Sales data processing device, program, and receipt information processing method

Abstract

To promote introduction of an electronic receipt, and to prevent a paper receipt from being uselessly issued when using the electronic receipt in a commodity sales data processor.SOLUTION: A merchandise sales data processing apparatus includes a member code input unit that inputs a member code of a consumer, an electronic receipt issuance instruction unit that receives an instruction to issue electronic receipt information related to merchandise sales data, an electronic receipt generation unit that generates the electronic receipt information in association with the member code of the consumer when the electronic receipt issuance instruction unit instructs to issue the electronic receipt information, and a transmission unit that transmits a company code indicating a company and the electronic receipt information generated by the electronic receipt generation unit to an electronic receipt server in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic receipt system, a sales data processing device, a program, and an electronic receipt generating method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a system called an electronic receipt, in which a receipt or invoice given to a consumer by a store at the time of payment for a product is electronically transferred to a mobile terminal or the like of the consumer.

[0003] By converting receipts into electronic data in this way, household accounts can be automatically recorded electronically, which is beneficial for consumers. The introduction of electronic receipts also reduces the consumption of receipt paper, which is beneficial for stores that adopt them. It is also known that electronically attaching coupons related to purchased products to electronic receipts can be used for product sales promotion and advertising.

[0004] However, conventional electronic receipt systems have only been introduced on a company-by-company basis, i.e., a seller of a product or service. Therefore, users of electronic receipts can enjoy the benefits of electronic receipts separately for each company that has introduced electronic receipts. Furthermore, when using a store of a company that has not yet introduced electronic receipts, users are forced to receive a paper receipt, as in the past, and there is a desire to promote the introduction of electronic receipts. Furthermore, even in POS (Point of Sales) terminals, which are product sales data processing devices that process product sales data, it is necessary to prevent the unnecessary issuance of paper receipts when using electronic receipts. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a merchandise sales data processing device and program that promotes the introduction of electronic receipts and can prevent the unnecessary issuance of paper receipts when using electronic receipts in the merchandise sales data processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic receipt system according to an embodiment includes a display unit, an issuance instruction means for instructing issuance of an electronic receipt related to sales data, a display output means for outputting, to the display unit, first display data indicating that the electronic receipt will be issued, when the issuance instruction means issues an instruction to issue the electronic receipt, an electronic receipt generation means for generating electronic receipt information based on the sales data, when the issuance instruction means issues an instruction to issue the electronic receipt, and an electronic receipt output means for outputting the electronic receipt information generated by the electronic receipt generation means to a server connected via a network, and when an offline state of the network is detected, the display output means outputs, to the display unit, second display data different from the first display data, which includes information indicating that the electronic receipt will be issued after the network failure is resolved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a transition diagram showing an example of screen transitions during consumer membership registration. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the mobile terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the POS terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electronic receipt server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electronic receipt management server. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the electronic receipt processing in the POS terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the electronic receipt process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view showing a display example of the operator display unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of a display on the customer display unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a display example of the operator display unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the information transmission process in the electronic receipt server. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the electronic receipt management server for the electronic receipt management process and the product information transmission process. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the electronic receipt management process and the product information transmission process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram relating to the electronic receipt receiving process and the electronic receipt viewing process in the mobile terminal. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the electronic receipt receiving process and the electronic receipt viewing process. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a front view showing a display example on a mobile terminal. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a front view showing a display example on a mobile terminal. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a front view showing a display example on a mobile terminal. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a front view showing a display example on a mobile terminal. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a front view showing a display example on a mobile terminal. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a front view showing a display example on a mobile terminal. [Figure 23]FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of the electronic receipt receiving process and the electronic receipt viewing process. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a front view showing an example of a display transition on a mobile terminal. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of the statistical information generation process in the mobile terminal. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a front view showing a display example on a mobile terminal. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a front view showing another example of display on a mobile terminal. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of transferring receipt information. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a front view showing a display example on the mobile terminal of the delegation destination. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, a store 1 is equipped with a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 2 (only one terminal is shown in Fig. 1, but multiple terminals may be used) which is a product sales data processing device that processes product sales data, and a router 3. The POS terminal 2 and the router 3 are connected by an in-store LAN 4 (Local Area Network). The router 3 is a device for connecting the in-store LAN 4 with a network 5 such as the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Although not specifically shown, a store server that controls the POS terminal 2 may also be installed in the store 1.

[0010] An electronic receipt server 6 is connected to the network 5. A plurality of electronic receipt servers 6 are provided for each company that sells products or services and operates stores or chain stores (hereinafter referred to as stores) such as convenience stores, supermarkets, food stores, drug stores, apparel stores, home appliance stores, department stores, general merchandise stores, and restaurants, and function as a receipt management server for the company that stores and manages electronic receipt information for each company code that indicates the company that operates the store. The electronic receipt server 6 may be a headquarters server of a POS system that has functions such as sales management, sales analysis, and inventory management for each company that operates the store.

[0011] A mobile terminal 8 is also connected to the network 5 via a base station 7 that performs wireless communication in accordance with standards such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). The mobile terminal 8 is an information processing device that implements a web browser, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet computer. Note that instead of the mobile terminal 8, an information processing device such as a personal computer such as a notebook PC may also be used.

[0012] Furthermore, an electronic receipt management server 9 is also connected to the network 5, which functions as a customer receipt management server that collectively stores and manages electronic receipt information from various companies that operate stores. Consumers who have registered as members in advance to receive the electronic receipt service can obtain electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt management server 9 using a mobile terminal 8 via the network 5. The electronic receipt management server 9 is managed, for example, by a third party other than the company that manages the electronic receipt information in the electronic receipt server 6. The electronic receipt server 6 may also be managed by a third party or the like. The functions of the electronic receipt server 6 may also be provided in the electronic receipt management server 9, and managed by a single server. The function of collectively managing electronic receipt information for each company that indicates a company that operates a store using multiple company codes may be provided as a service (application) in the form of, for example, SaaS (Software as a Service), a type of cloud computing.

[0013]

[0033] Note that a consumer's membership registration to receive the electronic receipt service is performed, for example, as follows. FIG. 2 is a transition diagram showing an example of screen transitions during consumer membership registration. The consumer sends a blank email from mobile terminal 8 to the member management server (not shown) via network 5. The member management server sends a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating a page for member registration to the received email address. The consumer accesses the URL indicating the page for member registration from mobile terminal 8 to display input screen H (see FIG. 2(a)), and enters the information required for member registration. After the consumer has entered the necessary information, input confirmation screen I is displayed on mobile terminal 8 (see FIG. 2(b)). Then, after the consumer confirms the input, member registration is performed in the member master. Thereafter, the member management server sends a member registration completion email including a member code and password to mobile terminal 8. This completes member registration. Note that FIG. 2(c) shows a registration completion screen J displayed on mobile terminal 8 after registration is complete. A "Display top screen" button B10 is provided on registration completion screen J. When the consumer operates this "top screen display" button B10, the mobile terminal 8 displays the top screen K shown in FIG. 2(d).

[0014] In the electronic receipt system configured as above, electronic receipt information indicating the details of payment generated by processing product sales data in the POS terminal 2 of the store 1 is transmitted to the electronic receipt management server 9 via the network 5 and the electronic receipt server 6, and the electronic receipt information is then transmitted from the electronic receipt management server 9 to the member's mobile terminal 8. The member can display the electronic receipt information on the display unit of the mobile terminal 8 and check its details. In addition, the electronic receipt management server 9 publishes the electronic receipt information on the Web. The mobile terminal 8 equipped with a Web browser can download the electronic receipt information published on the Web to the mobile terminal 8 and view it on the Web browser by specifying a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Note that application software for viewing the electronic receipt information may be installed on the mobile terminal 8 to view the electronic receipt information.

[0015] The mobile terminal 8 stores the membership code and password acquired by the consumer as described above in the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 3) or the like. Methods for outputting the membership code stored in this manner include displaying it as a barcode, displaying it as a two-dimensional code, or transmitting it via information communication using NFC (Near Field Communication), which is a near-field wireless communication method.

[0016] Furthermore, the membership code acquired by a consumer to receive the electronic receipt service may be associated with an existing corporate membership card for a point service operated by a company such as a chain store, via the POS terminal 2 of each retail store or each individual's mobile terminal 8.

[0017] Here, an example of how the membership code acquired by the consumer is associated with an existing corporate membership card as described above will be described.

[0018] 1. Example of operation at store POS terminal 2 (1) First, a checker operating the POS terminal 2 checks whether or not the electronic receipt service is to be provided and whether or not a point card is present at the time of product registration (payment). If the electronic receipt service is to be provided, the consumer presents the mobile terminal 8 and the point card. (2) The checker reads the membership code stored in the mobile terminal 8 and the corporate membership code on the point card. Here, the reading of the membership code stored in the mobile terminal 8 depends on the I / O provided in the POS terminal 2, and the above-mentioned barcode, two-dimensional code, NFC, etc. are applied. (3) The POS terminal 2 transmits the transaction, the membership code read in (3), and the corporate membership code on the point card to the electronic receipt management server 9. (4) The electronic receipt management server 9 receives the information sent in (3), and if this is the first time that the electronic receipt information indicating the details of the settlement generated by the POS terminal 2 of the store 1 processing the product sales data and the membership code, and the corporate membership code of the point card have been sent simultaneously, they are registered in the electronic receipt management server 9.

[0019] After that, the consumer can receive services and point award services in the electronic receipt system by simply presenting the mobile terminal 8 or the point card.

[0020] 2. Example of operation on mobile terminal 8 (1) First, the consumer accesses a specific URL from their mobile terminal 8 or logs in to the point card registration menu using an application installed on the mobile terminal 8. The consumer inputs and selects the company that issues the point card to be registered. Next, the consumer inputs the company membership code of the point card to be registered, confirms the number, presses the registration button, and sends the registration details to the electronic receipt management server 9. The company membership code can be input manually, by taking a photo, or by magnetic reading. (2) The electronic receipt management server 9 receives the registration details from the mobile terminal 8 in (1), collates them with the customer information of each company, and returns a confirmation display screen to the mobile terminal 8 of the consumer. (3) The consumer checks the confirmation screen returned from the electronic receipt management server 9 and presses the consent button to complete the association of the membership code on the electronic receipt with the existing corporate membership card.

[0021] In this way, by managing services in the electronic receipt system and point-granting services using a unique membership code on an electronic receipt, it becomes possible to receive services in the electronic receipt system by presenting a point card at stores that have conventional point cards, or by presenting the mobile terminal 8 at stores that do not have point cards. As a result, the membership code on the electronic receipt can act as a hub that links each company's corporate membership card.

[0022] The configuration of each component that constitutes the electronic receipt system of this embodiment will be described below, including this point.

[0023] First, the main configuration of portable terminal 8, which is an information processing device, will be described using the block diagram of Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, portable terminal 8 is composed of CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 constituting the control unit main body, memory 12 for temporarily storing data, storage unit 13 which can be read and written by commands from CPU 11 and in which programs, data, etc. are stored, network interface 14 connected to various public networks including network 5, display unit 17 which can display various information, input unit 18 for operating portable terminal 8, clock unit 19 which keeps time, etc. Input unit 18 is a touch panel layered on display unit 17 or keys provided on the housing.

[0024] The storage unit 13 is pre-installed with a web browser for viewing various information (content) published on the web, as well as an electronic receipt compatible program P11 for receiving electronic receipt information generated after settlement through product sales data processing from the electronic receipt management server 9, and an electronic receipt viewing program P12 for viewing the received electronic receipt information.

[0025] In addition, the storage unit 13 is pre-installed with a statistical information generation program P13 for generating statistical information by collating electronic receipt information received from the electronic receipt server 6 of each company, which will be described later, based on the company code and the industry / business type code.

[0026] Furthermore, the storage unit 13 is pre-installed with a receipt information transfer program P14 for dividing electronic receipt information and transferring it to others.

[0027] The electronic receipt compatible program P11, the electronic receipt viewing program P12, the statistical information generation program P13, and the receipt information delegation program P14 executed on the mobile terminal 8 are provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0028] The electronic receipt compatible program P11, the electronic receipt viewing program P12, the statistical information generation program P13, and the receipt information delegation program P14 executed on the mobile terminal 8 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The electronic receipt compatible program P11, the electronic receipt viewing program P12, the statistical information generation program P13, and the receipt information delegation program P14 executed on the mobile terminal 8 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0029] Next, the main components of the POS terminal 2, which is a product sales data processing device, will be described using the block diagram of Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the POS terminal 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 constituting the control unit itself, a memory 22 for temporarily storing data, a storage unit 23 that can be read and written by commands from the CPU 21 and stores programs and data, a network interface 24 connected to the in-store LAN 4, a printer interface 25 to which a printer is connected, an operator display unit 28 for displaying various information to an operator, a clock unit 29 for measuring time, a customer display unit 30 for displaying various information to customers, an input unit 31 for operating the POS terminal 2, and a code input unit 32 for entering codes. The input unit 31 also includes a touch panel stacked on the operator display unit 28 or the customer display unit 30. The code input unit 32 may be a barcode scanner, a two-dimensional code scanner, an NFC communication device, or the like.

[0030] The storage unit 23 has an identification code management area 23a reserved as an area for pre-storing the POS number of the POS terminal 2, as well as a company code (identification code of the company that operates the store), a business type / category code, a store code indicating the store 1 where the POS terminal 2 is installed, and the like. The business type / category code is a code (classification code) that distinguishes the business type / category of the store, such as a convenience store, supermarket, department store, pharmacy, restaurant, or eating and drinking establishment. The business type / category can be changed as desired by the user. The company code (identification code of the company that operates the store) and the business type / category code may be registered in the electronic receipt server 6.

[0031] In addition, the storage unit 23 is pre-installed with software for executing various POS operations including product sales data processing, as well as an electronic receipt processing program P15 for processing electronically processed electronic receipt information in place of receipts or invoices printed out when product sales data processing is performed.

[0032] The electronic receipt processing program P15 executed by the POS terminal 2 is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0033] The electronic receipt processing program P15 executed by the POS terminal 2 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The electronic receipt processing program P15 executed by the POS terminal 2 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0034] Next, the main configuration of the electronic receipt server 6 that functions as a company receipt management server will be explained using the block diagram in Figure 5. The electronic receipt server 6 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 that constitutes the control unit itself, a memory 42 for temporarily storing data, a storage unit 43 that can be read and written by commands from the CPU 41 and that stores programs, data, etc., a network interface 44 that is connected to the network 5, etc.

[0035] An electronic receipt management area 43a is allocated in the storage unit 43 as an area for storing electronic receipt information for each company operating a store. The electronic receipt information includes a company code (an identification code of the company operating the store), an industry / business type code, a store code, a consumer's membership code, a POS number of the POS terminal 2, a receipt number, product sales data, etc.

[0036] The storage unit 43 also has pre-installed therein an electronic receipt management program P1 for managing electronic receipt information received from the POS terminal 2 of each store 1 in an electronic receipt management area 43a.

[0037] In addition, the storage unit 43 is also pre-installed with an information transmission program P2 for transmitting electronic receipt information managed in the electronic receipt management area 43a to the electronic receipt management server 9.

[0038] Furthermore, the storage unit 43 is provided with an information management area 43b for storing various additional information associated with desired products, members, companies, and stores. Here, the additional information is access information such as a URL linking to a homepage associated with a company's campaign, a URL linking to a homepage associated with a company's commercial, or a URL linking to a company's coupon.

[0039] The electronic receipt management program P1 and the information transmission program P2 executed by the electronic receipt server 6 are provided as files in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0040] The electronic receipt management program P1 and the information transmission program P2 executed by the electronic receipt server 6 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The electronic receipt management program P1 and the information transmission program P2 executed by the electronic receipt server 6 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0041] Next, the main configuration of the electronic receipt management server 9 that functions as a customer receipt management server will be explained using the block diagram in Figure 6. The electronic receipt management server 9 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 that constitutes the control unit itself, a memory 52 for temporarily storing data, a storage unit 53 that can be read and written by commands from the CPU 51 and that stores programs, data, etc., a network interface 54 that is connected to the network 5, etc.

[0042] The storage unit 53 has an electronic receipt management area 53a allocated as an area for collectively storing electronic receipt information of various companies operating stores. More specifically, the electronic receipt management area 53a manages electronic receipt information and additional information of various companies operating stores for each member. The electronic receipt information includes a member code, a company code (an identification code of the company operating the store), a store code, the POS number of the POS terminal 2, a receipt number, product sales data, additional information, etc.

[0043] The storage unit 53 also has pre-installed therein an electronic receipt management program P3 for managing additional information and electronic receipt information received from the electronic receipt server 6 of each company in the electronic receipt management area 53a.

[0044] In addition, the storage unit 53 has an information transmission program P4 pre-installed therein for transmitting electronic receipt information and additional information on a desired product to the mobile terminal 8.

[0045] The electronic receipt management program P3 and the information transmission program P4 executed by the electronic receipt management server 9 are provided as files in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0046] The electronic receipt management program P3 and the information transmission program P4 executed by the electronic receipt management server 9 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The electronic receipt management program P3 and the information transmission program P4 executed by the electronic receipt management server 9 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0047] Next, the operation of each unit that constitutes the system of this embodiment will be described.

[0048] First, the electronic receipt processing executed by the CPU 21 of the POS terminal 2 operating in accordance with the electronic receipt processing program P15 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 7 and the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0049] 7, the electronic receipt processing program P15 executed by the POS terminal 2 has a modular configuration including a membership code input unit 63 functioning as a membership code input means, an electronic receipt generation unit 26 functioning as an electronic receipt generation means, a transmission unit 27 functioning as a transmission means, an electronic receipt issuance instruction unit 61 functioning as an electronic receipt issuance instruction means, and a receipt printing unit 62 functioning as a receipt printing means. In terms of actual hardware, the CPU 21 reads out and executes the electronic receipt processing program P15 from the storage unit 23, whereby the above-mentioned units are loaded onto the memory 22, and the electronic receipt generation unit 26 serving as an electronic receipt generation means, the transmission unit 27 serving as a transmission means, the electronic receipt issuance instruction unit 61 serving as an electronic receipt issuance instruction means, and the receipt printing unit 62 serving as a receipt printing means are generated on the memory 22.

[0050] The membership code input unit 63 inputs the consumer's membership code stored in the mobile terminal 8 via the code input unit 32. The electronic receipt issuance instruction unit 61 receives an instruction as to whether or not to issue electronic receipt information related to the product sales data. When an instruction to issue electronic receipt information is given by the electronic receipt issuance instruction unit 61, the electronic receipt generation unit 26 associates a company code indicating the company that operates the store with electronically processed electronic receipt information in place of a receipt or invoice that is printed and issued when the product sales data is processed, and generates the electronic receipt information in association with the consumer's membership code.

[0051] The transmitting unit 27 transmits the electronic receipt information generated by the electronic receipt generating unit 26 to the electronic receipt server 6 that is managed on a company basis according to the company code. If the electronic receipt issuance instructing unit 61 does not issue an instruction to issue the electronic receipt information, the receipt printing unit 62 prints a receipt related to the product sales data.

[0052] When a closing operation key or the like is input to start closing processing of a commodity transaction, the CPU 21 of the POS terminal 2 determines whether a membership code is input, whether an electronic receipt is to be issued, and whether an instruction to issue an electronic receipt corresponding to the settlement processing according to the closing operation has been given.

[0053] The member may instruct the issuance of an electronic receipt in the following manner, for example. 1. The store clerk operates the "Issue electronic receipt" button provided on the input unit 31 (for example, a keyboard) of the POS terminal 2. 2. A member consumer displays a barcode including a trigger code on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8, and a store clerk reads it using the input unit 31 of the POS terminal 2 (for example, a barcode scanner). 3. The member consumer operates the "Issue electronic receipt" button displayed in a pressable manner on the customer display unit 30. 4. The member consumer displays a barcode containing a trigger code on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8, and the member consumer himself / herself reads it using the input unit 31 of the POS terminal 2 (for example, a barcode scanner (preferably a scanner different from the one used for product registration)). 5. A member consumer presents a corporate membership card to receive point services, and the corporate membership code on the corporate membership card is read using the input unit 31 of the POS terminal 2 (e.g., a barcode scanner, magnetic card reader, or NFC), and if the read corporate membership code is associated with the membership code on the electronic receipt, it is determined that an instruction to issue an electronic receipt has been made. 6. The store clerk operates the “Issue electronic receipt” button provided on the operator display unit 28 of the POS terminal 2.

[0054] Here, an example of the flow of electronic receipt processing including an instruction to issue an electronic receipt by the above-described Method 6 will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of electronic receipt processing. As shown in Fig. 8, when there is an input from a closing operation key or the like to start closing processing of a commodity transaction (Yes in Step S1), the CPU 21 (electronic receipt issuance instruction unit 61) of the POS terminal 2 displays a "receipt printing confirmation screen" on the operator display unit 28 (Step S2).

[0055] 9 is a front view showing an example of the display on the operator display unit 28 of the POS terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 9, a "Receipt Printing Confirmation Screen" Q is displayed on the operator display unit 28. The "Receipt Printing Confirmation Screen" Q displays an "Issue Electronic Receipt" button Q1 (first input unit) for issuing an instruction to issue electronic receipt information, and a "Issue Receipt" button Q2 (second input unit) for issuing an instruction to print a receipt.

[0056] Here, when the "Issue electronic receipt" button Q1 is operated by the operator via the input unit 31, the CPU 21 (electronic receipt issuance instructing unit 61) of the POS terminal 2 determines that an instruction to issue an electronic receipt has been issued (Yes in step S3), and displays a message on the operator display unit 28 and the customer display unit 30 that "An electronic receipt will be issued, but a receipt will not be printed" (step S4). Fig. 10 is a front view showing an example of a display on the customer display unit 30 of the POS terminal 2. The customer display unit 30 shown in Fig. 10 displays a message m that reads "An electronic receipt will be issued, but a receipt will not be printed."

[0057] Furthermore, when the "Issue electronic receipt" button Q1 is operated by the operator via the input unit 31, the CPU 21 (electronic receipt issuance instruction unit 61) of the POS terminal 2 displays an icon i indicating that "a receipt is not required" in the member information area displayed on the operator display unit 28, as shown in Fig. 11 (step S5). This prevents the operator from being confused by the fact that a receipt is not being printed.

[0058] Furthermore, if it is determined that an instruction to issue an electronic receipt has been issued (Yes in step S3), the CPU 21 (electronic receipt generation unit 26) of the POS terminal 2 transmits the product transaction data to the company's headquarters server, and, separately from the product transaction data, extracts the company code (identification code of the company operating the store), industry / business type code, store code, consumer's membership code, POS number of the POS terminal 2, receipt number, product sales data, etc. from the identification code management area 23a provided in the storage unit 23 based on the product information and payment information registered at the time of payment through product sales data processing, converts them into an electronic receipt format, and generates electronic receipt information (step S6). The electronic receipt information is generated in a data format such as text, XML, or JSON, which has a relatively small file size.

[0059] Next, the CPU 21 (transmission unit 27) of the POS terminal 2 connects to the in-store LAN 4 and the network 5 via the network interface 24, transmits the generated electronic receipt information to the electronic receipt server 6 (step S7), and ends the process. Note that if it is determined that there is no instruction to issue an electronic receipt, a paper receipt is printed and issued, and the product transaction data is transmitted to the headquarters server, and the process ends.

[0060] If the CPU 21 of the POS terminal 2 goes offline when transmitting commodity transaction data (transaction data) to the head office server, the CPU 21 takes the following measures to avoid the failure. 1. Automatic retry transmission. If 2.1 is not possible, the transaction data is stored until the online service is restored, and then transmitted to the headquarters server after the online service is restored. In this case, the CPU 21 of the POS terminal 2 displays a message such as "The transaction data will be sent later" on the operator display unit 28.

[0061] On the other hand, when the "Receipt Issue" button Q2 is operated by the operator via the input unit 31, the CPU 21 (electronic receipt issue instruction unit 61) of the POS terminal 2 determines that an instruction to issue a receipt has been issued.

[0062] If it is determined that an instruction to issue a receipt has been issued (No in step S3, Yes in step S8), the CPU 21 (receipt printing unit 62) of the POS terminal 2 prints and issues a receipt related to the product sales data from a printer (not shown) (step S9). Furthermore, if it detects that the POS terminal 2 has gone offline when generating electronic receipt information, the CPU 21 (electronic receipt generation unit 26) of the POS terminal 2 prints and issues a paper receipt. In this case, the CPU 21 (electronic receipt generation unit 26) of the POS terminal 2 displays "An electronic receipt will be issued after the network failure is resolved" on the operator display unit 28 and the customer display unit 30, and also prints "An electronic receipt will be issued after the network failure is resolved" on the paper receipt.

[0063] Next, the flow of the electronic receipt management process executed by the CPU 41 of the electronic receipt server 6 operating in accordance with the electronic receipt management program P1 and the flow of the information transmission process executed by the CPU 41 operating in accordance with the information transmission program P2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12.

[0064] When the CPU 41 of the electronic receipt server 6 receives the electronic receipt information transmitted from the POS terminal 2 via the network interface 44 (Yes in step S11), the CPU 41 stores the electronic receipt information as electronic receipt information for each company in the electronic receipt management area 43a of the storage unit 43 (step S12). That is, the CPU 41 of the electronic receipt server 6 functions as an electronic receipt management means that manages the electronic receipt information in the storage unit 43 for each company according to the company code.

[0065] After storing the received electronic receipt information, the CPU 41 of the electronic receipt server 6 transmits the additional information managed in the information management area 43b and the electronic receipt information managed in the electronic receipt management area 43a to the electronic receipt management server 9 at a preset transmission timing (No in step S11, Yes in step S13) (step S14), and then returns to step S11.

[0066] It should be noted that the CPU 21 (electronic receipt generation unit 26) of the POS terminal 2 generates electronic receipt information and transmits it to the electronic receipt server 6, but this is not limiting. For example, the CPU 21 of the POS terminal 2 may transmit a store code, a consumer's membership code, the POS number of the POS terminal 2, a receipt number, product sales data, etc. to the electronic receipt server 6 based on the product information and payment information registered at the time of payment through product sales data processing, and the CPU 41 of the electronic receipt server 6 may add a company code, an industry / business type code, etc. to generate electronic receipt information.

[0067] Next, the flow of the electronic receipt management process executed by the CPU 51 of the electronic receipt management server 9 operating in accordance with the electronic receipt management program P3 and the flow of the product information transmission process executed by the CPU 51 operating in accordance with the information transmission program P4 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 13 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 14.

[0068] 13 , the electronic receipt management program P3 and the information transmission program P4 executed by the electronic receipt management server 9 have a modular configuration including a receiving unit 55 functioning as a receiving means, an electronic receipt collective management unit 56 functioning as an electronic receipt collective management means, and an electronic receipt transmission unit 57 functioning as an electronic receipt transmission means. In terms of actual hardware, the CPU 51 reads out and executes the electronic receipt management program P3 and the information transmission program P4 from the storage unit 53, whereby the above-mentioned units are loaded onto the memory 52, and the receiving unit 55, the electronic receipt collective management unit 56, and the electronic receipt transmission unit 57 are generated on the memory 52.

[0069] The receiving unit 55 receives electronic receipt information for each company that includes a company code indicating the company that operates the store and is electronically processed in place of a receipt or invoice that is printed when processing product sales data.

[0070] The electronic receipt collective management unit 56 stores the electronic receipt information for each company received by the receiving unit 55 in the electronic receipt management area 53a of the storage unit 53 and manages it in a collective manner.

[0071] The electronic receipt sending unit 57 acquires electronic receipt information, which is associated with the membership code of a specific consumer and includes at least one company code, from the electronic receipt management area 53a and sends it to the mobile terminal 8, which is associated with the membership code of the specific consumer.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 51 (receiving unit 55) of the electronic receipt management server 9 determines whether or not the electronic receipt information and additional information transmitted from the electronic receipt server 6 of each company have been received via the network interface 54 (step S21).

[0073] When the electronic receipt information and the additional information are received (Yes in step S21), the CPU 51 (electronic receipt collective management unit 56) of the electronic receipt management server 9 collectively stores the electronic receipt information and the additional information of various companies in the electronic receipt management area 53a of the storage unit 53 (step S22).

[0074] Furthermore, the CPU 51 (electronic receipt transmitting unit 57) of the electronic receipt management server 9 stores the electronic receipt information and the additional information in the electronic receipt management area 53a all at once, and then transmits the electronic receipt information and the additional information to the mobile terminal 8 (step S23), and returns to step S21. When the transmission of the electronic receipt information is completed, a flag indicating the completion of transmission is stored for the electronic receipt information in the electronic receipt management area 58a, thereby enabling the transmission result of the electronic receipt information to be managed.

[0075] Furthermore, when an electronic receipt information inquiry is made from the mobile terminal 8 (No in step S21, Yes in step S24), the CPU 51 (electronic receipt sending unit 57) of the electronic receipt management server 9 extracts the additional information and electronic receipt information managed in the electronic receipt management area 53a in accordance with the content of the electronic receipt information inquiry (step S25), and then sends the information to the mobile terminal 8 that made the inquiry (step S26), and returns to step S21.

[0076] Next, the flow of the electronic receipt receiving process executed by the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 operating in accordance with the electronic receipt compatible program P11 and the flow of the electronic receipt viewing process executed by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with the electronic receipt viewing program P12 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 15 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

[0077] 15 , the electronic receipt corresponding program P11 and the electronic receipt viewing program P12 executed on the mobile terminal 8 have a modular configuration including a member association unit 81 functioning as member association means, an electronic receipt receiving unit 82 functioning as electronic receipt receiving means, and an electronic receipt display unit 83 functioning as electronic receipt display means. In terms of actual hardware, the CPU 11 reads out and executes the electronic receipt corresponding program P11 and the electronic receipt viewing program P12 from the storage unit 13, whereby the above-mentioned units are loaded onto the memory 12, and the member association unit 81, electronic receipt receiving unit 82, and electronic receipt display unit 83 are generated on the memory 12.

[0078] The member association unit 81 associates the membership code of a specific consumer.

[0079] The electronic receipt receiving unit 82 receives electronic receipt information that is associated with a membership code and includes at least one company code from the electronic receipt management server 9 that collectively manages the electronic receipt information.

[0080] The electronic receipt display unit 83 displays the electronic receipt information received by the electronic receipt receiving unit 82 on the display unit 17 by arranging it in units of company code.

[0081] 16, first, the CPU 11 (membership association unit 81) of the mobile terminal 8 accesses the electronic receipt management server 9 and executes authentication processing by inputting a membership code and a password (step S31). As a result, the mobile terminal 8 is associated with the membership code of the specified consumer.

[0082] After the authentication, the CPU 11 (electronic receipt receiving unit 82) of the mobile terminal 8 receives the additional information and electronic receipt information managed in the electronic receipt management area 53a corresponding to the input membership code (step S32). Note that the additional information and electronic receipt information may be received by email.

[0083] Next, the CPU 11 (electronic receipt display unit 83) of the mobile terminal 8 displays a list of purchase dates included in the electronic receipt information on the display unit 17 (step S33). By displaying a list of purchase dates on the display unit 17 in this way, the mobile terminal 8 prompts the user, who is a consumer, to select information.

[0084] Fig. 17 is a front view showing a display example X on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8. As shown in Fig. 17, display example X displays a list in a calendar format, in different colors, of days on which the user who owns the mobile terminal 8 who has accessed the electronic receipt management server 9 has shopped at stores of various companies. The CPU 11 (electronic receipt display unit 83) of the mobile terminal 8 also displays the days in different colors so that the user can select a desired day from the list of days displayed in different colors with a cursor that follows input on the input unit 18.

[0085] 17, the display example X has a search window A for specifying a language or keyword to be used as a search key. The CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 may narrow down the search to electronic receipt information that includes the language or keyword specified in the search window A.

[0086] 17, the display example X also has a "View receipt" button B1 for confirming the selection of a desired date after selecting it with the cursor. The CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 may determine that the desired date has been selected when the user simply taps the desired date, or may determine that the desired date has been selected when the user taps the desired date and then operates the "View receipt" button B1.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, display example X has a "Campaign" button B2 for transitioning to an entry-type campaign page.

[0088] 18 is a modified example of display example X. In display example X shown in FIG. 18, a user who owns a mobile terminal 8 that has accessed the electronic receipt management server 9 can intuitively grasp the stores where the user shopped by adding a mark M or the like of the store of the company to the days on which the user shopped at the stores of the company. In other words, according to display example X shown in FIG. 18, it is possible to easily know information about the stores of the companies at which the user frequently shops. In order to display the store mark M, a table is prepared in which marks are previously associated with company codes included in electronic receipt information.

[0089] When the CPU 11 (electronic receipt display unit 83) of the mobile terminal 8 determines that the user has tapped to select the desired day (Yes in step S34), it displays the electronic receipt information corresponding to the selected day on the display unit 17 (step S35).

[0090] Fig. 19 is a front view showing a display example Y on the mobile terminal. As shown in Fig. 19, the display example Y displays a list of stores of various companies where a user who owns the mobile terminal 8 that has accessed the electronic receipt management server 9 has shopped, by day. More specifically, the display example Y displays the electronic receipt information in chronological order in which it was received, and displays the company mark, transaction time, company name, and store name. The CPU 11 (electronic receipt display unit 83) of the mobile terminal 8 also displays the store information by day in a manner that allows the user to select a desired store by day from the listed store information by day with a cursor that follows input by the input unit 18.

[0091] Note that Fig. 20 is a modified example of display example Y. In display example Y of Fig. 20, a "time bar" is arranged in which the time is displayed at regular time intervals. In the example shown in Fig. 20, the time is displayed at one-hour intervals. Because electronic receipt information is displayed at regular time intervals in this way, it is easy to grasp the situation of the blank time when no electronic receipt information is displayed and to imagine the time when there is no electronic receipt information, in other words, the time when no shopping is done at the store.

[0092] 21 is also a modified example of display example Y. Display example Y in FIG. 21 displays a list of only the usage history at stores of a specific company sorted in chronological order by touching the company mark in display example Y. By displaying a list of only stores of companies that are frequently used in this way, it becomes easy to understand the usage situation.

[0093] When the CPU 11 (electronic receipt display unit 83) of the mobile terminal 8 determines that the user has selected the desired store for the day (Yes in step S36), it displays the electronic receipt information corresponding to the selected store for the day on the display unit 17 (step S37).

[0094] Fig. 22 is a front view showing a display example Z on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8. As shown in Fig. 22, display example Z displays electronic receipt information of a desired store on a desired day when the user who owns the mobile terminal 8 who has accessed the electronic receipt management server 9 made a purchase. Display example Z has the same layout as a paper receipt, obtained by analyzing the electronic receipt information, and allows the user to focus on a product a or an icon b (a button-shaped icon labeled "Apply" in Fig. 22) representing various additional information associated with the product, using a cursor that follows input on the input unit 18.

[0095] The image displayed on the screen does not necessarily have to be a receipt image. However, electronic receipt information is a substitute for paper receipt information, and is electronic product purchase proof information that proves that a product has been purchased. In display example Z, the following information is displayed to be used as product purchase proof information to be presented to the store in the event of a return. Store name Purchase date and time Purchase details Total sales amount Deposit amount Change ·Registration number Transaction number

[0096] Here, we will provide an overview of the return process. As mentioned above, consumers can refer to past electronic receipt information using their membership code as a key.

[0097] In this embodiment, the return process is similar to the return process using a paper receipt, and when returning an item, the user displays and confirms the electronic receipt information on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8, or confirms the pre-printed receipt information before returning the item.

[0098] 1. The consumer displays the electronic receipt information along with the product to be returned on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8 and presents it to the store. 2. The store clerk performs a journal search based on the sales date and time, register number, and transaction number from the electronic receipt information provided, and confirms the transaction details. 3. The store clerk operates the POS terminal 2 to process the return. 4. After the return processing is completed, the CPU 21 of the POS terminal 2 updates the electronic receipt information managed in the electronic receipt management area 43a of the electronic receipt server 6 because it is necessary to invalidate the original electronic receipt information. 5. The CPU 21 of the POS terminal 2 issues electronic receipt information at the time of return. 6. At the same time, the electronic receipt server 6 updates the electronic receipt information managed in the electronic receipt management area 53a of the electronic receipt management server 9 functioning as the customer receipt management server, and invalidates the original electronic receipt information. After that, the electronic receipt server 6 updates the electronic receipt management area 53a of the electronic receipt management server 9 with the electronic receipt information at the time of return and saves it.

[0099] When the user selects an appropriate product or an icon associated with the product (Yes in step S38), the CPU 11 (electronic receipt display unit 83) of the mobile terminal 8 connects to the network 5 via the network interface 14, obtains various information from the network 5 based on the access information associated with the selected product or icon, and displays it on the display unit 17 (step S39).

[0100] For example, if a homepage associated with a product is set as a product information link as access information for the product a, when a desired product is selected, the homepage associated with the product is displayed on the display unit 17.

[0101] In addition, if a homepage associated with an application campaign is set as access information for the button-shaped icon b labeled "Apply," when the "Apply" button is selected, the application campaign page associated with the "Apply" button will be displayed on the display unit 17.

[0102] In addition, if a homepage associated with a commercial is set as access information for a banner c, which is a type of icon, when the banner c is selected, the commercial associated with the banner c is displayed on the display unit 17.

[0103] When the input unit 18 declares the end of the electronic receipt viewing process (Yes in step S40), the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 ends the process.

[0104] If the input unit 18 does not declare the end of the electronic receipt viewing process (No in step S40), the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 returns to step S38 and waits for the selection of a product or an icon associated with the product.

[0105] 23, a case where the mobile terminal 8 receives electronic receipt information and additional information from the electronic receipt management server 9, rather than accessing the electronic receipt management server 9 from the mobile terminal 8, as explained in step S23 of FIG. 14 above, will also be explained.

[0106] The CPU 11 (electronic receipt receiving unit 82) of the mobile terminal 8 receives the electronic receipt information and additional information from the electronic receipt management server 9 (step S61).

[0107] Thereafter, when the electronic receipt viewing program P12 is started (Yes in step S62), the CPU 11 (electronic receipt display unit 83) of the mobile terminal 8 displays the received electronic receipt information and additional information in association with the company code (step S63).

[0108] Fig. 24 is a front view showing an example of display transition on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8. A display example O shown in Fig. 24 displays electronic receipt information arranged by company code in the order received from the electronic receipt management server 9. In the display example O shown in Fig. 24, one piece of electronic receipt information can be selected by a flick operation (sliding a finger left or right) or touch on the input unit 18 (a touch panel stacked on the display unit 17). In addition, on an electronic receipt to which coupon information has been added, a message saying "Coupon available" is displayed as additional information, as shown in the display example O shown in Fig. 24.

[0109] When one piece of electronic receipt information is selected, the selected electronic receipt information is displayed on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8, as shown in display example P in Fig. 24. Display example P is a layout similar to that of a paper receipt, which is obtained by analyzing the electronic receipt information, and is scrollable on the input unit 18 (a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 17). In addition, an icon b (a button-shaped icon called "Coupon Information" in Fig. 24) representing various additional information associated with a product can be operated via the input unit 18 (a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 17).

[0110] Next, the flow of the statistical information generation process executed by the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 operating in accordance with the statistical information generation program P13 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0111] The CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 accesses the electronic receipt management server 9 and executes authentication processing by inputting a membership code and a password (step S51).

[0112] After the authentication, if the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 determines that information necessary for generating statistical information, such as the period for generating statistical information and the type of statistical information, has been input (Yes in step S52), it receives electronic receipt information managed in the electronic receipt management area 53a corresponding to the input membership code and the information necessary for generating statistical information (step S53).

[0113] Next, the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 generates statistical information based on the information required to generate statistical information from the acquired electronic receipt information (e.g., company code and industry / business type code) (step S54), and displays the generated statistical information on the display unit 17 (step S55).

[0114] Fig. 26 is a front view showing a display example C1 on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8. As shown in Fig. 26, display example C1 displays, in a pie chart, the results of statistical analysis by business type and business format for the total sales amount in the product sales data included in the electronic receipt information for a predetermined period. Display example C1 makes it easy to know the amount of consumption by business type and business format, and information such as which business type and business format of stores the user frequently shops at.

[0115] The pie chart shown in Figure 26 is a statistic broken down by industry and business type code included in the electronic receipt information, but members may be allowed to set their own industry and business type codes and use them as classification codes to arbitrarily classify companies.

[0116] Fig. 27 is a front view showing another display example C2 on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8. As shown in Fig. 27, display example C2 displays, in a bar graph, the results of statistical analysis by category on the total sales amount of the product sales data included in the monthly electronic receipt information. Display example C2 makes it easy to know the amount and percentage of consumption by category.

[0117] Next, the flow of receipt information transfer executed by the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 operating in accordance with the receipt information transfer program P14 will be described with reference to the screen transition diagram shown in FIG.

[0118] Traditionally, when consumers purchase items on behalf of family or friends at a grocery store or other establishment, they either ask the cashier to print out multiple receipts as proof of purchase at checkout and hand them over to the person they are purchasing for, or they present the contents of a single receipt to the person they are purchasing for and receive payment from the person they are purchasing for.

[0119] In this regard, in this embodiment, the electronic receipt information, which is the purchase data for the items purchased on behalf of the user, can be divided and transferred to family members or friends who are registered as members of the electronic receipt system, thereby enabling accurate proof of purchase.

[0120] Fig. 28 is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of receipt information delegation. Display example Z shown in Fig. 28(a) displays electronic receipt information of a desired store on a desired day when the user who owns the mobile terminal 8 that accessed the electronic receipt management server 9 made a purchase, as described in Fig. 22. Also, display example Z shown in Fig. 28(a) displays a "split receipt" button d that declares that the electronic receipt information will be split and transferred.

[0121] When the "Split Receipt" button d is operated as shown in Figure 28(a), the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 displays display example D (see Figure 28(b)) to allow the user to select a person to whom the electronic receipt information will be transferred from among family members or friends who are registered as members of the electronic receipt system.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 28(b), when one of the family members or friends who are registered as members of the electronic receipt system is selected, the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 returns to the display example Z of the electronic receipt information (Fig. 28(c)), and allows the user to select the purchased product to be transferred. In addition, the display example Z shown in Fig. 28(c) displays a "Deliver to friend" button e, which declares that the split delivery of the electronic receipt information has been confirmed.

[0123] As shown in Figure 28(c), when the purchased items to be transferred are selected from the electronic receipt information and the "Send to friend" button e is operated, the divided electronic receipt information is sent to the transfer recipient selected in display example D.

[0124] Fig. 29 is a front view showing a display example on the display unit 17 of the mobile terminal 8 of the transfer destination. The display example F shown in Fig. 29 displays the delegated electronic receipt information. Also, the display example F shown in Fig. 29 displays a "Receive Receipt" button f that declares that the electronic receipt information has been received.

[0125] When the "Receive receipt" button f shown in FIG. 29 is operated, information indicating that the electronic receipt information has been received is sent to the transfer source party.

[0126] Then, as shown in FIG. 28(d), when the CPU 11 of the mobile terminal 8 receives information indicating that electronic receipt information has been received from the mobile terminal 8 to which the transfer is made, the CPU 11 adds a message indicating that the transfer has been made (for example, "A receipt has been sent to Mr. X") to the transferred purchased item in the display example Z.

[0127] Furthermore, by applying this system, it will become possible to use electronic receipts to make discounted payments at restaurants, amusement parks, etc. Also, when making discounted payments, it will be possible to divide the payment equally, multiply the payment by a specific weight, or round up any fractional amounts.

[0128] It is also possible for electronic receipt members to share electronic receipt information. By associating multiple membership codes, for example, it becomes possible for families, groups, or company departments to share sales data on products purchased by each individual.

[0129] As described above, according to the electronic receipt system of this embodiment, unlike the conventional electronic receipt system which is based on a company unit, it is possible to introduce an electronic receipt system beyond the boundaries of a company, thereby promoting the introduction of electronic receipts.

[0130] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 2. POS terminal (product sales data processing device) 8. Mobile terminals (information processing devices) 9. Electronic receipt management server 26 Electronic receipt generation unit (electronic receipt generation means) 27 Transmission unit (transmission means) 41 CPU (electronic receipt management means) 55 Receiving unit (receiving means) 56 Electronic receipt collective management unit (electronic receipt collective management means) 57 Electronic receipt transmission unit (electronic receipt transmission means) 61 Electronic receipt issuance instruction unit (electronic receipt issuance instruction means) 62 Receipt printing unit (receipt printing means) 63 Membership code input unit (membership code input means) 81 Member correspondence unit (member correspondence means) 82 Electronic receipt receiving unit (electronic receipt receiving means) 83 Electronic receipt display unit (electronic receipt display means) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0132] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-123144 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-316750

Claims

1. An input means for accepting input of a consumer's membership code; an electronic receipt issuance instruction means for instructing issuance of an electronic receipt related to the sales data when the input of the membership code is accepted; a receipt printing instruction means for instructing printing of a receipt related to the sales data; an electronic receipt transmitting means for generating electronic receipt information in which the sales data is associated with the membership code of the consumer when an instruction to issue the electronic receipt is given by the electronic receipt issuance instructing means, and transmitting the generated electronic receipt information to a server that manages electronic receipt information; a receipt printing means for causing a printer to print the receipt when an instruction to print the receipt is given by the receipt printing instruction means, and for printing the receipt instead of transmitting the electronic receipt information when it detects that the server has gone offline during generation of the electronic receipt information, and for printing on the receipt a message that the electronic receipt will be issued after the network failure is resolved; A sales data processing device comprising:

2. The device further comprises a display means for, when detecting that the server has gone offline during generation of the electronic receipt information, displaying on a display unit a message indicating that the electronic receipt will be issued after the network failure is resolved. The sales data processing device according to claim 1 .

3. When the receipt printing instruction means instructs the receipt to be printed, the receipt printing means prints the receipt without waiting for the electronic receipt issuance instruction means to instruct the receipt to be issued. The sales data processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The electronic receipt issuance instruction means and the receipt print instruction means are provided on an operator display unit that displays information to an operator.

4. The sales data processing device according to claim 1.

5. A computer that controls a sales data processing device that executes sales data processing, an input means for accepting input of a consumer's membership code; an electronic receipt issuance instruction means for instructing issuance of an electronic receipt related to the sales data when the input of the membership code is accepted; a receipt printing instruction means for instructing printing of a receipt related to the sales data; an electronic receipt transmitting means for generating electronic receipt information in which the sales data is associated with the consumer's membership code when an instruction to issue the electronic receipt is given by the electronic receipt issuance instructing means, and transmitting the generated electronic receipt information to a server that manages electronic receipt information; When the receipt printing instruction means issues an instruction to print the receipt, the receipt is printed by a printer, and when it detects that the server has gone offline during generation of the electronic receipt information, the receipt printing means prints and issues the receipt instead of transmitting the electronic receipt information, and functions as a receipt printing means that prints on the receipt a message that the electronic receipt will be issued after the network failure is resolved. program.

6. A receipt information processing method executed by a sales data processing device equipped with an input means for accepting input of a consumer's membership code, an electronic receipt issuance instruction means for instructing the issuance of an electronic receipt related to sales data when input of the membership code is accepted, and a receipt printing instruction means for instructing the printing of a receipt related to the sales data, generating electronic receipt information in which the sales data and the membership code of the consumer are associated with each other when an instruction to issue the electronic receipt is given by the electronic receipt issue instruction means, and transmitting the generated electronic receipt information to a server that manages electronic receipt information; when an instruction to print the receipt is given by the receipt print instruction means, causing a printer to print and issue the receipt, and when detecting that the server has gone offline during generation of the electronic receipt information, printing and issuing the receipt instead of transmitting the electronic receipt information, and printing on the receipt a message that the electronic receipt will be issued after the network failure is resolved, Receipt information processing method.

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