Receipt management server and receipt management system

Abstract

To provide a receipt management server that is excellent in extraction of practical electronic receipt service-enabled facility.SOLUTION: A receipt management server according to an embodiment comprises a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit extracts, from a facility management file, a facility record indicating an electronic receipt service-enabled facility included in a predetermined area with reference to the current position included in an enabled facility request from an information terminal. The communication unit receives the enabled facility request from the information terminal and transmits, to the information terminal, a facility list including enabled facility guide based on the extracted facility record.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a receipt management server and a receipt management system. [Background technology]

[0002] When making a payment at a store that sells products, the payment device issues a paper receipt. In recent years, with the launch of electronic receipt services, receipt management servers manage receipt data based on information from the payment device, and customers can view electronic receipts (e.g., receipt images) based on the receipt data managed by the receipt management server via an information terminal such as a smartphone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-82044 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The electronic receipt service is not available at all facilities; some facilities can use the service and some cannot. For example, a customer may use a facility list that supports the electronic receipt service to find a destination facility that supports the electronic receipt service and then use the destination facility. However, simply searching for a destination facility using a facility list is not very practical, and improvements are desired. For example, if the facility found is far from the customer's current location, the customer often ends up not using the facility.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a receipt management server and a receipt management system that are excellent at extracting facilities that support practical electronic receipt services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The receipt management server according to the embodiment includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit extracts, from a facility management file, facility records indicating electronic receipt service-compatible facilities that are included in a facility request from an information terminal and that are located in a predetermined area based on the current location. The communication unit receives the facility request from the information terminal and transmits to the information terminal a facility list that includes information about compatible facilities based on the extracted facility records. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a receipt management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a receipt management server according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a receipt record. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a membership record. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a facility record. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a facility provision process performed by the receipt management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a participating facility guidance process performed by the receipt management server according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the first facility list according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the second facility list according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An example of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [Explanation of receipt management system] First, we will explain a receipt management system that allows a buyer who purchases goods at a store to display an image of a receipt that records purchase data, etc., which is a list of the purchased goods, on a display device of the information terminal owned by the buyer.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a receipt management system 100 according to an embodiment. The receipt management system 100 includes a receipt management server 10, multiple POS (Point of Sales) terminals 20, and an information terminal 30. The receipt management server 10 is provided in a receipt center 1. The receipt center 1 is a computer system managed by the operating company of the electronic receipt service. The receipt center 1 may also include servers other than the receipt management server 10.

[0011] Each POS terminal 20 is installed in a facility such as a store 2. A store 2 is a facility that sells products to an unspecified number of buyers, such as a supermarket, convenience store, or specialty retail store. A store 2 may be a facility that sells products to specific buyers. Alternatively, the store 2 may be a facility that provides services, such as a barber shop, rental shop, or bowling alley. Although FIG. 1 shows one POS terminal 20 installed in one store 2, the number of POS terminals 20 is not particularly limited. Two or more POS terminals 20 may be installed in one store 2.

[0012] The receipt management system 100 connects the receipt management server 10 and the POS terminals 20 at each store 2 via a first communications network NWa. The first communications network NWa is a network dedicated to the receipt management system that uses, for example, the Internet, an intranet, or a virtual private network (VPN). Note that the POS terminals 20 may not be directly connected to the first communications network NWa, but may be connected to the first communications network NWa via a relay device such as a communications server.

[0013] The POS terminal 20 is a payment device that executes the process of registering data on items purchased by a buyer and the process of settling transactions with the buyer. The POS terminal 20 may be a face-to-face POS terminal in which a store clerk handles the operations for registration and settlement, or a self-service POS terminal in which the consumer handles the operations for registration and settlement. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 may be a shared-service POS terminal in which a store clerk handles the operations for registration and the consumer handles the operations for settlement. Well-known face-to-face, self-service, and shared-service POS terminals can all be applied as is. The POS terminal 20 can also be referred to as an electronic cash register, a checkout device, a merchandise sales data processing device, a merchandise registration device, etc.

[0014] The payment device may be, for example, a payment device (account settlement device) that does not have a registration function for registering products but has a function for performing payment processing based on registered registration information. The payment device may also be a system composed of a tablet terminal for inputting or displaying product information and a server connected to the tablet terminal via a communication network. In this case, the tablet terminal functions as a device for inputting product information and displaying the input product information. The server functions as a device that receives product information input by the tablet terminal, performs registration processing, and executes payment processing based on the registered information.

[0015] The POS terminal 20 has an electronic receipt function that digitizes receipts issued to a buyer who is an electronic receipt member registered with the operator of the electronic receipt service. The electronic receipt function can be realized, for example, by implementing a dedicated agent program. The agent program is application software for generating digitized receipt data based on the print data of the receipt. Specifically, the agent program analyzes the print data of the receipt to extract information to be included in the receipt data and determines the item name indicating the type of information based on the position of the information on the receipt. The agent program then generates receipt data that associates the extracted information with the item name determined for that information. The generated receipt data is transmitted to the receipt management server 10 via the first communication network NWa. The receipt management server 10 may also implement a dedicated agent program and execute the electronic receipt function based on data on the items purchased by the buyer and payment-related data transmitted from the POS terminal 20.

[0016] The receipt management server 10 is a computer device that provides a service that enables a buyer who is an electronic receipt member to view images of receipts issued by each store 2 on an information terminal 30 owned by the buyer. The receipt management server 10 may provide the service in an on-premise environment or in a cloud computing environment.

[0017] The information terminal 30 is a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or tablet. Dedicated application software compatible with the electronic receipt service, a so-called electronic receipt app 43 (see FIG. 6), is installed in the information terminal 30. The owner of the information terminal 30 with the electronic receipt app 43 installed first uses the electronic receipt app 43 to register as a member with the receipt management server 10 operated by the operating company of the electronic receipt service. By registering as a member, the receipt management server 10 assigns unique identification information, a so-called electronic receipt identification information (hereinafter referred to as an electronic receipt ID), to the owner.

[0018] The electronic receipt ID is stored in the internal storage 32 of the information terminal 30 in association with the electronic receipt app 43. For example, when the electronic receipt app 43 is started on the information terminal 30, the electronic receipt ID is displayed in the form of a machine-readable code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code on the top screen displayed on the display device of the information terminal 30. When the owner of the information terminal 30 who has completed membership registration, that is, a so-called electronic receipt member, makes a purchase at the store 2, that is, when he or she becomes a buyer, the owner has the electronic receipt ID read by the POS terminal 20, and can receive a receipt issued for the purchase as an electronic receipt.

[0019] The receipt management server 10 receives and stores receipt data generated by each POS terminal 20. When an electronic receipt inquiry is received from an information terminal 30 owned by an electronic receipt member via the second communication network NWb, the receipt management server 10 extracts receipt data generated by the POS terminal 20 when the electronic receipt member was a buyer. The receipt management server 10 transmits receipt image data based on the extracted receipt data to the information terminal 30 via the second communication network NWb. The requested receipt is then displayed as an image on the display device of the information terminal 30.

[0020] In this way, the second communication network NWb is a wide-area network that allows data transfer between the receipt management server 10 and the information terminals 30 owned by each electronic receipt member. Furthermore, a computer device 50 can be connected to the second communication network NWb via this second communication network NWb. The computer device 50 is, for example, a personal computer. Similar to the information terminal 30, the computer device 50 displays the viewed receipt as an image on its display device. The computer device 50 may also be, for example, a cloud server. In this way, the second communication network NWb, which can transmit not only receipt image data but also emails, can use, for example, the Internet, a mobile communication network, a public communication network, etc., either alone or in appropriate combination.

[0021] [Receipt management server configuration explanation] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the receipt management server 10 according to an embodiment. The receipt management server 10 includes a processor 11 functioning as a processing unit, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface 14 functioning as a communication unit, a communication interface 15 functioning as a communication unit, and a system transmission path 16. The system transmission path 16 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines. The system transmission path 16 connects the processor 11 to each of the other units directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0022] The receipt management server 10 is configured as a computer by connecting a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface 14, and a communication interface 15 via a system transmission line 16.

[0023] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to realize the various functions of the receipt management server 10 in accordance with an operating system or application program. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 11 is preferably a multi-core processor that includes multiple processor cores and can execute multiple processes in parallel.

[0024] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data required for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 11 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0025] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 11, etc. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store the application programs described above.

[0026] The communication interface 14 is an interface for performing data communication with the POS terminal 20 of each store 2 via the first communication network NWa. The communication interface 15 is an interface for performing data communication with the information terminal 30 or the computer device 50 via the second communication network NWb.

[0027] The receipt management server 10 uses part of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 13 as an area for a receipt file 131, an area for a member file 132, and an area for a facility management file 133. The receipt management server 10 also stores application software for creating and sending e-mails, known as a mailer 134, in the auxiliary storage device 13. The mailer 134 may also be stored in the main memory 12 instead of the auxiliary storage device 13.

[0028] The receipt file 131 is a data file for storing receipt records 1311 (see FIG. 3) generated for each receipt data received from each POS terminal 20. The receipt file 131 is a file that includes multiple receipt records 1311. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the receipt record 1311. As shown in the figure, the receipt record 1311 includes an electronic receipt ID, receipt identification information, receipt data, and type information. The electronic receipt ID is displayed on the top screen of the information terminal 30 when an electronic receipt member becomes a buyer, and is read by the POS terminal 20. The electronic receipt ID is transmitted from the POS terminal 20 to the receipt management server 10 together with the receipt data.

[0029] Receipt identification information is information required for electronic receipt members to identify a receipt. For example, most electronic receipt members can identify a receipt if they have information on when, at which store, and what was purchased when the receipt was issued. In other words, receipt identification information consists of, for example, the transaction date, store name, purchased product name, purchased product price, and payment amount, all of which are included in the receipt data. Receipt identification information may also include other information.

[0030] The type information is information that indicates the type of receipt issued from the POS terminal 20. In addition to purchase receipts that are issued when a buyer registers a purchased item in the POS terminal 20, receipts include return receipts that are issued when a buyer registers a returned item in the POS terminal 20, and correction receipts that are issued when an error in the transaction details is corrected using the register-minus mode of the POS terminal 20. The type information is information that identifies the type of receipt, such as a purchase receipt, return receipt, or correction receipt. The type information is included in the receipt data generated by the POS terminal 20.

[0031] The member file 132 is a data file for storing a member record 1321 (see FIG. 4) generated for each electronic receipt member. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the member record 1321. As shown in the figure, the member record 1321 includes an electronic receipt ID, terminal information, member information, a destination folder, and an email address. The terminal information is information related to the information terminal 30 owned by the electronic receipt member identified by the electronic receipt ID. For example, the terminal information includes the terminal ID and IP address of the information terminal 30. The member information is information related to the electronic receipt member identified by the electronic receipt ID. For example, the member information includes the name, email address, etc.

[0032] The destination folder is information indicating the path of a folder set by the electronic receipt member as a storage location when converting and saving the image of the receipt displayed on the display device of the information terminal 30 into an image file. The storage location specified by the destination folder is, for example, the internal storage 32 of the information terminal 30 (see FIG. 5) or a part of the storage area of ​​the external memory 40 (see FIG. 5). The electronic receipt member can store the image file of the receipt image in the storage unit of the information terminal 30 specified by the destination folder.

[0033] The email sending address is an email address set by the electronic receipt member as a destination when attaching an image file converted from the image of the receipt displayed on the display device of the information terminal 30 to an email and sending it.

[0034] The facility management file 133 is a data file for storing facility records 1331 (see FIG. 5) that indicate facilities that support the electronic receipt service. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the facility record 1331. As shown in the figure, the facility record 1331 includes facility identification information (hereinafter referred to as facility ID), facility location information, and facility detail information. The facility location information is latitude and longitude information that identifies the location of the facility. The facility detail information includes the name of the facility, the telephone number of the facility, and link information to map data centered on the facility.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the processor 11 of the receipt management server 10 includes an extraction unit 111, a generation unit 112, and a communication control unit 113.

[0036] The extraction unit 111 extracts, from the facility management file 131, one or more facility records indicating facilities that support the electronic receipt service that are included in a predetermined area based on the current location included in the facility request from the information terminal 30. For example, the extraction unit 111 extracts one or more facility records indicating facilities that support the electronic receipt service that are included in an area with a radius of Nm (N≧1) centered on the current location.

[0037] The generating unit 112 generates a facility list including one or more corresponding facility guides based on the extracted one or more facility records. For example, the facility list includes multiple corresponding facility guides arranged according to the distance from the current location. The facility guide also includes distance information from the current location. The facility guide also includes link information to a map to the corresponding facility based on the current location.

[0038] The communication control unit 113 receives a corresponding facility request from the information terminal 30 via the communication interface 15. The communication control unit 113 also transmits a facility list including one or more corresponding facility guides based on the extracted one or more facility records to the information terminal 30 via the communication interface 15.

[0039] [Information terminal configuration explanation] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information terminal 30 according to an embodiment. The information terminal 30 includes a processor 31, an internal storage 32, a wireless communication unit 33, a memory interface 34, a touch panel 35, a camera 36, ​​an audio circuit 37, and a system transmission path 38.

[0040] The system transmission path 38 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system transmission path 38 connects the processor 31 to each of the other components directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0041] The information terminal 30 constitutes a computer by connecting the processor 31, internal storage 32, and wireless communication unit 33 via a system transmission path 38. The information terminal 30 also has a memory interface 34, touch panel 35, camera 36, ​​audio circuit 37, and other components connected to the system transmission path 38 via a signal input / output circuit (not shown). The memory interface 34 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data signals to and from a detachably attached external memory 40. The external memory 40 is typically an SD memory card, a miniSD card, a microSD card, or the like. The touch panel 35 functions as a display device (display unit) and an input device (receiving unit) of the information terminal 30. The camera 36 functions as an imaging device of the information terminal 30. The audio circuit 37 is a circuit that controls the microphone 41 and speaker 42 to enable voice calls. Note that the interfaces, devices, circuits, and other components connected to the system transmission path 38 are not limited to those described above. Other interfaces, devices, circuits, and other components may also be connected.

[0042] The processor 31 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 31 controls each part to realize various functions of the information terminal 30 in accordance with an operating system or an application program. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU.

[0043] The internal storage 32 is a storage device built into the housing of the information terminal 30. The internal storage 32 stores an operating system or application programs. The internal storage 32 may also store data necessary for the processor 31 to execute processes for controlling each unit.

[0044] The wireless communication unit 33 performs wireless voice communication or data communication with base stations connected to the second communication network NWb. The wireless communication unit 33 also receives signals from multiple GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites to acquire location information.

[0045] The information terminal 30 stores the above-mentioned electronic receipt application 43 in the internal storage 32. The information terminal 30 may store the electronic receipt application 43 in the external memory 40. The method for installing the electronic receipt application 43 in the internal storage 32 or the external memory 40 is not particularly limited. The electronic receipt application 43 can be received by communication via the second communication network NWb and installed in the internal storage 32 or the external memory 40. Alternatively, the electronic receipt application 43 can be installed in the internal storage 32 or the external memory 40 from a removable recording medium on which the electronic receipt application 43 is recorded. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device.

[0046] The information terminal 30 with the electronic receipt app 43 installed can communicate data with the receipt management server 10 via wireless communication using the wireless communication unit 33 that functions as a communication unit. The processor 31 of the information terminal 30 also includes a communication control unit 311, a display control unit 312, an input / output control unit 313, and a location information acquisition unit 314.

[0047] The display control unit 312 displays the facility list from the receipt management server 10 on the touch panel 35. That is, the display control unit 312 displays information about one or more participating facilities included in the facility list on the touch panel 35.

[0048] The input / output control unit 313 functions as a receiving unit that receives input and an output unit that outputs information. The input / output control unit 313 receives the selection of corresponding facility information via the touch panel 35. Furthermore, the input / output control unit 313 outputs a map including the route from the current location to the corresponding facility based on the selected corresponding facility information. The touch panel 35 displays the output map.

[0049] The communication control unit 311 sends a request for available facilities, including the current location, to the receipt management server 10 via the wireless communication unit 33. The communication control unit 311 also receives a facility list, including information about one or more available facilities, from the receipt management server 10 via the wireless communication unit 33.

[0050] The location information acquisition unit 314 acquires the current location of the communication terminal 30 based on signals from a plurality of GPS satellites received by the wireless communication unit 33. The current location of the communication terminal 30 is indicated by latitude and longitude.

[0051] [Explanation of receipt management system operation] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a facility provision process performed by the receipt management system according to the embodiment.

[0052] The information terminal 30 accepts a request to start the electronic receipt app 43 via the touch panel 35, and starts the electronic receipt app 43 using the processor 31. The information terminal 30 displays a menu screen of the electronic receipt app 43 using the touch panel 35. The information terminal 30 accepts a request for a facility list (for example, a list of available stores) from the menu screen via the touch panel 35. The information terminal 30 acquires the current location using the location information acquisition unit 314. The location information acquisition unit 314 acquires the current location of the communication terminal 30 based on signals from multiple GPS satellites received by the wireless communication unit 33.

[0053] The information terminal 30 generates a corresponding facility request including the current location using the input / output control unit 313. The information terminal 30 instructs the communication control unit 311 to send the corresponding facility request to the receipt management server 10, and the wireless communication unit 33 sends the corresponding facility request to the receipt management server 10 (ACT 1).

[0054] The receipt management server 10 receives the request for the corresponding facility from the information terminal 30 via the communication interface 15, and acquires the received request for the corresponding facility via the communication control unit 113.

[0055] The receipt management server 10 uses the extraction unit 111 to extract from the facility management file 133 one or more facility records indicating electronic receipt service compatible facilities that are included in a predetermined area (for example, a 5 km radius) based on the current location included in the compatible facility request from the information terminal 30 (ACT 2). The receipt management server 10 compares the current location included in the compatible facility request with the facility location information included in each facility record, and extracts one or more facility records included in the predetermined area from the facility management file 133. The predetermined area can be set arbitrarily.

[0056] The receipt management server 10 generates a facility list containing one or more corresponding facility guides based on the extracted facility record or records (ACT 3) using the generation unit 112. For example, the facility list may contain multiple corresponding facility guides arranged in order of distance from the current location. The corresponding facility guide may include the facility logo, facility type, facility name, distance from the current location, and link information to map data from the current location to the facility.

[0057] The receipt management server 10 instructs the communication control unit 113 to send the facility list to the information terminal 30, and the communication interface 15 sends the facility list to the information terminal 30 (ACT4).

[0058] The information terminal 30 receives the facility list from the receipt management server 10 via the wireless communication unit 33, and acquires the received facility list via the communication control unit 311. The information terminal 30 instructs the display control unit 312 to display the facility list on the touch panel 35, and the touch panel 35 displays the facility list (ACT5).

[0059] The information terminal 30 receives a selection of a corresponding facility from the facility list via the touch panel 35 (ACT 6). The input / output control unit 313 outputs information related to the received corresponding facility. The touch panel 35 displays related information about the received corresponding facility (ACT 7). For example, the touch panel 35 displays a map including the route from the current location to the corresponding facility.

[0060] In this embodiment, the receipt management server 10 extracts one or more facility records indicating facilities that support the electronic receipt service and generates a facility list. However, the information terminal 30 may extract one or more facility records and generate a facility list based on the facility management file 133 of the receipt management server 10.

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which the information terminal 30 displays the facility list using the electronic receipt application 43. However, the electronic receipt application 43 is not essential, and the information terminal 30 may communicate with the receipt management server 10 based on the browser function and display the facility list.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a participating facility guidance process performed by the receipt management server according to the embodiment.

[0063] The receipt management server 10 waits for a corresponding facility request sent from the information terminal 30 (ACT21). The receipt management server 10 receives the corresponding facility request from the information terminal 30 via the communication interface 15 (ACT21, YES), and the communication control unit 113 acquires the received corresponding facility request.

[0064] The receipt management server 10, via the extraction unit 111, extracts from the facility management file 133 one or more facility records indicating electronic receipt service-compatible facilities included in a predetermined area based on the current location included in the compatible facility request from the information terminal 30 (ACT22).

[0065] The receipt management server 10 generates, via the generating unit 112, a facility list including one or more corresponding facility guides based on the extracted one or more facility records (ACT23).

[0066] The receipt management server 10 instructs the communication control unit 113 to send the facility list to the information terminal 30, and the communication interface 15 sends the facility list to the information terminal 30 (ACT24).

[0067] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the first facility list according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9 , the information terminal 30 displays a first facility list in response to the selection of a tab 3011 that specifies searching from the current location. For example, the first facility list includes corresponding facility guides 3013 related to corresponding facilities included in a predetermined area based on the current location. For example, the first facility list includes a plurality of corresponding facility guides 3013 arranged in order of distance from the current location. The corresponding facility guides 3013 include the facility logo, facility type, facility name, and distance from the current location. Furthermore, in response to the selection of the corresponding facility guide 3013, the information terminal 30 displays a map based on the selected corresponding facility guide 3013. The map includes the route from the current location to the corresponding facility.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the second facility list according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the information terminal 30 displays a second facility list in response to the selection of tab 3012 that specifies a search by area. For example, the second facility list includes tab 3014 that specifies a wide area. In response to the selection of tab 3014, the information terminal 30 displays a tab that specifies a narrow area. In response to the selection of the tab that specifies the narrow area, the information terminal 30 displays corresponding facility guide information about corresponding facilities included in the narrow area. The corresponding facility guide information displayed here is the same as corresponding facility guide information 3013 shown in Fig. 9, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] The receipt management system can provide various facility lists in addition to the facility lists shown in Figures 9 and 10. For example, the receipt management server can provide a facility list based on receipt records stored in the receipt file 131. Here, we will explain how to provide a facility list based on receipt records.

[0070] The information terminal 30 sends a request for corresponding facilities including the current location and the electronic receipt ID to the receipt management server 10. The receipt management server 10 uses the extraction unit 111 to extract receipt records including the electronic receipt ID obtained from the corresponding facility request from the receipt file 131. The receipt management server 10 uses the extraction unit 111 to extract facilities that have been used within a predetermined period from the extracted receipt records. For example, facilities that have been used within the last month are extracted.

[0071] The receipt management server 10 uses the extraction unit 111 to extract facility records corresponding to facilities with a history of use from the facility management file 133. The receipt management server 10 uses the generation unit 112 to generate a facility list including information on available facilities based on the extracted facility records. The receipt management server 10 sends the facility list to the information terminal 30 via the communication interface 15. The information terminal 30 receives the facility list from the receipt management server 10 via the wireless communication unit 33 and displays the facility list on the touch panel 35. The displayed facility list includes information on available facilities related to facilities with a history of use within a specified period. Service users can search for the desired facility by viewing the information on available facilities related to facilities with a history of use within a specified period from the facility list displayed on the information terminal 30.

[0072] Furthermore, the receipt management server 10 may use the current location included in the corresponding facility request to extract, from the facility management file 133, facility records corresponding to facilities that are within a predetermined area based on the current location and that have been used within a predetermined period of time. The information terminal 30 may display, on the touch panel 35, a facility list including corresponding facility information for facilities that are within a predetermined area based on the current location and that have been used within a predetermined period of time. Service users can search for their desired facility by viewing the facility list displayed on the information terminal 30 and viewing the corresponding facility information for facilities that are within a predetermined area based on the current location and that have been used within a predetermined period of time.

[0073] Furthermore, it is also possible to provide information about facilities that utilize the purchase history of a specific product. For example, the information terminal 30 accepts input of product search information such as a product name or product keywords via the touch panel 35, and sends a request for facilities that includes the current location and product search information to the receipt management server 10. The receipt management server 10 uses the extraction unit 111 to extract receipt records that include the product search information obtained from the request for facilities that correspond to the product. The receipt management server 10 then uses the extraction unit 111 to extract facilities that have a sales record for the product with the product name or product keyword from the extracted receipt records.

[0074] The receipt management server 10 uses the extraction unit 111 to extract facility records corresponding to facilities with a sales record from the facility management file 133. The receipt management server 10 uses the generation unit 112 to generate a facility list including corresponding facility information based on the extracted facility records. The receipt management server 10 sends the facility list to the information terminal 30 via the communication interface 15. The information terminal 30 receives the facility list from the receipt management server 10 via the wireless communication unit 33 and displays the facility list on the touch panel 35. The displayed facility list includes corresponding facility information for facilities with a sales record that have sold products matching the product name or product keyword. Service users can view the corresponding facility information from the facility list displayed on the information terminal 30 to find the desired facility.

[0075] Furthermore, the receipt management server 10 may use the extraction unit 111 to extract from the facility management file 133 facility records corresponding to facilities that are within a predetermined area based on the current location and have a sales record of selling a product with the product name or product keyword, using the current location as the base. The information terminal 30 displays on the touch panel 35 a facility list including information about facilities that are within a predetermined area based on the current location and have a sales record of selling a product with the product name or product keyword. Service users can view the information about facilities in the facility list displayed on the information terminal 30 and search for the desired facility.

[0076] The receipt management system 100 according to this embodiment will be summarized below. The receipt management server 10 extracts from the facility management file 133 one or more facility records indicating one or more electronic receipt service-compatible facilities included in a predetermined area based on the current location. The receipt management server 10 transmits a facility list including information about one or more compatible facilities based on the extracted one or more facility records to the information terminal 30. The information terminal 30 receives and displays the facility list. Service users can check one or more compatible facilities included in a predetermined area based on the current location via the facility list on the information terminal 30. For example, if a predetermined area is defined as a 5 km radius from the current location, practical compatible facilities can be checked.

[0077] The facility list also includes information about multiple corresponding facilities arranged according to distance from the current location. The corresponding facility information included in the facility list includes information about distance from the current location. Service users can search for a desired facility starting from the nearest corresponding facility based on their current location. Service users can also search for a desired facility while checking the distance based on their current location.

[0078] In addition, the facility information included in the facility list includes link information to map data to the corresponding facility based on the current location, and users of the service can check the route from their current location to the corresponding facility on a map to the corresponding facility based on their current location.

[0079] The program according to this embodiment may be transferred in a state stored in each electronic device that makes up the receipt management system, or may be transferred without being stored in the electronic device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network, or may be transferred in a state stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is a non-transitory, tangible medium. The storage medium is a computer-readable medium. The storage medium may be any medium, such as an optical disk or memory card, that can store a program and is computer-readable, and its form is not important. The electronic device downloads the program transferred (provided) via a network and installs it in its memory, or reads the program from the storage medium and installs it in its memory.

[0080] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1... receipt center, 2... store, 10... receipt management server, 131... receipt file, 132... member file, 133... facility management file, 134... mailer, 20... POS terminal, 30... information terminal, 32... internal storage, 40... external memory, 43... electronic receipt application, 50... computer device, 100... receipt management system, 111... extraction unit, 112... generation unit, 113... communication control unit, 311... communication control unit, 312... display control unit, 313... input / output control unit, 314... location information acquisition unit

Claims

1. a processing unit that extracts, from a facility management file, facility records indicating facilities that support the electronic receipt service and are included in a predetermined area based on the current location included in the facility request from the information terminal; a communication unit that receives the corresponding facility request from the information terminal and transmits a facility list including corresponding facility information based on the extracted facility record to the information terminal; A receipt management server comprising:

2. The receipt management server according to claim 1 , wherein the facility list includes information about a plurality of corresponding facilities arranged according to distance from the current location.

3. The receipt management server according to claim 1 , wherein the corresponding facility information includes distance information from the current location.

4. The receipt management server according to claim 1 , wherein the facility information includes a map showing the corresponding facility based on the current location.

5. In a receipt management system including a receipt management server and an information terminal, The receipt management server a processing unit that extracts, from a facility management file, one or more facility records indicating one or more electronic receipt compatible facilities included in a predetermined area based on the current location included in the compatible facility request from the information terminal; a first communication unit that receives the corresponding facility request from the information terminal and transmits to the information terminal a facility list including one or more corresponding facility guides based on the extracted one or more facility records; Equipped with The information terminal a display unit that displays the facility list; a second communication unit that transmits the corresponding facility request to the receipt management server and receives the facility list from the receipt management server; A receipt management system comprising:

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