Value Management System

Abstract

This system provides a value management system that can accurately manage the validity period of the valuable assets usable by players. [Solution] In the Value Management System 1A, the electronic money managed by the Value Management Means 101A has its expiration date managed based on the validity period for each record. For example, in the Value Management System 1A, the Usability Determination Means 105 determines whether the electronic money can be used, using a predetermined period from the "addition date" recorded in the record as the validity period of the electronic money for that record.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valuable value management system for managing the valuable value that a player can use when borrowing a game medium used in a game at a game arcade from the game arcade.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in game arcades, games are provided using gaming machines such as "pachinko gaming machines" that use game balls as game media and "rotary gaming machines" that use game medals as game media. In recent years, in "pachinko gaming machines", game balls are enclosed and circulated inside the gaming machine, and games can be played using game points, which are electronic data, without the player touching the game balls. Also, in "rotary gaming machines", games can be played using game points, which are electronic data, without using any game medals at all. These are being introduced as so-called "smart gaming machines".

[0003] When playing a game on such a gaming machine, the player inserts cash into a card unit installed in the gaming machine, borrows a game medium such as game balls, game medals, or game points, and consumes the game medium on the gaming machine to progress the game. Also, at the end of the game, if there is a remaining balance in the cash inserted into the gaming device, an IC card associated with the remaining balance is ejected from the gaming device based on an operation such as the player's operation button. And in many game arcades, for example, by accepting the IC card at a cashier installed in the game arcade only on the day of the game, an operation is carried out where the remaining balance can be settled by paying out cash.

[0004] In addition to directly inserting cash into the card unit, players can also insert cash into a card issuing machine installed in the arcade to purchase prepaid value that can be used for gaming. In this case, when a player purchases prepaid value from the card issuing machine, an IC card associated with the prepaid value is dispensed from the machine. By having the gaming machine accept this IC card, the player can borrow gaming media in exchange for the prepaid value being deducted, and then proceed with the game by consuming that gaming media on the gaming machine.

[0005] In many amusement parlors that offer games using the value of prepaid cards as described above, a prepaid management system is in place where a third-party prepaid payment center manages the value of prepaid cards purchased by players. In this prepaid management system, a management device installed at the amusement parlor communicates with the prepaid payment center and notifies the prepaid payment center of information regarding the value of prepaid cards purchased from the card issuing machine, and the information regarding the value of prepaid cards is centrally managed by the prepaid payment center.

[0006] Furthermore, issuers of prepaid cards that do not set a predetermined validity period for the issued prepaid cards are subject to the "Payment Services Act" (hereinafter referred to as the "Payment Services Act"), and are required to deposit an issuance guarantee. On the other hand, if the issued prepaid cards have a validity period of a certain period (for example, 6 months), they are exempt from the Payment Services Act, and therefore are not required to deposit an issuance guarantee. In this regard, the issuers mentioned above manage the validity period (for example, 6 months) set for the issued prepaid cards for each IC card, for example, using the management device described above.

[0007] Meanwhile, in Japan, the government is promoting the use of so-called cashless payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money, and code payments, and is working to create an environment where cashless payments can be used in the industrial sector. As a result, there is a demand for the amusement industry, which currently only allows the purchase of prepaid value with cash, to also allow the purchase of prepaid value using cashless payments. Furthermore, if such a demand is realized, for example, it is conceivable that the value of prepaid value purchased using cashless payment at a card issuing machine would be linked to an IC card, and after a portion of the value of the prepaid value linked to this IC card is deducted to start playing, a balance may remain in the value of the prepaid value linked to the IC card due to a jackpot or other event. In such cases, it must be possible 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 for the purchase of prepaid value (the monetary value of prepaid items) by inserting cash and the purchase of prepaid value (the monetary value of prepaid items) by cashless payment using a terminal device 110 carried by the player. This gaming management system allows for the settlement of any remaining prepaid value that was not used for gaming after the game has been played using the prepaid value purchased using cashless payment. For example, if there is remaining prepaid value, a card associated with the prepaid value is dispensed from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and by having this card read by the settlement machine 80, settlement is possible not only by cash payout but also by adding to the balance for cashless payment. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7466279 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Incidentally, cashless payment methods include not only traditional card payments where the payment amount is deducted according to the card usage, such as credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards, but also code payments and contactless payments, which involve setting up a management area on the system that is like an account where electronic money, which is an electronic value, can be recorded and managed, and depositing electronic money into this management area in advance using cash or credit cards, and then using that electronic money to make payments. Code payments, for example, can be made using a mobile device such as a smartphone, by using an optically readable code (for example, a two-dimensional code or barcode) displayed on the screen of the mobile device, while contactless payments, for example, can be made using an IC chip embedded in a mobile device or IC card, by holding this IC chip over a payment terminal.

[0011] For example, when a system is introduced in the amusement industry that allows the purchase of prepaid value for playing games using cashless payment, it is expected that players will be able to purchase prepaid value using electronic money that they have pre-loaded into a management area. In that case, in order to retain players, it is conceivable that each amusement parlor would independently set up a management area for managing electronic money, and require players who wish to play at that parlor to pre-load electronic money into this management area, and then use that electronic money to purchase prepaid value. In such a case, since the electronic money loaded into the management area is also a type of prepaid value, it will be necessary to manage the validity period of the electronic money loaded into the management area separately from the current management of the validity period of prepaid value at amusement parlors.

[0012] Furthermore, the settlement of the remaining value of the prepaid balance after gameplay could also be carried out by adding to the balance for cashless payments (adding to the balance by depositing electronic money into the management area), as described in the game management system described in Patent Document 1 above. In this case, the management area of ​​the system would contain a mixture of electronic money deposited in advance by the player and electronic money that was initially used to purchase the value of the prepaid balance for gameplay and then deposited back into the management area after the settlement of the remaining value of the prepaid balance. This would necessitate managing the validity period according to the date of deposit by the player and the date of deposit after the settlement of the balance.

[0013] In particular, if the start date of the validity period of electronic money managed in the management area is overwritten and updated each time electronic money is deposited through advance deposits or settlement of balances, the start date of the validity period of the electronic money managed in the management area will be updated to a date earlier than the deposit date. As a result, the start date of the validity period of the electronic money will be different from the original deposit date of the electronic money, making it difficult to accurately manage the validity period. Therefore, even when cashless payments are introduced and it becomes possible to purchase the value of prepaid electronic money with electronic money deposited in advance in the management area, there is a need for a system that can accurately manage the validity period of electronic money managed in the management area.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a value management system that can accurately manage the validity period of valuable assets usable by players. The value management system of the present invention can also be provided as a value management device and a value management program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] To solve the aforementioned problems, the value management system according to the present invention is for managing the value usable by a player, and comprises: a value management means for managing the value; a cashless adding means for making a deposit request to a settlement center that performs cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from a player, and adding the value deposited from the settlement center by the execution of the cashless settlement 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 the association of the value with a recording medium, and associating the subtracted value with the recording medium by a gaming device; and a settlement of the remaining amount of the value associated with the recording medium. The system includes a settlement addition means that settles the remaining balance by adding the value equivalent to the remaining balance to the value management means based on a settlement execution request, and a usability determination means that determines whether the value managed by the value management means is usable, wherein the value management means records the added amount and the date of addition each time the value is added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means, linking them together, and the usability determination means determines that the value within the validity period is usable, and that the value outside the validity period is unusable, with the validity period being a predetermined period from the date of addition.

[0016] In the above invention, if the usable value contains values ​​with different addition dates, the charge execution means may subtract the usable value in order from the value with the oldest addition date, and then sum up the usable values ​​within the range of the usable amount, which is the total amount of the usable value, and associate them with the recording medium.

[0017] In the above invention, the cashless addition means notifies the value management means of the type of cashless payment performed by the settlement center when adding the value, the value management means records the attributes of the value, including the type, linked to the added amount and the date of addition, so that the value can be managed for each attribute, and the charge execution means calculates an attribute-specific usable amount which is the sum of the usable value for each attribute, if there are usable value with different attributes, and if this attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the specified amount specified in the charge execution request, and identifies the attribute that contains the usable value with the older addition date, and subtracts only the usable value for the identified attribute.

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

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

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

[0021] The invention includes a settlement execution instruction means for instructing a settlement machine capable of settling the remaining balance in cash to perform the settlement of the remaining balance, and the settlement execution instruction means may determine whether or not to perform the settlement of the remaining balance in cash according to the type associated with the valuable value linked to the recording medium.

[0022] In the above invention, the settlement and addition means may determine whether or not to perform the settlement of the remaining amount according to the type associated with the valuable value linked to 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 whether or not to perform a cash settlement of the remaining balance for the valuable value associated with the recording medium that is currently being accepted, in accordance with the determination of whether or not to perform a cash settlement of the remaining balance in the settlement execution instruction means.

[0024] In order to solve the above problems, a valuable value management device according to the present invention is a valuable value management device for managing valuable values that can be used by a player, comprising: valuable value management means for managing the valuable values; cashless addition means for making a deposit request to a settlement center that executes cashless settlement based on a deposit execution request from the player, and adding the valuable values received from the settlement center by the execution of the cashless settlement to the valuable value management means; charge execution means for subtracting the valuable values managed by the valuable value management means based on a charge execution request for requesting association with a recording medium of the valuable values, and causing the subtracted valuable values to be associated with the recording medium by a gaming device; settlement addition means for adding the valuable values corresponding to the balance to the valuable value management means to settle the balance based on a settlement execution request for requesting settlement of the balance of the valuable values associated with the recording medium; and usability determination means for determining whether the valuable values managed by the valuable value management means can be used. The valuable value management means records, in association with each other, an addition amount, which is the added amount, and an addition date and year, which is the date of addition, each time the valuable values are added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means. The usability determination means determines the valuable values within the valid period as usable valuable values that can be used, with a predetermined period from the addition date and year as the valid period of the valuable values, and determines that the valuable values outside the valid period cannot be used. This is the gist of the present invention.

[0025] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a value management program for managing the value usable by a player, comprising: a cashless addition procedure which, based on a deposit execution request from a player, makes a deposit request to a settlement center that performs cashless settlement, and adds the value deposited from the settlement center by the execution of the cashless settlement to a value management area that manages the value; a charge execution procedure which, based on a charge execution request that requests the association of the value with a recording medium, subtracts the value managed in the value management area, and associates the subtracted value with the recording medium by a gaming device; and a settlement execution request which requests the settlement of the remaining balance of the value associated with the recording medium. Based on this, the system includes a settlement addition procedure for settling the remaining balance by adding the value equivalent to the remaining amount to the value management area; a recording procedure for recording the added amount and the date of addition, linked together 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 is usable, wherein the usability determination procedure causes the computer to perform the following actions: set a predetermined period from the date of addition as the validity period of the value, determine that the value within the validity period is usable value, and determine that the value outside the validity period is unusable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the valuable value management system of the present invention, it is for managing valuable values that can be used by players, and includes a valuable value management means for managing valuable values, a cashless addition 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 value received from the settlement center due to the execution of cashless settlement to the valuable value management means, a charge execution means for subtracting the valuable value managed by the valuable value management means based on a charge execution request for requesting an association with a recording medium of the valuable value, and causing the subtracted valuable value to be associated with the recording medium by a gaming device, and a settlement addition means for adding a valuable value corresponding to the balance to the valuable value management means and settling the balance based on a settlement execution request for requesting settlement of the balance of the valuable value associated with the recording medium, and an availability determination means for determining whether the valuable value managed by the valuable value management means can be used. And, each time a valuable value is added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means, the valuable value management means records the added amount and the addition date in association with each other, and the availability determination means uses a predetermined period from the addition date as the valid period of the valuable value, determines the valuable value within the valid period as a usable valuable value, and determines the valuable value outside the valid period as unusable. Therefore, starting from the addition date recorded by the valuable value management means each time a valuable value is added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means, it is possible to accurately manage the valid period for each valuable value added on that addition date. Also, since it is possible to determine whether a valuable value can be used based on this valid period, it is possible to accurately grasp whether a valuable value can be used based on the accurately managed valid period.

[0027] According to the value management system of the present invention, when the charge execution means has valuable values ​​with different addition dates among the available valuable values, it subtracts the valuable values ​​in order from the oldest addition date among the available valuable values, and also aggregates the valuable values ​​within the range of the available amount and associates them with the recording medium. In this way, when a player wants to use the valuable values ​​managed by the value management means for a game, they can associate the available valuable values ​​with the recording medium within the range of the available amount and use them for the game without having to be particularly aware of the validity period. Furthermore, when the charge execution means associates the valuable values ​​with the recording medium based on a charge execution request, it subtracts the available valuable values ​​in order from the oldest addition date, so that available valuable values ​​with old addition dates are not left over, and valuable values ​​can be managed appropriately.

[0028] According to the value management system of the present invention, when a cashless payment addition means adds value, it notifies the value management means of the type of cashless payment performed by the settlement center, and the value management means records the attributes of the value, including the type of cashless payment, linked to the added amount and the date of addition, making it possible to manage the value for each attribute. In this way, it becomes possible to manage the value for each attribute according to the type of cashless payment performed by the settlement center, such as prepaid payments using electronic money deposited in advance, instant payment payments where the payment amount is immediately debited from the account for each payment, and deferred payments where the payment amount for a certain period is paid later in a lump sum, such as when using a credit card. Furthermore, when there are usable values ​​with different attributes, the charge execution means calculates the usable amount for each attribute, identifies the attribute containing the usable value with the older addition date, and subtracts only the usable value for the identified attribute if this attribute-specific usable amount is equal to or greater than the specified amount specified in the charge execution request. This allows the charge execution means to associate the usable value with the recording medium without mixing usable values ​​with different attributes, in other words, usable values ​​deposited through different types of cashless payments, and to associate only the usable value linked to one type of cashless payment with the recording medium for use in games. Therefore, the management of usable values ​​associated with the recording medium becomes easier. Moreover, the charge execution means identifies the attribute with an 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 of this identified attribute, so that the usable value with the older addition date is not left over, thus enabling proper management of usable values.

[0029] According to the value management system of the present invention, when the settlement addition means adds value, it notifies the value management means that the value to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining balance. The attribute of the value includes that the value is due to the settlement of the remaining balance, and the value management means records as an attribute that the value added by the settlement addition means is due to the settlement of the remaining balance, based on the notification from the settlement addition means, and manages the value added by the cashless addition means and the value added by the settlement addition means separately. This makes it possible to operate different processing for the value added by the cashless addition means and the value added by the settlement addition means. For example, the value added by a cashless addition method can be managed in such a way that it can be associated with a recording medium for use in games, or used to pay for other goods and services like regular electronic money. On the other hand, the value added by a settlement addition method as a settlement of the remaining balance after it has been associated with a recording medium can be associated with a recording medium again for use in games, but it can be prohibited from being used for other payments like regular electronic money.

[0030] According to the value management system of the present invention, the charge execution means associates the value linked to the type of cashless payment with a recording medium, and the settlement addition means, when adding value, notifies the value management means of the type of cashless payment linked to the value associated with the value linked to the recording medium, and the value management means, based on the notification from the settlement addition means, records the type of cashless payment as an attribute of the value for the value added by the settlement addition means, and manages the value added by the cashless addition means and the value added by the settlement addition means together for each type. For example, if the value management means manages both the value received by immediate payment and the value received by deferred payment, the value added by the settlement addition means can also be managed together as either the value received by immediate payment or the value received by deferred payment, depending on the type of cashless payment linked to that value. Furthermore, for all of the valuables added to the valuables management means by the cashless addition means, the valuables associated with the recording medium by the charge execution means, and the valuables added to the valuables management means by the settlement addition means, it becomes possible to manage them separately according to the type of cashless payment, for example, whether it is immediate payment or deferred payment. In particular, for valuables associated with the recording medium, by linking them to the type of cashless payment, it becomes possible to manage the processing of the recording medium separately according to that type. For example, it becomes possible to manage them so that the remaining balance of immediate payment is settled by cash withdrawal, while the remaining balance of deferred payment is not settled by cash withdrawal. In that case, for example, if the valuables associated with the recording medium were deposited by the execution of immediate payment, it becomes possible to settle the remaining balance by cash withdrawal, while if the valuables associated with the recording medium were deposited by the execution of deferred payment, it becomes possible to operate in a way that does not allow the settlement of the remaining balance by cash withdrawal.This prevents, for example, the use of valuable funds deposited using a credit card to convert the available credit limit into cash.

[0031] According to the value management system of the present invention, the charge execution means associates the value linked to the attributes of electronic money with a recording medium, and the settlement addition means notifies the value management means that the value to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining balance when adding value. Furthermore, the attributes of the value include that the value is due to the settlement of the remaining balance, and the value management means records as an attribute that the value added by the settlement addition means is due to the settlement of the remaining balance, based on the notification from the settlement addition means, and further manages the value added by the cashless addition means and the value added by the settlement addition means separately, and manages the value added by the cashless addition means for each type of cashless payment. This would allow for the separate management of value added through cashless payment methods, for example, by distinguishing between value received through immediate payment settlements and value received through deferred payment settlements, and also allow for the separate management of value added through settlement methods from value added through cashless payment methods.

[0032] The present invention provides a settlement execution instruction means that instructs a settlement machine capable of settling the remaining balance of the value in cash to perform the settlement of the remaining balance of the value. This settlement execution instruction means determines whether or not to perform the settlement of the remaining balance in cash, depending on the type of cashless payment associated with the value linked to the recording medium. In this way, the settlement execution instruction means controls the settlement machine and manages whether or not to perform settlement by cash disbursement, depending on the type of cashless payment, such as immediate payment or deferred payment.

[0033] According to the value management system of the present invention, the settlement and addition means determines whether or not to perform a settlement of the remaining balance according to the type of cashless payment associated with the value linked to the recording medium. This makes it possible to vary the execution of the settlement of the remaining balance according to the type of cashless payment.

[0034] The present invention provides a gaming device equipped with a display means capable of displaying information, and the gaming device displays on the display means at least one of the following regarding the value associated with the recording medium currently being received: whether or not to perform a cash settlement of the remaining balance in the settlement execution instruction means. As a result, for example, regarding the remaining value associated with the recording medium, it is possible to check in advance whether or not settlement by cash payout is possible through the display means. If settlement by cash payout is not possible, the player can play the game on the premise that they will use up the value, and if settlement by cash payout is possible, the player can play the game on the premise that settlement by cash payout will be possible even if they interrupt the game midway without using up the value.

[0035] The present invention provides a valuable management device for managing valuables available to players, and includes: a valuable management means for managing valuables; a cashless adding means for making a deposit request to a settlement center that performs cashless settlements based on a deposit request from a player, and adding the valuables deposited from the settlement center by the execution of cashless settlements to the valuable management means; a charge execution means for subtracting the valuables managed by the valuable management means and associating the subtracted valuables with a recording medium by a gaming device based on a charge execution request that requests the association of valuables with a recording medium; a settlement adding means for adding the valuables equivalent to the remaining balance to the valuable management means and settling the remaining balance based on a settlement execution request that requests the settlement of the remaining balance of valuables associated with the recording medium; and a usability determination means for determining whether the valuables managed by the valuable management means are usable. The value management means records the added amount and the date of addition, linking them together each time value is added by the cashless addition means or settlement addition means. The usability determination means determines that the value within the validity period is the validity period of the value from the date of addition, determines that the value within the validity period is usable, and determines that the value outside the validity period is unusable. This achieves the same effect as the value management system described above.

[0036] According to the present invention, the value management program is for managing the value available to a player, and includes a cashless addition procedure which, based on a deposit execution request from a player, makes a deposit request to a settlement center that performs cashless payments, and adds the value deposited from the settlement center through the execution of cashless payments to a value management area that manages the value; a charge execution procedure which, based on a charge execution request that requests the association of the value with a recording medium, subtracts the value managed in the value management area and associates the subtracted value with a recording medium by the gaming device; and a settlement execution request which requests the settlement of the remaining amount of value associated with the recording medium. The system includes a settlement addition procedure for settling the remaining balance by adding the equivalent value to the value management area; a recording procedure for recording the added amount and the date of addition, each time value is added to the value management area by the cashless addition procedure or the settlement addition procedure, linking them together; and a usability determination procedure for determining whether the value managed in the value management area is usable. The usability determination procedure is characterized by having the computer perform the following actions: setting a predetermined period from the date of addition as the validity period of the value, determining that the value within the validity period is usable value, and determining that the value outside the validity period is unusable. This allows the system to achieve the same effects as the value management system described above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the schematic system configuration of a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for managing valuable value in a valuable value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]This is a flowchart showing the flow of the deposit process in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which value is deposited based on the execution of a cashless payment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the basic flow of the charge process in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of summing up multiple valuable values ​​and associating them with a recording medium in a charge processing method in a valuable value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the basic flow of settlement processing in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram (1) illustrating another example of a method for managing valuable value in a valuable value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the charge processing flow when managing the value for each type of cashless payment in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows another example of the charge processing flow when managing the value for each type of cashless payment in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the charge processing flow in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the type of cashless payment is linked to the value associated with the recording medium. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of the settlement process flow in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the type of cashless payment is linked to the value associated with the recording medium. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram (2) illustrating another example of a method for managing valuable value in a valuable value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]This flowchart shows an example of the process by which valuable value is added by a settlement addition means in the settlement process in a valuable value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows another example of the settlement process flow in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the type of cashless payment is linked to the value associated with the recording medium. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow when the settlement execution instruction means determines whether or not to perform a cash settlement of the remaining balance at the settlement machine, according to the type of cashless payment associated with the value in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow when the settlement addition means in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not to perform settlement of the remaining balance according to the type of cashless payment linked to the value. [Figure 18] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where charging is enabled only when the value received from the same type of cashless payment is aggregated. [Figure 19] This flowchart shows an example of the charge processing flow in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the type of cashless payment is linked to the value associated with the recording medium. [Figure 20] This flowchart shows an example of the settlement process in a value management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the value associated with the recording medium is received in cash. [Figure 21] This flowchart shows an example of the settlement process when a valuable asset is deposited in cash into the valuable asset management means, in a valuable asset management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and that valuable asset is to be settled in cash. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings.

[0039] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the schematic system configuration of the value management system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, amusement parlors are equipped with multiple gaming machines 2 that allow players to play using gaming media. Gaming machines 2 include, for example, "pachinko gaming machines" (hereinafter referred to as "pachinko machines") which use game balls as the gaming media, and "slot machines" (hereinafter referred to as "slot machines") which use game tokens as the gaming media. In pachinko machines, the game progresses by shooting game balls onto the game board, and a predetermined number of game balls can be obtained by passing the game balls through multiple winning areas (winning slots) provided on the game board. In slot machines, the game progresses by inserting game tokens and rotating the reels, and a predetermined number of game tokens can be obtained based on the stopping status of the symbols on the reels.

[0041] Gaming machine 2 includes so-called "smart gaming machines," which are pachinko machines and pachislot machines that allow players to play using intangible, electronically-based game points as the game medium. In pachinko machines, "smart gaming machines" enclose and circulate game balls inside the machine, allowing players to play using electronic game points without touching the balls. In pachislot machines, "smart gaming machines" allow players to play using electronic game points without using any game tokens. In "smart gaming machines," a predetermined number of game points can be acquired based on the passage of game balls into the winning area and the stopping status of the symbols on the reels. As described above, the game medium used in gaming machine 2 includes not only physical game balls and game tokens, but also intangible electronic game points.

[0042] In addition to the gaming machines 2 mentioned above, the arcade also has a card unit 3 (hereinafter referred to simply as "unit") which is installed in conjunction with each gaming machine 2 and manages the lending of gaming media; a card issuing machine 5 which accepts valuables such as banknotes and electronic money and can issue IC cards 4 which are recording media associated with prepaid value (hereinafter referred to as "prepaid value"); a settlement machine 6 which accepts IC cards 4 associated with prepaid value and can settle the remaining balance of the prepaid value; a HUB 7 which is a concentrating device for connecting various devices to each other; a relay device 8 which can communicate with each unit 3, card issuing machine 5 and settlement machine 6 via the HUB 7; and a management device 9 which comprehensively manages each gaming machine 2 and each unit 3 via the HUB 7.

[0043] Furthermore, outside the gaming establishment, there is a cashless payment center 20 that can communicate with relay devices 8 and mobile terminals 10 such as smartphones held by players and comprehensively manages the processing of cashless payments, and a prepaid payment center 30 that can communicate with management devices 9 and comprehensively manages the prepaid value associated with IC cards 4 by units 3 and card issuing machines 5. Since both units 3 and card issuing machines 5 are considered "gaming equipment," in the following explanation, when referring to either or both units 3 and card issuing machines 5, the term "gaming equipment" may be used.

[0044] Unit 3 receives IC cards 4 and banknotes inserted by players and manages the lending of game media used for playing games on the game machine 2. Specifically, for example, Unit 3 receives IC cards 4 issued to players by game parlors and, in exchange for deducting the prepaid value associated with IC card 4, dispenses game balls or game tokens or grants game points. Also, when a player inserts banknotes, Unit 3 associates a prepaid value equivalent to the inserted banknotes with IC card 4 and, in exchange for deducting the prepaid value associated with this IC card 4, dispenses game balls or game tokens or grants game points. Furthermore, the dispensing of game balls or game tokens refers to lending out tangible game media such as game balls or game tokens to make them usable in game machine 2, when game machine 2 is not a "smart game machine," and the granting of game points refers to granting game points, which are intangible game media, to game machine 2 to make them usable in game machine 2, when game machine 2 is a "smart game machine."

[0045] Furthermore, Unit 3 can also use electronic money, which is an electronic value, to dispense game balls or game tokens or to award game points. In this case, for example, when Unit 3 is operated to request a charge, which demands that the electronic money managed by the management function unit 100A (described later) be withdrawn and converted into prepaid value associated with IC card 4, the management function unit 100A withdraws the electronic money based on this charge request, and Unit 3 associates the prepaid value equivalent to the withdrawn electronic money with IC card 4. As a result, the player can borrow game media from Unit 3 and proceed with the game by using the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 in exchange for the withdrawal of electronic money. Note that converting electronic money, cash, or other valuables into prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is also simply called "charging".

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

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

[0048] A HUB7 is a concentrator used to connect various devices to each other. Multiple LAN cables are connected to a HUB7, and it relays and forwards communications from the devices connected via these LAN cables. Various commonly used network hubs can be used as the HUB7.

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

[0050] Furthermore, in the value 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 also manages the linking information between card IDs and app IDs, which is also managed by the management device 9. Specifically, for example, the relay device 8 relays communication between the unit 3 and card issuing machine 5 and the cashless center 20 within the gaming store, and mainly performs in-store processing related to linking card IDs and app IDs and cashless payments using the mobile terminal 10. On the other hand, the cashless center 20 is a server or other device operated outside the gaming store, and communicates with the general-purpose payment center 40 and the mobile terminal 10 that execute cashless payments using the mobile terminal 10, mainly to centrally manage information related to cashless payments.

[0051] Furthermore, the management function unit 100A is capable of recording and managing electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40, described later, through the execution of cashless payments using the mobile terminal 10, described later. In the management function unit 100A, the electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40 is recorded and managed in the value management means 101A (Figure 2). The value management means 101A is a so-called database provided on the system as a management area (value management area) for recording and managing electronic money. In the management function unit 100A, as shown in Figure 3, the electronic money deposited from the general-purpose payment center 40 through the execution of cashless payments is recorded as a record in the value management means 101A, linked to various information related to the electronic money. The various pieces of information recorded in conjunction with the electronic money include, for example, the "record no." which is the sequential number of the record, the "app ID" which is the identification information for each application installed on the mobile terminal 10 when electronic money is deposited via cashless payment, the "addition type" which indicates the attributes of the electronic money, including the type of cashless payment used at the time of deposit, the "addition amount" which is the amount of electronic money that has been added, the "current balance" which indicates the current balance of the electronic money after deducting the amount that has been converted into prepaid value for use in games and is associated with the IC card 4 from this addition amount, the "addition date" which indicates the date when the electronic money was deposited, and the "expiration date" which indicates the end date of the validity period, which is a predetermined period calculated from the addition date for each added electronic money. In the following explanation, the "management function unit" may be referred to as the "wallet," and in the diagram, the electronic money recording area within the value management means 101A may be referred to as the "wallet account."

[0052] Figure 3 shows the state of electronic money (records) managed by the value management device 101A in chronological order, illustrating an example of what happens when a single player adds (deposits) electronic money, converts the electronic money managed by the value management device 101A into prepaid value (associates it with IC card 4), and uses the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 for gaming. The value management device 101A adds a new record each time electronic money is deposited into the wallet 100A through the execution of a cashless payment and electronic money is added to the value management device 101A by the cashless addition device 102A described later. The device then records in the record at least the following information from the various pieces of information linked to the electronic money: "Record No.", "App ID", "Addition Type", "Addition Amount", "Current Balance", and "Addition Date".

[0053] For example, if a cashless payment method called "TokkyoPay" is available on the mobile terminal 10 as an instant cashless payment using a debit card or the like, and the cashless payment is executed, resulting in 10,000 yen in electronic money being deposited into the wallet 100A from the general-purpose payment center 40 on December 18, 2024, and this electronic money being added to the cashless payment method 101A by the cashless payment method 102A, then 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 the mobile terminal 10, is recorded as the "App ID", and "TokkyoPay", which indicates the type of cashless payment executed, is recorded as the "Addition Type" as an attribute of the electronic money. Additionally, "10,000," indicating that the added electronic money amount is 10,000 yen, is recorded in "Added Amount," and "10,000," indicating that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0001" at that time is 10,000 yen, is recorded in "Current Balance." Furthermore, "2024 / 12 / 18," indicating the date the electronic money was deposited (added), is recorded in "Addition Date." Then, 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 value management means 101A also adds a new record each time electronic money is added, for example, when the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is settled and the electronic money equivalent to that balance is added to the value management means 101A by the settlement and addition means 104A described later. Then, just as when electronic money is added by the cashless addition means 102A, at least the information regarding "record No.", "app ID", "addition type", "addition amount", "current balance", and "addition date" is recorded in that record. For example, if 3,000 yen of the 6,000 yen prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, which was converted in exchange for the electronic money withdrawal of record "0001", was used for gaming on December 20, 2024, and the remaining 3,000 yen was settled by the player on the same day, then a new record "0002" will be added, separate from record "0001", as shown in Figure 3. At this time, the "App ID" of record "0002" is recorded as "1234," which is the identification information of the application installed on the player's mobile terminal 10, because the settlement is from the same player. Meanwhile, "Settlement" is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type" to indicate that the deposited electronic money is due to settlement of prepaid value, and "3,000" is recorded in "Addition Amount" to indicate that the amount of electronic money added by settlement is 3,000 yen. In addition, "3,000" is recorded in "Current Balance" to indicate that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0002" at that time is 3,000 yen, and "2024 / 12 / 20" is recorded in "Addition Date" to indicate the date the electronic money was added. As a result, as of December 20, 2024, after the settlement of the remaining prepaid value, the value management device 101A will have two records managed: record "0001" with a "current balance" of 4,000 yen and record "0002" with a "current balance" of 3,000 yen.

[0055] Furthermore, in wallet 100A, when electronic money is managed in multiple records in the value management means 101A, any amount of electronic money specified by the player can be converted (charged) into prepaid value associated with IC card 4, within the range of the sum of the "current balances" of those electronic money. For example, as of December 20, 2024, after the settlement of the balances as described above, record "0001" with a "current balance" of 4,000 yen and record "0002" with a "current balance" of 3,000 yen are managed in the value management means 101A. Therefore, any amount can be charged within the range of 7,000 yen, which is the sum of the "current balances" of record "0001" and record "0002". Specifically, for example, if on December 22, 2024, a player specifies an amount of 5,000 yen and the electronic money is charged to IC card 4, then in wallet 100A, of the 7,000 yen in electronic money (the sum of the "current balances" of records "0001" and "0002"), 4,000 yen from record "0001" and 1,000 yen from the 3,000 yen from record "0002" will be charged together. As a result, the "current balance" of record "0001" will be reduced to "0", and the "current balance" of record "0002" will be reduced to "2,000". In the Value Management System 1A, electronic money is deducted sequentially, starting with the record with the oldest "Addition Date". Therefore, for example, when electronic money managed by multiple records is used together, the electronic money recorded in the record with the oldest "Addition Date" is deducted first. Then, to make up the shortfall up to the specified amount set by the player, the electronic money recorded in the next most recent record with the "Addition Date" is deducted, and these are then added together for use. This allows for the proper management of electronic money with expiration dates, as will be described later.

[0056] Next, for example, if the electronic money managed in records "0001" and "0002" is converted in exchange for a 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" is added, separate from records "0001" and "0002". At this time, the "App ID" of this record "0003" is recorded as "1234", the same as in records "0001" and "0002", and the "Addition Type" is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the added electronic money is due to the settlement of prepaid value. Furthermore, "4,000" is recorded in "Added Amount" to indicate that the amount of electronic money added through settlement is 4,000 yen, "4,000" is recorded in "Current Balance" to indicate 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" to indicate the date the electronic money was added. As a result, as of December 22, 2024, after the settlement of the remaining prepaid value, the 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, for example, a deferred cashless payment using a credit card is available, and the cashless payment is executed, 10,000 yen in electronic money will be deposited into the wallet 100A from the general-purpose payment center 40 on December 24, 2024, and this electronic money will be added to the value management means 101A by the cashless addition means 102A, a new record with "Record No." "0004" will be added. In this record "0004", since the deposit is from the same player, "1234", which is the identification information of the application installed on the player's mobile terminal 10, will be recorded as the "App ID", and "Credit Card", which indicates the type of cashless payment executed, will be recorded as the attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type". In addition, "10,000", indicating that the amount of electronic money added is 10,000 yen, will be recorded in "Addition Amount", and "10,000", indicating that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0004" is 10,000 yen, will be recorded in "Current Balance". Additionally, "2024 / 12 / 24," which indicates the date the electronic money was added, will be recorded in the "Addition Date" field.

[0058] Furthermore, on December 26, 2024, if 10,000 yen is charged to IC card 4 by the player as a specified amount from the sum of the 16,000 yen "current balance" of the electronic money managed as records "0002", "0003", and "0004", the "current balance" of record "0002" will be reduced to "0", the "current balance" of record "0003" will be reduced to "0", and the "current balance" of record "0004" will be reduced to "6,000". Subsequently, if 1,000 yen of the 10,000 yen prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is used for gameplay on December 26, 2024, and the remaining 9,000 yen is settled by the player on the same day, then a new record "0005" will be added. At this time, the "App ID" of record "0005" will be recorded as "1234" as before, and the "Addition Type" will be recorded as "Settlement" as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the added electronic money is due to the settlement of prepaid value. In addition, the "Addition Amount" will be recorded as "9,000", indicating that the amount of electronic money added by settlement is 9,000 yen, the "Current Balance" will be recorded as "9,000", indicating that the balance of the electronic money managed as record "0005" at that time is 9,000 yen, and the "Addition Date" will be recorded as "2024 / 12 / 26", indicating the date the electronic money was added. As a result, as of December 26, 2024, after the settlement of the remaining prepaid value, the value management device 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 electronic money managed by the value management means 101A has its expiration date managed based on the validity period for each record. For example, in the value management system 1A, the usability determination means 105, which will be described later, determines whether the electronic money can be used by setting a predetermined period from the "addition date" recorded in the record as the validity period of the electronic money for that record. For example, the predetermined period used is 180 days, which is less than the 6 months required by the Payment Services Act to not require the deposit of an issuance guarantee for electronic money issued by amusement parlors. This makes it possible to properly manage the expiration dates of electronic money using the value management system 1A, and by setting the validity period to 180 days, which is less than 6 months, it becomes possible to treat it as electronic money that does not require the deposit of an issuance guarantee.

[0060] In the value management system 101A, the "Expiration Date" for each record is set to 180 days after the date recorded in the "Addition Date". The date recorded in the "Expiration Date" is calculated from the day following the date recorded in the "Addition Date", excluding the date of the "Addition Date", and indicates the end date (final day) of the predetermined period set as the validity period. The usability determination means 105 then determines whether the electronic money can be used based on the date recorded in "Expiration Date" each time the date is updated. Specifically, for each record, electronic money whose date recorded in "Expiration Date" is on or after the determination date is determined to be usable electronic money within its validity period, and electronic money whose date recorded in "Expiration Date" is earlier (past) than the determination date is determined to be unusable electronic money outside its validity period. Note that usable electronic money corresponds to "usable value," and in the following explanation, "usable value" will also be referred to as "usable electronic money," and electronic money outside its validity period will also be referred to as "unusable electronic money."

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

[0062] Furthermore, on June 23, 2025, 10,000 yen in electronic money was deposited into wallet 100A from general-purpose payment center 40 via the execution of "TokkyoPay," an instant cashless payment service. This electronic money was then added to the value management device 101A by the cashless addition device 102A, and a new record with "Record No." "0006" was 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 as the "Addition Type" attribute of the electronic money. Additionally, "10,000" is recorded as the "Addition Amount," "10,000" as the "Current Balance," and "2024 / 12 / 26," which indicates the date the electronic money was added, is recorded as the "Addition Date." As a result, on June 23, 2025, when 10,000 yen in electronic money has been added through the execution of "TokkyoPay," the electronic money in record "0004" is excluded because it is unusable, and the sum of the "current balances" of the electronic money in records "0005" and "0006," which are usable, becomes 19,000 yen, which is the sum of their respective "current balances." Note that this sum of the "current balances" of usable electronic money corresponds to the "usable amount."

[0063] Subsequently, on the same day (June 23, 2025), when 10,000 yen is charged to IC card 4 by the player as a specified amount from the sum of the "current balances" of the electronic money managed as records "0005" and "0006" (19,000 yen), the "current balance" of record "0005" is reduced to "0", and the "current balance" of record "0006" is reduced to "9,000". In this manner, the electronic money is managed by the value management means 101A.

[0064] In the value management system 1A, the value management means 101A is configured as a database for recording and managing electronic money in records. However, the value management means 101A is not limited to a record-format database. For example, it may record electronic money as tabular data, similar to that used in spreadsheet software, or it may create a new file each time electronic money is deposited and manage electronic money as a database by combining the created files. Any format can be used as long as it can manage information about electronic money as a database. Furthermore, the electronic money managed by the value management means 101A of the value management system 1A can be charged to 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 portable information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet held by the 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. The camera installed in the mobile terminal 10 allows it to perform various types of cashless payments by, for example, reading code information from optically readable codes such as two-dimensional codes and barcodes, using various information such as credit card information registered on 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 on an IC chip.

[0066] Cashless payments performed using the mobile terminal 10 include all types of cashless payments usable with the mobile terminal 10, such as standard smartphones. For example, different types of cashless payments include card payments that can be made using information about credit or debit cards registered in the mobile terminal 10, code payments that can be made by reading a code with the mobile terminal 10 or by reading a code displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 10, and contactless payments that can be made by holding the IC chip built into the mobile terminal 10 over a payment terminal. Furthermore, different types of cashless payments include deferred payments, where the total amount for a certain period is paid later, such as with a credit card, instant payments, where the payment amount is immediately deducted from the account for each transaction, such as with a debit card, and prepaid payments, where electronic money deposited in advance is used for payment. All of the above payment methods and combinations thereof correspond to "types of cashless payments."

[0067] The prepaid settlement center 30 is a server and management device installed by a business operator that manages the prepaid value used for gaming as sales at the gaming establishment 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 at each gaming establishment and manages the sales for each gaming establishment in a centralized manner.

[0068] The general-purpose payment center 40 is a server and management device installed by businesses such as credit card companies, banks, code payment companies, or electronic money providers that execute cashless payments using the mobile terminal 10 and act as an intermediary for payments according to the payment details. Specifically, the general-purpose payment center 40 can use authentication such as a PIN or biometric information registered in the mobile terminal 10 to make general payments according to the payment details, as well as transfer electronic money equivalent to a specified amount to a designated account, similar to a deposit using cashless payment.

[0069] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of each component, such as the gaming machine 2, unit 3, and management function unit 100A. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the value management system 1A.

[0070] As shown in Figure 2, the gaming machine 2 is equipped with 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 unit 3 corresponding to that gaming machine 2. Various game information that is generated or changes as the game progresses is output from the gaming machine 2 to the unit 3, and information regarding the game medium lent by the arcade for use in playing games on the gaming machine 2 is output as loan information from the unit 3 to the gaming machine 2. The control unit 2a is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs various processes according to a program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a recording 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) which is a recording device that can both read and write electronic data.

[0071] Unit 3 includes a control unit 3a that controls processes such as receiving banknotes and electronic money, converting them to prepaid value, associating the converted prepaid value with the IC card 4, and lending out 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. Furthermore, when the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by Unit 3 is converted into gaming media, it is notified as a sale to the management device 9 and the prepaid settlement center 30, and is managed by the management device 9 and the prepaid settlement center 30. The control unit 3a is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., similar to the control unit 2a of the gaming machine 2. In addition, information regarding electronic money converted to prepaid value and prepaid value used for gaming is output as settlement information between Unit 3 and the management function unit 100A.

[0072] The card issuing machine 5 includes, for example, a control unit 5a that receives banknotes and electronic money and controls processing related to their conversion to prepaid value and association of 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. The control unit 5a is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., similar to the control unit 2a of the gaming machine 2. Furthermore, the card issuing machine 5 outputs, for example, settlement information regarding banknotes and electronic money inserted into the card issuing machine 5 to the management function unit 100A, and the card issuing machine 5 outputs, for example, settlement information regarding the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 to the management device 9.

[0073] The gaming device (specifically, each of Unit 3 and the card issuing machine 5) is equipped with a touch panel display 11, which serves as both a display and input means for displaying and inputting various types of information, as well as physical operation buttons as input means. Therefore, the gaming device can display various types of information to the player, and can also input various types of information based on the player's operation of the touch panel display 11 or operation buttons. Furthermore, the gaming device is also equipped with a recording medium processing device such as a card reader / writer that can read and write various types of information to the IC card 4, and a currency identifier that identifies the authenticity and type of inserted banknotes, but their illustrations and explanations are omitted.

[0074] The payment machine 6 accepts the IC card 4 and allows for cash settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. The payment machine 6 includes a control unit 6a that comprehensively controls processes such as accepting the IC card 4 and settling the remaining balance of the 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 composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., similar to the control unit 2a of the gaming machine 2. Furthermore, the payment machine 6 outputs settlement information regarding the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value to the management function unit 100A, and the management function unit 100A outputs information regarding whether or not the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value can be performed to the payment machine 6. Furthermore, the payment machine 6 is also equipped with a recording medium processing device such as a card reader / writer (not shown) that can read and write various information to the IC card 4, and a touch panel display that serves as both a display and input means for displaying and inputting various information, but its illustration and explanation are omitted.

[0075] The management function unit 100A (relay device 8 and cashless center 20) includes, for example, a control unit 100a that oversees the processing of each means provided in the management function unit 100A, such as the valuable management means 101A; a center communication unit 100b that communicates with the general-purpose settlement center 40; a card unit communication unit 100c that communicates with unit 3; a mobile terminal communication unit 100d that communicates with the mobile terminal 10; and a payment machine communication unit 100e that communicates with the payment machine 6. The control unit 6a is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., provided in the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20. Furthermore, the management function unit 100A includes 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 unit 3, a settlement addition means 104A that settles the remaining balance of the 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 perform a settlement.

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

[0077] The deposit limit confirmed by the cashless payment method 102A can be set to any deposit limit. For example, the deposit limit predetermined by the player for each type of cashless payment may be set as the deposit limit, or the deposit limit predetermined by the business operator operating the value management system 1A for each type of cashless payment may be set as the deposit limit. For example, if the deposit limit for when "TokkyoPay" is used for cashless payment is predetermined to be 200,000 yen / month, that deposit limit will be set as the deposit limit for the current month. In this case, if 180,000 yen has already been deposited using "TokkyoPay" in the current month, the remaining 20,000 yen will be the deposit limit. Also, for example, if the deposit limit for when "credit card" is used for cashless payment is predetermined to be 100,000 yen / month, that deposit limit will be set as the deposit limit for the current month. In this case, if 70,000 yen has already been deposited using "credit card" in the current month, the remaining 30,000 yen will be the deposit limit. Furthermore, if no deposit limit is set by the player or business operator, the system may be configured so that a predetermined deposit limit is set as the depositable amount in the value management system 1A. In this case, for example, if a deposit limit per player is predetermined as 990,000 yen / month, a deposit limit of 990,000 yen / month will be set for each app ID used to identify the player, and this deposit limit will be set as the depositable amount. In the example shown for the value management system 1A, a cashless addition means 102A is configured to confirm the amount that can be deposited. However, the cashless addition means 102A may be configured without the function of confirming the amount that can be deposited.

[0078] Next, the general-purpose payment center 40, which received the deposit request, executes a cashless payment using the mobile terminal 10, and the general-purpose payment center 40 deposits electronic money equivalent to the deposit request amount to the management function unit 100A as a deposit response. 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. In addition, the value management means 101A adds the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102A as a new record, and the added amount and the date of addition of the electronic money 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 that added the electronic money notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the electronic money deposit has been completed as a deposit response, and the mobile terminal 10 that receives this notification displays the deposit result on its screen. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the electronic money added to the value management device 101A is recorded and managed as a record.

[0079] The charge execution means 103A, based on a "charge execution request" that requests the electronic money managed by the value management means 101A to be converted (charged) into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, deducts the electronic money from the value management means 101A and allows the gaming device (unit 3 or card issuing machine 5) to charge that electronic money. Specifically, as shown in Figure 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 IC card 4 as a third party; a game store ID, which is identification information for each game store to identify the game store where the game device operated by the player is installed; and a game device ID, which is identification information for each game device to identify the game device.

[0080] Upon receiving a code information request, the charge execution means 103A responds with code information to the gaming device. Code information is information used to display a code (for example, a two-dimensional code or barcode) that can be optically read by a camera installed on the mobile terminal 10 on the touch panel display 11 of the gaming device. Specifically, the code information output includes identification information for each charge, a deposit ID generated by the charge execution means 103A each time a code information request is received, an operation URL to cause the mobile terminal 10 that reads the code displayed on the gaming device to perform a predetermined action, and a code string containing information received from the gaming device as a code information request (company ID, arcade ID, and gaming device ID). Upon receiving this code information, the gaming device will display a code that includes at least the deposit ID, operating URL company ID, arcade ID, and gaming device ID mentioned above.

[0081] Next, when the mobile terminal 10 reads the code displayed on the gaming device, 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, the mobile terminal 10 sends information such as the deposit ID and the application ID of the application installed on the mobile terminal 10 as a pre-charge information request to the charge execution means 103A. Upon receiving a pre-charge information request, the charge execution means 103A identifies the company ID, arcade ID, code generation date and time, etc., based on the deposit ID included in the pre-charge information request, and verifies the validity of the code. Here, the validity of the code is confirmed by verifying the identified company ID and arcade ID, and by checking whether the elapsed time since the code generation time has exceeded a predetermined period. If the validity of the code cannot be confirmed, an error is transmitted from the charge execution means 103A to the mobile terminal 10 (not shown in the diagram). On the other hand, if the validity of the code is confirmed, the charge execution means 103A identifies the arcade from the arcade ID and identifies the charge fee for each arcade. The fee may be included as part of the chargeable amount, or it may be collected separately from the player. The charge execution means 103A also identifies the value management means 101A associated with the app ID, in other words, the value management means 101A for each player, based on the app ID.

[0082] In the identified value management means 101A, the usability determination means 105 determines whether the electronic money can be used and identifies the usable electronic money. Therefore, the charge execution means 103A calculates the total amount of electronic money that can be used for charging, in other words, the sum of the "current balances" of the usable electronic money, based on the "current balance" of the identified usable electronic money. This calculated sum of "current balances" is then identified as the chargeable amount. The chargeable amount is equivalent to the "usable amount," just like the sum of the "current balances" of the usable electronic money. Furthermore, the charge execution means 103A transmits the identified chargeable amount to the mobile terminal 10 as a pre-charge information response. The mobile terminal 10 then displays a charge amount selection screen where the player can specify a desired amount within the range of the chargeable amount based on the received chargeable amount. This charge amount selection screen allows the player to select a desired charge amount from multiple options such as 1,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen, or 10,000 yen, but it may also be configured to allow the player to specify any amount. Once the player has specified a desired charge amount and the charge execution operation is performed, 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, the arcade ID, the game device ID, the specified charge amount (specified amount), the application ID, etc.

[0083] Upon receiving a charge execution request, the charge execution means 103A notifies the mobile terminal 10 of the completion of the charge execution as a charge execution response using a communication means such as email or a pop-up function in an application installed on the mobile terminal 10. Furthermore, the charge execution means 103A identifies the gaming device operated by the player using the company ID, gaming store ID, and gaming device ID, and deducts an amount of electronic money equivalent to the specified charge amount from the value management means 101A. Then, in order to have the gaming device convert the deducted electronic money into prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 (charge), it sends a charge execution instruction to the identified gaming device. Upon receiving the charge execution instruction, the gaming device associates the amount of 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. Subsequently, the gaming device 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 prepaid value to the IC card 4 is completed. In this case, if the gaming device is Unit 3, the player can play on the gaming machine 2 using the prepaid value. If the gaming device is Card Issuing Machine 5, an IC card 4 will be issued (discharged), and the player can then play on the gaming machine 2 by having Unit 3 accept the IC card 4.

[0084] On the other hand, in the management function unit 100A that receives the charge result, the "current balance" of the record in the value management means 101A that records the usable electronic money that has been deducted is first updated. Also, based on the card ID of the IC card 4 received as a charge result, the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20 link the card ID with the application ID, and this linking information is recorded and managed. From this point onward, if the card ID of the IC card 4 used by the player in unit 3 or possessed by the player after being dispensed from the card issuing machine 5 can be identified, the application ID linked to that card ID can be identified, and therefore the player's personal information and membership information linked to that application ID can be identified. Thus, it becomes possible to identify the player who uses or possesses the IC card 4 from the card ID.

[0085] Furthermore, if there are electronic money with different "addition dates" among the usable electronic money, the charge execution means 103A can subtract from the usable electronic money in order from the electronic money with the oldest "addition date," and can also combine the electronic money within the range of the usable amount (chargeable amount) of the usable electronic money and associate it with the IC card 4. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 6, suppose that in the value management means 101A, two records are managed as electronic money with different "addition dates": record "0001" with a "current balance" of 6,000 yen and record "0002" with a "current balance" of 5,000 yen (in Figure 6, the two electronic money with different "addition dates" are represented as two electronic money with different "expiration dates" calculated based on the "addition date"). Then, the charge execution means 103A, which receives a pre-charge information request from the mobile terminal 10, calculates 11,000 yen as the total amount of the "current balance" of the usable electronic money in the value management means 101A (chargeable amount). Then, the charge execution means 103A 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 the desired charge amount within the range of the chargeable amount. When the player specifies 10,000 yen as the charge amount, the charge execution means 103A, the mobile terminal 10, and the game equipment exchange the following commands: charge execution request, charge execution response, charge acceptance completion notification, charge execution instruction, and charge result notification. This completes the charging of 10,000 yen in prepaid value (association with IC card 4).

[0086] On the other hand, in the management function unit 100A, while the "current balance" of the record in which the withdrawn usable electronic money is recorded is updated in the value management means 101A, when the charge execution means 103A withdraws and subtracts multiple electronic money with different "addition dates" and associates the electronic money with the IC card 4 within the range of their usable amounts (chargeable amounts), the "current balance" of the electronic money with the older addition date is subtracted first. For example, as shown in Figure 6, when 10,000 yen worth of electronic money is withdrawn in the value management means 101A, the entire amount is first withdrawn from the "current balance" of 6,000 yen in the record "0001" with the older "addition date", and its "current balance" is updated to 0 yen. At the same time, 4,000 yen is withdrawn from the "current balance" of 5,000 yen in the record "0002" with the newer "addition date", and its "current balance" is updated to 1,000 yen. In this way, the value management system 1A uses the charge execution means 103A to charge (convert to prepaid value associated with IC card 4) the usable electronic money managed by the value management means 101A in a so-called first-in, first-out manner, and then uses it for gaming. This makes it possible to properly manage the usable electronic money.

[0087] The settlement addition means 104A settles the balance by adding electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 to the value management means 101A, based on a settlement execution request that requests the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, when settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, the IC card 4 is first ejected from the gaming equipment (unit 3 or card issuing machine 5) based on the player's operation of the card return button or the like. Then, when the player inserts the IC card 4 ejected from the gaming equipment into the settlement machine 6 installed in the gaming store, the settlement machine 6 that received the IC card 4 sends a wallet return eligibility confirmation request to the settlement addition means 104A of the management function unit 100A. This wallet return eligibility confirmation request includes at least the card ID of the IC card 4 and the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Upon receiving a request to confirm the feasibility of wallet refund, the settlement and addition means 104A checks the linking information between the card ID and the app ID managed by the management function unit 100A. The player and their value management means 101A are then identified from the app ID linked to the card ID. If the identification of the player and their value management means 101C confirms that the app ID linked when the electronic money was added to the value management means 101A is valid, a message indicating that wallet refund settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as the wallet refund feasibility confirmation result. On the other hand, if the app ID cannot be confirmed to be valid, an error message indicating that there is an error is sent to the settlement machine 6 as the wallet refund feasibility confirmation result (not shown in the diagram).

[0088] Next, when the settlement machine 6 receives confirmation that a wallet refund is possible as a result of the wallet refund confirmation, a message indicating that settlement is in progress is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6. Subsequently, the settlement machine 6 sends a settlement execution request to the settlement addition means 104A requesting the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This settlement execution request includes at least the settlement machine ID, game store ID, card ID, and settlement amount, which are identification information for each settlement machine 6. Here, the settlement addition means 104A adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value to the value management means 101A based on the received settlement execution request and performs a wallet return settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value. As a result, a new record is added to the value management means 101A, and the amount of electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value is recorded and managed in that record. In addition, the "addition type" of the record added at this time is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the added electronic money is a settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value. In this way, when the settlement addition means 104A performs a wallet return settlement for the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, it sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6 and also notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the settlement has been completed using a communication means such as email. As a result, the settlement machine 6, which has received the settlement execution response, displays on its screen that the settlement has been completed. This allows the player to know that the settlement is complete through a notification on their mobile device 10 and a display on the screen of the settlement machine 6. Subsequently, the settlement machine 6 collects the IC card 4, for which the 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 value management means 101A can be used, based on the date recorded in the "Expiration Date" of each record. Specifically, the usability determination means 105 determines that electronic money within the validity period can be used, and electronic money outside the validity period cannot be used, based on a predetermined period from the date recorded in the "Additional Date" of each record, for example, 180 days. Therefore, as explained above, using the example of June 23, 2025, as shown in Figure 3, the electronic money in record "0004" is determined to be unusable by the usability determination means 105 because the "Expiration Date" recorded in June 22, 2025, is earlier (in the past) than June 23, 2025. On the other hand, the electronic money in record "0005" is determined to be usable by the usability determination means 105 because its "expiration date" recorded as June 24, 2025, is on or after June 23, 2025. In that case, the value management means 101A treats the electronic money in record "0004" as unusable electronic money and the electronic money in 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 "Expiration Date" each time the date is updated. However, for example, when a player launches an application installed on the mobile terminal 10, the means may be configured to receive a notification of application launch from the mobile terminal 10 and determine whether the electronic money can be used each time such a notification is received. The timing of the usability determination is arbitrary. Furthermore, the determination of whether electronic money can be used by the usability determination means 105 is not limited to determining based on the validity period as described above, but may also be determined by, for example, whether the number of days elapsed since the date recorded in "addition date" is within a predetermined number of days. Moreover, the predetermined period as the validity period is not limited to 180 days, but may be set in calendar months, for example, 3 months or 5 months, or in years, for example, 1 year or 2 years. In addition, date management in the usability determination means 105 and the value management means 101A may be implemented using a schedule management function pre-installed in the relay device 8 or the cashless center 20, or it may be implemented by providing a unique schedule management function in the value management system 1A. Furthermore, these schedule management functions may be used to configure the system so that the date recorded in "expiration date" is automatically calculated and recorded based on the date recorded in "addition date".

[0091] As described later, the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines whether or not to perform settlement by cashing out the remaining balance of the prepaid value, depending on the type of cashless payment associated with the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and then, based on the result of that determination, instructs the settlement machine 6, which is capable of performing settlement by cashing out the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, to perform settlement by cashing out the remaining balance of the prepaid value. Specifically, as described later, the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines whether or not to perform settlement by cashing out the remaining balance of the prepaid value, depending on the type of cashless payment associated with 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 instant payment cashless payment, then it is determined that settlement by cash withdrawal of the remaining balance of that prepaid value is possible. On the other hand, if the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is "credit card," which is a deferred payment cashless payment, then it is determined that settlement by cash withdrawal of that prepaid value is not possible. This means that, for example, if electronic money that was deposited into wallet 100A and managed by the value management instrument 101A is withdrawn through the execution of a deferred payment cashless payment, such as a payment using a credit card, and that electronic money is charged (converted into prepaid value associated with IC card 4), then settlement by cash withdrawal of the remaining balance of that prepaid value is not possible, thereby preventing the cash conversion of the credit card's available payment amount.

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

[0093] The management device 9 comprises a control unit 9a that comprehensively manages 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 composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The management device 9 outputs, for example, setting information for controlling the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 to the card unit 3, and the card unit 3 outputs, for example, settlement information regarding the prepaid value consumed in gameplay on the gaming machine 2 to the management device 9. In addition, the management device 9 outputs, for example, setting information for controlling the card issuing machine 5 to the card issuing machine 5.

[0094] The general-purpose payment center 40 comprises a control unit 40a that primarily processes the execution of cashless payments, an information management unit 40b that manages authentication information necessary for the execution of cashless payments and the history of cashless payments, 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 deposit requests that request the execution of cashless payments and deposit information of electronic money deposited in response to deposit requests is output. The prepaid payment center 30 also has the same configuration as the general-purpose payment center 40 for purchasing prepaid value, but the explanation of that will be omitted.

[0095] The above describes the basic configuration of the value management system 1A. Next, a value management system 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, since the basic configuration of the value management system 1B is the same as that of the value management system 1A, only the parts that differ from the value management system 1A will be described, and the same configuration as the value management system 1A will not be described.

[0096] <Second Embodiment> In the value management system 1B, when the cashless payment addition means 102B adds electronic money to the value management system 101B, it notifies the value management system 101B of the type of cashless payment performed by the general-purpose payment center 40. Upon receiving this notification, the value management system 101B records the attributes of each electronic money, including the type of cashless payment, as an "addition type" linked to the "addition amount" and "addition date". This makes it possible for the value management system 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, when 10,000 yen in electronic money is deposited into wallet 100B from the general-purpose payment center 40 on December 18, 2024, through the execution of an instant cashless payment using "TokkyoPay", that electronic money is added to the value management means 101B by the cashless addition means 102B, and a record with "Record No." "B0001" is added in the value management means 101B. At this time, the cashless addition means 102B notifies the value management means 101B that the type of cashless payment used was "TokkyoPay". Upon receiving this notification, the value management means 101B records the type of cashless payment ("TokkyoPay") as an attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type".

[0098] Subsequently, when electronic money is charged to record "B0001" or the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is returned to the wallet, as of December 22, 2024, after the wallet return settlement, the value management device 101B will be managing record "B0002" with a "current balance" of "2,000" and record "B0003" with a "current balance" of "4,000". Furthermore, on December 24, 2024, if 10,000 yen in electronic money is deposited into wallet 100B from the general-purpose payment center 40 through, for example, the execution of a post-payment cashless payment using a credit card, a record with "record No." "C0001" will be added to the value management device 101B. At this time, the cashless addition device 102B will notify the value management device 101B that the type of cashless payment used was a "credit card". Upon receiving this notification, the value management means 101B records the type of cashless payment ("credit card") as an attribute of the electronic money in the "addition type" field. In Figure 8, for convenience, it is shown that all electronic money is recorded in a single recording area (referred to as the "wallet account" in the figure) within the value management means 101B. However, in reality, the value management means 101B has multiple recording areas (referred to as "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 recording areas according to its attribute. Therefore, the value management means 101B allocates and records the electronic money to be added at that time in the recording area corresponding to its attribute, according to the type of cashless payment notified by the cashless addition means 102B. This makes it possible for the value management means 101B to allocate electronic money according to the type of cashless payment and manage the electronic money separately for each type.For example, in the value management system 1B, when the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added as electronic money to the value management system 101B through wallet return settlement performed by the settlement addition means 104B, that electronic money and the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102B are combined and managed according to the type of cashless payment. Furthermore, the method of recording and managing electronic money in the value management means 101B is not limited to the above. For example, all electronic money may be recorded in a single recording area provided within a single value management means 101B, and the electronic money may be managed separately 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 value management system 1B, when the charge execution means 103B finds that there are electronic money with different attributes among the usable electronic money, in other words, when there is electronic money added through the execution of different types of cashless payments, it calculates the usable amount by attribute, which is the sum of the "current balance" of the usable electronic money for each attribute (type). Furthermore, if this 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 the attribute containing the usable electronic money with the older date recorded in the "addition date" of the record is identified, only the usable electronic money for the identified attribute is subtracted.

[0100] For example, as shown in Figure 9, in the value management system 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 linked to "TokkyoPay" as records "B0001" and "B0002," respectively. 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 linked to "credit card" as records "C0001" and "C0002," respectively. In this case, if a charge amount of 10,000 yen is specified, the charge execution means 103B calculates the available amount for each attribute of "TokkyoPay" and "credit card," and identifies those for which the available amount for each attribute is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount).

[0101] In this example, since the available amount for each attribute is 10,000 yen or more, "TokkyoPay" and "Credit Card" are identified. Next, the charge execution means 103B identifies the type of cashless payment that includes the available electronic money whose available amount for each attribute is 10,000 yen or more, and whose date recorded in the "Addition Date" of the record is older, as there are multiple types of cashless payments with an available amount for each attribute of 10,000 yen or more. Here, since the date recorded in "Expiration Date" is calculated based on the date recorded in "Addition Date", the available electronic money with the older date recorded in "Expiration Date" corresponds to the available electronic money with the older date recorded in "Addition Date". Therefore, the charge execution means 103B identifies "TokkyoPay" as the one that includes the available electronic money with the older date recorded in "Expiration Date", from among "TokkyoPay" and "Credit Card", all of which have an available amount for each attribute of 10,000 yen or more.

[0102] As a result, when the charge execution means 103B withdraws and deducts usable electronic money managed by the value management means 101B, it only withdraws and deducts usable electronic money linked to the specified cashless payment type, "TokkyoPay," and then has the deducted usable electronic money charged by unit 3. After the charge, the "current balance" of the usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay" is updated, the "current balance" of record "B0001" becomes 0 yen, and the "current balance" of record "B0002" becomes 4,000 yen.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, as shown in Figure 10, in the value 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 linked to "TokkyoPay" as records "B0001" and "B0002," respectively. 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 linked to "credit card" as records "C0001" and "C0002," respectively. In this case, for example, if a charge amount of 10,000 yen is specified, the charge execution means 103B first calculates the available amount for each attribute of "TokkyoPay" and "credit card," and identifies those for which the available amount for each attribute is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount).

[0104] In this example, the available balance for "TokkyoPay" is 6,000 yen, and the available balance for "Credit Card" is 15,000 yen or more. Therefore, a "Credit Card" whose available balance is equal to or greater than the charge amount (specified amount) is identified. In this case, the charge execution means 103B will not deduct from the available electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay," even if the available electronic money with the oldest "addition date" among the available electronic money managed by the value management means 101B is linked to "TokkyoPay." Instead, it will deduct from the available electronic money linked to "Credit Card." If the charge amount is 6,000 yen, the charge execution means 103B will deduct from the available electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay," including the available electronic money with the older "addition date."

[0105] As a result, when the charge execution means 103B deducts and subtracts usable electronic money managed by the value management means 101B, it deducts and subtracts only the usable electronic money linked to the specified cashless payment type, "credit card," and allows the unit 3 to charge the subtracted usable electronic money. After the charge, the "current balance" of the usable electronic money linked to the "credit card" is updated, the "current balance" of record "C0001" becomes 0 yen, and the "current balance" of record "C0002" becomes 5,000 yen. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned value management system 1B, usable electronic money linked to different types of cashless payments will not be combined and charged. If they were combined and charged, when the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is settled afterward, electronic money deposited through different types of cashless payments would be mixed together, making it difficult to prevent, for example, the cashing out of usable electronic money linked to a "credit card".

[0106] Therefore, for example, as a modified version of the value management system 1B, the charge execution means 103B associates the prepaid value linked to the type of cashless payment with the IC card 4 using unit 3, and further, when the settlement addition means 104B adds electronic money to the value management means 101B through wallet return settlement, it notifies the value 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 addition means 104B, the value management means 101B records the notified type of cashless payment as an attribute of the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104B in the "addition type" field, and according to that attribute, the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102B and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104B can be managed together for each type of cashless payment.

[0107] Specifically, as shown in Figure 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 available amount by attribute for the usable electronic money linked to the cashless payment type "TokkyoPay". In this example, since the only usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay" is records "B0002" and "B0003", which are electronic money added by wallet return settlement, the "current balance" of these is added up to calculate the available amount by attribute as 6,000 yen. Next, the charge execution means 103B calculates the available amount by attribute for the usable electronic money linked to the cashless payment type "credit card". In this example, since the only usable electronic money linked to "credit card" is record "C0001", its "current balance" of 10,000 yen is used as the available amount by attribute.

[0108] Next, the charge execution means 103B identifies the usable amount for each attribute 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, it identifies "credit cards" with an attribute-specific usable amount of 10,000 yen or more. If there are multiple types of cashless payment methods with an attribute-specific usable amount of 10,000 yen or more, it identifies the type of cashless payment method that includes the 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 the oldest.

[0109] Next, the charge execution means 103B deducts the charge amount from the usable electronic money linked to the identified "credit card" and subtracts it, and then has the subtracted usable electronic money charged by unit 3 (converted into prepaid value associated with IC card 4). Here, when the charge execution means 103B charges the usable electronic money linked to the "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 unit 3. Upon receiving the charge execution instruction, unit 3 associates the prepaid value with the IC card 4, linking the received cashless payment type, "credit card," to the prepaid value. The information linking the cashless payment type and the prepaid value is recorded on the IC card 4 or unit 3 along with the remaining balance of the prepaid value.

[0110] Subsequently, on the same day, when the remaining balance of the prepaid value (9,000 yen) linked to the cashless payment type "credit card" is settled by wallet return settlement, the settlement addition means 104B adds the electronic money to the value management means 101B, and the value management means 101B is notified of the cashless payment type "credit card" linked to the prepaid value associated with IC card 4. Then, the value management means 101B adds record "C0002" and records the amount of electronic money (9,000 yen) equivalent to the settled remaining balance of the prepaid value in record "C0002". In addition, the "Addition Type" of record "C0002" records "credit card", which indicates the cashless payment type notified to the value management means 101B by the settlement addition means 104B. The "addition type" recorded at this time may be limited to only the type of cashless payment notified by the settlement addition means 104B. However, as shown in Figure 8, it is preferable to record it as "settlement (credit card)" or similar, 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 due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value.

[0111] In this case, the value management means 101B will have both the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102B and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104B linked to the type of cashless payment, so the electronic money from each other can be managed together and separated by the type of cashless payment. As described above, in the modified value management system 1B, when usable electronic money withdrawn by the charge execution means 103B is charged, it is possible to charge and use only usable electronic money linked to one type of cashless payment, including electronic money added through wallet return settlement, without mixing usable electronic money that had been deposited into the wallet (management function unit) 100B through the execution of different types of cashless payments. This makes it easier to manage the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In particular, for example, among the usable electronic money managed by the value management means 101B, it becomes possible to manage according to the type of cashless payment, such as making cash settlement impossible for electronic money linked to "credit cards" and allowing cash settlement for electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay".

[0112] Furthermore, the process by which the charge execution means 103B associates the prepaid value, which has been linked to the type of cashless payment by unit 3, with the IC card 4 is as shown in Figure 11. The charge execution means 103B includes the type of cashless payment that was linked to the withdrawn usable electronic money in the charge execution instruction and transmits it to unit 3. In Figure 11, it is shown that the charge execution means 103B has withdrawn usable electronic money linked to the type of cashless payment "TokkyoPay," and therefore the type of cashless payment, "TokkyoPay," is included in the charge execution instruction. Thus, when unit 3, which has received the charge execution instruction, associates the prepaid value with the IC card 4, it can link the received type of cashless payment, "TokkyoPay," to the prepaid value.

[0113] Furthermore, in the value management system 1B configured in this way, for example, if "TokkyoPay" is linked to the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 as the type of cashless payment, when IC card 4 is inserted into and accepted by the payment machine 6 as shown in Figure 12, the payment machine 6 sends a request to the settlement addition means 104B of the management function unit 100B to confirm whether the wallet can be returned. This request to confirm whether the wallet can be returned includes at least the card ID of IC card 4, the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4, and the type of cashless payment (addition type) linked to the prepaid value. Upon receiving the request to confirm whether the wallet can be returned, the settlement addition means 104C confirms the linking information between the card ID and the application ID managed by the management function unit 100B. Then, the player and the value management system 101B for that player are identified from the application ID linked to the card ID. Here, the player and the value management device 101B for that player are identified, and if it is confirmed that the app ID linked when the electronic money was added to the value management device 101B is valid, a message indicating that wallet refund settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a result of the wallet refund feasibility check. On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed that the app ID is valid, although this is not shown in the diagram, a message indicating that there is an error as a result of the wallet refund feasibility check is sent to the settlement machine 6.

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

[0115] As described above, when the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is returned to the wallet, the settlement addition means 104B sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6 and also notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the settlement has been completed using a communication means such as email. Upon receiving the settlement execution response, the settlement machine 6 displays a message on its screen indicating that the settlement has been completed. Thus, the player can know that the settlement has been completed from the notification to the mobile terminal 10 and the display on the settlement machine 6's screen. Subsequently, the settlement machine 6 collects IC card 4, from which the remaining balance of the prepaid value has been settled. On the other hand, in the value management means 101B, based on the attributes of the electronic money recorded in "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 according to the type of cashless payment.

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

[0117] The value management system 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, we will describe the value management system 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, since the basic configuration of the value management system 1C is the same as that of the value management system 1A and the value management system 1B, we will only describe the parts that differ from the value management system 1A and the value management system 1B, and will omit the explanation of the same configuration as the value management system 1A and the value management system 1B.

[0118] <Third Embodiment> In the value management system 1C, when the settlement and addition means 104C adds electronic money to the value management means 101C, it notifies the value management means 101C that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In addition to the type of cashless payment, the attributes of the electronic money also include that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Based on the notification from the settlement and addition means 104C, the value management means 101C records as an attribute of the electronic money that is added by the settlement and addition means 104C that it is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and manages electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102C and electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104C separately. In this way, by separately managing the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102C, i.e., the electronic money added by executing a cashless payment, and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104C, i.e., the electronic money added by settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, it becomes possible to operate the system by separating the processing that can be performed for each type of electronic money. For example, it becomes possible to operate the system so that the electronic money added by executing a cashless payment can be used not only for charging for gaming but also for purchasing general goods and paying for services, while the electronic money added by settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value can only be used for charging for gaming.

[0119] Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 13, suppose that on December 18, 2024, 10,000 yen in electronic money is deposited into wallet 100C from general-purpose payment center 40, and that electronic money is added to the value management means 101C by cashless addition means 102C, and a record with "Record No." "B0001" is added to the value management means 101C. Furthermore, 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 balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 becomes 3,000 yen, and this remaining balance of 3,000 yen is added to the value management means 101C as electronic money by settlement addition means 104C through the execution of wallet return settlement. At this time, the settlement and addition means 104C adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 to the value management means 101C, and when adding the electronic money to the value management means 101C, it notifies the value management means 101C that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Here, in Figure 13, for convenience, it is shown that all electronic money is recorded in a single recording area (referred to as the "wallet account" in the figure) within the value management means 101C. However, in reality, the value management means 101C has multiple recording areas (referred to as the "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 recording areas according to its attributes. Therefore, the value management means 101C allocates and records the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104C to the recording area corresponding to the attribute of the electronic money notified by the settlement and addition means 104C, that is, the electronic money being added due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4.

[0120] In this case, the value management means 101C adds the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104C as a new record "S0001" and records it, and based on the notification from the settlement addition means 104C, it records "Settlement" as an attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type" to indicate that the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104C is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In this case, the execution of the wallet return settlement adds the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 as electronic money from the settlement addition means 104C to the value management means 101C, and the value management means 101C 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 value management means 101C can distinguish and manage electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102C and electronic money added by the settlement adding means 104C, depending on the attributes of the electronic money, in other words, whether or not the added electronic money is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4.

[0121] In the value management system 1C, for example, as shown in Figure 14, when an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value is inserted into the payment machine 6 and accepted by the payment machine 6, the payment machine 6 sends a request to the settlement addition means 104C of the management function unit 100C to confirm whether the wallet can be returned. This request to confirm whether the wallet can be returned includes at least the card ID of the IC card 4 and the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Upon receiving the request to confirm whether the wallet can be returned, the settlement addition means 104C verifies the linking information between the card ID and the application ID managed by the management function unit 100C. Then, the player and the value management means 101C for that player are identified from the application ID linked to the card ID. Here, the player and the value management device 101C for that player are identified, and if it is confirmed that the app ID linked when the electronic money was added to the value management device 101A is valid, a message indicating that wallet refund settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a result of the wallet refund feasibility check. On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed that the app ID is valid, although this is not shown in the diagram, a message indicating that there is an error as a result of the wallet refund feasibility check is sent to the settlement machine 6.

[0122] Next, when the settlement machine 6 receives confirmation that a wallet refund is possible as a result of the wallet refund confirmation, a message indicating that settlement is in progress is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6. Subsequently, the settlement machine 6 sends a settlement execution request to the settlement addition means 104C requesting the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This settlement execution request includes at least the settlement machine ID, game store ID, card ID, and settlement amount, which are identification information for each settlement machine 6. Here, the settlement addition means 104C adds the electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value to the value management means 101C based on the received settlement execution request and performs a wallet return settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value. As a result, a new record is added to the value management means 101C, and the amount of electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value is recorded and managed in that record. In addition, the "addition type" of the record added at this time is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the added electronic money is a settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value.

[0123] In this way, when a wallet refund settlement is performed for the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4, the settlement addition means 104C sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6 and also notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the settlement has been completed using a communication means such as email. Upon receiving the settlement execution response, the settlement machine 6 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 settlement machine 6's screen. Subsequently, the settlement machine 6 collects IC card 4, for which the remaining balance of the prepaid value has been settled. On the other hand, in the value management means 101C, the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102C and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104C are managed separately based on the attributes of the electronic money. Thus, in the value management system 1C, when the settlement addition means 104C adds electronic money to the value management means 101C, it notifies the value management means 101C that the electronic money to be added is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Then, based on the notification from the settlement addition means 104C, in other words, the value management means 101C manages the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102C and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104C separately 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 balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In this case, the charge execution means 103B does not need to perform the process of linking the type of cashless payment (addition type) to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by unit 3, as was required in the modified version of the value management system 1B.

[0124] The value management system 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, a value management system 1D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, since the basic configuration of the value management system 1D is the same as that of the value management system 1B and the value management system 1C, only the parts that differ from the value management system 1B and the value management system 1C will be described, and the same configuration as the value management system 1B and the value management system 1C will not be described.

[0125] <Fourth Embodiment> In the value management system 1D, the management function unit 100D has a charge execution means 103D that associates the prepaid value linked to the type of cashless payment with the IC card 4 using unit 3, and further, when the settlement and addition means 104D adds electronic money to the value management means 101D through wallet return settlement, it notifies the value management means 101D that the electronic money to be added is the result of settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In addition, the attributes of the electronic money include not only the type of cashless payment but also that the electronic money to be added is the result of settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Then, based on a notification from the settlement and addition means 104D, the value management means 101D records as an attribute of the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104D that it is due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4, and manages the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102D and the electronic money added by the settlement and addition means 104D separately, and manages the value added by the cashless addition means 102D for each type of cashless payment.

[0126] Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 13, suppose that on December 18, 2024, a record "B0001" with "TokkyoPay" recorded in "Addition Type" was added due to the execution of a cashless payment using "TokkyoPay," and then on December 20, 2024, 6,000 yen worth of usable electronic money was charged from the "Current Balance" of record "B0001." At this time, when the charge execution means 103D instructs unit 3 to charge the usable electronic money linked to "TokkyoPay," it includes "TokkyoPay," which is the type of cashless payment linked to the withdrawn usable electronic money, in the charge execution instruction, similar to the charge execution means 103B in the value management system 1B (Figure 11), and sends it to unit 3. Then, when unit 3, which has received the charge execution instruction, associates the prepaid value with the IC card 4, it associates the received cashless payment type, "TokkyoPay," with the prepaid value. Furthermore, the information linking the type of cashless payment to the prepaid value is recorded on IC card 4 or unit 3, along with the remaining prepaid value. Subsequently, on the same day, 3,000 yen of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 was used for gaming, and then, through the execution of a wallet return settlement, the remaining 3,000 yen of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 was added to the value management means 101D as electronic money by the settlement addition means 104D. As a result, at the final point on December 20, 2024, the value management means 101D will be managing two records: record "B0001" in which "TokkyoPay" is recorded as the attribute of electronic money in "Addition type", and record "S0001" in which "Settlement" is recorded as the attribute of electronic money in "Addition type".

[0127] Subsequently, 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 performed for the remaining 2,000 yen of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4, 2,000 yen of electronic money is added to the 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 an attribute of the electronic money in the "addition type" of record "S0002." As a result, as of December 22, 2024, the value management device 101D manages record "B0001" in which "TokkyoPay" is recorded as the attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type", and records "S0001" and "S0002" in which "Settlement" is recorded as the attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type". Here, as mentioned above, in Figure 13, for convenience, it is illustrated that all electronic money is recorded in a single recording area (referred to as "wallet account" in the figure) within the value management device 101D. However, in reality, the value management device 101D has multiple recording areas (referred to as "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 recording areas according to its attribute. Therefore, the value management means 101D allocates and records the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104D to the recording area corresponding to the attribute of the electronic money notified by the settlement addition means 104D, that is, the electronic money being added due to the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. In this way, the value management means 101D can distinguish and manage the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102D and the electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104D according to the attribute of the electronic money. The process up to this point is the same as that of the value management system 1C.

[0128] On the other hand, on December 24, 2024, when a new cashless payment using a "credit card" is executed, a record "C0001" with "credit card" recorded as the "addition type" is added, the "addition type" of this record "C0001" will record "credit card," which is the type of cashless payment notified by the cashless addition device 102D. As a result, at the final point on December 24, 2024, the value management device 101D will be managing the following: record "B0001" with "TokkyoPay" recorded as the electronic money attribute in the "addition type," records "S0001" and "S0002" with "settlement" recorded as the electronic money attribute in the "addition type," and record "C0001" with "credit card" recorded as the electronic money attribute in the "addition type." In this way, the value management system 1D allows the value management means 101D to distinguish and manage electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102D and electronic money added by the settlement addition means 104D, and to manage the electronic money added by the cashless addition means 102D according to the type of cashless payment.

[0129] Furthermore, on December 26, 2024, if an attempt is made to charge 5,000 yen from the available electronic money of the records "B0001", "S0001", "S0002", and "C0001" recorded and managed as described above, the charge execution means 103D will calculate the available amount for each attribute associated with those available electronic money ("type of cashless payment" or "that the electronic money is a settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4"). Specifically, the usable amount for record "B0001," whose attribute is "TokkyoPay" for cashless payment type, is calculated as 1,000 yen. The usable amount for records "S0001" and "S0002," whose attribute is "the electronic money is settled from the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4," is calculated as 5,000 yen. The usable amount for record "C0001," whose attribute is "credit card" for cashless payment type, is calculated as 10,000 yen. Subsequently, the charge execution means 103D identifies that the attributes of those usable amounts of 5,000 yen or more, which is the amount specified by the player, are "the electronic money is settled from the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4" and "credit card." Furthermore, it identifies that the attribute containing the usable electronic money with the older date recorded in "addition date" is "the electronic money is settled from the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4."

[0130] In this case, even if there is a record "B0001" linked to "TokkyoPay" as the oldest usable electronic money with the oldest date recorded in "Addition Date" in the Value Management Means 101D, the Charge Execution Means 103D will not use that usable electronic money for charging. Instead, it will only use the usable electronic money of records "S0001" and "S0002" that are linked to the specified attribute "the electronic money is the result of settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4," that is, only records "S0001" and "S0002" in which "Settlement" is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money in "Addition Type," or to put it another way, only from the wallet account that records and manages records "S0001" and "S0002" that are linked to the attribute "the electronic money is the result of settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4," and charge the unit 3. Furthermore, when the charge execution means 103D has unit 3 charge usable electronic money that has the attribute "the electronic money is the result of settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4," that is, usable electronic money with "settlement" recorded in the "addition type," the charge execution means 103D includes the attribute "settlement," which indicates "the electronic money is the result of settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4," which was associated with the withdrawn usable electronic money, in the charge execution instruction and transmits it to unit 3. Then, when unit 3, which has received the charge execution instruction, associates the prepaid value with IC card 4, it associates the received attribute "settlement" with the prepaid value. This information linking the attribute and the prepaid value is recorded in IC card 4 or unit 3 along with the remaining balance of the prepaid value.

[0131] In the value management system 1D configured in this way, for example, as shown in Figure 15, when an IC card 4 associated with prepaid value is inserted into a payment machine 6 and the IC card 4 is accepted by the payment machine 6, the process is almost the same as in the case of the value management system 1B described above. However, when the settlement addition means 104D performs a wallet return settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value, the value management means 101D is notified that the electronic money to be added is "a settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4." In this case, the records added by the execution of the wallet return settlement, whether they were linked to "TokkyoPay" or "credit card," are recorded with "Settlement" linked to the "Addition Type." Therefore, in the value management system 1D, as described above, electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102D and electronic money added by the settlement adding means 104D are managed separately based on the attributes of the electronic money recorded in "addition type," and the electronic money added by the cashless adding means 102D is managed according to the type of cashless payment.

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

[0133] <First variation> In the value management systems 1A to 1D, the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 was explained using the example of a wallet return settlement. However, the settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 may also be performed by cash settlement. In this case, for example, when IC card 4 associated with prepaid value is inserted into the settlement machine 6 and accepted by the settlement machine 6, an amount of cash equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is dispensed from the settlement machine 6. Here, for example, if the charge execution means 103B and charge execution means 103D, such as the value management system 1B and the value management system 1D, associate the IC card 4 with a prepaid value linked to a type of cashless payment, the settlement execution instruction means 106 may be instructed to determine whether or not to execute the cash settlement according to the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4.

[0134] In this case, for example, using the value management system 1B as an example, as shown in Figure 16, if "TokkyoPay" is linked to the prepaid value associated with IC card 4, and the IC card 4 is inserted into and accepted by the payment machine 6, the payment machine 6 sends a request to the management function unit 100B to confirm whether the wallet can be returned. This request to confirm whether the wallet can be returned includes at least the card ID of IC card 4, the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with IC card 4, and the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value. Upon receiving the request to confirm whether the wallet can be returned, the management function unit 100B uses the settlement addition means 104B to confirm the linking information between the card ID and the app ID, identifies the value management means 101B for the player from the app ID, confirms the validity of the app ID, and uses the settlement execution instruction means 106 to determine whether to execute a cash settlement according to the type of cashless payment included in the request to confirm whether the wallet can be returned.

[0135] If the app ID is confirmed to be valid and the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines that cash settlement is possible, a message indicating that both wallet return settlement and cash settlement are possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return feasibility check result. If the app ID cannot be confirmed to be valid, although not shown in the diagram, a message indicating an error is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a wallet return feasibility check result. Next, when the settlement machine 6 receives confirmation that both wallet refund and cash refund are possible as a result of the wallet refund confirmation, a selection button will be displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6, allowing the player to choose between wallet refund or cash refund. If the player selects cash refund, the settlement machine 6 will refund the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 by cash payout. Subsequently, the settlement machine 6 sends the cash refund execution result to the management function unit 100B, and in response, the management function unit 100B sends a cash refund execution response to the settlement machine 6. At this point, the settlement machine 6 displays a message on its screen indicating that the refund is complete and collects the IC card 4 from which the remaining balance of the prepaid value has been refunded.

[0136] In the above example, we described the case where the settlement execution instruction means 106 determines that cash settlement is possible. However, for example, as shown in the lower part of Figure 16, if the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is linked to "credit card" as the type of cashless payment, the settlement execution instruction means 106 may determine that cash settlement is not possible. In this case, the settlement machine 6 receives a message indicating that wallet return settlement is possible but cash settlement is not, as a result of the wallet return feasibility check. Upon receiving this message, the settlement machine 6 displays selection buttons on its screen, but only wallet return settlement becomes selectable. If the player selects wallet return settlement, the settlement machine 6 settles the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 via wallet return settlement. Subsequently, the process of the payment machine 6 sending a payment execution request to the management function unit 100B, the management function unit 100B sending a payment execution response to the payment machine 6 in response, and the management function unit 100B notifying the mobile terminal 10 that the payment has been completed are the same as described above, so we will omit that explanation.

[0137] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned value management system 1B and value management system 1D, etc., if the settlement execution instruction means 106 is instructed to determine whether or not to perform cash settlement by the settlement machine 6 according to the type of cashless payment associated with the prepaid value linked to 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 to perform cash settlement of the remaining prepaid value by the settlement machine 6, in accordance with the determination made by the settlement execution instruction means 106. In this case, for example, when the gaming device accepts the IC card 4, the type of cashless payment associated with the prepaid value linked to the card ID is identified, and the type of cashless payment is notified from the gaming device to the management function unit 100B, etc. Upon receiving this notification, the management function unit 100B uses the settlement execution instruction means 106 to determine whether or not to perform cash settlement by the settlement machine 6 according to the type of cashless payment, and transmits the result of this determination to the gaming device. The gaming device, upon receiving the result of this determination, then displays the result of the settlement execution instruction means 106's determination regarding the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 currently being accepted on the touch panel display 11. Furthermore, the system is not limited to the above-described configuration where the gaming device and the management function unit 100B communicate each time an IC card 4 is received to receive the decision result from the settlement execution instruction means 106. For example, the gaming device may receive in advance a setting from the management function unit 100B indicating whether or not cash settlement is possible, depending on the type of cashless payment. Based on this setting, the gaming device that receives an IC card 4 may independently determine whether or not cash settlement is possible, depending on the type of cashless payment associated with the prepaid value linked to that IC card 4. In this case, the gaming device can display on the touch panel display 11 whether or not cash settlement of the remaining prepaid value by the settlement machine 6 is possible, based on its own judgment. Furthermore, the display on the gaming device may only show when cash settlement is possible, only when cash settlement is not possible, or it may show regardless of whether cash settlement is possible or not, depending on the judgment result of the settlement execution instruction means 106 or the gaming device's own judgment. This allows, for example, players to be notified in advance that cash settlement is not possible, and to continue playing without considering settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value, allowing them to use up the remaining balance through gaming. Also, for example, if the remaining balance of the prepaid value is linked to a "credit card," it may be possible to display a warning that cash settlement is not possible, while on the other hand, if the remaining balance of the prepaid value is linked to "TokkyoPay," nothing may be displayed.

[0138] <Second variation> Furthermore, for example, if the charge execution means 103B and charge execution means 103D, such as the value management system 1B and the value management system 1D, associate the prepaid value linked to the type of cashless payment with the IC card 4, then the settlement addition means 104B and settlement addition means 104D may be used to determine whether or not to perform a settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value, depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value includes wallet return settlement and cash settlement, but only wallet return settlement will be explained below.

[0139] For example, using the Value Management System 1B as an example, if the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is linked to "TokkyoPay" as the type of cashless payment, and the IC card 4 is inserted into the payment machine 6 and accepted as shown in Figure 17, the payment machine 6 sends a request to the management function unit 100B to confirm whether a wallet refund is possible. Upon receiving the request, the management function unit 100B uses the settlement addition means 104B to verify the linking information between the card ID and the app ID, identify the value management means 101B for the player from the app ID, confirm the validity of the app ID, and determine whether to perform a wallet refund settlement according to the type of cashless payment included in the request. If the type of cashless payment linked to the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is "TokkyoPay", the settlement addition means 104B determines that a wallet refund settlement is possible.

[0140] At this point, it is confirmed that the app ID is valid, and the settlement addition means 104B determines that the wallet return settlement can be performed. Therefore, as a result of the wallet return feasibility check, a message indicating that the wallet return settlement is possible is sent to the settlement machine 6. Then, the settlement addition means 104B performs the wallet return settlement, and a message indicating that the settlement is in progress is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6. The rest of the process is the same as described above, so the explanation is omitted. On the other hand, for example, as shown in the lower part of Figure 17, if the prepaid value associated with IC card 4 is linked to "credit card" as the type of cashless payment, the settlement addition means 104B will determine that wallet return settlement is not possible. In this case, since the settlement addition means 104B has determined that wallet return settlement cannot be performed, a message indicating that wallet return settlement is not possible is sent to the settlement machine 6 as a result of the wallet return feasibility check. As a result, a message indicating that settlement is not possible is displayed on the screen of the settlement machine 6, and the IC card 4 that was inserted into the settlement machine 6 is returned.

[0141] <Other variations> In the Value Management System 1A, etc., when usable electronic money is managed in multiple records in the Value Management Means 101A, the system can charge a player any amount of usable electronic money specified by the player, within the range of the sum of the "current balances" of those usable electronic money. However, in this case, the charge execution means 103A only sums the "current balances" of usable electronic money linked to the same type of cashless payment, as shown in Figure 18. Figure 18 shows an example where 10,000 yen is specified as the charge amount, and only usable electronic money linked to the same type of cashless payment, "TokkyoPay," is summed and charged. In this case, the charge execution means 103A first subtracts from the record with the older date recorded in "addition date," in other words, the record with the older date recorded in "expiration date," among the usable electronic money linked to the same type of cashless payment, and then performs the charge.

[0142] Specifically, as shown in Figure 18, for example, among the two records of usable electronic money linked to the same cashless payment type, "TokkyoPay," the usable electronic money of record "0001," which has the older date recorded in the "Expiration Date," is deducted first, followed by the usable electronic money of record "0003." As a result, if the "Current Balance" of record "0001" was 6,000 yen and the "Current Balance" of record "0003" was 10,000 yen before charging, after charging, the "Current Balance" of record "0001" will be updated to 0 yen and the "Current Balance" of record "0003" will be updated to 6,000 yen. This allows for appropriate management of the expiration dates of electronic money using a so-called first-in, first-out method, depending on the attributes of the electronic money, in other words, depending on the type of cashless payment linked to the electronic money and whether or not the electronic money is a settlement of the remaining balance of prepaid value.

[0143] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, in the case of a value management system 1B that associates prepaid value linked to the attributes of electronic money, including the type of cashless payment, with the IC card 4 by a charge execution instruction such as the charge execution means 103B, in addition to the expiration date management using the so-called first-in, first-out method described above, the ability to perform wallet return settlement by the settlement addition means 104B may be configured to vary depending on the attributes of the electronic money associated with the IC card 4 by the charge execution means 103B, in other words, depending on the type of cashless payment and whether or not the electronic money is settled by the remaining balance of prepaid value. For example, by disabling wallet refund settlement for prepaid value linked to "credit card" as a cashless payment method, electronic money deposited into the management function unit 100B via cashless payment using a credit card and added to the value management means 101B by the value management means 101B will not be added back to the value management means 101B through wallet refund settlement. Therefore, electronic money recorded in the value management means 101B with "settlement" linked to "addition type" will not be mixed with electronic money that is added back to the value management means 101B through settlement of prepaid value linked to "credit card". This allows for the operation of the value management system 1B, etc., in accordance with various situations, such as enabling cash settlement only for electronic money linked to a cashless payment method other than "credit card" as an "addition type" and electronic money linked to "settlement" as an "addition type".

[0144] Furthermore, in a value management system such as 1A, for example, the gaming device (unit 3 or card issuing machine 5) can accept banknotes (cash) and associate a prepaid value equivalent to that amount with the IC card 4. However, even when settling the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 through cash acceptance (cash deposit), it may be possible to perform settlement by wallet return settlement. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 20, the IC card 4 associated with a 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 accept the settlement. This makes the settlement machine 6 capable of reading codes (for example, two-dimensional codes or barcodes). Meanwhile, the player launches an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 and displays a code on the touch panel display 11 for the settlement machine 6 to read. At this time, the code displayed on the touch panel display 11 includes at least an application ID.

[0145] Subsequently, when the code displayed on the touch panel display 11 of the mobile terminal 10 is read by the payment machine 6, the payment machine 6 sends a request to the management function unit 100A to confirm whether a wallet refund is possible. This request includes at least the app ID and the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. Upon receiving the request, the management function unit 100A identifies the value management means 101A for that player from the app ID and confirms the depositable amount using the cashless addition means 102A. If the confirmation of the depositable amount confirms that the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is less than or equal to the depositable amount, a message indicating that a wallet refund is possible is sent to the payment machine 6 as the wallet refund confirmation result. On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed that the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is less than or equal to the depositable amount, an error message indicating that there is an error is sent to the payment machine 6 as the wallet refund confirmation result (not shown in the diagram).

[0146] Next, the payment machine 6 sends a payment execution request to the payment addition means 104A requesting the payment of the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4. This payment execution request includes at least the arcade ID, payment machine ID, application ID, and the payment amount. Here, the settlement addition means 104A adds electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value to the value management means 101A based on the received settlement execution request and performs a wallet return settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value. As a result, a new record is added to the value management means 101A, and the amount of electronic money equivalent to the remaining balance of the prepaid value is recorded and managed in that record. In addition, the "addition type" of the record added at this time is recorded as an attribute of the electronic money, indicating that the added electronic money is a settlement of the remaining balance of the prepaid value. When a wallet return settlement is performed for the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 in this way, the settlement addition means 104A sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6 and also notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the settlement has been completed using a communication means such as email. As a result, the settlement machine 6, which has received the settlement execution response, displays on its screen that the settlement has been completed. This allows the player to know that the settlement is complete through a notification on their mobile device 10 and a display on the screen of the settlement machine 6. Subsequently, the settlement machine 6 collects the IC card 4, for which the remaining prepaid value has been settled. Furthermore, the ability to perform settlement via wallet return settlement may be made variable. This would allow for various operational possibilities, such as enabling wallet return settlement only for the remaining balance of prepaid value charged from electronic money added through cashless payment, or enabling wallet return settlement for both the remaining balance of prepaid value charged from electronic money added through cashless payment and the remaining balance of prepaid value associated with IC card 4 via cash deposit.

[0147] Furthermore, for example, in the value management system 1A, as described above, the system may be configured such that, upon receipt of cash (cash deposit), the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added to the value management means 101A, etc., as electronic money through the execution of wallet return settlement, and then it becomes possible to perform further settlement of that electronic money by cash settlement. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 21, upon receipt of cash, the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with the IC card 4 is added to the value management means 101A, etc., as electronic money (cash deposit amount of 5,000 yen) through the execution of wallet return settlement, and that electronic money is managed by the value management means 101A. Here, in order to settle the electronic money by performing a cash settlement, the player first launches an application installed on the mobile terminal 10 and displays a code (for example, a two-dimensional code or a barcode, etc.) on the touch panel display 11 for optical reading 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, the payment machine 6 performs a cash settlement operation to enable it to accept the settlement, making it capable of reading codes. When the payment machine 6 reads the code displayed on the touch panel display 11 of the mobile terminal 10, it sends a wallet information confirmation to the management function unit 100A. This wallet information confirmation includes at least the app ID. Upon receiving the wallet information confirmation, the management function unit 100A identifies the value management means 101A for that player based on the app ID. Subsequently, the balance of the electronic money (cash deposit) managed by the value management means 101A is sent from the management function unit 100A to the payment machine 6 as wallet information. Upon receiving the wallet information, the payment machine 6 sends a cash settlement execution request to the management function unit 100A. This cash settlement execution request includes at least the app ID and the settlement amount. Subsequently, upon receiving the cash settlement execution request, the management function unit 100A sends a settlement execution response to the settlement machine 6. The settlement machine 6 then dispenses 5,000 yen in cash, which is the balance of the electronic money (cash deposit) managed by the value management means 101A, and performs the cash settlement. Meanwhile, the management function unit 100A notifies the mobile terminal 10 that the settlement has been completed using a communication means such as email, and updates the balance of the electronic money (cash deposit) managed by the value management means 101 to 0 yen.

[0149] Furthermore, for example, in the value management system 1A, when electronic money managed by the value management means 101A is charged, the management function unit 100A may be configured to back up information about the amusement store where the electronic money was charged, such as the amusement store's ID, the date the charge was executed, and the charge amount. This allows for backup in case, for example, an amusement store accidentally deletes a record of electronic money managed by the value management means 101A, or if there is a problem updating records such as the "current balance," or if the database is lost due to a disaster, and also allows for tracing back and identifying the cause of the problem. In addition, the backup data can be used to aggregate data for each amusement store, analyze trends such as the usage status and frequency of use of electronic money, and utilize this information for the management of the amusement stores.

[0150] Furthermore, such backup data can be used to analyze data aggregated from various perspectives, such as by individual player or by type of cashless payment, and this analysis can be useful for managing amusement parlors and addressing gambling addiction among players. Furthermore, the use of backup data may involve, for example, utilizing data on the deposit status and electronic money charge status of each player through cashless payments to learn each player's electronic money deposit and charge patterns, understand each player's characteristics, and then configure the system to provide useful information to players and suggestions from the arcade based on these characteristics. In this case, for example, if there is usable electronic money that has not been updated for some time in the value management means 101A, the timing for notifying the player of the existence of that usable electronic money may be determined by deriving it from the deposit pattern and charge pattern. This would allow for operations such as notifying a player of the existence of unused usable electronic money two days after the deposit date for a player who tends to charge the day after depositing, or notifying a player of the existence of unused usable electronic money two weeks after the deposit date for a player who tends to charge about a week after depositing.

[0151] Furthermore, for example, the value management means 101A may be provided for each amusement parlor, or it may be provided as a shared value management means 101A that can be used by multiple amusement parlors. In this case, for example, if the value management means 101A is provided for each amusement parlor, it becomes possible to operate it separately for each amusement parlor, so it becomes possible to provide benefits such as awarding points exclusive to that amusement parlor according to the usage of electronic money, thereby retaining players.

[0152] Furthermore, although the value management system 1A is configured so that the electronic money managed by the value management means 101A is charged in a so-called first-in, first-out (FIFO) manner, it is not limited to the FIFO method, and for example, it may be possible to charge the electronic money in any order specified by the player. In that case, for example, the player may be able to specify the order in which to use the electronic money to be charged, or directly specify which electronic money to use to be charged, by operating an application installed on the mobile terminal 10. Furthermore, for example, the application installed on the mobile terminal 10 may be configured to have a notification function that allows for the display of various information as pop-ups, and through the application on the mobile terminal 10, players may be able to easily check various information such as when an expiration date is approaching, as well as the history of their electronic money usage.

[0153] Furthermore, in the value management systems 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, as described above, for example, in the management function unit 100A, the control unit 100a, center communication unit 100b, card unit communication unit 100c, mobile terminal communication unit 100d, payment machine communication unit 100e, value 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 are each distributed and provided in the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20, and the system is configured to be realized through the cooperation of the relay device 8 and the cashless center 20. However, for example, the value management systems 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may also be configured to be realized as software. In that case, for example, they are configured as value management programs that are recorded and operated in ROM and RAM on a computer equipped with hardware such as a microcomputer. Specifically, the value management program can be configured as a program that uses a computer as a means to perform functions such as the cashless addition procedure, charge execution procedure, settlement addition procedure, recording procedure, usage determination procedure, and settlement execution instruction procedure, for example, the value 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 value management system 1A. In this way, a value management program that produces the same effects as the value management systems 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D can be created. The recording procedure in the value management program is a procedure for recording electronic money and various information related to the electronic money (addition amount, addition date, etc.) in the so-called database (value management area), which is the management area for managing electronic money, each time electronic money is added by the cashless addition procedure or settlement addition procedure.

[0154] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been detailed, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways 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 (Game Device) 3a Control Unit 3b Gaming Machine Communication Department 3c Management Function Department Communication Department 3d management device communication department 4. IC card (recording medium) 5. Card issuing machine (game equipment) 5a Control Unit 5b Management Function Department Communication Department 5c Management device communication department 6 Payment machine 6a Control Unit 6b Management Function Unit, Communication Unit 7 HUB 8. Relay device 9 Management device 9a Control Unit 9b Card Unit Communication Section 10 Mobile devices 11. Touch panel display (display means) 20 Cashless Center 30 Prepaid Payment Centers 30a Control Unit 30b Information Management Department 30c Management Function Department Communication Department 40 General-purpose payment center 40a Control Unit 40b Information Management Department 40c Management Function Department Communication Department 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Management Function Unit (Wallet) 100a Control Unit 100b Center Communications Department 100c Card Unit Communication Section 100d Mobile Terminal Communication Unit 100e Payment Machine Communication Department 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D Value Management Methods 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D Cashless payment method 103A, 103B Charge execution means 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D Settlement Addition Method 105 Usability determination means 106 Settlement execution instruction means

Claims

1. A value management system for managing the valuable assets available to players, A means for managing the aforementioned value, A cashless addition means that, based on a deposit execution request from a player, makes a deposit request to a payment center that executes cashless payments, and adds the value received from the payment center as a result of the execution of the cashless payment to the value management means, A charge execution means that, based on a charge execution request that requests the association of the aforementioned valuable value with a recording medium, subtracts the aforementioned valuable value managed by the valuable value management means and causes the game device to associate the subtracted valuable value with the recording medium, A settlement addition means that settles the remaining balance of the value associated with the recording medium by adding the value equivalent to the remaining balance to the value management means, based on a settlement execution request that requests the settlement of the remaining balance of the value associated with the recording medium. The system includes a means for determining whether the valuable value managed by the valuable value management means can be used, The value management means records the added amount and the added date each time the value is added by the cashless addition means or the settlement addition means, linking them together. The usability determination means determines that the usable value is usable if the usable value is within the validity period of the valuable value, and determines that the usable value is outside the validity period if it is outside the validity period. The cashless payment addition means, when adding the value, notifies the value management means of the type of cashless payment performed by the settlement center, The value management means records the attributes of the value, including the type, linked to the added amount and the date of addition, and enables the management of the value for each attribute. The settlement addition means, when adding the value, notifies the value management means that the value to be added is the result of settling the remaining amount. The aforementioned attribute includes the fact that the value is the result of settling the remaining amount, The charge execution means can associate the valuable value to which the attribute is linked with the recording medium, and can aggregate the usable valuable value within the range of the usable amount which is the total usable valuable value and associate it with the recording medium, and if there are usable valuable values ​​with different attributes among the usable valuable value, it can aggregate only the usable valuable values ​​to which the same attribute is linked and associate them with the recording medium. A value management system characterized by the following:

2. The settlement machine, which is capable of settling the remaining balance in cash, has a settlement execution instruction means that instructs the machine to perform the settlement of the remaining balance. The settlement execution instruction means determines whether or not to perform a cash settlement of the remaining amount according to the type associated with the valuable value linked to the recording medium. The value management system according to feature 1.

3. The settlement and addition means can change whether or not to perform the settlement of the remaining amount according to the attribute associated with the valuable value associated with the recording medium, The value management system according to feature 1.

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