Receipt server, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To enable control over the promotional information delivered depending on the provider of the electronic receipt service. [Solution] The receipt server of the embodiment includes a first storage means, a second storage means, a first output means, a second output means, and a setting means. The first storage means stores receipt data in which the contents of a receipt relating to a transaction of goods purchased by a customer have been digitized. The second storage means stores a plurality of different promotional information. The first output means outputs the receipt data to the information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device. The second output means outputs the promotional information to the information processing device which is the output destination for the receipt data. The setting means sets conditions for each of the plurality of different promotional information stored in the second storage means to be distributed to the information processing device. The second output means outputs the promotional information that matches the conditions to the information processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a receipt server, an information processing device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an electronic receipt service in which a customer who purchases goods at a store receives an electronic receipt by digitizing a transaction receipt. The electronic receipt service can acquire and view electronic receipt data from an electronic receipt server by means of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0003] Currently, an electronic receipt app operating on a mobile terminal that displays an electronic receipt can display campaign information, which is promotional information for goods, together with the electronic receipt. On the other hand, a company that operates stores where the electronic receipt service is available provides a company-specific app different from the electronic receipt app to customers and provides promotional information for its own products through the company-specific app. When a company makes the electronic receipt service available, the electronic receipt service can also be used from the company-specific app.

[0004] However, the promotional information (campaign information) distributed through the electronic receipt service provides the promotional information of each company that uses the electronic receipt service without distinguishing the destination of the promotional information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a receipt server, an information processing device, and a program that enable the control of promotional information distributed according to the recipient of the electronic receipt service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The receipt server of this embodiment includes a first storage means, a second storage means, a first output means, a second output means, and a setting means. The first storage means stores receipt data in which the contents of a receipt relating to a transaction of goods purchased by a customer have been digitized. The second storage means stores a plurality of different promotional information. The first output means outputs the receipt data to the information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device. The second output means outputs the promotional information to the information processing device which is the output destination for the receipt data. The setting means sets conditions for each of the plurality of different promotional information stored in the second storage means to be distributed to the information processing device. The second output means outputs the promotional information that matches the conditions to the information processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment, and the main circuit configuration of the information terminal device and receipt server included in this electronic receipt system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a data record 51 included in the receipt database 232. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of data record 52 included in member database 233. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of data record 53 included in campaign database 234. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the campaign setup process performed by the processor 21 of the receipt server 20 in response to the server application 231. [Figure 6]Figure 6 shows an example of a campaign settings screen. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by the processor 21 of the receipt server 20. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by the processor 21 of the receipt server 20. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a receipt screen. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of a campaign information viewing screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the electronic receipt system 100 according to this embodiment, and the main circuit configuration of the information terminal device 10 and receipt server 20 included in this electronic receipt system 100.

[0011] The electronic receipt system 100 is comprised of an information terminal device 10, a receipt server 20, and a POS (Point of Sales) system 30, all of which are enabled to communicate via a communication network 40. The communication network 40 can utilize the internet, VPN (virtual private network), LAN (local area network), public communication network, mobile communication network, etc., either individually or in appropriate combinations. While the electronic receipt system 100 typically includes multiple information terminal devices 10 and multiple POS systems 30, only one of each is shown in Figure 1.

[0012] The information terminal device 10 displays a receipt screen for viewing transaction details based on electronic receipt data acquired from the receipt server 20, in response to operations by users (customers) of the electronic receipt service provided by the electronic receipt system 100. In addition to the receipt screen, the information terminal device 10 also displays a promotional screen for viewing promotional information provided by the receipt server 20, depending on the use of the electronic receipt service. Promotional information includes campaign information related to campaigns conducted by companies, coupon information related to coupons applicable to products sold by companies, and other promotional data. The following explanation will focus on campaign information. If multiple information terminal devices 10 are included in the electronic receipt system 100, these multiple information terminal devices 10 may be used by the same user, or they may be used individually by different users. Alternatively, one information terminal device 10 may be shared by multiple users.

[0013] The receipt server 20 acquires and stores receipt data from the POS system 30, which contains information to be displayed on receipts related to transactions managed by the POS system 30. The receipt server 20 acquires receipt data from the POS systems 30 of each store operated by multiple companies providing electronic receipt services, and stores it separately for each user of the electronic receipt service. In response to a request from the information terminal device 10 via user operation, the receipt server 20 generates screen data for the receipt screen and instructs the information terminal device 10 to display the receipt screen along with notification of the screen data.

[0014] The POS system 30 registers the details of transactions such as product sales at the store and performs processing for accounting purposes. If the customer involved in the transaction is a user of the electronic receipt service, the POS system 30 transmits the receipt data related to that transaction to the receipt server 20.

[0015] The information terminal device 10 is typically a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet terminal. The information terminal device 10 may also be a stationary information processing device such as a desktop personal computer.

[0016] The information terminal device 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a touch panel 14, a communication unit 15, a transmission path 16, and the like. The processor 11 is connected to the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage unit 13, the touch panel 14, and the communication unit 15 via the transmission path 16.

[0017] In the information terminal device 10, by connecting the processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage unit 13 via the transmission path 16, a computer for performing information processing for controlling the information terminal device 10 is configured.

[0018] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 11 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the information terminal device 10 according to information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs.

[0019] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an information processing program in the non-volatile memory area. Also, the main memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processing for controlling each part in either the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11.

[0020] The auxiliary storage unit 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. The auxiliary storage unit 13 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory). It is equipped with well-known storage devices such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or an SSD (solid state drive). The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores data used by the processor 11 in performing various processes and data generated by the processing performed by the processor 11. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores information processing programs.

[0021] One of the information processing programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 is an application program 131 for viewing receipt data (hereinafter referred to as an electronic receipt app) that displays a receipt screen based on electronic receipt data acquired from the receipt server 20, and an owned application program 132 provided individually by a company (hereinafter referred to as an owned app).

[0022] The owned app 132 provides functions for distributing information about stores and products operated by the company providing the owned app 132, as well as various services offered by the company, and for collecting customer information. Furthermore, if the company providing the owned app 132 offers an electronic receipt service, the owned app 132 includes a function to use that service through the owned app 132. For example, the menu screen displayed by the owned app 132 includes a button to use the electronic receipt service. When this button is pressed, for example, a browser program can be launched, electronic receipt data can be received through the browser, and the receipt screen can be displayed.

[0023] The electronic receipt app 131 and the owned app 132 are downloaded, for example via the internet, and written to the auxiliary storage unit 13 in response to operations by the user of the information terminal device 10. In other words, the transfer of the information terminal device 10 to the user occurs when the electronic receipt app 131 is not stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13. However, the information terminal device 10 may be transferred to the user with the electronic receipt app 131 or the owned app 132 already stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13. The user of the information terminal device 10 can download multiple owned apps 132 corresponding to multiple companies and store them in the auxiliary storage unit 13.

[0024] The touch panel 14 functions as both an input device and a display device for the information terminal device 10.

[0025] The communication unit 15 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 40. For example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a mobile communication network or the Internet can be used as the communication unit 15.

[0026] The transmission line 16 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected parts.

[0027] The receipt server 20 includes a processor 21, main memory 22, auxiliary storage unit 23, communication unit 24, and transmission line 25, etc. The processor 21, main memory 22, auxiliary storage unit 23, and communication unit 24 are connected by the transmission line 25. The transmission line 25 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected parts.

[0028] In the receipt server 20, a computer is configured to perform information processing for controlling the receipt server 20 by connecting the processor 21, main memory 22, and auxiliary storage unit 23 via a transmission path 25.

[0029] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 21 controls each part in order to realize various functions as a receipt server 20 according to the information processing program.

[0030] Main memory 22 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 22 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area of ​​main memory 22, information processing programs are stored. Main memory 22 may also store data necessary for the processor 21 to perform processing to control each part in either the non-volatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 22 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 21.

[0031] The auxiliary storage unit 23 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. The auxiliary storage unit 23 is, for example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD. The auxiliary storage unit 23 stores data used by the processor 21 in performing various processes, as well as data generated by the processing performed by the processor 21. The auxiliary storage unit 23 may also store information processing programs. One of the information processing programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23 is an application program (hereinafter referred to as the server application) 231 for operation as a receipt server 20. A portion of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage unit 23 is used as the receipt database 232, the member database 233, and the campaign database 234. Details of the receipt database 232, the member database 233, and the campaign database 234 will be described later.

[0032] The communication unit 24 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 40. For example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via the Internet can be used as the communication unit 24.

[0033] The transmission line 25 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected parts.

[0034] The receipt server 20 can use, for example, a general-purpose computer device as its basic hardware. Typically, in this case, the computer device and the server application 231, both without the server application 231 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23, are transferred separately to the operator of the receipt server 20. The transfer of the server application 231 can be achieved by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by downloading it over a network. In this case, the server application 231 is written to the auxiliary storage unit 23 in response to an operation by the administrator of the receipt server 20 or the person who installed the receipt server 20.

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a data record 51 included in the receipt database 232.

[0036] The receipt database 232 is a collection of data records 51. Each data record 51 is associated with an electronic receipt for a single transaction. Field 511 of data record 51 is set to the electronic receipt ID, which is the identifier of the associated electronic receipt. Field 512 is set to the user ID, which is the identifier of the user of the associated electronic receipt. Field 513 is set to the receipt data, which is the main content of the associated electronic receipt. Alternatively, the receipt data itself could be kept as a separate data file, and the file path of the receipt data could be set in field 513.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of data record 52 included in member database 233.

[0038] The member database 233 is a collection of data records 52. Each data record 52 is created for one user (electronic receipt member) who uses the electronic receipt service. Field 521 is set with a unique user ID issued for each user. Field 522 is set with data about the user. This data includes, for example, a telephone number (mobile number), email address, password, postal code 523, gender, and date of birth. The telephone number (mobile number), email address, and password are used as login information entered by the user when using the electronic receipt service. The postal code 523 is referenced as location information indicating a place related to the user, in order to determine (estimate) the area in which the user resides. In addition to the postal code 523, other information indicating a place related to the user, such as the user's address or landline telephone number (area code), may also be registered and made available in the member database 233.

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of data record 53 included in campaign database 234.

[0040] The campaign database 234 is a collection of data records 52. One data record 53 is created for one campaign. Field 531 is set with a unique campaign ID issued for each campaign. Field 532 is set with campaign information, which includes various data related to the campaign. The campaign information includes images and text to be displayed on the promotional screen of the information terminal device 10 that will be used as the distribution destination, as the content of the campaign to be viewed by users. Field 533 is set with campaign distribution management data that indicates the conditions for distributing the campaign information to the information terminal device 10 that will be used as the output destination for electronic receipt data. The campaign distribution management data includes, for example, target retail data 534 indicating the companies (retail companies) to which the campaign information will be distributed, excluded company data 535 indicating companies to which the campaign information will not be distributed (other companies that compete with the company providing the campaign information, etc.), distribution category data 536 indicating the applications (system types) that will be run on the information terminal device 10 to use the electronic receipt service and which will be used as the distribution destination for the campaign information, and distribution target region data 537 indicating the regions (regional divisions, prefectures, etc.) to which the campaign information will be distributed.

[0041] The information terminal device 10 using the electronic receipt service receives electronic receipt data via the electronic receipt application 131 or the owned application 132 and displays the receipt screen. Both application programs require the user to input pre-registered login information during login to identify the user of the electronic receipt service. This allows the receipt server 20 to identify the user by referring to the member database 233 and determine (estimate) the user's residential area based on the postal code 523. Furthermore, when the electronic receipt service is used from the information terminal device 10 via the owned application 132, the receipt server 20 can receive data that identifies the company providing the owned application 132 via the browser. The receipt server 20 can control the distribution of campaign information based on campaign distribution management data 534-537, depending on the information terminal device 10 to which the electronic receipt service (receipt data) is provided (the user's residential area, the company providing the owned application 132). Details of the campaign distribution management data 534-537 will be described later.

[0042] Next, the operation of the electronic receipt system 100 will be explained. Note that the various processes described below are examples only, and the order of some processes can be changed, some processes can be omitted, or other processes can be added as appropriate.

[0043] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the campaign setup process executed by the processor 21 of the receipt server 20 in response to the server application 231. The campaign setup process involves setting campaign information to be distributed from the receipt server 20 to the information terminal device 10 which will be the output destination for electronic receipt data, and campaign distribution management data to control the distribution of campaign information.

[0044] For example, an information processing device (not shown), such as a personal computer, can access the receipt server 20 via the communication network 40 and request the execution of a campaign setting process. Note that the execution of the campaign setting process is restricted to administrators of the receipt server 20.

[0045] When the processor 21 receives a request to execute the campaign setting process, it displays the campaign setting screen on the information processing device (Act 11). The processor 21 sets a new campaign ID 531 for the registration of new campaign information and starts the registration process to the campaign database 234. Figure 6 shows an example of the campaign setting screen. The campaign setting screen is provided with a campaign information setting area 60 for registering campaign information and a distribution management data setting area 61 for setting campaign distribution management data. The campaign information setting area 60 is provided with multiple setting sections for setting images, text, etc. to be displayed on the promotional screen of the information terminal device 10 to be distributed, as the content of the campaign to be viewed by the user.

[0046] Furthermore, the distribution management data setting area 61 includes, for example, a campaign target region selection unit 611, a regional division selection unit 612, a prefecture selection unit 613, a campaign target retailer setting unit 614, an excluded company selection unit 615, and a distribution division selection unit 616.

[0047] The campaign target region selection unit 611 allows selections such as "Specify by prefecture," "Nationwide (nationwide)," and "Specify by postal code." The regional division selection unit 612 allows selections such as one or more regional divisions. The prefecture selection unit 613 allows selections such as one or more prefectures. The campaign target retailer setting unit 614 allows selections such as "Specify all retailers" and "Select retailers." The excluded company selection unit 615 allows selection of companies that will not be included in the distribution of campaign information when the setting in the campaign target retailer setting unit 614 is "Specify all retailers" (default). Here, multiple company files are prepared in advance, each containing a specific company or a specific group of companies, and one of the company files is specified. The distribution category selection unit 616 selects the application (system type) to be executed on the destination information terminal device 10 in order to use the electronic receipt service. For example, it can select either application only 617 (indicating the use of the electronic receipt application 131), browser only 618 (indicating the use of the owned application 132), or all 619.

[0048] When the processor 21 receives an input operation in the settings section of the campaign information setting area 60 on the campaign settings screen (Act 12, Yes), it sets the information entered in the settings section into the settings section (Act 13).

[0049] Furthermore, when the processor 21 receives an input operation to set a region for the campaign target region selection unit 611, the regional division selection unit 612, or the prefecture selection unit 613 (Act 14, Yes), it sets the region according to the input operation for each (by displaying a checkmark in the checkbox) (Act 5). By setting the campaign target region, for example, it is possible to set conditions so that the campaign information is distributed only to specific regions where the company providing the campaign information has stores. Also, if other companies that compete with the company providing the campaign information have stores in a specific region, it is possible to set conditions so that the campaign information is not distributed to users of the electronic receipt service who live in areas where many of the competing companies have stores.

[0050] Furthermore, if settings are made to the Campaign Target Retailer Setting Unit 614 (Act 16, Yes) and "All Retailers" is selected (Act 17, Yes), the processor 21 enables the setting of the Excluded Company Selection Unit 615. When a setting operation is performed on the Excluded Company Selection Unit 615, that is, when an operation is performed to select one of several company files in which a specific company or a specific group of companies is set, the processor 21 sets a file indicating the excluded company in field 533. By setting excluded companies, conditions can be set so that campaign information of other companies that compete with the company providing the owned app 132 used by the information terminal device 10 is not distributed to the information terminal device 10. Also, if "Retailer Selection" is set in the Campaign Target Retailer Setting Unit 614, "Retail / Store Specification" is enabled instead of setting the Excluded Company Selection Unit 615, allowing stores (or store groups) to be selected by setting operation (Act 18).

[0051] Furthermore, the processor 21, in response to an input operation to the distribution category selection unit 616 (Act20, Yes), sets one of the following to selected: app only 617, browser only 618, or all 619. Figure 6 shows the state where app only 617 is set. For example, by setting browser only 618, it becomes possible to set a condition that the exclusion settings set in the exclusion company selection unit 615 will only be effective when accessed through an owned app 132 provided by a specific company on the information terminal device 10.

[0052] Once the setting operations for each setting section of the campaign settings screen are completed (Act22, Yes), the processor 21 records the settings for each setting section in the campaign database 234, associating them with campaign ID 531 (Act23).

[0053] In this way, by setting campaign distribution management data 534-537 for each of the multiple campaign information provided by multiple different companies in the campaign database 234, it is possible to set conditions for whether or not to distribute campaign information to the information terminal device 10 that uses the electronic receipt service.

[0054] Next, we will describe the processing of the receipt server 20 in response to access from the information terminal device 10. Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating the processing performed by the processor 21 of the receipt server 20.

[0055] When the receipt server 20 receives an access request from the information terminal device 10 (Act 31, Yes), the processor 21 of the receipt server 20 displays, for example, a login screen on the information terminal device 10 and prompts the user to enter login information. If login information entered during a previous login is stored in the information terminal device 10, it is sent from the information terminal device 10 to the receipt server 20 when access is received.

[0056] The processor 21 checks the member database 233 based on login information (for example, phone number (mobile number), email address, and password), and if it is confirmed that the user is an electronic receipt member (Act 32, Yes), it displays a home screen for using the electronic receipt service on the information terminal device 10 (Act 33). The home screen displays, for example, a two-dimensional code indicating the electronic receipt ID unique to the electronic receipt member, and is also provided with menu buttons 72 (see Figure 9). The menu buttons 72 include, for example, a home button 721 to instruct the display of the home screen, a receipt button 722 to instruct the display of receipt data, a special offer button 723 to instruct the display of promotional information including campaign information, and other buttons 724 to request other processing.

[0057] When the receipt button 722, located on the menu button 72, is selected to indicate the display of an electronic receipt, the processor 21 outputs the receipt data recorded in the receipt database 232, associated with the electronic receipt member, to the information terminal device 10 (Act 35). The information terminal device 10 displays the receipt screen based on the receipt data from the receipt server 20. Figure 9 shows an example of the receipt screen. In the example shown in Figure 9, for example, a receipt image 71, which is the same image as a paper receipt, is displayed. The receipt screen can also display a list of receipt data for the current month, the total amount of all receipt data, etc.

[0058] Additionally, if the other button 724 is selected (Act39, Yes), the processor 21 executes other processes. If the home button 721 is selected (Act41, Yes), the processor 21 displays the home screen (Act33).

[0059] On the other hand, when the user selects the "Great Deals" button 723 and is instructed to display promotional information (Act 36, Yes), the processor 21 executes a campaign information distribution control process to control the campaign information (promotional information) to be distributed to the information terminal device 10 (Act 37).

[0060] The processor 21 determines whether the access from the information terminal device 10 is via the electronic receipt application 131 or the owned application 132 (system type) (Figure 8, Act 51). If the access is via the owned application 132, it identifies the company providing the owned application 132. It also refers to the member database 233 and determines (estimates) the region in which the electronic receipt member resides based on the postal code 523 corresponding to the login information of the electronic receipt member (Act 52).

[0061] The processor 21 searches the receipt database 232 for campaign distribution management data 534-537 of multiple receipt information registered, based on the system type of the information terminal device 10 (the company providing the owned app 132) and the region where the electronic receipt member resides, and selects the campaign information (campaign ID) that corresponds to the distribution target.

[0062] The processor 21 retrieves multiple campaign information (campaign distribution management data) registered in the campaign database 234 (Act 53), determines whether to distribute or exclude the campaign information based on the campaign distribution management data (Act 54), and records the determination result (Act 55).

[0063] For example, if access from the information terminal device 10 is via the owned app 132 (browser), and the distribution classification data 536 indicates "browser only," and the company providing the owned app 132 (second company) and the company indicated by the excluded company data 535 (first company) are the same, then the campaign information for which the corresponding campaign distribution management data has been set is excluded from distribution. In other words, campaign information from other companies that compete with the company providing the owned app 132 is not distributed. As a result, the information terminal device 10 running the owned app 132 will not be able to view campaign information from other competing companies, thus preventing any disadvantage to the company providing the owned app 132.

[0064] Furthermore, if the distribution target area data 537 does not correspond to the area where the electronic receipt member resides, the campaign information for which the corresponding campaign distribution management data is set will be excluded from distribution.

[0065] The processor 21 determines whether to deliver or exclude each campaign information registered in the campaign database 234 (Act 53-Act 55).

[0066] Once the processor 21 has completed the identification process for each campaign information registered in the campaign database 234 (Act 56, Yes), it distributes the campaign information recorded as a target for distribution to the information terminal device 10 (Figure 7, Act 38).

[0067] The information terminal device 10 displays a campaign information viewing screen based on the campaign information distributed from the receipt server 20. Figure 10 shows an example of the campaign information viewing screen. In the campaign information viewing screen shown in Figure 10, a menu button 81 is provided for selecting promotional information, and users can select coupons 811, campaigns 812, and stamps 812. In this case, campaign 812 is selected, and multiple campaign information items are displayed in a list in the viewing area 82.

[0068] For example, Figure 10 shows that while the campaign database 234 contains campaign information for companies A, B, C, and D, the campaign information for company C is excluded from distribution. In other words, the excluded company data 535 for company C's campaign information is set to the company that provides the owned app 132 running on the information terminal device 10, so the campaign information of the competing company C is not displayed.

[0069] In this way, the receipt server 20 in this embodiment can control the distribution / exclusion of campaign information according to the information terminal device 10 to which the electronic receipt service is provided, by setting campaign distribution management data for each of the campaign information registered in the campaign database 234.

[0070] Therefore, for companies, a dedicated app allows them to provide promotional information for their products along with an electronic receipt service, and prevents the distribution of promotional information from competitors that could be detrimental to their own company through the electronic receipt service.

[0071] In the explanation above, the receipt server 20 refers to campaign distribution management data corresponding to the campaign information registered in the campaign database 234 to determine whether to distribute or exclude campaign information. However, the information terminal device 10 may also determine whether to display or not display the campaign information distributed from the receipt server 20 on the viewing screen. For example, the receipt server 20 sends data records 53 corresponding to multiple campaign information registered in the campaign database 234 to the information terminal device 10. The information terminal device 10, based on the company providing the owned application 132 running on its own machine and the data on electronic receipt members registered in the member database 233, determines whether to display or not display each campaign information in the same way as the campaign information distribution control process in the receipt server 20 described above, and displays a list of campaign information that it has determined to display.

[0072] This makes it possible to prevent the display of campaign information from companies that compete with the company providing the owned app 132 running on the information terminal device 10, as described above.

[0073] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10... Information terminal device, 11... Processor, 12... Main memory, 13... Auxiliary storage unit, 131... Electronic receipt app, 132... Owned app, 14... Touch panel, 15... Communication unit, 16... Transmission line, 20... Receipt server, 21... Processor, 22... Main memory, 23... Auxiliary storage unit, 232... Receipt database, 233... Member database, 234... Campaign database, 24... Communication unit, 25... Transmission line, 30... POS system, 40... Communication network, 100... Electronic receipt system, 200... Communication network.

Claims

1. A first storage means that stores electronic receipt data containing the contents of receipts related to transactions of goods purchased by a customer, A second storage means for storing multiple different promotional information, A first output means that outputs the receipt data to the information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device, The information processing device, which is the output destination for the receipt data, is provided with a second output means for outputting the promotional information, The second storage means includes a setting means for setting conditions for distributing each of the multiple different promotional information stored in the second storage means to the information processing device, The second output means is a receipt server that outputs promotional information that meets the above conditions to the information processing device.

2. The multiple different promotional information stored in the second storage means is provided by multiple companies, The setting means sets, as a condition, a first company to be excluded or selected as a recipient of the promotional information, The receipt server according to claim 1, wherein the second output means selects the promotional information to be distributed according to the first company set as the condition and outputs it to the information processing device.

3. The setting means sets, as a condition, whether the request from the information processing device is processed by either a first application program for viewing receipt data, a second application program provided individually by a company, or both, which are operated on the information processing device. The first output means outputs the receipt data to the information processing device in response to a request from either the first application program or the second application program operating in the information processing device. The receipt server according to claim 2, wherein the second output means, when the second application program is set as the condition, selects the promotional information and outputs it to the information processing device depending on whether the second company providing the second application program is the first company.

4. The information processing device further has a third storage means for storing location information indicating a location related to the customer using the information processing device, The setting means sets the target region to be the destination for the distribution of the promotional information as a condition, The receipt server according to claim 1, wherein the second output means selects the promotional information for which a target area corresponding to the location information is set, based on the location information of the customer using the information processing device, and outputs it to the information processing device.

5. Computers, A first storage means that stores electronic receipt data containing the contents of receipts related to transactions of goods purchased by a customer, A second storage means for storing multiple different promotional information, A first output means that outputs the receipt data to the information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device, The information processing device, which is the output destination for the receipt data, is provided with a second output means for outputting the promotional information, The second storage means functions as a setting means for setting conditions for distributing each of the multiple different promotional information stored in it to the information processing device. A program to cause the second output means to function by outputting promotional information that meets the above conditions to the information processing device.

6. A first display means that receives and displays electronic receipt data from a receipt server, which contains the contents of a receipt related to a customer's purchase transaction. A storage means for storing distribution condition data that sets the display target conditions for each of the multiple different promotional information stored in the receipt server, An information processing device having a second display means that receives multiple different promotional information from the receipt server and selects and displays the promotional information to be displayed according to the distribution condition data.

7. Computers, A first display means that receives and displays electronic receipt data from a receipt server, which contains the contents of a receipt related to a customer's purchase transaction. A storage means for storing distribution condition data that sets the display target conditions for each of the multiple different promotional information stored in the receipt server, A program for functioning as a second display means that receives multiple different promotional information from the receipt server and selects and displays the promotional information to be displayed according to the distribution condition data.

Images