Valuable value management system, valuable value management device, valuable value management program

Abstract

A valuable management system, a valuable management device, and a valuable management program are provided that can accurately manage the validity period of valuables that can be used by players. In the valuable management system 1A, the expiration date of electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101A is managed based on the validity period of each record. For example, in the valuable management system 1A, the usability determination means 105 determines whether the electronic money can be used by determining the validity period of the electronic money of the record as a predetermined period from the "addition date" recorded in the record.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valuable management system, a valuable management device, and a valuable management program that manage valuables that can be used by players when borrowing gaming media used for playing on gaming machines from a gaming parlor. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, gaming parlors have provided games using gaming machines such as "pachinko gaming machines" that use gaming balls as gaming media and "slot machine" that use gaming medals as gaming media. In recent years, so-called "smart gaming machines" have been introduced, such as "pachinko gaming machines" that circulate gaming balls inside the machine, allowing players to play using gaming points, which are electronic data, without touching the gaming balls, and "slot machine" that allows players to play using gaming points, which are electronic data, without using gaming medals at all.

[0003] When playing on such a gaming machine, a player inserts cash into a card unit attached to the gaming machine, borrows gaming media such as gaming balls, gaming medals, or gaming points, and consumes the gaming media on the gaming machine to progress through the game. Furthermore, if there is a balance remaining on the cash inserted into the gaming device at the end of a game, an IC card associated with the remaining balance is ejected from the gaming device based on the player's operation of an operation button or the like. Many gaming establishments operate in such a way that, for example, only on the day of play, the IC card is accepted by a cashier installed in the gaming establishment, allowing the remaining balance to be paid out in cash.

[0004] In addition to the method of directly inserting cash into the card unit, a player can also insert cash into a card issuing machine installed in the gaming parlor and purchase prepaid value that can be used in games in advance to play. In this case, when the prepaid value is purchased at the card issuing machine, an IC card associated with the prepaid value is ejected from the card issuing machine, and by having the IC card accepted by a gaming device, the player can borrow gaming media in exchange for the prepaid value being deducted, and can progress in the game by consuming the gaming media on the gaming machine.

[0005] Here, many gaming establishments that offer games using the above-mentioned prepaid value have introduced a prepaid management system in which a third-party prepaid settlement center manages the value of prepaid cards purchased by players. In this prepaid management system, a management device installed on the gaming establishment side communicates with the prepaid settlement center and notifies the prepaid settlement center of information regarding the value of prepaid cards purchased at the card issuing machine, and information regarding the value of prepaid cards is managed in an integrated manner by the prepaid settlement center.

[0006] Furthermore, if an issuer of prepaid value does not set a specified validity period for the prepaid value it issues, it will be subject to the Fund Settlement Act (hereinafter, the Fund Settlement Act will be referred to as the Fund Settlement Act), and will therefore be required to deposit an issuance security deposit. On the other hand, if the issuer sets a validity period of a certain period (e.g., six months) for the prepaid value it issues, it will be exempt from the Fund Settlement Act, and will therefore not be required to deposit an issuance security deposit. Therefore, the issuer mentioned above manages the validity period of a certain period (e.g., six months) set for the prepaid value it issues for each IC card, for example, using the management device mentioned above.

[0007] Meanwhile, in Japan, the government is promoting the use of so-called cashless payments, such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money, and code payments, and the industry is working to create an environment that allows cashless payments. Therefore, even in the gaming industry, where prepaid value can currently only be purchased with cash, there is a demand for the ability to purchase prepaid value using cashless payments. Furthermore, if this demand were realized, for example, prepaid value purchased using cashless payments at a card issuing machine would be associated with an IC card. After a player starts playing after debiting a portion of the prepaid value associated with the IC card, a remaining balance could remain in the prepaid value associated with the IC card due to a jackpot or other event. In such cases, it is necessary to be able to settle the remaining balance of the prepaid value.

[0008] Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming management system having an inter-machine card processing machine 10 (gaming device) that allows the purchase of prepaid value (prepaid valuable value) by inserting cash and by cashless payment using a terminal device 110 carried by a player. This gaming management system allows the settlement of remaining prepaid value that has not been used in a game after a game in which prepaid value purchased using cashless payment is used; for example, when there is remaining prepaid value, a card associated with the prepaid value is ejected from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and by having this card read by a settlement machine 80, settlement can be made by dispensing cash or by adding the balance for cashless payment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7466279 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Incidentally, cashless payments include card payments, which have been commonly used in the past, such as credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards, in which the payment amount is deducted as the card is used, as well as code payments and contactless payments, in which a management area similar to an account is set up on a system where electronic money, which is electronic value, can be recorded and managed, and electronic money is deposited into this management area in advance using cash or a credit card, and payments are made using that electronic money. Code payments, for example, use a mobile device such as a smartphone to make payments using an optically readable code (e.g., a two-dimensional code or a barcode) displayed on the screen of the mobile device, while contactless payments, for example, use an IC chip built into a mobile device or an IC card, and make payments by holding this IC chip over a payment terminal.

[0011] For example, when a system that allows players to purchase prepaid value for gaming via cashless payment is introduced in the gaming industry, it is expected that players will be able to purchase prepaid value using electronic money that they have deposited in advance in a management area. In that case, in order to attract players, each gaming establishment may establish its own management area for managing electronic money, and have players who wish to play at that gaming establishment deposit electronic money in advance in this management area and use that electronic money to purchase prepaid value. In such a case, since the electronic money deposited in the management area is also a type of prepaid value, it will be necessary to manage the validity period of the electronic money deposited in the management area in addition to the current management of the validity period of the prepaid value at gaming establishments.

[0012] Furthermore, the settlement of the remaining prepaid value after a game may be carried out by adding to the balance for cashless payment (adding to the balance by depositing electronic money into the management area), as in the gaming management system of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. In this case, the management area of ​​the system will contain a mixture of electronic money deposited in advance by the player and electronic money that was once used to purchase prepaid value for a game and then deposited again into the management area by settling the remaining amount of prepaid value, making it necessary to manage the validity period according to the date of deposit from the player and the date of deposit by settling the remaining amount.

[0013] In particular, if the start date of the validity period of the electronic money managed in the management area is overwritten and updated to match the deposit date each time electronic money is deposited, either through advance deposit or by settling the remaining balance, the start date of the validity period of the electronic money managed in the management area will be updated to a date that precedes the deposit date, which will cause the start date of the validity period of the electronic money to deviate from the original deposit date of the electronic money, making it difficult to accurately manage the validity period.Therefore, there is a need for a system that can accurately manage the validity period of electronic money managed in the management area, even when cashless payments are introduced and it becomes possible to purchase prepaid valuables using electronic money that has been deposited in the management area in advance.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a valuable management system, a valuable management device, and a valuable management program that can accurately manage the validity period of valuables that can be used by players. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the valuable management system of the present invention is for managing valuables that can be used by a player, and comprises: valuable management means for managing the valuables; cashless adding means for making a deposit request to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from a player, and adding the valuable deposited from the settlement center by the execution of the cashless settlement to the valuable management means; charge execution means for subtracting the valuable managed by the valuable management means based on a charge execution request that requests association of the valuable with a recording medium, and associating the subtracted valuable with the recording medium by a gaming device; and settlement of the remaining amount of the valuable associated with the recording medium. and a usability determination means for determining whether the valuable managed by the value management means can be used, wherein each time the valuable is added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means, the valuable management means links the added amount and the addition date, which are the date on which the addition was made, to each other and records them, and the usability determination means determines that a predetermined period from the addition date is the validity period of the valuable, and determines that the valuable within the validity period is usable valuable, which is the usable value, and determines that the valuable outside the validity period is unusable.

[0016] In the above invention, when there are values ​​among the usable values ​​with different addition dates, the charge execution means may subtract from the usable values ​​in order starting with the value with the oldest addition date, and may add up the values ​​within the usable amount, which is the total amount of the usable values, and associate them with the recording medium.

[0017] In the above invention, when adding the valuable, the cashless addition means notifies the valuable management means of the type of cashless payment performed by the payment center, and the valuable management means records the attributes of the valuable, including the type, linked to the addition amount and the addition date, thereby managing the valuable for each attribute, and when the usable valuable has different attributes, the charge execution means calculates an attribute-specific usable amount, which is the total amount of the usable valuable for each attribute, and identifies the attribute where this attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the specified amount specified in the charge execution request and which includes the usable valuable with the older addition date, and subtracts only the usable value for the identified attribute.

[0018] In the above invention, when adding the valuable, the settlement addition means notifies the valuable management means that the valuable to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and the attribute includes that the valuable is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and the valuable management means, based on the notification from the settlement addition means, records as the attribute that the valuable added by the settlement addition means is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and may manage the valuable added by the cashless addition means and the valuable added by the settlement addition means separately.

[0019] In the above invention, the charge execution means associates the value to which the type is linked with the recording medium, and the settlement addition means, when adding the value, notifies the value management means of the type linked to the value associated with the recording medium, and the value management means, based on the notification from the settlement addition means, records the type as an attribute of the value added by the settlement addition means, and may manage the value added by the cashless addition means and the value added by the settlement addition means together by type.

[0020] In the above invention, the charge execution means associates the value to which the attribute is linked with the recording medium, and the settlement addition means, when adding the value, notifies the value management means that the value to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and the attribute includes that the value is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and the value management means, based on the notification from the settlement addition means, records as the attribute that the value added by the settlement addition means is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and manages the value added by the cashless addition means and the value added by the settlement addition means separately, and may manage the value added by the cashless addition means by type.

[0021] In the above invention, the device may have a settlement execution instruction means for instructing a settlement machine capable of settling the remaining balance in cash to settle the remaining balance, and the settlement execution instruction means may determine whether or not the remaining balance can be settled in cash depending on the type linked to the valuable associated with the recording medium.

[0022] In the above invention, the settlement adding means may determine whether or not to settle the remaining amount depending on the type linked to the value associated with the recording medium.

[0023] In the above invention, the gaming device is provided with a display means capable of displaying information, and the gaming device may display on the display means at least one of whether or not the remaining amount can be settled in cash for the valuable associated with the recording medium currently being accepted, depending on the judgment of the settlement execution instruction means as to whether or not the remaining amount can be settled in cash.

[0024] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the valuable management device of the present invention is a valuable management device for managing valuables that can be used by a player, and includes: valuable management means for managing the valuables; cashless adding means for making a deposit request to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from a player, and adding the valuable deposited from the settlement center by executing the cashless settlement to the valuable management means; charge execution means for subtracting the valuable managed by the valuable management means based on a charge execution request that requests association of the valuable with a recording medium, and associating the subtracted value with the recording medium by a gaming device; The system has a settlement addition means that adds the value equivalent to the remaining amount to the value management means based on a settlement execution request that requests settlement, and settles the remaining amount, and a usability determination means that determines whether the value managed by the value management means can be used, wherein each time the value is added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means, the value management means links the added amount and the addition date, which are the date on which the addition was made, and records them together, and the usability determination means determines a predetermined period from the addition date as the validity period of the value, and determines the value within the validity period as usable value, which is the usable value, and determines the value outside the validity period as unusable.

[0025] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the valuable management program of the present invention is a valuable management program for managing valuables that can be used by a player, and includes a cashless addition procedure for making a deposit request to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from a player, and adding the valuable deposited from the settlement center by the execution of the cashless settlement to a valuable management area that manages the valuable; a charge execution procedure for subtracting the valuable managed in the valuable management area based on a charge execution request that requests association of the valuable with a recording medium, and associating the subtracted valuable with the recording medium by a gaming device; and a settlement execution procedure for requesting settlement of the remaining amount of the valuable associated with the recording medium. The method includes a settlement addition procedure for adding the value equivalent to the remaining amount to the value management area and settling the remaining amount based on the cashless addition procedure or the settlement addition procedure, a recording procedure for linking and recording the addition amount, which is the amount added, and the addition date, which is the date on which the addition was made, each time the value is added to the value management area by the cashless addition procedure or the settlement addition procedure, and a usability determination procedure for determining whether the value managed in the value management area can be used, wherein in the usability determination procedure, a predetermined period from the addition date is set as the validity period of the value, and the value within the validity period is determined as usable value, which is the usable value, and the value outside the validity period is determined as unusable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the value management system of the present invention, which is for managing value that can be used by players, it comprises a value management means for managing the value, a cashless addition means for making a deposit request to a payment center that executes cashless payment based on a deposit execution request from a player and adding the value deposited from the payment center upon execution of cashless payment to the value management means, a charge execution means for subtracting the value managed by the value management means based on a charge execution request that requests association of the value with a recording medium and associating the subtracted value with the recording medium by the gaming device, a settlement addition means for adding the value equivalent to the remaining amount to the value management means and settling the remaining amount based on a settlement execution request that requests settlement of the remaining amount of the value associated with the recording medium, and a usability determination means for determining whether the value managed by the value management means can be used. The value management means links the added amount and the addition date to each other and records them each time the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means adds the value, and the usability determination means determines a predetermined period from the addition date as the validity period of the value, and determines value within the validity period as usable value and value outside the validity period as unusable. Therefore, the addition date recorded by the value management means each time the value is added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means is used as the starting date, and the validity period of each value added on that addition date can be accurately managed. Furthermore, because it is possible to determine whether the value can be used based on this validity period, it is possible to accurately grasp whether the value can be used based on the accurately managed validity period.

[0027] According to the value management system of the present invention, when the usable value includes values ​​with different addition dates, the charge execution means subtracts the usable value from the usable value in order from the oldest addition date, and adds up the values ​​within the usable amount and associates them with the recording medium. Thus, when a player wishes to use the value managed by the value management means in a game, the player can associate the usable value with the recording medium within the usable amount and use it in a game without being particularly aware of the validity period. Furthermore, when the charge execution means associates the value with the recording medium based on a charge execution request, the usable value is subtracted in order from the oldest addition date, so that usable value with the oldest addition date is not left behind, allowing for appropriate value management.

[0028] According to the value management system of the present invention, when adding value, the cashless adding means notifies the value management means of the type of cashless payment executed by the payment center, and the value management means records attributes of the value, including the type of cashless payment, in association with the amount added and the date of addition, and can manage the value for each attribute. This makes it possible to manage the value for each attribute depending on the type of cashless payment executed by the payment center, such as prepayment, which uses electronic money deposited in advance to make the payment, immediate payment, which makes the payment by immediately debiting the payment amount from an account for each payment, and deferred payment, which makes the payment amount for a certain period of time to be paid in a lump sum later, as typified by the use of a credit card. Furthermore, when there are usable values ​​with different attributes, the charge execution means calculates the attribute-specific usable amount, identifies the attribute where this attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the specified amount specified in the charge execution request and includes the usable value with the older addition date, and subtracts only the usable value for the identified attribute. In this way, when the charge execution means associates the value with the recording medium, only the value linked to one type of cashless payment can be associated with the recording medium and used for gaming, without mixing values ​​with different attributes (in other words, value deposited through different types of cashless payment). This facilitates management of the value associated with the recording medium. Furthermore, the charge execution means identifies the attribute with the attribute-specific usable amount equal to or greater than the specified amount, and subtracts the usable value with the older addition date from the usable value with the older addition date from the usable value of the identified attribute, preventing the usable value with the older addition date from remaining. This allows for appropriate management of the value.

[0029] According to the valuable management system of the present invention, when adding a valuable, the settlement adding means notifies the valuable management means that the value to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount. The attributes of the valuable include that the valuable is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and the valuable management means records, based on the notification from the settlement adding means, the attribute of the value added by the settlement adding means that it is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and manages the value added by the cashless adding means and the value added by the settlement adding means separately. This makes it possible to operate separate processes that can be executed for the value added by the cashless adding means and the value added by the settlement adding means. For example, the value added by the cashless addition means can be managed as being able to be linked to a recording medium for use in games or used to pay for other goods and services like regular electronic money, while the value added by the settlement addition means as settlement of the remaining balance after being linked to a recording medium can be managed in such a way that it can be linked to a recording medium for use again in games, but cannot be used for other payments like regular electronic money.

[0030] According to the valuable management system of the present invention, the charge execution means associates the valuable linked to the type of cashless payment with the recording medium, and the settlement and addition means, when adding the valuable, notifies the value management means of the type of cashless payment linked to the valuable linked to the recording medium, and the valuable management means, based on the notification from the settlement and addition means, records the type of cashless payment for the valuable added by the settlement and addition means as an attribute of the valuable, and manages the value added by the cashless adding means and the value added by the settlement and addition means together by type. Thus, for example, in a case where the value management means manages value deposited by real-time payment and value deposited by deferred payment, the value added by the settlement and addition means can also be managed together as either value deposited by real-time payment or value deposited by deferred payment, depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the valuable. Furthermore, for all of the value added to the value management means by the cashless adding means, the value associated with the recording medium by the charge execution means, and the value added to the value management means by the settlement adding means, it becomes possible to distinguish and manage the value by cashless payment type, for example, whether it is an immediate payment or a deferred payment. In particular, for the value associated with the recording medium, by linking it to the type of cashless payment, it becomes possible to manage the processing of the recording medium separately according to the type. For example, for immediate payment, it becomes possible to manage the remaining balance by cash dispensing, but for deferred payment, it becomes impossible to settle the remaining balance by cash dispensing. In this way, for example, if the value associated with the recording medium was deposited by executing an immediate payment, it becomes possible to settle the remaining balance by cash dispensing, while if the value associated with the recording medium was deposited by executing a deferred payment, it becomes possible to operate in such a way that the remaining balance can be settled by cash dispensing.This makes it possible to prevent, for example, valuables deposited using a credit card from being used to convert the credit card's settlement amount into cash.

[0031] According to the valuable management system of the present invention, the charge execution means associates the valuable linked with the attribute of electronic money with the recording medium, and the settlement and addition means, when adding the valuable, notifies the valuable management means that the added value is due to the settlement of the remaining amount. Furthermore, the attribute of the valuable includes that the valuable is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and the valuable management means, based on the notification from the settlement and addition means, records as an attribute of the value added by the settlement and addition means that it is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and further manages the value added by the cashless adding means and the value added by the settlement and addition means separately, and manages the value added by the cashless adding means by type of cashless payment. In this way, the value added by the cashless addition means can be managed separately, for example, between value deposited by immediate payment settlement and value deposited by deferred payment settlement, and the value added by the settlement addition means can be managed separately from the value added by the cashless addition means.

[0032] According to the valuable management system of the present invention, there is provided a settlement execution instruction means for instructing a settlement machine capable of settling the remaining amount of valuable in cash to execute settlement of the remaining amount of valuable, and this settlement execution instruction means determines whether or not to execute settlement of the remaining amount in cash depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the valuable associated with the recording medium. In this way, the settlement execution instruction means controls the settlement machine to manage whether or not to execute settlement by cash dispensing depending on the type of cashless payment, for example, immediate payment or deferred payment.

[0033] According to the value management system of the present invention, the settlement adding means determines whether or not to settle the remaining balance depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the value associated with the recording medium. This makes it possible to vary the settlement of the remaining balance depending on the type of cashless payment.

[0034] According to the valuable management system of the present invention, a gaming device is provided with display means capable of displaying information, and the gaming device displays on the display means at least either whether or not the remaining amount of valuable associated with the currently accepted recording medium can be settled in cash, depending on the determination by the settlement execution instruction means of whether or not the remaining amount can be settled in cash. In this way, for example, it is possible to confirm in advance from the display on the display means whether or not the remaining amount of valuable associated with the recording medium can be settled in cash, so that if settlement in cash is not possible, the player can play on the assumption that he will use up the valuable, and if settlement in cash is possible, the player can play on the assumption that settlement in cash will be possible even if he interrupts play without using up the valuable.

[0035] According to the value management device of the present invention, which is for managing value that can be used by a player, it has a value management means for managing the value, a cashless addition means for making a deposit request to a payment center that executes cashless payment based on a deposit execution request from the player and adding the value deposited from the payment center upon execution of the cashless payment to the value management means, a charge execution means for subtracting the value managed by the value management means based on a charge execution request that requests association of the value with a recording medium and associating the subtracted value with the recording medium by the gaming device, a settlement addition means for adding the value equivalent to the remaining amount to the value management means and settling the remaining amount based on a settlement execution request that requests settlement of the remaining amount of the value associated with the recording medium, and a usability determination means for determining whether the value managed by the value management means can be used. Then, each time the cashless adding means or the settlement adding means adds the valuable, the added amount and the addition date, which are the date on which the addition was made, are linked to each other and recorded by the valuable management means, and the usability determining means determines that the valuable is valid for a predetermined period from the addition date, and determines that the valuable is valid within the validity period as usable valuable, and determines that the valuable is valid outside the validity period as unusable. This can achieve the same effects as the valuable management system described above.

[0036] The value management program of the present invention is for managing the value that can be used by a player, and includes a cashless addition procedure in which, based on a deposit execution request from a player, a deposit request is made to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement, and the value deposited from the settlement center upon execution of the cashless settlement is added to a value management area that manages the value; a charge execution procedure in which, based on a charge execution request that requests association of the value with a recording medium, the value managed in the value management area is subtracted, and the subtracted value is associated with the recording medium by the gaming device; and a settlement execution request in which a remaining amount of the value associated with the recording medium is settled. The system includes a settlement addition procedure for adding a value equivalent to the remaining amount to the value management area and settling the remaining amount, a recording procedure for linking and recording the addition amount and the addition date each time the value is added to the value management area by the cashless addition procedure or the settlement addition procedure, and a usability determination procedure for determining whether the value managed in the value management area can be used, wherein in the usability determination procedure, a predetermined period from the addition date is set as the validity period of the value, and value within the validity period is determined as usable value, that is, usable value, and value outside the validity period is determined as unusable. This can achieve the same effects as the above-mentioned value management system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a system configuration of a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a method for managing a valuable in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4]1 is a flow chart showing the flow of a deposit process in which a valuable is deposited based on the execution of a cashless payment in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of a charging process in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flow diagram showing a process of adding up a plurality of valuables and associating them with a recording medium in a charging process in the valuable management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of a settlement process in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining another example of a method for managing a valuable in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] A flow chart showing an example of the flow of a charging process when managing value for each type of cashless payment in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] A flow chart showing another example of the flow of the charging process when valuables are managed for each type of cashless payment in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] A flow diagram showing an example of the flow of a charging process in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which valuables associated with recording media are managed by linking them to types of cashless payment. [Figure 12] A flow diagram showing an example of the flow of a settlement process in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which valuables associated with recording media are managed by linking them to types of cashless payment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining another example of the method for managing a valuable in the valuable management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow in which a valuable is added by a settlement adding means in a settlement process in the valuable management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] A flow chart showing another example of the flow of settlement processing in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which valuables associated with recording media are managed by linking them to types of cashless payment. [Figure 16] A flow chart showing an example of the processing flow when a settlement execution instruction means determines whether or not to settle the remaining balance in cash at a settlement machine, depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the valuable, in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] A flow chart showing an example of the processing flow when a settlement addition means in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not to settle the remaining balance depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the valuable. [Figure 18] This is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which charging processing is possible by adding up only valuables deposited through the same type of cashless payment. [Figure 19] A flow diagram showing an example of the flow of a charging process in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which valuables associated with recording media are managed by linking them to types of cashless payment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a settlement process in the case where the valuable associated with the recording medium has been deposited in cash in the valuable management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of a settlement process in a valuable management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which valuable has been deposited in cash into a valuable management means and the valuable is settled in cash. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Hereinafter, a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of a valuable management system 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming parlor is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 2 that can be played using gaming media. The gaming machines 2 are, for example, pachinko gaming machines that use gaming balls as gaming media (hereinafter, pachinko gaming machines will be referred to as pachinko machines) or slot machine gaming machines that use gaming medals as gaming media (hereinafter, slot machine gaming machines will be referred to as pachislot machines). In pachinko machines, players play by shooting gaming balls into the gaming board, and can win a predetermined number of gaming balls by passing the gaming balls through multiple winning areas (winning holes) on the gaming board. In pachislot machines, players play by inserting gaming medals to spin the reels, and can win a predetermined number of gaming medals based on the stopping status of the symbols on the reels.

[0041] Gaming machine 2 includes so-called "smart gaming machines" that use intangible electronic game points as gaming media, such as pachinko and pachislot machines. "Smart gaming machines" pachinko machines circulate game balls inside the machine, allowing players to play using game points (electronic data) without touching the game balls. "Smart gaming machines" pachislot machines allow players to play using game points (electronic data) without using any game medals. In "smart gaming machines," a predetermined number of game points can be earned based on the passage of game balls into the winning zone or the stopping status of symbols on the reels. As described above, the gaming media used in gaming machine 2 include intangible game points (electronic data) in addition to physical game balls and medals.

[0042] In addition to the gaming machines 2 described above, the gaming parlor is also equipped with a card unit (hereinafter, "card unit" will also be simply referred to as "unit") 3 that is provided in association with each gaming machine 2 and manages the lending of gaming media, a card issuing machine 5 that can accept valuables such as paper money and electronic money and issue an IC card 4, which is a recording medium associated with prepaid valuables (hereinafter, "prepaid valuables" will also be referred to as "prepaid value"), a settlement machine 6 that can accept an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value and settle the remaining balance of the prepaid value, a HUB 7 that is a concentrator for interconnecting various devices, a relay device 8 that can communicate with each unit 3, the card issuing machine 5, and the settlement machine 6 via this HUB 7, and a management device 9 that comprehensively manages each gaming machine 2 and each unit 3 via the HUB 7.

[0043] Also, outside the gaming facility, there is provided a cashless center 20 that can communicate with relay device 8 and mobile terminals 10 such as smartphones carried by players and that manages all cashless payment processing, and a prepaid settlement center 30 that can communicate with management device 9 and that manages all prepaid value associated with IC card 4 by unit 3 and card issuing machine 5. Note that since both unit 3 and card issuing machine 5 correspond to "gaming devices," in the following explanation, when referring to either or both of unit 3 and card issuing machine 5, they may be simply referred to as "gaming devices."

[0044] The unit 3 accepts IC cards 4 and bills inserted by the player and manages the lending of gaming media used in games on the gaming machine 2. Specifically, the unit 3 accepts, for example, an IC card 4 issued to a player by a gaming parlor, and pays out gaming balls or gaming medals or grants gaming points in exchange for deducting prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Furthermore, when a player inserts a bill, the unit 3 associates prepaid value equivalent to the inserted bill with the IC card 4 in the unit 3, and pays out gaming balls or gaming medals or grants gaming points in exchange for deducting the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In addition, when gaming machine 2 is not a "smart gaming machine," the disbursement of gaming balls or gaming medals means lending out gaming balls or gaming medals, which are tangible gaming media, and making the gaming balls or gaming medals usable on gaming machine 2; when gaming machine 2 is a "smart gaming machine," the granting of gaming points means granting gaming points, which are intangible gaming media, to gaming machine 2 and making the gaming points usable on gaming machine 2.

[0045] The unit 3 can also use electronic money, which is electronic value, to pay out game balls or medals or award game points. In this case, for example, when a charge request operation is performed by operating the unit 3 to request that electronic money managed by the management function unit 100A (described later) be withdrawn and converted into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, the management function unit 100A withdraws the electronic money based on this charge request operation, and the unit 3 associates the prepaid value equivalent to the withdrawn electronic money with the IC card 4. This allows the player to borrow gaming media from the unit 3 and progress in the game by using the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 in exchange for the withdrawal of the electronic money. Note that converting value such as electronic money or cash into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is also simply referred to as "charging."

[0046] Like the unit 3, the card issuing machine 5 can accept banknotes inserted by a player, or can eject an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value equivalent to the inserted banknotes or the withdrawn electronic money in exchange for the withdrawal of electronic money managed by the management function unit 100A. This allows the player to have the unit 3 accept the IC card 4 ejected from the card issuing machine 5, and use the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 to borrow gaming media from the unit 3 and proceed with the game.

[0047] The settlement machine 6 can accept an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value and settle the remaining amount of the prepaid value. When a game ends with a remaining amount in the prepaid value, the unit 3 associates the remaining amount of the prepaid value with the IC card 4 that was accepted during the game and ejects it. Therefore, a player can settle the remaining amount of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by having the settlement machine 6 accept the IC card 4 ejected from the unit 3. Settlement of the remaining amount of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 can be done in two ways: cash settlement, in which the remaining amount of the prepaid value is paid out in cash, and electronic money settlement, in which the remaining amount of the prepaid value is settled by adding electronic money to the prepaid value (hereinafter, "electronic money settlement" will also be referred to as "wallet return settlement"). This wallet return settlement is executed by adding electronic money to the valuable value management means 101A, which will be described later.

[0048] The HUB7 is a line concentrator used to interconnect various devices. The HUB7 is connected to multiple LAN cables and relays and forwards communications from each device connected by these LAN cables. Various commonly used network hubs can be used for the HUB7.

[0049] The management device 9 comprehensively manages each gaming machine 2 and each unit 3. Specifically, for example, it manages information about prepaid value notified from the unit 3 and member information including personal information of players who have registered as members at the gaming facility. In addition, the information about prepaid value notified from the unit 3 is also transmitted to the prepaid settlement center 30 via the management device 9, and is managed as sales of prepaid value at the prepaid settlement center 30. The member information may also include linking information that links a card ID, which is identification information of the IC card 4 held by the player, with an app ID, which is identification information of an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 held by the player. In this case, by identifying either the card ID or the app ID of the IC card 4, the management device 9 can also identify the member information. In addition, when the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is consumed to borrow gaming media (gaming balls, gaming medals or gaming points) in the unit 3 corresponding to the gaming machine 2 on which the player is playing, information regarding the prepaid value is transmitted to the prepaid settlement center 30 and managed as sales.

[0050] Furthermore, in the valuable management system 1A, the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20 cooperate with each other to function as a management function unit 100A. The management function unit 100A manages information related to cashless payments performed using the player's mobile terminal 10, and manages information linking card IDs and app IDs that is also managed by the management device 9. Specifically, for example, the relay device 8 relays communications between the unit 3 and card issuing machine 5 and the cashless center 20 within the gaming facility, and mainly links card IDs with app IDs and performs in-game processing related to cashless payments using the mobile terminal 10. Meanwhile, the cashless center 20 is a device such as a server operated outside the gaming facility, and communicates with the mobile terminal 10 and a general-purpose payment center 40 that performs cashless payments using the mobile terminal 10, and mainly manages information related to cashless payments.

[0051] The management function unit 100A is also capable of recording and managing electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40, which will be described later, by executing a cashless payment using the mobile terminal 10, which will be described later. In the management function unit 100A, the electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40 is recorded and managed in a valuable management means 101A (FIG. 2). The valuable management means 101A is a so-called database provided in the system as a management area (valuable management area) for recording and managing electronic money. In the management function unit 100A, as shown in FIG. 3, the valuable management means 101A records the electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40 by executing a cashless payment, linked to various information related to the electronic money. The various information linked to and recorded with electronic money includes, for example, a "record number" which is a serial number of the record, an "app ID" which is identification information for each application installed on the mobile terminal 10 when the electronic money was deposited by cashless payment, an "addition type" which indicates attributes of the electronic money including the type of cashless payment used when depositing, an "addition amount" which is the amount of the electronic money added, a "current balance" which indicates the current balance of the electronic money obtained by subtracting from the added amount the amount converted to prepaid value for use in games and associated with the IC card 4, an "addition date" which indicates the date when the electronic money was deposited, and an "expiration date" which indicates the end date of the validity period, which is a predetermined period calculated based on the addition date for each added electronic money. Note that in the following description, the "management function unit" may be referred to as a "wallet," and in the drawings, the electronic money recording area in the valuable value management means 101A may be referred to as a "wallet account."

[0052] Figure 3 shows the state of electronic money (records) managed by the valuable value management means 101A in chronological order, and illustrates an example in which a single player adds (deposits) electronic money, converts the electronic money managed by the valuable value management means 101A into prepaid value (associates it with IC card 4), and uses the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 for play. The valuable management means 101A adds a new record every time electronic money is deposited into the wallet 100A by executing a cashless payment and the electronic money is added to the valuable management means 101A by the cashless addition means 102A described below. Of the various pieces of information recorded in association with the electronic money described above, at least information relating to the "record number," "app ID," "addition type," "addition amount," "current balance," and "addition date" is recorded in the record.

[0053] For example, if a cashless payment method called "TokkyoPay" is available on mobile terminal 10 as an instant cashless payment using a debit card or the like, and 10,000 yen of electronic money is deposited into wallet 100A from general-purpose payment center 40 on December 18, 2024 as a result of the cashless payment, and the electronic money is added to value management means 101A by cashless addition means 102A, a record with "Record No." "0001" is added, as shown in Figure 3. In this record "0001," "1234," which is the identification information of the application installed on mobile terminal 10, is recorded as the "App ID," and "TokkyoPay," which indicates the type of cashless payment that was made, is recorded in "Addition Type" as an attribute of the electronic money. Furthermore, "10,000" is recorded in "Addition Amount" to indicate that the amount of electronic money added is 10,000 yen, and "10,000" is recorded in "Current Balance" to indicate that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0001" at that time is 10,000 yen. Furthermore, "2024 / 12 / 18", which indicates the date the electronic money was deposited (added), is recorded in "Addition Date". Subsequently, on December 20, 2024, 6,000 yen is deducted from the 10,000 yen worth of electronic money managed as record "0001", and when that 6,000 yen of electronic money is converted into prepaid value by unit 3 and associated with IC card 4, the "Current Balance" of record "0001" is reduced to 4,000 yen.

[0054] Furthermore, the valuable management means 101A adds a new record each time the electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added to the valuable management means 101A by the settlement and addition means 104A (described later). Similarly to when electronic money is added by the cashless addition means 102A, the valuable management means 101A records information on at least the "record number," "app ID," "addition type," "addition amount," "current balance," and "addition date" in the record. For example, if 3,000 yen of the 6,000 yen prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, converted in exchange for the withdrawal of electronic money in the record "0001," is used for gaming on December 20, 2024, and the remaining 3,000 yen is settled by the player on the same day, a new record "0002" separate from the record "0001" is added, as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, since this is a settlement from the same player, "1234", which is the identification information of the application installed on the player's mobile terminal 10, is recorded in the "app ID" of this record "0002". Meanwhile, "Settlement", which indicates that the deposited electronic money is the settlement of prepaid value, is recorded as the attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type", and "3,000", which indicates that the amount of electronic money added by settlement is 3,000 yen, is recorded in "Addition Amount". Furthermore, "3,000", which indicates that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0002" at that time is 3,000 yen, is recorded in "Current Balance", and "2024 / 12 / 20", which indicates the date on which the electronic money was added, is recorded in "Addition Date". As a result, as of December 20, 2024, after the remaining prepaid value has been settled, the valuable value management means 101A will be managing record "0001" with a "current balance" of 4,000 yen and record "0002" with a "current balance" of 3,000 yen.

[0055] Furthermore, in the wallet 100A, when electronic money is managed in multiple records in the value management means 101A, any amount of electronic money designated by the player can be converted (charged) into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, within the total amount of the "current balance" of those electronic money records. For example, as of December 20, 2024, after the settlement of the remaining balance described above, the value management means 101A will be managing record "0001" with a "current balance" of 4,000 yen and record "0002" with a "current balance" of 3,000 yen, and therefore any amount can be charged within the total amount of 7,000 yen, which is the total of the "current balance" of record "0001" and record "0002." Specifically, for example, if a player specifies 5,000 yen as the specified amount on December 22, 2024, and the electronic money is charged to IC card 4, in wallet 100A, of the 7,000 yen worth of electronic money obtained by combining the "current balance" of records "0001" and "0002," 4,000 yen from record "0001" and 1,000 yen of the 3,000 yen from record "0002" are charged together. Then, the "current balance" of record "0001" is reduced to "0," and the "current balance" of record "0002" is reduced to "2,000." In the valuable management system 1A, electronic money is subtracted in order, starting with the record with the oldest "addition date." Therefore, for example, when electronic money managed in multiple records is used together, the electronic money recorded in the oldest record is subtracted from the electronic money with the oldest "addition date." Then, to make up the shortfall until the specified amount is reached, the electronic money recorded in the record with the next most recent "addition date" is subtracted, and the sum of these is used. This allows electronic money with a validity period to be managed appropriately, as will be described later.

[0056] Next, for example, if the electronic money managed in the records "0001" and "0002" is converted in exchange for withdrawal and 1,000 yen of the 5,000 yen prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is used for gaming on December 22, 2024, and the remaining 4,000 yen is settled by the player on the same day, a new record "0003" separate from records "0001" and "0002" is added. At this time, "1234" is recorded in the "application ID" of this record "0003", just like records "0001" and "0002", and "settlement" is recorded in the "addition type" as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the added electronic money is the settlement of the prepaid value. Furthermore, "4,000" is recorded in "addition amount" indicating that the amount of electronic money added by settlement is 4,000 yen, "4,000" is recorded in "current balance" indicating that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0003" at that time is 4,000 yen, and "2024 / 12 / 22" is recorded in "addition date" indicating the date on which the electronic money was added.As a result, as of December 22, 2024 after the settlement of the remaining prepaid value, the valuable value management means 101A will be managing record "0002" with a "current balance" of "2,000" and record "0003" with a "current balance" of "4,000".

[0057] Furthermore, if a cashless payment using a deferred payment method such as a credit card is subsequently available, and 10,000 yen of electronic money is deposited into wallet 100A from general-purpose payment center 40 on December 24, 2024, and the electronic money is added to value management unit 101A by cashless addition unit 102A, a new record with "Record No." "0004" is added. Since this "0004" record is from the same player, "1234," which is the identification information of the application installed on the player's mobile terminal 10, is recorded as the "App ID." Furthermore, "Credit card," which indicates the type of cashless payment performed, is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type." Furthermore, "10,000," indicating that the amount of the added electronic money is 10,000 yen, is recorded in "Addition Amount," and "10,000," indicating that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0004" is 10,000 yen, is also recorded in "Current Balance." Additionally, "2024 / 12 / 24", which indicates the date on which the electronic money was added, is recorded in the "Addition Date".

[0058] Furthermore, if, on December 26, 2024, the player specifies 10,000 yen as the designated amount and charges IC card 4 from the 16,000 yen calculated by adding up the "current balance" of the electronic money managed as records "0002," "0003," and "0004," the "current balance" of record "0002" will be subtracted to "0," and the "current balance" of record "0003" will also be subtracted to "0," and further, the "current balance" of record "0004" will be subtracted to "6,000." Subsequently, the electronic money managed in records "0002," "0003," and "0004" will be converted in exchange for withdrawal, and of the 10,000 yen prepaid value associated with IC card 4, 1,000 yen is used for gaming on December 26, 2024, and the remaining balance of 9,000 yen is settled by the player on the same day. Assuming this, record "0005" will be newly added. At this time, "1234" is recorded in the "application ID" of record "0005," as before, and "Settlement," indicating that the added electronic money is the result of settling prepaid value, is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type." Also, "9,000," indicating that the amount of electronic money added by settlement is 9,000 yen, is recorded in "Addition Amount," indicating that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0005" at that time is 9,000 yen, and "2024 / 12 / 26," indicating the date the electronic money was added, is recorded in "Addition Date." As a result, as of December 26, 2024, after the remaining prepaid value has been settled, the valuable value management means 101A will be managing record "0004" with a "current balance" of "6,000" and record "0005" with a "current balance" of "9,000".

[0059] Here, the expiration date of electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101A is managed based on the validity period of each record. For example, in the valuable management system 1A, the usability determination means 105, which will be described later, determines whether the electronic money can be used based on a predetermined period from the "addition date" recorded in a record as the validity period of the electronic money in that record. For example, the predetermined period is 180 days, which is less than the six months for electronic money issued by gaming parlors that do not require an issuance security deposit under the Fund Settlement Act. This makes it possible to properly manage the expiration date of electronic money using the valuable management system 1A, and by setting the validity period to 180 days, which is less than six months, it becomes possible to treat electronic money as electronic money that does not require an issuance security deposit.

[0060] In the valuable value management means 101A, for each record, a date 180 days after the date recorded in the "addition date" is recorded in the "expiration date." The date recorded in this "expiration date" is calculated based on the date recorded in the "addition date," not including the date of the "addition date," by counting from the day after the date recorded in the "addition date," and indicates the end (last day) of the specified period set as the validity period. Then, each time the date is updated, the usability determination means 105 determines whether the electronic money is usable based on the date recorded in the "expiration date." Specifically, in each record, electronic money for which the date recorded in the "expiration date" is after the determination date is determined to be electronic money within the validity period and usable electronic money, and electronic money for which the date recorded in the "expiration date" is before (in the past) the determination date is determined to be electronic money outside the validity period and unusable electronic money. Note that usable electronic money corresponds to "usable value," and in the following description, "usable value" is also referred to as "usable electronic money," and electronic money outside the validity period is also referred to as "unusable electronic money."

[0061] For example, let's consider a case where 10,000 yen of electronic money is deposited into wallet 100A from general-purpose payment center 40 on December 24, 2024, and the electronic money is added to value management means 101A by cashless addition means 102A. In record "0004," "2025 / 6 / 22," which indicates a date 180 days after December 24, 2024, the date recorded in the "addition date," is recorded in the "expiration date." Then, on June 23, 2025, 180 days after December 24, 2024, the electronic money of record "0004" is determined to be unusable by usability determination means 105 because the date "2025 / 6 / 22" recorded in the "expiration date" is earlier (past) than June 23, 2025, which is the determination date. On the other hand, the electronic money of record "0005" is determined to be usable by the usability determination means 105 because the date "2025 / 6 / 24" recorded in its "expiration date" is after the determination date of June 23, 2025. As a result, as of June 23, 2025, the valuable management means 101A treats the electronic money of record "0004" as unusable electronic money and the electronic money of record "0005" as usable electronic money. In this way, the valuable management system 1A determines whether the electronic money can be used.

[0062] Furthermore, on June 23, 2025, 10,000 yen in electronic money is deposited into wallet 100A from general-purpose payment center 40 through the execution of "TokkyoPay," an instant cashless payment. This electronic money is then added to value management means 101A by cashless addition means 102A, and a new record with "Record No." "0006" is added. In this "0006" record, "1234," which is the application identification information, is recorded as the "App ID," and "TokkyoPay," which indicates the type of cashless payment, is recorded in "Addition Type" as an attribute of the electronic money. Furthermore, "10,000" is recorded in "Addition Amount," "10,000" in "Current Balance," and "2024 / 12 / 26," which indicates the date the electronic money was added, is recorded in "Addition Date." In this case, on June 23, 2025, when 10,000 yen of electronic money is added by executing "TokkyoPay," the electronic money of record "0004" is excluded as it is unusable electronic money, and the total "current balance" of the usable electronic money of record "0005" and the electronic money of record "0006" becomes 19,000 yen, which is the sum of the "current balance" of the usable electronic money. The total amount of the "current balance" of this usable electronic money corresponds to the "usable amount."

[0063] Subsequently, on the same day (June 23, 2025), if the player specifies 10,000 yen as the specified amount and charges the IC card 4 from 19,000 yen, which is the sum of the "current balances" of the electronic money managed as records "0005" and "0006," the "current balance" of record "0005" is subtracted to "0," and the "current balance" of record "0006" is subtracted to "9,000." In this way, electronic money is managed in the valuable value management means 101A.

[0064] In the valuable management system 1A, the valuable management means 101A is configured as a database that records and manages electronic money in records, but the valuable management means 101A is not limited to a record-format database and may, for example, record electronic money as tabular data such as used in spreadsheet software, or may create a new file for each electronic money deposit and manage the electronic money as a database that compiles multiple created files.Any format can be used as long as it can manage information related to electronic money as a database. Furthermore, the electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101A of the valuable management system 1A can be used to charge the IC card 4 for use in games, and can also be used to pay for other goods and services.

[0065] The mobile terminal 10 is a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal carried by a player. The mobile terminal 10 is capable of communicating with the management function unit 100A (specifically, the cashless center 20) and the general-purpose payment center 40, and is capable of performing various types of cashless payments by, for example, reading code information from optically readable codes such as two-dimensional codes and barcodes using a camera provided in the mobile terminal 10, using various information such as credit card information registered in an IC chip, inputting authentication information from a touch panel display capable of displaying and inputting various information, or using an authentication device capable of authentication using biometric information registered in an IC chip.

[0066] Cashless payments performed using the mobile terminal 10 include all types of cashless payments that can be used with a mobile terminal 10, such as a standard smartphone. For example, types of cashless payments, which differ in payment means, include card payments, which allow payment to be made using information about a credit card or debit card registered on the mobile terminal 10; code payments, which allow payment to be made by reading a code with the mobile terminal 10 or a code displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 10; and contactless payments, which allow payment to be made by holding an IC chip built into the mobile terminal 10 over a payment terminal. Furthermore, types of cashless payments, which differ in payment method, include deferred payment, which allows payment to be made by paying a lump sum over a certain period of time at a later date, such as with a credit card; immediate payment, which allows payment to be made by immediately debiting the payment amount from an account, such as with a debit card; and prepayment, which allows payment to be made using electronic money deposited in advance. The above-mentioned payment means and payment methods, as well as combinations thereof, all qualify as "types of cashless payments."

[0067] The prepaid settlement center 30 is a server or management device installed in a business that manages the prepaid value used in games as sales at the gaming facility from a third-party perspective, based on information about the prepaid value transmitted from the management device 9. The prepaid settlement center 30 receives information about the prepaid value from the management device 9 installed in each gaming facility, and manages the sales of each gaming facility in an integrated manner.

[0068] The general-purpose payment center 40 is a server or management device provided at a business such as a credit card company, bank, code payment company, or electronic money provider that executes cashless payment using the mobile terminal 10 and makes payments according to the payment details. Specifically, the general-purpose payment center 40 uses authentication such as a PIN number or biometric information registered on the mobile terminal 10 to make general payments according to the payment details, and can also transfer electronic money equivalent to a specified amount to a specified account, as in depositing money using cashless payment.

[0069] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of each of the components such as the gaming machine 2, the unit 3, the management function section 100A, etc. Fig. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the valuable management system 1A.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 2, the gaming machine 2 includes a control unit 2a that controls the progress of the game and a card unit communication unit 2b that communicates with the unit 3. Each gaming machine 2 is connected to a corresponding unit 3, and various types of game information that occur or change as the game progresses are output from the gaming machine 2 to the unit 3, and information regarding gaming media loaned from the gaming parlor to be used in games using the gaming machine 2 is output from the unit 3 to the gaming machine 2 as loan information. The control unit 2a is composed of a microcomputer that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs various processes according to a program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a storage device that records electronic data such as programs for operating the CPU and can read the recorded electronic data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a storage device that can both read and write electronic data.

[0071] The unit 3 includes a control unit 3a that accepts, for example, banknotes and electronic money, converts them into prepaid value, associates the prepaid value converted from banknotes or electronic money with the IC card 4, and controls processes related to the lending of gaming media, a gaming machine communication unit 3b that communicates with the gaming machine 2, a management function unit communication unit 3c that communicates with the management function unit 100A (specifically, the relay device 8), and a management device communication unit 3d that communicates with the management device 9. When the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by the unit 3 is converted into gaming media, it is notified to the management device 9 and the prepaid settlement center 30 as sales, and is managed by the management device 9 and the prepaid settlement center 30. The control unit 3a, like the control unit 2a of the gaming machine 2, is configured as a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. Information regarding the electronic money to be converted into prepaid value and the prepaid value used for games is output as settlement information between the unit 3 and the management function unit 100A.

[0072] The card issuing machine 5 includes a control unit 5a that accepts, for example, banknotes and electronic money and controls processes related to converting them into prepaid value and associating the prepaid value with the IC card 4, a management function unit communication unit 5b that communicates with the management function unit 100A (specifically, the relay device 8), and a management device communication unit 5c that communicates with the management device 9. Similar to the control unit 2a of the gaming machine 2, the control unit 5a is configured by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The card issuing machine 5 outputs payment information related to, for example, banknotes or electronic money inserted into the card issuing machine 5 to the management function unit 100A, and the card issuing machine 5 outputs payment information related to, for example, the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 to the management device 9.

[0073] The gaming device (specifically, each of the unit 3 and the card issuing machine 5) is provided with a touch panel display 11, which is a display means and input means capable of displaying and inputting various information, and physical operation buttons, etc., which serve as input means. Therefore, the gaming device can display various information to the player, and can also input various information based on the player's operation of the touch panel display 11 and operation buttons. Furthermore, the gaming device is also provided with a recording medium processing device such as a card reader / writer capable of reading and writing various information to the IC card 4, a currency validator that identifies the authenticity and type of inserted banknotes, and the like, but these are not shown or described here.

[0074] The settlement machine 6 accepts an IC card 4 and is capable of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 in cash. The settlement machine 6 includes, for example, a control unit 6a that controls processes related to the acceptance of the IC card 4 and the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and a management function unit communication unit 6b that communicates with the management function unit 100A (specifically, the relay device 8). The control unit 6a is configured by a microcomputer that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., similar to the control unit 2a of the gaming machine 2. Furthermore, the settlement machine 6 outputs, for example, settlement information related to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value to the management function unit 100A, and the management function unit 100A outputs, for example, information related to whether or not the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value can be executed to the settlement machine 6. The settlement machine 6 is also equipped with a recording medium processing device (not shown) such as a card reader / writer that can read and write various information to the IC card 4, and a touch panel display that is a display and input means that can display and input various information, but these are not shown or described here.

[0075] The management function unit 100A (relay device 8 and cashless center 20) includes, for example, a control unit 100a that controls the processing of each means provided in the management function unit 100A, such as the valuable value management means 101A, a center communication unit 100b that communicates with the general-purpose payment center 40, a card unit communication unit 100c that communicates with the unit 3, a mobile terminal communication unit 100d that communicates with the mobile terminal 10, and a settlement machine communication unit 100e that communicates with the settlement machine 6. The control unit 6a is configured by a microcomputer provided in the relay device 8 and cashless center 20, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The management function unit 100A also has a cashless addition means 102A that adds electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40 to the value management means 101A, a charge execution means 103A that associates the electronic money with the IC card 4 using the unit 3, a settlement addition means 104A that settles the remaining amount of electronic money associated with the IC card 4, a usability determination means 105 that determines whether the electronic money managed by the value management means 101A can be used, and a settlement execution instruction means 106 that instructs the settlement machine 6 to execute settlement.

[0076] The cashless adding means 102A makes a deposit request to the general-purpose payment center 40, which executes cashless payments, based on operation of the touch panel display 11 or physical operation buttons provided on the unit 3, and adds the electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40 to the valuable management means 101A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when a player launches an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 and performs a deposit operation, a deposit execution request including a requested deposit amount specified by the player is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 to the cashless adding means 102A of the management function unit 100A. Upon receiving the deposit execution request, the cashless adding means 102A checks whether the specified requested deposit amount is equal to or less than a preset depositable amount, and if the requested deposit amount is equal to or less than the depositable amount, transmits a deposit request including the specified requested deposit amount to the general-purpose payment center 40. If the requested deposit amount exceeds the depositable amount, the cashless adding means 102A transmits an error message to the mobile terminal 10.

[0077] The depositable amount confirmed by the cashless adding means 102A can be set to any upper limit. For example, the depositable amount may be set to a predetermined upper limit determined by the player for each type of cashless payment, or the depositable amount may be set to a predetermined upper limit determined by the operator of the value management system 1A for each type of cashless payment. For example, if the deposit upper limit for cashless payment using "TokkyoPay" is set to 200,000 yen per month, that upper limit is set as the depositable amount for that month. In this case, if 180,000 yen has already been deposited using "TokkyoPay" in that month, the remaining 20,000 yen will be the depositable amount. Also, for example, if the deposit upper limit for cashless payment using "credit card" is set to 100,000 yen per month, that upper limit is set as the depositable amount for that month. In this case, if 70,000 yen has already been deposited using "credit card" in that month, the remaining 30,000 yen will be the depositable amount. Furthermore, when a deposit upper limit is not set by a player or a business operator, a predetermined deposit upper limit may be set as the depositable amount in the valuable management system 1A. In this case, for example, if the deposit upper limit per player is set in advance as 990,000 yen / month, the deposit upper limit for each app ID for identifying the player is set to 990,000 yen / month, and this deposit upper limit is set as the depositable amount. In the valuable management system 1A, an example has been shown in which the cashless adding means 102A is configured to confirm the amount that can be deposited, but the cashless adding means 102A may also be configured not to have the function of confirming the amount that can be deposited.

[0078] Next, the general-purpose payment center 40, which has received the deposit request, executes cashless payment using the mobile terminal 10, and deposits electronic money equivalent to the deposit request amount as a deposit response from the general-purpose payment center 40 to the management function unit 100A. At this time, the electronic money deposited into the wallet 100A is added to the value management means 101A by the cashless addition means 102A. Furthermore, in the value management means 101A, the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102A is added as a new record, and the added amount of the added electronic money and the addition date are linked to each other and recorded together with other information as various information linked to the electronic money. Then, the cashless addition means 102A, which added the electronic money, notifies the mobile terminal 10 as a deposit response that the electronic money deposit has been completed, and the mobile terminal 10, which has received this notification, displays the deposit result on its screen. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the electronic money added to the value management means 101A is recorded and managed as a record.

[0079] The charge execution means 103A deducts and subtracts electronic money from the value management means 101A based on a "charge execution request" requesting that electronic money managed by the value management means 101A be converted (charged) into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and can cause the electronic money to be charged by the gaming device (unit 3 or card issuing machine 5). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, when a player operates the touch panel display 11 or operation buttons on the gaming device to perform a "charge request operation," a code information request is sent from the gaming device to the charge execution means 103A of the management function unit 100A in order to identify the gaming device operated by the player. This code information request includes, for example, a company ID, which is identification information for each business operator to identify the business operator that manages the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 as a third party, an amusement facility ID, which is identification information for each amusement facility to identify the amusement facility where the amusement device operated by the player is installed, and a gaming device ID, which is identification information for each gaming device to identify the gaming device.

[0080] The charge execution means 103A, which has received the code information request, responds with code information to the gaming device. The code information is information for displaying a code (for example, a two-dimensional code or a barcode) that can be optically read by a camera provided on the mobile terminal 10 on the touch panel display 11 of the gaming device. Specifically, the code information output is a code string that is identification information for each charge, and includes a deposit ID generated by the charge execution means 103A each time a code information request is received, an action URL for causing the mobile terminal 10 that reads the code displayed on the gaming device to perform a predetermined action, and information received from the gaming device as the code information request (company ID, gaming facility ID, and gaming device ID). The gaming device that receives this code information displays a code including at least the deposit ID, operation URL company ID, gaming store ID, and gaming device ID.

[0081] Next, when the code displayed on the gaming device is read by the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminal 10 accesses the management function unit 100A based on the read operation URL and communicates with the charge execution means 103A. At this time, information such as the deposit ID and the application ID of the application installed in the mobile terminal 10 is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 to the charge execution means 103A as a pre-charge information request. Upon receiving the pre-charge information request, the charge execution means 103A identifies the company ID, gaming parlor ID, code generation date and time, etc. based on the deposit ID included in the pre-charge information request and confirms the validity of the code. Here, the validity of the code is confirmed by verifying the identified company ID and gaming parlor ID and checking whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the code was generated. If the validity of the code cannot be confirmed, the charge execution means 103A sends an error message to the mobile terminal 10 (not shown). On the other hand, if the validity of the code is confirmed, the charge execution means 103A identifies the gaming parlor from the gaming parlor ID and identifies a charge fee for each parlor. The fee may be included as part of the chargeable amount or may be collected from the player separately from the chargeable amount. The charge execution means 103A also identifies the valuable management means 101A linked to the app ID from the app ID—in other words, the valuable management means 101A for each player.

[0082] In the identified valuable value management means 101A, the usability determination means 105 determines whether the electronic money can be used and identifies the usable electronic money, so the charge execution means 103A calculates the total amount of electronic money usable for charging, in other words, the total amount of the "current balance" of the usable electronic money, based on the "current balance" of this identified usable electronic money.Then, this calculated total amount of the "current balance" is identified as the chargeable amount.The chargeable amount corresponds to the "usable amount" just like the total amount of the "current balance" of the usable electronic money. The charge execution means 103A also transmits the identified chargeable amount to the mobile terminal 10 as a pre-charge information response. Based on the received chargeable amount, the mobile terminal 10 then displays a charge amount selection screen on which the player can specify a desired charge amount (specified amount) within the chargeable amount range. This charge amount selection screen allows the player to select the desired charge amount from a number of options, such as 1,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen, or 10,000 yen, but may also be configured to allow the player to specify any amount as the charge amount. When the player specifies the desired charge amount and performs a charge execution operation, a charge execution request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 to the charge execution means 103A. This charge execution request includes at least the company ID, gaming facility ID, gaming device ID, specified charge amount (specified amount), app ID, etc.

[0083] Upon receiving the charge execution request, the charge execution means 103A notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the charge execution has been accepted using a communication means such as email or a pop-up function in an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 as a charge execution response. The charge execution means 103A also identifies the gaming device operated by the player using the company ID, gaming facility ID, and gaming device ID, and deducts and subtracts electronic money equivalent to the specified charge amount from the valuable management means 101A. Then, a charge execution instruction is sent to the identified gaming device to have the gaming device convert (charge) the deducted and subtracted electronic money into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. The gaming device that received the charge execution instruction associates prepaid value equivalent to the electronic money deducted by the charge execution means 103A with the IC card 4 based on the received charge amount. The gaming device then transmits the card ID of the IC card 4 associated with the prepaid value to the management function unit 100A as a charge result, and the charging of the prepaid value to the IC card 4 is completed. At this time, if the gaming device is unit 3, the prepaid value can be used to play on gaming machine 2, and if the gaming device is card issuing machine 5, an IC card 4 is issued (discharged), and the player can then have unit 3 accept the IC card 4, allowing the player to play on gaming machine 2.

[0084] Meanwhile, in the management function unit 100A that has received the charge result, first, the "current balance" of the record in which the withdrawn usable electronic money is recorded is updated in the valuable management means 101A. Furthermore, based on the card ID of the IC card 4 received as the charge result, the relay device 8 or the cashless center 20 links the card ID with an app ID, and records and manages the linking information. From this point on, if the card ID of the IC card 4 used by the player in the unit 3 or ejected from the card issuing machine 5 and held by the player can be identified, it becomes possible to identify the app ID linked to that card ID, and therefore the player's personal information and membership information linked to that app ID can be identified. Therefore, it becomes possible to identify the player who uses or holds the IC card 4 from the card ID.

[0085] Furthermore, when there is electronic money with different "addition dates" among the available electronic money, the charge execution means 103A subtracts from the available electronic money in order starting with the electronic money with the older "addition date", and can also add up the electronic money within the available amount (chargeable amount) of the available electronic money and associate it with the IC card 4. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the valuable management means 101A manages two electronic money records with different "addition dates," namely, record "0001" with a "current balance" of 6,000 yen and record "0002" with a "current balance" of 5,000 yen (in FIG. 6, the two electronic money records with different "addition dates" are represented as two electronic money records with different "expiration dates" calculated based on the "addition date"). Upon receiving a pre-charge information request from the mobile terminal 10, the charge execution means 103A calculates 10,000 yen as the total "current balance" of the available electronic money records in the valuable management means 101A (the chargeable amount). The charge execution means 103A then transmits the calculated chargeable amount to the mobile terminal 10 as a pre-charge information response. Upon receiving this pre-charge information response, the mobile terminal 10 can specify a desired charge amount within the chargeable amount. Here, when the player specifies 10,000 yen as the charge amount, as described above, a charge execution request, a charge execution response, a notification of charge acceptance completion, a charge execution instruction, and a notification of the charge result are exchanged between the charge execution means 103A, the mobile terminal 10, and the gaming device, and the charge of the prepaid value of 10,000 yen (association with the IC card 4) is completed.

[0086] Meanwhile, in the management function unit 100A, the valuable management means 101A updates the "current balance" of the record in which the withdrawn usable electronic money is recorded, but when the charge execution means 103A withdraws and subtracts multiple electronic money amounts with different "addition dates" and associates the electronic money amounts with the IC card 4 within the range of their usable amounts (chargeable amounts), the management function unit 100A subtracts the "current balance" of the usable electronic money amount with the oldest addition date in order. Therefore, for example, as shown in Figure 6, when 10,000 yen worth of electronic money is withdrawn in the valuable management means 101A, first the entire amount is deducted from the "current balance" of 6,000 yen of record "0001" with the oldest "addition date," and the "current balance" is updated to 0 yen, and at the same time 4,000 yen is deducted from the "current balance" of 5,000 yen of record "0002" with the newest "addition date," and the "current balance" is updated to 1,000 yen. In this way, in the valuable management system 1A, the charge execution means 103A charges the usable electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101A (converts it into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4) in a so-called first-in, first-out manner and uses it for games. This makes it possible to appropriately manage usable electronic money.

[0087] The settlement adding means 104A settles the remaining amount by adding electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value to the valuable value management means 101A based on a settlement execution request requesting settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , when settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, the player first ejects the IC card 4 from the gaming device (unit 3 or card issuing machine 5) based on the player's operation of a card return button or the like. Then, the player inserts the IC card 4 ejected from the gaming device into a settlement machine 6 installed in the gaming facility, and the settlement machine 6 that accepts the IC card 4 sends a wallet return confirmation request to the settlement adding means 104A of the management function unit 100A. This wallet return confirmation request includes at least the card ID of the IC card 4 and the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. The settlement adding means 104A, which has received the wallet return possibility confirmation request, checks the linking information between the card ID and the application ID managed by the management function unit 100A. Then, the player and the player's valuable management means 101A are identified from the application ID linked to the card ID. Here, by identifying the player and the player's valuable management means 101C, if it is confirmed that the application ID linked when adding electronic money to the valuable management means 101A is valid, a message indicating that wallet return settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as the wallet return possibility confirmation result. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the application ID is valid, a message indicating an error is sent to the settlement machine 6 as the wallet return possibility confirmation result, although this is not shown in the figure.

[0088] Next, when the settlement machine 6 receives the wallet return availability confirmation result indicating that wallet return settlement is possible, a message indicating that settlement is in progress is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6. After that, the settlement machine 6 transmits a settlement execution request to the settlement addition means 104A, requesting settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This settlement execution request includes at least the settlement machine ID, game parlor ID, card ID, and settlement amount, which are identification information for each settlement machine 6. Here, the settlement adding means 104A adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value to the value management means 101A based on the received settlement execution request, and executes wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value. Then, a new record is added to the value management means 101A, and electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value is recorded and managed in that record. Furthermore, the "addition type" of the record added at this time is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the electronic money being added is a settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value. In this way, the settlement adding means 104A executes wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and transmits a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6, and notifies the mobile terminal 10 via a communication means such as email that the settlement has been completed. Then, the settlement machine 6, which has received the settlement execution response, displays a message on its screen indicating that the settlement has been completed. As a result, the player can know that the settlement has been completed from the notification to the mobile terminal 10 and the display on the screen of the settlement machine 6. After that, the settlement machine 6 collects the IC card 4, whose remaining prepaid value has been settled.

[0089] Each time the date is updated, the usability determination means 105 determines whether the electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101A is usable based on the date recorded in the "expiration date" of each record. Specifically, the usability determination means 105 determines that the validity period of the electronic money is a predetermined period from the date recorded in the "addition date" of each record, for example, a period of 180 days, and determines that the electronic money within the validity period is usable and that the electronic money outside the validity period is unusable. Therefore, as described above, taking June 23, 2025 shown in FIG. 3 as an example, the electronic money of record "0004" is determined to be unusable by the usability determination means 105 because June 22, 2025 recorded in the "expiration date" is before (in the past) June 23, 2025. On the other hand, the electronic money of record "0005" is determined to be usable by the usability determination means 105 because the "expiration date" of June 24, 2025 is after June 23, 2025. In this case, the valuable management means 101A treats the electronic money of record "0004" as unusable electronic money and the electronic money of record "0005" as usable electronic money.

[0090] The usability determination means 105 is configured to determine whether the electronic money can be used based on the date recorded in the "expiration date" each time the date is updated, but it may also be configured to receive a notification from the mobile terminal 10 that the application has been launched when the player launches the application installed on the mobile terminal 10, and determine whether the electronic money can be used each time that notification is received, and the timing of determining whether the electronic money can be used is arbitrary. Furthermore, the determination by the usability determination means 105 as to whether electronic money can be used is not limited to a determination based on the validity period as described above. For example, it may be determined based on whether the number of days elapsed since the date recorded in the "addition date" is within a predetermined number of days. Furthermore, the predetermined period as the validity period is not limited to 180 days. It may be set in calendar months, for example, three months or five months, or in years, for example, one year or two years. Furthermore, the date management by the usability determination means 105 and the valuable management means 101A may be realized using a schedule management function previously provided in the relay device 8 or the cashless center 20, or may be realized by providing a unique schedule management function in the valuable management system 1A. Furthermore, using these schedule management functions, the date recorded in the "expiration date" may be automatically calculated and recorded based on the date recorded in the "addition date."

[0091] As will be described later, when a type of cashless payment is linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines whether or not to execute settlement by paying out the remaining amount of the prepaid value in cash, depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and then instructs the settlement machine 6, which is capable of executing settlement by paying out the remaining amount of the prepaid value in cash, to execute settlement by paying out the remaining amount of the prepaid value in cash, depending on the type of cashless payment, as will be described later, when a type of cashless payment is linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. For example, if the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is "TokkyoPay," which is an immediate cashless payment, it is determined that the remaining balance of the prepaid value can be settled by a cash payout, whereas if the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is "credit card," which is a deferred cashless payment, it is determined that the settlement by a cash payout of the prepaid value is not possible. As a result, for example, if electronic money that has been deposited into wallet 100A and managed by valuable value management means 101A is withdrawn by executing a deferred cashless payment, such as a payment using a credit card, and the electronic money is charged (converted into prepaid value associated with IC card 4), it is determined that the settlement by a cash payout of the remaining balance of the prepaid value cannot be made possible, thereby preventing the settlement amount of the credit card from being converted into cash.

[0092] In the valuable management system 1A of this embodiment, the management function unit 100A has the control unit 100a, center communication unit 100b, card unit communication unit 100c, mobile terminal communication unit 100d, settlement machine communication unit 100e, valuable management means 101A, cashless adding means 102A, charge execution means 103A, settlement adding means 104A, usability determination means 105, and settlement execution instruction means 106, which are provided separately in the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20 and are configured to function in cooperation with each other. However, the management function unit 100A may be configured as a system incorporated into one device that constitutes the relay device 8 or the cashless center 20 so as to function independently in either the relay device 8 or the cashless center 20, or may be configured as a valuable management device in which the functions and means distributed across the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20 are integrated into a single device such as a server. However, in order to prevent various processes in the management function unit 100A from being excessively concentrated in one location, such as the relay device 8 or the cashless center 20, it is preferable that the management function unit 100A be distributed and function in the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20.

[0093] The management device 9 includes a control unit 9a that performs overall management of each gaming machine 2, each card unit 3, and the card issuing machine 5, a card unit communication unit 9b that communicates with the card unit 3, and a card issuing machine communication unit 9c that communicates with the card issuing machine 5. The control unit 9a is configured with a microcomputer that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The management device 9 outputs setting information for controlling the gaming machines 2 and the card unit 3 to the card unit 3, for example, and the card unit 3 outputs settlement information regarding prepaid value consumed in games on the gaming machine 2 to the management device 9, for example. In addition, the management device 9 outputs setting information for controlling the card issuing machine 5 to the card issuing machine 5, for example.

[0094] The general-purpose payment center 40 comprises a control unit 40a that mainly performs processing related to the execution of cashless payment, an information management unit 40b that manages authentication information required for the execution of cashless payment and history related to cashless payment, and a management function unit communication unit 40c that communicates with the management function unit 100A. Between the general-purpose payment center 40 and the management function unit 100A, payment information such as a deposit request requesting the execution of cashless payment and deposit information of electronic money to be deposited in response to the deposit request is output. The prepaid settlement center 30 also has a configuration similar to that of the general-purpose settlement center 40 with respect to the purchase of prepaid value, but a description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] The above has described the valuable value management system 1A having the basic configuration. Next, a description will be given of a valuable value management system 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, since the basic configuration of the valuable value management system 1B is the same as that of the valuable value management system 1A, only the parts that differ from the valuable value management system 1A will be described, and a description of the same configuration as the valuable value management system 1A will be omitted.

[0096] Second Embodiment In the valuable management system 1B, when electronic money is added to the valuable management means 101B, the cashless adding means 102B notifies the valuable management means 101B of the type of cashless payment executed by the general-purpose payment center 40, and upon receiving this notification, the valuable management means 101B records the attributes of each electronic money, including the type of cashless payment, in the record as an "addition type" by linking them to the "addition amount" and "addition date." This makes it possible for the valuable management means 101B to manage electronic money according to its attributes.

[0097] Specifically, referring to Figure 8, which shows the state of electronic money (records) managed by the value management means 101B in chronological order, for example, if 10,000 yen in electronic money is deposited into wallet 100B from general-purpose payment center 40 on December 18, 2024, through an immediate cashless payment using "TokkyoPay," the electronic money is added to the value management means 101B by cashless addition means 102B, and a record with a "record number" of "B0001" is added to the value management means 101B. At this time, cashless addition means 102B notifies the value management means 101B that the type of cashless payment used is "TokkyoPay." Upon receiving this notification, the value management means 101B records the type of cashless payment ("TokkyoPay") in the "addition type" as an attribute of the electronic money.

[0098] Subsequently, when the electronic money of record "B0001" is charged, or the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is returned to the wallet and settled, as of December 22, 2024, after the wallet is returned and settled, record "B0002" with a "current balance" of "2,000" and record "B0003" with a "current balance" of "4,000" are managed in value management means 101B. Furthermore, on December 24, 2024, for example, when a deferred cashless payment using a credit card or the like is executed and 10,000 yen of electronic money is deposited into wallet 100B from general-purpose payment center 40, a record with a "record number" of "C0001" is added to value management means 101B. At this time, cashless adding means 102B notifies value management means 101B that the type of cashless payment used is "credit card." Upon receiving this notification, the valuable management means 101B records the type of cashless payment ("credit card") in the "addition type" as an attribute of the electronic money. For convenience, FIG. 8 shows all electronic money as being recorded in a single storage area ("wallet account" in the figure) within the valuable management means 101B. However, in reality, the valuable management means 101B has multiple storage areas ("wallet accounts" in the figure) corresponding to the attributes of the electronic money, including the type of cashless payment, and the electronic money is recorded in separate storage areas for each attribute. Therefore, the valuable management means 101B allocates and records the electronic money to be added at that time in a storage area corresponding to the attribute, depending on the type of cashless payment notified by the cashless adding means 102B. This allows the valuable management means 101B to allocate electronic money according to the type of cashless payment and manage the electronic money separately by type.For example, in the value management system 1B, when the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added as electronic money to the value management means 101B through wallet return settlement executed by the settlement addition means 104B, that electronic money and the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102B are combined and managed by the type of cashless payment. The method of recording and managing electronic money in the valuable management means 101B is not limited to the above, and for example, all electronic money may be recorded in a single recording area provided within one valuable management means 101B, and the electronic money may be distinguished and managed based on the attributes of the electronic money, including the type of cashless payment recorded in the ``addition type'' of the record.

[0099] Furthermore, in the valuable management system 1B, when the usable electronic money includes electronic money with different attributes, in other words, when there is electronic money added by executing different types of cashless payments, the charge execution means 103B calculates the usable amount by attribute, which is the total amount of the "current balance" of the usable electronic money for each attribute (type), and further identifies the attribute that includes the usable electronic money whose usable amount by attribute is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount) specified by the player in the charge execution request and whose date recorded in the "addition date" of the record is older, and subtracts only the usable electronic money for the identified attribute.

[0100] For example, as shown in Figure 9, in the valuable management means 101B, usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 6,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 16, 2025 and usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 10,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 25, 2025 are managed as records "B0001" and "B0002," respectively, linked to "TokkyoPay." Also, usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 5,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 20, 2025 and usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 10,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 30, 2025 are managed as records "C0001" and "C0002," respectively, linked to "credit card." In this case, if 10,000 yen is specified as the charge amount, the charge execution means 103B calculates the available amount by attribute for each of "TokkyoPay" and "credit card" and identifies those whose available amount by attribute is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount).

[0101] In this example, since both attribute-specific usable amounts are greater than or equal to 10,000 yen, "TokkyoPay" and "credit card" are identified. Next, since there are multiple types of cashless payment with attribute-specific usable amounts greater than or equal to 10,000 yen, the charge execution means 103B identifies the type of cashless payment that includes usable electronic money whose attribute-specific usable amount is greater than or equal to the charge amount and whose date recorded in the "addition date" of the record is older. Here, since the date recorded in the "expiration date" is calculated based on the date recorded in the "addition date," the usable electronic money whose date recorded in the "expiration date" is older corresponds to the usable electronic money whose date recorded in the "addition date" is older. Therefore, from among "TokkyoPay" or "credit card" whose attribute-specific usable amounts are both greater than or equal to 10,000 yen, the charge execution means 103B identifies "TokkyoPay" as the type that includes usable electronic money whose date recorded in the "expiration date" is older.

[0102] As a result, when deducting and subtracting usable electronic money managed by the valuable value management means 101B, the charge execution means 103B deducts and subtracts only usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay", which is the specified type of cashless payment, and the subtracted usable electronic money can be charged by the unit 3. After charging, the "current balance" of the usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay" is updated, and the "current balance" of record "B0001" becomes 0 yen, and the "current balance" of record "B0002" becomes 4,000 yen.

[0103] Also, for example, as shown in Figure 10, in the valuable management means 101B, usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 1,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 16, 2025 and usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 5,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 25, 2025 are managed as records "B0001" and "B0002," respectively, linked to "TokkyoPay," and furthermore, usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 5,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 20, 2025 and usable electronic money with a "current balance" of 10,000 yen and an "expiration date" of June 30, 2025 are managed as records "C0001" and "C0002," respectively, linked to "credit card." In this case, for example, if the charge amount is specified as 10,000 yen, the charge execution means 103B first calculates the available amount by attribute for each of "TokkyoPay" and "credit card", and identifies those whose available amount by attribute is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount).

[0104] In this example, the attribute-specific usable amount for "TokkyoPay" is 6,000 yen, and the attribute-specific usable amount for "credit card" is 15,000 yen or more, so a "credit card" whose attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount) is identified. Then, even if the usable electronic money with the oldest "addition date" among the usable electronic money managed by the value management means 101B is linked to "TokkyoPay," the charge execution means 103B does not subtract from the usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay," but rather subtracts from the usable electronic money linked to the "credit card." Here, if the charge amount is 6,000 yen, the charge execution means 103B subtracts from the usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay," including the usable electronic money with the oldest "addition date."

[0105] As a result, when deducting and subtracting usable electronic money managed by the valuable value management means 101B, the charge execution means 103B deducts and subtracts only usable electronic money linked to the specified cashless payment type, "credit card," and can charge the subtracted usable electronic money using the unit 3. After charging, the "current balance" of the usable electronic money linked to the "credit card" is updated, and the "current balance" of record "C0001" becomes 0 yen, and the "current balance" of record "C0002" becomes 5,000 yen. In the above-described value management system 1B, usable electronic money linked to different types of cashless payments is not added together and charged. If the amount were added together and charged, when the remaining amount of prepaid value linked to the IC card 4 is subsequently settled, the electronic money deposited by the execution of different types of cashless payments would be mixed together, making it difficult to prevent, for example, the conversion of usable electronic money linked to a "credit card" into cash.

[0106] Therefore, for example, as a modified example of the valuable management system 1B, the charge execution means 103B may use the unit 3 to associate the prepaid value linked to the type of cashless payment with the IC card 4, and further, when the settlement and addition means 104B adds electronic money to the valuable management means 101B through wallet return settlement, the settlement and addition means 104B may notify the valuable management means 101B of the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Based on the notification from the settlement and addition means 104B, the valuable management means 101B may record the notified type of cashless payment in the "addition type" as an attribute of the electronic money for the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104B, and according to that attribute, the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102B and the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104B may be managed together by type of cashless payment.

[0107] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, when a charge execution request specifying a charge amount (specified amount) of 10,000 yen is notified to the charge execution means 103B on December 26, 2024, the charge execution means 103B first calculates the attribute-specific usable amount for usable electronic money linked to the cashless payment type "TokkyoPay." In this example, the only usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay" is records "B0002" and "B0003," which are electronic money added by wallet refund settlement, so the "current balances" of these are added together to calculate the attribute-specific usable amount as 6,000 yen. Next, the charge execution means 103B calculates the attribute-specific usable amount for usable electronic money linked to the cashless payment type "credit card." In this example, the only usable electronic money linked to "credit card" is record "C0001," so the attribute-specific usable amount is its "current balance," 10,000 yen.

[0108] Next, the charge execution means 103B identifies the attribute-specific usable amount for each of "TokkyoPay" and "credit card" that is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount). In this example, since 10,000 yen is specified as the charge amount, "credit card" is identified, which has an attribute-specific usable amount of 10,000 yen or more. If there are multiple types of cashless payment that have attribute-specific usable amounts of 10,000 yen or more, the cashless payment type that includes usable electronic money whose attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the charge amount and whose date recorded in the "addition date" of the record is older is identified.

[0109] Next, the charge execution means 103B deducts the charge amount from the available electronic money linked to the identified "credit card" and charges the subtracted available electronic money using the unit 3 (converting it into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4). Here, when the charge execution means 103B charges usable electronic money linked to "credit card," it includes "credit card," which is the type of cashless payment linked to the withdrawn usable electronic money, in the charge execution instruction and sends it to the unit 3. Then, upon receiving the charge execution instruction, the unit 3 links the received type of cashless payment, "credit card," to the prepaid value when associating the prepaid value with the IC card 4. Note that the linking information between the type of cashless payment and the prepaid value is recorded in the IC card 4 or the unit 3, together with the remaining amount of prepaid value.

[0110] Later, on the same day, when the remaining balance (9,000 yen) of the prepaid value linked to the cashless payment type "credit card" is settled by wallet return settlement, the settlement and addition means 104B notifies the valuable management means 101B of "credit card", which is the cashless payment type linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, when adding electronic money to the valuable management means 101B. Then, the valuable management means 101B adds a record "C0002", and records in the record "C0002" an amount of electronic money (9,000 yen) equivalent to the remaining amount of the settled prepaid value. Furthermore, "credit card", which indicates the type of cashless payment notified to the valuable management means 101B by the settlement and addition means 104B, is recorded in the "addition type" of the record "C0002". The "addition type" recorded at this time may be only the type of cashless payment notified by the settlement addition means 104B, but as shown in Figure 8, it is preferable to record it as "settlement (credit card)" or the like, which includes "settlement" in the type of cashless payment, so that it is clear that the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104B is the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value.

[0111] In this way, in the valuable value management means 101B, both the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102B and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104B are linked to the type of cashless payment, so that the electronic money can be managed together by separating them according to the type of cashless payment. As described above, in the modified valuable management system 1B, when usable electronic money withdrawn by the charge execution means 103B is charged, only usable electronic money linked to one type of cashless payment, including electronic money added by wallet refund settlement, can be charged and used for games, without mixing usable electronic money deposited in the wallet (management function unit) 100B by executing different types of cashless payments. This makes it easy to manage the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In particular, it becomes possible to manage usable electronic money according to the type of cashless payment, for example, by making it impossible to settle cash with usable electronic money linked to a "credit card" among usable electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101B, and allowing cash settlement with usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay."

[0112] The flow of how the charge execution means 103B associates the prepaid value linked by the unit 3 to a cashless payment type with the IC card 4 is as shown in Figure 11, in which the charge execution means 103B includes the cashless payment type linked to the withdrawn usable electronic money in a charge execution instruction and sends it to the unit 3. Figure 11 shows that the charge execution means 103B has withdrawn usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay" as a cashless payment type, and therefore the cashless payment type "TokkyoPay" is included in the charge execution instruction. In this way, when the unit 3 receives the charge execution instruction and associates the prepaid value with the IC card 4, it can associate the received cashless payment type "TokkyoPay" with the prepaid value.

[0113] Furthermore, in the valuable management system 1B configured as described above, for example, if the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is linked to "TokkyoPay" as a type of cashless payment, when the IC card 4 is inserted into the settlement machine 6 and accepted as shown in FIG. 12, a wallet return confirmation request is sent from the settlement machine 6 to the settlement and addition means 104B of the management function unit 100B. This wallet return confirmation request includes at least the card ID of the IC card 4, the remaining amount of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and the type of cashless payment (addition type) linked to the prepaid value. The settlement and addition means 104C that receives the wallet return confirmation request checks the linking information between the card ID and the application ID managed by the management function unit 100B. Then, the player and the valuable management means 101B for that player are identified from the application ID linked to the card ID. Here, the player and the valuable management means 101B for that player are identified, and if it is confirmed that the application ID linked when the electronic money was added to the valuable management means 101B is valid, a message indicating that wallet return settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return availability confirmation result. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the application ID is valid, a message indicating an error is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return availability confirmation result, although this is not shown in the figure.

[0114] Next, when the settlement machine 6 receives the wallet return settlement availability result indicating that the wallet return settlement is possible, a message indicating that the settlement is in progress is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6. After that, the settlement machine 6 transmits a settlement execution request to the settlement addition means 104B, requesting the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This settlement execution request includes at least the settlement machine ID, game parlor ID, card ID, settlement amount, and cashless payment type (addition type), which are identification information for each settlement machine 6. Here, the settlement and addition means 104B adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value to the value management means 101B based on the received settlement execution request, and executes wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value. Then, a new record is added in the value management means 101B, and electronic money of an amount equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value is recorded and managed in that record. Furthermore, the "addition type" of the record added at this time records the attribute of the electronic money as "Settlement (TokkyoPay)", which combines "Settlement", which indicates that the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104B is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value, and "TokkyoPay", which indicates the type of cashless payment notified to the value management means 101B by the settlement and addition means 104B.

[0115] When the wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is executed in the manner described above, the settlement adding means 104B sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6, and also notifies the mobile terminal 10 by a communication means such as email that the settlement has been completed. Upon receiving the settlement execution response, the settlement machine 6 displays on its screen a message that the settlement has been completed. This allows the player to know that the settlement has been completed from the notification to the mobile terminal 10 and the display on the screen of the settlement machine 6. The settlement machine 6 then collects the IC card 4, for which the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value has been completed. On the other hand, in the value management means 101B, based on the attributes of the electronic money recorded in the "addition type", the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102B and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104B are grouped together and managed by the type of cashless payment.

[0116] Furthermore, for example, if the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is linked to "credit card" as the cashless payment type (addition type), and the IC card 4 is inserted into the settlement machine 6 and accepted, the process is the same as when the IC card 4 associated with the prepaid value linked to "TokkyoPay" as the cashless payment type (addition type) described above is accepted by the settlement machine 6, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0117] The valuable management system 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, a description will be given of a valuable value management system 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, since the basic configuration of the valuable value management system 1C is common to the valuable value management systems 1A and 1B, only the parts that differ from the valuable value management systems 1A and 1B will be described, and a description of the same configuration as the valuable value management systems 1A and 1B will be omitted.

[0118] <Third embodiment> In the valuable management system 1C, when adding electronic money to the valuable management means 101C, the settlement and addition means 104C notifies the valuable management means 101C that the electronic money to be added is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Furthermore, the attributes of the electronic money include, in addition to the type of cashless payment, the fact that the electronic money to be added is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Then, based on the notification from the settlement and addition means 104C, the valuable management means 101C records as an attribute of the electronic money that the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104C is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and manages the electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102C and the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104C separately. In this way, by separately managing the electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102C, i.e., the electronic money added by executing a cashless payment, and the electronic money added by the settlement adding means 104C, i.e., the electronic money added by settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, it becomes possible to operate with separate executable processes for each type of electronic money. For example, it becomes possible to operate in such a way that the electronic money added by executing a cashless payment can be used to top up to be used in games, as well as to purchase general goods and pay for services, while the electronic money added by settling the remaining amount of prepaid value can be used only to top up to be used in games.

[0119] 13, suppose that on December 18, 2024, 10,000 yen of electronic money is deposited into wallet 100C from general-purpose settlement center 40, and that electronic money is added to value management means 101C by cashless addition means 102C, and a record with "Record No." "B0001" is added to value management means 101C. Further, suppose that on December 20, 2024, 3,000 yen of the 6,000 yen prepaid value charged from the "current balance" of record "B0001" is used for gaming, and the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with IC card 4 becomes 3,000 yen, and this remaining amount of 3,000 yen is added to value management means 101C as electronic money by settlement addition means 104C through execution of wallet return settlement. At this time, the settlement addition means 104C adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 to the valuable value management means 101C, and notifies the valuable value management means 101C that when adding the electronic money to the valuable value management means 101C, the electronic money to be added is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Here, in Figure 13, for the sake of convenience, all electronic money is shown as being recorded in one storage area ("wallet account" in the figure) within the valuable value management means 101C, but in reality, the valuable value management means 101C is provided with a plurality of storage areas ("wallet accounts" in the figure) corresponding to the attributes of the electronic money, including the type of cashless payment, and the electronic money is recorded in separate storage areas for each attribute. Therefore, the valuable value management means 101C allocates and records the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104C to a recording area corresponding to the attribute of the electronic money notified by the settlement and addition means 104C, i.e., depending on whether the electronic money is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4.

[0120] The valuable management means 101C then records the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104C as a new record "S0001", and, based on the notification from the settlement and addition means 104C, records "settlement" as an attribute of the electronic money in "addition type", indicating that the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104C is a settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Then, by executing the wallet return settlement, the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added as electronic money from the settlement and addition means 104C to the valuable management means 101C, and the valuable management means 101C now manages a record "B0001" in which "TokkyoPay" is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money in "addition type", and a record "S0001" in which "settlement" is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money in "addition type". In this way, the valuable value management means 101C can manage electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102C and electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104C separately depending on the attributes of the electronic money, in other words, whether the added electronic money is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 or not.

[0121] In the valuable management system 1C, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, when an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value is inserted into the settlement machine 6 and the IC card 4 is accepted by the settlement machine 6, the settlement machine 6 sends a wallet return confirmation request to the settlement and addition means 104C of the management function unit 100C. This wallet return confirmation request includes at least the card ID of the IC card 4 and the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. The settlement and addition means 104C that receives the wallet return confirmation request checks the linking information between the card ID and the application ID managed by the management function unit 100C. Then, the player and the valuable management means 101C for that player are identified from the application ID linked to the card ID. Here, the player and the valuable management means 101C for that player are identified, and if it is confirmed that the application ID linked when the electronic money was added to the valuable management means 101A is valid, a message indicating that wallet return settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return availability confirmation result. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the application ID is valid, a message indicating an error is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return availability confirmation result, although this is not shown in the figure.

[0122] Next, when the settlement machine 6 receives the result of checking whether the wallet return is possible, that the wallet return settlement is possible, a message indicating that the settlement is in progress is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6. After that, the settlement machine 6 transmits a settlement execution request to the settlement addition means 104C, requesting the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This settlement execution request includes at least the settlement machine ID, game parlor ID, card ID, and settlement amount, which are identification information for each settlement machine 6. Here, the settlement adding means 104C adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value to the valuable value management means 101C based on the received settlement execution request, and executes the wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value. Then, a new record is added in the valuable value management means 101C, and electronic money of an amount equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value is recorded and managed in that record. Furthermore, in the "addition type" of the record added at this time, "settlement" is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the electronic money being added is the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value.

[0123] When the wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is executed in this way, the settlement adding means 104C sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6, and also notifies the mobile terminal 10 by communication means such as email that the settlement has been completed. Upon receiving the settlement execution response, the settlement machine 6 displays on its screen that the settlement has been completed. This allows the player to know that the settlement has been completed from the notification to the mobile terminal 10 and the display on the screen of the settlement machine 6. The settlement machine 6 then collects the IC card 4, for which the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value has been completed. On the other hand, in the valuable management means 101C, the electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102C and the electronic money added by the settlement adding means 104C are managed separately based on the attributes of the electronic money. In this way, in the valuable management system 1C, when the settlement adding means 104C adds electronic money to the valuable management means 101C, it notifies the valuable management means 101C that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Then, based on the notification from the settlement adding means 104C, in other words, based on the attributes of the electronic money including the fact that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, the valuable management means 101C manages the electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102C and the electronic money added by the settlement adding means 104C separately. In this case, there is no need for the charge execution means 103B to perform processing such as linking the type of cashless payment (addition type) to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 using the unit 3, as was required in the modified example of the valuable value management system 1B.

[0124] The valuable value management system 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, a description will be given of a valuable value management system 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, since the basic configuration of the valuable value management system 1D is common to the valuable value management systems 1B and 1C, only the parts that differ from the valuable value management systems 1B and 1C will be described, and a description of the same configuration as the valuable value management systems 1B and 1C will be omitted.

[0125] <Fourth embodiment> In the management function section 100D of the valuable management system 1D, the charge execution means 103D causes the unit 3 to associate the prepaid value linked to the type of cashless payment with the IC card 4, and further, when adding electronic money to the valuable management means 101D through wallet return settlement, the settlement addition means 104D notifies the valuable management means 101D that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Furthermore, the attributes of the electronic money include, in addition to the type of cashless payment, that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Then, based on notification from the settlement and addition means 104D, the valuable management means 101D records as an attribute of the electronic money that the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104D is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and manages the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102D separately from the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104D, and manages the valuable added by the cashless addition means 102D by type of cashless payment.

[0126] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, suppose that on December 18, 2024, a cashless payment using "TokkyoPay" is made, and a record "B0001" is added with "TokkyoPay" recorded in the "Addition Type." Then, on December 20, 2024, 6,000 yen worth of usable electronic money is charged from the "Current Balance" of record "B0001." At this time, when the charge execution means 103D causes the unit 3 to charge usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay," it sends a charge execution instruction to the unit 3, including "TokkyoPay," the cashless payment type linked to the withdrawn usable electronic money, in the same manner as the charge execution means 103B in the valuable value management system 1B (FIG. 11). Then, when the unit 3 receives the charge execution instruction and associates the prepaid value with the IC card 4, it associates the received cashless payment type "TokkyoPay" with the prepaid value. The information linking the type of cashless payment and the prepaid value is recorded in the IC card 4 or the unit 3 together with the remaining amount of the prepaid value. Later, on the same day, 3,000 yen of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is used for gaming, and later, through execution of wallet return settlement, the remaining amount of 3,000 yen of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is added as electronic money to the valuable value management means 101D by the settlement addition means 104D. As a result, as of the end of December 20, 2024, the valuable value management means 101D will be managing record "B0001" in which "TokkyoPay" is recorded as the electronic money attribute in "addition type," and record "S0001" in which "settlement" is recorded as the electronic money attribute in "addition type."

[0127] After that, for example, on December 22, 2024, 3,000 yen is charged from the "current balance" of record "B0001", and then 1,000 yen of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is used. After that, when a wallet return settlement is executed for 2,000 yen, which is the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with IC card 4, 2,000 yen of electronic money is added to the valuable value management means 101D. At this time, the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104D is added and recorded as a new record "S0002", and "settlement" is recorded as the electronic money attribute in the "addition type" of record "S0002". As a result, at the end of the period on December 22, 2024, the valuable management means 101D will be managing record "B0001," in which "TokkyoPay" is recorded in the "addition type" as an attribute of the electronic money, and records "S0001" and "S0002," in which "settlement" is recorded in the "addition type" as an attribute of the electronic money. As mentioned above, in Figure 13, for the sake of convenience, all electronic money is shown as being recorded in a single recording area ("wallet account" in the figure) within the valuable management means 101D, but in reality, multiple recording areas ("wallet accounts" in the figure) are provided within the valuable management means 101D corresponding to the attributes of the electronic money, including the type of cashless payment, and the electronic money is recorded in separate recording areas for each attribute. Therefore, the valuable management means 101D allocates and records the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104D to a recording area corresponding to the attribute of the electronic money notified by the settlement and addition means 104D, i.e., depending on whether the electronic money is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In this way, the valuable management means 101D can manage electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102D and electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104D separately, depending on the attribute of the electronic money. The flow up to this point is the same as that of the valuable management system 1C.

[0128] On the other hand, when a new cashless payment using a "credit card" is made on December 24, 2024, a record "C0001" is added in which "credit card" is recorded in the "addition type", and the "addition type" of this record "C0001" is recorded as "credit card", which is the type of cashless payment notified by the cashless addition means 102D. As a result, as of the end of December 24, 2024, the valuable management means 101D will be managing record "B0001" in which "TokkyoPay" is recorded as the electronic money attribute in the "addition type", records "S0001" and "S0002" in which "settlement" is recorded as the electronic money attribute in the "addition type", and record "C0001" in which "credit card" is recorded as the electronic money attribute in the "addition type". In this way, in the valuable management system 1D, the valuable management means 101D manages electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102D and electronic money added by the settlement adding means 104D separately, and can manage the electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102D according to the type of cashless payment.

[0129] Furthermore, if an attempt is made to charge 5,000 yen from the available electronic money of records "B0001," "S0001," "S0002," and "C0001" recorded and managed as described above on December 26, 2024, the charge execution means 103D will calculate the available amount for each attribute linked to the available electronic money ("type of cashless payment" or "electronic money is the result of settling the remaining prepaid value associated with IC card 4") Specifically, the attribute-specific usable amount for record "B0001," whose attribute is the cashless payment type "TokkyoPay," is calculated as 1,000 yen, the attribute-specific usable amount for records "S0001" and "S0002," whose attribute is "electronic money resulting from the settlement of the remaining balance of prepaid value associated with IC card 4," is calculated as 5,000 yen, and the attribute-specific usable amount for record "C0001," whose attribute is the cashless payment type "credit card," is calculated as 10,000 yen. Next, the charge execution means 103D identifies the attributes of those attribute-specific usable amounts equal to or greater than 5,000 yen, the player's designated amount, as "electronic money resulting from the settlement of the remaining balance of prepaid value associated with IC card 4" and "credit card," and further identifies the attribute of the usable electronic money with the older date recorded in the "addition date" field as "electronic money resulting from the settlement of the remaining balance of prepaid value associated with IC card 4."

[0130] In this case, even if the valuable value management means 101D has record "B0001" linked to "TokkyoPay" as the usable electronic money with the oldest date recorded in the "Addition Date," the charge execution means 103D will not use that usable electronic money for charging, but will deduct and subtract the "current balance" only from the usable electronic money of records "S0001" and "S0002" linked to the specified attribute "that the electronic money is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with IC card 4," that is, only from records "S0001" and "S0002" in which "Settlement" is recorded as the electronic money attribute in "Addition Type," or in other words, only from the wallet account that records and manages records "S0001" and "S0002" linked to the electronic money attribute "that the electronic money is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with IC card 4," and charge the unit 3. Furthermore, when the charge execution means 103D causes the unit 3 to charge usable electronic money whose attribute is linked to the fact that "the electronic money is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4," i.e., usable electronic money whose "addition type" is recorded as "settlement," the charge execution means 103D includes "settlement," which indicates that "the electronic money is the result of settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4," in a charge execution instruction and sends it to the unit 3. Then, when the unit 3 that received the charge execution instruction associates the prepaid value with the IC card 4, it associates the received attribute "settlement" with the prepaid value. Note that information linking this attribute with the prepaid value is recorded in the IC card 4 or the unit 3, together with the remaining amount of prepaid value.

[0131] In the valuable management system 1D configured in this manner, for example, as shown in Fig. 15, when an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value is inserted into the settlement machine 6 and the IC card 4 is accepted by the settlement machine 6, the flow is almost the same as in the case of the valuable management system 1B described above, but when the settlement addition means 104D executes a wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value, the valuable management means 101D is notified that "the electronic money is due to the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4" for the electronic money to be added. Then, the records added by executing the wallet return settlement are both linked to "TokkyoPay" and linked to "credit card" and recorded with "settlement" linked to the "addition type." Therefore, in the value management system 1D, based on the attributes of the electronic money recorded in the "addition type" as described above, the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102D and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104D are managed separately, and the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102D is managed according to the type of cashless payment.

[0132] The valuable value management system 1D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, a modified example that can be applied to any of the valuable management systems 1A to 1D according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0133] <First Modification> In the valuable value management systems 1A to 1D, the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 has been explained as an example in which the settlement is carried out by wallet return settlement, but the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 may also be carried out by cash settlement. In this case, for example, when the IC card 4 associated with the prepaid value is inserted into the settlement machine 6 and the IC card 4 is accepted by the settlement machine 6, cash equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is dispensed from the settlement machine 6. Here, for example, in the case where the charge execution means 103B and the charge execution means 103D, etc., as in the valuable value management system 1B and the valuable value management system 1D, associate a prepaid value linked to a type of cashless payment with an IC card 4, the settlement execution instruction means 106 may determine whether or not to execute the cash settlement depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4.

[0134] In this case, for example, taking the valuable management system 1B as an example, as shown in FIG. 16 , if the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is linked to "TokkyoPay" as the type of cashless payment, when the IC card 4 is inserted into and accepted by the settlement machine 6, a wallet return confirmation request is sent from the settlement machine 6 to the management function unit 100B. This wallet return confirmation request includes at least the card ID of the IC card 4, the remaining amount of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value. In the management function unit 100B that has received the wallet return confirmation request, the settlement addition means 104B confirms the linking information between the card ID and the app ID, identifies the player's valuable management means 101B from the app ID, and confirms the validity of the app ID. At the same time, the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines whether to execute cash settlement according to the type of cashless payment included in the wallet return confirmation request.

[0135] Here, if it can be confirmed that the application ID is valid and if the settlement execution instructing means 106 determines that cash settlement can be executed, a message indicating that both wallet return settlement and cash settlement are possible is transmitted to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return availability confirmation result. Furthermore, if it cannot be confirmed that the application ID is valid, a message indicating an error is transmitted to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return availability confirmation result, although this is not shown in the drawings. Next, when the settlement machine 6 receives the wallet return availability confirmation result indicating that both wallet return settlement and cash settlement are possible, a selection button or the like is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6, allowing the player to select wallet return settlement or cash settlement. If the player selects cash settlement here, the settlement machine 6 settles the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by paying out cash. After that, the settlement machine 6 transmits a cash settlement execution result to the management function unit 100B, and in response, the management function unit 100B transmits a cash settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6. The settlement machine 6 then displays on the screen that the settlement has been completed, and collects the IC card 4 for which the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value has been completed.

[0136] In the above example, a case has been described in which the settlement execution instruction means 106 has determined that cash settlement can be performed. However, for example, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 16, if the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is linked to "credit card" as a type of cashless payment, the settlement execution instruction means 106 may determine that cash settlement cannot be performed. In this case, a wallet refund availability confirmation result indicating that wallet refund settlement is possible but cash settlement is not possible is transmitted to the settlement machine 6. Upon receiving this information, the settlement machine 6 displays selection buttons or the like on its screen, but here only wallet refund settlement is selectable. Here, when the player selects wallet refund settlement, the remaining amount of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is settled by the settlement machine 6 through wallet refund settlement. After that, the settlement machine 6 sends a settlement execution request to the management function unit 100B, and in response, the management function unit 100B sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6, and the management function unit 100B notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the settlement has been completed.This is the same as what has been explained so far, so we will not explain it again.

[0137] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned valuable value management system 1B, valuable value management system 1D, etc., when the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines whether or not cash settlement can be carried out by the settlement machine 6 depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, for example, the touch panel display 11 of the gaming device (unit 3 and card issuing machine 5) may be configured to display whether or not cash settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value can be carried out by the settlement machine 6 depending on the determination by the settlement execution instruction means 106. In this case, for example, when an IC card 4 is accepted by a gaming device, the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the card ID is identified, and the type of cashless payment is notified from the gaming device to the management function unit 100B, etc. In the management function unit 100B that receives this notification, the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines whether or not to execute cash settlement by the settlement machine 6 depending on the type of cashless payment, and transmits the result of this determination to the gaming device. In response to this determination, the gaming device that has received the result of this determination displays the result of the determination made by the settlement execution instruction means 106 regarding the prepaid value associated with the accepted IC card 4 on the touch panel display 11. Note that the configuration is not limited to the gaming device and the management function unit 100B communicating to receive the result of the determination by the settlement execution instruction means 106 each time an IC card 4 is accepted as described above, but may be configured such that, for example, the gaming device receives in advance from the management function unit 100B a cash settlement possibility setting that is preset according to the type of cashless payment, and based on that possibility setting, the gaming device that accepted the IC card 4 can independently determine whether or not to accept cash settlement according to the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with that IC card 4. In this way, the gaming device can display on the touch panel display 11 at its own discretion whether or not to accept cash settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value by the settlement machine 6. Furthermore, the display on the gaming device may be such that it displays only when cash settlement is possible, or only when cash settlement is not possible, or it may display whether cash settlement is possible or not, depending on the determination result by the settlement execution instruction means 106 or the gaming device's own determination. This makes it possible, for example, to notify the player in advance that cash settlement is not possible, and allow the player to continue playing and use up the remaining amount of prepaid value without considering settling the remaining amount. Also, for example, if the remaining amount of prepaid value is linked to a "credit card," it may be possible to display a warning that cash settlement is not possible, but on the other hand, if the remaining amount of prepaid value is linked to "TokkyoPay," it may be possible to display nothing.

[0138] <Second Modification> Furthermore, for example, in the case where the charge execution means 103B and the charge execution means 103D associate a prepaid value linked to a type of cashless payment with the IC card 4, as in the valuable value management system 1B and the valuable value management system 1D, the settlement addition means 104B and the settlement addition means 104D may determine whether or not to settle the remaining amount of prepaid value, depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value includes wallet refund settlement and cash settlement, but only wallet refund settlement will be described below.

[0139] For example, taking the valuable management system 1B as an example, if the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is linked to "TokkyoPay" as the type of cashless payment, when the IC card 4 is inserted into the settlement machine 6 and accepted as shown in FIG. 17, the settlement machine 6 sends a wallet return confirmation request to the management function unit 100B. Then, in the management function unit 100B that received the wallet return confirmation request, the settlement addition means 104B checks the linking information between the card ID and the app ID, identifies the player's valuable management means 101B from the app ID, confirms the validity of the app ID, and determines whether to execute the wallet return settlement based on the type of cashless payment included in the wallet return confirmation request. If the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is "TokkyoPay," the settlement addition means 104B determines that the wallet return settlement is permitted.

[0140] Here, it is confirmed that the application ID is valid, and the settlement adding means 104B has determined that the wallet return settlement can be executed, so a wallet return possibility confirmation result indicating that the wallet return settlement is possible is sent to the settlement device 6. Then, the wallet return settlement is executed by the settlement adding means 104B, and a message indicating that settlement is in progress is displayed on the screen of the settlement device 6. The rest of the flow is the same as that explained so far, so explanation thereof will be omitted. On the other hand, for example, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 17, if the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is linked to "credit card" as the type of cashless payment, the settlement addition means 104B determines that the wallet return settlement is not possible. In this case, since the settlement addition means 104B determines that the wallet return settlement cannot be executed, a message indicating that the wallet return settlement is not possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return possibility confirmation result. In this case, a message indicating that the settlement is not possible is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6, and the IC card 4 inserted in the settlement machine 6 is returned.

[0141] <Other variations> In the valuable management system 1A, etc., when usable electronic money is managed in multiple records in the valuable management means 101A, the player can be allowed to charge any amount of usable electronic money specified by the player within the total amount of the "current balances" of those usable electronic money. At this time, the charge execution means 103A only adds up the "current balances" of usable electronic money linked to the same cashless payment type, as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 shows an example in which a charge amount of 10,000 yen is specified and only usable electronic money linked to the same cashless payment type, "TokkyoPay," is added up and charged. At this time, the charge execution means 103A first subtracts from the record with the oldest date recorded in the "addition date" - in other words, the record with the oldest date recorded in the "expiration date" - among the usable electronic money linked to the same type of cashless payment, and then charges.

[0142] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, for example, of records "0001" and "0003" of available electronic money linked to the same cashless payment type "TokkyoPay," the available electronic money of record "0001" with the older date recorded in the "expiration date" is debited and subtracted first, and then the available electronic money of record "0003" is debited and subtracted. In this way, if the "current balance" of record "0001" is 6,000 yen and the "current balance" of record "0003" is 10,000 yen before charging, after charging, the "current balance" of record "0001" is updated to 0 yen and the "current balance" of record "0003" is updated to 6,000 yen. This allows the expiration date of electronic money to be appropriately managed using a so-called first-in, first-out method depending on the attributes of the electronic money, in other words, the type of cashless payment linked to the electronic money and whether the electronic money is used to settle the remaining balance of prepaid value.

[0143] Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, in the case of a valuable management system 1B or the like that associates prepaid value linked to attributes of electronic money including the type of cashless payment with an IC card 4 in response to a charge execution instruction from a charge execution means 103B or the like, in addition to the expiration date management using the so-called first-in, first-out method as described above, the ability to execute wallet return settlement by a settlement addition means 104B or the like may be variably configured depending on the attributes of the electronic money associated with the IC card 4 by the charge execution means 103B or the like, in other words, the type of cashless payment and whether the electronic money is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of prepaid value. In this case, for example, by disabling wallet return settlement for prepaid value linked to "credit card" as the type of cashless payment, electronic money that was deposited by executing a cashless payment using a credit card when it was deposited into the management function unit 100B and added to the value management means 101B by the value management means 101B will not be added again to the value management means 101B by wallet return settlement, so electronic money that is recorded in the value management means 101B with "settlement" linked to the "addition type" will not be mixed with electronic money that is added again to the value management means 101B by settling prepaid value linked to "credit card". This makes it possible to operate the value management system 1B etc. in accordance with various situations, such as enabling cash settlement only for electronic money that is linked to a type of cashless payment other than "credit card" as the "addition type" and electronic money that is linked to "settlement" as the "addition type".

[0144] Furthermore, for example, in the valuable management system 1A or the like, the gaming device (unit 3 or card issuing machine 5) can accept banknotes (cash) and associate prepaid value equivalent to the banknotes with the IC card 4. However, when settling the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by accepting cash (cash deposit) in this way, settlement may also be performed by wallet return settlement. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 20 , an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value of 5,000 yen is inserted into the settlement machine 6, and after the settlement machine 6 accepts the IC card 4, a wallet return operation is performed in order to allow the settlement machine 6 to execute settlement. This puts the settlement machine 6 in a state where it can read codes (e.g., two-dimensional codes, barcodes, etc.). Meanwhile, the player launches an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 and displays a code on the touch panel display 11 to be read by the settlement machine 6. At this time, the code displayed on the touch panel display 11 includes at least an application ID.

[0145] Thereafter, when the code displayed on the touch panel display 11 of the mobile terminal 10 is read by the settlement machine 6, the settlement machine 6 sends a wallet refund confirmation request to the management function unit 100A. This wallet refund confirmation request includes at least the application ID and the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Upon receiving the wallet refund confirmation request, the management function unit 100A identifies the player's valuable management means 101A from the application ID and confirms the depositable amount using the cashless addition means 102A. Then, if the confirmation of the depositable amount confirms that the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is equal to or less than the depositable amount, a message indicating that wallet refund settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as the wallet refund confirmation result. On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed that the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is equal to or less than the depositable amount, a message indicating an error is sent to the settlement machine 6 as the wallet refund confirmation result, although this is not shown in the figure.

[0146] Next, the settlement machine 6 transmits to the settlement adding means 104A a settlement execution request requesting the settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This settlement execution request includes at least the gaming facility ID, the settlement machine ID, the application ID, and the settlement amount. Here, the settlement adding means 104A adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value to the value management means 101A based on the received settlement execution request, and executes wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value. Then, a new record is added to the value management means 101A, and electronic money equivalent to the remaining amount of prepaid value is recorded and managed in that record. Furthermore, the "addition type" of the record added at this time is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the electronic money being added is a settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value. When wallet return settlement of the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is executed in this way, the settlement adding means 104A transmits a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6 and notifies the mobile terminal 10 via a communication means such as email that the settlement has been completed. Then, the settlement machine 6, which has received the settlement execution response, displays a message on its screen indicating that the settlement has been completed. As a result, the player can know that the settlement has been completed from the notification to the mobile terminal 10 and the display on the screen of the settlement machine 6. After that, the settlement machine 6 collects the IC card 4, whose remaining prepaid value has been settled. Note that the possibility of executing settlement by wallet refund settlement may be variable. This allows for a variety of operations, such as enabling wallet refund settlement of only the remaining amount of prepaid value charged from electronic money added by executing a cashless payment, or enabling wallet refund settlement of both the remaining amount of prepaid value charged from electronic money added by executing a cashless payment and the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by a cash deposit.

[0147] Furthermore, for example, the valuable management system 1A or the like may be configured so that, as described above, the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added to the valuable management means 101A or the like as electronic money by executing a wallet refund settlement upon receipt of cash (cash deposit), and then the electronic money can be settled by cash settlement. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 21 , the remaining amount of prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added to the valuable management means 101A or the like as electronic money (cash deposit amount of 5,000 yen) by executing a wallet refund settlement, and the electronic money is managed by the valuable management means 101A. Here, to settle the electronic money by cash settlement, the player first launches an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 and displays a code (e.g., a two-dimensional code, a barcode, etc.) on the touch panel display 11 to be optically read by the settlement machine 6. At this time, the code displayed on the touch panel display 11 includes at least an application ID.

[0148] Meanwhile, a cash settlement operation is performed in the settlement machine 6 to allow the settlement machine 6 to accept the execution of settlement, thereby putting the settlement machine 6 into a state where it can read the code. When the settlement machine 6 reads the code displayed on the touch panel display 11 of the mobile terminal 10, a wallet information confirmation is transmitted from the settlement machine 6 to the management function unit 100A. This wallet information confirmation includes at least the application ID. The management function unit 100A, which has received the wallet information confirmation, identifies the valuable management means 101A for that player from the application ID. After that, the balance of electronic money (cash deposit amount) managed by the valuable management means 101A is transmitted from the management function unit 100A to the settlement machine 6 as wallet information. Then, the settlement machine 6, which has received the wallet information, transmits a cash settlement execution request to the management function unit 100A. This cash settlement execution request includes at least the application ID and the settlement amount. Thereafter, when the management function unit 100A, which has received the cash settlement execution request, sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6, the settlement machine 6 executes the cash settlement by paying out 5,000 yen in cash, which is the balance of the electronic money (cash deposit amount) managed by the valuable management means 101A. Meanwhile, the management function unit 100A notifies the mobile terminal 10 by a communication means such as email that the settlement has been completed, and updates the balance of the electronic money (cash deposit amount) managed by the valuable management means 101A to 0 yen.

[0149] Furthermore, for example, in the valuable management system 1A, when electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101A is charged, information about the gaming parlor to which the electronic money is charged, such as the gaming parlor ID, the charge date, and the charge amount, may be managed as a backup in the management function unit 100A. This makes it possible to prepare for, for example, if the gaming parlor accidentally deletes the electronic money record managed by the valuable management means 101A, or if a problem occurs in updating records such as the "current balance," or if the database is lost due to a disaster or other reasons, and also makes it possible to trace back and identify the cause of the problem. Furthermore, using the backup data, data for each gaming parlor can be compiled, and trends such as the usage status and frequency of electronic money can be analyzed and utilized in the management of the gaming parlor.

[0150] Furthermore, such backup data can be used to conduct analysis based on aggregations from various perspectives, such as by player or by type of cashless payment, and can be used to help with gaming parlor management and measures to prevent player addiction. In addition, the backup data may be utilized, for example, by using data on the deposit status of each player through cashless payment and the status of electronic money recharges. This may be used to learn each player's electronic money deposit and recharge patterns, thereby grasping each player's characteristics and providing useful information to the player and information suggested by the gaming parlor. In this case, for example, when there is usable electronic money that has not been updated for a while in the valuable value management means 101A, the timing for notifying the player of the availability of that usable electronic money may be determined based on the deposit and recharge patterns. In this way, for example, a player who tends to recharge the day after a deposit may be notified of the availability of unused usable electronic money two days after the deposit date, or a player who tends to recharge within about a week after a deposit may be notified of the availability of unused usable electronic money two weeks after the deposit date.

[0151] Furthermore, for example, the valuable management means 101A may be provided for each gaming establishment, or may be provided as a shared valuable management means 101A that can be used by a plurality of gaming establishments. In this case, for example, if a valuable management means 101A is provided for each gaming establishment, it becomes possible to operate it for each gaming establishment, and therefore it becomes possible to attract players by providing benefits such as awarding points exclusive to that gaming establishment according to the usage status of electronic money.

[0152] Furthermore, in the valuable management system 1A, the electronic money managed by the valuable management means 101A is configured to be charged in a so-called first-in, first-out method, but it is not limited to the first-in, first-in method, and for example, it may be possible to charge in any order specified by the player. In that case, for example, it may be possible to allow the player to specify the order of the electronic money to be used for charging or to directly specify the electronic money to be used for charging by operating an application installed on the mobile terminal 10. Furthermore, for example, an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 may be configured with a notification function that can display various information in a pop-up format, and the player may be able to easily check the history of electronic money usage and other information such as an approaching expiration date through the application on the mobile terminal 10.

[0153] Furthermore, as described above, in the valuable management systems 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, for example, in the management function unit 100A, the control unit 100a, the center communication unit 100b, the card unit communication unit 100c, the mobile terminal communication unit 100d, the settlement machine communication unit 100e, the valuable management means 101A, the cashless adding means 102A, the charge execution means 103A, the settlement adding means 104A, the usability determining means 105, and the settlement execution instructing means 106 are each provided separately in the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20, and are configured as a system realized by the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20 working together. However, for example, the valuable management systems 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may also be configured as software. In that case, for example, they are configured as a valuable management program that is recorded in and operates in ROM and RAM in a computer equipped with hardware such as a microcomputer. Specifically, the valuable management program may be configured as a program for causing a computer to function as means, such as the valuable management means 101A, cashless addition means 102A, charge execution means 103A, settlement addition means 104A, usability determination means 105, and settlement execution instruction means 106 in the valuable management system 1A, as a cashless addition procedure, a charge execution procedure, a settlement addition procedure, a recording procedure, a usability determination procedure, and a settlement execution instruction procedure. This allows for a valuable management program that achieves the same effects as the valuable management systems 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. The recording procedure in the valuable management program refers to a procedure for recording electronic money and various information related to the electronic money (such as the amount added and the date of addition) in a database (valuable management area), which is a management area for managing electronic money, each time electronic money is added using the cashless addition procedure or the settlement addition procedure.

[0154] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Value Management System 2. Gaming machines 2a Control section 2b Card unit communication section 3. Card unit (gaming device) 3a Control section 3b Gaming machine communication section 3c Management Function Department Communication Department 3d management device communication department 4. IC card (recording medium) 5. Card issuing machine (gaming device) 5a Control section 5b Management Function Department Communication Department 5c Management device communication department 6 Payment machine 6a Control section 6b Management Functions Communication Section 7 HUB 8. Relay Device 9 Management device 9a Control section 9b Card unit communication section 10 Mobile devices 11 Touch panel display (display means) 20 Cashless Center 30 Prepaid Payment Center 30a Control section 30b Information Management Department 30c Management Function Department Communication Department 40 General-purpose settlement center 40a Control section 40b Information Management Department 40c Management Function Department Communication Department 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Management function unit (wallet) 100a control unit 100b Center Communication Department 100c Card unit communication section 100d Mobile terminal communication section 100e Payment Machine Communication Unit 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D Value management means 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D Cashless addition means 103A, 103B Charge execution means 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D Settlement addition means 105 Usability determination means 106 Settlement execution instruction means

Claims

1. A valuable management system for managing valuables that can be used by a player, a valuable management means for managing the valuable; a cashless adding means for making a deposit request to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from a player, and adding the value deposited from the settlement center upon execution of the cashless settlement to the value managing means; a charge execution means for subtracting the value managed by the value management means based on a charge execution request requesting that the value be associated with a recording medium, and associating the subtracted value with the recording medium by the gaming device; a settlement adding means for adding the value corresponding to the remaining amount to the value managing means to settle the remaining amount based on a settlement execution request for settling the remaining amount of the value associated with the recording medium; a usability determination means for determining whether the valuable managed by the valuable management means is usable, The value management means links the added amount and the added date to each other and records them each time the cashless adding means or the settlement adding means adds the value, The usability determination means determines a predetermined period from the addition date as a valid period of the value, determines the value within the valid period as usable value, that is, the value that can be used, and determines the value outside the valid period as unusable, the cashless adding means notifies the value managing means of the type of the cashless payment executed by the payment center when adding the value; the value management means records attributes of the value including the type in association with the added amount and the added date, and is capable of managing the value for each attribute; When the usable value has different attributes, the charge execution means calculates an attribute-specific usable amount, which is the total amount of the usable value for each attribute, identifies the attribute that includes the usable value whose attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the designated amount specified in the charge execution request and whose addition date is older, and subtracts only the usable value in the identified attribute. A valuable value management system characterized by:

2. When adding the valuable, the settlement addition means notifies the valuable management means that the valuable to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, The attribute includes that the value is due to the settlement of the remaining amount; The value management means, based on the notification from the settlement adding means, records as the attribute that the value added by the settlement adding means is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and manages the value added by the cashless adding means and the value added by the settlement adding means separately.

2. The value management system according to claim 1.

3. The charging execution means associates the value to which the type is linked with the recording medium, the settlement adding means notifies the value managing means of the type associated with the value associated with the recording medium when adding the value; The value management means records the type of the value added by the settlement adding means as the attribute based on the notification from the settlement adding means, and manages the value added by the cashless adding means and the value added by the settlement adding means together by type.

2. The value management system according to claim 1.

4. The charging execution means associates the value to which the attribute is linked with the recording medium, the settlement addition means, when adding the value, notifies the value management means that the value to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining amount; The attribute includes that the value is due to the settlement of the remaining amount; The value management means, based on the notification from the settlement adding means, records as the attribute that the value added by the settlement adding means is due to the settlement of the remaining amount, and manages the value added by the cashless adding means and the value added by the settlement adding means separately, and manages the value added by the cashless adding means by type.

2. The value management system according to claim 1.

5. A settlement execution instruction means for instructing a settlement machine capable of settling the remaining balance in cash to execute settlement of the remaining balance, the settlement execution instruction means determines whether or not to settle the remaining amount in cash depending on the type linked to the valuable associated with the recording medium.

5. The valuable management system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The settlement addition means determines whether or not to settle the remaining amount depending on the type linked to the valuable associated with the recording medium.

5. The valuable management system according to claim 3 or 4.

7. The gaming device is provided with a display means capable of displaying information, and the gaming device causes the display means to display at least one of whether or not the remaining amount can be settled in cash, in accordance with the determination by the settlement execution instruction means as to whether or not the remaining amount can be settled in cash, with respect to the valuable associated with the recording medium currently being accepted.

6. The valuable management system according to claim 5.

8. A valuables management device for managing valuables available to players, comprising: a valuable management means for managing the valuable; a cashless adding means for making a deposit request to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from a player, and adding the value deposited from the settlement center upon execution of the cashless settlement to the value managing means; a charge execution means for subtracting the value managed by the value management means based on a charge execution request requesting that the value be associated with a recording medium, and associating the subtracted value with the recording medium by the gaming device; a settlement adding means for adding the value corresponding to the remaining amount to the value managing means to settle the remaining amount based on a settlement execution request for settling the remaining amount of the value associated with the recording medium; a usability determination means for determining whether the valuable managed by the valuable management means is usable, The value management means links the added amount and the added date to each other and records them each time the cashless adding means or the settlement adding means adds the value, The usability determination means determines a predetermined period from the addition date as a valid period of the value, determines the value within the valid period as usable value, which is the value that can be used, and determines the value outside the valid period as unusable, the cashless adding means notifies the value managing means of the type of the cashless payment executed by the payment center when adding the value; the value management means records attributes of the value including the type in association with the added amount and the added date, and is capable of managing the value for each attribute; When the usable value has different attributes, the charge execution means calculates an attribute-specific usable amount, which is the total amount of the usable value for each attribute, identifies the attribute that includes the usable value whose attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the designated amount specified in the charge execution request and whose addition date is older, and subtracts only the usable value in the identified attribute. A valuable value management device characterized by:

9. A valuables management program for managing valuables available to players, comprising: a cashless addition procedure for making a deposit request to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from a player, and adding the value deposited from the settlement center upon execution of the cashless settlement to a value management area that manages the value; a charge execution procedure for subtracting the value managed in the value management area based on a charge execution request requesting association of the value with the recording medium, and associating the subtracted value with the recording medium by the gaming device; a settlement addition procedure for adding the value corresponding to the remaining amount to the value management area to settle the remaining amount based on a settlement execution request requesting settlement of the remaining amount of the value associated with the recording medium; a recording procedure for recording an added amount, which is the amount of the added value, and an added date, which is the date of the addition, in association with each other each time the value is added to the value management area by the cashless adding procedure or the settlement adding procedure; a usability determination step for determining whether the value managed in the value management area is usable, In the usability determination step, a predetermined period from the addition date is set as a validity period of the value, and the value within the validity period is determined as usable value, which is the usable value, and the value outside the validity period is determined as unusable, In the recording step, when adding the value in the cashless addition step, the type of the cashless payment executed by the payment center is recorded as an attribute of the value including the type, linked to the added amount and the added date; In the charging execution procedure, when the usable value has different attributes, the computer is caused to calculate an attribute-specific usable amount, which is the total amount of the usable value for each attribute, identify the attribute that includes the usable value whose attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the designated amount designated in the charging execution request and whose addition date is older, and subtract only the usable value in the identified attribute. A value management program characterized by:

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