Transaction processing system, transaction processing device, and information processing program

Abstract

This will make it easier to use coupons. [Solution] The transaction processing system of the embodiment comprises a determination means, a registration means, a selection means, a first display means, and a decision means. The determination means determines the product in response to user operations on a terminal device. The registration means registers the product determined by the determination means as the product to be traded. The selection means selects the coupon to be applied as a result of the product registration by the registration means from the coupons held by the user. When a coupon is selected by the selection means, the first display means displays a notification screen on the terminal device to notify the user of the selected coupon. The decision means determines the coupon selected by the selection means as the coupon to be applied to the transaction, in response to the user specifying the application of the coupon.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a transaction processing system, a transaction processing apparatus, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] A system that performs transaction processing using an information communication terminal owned by a user, such as a smartphone, or an information communication terminal lent to the user from a store or the like as a user interface is known as a "smartphone POS system" or the like. Alternatively, a system that performs transaction processing using an information communication terminal attached to a shopping cart provided as equipment in a store as a user interface is known as a "cart POS system" or the like. On the other hand, coupons may be distributed from stores or the like to users. And it is known that for some coupons, the applicability is determined according to the product targeted for the transaction. For example, there is a coupon that discounts a certain amount from the selling price of a product when a predetermined product is the target of the transaction. Regarding such coupons whose applicability changes according to the registration status of the product targeted for the transaction, in the above smartphone POS system and cart POS system, it is necessary for the user to perform an operation of declaring the use of applicable coupons after confirming the applicability of each coupon, which has been a hassle for the user. Under such circumstances, it has been desired that coupons can be easily used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a transaction processing system, a transaction processing device, and an information processing program that enable the easy use of coupons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The transaction processing system of this embodiment comprises a determination means, a registration means, a selection means, a first display means, and a decision means. The determination means determines the product in response to user operations on a terminal device. The registration means registers the product determined by the determination means as the product to be traded. The selection means selects a coupon to be applied as a result of the product registration by the registration means from the coupons held by the user. When a coupon is selected by the selection means, the first display means displays a notification screen on the terminal device informing the user of the selected coupon. The decision means determines the coupon selected by the selection means as the coupon to be applied to the transaction, in accordance with the user's specification of coupon application. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a transaction processing system according to one embodiment, and the main circuit configurations of each device constituting the transaction processing system. [Figure 2] Flowchart of the registration process. [Figure 3] Flowchart of the registration process. [Figure 4] Flowchart of the registration process. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of a registration screen. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of a scan screen. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the first notification screen. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of the second notification screen. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a registration screen. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a registration screen. [Figure 11] A diagram illustrating an example of a list screen. [Figure 12] A diagram showing an example of the first change screen. [Figure 13] A diagram showing an example of the second change screen. [Figure 14] A diagram showing an example of a registration screen. [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example of a registration screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the transaction processing system 100 according to this embodiment, and the main circuit configurations of each device constituting the transaction processing system 100. The transaction processing system 100 is configured to enable communication between the transaction processing device 1 and the user terminal 2 via a communication network 200. While any number of transaction processing devices 1 and user terminals 2 may be included in the transaction processing system 100, only one of each is shown in Figure 1.

[0008] Transaction processing device 1 uses user terminal 2 as a user interface terminal and processes information to handle the buying and selling of goods between the user and the store, according to the operations performed by the user at the store. Transaction processing device 1 may be implemented as, for example, a cloud server and process transactions at multiple stores. Transaction processing device 1 may also be implemented as, for example, a local server and process transactions at only one store.

[0009] User terminal 2 is an information processing terminal owned by the user. User terminal 2 is typically owned by the user and brought into the store for use by the user. User terminal 2 may also be an information and communication terminal lent to the user by the store, or an information and communication terminal attached to a shopping cart provided as equipment in the store. User terminal 2 is a terminal device that receives operations from the user for transaction processing in transaction processing device 1.

[0010] The communication network 200 can be used alone or in appropriate combination, such as the Internet, VPN (virtual private network), LAN, public communication network, mobile communication network, etc. As an example, the Internet and the mobile communication network are used in combination as the communication network 200.

[0011] The transaction processing device 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, a transmission path 15, etc. The processor 11 can communicate with the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage unit 13, and the communication unit 14 via the transmission path 15.

[0012] By connecting the processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage unit 13 with the transmission path 15, a computer for performing information processing for controlling the transaction processing device 1 is configured. The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 11 executes information processing for controlling each part in order to realize various functions as the transaction processing device 1 according to information processing programs such as an operating system and application programs.

[0013] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main memory 12 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory 12 stores a part of the above information processing program in the read-only memory area. Also, the main memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processing for controlling each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory 12 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area by the processor 11.

[0014] The auxiliary storage unit 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. The auxiliary storage unit 13 can utilize, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or various other well-known storage devices. 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 may also store the information processing program described above. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 13 stores the transaction processing program PRA, which is one of the information processing programs. The transaction processing program PRA is an application program that describes the procedure for transaction processing, including the registration process described later. A portion of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage unit 13 is used as an area for storing the user database DBA and the coupon database DBB. The user database DBA is a database for managing users of the smartphone POS service described later. The user database DBA includes data for managing coupons held by users of the smartphone POS service. The coupon database DBB is a database for managing coupons that can be used at stores offering smartphone POS services. For each of the multiple coupons, the DBB contains data describing the coupon's terms of use and the benefits it offers.

[0015] The communication unit 14 performs communication processing for data communication via the communication network 200. The communication unit 14 can use, for example, an existing communication device for the Internet. The transmission line 15 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected parts.

[0016] Now, as the hardware for the transaction processing device 1, for example, a general-purpose server device can be used. Generally, the transfer of the transaction processing device 1 is performed with the transaction processing program PRA stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13, but the user database DBA and coupon database DBB are not stored therein. However, the hardware in a state where the transaction processing program PRA is not stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13, or in a state where a different version of the same type of application program is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13, and the transaction processing program PRA may be transferred separately. The transaction processing device 1 may be configured by writing the transaction processing program PRA to the auxiliary storage unit 13 in response to an operation by any worker. The transfer of the transaction processing program PRA can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication over a network.

[0017] User terminal 2 includes a processor 21, main memory 22, auxiliary storage unit 23, touch panel 24, camera 25, mobile communication unit 26, and transmission line 27. The processor 21, main memory 22, auxiliary storage unit 23, touch panel 24, camera 25, and mobile communication unit 26 are able to communicate with each other via the transmission line 27. The processor 21, main memory 22, and auxiliary storage unit 23 are connected via the transmission line 27, thereby forming a computer for controlling user terminal 2.

[0018] The general functions of the processor 21, main memory 22, auxiliary storage unit 23, and transmission line 27 are the same as those of the processor 11, main memory 12, auxiliary storage unit 13, and transmission line 15, so their explanation will be omitted. However, the auxiliary storage unit 23 stores the user interface processing program (hereinafter referred to as the UI processing program) PRB instead of the transaction processing program PRA. The UI processing program PRB is an application program that describes the information processing procedure of the processor 21 to operate the user terminal 2 as a user interface for transaction processing by the transaction processing device 1.

[0019] The touch panel 24 functions as both an input device and a display device for the user terminal 2. The camera 25 includes an optical system and an image sensor, and the image sensor generates image data representing the image within the field of view formed by the optical system. The mobile communication unit 26 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 200. For example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a mobile communication network can be used as the mobile communication unit 26. The transmission line 27 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected parts.

[0020] Next, the operation of the transaction processing system 100 configured as described above will be explained. Note that the content of the various processes described below is merely an example, and it is possible to change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following explanation, some processes have been omitted in order to clearly illustrate the characteristic operation of this embodiment. For example, if an error occurs, processing to deal with that error may be performed, but such processing has been omitted from the description. As described below, the service provided to users by the transaction processing system 100 is the smartphone POS service. When an information and communication terminal attached to a shopping cart is used as the user terminal 2, the service may also be referred to as the cart POS service.

[0021] A provider offering coupons to users of a smartphone POS service accesses the transaction processing device 1 using an information terminal (not shown in Figure 1) and specifies various information regarding the coupon to be offered. The processor 11 then updates the coupon database DBB accordingly. Information related to the coupon includes, for example, a coupon identifier, coupon name, validity period, number of uses, application conditions, and benefits. The application conditions are expected to be defined as, for example, "three items with product code 1234567890123 are included in the transaction," "both items with product code 123456789023 and 1111222233334 are included in the transaction," "first 100 customers," or "one item of any choice is included in the transaction." Benefits are expected to be defined as, for example, "100 yen off eligible items" or "10% off the total price." However, the information to be included in the coupon information may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, the designer of the transaction processing device 1. The content of the coupon information may also be arbitrarily determined by the coupon provider.

[0022] To use the smartphone POS service, users must register with the smartphone POS service provider. This registration determines an identifier for the user (hereinafter referred to as the user code), and the user database DBA is updated to represent various user information necessary for the user to use the smartphone POS service in association with the above user code. The user information includes the coupon identifier of any coupons the user has acquired. In addition, to use the smartphone POS service, users must install the UI processing program PRB on their own smartphone or other device and make it available as user terminal 2. The user then enters a store that provides the smartphone POS service with user terminal 2, which has information processing based on the UI processing program PRB (hereinafter referred to as UI processing) activated.

[0023] The user operates user terminal 2 to perform a predetermined check-in process between user terminal 2 and transaction processing device 1. Once the user has completed the check-in, they select the product to be traded in the store (hereinafter referred to as the "transaction product") and enter the product code of that product into user terminal 2.

[0024] In the transaction processing device 1, once the processor 11 completes the check-in process through information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, it starts the registration process based on the transaction processing program PRA. The registration process is information processing for registering the product specified by the user as a trading product.

[0025] Figures 2, 3, and 4 are flowcharts of the registration process. In Figure 2, the processor 11, as ACT1, instructs the user terminal 2 to display the registration screen. The registration screen includes a list of products already registered as trading products and is a screen that allows the user to recognize the registration status of trading products. For example, the processor 11 generates screen data representing the registration screen that reflects the registration status of trading products, and sends instruction data from the communication unit 14 to the communication network 200 addressed to the user terminal 2 to instruct the user terminal 2 to display the screen based on said screen data.

[0026] When instruction data for screen display instructions is transmitted to the user terminal 2 via the communication network 200, the mobile communication unit 26 in the user terminal 2 receives the instruction data. Upon receiving the instruction data, the mobile communication unit 26 notifies the processor 21 of this fact. If the processor 21 has received instruction data for screen display instructions, it uses UI processing to display the screen represented by the screen data contained in the instruction data on the touch panel 24. The exchange of display instructions for the various screens described below is performed using the same procedure as above, although the content of the screen data may differ.

[0027] Figure 5 shows an example of a registration screen SCA. The registration screen SCA displays an image representing the registration status in the display area ARA. The registration screen SCA represents buttons BUA, BUB, and BUC. In the example in Figure 5, the image in the display area ARA shows that two items have been registered, one each with the product names "AAAAA" and "BBBBB," and a unit price of 300 yen each, with a reference price of 600 yen. The reference price is calculated by subtracting the discount amount due to coupon application from the sum of the unit prices of all transaction items. If the transaction items and applied coupons remain unchanged and the transaction proceeds to settlement, this reference price becomes the settlement amount. In the example in Figure 5, the image in the display area ARA shows that the discount amount due to coupon application is 0 yen. The image in the display area ARA changes sequentially according to the registration status of the transaction items. When processor 11 first executes ACT1 in Figure 2, the transaction items have not yet been registered. Therefore, in the registration screen represented by the screen data sent to the user terminal 2 when the processor 11 first executes ACT1 in Figure 2, the image placed in the display area ARA does not represent information about each product, but rather an image that indicates a total of 0 points and a reference price of 0 yen.

[0028] Button BUA is a soft key that instructs the user to display a list of coupons they possess. Button BUB is a soft key that instructs the user to proceed to scanning a new product. Button BUC is a soft key that instructs the user to start checkout. Note that the registration screen SCA and the various screens described later only show the main display objects, and some display objects are omitted from the illustration.

[0029] The processor 21 displays the registration screen SCA on the touch panel 24 and waits for any operation on the registration screen SCA by the user. When an operation is performed on the registration screen SCA, the processor 21 sends notification data to the communication network 200 from the mobile communication unit 26 to the transaction processing unit 1 to notify the user of the operation. The display of various screens in response to instructions from the transaction processing unit 1 and the notification of operation content based on each screen are all performed by UI processing, including the processing described later.

[0030] When notification data for informing the details of an operation is transmitted to the transaction processing unit 1 via the communication network 200, the communication unit 14 in the transaction processing unit 1 receives the notification data. Upon receiving the notification data, the communication unit 14 notifies the processor 11 of this fact. The sending and receiving of notifications regarding the operations on the various screens described below will be performed using the same procedure as above, although the operations themselves may differ.

[0031] In Figure 2, as ACT2, the processor 11 waits for an operation to be performed on the user terminal 2. Then, for example, if the communication unit 14 notifies the processor 11 that it has received notification data to inform the user of the operation details, the processor 11 determines that the operation has been performed and proceeds to ACT3. In ACT3, processor 11 checks whether the operation performed was an operation that specified the start of a scan. If processor 11 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT4. In ACT4, processor 11 checks whether the operation performed was an operation to specify the display of the coupon list screen. If processor 11 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT5.

[0032] As ACT5, processor 11 checks whether the operation performed was to specify a coupon badge in the registration screen SCA. The coupon badge will be explained later. If processor 11 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO, checks the content of the operation, and proceeds to other processes to perform the appropriate action. For example, processor 11 confirms that an operation to start accounting has been performed, calculates the settlement amount as the price of the traded goods, starts the accounting process to settle that settlement amount, and then terminates the registration process. Alternatively, processor 11 confirms that an operation to cancel a transaction has been performed, executes the process to cancel the transaction, and then terminates the registration process. A detailed explanation of other processes is omitted here.

[0033] When a user registers a new product as a trading item, they perform a predetermined operation to specify the start of scanning, such as tapping the BUB button on the registration screen SCA. Once this operation is notified from the user terminal 2 to the transaction processing unit 1, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT3 and proceeds to ACT11 in Figure 3. As ACT11, processor 11 instructs user terminal 2 to display the scan screen.

[0034] Figure 6 shows an example of a scan screen SCB. The scan screen (SCB) includes a display area (ARB) and a button (BUD). The display area (ARB) is an area for displaying the image obtained by camera 25. The button (BUD) is a soft key for the user to declare that they want to stop scanning the product code.

[0035] When the processor 21 displays the scan screen SCB on the user terminal 2, it activates the camera 25 and overlays the image obtained by the camera 25 onto the display area ARB. If any operation related to the scan screen SCB is performed by the user, the processor 21 notifies the transaction processing unit 1 of the details of that operation, as described later.

[0036] In the transaction processing unit 1, once the processor 11 has finished instructing the display of the scan screen as ACT11 in Figure 3, it proceeds to ACT12. As ACT12, processor 11 waits for an operation to be performed on user terminal 2. Then, for example, if the user terminal 2 notifies processor 11 of the operation, it determines that the operation has been performed and proceeds to ACT13. As ACT13, processor 11 checks whether a scan has been performed. If processor 11 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT14.

[0037] As ACT14, processor 11 checks whether or not the scan has been canceled. If processor 11 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines NO, checks the content of the operation, and proceeds to other processes to perform the appropriate action. For example, processor 11 confirms that an operation to display a list of coupons has been performed and instructs user terminal 2 to display a list screen showing all coupons the user possesses. A detailed explanation of other processes is omitted here.

[0038] If the user wishes to return to the registration screen SCA without performing the current scan, they can specify that the scan should be canceled by performing a predetermined operation, such as tapping the BUD button. In this case, the processor 21 on the user terminal 2 notifies the transaction processing unit 1 that the scan has been canceled. In response to the notification from the user terminal 2, the processor 11 in the transaction processing unit 1 determines YES in ACT 14, returns to ACT 1 in Figure 2, and returns the display screen of the touch panel 24 of the user terminal 2 to the registration screen SCA.

[0039] When the scan screen SCB is displayed on the touch panel 24, the user points the camera 25 towards the product so that the barcode displayed on the product they wish to register as a transaction product is captured within the display area ARB. The processor 21 analyzes the image obtained by the camera 25 and attempts to read the barcode. If the barcode is read, the processor 21 notifies the transaction processing device 1 that a scan has been performed, along with a notification of the data represented by the read barcode (hereinafter referred to as barcode data).

[0040] In response to the notification from the user terminal 2, the processor 11 in the transaction processing unit 1 determines YES at ACT13 in Figure 3 and proceeds to ACT15. As ACT15, processor 11 determines which products should be traded based on the notified barcode data. That is, processor 11 extracts the product code contained in the barcode data and determines which products identified by that product code should be traded. Alternatively, processor 11 may receive notification from user terminal 2 of a product code directly entered as a numerical string and determine which products identified by that product code should be traded. Thus, by processor 11 executing information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central component functions as a determination means.

[0041] As ACT16, processor 11 registers the products determined as described above as trading products. For example, processor 11 updates the trading data stored in main memory 12 or auxiliary storage unit 13 to include the product code determined in ACT15. In other words, products identified by the product code included in the trading data become trading products. Thus, by processor 11 executing information processing based on the trading processing program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central component functions as a registration means.

[0042] As ACT17, processor 11 selects one of the coupons owned by the user of user terminal 2 as the target coupon. First, processor 11 determines the coupons owned by the user of user terminal 2 based on the coupon database DBB, for example. Then, processor 11 checks whether there is a coupon among the relevant coupons whose application conditions are met because the product registered as a transaction product in ACT16 is included in the transaction product. For example, if there is only one such coupon, processor 11 selects that coupon as the target coupon. For example, if there are multiple such coupons, processor 11 selects the one coupon with the largest discount amount among those multiple coupons as the target coupon. For example, if there are no such coupons, processor 11 does not select a target coupon. However, the rules for selecting the target coupon here may be determined as appropriate by, for example, the designer of the transaction processing device 1. Thus, by processor 11 executing information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central part functions as a selection means.

[0043] As ACT18, processor 11 checks whether the target coupon selected in ACT17 exists. If processor 11 has successfully selected the target coupon in ACT17, it determines YES and proceeds to ACT19. As ACT19, processor 11 checks whether the target coupon is subject to manual or automatic application. For example, processor 11 checks whether it is subject to manual or automatic application according to predetermined rules based on the application conditions of the target coupon. For example, processor 11 determines that the target coupon is subject to manual application if there is a limit on the number of times it can be used. Alternatively, processor 11 determines that the target coupon is subject to automatic application if the application conditions of the target coupon include a condition such as "first 100 people". The rules used by processor 11 for this check may be determined as appropriate by, for example, the designer of the transaction processing device 1. If processor 11 determines that the target coupon is subject to manual application, it proceeds to ACT20 with YES. As ACT20, the processor 11 instructs the user terminal 2 to display the first notification screen.

[0044] Figure 7 shows an example of the first notification screen (SCC). The first notification screen SCC is a screen that displays a window WIA superimposed on the registration screen SCA that was displayed on user terminal 2 before the scan screen SCB. The window WIA displays information in the display area ARC as a string to allow the user to recognize what kind of coupon the target coupon is. The first notification screen SCC is an example where there are two coupons whose application conditions are met because the product registered as a transaction product in ACT16 is included in the transaction products. In this case, information in the display area ARD as a string to allow the user to recognize what kind of coupon the coupon that is not the target coupon is is. If there are three or more coupons whose application conditions are met because the product registered as a transaction product in ACT16 is included in the transaction products, one or more additional display areas are added above the display area ARD, and information about different coupons is displayed in each. In other words, the first notification screen SCC shown in Figure 7 is an example where a coupon named "100 yen discount coupon" is selected as the target coupon, and there is also another coupon named "5% discount coupon". If the only coupon whose eligibility is met by including a product registered as a trading item in ACT16 is the target coupon, the display area ARD will not be included in the first notification screen SCC. The window WIA displays buttons BUE and BUF. Button BUE is a soft key used to indicate that the display of the first notification screen SCC has ended. Button BUF is a soft key used to indicate that the selected coupon has been used.

[0045] If the user wishes to use the target coupon, they specify the use of the coupon by performing a predetermined operation, such as tapping the button BUF. In this case, the processor 21 designates the target coupon as the designated coupon and notifies the transaction processing unit 1 that the use of the designated coupon has been specified. If the user wishes to use a coupon other than the target coupon, they specify the use of the coupon by performing a predetermined operation, such as tapping the display area showing information about that coupon and then tapping the button BUF. For example, when the first notification screen SCC is in the state shown in Figure 7, if the user decides to use the "5% discount coupon," they tap the display area ARD and then tap the button BUF. In this case, the processor 21 designates the coupon related to the information displayed in the display area tapped by the user as the designated coupon and notifies the transaction processing unit 1 that the application of the designated coupon has been specified. If the user does not wish to apply a coupon, they specify non-use by performing a predetermined operation, such as tapping the button BUE. In this case, the processor 21 notifies the transaction processing unit 1 that non-use has been specified. Thus, by having the processor 11 execute information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with the processor 11 as its central component functions as a first display means.

[0046] Once the processor 11 in the transaction processing unit 1 has finished issuing instructions to display the first notification screen, which is ACT20 in Figure 3, it proceeds to ACT21. As ACT21, processor 11 checks whether the use of a coupon has been specified. If processor 11 receives notification from user terminal 2 that the use of a coupon has been specified, it determines the result is YES and proceeds to ACT22.

[0047] As ACT22, processor 11 sets the coupons to be applied to the transaction being processed (hereinafter referred to as "applied coupons"). For example, when notified that the use of a coupon has been specified, processor 11 adds a coupon identifier that identifies the specified coupon to the transaction data stored in main memory 12 or auxiliary storage unit 13. In this way, processor 11 manages the coupons identified by the coupon identifiers included in the transaction data as applied coupons. Thus, by having processor 11 execute information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central component functions as a decision-making means.

[0048] On the other hand, if processor 11 determines in ACT19 that the coupon is eligible for automatic application, it proceeds to ACT23 with the response NO. As ACT23, processor 11 instructs user terminal 2 to display the second notification screen.

[0049] Figure 8 shows an example of the second notification screen SCD. The second notification screen, SCD, is a screen that displays a window WIB superimposed on the registration screen, SCA, which was displayed on user terminal 2 before the scan screen, SCB. The window WIB displays information in the display area ARC as text to allow the user to recognize what kind of coupon the target coupon is. The window WIB displays a button BUG. The button BUG is a soft key that the user uses to acknowledge that they have received a notification from the second notification screen, SCD.

[0050] Once the user confirms that the applicable coupon is valid, they declare their confirmation by performing a predetermined action, such as tapping the button BUG. In this case, processor 21 notifies transaction processing unit 1 that confirmation has been declared.

[0051] Once the processor 11 in the transaction processing unit 1 has finished issuing instructions to display the second notification screen as ACT23 in Figure 3, it proceeds to ACT24. As ACT24, processor 11 waits for confirmation to be declared. Then, if processor 11 is notified that confirmation has been declared as described above, it determines YES and proceeds to ACT22. Then, as ACT22, processor 11 sets the target coupon as the applicable coupon.

[0052] If processor 11 has completed ACT22, it returns to ACT1 in Figure 1. If the user terminal 2 notifies processor 11 that it has been specified as not to be used through an operation related to the first notification screen SCC, as described above, processor 11 determines NO in ACT21 in Figure 3 and returns to ACT1 in Figure 1 without executing ACT22, that is, without setting the applicable coupon. In this case, the application of a coupon corresponding to the addition of the transaction item is not set.

[0053] If processor 11 is unable to select a target coupon in ACT17 in Figure 3, it determines NO in ACT18 and returns to ACT1 in Figure 1 without executing ACT19 to ACT24. In this case, the application of coupons corresponding to the addition of the transaction items is not set. When the processor 11 returns to ACT1 from any of ACT18, ACT21, or ACT22, the newly displayed registration screen SCA will show an image representing the current registration status in the display area ARA. In other words, the registration screen SCA is updated.

[0054] Figure 9 shows an example of a registration screen SCA. The registration screen SCA shown in Figure 9 is an example of what happens when, starting from the state where the registration screen SCA shown in Figure 5 is displayed, a product with the product name "CCCCC" and a unit price of 300 yen is registered as a transaction item, and a coupon for a 100 yen discount is set as an applicable coupon for this transaction item, after which the processor 11 executes ACT1 in Figure 2. Therefore, the image shown in the display area ARA has information about the product with the product name "CCCCC" added to Figure 5, and the total points, discount amount, and reference price have been updated from 2 points, 0 yen, and 600 yen in Figure 5 to 3 points, -100 yen, and 800 yen as shown in Figure 9. The coupon badge BAA in the example of Figure 9 is associated with the product with the product name "CCCCC" and is a display object that notifies the user that an applicable coupon has been set for that product.

[0055] Figure 10 shows an example of a registration screen SCA. The registration screen SCA shown in Figure 10 is an example of what happens when, starting from the state where the registration screen SCA shown in Figure 9 is displayed, two more products are registered as transaction items: one with the product name "DDDDD" and a unit price of 300 yen, and another with the product name "EEEEE" and a unit price of 300 yen, after which the processor 11 executes ACT1 in Figure 2. Therefore, the image shown in the display area ARA has information added to Figure 9 regarding the product with the product name "DDDDD" and the product with the product name "EEEEE". The total points, discount amount, and reference price have been updated from 3 points, -100 yen, and 800 yen in Figure 9 to 5 points, -100 yen, and 1400 yen as shown in Figure 10. The example in Figure 10 also shows a case where there is an applicable coupon for the product with the product name "DDDDD", but that coupon is not set as an applicable coupon. Therefore, a coupon badge BAB is displayed in association with the product with the product name "DDDDD" to notify that there is an unused coupon.

[0056] If a user decides against applying the coupon while the first notification screen SCC is displayed, but later wishes to reconsider applying the coupon, they can specify the list display by performing a predetermined operation, such as tapping the button BUA on the registration screen SCA. In this case, the processor 21 notifies the transaction processing unit 1 that the list display has been specified.

[0057] When the transaction processing unit 1 receives the notification, the processor 11 is in the waiting state for ACT2 in Figure 2. The processor 11 then determines YES for ACT2, NO for ACT3, and YES for ACT4, and proceeds to ACT31 in Figure 4. As ACT31, processor 11 selects coupons from among those held by the user that are applicable to the current registration status of the trading products (hereinafter referred to as "applicable coupons"). First, processor 11 determines, for example, the coupons held by the user of user terminal 2 based on the coupon database DBB. Then, for example, processor 11 checks whether the application conditions are met for each of the relevant coupons in the current registration status, and if they are met, it is designated as an applicable coupon. For example, if a coupon has the purchase of a specific target product as an application condition, and the target product is included in the trading products, processor 11 is designated as an applicable coupon. For example, if a coupon has the purchase of both of multiple target products as an application condition, and all of those multiple target products are included in the trading products, processor 11 is designated as an applicable coupon. For example, if there are no coupons that meet the application conditions, processor 11 does not select any applicable coupons. Thus, by processor 11 executing information processing based on the trading processing program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central part functions as the first filtering means. As ACT32, processor 11 instructs user terminal 2 to display the list screen.

[0058] Figure 11 shows an example of the list screen on SCE. The list screen SCE displays information about each applicable coupon in its own separate display area ARE. The list screen SCE also represents a button BUH. Within each display area ARE, the list screen SCE represents either a button BUI or a button BUJ. A button BUI is displayed in the display area ARE that shows information about coupons that have already been set as applicable coupons. A button BUI is a display object that notifies the user that the coupon related to the information displayed in the same display area ARE has already been set as an applicable coupon. A button BUI is a soft key that allows the user to specify that the coupon related to the information displayed in the same display area ARE should be excluded from the applicable coupons. A button BUJ is displayed in the display area ARE that shows information about coupons that have not been set as applicable coupons. A button BUJ is a display object that notifies the user that the coupon related to the information displayed in the same display area ARE has not been set as an applicable coupon. A button BUJ is a soft key that allows the user to specify that the coupon related to the information displayed in the same display area ARE should be set as an applicable coupon. A button BUH is a soft key that allows the user to specify that the display of the list screen SCE should be terminated. Thus, by having the processor 11 execute information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with the processor 11 as its central component functions as a second display means.

[0059] In user terminal 2, processor 21 displays the list screen SCE on touch panel 24 in accordance with the above instructions. Then, if any operation on the list screen SCE is performed by the user, processor 21 notifies the transaction processing device 1 of the details of that operation as described later.

[0060] Once the processor 11 in the transaction processing unit 1 has finished instructing the display of the list screen as ACT32 in Figure 4, it proceeds to ACT33. As ACT33, processor 11 waits for an operation to be performed on user terminal 2. Then, for example, if the user terminal 2 notifies processor 11 of the operation, it determines that the operation has been performed and proceeds to ACT34. As ACT34, processor 11 checks whether or not it has been notified that a change regarding coupon application has been specified. If processor 11 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT35. As ACT35, processor 11 checks whether the display of the list screen SCE has been terminated.

[0061] If a user wishes to exit the list screen SCE and return to the registration screen SCA, they specify the end of the display by performing a predetermined operation, such as tapping button BUH. In response, the processor 21 on the user terminal 2 notifies the transaction processing unit 1 that the end of the display has been specified. Upon receiving this notification, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT35 in Figure 4, returns to ACT1 in Figure 2, and returns the display screen of the touch panel 24 on the user terminal 2 to the registration screen SCA.

[0062] If the notification from user terminal 2 is not an end to the display, processor 11 determines NO in ACT35, checks the content of the operation, and proceeds to other processes to perform the appropriate action. For example, processor 11 confirms that an operation has been made to change the filtering conditions for coupons displayed on the list screen SCE, and updates the list screen SCE with the specified new filtering conditions. A detailed explanation of other processes is omitted here.

[0063] If a user wishes to change whether they are using or not using any of the applicable coupons displayed on the list screen SCE, they should tap the button BUI or button BUJ displayed in the display area ARE where information about the applicable coupon is shown. For example, if the list screen SCE is in the state shown in Figure 11, and the user wants to cancel the application of the "100 yen discount coupon," they should tap the button BUI shown in Figure 11. If the user wants to apply the "10% discount coupon," they should tap the button BUJ shown in Figure 11.

[0064] If such an operation is notified to the transaction processing unit 1 by the processor 21 of the user terminal 2, the processor 11 in the transaction processing unit 1 determines YES at ACT33 in Figure 4, then determines YES at ACT34, indicating that a change has been specified, and proceeds to ACT36. As ACT36, processor 11 checks whether the application of an applicable coupon has been specified. If it is notified that button BUJ has been tapped, processor 11 determines that the application has been specified and YES, and proceeds to ACT37.

[0065] As ACT37, processor 11 checks whether applying the specified applicable coupon necessitates the removal of an applicable coupon. For example, processor 11 checks whether there are any coupons already designated as applicable that need to be removed in conjunction with the application of the specified applicable coupon. For example, if a user possesses both a "¥100 discount coupon" and a "5% discount coupon" that require the purchase of the same product, and these "¥100 discount coupon" and "5% discount coupon" cannot be used together, then applying the "5% discount coupon" while the "¥100 discount coupon" is an applicable coupon would require removing the "¥100 discount coupon" from the list of applicable coupons. If processor 11 determines that removing an applicable coupon is necessary in this way, it determines YES and proceeds to ACT38. As ACT38, processor 11 instructs user terminal 2 to display the first change screen.

[0066] Figure 12 shows an example of the first change screen SCF. The first change screen SCF is a screen that displays the window WIC superimposed on the list screen SCE that was previously displayed on user terminal 2. The window WIC displays information in the display area ARF as a string to allow the user to recognize what kind of coupon the newly applied applicable coupon is. The window WIC displays information in the display area ARG as a string to allow the user to recognize what kind of coupon will become inapplicable when the specified coupon is applied. The window WIC represents buttons BUI and BUJ. Button BUI is a soft key used to specify that the coupon should be changed. Button BUJ is a soft key used to specify that the coupon should not be changed.

[0067] The user checks the details of the newly applied coupon and the details of the coupon that will be canceled as a result of applying that coupon from the first change screen SCF, then decides whether or not to change the coupon to be applied, and specifies whether or not to change it by performing a predetermined operation such as tapping either button BUI or BUJ.

[0068] Once the processor 11 in the transaction processing unit 1 has finished issuing the instruction to display the first change screen, which is ACT38 in Figure 4, it proceeds to ACT39. As ACT39, processor 11 checks whether a change has been specified. If the operation performed to specify the change as described above has been notified to the transaction processing unit 1 by the processor 21 of user terminal 2, processor 11 determines it is YES and proceeds to ACT40.

[0069] As ACT40, the processor updates the applicable coupons as specified. For example, processor 11 sets the specified applicable coupons as applied coupons and removes any applied coupons that ACT37 determined needed to be removed from the applied coupons. After this, processor 11 returns to ACT1 in Figure 2 and displays the updated registration screen SCA on user terminal 2 to reflect the results of the applied coupon update. Thus, by having processor 11 execute information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central component functions as the first modification means.

[0070] Furthermore, if the processor 11 receives notification from the user terminal 2's processor 21 to the transaction processing unit 1 that an operation was performed to specify that no changes should be made as described above, the processor 11 will determine NO in ACT39 in Figure 4 and return to ACT1 in Figure 2 without performing ACT40. In this case, in ACT1, the processor 11 will display the registration screen that was displayed before the list screen was displayed on the user terminal 2 again.

[0071] Now, if the application of the specified applicable coupon does not require the cancellation of the coupon, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT37 in Figure 4 and proceeds to ACT41. As ACT41, processor 11 sets the specified applicable coupon as the applied coupon. As ACT42, processor 11 instructs user terminal 2 to display the second change screen.

[0072] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the second change screen SCG. The second change screen, SCG, is a screen that overlays the list screen, SCE, which was previously displayed on user terminal 2, and represents the window WID. The window WID displays information in the display area ARH as a string to allow the user to recognize what kind of coupon the newly applied applicable coupon is. The window WID displays the button BUK. The button BUK is a soft key used by the user to declare that they have confirmed that the coupon displayed in the display area ARH has been set as the applicable coupon. After reviewing the second change screen, SCG, the user declares their confirmation by performing a predetermined action, such as tapping the button BUK.

[0073] Now, if the processor 11 receives notification from the user terminal 2 that a button BUI on the list screen SCE has been tapped by the user, it determines NO in ACT36 in Figure 4, as it is not a specification for application, and proceeds to ACT43. As ACT43, processor 11 excludes the specified applicable coupon from the applicable coupons. For example, processor 11 removes the coupon identifier that identifies the coupon from the transaction data.

[0074] As ACT44, processor 11 instructs user terminal 2 to display the third change screen. The third change screen is, for example, a screen with a layout similar to the second change screen SCG, but with some modifications to make the user aware that the coupon is no longer applicable. After reviewing the third change screen, the user declares that they have confirmed the changes by performing a predetermined action, such as tapping the button corresponding to the BUK button.

[0075] In the transaction processing unit 1, once the processor 11 has finished issuing an instruction to display the second change screen SCG as ACT42 in Figure 4, or the third change screen as ACT44, it proceeds to ACT45 in either case. As ACT45, processor 11 waits for a confirmation operation to be performed. Then, if processor 11 is notified from user terminal 2 that the operation declaring confirmation as described above has been performed, it determines that the result is YES. In this case, processor 11 returns to ACT1 in Figure 2 and displays the updated registration screen SCA on user terminal 2 to reflect the change in the applied coupon.

[0076] Figure 14 shows an example of a registration screen SCA. The registration screen SCA shown in Figure 14 is an example of what happens when the applicable coupon for the product named "CCCCC" is changed from a "100 yen discount coupon" to a "5% discount coupon" after the registration screen SCA shown in Figure 10 is displayed, and then the processor 11 executes ACT1 in Figure 2. As a result, the image shown in the display area ARA is updated compared to Figure 10, with the discount amount and price for the product named "CCCCC" changed to -15 yen and 285 yen, respectively, and the total discount amount and reference price are updated to 5 points, -15 yen, and 1485 yen.

[0077] Figure 15 shows an example of a registration screen SCA. The registration screen SCA shown in Figure 15 is an example of what happens when, starting from the state where the registration screen SCA shown in Figure 10 is displayed, a "10% discount coupon" for a product named "DDDDD" is added to the applicable coupons, and then the processor 11 executes ACT1 in Figure 2. As a result, the image shown in the display area ARA is updated compared to Figure 10, with the discount amount and price for the product named "DDDDD" changed to -30 yen and 270 yen, respectively, and the total discount amount and reference price updated to 5 points, -130 yen, and 1370 yen. The coupon badge BAB that was associated with the product named "DDDDD" has been replaced with the coupon badge BAA.

[0078] If a user wishes to change the settings for applying coupons to any of the registered trading items, they tap either coupon badge BAA or BAB, which is associated with the trading item in question. In response to this operation, the processor 21 on the user terminal 2 notifies the trading processing unit 1 that coupon badge BAA or BAB has been selected. The notification data for this notification includes the product code of the item to which the tapped coupon badge BAA or BAB is associated.

[0079] When the transaction processing unit 1 receives the notification, the processor 11 is in the waiting state for ACT2 in Figure 2. The processor 11 then determines YES for ACT2, NO for ACT3, NO for ACT4, and YES for ACT5, and proceeds to ACT6. In ACT6, processor 11 selects all coupons owned by the user of user terminal 2 that meet the condition that the product with the notified product code is included in the transaction product, and these are designated as target coupons. Processor 11 then proceeds to ACT20 in Figure 3. Processor 11 then executes the processes from ACT20 onward in the same manner as described above. In other words, in ACT20, processor 11 instructs user terminal 2 to display the first change screen SCF, which includes a window WIC that displays one or more display areas with string representations of information to help the user recognize what kind of coupons the one or more target coupons selected in ACT6 are. Thus, the first change screen SCF displayed on user terminal 2 in response to this instruction will show a list of coupons narrowed down to those related to the products to which the tapped coupon badges BAA and BAB are associated. Furthermore, if ACT22 is executed after ACT21, the applied coupons will be changed. Thus, by having the processor 11 perform information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with the processor 11 as its central component functions as a second filtering means, a third display means, and a second modification means.

[0080] The transaction processing system 100 described above achieves the following various effects. Based on the first notification screen SCC, users can easily recognize that there are coupons available for use due to the addition of new trading products. Users can then easily specify whether or not to use the coupon through operations related to the first notification screen SCC. Thus, users can easily use coupons.

[0081] Based on the first notification screen SCC, users can easily recognize that adding a new transaction item will enable the use of multiple coupons. Furthermore, if a user wishes to use one of these coupons, they can easily specify which coupon to use through operations related to the first notification screen SCC. When the first notification screen SCC displaying multiple coupons is shown, the initial state is that the coupon offering the largest discount is selected as the candidate coupon to use. Therefore, when a user decides to use a particular coupon, they do not need to perform any operation to specify one of the multiple coupons.

[0082] Based on the second notification screen (SCD), users can easily recognize that coupons that become available due to the addition of new trading items have been automatically applied.

[0083] By specifying the display of a list, users can change the application / non-application of coupons set in the first notification screen SCC, based on a list screen SCE that displays only coupons that are currently available for use in the registered trading products.

[0084] By tapping the coupon badges BAA and BAB associated with one of the trading products, users can change whether or not to apply the coupons specified in the first notification screen SCC, based on a list screen SCE that shows only coupons that are available on the condition that the trading product in question is included.

[0085] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows: If all coupons are subject to manual application, and processor 11 determines YES in ACT18 in Figure 3, it may proceed to ACT20 and skip ACT19, ACT23, and ACT24.

[0086] A portion of the processing performed by processor 11 in the transaction processing device 1 may be executed by processor 21 on the user terminal 2. For example, transaction data may be stored in main memory 22 or auxiliary storage unit 23, and its updates may be performed by processor 21. In this case, the registration means would be realized by information processing by processor 21.

[0087] Each function realized by the processor 11 through information processing can also be partially or entirely realized by hardware that performs non-program-based information processing, such as logic circuits. Furthermore, each of the above functions can also be realized by combining the above-mentioned hardware, such as logic circuits, with software control.

[0088] 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]

[0089] 1...Transaction processing unit, 2...User terminal, 11,21...Processor, 12,22...Main memory, 13,23...Auxiliary storage unit, 14...Communication unit, 15,27...Transmission path, 24...Touch panel, 25...Camera, 26...Mobile communication unit, 100...Transaction processing system, 200...Communication network.

Claims

1. A determination means for determining products in response to user operations on a terminal device, A registration means for registering the goods determined by the determination means as goods to be traded, A selection means for selecting coupons to be applied by registering products using the aforementioned registration means from coupons held by the user, When a coupon is selected by the selection means, a first display means causes the terminal device to display a notification screen that notifies the user of the selected coupon, A determination means that determines the coupon selected by the selection means as the coupon to be applied to the transaction, in accordance with the user's specification of coupon application, A transaction processing system equipped with the following features.

2. When multiple coupons are selected by the selection means, the first display means causes the terminal device to display a notification screen informing the user of these multiple coupons. If multiple coupons are selected by the selection means, the determination means determines that the coupon specified by the user from among these multiple coupons will be applied to the transaction. The transaction processing system according to claim 1.

3. If multiple coupons are selected by the selection means, the determination means designates one of these multiple coupons as a candidate coupon to be applied to the transaction; if a coupon other than the candidate coupon is specified by the user, the determination means decides that specified coupon to be applied to the transaction; and if the user specifies the use of a coupon without specifying a coupon, the candidate coupon becomes the coupon specified by the user. The transaction processing system according to claim 2.

4. The selection means selects one applicable coupon from the coupons held by the user, The determination means, if the coupon selected by the selection means is eligible for automatic application, determines that the coupon will be applied to the transaction without any specification by the user. The transaction processing system according to claim 1.

5. A first filtering method that narrows down the coupons owned by the user to those applicable to transactions of products that have been registered as the subject of transactions through the registration method, A second display means causes the terminal device to display a list screen showing a list of coupons filtered by the first filtering means, in accordance with the user's specifications. A first modification means changes the coupon to be applied to the transaction to the specified coupon in response to a user specifying a change to one of the coupons displayed on the list screen shown by the second display means, The transaction processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. A second filtering method allows the user to narrow down the coupons they own to those applicable to one of the products already registered as the subject of a transaction through the registration method, A third display means causes the terminal device to display a list screen showing a list of coupons narrowed down by the second filtering means according to the user's specifications, A second modification means changes the coupon to be applied to the transaction to the specified coupon in response to a user specifying a change to one of the coupons displayed on the list screen shown by the third display means, The transaction processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. A determination means for determining products in response to user operations on a terminal device, A registration means for registering the goods determined by the determination means as goods to be traded, A selection means for selecting coupons to be applied by registering products using the aforementioned registration means from coupons held by the user, When a coupon is selected by the selection means, a first display means causes the terminal device to display a notification screen that notifies the user of the selected coupon, A determination means that determines the coupon selected by the selection means as the coupon to be applied to the transaction, in accordance with the user's specification of coupon application, A transaction processing device equipped with the following.

8. Computers, A determination means for determining products in response to user operations on a terminal device, A registration means for registering the goods determined by the determination means as goods to be traded, A selection means for selecting coupons to be applied by registering products using the aforementioned registration means from coupons held by the user, When a coupon is selected by the selection means, a first display means causes the terminal device to display a notification screen that notifies the user of the selected coupon, A determination means that determines the coupon selected by the selection means as the coupon to be applied to the transaction, in accordance with the user's specification of coupon application, An information processing program that enables a function to work.

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