire. Since the point card terminal processing device 110 is often attached to the game machine 106 and to avoid malfunction due to noise, it is preferable to adopt a wired system.

Next, the operation of the game machine 106 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5(D).
First, in step AS1, it is determined whether or not the charging signal CHS is output from the toll receiving device 126. If the charging signal CHS is output, the process proceeds to step AS2, and if the charging signal CHS is not output, the step AS1 is looped to wait for the charging signal. .
In step AS2, the game machine control device 132 outputs a start signal STS based on the charging signal CHS, and the game machine control device 132 operates the game hardware 134 based on the start signal STS to start the game. Return to step AS1.

Next, the point card terminal processing device 110 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.
The point card terminal processing device 110 has an interface function between the user USR and the server management type point management system 104 regarding point processing. As one of the functions, the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card 120 is read, the point card identification information PCID is transmitted to the point server 118 via the store server 114, and conversely, the point server 118 transmits the point card identification information PCID to the store server. When the latest point information LPTI sent via 114 is displayed, and communication with the store server 114 or point server 118 is interrupted, or a failure occurs such that the point processing cannot be executed due to the failure of one of the servers. In other words, if the information exchange between the point card terminal processing device and the point server via the store server is unsatisfactory (hereinafter also referred to as "information exchange is unsatisfactory"), the payment points related to the points It has a function of recording point information PTI such as information PPI in association with point card identification information PCID, and transmitting the point information PTI to point server 118 via store server 114 when the failure is recovered. In the first embodiment, the point card terminal processing device 110 includes a terminal display device 108, a terminal input device 152, a point terminal arithmetic device 154, a point terminal recording device 156, a point terminal communication device 158 serving as a communication device, and a point terminal clock device 162. , point terminal identification information storage device 164, card reader (referred to as "point card reader" for convenience) 166, point service button 168, point charge signal output device 172, point use button 174, terminal point information output device 176, points A related group information transmission instruction device 177 and a point bus line 178 are included.

First, the point card 120 will be described with reference to FIG. Since the present invention is a server-managed point management system, the point card 120 has a function of recording the point card identification information PCID, and a known magnetic card, IC card, or the like is used. The point card identification information PCID is the only information in the world, or at least the only information in the point management system used, and is information for identifying the point card user USR. Composed of symbols or a combination of some or all of them.

Next, the configuration of the point card 120 will be described.
The size of the point card 120 is arbitrary, but it is preferable to use a standardized card. The standardized card size is 85.60 × 53.98 × 0.76 mm (ISO/IEC 7810:2003 ID-1, JIS X 6301:2005 ID-1). A point card recording unit 120M is configured in this point card 120, and point card identification information PCID is recorded. The point card recording unit 120M can use a magnetic stripe or an IC (integrated circuit), and the magnetic stripe is used in the first embodiment. The card is made of paper or resin.

Next, the appearance of the point card terminal processing device 110 will be described with reference to FIG.
The point card terminal processing device 110 in the first embodiment has a generally horizontally long rectangular box shape with a thin thickness, and the terminal display device 108 is arranged on the surface. The terminal display device 108 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (organic electroluminescent display).

Next, the terminal input device 152 will be explained.
The terminal input device 152 has a function of inputting information regarding point processing. In the first embodiment, the terminal input device 152 uses a so-called touch panel in which the terminal display device 108 and the point terminal position input device 179 are combined. For example, when the terminal input device 152 at a position facing a point service button 168, which will be described later, is touched, a signal indicating that the point service button 168 has been touched is output. The terminal input device 152 is not limited to a touch panel, and other devices having similar functions can be used.

Next, the point terminal arithmetic unit 154 will be explained.
The point terminal processing device 154 is composed of a processing device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. has the function of exerting the function of each device that constitutes the In the first embodiment, a so-called microprocessor is used.

Next, the point terminal recording device 156 will be described.
The point terminal recording device 156 has a function of storing information to be processed in the point card terminal processing device 110 as needed, and a known storage device is used. In the first embodiment, the point terminal recording device 156 records the point terminal basic table PBL exemplified in FIG. 8(B) and the point terminal table PTL exemplified in FIG. 8(A). information is recorded. Point terminal basic table PBL stores automatic service machine identification information AID, service name information SNI, and store server identification information SID in association with point terminal identification information TID. It is used to associate the grant request with the point terminal identification information TID or the like when PGR or the like is performed. The automatic service machine identification information AID, service name information SNI, and store server identification information SID are recorded in advance by the administrator. The store server identification information SID is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The point terminal table PTL (FIG. 8(A)) records various kinds of information output during the offline point processing mode OFPM. , the password PW entered at the time of login, the date and time information DTI that is the date and time when the point card reader 166 read the point card identification information 120 or received the activation signal STS, the point information PTI, and the action information ACI related to this point information PTI are recorded as a set of point-related group information PRI in the order of output. Therefore, by reading out the recorded date/time information DTI in chronological order, it is possible to read out in chronological order. As the recording capacity of the point-related group information PRI, a capacity capable of recording the expected number of occurrences of the point-related group information PRI in an assumed period, for example, 10000 groups is secured. Note that the point information PTI may represent payment point information PPI, use point information UPI, or latest point information LPTI, as will be described later. The offline point processing mode OFPM is processing related to point information PTI that is performed when information exchange between the point card terminal processing device 110 and the point server 118 via the store server 114 fails.

Next, the point terminal communication device 158 will be explained.
The point terminal communication device 158 has a function of communicating with the automatic service device 102, the game machine control device 132 of the game machine 106 in the first embodiment, and the shop server 114, and a known communication device is used. The point terminal communication device 158 preferably communicates with the game machine communication device 138 of the game machine 106 by wire, and is connected to the shop communication device 264 of the shop server 114 via a wireless LAN or the like.

Next, the point terminal clock device 162 will be explained.
The point terminal clock device 162 has a function of outputting the date and time information DTI used in the point card terminal processing device 110, and a known clock device is used. The date/time information DTI preferably includes year/month/day and hour/minute/second.

Next, the point terminal identification information storage device 164 will be explained.
The point terminal identification information storage device 164 has a function of storing and outputting the point terminal identification information TID, and a known storage device is used. It is preferable that the point terminal identification information TID is previously recorded in the point terminal identification information storage device 164 by an administrator and cannot be rewritten.
The point terminal identification information TID is substantially the only identification information in the world, the point terminal identification information TID can identify the point card terminal processing device 110, and as a result the attached automatic service equipment 102, In the first embodiment, the game machine 106 can be specified. For example, by linking with the point terminal basic table PBL, based on the point terminal identification information TID, the name of the store operator, the installed store, the type of the automatic service equipment 102, etc. can be clarified. It can be used for analysis of information.

Next, the point card reader 166 will be explained.
The point card reader 166 has a function of reading point card identification information PCID recorded on the point card 120 . In Embodiment 1, a known card reader is used and integrated into the point card terminal processing device 110 . Specifically, in the first embodiment, since the point card 120 is of the magnetic stripe type, a card reader that slides (slashes) with respect to the point card reader 166 is used. Specifically, at the right end position of the case 180 of the point card terminal processing device 110, a slide groove 182 extending in the vertical direction and having a width about twice the thickness of the point card 120 and a slide groove 182 in the case 180 It is composed of an arranged magnetic head 184 and an arithmetic circuit (not shown). However, another device, for example, a card reader built into the electronic money processing device 144 can be shared, and a card reader can be individually attached to the game machine 106 . Point card reader 166 is a contact or non-contact IC card reader when point card 120 is an IC card.

Next, point service button 168 will be described.
The point service button 168 is pressed (tapped) when the user USR executes a point-related process. When the point service button 168 is pressed, the terminal display device 108 is switched to the point processing menu screen PTS (FIG. 11(D)). It also has a function that serves as a starting point for adding store visit point information CPI when it is the first access on the date of reading.

Next, the point processing menu screen PTS will be described with reference to FIG. 11(D).
The point processing menu screen PTS of the first embodiment includes a usable point display section 186 for displaying the current point information PTI, a store visit point addition processing display 222 for the store visit point information CPI, a game machine play point guide display 224, and a point usage inquiry. Display 226 and redeem points button 174 are displayed. In other words, when point service button 168 is pressed on reception screen RGS of FIG. The point server 118 is accessed via the point server 118, the latest point information LPTI stored in association with the point card identification information PCID is received, and the new latest points obtained by adding the visit point information CPI to the latest point information LPTI Information LPTI is displayed on the available points display portion 186 . The value of the store visit point information CPI is arbitrarily determined by the manager. For example, the store visit point information CPI is set so that the predetermined store visit point information CPI is given "1" only once a day. The game machine play point guidance display 224 is the point information PTI given for each game. For example, in the case of a game of 100 yen, the point information PTI (payment point information PPI) of "1" is given. In the case of a crane game of 500 yen per time, "5" payment point information PPI is given. Since the point card terminal processing device 110 is installed in association with each game machine 106, the payment point information PPI for the charge of the game machine 106 can be set and stored in advance. Specifically, in game machine 106, when charging signal CHS is output from fee receiving device 126, terminal point information output device 176 outputs predetermined payment point information PPI. The store visit point information CPI is not limited to "1".

Next, the point accounting signal output device 172 will be explained.
When the charge for the automatic service equipment 102 is paid using the point information PTI, the point billing signal output device 172 notifies the automatic service equipment control device 128 (game machine control device 132) of the corresponding automatic service equipment 102 to use the points. It has a function of outputting a billing signal PCS.
In the present embodiment 1, the point billing signal output device 172 outputs the point use billing signal PCS having the same function as the billing signal CHS from the toll receiving device 126 output when the coin sorting device 142 accepts the coin C. Output. In the first embodiment, the point usage billing signal PCS triggers the output of the activation signal STS. Also, the point use billing signal PCS is output from an electric circuit, and the arithmetic processing for operating the electric circuit is processed by a program.

Next, the point use button 174 will be described with reference to FIG. 11(D).
Point use button 174 is pressed when playing a game on game machine 106 using point information PTI. In other words, it is pressed when the game is executed by consuming (subtracting) the points corresponding to the game charge of the game machine 106 from the latest point information LPTI recorded in the point server 118 .
When the point use button 174 is pressed (tapped), the terminal display device 108 displays a point use input screen PUS (FIG. 11(F)).
A usable point display portion 186, a usable point display portion 200, and a confirmation button 244 are displayed on the use point input screen PUS. If "1 point" is equivalent to "1 yen" and the game fee is 100 yen, the usage point display unit 200 displays "100", and if the game fee is 500 yen, "500" is displayed. When the confirmation button 244 is pressed, it is assumed that the user USR approves the use of the point information PTI displayed on the point usage display unit 200, and the point charging signal output device 172 outputs the point usage charging signal PCS. Output to device 132 . The game machine controller 132 outputs a start signal STS to the game hardware 134 based on the point usage charging signal PCS to activate the automatic service device 102 and thus the game machine 106 . On the other hand, when the game charge is 100 yen, the display of the available point display unit 186 is changed to the display in which "100" is subtracted from the original display, and when the game charge is 500 yen, "500" is subtracted. display is changed.

Next, the terminal point information output device 176 will be explained.
The terminal point information output device 176 has a function of outputting payment point information PPI, which is predetermined point information PTI, and action information ACI for each charging signal CHS when receiving the charging signal CHS. For example, if the usage fee of the game machine 106 is 100 yen, the payment point information PPI of "1" is output each time the charging signal CHS is output. When the usage fee is 500 yen, the payment point information PPI is "5". Since the action information ACI is a point to be added, for example, "addition" is output. The payment point information PPI is one of the point information PTI.

Next, the point-related group information transmission instruction device 177 will be described.
The point-related group information transmission instruction device 177 has a function of transmitting the point-related group information PRI to the point server 118 or giving an opportunity to transmit the point-related group information PRI.
In the first embodiment, the point-related group information transmission instruction device 177 is configured by software. Specifically, step ES20, which will be described later, is the point-related group information transmission instruction device 177. FIG. However, the point-related group information transmission instruction device 177 can also be configured by hardware.

Next, the point bus line 178 will be explained.
The point bus line 178 has a function of mediating data transfer between the devices constituting the point card terminal processing device 110, and a known bus line is used.

Next, the point terminal table PTL will be explained with reference to FIG. 8(A).
In the first embodiment, the point terminal identification information storage device 164 of the point card terminal processing device 110 records the point terminal table PTL. That is, as described above, associated with the point card identification information PCID, for example, the password PW, the point terminal identification information TID, the date and time information DTI when the point was output or the point card identification information PCID was read, the action information ACI, And store visit point information CPI, payment point information PPI, or usage point information UPI are recorded. The store visit point information CPI is, as described above, the point information PTI given when the customer first visits the store on the day, and the payment point information PPI is based on the charging signal CHS output from the charge acceptance device 126 It is the point information PTI output by the terminal point information output device 176, and the usage point information UPI is the point information when the point information PTI (latest point information LPTI) is paid and the game machine 106 (automatic service device 102) is used. PTI. In the first embodiment, the point card identification information PCID, the password PW, the point terminal identification information TID, the date and time information DTI when the point is output or the point card identification information PCID is read, the action information ACI, and the visit point information CPI, The payment point information PPI or the usage point information UPI are collectively referred to as point-related group information PRI. Also, for example, "A-101-001" is recorded as the point terminal identification information TID. As the point generation time information POT, the time when the charging signal CHS was output, in other words, the date and time information DTI of the point terminal clock device 162 when the point card terminal processing device 110 received the charging signal CHS is recorded. However, as the point generation time information POT, the date and time information DTI transmitted together with the charging signal CHS may be used, or other date and time information DTI may be used. The date and time information DTI is normally represented by year/month/day/hour/minute/second. If the action information ACI is the payment point information PPI, it means that cash is paid and points are awarded. If it is the usage point information UPI, it means that the point information PTI is subtracted. Subtract" is recorded. The point subtraction information PSI preferably includes at least usage point information UPI, action information ACI, and date and time information DTI when the usage point information UPI was output. In the case of store visit point information CTI, "visit" is recorded. The store visit point information CTI is one of the point information PTI.

Next, the operation of the point card terminal processing device 110 in the online mode ONM will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Online mode ONM refers to processing related to point information PTI when point card terminal processing device 110 and point server 118 can exchange information via store server 114 . In other words, the online mode ONM in the first embodiment is a combination of the point card approval process PCAT, the charge payment point process CPPT, and the point payment point process PPPT. However, the online mode ONM may be a point card authorization process PCAT and a charge payment point process CPPT.
First, the point card approval processing PCAT will be explained.
The point card approval process PCAT is a process executed when the user USR tries to increase the point information PTI or when using the point information PTI to use the automatic service device 102 (game machine 106). Determine whether (point card identification information PCID and password PW) is recorded in the point member table PMTL of the point server 118, and if the point card 120 is determined, the latest point information recorded in the point server table PSTL This is the process of transmitting the LPTI to the point card terminal processing device 110. FIG.

In step ES1, an initial screen INS (FIG. 11(A)) is displayed on terminal display device 108, and the process proceeds to step ES2. The initial screen INS displays an illustration 228 prompting the user USR to slide the point card 120 along the slide groove 182 in the point card reader 166, which is a card reader, and further guidance 232 to the same effect. be. Therefore, in the game machine 106, the initial screen INS is displayed on the terminal display device 108 when no game is played or when the point card 120 is not used even when the game is played. Further, when the point card 120 is slid in the slide groove 182, the magnetic head 184 is kept in a standby state so that the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card recording section 120M can be read.

In step ES2, it is determined whether the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card 120 has been read. If the point card identification information PCID is determined, the process proceeds to step ES3, and if not determined, the process proceeds to step ES4A. In other words, if the point card 120 is not used, go to step ES4A.

At step ES4A, it is determined whether or not there is polling from the store server 114. If there is no polling, the process returns to step ES2 to enter the waiting state for the point card identification information PCID, and if there is polling, the process proceeds to step ES4B.

In step ES4B, the unsent point-related group information PRI (point card reference request PCR, payment point grant request PGR (payment point grant information PPG) described later, or point subtraction request PSR (utilization point subtraction information UPI) described later) is If it is recorded in the point terminal table PTL of the point terminal recording device 156, go to step ES5, otherwise go back to step ES2.

Therefore, if there is no user USR of the point card 120 and there is no untransmitted point-related group information PRI, steps ES2 and steps ES4A and ES4B are looped, and the user USR of the point card 120 waits. Become.

In step ES5, after transmitting the untransmitted point-related group information PRI to store server 114, the process returns to step ES1. In other words, if there is no user USR of the point card 120 but there is unsent point-related group information PRI, the unsent point-related group information PRI is sent to the store server 114 and finally to the point server 118. do.

If the point card identification information PCID is determined, in step ES3, the password input screen IIS (FIG. 11(B)) is displayed on the terminal display device 108, and the process proceeds to step ES6. The password input screen IIS displays a password input section 202, alphanumeric input keys 204 as a terminal input device 152, and "Please enter a password" as an input prompt guide 206. FIG. The user USR uses the alphanumeric input keys 204 to enter his own password PW in the password input unit 202 and presses (tap) the confirmation key 208 to proceed to step ES7. Loop through step ES6 and enter the password waiting state.

If the store server 114 is polled in step ES7, the process proceeds to step ES8, and if the store server 114 is not polled, the process proceeds to A (step ES30) in FIG.

At step ES8, point card inquiry information PCI including the password PW and point card identification information PCID that has been entered is transmitted to the store server 114, and after a point card inquiry request PCR is performed to determine whether the point card 120 has legitimate authority, Go to step ES9. The point card inquiry information PCI preferably includes at least point card identification information PCID, point terminal identification information TID, password PW, date and time information DTI (the date and time when the point card identification information PCID is read). .

In step ES9, if it is determined that store server point card authorization information SPAI (latest point information LPTI, etc.) has been received in response to the point card inquiry request PCR based on the point card inquiry information PCI from store server 114, proceed to step ES10, If the store server point card approval information SPAI is not received because the password PW or the point card identification information PCID is different, the process proceeds to step ES29. The store server point card authorization information SPAI preferably includes at least point card identification information PCID, date and time information DTI, latest point information LPTI, and/or visit point information CPI.

If the point card 120 (point card identification information PCID) is not approved, in step ES29, the terminal display device 108 displays an ID error screen IES shown in FIG. is displayed 209 and the process is terminated.

At step ES10, the reception screen RGS shown in FIG. 11(C) is displayed on terminal display device 108 based on store server point card approval information SPAI, and the process proceeds to step ES11. The reception screen RGS includes a name section 212 for displaying name information NMI registered in relation to the point card identification information PCID in the point server member table PMTL in the point server 118, and a starting point for exhibiting the point service function. A point service button 168 and prompt guidance 214 prompting the user to press the point service button 168 are displayed. The user USR looks at the reception screen RGS and selects whether to use the point service.

If it is determined in step ES11 that the point service button 168 has been tapped, the process proceeds to step ES12.

In step ES12, after displaying the point processing menu screen PTS shown in FIG. 11(D), the process proceeds to step ES13. On the point processing menu screen PTS, the latest point information LPTI received from the point server 118 is displayed on the available point display section 186. FIG. On the other hand, if it is the first use on the day, the store visit point information CPI is added, and the available point display unit 186 that displays the point information after the addition (if the store visit point is not added, the latest point information LPTI), the point is used. A point use button 174 to be pressed when visiting the store, a store visit point guide 222 indicating that the store visit point CPI has been added, a game machine play point guide display 224 that guides the points added for each play, and when using the points A point usage inquiry display 226 prompting the user to press is displayed.

In step ES13, it is determined whether or not the point use button 174 has been tapped. If not determined, the process proceeds to step ES15, and if determined, the process proceeds to step ES14. In other words, if point use button 174 is not tapped, it is determined whether or not charging signal CHS based on cash or the like is output.

Next, the charge payment point processing CPPT will be explained.
The charging payment point processing CPPT is processing for adding (adding) point information PTI based on the charging signal CHS from the charge receiving device 126. FIG. The charge payment point processing CPPT in the first embodiment is steps ES15 to ES24.
In step ES15, it is determined whether or not the charging signal CHS has been output. If not output, the process returns to step ES13, and if the charging signal CHS has been determined, the process proceeds to step ES16. In other words, when the point use button 174 is not tapped and the charging signal CHS is not output, steps ES13 and ES15 are looped, and the point use button 174 or the charging signal CHS is on standby.

In step ES16, payment point information PPI and action information ACI based on the charging signal CHS are output from the terminal point information output device 176, and after making a payment point grant request PGR, the process proceeds to step ES17. As described above, the payment point information PPI is, for example, "1" when the game charge is 100 yen, and "5" when the game charge is 500 yen. The action information ACI is "additional". Therefore, the payment point grant request PGR means outputting the payment point information PPI and the like.

In step ES17, after the payment point information PPI and the action information ACI are recorded in the point terminal table PTL in association with the point card identification information PCID, the process proceeds to step ES18.

In step ES18, after displaying the payment point display screen PPS showing that the payment point information PPI has been added as shown in FIG. 11(G), the process proceeds to step ES19. The payment point display screen PPS includes a usable point display section 186 that displays the latest point information LPTI after addition of the payment point information PPI, an additional point display section 234 that displays the payment point information PPI as added point information, It is preferable that a point use button 174 and a point use inquiry display 226 are displayed.

At step ES19, it is determined whether or not there is polling from the store server 114. If there is polling, the process proceeds to step ES20, and if not, the process proceeds to the aforementioned A (step ES30).

In step ES20, it is determined whether or not there is point-related group information PRI that has not been transmitted to the point terminal recording device 156. If there is, the process proceeds to step ES21, and if not, the process returns to step ES1. This is to quickly respond to recovery of the communication line 116 or the like while the payment point information PPI is being processed.

In step ES21, after transmitting the untransmitted point-related group information PRI to the shop server 114, the process proceeds to step ES22. Therefore, since step ES20 serves as a trigger for transmitting the untransmitted point-related information PRI, the point-related group information transmission instruction device 177 can be said.

Next, in step ES22, if the store server point grant information SPPI including the latest point information LPTI or the store server usage result information SURI is received from the store server 114, the process proceeds to step ES23, and if not received, the step ES22 is looped, It will be in a reception standby state such as the latest point information LPTI. The store server point grant information SPPI includes point card identification information PCID, latest point information LPTI, date and time information DTI, action information ACI, and payment point information PPI in the first embodiment. LPTI should be included. The store server usage result information SURI includes the point card identification information PCID, the latest point information LPTI, the date and time information DTI, and the usage point information UPI in the first embodiment, but at least includes the latest point information LPTI. I wish I could.

In step ES23, it is determined whether the store server point grant information SPPI is based on the charging signal CHS or the store server usage result information SURI is based on point use. If so, go to step ES25. This determination is to determine whether the action information ACI corresponding to the occurrence time POT recorded in association with the same point card identification information PCID in the point terminal table PTL is "grant" or "use". can be determined by

In step ES24, after displaying the payment point display screen PPS shown in FIG. 11(G) on the terminal display device 108, the process returns to step ES1. The payment point display screen PPS includes a usable point display section 186 that displays the latest point information LPTI after addition, an additional point display section 234 that displays payment point information PPI as added point information, a point use button 174, And a point usage inquiry display 226 is displayed.

In step ES25, after displaying the point use result screen PRS shown in FIG. 11(H) on the terminal display device 108, the process returns to step ES1. The point usage result screen PRS includes a usable point display section 186 that displays the latest point information LPTI after subtraction, a usable point display section 200 that displays the used point information UPI as subtracted point information, a point utilization button 174, And a point usage inquiry display 226 is displayed.

Next, the point payment point processing PPPT will be explained.
The point payment point processing PPPT is processing of the point information PTI when using the automatic service device 102 using the accumulated point information PTI (latest point information LPTI). The point payment point processing PPPT in the first embodiment includes steps ES13-14, ES26-ES28, ES19-ES23, and ES25.
In step ES13, when the point utilization button 174 is tapped, in the next step ES14, for example, after displaying the utilization point input screen PUS shown in FIG. 11(F), the process proceeds to step ES26. A usable point display portion 186, a usable point display portion 200, an input prompt message 238, and a confirmation button 244 are displayed on the use point input screen PUS. The available points display unit 186 displays the latest point information LPTI included in the shop server point card approval information SPAI, and the points used display unit 200 displays the automatic service equipment 102 to be used, Points corresponding to the charge of the game machine 106 , for example, if the charge of the game machine is 100 yen, 100 is entered as the use point information UPI in the use point display section 200 . For inputting to the point-to-use display section 200, for example, when the point-to-use display section 200 is tapped, the alphanumeric input keys 204 are displayed.

In step ES26, when the confirm button 244 is tapped, the process proceeds to step ES27, and when not tapped, the step ES26 is looped and the confirm button 244 is waited for tapping.

In step ES27, if the determined point-of-use information UPI matches the fee, the process proceeds to step ES28, and if not, the process returns to step ES14 to request re-input of the point-of-use information UPI.

In step ES28, the point billing signal output device 172 outputs the point billing signal PCS, associates the subtracted utilization point information UPI with the point card identification information PCID, "subtracts" the action information ACI, and generates the occurrence time information POT. (Date and time information DTI), together with the password PW, are recorded in the point terminal table PTL as point subtraction information PSI, and then the process proceeds to step ES19. The game machine control device 132 that has received the point use charging signal PCS outputs the start signal STS to the game hardware 134 to start the game. The point subtraction information PSI includes usage point information UPI (subtracted point information PTI), point terminal identification information TID, password PW, action information ACI, and occurrence date and time information DTI, which are associated with the point card identification information PCID. is preferred. Therefore, the point subtraction request PSR is to transmit at least the subtracted point information PTI, point terminal identification information TID, action information ACI, and date/time information DTI associated with the point card identification information PCID to the shop server 114, in other words, For example, it means transmitting the point subtraction information PSI to the store server 114 . Note that steps after step ES19 are as described above.

Next, the processing when there is no polling of the store server 114 at step ES7 or step ES19 will be described with reference to FIG.
The fact that there is no polling of the store server 114 means that the point card terminal processing device 110 cannot communicate with the point server 118, and this is the case where the processing of steps ES7 to ES28 described above cannot be performed.
For example, if the communication line between the store server 114 is out of order, if the store server 114 is out of service and cannot process, if the communication line 116 between the store server 114 and the point server 118 is out of order, It is assumed that the point server 118 is dormant.
In this case, the point card terminal processing device 110 performs processing related to the payment point information PPI in the offline point processing mode OFPM as an emergency evacuation. Therefore, in the offline point processing mode OFPM, the game machine 106 cannot be operated using the point information PTI (use point information UPI).

First, in step ES7, if polling is not received from store server 114, the process proceeds to step ES30.
In step ES30, the point card identification information PCID, the date and time information DTI when the point card identification information PCID was read, the point terminal identification information TID, the password PW, the point information PTI, and the action information read in the point card terminal processing device 110 After recording the ACI in the point terminal table PTL in association with the point card identification information PCID, the process proceeds to step ES31.

At step ES31, for example, the offline mode screen OMS shown in FIG. 12A is displayed on the terminal display device 108, and the offline mode guidance section 246 indicating that the point service is provided in the offline point processing mode OFPM is displayed. Specifically, the name portion 212 is displayed. The name to be displayed can be displayed by being recorded in the point card recording section 120M of the point card 120 in association with the point card identification information PCID. However, if the name is not recorded, the point card identification information PCID can be displayed in the name portion 212. FIG. Further, after the offline mode guidance section 246, the use button 218, and the cancel button 220 of "The server is down. Point service will be provided in offline mode" and "Play points will be reflected after recovery." , go to step ES32.

In step ES32, it is determined whether the cancel button 220 has been pressed (tapped), and if it is determined that it has been pressed, the process returns to step ES1, and if not determined, the process proceeds to step ES33. That is, even if the point system is offline, it is confirmed whether or not to play the game, and if the game is to be played, the process proceeds to step ES33.

In step ES33, it is determined whether or not the use button 218 has been pressed (tapped), and if it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step ES34, and if it has not been pressed, the process returns to step ES32 to enter an intention confirmation loop.

In step ES34, after displaying, for example, the offline point service screen OPTS shown in FIG. 12(B) on the terminal display device 108, the process proceeds to step ES35. The offline point service screen OPTS includes an available point display section 186, an offline mode guide section 246 indicating that the point service is provided in the offline point processing mode OFPM, and a charge prompting guide prompting the game machine 106 to charge. Section 236 is displayed.

Next, in step ES35, it is determined whether or not there is a charge signal CHS. If the charge signal CHS is determined, the process proceeds to step ES36, and if not determined, the step ES35 is looped to enter the charge signal standby state. As described above, when the fee is received by the fee receiving device 126 in the game machine 106, the charging signal CHS is output.

Next, at step ES36, the terminal point information output device 176 outputs the payment point information PPI and the action information ACI based on the determination of the charging signal CHS, and proceeds to step ES37. Specifically, if "Give" is output as the action information ACI, and the payment point information PPI is "1" point for 100 yen, "1" for "100 yen" and "500 yen" , then "5" is output.

Next, in step ES37, in the point terminal table PTL, in association with the point card identification information PCID, the point terminal identification information TID, the password PW, the payment point information PPI, the date and time information DTI when the payment point information PPI was output, and the action After recording the information ACI, go to step ES38.

At step ES38, the terminal display device 108 displays, for example, a point addition screen PAS showing that the payment point information PPI shown in FIG. 12(C) has been added, and then proceeds to step ES39. On the point addition screen PAS, an offline point section 216 for displaying point information PTI which is the payment point information PPI given this time, an additional point display section 234 for displaying the payment point information PPI which is the added point information, and an offline mode. A guide 246 and a point service end button 248 are displayed.

At step ES39, it is determined whether or not the point service end button 248 has been pressed. This prepares for the output of the charging signal CHS again.

The processing in the online mode ONM and the processing in the offline point processing mode OFPM in the point card terminal processing device 110 have been described above.

Next, the processing in the off-on change mode OFONM when the offline point processing mode OFPM is switched to the online mode ONM will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. In other words, it is recorded in the point terminal table PTL as point-related group information PRI that has not yet been transmitted.
In step ES39 of the offline point processing mode OFPM, if the point service end button 248 is pressed, the process returns to step ES1.
In step ES4A via steps ES1 and ES2 of online mode ONM, when polling from store server 114 is determined, the process proceeds to step ES4B. In step ES4B, it is determined that unsent point-related group information PRI is recorded in the point terminal table PTL. be.
Also, when the offline point processing mode OFPM is switched to the online mode ONM during a game on the game machine 106 which is the automatic service device 102, polling from the shop server 114 is discriminated in step ES19. , the untransmitted point-related group information PRI is transmitted to the shop server 114.

Next, store server 114 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
In principle, one store server 114 is provided for one store, but in the case of a large-scale store with many game machines 106, a plurality of store servers 114 can be installed. Also, a plurality of stores can be managed by one store server 114 . Therefore, the store server 114 may not be installed in the same store (facility 100).

As shown in FIG. 1, store servers 114 (first store server 1141, second store server 1142, n-th store server 114n) receive information from the point card terminal processing device 110, for example, through a communication line 116 such as the Internet. and send information such as the latest point information LPTI from the point server 118 to the point card terminal processing device 110. Further, information exchange is not working properly due to interruption of communication with the point server 118. If this occurs, stop receiving the payment point information PPI such as the point information PTI or the point subtraction information PSI from the point card terminal processing device 110, and after the malfunction is recovered, the point card terminal processing device 110 It has a function of transmitting the point-related group information PRI recorded in the point terminal table PTL to the point server 118 . By configuring store server 114 in this way, there is an advantage that point processing can be performed without any problem even if information exchange with point server 118 is unsatisfactory. It should be noted that "after recovering from a malfunction" includes both transmission immediately after recovery and batch processing after recovery. Note that batch processing is usually performed outside the business hours of facility 100 .
In the first embodiment, the store server 114 includes a store point reader/writer device 254, a store computing device 256, a store recording device 258, a store display device 262, a store communication device 264, a store input device 266, a store clock device 268, and a store Although the bus line 272 is included, at least the store computing device 256, the store recording device 258, the store communication device 264, and the store bus line 272 should be included. A plurality of store servers 114 can be installed in one store (facility 100) according to the number of point card terminal processing devices 110. Conversely, one store server 114 can be installed in a plurality of stores (first facility 1001 to n-th facility 100n) can be used in common.

First, the store point reader/writer device 254 will be described.
The store point reader/writer device 254 is attached to the store server 114 and has a function of reading or writing the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card recording section 120M of the point card 120. FIG.
In the first embodiment, since the point card terminal processing device 110 is attached to each game machine 106 which is each automatic service device 102, it is not essential to attach it to the shop server 114, but if it is attached, it will be managed. Increased convenience.

Next, the store arithmetic device 256 will be explained.
The store computing device 256 is composed of a known CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and based on a program stored in the ROM, it communicates with the RAM as appropriate and operates the store. It has a function to exert the function of each device that constitutes the server 114

Next, the shop recording device 258 will be explained.
Store recording device 258 has a function of storing necessary information in the process of processing while communicating with point card terminal processing device 110 and point server 118, and a known storage device is used. In the first embodiment, the shop recording device 258 stores a shop server history table SST and a device terminal management table TCT, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 14(A), the store server history table SST contains at least point terminal identification information TID, password PW, date and time information DTI, action information ACI, point information PTI, And the latest point information LPTI is recorded (stored). These pieces of information are transmitted from the point card terminal processing device 110 together with the payment point information PPI or the usage point information UPI. In the payment point information PPI, "addition" is recorded as the action information ACI together with the point information PTI. In the usage point information UPI, the action information ACI "subtraction" is recorded together with the point information PTI. In Embodiment 1, point server information PSVI, which will be described later, is further recorded.
In the equipment terminal management table TCT, point terminal identification information TID, member store name information MNI, service name information SNI, and store server identification information SID are recorded in association with automatic service machine identification information AID.

The point terminal identification information TID is identification information of the point card terminal processing device 110. FIG.
The password PW is the password PW input to the point card terminal processing device 110 when the user uses the point card 120 .
As the date and time information DTI, the date and time information DTI and payment point information PPI output from the point terminal clock device 162 at the time when the user USR causes the point card reader 166 of the point card terminal processing device 110 to read the point card 120 are output. date and time information DTI output from the point terminal clock device 162 at the point in time, or date and time information DTI output from the point terminal clock device 162 at the time point usage point information UPI is output.
The point card identification information PCID is the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card recording unit 120M read by the point card reader 166 of the point card terminal processing device 110. FIG.
The payment point information PPI is the numerical value of the point information PTI. For example, when "1" point is given for 100 yen, the "1" is the payment point information PPI.
The action information ACI is an attribute of the point information PTI, and is given "addition" for payment point information PPI, "subtraction" for use point information UPI, and "addition" for visit point information CPI. However, by setting the payment point information PPI or the visit point information CPI to "+1", the action information ACI can be substituted with the "+", and by setting the usage point information UPI to "-1", The "-" can be substituted.
The latest point information LPTI is the latest point information PTI transmitted from the point server 118 .
The store server history table SST contains the point card reference request PCR, point server point card approval information PPAI, payment point grant request PGR, point server point grant information PPGI, point subtraction request PSR, or point server Each time the usage result information PURI is received, the received various information is recorded in association with the corresponding point card identification information PCID, and the various information for about one month is recorded for verification and the like.

Next, the store display device 262 will be explained.
The shop display device 262 has an interface function with the user, and a known display device (display) is used.

Next, the store communication device 264 will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 1, the store communication device 264 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information by communication with the point card terminal processing device 110 via the router 112 and LAN, and with the point server 118 via the communication line 116. and a known communication device is used. Communication with the point server 118 is not limited to the communication line 116, and may be a dedicated line.

Next, store input device 266 will be described.
Store input device 266 has a function of inputting necessary information in store server 114, and a known keyboard is used.

Next, management of the equipment terminal management table TCT performed using the store input device 266 will be described below.
First, the device terminal management table TCT will be explained. The equipment terminal management table TCT has a function of associating the game machine 106 which is the automatic service equipment 102 with the point card terminal processing device 110 . In other words, it has a function of associating the automatic service machine identification information AID, which is the game machine 106, with the point terminal identification information TID. Furthermore, the point terminal identification information TID is directly or indirectly related to the toll acceptance device 126 installed in the game machine 106 (automatic service device 102).
By associating the game machine 106 and the point card terminal processing device 110, it can be utilized for calculating the sales using the point card terminal processing device 110 in the game machine 106, for example. In the equipment terminal management table TCT, as shown in FIG. 14B, point terminal identification information TID is registered in association with automatic service machine identification information AID, which is game machine identification information. That is, when the game machine 106 and the point card terminal processing device 110 are in a one-to-one relationship, one point terminal identification information TID is recorded for the automatic service machine identification information AID, and in the case of a one-to-two relationship, one automatic service is recorded. Two point terminal identification information TID are recorded for the machine identification information AID, and three point terminal identification information TID are recorded for one automatic service machine identification information AID in the case of a one-to-three relationship (see FIG. 3(D). .).
Furthermore, it is preferable to record member store name information MNI, service name information SNI, shop server identification information SID, etc. in association with automatic service machine identification information AID and point terminal identification information TID in the equipment terminal management table TCT. .

Next, various types of information recorded in the equipment terminal management table TCT will be described.
As described above, the automatic service machine identification information AID is individual information associated with and assigned to each game machine 106 in the first embodiment.
The point terminal identification information TID is identification information individually set for each point card terminal processing device 110 .
The member store name information MNI is the name of a business entity that operates the automatic service equipment 102, which is the game arcade facility 100 in the first embodiment, and is a registered company name, trade name, or the like.
The service name information SNI is the name of the service provided by the automatic service device 102, and in the first embodiment, the name of the service provided by the game machine 106, for example, the name of a crane game.
The store server identification information SID is individual identification information of the store server 114, such as a URL.

Next, store clock device 268 will be described.
Store clock device 268 functions to output date and time information DTI used in store server 114, and a known clock device is used.

Next, the store bus line 272 will be explained.
Store bus line 272 has a function of performing communication between the devices constituting store server 114, and is a known bus line.

Next, a method of registering (recording) automatic service device identification information AID and point terminal identification information TID will be described with reference to FIG. A registration program is recorded in the store recording device 258 .

When the registration program is started, first, in step RS1, the menu screen MNS shown in FIG. .

In step RS2, if the new registration button 282 is pressed (tapped), the process proceeds to step RS3, and if the registered data correction button 284 is pressed (tapped), the process proceeds to step RS4.

At step RS3, the new registration screen NRS shown in FIG. displayed and proceed to step RS5. In the first embodiment, a member store name input section 274 for member store name information MNI and a service name input section 276 for service name information SNI are further provided.

In step RS5, when it is determined that necessary information is input to the AID input unit 286 and the TID input unit 288 using the shop input device 266 and the registration button 292 is pressed (tapped), the process proceeds to step RS6. The new registration information is recorded in the device terminal management table TCT, and the process ends.

When correcting the recorded information in the device terminal management table TCT, the correction screen RVS shown in FIG. 296, a correction TID input section 298 for the point terminal identification information TID, and a correction registration button 300 are displayed, and the process proceeds to step RS7.
If it is determined in step RS7 that the automatic service machine identification information AID to be corrected has been entered in the correction AID input section 294 and that the search button 296 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step RS8. be in a waiting state.

In step RS8, the recorded information corresponding to the automatic service device identification information AID in the modified AID input section 294 is retrieved and displayed in the modified AID input section 294 and the modified TID input section 298, and the process proceeds to step RS9. On the displayed correction screen RVS, correct the automatic service device identification information AID or the point terminal identification information TID.

If it is determined in step RS9 that the correction registration button 300 has been pressed (tapped), the process proceeds to step RS6. In step RS6, as described above, the information is recorded in the equipment terminal management table TCT, and the process ends. It is also possible to delete registered information. Furthermore, it is preferable that the modification screen RVS is also provided with sections for the member store name, service name, etc., so that these can also be modified.
As described above, in the store server 114, registration or correction of the equipment terminal management table TCT and the like is possible.

Next, the operation of store server 114 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step SS1, the point card terminal processing device 110 of the first rank is specified, and the process proceeds to step SS2. For example, if the point terminal identification information TID is numbered, the point card terminal processing devices 110 are designated in ascending order of numbers.

In step SS2, the designated point card terminal processing device 110 is polled, and the process proceeds to step SS3.

In step SS3, the point card terminal processing device 110 determines whether there is a point card inquiry request PCR, a payment point grant request PGR, or a point subtraction request PSR. move on.

In step SS5, the next point card terminal processing device 110 is set, and the process returns to step SS2 to poll the next point card terminal processing device 110. FIG.

In step SS4, the point card inquiry information PCI, the payment point provision information PPG, or the point subtraction information PSI transmitted from the point card terminal processing device 110 is temporarily recorded in the store recording device 258, and then the process proceeds to step SS6. Specifically, in association with the point card identification information PCID, the point card terminal identification information TID, password PW, date and time information DTI, action information ACI, store visit point information CPI, payment point information PPI or usage point information UPI are sent to the store server. It is recorded in the history table SST (FIG. 14(A)).

In step SS6, it is determined whether or not information can be exchanged with the point server 118. If the information can be exchanged, the process proceeds to step SS7, and if the information cannot be exchanged, the process proceeds to step SS11.

In step SS7, by associating the temporarily recorded point card inquiry request PCR, payment point grant request PGR, or point subtraction request PSR of the point card terminal processing device 110 with the shop server identification information SID, the shop point card inquiry is performed. After transmitting to the point server 118 as a request SPCR, a store payment point grant request SPGR, or a store point subtraction request SPSR, the process proceeds to step SS8. Therefore, the store point card inquiry request SPCR is to transmit the point card inquiry information PCI in association with the store server identification information SID. The store payment point grant request SPGR refers to transmitting the payment point grant information PPG in association with the store server identification information SID. The store point subtraction request SPSR is to transmit the usage point subtraction information UPI in association with the store server identification information SID.

In step SS8, from the point server 118, the point server point card approval information PPAI, the point server point grant information PPGI, or the point server usage result as a response to the point card inquiry request PCR, the payment point grant request PGR, or the point subtraction request PSR It is determined whether or not the information PURI has been transmitted, and if any reception is determined, the process proceeds to step SS9, and if not determined, the process proceeds to step SS5. Point server point card approval information PPAI, point server point grant information PPGI, or point server usage result information PURI are also referred to as point server information PSVI in the following description, even when referring to all or any one of them. there is something
The point server point card approval information PPAI is, for example, information representing "approval" or "non-approval", and includes a case where no signal is output.
The point server point grant information PPGI is information to the effect that the point information PTI has been added, and the latest point information LPTI after the addition can be substituted. In the first embodiment, the latest point information LPTI is used.
The point server usage result information PURI is information to the effect that the point information PTI has been subtracted, and the latest point information LPTI after subtraction can be substituted.
It is preferable to transmit point terminal identification information TID, point card identification information PCID, date and time information DTI, latest point information LPTI, visit point information CPI, and name information NMI together with the point server point card authorization information PPAI. This is to verify the consistency of information. In addition, it is preferable to transmit point terminal identification information TID, point card identification information PCID, date and time information DTI, latest point information LPTI, and payment point information PPI together with point server point grant information PPGI. Furthermore, it is preferable to transmit the point terminal identification information TID, the point card identification information PCID, the latest point information LPTI, the date and time information DTI, and the point use information UPI together with the point server usage result information PURI.

In step SS9, receiving point server point card authorization information PPAI, point server point grant information PPGI, or point server usage result information PURI (including point card identification information PCID and date and time information DTI) from the point server 118, It is recorded in the point server information PSVI column of the same transaction in the shop server history table SST of the shop recording device 258 . Since this time it is the point server point card approval information PPAI, its "approval" or "non-approval" is recorded, and the process proceeds to step SS10. In the case of the point server point grant information PPGI, "grant" is recorded, and in the case of the point server usage result information PURI, "use" is recorded.

In step SS10, the received point server point card authorization information PPAI, point server point grant information PPGI, or point server usage result information PURI and other information are sent to the point card terminal processing device 110 specified by the point terminal identification information TID. After sending, return to step SS5.

In step SS11 when the information exchange with the point server 118 fails in step SS6, polling of the point card terminal processing device 110 is stopped, and then the process returns to step SS5. Therefore, when information cannot be exchanged with the point server 118, the shop server 114 does not poll the point card terminal processing device 110. FIG. In other words, the point card terminal processing device 110 and the point server 118 are offline. In this case, the point card terminal processing device 110 processes in the offline point processing mode OFPM.

Next, the point server 118 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
The point server 118 records at least essential information in the store point card reference request SPCR, the store payment point grant request SPGR, or the store point deduction request SPSR in the point server history table PSTL in association with the point card identification information PCID, When the point card reference information PCI, the payment point grant information SPGI, and the usage point subtraction information USI (at least the card identification information PCID and the password PW) are received from the server 114, the point card identification information PCID and the password PW are stored in the point member table. Store server 114 that determines whether or not it is recorded in PMTL, and if it is recorded, stores the latest point information LPTI recorded together with the point card identification information PCID, and is identified by the received store server identification information SID. It has a function to reply to. In the first embodiment, the point server 118 includes at least a point server computing device 302, a point server recording device 304, a point server display device 306, a point server communication device 308, a point server input device 312, a point server clock device 314, and a A point server bus line 316 is included.

Next, the point server computing device 302 will be explained.
The point server computing device 302 is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and has a function of appropriately communicating with the RAM based on a program stored in the ROM to allow each device constituting the point server 118 to exhibit its function.

Next, the point server recording device 304 will be explained.
The point server recording device 304 has a function of storing information necessary in the process of processing while communicating with the store server 114, and a known storage device is used. The point server recording device 304 records at least a point member table PMTL and a point server history table PSTL, which will be described later. Note that the point member table PMTL and the point server history table PSTL are recorded in a server provided separately from the point server 118, and by linking with the point server 118, the point server 118 operates substantially integrally. can be

Next, the point server display device 306 will be described.
The point server display device 306 has an interface function with the user, and a known display device (display) is used.

Next, the point server communication device 308 will be described.
The point server communication device 308 has a function of communicating with the store server 114 via the communication line 116, and a known communication device is used.

Next, the point server input device 312 will be described.
The point server input device 312 functions to input necessary information in the point server computing device 302, and for example, a known keyboard is used.

Next, the point server clock device 314 will be explained.
The point server clock device 314 functions to output date and time information DTI used in the point server 118, and a known clock device is used.

The point server bus line 316 will now be described.
The point server bus line 316 is a well-known bus line that has a function of performing communication between devices constituting the point server 118 .

Next, the point member table PMTL stored in the point server recording device 304 will be described with reference to FIG. 18(A).
In the point member table PMTL, password PW, name information NMI, address information ADI, email address MLI, latest point information LPTI as the latest point information PTI, and date and time related to the latest point information LPTI are stored in association with point card identification information PCID. Information DTI etc. are recorded. Therefore, at least the point card identification information PCID, password PW, and name information NMI are recorded in the point member table PMTL in advance. The address information ADI and the mail address MLI are preferably recorded in advance together with the point card identification information PCID and the like, but may be recorded by the person himself/herself at a later date. The latest point information LPTI always records the latest point information PTI. As the date/time information DTI, the date/time information DTI transmitted in association with the point information PTI in which the latest point information LPTI is recorded is recorded.

Next, the point server history table PSTL stored in the point server recording device 304 will be described with reference to FIG. 18(B).
In the point server history table PSTL, information is appropriately stored in the process of communication with the store server 114 and saved for a predetermined period. The point server history table PSTL stores the point server point card approval information PPAI in response to the store point card inquiry request SPCR, when the store server 114 issues a store point card inquiry request SPCR, which is an inquiry request for the point card identification information PCID. is returned, the password PW, date and time information DTI, point terminal identification information TID, latest point information LPTI, action information ACI, point information PTI (payment point information PPI, Usage point information (UPI or visit point information (CPI)), point server information (PSVI), and store server identification information (SID) are associated and recorded. The recorded information includes, for example, at least point information PTI, action information ACI, and date and time information DTI that are linked to point card identification information PCID.
As for the number of records in the point server history table PSTL, the upper limit predetermined number that is assumed to occur must be recorded. The action information ACI is information as to whether the point information PTI is "added" or "subtracted". The point server information PSVI is either "approved" or "disapproved", "granted" or "used".

Next, the action of the point server 118 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step PS0, it is determined whether or not a store point card inquiry request SPCR, a store payment point grant request SPGR, or a store point subtraction request SPSR has been received. It will be in the request waiting state.

Next, in step PS1, it is determined whether or not the point card identification information PCID and the password PW related to the store point card reference request SPCR, the store payment point grant request SPGR, or the store point subtraction request SPSR exist in the point member table PMTL. If so, go to step PS2; if not, go to PS20. That is, in step PS2, it is determined that the member has already been registered and that the password PW is correct, and it is determined whether or not the access is by a person with legitimate authority.

In step PS20, after transmitting the discrepancy information DII to the store server 114 specified by the received store server identification information SID in association with the point terminal identification information TID, the process returns to step PS0. That is, if the point card identification information PCID and the password PW are not registered in the point member table PMTL in the point server 118, the processing for the store server 114 is terminated because of lack of legitimate authority. The discrepancy information DII is transmitted to the point card terminal processing device 110 specified by the point terminal identification information TID, and displayed on the terminal display device 108, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(E).

In step PS2, it is determined whether or not it is a store point card inquiry request SPCR. If it is a store point card inquiry request SPCR, the process proceeds to step PS3, and if it is not a store point card inquiry request SPCR, the process proceeds to step PS18.

In step PS18, it is determined whether or not it is a store payment point grant request SPGR, and if it is a store payment point grant request SPGR, the process proceeds to step PS13, and if it is not a store payment point grant request SPGR, the process proceeds to step PS19.

In step PS19, it is determined whether or not it is a store point subtraction request SPSR, and if it is a store point subtraction request SPSR, the process proceeds to step PS13, and if it is not a store point subtraction request SPSR, the process returns to step PS0.

That is, if none of the store point card inquiry request SPCR, store payment point grant request SPGR, or store point subtraction request SPSR is output from any store server 114, steps PS1, PS18, and PS19 are looped, and any From the store server 114, the store server 114 enters a standby state for a store point card reference request SPCR, a store payment point grant request SPGR, or a store point subtraction request SPSR. In other words, if any of the point card inquiry request PCR, payment point grant request PGR, or point subtraction request PSR is not output from any point card terminal processing device 110, steps PS1, PS18, and PS19 are looped. , a point card inquiry request PCR, a point payment request PGR, or a point subtraction request PSR from any of the point card terminal processing devices 110 is on standby.

In step PS3, if the user has valid authority, based on the date and time information DTI recorded in association with the received point card identification information PCID, it is determined whether it is the first request of the day. Proceed to PS4, and if not the first time, proceed to step PS6. Whether it is the first time on the day is determined by comparing the date and time information DTI recorded in association with the same point card identification information PCID recorded in the point member table PMTL, for example, and determining whether the date and time in the date and time information DTI is the requested date. If it is before (older than) the date, it can be determined that it is the first time on the day. Also, if the date in the date/time information DTI is the same as the date of the request and is later (newer) than the time in the date/time information DTI, it can be determined that it is not the first time on the day.

In step PS4, for example, "1", which is the first visit point information CPI, is assigned, and then the process proceeds to step PS5. The visit point information CPI is set in advance in the point server 118 so that, for example, 1 point is given for every 100 yen. Of course, since the store visit point information CPI is arbitrary, it may be 1 point for 200 yen, or the like.

In step PS5, after adding "1", which is the store visit point information CPI, to the latest point information LPTI, the process proceeds to step PS6.

In step PS6, the password PW, date and time information DTI, and visit point information CPI are stored in the point server history table PSTL in association with the point card identification information PCID included in the point card inquiry information PCI in the received store point card inquiry request PCR. Along with recording, the latest point information LPTI, which is the point information PTI to which the visit point information CPI is added, is recorded in the point member table PMTL as the new latest point information LPTI together with the received date and time information DTI, and then the process proceeds to step PS7. The records in the point server history table PSTL are, for one point card identification information PCID, for example, 100 pieces are recorded, and when the 101st piece is received, the first recorded point server point card authorization information PPAI, point server point Grant information PPGI or point server usage result information PURI is erased, and point server point card authorization information PPAI, point server point grant information PPGI, or point server usage result information PURI received as the 100th piece of information. Recorded.

In step PS7, after identifying the store server 114 that has received the transmission based on the received store server identification information SID, the point server point card authorization information PPAI (point After transmitting the point terminal identification information TID, the latest point information LPTI, the visit point information CPI, the date and time information DTI, and the name information NMI) associated with the card identification information PCID, proceed to step PS8.

In step PS8, it is determined whether or not the point terminal table PTL recorded in the point terminal recording device 156 of the point card terminal processing device 110 that has received the store point card inquiry request PCR includes point-related group information PRI that has not yet been transmitted. When the transmitted point-related group information PRI is recorded, the process proceeds to step PS9, and when the untransmitted point-related group information PRI is not recorded, the process returns to step PS0.

In step PS9, based on the received payment point grant information PPG or the date and time information DTI included in the store point subtraction information SPSI, the points are sorted in chronological chronological order for each same point card identification information PCID. After creating a processing table APTL (not shown), proceed to step PS10. The alignment point processing table APTL should be able to calculate the latest point information LPTI, so at least point information PTI such as payment point information PPI and date and time information when the point information PTI was generated are associated with the point card identification information PCID. It is sufficient if DTI and action information ACI are included.

The processing of steps PS10 to PS15 is performed for each point card identification information PCID.
First, in step PS10, the point card identification information PCID of the oldest date and time information DTI in the sorted payment point provision information SPPG or point subtraction information SPSI is selected, and the process proceeds to step PS11.

At step PS11, it is checked whether the point card identification information PCID exists in the point member table PMTL and the password PW matches. In other words, when the unsent point-related group information PRI (point card identification information PCID, etc.) transmitted from the point card terminal processing device 110 via the store server 114 does not exist in the point member table PMTL of the point server 118 , will not be processed as unfair information.

In step PS21, after deleting the oldest payment point grant information PPG from the alignment point processing table APTL, the process proceeds to step PS22.

In step PS22, it is determined whether or not the next point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG or point subtraction information PSI) exists in the alignment point processing table APTL. point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG or point subtraction information PSI) is similarly processed, and if it does not exist, the process returns to step PS0.

In step PS12, it is determined whether the date and time information DTI in the payment point grant information PPG or the point subtraction information PSI is newer than the date and time information DTI recorded in the point member table PMTL. If so, proceed to step PS13; otherwise, proceed to step PS21. In other words, if the point information PTI older than the date and time information DTI corresponding to the latest point information LPTI is abnormal, the payment point information PPI or point subtraction information PSI is added or subtracted from the current latest point information LPTI. because it doesn't.

In step PS13, after the unsent point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG or use point subtraction information UPI) related to the point card identification information PCID is recorded in the point server history table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS14. .

In step PS14, based on the action information ACI, the point information PTI is added or subtracted from or subtracted from the latest point information LPTI recorded in association with the same point card identification information PCID in the point member table PMTL to obtain the latest point information LPTI. After updating, proceed to step PS15. In detail, when processing the payment point grant information PPG, the action information ACI is "addition", so the point information PTI obtained by adding the payment point information PPI to the latest point information LPTI is calculated as the latest point information LPTI. be done. If it is the usage point subtraction information UPI, the action information ACI is "subtraction", so the point information PTI obtained by subtracting the usage point information UPI from the latest point information LPTI is calculated as the latest point information LPTI. Along with the update of the latest point information LPTI, the date and time information DTI transmitted in association with the payment point information PPI or the usage point subtraction information UPI is updated.

In step PS15, the updated latest point information LPTI associated with the same point card identification information PCID is recorded in the point member table PMTL and the point server table PSTL, and then the process proceeds to step PS16.

At step PS16, it is determined whether the current charge payment point processing CPPT or point payment point processing PPPT is real-time processing. Real-time processing refers to the processing performed in steps PS13-PS15 from step PS2 through step PS18 or step PS19. In other words, it refers to the processing under the condition that the user USR stays near the point card terminal processing device 110. FIG. In the case of the online recovery process OFRT, which will be described later, the user USR is unlikely to stay near the point card terminal processing device 110, so there is no need to send the latest point information LPTI to the store server 114. Adding or subtracting the point information PTI at 118 is sufficient.

In step PS17, after transmitting the latest point information LPTI to the store server 114 identified by the store server identification information SID received in association with the point card identification information PCID, point terminal identification information TID, and date and time information DTI, the process proceeds to step PS21. .

In step PS21, since the alignment point processing table APTL is not created this time, the process proceeds to step PS22, and likewise returns to step PS0 without being processed in step PS22.

Next, a case where a store payment point grant request SPGR is received will be described.
When the store payment point grant request SPGR is received, the process proceeds from step PS2 to step PS18. When it is determined in step PS18 that it is a store payment point grant request SPGR, the process proceeds to step PS13. In step PS13, after the unsent payment point grant information PPG related to the point card identification information PCID is recorded in the point server history table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS14. At step PS14, the payment point information PPI is added to the latest point information LPTI and recorded as new latest point information LPTI together with the date and time information DTI. In this case, the alignment point processing table APTL is not created, so the processing in steps PS21 and PS22 is not substantially performed, and the process returns to step PS0.

Next, the case where the store point subtraction request SPSR is received will be described.
When the shop point subtraction request SPSR is received, the process proceeds from step PS2 to step PS18, and in step PS19 it is determined that it is the shop point subtraction request SPSR, thereby proceeding to step PS13. In step PS13, after the unsent point subtraction information PSI related to the point card identification information PCID is recorded in the point server history table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS14. At step PS14, the usage point information UPI is subtracted from the latest point information LPTI and recorded as new latest point information LPTI, and then the process returns to step PS0 as described above.

Next, the overall operation of the server management type point management system 104 for automatic service equipment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 20 and 21 as well. In other words, processing of point information PTI among point card terminal processing device 110, shop server 114, and point server 118 will be described in chronological order. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 20 and 21, a plurality of steps may be displayed as one step for convenience of explanation.

First, in the game machine 106, which is the automatic service device 102, the power is turned on, the game machine control device 132 starts operating, and the charge acceptance device 126 enters the charge acceptance state and is ready for operation. In conjunction with this, the point card terminal processing device 110 is powered on, and the point card reader 166 is ready for operation.

First, the case where game machine 106, point card terminal processing device 110, store server 114, point server 118, and communication line 116 function normally will be described.

The point card terminal processing device 110 performs point card approval processing PCAT. The point card approval processing PCAT determines whether or not the point card 120 has legitimate authority. display a message to that effect and terminate the process.
The point card approval processing PCAT in the first embodiment includes steps ES1 to ES12 and ES29.
The user USR causes the point card reader 166 of the point card terminal processing device 110 to read the point card 120 and operate it. On the other hand, the point card terminal processing device 110 performs a point card approval process PCAT.
At step ES1 in the point card terminal processing device 110, an initial screen INS (FIG. 11(A)) is displayed on the terminal display device 108, and the process proceeds to step ES2. On the initial screen INS, an illustration 228 prompting the user USR to slide the point card 120 along the slide groove 182 in the point card reader 166, and a guidance 232 conveying the same purpose by text are displayed. be.
The integrally provided point card reader 166 is already in the standby state as described above.

When the user USR moves the point card 120 along the slide groove 182, the point card reader 166 reads at least the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card recording unit 120M.
In step ES2, it is determined whether the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card 120 has been read, and if the point card identification information PCID is determined, the process proceeds to step ES3.

In step ES2, if the point card identification information PCID is not determined, the process proceeds to step ES4A, determines whether there is polling from the shop server 114, returns to step ES2 if there is no polling, and proceeds to step ES4B if there is polling.

In step ES4B, it is determined whether or not unsent point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG or point subtraction information PSI) exists in the point terminal table PTL. If not determined, the process returns to step ES2 to wait for point card identification information PCID. If so, the process proceeds to step ES5 to transmit untransmitted point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG or point subtraction information PSI) to store server 114. FIG.

In step ES3, the password input screen IIS (FIG. 11(B)) is displayed on the terminal display device 108, and the process proceeds to step ES6. The user USR enters the password PW using the alphanumeric input keys 204 and taps the enter key 208 to send it to the store server 114 .

If it is determined in step ES6 that the password PW has been entered, the process proceeds to step ES7 to determine whether there is a polling from the store server 114. FIG. The read point card identification information PCID, the input password PW, and the date and time information DTI from the point terminal clock device 162 at the time of reading are recorded in the point terminal table PTL of the point card terminal processing device 110. .

When the point card terminal processing device 110 determines polling from the store server 114 in step ES7, it proceeds to step ES8, reads in step ES2, and reads in the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point terminal table PTL. After transmitting point-related group information PRI (point card inquiry information PCI) including associated point terminal identification information TID, password PW, and read date and time information DTI to store server 114 and performing point card inquiry request PCR , go to step ES9. Therefore, the point card inquiry request PCR is an act of transmitting the point-related group information PRI (point card inquiry information PCI) to the store server 114 .

On the other hand, in the shop server 114, by executing steps SS1 to SS3 and step SS5, each point card terminal processing device 110 is polled in a predetermined order.

In step SS3 in the store server 114, when the point-related group information PRI received by polling determines the point card reference request PCR, the payment point provision request PGR, or the point subtraction request PSR, the process proceeds to step SS4.

In step SS4, after the point card inquiry information PCI, payment point provision information PPG, or point subtraction information PSI is recorded in the store server history table SST, the process proceeds to step SS6.

If it is determined in step SS6 in the store server 114 that information can be exchanged with the point server 118, the process proceeds to step SS7, where point card inquiry information PCI (date and time information DTI, associated with point card identification information PCID, Password PW and point terminal identification information TID), payment point information PPI, or usage point deduction information UPI, store point card inquiry information SPCI associated with store server identification information SID, store payment point grant information SPGI, or store The point subtraction information SPSI is transmitted to the point server 118.

If it is determined in step PS0 in the point server 118 that a store point card inquiry request SPCR, a store payment point grant request SPGR, or a store point subtraction request SPSR has been transmitted from any of the store servers 114, the process proceeds to step PS1.
In step PS1, it is determined whether or not the point card identification information PCID and the password PW included in the store point card inquiry information SPCI, the store payment point grant information SPGI, or the store point deduction information SPSI exist in the point member table PMTL. Since it has the legal authority, it proceeds to step PS2, and if it does not exist, it does not have the legal authority, so it proceeds to step PS20.
In step PS20, since either the point card identification information PCID or the password PW do not match, the point card inquiry information PCI and the password mismatch information DII are sent to the store server 114 specified by the received store server identification information SID. Send and return to step PS0.

The discrepancy information DII is linked to at least the point terminal identification information TID and the point card identification information PCID, and is transmitted via the shop server 114 to the point card terminal processing device 110 specified by the point terminal identification information TID. and displayed on the terminal display device 108 of the point card terminal processing device 110, for example, on the ID error screen IES shown in FIG. 11(E).

At step PS2 in the point server 118, it is determined whether or not the received request is the store point card inquiry request SPCR. If it is the store point card inquiry request SPCR, the process proceeds to step PS3. If it is not the store point card inquiry request SPCR, the process proceeds to step PS18. move on. In other words, if the request is not the store point card reference request SPCR, it is determined whether the request is a store payment point grant request SPGR or a store point subtraction request SPSR. In step PS2, if it is determined that the request is a store point card reference request SPCR, then store visit processing is performed in steps PS3 to PS7.

In step PS3, the date and time information DTI in the store point card inquiry information SPIR, which is the store point card inquiry request SPCR, is later than the latest date and time information DTI in the same point card identification information PCID in the point server history table PSTL, and If the date/time information DTI is the earliest date/time information DTI, it is determined that the customer is the first visitor on that day, and the process proceeds to step PS4.

In step PS4, for example, "1" point is given as store visit point information CPI, and the process proceeds to step PS5.

In step PS5, after "1" point as store visit point information CPI is added to the latest point information LPTI recorded in association with the same point card identification information PCID in the point server history table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS6.

In step PS6, the latest point information LPTI in association with the same point card identification information PCID in the point server history table PSTL, the date and time information DTI for reading the point card identification information PCID in the point card terminal processing device 110, the password PW, and the point terminal Along with recording the identification information TID, at least the point terminal identification information TID, the point card identification information PCID, and the latest point information LPTI (in addition, store visit point information CPI, name information NMI, etc.) are sent to the store server 114 that has received the transmission. may be included) is recorded in the point server table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS7.

In step PS7, after at least the point terminal identification information TID, the point card identification information PCID, and the latest point information LPTI are transmitted to the store server 114 specified by the transmitted store server identification information SID, go to step PS8. move on. Of course, the latest point information PTI to which the store visit point information CPI is added is also recorded in the point member table PMTL and the latest point information LPTI of the point server history table PSTL. If the visit point information CPI is not added, in other words, if it is the second or later store point card inquiry request SPCR on the day, the process proceeds from step PS3 to step PS6, so the latest point information LPTI that does not add the visit point information CPI is displayed. It is sent to store server 114 .

In step PS8, it is determined whether or not there is point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG or point subtraction information PSI) that has not been sent to the store server 114. If there is, the process proceeds to step PS9, and if not, step PS0. to wait for a request from one of the store servers 114 .

In step SS8 of the store server 114, the point server point card authorization information PPAI (including at least the point terminal identification information TID, the point card identification information PCID, and the latest point information LPTI) transmitted in step PS7 of the point server 118 was determined. If so, go to step SS9, otherwise go to step SS5.

In step SS9 of store server 114, after the point server point card approval information PPAI received from point server 118 is recorded in store server history table SST of store recording device 258, the process proceeds to step SS10.

In step SS10 of the store server 114, the store server point card authorization information PPAI (the latest point information LPTI associated with the point card identification information PCID, store visit After transmitting the point information CPI, date and time information DTI, and name information NMI), the process proceeds to step SS5.

When the store server point card approval information SPAI transmitted from the store server 114 is determined at step ES9 in the point card terminal processing device 110, the process proceeds to step ES10. In other words, the transmitted point card identification information PCID is authenticated in the point server 118 as being the authorized point card 120 (point card identification information PCID) and password PW, and associated with the point card identification information PCID. The latest point information LPTI is sent.

Next, in steps ES10 to ES12 in the point card terminal processing device 110, selection of point addition processing or subtraction processing is awaited.
First, in step ES10, for example, after displaying the reception screen RGS of FIG. 11(C), the process proceeds to step ES11. On the reception screen RGS, the name information NMI transmitted from the point server 118 is displayed in the name portion 212, and the point service button 168 and prompt guide 214 are displayed.

Next, at step ES11 in the point card terminal processing device 110, it is determined whether or not the point service button 168 has been pressed. If it is determined that it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step ES12. It will be in standby mode.

Next, at step ES12 in the point card terminal processing device 110, for example, after displaying the point processing menu screen PTS shown in FIG. 11(D), the process proceeds to step ES13. The point processing menu screen PTS includes a usable point display section 186 for displaying the latest point information LPTI included in the store server point card approval information SPAI received from the point server 118 via the store server 114, a visit point guide 222, A game machine play point guidance display 224, a point use inquiry display 226, and a point use button 174 to be pressed when using points are displayed. As a result, if it is the first use (approval) of the point card 120 on the day, the store visit point information CPI is added, and if it is the second or later use, the point card 120 (point card identification information PCID and password PW) is approved, Addition or subtraction of the point information PTI becomes possible.

When the latest point information LPTI currently possessed by the user USR is equal to or greater than the use point information UPI, the user USR can use (input) the latest point information LPTI to play a game on the game machine 106, and the coin C, When using the currency CUR for electronic money, two-dimensional code payment, etc., new payment point information PPI is given.

Next, at step ES13 in the point card terminal processing device 110, it is determined whether or not the point use button 174 has been tapped. In other words, when playing the game using the point information PTI, the process proceeds to step ES14.

At step ES14 in the point card terminal processing device 110, for example, the use point input screen PUS shown in FIG. 11(F) is displayed, and the process proceeds to step ES26.

On the other hand, at step ES15 in the point card terminal processing device 110, it is determined whether or not there is a charge signal CHS from the game machine 106. If the charge signal CHS is determined, the process proceeds to step ES16, and if not determined, the process returns to step ES13. In other words, the loop of steps ES13 and ES15 makes it possible to use the point information PTI or wait for the charging signal CHS.

First, the case where the currency CUR is used, in other words, the case where the billing signal CHS is output will be described.
In steps ES16 to ES24, charge payment point processing CPPT is performed. In other words, when the point information PTI is used or the charging signal CHS is output in the waiting state of the charging signal CHS, the process of giving the payment point information PPI is performed in ES16 to ES24.

First, in step ES16 in point card terminal processing device 110, terminal point information output device 176 outputs payment point information PPI based on charging signal CHS, and then proceeds to step ES17.

Next, in step ES17 in the point card terminal processing device 110, the payment point information PPI and the date and time information DTI in the point terminal clock device 162 at the time of outputting the payment point information PPI are associated with the point card identification information PCID, and stored in the point terminal table PTL. After recording, proceed to step ES18.

Next, at step ES18 in point card terminal processing device 110, for example. The usage point display screen URS shown in FIG. 11(G) is displayed, and the process proceeds to step ES19. Added payment point information PPI is displayed in the additional point display section 234 of the usage point display screen URS, and the latest point information LPTI is displayed in the available point display section 186. FIG.

Next, at step ES19 in the point card terminal processing device 110, it is determined whether or not there is polling from the store server 114. If there is polling, the process proceeds to step ES20, and if not, the process proceeds to step ES30.

In step ES20, it is determined whether or not the point-related group information PRI (payment point information PPI, etc. recorded in step ES17) exists, so the process proceeds to step ES21.
In this example, unsent point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG) is recorded in the point terminal table PTL. Therefore, the process proceeds from step ES20 to step ES21. In other words, the payment point information PPI is transmitted to the store server 114 and then to the point server 118 according to the instruction from the point-related group information transmission instruction device 177 . Further in other words, the payment point information PPI is transmitted to the point server 118 according to the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device 177 .

At step ES21 in the point card terminal processing device 110, the untransmitted point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG) recorded in the point terminal table PTL is transmitted to the store server 114. FIG. That is, a payment point grant request PGR is transmitted to the store server 114, and the process proceeds to step ES22. The payment point provision information PPG includes at least the payment point information PPI, the action information ACI, the point terminal identification information TID, and the date and time information DTI when the payment point information PPI is output, which are associated with the point card identification information PCID. is preferred.

When store server 114 determines payment point grant request PGR in step SS3, it proceeds to step SS4.

At step SS4 in the shop server 114, at least the payment point information PPI, the password PW, the point terminal identification information TID, the action information ACI, and the date and time information DTI are recorded in the shop recording device 258 in association with the point card identification information PCID. After recording in the store server history table SST, the process proceeds to step SS6.

At step SS6 in store server 114, it is determined whether or not information can be exchanged with point server 118. If information can be exchanged, the process proceeds to step SS7, and if information cannot be exchanged, the process proceeds to step SS11.

In step SS7 in the store server 114, as store payment point grant request SPGR (store payment point grant request information SPPI), point terminal identification information TID, password PW, action information PAI, payment point information PPI, date and time information DTI, shop server identification information SID) are sent to the point server 118.

On the other hand, in step PS0 in point server 118, if payment point grant request PGR is determined from any store server 114, the process proceeds to step PS1.

In step PS1, it is determined whether or not the point card identification information PCID and password PW included in the received store payment point provision information SPPG exist in the point member table PMTL. . This time it has the legal authority, so it proceeds to step PS2.

At step PS2 in the point server 118, it is determined whether or not the received request is the store point card inquiry request SPCR.

In step PS18, it is discriminated that it is a store payment point grant request SPGR, and the process proceeds to step PS13.

In step PS13, after the received point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG) is recorded in the point server history table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS14.

In step PS14, after the payment point information PPI is added to the latest point information LPTI, the process proceeds to step PS15.

In step PS15, after the added new latest point information LPTI is recorded in the point server table PSTL and the point member table PMTL together with the date and time information DTI, the process proceeds to step PS16.

In step PS16, it is determined whether or not the current charge payment point processing CPPT is real-time processing, and if it is real-time processing, the process proceeds to step PS17, and if it is not real-time processing, the processing proceeds to step PS21. This time, since it is real-time processing, it proceeds to step PS17.

In step PS17, the latest point information LPTI is identified as point server point grant information PPPI by store server identification information SID received in association with point card identification information PCID, point terminal identification information TID, date and time information DTI, and payment point information PPI. After transmitting to the store server 114 to be processed, the process proceeds to step PS21.

In step PS21, since the alignment point processing table APTL is not created this time, the process proceeds to step PS22, and likewise returns to step PS0 without being processed in step PS22.

In step SS8 of the shop server 114, when the point server point grant information PPPI or the point server utilization result information PURI is determined, the process proceeds to step SS9. This time, the point server point grant information PPPI is discriminated, and the process proceeds to step SS9.

In step SS9 of the shop server 114, the received point server point grant information PPPI (point card identification information PCID, point terminal identification information TID, latest point information LPTI, date and time information DTI, payment point information PPI) is stored in the shop server history table SST. After recording, proceed to step SS10.

In step SS10 of the store server 114, the point card identification information PCID, the latest point information LPTI, and the payment point information PPI are transmitted to the point card terminal processing device 110 specified by the received point terminal identification information TID, and step SS5. back to

In step ES22 of the point card terminal processing device 110, when it is determined that the point card identification information PCID, the latest point information LPTI, and the payment point information PPI have been received, the process proceeds to step ES23.

At step ES23 of the point card terminal processing device 110, it is determined whether the latest point information LPTI is based on the payment point information PPI or the latest point information LPTI is based on the point subtraction information PSI. Since this time it is the latest point information LPTI based on the payment point information PPI, the process proceeds to step ES24.

In step ES24 of the point card terminal processing device 110, after displaying the payment point display screen PPS shown in FIG. 11(G) on the terminal display device 108, the process returns to step ES1. On the payment point display screen PPS, the latest point information LPTI received is displayed in the available point display section 186, and the payment point information PPI, which is added point information, is displayed in the additional point display section 234. FIG.
Thereby, the user USR can confirm in real time that the predetermined point information PTI has been obtained as a result of paying the currency CUR.
This completes the charge payment point processing CPPT.

Next, the case where the point information PTI is used to receive a service from an automatic service device will be described. In other words, the case of performing the point subtraction request PSR will be described.

First, at step ES13 in the point card terminal processing device 110, the use point button 174 is tapped, and then at step ES14, the use point information UPI is input to the use point display section 200 on the use point input screen PUS shown in FIG. 11(F). After that, when it is determined in step ES26 that the confirmation button 244 using the point information PTI has been pressed, point payment point processing PPPT is performed in steps ES27 and ES28.

First, in step ES27, it is determined whether or not the usage point information UPI input in step ES14 matches the charge information CHI. In other words, if the point information PTI to be used is incorrect, the process returns to step ES14 to prompt for re-input.

Next, in step ES28, point subtraction information PSI (utilization point information UPI associated with point card identification information PCID, point terminal identification information TID, password PW, action information ACI, and date and time information DTI) is used as point subtraction request PSR. After being stored in the point terminal table PTL of the point terminal recording device 156, the process proceeds to step ES19.

At step ES19 in the point card terminal processing device 110, it is determined whether or not there is polling from the store server 114. If there is polling, the process proceeds to step ES20, and if not, the process proceeds to step ES30.

If it is determined in step ES20 (point-related group information transmission instruction device 177) that there is a point subtraction request PSR (point subtraction information PSI), the process proceeds to step ES21. If not, the process returns to step ES1.
In this example, since the point subtraction information PSI is recorded in the point terminal table PTL, the process proceeds from step ES20 to step ES21.

At step ES21 in point card terminal processing device 110, unsent point-related group information PRI (point subtraction request PSR (point subtraction information PSI)) recorded in point terminal table PTL is transmitted to store server 114, and the process proceeds to step ES22. move on. The point subtraction information PSI preferably includes at least the point card identification information PCID, the point usage information UPI, the action information ACI, the point terminal identification information TID, and the date and time information DTI when the point usage information UPI was output.

When store server 114 determines point subtraction request PSR in step SS3, it proceeds to step SS4.

At step SS4 in the store server 114, at least the usage point information UPI, the password PW, the point terminal identification information TID, the action information ACI, and the date and time information DTI are recorded in the store recording device 258 in association with the point card identification information PCID. After recording in the store server history table SST, the process proceeds to step SS6.

At step SS6 in store server 114, it is determined whether or not information can be exchanged with point server 118. If information can be exchanged, the process proceeds to step SS7, and if information cannot be exchanged, the process proceeds to step SS11.

In step SS7 in the shop server 114, the point subtraction request PSR (as the shop point subtraction information SPSI, the point terminal identification information TID associated with the point card identification information PCID, the password PW, the action information ACI, the usage point information UPI, the date and time information DTI , store server identification information SID) to the point server 118.

In step PS0 in the point server 118, when the point subtraction request PSR is determined from any store server 114, the process proceeds to step PS1.

In step PS1, it is determined whether or not the point card identification information PCID and password PW included in the received shop point subtraction information SPSI exist in the point member table PMTL. This time it has the legal authority, so it proceeds to step PS2.

At step PS2 in the point server 118, it is determined whether or not the received request is a store point card inquiry request SPCR.

At step PS18 in the point server 118, it is determined whether or not the received request is a store payment point grant request SPGR.

In step PS19, it is determined that the request is a store point subtraction request SPSR, and the process proceeds to step PS13.

In step PS13, after the received point-related group information PRI (shop point subtraction information SPSI) is recorded in the point server history table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS14.

In step PS14, after subtracting the usage point information UPI from the latest point information LPTI, the process proceeds to step PS15.

In step PS15, after the subtracted new latest point information LPTI is recorded in the point server table PSTL and the point member table PMTL together with the date and time information DTI, the process proceeds to step PS16.

In step PS16, it is determined that the point payment point processing PPPT this time is a real-time processing, and the process proceeds to step PS17.

In step PS17, the latest point information LPTI is transmitted to the store server 114 specified by the received store server identification information SID in association with the point card identification information PCID, point terminal identification information TID, date and time information DTI, and use point information UPI. After that, proceed to step PS21.

In step PS21, since the alignment point processing table APTL is not created this time, the process proceeds to step PS22, and likewise returns to step PS0 without being processed in step PS22.

In step SS8 of the shop server 114, when the point server point grant information PPPI or the point server utilization result information PURI is determined, the process proceeds to step SS9. This time, the point server usage result information PURI is determined, and the process proceeds to step SS9.

In step SS9 of the store server 114, the received point server usage result information PURI (point card identification information PCID, point terminal identification information TID, latest point information LPTI, date and time information DTI, usage point information UPI) is stored in the store server history table SST. After recording, proceed to step SS10.

In step SS10 of the store server 114, the point card identification information PCID, the latest point information LPTI, and the use point information UPI are transmitted to the point card terminal processing device 110 specified by the received point terminal identification information TID, and step SS5. back to

If it is determined in step ES22 of the point card terminal processing device 110 that the point card identification information PCID, the latest point information LPTI, and the use point information UPI have been received, the process proceeds to step ES23.

At step ES23 of the point card terminal processing device 110, it is determined whether the latest point information LPTI is based on the payment point information PPI or the latest point information LPTI is based on the point subtraction information PSI. Since this time it is the latest point information LPTI based on the point subtraction information PSI, the process proceeds to step ES25.

At step ES25 of the point card terminal processing device 110, after displaying the point use result screen PRS shown in FIG. 11(H) on the terminal display device 108, the process returns to step ES1. The latest point information LPTI is displayed in the available points display section 186 of the point usage result screen PRS, and the usage point information UPI is displayed in the usage point display section 200 .
Thereby, the user USR can confirm in real time that the predetermined point information PTI has been subtracted as a result of using the point information PTI.

In step PS21, since the alignment point processing table APTL is not created this time, the process proceeds to step PS22, and likewise returns to step PS0 without being processed in step PS22.
This completes the point payment point processing PPPT.

Next, the operation when the store server 114, the point server 118, or the communication line 116 is disconnected will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

In other words, in step ES7 or step ES19 in the point card terminal processing device 110, when there is no polling from the store server 114, or when information exchange malfunctions such as when communication between the store server 114 and the point server 118 is disabled. The offline point processing mode OFPM to be executed and the online recovery processing OFRT that enables information exchange after the offline point processing mode OFPM will be described.

First, the offline point processing mode OFPM will be described with reference also to FIG.
In step ES7 or step ES19 in point card terminal processing device 110, if it is determined that polling from shop server 114 is not performed and that information exchange is not working properly, the process proceeds to step ES30 and the offline point processing mode OFPM is entered. The offline point processing mode OFPM is steps ES30-ES39.

In step ES30, after the point card inquiry information PCI as the point card inquiry request PCR or the payment point grant request information PPI is stored in the point terminal table PTL of the point terminal recording device 156, Go to step ES31.

In step ES31, terminal display device 108 displays, for example, the offline mode screen OMS shown in FIG. 12(A), and proceeds to step ES32. A name portion 212, a use button 218, a cancel button 220, and an offline mode guidance portion 246 are displayed on the offline mode screen OMS. When the process proceeds from step ES19, the name field 212 continues to display the already received name information NMI, and if the offline point processing mode OFPM is selected from the beginning, the point card identification information PCID is displayed. The offline mode guide section 246 displays, for example, that the point service is provided in the offline point processing mode OFPM and will be reflected on the next day after the offline is canceled.

In step ES32, when the cancel button 220 is tapped (pressed), the process returns to step ES1, and when not pressed, the process proceeds to step ES33. In other words, when cancel button 220 is pressed, it is an expression of intention not to use game machine 106, so the screen returns to initial screen INS in step ES1.

At step ES33, it is determined whether or not the use button 218 of the point information PTI has been pressed. If the tap of the use button 218 is determined, the process proceeds to step ES34, and if not determined, the process returns to ES32. In other words, in steps ES32 and ES33, a selection is requested as to whether or not to use the game machine 106 (automatic service device 102) in the offline point processing mode OFPM.

When using the game machine 106, in step ES34, after displaying, for example, the offline point service screen OPTS shown in FIG. 12(B) on the terminal display device 108, the process proceeds to step ES35. On the offline point service screen OPTS, for example, an offline mode guidance section 246 and a billing prompt guidance section 236 are displayed.

Next, the offline point processing OFPT from step ES35 to step ES38 will be described.
When the user USR pays the usage fee at the fee receiving device 126, the charging signal CHS is output. Based on the charging signal CHS, the game machine 106 is enabled to execute the game.
On the other hand, in step ES35 in the point card terminal processing device 110, if the charging signal CHS is determined, the process proceeds to step ES36, and after the terminal point information output device 176 outputs "addition" as action information ACI and payment point information PPI, Go to step ES37. As for the payment point information PPI, as described above, the point information PTI is set in advance based on the fee.

In step ES37, in the point terminal table PTL, for example, in association with the point card identification information PCID, the point terminal identification information TID, the password PW, the action information ACI, the payment point information PPI, and the date/time information DTI when the charging signal CHS was received are stored. After recording the payment point giving information PPG including, the process proceeds to step ES38. The payment point grant information PPG is the payment point grant request PGR as described above.

In step ES38, after displaying, for example, the point addition screen PAS shown in FIG. 12(C) on the terminal display device 108, the process proceeds to step ES39. The additional point display portion 234 of the point addition screen PAS displays the payment point grant information PPG, and the offline point portion 216 displays the total of the payment point grant information PPG given in the offline point processing mode OFPM.

At step ES39, it is determined whether or not the point service end button 248 has been pressed. If it has been pressed, the process returns to step ES1. As a result, when the game is continuously played using the currency CUR, the payment point award information PPG is provided for each payment of the currency CUR, and the payment point award information PPG is recorded in the point terminal table PTL.

Next, mainly referring to FIG. 21, the operation of performing the online recovery processing OFRT when the online processing becomes possible after the offline point processing mode OFPM will be described.

In the point card terminal processing device 110, if the point card identification information PCID is not read, it is determined in step ES4A whether there is polling from the store server 114. If there is no polling, the process returns to step ES2, and polling from the store server 114 is performed. If so, go to step ES4B. Therefore, in steps ES2, ES4A, and ES4B, point card terminal processing device 110 waits for polling from shop server 114 while user USR is not using game machine 106. FIG.

In step ES4B, if the payment point grant request PGR (payment point grant information PPG), which is the point-related group information PRI, is recorded in the point terminal table PTL of the point terminal recording device 156, proceed to step ES5; Back to ES2. Therefore, in step ES4B, point card terminal processing device 110 is on standby for point-related group information PRI that has not yet been transmitted while user USR is not using game machine 106. FIG.

In step ES5, after transmitting untransmitted point-related group information PRI (payment point grant request PGR) to shop server 114, the process returns to step ES1.

On the other hand, in step SS2 of the store server 114, the point card terminal processing device 110 is polled, and in step SS3, the untransmitted point-related group information PRI (payment point grant request PGR (payment point grant information PPG)) is recorded. If it is determined that it is, the process proceeds to step SS4.

In step SS4 of store server 114, after the received unsent point-related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG) is recorded in store server history table SST of store recording device 258, the process proceeds to step SS6.

In step SS6 of the store server 114, it is determined whether or not information can be exchanged with the point server 118. If information can be exchanged, the process proceeds to step SS7, where unsent point-related group information PRI (payment point grant request PGR (payment Point giving information PPG)) is sent to the point server 118.

In step PS8 in the point server 118, when the point-related group information PRI (payment point grant request PGR (payment point grant information PPG)) transmitted from the store server 114 is confirmed, the process proceeds to step PS9.

At step PS9, the alignment point processing table APTL is created as described above, and the process proceeds to step PS10.

In step PS10, the payment point provision information PPG is selected from the oldest date/time information DTI, and the process proceeds to step PS11.

In step PS11, if there is a registration matching the point card identification information PCID and password PW in the point member table PMTL, the process proceeds to step PS12.

In step PS12, if the date/time information DTI related to the selected payment point grant information PPG is newer than the date/time information DTI of the point member table PMTL, the process proceeds to step PS13.

After recording the information on the payment point grant information PPG in the point server history table PSTL in step PS13, the process proceeds to step PS14.

In step PS14, after adding the payment point information PPI in the payment point provision information PPG to the original latest point information LPTI, the process proceeds to step PS15.

In step PS15, after the updated latest point information LPTI and related date and time information DTI are recorded in the point member table PMTL and the point server table PSTL, the process proceeds to step PS16.

In step PS16, it is determined whether or not the processing is real time processing. Since the processing this time is the online recovery processing OFRT, it is not a real-time processing, so the process proceeds to step PS21.

After deleting the currently processed payment point grant information PPG from the sorting point processing table APTL in step PS21, if there is another payment point grant information PPG in step PS22, steps PS10 to PS16 are repeated, and in step PS22 another payment point grant information PPG is deleted. If the payment point provision information PPG does not exist, the process returns to step PS0 and enters a state of waiting for transmission from any store server 114. FIG.

In the first embodiment, by executing the online recovery process OFRT, the latest point information LPTI in the point server table PSTL and the point member table PMTL and the date and time information DTI corresponding to the latest point information LPTI are restored to Immediately, during the information exchange failure, the point server 118 transfers the point related group information PRI (payment point grant information PPG) recorded in the point terminal table PTL of the point terminal recording device 156 of the point card terminal processing device 110 to the point server 118. There are advantages reflected in the table PSTL and the point member table PMTL.

Note that the online recovery process OFRT is preferably batch-processed after the day's business is over. In particular, when the point-related group information PRI is transmitted from a plurality of store servers 114 to the point server 118, after receiving the point-related group information PRI from all the store servers 114, the alignment point processing table APTL is created and the point card is processed. It is preferable to process the date and time information DTI in chronological order for each identification information PCID. As a result, it is possible to collectively manage unsent point-related group information PRI in multiple stores, so duplicate processing can be avoided, and it is possible to add store visit point information CPI. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem due to the change of the order of transmission. Also, after operating in the offline mode OFM, it is preferable to operate in the offline mode OFM until the end of the business day. Similarly, this is to prevent the occurrence of problems due to the change of transmission order.

Next, the processing when the automatic service device 102 and the game machine 106 are newly installed will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the store input device 266 is operated to proceed to step RS1, the menu screen MNS is displayed on the store display device 262, and when the new registration button 282 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step RS2, and the new registration screen NRS is displayed. After entering the automatic service device identification information AID in the AID input section 286 on the new registration screen NRS, the point terminal identification information TID in the TID input section 288, and other information corresponding to the input sections, the registration button 292 is pressed, and step RS6 is performed. and registered in the point terminal table PTL. When correcting the registered automatic service machine identification information AID, point terminal identification information TID, etc., by pressing the registration data correction button 284 on the menu screen MNS, the process proceeds to step RS4, and the correction screen RVS is displayed. By entering the automatic service machine identification information AID to be corrected in the correction AID input section 294 and pressing the search button 296, the process proceeds to step RS8, and the registration information related to the correction target is displayed, so correct the information that needs to be corrected. After that, when the modification registration button 300 is pressed, the process proceeds to step RS6, and the modification information is recorded in the point terminal table PTL.

In the first embodiment, as the point information PTI to be added, the payment point information PPI and the visit point information CPI have been explained, but either one of them or the other point information may be used. For example, birthday point information given on a birthday, special point information given on a specific day every month or every week, etc. can be added.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the case where payment point information PPI is given by payment of currency CUR at the time of information exchange failure has been described, but if necessary, store visit point information CPI, use point information UPI, etc. point information can also be processed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the mobile device 310 owned by the user USR can be connected to the point server 118 using, for example, the communication line 116, and the mobile device 310 can be used to check the latest point information LPTI. It is preferable to

The server management type point management system 104 for automatic service equipment (for convenience, it will be referred to as "second server management type point management system 2104 for automatic service equipment") of the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 30. to explain.
In the second embodiment, point-related group information PRI (at least, point card identification information PCID, payment point information PPI, and date and time information DTI) to the point server is sent to the point server after business hours of the automatic service device 102 (game machine 106). This is an example of collectively performing at a predetermined timing. In other words, the second embodiment is an example in which point processing is performed by badge processing at least at the timing when payment point information PPI is not generated. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 22, the server management type point management system 2104 for the second automatic service equipment of the second embodiment basically includes the point card terminal processing device 110 (for convenience, the "second point card terminal processing device 2110 ), store server 114 (for convenience, referred to as “second store server 2114”), point server 118 (for convenience, referred to as “second point server 2118”), and communication line 116. do not have. However, the second point card terminal processing device 2110 in the second embodiment (reference numerals 2110a, 2110ba, 2110bb, 2110na, 2110nb, and 2110nc in FIG. 22) differs from the point card terminal processing device 110 in the first embodiment in the point-related group information. The point-related group information transmission instruction function of instructing the transmission of PRI to the second point server 2118 via the second shop server 2114 at a predetermined timing is the same. However, the point-related group information transmission instruction device 192 (for convenience, referred to as the "second point-related group information transmission instruction device 2192") in the second embodiment is configured to issue a transmission instruction outside the business hours of the automatic service device 102. , the configuration is different from that of the point card terminal processing device 110 of the first embodiment. Also, since a plurality of second point card terminal processing devices 2110 are illustrated, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are given. In the second embodiment, the second point-related group information transmission instruction device 2192 is configured by a program, so it will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24 and the display on the terminal display device 108 of FIG. However, the second point-related group information transmission instruction device 2192 can be configured by hardware.

First, in step ES201, it is determined whether or not it is the badge processing time. If it is the badge processing time, the process proceeds to step ES202, and if it is not the badge processing time, the process proceeds to step ES203. The badge processing time is set outside the business hours of the automated service equipment 102 . For example, in the case of game arcades, the law stipulates that business hours are from midnight to 6:00 a.m., so the hours are set at 1:00 a.m., for example. If all the second point card terminal processors 2101a, 2102a, 2102b, 210na, 210nb, and 210nc are set to the same time, the processing in the second store server 2114 or the second point server 2118 will be duplicated, so It is preferable to shift the badge processing time by increments.

At step ES203, an initial screen INS (FIG. 25(A)) is displayed on terminal display device 108, and the process proceeds to step ES204. The contents of the initial screen INS are the same as in the first embodiment.

In step ES204, it is determined whether the point card identification information PCID recorded in the point card 120 has been read. If the point card identification information PCID is determined, the process proceeds to step ES205, and if not determined, the process returns to step ES201. In other words, when the point card 120 is not used, the badge processing time and the point card identification information PCID are on standby.

In step ES205, the terminal display device 108 displays the second reception screen 2RGS shown in FIG. 25(B) for a predetermined time, and proceeds to step ES206. On the second reception screen 2RGS, an identification information section 2212 displaying the read point card identification information PCID and a second visit welcome guide 2214 are displayed.

In step ES206, after displaying the second point processing menu screen 2PTS shown in FIG. 25(C), the process proceeds to step ES207. On the second point processing menu screen 2PTS, there is a second game machine play point guidance display 2224 that reads, for example, "One point is added for each play. The points will be reflected one day later." Is displayed.

In step ES207, it is determined whether or not the billing signal CHS has been output. If not, step ES207 is looped to wait for the billing signal CHS.

In step ES208, the payment point information PPI based on the charging signal CHS and the date and time information DTI are associated with the point card identification information PCID to form the point related group information PRI, and then the process proceeds to step ES209. The payment point information PPI is set in advance based on the fee paid, as described above. Note that the point terminal identification information TID can be included in the point related group information PRI.

In step ES209, after the point-related group information PRI is recorded in the point terminal table PTL (referred to as "second point terminal table PTL2" for convenience), the process proceeds to step ES210. As shown in FIG. 23B, for example, the second point terminal table PTL2 includes point terminal identification information TID, date and time information DTI when point information PTI was output, and payment point information in association with point card identification information PCID. PPI is recorded. These are point-related group information PRI (referred to as "second point-related group information 2PRI" for convenience). The second point-related group information 2PRI should include at least the point card identification information PCID, the date and time information DTI when the point information PTI was output, and the payment point information PPI, and the point terminal identification information TID is not essential information. do not have.

In step ES210, after the second payment point display screen 2PPS, shown in FIG. 25(D), which displays that the payment point information PPI has been given, is displayed for a predetermined time, the process returns to step ES201. On the second payment point display screen 2PPS, a total point display section 2186 that displays point information PTI after addition of payment point information PPI, and an additional point display section 234 that displays payment point information PPI as added point information PTI. , and point reflection guidance 2226 are preferably displayed.

Next, in step ES202 when it is determined that it is the badge processing time in step ES201, polling from the second store server 2114 is determined, and if polling is determined, the process proceeds to step ES211, and if not determined, step ES202 is looped. and waits for polling.

Next, in step ES211, after transmitting the second point-related group information 2PRI recorded in the point terminal recording device 156 to the second store server 2114, the process returns to step ES201. In addition, the second point related group information 2PRI transmitted in step ES211 is erased from the point terminal recording device 156 or moved to another recording area so as not to be transmitted to the second point server 2118 again. be.

The transmission of the second point-related group information 2PRI from the second point card terminal processing device 2110 may be performed without polling from the second store server 2114. FIG.

Next, the second store server 2114 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
The second shop server 2114 has roughly the same functions as the shop server 114 in the first embodiment, but has a point-related group information transmission instruction device 270 that instructs the second point server 2118 to send the second point-related group information 2PRI. (For the sake of convenience, it will be referred to as a "store point-related group information transmission instruction device 270".) is added.

Next, the store point-related group information transmission instructing device 270 will be described.
The store point-related group information transmission instruction device 270 has a function of transmitting the second point-related group information 2PRI recorded in the second store server 2114 to the second point server 2118 when the badge processing time comes. In the second embodiment, the store point-related group information transmission instruction device 270 is configured by a program. However, the store point-related group information transmission instruction device 270 can be configured by hardware.

Next, processing in the second store server 2114 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step SS201, it is determined whether or not the badge processing time has come, and if the badge processing time has been determined, the process proceeds to step SS202. The badge processing time is set after the badge processing time in second point card terminal processing device 2110 . For example, in the second embodiment, since the badge processing time is set at 1:00 am in step ES201 in the second point card terminal processing device 2110, it is set at 2:00 am, for example.

In step SS202, the second point card terminal processing device 2110 is sequentially polled, and the process proceeds to step SS203.

In step SS203, after the second point-related group information 2PRI received from the second point card terminal processing device 2110 is recorded in the shop recording device 258, the process proceeds to step SS204.
The processing of steps SS202 and SS203 is performed for all the second point card terminal processing devices 2110, and the second point related group information 2PRI recorded during business hours on the previous day is recorded in the store recording device 258. It is recorded in the store server history table SST2 (Fig. 26(B)). The second store server history table SST2 records, for example, point terminal identification information TID, point information PTI output date and time information DTI, and payment point information PPI in association with card identification information PCID. The point terminal identification information TID is not essential information, but if it is included, it is convenient for history collation.

In step SS204, it is determined whether or not polling of all the second point card terminal processing devices 2110 has been completed. If not completed, the process returns to step SS202.

In step SS205, after transmitting the second point-related group information 2PRI recorded in the store recording device 258 to the second point server 2118, the process returns to step SS201. As a result, the second point-related group information 2PRI related to badge processing is transmitted to the second point server 2118. FIG. Therefore, steps SS201 to SS205 correspond to the store point-related group information transmission instructing device 270. FIG.

It should be noted that the transmission of the second point-related group information 2PRI from the second point card terminal processing device 2110 does not respond to the polling from the second store server 2114, and the second point card terminal processing device 2110 does not respond to the badge processing time. Second point card terminal processing device 2110 can actively transmit when the arrival is determined.

Second point server 2118 will now be described with reference to FIG.
The second point server 2118 arranges the second point-related group information 2PRI transmitted from the second store server 2114 in the order of date and time information DTI for each point card identification information PCID, and collects payment point information for each point card identification information PCID. It has a function to calculate PPI in the order of date and time information DTI. In the second embodiment, a device 318 for sorting dates and times by PC card identification information is added to the point server 118 in the first embodiment.

Next, the date and time sorting device 318 by PC card identification information will be described.
The device 318 for sorting by date and time by PC card identification information has a function of sorting the second point-related group information 2PRI recorded in the point server recording device 304 in order of date and time information DTI for each point card identification information PCID. In the second embodiment, the device for sorting by date and time by PC card identification information 318 is configured by a program. The program steps corresponding to the date and time sorting device 318 by PC card identification information will be described later. However, the device 318 for sorting by date and time by PC card identification information can also be configured by hardware.

Processing in the second point server 2118 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step PS201, it is determined whether or not there is transmission from the second shop server 2114. If there is transmission, the process proceeds to step PS202, and if there is no transmission, the process proceeds to step PS203.

In step PS202, the received second point related group information 2PRI is stored in the second point server history table PSTL2 (FIG. 28(B)) recorded in the point server recording device 304 in the order received from the second shop server 2114 After recording in association with the point card identification information PCID, the process returns to step PS201. This is to prepare for reception of the next second point related group information 2PRI. In the second point server history table PSTL2, for example, when the point terminal identification information TID is different in the second point server history table PSTL2 in FIG. It is This is because the transmission from the second shop server 2114 is slow.

In step PS201, if the process proceeds to step PS203 without judging transmission, it is judged whether it is the batch processing time, and if it is the batch processing time, the process proceeds to step PS204; In other words, the loop of steps PS201 and PS203 enters a waiting state for reception or batch processing. The batch processing time is set in advance, for example, at a time after the transmission from all the second store servers 2114 is expected to end. For example, if the batch processing time in the second store server 2114 is 2:00 am, it is set at 3:00 am.

In step PS204, after the point card identification information time order table PNOT is created, the process proceeds to step ES205. For example, as shown in FIG. 29B, the point card identification information chronological order table PNOT is associated with the card identification information PCID, the point terminal identification information TID, the date and time information DTI when the payment point information PPI was output, and payment point information PPI are recorded, and arranged for each point card identification information PCID and in the order of date and time information DTI. Note that the point card identification information chronological table PNOT can be created as one table summarizing all the point card identification information PCID or a table for each point card identification information PCID. As a result, for example, in the second point server table PSTL2 shown in FIG. In the time order table PNOT, they are arranged at the top.

In step PS205, the second point related group information 2PRI selection with the oldest date and time information DTI is selected, and the process proceeds to step PS206. The reason for selecting the second point-related set information 2PRI with the old date/time information DTI is that there is a risk of adding the payment point information PPI redundantly. Also, when giving store visit points (store visit point information CPI), it is not possible to determine whether the customer came to the store for the first time on the day.

At step PS206, it is determined whether or not the point card identification information PCID included in the selected second point related group information 2PRI exists in the point member table PMTL. In other words, if the point card identification information PCID is not registered in advance, the processing related to the second point related group information 2PRI is terminated.

In step PS207, it is determined whether the date/time information DTI corresponding to the latest point information LPTI recorded in the point member table PMTL is newer than the date/time information DTI. If newer, the process proceeds to step PS208. move on. In other words, since the date/time information DTI corresponding to the latest point information LPTI recorded in the point member table PMTL reflects the newest point information PTI, the same date/time information DTI or older (earlier) date/time information This is because there is a high possibility that the payment point information PPI related to DTI is duplicated and added.

In step PS208, after adding the payment point information PPI in the second point related group information 2PRI to the latest point information LPTI recorded in the point member table PMTL, the process proceeds to step PS209.

In step PS209, the latest point information LPTI and date/time information DTI calculated in step PS208 are replaced with the latest point information LPTI and date/time information DTI in the point member table PMTL, and then the process proceeds to step PS210. As a result, the latest point information LPTI and the corresponding date and time information DTI are reflected in the point member table PMTL.

In step PS210, after deleting the second point-related group information 2PRI including the payment point information PPI calculated in step PS208 from the point card identification information chronological table PNOT, the process proceeds to step PS211. The reason for deleting the second point-related group information 2PRI is to prevent duplicate calculations.

In step PS211, it is determined whether or not the second point-related group information 2PRI remains in the point card identification information time order table PNOT. If not, the process returns to step PS201.

Next, referring to FIG. 30, the overall processing in the second automatic service device server management type point management system 2104 of the second embodiment will be described. The badge processing time at the second point card terminal processing device 2110 is 1:00 am, the badge processing time at the second store server 2114 is 2:00 am, and the badge processing time at the second point server 2118 is 3:00 am. Information PPI is set to 5 for explanation. Therefore, both badge processing times are outside the operating hours of the gaming machine 106 as the automated service equipment 102 . Also, for the point card identification information PCID "000 1111 2222 3333", 100 points are recorded as the latest point information LPTI.

First, in step ES201, the second point card terminal processing device 2110 determines whether or not it is the badge processing time.

In step ES203, after initial screen INS (FIG. 25(A)) is displayed on terminal display device 108, the process proceeds to step ES204.

At step ES204, it is determined whether or not the point card reader 166 has read the point card identification information PCID, and if so, the process proceeds to step ES205. The read point card identification information PCID is recorded in the point terminal recording device 156. FIG.

In step ES205, after the second reception screen 2RGS (FIG. 25(B)) is displayed on the terminal display device 108 for a predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step ES206.

In step ES206, after the second point processing menu screen 2PTS (FIG. 25(C)) is displayed on the terminal display device 108, the process proceeds to step ES207.

At step ES207, it is determined whether or not the charging signal CHS has been received from the game machine control device 132. If the charging signal CHS has been determined, the process proceeds to step ES208.

At step ES208, terminal point information output device 176 outputs "5" as payment point information PPI, and proceeds to step ES209.

In step ES209, the payment point information PPI and the date/time information DTI in the point terminal clock device 162 at the time when the payment point information PPI was output are associated with the point card identification information PCID recognized and recorded in step ES204. is recorded in the point terminal recording device 156 as at least the second point related group information 2PRI, the process proceeds to step ES210. In the second embodiment, the point terminal identification information TID is also recorded in association with the second point related set information 2PRI.

In step ES210, after displaying the second payment point display screen 2PPS on the terminal display device 108, the process returns to step ES201. Thus, in each second point card terminal processing device 2110, the second point-related group information 2PRI is sequentially recorded.
Therefore, the second shop server 2114 and the second point server 2118 do not substantially perform point-related processing until the badge processing time.

If it is determined in step ES201 that the badge processing time (1:00 am) has come, the process proceeds to step ES202 and waits for polling from the second store server 2114. FIG. In the second embodiment, badge processing in the second store server 2114 starts at 2:00 am, and the second point card terminal processing devices 2110 are polled in a predetermined order.

If polling from the second store server 2114 is determined in step ES202, the process proceeds to step ES211.
In step ES211, after transmitting the second point-related group information 2PRI recorded in the point terminal recording device 156 to the second store server 2114, the process returns to step ES201.

At step SS201 in the second shop server 2114, it is determined whether or not it is the badge processing time. If it is determined in step SS201 that the badge processing time is 2:00 am, the process proceeds to step SS202.

In step SS202, the second point-related group information 2PRI recorded by polling each point card terminal processing device 110 in a predetermined order is received. Record in the recording device 258 and proceed to step SS204.

In step SS204, it is determined whether or not the polling of all the second point card terminal processing devices 2110 has been completed, and if it has not been completed, the process returns to step SS202, and the polling of all the second point card terminal processing devices 2110 has been completed. If so, proceed to step SS205.

In step SS205, after transmitting the received and recorded second point related group information 2PRI to the second point server 2118, the process returns to step SS201.
In addition, it is preferable to delete the transmitted second point-related group information 2PRI from the shop recording device 258 or move it to a different holder so that it is not redundantly transmitted to the second point server 2118 .

At step PS201 in the second point server 2118, it is determined whether or not there is transmission from the second shop server 2114, and if there is transmission, the process proceeds to step PS202, and if not, the process proceeds to step PS203.

In step PS202, the transmitted second point-related group information 2PRI is recorded in the point server recording device 304, and then the process returns to step PS201.

If there is no transmission at step PS201, proceed to step PS203 to determine whether the badge processing time has come. In the second embodiment, after repeating steps PS201 and PS202 for a predetermined time from 2:00 am, the process proceeds to step PS204 after determining the badge processing time of 3:00 am in step PS203.

In step PS204, the received second point-related group information 2PRI is arranged in the order of date and time information DTI for each point card identification information PCID, a point card identification information time order table PNOT is created, and recorded in the point server recording device 304. After that, proceed to step PS205.

In step PS205, after selecting the second point-related group information 2PRI having the earliest date and time information DTI among one point card identification information PCID, the process proceeds to step PS206.

At step PS206, it is determined whether or not the point card identification information PCID included in the second point related group information 2PRI exists in the point member table PMTL.

In step PS207, the date and time information DTI of the second point related group information 2PRI is later (newer) than the date and time information DTI corresponding to the latest point information LPTI associated with the point card identification information PCID in the point member table PMTL. If so, proceed to step PS208; if earlier (older), proceed to step PS210.

In step PS208, the latest point information LPTI ("100") associated with the point card identification information PCID in the point member table PMTL is added with the payment point information PPI ("5") associated with the point card identification information PCID. ) is added (“105”), and then the process proceeds to step PS209.

In step PS209, the latest point information LPTI ("105") calculated in step PS208 is recorded in the point member table PMTL as the new latest point information LPTI together with the date and time information DTI, and then the process proceeds to step PS210.

In step PS210, after deleting the second point-related group information 2PRI related to the current calculation from the point card identification information time order table PNOT, the process proceeds to step PS211.

In step PS211, it is determined whether or not the second point-related group information 2PRI remains in the point card identification information time order table PNOT.If it remains, the process returns to step PS205 to repeat the process.If not, the process returns to step PS201. Then, it will be in a standby state whether it is time for transmission or batch processing.

In the second embodiment, the second point-related group information transmission instruction device 2192 and the shop point-related group information transmission instruction device 270 are point-related group information transmission instruction devices. However, when the second point-related group information 2PRI is directly transmitted from the second point-card terminal processing device 2110 to the second point server 2118, the second point-related group information transmission instruction device 2192 is the point-related group information transmission instruction device. . When transmitting the second point related group information 2PRI recorded in the second store server 2114 to the second point server 2118 every time payment point information PPI is generated from the point card terminal processing device 110, the store point related group information transmission instruction device 270 is a point-related group information transmission instruction device.

After the point-related group information PRI recorded in the second point card terminal processing device 2110 is temporarily recorded in the point terminal recording device 156, it is transmitted to the second store server 2114 and recorded in the store recording device 258, It may be transmitted to the second point server 2118 by badge processing in the second store server 2114 . Further, the second point card terminal processing device 2110 or the second store server 2114 can process the processing of arranging the payment point information PPI associated with each point card identification information PCID in order of the date and time information DTI.

100 facilities
102 Automated service equipment
104, 2104 Server-managed point management system for automated service equipment
106 game machine
108 terminal display
110, 2110 Point card terminal processor
114, 2114 store server
116 Communication Lines
118, 2118 point servers
120 point card
126 Toll Acceptance Equipment
142 Coin Sorter
144 Electronic money processing equipment
146 Two-dimensional code payment processor
156 point terminal recorder
158 point terminal communication device
166 card reader
177, 192, 270, 2192 point-related group information transmission indicator
200 Usage point display
258 store recorder
C coin
CHS charging signal
DTI date and time information
LPTI latest point information
PCID Loyalty Card Identification Information
PPI payment point information
PTI Point Information
PS pulse signal
UPI usage point information

Claims (5)

an automated service equipment (102) comprising at least a toll acceptance device (126) and operating in response to a charging signal (CHS) output from said toll acceptance device (126);
a point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) provided for each automatic service device (102) and reading at least point card identification information (PCID) recorded in the point card (120);
A point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) via a communication line (116) and that transmits and receives point information (PTI) in association with the point card identification information (PCID). (118, 2118) and
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) includes at least a card reader (166) that reads the point card identification information (PCID) recorded on the point card (120), and a card reader (166) that reads the point card identification information (PCID) recorded on the point card (120). A communication device (158) that transmits point -related group information (PRI) including the point card identification information (PCID) to the point server (118, 2118); The payment point information (PPI) given based on the charging signal (CHS) input to the card terminal processing device (110, 2110) , the point card identification information (PCID), and date and time information specifying the date and time of processing A point terminal recording device (156) that records as the point related group information (PRI) in association with (DTI), and the point server (156) of the point related group information (PRI) recorded in the point terminal recording device (156 ) 118, 2118) , including a point-related set information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192) for instructing transmission to the online mode (ONM) or the offline point processing mode (OFPM),
if it is possible to exchange information with the point server (118, 2118), execute the online mode (ONM);
In the online mode (ONM), the point server (118, 2118) executes a point card authorization process (PCAT) for determining the record of the point card identification information (PCID) in the point server (118, 2118). 2118) to obtain the latest point information (LPTI) as the point information (PTI), and point payment point processing (PPPT) when using the automatic service device (102) using the point information (PTI), And the point-related group information (PRI) is transmitted to the point server (118, 2118) based on the instruction of the point-related group information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192), and the point server (118, 2118 ) can execute charge payment point processing (CPPT) for adding the payment point information (PPI) to the latest point information (LPTI),
if information exchange with the point server (118, 2118) is unsuccessful, execute the offline point processing mode (OFPM);
In the offline point processing mode (OFPM), the point payment point processing (PPPT) is not executable, and the point related group information (PRI) is sent to the point related group information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192). ) was not transmitted to the point server (118, 2118) based on the instruction of ), and the points recorded in the point terminal recording device (156) during the period in which the information exchange was unsatisfactory after the information exchange malfunction was recovered performing a process of transmitting related group information (PRI) to the point server (118, 2118) based on the instruction of the point related group information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192);
The point server (118, 2118) receives the point-related group information (PRI) from the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) when the information exchange is possible or after recovery from the information exchange. are recorded in association with the same point card identification information (PCID), and the payment point information (PPI) is added in the order of the date and time information (DTI) for each point card identification information (PCID) to obtain the latest A server for automatic service equipment, comprising a point server recording device (304) for calculating point information (LPTI) and then recording the latest point information (LPTI) in association with the point card identification information (PCID). Managed point management system. an automated service equipment (102) comprising at least a toll acceptance device (126) and operating in response to a charging signal (CHS) output from said toll acceptance device (126);
a point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) provided for each automatic service device (102) and reading at least point card identification information (PCID) recorded in the point card (120);
a point server (118, 2118) that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) via a communication line ( 116 ) and that transmits and receives point information in association with the point card identification information; ,
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) includes at least a card reader (166) that reads the point card identification information (PCID) recorded on the point card (120), and a card reader (166) that reads the point card identification information (PCID) recorded on the point card (120). a communication device (158) that transmits point -related group information (PRI) including the point card identification information (PCID) to the point server (118, 2118);
Payment point information (PPI) given based on the charging signal (CHS) output from the fee acceptance device (126) and input to the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110),
a point terminal recording device (156) that records the point card identification information (PCID) and the date and time information (DTI) specifying the date and time of processing as the point related group information (PRI) in association with each other;
A point-related group instructing transmission of the point- related group information (PRI) recorded in the point terminal recording device (156) to the point server (118, 2118) outside the business hours of the automatic service equipment (102) an information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192) , and executing an online mode (ONM) or an offline point processing mode (OFPM),
if it is possible to exchange information with the point server (118, 2118), execute the online mode (ONM);
In the online mode (ONM), at least after executing point card authorization processing (PCAT) for determining the record of the point card identification information (PCID) in the point server (118, 2118), the point server ( 118, 2118) to obtain the latest point information (LPTI) as the point information (PTI),
Point payment point processing (PPPT) when the automatic service equipment (102) is used using the point information (PTI), and the point-related group information (PRI) are sent to the point-related group information transmission instruction device (177). , 192, 270, 2192) to the point server (118, 2118), and the point server (118, 2118) adds the payment point information (PPI) to the latest point information (LPTI). be able to perform Charged Payment Point Processing (CPPT) for
if information exchange with the point server (118, 2118) is unsuccessful, execute the offline point processing mode (OFPM);
In the offline point processing mode (OFPM), the point payment point processing (PPPT) cannot be executed, and the point related group information (PRI) is sent to the point related group information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192). ) based on the instruction of the point server (118, 2118) and recorded in the point terminal recording device (156) during the period in which the information exchange was unsatisfactory after the information exchange malfunction was recovered. performing a process of transmitting related group information (PRI) to the point server (118, 2118) based on the instruction of the point related group information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192);
The point server (118, 2118) receives the point-related group information (PRI) from the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) when the information exchange is possible or after recovery from the information exchange. is recorded in association with the same point card identification information (PCID), and the payment point information (PPI) is added in the order of the date and time information (DTI) for each point card identification information (PCID) to create a new A server management for automatic service equipment, comprising a point server recording device that, after calculating the latest point information (LPTI), records the latest point information (LPTI) in association with the point card identification information (PCID). Type point management system. an automated service equipment (102) comprising at least a toll acceptance device (126) and operating in response to a charging signal (CHS) output from said toll acceptance device (126);
a point card terminal processing device (110 , 2110 ) provided for each automatic service device (102) and reading at least point card identification information (PCID) recorded in the point card (120);
A point server that is directly or indirectly connected to the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) via a communication line (116) and that transmits and receives point information (PTI) in association with the point card identification information (PCID). (118, 2118) and
A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment comprising:
The point card terminal processor (110, 2110) includes at least a card reader (166) that reads the point card identification information (PCID) recorded on the point card (120);
The charge output from the charge acceptance device (126) and input to the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) associated with the point card identification information (PCID) read by the card reader (166) Sending point-related set information (PRI) including payment point information (PPI) given based on the signal (CHS ) and date and time information (DTI) specifying the date and time of processing to the point server (118, 2118) a communication device (158);
a point terminal recording device (156) for recording the point related group information (PRI) when information exchange between the point server (118, 2118) and the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) fails; , the point-related group information ( PRI) to the point server (118, 2118) , and an online mode (ONM) or offline point processing mode ( OFPM),
if it is possible to exchange information with the point server (118, 2118), execute the online mode (ONM);
In the online mode (ONM), at least after executing point card authorization processing (PCAT) for determining the record of the point card identification information (PCID) in the point server (118, 2118), the point server ( 118, 2118) to obtain the latest point information (LPTI) as the point information (PTI),
Point payment point processing (PPPT) when the automatic service equipment (102) is used using the point information (PTI), and the point-related group information (PRI) are sent to the point-related group information transmission instruction device (177). , 192, 270, 2192) to the point server (118, 2118), and the point server (118, 2118) adds the payment point information (PPI) to the latest point information (LPTI). be able to perform Charged Payment Point Processing (CPPT) for
if information exchange with the point server (118, 2118) is unsuccessful, execute the offline point processing mode (OFPM);
In the offline point processing mode (OFPM), the point payment point processing (PPPT) cannot be executed, and the point related group information (PRI) is sent to the point related group information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192). ) based on the instruction of the point server (118, 2118) and recorded in the point terminal recording device (156) during the period in which the information exchange was unsatisfactory after the information exchange malfunction was recovered. performing a process of transmitting related group information (PRI) to the point server (118, 2118) based on the instruction of the point related group information transmission instruction device (177, 192, 270, 2192);
The point server (118, 2118) receives the point-related group information (PRI) from the point card terminal processing device (110, 2110) when the information exchange is possible or after recovery from the information exchange. are recorded in association with the same point card identification information (PCID), and the payment point information (PPI) is added in the order of the date and time information (DTI) for each point card identification information (PCID) to create a new An automatic service device comprising a point server recording device (304) for calculating the latest point information (LPTI) and then recording the latest point information (LPTI) in association with the point card identification information (PCID). Server-managed point management system for 2. A timing for instructing transmission of said payment point information by said point-related group information transmission instruction device (177 , 192, 270, 2192), according to claim 1, characterized in that said automatic service equipment is out of business hours. A server-managed point management system for automated service equipment. 5. An automatic service device according to any preceding claim, wherein the automatic service equipment (102) is a gaming machine (106) that enables games to be played upon receipt of a fee of a predetermined amount. Server management type point management system for service equipment.

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