HK1163888A - Charge payment system using virtual money - Google Patents

Description

Fee payment system using virtual money

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system capable of paying a fee for a service or the like by virtual money.

Background

Recently, various systems capable of paying a fee for a service or product price through a virtual currency (referred to as electronic money) have been designed and implemented. The field of entertainment systems is no exception. For example, a fee payment system for an entertainment facility is designed in which electronic money information such as electronic money balance is read out from an IC card owned by a player, and the electronic money information is updated and written to the IC card to subtract a predetermined game fee from the electronic money, thereby allowing a game to be played within the game fee (for example, see patent documents 1 to 3).

Patent document 1: JP-A-2008-257518

Patent document 2: JP-A-2007-79643

Patent document 3: JP-A-2006-94877

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

All the systems in the above-mentioned patent documents 1 to 3 are configured to take, as a medium, a card that holds, for example, a virtual money balance or monetary-value-related information associated with the balance. Therefore, when the player does not have the medium, he/she cannot use the virtual money. This makes the media less interchangeable. It is cumbersome to change the balance between media when changing media. When the medium is lost, there is a risk that the medium may be misused by someone.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fee payment system capable of paying a fee for use of a facility by virtual money using a medium that does not hold information on a monetary value such as balance information.

The fee payment system of the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in such a manner that it comprises: a server device connected to a network; a charging target terminal device that is set as a charging target terminal device for use by a user, and that transmits, to the server device via the network, first transmission information including a medium ID unique to each medium, the medium ID being recorded in a medium owned by the user; an association terminal device that transmits, to the server device via the network, second transmission information that requires association of a user ID and a medium ID unique to each user with each other by specifying the user ID and the medium ID, in accordance with an operation by the user; and an increase-purpose terminal device that transmits, to the server device via the network, third transmission information including the user ID or the medium ID and an increase amount of virtual money, following an operation by a user, wherein the server device has: a storage device that stores ID association data that associates the user ID and the medium ID with each other and account association data that associates the user ID and an account that stores a balance of the virtual money with each other; an ID association management device that updates the ID association data so that a user ID and a medium ID specified in the second transmission information are associated with each other, when the second transmission information has been transmitted from the association terminal apparatus; virtual money adding means that, when third transmission information has been transmitted from the addition-use terminal device, specifies a user ID included in the third transmission information or a user ID associated with a medium ID included in the third transmission information in the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID by referring to the account association data, and adds the addition amount to a balance of the specified virtual money account; a virtual money consuming apparatus that, in a case where information including a medium ID and a virtual money consumption amount has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information, specifies a user ID associated with the medium ID included in the first transmission information with reference to the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID, deducts the consumption amount from a balance of the virtual money account when the balance is not less than the consumption amount, and stops deducting the consumption amount when the balance is less than the consumption amount; and a transaction result transmitting means that transmits transaction result information to the charging target terminal device, the transaction result information including information indicating whether the deduction of the consumption amount is successful.

In the fee payment system of the present invention, if second transmission information specifying a user ID and a medium ID to associate the user ID with the medium ID is transmitted from the association-use terminal device to the server device, the medium ID is associated with the user ID assigned to the specific user by the ID association management means. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately select a media ID to be associated with a user ID unique to each user and set the association therebetween. When virtual money is deposited in an account, if third transmission information including a user ID or a medium ID and an increased amount of the virtual money is transmitted from the addition-use terminal device to the server device, the user ID is specified by the virtual money increasing means, and the increased amount is increased to the balance of the account corresponding to the specified user ID. In the case where the usage charge of the charging target is paid by the virtual money held in the account, if first transmission information including a medium ID and a consumption amount corresponding to the usage of the charging target is transmitted from the charging target terminal device to the server device, a user ID corresponding to the medium ID included in the first transmission information is specified, and the balance of the virtual money account corresponding to the specified user ID is reduced by the consumption amount as much. However, in the event that the account balance is less than the consumption amount, no deduction is performed. Transaction result information including information indicating whether the consumption amount subtraction is successful or not is transmitted from the transaction result transmitting means to the charging target terminal device. Thus, the transaction result information may be utilized as a basis for various determinations, such as determining whether to permit use of the charging target, or determining an allowable range of use.

According to the present invention, information relating to virtual money (e.g., virtual money account balance) is held on the server device side, and when a charging target is used, it is sufficient to transmit a medium ID and a consumption amount from the charging target terminal device to the server device without a user ID. Even when the user obtains a new media ID by obtaining a new media, replacing a media, or the like, after setting the association between the media ID and the user ID, the new media ID can be used to access an existing account to pay the usage fee by the virtual money. Therefore, the replaceability of the medium can be improved, and it is not necessary to perform processing such as balance transfer at the time of replacing the medium. When the medium is lost, the risk of abuse can be reduced if the association between the medium ID and the user ID is cancelled. In the present invention, the charging target terminal device, the terminal device for association, and the terminal device for addition do not have to be physically separated from each other. For example, the present invention includes the case: a single terminal device having a computer unit functions as at least two of a charging target terminal device, a terminal device for association, and a terminal device for addition based on a combination of the computer unit and software.

With one embodiment of the present invention, the charging target terminal device may have usage management means that controls usage of the charging target based on the transaction result information from the transaction result transmission means. Therefore, abuse, such as using the charging target beyond the range of the usage fee paid by the virtual money or using the charging target even when the virtual money payment fails, can be prevented by using the management device.

For one embodiment of the fee payment system of the present invention, the server device may have: a user data storage device that stores user data specified for use at the charging target in association with the media ID; and a user data management device that stores, in a case where information including a medium ID and a user ID has been transmitted from the charging destination terminal device as the first transmission information, the user ID in association with the medium ID, and transmits, in a case where a transmission request including a medium ID and user data associated with the transmitted medium ID is transmitted from the charging destination terminal device as the first transmission information, user data associated with the medium ID to the charging destination terminal device. Accordingly, with the medium, the user data associated with the medium ID can be transmitted between the charging target terminal device and the server device. Therefore, the usage data management device can be shared as a device necessary for registering the user data with the medium and the server device, calling the user data from the server device, and paying the usage fee by the virtual money. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the charging target terminal device may update the user data by reflecting the operation of the user when the user uses the charging target. Therefore, according to the operation of the user, the charging target terminal device functions not only as a terminal device that transmits and receives user data but also as a terminal device that updates the user data.

In addition, the charging target terminal device may be configured as a game terminal that allows a user to play a game and updates game data as the user data by reflecting game progress contents of the game. Therefore, when the user causes the game terminal to recognize the medium ID, the game fee can be paid by the virtual money, and the game data reflecting the game progress content of the user can be registered with the server device or the past game data can be called to the game terminal to use the data in the following game. In addition, the game terminal may have game setting control means for determining whether or not to pay a game fee based on the transaction result information and changing game setting according to the determination result. Therefore, the setting of the game can be changed according to whether or not the game fee is paid by the virtual money. For example, since a smaller amount of the fee can be set in the case of paying the fee by the virtual money than in the case of paying by the real cash, a small play fee can be provided by making the play time unit shorter than that in the case of paying by the real cash. In addition, in the case where the fee is paid by the virtual money, a process may be provided such that a special level, a special character, or the like appears, or the difficulty level changes. Thus, the user may be encouraged to use virtual currency.

For one embodiment of the fee payment system of the present invention, the system may be configured such that a website for the user is established by the server device, the website being accessible at the terminal device for association via the internet as the network, and information may be exchanged between the terminal device for association and the ID association management apparatus via the website. According to the present invention, the association between the medium ID and the user ID can be set by the user accessing the website on the server apparatus from the associated terminal apparatus. Therefore, since the user can use a device (for example, a personal computer or a mobile phone) having a function of accessing the website as the terminal device for association, the medium ID can be easily associated with the user ID.

The server device for a fee payment system of the present invention is connected via a network to each of the charging target terminal device, the terminal device for association and the terminal device for addition, the charging target terminal device is set as a terminal device of a charging target for use by a user, and transmits first transmission information including a medium ID unique to each medium, the medium ID being recorded in a medium owned by a user, the association terminal device transmits second transmission information that requires association of a user ID and a medium ID unique to each user with each other by specifying the user ID and the medium ID, the addition-use terminal device transmits third transmission information including the user ID or the medium ID and an increase amount of virtual money following an operation of a user, wherein the server device has: a storage device that stores ID association data that associates the user ID and the medium ID with each other and account association data that associates the user ID and an account that stores a balance of the virtual money with each other; an ID association management device that updates the ID association data so that a user ID and a medium ID specified in the second transmission information are associated with each other, when the second transmission information has been transmitted from the association terminal apparatus; virtual money adding means that, when third transmission information has been transmitted from the addition-use terminal device, specifies a user ID included in the third transmission information or a user ID associated with a medium ID included in the third transmission information in the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID by referring to the account association data, and adds the addition amount to a balance of the specified virtual money account; a virtual money consuming apparatus that, in a case where information including a medium ID and a virtual money consumption amount has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information, specifies a user ID associated with the medium ID included in the first transmission information with reference to the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID, deducts the consumption amount from a balance of the virtual money account when the balance is not less than the consumption amount, and stops deducting the consumption amount when the balance is less than the consumption amount; and a transaction result transmitting means that transmits transaction result information to the charging target terminal device, the transaction result information including information indicating whether the deduction of the consumption amount is successful. According to the server device, the fee payment system of the present invention can be established by communication between the server device and the charging target terminal device, the terminal device for association, and the terminal device for addition.

The computer program of the present invention makes a server device for a charge payment system function, the server device being connected via a network with each of a charging target terminal device, which is set as a terminal device of a charging target for use by a user and transmits first transmission information including a medium ID unique to each medium, the medium ID being recorded in a medium owned by the user, an association-use terminal device that transmits second transmission information following an operation of the user, the second transmission information requiring the user ID and the medium ID to be associated with each other by specifying the user ID and the medium ID unique to each user, and an addition-use terminal device that transmits third transmission information following an operation of the user, the third transmission information including the user ID or the medium ID and an increased amount of virtual money, the server apparatus has a storage device that stores ID association data that associates the user ID and the media ID with each other and account association data that associates the user ID and an account that stores the balance of the virtual money with each other, wherein the computer program causes the server apparatus to function as: an ID association management device that updates the ID association data so that a user ID and a medium ID specified in the second transmission information are associated with each other, when the second transmission information has been transmitted from the association terminal apparatus; virtual money adding means that, when third transmission information has been transmitted from the addition-use terminal device, specifies a user ID included in the third transmission information or a user ID associated with a medium ID included in the third transmission information in the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID by referring to the account association data, and adds the addition amount to a balance of the specified virtual money account; a virtual money consuming apparatus that, in a case where information including a medium ID and a virtual money consumption amount has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information, specifies a user ID associated with the medium ID included in the first transmission information with reference to the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID, deducts the consumption amount from a balance of the virtual money account when the balance is not less than the consumption amount, and stops deducting the consumption amount when the balance is less than the consumption amount; and a transaction result transmitting means that transmits transaction result information to the charging target terminal device, the transaction result information including information indicating whether the deduction of the consumption amount is successful. When the server apparatus acquires and executes the computer program of the present invention, the server apparatus can be caused to establish the fee payment system of the present invention.

In addition, with the server device and the computer program of the present invention, the charging target terminal device, the association-use terminal device, and the addition-use terminal device do not have to be physically separated from each other. For example, the server device and the computer program of the present invention may be applied to a toll payment system configured such that a single terminal device having the function of a computer unit functions as at least two of a toll target terminal device, an associated-use terminal device, and an added-use terminal device based on a combination of the computer unit and software.

As described above, in the present invention, the information on the monetary value such as the balance of the virtual money account is held on the server device side. When the charging target is used by transmitting a medium ID unique to each medium, instead of transmitting a user ID unique to each user, from the charging target terminal device to the server device, and transmitting the consumption amount, the user ID and its account are specified based on the medium ID, and the virtual money is consumed. Therefore, even if the user obtains a new media ID by reacquiring the media, replacing the media, or the like, after setting the association between the media ID and the user ID, the existing account can be accessed using the new media ID to pay the usage fee in the virtual money.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of an entertainment system including one embodiment of the fee payment system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the entertainment system shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example of data stored in the master database shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating one example of data stored in the management system database illustrated in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing one example of data stored in the balance management database shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship among a card ID, an internal ID, a content code, and a data ID used in an entertainment system.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a more specific configuration of the game terminal and the card management system.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing processing performed between the user terminal, the user site, and the card management system when the user sets an association between the card ID and the user ID.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a process performed between the user terminal, the user site, and the card management system when the user deposits virtual money into his/her account.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed between the game terminal, the medal management system, and the balance management system when the user pays the game fee by the virtual money.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a game entry process executed by the control unit of the game terminal when the user enters the game.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart subsequent to fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a game setting process executed by the control unit of the game terminal, the process changing the game setting according to whether or not the virtual money is used.

Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an outline of the hardware configuration of an entertainment system to which a fee payment system is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention. In entertainment system 1 of the present embodiment, one or more game terminals 3 (as terminal devices for charging) and a plurality of server devices (hereinafter referred to as "servers") 5 are connected to each other via a network 6 (such as the internet or the like) to communicate, game terminals 3 are installed in commercial facilities (hereinafter referred to as "stores") such as entertainment facilities by an operator 2, and servers 5 are managed and operated by a service manager 4. Also connected to the network 6 are operator terminals 7 used by the operator 2, manager terminals 8 used by the service manager 4, and user terminals 10 used by the user 9. The user 9 is a person who plays a game. The game terminal 3 is a commercial game machine in which the user 9 is allowed to play a game by consuming a predetermined monetary value. The operator terminal 7 and the manager terminal 8 are each preferably a personal computer having a network connection function. The user terminal 10 is a user terminal device having a network connection function, and is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "user PC") operated by the user 9, a portable terminal such as a portable telephone, or the like. In this embodiment, the user terminal 10 functions as an association-use terminal device and an addition-use terminal device. However, as will be described later, each of the terminal device for association and the terminal device for addition may be appropriately changed to a terminal device capable of communicating with at least the server 5.

In the entertainment system 1 of the present embodiment, the user 9 uses, for example, a card 11 including an information storage device such as an IC chip as a medium. In the information storage device of the card 11, a card ID is recorded in electronic form as a medium ID unique to each card 11. In addition, the card number is recorded at an appropriate portion of the card 11 (e.g., the back of the card 11), which is obtained by decoding the card ID into an alphanumeric symbol recognizable to the user 9. The card number and the card ID may be encoded and decoded between each of which functions as a media ID. The card 11 is issued by the service manager 4 and the card 11 is distributed from the service manager 4 to the user 9 directly via the operator. In one example, card 11 is provided to user 9 via a card vendor (not shown) that is installed by carrier 2, or card 11 may be provided to user 9 via gaming terminal 3. A card reader (omitted in fig. 1) for reading a card ID from card 11 is attached to game terminal 3.

In the entertainment system 1 of the present invention, a system that provides various services to each of the operator 2 and the user 9 is included. For example, in a case where user 9 causes game terminal 3 to recognize the card ID of card 11 to play a game, game data including a game score or the like is generated in game terminal 3, and these game data are transmitted together with the card ID and stored in server 5. The game data stored by the server 5 may be used later when playing the game. For example, in the case where user 9 plays the same game again, game terminal 3 can read out game data stored in association with the card ID from server 5 by causing game terminal 3 to recognize the card ID of card 11 before starting the game. Alternatively, in a case where game terminal 3 can provide a battle game via network 6, server 5 provides a service combining users 9 as opponents to each user 9 who accesses server 5 for the battle game within a predetermined time based on game data stored in association with each user 9.

In addition, the service manager 4 runs a member user site (a website for the user) on the server 5. The user 9 may use the user site by registering a user ID and a user password. The user ID is an ID uniquely assigned to each user 9. The user 9 who performs the member registration can use various services through the user site. As one of the services, a service associating a user ID with one or more card IDs is provided at a user site. The association is sometimes referred to as a connection. By setting the association, the server 5 can distinguish the association between the user ID and the game data. The contents of the game data associated with the card ID can thereby be reflected on various services provided to the specified user ID at the user site. In addition, the entertainment system 1 includes a charge payment function so that each user 9 can be given a virtual coin (virtual money) account on the server 5, and the user 9 deposits (or charges) the virtual coin into his/her account, from which account an amount of the virtual coin equal to the charge for using the terminal 3 is extracted.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram indicating the configuration of the entire entertainment system 1 implemented by a combination of hardware and software. In the entertainment system 1, the service system 20, the balance management system 30, and the game management system 100 are built on the server 5 managed by the service manager 4. These systems 20, 30, 100 may be built on a dedicated server 5 or may be distributed over multiple servers 5 built. The service system 20 includes a system master 21 and a management system 22. The system master 21 manages various information stored in the master database 23, or searches the master database 23 in response to a query of the management system 22 to provide a search result.

In the master database 23, store master data 230 (shown in fig. 3) is stored as an example. The store master data 230 is, for example, designed as a data table in which a plurality of records are collected, each of which includes a serial number, a store code, a virtual coin usage flag, a substitution service rate, and the like. The serial number is a number assigned to each game terminal 3 in an appropriate order (for example, the order in which game terminals 8 are produced). The shop code is information that the operator 2 uses to distinguish the shops he/she manages. Each store code is given a unique number. The virtual coin use flag is flag information for determining whether the operator 2 of the shop allows the use of the virtual coin. The substitute service rate is a service rate in the case where the service manager 4 processes the usage charge collected from the user 9.

The description of fig. 2 will be returned to. In the management system 22 of the entertainment system 1, a coin management system 24, a card management system 25, and an accounting system 26 are included. The coin management system 24 is a system that provides a virtual coin usage management function. Medal management system 24 performs various processes related to the consumption of virtual medals so as to consume virtual medals in response to the consumption of virtual medals from game terminal 3. The card management system 25 is a system that provides various services using the card 11. The card management system 25 manages information of the card ID and the user ID. Accounting system 26 performs processing to account for the usage charge of gaming terminal 3 by the virtual coin in units of a predetermined period (for example, in units of days, or in units of months) for each store. Accounting system 26 may account for the usage fees by the virtual medals for each gaming terminal 3 or for each game running on gaming terminal 3.

In the management database 220, as data to be referred to in the systems 24 to 26, a card management database 27, a user ID management database 28, and a coin accounting database 29 are stored, as shown in fig. 4. The card management database 27 is constructed by collecting data required for managing the card 11. The data includes card medium information 271, ID master data 272, card use information, and the like.

The card medium information 271 is information for managing the card 11, and is constructed as a data table in which records each including information such as a card ID are collected. The card ID has already been mentioned above. The ID master 272 is data that associates various IDs with each other, which are managed in the service system 20. The ID master data 272 is constructed as a data table in which records are collected, each of which includes information such as an internal ID and a card ID. The internal ID is information that associates the card ID with the user ID, and is correlated with the card ID one-to-one. In addition, a plurality of internal IDs may be associated with one user ID.

Card use information 273 is information for managing card use information of each game terminal 3. The card use information 273 is constructed as a data table in which records are collected, each of which includes a content code and an internal ID. The content code is a unique code for each model for distinguishing the model of game terminal 3. The unique value is obtained by combining the internal ID and the content ID. The data ID is a unique value given to a combination of the internal ID and the content code. The data ID is an ID for specifying game data stored in the game management database 101 (see fig. 2). That is, in the game management database 101, player data in which game contents including a game result and the like when the player 9 plays the game are stored as user data each having a unique data ID is stored. When the card ID and the content code are transmitted from game terminal 2, card management system 25 searches ID master data 272 to specify the internal ID corresponding to the card ID, and specifies the data ID corresponding to the internal ID and the content code from the card use information, and supplies the specified data ID to game management system 100 together with the internal ID and the content code. Upon receiving the information, game management system 100 performs processing such that game data transmitted from game terminal 3 is correlated with the internal ID, content code, and data ID obtained from card management system 25 to be stored or updated. Alternatively, player data is acquired and transmitted to game terminal 3, and the player data is stored in association with the internal ID, the content code, and the data ID. By performing these processes, the combination of the card management system 22 and the game management system 100 functions as a user data management device.

In the user ID management database 28, data necessary for managing the user is collected. Including user ID information 280, etc. The user ID information is information for managing association (connection) between the user ID and the internal ID. The user ID information 280 is configured as a data table in which records are collected, each of which includes a user ID, an internal ID, and a virtual coin usage flag. The user can freely set his/her user ID as long as the user ID is not identical to the other user IDs.

The virtual coin use flag is flag information for determining whether to use the virtual coin. The virtual coin usage flag is set to a value indicating an available usage state or a value indicating an unavailable usage state in accordance with an instruction from the user 9. That is, the virtual coin use flag in the user ID information 280 is flag information for determining whether the user 9 uses a virtual coin, the intention of the user 9, or selection.

In the coin accounting database 29, data for managing the consumption history of the virtual coin of the user 9 is collected. Including coin consumption information 290. Medal consumption information 290 is information for managing processing executed in response to a virtual medal consumption request transmitted from game terminal 3. The coin consumption information 290 is configured as a data table in which records are collected, each of which includes a store code, an internal ID, a card ID, a user ID, a consumption amount, and a transaction number. The consumption amount is the value of the consumption amount of the virtual coin required in one transaction. The transaction number is a number that is uniquely issued by balance management system 30 to each transaction.

The description of fig. 2 will be returned to. The balance management system 30 is established as a system different from the service system 20. However, the balance management system 30 may be integrated with the service system 20 to be established as a single system. The balance management system 30 refers to various information stored in the balance management database 31, and executes various processes required to manage the balance of the virtual coin account. Balance management system 30 has an interface for communicating with management system 22 in service system 20, and an interface for communicating with user site 40. The user site 40 is a website, and when the user 9 accesses the user site 40 using the user PC 10A or the portable terminal 10b (as one example of a user terminal) (see fig. 1), the user site 40 provides various services to the user 9.

In the balance management database 31, a balance table 310 and a virtual coin transaction log 311 as shown in fig. 5 are stored. The balance table 310 is a data table for determining the balance of virtual coins for each user ID. The balance table 310 is constructed as collected records, each of which includes a user ID and a virtual coin balance. The virtual coin balance is expressed in appropriate units. For example, the virtual coin balance is expressed in such a manner that one coin corresponds to one yen (real money). In the case where a plurality of kinds of virtual coins can be used, a service system may be established separately for each kind of virtual coin, or virtual coins may be managed in a single service system based on virtual coin IDs set for distinguishing the kinds of virtual coins.

The virtual coin transaction log 311 is log data for recording each virtual coin transaction in response to a request of the user 9. The virtual coin transaction log 311 is configured as a data table in which records are collected, each of which includes a transaction number, a user ID, a transaction amount, and the like. As described above, the transaction number is a number uniquely issued by the balance management system 30 every time one transaction is made with respect to the virtual coin. The user ID has already been mentioned above. The transaction amount is a value indicating the amount of virtual coins that a transaction charges or consumes to balance table 310.

Next, the correlation between the above-described respective IDs and codes will be described systematically. Fig. 6 shows the relationship between the card ID, the internal ID, the content code, and the data ID. The internal ID is assigned in one-to-one correlation with the card ID. Multiple internal IDs may be associated with one user ID. Thus, each card ID is associated with a single user via an internal ID. However, the relationship between the internal ID and the card ID is variable. In the case where the card ID associated with the internal ID changes, the previous card ID is invalidated. On the other hand, a plurality of card IDs may be associated with the user ID via a plurality of internal IDs. A plurality of content codes may be associated with one internal ID. One data ID is associated with one content code.

Fig. 7 shows a more specific configuration of game terminal 3 and card management system 25. In game terminal 3, control unit 50 is provided. The control unit 50 is a computer unit having a microprocessor as its main body. An operating device 51, a card reader 52, an output device 53 and a storage device 54 (e.g. a hard disk) are connected to the control unit 50. The operation device 51 is an operation input device that outputs a signal in response to the operation content of the user 9. The card reader 52 acquires and outputs information stored in a storage medium (e.g., an IC chip) of the card 11 to the control unit 50. The output device 53 includes a monitor for displaying game images and the like, and a speaker for outputting sounds and the like. The storage device 54 stores an operating system for causing the control unit 50 to function, various applications to be run on the operating system, computer programs such as scripts, and data. The control unit 50 acquires and runs a program in the storage device 54. Therefore, the control unit 50 is provided with a terminal management unit 55 and a game execution unit 56 as logical devices. The game execution unit 56 controls the progress of the game executed by the game terminal 3. The terminal management section 55 performs control necessary for game management, such as collection of game fees and verification of the card 11. A cash input device 57 is also connected to the control unit 50 for use in the case where the user pays all or part of the game fee with cash. The cash input device 57 verifies the authenticity of the coins (possibly banknotes in addition to coins) inserted by the user 9, and when it is determined that the authenticity of the coins is verified, the cash input device 57 outputs a signal to the control unit 50 according to the amount of coins inserted.

The card management system 25 is provided with a game terminal management unit 60, a station management unit 61, and a database operation unit 62. The game terminal management unit 60 is created by a combination of an interface opened to the game terminal 3 and a program acquired via the interface. The game terminal management unit 60 manages various information relating to the card 11, for example, in response to a request from the game terminal 3. The site management section 61 is created by a combination of an interface opened to the user site 40 or the administrator site 41 and a program acquired via the interface. The site management section 61 manages various services provided to the user 9 or the carrier 2 via the site 40 or 41. The database management section 62 searches the management system database 220 in response to the query of the management section 60 or 61, and returns a result corresponding to the query. The terminal management unit 55 can communicate with the coin management system 24 and the card management system 25 shown in fig. 2 on both sides.

Next, referring to fig. 8 to 12, various processes will be described, which relate to the use of virtual coins. Fig. 8 shows processing performed when the user sets an association between the card ID and the user ID. In the user site 40, a web page for setting an association between the user ID and the card ID is prepared. The user 9 can log in the web page by inputting a user ID and a user password from the user terminal 10 (as one example, the user PC 10A or the portable terminal 10B). On the web page, the user 9 enters a card number printed, for example, on the back of the card 11 that should be associated with the user ID, and specifies a new association setting or change of association. Accordingly, an association request is created on the user terminal 10 and transmitted to the user station (step S10).

As described above, the card number is an alphanumeric number obtained by decoding the card ID, and is associated with the card ID one-to-one. That is, when receiving the request of step S10, the user site 40 can obtain the card ID by encoding the card number in addition to the user ID logged in to the user site 40. Hereinafter, the card ID obtained at this time is sometimes referred to as a new card ID. The user station 40 requests the card management system 25 for association processing indicating a pair of the user ID obtained from the user terminal 10 and the new card ID (step S11). Upon receiving the request, the card management system 25 searches the user ID information 280 for the internal ID correlated with the indicated user ID (step S12), and updates the record in the ID master 272 so that the new card ID is associated with the obtained internal ID or the new card ID is associated with the internal ID that invalidates the previous card ID. However, in the case where an internal ID is not found, or in the case where association cannot be set for some reason, the ID main data 272 is not updated. In the case where a plurality of internal IDs are obtained, a new card ID is associated with one of these internal IDs selected by the user 9.

After that, the card management system 25 returns the processing result of step S13 as a response to the user station 40 (step S14). In response to this, the user station 40 returns the processing result as a response to the user terminal 10 (step S15). The user terminal 10 that received the response displays the processing result on the monitor (step S16).

Fig. 9 shows a process when the user 9 charges his/her account with a virtual coin. Charging refers to logging. These processes are performed between the user terminal ID and the balance management system 30 via the user station 40. Although the process of setting the association between the card ID and the user ID and the process of charging the virtual coin are performed at the same user site 40 in this embodiment, these processes may be performed separately in different systems via the user site 40 or may be performed separately at different sites. Hereinafter, the description will be continued on the assumption that these processes are performed at the same user site 40. In the user site 40, a web page for managing accounts is established. The user 9 can log in the web page by inputting a user ID and a user password from the user terminal 10 (as one example, the user PC 10A or the portable terminal 10B). When the user 9 inputs the amount of the virtual coin to be charged in his/her account, i.e., the charge amount (increase amount) on the web page and performs a predetermined charge operation, a request indicating charging of the virtual coin is created on the user terminal 10, and the request is transmitted to the user site 40 (step S20). In the request, a user ID and a recharge amount are included. However, in the case where the login information has been transmitted to the user site 40 before the process of step S20 is performed, since the user site 40 has already obtained the user ID, only the recharge amount may be transmitted in step S20.

At the user site 40 that receives the charge request, a charge request is generated and sent to the balance management system 30 (step S21). In the request, a user ID and a recharge amount are included. A settlement means ID may also be included. As described above, the virtual coin ID is an ID used in the system for distinguishing the kind of virtual coin. The settlement means ID is information for distinguishing the settlement means when the user 9 requests a charge amount for exchanging the virtual money with real cash. That is, when the user 9 can pay the purchase price of the virtual coin by cash, credit card, Web Money (registered trademark), or the like, the settlement method ID is necessary for distinguishing the settlement method. The user 9 may be allowed to select a settlement means on the user site 40, and a settlement means ID corresponding to the selection result may be provided to the balance management system 30. The settlement method ID may be registered in a balance management database or the like in advance in association with the user ID. In this case, it is not necessary to include the settlement means ID in step S21.

Upon receiving the request of step S21, the balance management system 30 accesses the balance table 310 to detect a record corresponding to the user ID (step S22). Subsequently, the balance management system 30 updates the balance table 310 so that the top-up amount is added to the account balance (step S23), generates and returns a response indicating the update result to the user site 40 (step S24). In addition, the balance management system 30 records the result of the account update processing in the virtual coin transaction log 311. Upon receiving the response of step S24, the user site 40 generates and transmits a response of the balance update result to the user terminal 10 (step S26), and the user terminal 10 receives the response and displays the recharge result (step S27). In the event that no account is found, or the balance cannot be updated for some reason, the record in balance table 310 is not updated, and information, such as a code indicating that a recharge is not possible, is returned as appropriate in response.

Fig. 10 shows processing performed when the user 9 pays the gaming fee of the gaming terminal 3 by the virtual medal. These processes are performed between the terminal management unit 55 of the game terminal 3 and the balance management system 30 via the medal management system 24. When the user 9 causes the card reader 52 to recognize the card ID of the card 11, a request for the game fee consumption is generated at the terminal management part 55 and sent to the medal management system 24 (step S31). The request includes a card ID, a content code, a store code, and a consumption amount. The card ID is a value obtained by the card reader 52. Content codes and shop codes have been set in advance for each game terminal 3 and stored in its storage device 54. The consumption amount may be specified by the user, or may be a value set by the carrier 2 as the minimum amount necessary for playing the game and stored in the storage device 54.

Upon receiving the request of step S31, the medal management system 24 replaces the card ID included in the request with the user ID (step S32). In this process, first, the coin management system 24 obtains an internal ID corresponding to the card ID by searching the ID master data 27 of the card management database 27. Subsequently, the money management system 24 obtains the user ID corresponding to the internal ID by searching the user ID information 280 in the user ID management database 28. When a record corresponding to the internal ID is extracted by searching the user ID information 280, the value of the virtual coin usage flag in the record is also distinguished. When the virtual coin usage flag displays a value indicating that usage is prohibited at this time, the processing after step S32 is canceled, and a response indicating that usage is prohibited is returned to the terminal management unit 55. In addition, in the case of inquiring the value of the virtual coin usage flag of the record (record in the store master data 230 of the master database 23) corresponding to the store code and returning the result display value indicating prohibition of use, a response indicating prohibition of use may be returned to the terminal management part 55 in the same manner as in the previous case.

When the replacement with the user ID is successful at step S32, coin management system 24 queries the virtual coin balance at balance management system 30 (step S33). The query includes a user ID and a consumption amount. Upon receiving the inquiry, the balance management system 30 extracts a record corresponding to the user ID by searching the balance table 310 of the balance management database 31, obtains the balance of the virtual coin stored in the record, and executes a process suitable for the balance (step S34). In this case, if the balance is not less than the consumption amount, the record is updated to extract the consumption amount from the balance. If the balance is less than the consumption amount, the update is stopped.

Subsequently, the balance management system 30 creates and returns a response to the coin management system 24 according to the processing result of step S34 (step S35). In this case, the response includes the transaction number issued by balance management system 30 for each transaction, the user ID, and the transaction result indicating whether the withdrawal of the consumption amount was successful. Upon receiving the response from the balance management system 30, the medal management system 24 creates a response according to whether or not the extraction was successful, and returns the response to the terminal management section 55 of the game terminal 3 (step S36). Subsequently, the money management system 24 records the user ID and the consumed amount included in the request of the terminal management section 55, the transaction number and the transaction result included in the response of the balance management system 30, and the like in the virtual money transaction log 311 (step S37). When receiving the response from the coin management system 24, the terminal management part 55 executes the processing in accordance with the response (step S38). For example, in the case where the withdrawal of the game fee from the account is successful, the terminal management part 55 then performs the process to be performed after the payment of the game fee, and in the case where the withdrawal is not successful, the terminal management part 55 performs the process of requesting the payment of the game fee by real cash.

Fig. 11 and 12 show a game entry process executed by the terminal management section 55 of the control unit 50 in the game terminal 3 as a preparation thereof when the user 9 plays a game with the game terminal 3. The terminal management section 55 in the game terminal 3 regularly monitors the outputs of the operation device 51 and the card reader 52, and when it is determined based on the outputs that a predetermined entry condition is satisfied, starts the processing as shown in fig. 11. For example, it is determined that the entry condition is satisfied in the following case. The insertion operation or the touch operation of the card 11 into the card reader 52 is detected. A case where not less than a predetermined amount of coins (cash) is input is detected. A case where a game start operation (as an example, a pressing operation of a start button) to operation device 51 is detected in a state where no less than a predetermined amount of game fee is deposited in game terminal 3.

When the game entry process is started, the terminal management part 55 first inquires at the card management system 25 whether the service system 20 is available at step S100. When receiving the answer indicating that the service system 20 is available, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S101 to determine whether the card reader 52 detects the card 11. In the case where the card 11 is not detected, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S102 to display an image prompting the fixed card on the monitor, and subsequently, in step S103, the terminal management part 55 determines whether or not the card ID is successfully read. In the case where the reading is not successful, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S104 to determine whether the situation is timed out, that is, whether a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the start of presentation of the fixed card 11. In the case where there is no timeout in this situation, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S105 to determine whether the start button is pressed. When the start button is pressed, the terminal management unit 55 proceeds to step S106, and when the start button is not pressed, the terminal management unit 55 returns to step S102. In the case where the card 11 is detected in step S101, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step 103 to determine whether the card ID is successfully read. In the case where the service system 20 is not available in step S100, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S106 to create basic game data for the customer and store the data in an internal storage device (e.g., RAM) of the control unit 50.

In step S103, in the case where it is determined that the card ID is successfully read, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S107 to request the card management system 25 to verify the card ID. With regard to the verification in step S107, in the case where a response indicating that the card ID has been verified is not obtained from the card management system 25, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S108 to determine whether some error has occurred. In a case where the terminal management part 55 does not obtain the response while waiting for the predetermined time, or in a case where the terminal management part 55 obtains the response indicating that the card ID is not verified, the terminal management part 55 determines that an error has occurred, and proceeds to step S109 to execute predetermined error processing. If it is determined that no error has occurred, the terminal management unit 55 returns to step S107. If it is determined in step S104 that the situation has timed out, the terminal management unit 55 proceeds to step S109.

In the case where the card ID has been verified in step S107, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S110, and determines whether the card 11 is a new card. The new card is a card whose card ID is not associated with the internal ID in the ID master data 272 of the card management database 27. This may be confirmed by querying the card management system 25 whether the card 11 is a new card. This may be determined, for example, by including the confirmation in the query of step S107. When it is determined in step S11 that the card 11 is a new card, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S111 to execute password registration processing.

The password registration process is a process of requiring user 9 to input a card password (i.e., a password to be associated with a card ID) from operation device 51 of game terminal 3, and when the password is input, transmitting the password to card management system 25 to register the password in a state of being associated with the card ID. After the password registration processing, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S112 to wait for a response from the card management system 25 for a predetermined time, and determines whether the password registration is successfully completed. In a case where it is determined that the registration is not successful (including a case where a response cannot be obtained), the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S109 to execute error processing. On the other hand, in the case of successful registration, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S113 to create new game data and store the data in the internal storage device of the control unit 50. In addition, the created game data is transmitted to the server 5 at an appropriate timing (for example, at the end of the game), and is stored in the game management database 101 in association with the internal ID, the content code, and the data ID.

In step S110, in the case where it is determined that the card 11 is not a new card, that is, the card 11 is a card that has been registered in association with the internal ID in the ID master 272, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S114 to perform password authentication processing. The password authentication processing is processing of: user 9 is requested to input a password that has been registered in association with card 11 from operation device 51 of game terminal 3, and when the password is input, transmits the password to card management system 25 to check the transmitted password against the password registered in association with the card ID. After the password authentication process, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S115 to wait for a response from the card management system 25 for a predetermined time, and determines whether the password authentication is successful, that is, whether the password input by the authenticated user 9 coincides with the password that has been registered. In a case where it is determined that the verification is not successful (including a case where a response cannot be obtained), the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S109 to execute error processing. On the other hand, in the case where the verification is successful, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S116 to determine whether the model data is valid by making an inquiry at the card management system 25. For example, the card ID and the content code are transmitted from the terminal management section 55, the card management system 25 obtains the internal ID corresponding to the card ID from the ID master 272, and obtains the content code corresponding to the internal ID from the card use information 273. Card management system 25 determines whether the obtained content code matches the content code transmitted from game terminal 3, and returns a response to terminal management unit 55. When the data match, the model data is determined to be valid.

In the case where it is determined in step S116 that the model data is invalid, since there is no game data corresponding to the card ID, the terminal management section 55 proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined in step S116 that the model data is valid, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S117 to request the server 5 to transmit the game data stored in association with the card ID and the content code, to obtain the game data as a response to the request (the game data is transmitted from the game management system 100), and to store the game data in the internal storage device of the control unit 50. Subsequently, at step S118, the terminal management part 55 determines whether or not it is the first play by referring to the obtained game data. In a case where the information indicates that there is no game result such as a game score even if the game data is created, it is determined to be the first play. In this case, the terminal management section 55 proceeds to step S113.

In the case where new game data is created in step S113, or in the case where it is determined in step S118 that it is not the first play, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S120 as shown in fig. 12. At step S120, terminal management portion 55 determines whether or not a virtual coin is usable at game terminal 3. For example, the operator sets whether or not the virtual medal is allowed to be used for each game terminal 3, and the result thereof may be stored in the storage device 54. By referring to the stored information, in the case where the virtual coin is set to be available, an affirmative determination is obtained at step S120. In the case where the virtual coin is available, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S121 to request the coin management system 24 to perform check-in (check-in). Check-in is processing corresponding to step S31 in fig. 10, in which the card ID, content code, consumption amount, and the like are sent to the money management system 24, and whether or not virtual money is available is inquired.

Subsequently, in step S122, the terminal management part 55 determines whether the check-in is successful. For example, it determines whether the check-in is successful by referring to the response from the coin management system 24 (step S36 of fig. 10). In the case where a response indicating that extraction is impossible due to a shortage of balance is returned, or in the case where there is no response after the terminal management part 55 waits for a predetermined time for response, it is determined that the check-in is unsuccessful. In addition, in the case where the value indicating the prohibition of use is determined by the virtual coin use flag in step S32 of fig. 10 and the response is returned, it is also determined that the check-in was not successful. In a case where it is determined that the check-in is not successful, terminal management unit 55 proceeds to step S123 to notify user 9 of an error using the monitor or the like of game terminal 3. Subsequently, in step S124, the terminal management part 55 determines whether there is a minimum charge or credit (credit). The minimum fee is the minimum amount of fee necessary for playing the game on game terminal 3. The minimum cost may be appropriately changed by the operator 2. Information for distinguishing the value set as the lowest cost is stored in storage device 54 in game terminal 3. The credit in the present embodiment is a game value given to game terminal 3 by user 9 as a game play value. Further, after the process of step S106, the terminal management unit 55 proceeds to step S124.

If it is determined in step S120 that the virtual coin is in the unusable state, the process of step S124 is executed. In the case where it is determined in step S122 that the check-in is successful, after the virtual coin consumption flag is set to the "on" state indicating that the game fee is paid out by the virtual coin, the process proceeds to step S124. In the case of successful check-in, the amount drawn from the virtual coin account (the consumption amount in fig. 10) is stored as credit. Therefore, when the consumption amount is not less than the minimum fee, a positive determination is obtained in step S124. In the case where the consumed amount is less than the minimum fee, in the case where the virtual coin is not available, or in the case where the check-in is not successful, a negative determination is obtained in step S124. The kind of real coins allowed to be inserted into the game terminal 3 is limited to coins having a denomination unit not less than a certain denomination (for example, 100 yen), and by limiting the coins, the unit of one game fee is also limited. However, a smaller monetary unit (e.g., 10 yen) than the coin unit receivable by game terminal 3 may be used in paying the game fee by the virtual medal. Therefore, in the case where the virtual coin consumption flag is on, the minimum fee of step S124 may be set lower than the case where the game fee is paid by the real coin.

Upon determining in step S124 that the credit is less than the minimum fee, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S126 to request the user 9 to drop coins equal to the shortage amount as the credit through the cash input device 57 of the gaming terminal 3, to replenish the shortage amount with coins to satisfy the minimum fee, and to wait for the application of the credit. Subsequently, at step S127, the terminal management part 55 determines whether the situation is timed out, that is, whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the application of the credit is requested. When the situation is not timed out, the terminal management part 55 returns to step S124. In the case of a timeout, the terminal management unit 55 proceeds to step S128, and stops starting the subsequent game processing to end the entry processing. In this case, in the case where credit points from the virtual medals remain in game terminal 3, the remaining amount may be requested to be returned to medal management system 24. In a case where the process of step S109 in fig. 11 has been executed thereafter, the process proceeds to step S128.

In the case where the credit is sufficiently charged for the lowest fee in step S124 (including the case where the credit is applied for the lowest fee with the virtual money, and the case where the shortage amount is made up with cash), the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S129 to determine whether the card 11 is being used. For example, in the case where an affirmative determination is obtained in step S112 or step S115 of fig. 11, it may be determined in step S129 that the card 11 is being used. In the case where the card 11 is being used in step S129, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S130 to request the card management system 25 to update the expiration date of the card ID. When the card 11 is not used, the terminal management unit 55 skips the processing of step S130 and proceeds to step S131. After the process of step S130, the terminal management part 55 proceeds to step S131 to consume the lowest cost of the credit. Subsequently, in step S132, the terminal management section 55 permits the start of the game processing. After that, the terminal management unit 55 ends the entry process. When the start of the game process is permitted by the entry process, the game execution unit 56 of the control unit 50 takes over the process and starts the game process for playing the game by the user 9. The content of the game processing can be set appropriately according to the game type. On the other hand, when the start of the game process is prohibited by the entry process, the game process executed by the game execution unit 56 is not started.

As described above, in the amusement system 1 of the present embodiment, the user 9 can pay the game fee by the virtual medal by making the game terminal 3 recognize the card ID given to the card 11 owned by the user 9. The virtual coin account is associated one-to-one with a user ID unique to each user 9. Therefore, even if the card 11 is replaced, or the card 11 is added, if the association between the card ID (card number) of the new card 11 and the user ID is set, the game fee can be paid using the previously opened virtual coin account. For example, in the case where the card 11 is available at a facility where the game terminal 3 is installed, if the user 9 accesses the user site 40 from a portable terminal such as a portable telephone at the facility and sets an association between a card number given to the card 11 and a user ID, the user 9 can pay a game fee by a virtual coin using the new card 11 to play a game. Therefore, the convenience of the user 9 is enhanced with respect to the replaceability of the card 11. In addition, in the case where the user 9 loses the card 11, if the association between the card ID of the card 11 and the user ID is cancelled, the virtual coin cannot be consumed from the account thereafter even if the card ID is recognized by the card reader 52. Therefore, the abuse risk is reduced as compared with the case where the virtual money balance is recorded in a medium such as a card.

In the entertainment system of the present embodiment, control unit 5 of game terminal 3 is able to determine whether or not the game fee is paid by the virtual medal. Therefore, in the case of using the virtual medal, if the in-game processing is changed as compared with the case of not using the virtual medal, the user 9 can be encouraged to use the virtual medal. For example, as described above, in the case where the game fee is paid by the game chip, the fee can be set using a smaller monetary unit than in the case where the fee is paid by cash. Therefore, processing may be provided so that the minimum cost can be reduced by shortening the time of one game (refer to step S124 in fig. 12). In addition, game settings may be changed in such a manner that game difficulty is changed in the case where game fees are paid by the virtual medals, or game situations including operation objects such as characters and stages, which occur only in the case where the virtual medals are used, are prepared, depending on whether or not the virtual medals are used. In the process shown in fig. 12, since the virtual coin consumption flag is set to the "on" state in step S125 in the case where the game fee is paid out through the virtual coin, whether the game fee has been paid out can be determined by the control unit 50 by referring to the state of the flag. Therefore, for example, by executing the game setting processing shown in fig. 13 by the terminal management section 55 or the game execution section 56 of the control unit 50, the game setting can be changed.

In the game setting process shown in fig. 13, first, the control unit 50 determines in step S200 whether the virtual coin consumption flag is in the on state. When the state is "on", the setting for using the virtual coin is selected in step S201, and when the state is "off", the setting for not using the virtual coin is selected in step S202. In this case, the change of the setting may be caused by a change of the game program, or may be caused by a change of data, parameters, and the like in the program. The game setting that should be switched according to whether the virtual medal is used may relate to a game fee, or may relate to game contents unrelated to the game fee, such as a difficulty level, a character, or a level. With respect to the fee setting, although the change of the minimum fee described above is one example, some other examples will be described. For example, an increased fee (continuation fee) of the game fee may be divided according to the game result such that the better the game result when the game is continued, the lower the continuation fee, and the fee may be required to be continued in the case where the game is continued when one game is ended. As another example of the fee setting, the pay-as-you-go fee setting may be established in such a manner as to allow the user 9 to select his/her play time when using the virtual medal to be shorter than the time of one play when not using the virtual medal, the longer the selected play time is, the higher the use fee is. Further, various game embodiments relating to the game fee can be provided by utilizing the feature that the small amount fee can be set in the virtual medal. The following embodiments may be established in the case of using virtual currency exchange: an embodiment of a game situation in which only a so-called "boss character" is set as an object to be attacked in a shooting game in a small amount of money; embodiments of a customized item for a character appearing in a role-playing game or the like may be purchased in a fractional currency using virtual coins; and an embodiment in which only the amount of fuel necessary for driving is purchased using virtual coins in the racing game.

In the above description, when virtual money is used, it is necessary to require the user 9 to pay the usage fee of the virtual money by real cash, and it is necessary to pay the usage fee of the game terminal 3 to the operator 2 by real cash. That is, a transaction based on real cash corresponding to virtual currency use is required. As the settlement for the user 9, for example, the user 9 may register a settlement means such as a credit card in association with his/her user ID on the user site 40 or other site in advance, or the user 9 may input settlement information such as a credit card for settlement in addition to the charge amount, and when charging the virtual money, a real cash amount equal to the charge amount may be settled by the credit card. On the other hand, payment to the operator may be made as follows: the consumption amount of each store code is billed for each appropriate period (for example, one month) by referring to the coin consumption information 290 (fig. 4) of the coin billing database 29, a fixed service charge (a delayed amount of the consumption amount multiplied by the substitution service rate stored in the store master data 230 shown in fig. 3) is deducted from the billed consumption amount, and then paid to the carrier 2 by real cash by the service manager 4.

In the above-described embodiment, the management system 22 of the server apparatus 5 functions as the ID association management means by causing the card management system 25 to execute the processing of steps S12 and S13 in fig. 8. The balance management system 30 functions as a virtual money adding means by executing the processing of steps 22 and 23 shown in fig. 9. In addition, the medal management system 24 executes the processing of steps S32 and 33 shown in fig. 10, and the balance management system 30 executes the processing of step S34 shown in fig. 10. Thus, the combination of the management system 22 and the balance management system 30 functions as a virtual money consuming apparatus. The balance management system 30 executes the processing of step S35 shown in fig. 10, and the medal management system 24 executes the processing of step S36 shown in fig. 10. Thus, the combination of the management system 22 and balance management system 30 functions as a transaction result transmitting device.

By executing the processing of steps S122 to S132 shown in fig. 12, control unit 50 of game terminal 3 functions as a usage management device. In addition, card management system 25 and game management system 100 of server apparatus 5 function as user data management means by transmitting game data stored in game management database 101 in response to a request of game terminal 3 (refer to step S117 shown in fig. 11), or storing game data transmitted from game terminal 3 in game management database 101. By executing the processing shown in fig. 13, the control unit of game terminal 3 functions as game setting control means.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented in various embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, game terminal 3 corresponds to a charging target terminal device, and game terminal 3 itself is set as a charging target. However, this case may be changed to a case where a plurality of game terminals 3 are set as one charging unit to which a charging target terminal device is provided, and a usage fee of game terminals 3 is paid in the form of a lump sum by virtual money. Alternatively, the following embodiments may be employed: the facility in which game terminal 3 is installed is set as a charging unit to which a charging target terminal device is provided. The game terminal is not limited to a commercial game terminal, and may be a home game machine, a personal computer or a portable terminal in which some game software is installed, or the like. In the case where virtual money is available in such a terminal, if a card reader suitable for the card 11 standard is available, the card ID can be read by the card reader. Without such a card reader, the virtual money can be used by causing the user 9 to input a card number given to the card 11 and changing the input value to a card ID.

For the present invention, the medium is not limited to a card, and various types of media can be used as long as a unique ID is recorded in each medium. The medium is not limited to the medium distributed to the users via the service manager or the operator. For example, a USB memory mounted with an IC chip, a portable phone, or the like may be used as the medium. The media ID is not limited to being recorded in an electronic form, but may be recorded in an optically readable state (e.g., barcode) or a state in which the user can recognize the media ID like the card number in the above-described embodiment. In this case, the charging target terminal device may have an input device through which a media ID represented by alphabetical characters or the like can be input. The charging target used by the user is not limited to the entertainment terminal or the entertainment facility, and various types of terminals or facilities using a card or other medium given a unique medium ID are applicable. For example, in the case where the fee payment system of the present invention is used for a sports facility, a training machine installed to the facility or the facility itself may be set as a charging target.

In the above-described embodiment, although the user terminal device 10 functions as the associated terminal device and the adding terminal device, the charging target terminal device exists as a different terminal physically separated from those devices. However, the charging target terminal device, the terminal device for association, and the terminal device for addition may be physically separated from each other, or at least two of them may be established in one terminal device. For example, in the case where a terminal device having a computer unit is set as a charging target terminal device and the use thereof is charged, by installing software for establishing a function as the charging target terminal device and software for establishing at least one function of an associated terminal device or an added terminal device to the terminal device, it may be configured such that a single terminal device can provide the association between IDs, or the addition and subtraction of virtual money and free services to the user. In the above embodiment, the user ID and the increment amount are transmitted from the user terminal 10 as the increment-use terminal device to the server 5, and the virtual coin is charged. However, it is sufficient that the increase-use terminal device of the present invention can transmit the increase amount and either the user ID or the card ID to the server device. In the case where the card ID and the increment amount are transmitted from the increment-use terminal device to the server device, a user ID associated with the card ID may be specified at the server device, an account associated with the user ID may be specified, and the increment amount may be added to the balance of the account.

As a further example of the terminal device for addition, a charger configured to send a user ID and an amount of addition to the server device when the user ID is input and cash is deposited, which is used as the terminal device for addition, may be installed to an entertainment facility or the like. In addition, game terminal 3 itself in the above-described facility may be used as an add-on terminal device. Fig. 14 shows one of these modification examples.

In the example shown in fig. 14, a charger 110 is provided, a charger function part 120 is provided in the game terminal 3, and the charger function part 120 causes the game terminal 3 to function as an add-on terminal device. Both the charger 110 and the charger function portion 120 of the game terminal 3 can access the user site 40. If information including the user ID and the added amount is transmitted from the charger function 120 of the charger 110 or the game terminal 3 to the user site 40, the account may be charged with virtual medals thereafter in a similar manner to that in fig. 9. The charger 110 may be installed in a store or in a suitable location. In addition, in case of charging the virtual coin from the charger 110 or the game terminal 3, by asking the user to deposit cash or inputting credit card information, the amount of money corresponding to the increased amount can be settled by real cash at the same time. In addition, charger 110 or game terminal 3 may be configured such that the user can input his/her user ID and card ID to function as a terminal device for association. The virtual medals may be charged by directly accessing the balance management system 30 from the charger 110 or the game terminal 3.

In the above-described embodiment, although the charging target terminal device controls the use of the charging target according to whether or not the virtual money consumption is successful, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the charging target terminal device, only the medium ID and the consumption amount may be input, and whether or not the consumption is successful may be output. Whether the virtual money payment is successful or not is displayed on the charging target terminal device only based on the transaction result information transmitted from the server device, and the operator can determine whether the user is permitted to use or not based on the display. In addition, even if the charging target terminal device has a function of transmitting and receiving user data, the function of the charging target terminal device reflecting the use of the user by the user data may be omitted. For example, in the case where the charging target is a sports facility, a rehabilitation facility, or the like, and the user data indicates the past usage history of the user, the user data transmitted from the server device may be displayed on the charging target terminal device, and the output result is stored in another terminal device or the like for the user's use.

Claims (9)

1. A payment system, the payment system comprising:

a server device connected to a network;

a charging target terminal device that is set as a charging target terminal device for use by a user and transmits, to the server device via the network, first transmission information including a medium ID unique to each medium, the medium ID being recorded in a medium owned by the user;

an association terminal device that transmits, to the server device via the network, second transmission information that requires association of a user ID and the medium ID with each other by specifying the user ID and the medium ID unique to each user, in accordance with an operation by the user; and

an adding terminal device that transmits third transmission information including the user ID or the medium ID and an increased amount of virtual money to the server device via the network following an operation of a user, wherein

The server device has:

a storage device that stores ID association data that associates the user ID and the medium ID with each other and account association data that associates the user ID and an account that stores a balance of the virtual money with each other;

an ID association management device that updates the ID association data so that a user ID and a medium ID specified in the second transmission information are associated with each other, when the second transmission information has been transmitted from the association-use terminal device;

virtual money adding means that, in a case where the third transmission information has been transmitted from the adding terminal device, specifies a user ID included in the third transmission information or a user ID associated with a medium ID included in the third transmission information in the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID by referring to the account association data, and adds the increase amount to a balance of the specified virtual money account;

a virtual money consuming apparatus that, in a case where information including the medium ID and a virtual money consumption amount has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information, specifies a user ID associated with the medium ID included in the first transmission information with reference to the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID, deducts the consumption amount from the balance when the balance of the virtual money account is not less than the consumption amount, and stops deducting the consumption amount when the balance is less than the consumption amount; and

a transaction result transmitting device that transmits transaction result information to the charging target terminal device, the transaction result information including information indicating whether the deduction of the consumption amount is successful.

2. A fee payment system according to claim 1, wherein said charging target terminal device has usage management means for controlling usage of said charging target based on said transaction result information from said transaction result transmission means.

3. A payment system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the server device has:

a user data storage device that stores user data designated for use at the charging target in association with the media ID; and

a user data management device that stores a medium ID and a user ID in association with the medium ID in a case where information including the medium ID and the user ID has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information, and transmits user data associated with the medium ID to the charging target terminal device in a case where a transmission request including the medium ID and user data associated with the medium ID has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information.

4. A fee payment system according to claim 3, wherein the charging target terminal device updates the user data by reflecting the user's operation when the user uses the charging target.

5. The fee payment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charging target terminal device is configured as a game terminal that allows a user to play a game and updates game data as the user data by reflecting game progress contents of the game.

6. The fee payment system according to claim 5, wherein the game terminal has game setting control means for determining whether or not to pay a game fee based on the transaction result information and changing a game setting according to a determination result.

7. The fee payment system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a website for the user is established by the server device, the website being accessible at the terminal device for association via the internet as the network, and information is exchangeable between the terminal device for association and the ID association management apparatus via the website.

8. A server device for a fee payment system, the server device being connected via a network with each of a charging target terminal device, which is set as a terminal device of a charging target for use by a user, and transmitting first transmission information including a medium ID unique to each medium, the medium ID being recorded in a medium owned by the user, an association-use terminal device that transmits second transmission information following an operation of the user, the second transmission information requiring association of the user ID and the medium ID with each other by specifying the user ID unique to each user and the medium ID, and an addition-use terminal device that transmits third transmission information following an operation of the user, the third transmission information including the user ID or the medium ID and an increase amount of virtual money, wherein

The server device has:

a storage device that stores ID association data that associates the user ID and the medium ID with each other and account association data that associates the user ID and an account that stores a balance of the virtual money with each other;

an ID association management device that updates the ID association data so that a user ID and a medium ID specified in the second transmission information are associated with each other, when the second transmission information has been transmitted from the association-use terminal device;

virtual money adding means that, when the third transmission information has been transmitted from the adding terminal device, specifies a user ID included in the third transmission information or a user ID associated with a medium ID included in the third transmission information in the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID by referring to the account association data, and adds the increase amount to a balance of the specified virtual money account;

a virtual money consuming apparatus that, in a case where information including a medium ID and a virtual money consumption amount has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information, specifies a user ID associated with the medium ID included in the first transmission information with reference to the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID, deducts the consumption amount from the balance when the balance of the virtual money account is not less than the consumption amount, and stops deducting the consumption amount when the balance is less than the consumption amount; and

a transaction result transmitting device that transmits transaction result information to the charging target terminal device, the transaction result information including information indicating whether the deduction of the consumption amount is successful.

9. A computer program for causing a server device to be used for a charge payment system function, the server device being connected via a network with each of a charging target terminal device, an association-use terminal device, and an addition-use terminal device, the charging target terminal device being set as a terminal device of a charging target for use by a user and transmitting first transmission information including a medium ID unique to each medium, the medium ID being recorded in a medium owned by the user, the association-use terminal device transmitting second transmission information following an operation of the user, the second transmission information requiring association of the user ID and the medium ID with each other by specifying the user ID and the medium ID unique to each user, the addition-use terminal device transmitting third transmission information following an operation of the user, the third transmission information including the user ID or the medium ID and an increased amount of virtual money, the server device has a storage that stores ID association data that associates the user ID and the medium ID with each other and account association data that associates the user ID and an account that stores the balance of the virtual money with each other, wherein

The computer program causes the server apparatus to function as:

an ID association management device that updates the ID association data so that a user ID and a medium ID specified in the second transmission information are associated with each other, when the second transmission information has been transmitted from the association-use terminal device;

virtual money adding means that, when the third transmission information has been transmitted from the adding terminal device, specifies a user ID included in the third transmission information or a user ID associated with a medium ID included in the third transmission information in the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID by referring to the account association data, and adds the increase amount to a balance of the specified virtual money account;

a virtual money consuming apparatus that, in a case where information including a medium ID and a virtual money consumption amount has been transmitted from the charging target terminal device as the first transmission information, specifies a user ID associated with the medium ID included in the first transmission information with reference to the ID association data, specifies a virtual money account associated with the specified user ID, deducts the consumption amount from the balance when the balance of the virtual money account is not less than the consumption amount, and stops deducting the consumption amount when the balance is less than the consumption amount; and

a transaction result transmitting device that transmits transaction result information to the charging target terminal device, the transaction result information including information indicating whether the deduction of the consumption amount is successful.