Information processing systems and server equipment

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing system and server equipment that can efficiently provide electronic data related to commercial transactions conducted at stores to partner organizations. [Solution] The information processing system of the embodiment comprises an information processing device and a server device, wherein the information processing device includes an acquisition means for acquiring electronic data relating to commercial transactions of goods sold in a store from a product sales data processing device in which the commercial transaction took place, and a transmission means for transmitting the electronic data acquired by the acquisition means to the server device, and the server device includes a receiving means for receiving the electronic data transmitted by the transmission means, and an output control means for outputting the electronic data received by the receiving means to the output destination based on setting information in which the output destination of the electronic data is set.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in stores such as restaurants, a system has been proposed that receives orders from inside and outside the store and collectively manages the received orders (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, for example, electronic data related to the business transactions of a store, such as order data and sales data of the store, is collected and managed by a server device of a company that operates or manages the store.

[0003] By the way, among other companies (hereinafter referred to as partners) that cooperate with a store or a company that operates or manages the store, there are customers who wish to receive the above-mentioned electronic data. For example, when using a food delivery service provided by a partner for order reception from outside the store and delivery of goods, the partner may request the provision of electronic data related to the food delivery service.

[0004] However, in the conventional system, since no mechanism is considered to automatically provide the electronic data collected from the store to the partner, it is necessary to manually transmit the electronic data for each partner. Therefore, in the conventional system, there is room for improvement in terms of convenience regarding data cooperation with partner companies.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing system and a server device that can efficiently provide electronic data related to business transactions conducted in a store to a partner.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing system of the embodiment comprises an information processing device and a server device, wherein the information processing device includes an acquisition means for acquiring electronic data relating to commercial transactions of goods sold in a store from a product sales data processing device in which the commercial transaction took place, and a transmission means for transmitting the electronic data acquired by the acquisition means to the server device, and the server device includes a receiving means for receiving the electronic data transmitted by the transmission means, and an output control means for outputting the electronic data received by the receiving means to the output destination based on setting information in which the output destination of the electronic data is set. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a store management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a store management server according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of the output destination identification table according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a store management device and a store management server according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed between a handheld terminal, a store management device, a receipt printer, a POS terminal, a store management server, and an information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed between the store management device, POS terminal, store management server, and external server according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the information processing system and server device will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment. The system of this embodiment is a system that manages electronic data such as order data and sales data related to orders received from inside or outside the store using a server device, and provides said electronic data from the server device to a linked external server.

[0010] This system includes a handheld terminal 10, a store management device 20, a receipt printer 30, a POS terminal 40, a wireless access point 50, a router 60, a store management server 70, an information terminal 80, and one or more external servers. Figure 1 shows two different external servers, Sa and Sn, as examples of multiple external servers. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, "external server" refers to any one of the multiple external servers included in the system. Here, the store management device 20 and the store management server 70 constitute information processing system 1. The handheld terminal 10, the store management device 20, the receipt printer 30, the POS terminal 40, the wireless access point 50, and the router 60 constitute store system 2.

[0011] The configuration of the information processing system 1 is not limited to the example described above. For example, the information processing system 1 may include the store system 2. Also, the information processing system 1 may include one or more external servers.

[0012] Network Na is a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) set up within a store. Network Nb is a network such as the Internet.

[0013] Each device in the store system 2 is connected to the others via network Na for communication. The store system 2, the store management server 70, the information terminal 80, and one or more external servers are connected to each other via network Nb for communication. The handheld terminal 10 is connected to network Na via the wireless access point 50. The router 60 connects network Na and network Nb to each other.

[0014] Although Figure 1 shows only one of each of the handheld terminal 10, slip printer 30, POS terminal 40, and wireless access point 50, there may be multiple units, and the number of each is arbitrary.

[0015] The handheld terminal 10 is a terminal device operated, for example, by a store employee. The handheld terminal 10 receives data related to orders from customers who visit the store (hereinafter also referred to as order data). The handheld terminal 10 also transmits order data, including, for example, a menu code that identifies the ordered food or beverage product (hereinafter simply referred to as product), and a table number that identifies the seat of the customer who ordered the product, to the store management device 20 via the wireless access point 50 and network Na.

[0016] The order data also includes a transaction number (also called a transaction ID) that uniquely identifies the order, a company ID that uniquely identifies the company providing the service used by the customer or a partner company, a service ID that uniquely identifies the service used by the customer, such as a food delivery service, and information indicating the order format when the customer orders goods. The company ID may, for example, be the company ID of the company providing the delivery service used by the customer. If a delivery service is not used, the company ID and service ID will not be included in the order data or will be left blank.

[0017] The order form is the form in which a customer places an order for a product. The order form includes, for example, the takeout form in which the customer picks up the ordered product at the store and takes it out of the store, the eat-in form in which the customer picks up the ordered product at the store and eats or drinks it inside the store, the delivery form in which the ordered product is delivered to the customer's location, etc.

[0018] Note that the order data or the sales file generated by the POS terminal 40 described later may include the service ID of the electronic payment service used by the customer for payment and the company ID of the company providing the electronic payment service.

[0019] The store management device 20 is an example of an information processing device. The store management device 20 is installed, for example, in the backyard of the store. The store management device 20 receives and manages the order data transmitted from the handy terminal 10. In addition, the store management device 20 receives and manages the order data transmitted from the store management server 70 described later.

[0020] In addition, the store management device 20 receives and manages the sales file from the POS terminal 40 described later. Details of the sales file will be described later. Note that the store management device 20 may be provided outside the store, such as a headquarters or a data center that manages the store system 2.

[0021] The slip printer 30 is installed, for example, in the store's kitchen. The slip printer 30 prints a cooking slip for notifying the cook of the information included in the order data. The slip printer 30 may also be referred to as a kitchen printer. Instead of or in addition to the slip printer 30, a kitchen display for displaying a screen for notifying the cook of the order data may be used.

[0022] The POS terminal 40 is installed, for example, at the checkout counter of a store. The POS terminal 40 has a control unit configured as a computer and performs a settlement process for settling the price for providing goods to a customer based on order data. Further, the POS terminal 40 generates and manages a sales file including electronic data such as order data, settlement information storing details of the settlement process, sales data and sales data of goods provided at the store.

[0023] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the sales file is generated each time the store management device 20 receives order data, or in other words, for each transaction.

[0024] The store management server 70 is an example of a server device. The store management server 70 is a server device provided outside the store, such as a head office or a data center that manages the store system 2, for example. The store management server 70 receives an order regarding the provision of goods in the store in response to an instruction from a customer on the information terminal 80. Such an order will be referred to as a pre-order hereinafter. The store management server 70 stores and manages for each store a list of items for which pre-orders can be received at each store that provides a pre-order service. The above list represents a menu name, unit price, and the like.

[0025] Further, the store management server 70 receives and manages the sales file from the store management device 20. The store management server 70 identifies an external server that outputs the sales file based on an output destination identification table 722 described later. Then, the store management server 70 outputs the sales file to the identified external server.

[0026] The information terminal 80 can be freely operated by a customer who plans to visit the store, and is any terminal capable of data communication via the network Nb, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or another type of computer terminal. It is assumed that an application program for using the service provided by the store management server 70 for pre-orders is installed in the information terminal 80. ​

[0027] An external server is, for example, a server device managed and operated by a partner company. It is a server device that receives electronic data such as sales files managed by the store system 2 and the store management server 70. As shown in Figure 1, there may be multiple external servers that are connected to the store system 2 via network Nb in a way that allows them to communicate.

[0028] Next, we will describe the hardware configuration of the store management device 20.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the store management device 20 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the store management device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a memory unit 204, a communication unit 205, and the like.

[0030] The CPU 201 is an example of a processor that comprehensively controls each part of the store management device 20. The ROM 202 stores various programs and configuration information 221 that the CPU 201 can execute. The configuration information 221 includes, for example, a store ID for uniquely identifying the store where the store management device 20 is installed, and settings for running the management application 223 described later. The RAM 203 is a workspace for deploying programs and various data.

[0031] The memory unit 204 consists of non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 204 includes a control program 222, a management application 223, and a data management area 224. The control program 222 is a control program for controlling the store management device 20. The management application 223 and the data management area 224 will be described later.

[0032] The CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, and memory unit 204 are connected to each other via a bus 206. The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 constitute the control unit 200 of the computer configuration. That is, the control unit 200 executes the control processing of the store management device 20, which will be described later, by having the CPU 201 operate according to the control program 222 stored in the ROM 202 and memory unit 204 and loaded into the RAM 203.

[0033] The communication unit 205 is a communication interface for communication via network Na. The communication unit 205 sends and receives various information with external devices such as POS terminals 40 connected to network Na.

[0034] Furthermore, the management application 223 mentioned above is a program that executes a series of processes described later for managing order data. The data management area 224 mentioned above stores, for example, order data and sales files.

[0035] Next, we will describe the hardware configuration of the store management server 70.

[0036] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the store management server 70 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the store management server 70 includes a CPU 701, ROM 702, RAM 703, memory unit 704, and communication unit 705, etc.

[0037] The CPU 701 is an example of a processor that comprehensively controls all parts of the store management server 70. The ROM 702 stores various programs. The RAM 703 is a workspace for displaying programs and various data.

[0038] The memory unit 704 is composed of non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 704 includes a control program 721, an output destination identification table 722, and a data management area 723. The control program 721 is a control program for controlling the store management server 70. The output destination identification table 722 and the data management area 723 will be described later.

[0039] The CPU 701, ROM 702, RAM 703, and memory unit 704 are connected to each other via a bus 706. The CPU 701, ROM 702, and RAM 703 constitute the control unit 700 of the computer configuration. That is, the control unit 700 executes the control processing of the store management server 70, which will be described later, by having the CPU 701 operate according to the control program 721 stored in the ROM 702 and memory unit 704 and loaded into the RAM 703.

[0040] The communication unit 705 is a communication interface for communication via the network Nb. The communication unit 705 sends and receives various types of information with the router 60, information terminal 80, and external servers connected to the network Nb.

[0041] Furthermore, the output destination identification table 722 mentioned above is a data table or database in which the output destination of sales files managed by the store management server 70 is set.

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of the output destination identification table 722 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the output destination identification table 722 stores the output destination external server, etc., in association with condition information and additional information.

[0043] Condition information is information that indicates the conditions for the sales file to be output to an external server. For example, the condition information may include a company ID or a service ID. The condition information may also include information indicating the order type when a product is ordered. Here, it is preferable to set conditions in the condition information according to the company of the destination external server (external server). For example, for a company that provides a service corresponding to service ID "01", service ID "01" would be set as the condition information. Note that the conditions to be set in the condition information are not limited to the above example, and can be arbitrarily set from elements included in the sales file, for example.

[0044] Additional information refers to details about additional processing performed when outputting sales files to an external server. This additional information might include, for example, the method used to format (edit, process, etc.) the sales files.

[0045] Furthermore, the additional information stores the data to be processed within the sales file and the type of processing to be performed on that data. Here, the data to be processed is, for example, a predetermined string or a predetermined data area. The type of processing is, for example, deletion of the data to be processed, conversion to another string, or masking so that it cannot be viewed by anyone other than a third party with administrator privileges. The method of formatting the sales file stored in the additional information can be any method.

[0046] In this way, by shaping sales files based on additional information, it is possible to restrict the information in sales files provided to partner companies, thereby ensuring security as needed.

[0047] The destination external server stores information indicating the external server to which the sales files will be output (sent). For example, the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the external server is stored (configured) on the destination external server. In Figure 4, for convenience, the external server's code is also shown. Note that there may be multiple external servers (IP addresses) configured as destination external servers. Furthermore, the destination external server may be configured with an identifier other than an IP address to uniquely identify the external server.

[0048] Returning to Figure 3, the data management area 723 stores the sales files received from the store management device 20. The data management area 723 may also store, in association with the sales files, the store ID of the store where the store management device 20 is installed, and the date and time received from the store management device 20.

[0049] Next, the functional configuration of the store management device 20 and the store management server 70 will be described. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the store management device 20 and the store management server 70 according to this embodiment.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 200 of the store management device 20 is functionally configured to include a first order receiving unit 2001, a POS linkage unit 2002, and a data provision unit 2003.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 200 (CPU 201) of the store management device 20 realizes the above-described functional configuration by executing the control program 222 stored in the memory unit 204. In this embodiment, the above-described functional configuration is a software configuration realized through the cooperation of the processor and program of the store management device 20, but it is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration in which some or all of the functional configuration is realized by dedicated circuits, etc. Furthermore, the functional configuration provided by the store management device 20 is not limited to this.

[0052] The first order receiving unit 2001 manages order data received from the handheld terminal 10 and the store management server 70. For example, when the first order receiving unit 2001 receives order data from the handheld terminal 10, it stores the order data in the data management area 224 of the memory unit 204. Similarly, when the first order receiving unit 2001 receives order data from the store management server 70, it stores the order data in the data management area 224 of the memory unit 204.

[0053] Furthermore, when the first order receiving unit 2001 receives order data from the handheld terminal 10 or the store management server 70, it instructs the slip printer 30 to print a cooking slip containing the order data.

[0054] The POS linkage unit 2002 is an example of an acquisition method. The POS linkage unit 2002 sends and receives various information with the POS terminal 40. For example, the POS linkage unit 2002 receives the transaction number transmitted from the POS terminal 40. The POS linkage unit 2002 also transmits the transaction number and the corresponding order data to the POS terminal 40.

[0055] Furthermore, the POS integration unit 2002 receives (acquires) and manages various data from the POS terminal 40. For example, the POS integration unit 2002 instructs the POS terminal 40 to send a sales file, and receives the sales file sent from the POS terminal 40 after it has received the instruction.

[0056] Furthermore, when the POS integration unit 2002 receives a sales file from the POS terminal 40, it stores the sales file in the data management area 224 of the memory unit 204.

[0057] The method and timing of acquiring various data from the POS terminal 40 are arbitrary. For example, the method of acquiring various data from the POS terminal 40 may be a pull-type acquisition method that acquires data transmitted from the POS terminal 40. Alternatively, it may be a push-type acquisition method that requests data from the POS terminal 40 and acquires the data transmitted from the POS terminal 40 in response to the request.

[0058] The data provision unit 2003 is an example of a transmission means. The data provision unit 2003 transmits (provides) various data to the store management server 70. For example, the data provision unit 2003 associates the store ID, which uniquely identifies the store and is stored in the configuration information 221, with the sales file stored in the data management area 224 of the memory unit 204 and transmits it to the store management server 70.

[0059] Furthermore, the transmission of sales files to the store management server 70 by the data provision unit 2003 may be performed at any time. For example, the data provision unit 2003 may transmit all sales files stored in the data management area 224 at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 24 hours). It is also preferable to control the data management area 224 to prevent duplicate transmissions by deleting transmitted sales files from the data management area 224.

[0060] Furthermore, there are no specific restrictions on how the data provision unit 2003 sends sales files. For example, the data provision unit 2003 may send sales files via an API (Application Programming Interface).

[0061] On the other hand, the control unit 700 of the store management server 70 is functionally configured to include a second order receiving unit 7001, a data receiving unit 7002, and an output control unit 7003.

[0062] Specifically, the control unit 700 (CPU 701) of the store management server 70 realizes the above-described functional configuration by executing the control program 721 stored in the memory unit 704. In this embodiment, the above-described functional configuration is a software configuration realized through the cooperation of the processor and program of the store management server 70, but it is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration in which some or all of the functional configuration is realized by dedicated circuits, etc. Furthermore, the functional configuration provided by the store management server 70 is not limited to this.

[0063] The second order receiving unit 7001 receives product orders from the information terminal 80 to the store. For example, the second order receiving unit 7001 receives order details from the information terminal 80 operated by the customer. Here, the order details include, for example, product information of the store where the customer intends to order products from, and the products that the store accepts orders for, as selected by the customer in a dedicated application launched on the information terminal 80.

[0064] When the second order receiving unit 7001 receives the order details from the information terminal 80, it generates order data based on the order details. The second order receiving unit 7001 also transmits the generated order data to the store management device 20 of the store to which the order was placed.

[0065] The data receiving unit 7002 is an example of a receiving means. The data receiving unit 7002 receives and manages various data from the store management device 20. For example, when the data receiving unit 7002 receives a sales file and a store ID from the store management device 20, it stores the sales file in the data management area 723 of the memory unit 704.

[0066] The output control unit 7003 is an example of an output control means. The output control unit 7003 outputs the sales file managed by the store management server 70 to an external server.

[0067] Specifically, the output control unit 7003 refers to the condition information in the output destination identification table 722 and compares it with the information contained in the sales file to identify the corresponding condition information. For example, the output control unit 7003 determines whether there is any condition information that matches the service ID, order type information, etc., contained in the sales file. Then, the output control unit 7003 identifies the external output server corresponding to the identified (matched) condition information.

[0068] The output control unit 7003 performs the above-described process for each sales file to select the sales files to be output to each external output server. In other words, the output control unit 7003 extracts sales files that meet the conditions of the condition information from among the sales files managed (stored) by the store management server 70, for each external output server.

[0069] Furthermore, the output control unit 7003, based on the output destination identification table 722 which defines the processing content to be applied to the sales file for each output destination of the sales file, applies processing according to the processing content to be applied to the sales file received by the data receiving unit 7002, and then outputs the processed sales file to the corresponding output destination.

[0070] Specifically, the output control unit 7003 refers to the output destination identification table 722 and formats the sales file based on the additional information corresponding to the identified condition information.

[0071] For example, if there is an instruction to perform masking processing to delete or make inaccessible some of the information stored in the sales file as additional information in the output destination specification table 722, the output control unit 7003 will perform the masking processing on the sales file based on that instruction.

[0072] The output control unit 7003 then outputs (sends) the formatted sales file to the external server corresponding to the destination external server.

[0073] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the processes performed by the system described above will be explained.

[0074] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed between the handheld terminal 10, the store management device 20, the slip printer 30, the POS terminal 40, the store management server 70, and the information terminal 80 according to the embodiment. The sequence diagram shown in Figure 6 shows an example of processing when order data is generated based on the customer's order details, and the order data is transmitted to the POS terminal 40 for storage (management).

[0075] First, customers who place an order from outside the store launch a dedicated application on the information terminal 80 and send the order details to the store management server 70 by operating the information terminal 80 (step S101).

[0076] When the second order receiving unit 7001 of the store management server 70 receives the order details from the information terminal 80, it generates order data based on the order details (step S102). Next, the second order receiving unit 7001 transmits the order data to the store management device 20 (step S103).

[0077] Meanwhile, store employees or others operate a handheld terminal 10 to send order data from customers who place orders at the storefront or within the store to the store management server 70 (step S104).

[0078] Next, when the first order receiving unit 2001 of the store management device 20 receives order data from the handheld terminal 10 or the store management server 70 (step S105), it stores the order data in the data management area 224 (step S106). Then, the first order receiving unit 2001 instructs the slip printer 30 to print a cooking slip containing the order data (step S107).

[0079] When the receipt printer 30 receives an instruction from the store management device 20, it prints a cooking receipt (step S108).

[0080] Meanwhile, when the POS terminal 40 receives a transaction number that uniquely identifies the order from a store employee or other staff member, it transmits the transaction number to the store management device 20 (step S109). Here, the transaction number entered into the POS terminal 40 is the transaction number written on the cooking slip.

[0081] When the store management device 20 receives a transaction number from the POS terminal 40 (step S110), it sends the received transaction number and the corresponding order data to the POS terminal 40 (step S111).

[0082] Next, when the POS terminal 40 receives order data from the store management device 20 (step S112), it issues a transaction number and performs payment processing based on the order data (step S113). Then, when the payment processing is completed, the POS terminal 40 generates a sales file containing the breakdown of the payment processing and order data, and stores it in a storage unit (not shown) (step S114).

[0083] Through the process described above, the POS terminal 40 generates a sales file for each transaction of products ordered both inside and outside the store, and stores it in a storage unit (not shown).

[0084] Next, referring to Figure 7, we will explain the processes that take place between multiple devices.

[0085] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed between the store management device 20, POS terminal 40, store management server 70, and external server Sa according to the embodiment. The sequence diagram shown in Figure 7 shows an example of processing when the store management device 20 acquires a sales file from the POS terminal 40, sends the sales file to the store management server 70, and then outputs the sales file to an output destination specified by the store management server 70.

[0086] First, the POS linkage unit 2002 of the store management device 20 instructs the POS terminal 40 to send the sales file (step S201). When the POS terminal 40 receives the instruction to send the sales file, it sends the sales file stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the POS terminal 40 to the store management device 20 (step S202).

[0087] Next, when the POS linkage unit 2002 receives a sales file from the POS terminal 40 (step S203), it stores the sales file in the data management area 224 of the memory unit 204 (step S204). Then, the data provision unit 2003 of the store management device 20 associates the sales file with the store ID stored in the setting information 221 of the store management device 20 and sends it to the store management server 70 (step S205).

[0088] When the data receiving unit 7002 of the store management server 70 receives the sales file and the store ID from the store management device 20 (step S206), it stores the sales file in the data management area 723 of the memory unit 704 (step S207).

[0089] Next, the output control unit 7003 of the store management server 70 refers to the output destination identification table 722 and identifies the condition information that corresponds to the information stored in the sales file. Then, the output control unit 7003 refers to the output destination identification table 722 and identifies the external output server that corresponds to the identified condition information (step S208).

[0090] Next, the output control unit 7003 refers to the output destination identification table 722 and formats the sales file based on the additional information corresponding to the condition information identified in step S208 (step S209). Then, the output control unit 7003 outputs the sales file to the external server (shown as external server Sa in Figure 7) identified in step S208 (step S210).

[0091] If the sales file received from the store management device 20 is not formatted, the output control unit 7003 of the store management server 70 may omit step S209.

[0092] Through the process described above, the store management device 20 sends the sales file received (acquired) from the POS terminal 40 to the store management server 70. The store management server 70 can also output the sales file to an external server Sa identified based on the output destination identification table 722.

[0093] As described above, the information processing system 1 of this embodiment (an example of an information processing system) comprises a store management device 20 and a store management server 70. The store management device 20 comprises a POS linkage unit 2002 that acquires sales files related to commercial transactions of goods sold in the store from a POS terminal 40 in which the commercial transaction took place, and a data provision unit 2003 that transmits the sales files acquired by the POS linkage unit 2002 to the store management server 70. The store management server 70 comprises a data receiving unit 7002 that receives the sales files transmitted by the data provision unit 2003, and an output control unit 7003 that outputs the sales files received by the data receiving unit 7002 to the output destination based on an output destination identification table 722 in which the output destinations of the sales files are set.

[0094] As a result, the store management device 20 of the information processing system 1 sends the sales file received from the POS terminal 40 to the store management server 70. The store management server 70 then outputs the sales file received from the store management device 20 to the linked external server based on the output destination settings stored in the output destination identification table 722. Therefore, the information processing system 1 can efficiently provide electronic data related to commercial transactions conducted at stores to the linked parties.

[0095] The embodiments described above can also be modified and implemented as appropriate by changing some of the configurations or functions of each of the devices described above. Therefore, several modifications of the embodiments described above will be described below as other embodiments. In the following, we will mainly describe the differences from the embodiments described above, and will omit detailed explanations of points that are common with what has already been described. Furthermore, the modifications described below may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0096] (Variation 1) In the above-described embodiment, the store management device 20 acquires sales files from the POS terminal 40 and sends the sales files to the store management server 70. However, the system is not limited to this configuration, and the sales files may be sent directly from the POS terminal 40 to the store management server 70.

[0097] In this case, the above configuration can be realized by having the POS terminal 40 possess the functional units of the store management device 20 that correspond to the POS linkage unit 2002 and the data provision unit 2003.

[0098] This makes it possible to achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment without using the store management device 20.

[0099] (Modification 2) In the embodiment described above, the POS terminal 40 transmits a sales file to the store management device 20. However, the POS terminal 40 is not limited to this and may also transmit an electronic journal file along with the sales file. The electronic journal file may include an electronic receipt showing the details of a transaction, a report file of the POS terminal 40's inspection and settlement operations, the operation history of the POS terminal 40, an error report of the POS terminal 40, and so on.

[0100] In this case, when the store management device 20 receives the sales file and the electronic journal file from the POS terminal 40, it may combine the sales file and the electronic journal file and treat them as a single sales file.

[0101] This allows the store management server 70 to acquire and manage various data stored in the POS terminal 40, along with the sales file.

[0102] (Variation 3) In the above-described embodiment, the output control unit 7003 of the store management server 70 identifies an external server to which sales files should be output based on the output destination identification table 722 stored in the store management server 70, and outputs the sales files to the identified external server. However, the output control unit 7003 is not limited to this, and instead of outputting the sales files, or prior to outputting the sales files, it may send a notification to the external server identified in the output destination identification table 722 informing it that there are sales files to be retrieved.

[0103] This allows the external server to retrieve the sales files stored by the store management server 70 at the time the external server needs them.

[0104] (Modification 4) In the above-described embodiment, the POS linkage unit 2002 of the store management device 20 stores the sales file in the data management area 224 when it receives the sales file from the POS terminal 40. Here, since the data management area 224 of the store management device 20 is finite, it is preferable to prevent the data management area 224 from exceeding its capacity.

[0105] In this case, the maximum number of sales files to be retained is stored in the configuration information 221, and the control unit 200 of the store management device 20 may delete older sales files when the number of sales files approaches or reaches the maximum number of sales files.

[0106] This prevents storage failures of sales files due to exceeding the capacity of data management area 224.

[0107] Furthermore, the information processing device that executes the programs executed in the embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network. Alternatively, the information processing device that executes the programs executed in the embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0108] The programs executed in each of the above-described embodiments are provided pre-installed in ROM, storage units, etc. Alternatively, the programs executed in each of the above-described embodiments may be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0109] These novel embodiments and their variations can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1. Information Processing System 2-store system 10 Handheld terminals 20 Store Management Devices 30 Invoice Printers 40 POS terminals 50 Wireless Access Points 60 routers 70 Store Management Server 80 Information terminals Sa, Sn external server 2001 1st Order Reception Department 2002 POS Integration Department 2003 Data Provision Department 7001 Second Order Reception Department 7002 Data receiving unit 7003 Output Control Unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0111] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7012442

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a server device, The aforementioned information processing device is An acquisition means for acquiring electronic data related to commercial transactions of goods sold in a store from a product sales data processing device in which the commercial transaction took place, A transmission means for transmitting the electronic data acquired by the acquisition means to the server device, Equipped with, The server device is A receiving means that receives the electronic data transmitted by the transmitting means, Based on the setting information in which the output destination of the electronic data is set, the output control means outputs the electronic data received by the receiving means to the output destination, An information processing system equipped with the following features.

2. Based on the setting information which defines the conditions for the electronic data to be output to each output destination of the electronic data, the output control means extracts electronic data that matches the conditions from the electronic data received by the receiving means and outputs it to the output destination corresponding to the conditions. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The output control means, for each output destination of the electronic data, performs processing on the electronic data received by the receiving means according to the processing content based on the setting information which defines the processing content to be performed on the electronic data, and then outputs the processed electronic data to the corresponding output destination. The information processing system according to claim 1.

4. The processing details specify the target data in the electronic data to be processed and the type of processing to be performed on said target data to make it inaccessible. The output control means executes a process to make the target data included in the electronic data inaccessible based on the processing content. The information processing system according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned conditions relate to the form of the commercial transaction, The output control means extracts electronic data from the electronic data received by the receiving means that corresponds to the conditions related to the form of the commercial transaction, and outputs it to the output destination corresponding to those conditions. The information processing system according to claim 2.

6. A receiving means for receiving electronic data related to commercial transactions of goods sold in a store, Based on the setting information in which the output destination of the electronic data is set, the output control means outputs the electronic data received by the receiving means to the output destination, A server device equipped with the following features.

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