Server, transaction processing unit, and program

Abstract

To facilitate the integration of electronic receipt services with point programs offered by individual retailers. [Solution] In this embodiment, the server includes an acquisition means, a generation means, a storage unit, and an output means. The acquisition means acquires first identification information provided to the person who will receive the transaction receipt as an electronic receipt. The generation means generates second identification information based on some of the information constituting the first identification information. The storage unit stores the first identification information and the second identification information in association. The output means outputs electronic receipt data, which is an electronic version of the transaction receipt with the person, to a terminal, based on the first identification information associated with the second identification information corresponding to the person who will receive the transaction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] When a customer who purchases a product at a store is an electronic receipt member who uses an electronic receipt service to receive an electronic receipt by digitizing a transaction receipt, an electronic receipt ID, which is an identification code of the electronic receipt member, is read by a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal (transaction processing device) at the time of accounting, so that electronic receipt data can be viewed on a terminal such as a smartphone instead of a paper receipt.

[0003] On the other hand, in retail companies, customer relationship management (Customer Relationship Management) is carried out for the purpose of acquiring new customers and improving customer satisfaction. For this purpose, retail companies implement point services and issue a membership number or a point card ID for identifying customers for each customer.

[0004] Conventionally, when using a service that provides an electronic receipt, since they are independent individual services, the issuance of an electronic receipt ID for using the electronic receipt service and the issuance of a point card ID for using the point service implemented by a retail company are also carried out in different systems.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a server, a transaction processing device, and a program that can facilitate the linkage between an electronic receipt service and a point service for each retail company. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In this embodiment, the server includes an acquisition means, a generation means, a storage unit, and an output means. The acquisition means acquires first identification information provided to the person who will receive the transaction receipt as an electronic receipt. The generation means generates second identification information based on some of the information constituting the first identification information. The storage unit stores the first identification information and the second identification information in association. The output means outputs electronic receipt data, which is an electronic version of the transaction receipt with the person, to a terminal, based on the first identification information associated with the second identification information corresponding to the person who will receive the transaction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the electronic receipt system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the point card management server 13. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 21. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the linkage table. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the main information processing steps performed by the processor of the point card management server 13. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the display screen of terminal 40. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the display screen of terminal 40. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the display screen of terminal 40. [Figure 9]Figure 9 shows a specific example (ID format) of generating a point card ID based on an electronic receipt ID. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the transaction operation performed by the processor 51 of the POS terminal 21. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Explanation of the electronic receipt system] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an electronic receipt system 100 according to an embodiment. The electronic receipt system 100 includes an electronic receipt center 10, a store system 20, a headquarters system 25, and a communication network 30.

[0010] The electronic receipt center 10 is a computer system of an organization that operates an electronic receipt service, which digitizes transaction receipts and provides them online to the customer who is the payer of the transaction. This organization is an entity independent of the store. The term "organization" can be rephrased as "organization," "enterprise," "company," etc.

[0011] Customers using the electronic receipt service enter into an electronic receipt agreement with the institution. This agreement is typically made online. The customer installs, for example, application software specifically for the electronic receipt service (electronic receipt app) and application software specifically for the company's point service (point card app) on their device 40. The device 40 is typically a smartphone. It may also be a tablet, laptop, or the like.

[0012] Customers can enter into an electronic receipt contract with the institution by using the electronic receipt app and entering the necessary information into their terminal. Hereinafter, customers who have entered into an electronic receipt contract will be referred to as electronic receipt members. Each electronic receipt member is assigned an electronic receipt ID as unique identification information. When the electronic receipt app is launched on terminal 40, the top screen displaying the electronic receipt ID as a barcode is shown on the touch panel of terminal 40.

[0013] Furthermore, customers can enter into a point service agreement with the company operating the store by using the point card app and entering the necessary information into the terminal. Hereinafter, customers who have entered into a point service agreement will be referred to as point card members. Point card members are assigned a point card ID as unique identification information. When the point card app is launched on terminal 40, the touch panel of terminal 40 displays the point card ID as a barcode and the top screen showing the points the customer has earned. In the electronic receipt system 100 of this embodiment, if a customer has previously become an electronic receipt member and has been issued an electronic receipt ID, a point card ID can be issued based on the electronic receipt ID, and the customer can become a point card member.

[0014] The electronic receipt center 10 includes a member server 11, a receipt server 12, and a point management server 13. The member server 11 is a server for realizing a service that manages the member information of each electronic receipt member. The member server 11 has an electronic receipt member database 111 and a member association list 112. The electronic receipt member database 111 is for managing electronic receipt member information. In association with the electronic receipt ID issued for each electronic receipt member, member information such as, for example, a phone number (mobile number), email address, password, postal code, gender, date of birth, etc. is recorded. The member association list 112 has a member association list 112 in which data associating the electronic receipt ID and the point card ID is recorded when the point card ID is generated based on the electronic receipt ID by the point card management server 13. The member association list 112 is provided to the head office system 25 and further provided to the POS server 22 of the store system 20 and the POS terminal 21 in the store.

[0015] The receipt server 12 is a server for realizing a service that manages the digitized electronic receipt data. The receipt server 12 realizes a service of downloading the electronic receipt data obtained by digitizing the receipt of a transaction to the terminal 40 used by the electronic receipt member in response to a request from the electronic receipt member. The receipt server 12 has an electronic receipt database 121 for recording the electronic receipt data for each electronic receipt member.

[0016] The point management server 13 is a server for generating a point card ID for the member to use the point service using the member information (electronic receipt ID) of the electronic receipt member and managing the association between the electronic receipt ID and the point card ID.

[0017] In addition, in the electronic receipt center 10 shown in FIG. 1, the membership server 11, the receipt server 12, and the point management server 13 are each configured independently. However, these servers 11 to 13 do not have to be independent servers. For example, any two of the membership server 11, the receipt server 12, and the point management server 13, or a server combined with two or three of the servers 11 to 13, or a configuration using cloud computing may be used. Also, not all of the servers 11 to 13 need to be included in the electronic receipt center 10, and they may be configured separately from the electronic receipt center 10.

[0018] The store system 20 is a system constructed in a store that has concluded a franchise contract with an organization that operates an electronic receipt service. The store system 20 is provided in each of a plurality of stores managed by the company's headquarters (headquarters system 25). By concluding a franchise contract, the store can electronically provide the receipt of a transaction to an electronic receipt member who has settled the transaction at the store. The business type of the store is not particularly limited. It may be a retail store such as a supermarket, convenience store, specialty store, etc., a food and beverage store such as a restaurant, izakaya, etc., or a shopping center with multiple tenants. Alternatively, it may be a facility that issues a receipt to users, such as a hospital, sports gym, movie theater, amusement park, etc.

[0019] The store system 20 includes a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 21, a POS server 22, and a communication interface 24. The POS terminal 21 is a settlement terminal (transaction processing device) that processes the settlement of transactions. The POS terminal 21 has the function of generating electronic receipt data for each transaction for which settlement has been processed. The electronic receipt data is transmitted to the receipt server 12. The POS terminal 21 also has the function of generating point data for each transaction for which settlement has been processed for point service members (point card members). The point data is transmitted to the headquarters system 25 (headquarters server 28) of the company that manages the store system 20 and is managed separately for each point card member. In the above explanation, it is stated that the POS terminal 21 generates the electronic receipt data, but it may also be generated by the receipt server 12. In this case, the POS terminal 21 transmits transaction data indicating the content of the transaction for which settlement has been processed, which will be the basis for generating the electronic receipt data, to the receipt server 12. The receipt server 12 generates the electronic receipt data based on the transaction data and records it in the electronic receipt database 121. The number of POS terminals 21 provided by a single store system 20 is not particularly limited. A store system 20 may have two or more POS terminals 21, or it may have only one POS terminal 21.

[0020] The POS server 22 is a server that provides a service for managing transaction data settled by the POS terminal 21. By managing transaction data in the POS server 22, store managers can find out about the store's sales, losses, etc.

[0021] The communication interface 24 controls communication with the electronic receipt center 10 and the headquarters system 25 via the communication network 30.

[0022] The headquarters system 25 is a system built at the head office that manages the stores. The headquarters system 25 manages the point service that awards points to customers in accordance with the settlement of transactions at the stores. Customers can become point card members and receive point services by receiving a point card ID based on their electronic receipt ID through the point card management server 13. Customers who become point card members can use the points awarded through the point service to purchase goods at member prices or use facilities.

[0023] The headquarters system 25 includes a network server 26 and a customer management server 27. The network server 26 controls communication with the electronic receipt center 10 and the store system 20 via the communication network 30. The customer management server 27 has a customer management database 271 and manages customer data for each point card member, in addition to the member linking list provided by the electronic receipt center 10. The customer data can include personal information such as name, gender, and contact information, as well as information on transaction history such as service points, linked to the point card ID set in the member linking list.

[0024] The customer management server 27 manages point card IDs and point data for each point card member. The point card ID for each point card member is generated in the point management server 13 based on the electronic receipt ID previously issued to the electronic receipt member. Therefore, the headquarters system 25 does not need to have a function to issue its own point card IDs in order to provide point services implemented at each store within the company.

[0025] The communication network 30 is an example of a communication method. The communication network 30 connects the electronic receipt center 10, the store system 20, the headquarters system 25, and the terminal 40, enabling data communication. Typically, the communication network 30 is a wide-area network using public lines or dedicated lines as a relay network and wired LAN (Local Area Network), wireless LAN, mobile communication network, cell phone communication network, etc. as access networks. When the electronic receipt center 10 uses cloud computing, the communication network 30 mainly uses the internet. The terminal 40 is also connected to the receipt server 12 via the communication network 30. Note that the terminal 40 may also be connected to the receipt server 12 via a network different from the communication network 30.

[0026] [Description of Point Card Management Server 13] The point card management server 13 issues point card IDs based on the electronic receipt ID, links the electronic receipt ID and the point card ID, and manages the association of IDs (member linking). The electronic receipt ID and point card ID are provided to the headquarters system 25, which in turn provides them to the store systems 20 of each store. When a customer makes a payment at a store, the POS terminal 21 of the store system 20 reads the electronic receipt ID or point card ID displayed on the terminal 40's display screen by the customer, and then sends the electronic receipt data to the receipt server 12 and the point data to the headquarters system 25 (customer management server 27).

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the point card management server 13. The point card management server 13 comprises a processor 41, main memory 42, auxiliary storage device 43, communication interface 44, and system transmission line 45. The system transmission line 45 includes an address bus, data bus, control signal lines, etc. The point card management server 13 connects the processor 41, main memory 42, auxiliary storage device 43, and communication interface 44 to the system transmission line 45. In the point card management server 13, the computer is composed of the processor 41, main memory 42, auxiliary storage device 43, and communication interface 44, and the system transmission line 45 connecting them.

[0028] The processor 41 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 41 controls various parts in order to realize various functions as a point card management server 13 according to the operating system or application program (application software). The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0029] Main memory 42 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 42 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area of ​​main memory 42, the operating system or application programs are stored. In the volatile memory area of ​​main memory 42, data necessary for the processor 41 to perform processing to control each part is stored. This data may also be stored in the non-volatile memory area. Main memory 42 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 41. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0030] The auxiliary storage device 43 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 43. The auxiliary storage device 43 stores data used by the processor 41 in performing various processes, or data created by the processing performed by the processor 41. The auxiliary storage device 43 may also store the application programs described above. The point card management server 13 uses a portion of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 43 as a storage area for the point card management program 431, a browser program (not shown), etc. The method of installing the point card management program 431 is not particularly limited. It can be installed by recording the control program on a removable storage medium or by distributing it via communication over a network. The form of the storage medium is not limited as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as an SD memory card or USB memory.

[0031] The communication interface 44 is a circuit for data communication with the member server 11, and the store system 20 and headquarters system 25 via the communication network 30.

[0032] The processor 41, based on the point card management program 431, performs the following processes for customers who access through the terminal 40: registration of electronic receipt members (issuance of electronic receipt IDs), registration of point card members based on the electronic receipt IDs (issuance of point card IDs), and viewing of points earned by point card members.

[0033] [Description of POS terminal 21] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 21. The POS terminal 21 comprises a processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, communication interface 54, and system transmission line 59. The system transmission line 59 includes an address bus, data bus, control signal lines, etc. The POS terminal 21 connects the processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, and communication interface 54 to the system transmission line 59. In the POS terminal 21, the computer is composed of the processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, communication interface 54, display device 55, input device 56, reading device 57, and printer 58, and the system transmission line 59 connecting them.

[0034] The processor 51 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 51 controls various parts in order to realize various functions as a POS terminal 21 according to the operating system or application program (application software). The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU.

[0035] Main memory 52 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 52 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area of ​​main memory 52, the operating system or application programs are stored. In the volatile memory area of ​​main memory 52, data necessary for the processor 51 to perform processing to control each part is stored. This data may also be stored in the non-volatile memory area. Main memory 52 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 51. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM.

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 53 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 53. The auxiliary storage device 53 stores data used by the processor 51 in performing various processes, or data created by the processing performed by the processor 51. The auxiliary storage device 53 may also store the application program described above. The POS terminal 21 uses a portion of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 53 as the storage area for the sales processing program 61 and the member linking list 62. The method of installing the sales processing program 61 is not particularly limited. It can be installed by recording the control program on a removable storage medium or by distributing it via communication over a network. The form of the storage medium is not limited as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as an SD memory card or USB memory. The member linking list 62 is received, for example, from the electronic receipt center 10 (member server 11) via the POS server 22.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the member linking list 62 is a data table that associates one electronic receipt ID with one point card ID. When the POS terminal 21 reads the code indicating the electronic receipt ID displayed on the screen of the terminal 40 through the processing of the sales processing program 61, it can execute processing corresponding to the electronic receipt ID and also processing corresponding to the point card ID that corresponds to the electronic receipt ID linked in the member linking list 62. Furthermore, when the terminal 21 reads the code indicating the point card ID displayed on the screen of the terminal 40, it can execute processing corresponding to the point card ID and also processing corresponding to the electronic receipt ID that corresponds to the point card ID linked in the member linking list 62. Note that when the code indicating the point card ID is read, if the customer requires a paper receipt for the transaction, it is possible to perform only the processing corresponding to the point card ID without linking the point card ID and the electronic receipt ID.

[0038] The communication interface 54 is a circuit for data communication between the POS server 22, the communication interface 24, and the communication network 30, and the electronic receipt center 10 (receipt server 12) and the headquarters system 25 (customer management server 27).

[0039] The display device 55 displays various screens to notify the operator of various information. For example, a well-known device such as a liquid crystal display can be used as the display device 55.

[0040] The input device 56 receives various instructions from the operator. The input device 56 can be a well-known device such as a touch sensor or a keyboard, either alone or in combination.

[0041] The reading device 57 reads the data stored in the storage medium. The reading device 57 can be a well-known device such as a barcode scanner or a card reader, either alone or in combination.

[0042] Printer 58 prints a receipt image onto receipt paper to issue a receipt.

[0043] The processor 51, based on the sales processing program 61, performs processing related to the sale of goods purchased by the customer, as well as processing for electronic receipt services or point services in response to the reading of a code displayed on the screen of the terminal 40.

[0044] Next, the operation of the system in this embodiment will be described.

[0045] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the main information processing steps of the processor 51 of the point card management server 13. Note that the information processing steps and content described below are examples. The steps and content can be modified as appropriate, provided that the same effect can be achieved. Figures 6, 7, and 8 show examples of the display screens of the terminal 40 used by customers.

[0046] Terminal 40 accesses the point management server 13 when the point card app is launched. When the point card management server 13 processor 51 receives an access from terminal 40, it displays a login screen on terminal 40 (Act 21). Figure 6(A) shows an example of a login screen. The login screen includes, for example, a login button 71, a point card linking button 72, and a new member registration button 73.

[0047] On the login screen, if you are a point card member, you can view your accumulated points by selecting the login button 71. If you are not a point card member but are already an electronic receipt member, you can register for point card linkage by selecting the point card linkage button 72. This generates a point card ID based on your electronic receipt ID, linking the electronic receipt ID and the point card ID. If you are neither a point card member nor an electronic receipt member, you can proceed to the electronic receipt member registration process by selecting the new member registration button 73.

[0048] When the point management server 13 (processor 51) receives a request for new registration via the selection of the new member registration button 73 (Act 22, Yes), it displays the member registration screen on the terminal 40. Figure 6(B) shows an example of the registration screen. The member registration screen includes, for example, a member registration button 75 and a linking registration button 76.

[0049] The member registration screen displays the following steps: first, register as an electronic receipt member; and second, register to link your point card.

[0050] When the point management server 13 receives a request to register an electronic receipt member by selecting the member registration button 75 (Act 24, Yes), it displays a login information input screen on the terminal 40 (Act 25). Figure 6(C) shows an example of the login information input screen. The login information input screen is for pre-registering login information to be entered when logging in to use the electronic receipt service. The login information input screen includes a mobile phone number input area 78 for entering a mobile phone number or email address, and a password input area 79 for entering a password for login. The login information input screen also includes a registration button 80. Note that the login information is not limited to a mobile phone number (email address) and password.

[0051] When the point management server 13 receives a mobile phone number (or email address) in the mobile phone number input area 78, a password of the customer's choosing in the password input area 79 (Act 26), and a request for membership registration is received through an operation on the registration button 80 (Act 27, Yes), it executes the electronic receipt membership registration process (Act 28).

[0052] The point management server 13 generates a new electronic receipt ID for each electronic receipt member and registers the mobile phone number, email address, and password associated with this electronic receipt ID in the electronic receipt member database 111 managed by the member server 11. In this way, by first registering as an electronic receipt member, it is possible to generate a point card ID based on the electronic receipt ID and register as a point card member by operating the point card linkage button 72 on the login screen shown in Figure 6(A) (or by operating the linkage registration button 76 on the registration screen shown in Figure 6(B)). The electronic receipt ID and point card ID are then linked.

[0053] In the explanation above, the registration of an electronic receipt member is done by accessing the point card app from terminal 40, but it is also possible to register an electronic receipt member by accessing the receipt server 12 via the electronic receipt app. Thus, in the case of customers who have already registered as electronic receipt members, they can register as point card members by operating the point card linkage button 72 on the login screen shown in Figure 6(A), or the linkage registration button 76 on the registration screen shown in Figure 6(B).

[0054] When the point management server 13 receives a request to register a point card member, i.e., a request for point card linkage registration, via the operation of the point card linkage button 72 on the login screen (Act 31, Yes), it displays a login information input screen for point card linkage registration on the terminal 40 (Act 32). Figure 7(A) shows an example of the login information input screen for point card linkage registration. The login information input screen has areas for entering the login information of previously registered electronic receipt members, namely a mobile number input area 82 for entering a mobile number or email address, and a password input area 83 for entering a password. The login information input screen also has a linkage button 84 for instructing the registration of a point card member (linking the electronic receipt ID and point card ID).

[0055] When a mobile phone number (or email address) is entered in the mobile phone number input area 82, a password is entered in the password input area 83 (Act 33), and a point card linkage registration request is received via an operation on the linkage button 84 (Act 34, Yes), the point management server 13 executes the point card member registration process (issuance of point card ID).

[0056] The point management server 13 verifies whether the mobile phone number (or email address) and password entered on the login information input screen in Figure 7(A) are registered in the electronic receipt member database 111 managed by the member server 11, i.e., whether the access is by an electronic receipt member. If it is confirmed that the user is an electronic receipt member (Act 35, Yes), the point management server 13 retrieves the electronic receipt ID of the corresponding electronic receipt member from the electronic receipt member database 111 (Act 36).

[0057] The point management server 13 generates a point card ID for point card member registration based on the electronic receipt ID obtained from the electronic receipt member database 111 (Act 37).

[0058] Figure 9 shows a specific example (ID format) of generating a point card ID based on an electronic receipt ID.

[0059] For example, the format of a point card ID is defined by a 13-digit string, consisting of a 2-digit company-specific flag set by the company ("F1" or "F2"), a predetermined 10-digit string that is part of the electronic receipt ID (for example, a 16-digit string) ("9999999999"), and a 1-digit check digit ("C / D").

[0060] The point management server 13 sets and registers the point card ID generated based on the electronic receipt ID in the member linking list 112 managed by the member server 11, associating it with the electronic receipt ID used to generate the point card ID (Act 38).

[0061] The member linking list 112 of the member server 11 is sent to the respective headquarters system 25 for each company. The customer management server 27 of the headquarters system 25 manages the point services implemented by the company based on the point card IDs of point card members (electronic receipt members) set in the member linking list 112 provided by the electronic receipt center 10.

[0062] Furthermore, the member linking list 112 is provided from the headquarters system 25 (customer management server 27) to the POS server 22 of the store system 20, and is managed as the member linking list 62 at each POS terminal 21 in the store. When a customer pays for goods, the POS terminal 21 can execute processing for the point service or electronic receipt service by reading the copy protection representing the point card ID or electronic receipt ID displayed on the screen of the terminal 40.

[0063] As described above, after the point card member registration is completed, the customer can log in to check the points they have earned through the point service. The customer can request to log in by selecting the login button 71 on the login screen shown in Figure 6(A) displayed on terminal 40 (Act 21).

[0064] When the point management server 13 receives a login request from terminal 40 (Act 41, Yes), it displays a login information input screen on terminal 40 (Act 42). Figure 7(B) shows an example of the login information input screen. The login information input screen includes a login ID area 86 for entering a login ID (mobile phone number or email address) and a password input area 87 for entering a password. The login information input screen also includes a login button 88 to prompt the user to log in.

[0065] When a login request is received via the login ID area 86 (Act 43) and the login button 88 is pressed (Act 44, Yes), the point management server 13 refers to the electronic receipt member database 111 and member linking list 112 managed by the member server 11 to obtain the point card ID corresponding to the login information (Act 45).

[0066] The point management server 13 queries the headquarters system 25 of the company providing the service for point card data, based on the point card ID, to retrieve the point data earned by the customer corresponding to the point card ID. The headquarters system 25 sends the point data corresponding to the relevant point card ID, which is managed in the customer management database 271, to the point management server 13.

[0067] The point management server 13 retrieves point data corresponding to the point card ID by querying the headquarters system 25 (Act 46) and displays the points screen on the terminal 40 (Act 47). Figure 7(C) shows an example of the points screen. The points screen displays a code (e.g., a barcode) 93 representing the point card ID and the number of points 94 indicated by the point data retrieved from the headquarters system 25. The points screen also provides buttons for viewing other information, such as an electronic receipt display button 95 to instruct the display of an electronic receipt and a flyer button 96 to instruct the display of an image of a product advertisement (flyer). This allows customers to check the points associated with the point card ID generated based on the electronic receipt ID.

[0068] Furthermore, when the point management server 13 is instructed to display an electronic receipt by operating the electronic receipt display button 95 on the points screen (Act 48, Yes), it retrieves electronic receipt data corresponding to the login information (electronic receipt ID linked to the point card ID) from the receipt server 12 (Act 49) and outputs it to the terminal 40 (Act 50). The terminal 40 displays the electronic receipt screen based on the electronic receipt data from the point management server 13. Figure 8 shows an example of the electronic receipt screen. In the electronic receipt screen shown in Figure 8, the total amount of transactions for each month is displayed, as well as the total amount for each transaction. On the electronic receipt screen, by selecting the total amount for each transaction, it is possible to display electronic receipt data showing the details of the transaction.

[0069] In the explanation above, the point management server 13 outputs electronic receipt data to the terminal 40, and the terminal 40 displays the electronic receipt screen. However, the terminal 40 may also launch a browser program in response to the selection of the electronic receipt display button 95, access the receipt server 12 which is the link destination set for the electronic receipt display button 95, and display the electronic receipt screen. The terminal 40 accesses the receipt server 12 (electronic receipt viewing site) through the processing of the browser program, retrieves the electronic receipt data corresponding to the login information (electronic receipt ID linked to the point card ID), and displays it. Similarly, if the flyer button 96 is selected, the browser program can access a flyer viewing site and display the flyer image on the terminal 40.

[0070] In this way, the point management server 13 in this embodiment can generate a point card ID using a portion of the electronic receipt ID issued to the customer in order to provide the electronic receipt service, and provide it to companies that implement point services in conjunction with (linked) the electronic receipt ID. Therefore, when implementing point services, companies do not need to independently generate point card IDs or build a system to collect customer information. By making it easy to link the electronic receipt service with the point services of each retail company, it is possible to acquire companies that will participate in Smart Receipt and acquire Smart Receipt members.

[0071] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the transaction operation performed by the processor 51 of the POS terminal 21.

[0072] When the processor 51 of the POS terminal 21 is in an operating state for registering and settling transactions, it performs the information processing described below based on the sales processing program 61.

[0073] When the processor 51 is in an operational state for registering and settling a transaction, it waits for a code indicating an electronic receipt ID or point card ID to be entered (Act 1), or for an operation to register the products that the customer intends to purchase to be initiated (Act 2).

[0074] When a customer at POS terminal 21 applies the electronic receipt service to a transaction they are about to register, they enter a code to identify themselves into POS terminal 21. Specifically, the customer may, for example, enter the code by operating input device 56, or have reader device 57 read a membership card screen on terminal 40 that includes a code indicating the electronic receipt ID (e.g., a barcode, a 2D code, etc.), or have reader device 57 read a card or other medium on which the code is recorded.

[0075] In the electronic receipt system 100, in addition to the electronic receipt ID, a point card ID generated based on the electronic receipt ID and linked to the electronic receipt ID can be used as a code to identify the customer. The electronic receipt ID is assigned by the company operating the receipt server 12 to customers who have registered to use the electronic receipt service. Therefore, customers can use the electronic receipt service regardless of which different company's store they make a transaction at that store is eligible for the electronic receipt service. In contrast, the point service is implemented by each company, and a point card ID is assigned to the customer by the company operating the facility where the POS terminal 21 is installed. It would be inconvenient for customers using such membership services to have to enter both the point card ID and the electronic receipt ID separately when using both the electronic receipt service and the point service. Therefore, in this electronic receipt system, the electronic receipt service can be used even when the linked point card ID is entered as the code to identify the customer.

[0076] The processor 51 obtains the entered code from the input device 56 or the reading device 57 as described above (Act 3).

[0077] The processor 51 checks whether the acquired code is an electronic receipt ID by referring to the member linking list 62 provided, for example, through the POS server 22 (Act 4). Note that some customers are only electronic receipt members and not point service members, or only electronic receipt members and not point card members, so the processor 51 may also check by querying the receipt server 12 or the member server 11, for example.

[0078] If the code is not an electronic receipt ID (Act 4, No), the processor 51 checks whether it is a point card ID by referring to the member linking list 62 (or querying the receipt server 12 or member server 11). If the acquired code is not a point card ID (Act 5, No), the processor 51 invalidates the code input, considering it neither an electronic receipt ID nor a point card ID, and returns to the waiting state.

[0079] On the other hand, if the acquired code is confirmed to be a point card ID (Act 5, Yes), the processor 51 checks whether to link the code with the electronic receipt ID. Specifically, the processor 51 displays a screen on the display device 55 asking whether to link the code with the electronic receipt ID, and checks whether to link them based on the customer's instructions on the input device 56 based on this screen. In other words, if the code is linked with the electronic receipt ID, the transaction details will be provided as electronic receipt data, but a paper receipt will not be issued. Therefore, if the customer deliberately has the point card ID code read instead of the electronic receipt ID code, it is possible that they need a paper receipt, so the processor will ask the customer whether to link it with the electronic receipt ID.

[0080] If the processor 51 is instructed to cooperate (Act 6, Yes), it sets an electronic receipt flag indicating the use of the electronic receipt service (recorded in main memory 52 or auxiliary storage device 53) (Act 7). The processor 51 also sets a points flag indicating the use of the points service (recorded in main memory 52 or auxiliary storage device 53) (Act 8).

[0081] If the processor 51 is not instructed to cooperate (Act 6, No), it sets only the points flag (recorded in main memory 52 or auxiliary storage device 53) without setting the electronic receipt flag (Act 8).

[0082] Furthermore, if the acquired code is an electronic receipt ID (Act 4, Yes), the processor 51 refers to the member linking list 62 to check if there is a point card ID linked to the electronic receipt ID. If there is a linked point card ID (Act 9, Yes), the processor 51 sets the electronic receipt flag and the point flag (Act 7, Act 8). If there is no linked point card ID (Act 9, No), the processor 51 sets only the electronic receipt flag (Act 10).

[0083] On the other hand, when a registration operation is initiated (Act2, Yes), the processor 51 registers the items (transaction details) that the customer intends to purchase in response to an operation by the customer or store clerk (Act11). The processor 51 continues to register items until an instruction for settlement processing related to the registered transaction is entered (Act12, No). Furthermore, the processor 51 allows the customer to enter a code at any time until an instruction for settlement processing is entered (Act12, No) (Act1 (Yes), Act3). In other words, the customer can have the POS terminal 21 read a code representing the electronic receipt ID or point card ID until the settlement process is completed.

[0084] When a payment processing instruction is entered into the processor 51 (Act 12, Yes), the processor 51 executes the payment processing for the transaction for the registered product (Act 13).

[0085] When the payment processing is complete, the processor 51 checks whether the electronic receipt flag is set. If the electronic receipt flag is not set (Act 14, No), the processor 51 operates the printer 58 to issue a paper receipt (Act 18). The processor 51 completes processing of the customer transaction and returns to the standby state.

[0086] On the other hand, if the electronic receipt flag is set (Act 14, Yes), the processor 51 generates electronic receipt data representing the transaction details and sends it to the receipt server 12 (Act 15). If the linked electronic receipt ID or point card ID has been read before the payment processing is completed, electronic receipt data including linking data indicating the relationship of these IDs is generated. The electronic receipt data includes information representing the transaction details and the payment result. For example, the information included in the electronic receipt data includes codes, product codes, product names, unit prices, quantities, total amounts, payment amounts, and change amounts.

[0087] Furthermore, the processor 51 checks whether the point flag is set or not. If the point flag is not set (Act 16, No), the processor 51 completes processing of the transaction for the customer and returns to the waiting state. If the point flag is set (Act 16, Yes), the processor 51 generates point data corresponding to the payment amount, for example, adds the point card ID, and sends it to the headquarters system 25 (customer management server 27).

[0088] In this way, the POS terminal 21 in this embodiment can output electronic receipt data, which is an electronic version of the transaction receipt, to the receipt server, regardless of whether the code presented by the customer is an electronic receipt ID or a point card ID generated based on some information of the electronic receipt ID.

[0089] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out 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 variations are included within the scope of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 10...Electronic receipt center, 11...Member server, 111...Electronic receipt member database, 112...Member linking list, 12...Receipt server, 121...Electronic receipt data, 13...Point card management server, 20...Store system, 21...POS terminal, 22...POS server, 24...Communication interface, 30...Communication network, 25...Head office system, 26...Network server, 27...Customer management server, 271...Customer database, 40...Terminal, 41,51...Processor, 42,52...Main memory, 43,53...Auxiliary storage device, 44,54...Communication interface, 45,55...System transmission path, 61...Customer database, 431...Point card management program, 62...Member linking list.

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring first identification information provided to a person who is the subject of a transaction and receives the transaction receipt as an electronic receipt, A generation means that generates a second identification information based on some of the information constituting the first identification information, A storage unit that stores the first identification information and the second identification information in association, A server having output means for outputting electronic receipt data, which is an electronic version of a transaction receipt with a person, to a terminal, based on the first identification information associated with the second identification information corresponding to the person being transacted.

2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting point data assigned to the person subject to the transaction, along with the second identification information corresponding to the person subject to the transaction, to the terminal.

3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the output means outputs to the terminal information for receiving a request to display the electronic receipt data, along with the point data assigned to the person subject to the transaction.

4. A reading means for reading identification information provided by the subject of a transaction, A verification means for confirming whether the aforementioned identification information is a first identification information provided to a person who receives a transaction receipt as an electronic receipt, or a second identification information created based on a part of the information constituting the first identification information, A transaction processing device comprising: a first output means that, when the verification means confirms that the identification information read by the reading means is the first identification information or the second identification information, outputs electronic receipt data, which is an electronic receipt of the transaction with the subject, to a receipt server.

5. The transaction processing device according to claim 4, further comprising a second output means for outputting point data assigned to the subject of the transaction in accordance with the second identification information to a server that manages points.

6. Computers, An acquisition means for acquiring first identification information provided to a person who is the subject of a transaction and receives the transaction receipt as an electronic receipt, A generation means that generates a second identification information based on some of the information constituting the first identification information, A storage unit that stores the first identification information and the second identification information in association, A program that functions as an output means for outputting electronic receipt data, which is an electronic version of a transaction receipt with a person, to a terminal, based on the first identification information associated with the second identification information corresponding to the person involved in the transaction.

7. Computers, A reading means for reading identification information provided by the subject of a transaction, A verification means for confirming whether the aforementioned identification information is a first identification information provided to a person who receives a transaction receipt as an electronic receipt, or a second identification information created based on a part of the information constituting the first identification information, A program that, when the verification means confirms that the identification information read by the reading means is either the first identification information or the second identification information, functions as an output means for outputting electronic receipt data, which is an electronic receipt of a transaction with the subject, to a receipt server.

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