Purchase information collection device, purchase information collection system, and control method and program for purchase information collection device

Abstract

To provide a purchase information collection device, a purchase information collection system, and a control method and program for the purchase information collection device that are capable of appropriately collecting and managing purchase information that reflects preferences of each customer.SOLUTION: A purchase information collection device 10 comprises a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a communication unit 103 for acquiring information generated by a checkout system 20 having a customer identification function and a receipt issuing function. The control unit 101 acquires, via the communication unit 103, purchase information of a product, customer identification information for identifying a customer who has purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product, associates the acquired purchase information, customer identification information, and receipt information with one another for storing thereof in the storage unit 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a purchase information collection device, a purchase information collection system, a control method for a purchase information collection device, and a program for collecting purchase information of products.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, analysis of customer purchase behavior in stores has been carried out, and the analysis results have been used for sales promotion in stores. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a customer behavior analysis system that analyzes the preferences of each customer based on the purchase history of each customer. In this system, the purchase information of each customer is collected and analyzed, and based on the analysis results, the shelf arrangement, advertising, etc. of the store are improved so as to promote sales.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to promote the sales of products, it is effective to provide product information and advertisements that match the preferences of each customer for each customer. In this case, the purchase history in the store is collected for each customer, and the preferences of each customer are analyzed.

[0005] However, the purchase behavior of each customer is not necessarily carried out for the purpose of use by the customer himself / herself. For example, there are cases where a customer purchases a product for the purpose of use in the company (business) to which the customer belongs, rather than for his / her own purpose of use. In this case, the purchase history of this product does not reflect the preferences of the individual customer. Therefore, if this purchase history is used for the preference analysis of the customer, the preference analysis of the customer cannot be properly performed.

[0006] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a purchase information collection device, a purchase information collection system, a control method of the purchase information collection device, and a program capable of appropriately collecting and managing purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a purchase information collection device. The purchase information collection device according to this aspect includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit for acquiring information generated by a settlement system having a customer identification function and a receipt issuance function. The control unit acquires purchase information of a product, customer identification information for identifying the customer who purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product via the communication unit, and associates the acquired purchase information, the customer identification information, and the receipt information with each other and stores them in the storage unit.

[0008] According to the purchase information collection device according to this aspect, purchase information of each customer is associated with customer identification information for identifying the customer, and further, receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product is associated. Here, when a receipt is issued, it is highly likely that the purchase of the product was made for business purposes (company use purpose) rather than for personal use by the customer. Therefore, by excluding the purchase information associated with the receipt information indicating that a receipt has been issued from the target of the preference analysis of the customer, the accuracy of the preference analysis of the customer can be improved. Therefore, according to the purchase information collection device according to this aspect, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0009] In the purchase information collection device according to this aspect, the settlement system has a function of acquiring name extraction information capable of extracting the name of the receipt, and the control unit acquires, via the communication unit, the name extraction information of the receipt issued for the purchase of the product by the customer, and based on the acquired name extraction information, the receipt attribute information capable of identifying whether the recipient of the receipt is an individual or a business operator is further associated with the customer identification information of the customer and stored in the storage unit.

[0010] According to this configuration, the receipt attribute information can more appropriately determine whether the purchase information is for the personal use of the customer or for business purposes. Therefore, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0011] In this configuration, the name extraction information is the image information of the receipt, and the control unit may be configured to store the text information of the name obtained by analyzing the image information in the storage unit as the receipt attribute information.

[0012] According to this configuration, when the settlement system includes an image acquisition unit such as a scanner or a camera, the text information of the name of the receipt can be obtained by image analysis of the image information of the receipt acquired by the image acquisition unit, and this text information can be used as the receipt attribute information. In this case, based on this text information, it can be determined whether the customer's purchase behavior is for personal use or business purposes. Therefore, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0013] Alternatively, the name extraction information is the text information of the name input in the settlement system at the time of issuing the receipt, and the control unit may be configured to store the text information acquired via the communication unit in the storage unit as the receipt attribute information.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the settlement system has a function of inputting the payee name of the receipt, the text information of the input payee name can be used as the receipt attribute information. Also in this case, based on this text information, it is possible to determine whether the customer's purchase behavior is for personal use or business purposes. Therefore, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0015] Alternatively, the payee name extraction information is card information held on a card read by the settlement system when the receipt is issued, and the control unit may be configured to store the card information acquired via the communication unit in the storage unit as the receipt attribute information.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the settlement system reads a card at the time of issuing a receipt, depending on whether the card information of the read card is in the name of the merchant (company) or in the name of the individual customer, it is possible to determine whether the customer's purchase behavior is for personal use or business purposes. Therefore, by storing the card information of the card read at the time of issuing the receipt as the receipt attribute information, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0017] In the purchase information collection device according to this aspect, the control unit may be configured to acquire, in response to the purchase of the product, store-specific information that can identify the store where the settlement system is installed via the communication unit, and further associate the store-specific information with the customer-specific information of the customer and store it in the storage unit.

[0018] According to this configuration, for example, for each store, the purchase records of each customer can be managed and analyzed, and sales promotion activities suitable for each customer can be carried out.

[0019] In the purchase information collection device according to this aspect, the customer-specific information may be identification information included in a card held by the customer.

[0020] According to this configuration, by reading the customer's card with the settlement system, customer identification information can be smoothly obtained.

[0021] The second aspect of the present invention relates to a purchase information collection system. The purchase information collection system according to this aspect includes the purchase information collection device according to the first aspect and at least one of the settlement systems.

[0022] The third aspect of the present invention relates to a control method in a purchase information collection device capable of obtaining information generated by a settlement system having a customer identification function and a receipt issuance function. The control method according to this aspect acquires purchase information of a product, customer identification information for identifying the customer who purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product, and associates the purchase information, the customer identification information, and the receipt information with each other and stores them in a storage unit.

[0023] The fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a program for causing a control unit of a purchase information collection device capable of obtaining information generated by a settlement system having a customer identification function and a receipt issuance function to execute a predetermined function. The program according to this aspect causes the control unit to have a function of acquiring purchase information of a product, customer identification information for identifying the customer who purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product, and a function of associating the purchase information, the customer identification information, and the receipt information with each other and storing them in a storage unit.

[0024] According to the second to fourth aspects, the same effects as those of the first aspect are achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a purchase information collection device, a purchase information collection system, a control method for a purchase information collection device, and a program capable of appropriately obtaining purchase information reflecting customer preferences.

[0026] The effects or significance of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of the embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely an example of implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiments at all.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a purchase information collection system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0030] The purchase information collection system 1 includes a purchase information collection device 10, a settlement system 20, and a store management device 30. The purchase information collection device 10 and the settlement system 20 are installed in stores S1 and S2. The purchase information collection device 10 is installed in a management facility outside stores S1 and S2. In FIG. 1, two settlement systems 20 are installed in each of stores S1 and S2, but the number of settlement systems 20 installed in a store is not limited to this. Also, although two stores S1 and S2 are shown in FIG. 1, the number of stores is not limited to this.

[0031] The settlement system 20 in each store can communicate with the store management device 30 of that store via a LAN (Local Area Network) 40. Also, the store management device 30 in each store can communicate with the purchase information collection device 10 via an external network 50 such as the Internet.

[0032] The purchase information collection device 10 acquires information regarding product purchases from the settlement system 20 via the store management device 30 and stores the acquired information. The purchase information collection device 10 is configured, for example, by installing a predetermined program in an information processing device such as a server computer or a personal computer.

[0033] The settlement system 20 is a system that performs settlement of purchased products using a POS (Point Of Sale) register. The settlement system 20 is operated by the store clerks in stores S1 and S2. The clerk inputs the items of the products that the customer intends to purchase into the settlement system 20 to perform settlement. The input of items may be performed by reading the barcodes attached to the products with a barcode reader of the settlement system 20.

[0034] When making a settlement, the store clerk receives the presentation of a card (membership card) from the customer. When stores S1 and S2 are family stores (stores of the same company), this card can be used at both of these stores S1 and S2. The store clerk causes the settlement system 20 to read the card presented by the customer. Thereby, the settlement system 20 acquires the ID information (identification information) of the card as customer identification information for identifying the customer. If there is other identification information unique to the customer held on the card in addition to the ID information of the card, this other identification information may be used as customer identification information.

[0035] When making a settlement for a purchased item, the customer can request the store clerk to issue a receipt. The settlement system 20 has a receipt issuing function. When the store clerk receives a request for receipt issuance from the customer, the store clerk inputs to the settlement system 20 for receipt issuance. Thereby, the settlement system 20 prints and sends out a receipt in a predetermined format. The store clerk inquires of the customer about the addressee name of the sent receipt and writes the addressee name instructed by the customer on the receipt.

[0036] When the settlement system 20 has a function of inputting the addressee name of the receipt, the store clerk inputs the addressee name instructed by the customer to the settlement system 20 before sending out the receipt. Thereafter, the store clerk performs a confirmation operation for receipt issuance. Thereby, the settlement system 20 sends out a receipt with the addressee name printed.

[0037] Thus, when a series of processes related to settlement is completed, the settlement system 20 transmits the purchase information of the item in this settlement, the above-mentioned customer identification information, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued to the store management device 30 via the LAN 40. Even when a receipt has not been issued, the settlement system 20 transmits information indicating that fact as receipt information. The store management device 30 transmits these received information to the purchase information collection device 10 at a predetermined timing. The purchase information collection device 10 stores and manages the acquired information.

[0038] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the purchase information collection device 10 and the settlement system 20.

[0039] The purchase information collection device 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a communication unit 103.

[0040] The control unit 101 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit according to a program stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 includes a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk, and stores a program for causing the control unit 101 to execute a predetermined function. Further, the storage unit 102 is used as a work area when the control unit 101 performs control. The communication unit 103 is connected to an external network 50 and communicates under the control of the control unit 101. The control unit 101 communicates with the store management device 30 via the communication unit 103 and the external network 50.

[0041] The settlement system 20 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a display unit 203, an input unit 204, a deposit / withdrawal unit 205, a communication unit 206, a customer-side display unit 207, a barcode reader 208, a card reader 209, and a printer 210.

[0042] The control unit 201 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU, and controls each unit according to a program stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 202 includes a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, and stores a program for causing the control unit 201 to execute a predetermined function. Further, the storage unit 202 is used as a work area when the control unit 201 performs control.

[0043] The display unit 203 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a screen for a store clerk to perform settlement processing. The input unit 204 includes input means such as a keyboard, and is used for a store clerk to perform predetermined input for settlement processing. The input unit 204 may include a transparent touch pad superimposed on the display unit 203. In this case, the display unit 203 and the input unit 204 share, for example, a touch panel.

[0044] The deposit and withdrawal section 205 includes a plurality of currency storage sections for storing currencies for each currency type, and a conveyance section for conveying the currency between each currency storage section, the deposit port, and the withdrawal port. The currency storage section may be configured by a drawer that can be opened and closed.

[0045] The communication section 206 is connected to the LAN 40 and communicates under the control of the control section 201. The control section 201 communicates with the store management device 30 via the communication section 206 and the LAN 40. The customer-side display section 207 is arranged to face the customer who settles the product price, and displays the settlement price according to the control from the control section 101.

[0046] The barcode reader 208 is used to read the barcode attached to the product. The control section 201 acquires the identification information of the product from the information read by the barcode reader 208. The identification information of the product, the name and unit price of the product are registered in the store management device 30 in advance. The control section 201 acquires these information from the store management device 30 via the communication section 206 in advance and stores them in the storage section 202.

[0047] When the control section 201 acquires the identification information of the product from the information read by the barcode reader 208, it acquires the name and unit price of the product associated with the identification information from the storage section 202. Then, the control section 201 calculates the purchase price of the product from the acquired unit price, and further calculates the total amount obtained by summing up the purchase prices of all products. The control section 201 causes the display section 203 to display the purchase price for each product, the item of the purchased product, and the total amount, and further causes the customer-side display section 207 to display the total amount.

[0048] The card reader 209 reads the above-mentioned card presented by the customer at the time of settlement. The control section 201 extracts the identification information of the card from the information read by the card reader 209, and acquires the extracted identification information as customer identification information for identifying the customer.

[0049] The printer 210 prints predetermined information on a paper medium and sends out the printed paper medium according to the control from the control unit 201. The control unit 201 causes the printer 210 to output a receipt on which payment details and the amount are printed in response to the completion operation of paying the product price to the input unit 204. Further, the control unit 201 causes the printer 210 to output a receipt for the current settlement in response to the input of the receipt issuance request to the input unit 204.

[0050] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the settlement system 20, the store management device 30, and the purchase information collection device 10 at the time of settling the purchase price.

[0051] The store clerk in the settlement system 20 accepts the presentation of the card from the customer prior to the settlement process. The store clerk causes the card presented by the customer to be read by the card reader 209 (S11). Thereby, the control unit 201 of the settlement system 20 acquires the card information. Thereafter, the control unit 201 accepts the input of the purchase information (S12).

[0052] As described above, this input is performed by causing the barcode attached to the product to be read by the barcode reader 208. When the barcode cannot be read due to damage or the like of the barcode, the store clerk inputs information for identifying the product via the input unit 204. For example, the store clerk causes the display unit 203 to display a list of product items, and selects the item of the product to be purchased from this list.

[0053] When the input of the purchase information is completed for all the products purchased by the customer, the store clerk performs an operation to shift the settlement system 20 to payment of the price via the input unit 204 (S13). By this operation, the control unit 201 causes the total amount to be displayed on the customer-side display unit 207. In response to this, when the customer makes the payment, the store clerk inserts the currency received from the customer into the settlement system 20. The control unit 201 controls the deposit / withdrawal unit 205 to store the deposited currency in the currency storage unit and appropriately pay out the change from the deposit / withdrawal unit 205. Thus, the settlement process is completed.

[0054] If the customer wishes to receive a receipt, after the settlement process is completed or during the settlement process, the customer requests the store clerk to issue a receipt. In this case, before performing the operation to end the current settlement process, the store clerk performs an operation for issuing a receipt on the input unit 204 (S14: YES). In response, the control unit 201 causes the printer 210 to output a receipt for the current product purchase. In this case, the control unit 201 changes the flag of the receipt information from "no receipt" to "with receipt" (S15).

[0055] On the other hand, if the customer does not request the issuance of a receipt, the store clerk performs an operation to end the current settlement process (S14: NO). In this case, the control unit 201 skips step S15 and maintains the flag of the receipt information as "no receipt".

[0056] Thereafter, the control unit 201 transmits the purchase information of the products related to the current settlement, the customer identification information (customer ID) for identifying the customer, and the receipt information to the store management device 30 via the communication unit 206 (S16). Thereby, the control unit 201 ends the process related to the current settlement.

[0057] As described above, the customer identification information transmitted in step S16 is the identification information of the card presented by the customer. The transmitted purchase information includes at least information indicating the items and quantities of the products purchased by the customer. The transmitted purchase information may further include the total amount for each purchased product and the total amount of all purchased products.

[0058] When the store management device 30 receives the information transmitted in step S16 (S21: YES), it stores the received information in its own storage unit (S22). Further, the store management device 30 transmits the received information and the store identification information (store ID) for identifying the store to the purchase information collection device 10 at a predetermined timing together with the reception date (purchase date) (S23).

[0059] Here, the store identification information may be the identification information of the store management device 30 registered in advance in the purchase information collection device 10. Alternatively, the store identification information may be the identification information of the store registered in advance in the purchase information collection device 10 and the store management device 30.

[0060] When the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 receives the information transmitted in step S23 (S31: YES), it registers the received information in the purchase management information held in the storage unit 102 (S32). Thereby, the control unit 101 ends the current process.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the purchase management information.

[0062] The purchase management information is configured by associating customer identification information (customer ID), store identification information (store ID), purchase date, purchase information, and receipt information with each other. In the example of FIG. 4, the purchase information includes the item of goods and the quantity thereof, as well as the unit price of the item of goods and the total amount of the purchase amount (total amount). The unit price and the total amount may be included in the purchase information transmitted by the control unit 201 of the settlement system 20 in step S16 of FIG. 3, or may be included in the information transmitted by the store management device 30 in step S23.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the analysis process performed by the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 using the purchase management information of FIG. 4.

[0064] First, the control unit 101 extracts the information associated with the customer identification information (customer ID) to be analyzed from the purchase management information (S101). In this extraction, the range of the purchase date may be further restricted. For example, among the purchase management information, information in which the purchase date is included in the range of the past several months from the present may be targeted, and the information associated with the customer identification information (customer ID) to be analyzed may be extracted.

[0065] Next, the control unit 101 classifies the extracted information according to whether a receipt is issued (S102~S108). Specifically, when a flag indicating no receipt is set as receipt information (S102: NO), the control unit 101 classifies the purchase information associated with this receipt information as for personal use (S103). On the other hand, when a flag indicating a receipt is set as receipt information (S102: YES), the control unit 101 classifies the purchase information associated with this receipt information as for company use (S107).

[0066] When all of the purchase management information extracted in step S101 has been classified in this way (S104: YES, S108: YES), the control unit 101 analyzes the purchase information for each classification (S105, S109).

[0067] In step S105, the control unit 101 analyzes the tendency of the item types of goods purchased by the customer for personal use based on the purchase information classified as for personal use. For example, the control unit 101 calculates, for each item type of goods purchased by the customer for personal use, the ratio of the purchase quantity of the item type to the total purchase quantity, the number of purchases of the item type, the purchase frequency, and the average number of days of the purchase interval, etc.

[0068] In step S108, the control unit 101 analyzes the tendency of the item types of goods purchased by the customer for company use based on the purchase information classified as for company use. For example, the control unit 101 calculates, for each item type of goods purchased by the customer for company use, the ratio of the purchase quantity of the item type to the total purchase quantity, the number of purchases of the item type, the purchase frequency, and the average number of days of the purchase interval, etc.

[0069] Here, although the analysis contents in steps S104 and S108 are the same, they may be different for personal use and company use. Also, the trend analysis in steps S105 and S109 may be further performed for each store. In this case, the purchase information classified in steps S103 and S107 is further classified by store identification information (store ID) and analyzed. In addition, the tendency of which store the customer is likely to use for personal use or company use may be further analyzed based on the store identification information (store ID). The analysis contents in steps S104 and S108 can be variously set according to the purpose of analyzing each customer's purchase activity.

[0070] Thus, when the analysis is performed, the control unit 101 transmits each analysis result to the store management device 30 of the store used by the user (S106). Specifically, the control unit 101 transmits to the store management device 30 corresponding to all the store identification information (store ID) associated with the customer identification information (customer ID) of the customer in the purchase management information. When the trend analysis is performed for each store as described above, the control unit 101 transmits this analysis result only to the corresponding store. Thus, the control unit 101 ends the process of FIG. 5. The store management device 30 uses the received analysis result for advertisements for the customer.

[0071] Note that the process of FIG. 5 may be performed by another information processing device different from the purchase information collection device 10. In this case, the purchase information collection device 10 transmits the purchase management information of FIG. 4 to another information processing device via the external network 50. Alternatively, a removable storage medium (such as a USB memory) storing the purchase management information may be read by another information processing device.

[0072] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 acquires, via the communication unit 103, purchase information of a product, customer identification information for identifying a customer who purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product (S31), and associates the acquired purchase information, customer identification information, and receipt information with each other and stores them in the storage unit 102 (S32).

[0074] When a receipt is issued, it is highly likely that the purchase of the product was made for business purposes (company use) rather than for personal use by the customer. Therefore, by excluding the purchase information associated with the receipt information indicating that a receipt has been issued from the target of the customer's preference analysis, the accuracy of the customer's preference analysis can be improved. Thus, according to the present embodiment, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 acquires, in response to the purchase of a product, store identification information (store ID) that can identify the store in which the settlement system 20 is installed, via the communication unit 103 (S31), and further associates the acquired store identification information with the customer identification information (customer ID) of the customer and stores it in the storage unit 102.

[0076] According to this configuration, for example, for each store, the purchase history of each customer can be managed and analyzed, and sales promotion activities suitable for each customer can be carried out.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, the customer identification information (customer ID) is identification information included in a card held by the customer (S11).

[0078] According to this configuration, by reading the customer's card by the settlement system 20, the customer identification information can be smoothly acquired.

[0079] <Modification Example 1> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the purchase information collection device 10 and the settlement system 20 according to Modification Example 1.

[0080] Compared with FIG. 2, in FIG. 6, the image acquisition unit 211 is included in the configuration of the settlement system 20. The image acquisition unit 211 is for acquiring an image of a receipt. The image acquisition unit 211 is composed of, for example, a small camera that images the upper surface of the mounting table, a scanner, or the like. In the former case, the receipt is placed on the mounting table and imaged by the camera.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the settlement system 20, the store management device 30, and the purchase information collection device 10 at the time of settlement of the purchase price according to Modification Example 1.

[0082] In the flowchart of FIG. 7, step S16 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is replaced with steps S17 and S18, and steps S33 and S34 are added.

[0083] When the store clerk performs an operation to issue a receipt (S14: YES), the store clerk inquires of the customer about the name to be written on the receipt. The store clerk writes the name instructed by the customer in the name column of the receipt. Then, the store clerk performs an operation to cause the image acquisition unit 211 to read the receipt with the name written thereon. As a result, the control unit 201 of the settlement system 20 acquires the image information of the receipt. This image information is name extraction information from which the name of the receipt can be extracted.

[0084] When the control unit 201 acquires the name extraction information in step S17, the control unit 201 transmits the acquired name extraction information together with the purchase information, the customer identification information (customer ID), and the receipt information to the store management device 30. In this case, the store management device 30 transmits the name extraction information together with the purchase information, the customer identification information (customer ID), and the receipt information to the purchase information collection device 10 in step S23.

[0085] When the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 includes addressee extraction information in the information received from the store management device 30 (S33: YES), based on the addressee extraction information, it acquires receipt attribute information that can identify whether the recipient of the receipt is an individual or a business operator (company) (S34). Specifically, the control unit 101 analyzes the image information of the receipt, which is the addressee extraction information, performs character recognition processing on the addressee field in the receipt, and acquires the text information of the character string described in the addressee field as the receipt attribute information.

[0086] When the receipt attribute information is acquired in this way, the control unit 101 further associates the acquired receipt attribute information with other information and registers it in the purchase management information in step S32 (S32).

[0087] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the purchase management information according to Modification Example 1.

[0088] Compared with FIG. 4, in the configuration of FIG. 8, an item for receipt attribute information is added. Here, the text information of the addressee of the receipt acquired in step S34 of FIG. 7 is registered in this item. For example, when a receipt in the name of a customer individual is required for purposes such as medical expense deduction, a receipt in the individual's name is issued. In this case, receipt attribute information (here, text information) indicating the customer individual is registered in the item of receipt attribute information.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the analysis process performed by the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 using the purchase management information of FIG. 9 according to Modification Example 1.

[0090] Compared with FIG. 5, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, step S110 is added. When a receipt is issued (S102: YES), the control unit 101 refers to the receipt attribute information associated with this receipt information and determines whether the addressee of the receipt is a business operator (company) or an individual (S110). For example, the control unit 101 makes the determination in step S110 based on whether the addressee contains a pre-registered character string indicating a business operator (company) such as "company", "branch office", or "office".

[0091] When the payee name on the receipt is a business (company) (S110: YES), the control unit 101 classifies the purchase information to be classified as for company use (S107). On the other hand, when the payee name on the receipt is an individual (S110: NO), the control unit 101 classifies the purchase information to be classified as for individual use (S103).

[0092] In addition, when the receipt attribute information cannot be extracted from the payee name extraction information, or when the payee name extraction information cannot be obtained in step S17 of FIG. 7, the receipt attribute information is not registered in the items of the receipt attribute information in FIG. 8. In this case, the determination in step S110 is YES, and the purchase information to be classified is classified as for company use.

[0093] The processing after steps S103 and S107 is the same as the flowchart in FIG. 5. The control unit 101 transmits the analysis result based on the classification to the store management device 30 of the corresponding store (S106).

[0094] In addition, in the configuration of FIG. 8, although the text information of the payee name is registered as the receipt attribute information, it may be further determined whether the text information of the payee name is an individual name or a business name (company name), and this determination result may be registered in the items of the receipt attribute information instead of the text information of the payee name. In this case, a flag for identifying an individual name and a business name (company name) may be registered as the receipt attribute information in this item.

[0095] Also, in step S17 of FIG. 7, although the image information of the entire receipt is obtained as the payee name extraction information, the image information of the image cut out from the area near the payee name column from the image information of the entire receipt may be obtained as the payee name extraction information. Alternatively, when the control unit 101 has an optical character recognition function, the text information of the character string described in the payee name column of the receipt may be obtained as the payee name extraction information. The payee name extraction information may be any information that can extract the payee name of the receipt.

[0096] Also, when the receipt attribute information item is included in the purchase management information, the receipt information item may be omitted. In this case, step S102 in FIG. 9 is determined based on whether the receipt attribute information exists in the purchase information to be classified. That is, in this case, the receipt attribute information also serves as the receipt information.

[0097] <Effect of Modification Example 1> As shown in FIG. 6, the settlement system 20 includes a function (image acquisition unit 211) for acquiring name extraction information (image information of a receipt) capable of extracting the name of the recipient of the receipt. As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 acquires, via the communication unit 103, the name extraction information of the receipt issued for the purchase of goods by the customer (S31), and based on the acquired name extraction information, the receipt attribute information capable of identifying whether the recipient of the receipt is an individual or a business operator is further associated with the customer's customer identification information and stored in the storage unit 102 (S33, S34, S32).

[0098] According to this configuration, for example, by the process of step S110 shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether the purchase information is for the personal use of the customer or for business purposes based on the receipt attribute information. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately collect and manage the purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer.

[0099] Here, the name extraction information acquired in step S17 of FIG. 7 is the image information of the receipt acquired by the image acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 6, and the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 stores the text information of the name obtained by analyzing the image information in step S34 of FIG. 7 in the storage unit 102 as the receipt attribute information.

[0100] According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, when the settlement system 20 includes an image acquisition unit 211 such as a scanner or a camera, text information of the name of the receipt can be obtained by image analysis of the image information of the receipt acquired by the image acquisition unit 211, and this text information can be used as receipt attribute information. In this case, in step S110 of FIG. 9, based on this text information, it is possible to determine whether the customer's purchase behavior is due to either the personal use purpose or the business purpose of the customer. Therefore, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0101] <Another method for obtaining name extraction information 1> When the settlement system 20 has a function of inputting the name of the receipt from the input unit 204 at the time of issuing the receipt, the control unit 201 of the settlement system 20 may obtain the text information of the input name as the name extraction information in step S17 of FIG. 7. In this case, steps S33 and S34 in FIG. 7 are omitted. The control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 directly registers the name extraction information (text information of the name) obtained from the settlement system 20 via the store management device 30 as receipt attribute information in the purchase management information (S32 in FIG. 7).

[0102] According to this acquisition method, as described above, when the settlement system 20 is provided with a function of inputting the name of the receipt, the text information of the input name can be used as receipt attribute information. And based on this text information, it is possible to determine whether the customer's purchase behavior is due to either the personal use purpose or the business purpose of the customer. Therefore, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0103] <Another method for obtaining name extraction information 2> When a card in the name of a business operator (company) is distributed together with a card in the name of a customer, the settlement system 20 may execute a process of accepting the card corresponding to the name on the receipt at the time of issuing the receipt. In this case, the store clerk asks the customer which card, either the individual's or the business operator (company)'s, is to be used for issuing the receipt. Then, the store clerk causes the card reader 209 to read the card presented by the customer.

[0104] In this case, the control unit 201 of the settlement system 20 acquires the card information read from the card presented at the time of issuing the receipt as the name extraction information in step S17 of FIG. 7. In this case, the control unit 101 of the purchase information collection device 10 determines in step S101 of FIG. 9 which name, either individual or business operator (company), the card information, which is the name extraction information, corresponds to.

[0105] For example, when the card information includes an item for the cardholder's name, the control unit 101 makes the determination in step S101 based on this item. Alternatively, when the card information includes an item indicating whether the cardholder is an individual or a business operator (company), the control unit 101 makes the determination in step S101 based on this item.

[0106] Also, when the card information only includes identification information, expiration date, etc. and does not include information regarding the name, the control unit 101 accesses a server that manages the identification information of the card and information regarding the name or individual / business operator, and acquires the information regarding the name or individual / business operator corresponding to the identification information of the card. Then, the control unit 101 makes the determination in step S101 based on the acquired information.

[0107] According to this acquisition method, as described above, when the settlement system 20 reads the card at the time of receipt issuance, depending on whether the card information of the read card is in the name of the business operator (company) or in the name of the individual customer, it is possible to determine whether the customer's purchase behavior is for personal use or business purposes. Therefore, by storing the card information of the card read at the time of receipt issuance as receipt attribute information, purchase information reflecting the preferences of each customer can be appropriately collected and managed.

[0108] <Modified Example 2> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the purchase information collection system 1 according to Modified Example 2.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 10, in Modified Example 2, the purchase information collection devices 10 are arranged in each of the stores S1 and S2. The purchase information collection device 10 is connected to the settlement system 20 and the store management device 30 within the same store via the LAN 40. In Modified Example 2, the purchase information collection system 1 is configured by the purchase information collection device 10, the settlement system 20, and the store management device 30 installed in the same store.

[0110] In this configuration, the configuration of the purchase management information is the same as that of the above-described embodiment and Modified Example 1, except that the store identification information (store ID) is unnecessary. Also, the processes executed by the purchase information collection device 10, the settlement system 20, and the store management device 30 are the same as those of the above-described embodiment and Modified Example 1, except that it is not necessary to transmit the store identification information (store ID).

[0111] Note that in this configuration, since the settlement system 20 can communicate with the purchase information collection device 10, the flowchart of the store management device 30 in FIG. 3 or FIG. 7 may be omitted. In this case, the information transmitted in step S16 or step S18 is directly transmitted to the purchase information collection device 10. The purchase information collection device 10 and the store management device 30 may be connected to the external network 50 in order to obtain necessary information from an external server.

[0112] Also, when purchase information is collected and managed for each store in this way, the store management device 30 may have the functions of the purchase information collection device 10. In this case, the purchase information collection device 10 is omitted.

[0113] <Other Modification Examples> The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments and Modification Examples 1 and 2, and various modifications other than the above are possible for the embodiments of the present invention.

[0114] For example, in the configuration of FIG. 1, information such as purchase information is transmitted from the store management device 30 to the purchase information collection device 10 via the external network 50. However, by attaching a storage medium such as a USB memory storing information such as purchase information to the purchase information collection device 10, these information may be transferred to the purchase information collection device 10.

[0115] Also, in the configuration of FIG. 1, information such as purchase information is transferred from the settlement system 20 to the purchase information collection device 10 through the mediation of the store management device 30. However, when the settlement system 20 is connected to the external network 50, the settlement system 20 may directly transmit information such as purchase information to the purchase information collection device 10. In this case, for example, store identification information (store ID) is registered in each settlement system 20 in advance. The settlement system 20 may transmit the registered store identification information (store ID) to the purchase information collection device 10 together with the purchase information and the like.

[0116] Alternatively, the settlement system 20 may transmit its own identification information (POS-ID) to the purchase information collection device 10 as store identification information. In this case, the purchase information collection device 10 may access an external server that manages by associating the received identification information (POS-ID) with the store identification information to obtain the corresponding store identification information.

[0117] Also, the purchase information is not limited to the information shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. For example, the purchase information may be only the product item, or may further include information other than the information shown in FIGS. 4 and 8.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the membership card of the store is a card, but other media other than the card may be read by the settlement system 20. For example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional barcode displayed on the reception screen of an application program installed in a mobile phone may be read by the settlement system 20 and used as customer identification information.

[0119] In addition, the store does not necessarily exist as a building and may be a virtual store configured on the web. In this case, the settlement system is configured by a screen for purchasing goods, and the customer operates the screen to perform operations for purchase and issuance of a receipt. The name of the recipient of the receipt may be directly input by the customer on the screen. The purchase information collection device may acquire the information input on this screen as purchase information, receipt information, and name extraction information.

[0120] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0121] 1 Purchase information collection system 10 Purchase information collection device 101 Control unit 102 Storage unit 103 Communication unit 20 Settlement system S1, S2 Stores

Claims

1. A control unit; A storage unit; A communication unit for acquiring information generated by a settlement system having a customer identification function and a receipt issuing function. The control unit is acquiring, via the communication unit, product purchase information, customer identification information identifying a customer who purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product; storing the acquired purchase information, the customer identification information, and the receipt information in the storage unit while linking them to one another; A purchase information collection device comprising:

2. 2. The purchase information collection device according to claim 1, The settlement system has a function of acquiring address extraction information capable of extracting an address for a receipt, The control unit is acquires, via the communication unit, the addressee extraction information of the receipt issued in response to the purchase of the product by the customer; and storing receipt attribute information, which can identify whether the receipt is issued to an individual or a business based on the acquired addressee extraction information, in the storage unit while further linking the receipt attribute information to the customer identification information of the customer. A purchase information collection device comprising:

3. 3. The purchase information collection device according to claim 2, the addressee extraction information is image information of the receipt, The control unit stores text information of the addressee obtained by analyzing the image information in the storage unit as the receipt attribute information. A purchase information collection device comprising:

4. 3. The purchase information collection device according to claim 2, The addressee extraction information is text information of an addressee input in the settlement system when the receipt is issued, The control unit stores the text information acquired via the communication unit as the receipt attribute information in the storage unit. A purchase information collection device comprising:

5. 3. The purchase information collection device according to claim 2, the addressee extraction information is card information stored in a card read by the settlement system when the receipt is issued, The control unit stores the card information acquired via the communication unit as the receipt attribute information in the storage unit. A purchase information collection device comprising:

6. 2. The purchase information collection device according to claim 1, The control unit is acquiring store identification information capable of identifying a store in which the settlement system is installed, in response to the purchase of the product, via the communication unit; The store identification information is further linked to the customer identification information of the customer and stored in the storage unit. A purchase information collection device comprising:

7. 2. The purchase information collection device according to claim 1, The customer specific information is identification information included in a card held by the customer. A purchase information collection device comprising:

8. A purchase information collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, At least one of the settlement systems. A purchase information collection system comprising:

9. A control method for a purchase information collection device capable of acquiring information generated by a checkout system having a customer identification function and a receipt issuing function. Acquire product purchase information, customer identification information identifying a customer who purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product; storing the purchase information, the customer identification information, and the receipt information in a storage unit in a linked manner; A control method comprising:

10. A control unit of a purchase information collection device capable of acquiring information generated by a checkout system having a customer identification function and a receipt issuing function, A function of acquiring product purchase information, customer identification information for identifying a customer who purchased the product, and receipt information indicating whether a receipt has been issued for the purchase of the product; A program that executes a function of linking the purchase information, the customer identification information, and the receipt information with each other and storing them in a storage unit.

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