Machine-readable code generation program, machine-readable code decoding program, departure processing program, and departure processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a machine-readable code generation program, a machine-readable code decoding program, a departure processing program, and a departure processing apparatus which can be used in common in various stages of commercial transactions or embarkation procedures and generates and decodes a machine-readable code, thereby improving convenience.SOLUTION: An integrated code generation program causes a computer of a user terminal 10 used by a foreign visitor to function as: a commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b which acquires commercial transaction information including personal information capable of identifying the foreign visitor and settlement means information capable of identifying settlement means; a commercial transaction specifying information receiving unit 11b which receives an input of commercial transaction stage specifying information capable of specifying a commercial transaction stage related to sale of a commodity; a code conversion determination unit 11d which determines whether or not to convert the commercial transaction information to a machine-readable code, based on the commercial transaction stage specifying information; and an integrated code generation unit 11f which converts the commercial transaction information to a machine-readable code and displays the code in a predetermined code section constituting a commercial transaction code region 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine-readable code generation program, a machine-readable code decoding program, an emigration processing program, and an emigration processing device, and more particularly to a machine-readable code generation program, a machine-readable code decoding program, an emigration processing program, and an emigration processing device used in commercial transactions. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, machine-readable codes such as barcodes or QR codes (registered trademark) have been used in commercial transactions. For example, when a product is purchased at a retail store, a barcode printed on the purchased product is read by a barcode reader. This makes it possible to realize efficient registration and management of products for sale. As another example, at a retail store, a QR code reader is used to read a QR code that encodes a customer's payment information (bank account information, cash card information, etc.). This has made cashless payments possible, reducing the workload associated with cash handling.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for creating a tax-free export goods purchase record slip that can be used at export goods sales points (so-called duty-free shops). The tax-free export goods purchase record slip creation system disclosed in Patent Document 1 can efficiently create tax-free export goods purchase record slips associated with duty-free sales by reading two-dimensional codes that encode passport information (such as name, nationality, age, and passport number) of foreign visitors to Japan. As such, machine-readable codes such as barcodes and QR codes allow accurate and easy input and output of information related to commercial transactions, and are therefore becoming increasingly popular as information media to improve convenience for customers and store employees. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-032441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although the use of machine-readable codes can improve convenience for customers and store clerks visiting a store, further improvements were desired. Specifically, a commercial transaction consists of multiple steps, such as reservation of a desired product (or service), purchase (conclusion of a contract), payment, delivery of the product, and handover (or provision of a service), and the information required for a commercial transaction differs for each step. For this reason, in the past, a dedicated machine-readable code was used for each step, and customers and store clerks visiting a store had to use different dedicated machine-readable codes depending on the step of the transaction, which required complicated operations. Similarly, when foreign visitors to Japan go through immigration procedures at the airport's immigration counter, they have to use a machine-readable code specifically for immigration procedures, which requires cumbersome operations.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a machine-readable code generation program, a machine-readable code decoding program, an emigration processing program, and an emigration processing device that generate and decode machine-readable codes that can be used in common at various stages of commercial transactions and emigration procedures, thereby improving convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is solved by the machine-readable code generation program of the present invention, which causes a computer of an information processing terminal used by a customer who wishes to sell a product or provide a service to function as: a commercial transaction information acquisition means for acquiring commercial transaction information including personal information that can identify the customer and payment method information that can identify the payment method related to the sale of the product or the provision of the service; a commercial transaction specification information receiving means for receiving input of commercial transaction stage specification information that can identify the commercial transaction stage related to the sale of the product or the provision of the service; a code conversion determination means for determining whether or not to convert each of the personal information and the payment method information into a machine-readable code that can be machine-read, based on the commercial transaction stage specification information; and a machine-readable code display means for converting the personal information and the payment method information that have been determined by the code conversion determination means to be converted into the machine-readable code, into the machine-readable code, and displaying the machine-readable code in a predetermined code section out of a plurality of code sections that constitute a machine-readable code display area in which the machine-readable code is displayed.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the computer of the information processing terminal accepts input of transaction stage identification information, determines whether to convert personal information and payment method information into a machine-readable code based on the transaction stage identification information, and displays the machine-readable code in the machine-readable code display area. This allows a customer visiting a store to specify the stage of a transaction, and have the transaction information required for that stage converted into a machine-readable code and displayed on the user terminal. Furthermore, store clerks can obtain the necessary transaction information by reading the machine-readable code and carry out the transaction. This allows a common machine-readable code to be used for various stages of a transaction and for immigration procedures, thereby improving convenience.

[0009] In addition, the personal information may include passport information including the passport number of the passport held by the customer, the transaction specific information receiving means may receive input of tax-exempt specific information that can identify whether the sale of the product is a tax-exempt transaction or a taxable transaction, and the code conversion determination means may determine whether to convert each of the personal information and the payment method information into the machine-readable code based on the transaction stage specific information and the tax-exempt specific information. According to the above configuration, the computer of the information processing terminal accepts input of tax-exempt identification information, determines whether to convert transaction information, including passport information, into a machine-readable code based on the tax-exempt identification information, and displays the machine-readable code in the machine-readable code display area. This allows a customer visiting a store to select either a tax-exempt transaction or a taxable transaction, and has the transaction information required for the tax-exempt transaction or taxable transaction converted into a machine-readable code and displayed. Furthermore, store staff can obtain the transaction information required for the tax-exempt transaction or taxable transaction by reading the machine-readable code and then carry out the transaction. This allows a common machine-readable code to be used for both tax-exempt and taxable transactions, improving convenience.

[0010] In addition, the commercial transaction information includes delivery request information regarding a delivery request for the product, the commercial transaction specific information receiving means receives input of delivery request specific information that can identify whether the customer requests delivery of the sold product, and the code conversion determination means determines whether to convert the delivery request information into the machine-readable code based on the commercial transaction stage specific information and the delivery request specific information. According to the above configuration, the computer of the information processing terminal accepts input of delivery request specification information, determines whether or not to convert commercial transaction information, including delivery request information, into a machine-readable code based on the delivery request specification information, and displays the machine-readable code in the machine-readable code display area. This allows customers visiting a store to select whether or not they want delivery, thereby converting the delivery request information into a machine-readable code and displaying it. Furthermore, store staff can obtain the delivery request information necessary for delivery by reading the machine-readable code. Therefore, a common machine-readable code can be used regardless of whether or not a product is desired to be delivered, thereby improving convenience.

[0011] In addition, the transaction information may include bonus information regarding bonuses for the customer who has received the sale of the product or the provision of the service, and the code conversion decision means may decide whether or not to convert the bonus information into the machine-readable code based on the transaction stage identification information. According to the above configuration, the computer of the information processing terminal determines whether to convert the special offer information into a machine-readable code based on the transaction stage identification information, and displays the code in the machine-readable code display area. This allows customers visiting the store to select the transaction stage and present the special offer information to conduct a transaction. This increases customers' motivation to purchase products or use services.

[0012] In addition, the machine-readable code generation program further causes the computer of the information processing terminal to function as a confidentiality processing means for concealing the commercial transaction information, and the machine-readable code display means converts the personal information or the payment method information concealed by the confidentiality processing means into the machine-readable code and displays it in the specified code section. According to the above configuration, the computer of the information processing terminal has a confidentiality processing means for concealing commercial transaction information, which makes it possible to prevent information unnecessary for the commercial transaction from being leaked to a third party.

[0013] The machine-readable code display means may further include a code section change means for changing the position of the code section that displays the personal information and the payment method information among the plurality of code sections. According to the above configuration, the computer of the information processing terminal can change the position of the code section displaying the personal information and payment method information, thereby improving the confidentiality of the personal information and payment method information.

[0014] The above problem is solved by the machine-readable code decoding program of the present invention, which causes a store terminal computer used in a store that sells goods or provides services to function as: a machine-readable code reading means that reads, from an information processing terminal used by the customer, a machine-readable code generated based on commercial transaction information including personal information that can identify a customer who wishes to sell the goods or provide the service and payment method information that can identify the payment method related to the sale of the goods or the provision of the service; a commercial transaction identification information acquisition means that acquires, from the machine-readable code read by the machine-readable code reading means, commercial transaction stage identification information that can identify the commercial transaction stage related to the sale of the goods or the provision of the service; a decoding decision means that decides, based on the commercial transaction stage identification information, whether to decode the machine-readable code for each of a plurality of code sections that make up the machine-readable code; and a commercial transaction information acquisition means that acquires the commercial transaction information including at least one of the personal information and the payment method information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section that has been decided to be decoded by the decoding decision means.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the computer of the store terminal reads the machine-readable code generated by converting the transaction information, and acquires the transaction information by determining whether to decode each of the code sections that make up the machine-readable code based on the transaction stage identification information. Therefore, store clerks can acquire the necessary information based on the transaction stage identification information and carry out the transaction, and can use a machine-readable code that is common to various stages of the transaction and departure procedures, thereby improving convenience.

[0016] In addition, the personal information may include passport information including the passport number of the passport held by the customer, the transaction identification information acquisition means may acquire tax-exempt identification information from the machine-readable code that can identify whether the sale of the product is a tax-exempt transaction or a taxable transaction, and the decoding decision means may decide whether to decode the machine-readable code for each of the plurality of code sections based on the transaction stage identification information and the tax-exempt identification information. According to the above configuration, the computer of the store terminal acquires the tax-exempt identification information, determines whether to decode the code section based on the tax-exempt identification information, and acquires the transaction information necessary for the transaction. Therefore, the store clerk can acquire the necessary information based on the tax-exempt identification information and carry out the transaction, and can use a machine-readable code that is common to both tax-exempt transactions and taxable transactions, thereby improving convenience.

[0017] In addition, the commercial transaction information includes delivery request information regarding a delivery request for the product, the commercial transaction specific information acquisition means acquires delivery request specific information that can identify whether the customer desires delivery of the sold product, the decoding decision means decides whether to decode the machine-readable code for each of the plurality of code sections based on the commercial transaction stage specific information and the delivery request specific information, and the commercial transaction information acquisition means acquires the delivery request information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section that has been determined to be decoded by the decoding decision means. According to the above configuration, the store terminal computer acquires the delivery request specification information, determines whether to decode the code section based on the delivery request specification information, and acquires the delivery request information. Therefore, the store clerk can acquire the necessary information based on the delivery request specification information and conduct the commercial transaction, and can use the common machine-readable code regardless of whether the customer desires delivery of the product, thereby improving convenience.

[0018] In addition, the commercial transaction information includes bonus information regarding bonuses for the customer who has received the sale of the product or the provision of the service, and the decoding decision means decides whether or not to decode the machine-readable code for each of the multiple code sections based on the commercial transaction stage identification information, and the commercial transaction information acquisition means acquires the bonus information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section that has been decided to be decoded by the decoding decision means. According to the above configuration, the computer of the store terminal determines whether to decode the code section based on the transaction stage identification information and acquires the benefit information. This allows the store clerk to carry out the transaction based on the transaction stage identification information and to grant the benefit to the customer. This makes it possible to increase the customer's motivation to purchase the product or use the service.

[0019] The above problem is solved by the departure processing program of the present invention by making a computer of an departure processing device used to carry out departure procedures for a departing person function as: a machine-readable code reading means that reads, from an information processing terminal used by the departing person, a machine-readable code generated based on departure information including personal information that can identify the departing person; an departure procedure request acquisition means that acquires, from the machine-readable code read by the machine-readable code reading means, an departure procedure request indicating that the departing person wishes to carry out the departure procedure; a decoding decision means that decides, based on the departure procedure request, whether to decode the machine-readable code for each of a plurality of code sections that make up the machine-readable code; and an departure information acquisition means that acquires at least the departure information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section that has been decided to be decoded by the decoding decision means.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the departure processing device computer reads the machine-readable code generated by converting the departure information, and acquires the departure information by determining whether or not to decode the code sections that make up the machine-readable code based on the departure procedure request. Therefore, the staff at the departure counter can acquire the departure information necessary for the departure procedure based on the departure procedure request and carry out the departure procedure, thereby enabling the use of a machine-readable code that is common to various stages of commercial transactions and departure procedures, thereby improving convenience.

[0021] The departure processing device may also include a computer, and the computer may be made to execute an departure processing program. According to the above configuration, a common machine-readable code can be used at various stages of commercial transactions and immigration procedures, thereby improving convenience. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The machine-readable code generation program, machine-readable code decoding program, embarkation processing program, embarkation processing program, and embarkation processing device of the present invention make it possible to generate and decode machine-readable codes that can be used in common in commercial transactions and immigration procedures, thereby improving convenience in commercial transactions and immigration procedures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a product sales system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example layout of code sections of an integrated code. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between transaction stages and transaction information in the purchase of duty-free goods. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of personal information TBL. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of payment information TBL. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of itinerary information TBL. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of delivery request information TBL. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of benefit information TBL. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a personal information registration screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment information registration screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an itinerary information registration screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery request information registration screen. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a code conversion table for purchasing a product with tax exemption. [Figure 14B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a code conversion table for purchasing a product without tax exemption. [Figure 14C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a code conversion table when a service is provided. [Figure 14D] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a code conversion table for immigration procedures. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a store terminal. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an immigration processing terminal. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a tax exemption management server. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of a user information DB. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a purchase history information DB. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the flow of purchasing a product with tax exemption. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an integrated code display screen. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence of a purchase process. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the sequence of departure processing. [Figure 24]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of code sections of an integrated code according to a modified example. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a user terminal according to a second modified example. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a purchase history information DB. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence of a purchase process. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of service receipt according to the second embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an integrated code display screen. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the sequence of check-in processing. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence of a checkout process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A product sales system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 23. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and of course, the present invention also includes equivalents thereof.

[0025] The product sales system 1 of the present invention is used to smoothly sell products (tax-free sales) when a customer (foreign visitor to Japan) visiting a store (retail shop) wishes to purchase a product sold in the store. The product sales system 1 of the present invention is also used to improve convenience for foreign visitors to Japan and store clerks by displaying an integrated code 20 on a user terminal 10 carried by the customer. However, without being limited to this, the product sales system 1 can also be used to sell products (taxable sales involving consumption tax) when a Japanese person visits a retail shop and wishes to purchase a product.

[0026] In the following description, the integrated code 20 refers to a QR code generated by encoding information required for commercial transactions, but is not limited to this. The integrated code 20 may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, as long as it is machine-readable by a code reader. Furthermore, the integrated code 20 does not need to be optically machine-readable, and may be coded information embedded in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip and readable by wireless communication.

[0027] In the following description, "commercial transaction information" refers to information exchanged between a consumer and a supplier of goods or services during a commercial transaction. Commercial transaction information includes personal information about the customer, payment information about the payment method (payment method information), delivery request information about product delivery requests after purchase, and reward information about rewards granted to the customer. More specifically, personal information includes the customer's name, nationality, gender, and date of birth, as well as passport information necessary for the customer to purchase duty-free goods. Payment information is information about the payment method the customer wishes to use for payment, and is information that can identify a credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or other electronic payment method. Delivery request information is information that identifies the delivery address, desired delivery date and time, and the items to be delivered when a customer requests delivery of goods or luggage after purchasing a product. Reward information is reward information granted to customers who purchase goods or receive services, and is information that can identify the store where the reward can be received and the amount of the reward (points).

[0028] Conventionally, commercial transaction information was exchanged by converting it into a QR code and scanning the QR code. However, personal information, payment information, delivery request information, and special offer information were all converted into dedicated QR codes. As a result, customers and store clerks conducting commercial transactions had to use different dedicated QR codes to conduct their transactions, and there was a demand for improved convenience. In contrast, the integrated code 20 described below aims to improve convenience for customers and store staff visiting the store by integrating code sections corresponding to personal information, payment information, delivery request information, and bonus information into a single QR code.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of a product sales system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the product sales system 1 mainly comprises a user terminal 10, a store terminal 30, an immigration processing terminal 40, and a duty-free management server 50, which are interconnected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a publicly available telecommunications line NW. 1 shows one each of user terminal 10, shop terminal 30, and immigration processing terminal 40, but this is intended to represent one or more user terminals 10, shop terminals 30, and immigration processing terminals 40. Of course, multiple user terminals 10, shop terminals 30, and immigration processing terminals 40 may be connected via a telecommunications line NW.

[0030] The user terminal 10 is an information processing terminal carried by a customer who wishes to purchase goods or receive services. Specifically, the user terminal 10 is a smartphone carried by a foreign visitor to Japan who wishes to purchase goods duty-free at a duty-free shop (export goods sales area). However, the user terminal 10 is not limited to this, and may also be a tablet terminal or a notebook terminal. Passport information required for foreign visitors to Japan when purchasing duty-free goods and payment information regarding the payment method desired by the foreign visitors are pre-stored in the user terminal 10. Therefore, foreign visitors to Japan can purchase goods by displaying an integrated code 20, which is a QR code that converts personal information including passport information and payment information, on the user terminal 10 and presenting it to a store clerk.

[0031] Furthermore, the user terminal 10 pre-stores delivery request information required when a foreign visitor to Japan requests delivery of products (goods or baggage) purchased in Japan. Therefore, the foreign visitor to Japan can request delivery of purchased products to an airport, accommodation facility, leisure facility, home, or the like by displaying an integrated code 20, which is a QR code converted from the delivery request information, on the user terminal 10 and presenting it to a store clerk. When receiving the delivered products, the foreign visitor can receive the products by displaying the integrated code 20, which indicates that the user is the person who requested the delivery of the goods, on the user terminal 10 and presenting it to the delivery person.

[0032] In this way, the user terminal 10 converts pre-stored commercial transaction information, including personal information, payment information, and delivery request information, into an integrated code 20 and outputs it according to each stage of the commercial transaction (purchase of goods). Therefore, it is possible to easily purchase goods using the integrated code 20, without having to use different dedicated QR codes as in the past. The integrated code 20 and the process of purchasing duty-free goods using the integrated code 20 will be described below.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows an example layout of code sections that make up the integrated code 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the integrated code 20 is a two-dimensional code, specifically a QR code. The integrated code 20 has a transaction code area 21 (corresponding to a machine-readable code display area) located in the center of the integrated code 20, and position detection code areas 22 located at the upper left, lower left, and lower right of the integrated code 20. The transaction code area 21 is divided into a plurality of blocks (code sections), and each block stores transaction information necessary for conducting a transaction. Specifically, the transaction code area 21 has a layout code section 21a, a transaction-specific code section 21b, an authentication information code section 21c, a private information code section 21d, a public information code section 21e, a benefit information code section 21f, an itinerary information code section 21g, a payment information code section 21h, a delivery request information code section 21i, and a spare code section 21j.

[0034] The layout code section 21a stores information that can identify the arrangement (layout) of a plurality of code sections. As will be described later, by reading and decoding the code of the layout code section 21a, it is possible to identify the layout of the code section of the integrated code 20.

[0035] The transaction identification code section 21b stores transaction stage identification information that can identify the stage of the transaction and transaction type identification information that can identify the type of transaction. Here, the transaction stage identification information is information that can identify whether the transaction is at a reservation, purchase, payment, product receipt, check-in (start of service provision), or check-out (end of service provision). The information that can identify the transaction stage may also store information that indicates that the foreign visitor to Japan is at the stage of going through immigration procedures at an airport or the like. The transaction type identification information includes information that can identify whether the transaction is a tax-exempt transaction or a taxable transaction. The transaction type identification information also includes information that can identify whether the purchased product requires delivery after purchase. The type of transaction may also include information that can identify whether the transaction is a sale of a product or a provision of a service.

[0036] As will be described later, by reading the code in the transaction-specific code section 21b and decoding it, it is possible to identify the code section in which the necessary transaction information is stored depending on the stage and type of transaction, and obtain the transaction information.

[0037] The authentication information code section 21c stores authentication information of the user who carries the user terminal 10. Specifically, information (for example, an authentication password) that can verify that the user who operates the user terminal 10 is the user himself / herself is stored. As will be described later, by reading and decoding the code in the authentication information code section 21c, it is possible to authenticate the user carrying the user terminal 10.

[0038] The private information code section 21d and the public information code section 21e, which will be described later, store personal information that can identify a user who carries the user terminal 10. The private information code section 21d stores information about the family structure (e.g., the number of family members) of the user who operates the user terminal 10. The private information code section 21d may also store information about the user's hobbies and interests. As will be described later, by reading and decoding the code in the private information code section 21d, information about the user's family structure can be obtained and used to sell products or provide services. For example, a store that provides accommodation services can accept a reservation for a room for a family of four from a user with a family of four.

[0039] The official information code section 21e stores passport information of the user who carries the user terminal 10. Specifically, the user's name, nationality, sex, date of birth, passport number, passport issuing country, and passport validity date are stored. As will be described later, by reading and decoding the code in the official information code section 21e, it is possible to obtain the passport information required for duty-free sales. Also, by reading and decoding the code in the official information code section 21e, it is possible to obtain the passport information required for immigration processing and perform immigration processing.

[0040] The privilege information code section 21f stores privilege information granted to a user who carries the user terminal 10. Specifically, discount information such as points granted when a product is sold or a service is provided at a store is stored. As will be described later, the discount amount can be calculated by reading and decoding the code in the special offer information code section 21f. In addition, the points in the special offer information code section 21f are updated by adding the newly awarded points.

[0041] The itinerary information code section 21g stores itinerary information of the user who carries the user terminal 10. Specifically, information regarding the date of entry (port of entry) and date of departure (port of departure) of the foreign visitor to Japan, and the planned stay during the period of stay is stored. As will be described later, the length of stay of a foreign visitor to Japan can be identified by reading and decoding the code in the itinerary information code section 21g.

[0042] The payment information code section 21h stores information about the payment method desired by the user carrying the user terminal 10. Specifically, the user's desired credit card number, cardholder name, and expiration date are stored, but are not limited to these. Information about debit cards, prepaid cards, and other electronic payments may also be stored. As will be described later, the code in the payment information code section 21h can be read and decoded to make payment (settlement) for the product or service.

[0043] The delivery request information code section 21i stores delivery request information when a user carrying the user terminal 10 requests delivery of purchased products, etc. Specifically, the delivery request information stores delivery request information including the delivery address and desired delivery date and time of the purchased products, etc. As will be described later, by reading and decoding the code in the delivery request information code section 21i, the purchased product can be requested to be delivered by an external delivery company.

[0044] The spare code section 21j stores other information required for commercial transactions. As a specific example, the spare code section 21j may store history information of products previously purchased by the user who carries the user terminal 10. The spare code section 21j may also store history information of services previously used by the user.

[0045] As described above, various transaction information, including personal information and payment information required for a transaction, is encoded in the integrated code 20 and stored in each of the multiple code sections. Therefore, the store terminal 30 and immigration processing terminal 40, which will be described later, can obtain the transaction information by reading and decoding the code in the code section in which the transaction information required for the transaction stage and type is stored. This eliminates the need to use a dedicated QR code for each transaction stage and type, thereby improving convenience for customers and store clerks who use the common integrated code 20.

[0046] Next, the flow of tax-free sales using the integrated code 20 will be explained. Figure 3 is a diagram explaining the flow of purchasing duty-free goods and commercial transaction information. As shown in Figure 3, the purchase of duty-free goods by foreign visitors to Japan is carried out in the following order: (1) reservation, (2) purchase and payment, (3) departure, and (4) receipt of delivered goods or baggage. However, if the delivery destination is an airport or a lodging or leisure facility in Japan, the goods, etc., are received in (4) before departure in (3). First, a foreign visitor to Japan can make a reservation to purchase a product (duty-free item) before visiting a store. At this time, the foreign visitor provides the store with personal information (passport information) that can identify the customer, and, if they wish to pay in advance, information on a payment method that allows advance payment (payment information). The foreign visitor can provide the personal information and payment information by generating an integrated code 20 that encodes the personal information and payment information and transmitting this to the store terminal 30. Note that a reservation is not necessarily required for duty-free sales. A foreign visitor to Japan can visit a store and purchase duty-free items without making a reservation.

[0047] Next, when a foreign visitor visits a store, they purchase and pay for duty-free goods. At this time, the foreign visitor provides personal information (passport information), payment information, itinerary information, and, if they wish to have the purchased duty-free goods delivered, delivery request information and special offer information. The foreign visitor can provide the personal information, payment information, itinerary information, delivery request information, and special offer information by generating an integrated code 20 in which the personal information, payment information, itinerary information, delivery request information, and special offer information are encoded and having the store terminal 30 read the integrated code 20.

[0048] The store terminal 30 that reads the integrated code 20 transmits the passport information and information on the products purchased by the foreign visitor to the tax-free management server 50. As will be described later, the tax-free management server 50 determines whether or not the product can be sold tax-free based on the purchase price of the transmitted product, and refunds the consumption tax amount if the product can be sold tax-free. The store terminal 30 also makes payment for the purchased items based on the payment information. Specifically, the store terminal 30 debits the purchase price of the items using the payment method desired by the customer and transfers the debited amount to the store's account. Furthermore, the store terminal 30 calculates the discount amount for the purchased item based on the benefit information. However, without being limited to this, the store terminal 30 may update the benefit information by adding a benefit. Furthermore, the store terminal 30 requests delivery of the purchased product or the customer's baggage based on the delivery request information. Specifically, the store terminal 30 transmits the delivery request information to an external information processing device operated by a delivery company.

[0049] When a foreign visitor to Japan departs from Japan, they undergo immigration procedures at the airport's immigration counter. At this time, the foreign visitor presents personal information (passport information). The foreign visitor can present their passport information by generating an integrated code 20 in which the passport information is encoded and having the immigration processing terminal 40 read this. When leaving the country, tax-free goods refund applications are made at immigration counters or at dedicated refund application terminals installed at airports, etc. Foreign visitors to Japan can apply for a refund by generating an integrated code 20 that encodes their passport information and presenting or transmitting this.

[0050] Purchased goods are picked up at the delivery destination (airport, accommodation, leisure facility, home, etc.). Foreign visitors to Japan can present their personal information and authentication information to the delivery person by generating an integrated code 20 in which the personal information and authentication information are encoded.

[0051] As described above, in the product sales system 1, the transaction information required at each stage of a transaction, from product reservation, purchase and payment, departure, and product receipt, is presented and can be easily read via the integrated code 20. Therefore, compared to when a transaction is conducted using a dedicated QR code at each stage, it is possible to improve convenience for customers visiting a store, store clerks, and staff at the departure counter.

[0052] 1 to continue the explanation of the product sales system 1, the store terminal 30 is a tablet terminal used in a store that sells products or provides services. However, the store terminal 30 is not limited to this, and may of course be a notebook terminal or a desktop terminal. The store terminal 30 is equipped with a code reader (not shown) that reads the integrated code 20 displayed on the user terminal 10, and acquires commercial transaction information by reading and decrypting the integrated code 20. The store terminal 30 can transmit the passport information and itinerary information included in the acquired commercial transaction information to the duty-free management server 50. The store terminal 30 can also perform payment processing for product purchases based on the payment information included in the acquired commercial transaction information. The store terminal 30 can also request a delivery company to deliver the purchased products based on delivery request information included in the acquired commercial transaction information.

[0053] The immigration processing terminal 40 is a desktop terminal that is installed at immigration counters at airports and the like and is used to carry out immigration procedures. However, without being limited to this, the immigration processing terminal 40 may of course also be a notebook terminal or a tablet terminal. The immigration processing terminal 40 is equipped with a code reader 40a (see FIG. 3) that reads the integrated code 20 displayed on the user terminal 10, and obtains commercial transaction information by reading and decrypting the integrated code 20. The immigration processing terminal 40 can obtain passport information included in the obtained commercial transaction information and carry out immigration procedures. The immigration processing terminal 40 corresponds to an immigration processing device.

[0054] The tax-free management server 50 is an information processing server that determines whether or not a tax-free sale is possible based on product information of products purchased by foreign visitors to Japan at a store, the customer's passport information, and itinerary information (entry / exit information and residence status), and if it is determined that a tax-free sale is possible, it performs processing to refund the amount of consumption tax corresponding to the purchase price. Specifically, the tax-free management server 50 determines whether the total price of the purchased products excluding tax is within the tax-free range predetermined for each type of purchased product (general goods such as home appliances, bags, clothing, and watches, and consumables such as food and cosmetics), and whether the purchaser is a foreigner with a specified period of stay and residence status. If it is determined that a tax-free sale is possible, the tax-free management server 50 calculates and refunds the amount of the consumption tax. The tax exemption management server 50 is an information processing device managed and operated by the National Tax Agency.

[0055] <User terminal 10> Next, the user terminal 10 will be described in more detail. Fig. 4 shows the functional configuration of the user terminal 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the user terminal 10 mainly comprises a user terminal control device 11 that controls the user terminal 10, and a user terminal storage device 12.

[0056] The user terminal storage device 12 is a non-volatile auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The user terminal storage device 12 stores personal information TBL 12a, payment information TBL 12b, itinerary information TBL 12c, delivery request information TBL 12d, and benefit information TBL 12e. The user terminal storage device 12 also stores an integrated code generation program (corresponding to a machine-readable code generation program) executed by the user terminal control device 11.

[0057] The personal information TBL 12a stores personal information that can identify the user who carries the user terminal 10. If the user is a foreign visitor to Japan, the personal information includes the user's passport information. The passport information is necessary for foreign visitors to Japan to purchase products at stores and receive a refund equivalent to the consumption tax when they leave the country. In the personal information TBL 12a, information input via a personal information registration screen 23a, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 10, is registered.

[0058] Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of the personal information TBL 12a. As shown in Figure 5, the personal information TBL 12a has the following items: name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, country of issue, date of issue, and date of validity. Note that Figure 5 shows an example of the personal information of a Japanese person for ease of understanding. The name, sex, date of birth, and nationality are the first and last name, sex, date of birth, and nationality of the person carrying the user terminal 10, respectively, and are information that can identify the individual. The passport number, issuing country, issue date, and validity date are stored as the passport number, issuing country, issue date, and validity date written on the passport held by the user. The passport number, issuing country, issue date, and validity date are passport information, and are public information that can identify an individual.

[0059] The personal information TBL 12a is not limited to the data structure shown in Fig. 5. The personal information TBL 12a may have items related to family structure and items related to the user's hobbies and interests in addition to the items shown in Fig. 5. The information related to family structure, hobbies, and interests stored in the personal information TBL 12a is private information that can identify an individual. In addition to the items shown in FIG. 5, the personal information TBL 12a may also have an item related to authentication information (authentication password).

[0060] The payment information TBL 12b stores payment information that can identify the payment method desired by the user who carries the user terminal 10. The payment information is information required when paying for a product or receiving a service, or when receiving a consumption tax refund. The payment information TBL 12b registers information input via a payment information registration screen 23b, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0061] An example of the data structure of the payment information TBL 12b is shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the payment information TBL 12b has the following fields: payment method, card type, expiration date, and card number. The payment method is information that can identify the payment method desired by the user, and stores credit card, debit card, prepaid card, and other electronic payment methods. The type, expiration date, and card number fields store the type of payment method (card card number), expiration date, and card number, respectively. However, without being limited to this, the payment information TBL12b may also have a field for the credit card security number, or may have fields related to QR payment and cryptocurrency.

[0062] The itinerary information TBL 12c stores itinerary information of users staying in Japan. The itinerary information is necessary when going through immigration procedures and when receiving a consumption tax refund. The itinerary information TBL 12c registers information input via an itinerary information registration screen 23c, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0063] An example of the data structure of the itinerary information TBL 12c is shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the itinerary information TBL 12c has items such as date of entry, place of entry, status of residence, date of departure, and place of departure. The entry date, entry point, departure date, and departure point store the date when the user entered Japan, the entry point, the departure date, and the departure point, respectively. The status of residence is given to foreign visitors to Japan. If the foreign visitor is a tourist, "short-term stay" is stored.

[0064] The delivery request information TBL12d stores delivery request information related to a delivery request when a user who has purchased a product requests delivery of the purchased product (product or baggage). The delivery request information is information required when requesting a delivery company to deliver a product. The delivery request information TBL 12d registers information input via a delivery request information registration screen 23d, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0065] Fig. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the delivery request information TBL 12d. As shown in Fig. 8, the delivery request information TBL 12d has fields such as delivery destination, address, telephone number, delivery date and time, delivery item, and supplementary information. The delivery destination, address, and telephone number are information that can identify the delivery destination, and the recipient's name, address, and telephone number are stored. However, without being limited to this, the delivery request information TBL12d may also have an item for the recipient's email address.

[0066] The delivery date and time and delivery item stores information about the desired delivery date or date and information about the delivery item, which is information about the product or baggage purchased at the store. The supplementary information stores information about the desired conditions for delivery, such as refrigeration required or fragile item.

[0067] The benefit information TBL 12e stores benefit information that was given when a product was purchased or a service was provided in the past. The benefit information is information required for calculating a discount amount. The benefit information TBL 12e is updated when a product is purchased at a store or a service is provided.

[0068] Fig. 9 shows an example of the data structure of the benefit information TBL 12e. As shown in Fig. 9, the benefit information TBL 12e has the following fields: store, point award date, and point. The store, point grant date, and points are stored with the name of the store where the user previously purchased a product or received a service, the date, and the points granted. However, without being limited to these, the benefit information TBL12e may also have items related to the expiration date and validity area of ​​points.

[0069] The user terminal control device 11 has a CPU, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory, and is a control circuit that controls the user terminal 10. The CPU of the user terminal control device 11 loads the integrated code generation program stored in the user terminal storage device 12 into the volatile memory and executes it sequentially. As a result, the user terminal control device 11 functions as a registration information receiving unit 11a, a commercial transaction information acquiring unit 11b, a specific information receiving unit 11c, a code conversion determining unit 11d, a confidentiality processing unit 11e, an integrated code generating unit 11f, and a code block changing unit 11g. The user terminal control device 11 corresponds to the computer of the information processing terminal carried by the customer.

[0070] The registration information acceptance unit 11a accepts the input of registration information via the information registration screen 23 shown in Figures 10 to 14. Specifically, the registration information acceptance unit 11a accepts the input of personal information via the personal information registration screen 23a shown in Figure 10 and stores it in the personal information TBL 12a. The registration information acceptance unit 11a also accepts the input of payment information via the payment information registration screen 23b shown in Figure 11 and stores it in the payment information TBL 12b. The registration information acceptance unit 11a also accepts the input of itinerary information via the itinerary information registration screen 23c shown in Figure 12 and stores it in the itinerary information TBL 12c. The registration information acceptance unit 11a also accepts the input of delivery request information via the delivery request information registration screen 23d shown in Figure 13 and stores it in the delivery request information TBL 12d.

[0071] The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b acquires commercial transaction information including personal information, payment information, itinerary information, delivery request information, and benefit information. Specifically, the commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b reads and acquires personal information (private information and public information) and authentication information from the personal information TBL 12a. The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b also reads and acquires payment information from the payment information TBL 12b. The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b also reads and acquires itinerary information from the itinerary information TBL 12c. The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b also reads and acquires delivery request information from the delivery request information TBL 12d. The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b also reads and acquires benefit information from the benefit information TBL 12e. The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b corresponds to a commercial transaction information acquisition means.

[0072] The identification information receiving unit 11c receives input of transaction stage identification information that can identify the stage of a transaction related to the sale of a product or the provision of a service, or transaction type identification information that can identify the type of transaction. Specifically, the transaction stage identification information is information that can identify at least one of the following stages of a transaction: reservation stage, product purchase / payment stage, product receipt stage, check-in stage (service provision start stage), check-out stage (service provision end stage), and immigration stage. The transaction type specification information includes tax-exempt specification information that can specify whether a transaction is a tax-exempt transaction that is not subject to consumption tax or a taxable transaction that is subject to consumption tax, and delivery specification information that can specify whether or not the purchased product or other item requires delivery. The specific information receiving unit 11c receives input of transaction stage specific information and transaction type specific information via an integrated code display screen 25, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 21. The specific information receiving unit 11c corresponds to transaction specific information receiving means.

[0073] The code conversion decision unit 11d decides whether or not to convert the transaction information into the integrated code 20 based on the transaction stage specification information and the transaction type specification information. In detail, the code conversion decision unit 11d refers to a predetermined code conversion TBL 13 and decides how to encode the transaction information required for the transaction based on the transaction stage specification information and the transaction type specification information. More specifically, the code conversion decision unit 11d decides to encode the commercial transaction information defined in the code conversion TBL 13 for the commercial transaction information acquired by the commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b. On the other hand, the code conversion decision unit 11d decides to encode the commercial transaction information not defined in the code conversion TBL 13 after performing anonymization processing by the anonymization processing unit 11e (described later). This makes it possible to prevent the inadvertent leakage of commercial transaction information not necessary for the commercial transaction. The code conversion decision unit 11d corresponds to a code conversion decision means. The code conversion TBL 13 includes a first code conversion TBL 13a, a second code conversion TBL 13b, a third code conversion TBL 13c, and a fourth code conversion TBL 13d.

[0074] Fig. 14A shows an example of the first code conversion TBL 13a used when a user wishes to purchase a product with consumption tax exemption. As shown in Fig. 14A, the first code conversion TBL 13a defines commercial transaction information required at the reservation stage, the product purchase / payment stage, and the product receiving stage. Specifically, at the reservation stage, personal information and payment information that can identify the reservation applicant are defined. In addition, at the product purchase and payment stage, personal information, payment information, itinerary information (entry and departure information), and bonus information are specified, and if the user requests delivery of the purchased product, delivery request information is also included. However, personal information and payment information are not necessarily required when purchasing a reserved product. Furthermore, at the stage of receiving the delivered product, personal information and authentication information are defined to be used to authenticate the recipient as a legitimate recipient of the delivered product. The authentication information may be, for example, an authentication password, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the commercial transaction information required at the stage of receiving may include delivery request information.

[0075] 14B shows an example of the second code conversion TBL 13b used when a user wishes to purchase a product without receiving a consumption tax exemption. As shown in FIG. 14B, the second code conversion TBL 13b defines the commercial transaction information required at the reservation stage, product purchase stage, and product receiving stage. Specifically, at the reservation stage, personal information and payment information are defined. In addition, payment information and benefit information are set at the product purchase stage. If the user requests delivery of the purchased product, delivery request information is also included. If the user does not receive a consumption tax exemption, personal information and itinerary information are not necessarily required. In addition, personal information and authentication information are set at the stage of receiving the product.

[0076] Fig. 14C shows an example of the third code conversion TBL 13c used when a user requests the provision of a service. As shown in Fig. 14C, the third code conversion TBL 13c defines commercial transaction information required at the reservation stage, check-in stage (service provision start stage), and check-out stage (service provision end stage). Specifically, at the reservation stage, personal information and payment information are defined, similar to the first code conversion TBL 13a and second code conversion TBL 13b. In addition, at the check-in stage, personal information and authentication information are defined to be used to authenticate the person who has made the reservation. Also, at the checkout stage, payment information and bonus information are set.

[0077] Fig. 14D shows an example of the fourth code conversion TBL 13d used when a user enters or departs from Japan. As shown in Fig. 14D, the fourth code conversion TBL 13d defines personal information (passport information) and itinerary information as business transaction information required at the immigration procedure stage.

[0078] Returning to FIG. 4, the anonymization processing unit 11e anonymizes the commercial transaction information. More specifically, the anonymization processing unit 11e performs anonymization processing on the commercial transaction information that has been determined to be anonymized by the code conversion determination unit 11d. However, without being limited to this, the anonymization processing unit 11e may perform anonymization processing on all of the commercial transaction information. The anonymization processing may use a known encryption algorithm, but is not limited to this. As long as the anonymization processing can prevent information unnecessary for the commercial transaction from leaking to a third party, reversible anonymization processing may be performed according to a predetermined conversion rule. The anonymization processing unit 11e corresponds to an anonymization processing means.

[0079] The integrated code generation unit 11f performs code conversion on the transaction information that has been determined to be encoded by the code conversion determination unit 11d, thereby generating the integrated code 20. The integrated code generation unit 11f also outputs the encoded transaction information to a predetermined code section among the multiple code sections that make up the integrated code 20 described with reference to Fig. 2, and displays the encoded transaction information on the display operation unit 10a of the user terminal 10. Specifically, the integrated code generation unit 11f encodes information capable of identifying the layout of the multiple code sections constituting the integrated code 20 and outputs the encoded information to the layout code section 21a. The integrated code generation unit 11f also encodes the transaction stage identification information and transaction type identification information received by the identification information reception unit 11c and outputs the encoded information to the transaction identification code section 21b. The integrated code generation unit 11f also outputs the authentication information, personal information (private information, public information), benefit information, itinerary information, payment information, and delivery request information determined to be encoded by the code conversion determination unit 11d to the authentication information code section 21c, private information code section 21d, public information code section 21e, benefit information code section 21f, itinerary information code section 21g, payment information code section 21h, and delivery request information code section 21i, respectively. The integrated code generation unit 11f can also encode the transaction information anonymized by the anonymization processing unit 11e. The integrated code generation unit 11f corresponds to machine-readable code display means.

[0080] The integrated code generation unit 11f may also have a code section modification unit 11g that modifies the layout (arrangement) of the code section, and output the transaction information to the code section whose layout has been modified by the code section modification unit 11g. Information that can identify the layout of the modified code section is output to the layout code section 21a described above. This enables legitimate use of the transaction information while preventing the transaction information from being misused by a third party. The code section modification unit 11g corresponds to a code section modification means.

[0081] <Store terminal 30> Next, the store terminal 30 will be described. Fig. 15 shows the functional configuration of the store terminal 30. As shown in Fig. 15, the store terminal 30 has a store terminal control device 31 that controls the store terminal 30.

[0082] The store terminal control device 31 is a control circuit that includes a CPU, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory and controls the store terminal 30. The CPU of the store terminal control device 31 loads an integrated code decoding program (corresponding to a machine-readable code decoding program) stored in a storage device (not shown) into the volatile memory and sequentially executes it. As a result, the store terminal control device 31 functions as a purchased product registration unit 31a, an integrated code reading unit 31b, a specific information acquisition unit 31c, a decoding determination unit 31d, a decryption processing unit 31e, a commercial transaction information acquisition unit 31f, a payment processing unit 31g, a tax-exemption information transmission unit 31h, a benefit granting unit 31i, and a delivery instruction unit 31j. The store terminal control device 31 corresponds to a computer used in a store that sells products or provides services.

[0083] The purchase product registration unit 31a registers products purchased by customers who visit the store. Specifically, the purchase product registration unit 31a acquires a JAN code (product identification number) that can identify the product by reading the barcode attached to the product with a code reader, and registers the code in a store server installed in the backroom of the store.

[0084] The integrated code reading unit 31b reads the integrated code 20, in which commercial transaction information is encoded, from the display operation unit 10a of the user terminal 10. As described above, the customer's personal information, payment information, itinerary information, and delivery request information are encoded in the integrated code 20. The integrated code reading unit 31b corresponds to a machine-readable code reading means.

[0085] The specific information acquisition unit 31c acquires transaction stage identification information that can identify the transaction stage and transaction type identification information that can identify the type of transaction from the integrated code 20 read by the integrated code reading unit 31b. Specifically, the specific information acquisition unit 31c first acquires layout information of the code section by reading and decoding the layout code section 21a. Next, the specific information acquisition unit 31c identifies the transaction specific code section 21b based on the layout information, and acquires the transaction stage identification information and the transaction type identification information by reading and decoding the transaction specific code section 21b. The specific information acquisition unit 31c corresponds to a transaction specific information acquisition means.

[0086] The decoding decision unit 31d decides whether or not to decode each of the multiple code sections that make up the integrated code 20, based on the transaction stage identification information and transaction type identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 31c. More specifically, the decoding decision unit 31d refers to the code conversion TBL13 described with reference to Figures 14A to 14D, and decides how to decode the transaction information required for the transaction, based on the transaction stage and type. The decoding decision unit 31d corresponds to a decoding decision means.

[0087] The deciphering processor 31e deciphers the commercial transaction information that has been concealed by the concealment processor 11e of the user terminal 10. Specifically, the deciphering processor 31e deciphers the concealed commercial transaction information by using a deciphering algorithm corresponding to the encryption algorithm used by the above-mentioned concealment processor 11e.

[0088] The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 31f acquires commercial transaction information by decoding the code sections determined to be decoded by the decoding determination unit 31d. Specifically, the commercial transaction information acquisition unit 31f can acquire authentication information, personal information (private information, public information), bonus information, itinerary information, payment information, and delivery request information by decrypting the authentication information code section 21c, the private information code section 21d, the public information code section 21e, the privilege information code section 21f, the itinerary information code section 21g, the payment information code section 21h, and the delivery request information code section 21i, respectively.

[0089] The payment processing unit 31g performs payment processing for the product that the customer wishes to purchase or the service that the customer wishes to receive based on the payment information acquired by the commercial transaction information acquisition unit 31f. For example, payment processing is performed using a credit card, but is not limited to this. Payment processing using a debit card, prepaid card, or other electronic payment methods may also be performed.

[0090] When a foreign visitor to Japan who is a customer wishes to purchase a product exempt from consumption tax, the tax-free information sending unit 31h sends the passport information, itinerary information (entry / exit information), and purchased product information of the foreign visitor to the tax-free management server 50. The tax-free management server 50 determines whether or not a tax-free sale is possible when it receives a refund application from the foreign visitor when the foreign visitor departs from Japan, and if it determines that a tax-free sale is possible, it calculates the refund amount and performs processing to refund the tax-free sale to the foreign visitor. The method by which the tax-free management server 50 determines whether or not a tax-free sale is possible and calculates the refund amount will be described later.

[0091] The benefit granting unit 31i grants a predetermined benefit to a customer who purchases a product or receives a service. Specifically, the benefit granting unit 31i obtains points held by the customer from the transaction information and adds newly granted points to the points, thereby granting the benefit to the customer. The benefit granted to the customer is transmitted to the user terminal 10 and stored in the benefit information TBL 12e. The benefit granted to the customer may also be registered in a store server installed in the backroom of the store.

[0092] When a customer requests delivery of purchased products, etc., the delivery instruction unit 31j instructs an external delivery company to deliver the purchased products, etc. In more detail, the specific information acquisition unit 31c reads the transaction specific code section 21b of the integrated code 20 to acquire delivery specific information (corresponding to delivery request specific information) that can identify whether the customer requests delivery of the purchased products, etc. Furthermore, the decoding determination unit 31d determines the decoding of the delivery request information code section 21i based on the delivery specific information, and acquires delivery request information by decoding the delivery request information code section 21i. The delivery instruction unit 31j instructs the delivery of the purchased products, etc. by transmitting the delivery request information to the information processing device of the external delivery company.

[0093] <Immigration Processing Terminal 40> Next, the immigration processing terminal 40 will be described. 16 shows the functional configuration of the immigration processing terminal 40. As shown in FIG. 16, the immigration processing terminal 40 has an immigration processing terminal control device 41 that controls the immigration processing terminal 40.

[0094] The immigration processing terminal control device 41 has a CPU, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory, and is a control circuit that controls the immigration processing terminal 40. The CPU of the immigration processing terminal control device 41 loads immigration processing programs (corresponding to immigration processing programs) stored in a storage device (not shown) into the volatile memory and executes them sequentially. As a result, the immigration processing terminal control device 41 functions as an integrated code reading unit 41a, a specific information acquisition unit 41b, a decryption decision unit 41c, a decryption processing unit 41d, an immigration information acquisition unit 41e, and an immigration processing unit 41f. The store terminal control device 31 corresponds to the computer of the immigration processing device used to carry out immigration procedures for departing persons (for example, foreign visitors returning from Japan).

[0095] The integrated code reading unit 41a reads the integrated code 20, in which commercial transaction information is encoded, from the display operation unit 10a of the user terminal 10. As described above, the user's passport information and itinerary information are encoded in the integrated code 20. The integrated code reading unit 41a corresponds to a machine-readable code reading means.

[0096] The specific information acquisition unit 41b acquires transaction stage identification information from the integrated code 20 read by the integrated code reading unit 41a. Specifically, the specific information acquisition unit 41b acquires layout information by decoding the layout code section 21a, and acquires transaction stage identification information and transaction type identification information from the transaction identification code section 21b based on the layout information. The transaction stage identification information includes an entry procedure request or departure procedure request indicating that the foreign visitor to Japan who is departing the country wishes to undergo entry procedure or departure procedure. The specific information acquisition unit 41b corresponds to an departure procedure request acquisition means.

[0097] The decoding decision unit 41c decides whether to decode the integrated code 20 for each of the multiple code sections that make up the integrated code 20, based on the departure procedure request acquired by the specific information acquisition unit 41b. More specifically, the decoding decision unit 41d refers to the fourth code conversion TBL 13d described with reference to Fig. 14D and decides to decode the official information code section 21e and the itinerary information code section 21g. The decoding decision unit 41c corresponds to a decoding decision means.

[0098] The deciphering processor 41d, like the deciphering processor 31e of the store terminal 30 described above, deciphers the commercial transaction information that has been concealed by the concealment processor 11e of the user terminal 10.

[0099] The immigration information acquisition unit 41e acquires passport information and itinerary information by decoding the integrated code 20 that the decoding decision unit 41c has decided to decode. Specifically, the immigration information acquisition unit 41e acquires passport information and itinerary information by identifying the positions of the official information code section 21e and the itinerary information code section 21g based on the layout information and decoding them. The immigration information acquisition unit 41e corresponds to immigration information acquisition means, the passport information corresponds to immigration information that can identify the foreign visitor who is departing from Japan, and the passport information and itinerary information correspond to immigration information used for immigration procedures.

[0100] The immigration processing unit 41f executes the prescribed immigration procedures based on the passport information and itinerary information acquired by the immigration information acquisition unit 41e. When departing from Japan, the immigration procedures are completed and an application for refund of duty-free goods purchased during the stay in Japan is also made. Specifically, the immigration processing terminal 40 transmits the passport information and itinerary information to the tax-free management server 50, which determines whether or not the goods purchased during the stay are eligible for tax-free sales.

[0101] <Tax-free management server 50> Next, the tax exemption management server 50 will be described. Fig. 17 shows the functional configuration of the tax exemption management server 50. As shown in Fig. 17, the tax exemption management server 50 mainly includes a server control device 51 that controls the tax exemption management server 50, and a server storage device 52.

[0102] The server storage device 52 is a non-volatile auxiliary storage device such as an HDD or SSD. A user information DB 52a and a purchase history information DB 52b are stored in the server storage device 52. The server storage device 52 also stores a tax exemption management program executed by the server control device 51.

[0103] The user information DB 52a and the purchase history information DB 52b store information necessary for the refund processing unit 51d (described later) to determine whether a product is eligible for tax-free sales and calculate a refund. Specifically, the user information DB 52a stores information related to the passport, status of residence, and length of stay of foreign visitors to Japan. The purchase history information DB 52b stores information related to products purchased during a stay in Japan.

[0104] Fig. 18 shows an example of the data structure of the user information DB 52a. As shown in Fig. 18, the user information DB 52a stores records having the following items: user ID, name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport number, country of issue, date of issue, date of validity, date of entry, date of departure, status of residence, and payment method. The user ID is identification information that can identify a user who is a foreign visitor to Japan, and alphanumeric characters are stored. The name, sex, date of birth, and nationality fields store the name, sex, date of birth, and nationality of the person carrying the user terminal 10, respectively, which are information written on the passport. The passport number, issuing country, issue date, and validity date store the passport number, issuing country, issue date, and validity date of the passport held by the foreign visitor to Japan.

[0105] The entry date, departure date, and residence status are stored as the date on which the foreign visitor entered Japan, the date of departure, and the residence status. However, without being limited to this, the user information DB 52a may also include items for the place of entry and the place of departure. The payment information can identify the payment method desired by the foreign visitor to Japan, and can be a credit card number, but is not limited to this, and can also include the expiration date of the credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or other information that can identify other electronic payment methods.

[0106] Fig. 19 shows an example of the data structure of the purchase history information DB 52b. As shown in Fig. 19, the purchase history information DB 52b stores records having the following fields: store ID, purchase date and time, user ID, product code, product name, unit price, quantity, tax rate, and tax amount. The store ID and purchase date and time are identification information that can identify the store (duty-free store) where the product was purchased, and time information that can specify the date and time when the product was purchased. The user ID is the user ID of a foreign visitor to Japan who purchased a product at a store, and is stored in the user information DB 52a.

[0107] The product code, product name, unit price, and quantity are information indicating the product code, which is identification information for identifying the product, the product name, the sales price (price excluding tax), and the purchase quantity, respectively. The tax rate is the consumption tax rate levied when a product is sold in a store, and the tax amount is the amount of consumption tax refunded when a tax-free sale is made.

[0108] The server control device 51 has a CPU, a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory, and is a control circuit that controls the tax exemption management server 50. The CPU of the tax exemption management server 50 loads the tax exemption management program stored in the server storage device 52 into the volatile memory and executes it sequentially. As a result, the server control device 51 functions as a registration information receiving unit 51a, a sales information acquiring unit 51b, a stay information acquiring unit 51c, and a refund processing unit 51d.

[0109] The registration information accepting unit 51a accepts registration of user information from foreign visitors to Japan and stores the information in the user information DB 52a. Specifically, the registration information accepting unit 51a receives personal information output by the registration information accepting unit 11a of the user terminal 10 and stores the information in the user information DB 52a.

[0110] The sales information acquisition unit 51b acquires information about products sold to foreign visitors to Japan in stores. Specifically, the sales information acquisition unit 51b acquires passport information about the foreign visitors to Japan and information about the purchased products transmitted by the tax-free information transmission unit 31h of the store terminal 30, identifies the user ID based on the acquired passport information, and stores the user ID in the purchase history information DB 52b.

[0111] The stay information acquisition unit 51c acquires information related to the period of stay and status of residence of the foreign visitor in Japan. Specifically, the stay information acquisition unit 51c acquires the passport information and itinerary information (entry / departure information and status of residence) of the foreign visitor sent by the immigration processing unit 41f of the immigration processing terminal 40, identifies the user ID based on the acquired passport information, and updates the user information DB 52a.

[0112] The refund processing unit 51d determines whether or not a product purchased by a foreign visitor during his or her stay in Japan is eligible for tax-free sales, and if it is determined that a tax-free sale is eligible, performs a refund process to refund the consumption tax. Specifically, the refund processing unit 51d calculates the total price excluding tax of the products purchased by the foreign visitor at one store per day based on the sales information acquired by the sales information acquisition unit 51b and determines whether the total price falls within the tax-free range. The tax-free range refers to a predetermined range within which the product can be sold tax-free based on the product's price excluding tax. For consumables purchased, the tax-free range is a total amount of 5,000 yen or more per day at one store, up to 500,000 yen. Consumables include food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, for general goods purchased, the tax-free range is a total amount of 5,000 yen or more per day at one store. General goods include home appliances, daily necessities, clothing (such as Western clothes and kimonos), jewelry, and folk crafts. However, the tax-free amount is not limited to this amount.

[0113] The refund processing unit 51d also determines whether the purchaser of the product is a specified non-resident. Specifically, the refund processing unit 51d refers to the user information DB 52a to acquire the user's nationality, entry date, departure date, and residence status, and determines whether the purchaser has foreign nationality, that six months have not yet passed since the entry date, and that the residence status is short-term visitor. If six months have passed, the purchaser is considered a resident of Japan, and tax-free sales are not permitted, even if the purchaser has foreign nationality and a short-term visitor residence status.

[0114] The refund processing unit 51d determines that a tax-free sale is possible if the total price of the product excluding tax falls within the tax-free range and the purchaser is a specified non-resident. If it is determined that a tax-free sale is possible, the refund processing unit 51d performs a process to refund the consumption tax amount. More specifically, the refund processing unit 51d realizes the tax-free sale of the product by issuing a refund equal to the amount of consumption tax paid by the foreign visitor to Japan when he or she purchased the product at the store. The refund is issued via a payment method stored in the user information DB 52a.

[0115] <Duty-free shopping process> Next, we will explain the process from when a foreigner visits Japan, purchases duty-free goods, and receives the goods when they return home. 20 shows the flow of purchasing duty-free goods using the product sales system 1. It is assumed that, prior to purchasing a duty-free item, personal information, payment information, itinerary information, delivery request information, and benefit information are stored in the personal information TBL 12a, payment information TBL 12b, itinerary information TBL 12c, delivery request information TBL 12d, and benefit information TBL 12e of the user terminal 10, respectively. It is also assumed that, prior to purchasing a product, user information is stored in the user information DB 52a of the tax-free management server 50.

[0116] As shown in Fig. 20, when a foreigner visits Japan for the first time, immigration processing is carried out at an immigration counter at an airport or the like (step S10). The foreigner visitor operates the user terminal 10 to display the integrated code display screen 25 shown in Fig. 21 on the display operation unit 10a. As shown in FIG. 21, the integrated code display screen 25 has a tab selection area 26 and an integrated code display area 27.

[0117] In the tab selection area 26, a registration tab 26a, a reservation tab 26b, an immigration procedure tab 26c, a product receipt tab 26d, a duty-free goods purchase tab 26e, a duty-free goods purchase and delivery request tab 26f, a non-duty-free goods purchase tab 26g, and a non-duty-free goods purchase and delivery request tab 26h are displayed so that any one of the tabs can be selected. The registration tab 26a is a tab operated by foreign visitors to Japan to input registration information (personal information, payment information, itinerary information, and delivery request information). When the registration tab 26a is selected, the display operation unit 10a displays one of a personal information registration screen 23a shown in Fig. 10, a payment information registration screen 23b shown in Fig. 11, an itinerary information registration screen 23c shown in Fig. 12, or a delivery request information registration screen 23d shown in Fig. 13. Therefore, the user can register personal information, payment information, itinerary information, and delivery request information by operating the registration tab 26a.

[0118] The reservation tab 26b, immigration tab 26c, product pickup tab 26d, duty-free purchase tab 26e, duty-free purchase and delivery request tab 26f, non-duty-free purchase tab 26g, and non-duty-free purchase and delivery request tab 26h are tabs operated to select a transaction stage or type. When the reservation tab 26b is selected, the transaction is identified as being at the reservation stage, and an integrated code 20, which encodes the transaction information required at the reservation stage, is displayed in the integrated code display area 27. More specifically, the code conversion table 13 shown in FIG. 14 is referenced to generate an integrated code 20 containing personal information and payment information required at the reservation stage, and the integrated code 20 is output to the display operation unit 10a. The integrated code 20 is transmitted to the store, read by the store terminal 30, and the reservation acceptance process is performed.

[0119] When the immigration tab 26c is selected, the immigration stage is identified, and an integrated code 20, into which the transaction information required for the immigration stage is encoded, is displayed in the integrated code display area 27. More specifically, the fourth code conversion table 13d shown in Fig. 14D is referenced to generate an integrated code 20 containing the personal information and itinerary information required for the immigration stage, and output it to the display operation unit 10a. The integrated code 20 is read by the immigration processing terminal 40, and immigration processing is carried out.

[0120] When the product reception tab 26d is selected, it is determined that the transaction is at the product reception stage, and an integrated code 20, which encodes the transaction information required at the product reception stage, is displayed in the integrated code display area 27. More specifically, the first code conversion table 13a shown in Fig. 14A is referenced to generate an integrated code 20 containing personal information and authentication information required at the product reception stage, and the integrated code 20 is output to the display operation unit 10a. The integrated code 20 is read by a code reader carried by the product delivery person, and a registration process for the completion of product delivery is performed.

[0121] When the tax-free purchase tab 26e is selected, it is determined that the transaction is at the product purchase stage and the type of transaction is tax-free, and an integrated code 20, which encodes the transaction information necessary for tax-free sales at the product purchase stage, is displayed in the integrated code display area 27. More specifically, the first code conversion TBL 13a shown in FIG. 14A is referenced to generate an integrated code 20 containing personal information, payment information, itinerary information, and benefit information necessary for tax-free sales at the product purchase stage, and the integrated code 20 is output to the display operation unit 10a. The integrated code 20 is read by the store terminal 30 at the store, and the processing necessary for tax-free sales is carried out.

[0122] When the tax-free purchase / delivery request tab 26f is selected, it is determined that the transaction is at the product purchase stage, the type of transaction is tax-free, and delivery of the purchased products is required. An integrated code 20, which encodes the transaction information required for tax-free sales and product delivery requests at the product purchase stage, is displayed in the integrated code display area 27. More specifically, the first code conversion table 13a shown in FIG. 14A is referenced to generate the integrated code 20, which includes personal information, payment information, itinerary information, benefit information, and delivery request information required for tax-free sales and product delivery requests at the product purchase stage, and the integrated code 20 is output to the display operation unit 10a. The integrated code 20 is read by the store terminal 30 of the store, and processing required for tax-free sales is performed. Furthermore, delivery request information is sent to an information processing device operated by an external delivery company, which instructs delivery of the products.

[0123] When the non-duty-free purchase tab 26g is selected, it is determined that the transaction is at the product purchase stage and the type of transaction is taxable, and an integrated code 20, which encodes the transaction information required at the product purchase stage, is displayed in the integrated code display area 27. More specifically, the second code conversion table 13b shown in FIG. 14B is referenced to generate an integrated code 20 containing the payment information and benefit information required for the taxable transaction at the product purchase stage, and the integrated code 20 is output to the display operation unit 10a. The integrated code 20 is read by the store terminal 30 at the store, where payment processing and the awarding of benefits (points) are carried out.

[0124] When the Duty-Free Purchase / Delivery Request tab 26h is selected, it is determined that the transaction is at the product purchase stage, the type of transaction is taxable, and delivery of the purchased products is required. An integrated code 20, which encodes the transaction information required for delivery of the products at the product purchase stage, is then displayed in the integrated code display area 27. More specifically, the second code conversion table 13b shown in FIG. 14B is referenced to generate an integrated code 20 containing payment information, benefit information, and delivery request information required for the taxable transaction and delivery request of the products at the product purchase stage, and the integrated code 20 is output to the display operation unit 10a. The integrated code 20 is read by the store terminal 30 of the store, which then processes the payment and awards benefits (points). Furthermore, delivery request information is sent to an information processing device operated by an external delivery company, which then instructs delivery of the products.

[0125] In the immigration process of step S10, the immigration procedure tab 26c is selected, which causes the immigration processing terminal 40 to read the integrated code 20 displayed on the display operation unit 10a, and immigration processing is carried out. Returning to FIG. 20, the next time a foreign visitor to Japan purchases a product at a Japanese store, a product purchase process is performed (step S20).

[0126] FIG. 22 shows a sequence of a purchase process executed by the user terminal control device 11 of the user terminal 10, the store terminal control device 31 of the store terminal 30, and the server control device 51 of the tax exemption management server 50. First, the store terminal control device 31 determines whether product information of a product that a foreign customer visiting Japan wishes to purchase has been input (step S21). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 determines whether a barcode attached to the product has been read. The product information may be input by the store terminal 30 reading the barcode, or the product information may be acquired by reading it using a POS terminal in the store. If it is determined that the input of product information has not been accepted (step S21: No), the store terminal control device 31 waits until the input of product information is accepted.

[0127] Meanwhile, the user terminal control device 11 determines whether or not the selection of the transaction stage and type has been accepted via the integrated code display screen 25A described with reference to Fig. 21 (step S22). Here, we will explain a case where a foreign visitor to Japan wishes to purchase duty-free goods and have the goods delivered, and the user terminal control device 11 determines whether or not the selection of the duty-free goods purchase / delivery request tab 26f on the integrated code display screen 25A has been accepted.

[0128] If it is determined that the selection of the duty-free goods purchase / delivery request tab 26f has not been accepted (step S22: No), the user terminal control device 11 waits until the selection of the duty-free goods purchase / delivery request tab 26f is accepted via the integrated code display screen 25. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection of the duty-free goods purchase / delivery request tab 26f has been accepted (step S22: Yes), the user terminal control device 11 generates an integrated code 20 (step S23). More specifically, the user terminal control device 11 references the first code conversion TBL 13a, encodes the personal information, payment information, itinerary information, benefit information, and delivery request information, and displays them in the private information code section 21d, the public information code section 21e, the payment information code section 21h, the itinerary information code section 21g, the benefit information code section 21f, and the delivery request information code section 21i, respectively.

[0129] If it is determined that the input of the product information has been accepted (step S21: Yes), the store terminal control device 31 determines whether or not the integrated code 20 displayed on the display operation unit 10a has been read (step S24). If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has not been read (step S24: No), the store terminal control device 31 waits until the integrated code 20 is read.

[0130] If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has been read (Step S24: Yes), the store terminal control device 31 decodes the integrated code 20 and transmits the passport information and product information to the duty-free management server 50 (Step S25). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 first reads the integrated code 20 and acquires layout information of the code sections of the integrated code 20. Next, the store terminal control device 31 acquires transaction-specific information that can identify the stage and type of transaction from the transaction-specific code section 21b. Next, the store terminal control device 31 acquires personal information, benefit information, itinerary information, payment information, and delivery request information from the private information code section 21d, public information code section 21e, benefit information code section 21f, itinerary information code section 21g, payment information code section 21h, and delivery request information code section 21i based on the transaction-specific information. Next, the store terminal control device 31 transmits to the tax exemption management server 50 the passport information and product information (product code, product name, unit price, quantity, etc.) relating to the product purchased at the store.

[0131] The server control device 51 of the tax-free management server 50 receives the passport information and product information and stores them in the purchase history information DB 52b (step S26). The purchase history information DB 52b is referenced to determine whether the product is eligible for tax-free sales and to calculate the amount of the refund when a foreign visitor applies for a refund when leaving Japan.

[0132] Next, the store terminal control device 31 issues a delivery instruction (step S27). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 transmits the delivery request information acquired from the delivery request information code section 21i to an information processing device operated by an external delivery company, thereby instructing the delivery company to deliver the purchased products, etc.

[0133] Next, the store terminal control device 31 performs a payment process (step S28). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 performs payment for the purchased items using the payment information acquired from the payment information code section 21h. The store terminal control device 31 performs payment by adding consumption tax to the price of the purchased items.

[0134] Next, the store terminal control device 31 grants a benefit to the purchaser of the product (step S29). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 adds points to be granted to the purchaser of the product to the benefit information acquired from the benefit information code section 21f. The added points (benefit information) are transmitted to the user terminal 10.

[0135] The user terminal control device 11 receives the benefit information and updates the benefit information TBL 12e (step S30). This makes it possible to further increase the purchasing motivation of foreign visitors to Japan who have purchased products in Japan. This completes the product purchasing process.

[0136] Returning to FIG. 20, when a foreign visitor departs from Japan, departure processing is carried out at a departure counter at an airport or the like (step S30). FIG. 23 shows the sequence of immigration processing executed by the user terminal control device 11 of the user terminal 10, the immigration processing terminal control device 41 of the immigration processing terminal 40, and the server control device 51 of the duty-free management server 50. First, the user terminal control device 11 determines whether or not the user has selected to go through immigration procedures (step S31). Specifically, the user terminal control device 11 determines whether or not the user has selected the immigration procedures tab 26c via the integrated code display screen 25 described with reference to FIG. 21.

[0137] If it is not determined that the selection of the immigration tab 26c has been accepted (step S31: No), the user terminal control device 11 waits until the immigration tab 26c is selected. On the other hand, if it is determined that the immigration tab 26c has been selected (step S31: Yes), the user terminal control device 11 generates an integrated code 20 (step S32). More specifically, the user terminal control device 11 refers to the fourth code conversion TBL 13d, encodes the official information (passport information) and itinerary information of the personal information, and displays them in the official information code section 21e and the itinerary information code section 21g, respectively.

[0138] The immigration processing terminal control device 41 determines whether or not the integrated code 20 displayed on the display operation unit 10a has been read (step S33). If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has not been read (step S33: No), the immigration processing terminal control device 41 waits until the integrated code 20 is read.

[0139] If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has been read (step S33: Yes), the immigration processing terminal control device 41 transmits the transaction information (passport information and itinerary information) required for the consumption tax refund application to the tax exemption management server 50 (step S34). Specifically, the immigration processing terminal control device 41 first reads the integrated code 20 and acquires layout information of the code section of the integrated code 20. Next, the immigration processing terminal control device 41 acquires transaction specific information that can identify the stage of the transaction from the transaction specific code section 21b. Subsequently, the immigration processing terminal control device 41 acquires passport information and itinerary information from the official information code section 21e and itinerary information code section 21g, respectively, based on the transaction specific information. Next, the immigration processing terminal control device 41 transmits the passport information and itinerary information including immigration information to the tax exemption management server 50.

[0140] The server control device 51 of the tax-free management server 50 receives the passport information and itinerary information and determines whether or not tax-free sales are available (step S35). Specifically, the server control device 51 accesses the purchase history information DB 52b to determine whether the total price excluding tax of products purchased in one day at a single store is within a predetermined tax-free range. The server control device 51 also accesses the user information DB 52a to determine whether or not the foreign visitor to Japan is a specified non-resident. Based on this, the server control device 51 determines whether or not tax-free sales are available.

[0141] If it is determined that tax-free sales are possible, the server control device 51 calculates the amount of the refund (step S36). Specifically, the server control device 51 calculates the amount of consumption tax by multiplying the tax-excluded price of the purchased product by a predetermined tax rate, and refunds the calculated amount of consumption tax using the payment method specified in the payment information in the user information DB 52a. In this way, tax-free sales can be conducted by refunding the consumption tax to foreign visitors to Japan who paid the consumption tax when purchasing the product. The amount of consumption tax refunded to the foreign visitors to Japan is notified to the foreign visitors carrying the user terminal 10. This completes the departure process.

[0142] Returning to FIG. 20, next, the goods etc. (goods or baggage) purchased at the store are picked up (step S40). If the delivery destination of the goods etc. is set to an airport, accommodation facility, leisure facility, etc., the goods are picked up at the airport. In this case, the goods etc. are picked up prior to the departure process. On the other hand, if the delivery destination of the goods etc. is set to the address of the customer's home after returning to Japan, the goods etc. are picked up at the customer's home after returning to Japan. In this case, the goods etc. are picked up after the departure process, as shown in FIG. 20. The foreign visitor to Japan operates the user terminal 10 to display the integrated code display screen 25 described with reference to Fig. 21 on the display operation unit 10a. In the integrated code display area 27 of the integrated code display screen 25, personal information and authentication information are encoded in the official information code section 21e and the authentication information code section 21c, and an integrated code 20 is displayed. The delivery of the product or the like is completed by having the delivery person read the integrated code 20 with a code reader carried by the delivery person.

[0143] When purchasing the above-mentioned duty-free goods, the transaction between the customer visiting the store and the store is carried out using an integrated code 20 in which transaction information, including personal information, payment information, itinerary information, and delivery request information, is coded in multiple code sections. Therefore, compared to the conventional case in which a transaction is carried out using a dedicated QR code for each stage of the transaction, it is possible to improve convenience for the customer, store clerks, and staff at the departure counter.

[0144] The above describes one embodiment of the product sales system 1. The above embodiment is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and of course, equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

[0145] <First Modification> In the above-described embodiment, the integrated code 20 described with reference to Fig. 2 is described as each consisting of a single section, including the layout code section 21a, the transaction-specific code section 21b, the authentication information code section 21c, the private information code section 21d, the public information code section 21e, the benefit information code section 21f, the itinerary information code section 21g, the payment information code section 21h, the delivery request information code section 21i, and the spare code section 21j, but is not limited to this. Each code section may be composed of multiple sections.

[0146] 24 shows the layout of an integrated code 20A according to a modified example. The integrated code 20A has a transaction code area 21A located in the center of the integrated code 20A, and position detection code areas 22 located at the top left, bottom left, and bottom right of the integrated code 20A. The transaction code area 21A is divided into a plurality of blocks (code sections), and each block stores transaction information necessary for conducting a transaction. Specifically, the commercial transaction code area 21A has a layout code section 21a, a commercial transaction specific code section 21b, an authentication information code section 21c, a first private information code section 21Ad, a second private information code section 21Ai, a third private information code section 21Ao, a first public information code section 21Ae, a second public information code section 21Ak, a third public information code section 21Ap, a privilege information code section 21Aj, a first itinerary information code section 21Af, a second itinerary information code section 21Al, a third itinerary information code section 21Aq, a first payment information code section 21Ag, a second payment information code section 21Am, a third payment information code section 21Ar, a first delivery request information code section 21Ah, a second delivery request information code section 21An, a third delivery request information code section 21As, and a reserve code section 21At.

[0147] As in the above-described embodiment, the layout code section 21a, the transaction specific code section 21b, and the authentication information code section 21c store information that can identify the layout of the code section, information that can identify the transaction stage and type of transaction, and user authentication information. In the first private information code section 21Ad, the second private information code section 21Ai, and the third private information code section 21Ao, private information of the user carrying the user terminal 10 is coded, divided into three sections, and stored in each section. However, the number of sections and the arrangement of each section are not limited to those shown in FIG. 22.

[0148] In the first official information code section 21Ae, the second official information code section 21Ak, and the third official information code section 21Ap, the passport information of the user carrying the user terminal 10 is encoded and divided into three parts and stored in each code section. The privilege information code section 21Aj stores privilege information granted to the user who carries the user terminal 10, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0149] The itinerary information of the user carrying the user terminal 10 is coded into the first itinerary information code section 21Af, the second itinerary information code section 21Al, and the third itinerary information code section 21Aq, and is divided into three parts and stored in each code section. In the first payment information code section 21Ag, the second payment information code section 21Am, and the third payment information code section 21Ar, information regarding the payment method desired by the user carrying the user terminal 10 is encoded and divided into three sections and stored in each code section.

[0150] When a user carrying the user terminal 10 requests delivery of goods or the like, delivery request information is coded, divided into three parts, and stored in each code section in the first delivery request information code section 21Ah, the second delivery request information code section 21An, and the third delivery request information code section 21As. In the spare code section 21At, similar to the above-described embodiment, information other than the above that is necessary for commercial transactions is stored.

[0151] As described above, the integrated code 20A according to the modified example stores private information, official information, itinerary information, payment information, and delivery request information in three separate code sections. Furthermore, the layout code section 21a stores information that can identify the layout of each code section. Therefore, the integrated code 20A can be read and decoded, while the layout of the code sections can be changed. This allows for increased confidentiality of commercial transaction information.

[0152] <Second Modification> In the above-described embodiment, the tax-free sales eligibility of products purchased by foreign visitors to Japan is determined by the tax-free management server 50, but this is not limiting. The user terminal 10 may also determine whether or not a product is eligible for tax-free sales. Specifically, the user terminal 10 preferably determines whether the total price excluding tax of products purchased in one day at a single store is within a predetermined tax-free range, and if the total price is less than the tax-free range, presents the shortfall to the user. This allows foreign visitors to Japan to receive tax-free sales by purchasing products according to the shortfall, and also promotes the purchase of products in Japan.

[0153] Fig. 25 shows the functional configuration of a user terminal 10B according to the second modified example. As shown in Fig. 25, the user terminal 10B mainly includes a user terminal control device 11B that controls the user terminal 10B, and a user terminal storage device 12B.

[0154] The user terminal storage device 12B stores a personal information TBL 12a, a payment information TBL 12b, an itinerary information TBL 12c, a delivery request information TBL 12d, a benefit information TBL 12e, and a purchase history information DB 12f. The user terminal storage device 12B of the second modified example is obtained by adding a purchase history information DB 12f to the user terminal storage device 12 shown in Fig. 4. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the user terminal storage device 12 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used and explanations are omitted, and only the different parts will be explained.

[0155] The purchase history information DB12f, like the purchase history information DB52b of the tax-free management server 50 described above with reference to FIG. 19, is information necessary for determining whether or not a product is eligible for tax-free sales, and stores information about products purchased by foreign visitors to Japan during their stay in Japan. Fig. 26 shows an example of the data structure of the purchase history information DB 12f. As shown in Fig. 26, the purchase history information DB 12f stores records having the following fields: store ID, purchase date and time, product code, product name, unit price, quantity, tax rate, and tax amount. Each field is the same as in the purchase history information DB 12f of the first embodiment, and the tax exemption determination unit 11h, which will be described later, can determine whether or not an item is eligible for tax-free sales by accessing the purchase history information DB 12f.

[0156] The user terminal control device 11B has a registration information receiving unit 11a, a commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b, a specific information receiving unit 11c, a code conversion determination unit 11d, a confidentiality processing unit 11e, an integrated code generation unit 11f, a code section change unit 11g, and a tax exemption determination unit 11h. The user terminal control device 11B of the second modified example is obtained by adding a tax exemption determination unit 11h to the user terminal control device 11 shown in Fig. 4. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the user terminal storage device 12 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the same reference numerals are used and explanations are omitted, and only different parts will be explained.

[0157] The tax exemption determination unit 11h determines whether or not a product purchased by a foreign visitor during his / her stay in Japan is eligible for tax-free sales. The method of determining whether or not a product is eligible for tax-free sales is the same as that of the refund processing unit 51d of the tax exemption management server 50 in the first embodiment, and calculates the total price excluding tax of the products purchased by the foreign visitor to Japan and determines whether or not the total price is within the tax-free range. Furthermore, if the total price excluding tax of the purchased products is less than the tax-free amount, the tax-free judgment unit 11h outputs the shortfall amount to the display operation unit 10a of the user terminal 10 and notifies the foreign visitor of the shortfall amount. This allows the foreign visitor to Japan to know the amount necessary to receive the tax-free sale and continue shopping, and also makes it possible to encourage foreign visitors to Japan to purchase products.

[0158] Next, the flow of the purchase process will be described. Figure 27 shows the sequence of the purchase processing executed by the user terminal control device 11B of the user terminal 10B, the store terminal control device 31 of the store terminal 30, and the server control device 51 of the tax exemption management server 50 in the second variant example.

[0159] Steps S21 to S30 show the same flow as in the above-described embodiment. First, the store terminal control device 31 determines whether or not it has accepted input of product information of a product that a user who is a foreign visitor to Japan wishes to purchase (step S21). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 determines whether or not it has acquired product information (barcode) of the product that the user wishes to purchase via a code reader such as a POS terminal. If it is determined that the input of the product information has not been accepted (step S21: No), the store terminal control device 31 waits until it is determined that the input of the product information has been accepted.

[0160] Meanwhile, the user terminal control device 11B determines whether or not the selection of the stage and type of the commercial transaction has been accepted (step S22). Specifically, the user terminal control device 11B determines whether or not the selection of the duty-free goods purchase / delivery request tab 26f has been accepted via the integrated code display screen 25.

[0161] If it is determined that the selection of the duty-free goods purchase / delivery request tab 26f has not been accepted (step S22: No), the user terminal control device 11B waits until the selection of the duty-free goods purchase / delivery request tab 26f is accepted via the integrated code display screen 25. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection of the stage and type of the commercial transaction has been accepted (step S22: Yes), the user terminal control device 11B generates an integrated code 20 in which the commercial transaction information is encoded (step S23).

[0162] The store terminal control device 31 determines whether or not the integrated code 20 displayed on the display operation unit 10a has been read (step S24). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 determines whether or not the integrated code 20 presented by the user has been read via a code reader.

[0163] If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has not been read (step S24: No), the store terminal control device 31 waits until the input of the integrated code 20 is received. On the other hand, if it is determined that the integrated code 20 has been read (step S24: Yes), the store terminal control device 31 transmits the personal information including the passport information and the product information (product code, product name, unit price, quantity, etc.) to the duty-free management server 50 (step S25). The store terminal control device 31 may also transmit the product information to the user terminal 10.

[0164] The server control device 51 of the tax-free management server 50 receives the personal information and product information and stores them in the purchase history information DB 52b (step S26). When a foreign visitor leaving Japan applies for a refund on a tax-free purchase, the purchase history information DB 52b is referenced to determine whether the tax-free purchase is possible and to calculate the refund amount.

[0165] Next, the store terminal control device 31 issues a delivery instruction (step S27). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 requests the delivery company to deliver the purchased products, etc., by transmitting the delivery request information acquired from the delivery request information code section 21i to an information processing device operated by the external delivery company.

[0166] Next, the store terminal control device 31 performs a payment process (step S28). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 performs payment for the purchased product using the payment information acquired from the payment information code section 21h.

[0167] Next, the store terminal control device 31 grants a benefit to the purchaser of the product (step S29). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 grants points by adding the points to be granted to the purchaser of the product to the benefit information acquired from the benefit information code section 21f. The added points (benefit information) are transmitted to the user terminal 10B. The user terminal control device 11B receives the benefit information and updates the benefit information TBL 12e (step S30), thereby increasing the purchasing motivation of foreign visitors to Japan.

[0168] Next, the user terminal control device 11B acquires product information of the purchased product and updates the purchase history information DB 12f (step S31). The product information may be acquired by communicating with the store terminal 30, or by having the user terminal 10 read a receipt output by a POS terminal.

[0169] Finally, the user terminal control device 11B refers to the purchase history information DB 12f to determine whether or not the tax-free sale is available (step S32). Specifically, it determines whether or not the total price excluding tax of the products purchased in one day at a single store is within a predetermined tax-free range, and if the total price is within the tax-free range, it determines that the tax-free sale is available. The user terminal control device 11 then outputs the determination result of whether or not the tax-free sale is available and the shortfall amount against the tax-free range to the display operation unit 10a, and ends the purchase process.

[0170] As described above, the user terminal 10B according to the second modification outputs the determination result as to whether or not the tax-free purchase is available to the display operation unit 10a. Therefore, foreign visitors to Japan can know in advance whether or not they need to apply for a refund at the departure counter when they leave the country. Furthermore, if the purchase amount is insufficient to cover the tax-free allowance, the user terminal control device 11B displays the shortfall on the display operation unit 10a. This allows foreign visitors to Japan to consider whether or not to purchase additional products in order to receive the tax-free sale, and enables stores to promote sales of their products.

[0171] Furthermore, the determination of whether or not a product purchased by a foreign visitor to Japan is eligible for tax-free sales may be made by the store terminal 30. Specifically, the store terminal 30 preferably has a tax-free determination unit that compares the total price excluding tax of the products purchased at the store with a predetermined tax-free range, and if the total price is less than the tax-free range, presents the shortfall to the user. This allows foreign visitors to Japan to receive tax-free sales by purchasing products according to the shortfall, and also promotes the purchase of products in Japan.

[0172] Second Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the product sales system 1 used when selling products duty-free to foreign visitors to Japan who visit a store, but is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a service provision system used when providing services to customers who visit a store. The following describes an example in which a customer who has made a reservation for accommodation services visits a store (accommodation facility) and receives the accommodation services. The service providing system according to the second embodiment includes a user terminal 10 and a store terminal 30, which are interconnected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a publicly available telecommunications line NW.

[0173] 28 shows the flow of receiving accommodation services by a user. It is assumed that, prior to receiving the services, personal information TBL12a, payment information TBL12b, itinerary information TBL12c, delivery request information TBL12d, and benefit information TBL12e of the user terminal 10 are stored with personal information, payment information, itinerary information, delivery request information, and benefit information, respectively.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 28, before visiting a store, a customer user first makes an advance reservation for accommodation (step S50). The customer operates the user terminal 10 to access a website that accepts accommodation reservations and applies for a reservation. The customer then displays the integrated code display screen 25C shown in FIG. 29 on the display operation unit 10a and operates the reservation tab 26b to display the integrated code 20, which includes personal information and payment information, in the integrated code display area 27. The displayed integrated code 20 is sent to an information processing device that accepts accommodation reservations (a web server that accepts accommodation reservations or a store terminal 30 of the accommodation facility), and the reservation acceptance process is carried out.

[0175] When the scheduled date of stay arrives, the customer visits the accommodation facility, where check-in processing is carried out at the reception desk of the accommodation facility (step S60). FIG. 30 shows the sequence of check-in processing executed by the user terminal control device 11 of the user terminal 10 and the shop terminal control device 31 of the shop terminal 30 (reception terminal) of the accommodation facility.

[0176] First, the user terminal control device 11 determines whether or not the selection of the check-in tab 26k has been accepted via the integrated code display screen 25C (step S61). If it is determined that the selection of the check-in tab 26k has not been accepted (step S61: No), the user terminal control device 11 waits until the selection of the check-in tab 26k is accepted.

[0177] On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection of the check-in tab 26k has been accepted (step S61: Yes), the user terminal control device 11 generates an integrated code 20 (step S62). More specifically, the user terminal control device 11 refers to the third code conversion TBL 13c, encodes the personal information and authentication information, and displays them in the official information code section 21e and the authentication information code section 21c, respectively. The integrated code 20 is displayed on the display operation unit 10a of the user terminal 10 and presented to the store terminal 30.

[0178] Next, the store terminal control device 31 determines whether or not the integrated code 20 displayed on the display operation unit 10a has been read (step S63). If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has not been read (step S63: No), the store terminal control device 31 waits until the integrated code 20 is read.

[0179] If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has been read (step S63: Yes), the store terminal control device 31 performs check-in processing (step S64). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 obtains personal information and authentication information by reading the integrated code 20, and compares it with the reservation information previously accepted. If the comparison is successful, the store terminal control device 31 outputs a notification that the comparison was successful. This ends the check-in processing, and the accommodation facility staff begins providing accommodation services to the user. At this time, payment may also be made based on the payment information notified at the time of reservation.

[0180] Returning to FIG. 28, on the final day of the accommodation service, check-out processing is carried out at the reception desk of the accommodation facility (step S70). FIG. 31 shows the sequence of the checkout process executed by the user terminal control device 11 of the user terminal 10 and the store terminal control device 31 of the store terminal 30 of the accommodation facility.

[0181] First, the user terminal control device 11 determines whether or not the selection of the checkout tab 26l has been accepted via the integrated code display screen 25C (step S71). If it is determined that the selection of the checkout tab 26l has not been accepted (step S71: No), the user terminal control device 11 waits until the selection of the checkout tab 26l is accepted.

[0182] On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection of the checkout tab 26l has been accepted (step S71: Yes), the user terminal control device 11 generates an integrated code 20 (step S72). More specifically, the user terminal control device 11 references the third code conversion TBL 13c, encodes the payment information and the benefit information, and displays them in the payment information code section 21h and the benefit information code section 21f, respectively. The integrated code 20 is displayed on the display operation unit 10a of the user terminal 10 and presented to the store terminal 30.

[0183] Next, the store terminal control device 31 determines whether or not the integrated code 20 displayed on the display operation unit 10a has been read (step S73). If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has not been read (step S73: No), the store terminal control device 31 waits until the integrated code 20 is read.

[0184] If it is determined that the integrated code 20 has been read (step S73: Yes), the store terminal control device 31 performs checkout processing (step S74). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 registers in the server device or the like of the accommodation facility that the checkout processing has been completed and the provision of accommodation services has been completed. Next, the store terminal control device 31 performs a payment process (step S75). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 performs payment for the accommodation service based on the payment information acquired from the payment information code section 21h.

[0185] Next, the store terminal control device 31 grants a benefit to the guest (step S76). Specifically, the store terminal control device 31 grants points by adding the points granted to the purchaser of the product to the benefit information acquired from the benefit information code section 21f. The added points (benefit information) are transmitted to the user terminal 10. The user terminal control device 11 receives the benefit information and updates the benefit information TBL 12e (step S77), thereby increasing the willingness of foreign visitors to Japan to use accommodation services.

[0186] In providing the above-mentioned accommodation services, commercial transactions between a customer who desires accommodation services and accommodation facilities are conducted using an integrated code 20 in which commercial transaction information, including personal information and payment information, is coded in multiple code sections. Therefore, compared to conventional cases in which commercial transactions are conducted using dedicated QR codes for each stage of the transaction, it is possible to realize improved convenience for customers and store clerks.

[0187] In the above-described embodiment, the customers visiting the store are described as foreign visitors to Japan, but this is not limited to this. The customers may also be Japanese. In this case, the personal information TBL 12a only needs to store information such as the name, gender, date of birth, and address that can identify the customer, and passport information is not necessarily required. In this case, information written on a driver's license can be used as official personal information. In the above-described embodiment, the stores visited by foreign visitors to Japan are duty-free stores (export goods sales outlets) that are permitted to sell goods duty-free, but the present invention is not limited to this. The stores may be stores other than duty-free stores.

[0188] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that accommodation services are provided to customers, but the services provided are not limited to accommodation services. Food and drink services and Japanese culture experience services may also be provided to customers visiting the store.

[0189] In the above embodiment, the store terminal control device 31 of the store terminal 30 acquires the transaction stage identification information and the transaction type identification information by reading them from the integrated code 20. However, the store terminal control device 31 may also acquire the transaction stage identification information and the transaction type identification information by accepting input of the transaction stage identification information and the transaction type identification information by a store clerk.

[0190] In the above-described embodiment, the user terminal 10 is described as accepting input of passport information and itinerary information via the personal information registration screen 23a and the itinerary information registration screen 23c. However, this is not limited to this. The commercial transaction information acquisition unit 11b of the user terminal 10 may acquire passport information and itinerary information by linking with the Visit Japan Web system, which was introduced and put into operation by the Digital Agency, and acquiring information registered therein. Specifically, a two-dimensional code may be displayed on the immigration procedure screen displayed on an information processing device used by a foreign national who has applied to use the Visit Japan Web system, and the passport information and itinerary information may be acquired by reading this code with the user terminal 10. Alternatively, the user terminal 10 may access a web server that constitutes the Visit Japan Web system to acquire passport information and itinerary information. In this way, linking with the Visit Japan Web system further improves convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0191] 1 Product sales system 10, 10B User Terminal 10a Display operation section 11, 11B User terminal control device 11a Registration Information Reception Department 11b Commercial transaction information acquisition unit (commercial transaction information acquisition means) 11c Specific information reception unit (commercial transaction specific information reception means) 11d code conversion determination unit (code conversion determination means) 11e Confidentiality Processing Unit (Confidentiality Processing Means) 11f Integrated code generation unit (machine-readable code display means) 11g Code section change unit (code section change means) 11h Tax exemption determination department 12, 12B User terminal storage device 12a Personal information TBL 12b Payment Information TBL 12c Itinerary information TBL 12d Delivery Request Information TBL 12e Bonus Information TBL 12f Purchase history information DB 13 Code conversion TBL 13a First code conversion TBL 13b Second code conversion TBL 13c Third Code Conversion TBL 13d Fourth code conversion TBL 20, 20A Integrated Code 21, 21A Commerce Code Area 21a Layout Code Section 21b Trade-specific code section 21c Authentication Information Code Section 21d Private Information Code Segment 21e Official Information Code Section 21f Bonus information code section 21g Itinerary information code section 21h Payment information code section 21i Delivery request information code section 21j Spare Code Section 21Ad First Private Information Code Block 21Ae First Public Information Code Section 21Af First itinerary information code section 21Ag First payment information code section 21Ah First delivery request information code section 21Ai Second Private Information Code Block 21Aj Bonus Information Code Section 21Ak Second Public Information Code Segment 21Al Second itinerary information code section 21Am Second payment information code section 21An Second delivery request information code section 21Ao Third Private Information Code Block 21Ap Third Public Information Code Section 21Aq Third itinerary information code section 21Ar Third payment information code section 21As Third delivery request information code section 21At spare code segment 22 Position detection code area 23 Information registration screen 23a Personal information registration screen 23b Payment information registration screen 23c Itinerary information registration screen 23d Delivery request information registration screen 25, 25C integrated code display screen 26 Tab Selection Area 26a Registration tab 26b Reservations tab 26c Immigration Procedures Tab 26d Product Pickup Tab 26e Duty-free purchase tab 26th floor Duty-free purchase / delivery request tab 26g Non-Duty Free Purchase Tab 26h Non-Duty Free Purchase / Delivery Request Tab 26i Product Purchase Tab 26j Product Purchase / Delivery Request Tab 26k Check-in tab 26l Checkout Tab 27 Integrated Code Display Area 30 store terminals 31 Store terminal control device 31a Purchased Product Registration Section 31b Integrated code reading unit (machine readable code reading means) 31c Specific information acquisition unit (commercial transaction specific information acquisition means) 31d Decoding decision unit (decoding decision means) 31e Decryption Processing Unit 31f Business Transaction Information Acquisition Department 31g Payment processing section 31h Tax-free Information Transmission Department 31i Benefits Department 31j Delivery Instruction Department 40 Immigration Processing Terminal 40a code reader 41 Immigration processing terminal control device 41a Integrated code reading unit (machine readable code reading means) 41b Specific information acquisition unit (means for acquiring departure procedure request) 41c Decoding decision unit (decoding decision means) 41d Decryption Processing Unit 41e Immigration Information Acquisition Department 41f Immigration Department 50 Tax-free management server 51 Server control device 51a Registration Information Reception Department 51b Sales Information Acquisition Department 51c Stay Information Acquisition Department 51d Refund Processing Department 52 Server storage device 52a User Information DB 52b Purchase history information DB NW telecommunications lines

Claims

1. The computer of the information processing terminal used by the customer who wishes to purchase goods or receive services, a commercial transaction information acquiring means for acquiring commercial transaction information including personal information capable of identifying the customer and payment method information capable of identifying a payment method related to the sale of the product or the provision of the service; a commercial transaction identification information receiving means for receiving input of commercial transaction stage identification information capable of identifying a commercial transaction stage relating to the sale of the product or the provision of the service; a code conversion determining means for determining whether or not to convert each of the personal information and the payment method information into a machine-readable code based on the transaction stage specifying information; A machine-readable code generation program that functions as a machine-readable code display means that converts the personal information and payment method information that have been decided to be converted into the machine-readable code by the code conversion decision means into the machine-readable code and displays the machine-readable code in a specified code section among multiple code sections that make up the machine-readable code display area where the machine-readable code is displayed.

2. the personal information includes passport information including the passport number of a passport held by the customer; the commercial transaction specific information receiving means receives input of tax-exempt specific information that can identify whether the sale of the commodity is a tax-exempt transaction or a taxable transaction; The machine-readable code generation program according to claim 1, characterized in that the code conversion determination means determines whether or not to convert each of the personal information and the payment method information into the machine-readable code based on the transaction stage identification information and the tax-exempt identification information.

3. the commercial transaction information includes delivery request information regarding a delivery request for the product; the commercial transaction specific information receiving means receives input of delivery request specific information that can identify whether the customer desires delivery of the sold product; The machine-readable code generation program according to claim 1, characterized in that the code conversion determination means determines whether or not to convert the delivery request information into the machine-readable code based on the transaction stage identification information and the delivery request identification information.

4. the commercial transaction information includes benefit information regarding benefits for the customer who has received the sale of the product or the provision of the service; 2. The machine-readable code generating program according to claim 1, wherein said code conversion determining means determines whether or not to convert said special information into said machine-readable code based on said transaction stage specifying information.

5. the machine-readable code generation program further causes the computer of the information processing terminal to function as a confidentiality processing unit that conceals the commercial transaction information, The machine-readable code generation program described in claim 1, characterized in that the machine-readable code display means converts the personal information or payment method information that has been concealed by the concealment processing means into the machine-readable code and displays it in the specified code section.

6. The machine-readable code generation program according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine-readable code display means has a code section change means for changing the position of the code section displaying the personal information and the payment method information among the plurality of code sections.

7. A store terminal computer used in a store that sells products or provides services, a machine-readable code reading means for reading, from an information processing terminal used by the customer, a machine-readable code generated based on commercial transaction information including personal information capable of identifying a customer who desires the sale of the product or the provision of the service, and payment method information capable of identifying a payment method related to the sale of the product or the provision of the service; a commercial transaction identification information acquisition means for acquiring, from the machine-readable code read by the machine-readable code reading means, commercial transaction stage identification information capable of identifying a commercial transaction stage relating to the sale of the commodity or the provision of the service; a decoding determination means for determining whether or not to decode the machine-readable code for each of a plurality of code sections constituting the machine-readable code based on the transaction stage identification information; A machine-readable code decoding program characterized by functioning as a commercial transaction information acquisition means that acquires the commercial transaction information including at least one of the personal information and the payment method information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section that has been decided to be decoded by the decoding decision means.

8. the personal information includes passport information including the passport number of a passport held by the customer; the commercial transaction specific information acquisition means acquires, from the machine-readable code, tax-exempt specific information that can identify whether the sale of the commodity is a tax-exempt transaction or a taxable transaction; 8. The machine-readable code decoding program according to claim 7, wherein the decoding decision means decides whether or not to decode the machine-readable code for each of the plurality of code sections based on the transaction stage identification information and the tax-exempt identification information.

9. the commercial transaction information includes delivery request information regarding a delivery request for the product; The commercial transaction specific information acquisition means acquires delivery request specific information that can identify whether the customer desires delivery of the sold product, the decoding determination means determines whether or not to decode the machine-readable code for each of the plurality of code sections based on the transaction stage identification information and the delivery request identification information; The machine-readable code decoding program described in claim 7, characterized in that the commercial transaction information acquisition means acquires the delivery request information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section decided to be decoded by the decoding decision means.

10. the commercial transaction information includes benefit information regarding benefits for the customer who has received the sale of the product or the provision of the service; the decoding decision means decides whether or not to decode the machine-readable code for each of the plurality of code sections based on the transaction stage identification information; The machine-readable code decoding program according to claim 7, characterized in that the commercial transaction information acquisition means acquires the bonus information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section that has been decided to be decoded by the decoding decision means.

11. The computer of the departure processing device used to carry out the departure procedures for departing persons, a machine-readable code reading means for reading, from an information processing terminal used by the departing person, a machine-readable code generated based on departure information including personal information capable of identifying the departing person; an emigration procedure request acquisition means for acquiring, from the machine-readable code read by the machine-readable code reading means, a departure procedure request indicating that the departing person wishes to undergo the departure procedure; a decoding decision means for deciding whether or not to decode the machine-readable code for each of a plurality of code segments constituting the machine-readable code based on the departure procedure request; An emigration processing program characterized by functioning as an emigration information acquisition means that acquires at least the emigration information by decoding the machine-readable code of the code section that has been decided to be decoded by the decoding decision means.

12. An exit processing device including the computer, An emigration processing device that causes the computer to execute the emigration processing program according to claim 11.

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