Settlement system, privilege management method of the same, and computer program

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment system that allows a user to consume monetary value in response to charges incurred at each of a plurality of devices subject to payment. Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial facilities such as amusement facilities where multiple commercial machines are installed, a system in which users consume monetary value expressed in electronic information such as virtual currency is becoming widespread as a system for collecting fees from users in response to charges for each billable machine. In this type of payment system, in addition to a system in which the billable machine itself executes payment processing by itself or by communication between the billable machine and a server, a system has also been proposed in which a payment terminal device is attached to the billable machine, payment reference information recorded on a medium held by the user is read by the terminal device, and the monetary value owned by the user is consumed using the payment reference information (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-9528 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-108746 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In facilities such as shops where multiple billable devices are installed, it may be desirable to introduce a service that aims for a synergistic effect between the devices, such as allowing a user to receive a discount on the charges for other specific billable devices by using a specific billable device for a fee. However, conventional payment systems do not take into consideration the mutual coordination of charges for each device. Therefore, in order to introduce the above-mentioned service, the facility operator has no choice but to rely on human resources, such as issuing discount coupons, which causes inconvenience to the operator.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS The present invention has an object to provide a payment system and the like that can provide a privilege to a user by linking charges among a plurality of billable devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A payment system according to one aspect of the present invention is a payment system that executes a payment process to have a user consume monetary value in response to the occurrence of a charge on each of a plurality of charge target devices, and includes a plurality of information reading devices that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of charge target devices, and that read payment reference information from a medium held by the user as information to be referenced in the payment process, the payment reference information including medium identification information unique to each of the media, in response to the occurrence of the charge, and a payment execution device that executes the payment process by referring to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, wherein each of the plurality of information reading devices is set with unique device identification information for each of the charge target devices, and the payment execution device is provided with a history recording means that records the content of the payment process performed for each charge on each of the plurality of charge target devices in payment history information in correspondence with the device identification information and the medium identification information, and a bonus granting means that, when a user uses at least a portion of the plurality of charge target devices, determines based on the payment history information whether the user's consumption status of the monetary value satisfies a predetermined bonus granting condition, and grants a predetermined bonus to users who satisfy the bonus granting condition.

[0007] In addition, a privilege management method according to one aspect of the present invention is a privilege management method applied to a payment system configured to execute a payment process for having a user consume monetary value in response to the occurrence of a charge on each of a plurality of charge target devices, the method comprising: a plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices each corresponding to the plurality of information reading ...

[0008] Further, a computer program according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to execute a payment process for having a user consume monetary value in response to the occurrence of a charge in each of a plurality of charge target devices, the computer program comprising: a plurality of information reading devices provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices being stored in a medium possessed by the user as information to be referenced in the payment process, the plurality of information reading devices reading payment reference information from the medium in response to the occurrence of the charge, the payment reference information including medium identification information unique to each of the medium; and a payment execution device executing the payment process by referring to the payment reference information read by each of the information reading devices, each of the plurality of information reading devices being provided with a function unique to each of the charge target devices. A computer program for managing rewards that is applied to a payment system in which device identification information is set, and is configured to cause at least one computer provided in the payment system to function as a history recording means that records the contents of the payment processing performed for each charge of the multiple chargeable devices in payment history information in correspondence with the device identification information and the medium identification information, and a reward granting means that, when a user uses at least a portion of the multiple chargeable devices, determines based on the payment history information whether the user's consumption status of the monetary value satisfies specified reward granting conditions, and grants specified rewards to users who satisfy the reward granting conditions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a payment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the server system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the store system. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a discount on the consumption of virtual currency when using a specific billable device as a benefit to a user. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for causing a user to consume virtual currency in response to a charge generated on a chargeable device. [Figure 6]11 is a flow chart showing the processing steps when a store operator changes data of device management information. [Figure 7] 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the processing procedure of FIG. 5 is modified so that determination of consumption amount and discount processing are performed on the server side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the payment system according to the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the payment system will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The payment system 1 of this embodiment is provided to have a user consume an amount of virtual currency according to the charge content in response to a charge generated at a plurality of charge target devices 3A, 3B, ..., 3N (hereinafter, sometimes represented by reference number 3) installed in each of a plurality of stores 2. Virtual currency is an example of monetary value that a user can obtain in exchange for cash. As an example, the store 2 is an amusement facility in which at least a part of the charge target devices 3 is a commercial amusement machine (typically a game machine). However, it is not necessary that all the charge target devices 3 in each store 2 are amusement machines. In addition to at least one amusement machine, each store 2 may be provided with various devices as charge target devices 3 that provide a predetermined service to a user in exchange for payment of a fee. For example, if vending machines that sell products such as juice are installed in the store 2, those machines may also be included in the charge target devices 3 in the payment system 1 of this embodiment. The billable device 3 may be configured in accordance with various specifications as long as it can communicate with the payment system of this embodiment according to a predetermined protocol. The manufacturers and providers of the billable devices 3 may be different. The billable device 3 may be capable of using other payment methods such as cash in addition to the payment method using the payment system 1.

[0011] The payment system 1 includes a store system 10 constructed for each store 2, and a server system 20 provided in common for each store system 10. Note that FIG. 1 shows the details of only one store system 10. The store system 10 determines the amount of virtual currency to be consumed by the user in accordance with the charge content generated at each billing target device 3, reads a card ID unique to each card from a card 4 held by the user as payment reference information, and requests payment from the server system 20 by specifying the card ID and the amount of virtual currency to be consumed. The card 4 is a medium given to the user to identify the user, and a card ID unique to each card 4 is recorded therein as medium identification information. However, the medium held by the user is not limited to the card 4, and an IC chip attached to a mobile phone or the like may be used as the medium as long as it can hold the medium identification number. The medium identification information may be identification information uniquely set for each user. In short, it is sufficient that the medium identification information is guaranteed to be unique for each medium.

[0012] The server system 20 manages the amount of virtual currency held by the user in association with the user's card ID, consumes the virtual currency held in the account corresponding to the card ID in response to a request from the store system 10, and notifies the store system 10 of the processing result. In other words, the payment system 1 of this embodiment is a prepaid payment system in which the user acquires virtual currency in advance in exchange for cash or the like, and pays the charge for the billable device 3 by consuming virtual currency within the range of the balance. Also, it is a thin-client (server processing) payment system in which the balance of virtual currency held by the user is held on the server system 20 side, and the server system 20 side executes the reduction (withdrawal) of the balance.

[0013] The store system 10 includes a reader 11 as an information reading terminal device attached to each of the charge target devices 3 in one-to-one correspondence, an administration PC (abbreviation of personal computer, the same applies below) 12, a setting terminal PC 13, a trader terminal PC 14, and a router 15. The readers 11, the administration PC 12, the setting terminal PC 13, and the trader terminal PC 14 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via an in-store LAN 16 constructed in the store 2. Each reader 11 is configured as a device physically different from the charge target device 3, and is attached to the charge target device 3 in a state in which it can communicate bidirectionally with the control unit (not shown) of the corresponding charge target device 3 according to a predetermined protocol. The router 15 is connected to the Internet 5. As a result, the reader 11, the administration PC 12, and the setting terminal PC 13 connected to the in-store LAN 16 are each a computer device that can be connected to the server system 20 via the Internet 5 and function as a client to the server system 20.

[0014] The reader 11 functions as an information input / output means for receiving billing information from the billing target device 3 and providing the billing target device 3 with the result of the payment process, and as an information reading means for reading a card ID from the card 4 held by the user. The management PC 12, while referring to the information provided by the reader 11, executes payment processing in cooperation with the server system 20 to have the user consume a predetermined virtual currency according to the content of the charge generated at the billing target device 3. The setting terminal PC 13 functions as a means for the operator of the store 2 to manage the information held by the management PC 12 of the store 2. These functions will be described in detail later.

[0015] The dealer terminal PC14 functions as a terminal through which the operator of the store 2 views information such as the payment history provided by the server system 20. In the example of FIG. 1, the reader 11 and the setting terminal PC13 are connected to the management PC12 via the wireless LAN access point 17, but they may be connected by wire. The dealer terminal PC14 does not necessarily have to be provided within the store 2. For example, the dealer terminal PC14 may be provided at the head office or sales office of the corporation that operates the store 2. The operator of the store 2 may be an entity that operates only a single store 2, or may be an entity that operates multiple stores 2.

[0016] The server system 20 includes server units 21A, 21B, etc. (hereinafter, these may be represented by the reference symbol 21) as a plurality of computer devices, and a router 22 that connects the server units 21 to the Internet 5. However, the server system 20 may also use a single server unit. Alternatively, the server system 20 may be logically constructed using cloud computing.

[0017] A user terminal device 6 can also be connected to the server system 20 via the Internet 5. The user terminal device 6 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for the user's personal use. For example, a stationary or notebook PC 6A or a mobile terminal device 6B such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 6. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to a network and are used for the user's personal use, such as a stationary home game machine, a portable game machine, or a portable tablet terminal device, may be used as the user terminal device 6. The user terminal device 6 is used, for example, by a user accessing the server system 20 to view his / her own payment history, or by a user purchasing virtual currency and depositing it in his / her own account to perform a charge operation. Note that the payment system 1 may be provided with additional terminal devices. For example, a charge machine for a user to purchase virtual currency using cash or a credit card may be further provided in the store 2 and connected to the router 15.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the control system of the payment system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. First, the control system of the server system 20 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the server system 20 has, as its subsystems, a transaction management system 31 that manages all transactions related to virtual currency, a currency management system 32 that manages virtual currency, and an accounting system 33 that manages payments to the operator of the store 2 that occur in conjunction with virtual currency transactions. The transaction management system 31 has a transaction control unit 34 as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and software. The transaction control unit 34 executes various processes required for consumption of virtual currency, etc., in accordance with a payment request sent from the store system 10.

[0019] The settlement request includes transaction information necessary to identify which store 2 and which billable device 3 the user is trying to consume the virtual currency at, and how the virtual currency is to be consumed, such as, for example, the card ID read from the user's card 4, the amount of virtual currency consumed, and a store code identifying the store 2. The transaction control unit 34 accesses user information D1 that records the correspondence between the card ID and the account identification information (e.g., user ID) attached to the user's virtual currency account, and determines the user ID corresponding to the card ID. The transaction control unit 34 also accesses data D2 of the balance information in the currency management system 32, and consumes the virtual currency by deducting the consumed amount from the balance of the virtual currency account recorded in association with the user ID in the data D2. Furthermore, the transaction control unit 34 records the transaction information in transaction information data D3 in the currency management system 32 in association with the user ID. In the transaction information data D3, information identifying the transaction content, such as the transaction date and time, the store code, and the amount of virtual currency consumed, is recorded in association with the user ID. By a user accessing the currency management system 32 from a user terminal device 6, the user can check his / her account balance from his / her user terminal device 6 and increase the balance of his / her account by performing the specified charge operation.

[0020] When the transaction control unit 34 causes the currency management system 32 to perform a process of consuming virtual currency, it notifies the store system 10 of the process result, that is, whether or not the consumption was successful. In addition, when one transaction, that is, the consumption process of virtual currency corresponding to a payment request from the store system 10, is completed, the transaction control unit 34 records the content of this payment process in the consumption information data D4. The consumption information data D4 records information that specifies the transaction content, such as the transaction date and time, the store code, the consumption amount of virtual currency, and the user ID (or card ID). As a result, the consumption information data D4 functions as history information that records the history of the payment process of virtual currency. The consumption information data D4 is compiled for an appropriate compilation period (for example, one month) and recorded in the compilation information data D5. The accounting system 33 compiles the consumption information in a predetermined compilation unit, such as for each store 2 or for each business entity of the store 2, based on the compilation information data D5, calculates the payment amount to the business entity of the store 2 according to the compilation result, and records the calculation result in the payment information data D6. The purchase price of the virtual currency becomes the sales of the business entity of the server system 20, and when the charge for the billable device 3 is paid with virtual currency, the business entity of the store 2 does not receive the payment. Therefore, the business entity of the server system 20 needs to pay the sales price corresponding to the consumption amount of the virtual currency to the business entity of the store 2 by dividing it proportionally. For this reason, processing such as calculation of the payment amount is required. The accounting system 33 creates a payment notice PD for the business entity of the store 2 based on the payment information data D7 and transmits it to the trader terminal PC14. The trader terminal PC14 can also access the tally information data D5 as necessary to check the consumption history, etc. Furthermore, when the store system 10 transmits the device management information data D10 (see FIG. 3) of the management PC12, the transaction control unit 34 stores the device management information data D10 in the management PC information data D7 in association with the store code.

[0021] Next, the control system of the store system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the billing target device 3 and the reader 11, management PC 12, and setting terminal PC 13 of the store system 10. First, in the store system 10, a billing management unit 41 is provided in each billing target device 3. The billing management unit 41 generates billing information according to the contents of the billing generated in the billing target device 3, and outputs the billing information to the reader 11. The billing target device 3 is a type of computer device, and is provided with an operation control unit 7 that operates the device according to a predetermined procedure as a logical device formed by a combination of computer hardware and software. For example, if the billing target device 3 is a game machine, a game control unit that progresses the game according to the user's operation is provided as the operation control unit. The billing management unit 41 is also a logical device similar to the operation control unit 7, and the billing management unit 41 can be realized by adding an appropriate program module to a program for realizing the operation control unit 7.

[0022] In the charge target device 3, multiple billing items may be provided as options for the user. For example, when the charge target device 3 is a game machine, in a game provided by the game machine, generally, items such as starting or continuing the game, game mode, and purchasing and using items are prepared as options for the user. In addition, in a commercial game machine, in order for a user to select a desired mode or the like and play it, a fee according to the selection is charged to the user. That is, in the game machine, each of the user's options is prepared as a billing item (billing item), and a fee is set according to the billing item. In the case where the charge target device 3 is a vending machine, each of multiple products is prepared as a billing item. The operation control unit 7 determines which of the billing items has been selected according to the user's instruction, and the billing management unit 41 acquires the selection result, that is, which billing item has been selected, from the operation control unit 7. In the case of a billing item for which the quantity can be selected (for example, an item for which the purchase quantity can be selected), the billing management unit 41 also acquires the quantity selected by the user. The billing management unit 41 acquires the user's selection result, and the payment process by the payment system 1 is started. Then, when the charge management unit 41 notifies the user of the completion of the payment, the operation control unit 7 provides the user with a service corresponding to the charge item selected by the user. For example, if the charge target device 3 is a game machine, the operation control unit 7 starts playing a game in the game mode selected by the user, or grants the user the item selected by the user. If the charge target device 3 is a vending machine, the product selected by the user is dispensed. Note that purchasing an item includes consuming a price and obtaining permission to use the item in a game, etc.

[0023] The charging management unit 41 generates charging information according to the charging details provided by the operation control unit 7, i.e., the charging item selected by the user, or the charging item and quantity selected by the user. Here, the unit multiplies the unit price of the charging item by the quantity to calculate the fee to be charged to the user, and generates information specifying this fee as charging information. For charging items for which the quantity cannot be selected, the fee is calculated with the quantity set to 1. The charging management unit 41 transmits the generated charging information (i.e., the play fee and the purchase fee for items, etc.) to the reader 11 according to a specified protocol.

[0024] The reader 11 is provided with an information management unit 42 and an ID reading unit 43. The information management unit 42 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and software of the reader 11. The ID reading unit 43 is provided as a peripheral device that reads the card ID recorded on the card 4. For example, when the card ID is recorded on an IC chip of the card 4, the ID reading unit 43 is configured to read information from the IC chip. However, the card ID is not limited to an IC chip, and may be recorded on a magnetic memory layer or an optical memory layer, or may be recorded in an optically readable manner such as a barcode. The ID reading unit 43 can be appropriately configured according to the recording method of the card ID on the card 4. The reader 11 is provided with a display for displaying the consumption amount of virtual currency, etc., but is omitted from FIG. 3.

[0025] In the information management unit 42, a device ID is set as device identification information for identifying the billing target device 3. The device ID may be identification information specific to the reader 11, such as a MAC address that is assigned to uniquely identify the reader 11 on the network, or may be a device number set by the manager of the store 2 to distinguish the billing target device 3. As an example, the device ID is stored in a storage unit (e.g., an EEPROM) of the reader 11. When the information management unit 42 receives billing information from the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3, it activates the ID reading unit 43 to start reading the card ID. When the reading is completed, the information management unit 42 transmits the billing information received from the billing management unit 41 to the management PC 12, specifying the acquired card ID and its own device ID.

[0026] The management PC 12 is provided with a transaction control unit 44 as a logical device. The transaction control unit 44 determines the amount of virtual currency to be consumed by the user based on the billing information and device ID received from the reader 11, and requests payment by providing transaction information including the determined amount of virtual currency consumed, the card ID received from the reader 11, and a store code uniquely set for each store 2 to the server system 20. The store code is stored in a storage unit 45 of the management PC 12, as an example. The storage unit 45 also stores data D10 of billing management information and data D11 of payment history information used for determining the amount of consumption, etc.

[0027] The device management information data D10 includes discount information and setting information indicating the correspondence between the fee notified by the charge management unit 41 of the charge target device 3 and the amount of virtual currency consumed. The charge management data D10 is recorded in correspondence with the device ID so that it is possible to determine which charge target device 3 the data corresponds to. The transaction control unit 44 can use the device ID to identify the device management information data D10 of the charge target device 3 for which charging has occurred, and can determine the amount of virtual currency that the user should consume in correspondence with the fee notified by the charge management unit 41 according to the management data D10.

[0028] The setting information of the consumption amount in the data D10 of the device management information describes the correspondence between the charge (charge amount) of the device 3 to be charged expressed in currency units and the consumption amount of virtual currency. For example, the setting information is described so that 1 point corresponds to a charge of 1 yen. By manipulating the setting value of the consumption amount of virtual currency in the setting information, the amount of monetary value that the user should consume when paying the charge to be charged at the device 3 to be charged with virtual currency can be appropriately changed. For example, if 100 points of virtual currency can usually be purchased with 100 yen in cash and a charge of 100 yen is specified in the charging information output from the charging management unit 41 of the device 3 to be charged, if the consumption amount of 80 points is described in the setting information of the data D10, a discount equivalent to 20 yen will be realized. Such a discount does not necessarily have to be set. In addition, the correspondence between the charge and the consumption amount described in the setting information is applicable regardless of the user.

[0029] On the other hand, the discount information of the data D10 of the device management information is information used to discount the consumption amount of the virtual currency specified according to the setting information as a benefit when the consumption situation of the virtual currency by the user satisfies a predetermined discount condition (benefit granting condition). The discount information describes the discount condition and the content of the discount when the discount condition is satisfied. The discount condition is set in association with the consumption situation of the user at at least one charge target device 3 in the store 2. For example, the discount condition is set so as to be satisfied when the user consumes the virtual currency at a specific charge target device 3 selected from a plurality of charge target devices 3 installed in the store 2. The discount condition may further include a time requirement or a quantity requirement. For example, the discount condition may be satisfied when the user consumes a certain amount or more of the virtual currency at a specific charge target device 3 within a certain period of time. To give a specific example, when a user uses a vending machine as a charge target device, the discount condition can be set so that a discount is implemented if the user consumes a certain amount or more of the virtual currency at a specific game machine within a certain period of time from that time. In this case, if the game machine is the first charge target device that is the target of determining whether or not the discount condition is satisfied, and the vending machine is the second charge target device that is the target of the discount, the discount condition and the content of the discount (discount amount or discount rate) may be described in association with the device ID of the first charge target device 3 in the discount information of the data D10 of the device management information associated with the device ID of the second charge target device 3. In other words, the discount condition and the discount content may be described in the data D10 of the device management information corresponding to the device ID of the charge target device 3 that should be the target of the discount. However, the charge target device that is the target of the discount (the above-mentioned second charge target device) may be all the charge target devices 3 installed in the store 2, or may be limited to some of the charge target devices 3. In addition, the discount information may be recorded in the storage unit 45 as data different from the data D10 of the device management information associated with the device ID.

[0030] The data D11 of the settlement history information is data that records the history of the settlement process for the charges generated by each of the charging target devices 3 in store 2. In the data D11 of the settlement history information, for each settlement process, information necessary to distinguish the settlement details such as the processing date and time, device ID, card ID, and consumption amount of virtual currency is recorded. By searching the data D11 of the settlement history information using the card ID, it is possible to grasp the consumption status of the user's virtual currency in store 2 and determine whether the discount conditions are met or not.

[0031] Figure 4 shows a more specific example of the discount using the above-described discount information. Suppose the user purchases the charged item a1 at the first charging target device 3A in exchange for the consumption of Na points of virtual currency. In the data D11 of the settlement history information, information indicating such settlement details is recorded at any time. Subsequently, suppose the user purchases some charged item at the second charging target device 3B within the same store 2. In the data D10 of the device management information corresponding to the second charging target device 3B, as a discount condition, it is set that the user has consumed virtual currency of Nc points (<Na points) or more at the first charging target device 3A within a certain period. When that condition is satisfied, it is set as the content of the discount that the consumption amount of virtual currency is discounted by Nb points. In this case, when the user purchases some charged item at the second charging target device 3B, the discount condition and the discount content are specified using the data D10 of the device management information corresponding to the second charging target device 3B, and it is determined whether there is a record of a settlement that satisfies the discount condition in the data D11 of the settlement history information using the user's card ID and the device ID corresponding to the first charging target device 3A as a clue. And when the record exists, assuming that the discount condition is satisfied, the consumption amount of virtual currency for the charge of the second charging target device 3B is discounted by Nb points with respect to the original consumption amount determined according to the setting information for the same device 3B. Note that the discount content may be set so that a paid item is provided to the user for free. That is, a non-charging mode is also included in the concept of a discount for a charge.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 3, the management PC 12 is provided with a setting management unit 46 as a logical device for allowing the manager of the store 2 to appropriately set the setting information and discount information of the data D10 of the device management information. The setting management unit 46 presents the setting terminal PC 13 with a management page as a Web page for viewing the setting information and discount information of the data D10 of the device management information, or for changing the setting information and discount information. Therefore, the manager of the store 2 can access the management page provided by the management PC 12 using the Web browsing function of the setting terminal PC 13, check the setting status of the setting information and discount information, and appropriately change the correspondence between the fee and the consumption amount of virtual currency, the discount conditions, or the discount content when the discount conditions are satisfied. Using this function allows flexible fee setting and discount setting.

[0033] Next, the process executed in the payment system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 shows the procedure of the process when the user consumes virtual currency in response to the charge generated in the charge target device 3. When the user selects a mode, an item, etc. as a charge item in the charge target device 3, the charge management unit 41 of the charge target device 3 starts the process of FIG. 4 assuming that a charge has occurred, and first, determines the charge item, etc. (which may include the quantity) based on the information from the operation control unit 7 (step S11). Next, the charge management unit 41 calculates the fee (charge amount) to be charged according to the determination result of step S1, and notifies the reader 11 of the charge information specifying the fee (step S12). When the information management unit 42 of the reader 11 receives the charge information from the charge target device 3, it stores the charge information and then starts the process of FIG. 5. First, it activates the ID reading unit 43 to prepare for reading the card ID, and when the user performs an operation to read the card ID in response to this (for example, an operation of touching the card 4 to the reader 11), the card ID of the card 4 is read (step S21). Next, the information management unit 42 notifies the management PC 12 of the read card ID, its own device ID, and the previously stored billing management information (step S22).

[0034] When the transaction control unit 44 of the management PC 12 receives the device ID and the like from the reader 11, it identifies the data D10 of the device management information corresponding to the device ID, and determines the consumption amount of virtual currency to be consumed by the user corresponding to the fee specified in the billing information based on the setting information recorded in the data D10 of the device management information (step S31). Next, the transaction control unit 44 performs discount processing by referring to the discount information and the payment history data D11 recorded in the data D10 of the device management information (step S32). For example, the transaction control unit 44 uses the card ID notified from the reader 11 as a key to extract information on the user's payment processing from the data D11 of the payment history information, and determines whether the user's consumption situation satisfies the discount conditions recorded in the discount information according to the extracted information. Then, if the discount conditions are satisfied, the transaction control unit 44 discounts the consumption amount determined in step S31 according to the discount contents described in the discount information, and finally determines the discounted consumption amount as the amount of virtual currency to be consumed by the user. If the discount conditions are not satisfied or if the discount conditions are not set in the data D10 of the device management information, the transaction control unit 44 determines the consumption amount determined in step S31 as the final consumption amount as it is. After processing in step S32, the transaction control unit 44 requests the server system 20 to make a settlement by attaching transaction information specifying the store code stored in the memory unit 45, the card ID received from the reader 11, and the consumption amount of virtual currency determined in step S32 (step S33).

[0035] Upon receiving a payment request from the management PC 12, the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 obtains the user ID corresponding to the card ID from the user information data D1, and subtracts the consumption amount specified in the transaction information from the balance of the virtual currency account recorded in the balance information data D2 in association with the user ID, thereby making the user consume the amount of virtual currency corresponding to the billing item (step S41). However, if the balance does not meet the consumption amount, the consumption is stopped. After that, the transaction control unit 34 notifies the management PC 12 of the payment result (step S42). If the consumption amount is successfully subtracted, the payment is completed, and if the consumption is not possible due to insufficient balance, the payment is notified of as a failure. Note that, when making the payment, the server system 20 also executes recording of the transaction information data D3 and the consumption information data D4, but the description of these processes will be omitted.

[0036] The transaction control unit 44 of the management PC 12 notifies the reader 11 of the charge target device 3 where the charge has been generated of the result notified from the server system 20 (step S34). Next, the transaction control unit 44 records the payment details of this payment process, i.e., the processing date and time, device ID, card ID, and the amount of virtual currency consumed, in the data D11 of the payment history information (step S35). In addition, in response to the notification of the result of the payment process from the management PC 12, the information management unit 42 of the reader 11 further notifies the result to the charge management unit 41 of the charge target device 3 (step S25). Note that when the payment process is performed between the management PC 12 and the server system 20, in order to identify which process corresponds to which charge has been generated on which charge target device 3, the payment requests are distinguished from each other by using, for example, a transaction ID for each payment request in step S33.

[0037] When the billing management unit 41 of the billing target device 3 receives the payment result from the reader 11, it notifies the operation control unit 7 of the result (step S13). If the payment is complete, the operation control unit 7 provides a service according to the user's selection. For example, the operation control unit 7 starts a game in the mode selected by the user, or continues the game the user is playing, or gives the user an item purchased by the user. If the payment is unsuccessful, the operation control unit 7 executes, for example, a predetermined error process.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a procedure of processing when the manager of the store 2 operates the data D10 of the device management information using the setting terminal PC13. When the manager starts the Web browser of the setting terminal PC13 and specifies the URL of the management page of the management PC12, the setting terminal PC13 requests the management PC12 to access the management page (step S51). In response to this, the setting management unit 46 of the management PC12 transmits the data of the management page to the setting terminal PC13 (step S61). When the manager updates the setting value of the data D10 of the device management information related to any of the chargeable devices 3 using the setting terminal PC13, the updated information is provided from the setting terminal PC13 to the management PC12 (step S52). In response to this, the setting management unit 46 of the management PC12 updates the data D10 of the device management information according to the updated information (step S62). Next, the setting management unit 46 transmits the updated data D10 of the device management information together with the store code to the server system 20 (step S63). In response to this, the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 updates the equipment management information data D10 stored in the management PC information data D7 in correspondence with the store code with the new data D10 provided by the management PC 12 (step S71).

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate. Modifications will be described below in order. In the above embodiment, the charge management unit 41 of the charge target device 3 notifies the reader 11 of the charge as charging information, and the management PC 12 determines the consumption amount corresponding to the charge. Alternatively, in step S12 of FIG. 5, the charge management unit 41 of the charge target device 3 may output the charge item and the amount as charging information, and in step S31, the transaction control unit 44 of the management PC 12 may calculate the consumption amount of virtual currency according to the charge item and the amount. In this case, information describing the correspondence between the charge item and the consumption amount of virtual currency per item (unit consumption amount) may be stored as setting information in the data D10 of the device management information in the storage unit 45.

[0040] It is also possible to have the reader 11 determine the consumption amount of virtual currency (including discount processing) by distributing the data D10 of the device management information to each reader 11 and storing it in the memory unit of the reader 11. However, the consumption amount determined by the reader 11 may be provided to the management PC 12, and the discount processing may be performed by the management PC 12 to instruct the reader 11 on the final consumption amount. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the reader 11 is connected to the billing target device 3 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally, and information is taken in from the billing target device 3 to the reader 11, but a conventional reader, that is, a reader that notifies the billing target device 3 of a settlement completion signal without reading out information from the billing target device, may be used for at least some of the billing target devices.

[0041] The determination of the consumption amount of virtual currency and the discount process can also be performed by the server system 20. In this case, the data D10 of the setting information of the management PC 12 is recorded in the data D7 of the management PC information in association with the store code, and the contents of the payment process are also recorded in the data D4 of the consumption information. Therefore, the store system 10 can request the server system 20 to make a payment by attaching transaction information specifying the store code, the device ID, the card ID, and the billing information, and can use the data D4 and D7 to determine the consumption amount and perform the discount process. An example of the processing procedure is shown in FIG. 7. In this example, when the information management unit 42 of the reader 11 executes steps S21 and S22 and notifies the management PC 12 of the card ID, the device ID, and the billing information, the transaction control unit 44 of the management PC 12 adds the device ID to the notified information to generate transaction information, and requests the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 to make a payment by attaching the transaction information (step S33a). In response to this, the transaction control unit 34 accesses the data D7 of the management PC information corresponding to the store code, identifies the data D10 of the device management information corresponding to the store code and the device ID, and determines the consumption amount of the virtual currency corresponding to the billing information according to the setting information included in the data D10 (step S31a). Next, the transaction control unit 34 performs a discount process by referring to the discount information included in the data D10 identified in step S31a (step S32a), and determines the final consumption amount of the virtual currency. Furthermore, the transaction control unit 34 executes a settlement process using the card ID provided by the management PC 12 and the billing information acquired from the management PC 12, and consumes the balance of the virtual currency possessed by the user (step S41). After that, the transaction control unit 34 notifies the management PC 12 of the result of the settlement process (step S42). The result is sequentially notified from the management PC 12 to the billing management unit 7 of the billing target device 3 (steps S34, S25). After being notified of the result of the payment process, the transaction control unit 34 of the server system 20 records the details of this payment process in the transaction information data D3 and the consumption information data D7 (step S43).

[0042] According to the process of FIG. 7, the data D4 of the consumption information of the server system 20 is used instead of the data D11 of the payment history information of the management PC 12, so that the management of the payment history information in the management PC 12 can be omitted. If the data D4 of the consumption information of the server system 20 is imported into the management PC 12 in step S32 of FIG. 5, the management of the payment history information in the management PC 12 can be omitted. When the content of the payment process is sequentially recorded in the data D11 of the payment history information in the management PC 12, the data D11 is limited to the content of the payment process corresponding to the charges incurred in the own store 2, and the satisfaction of the discount conditions is determined based on the consumption situation of the user in the own store 2. However, when the data D4 of the consumption information in the server system 20 is used, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the discount is applicable, taking into account the consumption situation of the other store 2. For example, it is possible to refer to the data D4 of consumption information of a plurality of stores 2 related to the same business entity, determine whether or not a user has consumed a certain amount of virtual currency on the first chargeable device 3 in a group of the stores 2, and if the certain amount or more has been consumed, provide a discount on all of the second chargeable devices 3 installed in the group of stores 2. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a discount on the second chargeable device 3 regardless of which store 2 it is, when the user has consumed a certain amount of virtual currency on the first chargeable device 3 in any store 2 without referring to the store code. Note that the management PC 12 essentially functions as an in-store server for each reader 11 in the store 2, but if the function implemented in the management PC 12 is installed in the server system 20, management on a store-by-store basis can be realized without providing a management PC 12 in the store 2.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the discount condition is set in association with the amount of virtual currency consumed by the user. However, instead of or in addition to this, the discount condition can be set in association with the number of consumptions. Furthermore, by referring to the transaction date and time included in the payment history information data D11 or the consumption information data D4, the discount condition may be satisfied when the user uses the billable device 3 at the store 2 for the first time within an appropriate period (for example, one day, one week, or one month). Alternatively, the discount condition may be satisfied when the user uses the billable device 3 consecutively a certain number of times or more at the store 2 or a group of stores 2 related to the same business entity. The consumption status may be determined based on the consumption amount, the number of consumptions, whether it is the first consumption or not, the number of consecutive consumptions, the frequency with which the user consumes virtual currency, the average value of the user's consumption within a predetermined unit period, etc.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the reader 11 is directly attached to the billing target device such as the billing target device 3, but the reader 11 may be installed physically away from the billing target device as long as it is connected to the billing target device control unit in a bidirectional manner to receive billing information and notify the result of the settlement process. The reader 11 may be attached to the billing target device 3 so as to be integrated with the billing target device 3 at the time of manufacture of the billing target device 3, or may be attached as a so-called retrofit device after the manufacture of the billing target device 3. In the settlement system 1 of this embodiment, it is necessary to implement a program for configuring the billing management unit 41 in the billing target device 3, and when the reader 11 is retrofitted, the billing target device 3 needs to be modified. However, it is sufficient to add to the billing target device 3 a function for extracting billing information, i.e., the charge to be charged, or billing items and quantities, from a control unit necessary for the original operation control of the billing target device 3, such as the operation control unit 7, and providing it to the reader 11, and receiving the result of the settlement process from the reader 11 and notifying the control unit of the billing target device 3, and the burden of the modification is relatively small.

[0045] In the above embodiment, a prepaid and thin-client payment system is taken as an example, but the payment system of the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a postpaid payment system. The payment system of the present invention can also be applied to a payment system in which the balance of monetary value is recorded on a medium such as a card and payment is made using the balance information. In addition, even if the balance information is recorded on a medium such as a card, the present invention can also be applied to a payment system in which the balance information is read on the information reading terminal device side, monetary value is consumed from the balance on the management PC or server system side in the store, and the balance information after consumption is written back to the medium such as a card. In this case, the payment reference information obtained from the medium is not only medium identification information such as a card ID, but also balance information, etc. is obtained from the user's medium as payment reference information. On the other hand, in a payment system in which the balance information is not recorded on the medium but is held on the server side, it is sufficient to obtain information required to identify the balance information on the server (the card ID in the above embodiment) from the medium as payment reference information. The content of the payment process is naturally changed appropriately according to the type of the payment system.

[0046] In addition, the payment system of the present invention does not necessarily have to be a server-client type payment system. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, if the virtual currency balance information is stored in the card 4 held by the user, the reader 11 or the management PC 12 determines the amount of virtual currency to be consumed by the user and whether or not a discount is applicable, and based on the results, the payment process is executed between the reader 11 and the card 4, so that the payment system of the present invention can be implemented only by the computer device in the store 2.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the facility where multiple chargeable devices are installed is an amusement facility where at least one gaming machine that is provided for users to play for a fee is installed as a chargeable device, but the present invention is not limited to examples that target payments for chargeable devices installed in such facilities. Furthermore, chargeable devices such as gaming machines are not limited to configurations in which input / output functions for users and various arithmetic processing functions necessary for operation control according to user operations are integrated into a computer device as a single physical device. For example, in the case of a game machine, even if the arithmetic control necessary for the progress of the game is executed on the server side, and a computer device as a client to the server is used as a remote control terminal device that should be responsible for the input / output functions, and multiple computer devices work together to function as a logical game machine, it can be included in the chargeable device of the present invention. Furthermore, game machines include gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachinko slot machines (including slot machines). Therefore, amusement facilities also include game halls where pachinko machines, pachinko slot machines, etc. are installed.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the consumption amount of the other chargeable devices is discounted on the condition that the user consumes virtual currency at a specific chargeable device 3, but the privilege to the user may be given in a form other than a discount. For example, in a service in which points are given to the user only at the same store 2 or a group of stores 2 related to the same entity according to the consumption of virtual currency at a specific store 2, and a prize (for example, a game character product or item) is given to the user according to the number of points acquired, the privilege may be given to the user in a form in which a certain number of points are given to the user in response to the establishment of the privilege-giving condition, or the number of points is increased. In addition, even when a discount is implemented, the target for determining the discount condition and the target for the discount application do not necessarily have to be the chargeable device. For example, it is possible to set it on a charge item basis, such that when a user purchases a specific item at a game machine, some or all of the products at a vending machine are subject to a discount. Furthermore, a means for notifying users inside or outside the store of the implementation of discounts, etc. at facilities such as stores may be provided in the system. For example, the server system 20 may transmit information indicating the discount status of each store 2 to the user terminal device 6, thereby guiding users outside the store to the store 2. Alternatively, the store 2 may be provided with a guide device or the like that notifies users of the discount status of the billable devices 3 in the store, thereby encouraging the use of the billable devices 3 and thereby increasing the consumption of virtual currency at the store 2.

[0049] Various aspects of the present invention derived from the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, reference numerals of the attached drawings are given in parentheses to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0050] A payment system (1) according to one aspect of the present invention is a payment system that executes a payment process to have a user consume monetary value in response to the occurrence of a charge in each of a plurality of charge target devices (3A, 3B, ... 3N), and includes a plurality of information reading devices (11) that are provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of charge target devices, that are held in a medium (4) possessed by the user as information to be referenced in the payment process, and that read payment reference information including medium identification information (e.g., a card ID) unique to each of the media, from the medium in response to the occurrence of the charge, and a payment execution device (12, 20) that executes the payment process by referring to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, and Each of the billable devices is assigned unique device identification information (a device ID, as an example), and the payment execution device is provided with a history recording means (44, S35; 34, S43) which records the contents of the payment processing performed for each charge of the plurality of billable devices in payment history information (D11; D4) in correspondence with the device identification information and the medium identification information, and a bonus granting means (44, S32; 34, S32a) which, when a user uses at least a portion of the plurality of billable devices, determines based on the payment history information whether the user's consumption status of the monetary value satisfies predetermined bonus granting conditions, and grants a predetermined bonus to users who satisfy the bonus granting conditions.

[0051] Also, a benefit management method according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to execute a payment process for having a user consume monetary value in response to the occurrence of a charge at each of a plurality of charge target devices (3A, 3B, ... 3N), the method comprising: a plurality of information reading devices (11) provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of charge target devices, the plurality of information reading devices (11) reading payment reference information from a medium (4) held by the user as information to be referenced in the payment process, the payment reference information including medium identification information (e.g., a card ID) unique to each medium, in response to the occurrence of the charge; and a payment execution device (12, 20) executing the payment process by referring to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, A privilege management method is applied to a payment system (1) in which unique device identification information is set for each of the chargeable devices, and includes a procedure (S35; S43) of recording the contents of the payment process performed for each charge of the plurality of chargeable devices in payment history information (D11; D4) in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information, and a procedure (S32; S32a) of determining, when a user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices, whether the user's consumption status of the monetary value satisfies a predetermined privilege granting condition based on the payment history information, and granting a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege granting condition.

[0052] Furthermore, a computer program according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to execute a payment process for having a user consume monetary value in response to the occurrence of a charge in each of a plurality of charge target devices (3A, 3B, . . . 3N), and includes a plurality of information reading devices (11) that are provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of charge target devices, and that are stored in a medium (4) possessed by the user as information to be referenced in the payment process, and that read payment reference information including medium identification information (e.g., a card ID) unique to each of the media from the medium in response to the occurrence of the charge, and a payment execution device (12, 20) that executes the payment process by referring to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, and each of the plurality of information reading devices is provided with device identification information (e.g., a card ID) unique to each of the charge target devices. A computer program for managing privileges, which is applied to a payment system in which a device ID (device ID) is set, is configured to cause at least one computer (12; 20) provided in the payment system to function as: a history recording means (44, S35; 34, S43) for recording the contents of the payment processing performed for each charge of the plurality of chargeable devices in payment history information (D11; D4) in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information; and a privilege granting means (44, S32; 34, S32a) for determining, when a user uses at least a part of the plurality of chargeable devices, whether or not the user's consumption status of the monetary value satisfies a predetermined privilege granting condition based on the payment history information, and granting a predetermined privilege to a user who satisfies the privilege granting condition.

[0053] According to each aspect of the present invention, the consumption status of the virtual currency of the user with respect to multiple billing target devices is recorded in the payment history information in association with the medium identification information of the medium owned by the user and the device identification information of the billing target devices used by the user. Therefore, if a reward condition is set for the user's use of at least a part of the multiple billing target devices in association with the consumption status of the virtual currency of the user with a specific billing target device (which may be one or multiple devices), a service can be provided that mutually links the charges between the multiple billing target devices to grant a reward to the user.

[0054] In the above embodiment, a combination of computer program modules for operating the administration PC 12 and the server system 20 corresponds to a computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a state stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, the computer program according to the present invention can be installed in a computer and executed, thereby realizing the game system of the present invention using the computer. The storage medium storing the computer program may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0055] In one aspect of the present invention, the bonus granting means may grant the bonus in association with the charge in at least a part of the plurality of charge target devices (for example, charge target device 3B in FIG. 4). According to this, when a user uses at least a part of the charge target devices, it is determined whether or not the user's consumption situation satisfies a predetermined bonus granting condition by referring to the payment history information, and if it does, some bonus can be granted for the charge of the charge target device that the user is about to use. For example, a bonus can be granted such as a discount on a part or all of the amount of virtual currency that the user should consume for the use of the charge target device.

[0056] The reward condition may be set in association with consumption of the monetary value corresponding to a charge in a first charge target device (for example, charge target device 3A in FIG. 4) selected from the plurality of charge target devices, and the reward granting means may grant the reward in association with a charge in a second charge target device (for example, charge target device 3B in FIG. 4) selected from the plurality of charge target devices and different from the first charge target device. In this way, if a user consumes virtual currency in a first charge target device so as to satisfy the reward condition, the user can receive a reward associated with a charge in the second charge target device when using the second charge target device thereafter. This creates a synergistic effect in the use of the first and second charge target devices, and motivates the user to use those charge target devices.

[0057] Furthermore, the plurality of chargeable devices may be configured as commercial devices installed in a predetermined facility (2) by a predetermined business entity, and the first chargeable device and the second chargeable device may be selected from a group of chargeable devices installed in the same facility, or a group of chargeable devices installed in a plurality of facilities related to the same business entity. In this way, a privilege associated with the charging of the chargeable devices is granted within the range of the same business entity. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of settlements between a plurality of business entities related to the granting of privileges, and to reduce the effort required for accounting.

[0058] The facility may further be provided with a privilege setting means (46, S62) for changing at least one of the privilege granting conditions and the contents of the privilege, so that the privilege granting conditions and the contents of the privilege can be appropriately changed according to the convenience of the business entity or manager of the facility.

[0059] The payment system according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a billing management means (41, S12) provided in the billing target device, which generates and outputs billing information for determining the contents of the billing in response to the occurrence of the billing. In this case, the information reading device reads the payment reference information from the medium in response to the output of the billing information from the billing management means, and the payment execution device is provided with a consumption amount determination means (44, S31; 34, S31a) for determining the amount of monetary value to be consumed by the user in response to the billing information output from the billing management means in accordance with setting information of a correspondence relationship between the contents of the billing determined based on the billing information and the amount of monetary value to be consumed by the user, and a payment execution means (44, 34, S33, S41; 44, 34, S33a, S41) for executing the payment process based on the payment reference information and the determination result of the consumption amount determination means, and the bonus granting means may grant the bonus by reducing the amount of monetary value determined by the consumption amount determination means. According to this, even if there are differences in the configuration of each billing target device, if the devices are provided with billing management means and are made to output billing information, the amount of monetary value to be consumed by the user corresponding to the billing information can be determined, and if a predetermined benefit provision condition is met, the amount of consumption can be reduced and a benefit can be provided to the user. Therefore, even if the devices do not support discounts, etc., that are provided by linking devices with each other, it is possible to determine discounts, etc., during the payment process on the payment execution device side.

[0060] In a payment system according to one aspect of the present invention, each of the information reading devices may be configured as a device physically different from the billing target device and may be attached to the billing target device in a state in which it can communicate with the billing target device. In this way, the information reading device is configured as a separate device from the billing target device, and the information reading terminal device can be attached not only when the billing target device is manufactured, but also to existing billing target devices that are already in operation. Furthermore, if a function for detecting billing details and generating billing information is added to the existing billing target device, it is possible to execute a payment process according to the present invention while using the billing information extracted from the billing target device and the payment reference information read by the information reading device.

[0061] In the payment system according to one aspect of the present invention, at least some of the plurality of chargeable devices may be gaming machines. In this way, in an amusement facility where the gaming machines are installed, the gaming machines can be linked to each other or to other chargeable devices, and a privilege can be given to a user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Payment system 2 stores (amusement facilities) 3A, 3B Chargeable devices (amusement machines) 4. Card (media owned by the user) 7. Operation control section 10 Store System 11 Reader (information reading terminal device) 12 Management PC 13 Setting terminal PC 14 Contractor terminal PC 15 Router 16 In-store LAN 17 Wireless LAN Access Points 20 Server System 31 Transaction Management System 32 Currency Control System 33 Accounting System 34 Transaction control unit (payment execution means, consumption amount determination means) 41 Charge management unit (charge management means) 44 Transaction control unit (consumption amount determination means, payment execution means) 46 Setting management unit (benefit setting means)

Claims

[Claim 1] A payment system that executes a payment process to have a user consume monetary value in response to the generation of charges in each of a plurality of charge target devices, comprising: a plurality of information reading devices provided in correspondence with the plurality of billable devices, each of which reads, from a medium possessed by the user, payment reference information that is stored in the medium as information to be referenced in the payment process and includes medium identification information that is unique to each of the media, in response to the generation of the bill; a payment execution device that executes the payment process by referring to the payment reference information read by each information reading device, unique device identification information is set for each of the plurality of information reading devices, The payment execution device includes: a history recording means for recording details of a payment process performed for each of the plurality of billing target devices in payment history information in association with the device identification information and the medium identification information; a reward granting means for determining, when a user uses at least a part of the plurality of charge target devices, whether or not a consumption state of the monetary value of the user satisfies a predetermined reward granting condition based on the payment history information, and granting a predetermined reward to the user who satisfies the reward granting condition; A payment system is provided.

Images