Programs and mobile devices
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024060159
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-09-24
AI Technical Summary
Conventional electronic receipt systems separately send corrected and return receipts to customers' terminals, leading to poor operability on the customer's information terminal.
An electronic receipt server that integrates return information with corrected receipt information and associates it with a request for displaying return receipts, allowing seamless integration and improved operability on the customer's terminal.
Enhances the customer's terminal display operability by associating corrected and return receipt information, enabling easy and organized display of return receipts through integrated links or data.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a server device and a program. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, electronic receipts are used, which are digitized receipts received by customers who purchase goods or services (hereinafter collectively referred to as "goods"). Electronic receipts are sent to the customer's information terminals from an electronic receipt server that manages receipt information.
[0003] In a transaction, a customer may return a product that he or she has purchased. When returning a product, the POS (Point Of Sales) terminal generally issues a correction receipt indicating that the product has been returned by correcting the receipt issued at the time of purchase, and a return receipt indicating information about the returned product (such as the name and refund amount).
[0004] In the above-mentioned mechanism for issuing electronic receipts, a mechanism for issuing receipts for corrections or receipts for returned goods has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005] However, conventional electronic receipt servers transmit corrected receipt information and returned receipt information separately to the customer's information terminal, and the customer's information terminal displays the corrected receipt and returned receipt through separate operations. This makes it difficult to operate the customer's information terminal. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a server device and a program that can improve the operability of a customer's information terminal with regard to displaying a return receipt. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The server device of the embodiment includes a return information acquisition unit that acquires transaction specific information of a transaction in which a return occurred after payment processing and return information indicating the returned item in relation to the transaction, a return receipt information registration unit that registers return receipt information indicating information regarding the returned item based on the return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit, a corrected receipt information registration unit that registers corrected receipt information that corrects receipt information indicating information about the transaction before the return based on the transaction specific information and the return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit, and an output unit that outputs the corrected receipt information and request information for sending a request for the return receipt information to a customer's information terminal in association with each other. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an electronic receipt system including an electronic receipt server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration of the member master stored in the memory unit of the electronic receipt server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a receipt information management file stored in the memory unit of the electronic receipt server according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of a return receipt information management file stored in the memory unit of the electronic receipt server according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of the electronic receipt server according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of a customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operations of the electronic receipt system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a receipt display screen on the customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen of a corrected receipt on a customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen of a return receipt on the customer terminal of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a registration process by the control unit of the electronic receipt server according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the output process by the control unit of the electronic receipt server according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Hereinafter, a server device and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. For example, in the embodiment described below, a mobile terminal is used as the information terminal of the customer, but a stationary PC (Personal Computer) or the like may also be used.
[0010] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an electronic receipt system 1. The electronic receipt system 1 of this embodiment is constructed across businesses that provide electronic receipt services, stores and companies that issue electronic receipts (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "stores"), and customers who use the electronic receipt service.
[0011] The electronic receipt system 1 includes an electronic receipt server 2 managed by a business operator that operates an electronic receipt service, a payment device 3 provided in a store, and a customer terminal 4 such as a smartphone owned by a customer who uses the electronic receipt service. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only one payment device provided in each store, each store may include multiple payment devices. Here, the electronic receipt server 2 is an example of a server device, and the customer terminal 4 is an example of a customer's information terminal. The server device may be composed of multiple computers.
[0012] The electronic receipt server 2 is connected to the payment device 3 and the customer terminal 4 via a network such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other. The electronic receipt server 2 may be connected to the payment device 3 of each store via a head office server of a company that operates the store in which the payment device 3 is installed.
[0013] When a customer purchases a product at a store, receipt information related to the purchase of the product is sent from the payment device 3 of the store to the electronic receipt server 2. The electronic receipt server 2 sends the receipt information to the customer terminal 4 at a predetermined timing or in response to a request from the customer terminal 4. The customer can view the receipt information received from the electronic receipt server 2 using the customer terminal 4. This makes it possible to reduce the number of paper receipts issued by the payment device 3.
[0014] When a return occurs at a store, the payment device 3 transmits transaction identification information that identifies the transaction in which the return occurred after the payment process and return information that indicates the returned product to the electronic receipt server 2. The electronic receipt server 2 registers return receipt information based on the return information. The electronic receipt server 2 also registers corrected receipt information based on the transaction identification information and the return information. For example, the electronic receipt server 2 that manages settled receipt information extracts settled receipt information identified by the received transaction identification information and updates the extracted receipt information based on the received return information.
[0015] Then, the electronic receipt server 2 transmits the corrected receipt information and the request information to the customer terminal 4 in association with each other. The request information is information for the customer terminal 4 to transmit a request for return receipt information to the electronic receipt server 2, and is, for example, link information of a web page that provides the return receipt information. As an example, the electronic receipt server 2 transmits display data for displaying a corrected receipt in which link information of a web page that provides the return receipt information is embedded to the customer terminal 4. By the electronic receipt server 2 transmitting such information in which the corrected receipt information and the request information are associated with each other to the customer terminal 4, the customer terminal 4 can easily display a link for displaying the return receipt on the display screen of the corrected receipt. This improves the operability of the customer to display the return receipt on the customer terminal 4. Note that the electronic receipt server 2 may transmit text data in which the corrected receipt information and the request information are associated with each other, instead of the display data. In this case, the mobile terminal 4 generates display data based on the received text data.
[0016] Next, the electronic receipt server 2 will be described in detail. The electronic receipt server 2 also functions as a Web server, and provides electronic receipts to customers who are members of the electronic receipt service. Specifically, the electronic receipt server 2 manages receipt information for each transaction settled by the settlement device 3. The electronic receipt server 2 then publishes the receipt information on a Web page, and transmits receipt information to the customer terminal 4 as appropriate in response to a request from the customer terminal 4. Here, the data format of the receipt information transmitted by the electronic receipt server 2 does not matter. The receipt information is a concept that also includes display data generated based on data stored in the memory unit 21 (see FIG. 2) of the electronic receipt server 2 in order to display an electronic receipt on the customer terminal 4. The same applies to corrected receipt information and returned receipt information.
[0017] In addition, when a product is returned, the electronic receipt server 2 provides the customer with an electronic corrected receipt (hereinafter simply referred to as a "corrected receipt") obtained by correcting the receipt showing the details of the transaction before the return, and an electronic returned receipt (hereinafter simply referred to as a "returned receipt") showing the details of the returned product. Specifically, the electronic receipt server 2 publishes the corrected receipt information and returned receipt information, which are display data, on a Web page, and transmits the corrected receipt information and returned receipt information to the customer terminal 4 as appropriate in response to a request from the customer terminal 4.
[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server 2. The electronic receipt server 2 includes a control unit 20, a memory unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 20, the memory unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the communication unit 24 are connected to each other via a bus 25 or the like.
[0019] The control unit 20 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 25.
[0020] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the electronic receipt server 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 201, and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21. The control unit 20 executes various control processes of the electronic receipt server 2 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21 and loaded in the RAM 203.
[0021] The memory unit 21 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 21 stores a control program 211, a member master 212, a receipt information management file 213, and a returned receipt information management file 214.
[0022] The control program 211 includes a program for receiving receipt information from the settlement device 3, a program for managing the received receipt information for each transaction, and a program for implementing a Web server function.
[0023] The member master 212 is a master file that stores information about members of the electronic receipt distribution service. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the member master 212. Each piece of data registered in the member master 212 corresponds to information indicating a member ID, name, gender, age, and email address. Each piece of information registered in the member master 212 is registered when a customer registers as a member of the electronic receipt distribution service.
[0024] The member ID field is registered with a member ID that identifies a member of the electronic receipt distribution service. The name field is registered with information indicating the member's name. The gender field is registered with information indicating the member's gender. The age field is registered with information indicating the member's age. The email address field is registered with the email address of the customer terminal 4 owned by the member.
[0025] The receipt information management file 213 is a file that manages receipt information for each transaction settled by the payment device 3. The receipt information management file 213 is registered and updated based on receipt information received from the payment device 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the receipt information management file 213. Each piece of data registered in the receipt information management file 213 corresponds to information indicating a member ID, receipt number, product information, transaction amount, transaction date and time, store information, return flag, and request information. In this embodiment, the receipt information is the member ID, receipt number, product information, transaction amount, transaction date and time, and store information, but this can be set arbitrarily.
[0026] The member ID field is registered with a member ID that identifies a member of the electronic receipt distribution service. The receipt number field is registered with a receipt number that identifies one transaction by the member at each payment device 3. The receipt number is issued by each payment device 3. The receipt number is an example of transaction identification information.
[0027] The product information field registers information about the product sold in the transaction identified by the receipt number. The information registered in the product information field indicates the product code identifying the product, the product name, unit price, tax amount, etc., and can be set as desired. If multiple products are purchased in one transaction, product information for each product is registered in the product information field. The transaction amount field registers information indicating the total amount of one transaction. The transaction date and time field registers information indicating the date and time when one transaction was made.
[0028] The store information item is registered with information about the store where the transaction took place. Information registered in the store information item is a store code that identifies the store, the store's name, address, telephone number, etc., and can be set as desired. For example, it may include a register number that identifies the payment device 3 where the payment process for the transaction was performed. The return flag item is registered with information indicating whether or not a return has occurred in the transaction identified by the receipt number. If no return has occurred in the transaction, "0" is registered in the return flag item, and if a return has occurred in the transaction, "1" is registered.
[0029] In the request information item, request information is registered for the customer terminal 4 to send a request for a return receipt to the electronic receipt server 2 when a return occurs in the transaction identified by the receipt number. In this embodiment, the information registered in the request information item is the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a web page where the target return receipt information is published. The URL of the web page where the target return receipt information is published is link information and an example of request information. Note that, in the case where the electronic receipt server 2 sends the return receipt information to the customer terminal 4 without using a web page, the address of a receiving destination that accepts requests for return receipt information, etc. is registered in the request information item.
[0030] The receipt information registered in the receipt information management file 213 is rewritten in accordance with the return information that the electronic receipt server 2 obtains from the payment device 3. The rewritten receipt information constitutes corrected receipt information. Therefore, it can be said that the receipt information management file 213 manages corrected receipt information.
[0031] The return receipt information management file 214 is a file for managing return receipt information indicating information on returned products. When a return occurs in a settled transaction, the return receipt information is registered in the return receipt information management file 214 based on the return information received from the settlement device 3. The return information includes the product code of the returned product and a return code indicating that the product code is the product code of the returned product. By registering the return information in the return receipt information management file 214, the return receipt information can be said to be generated. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the return receipt information management file 214. Each data registered in the return receipt information management file 214 corresponds to each information indicating the return receipt number, receipt number, product information, refund amount, return date and time, store information, and request information. In this embodiment, the return receipt information is the return receipt number, receipt number, product information, refund amount, return date and time, and store information, but can be set arbitrarily.
[0032] The return receipt number field stores a return receipt number that identifies a return receipt issued when a return occurs. The return receipt number is issued by the payment device 3 each time a return process is executed by the payment device 3. When multiple products are returned in one return process by the payment device 3, only one return receipt number is issued.
[0033] The receipt number field is registered with the receipt number of a paid transaction that resulted in a return. The product information field is registered with information on the returned product. The information registered in the product information field is information indicating the product code that identifies the product, the product name, unit price, tax amount, etc., and can be set arbitrarily.
[0034] The refund amount field stores information indicating the amount returned to the customer through the return process, i.e., the total amount of all returned products. The return date and time field stores information indicating the date and time when the return process was executed by the payment device 3.
[0035] The store information field is registered with information about the store where the return was made. Information registered in the store information field is a store code that identifies the store, the store's name, address, telephone number, etc., and may also include a register number that identifies the payment device 3 where the return was made. The request information field is registered with the URL of a web page where the return receipt information identified by the return receipt number is made public.
[0036] Returning to FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server 2 will be described.
[0037] The display unit 22 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. The display unit 22 displays, as necessary, information stored in, for example, the member master 212, the receipt information management file 213, and the returned receipt information management file 214.
[0038] The operation unit 23 is used to input information to the control unit 20, and is composed of a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and the like.
[0039] The communication unit 24 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the payment device 3 and the customer terminal 4. The control unit 20 is connected to the external devices via the communication unit 24, thereby enabling transmission and reception of information (data) between the external devices.
[0040] Next, a functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the electronic receipt server 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the electronic receipt server 2. The control unit 20 functions as an acquisition unit 2001, a registration unit 2002, an extraction unit 2003, a reception unit 2004, and an output unit 2005 by the CPU 201 operating according to a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the memory unit 21. Each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.
[0041] The acquisition unit 2001 acquires receipt information from the payment device 3. The receipt information includes the member ID of a customer who is a member of the electronic receipt service, the receipt number, product information of the transacted product, the transaction amount, store information of the store where the transaction was made, and the like.
[0042] The acquiring unit 2001 also acquires transaction identification information of a transaction in which a return occurred after the settlement process, and return information indicating the product returned in the transaction. Specifically, the acquiring unit 2001 acquires from the settlement device 3 the receipt number of the transaction in which a return occurred after the settlement process, and return information including a product code and a return code indicating that the product code is the return code of the returned product. The acquiring unit 2001 is an example of a return information acquiring unit.
[0043] The registration unit 2002 registers the receipt information acquired by the acquisition unit 2001 in the receipt information management file 213 .
[0044] The registration unit 2002 also registers return receipt information indicating information related to the returned product based on the return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit. Specifically, the registration unit 2002 registers the return receipt number, the receipt number of the transaction in which the return occurred, product information of the returned product, the refund amount, the return date and time, and the store information, all of which are included in the return information acquired by the acquisition unit 2001, in the return receipt information management file 214. The registration unit 2002 also registers the URL of a web page where the return receipt information set by the control unit 20 is made public in the return receipt information management file 214. The registration unit 2002 is an example of a return receipt information registration unit.
[0045] Furthermore, the registration unit 2002 registers corrected receipt information obtained by correcting receipt information indicating information on a transaction before return based on the transaction identification information and return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit. Specifically, the registration unit 2002 refers to the receipt information management file 213 and updates the receipt information corresponding to the receipt number acquired by the acquisition unit 2001 based on the return information. For example, the registration unit 2002 deletes product information included in the return information from the product information registered in the receipt information management file 213. The registration unit 2002 also rewrites the return flag registered in the receipt information management file 213 from "0" to "1" and registers the URL of the web page set in the request information item. Note that if the return flag has already been rewritten to "1" when the registration unit 2002 updates the receipt information, the registration unit 2002 does not rewrite the return flag. The registration unit 2002 is also an example of a corrected receipt information registration unit. The registration unit 2002 may also generate a separate management file and register the corrected receipt information, rather than rewriting the receipt information stored in the receipt information management file 213 and registering the corrected receipt information.
[0046] When the receiving unit 2004 receives a receipt information request from the customer terminal 4, the extraction unit 2003 extracts receipt information corresponding to the receipt number included in the receipt information request from the receipt information management file 213. Furthermore, when the receiving unit 2004 receives a corrected receipt information request from the customer terminal 4, the extraction unit 2003 extracts receipt information corresponding to the receipt number included in the corrected receipt information request from the receipt information management file 213. The extracted receipt information is corrected receipt information that has been updated based on the return information from the payment device 3. Furthermore, when the receiving unit 2004 receives a returned receipt information request from the customer terminal 4, the extraction unit 2003 extracts returned receipt information corresponding to the returned receipt number included in the returned receipt information request from the receipt information management file 213.
[0047] The reception unit 2004 receives a receipt information request, a corrected receipt information request, and a returned receipt information request from the customer terminal 4.
[0048] The output unit 2005 transmits the receipt information, corrected receipt information, and returned receipt information to the customer terminal 4 in the requested data format in response to various information requests received by the reception unit 2004. In this embodiment, the output unit 2005 transmits display data generated for displaying on a Web page the receipt information, corrected receipt information, and returned receipt information extracted by the extraction unit 2003. The mobile terminal 4 displays these various pieces of information using a Web browser.
[0049] The output unit 2005 also outputs the corrected receipt information and request information for sending a request for returned receipt information to the customer's information terminal in association with each other. Specifically, the output unit 2005 associates the corrected receipt information extracted by the extraction unit 2003 with the URL of a web page in the receipt information management file 213 that corresponds to the corrected receipt information, and transmits them to the customer terminal 4. For example, the output unit 2005 transmits display data for embedding link information of a web page that provides returned receipt information in the corrected receipt and displaying it on the customer terminal 4. The output unit 2005 also transmits various other information to the settlement device 3 and customer terminal 4 as necessary.
[0050] Next, the payment device 3 will be described. The payment device 3 is a payment device such as a POS terminal installed in each store. The type of POS terminal does not matter, and may be any of a general POS terminal where a store clerk registers products and performs accounting operations, a self-service POS terminal where a customer registers products and performs accounting operations, and a semi-self-service POS terminal where a store clerk registers products and a customer performs accounting operations. The payment device 3 may also be a payment terminal that executes processing related to cashless payment.
[0051] The payment device 3 executes payment processing when a customer purchases a product, and upon reading the member ID of the electronic receipt service, transmits receipt information related to the processed transaction to the electronic receipt server 2. In addition, upon reading the member ID during return processing, the payment device 3 transmits return information to the electronic receipt server 2.
[0052] Next, the customer terminal 4 will be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the customer terminal 4. The customer terminal 4 includes a control unit 40, a memory unit 41, a display unit 42, an operation unit 43, and a communication unit 44. The control unit 40, the memory unit 41, the display unit 42, the operation unit 43, and the communication unit 44 are connected to each other via a bus 45 or the like.
[0053] The control unit 40 is configured by a computer including a CPU 401, a ROM 402, and a RAM 403. The CPU 401, the ROM 402, and the RAM 403 are connected to each other via a bus 45.
[0054] The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the customer terminal 4. The ROM 402 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 401, and various data. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 402 and the memory unit 41. The control unit 40 executes various control processes of the customer terminal 4 by the CPU 401 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 402 and the memory unit 41 and loaded in the RAM 403.
[0055] The memory unit 41 is configured with a storage medium such as a HDD or flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 41 stores a control program 411 and a member ID 412.
[0056] The control program 411 includes application programs for receiving electronic receipt services, programs for displaying electronic receipts, corrected receipts, and returned receipts, and programs such as a web browser for viewing information published on the web.
[0057] The member ID is the member ID for the electronic receipt service. The member ID is given to the customer when they register as a member of the electronic receipt service.
[0058] The display unit 42 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. Based on the information received from the electronic receipt server 2, the display unit 42 displays an electronic receipt, a corrected receipt, a returned product receipt, etc.
[0059] The operation unit 43 is used to input information to the control unit 40, and is configured with a touch panel or the like provided on the surface of the display unit .
[0060] The communication unit 44 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the electronic receipt server 2. The control unit 40 is connected to the external device via the communication unit 44, thereby enabling transmission and reception of information (data) with the external device.
[0061] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 40 of the customer terminal 4 will be described. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 40 of the customer terminal 4. The control unit 40 functions as a receiving unit 4001, an input unit 4002, a display processing unit 4003, and a transmitting unit 4004 by the CPU 401 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 402 or the memory unit 41. Each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.
[0062] The receiving unit 4001 receives various information from an external device. For example, the receiving unit 4001 receives, from the electronic receipt server 2, receipt information, corrected receipt information associated with request information, and returned receipt information.
[0063] Various information is input to the input unit 4002 from the operation unit 43. For example, an instruction to request receipt information, an instruction to request corrected receipt information, an instruction to request returned receipt information, and the like are input to the input unit 4002.
[0064] The display processing unit 4003 controls the display unit 42 to display various information. For example, the display processing unit 4003 causes the display unit 42 to display an electronic receipt based on receipt information received from the electronic receipt server 2, and causes the display unit 42 to display a return receipt based on return receipt information received from the electronic receipt server 2. The display processing unit 4003 also causes the display unit 42 to display a corrected receipt based on corrected receipt information and request information received from the electronic receipt server 2. Furthermore, the display processing unit 4003 causes the display unit 42 to display an operation screen for inputting a receipt information request or a corrected receipt information request, for example, when an application program for receiving the provision of an electronic receipt service is started.
[0065] The transmitting unit 4004 transmits various information to the electronic receipt server 2. For example, the transmitting unit 4004 transmits information such as a receipt information request, a corrected receipt information request, and a returned receipt request to the electronic receipt server 2. The transmitting unit 4004 transmits the member ID together with the various information transmitted to the electronic receipt server 2. This allows the electronic receipt server 2 to identify the source of the various information (the member, the email address of the member's customer terminal 4) by referring to the member master 212.
[0066] An outline of the operation of the electronic receipt system 1 having the above configuration will be described. Fig. 9 is a sequence chart showing the flow of the operation of the electronic receipt system 1. Note that this sequence chart shows the flow of the operation when a customer purchases a product and returns the product related to the transaction after the transaction settlement is completed.
[0067] First, the flow of transaction settlement will be explained. When a member of the electronic receipt service purchases a product at a store, the settlement process is executed by the settlement device 3 of the store (step S1). The settlement device 3 transmits receipt information related to one transaction that has been settled to the electronic receipt server 2 (step S2). The receipt information includes the customer's member ID, the issued receipt number, product information of the product subject to the transaction (product code, product name, unit price, tax amount, etc.), transaction amount, transaction date and time, and store information (store name, store code, telephone number, address, register number, etc.).
[0068] The electronic receipt server 2 registers the received receipt information in the receipt information management file 213 (step S3). At this time, "0" is registered in the return flag of the receipt information management file 213, and nothing is registered in the request information item.
[0069] The customer terminal 4 can send a receipt information request to the electronic receipt server 2 after payment at the payment device 3 (step S4). When the electronic receipt server 2 registers receipt information, it sends the URL of a web page that provides the receipt information to the customer terminal 4, and the customer terminal 4 specifies the URL to make the receipt information request. Note that when the electronic receipt server 2 registers receipt information, it may send a registration notification including a receipt number to the customer terminal 4, and the customer terminal 4 that has received the registration notification may send a receipt information request specifying the receipt number to the electronic receipt server 2.
[0070] The electronic receipt server 2 extracts the receipt information requested in the receipt information request from the receipt information management file 213 (step S5). The electronic receipt server 2 generates display data for the extracted receipt information and transmits the display data to the customer terminal 4 as receipt information (step S6).
[0071] The customer terminal 4 temporarily stores the received receipt information, in other words, the receipt information (display data) published on the web and downloaded, and displays the electronic receipt on the display unit 42 using a web browser (step S7). The temporarily stored receipt information is cleared, for example, the next time the application program for the electronic receipt service is started. The customer terminal 4 may accumulate and store the received receipt information. The mechanisms for requesting, receiving, storing, and displaying receipt information are the same for corrected receipt information and returned receipt information.
[0072] 10 is a diagram showing the display screen of an electronic receipt. The display unit 42 of the customer terminal 4 has a header section 421 and a main display section 422 formed thereon.
[0073] A plurality of buttons 4211 are formed in the header section 421. The buttons 4211 are, for example, buttons for displaying a barcode indicating a member ID on the main display section 422, buttons for displaying an electronic receipt on the main display section 422, and the like.
[0074] The main display unit 422 displays an electronic receipt on the electronic receipt display screen. A store information display area 4221 and a transaction information display area 4222 are formed on the main display unit 422. Store information is displayed in the store information display area 4221. Commercial messages and the like may be displayed in the store information display area 4221. Product information, transaction date and time, receipt number, and the like are displayed in the transaction information display area 4222. Product information displays the product name and price in one line for each product. When many products are purchased in one transaction and the product information does not fit on the display unit 42 of the customer terminal 4, the main display unit 422 can display all information by using a function of scrolling the display screen up and down.
[0075] Customers can check the transaction details by viewing the displayed electronic receipt. When returning an item at a store, customers can show the electronic receipt to the store clerk to notify them that they have purchased the item they are returning.
[0076] Returning to FIG. 9, the flow of returns will be described. When a return occurs in a paid transaction, the payment device 3 executes return processing (step S11). Return processing is a process for refunding the price of the returned product to the customer, and has been carried out conventionally. The payment device 3 sends return information to the electronic receipt server 2 (step S12). The return information includes the issued return receipt number, the receipt number identifying the paid transaction in which the return occurred, product information of the returned product (product code, product name, unit price, tax amount, etc.), the refund amount associated with the return, the return date and time, and store information (store name, store code, telephone number, address, register number, etc.).
[0077] The electronic receipt server 2 searches the receipt information management file 213 for the receipt number included in the return information (step S13), and updates the searched receipt information based on the return information (step S14). In other words, the electronic receipt server 2 registers corrected receipt information corrected based on the return information. The electronic receipt server 2 also registers return receipt information based on the return information (step S15). At this time, the URL of a web page where the return receipt information is published is set, and is registered in the receipt information management file 213 and the return receipt information management file 214.
[0078] After the return process is completed by the settlement device 3, the customer terminal 4 can send a request for corrected receipt information to the electronic receipt server 2 (step S16).
[0079] The electronic receipt server 2 extracts the corrected receipt information requested in the corrected receipt information request from the receipt information management file 213 (step S17), and transmits display data in which the extracted corrected receipt information and the requested information are associated with each other to the customer terminal 4 (step S18). As an example, the requested information is the URL of a web page where the returned receipt information is published.
[0080] The customer terminal 4 displays the corrected receipt based on the received corrected receipt information and request information (step S19). The customer terminal 4 displays the corrected receipt including a button for designating the URL of a web page where the returned receipt information is published.
[0081] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the display screen of the corrected receipt. The same components as those in Fig. 10 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0082] The main display unit 422 displays the corrected receipt on the corrected receipt display screen. In addition to the transaction information display area 4222, the main display unit 422 has a transaction amount display area 4223, a return transaction display area 4224, and a return receipt display icon 4225. The content to be corrected among the content displayed in the transaction information display area 4222, i.e., the product information of the returned product and the total amount changed due to the return, is displayed with a strikethrough in red or the like. The display of the content to be corrected is not limited to a strikethrough, and may be made by adding some kind of mark.
[0083] The total amount after the return is displayed in transaction amount display area 4223. The total amount after the return is the total amount of the transaction before the return minus the price of the returned item. The return transaction display area 4224 is an area that displays information indicating that the transaction involved a return, and may display text such as "Returned item(s) included."
[0084] The return receipt display icon 4225 functions as an icon for requesting the display of a return receipt. A customer can display a return receipt on the main display unit 422 by touching the return receipt display icon 4225. When a return transaction is performed multiple times on the settlement device 3, a return receipt display icon 4225 is formed corresponding to each return transaction. In other words, when a return is performed multiple times for the same transaction, an icon corresponding one-to-one to the return transaction on the settlement device 3 is displayed. When multiple return receipt display icons 4225 are formed, the order in which the return transactions were performed is also displayed. In the example of FIG. 11, the upper return receipt display icon 4225 is for displaying a return receipt related to the first return transaction, and the lower return receipt display icon 4225 is for displaying a return receipt related to the second return transaction.
[0085] The corrected receipt displayed on the main display unit 422 includes a returned receipt display icon 4225, and is displayed based on information transmitted from the output unit 2005 of the electronic receipt server 2. In other words, the output unit 2005 outputs display data for displaying on the customer terminal 4 a corrected receipt including an icon requesting the display of a returned receipt.
[0086] A customer can view a desired return receipt by touching return receipt display icon 4225. The ease of use is good because the customer can input a request to display a return receipt while displaying a corrected receipt and checking the corrected receipt. Also, if multiple return processes are performed in one transaction, return receipt display icon 4225 is displayed in one-to-one correspondence with each return process and in a manner that shows the order of the return processes, so that the customer can easily view the desired return receipt.
[0087] Returning to Fig. 9, the explanation will be continued. When the customer touches the return receipt display icon 4225, the URL of the web page where the return receipt information is published is specified, and a return receipt information request is input to the customer terminal 4 (step S20). The customer terminal 4 sends the return receipt information request to the electronic receipt server 2 (step S21).
[0088] The electronic receipt server 2 extracts the return receipt information corresponding to the specified URL (step S22), and transmits it to the customer terminal 4 (step S23).
[0089] The customer terminal 4 displays the return receipt based on the received return receipt information (step S24).
[0090] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen of a return receipt. The same components as those in Figs. 10 and 11 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0091] The main display unit 422 displays the return receipt on the return receipt display screen. Information displayed on the return receipt includes the word "return" to indicate that it is a return receipt, information on the transaction before the return (receipt number, transaction date, target register number), information on the returned product (product name, price), and refund amount. Note that the information included on the return receipt is not limited to the above and can be set arbitrarily.
[0092] Through the above operations, the electronic receipt system 1 can provide electronic receipts, corrected receipts, and returned receipts to customers who are members of the electronic receipt service.
[0093] Next, a description will be given of the registration process executed by the electronic receipt server 2. FIG 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the registration process in the control unit 20 of the electronic receipt server 2.
[0094] The control unit 20 determines whether the acquisition unit 2001 has acquired receipt information from the payment device 3 (step S31). When the acquisition unit 2001 acquires receipt information from the payment device 3 (Y in step S31), the registration unit 2002 registers the receipt information in the receipt information management file 213 (step S32). Then, the control unit 20 ends the registration process.
[0095] If the acquisition unit 2001 does not acquire receipt information from the payment device 3 (N in step S31), the control unit 20 determines whether the acquisition unit 2001 has acquired return information from the payment device 3 (step S33), and if not (N in step S33), returns to the processing of step S31.
[0096] When the acquisition unit 2001 acquires return goods information from the payment device 3 (Y in step S33), the registration unit 2002 determines whether the receipt number included in the return goods information is registered in the receipt information management file 213 (step S34). In other words, the registration unit 2002 determines whether the receipt information of the transaction in which the return occurred is managed in the receipt information management file 213.
[0097] If the receipt number included in the return information is registered in the receipt information management file 213 (Y in step S34), the registration unit 2002 updates the receipt information of that receipt number based on the return information acquired by the acquisition unit 2001 (step S35). By updating the receipt information, corrected receipt information is registered. Next, the registration unit 2002 registers the return information acquired by the acquisition unit 2001 in the return receipt information management file 214 (step S36). Then, the control unit 20 ends the registration process.
[0098] In the process of step S34, if the receipt number included in the return product information acquired by the acquisition unit 2001 is not registered in the receipt information management file 213 (N in step S34), the receipt information of the transaction in which the return product occurred is not subject to management by the electronic receipt server 2, and the output unit 2005 transmits an error message to the settlement device 3 (step S37). Then, the control unit 20 ends the registration process.
[0099] Next, a description will be given of the output process executed by the electronic receipt server 2. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the output process in the control unit 20 of the electronic receipt server 2.
[0100] The control unit 20 determines whether the reception unit 2004 has received a receipt information request from the customer terminal 4 (step S41). When the reception unit 2004 receives a receipt information request (Y in step S41), the control unit 20 determines whether the receipt number included in the receipt information request is registered in the receipt information management file 213 (step S42).
[0101] If the receipt number included in the receipt information request is registered in the receipt information management file 213 (Y in step S42), the extraction unit 2003 extracts the receipt information for that receipt number, and the output unit 2005 sends the extracted receipt information to the customer terminal 4 (step S43). The control unit 20 then ends the output process.
[0102] If the receipt number included in the receipt information request is not registered in the receipt information management file 213 (N in step S42), the requested receipt information is not managed by the electronic receipt server 2, and the output unit 2005 sends an error message to the customer terminal 4 (step S44). Then, the control unit 20 ends the output process.
[0103] In the processing of step S41, if the reception unit 2004 does not receive a receipt information request (N in step S41), the control unit 20 determines whether the reception unit 2004 has received a request for corrected receipt information from the customer terminal 4 (step S45), and if not (N in step S45), the control unit 20 returns to the processing of step S41.
[0104] When the receiving unit 2004 receives a corrected receipt information request (Y in step S45), the control unit 20 determines whether the receipt number included in the corrected receipt information request is registered in the receipt information management file 213 (step S46), and if it is not registered (N in step S46), the control unit 20 proceeds to processing in step S44.
[0105] If the receipt number included in the corrected receipt information request received by the receiving unit 2004 is registered in the receipt information management file 213 (Y in step S46), the extraction unit 2003 extracts the receipt information of that receipt number as corrected receipt information and also extracts the corresponding request information (step S47). The output unit 2005 associates the extracted corrected receipt information with the request information and sends them to the customer terminal 4 (step S48).
[0106] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the reception unit 2004 has received a return receipt information request from the customer terminal 4 (step S49). If the reception unit 2004 receives a return receipt information request (Y in step S49), the extraction unit 2003 extracts the return receipt information corresponding to the URL specified in the return receipt information request, and the output unit 2005 transmits the extracted return receipt information to the customer terminal 4 (step S50). Then, the control unit 20 ends the output process.
[0107] If a request for returned receipt information is not received in the process of step S49 (N in step S49), the control unit 20 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the output unit 2005 associated the extracted corrected receipt information with the requested information and transmitted them to the customer terminal 4 (step S51). If the predetermined time has not passed (N in step S51), the control unit 20 returns to the process of step S49, and if the predetermined time has passed (Y in step S51), the control unit 20 determines that the customer does not wish to view the returned receipt and ends the output process.
[0108] The electronic receipt server 2 can comprehensively manage receipt information, corrected receipt information, and returned receipt information for transactions of members of the electronic receipt service through the above registration process. In addition, the electronic receipt server 2 can transmit information that can improve the operability of displaying returned receipts on the customer terminal 4 through the above output process.
[0109] As described above, the electronic receipt server 2 of the embodiment comprises an acquisition unit 2001 that acquires transaction identification information of a transaction in which a return occurred after payment processing and return information indicating the returned item in relation to the transaction, a return receipt information registration unit (registration unit 2002) that registers return receipt information indicating information regarding the returned item based on the return information acquired by the acquisition unit 2001, a corrected receipt information registration unit (registration unit 2002) that registers corrected receipt information obtained by correcting receipt information indicating information about the transaction before the return based on the transaction identification information and the return information acquired by the acquisition unit 2001, and an output unit 2005 that outputs the corrected receipt information and request information for sending a request for the return receipt information to the customer terminal 4 in association with each other.
[0110] This allows the customer terminal 4 to obtain information associating corrected receipt information with request information for sending a request for returned receipt information. Therefore, the customer terminal 4 can easily display a corrected receipt including, for example, an icon for displaying the returned receipt. In other words, the electronic receipt server 2 can improve the operability of displaying a returned receipt on the customer terminal 4.
[0111] In the above embodiment, the control program executed by the electronic receipt server 2 or the customer terminal 4, which is a server device, may be configured to be provided by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the control program executed by the electronic receipt server 2 or the customer terminal 4 in the above embodiment may be configured to be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloading it via the network, or further may be configured to be provided via a network such as the Internet.
[0112] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0113] 2. Electronic receipt server (server device) 4 Customer terminal (information terminal) 2001 Acquisition Department (Return Information Acquisition Department) 2002 Registration Department (Return Receipt Information Registration Department, Correction Receipt Information Registration Department) 2005 Output section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0114] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-17322 A
Claims
1. A mobile terminal computer, a display means for displaying on a display unit corrected receipt information obtained by correcting information on a transaction prior to the return of the product together with request information for requesting return receipt information indicating information on the returned product; a requesting means for requesting, when the requested information displayed on the display means is selected, return receipt information related to the corrected receipt information displayed on the display unit from a server device that manages return receipt information; An acquisition means for acquiring the return receipt information from the server device; A program to make it function as such.
2. The display means displays information indicating the content of the transaction for which a correction has been made due to a return or the transaction for which a return has been made based on the corrected receipt information, and also displays an icon for requesting the return receipt information based on the request information. The program according to claim 1.
3. When a plurality of returns are made for the same transaction, the display means displays the icon corresponding one-to-one to the request information relating to each return. The program according to claim 2.
4. The display means displays the order in which the returned items were made in correspondence with the icons. The program according to claim 3.
5. A display means for displaying on a display unit corrected receipt information obtained by correcting information on a transaction before the return, together with request information for requesting return receipt information showing information on the returned product; a requesting means for requesting, when the requested information displayed on the display means is selected, return receipt information related to the corrected receipt information displayed on the display unit from a server device that manages return receipt information; An acquisition means for acquiring the return receipt information from the server device; A mobile terminal comprising: