Electronic receipt server and electronic receipt system

Abstract

To strongly impress a user with a sense that a reward was granted in connection with a transaction using an electronic receipt service.SOLUTION: An electronic receipt server includes receiving means, storage means, offering means, and notification means. The receiving means receives transaction data representing the content of an established transaction and including a customer code which identifies a customer who made the transaction. The storage means stores, on a storage device, data determined to be stored, out of data included in the transaction data received by the receiving means, in association with the customer code. The offering means offers, when the receiving means receives the transaction data, a predetermined reward to a recipient if predetermined conditions are satisfied on the received transaction data. The notification means transmits a notification about the reward offered, when the offering means offers the reward, to a notification destination determined for the customer code.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic receipt server and Biden Concerning child receipt systems. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art When a transaction is concluded, it is common practice to give a special benefit, such as a coupon, to the person who has conducted the transaction. In electronic receipt services, it is considered that the grantees of rewards will be narrowed down from a large number of users based on past purchasing records, and the rewards will be granted to those users.

[0003] However, in such electronic receipt services, the rewards are given at a timing that is unrelated to the timing of each user's transaction. This makes it difficult for the user to understand for which transaction the reward was given, and there is a risk that the reward will not be effective in increasing the motivation of the user. In view of these circumstances, it has been desirable to be able to give users a strong impression of the benefits they receive for transactions made using an electronic receipt service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-194730 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-357457 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic receipt server and a method for providing the electronic receipt service that can give a strong impression to a user of the fact that a special benefit has been given to a transaction using the electronic receipt service. Biden The object of the present invention is to provide a child receipt system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic receipt server of the embodiment includes a receiving unit, a confirming unit, a providing unit, and a notifying unit. The receiving unit indicates the details of the completed transaction, and The membership code given to users of the membership service, which is different from the electronic receipt service, The transaction data includes a transactor code that identifies the transactor who performed the transaction, and may further include linking data for requesting that the transactor code be linked to a receipt membership code that identifies a user of the electronic receipt service from the transaction processing device. The confirmation means checks the transaction data received by the receiving means. alignment The data is confirmed by the confirmation means. alignment In response to confirmation that the transaction data received by the receiving means contains the transaction data, a predetermined benefit is granted to a grantor associated with the transactor code contained in the transaction data received by the receiving means. When the benefit is granted by the granting means, the notifying means notifies the notification destination determined for the transactor code contained in the transaction data received by the receiving means of the fact. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment and a main circuit configuration of an electronic receipt server and a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of one of the data records contained in the member database in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows one configuration of a data record contained in the benefit database in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor provided in the POS terminal in FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] 2 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor included in the electronic receipt server in FIG. 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic receipt system according to this embodiment, and a main circuit configuration of an electronic receipt server and a POS (point-of-sale) terminal. This electronic receipt system is configured by enabling an electronic receipt server 100 to communicate with a POS terminal 200 and an information terminal 300 via a communication network 400. Note that an electronic receipt system typically includes multiple POS terminals 200 and multiple information terminals 300, but only one of each is shown in FIG.

[0010] The electronic receipt server 100 accumulates the details of transactions registered at the POS terminal 200 and enables them to be confirmed at an information terminal 300, thereby performing information processing for providing a so-called electronic receipt service.

[0011] The POS terminal 200 registers the details of any transaction, such as the sale of goods, the provision of food and drink, or the provision of a service, and also performs processing for settlement. If the person who has made the transaction is a member of the electronic receipt service, the POS terminal 200 notifies the electronic receipt server 100 of the details of the transaction. In other words, the POS terminal 200 is an example of a transaction registration device.

[0012] The information terminal 300 is an arbitrary information processing device that can be used by a member of the electronic receipt service and functions as a client by accessing the electronic receipt server 100 via the communication network 400. The information terminal 300 may be connected to the communication network 400 by either wired communication or wireless communication. As the information terminal 300, various existing devices such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone device, or a personal computer can be applied. Therefore, a detailed description of the information terminal 300 will be omitted.

[0013] The communication network 400 may be the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either alone or in appropriate combination. The communication network 400 is typically a combination of a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0014] The electronic receipt server 100 includes a processor 1, a main memory 2, an auxiliary storage device 3, a communication interface 4, and a transmission path 5. The processor 1, the main memory 2, the auxiliary storage device 3, and the communication interface 4 are connected by the transmission path 5.

[0015] In the electronic receipt server 100, a processor 1, a main memory 2, and an auxiliary storage device 3 are connected via a transmission line 5 to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the electronic receipt server 100. The processor 1 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 1 controls each part to realize various functions of the electronic receipt server 100 according to an operating system and application programs.

[0016] The main memory 2 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 2 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 2 stores an operating system and application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 2 may also store data required for the processor 1 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 2 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 1.

[0017] The auxiliary storage device 3 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 3 may be, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or any other well-known storage device. The auxiliary storage device 3 stores data used by the processor 1 in performing various processes and data generated by the processes in the processor 1. The auxiliary storage device 3 may also store application programs.

[0018] The communication interface 4 performs data communication via the communication network 400. As the communication interface 4, for example, a well-known interface configured to perform well-known processing for data communication via the Internet can be used. The transmission path 5 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between each of the connected components.

[0019] Now, part of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 3 is used as a receipt database 31, a membership database 32, and a benefit database 33. The receipt database 31 stores various information for providing the electronic receipt service to users of the electronic receipt service. The membership database 32 stores various information for managing users. The benefit database 33 stores various information for managing benefits given to users.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of one of the data records contained in the member database 32. As shown in FIG. Member database 32 is a collection of member records 32a, which are data records as shown in Fig. 2. However, member database 32 does not have to include multiple member records 32a as shown in Fig. 2, and may have been normalized as known in the art.

[0021] The member record 32a corresponds to each of the multiple members. The member record 32a includes fields F11, F12, F13, F14, and F15. The data in field F11 represents a receipt member code for identifying the corresponding user. This receipt member code corresponds to a second member code. The data in field F12 represents member data such as the name and address of the corresponding user. The data in field F13 represents notification destination data representing the destination of notification that a benefit has been granted. The data in field F13 is, for example, a terminal code for identifying the information terminal 300 used by the corresponding user, or an email address for the corresponding user to receive emails. The data in field F14 represents an associated member code that is different from the receipt member code and is associated with the receipt member code in field F11. This associated member code corresponds to a first member code. The data in field F15 is granted benefit data including at least a benefit code for identifying the benefit granted to the corresponding user. The granted benefit data may include any information related to the benefit, such as a validity period.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of one of the data records contained in the benefit database 33. As shown in FIG. The privilege database 33 is a collection of privilege records 33a, which are data records as shown in Fig. 3. However, the privilege database 33 does not have to include a plurality of privilege records 33a as shown in Fig. 3, and may be normalized as known in the art.

[0023] The benefit record 33a corresponds to each of a plurality of benefits granted to users of the electronic receipt service. The benefit record 33a includes fields F21, F22, and F23. The data in field F21 represents a benefit code defined to identify the corresponding benefit. The data in field F22 represents benefit content data relating to the content of the corresponding benefit. The reward content data represents, for example, "10% off one item of your choice" or "100 yen off draft beer". The data in field F23 represents grant condition data relating to the conditions for granting the corresponding benefit. The grant condition represented by the grant condition data represents, for example, "the purchase amount is 2,000 yen or more" or "the purchased items include three or more bottles of beer".

[0024] The electronic receipt server 100 can be realized, for example, by using a general-purpose computer device for a server as hardware, and writing an application program describing the information processing described below in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage device 3. The application program may be stored in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage device 3 when the electronic receipt server 100 is transferred, or may be transferred separately from the general-purpose computer device. In the latter case, the application program is transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or via a network.

[0025] The POS terminal 200 includes a processor 11 , a main memory 12 , an auxiliary storage device 13 , a display device 14 , an input device 15 , a reading device 16 , a printer 17 , a communication interface 18 , and a transmission path 19 .

[0026] In the POS terminal 200, the processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage device 13 are connected by a transmission line 19 to constitute a computer that performs information processing for controlling the POS terminal 200. The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to realize various functions of the POS terminal 200 in accordance with an operating system and application programs.

[0027] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system and application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may also store data required for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11.

[0028] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 13 may be, for example, an EEPROM, a HDD, an SSD, or any other well-known storage device. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store application programs.

[0029] The display device 14 displays various screens for notifying the operator of various pieces of information. As the display device 14, for example, a known device such as a liquid crystal display device can be used. An operator inputs various instructions through the input device 15. As the input device 15, well-known devices such as a touch sensor or a keyboard can be used alone or in combination.

[0030] The reading device 16 reads the data stored in the storage medium. As the reading device 16, well-known devices such as a barcode scanner or a card reader can be used alone or in combination. The printer 17 prints a receipt image on receipt paper and issues a receipt.

[0031] The communication interface 18 performs data communication via the communication network 400. As the communication interface 18, for example, a well-known interface configured to perform well-known processing for data communication via the Internet can be used. The transmission path 19 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals between the connected components.

[0032] The POS terminal 200 stores an application program describing information processing, which will be described later, in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. The application program may be stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 when the hardware of the POS terminal 200 is transferred, or may be transferred separately from the above-mentioned hardware. In the latter case, the application program is transferred in a state where it is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or via a network.

[0033] Next, the operation of the electronic receipt system configured as above will be described. Note that the contents of the various processes described below are merely examples, and various processes that can achieve similar results can be appropriately used.

[0034] When the POS terminal 200 is in an operational state for registering and settling a transaction, the processor 11 executes information processing, which will be described below, based on an application program stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 .

[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor 11. In Act 1, the processor 11 checks whether or not a transactor code has been entered. If a transactor code has not been entered, the processor 11 determines the answer as No and proceeds to Act 2. In Act 2, the processor 11 checks whether or not an operation for registering transaction details has been started. If the operation has not been started, the processor 11 determines the answer as No, and returns to Act 1. Thus, in Act 1 and Act 2, the processor 11 waits for the trader code to be entered or for the operation for registration to be started.

[0036] When the operator of the POS terminal 200 applies the electronic receipt service to a transaction to be registered, the operator inputs a transactor code for identifying the transactor into the POS terminal 200. Specifically, the operator, for example, operates the input device 15 to input the transactor code, or has the reading device 16 read a membership card screen displayed on an information terminal 300 or the like, or has the reading device 16 read a medium such as a card on which the transactor code is recorded. If the transactor code is input in this manner, the processor 11 judges Yes in Act 1 and proceeds to Act 3. The operator may be an employee of the facility where the transaction is performed, or may be the transactor himself.

[0037] In addition, in the present electronic receipt system, in addition to the receipt membership code, a different membership code that is linked to the receipt membership code is allowed to be used as the transactor code. In other words, the multiple POS terminals 200 included in the electronic receipt system are distributed and installed in multiple facilities, and the multiple facilities may include those operated by different businesses. The receipt membership code is given to the user who has registered to use the electronic receipt service by the business operating the electronic receipt server 100. In contrast, multiple businesses operating the facilities where the POS terminals 200 are installed may introduce a membership service different from the electronic receipt service and give the user a membership code for that service. When a user who uses such a membership service uses both the membership service and the electronic receipt service, it is inconvenient if he or she has to input the membership code related to the membership service and the receipt membership code respectively. Therefore, in the present electronic receipt system, the electronic receipt service is applied even when the linked membership code, i.e., the linked membership code, is input as the transactor code.

[0038] In Act 3, the processor 11 acquires the transactor code entered as described above from the input device 15 or the reading device 16. In Act 4, the processor 11 checks whether the acquired transactor code is a receipt member code. If the acquired transactor code is not a receipt member code, the processor 11 judges it as No and proceeds to Act 5. The processor 11 may perform this check by any method, but it is assumed that the processor 11 queries the electronic receipt server 100, for example.

[0039] In Act 5, the processor 11 checks whether the transactor code is linked to the receipt membership code. Specifically, the processor 11 queries the electronic receipt server 100 whether the transactor code is included as a linked membership code in the membership database 32. If the code is not linked, the processor 11 determines No and proceeds to Act 6.

[0040] In Act 6, the processor 11 checks whether or not to link the transactor code with the receipt member code. Specifically, the processor 11 displays a screen on the display device 14 inquiring whether or not to link the transactor code with the receipt member code, and checks whether or not to link the code in response to an instruction from the operator on the input device 15 based on this screen. If an instruction to link the code is given, the processor 11 judges the answer to be Yes and proceeds to Act 7.

[0041] When the operator instructs linking, the operator inputs the receipt member number to be linked to the transactor code into the input device 15 or has the reading device 16 read it. In Act 7, the processor 11 acquires the receipt membership code from the input device 15 or the reading device 16.

[0042] The processor 11 sets the collaboration flag in Act 8. The collaboration flag is, for example, one bit of data in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13, and indicates that collaboration is to be set when the flag is set. If the processor 11 sets the linkage flag, it proceeds to Act 9. If the transactor code is the receipt member code, or if the linkage setting between the transactor code and the receipt member code has been completed, the processor 11 judges "Yes" in Act 4 or Act 5, skips Act 6-Act 8, and proceeds to Act 9.

[0043] In Act 9, the processor 11 sets the electronic receipt flag. The electronic receipt flag is, for example, one-bit data in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13, and indicates that the electronic receipt service is applied when the flag is set.

[0044] If the processor 11 sets the electronic receipt flag, it proceeds to Act 10. If the registration operation is started without inputting the transactor code, the processor 11 judges Yes in Act 2. In this case, the processor 11 skips Act 3-Act 9 and proceeds to Act 10. If the operator specifies that the transactor code is not linked to the electronic receipt code, the processor 11 judges No in Act 6. In this case, the processor 11 skips Act 7-Act 9 and proceeds to Act 10. In other words, if the registration operation is started without inputting the transactor code and if the operator specifies that the transactor code is not linked to the electronic receipt code, the processor 11 does not set both the linking flag and the electronic receipt flag. Although not shown in the figure, the processor 11 initializes both the linking flag and the electronic receipt flag to a reset state before transitioning to the standby state of Act 1 and Act 2.

[0045] In Act 10, the processor 11 registers the transaction details in response to an operation by an operator. In Act 11, the processor 11 settles the price for the registered transaction. In this embodiment, the transaction is considered to be completed when this settlement is completed.

[0046] In Act 12, the processor 11 checks whether the electronic receipt flag is set. If the electronic receipt flag is not set, the processor 11 determines the result as No and proceeds to Act 13. In Act 13, the processor 11 operates the printer 17 to print a paper receipt. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of Act 1 and Act 2.

[0047] On the other hand, if the electronic receipt flag is set, the processor 11 judges the result as Yes in Act 12 and proceeds to Act 14. In Act 14, the processor 11 checks whether the link flag is set or not. If the link flag is not set, the processor 11 determines No and proceeds to Act 15.

[0048] In Act 15, the processor 11 generates transaction data without including the linkage data described later. The transaction data includes information indicating the content of the transaction and the result of the settlement. For example, when the POS terminal 200 is installed in a retail store, the information included in the transaction data includes a transactor code, a product code, a product name, a unit price, a quantity, a total amount, a payment amount, and a change amount. If the cooperation flag is set, the processor 11 judges "Yes" in Act 14 and proceeds to Act 16. In Act 16, the processor 11 generates transaction data including the linked data. alignment The data is used to request the electronic receipt server 100 to link the transactor code acquired in Act 3 with the receipt membership code acquired in Act 7.

[0049] Thus, the processor 11 executes information processing based on the application program, and the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as a generating means for generating transaction data through the processing of Act 15 or Act 16.

[0050] If the processor 11 generates the transaction data in Act 15 or Act 16, the processor 11 proceeds to Act 17 in either case. In Act 17, the processor 11 transmits the transaction data generated in Act 15 or Act 16 to the communication network 400 from the communication interface 18 to the electronic receipt server 100. Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of Act 1 and Act 2. Thus, the communication interface 18 functions as a transmitting means for transmitting the transaction data to the electronic receipt server 100. When the transaction data sent from the POS terminal 200 is transmitted through the communication network 400 and reaches the electronic receipt server 100, the transaction data is received by the communication interface 4. Thus, the communication interface 4 functions as a receiving means for receiving the transaction data.

[0051] In response to the communication interface 4 receiving the transaction data as described above, the processor 1 starts the information processing described below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor 1 in FIG.

[0052] In Act 21, processor 1 updates receipt database 31 to reflect the transaction details and settlement results indicated in the received transaction data. Specifically, processor 1 extracts data designated to be stored in receipt database 31 from the various data included in the transaction data, and updates receipt database 31 to include this data in association with the transactor code included in the transaction data. Note that receipt database 31 stores various data in association with the receipt member code. For this reason, if the transactor code is a receipt member code, processor 1 adds the various data to receipt database 31 as it is related to the transactor code. Furthermore, if the transactor code is not a receipt member code and is not included in the transaction data, processor 1 updates receipt database 31 to include the various data in association with the transactor code. alignment If the data is not included, the various data is added to the receipt database 31 as being related to the receipt member code with which the transactor code is associated. Also, the processor 1 performs alignment If data is included, alignment Various data related to the receipt membership code shown in the data are added to the receipt database 31. In this way, the processor 1 executes information processing based on the application program, and the computer with the processor 1 as the central part functions as a storage means.

[0053] As Act 22, the processor 1 alignment Then, the processor 1 checks whether the data is included. alignment If the data is included, it is judged as Yes and proceeds to Act 23. Processor 1, as Act 23, alignment For a user identified by a receipt membership code that is requested to be linked to a transactor code in the data, the associated membership code is registered. Specifically, the processor 1 registers the associated membership code in the member record 32a, where the data in the field F11 is alignment The processor 1 selects the receipt member code that matches the receipt member code that is requested to be linked to the transaction code in the data. The processor 1 then writes the transactor code included in the received transaction data into field F14 of the corresponding member record 32a. At this time, if field F14 already contains other data, the processor 1 may overwrite that data, or may leave the data and add to it.

[0054] In Act 24, the processor 1 updates the granted privilege data of the member record 32a selected in Act 23. Specifically, the processor 1 updates the data in field F15 of the member record 32a selected in Act 23 so as to indicate that the member has the right to receive a predetermined privilege to be granted in return for the linked registration. Note that, when the member database 32 or the privilege database 33 defines that the grantor of the privilege is a person other than the transactor, the processor 1 may grant the privilege to that grantor. In this way, the processor 1 executes information processing based on the application program, and the computer with the processor 1 as its central part functions as a granting means.

[0055] In Act 25, the processor 1 sets the grant flag. The grant flag is, for example, one bit of data in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage device 3, and indicates that a new benefit has been granted when the flag is set. Although not shown in the figure, the processor 1 initializes the grant flag to a reset state at the start of the process shown in FIG. 5.

[0056] After the processor 1 has set the attachment flag, the process proceeds to Act 26. alignment If no data is included, the result is No in Act 22, and Act 23-Act 25 are skipped and Act 26 is proceeded to.

[0057] In Act 26, the processor 1 searches the bonus database 33 for a bonus to be granted for the transaction related to the currently received transaction data. The bonus searched for by the processor 1 here is, of course, a bonus granted based on conditions different from the bonus granted in Act 24. Specifically, the processor 1 checks whether the currently received transaction matches each of the granting conditions represented by the granting condition data in field F23 of each bonus record 33a. Depending on the granting conditions, the processor 1 may also check by taking into account information on past transactions contained in the receipt database 31. If there is a bonus record 33a in which the granting condition data in field F23 represents a matching granting condition, the processor 1 sets the bonus code represented in field F21 of the bonus record 33a as the bonus code of the bonus to be granted.

[0058] In Act 27, the processor 1 checks whether there is a benefit to be granted. If at least one benefit code is set as a benefit code to be granted, the processor 1 determines that the benefit is Yes, and proceeds to Act 28.

[0059] In Act 28, the processor 1 updates the granted privilege data of the member record 32a. Specifically, the processor 1 selects from among the member records 32a those in which the data in field F11 is a receipt member code for identifying the transactor. That is, if the transactor code is a receipt member code, the processor 1 selects the member record 32a in which the data in field F11 matches the transactor code. Also, if the transactor code is an associated member code, the processor 1 selects the member record 32a in which the data in field F14 matches the transactor code. The processor 1 then updates the data in field F15 of the member record 32a thus selected to indicate that the member has the right to receive the privilege found to be granted. Note that the processor 1 may grant the privilege to a grantor other than the transactor, as in the case of Act 24. In this way, the processor 1 executes information processing based on the application program, and the computer with the processor 1 as the central part functions as a granting means.

[0060] In Act 29, the processor 1 sets the attachment flag. Then, the processor 1 proceeds to Act 30. If there is no benefit to be granted, the processor 1 judges No in Act 27, skips Acts 28 and 29, and proceeds to Act 30. In Act 30, the processor 1 checks whether the attachment flag is set. If the attachment flag is set, the processor 1 determines that the flag is set as Yes, and proceeds to Act 31.

[0061] In Act 31, the processor 1 notifies the user that a special benefit has been newly granted. Specifically, if the data in the field F13 of the member record 32a selected in Act 23 or Act 28 indicates a terminal code, the processor 1 sends a push notification to the information terminal 300 identified by the terminal code. Specifically, if the data in the field F13 of the member record 32a selected in Act 23 indicates an email address, the processor 1 sends a notification email to the email address. The push notification and notification email indicate the content of the special benefit granted in at least one of Act 24 and Act 28, for example, by a text message or image data, and inform the user that the special benefit can be used. The push notification and notification email preferably indicate part of the transaction information, such as the transaction date and time and the store name, so that the user can recognize which transaction the special benefit has been granted for. The notification destination may be determined arbitrarily by the user, but in principle, the notification destination should be determined so that the user can quickly recognize the arrival of the push notification and notification email. Thus, the processor 1 executes information processing based on the application program, and the computer having the processor 1 as its central part functions as a notification means. After completing the notification, the processor 1 ends the information processing shown in Fig. 5. If the attachment flag is in a reset state, the processor 1 determines No in Act 30, skips Act 31, and ends the information processing shown in Fig. 5.

[0062] As described above, when the electronic receipt server 100 receives transaction information about a new transaction, it checks whether or not to grant a bonus to the transactor for that transaction. If the electronic receipt server 100 grants a bonus, it notifies the transactor of that effect by push notification or notification email. Therefore, when a transaction is performed using the electronic receipt service, the user is promptly notified of the bonus that has been granted for that transaction, and the user can be strongly impressed with the reality of the bonus being granted.

[0063] Furthermore, once a transaction is completed, the POS terminal 200 promptly transmits transaction information about the transaction to the electronic receipt server 100. Therefore, the notification of the provision of the special benefit is promptly sent after the transaction is completed, so that the user can feel the special benefit more strongly.

[0064] In addition, when a transaction is completed and a link setting is made between the receipt member code and another member code, the electronic receipt server 100 will provide a special benefit to the transactor, and will promptly notify the user of the special benefit as described above. This will give the user a strong impression of the special benefit that comes with the link setting.

[0065] A typical example of the provision of a special privilege is to give a user the right to use a coupon that can be used for a new transaction at the facility where the transaction was made. By promptly notifying the user of the fact that such a coupon use right has been obtained upon the completion of the transaction as described above, it is possible to enhance the effect of the coupon in encouraging the user to use the facility again. Furthermore, by notifying the user of a part of the transaction information, it is possible to more strongly impress upon the user the relationship between the transaction and the acquisition of the coupon, and it is also possible to make the relationship between the transaction and the acquisition of the coupon recognized even by users who are unaware that the above notification is given immediately after the transaction is made. Note that the provision of a special privilege may be arbitrary, such as by giving the user the right to use a different type of arbitrary coupon or by adding points.

[0066] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. At least a part of the various data stored in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage device 3 in the electronic receipt server 100 may be stored in a storage device provided outside the electronic receipt server 100. In addition, at least a part of the various data stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 in the POS terminal 200 may be stored in a storage device provided outside the POS terminal 200.

[0067] The transaction registration device may be a device other than a POS terminal, such as an electronic cash register.

[0068] The transaction may be deemed to have been concluded at any time other than the completion of payment, such as when the operator performs an operation to declare the completion of registration.

[0069] Some of the above-mentioned information processing performed by processor 1 or processor 11 may be omitted. For example, it is not necessary to provide a special benefit in response to the link registration being performed. That is, processor 1 may omit Act 24 and Act 25 in FIG. 5. Also, it is not necessary to link with membership codes other than the receipt membership code. That is, processor 11 may omit Act 4 to Act 8, Act 14, and Act 16 in FIG. 4, and proceed to Act 15 if it judges Yes in Act 12, and processor 1 may omit Act 22 to Act 25 in FIG. 5.

[0070] Each function realized by the processor 1 or 11 through information processing can be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, etc. Also, each of the above functions can be realized by combining the above hardware, such as the logic circuit, with software control.

[0071] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. The invention as originally claimed in the present application is set forth below. [Appendix 1] A receiving means for receiving transaction data including a trader code that indicates the content of a completed transaction and identifies the trader who performed the transaction; a storage means for storing data that is determined to be stored among the data included in the transaction data received by the receiving means in a storage device in association with the trader code; a granting means for granting a predetermined benefit to a grantee associated with the transactor code if a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the received transaction data when the transaction data is received by the receiving means; A notification means for notifying a notification destination determined in relation to the trader code when the benefit is granted by the granting means; An electronic receipt server comprising: [Appendix 2] The storage means includes: managing each of the plurality of first membership codes in association with one of the plurality of second membership codes; storing the data to be stored in the storage device in association with the second membership code associated with the first membership code included in the transaction data as the transactor code; When the transaction data includes, in addition to the first membership code as the transactor code, a second membership code to be associated with the first membership code, the association between the first membership code and the second membership code is added to the above-mentioned management target; The granting means grants a predetermined benefit to the transactor identified by the second membership code as the grantor when the second membership code to be associated with the first membership code is included in the transaction data. 2. An electronic receipt server as described in appendix 1. [Appendix 3] The granting means updates data representing coupons that the trader has the right to use as the grant of the benefit to include a coupon that can be used for a new transaction at the facility where the transaction represented by the transaction data in which the condition is satisfied has been performed. 4. An electronic receipt server according to claim 1 or 2. [Appendix 4] A transaction registration device and an electronic receipt server are provided, The transaction registration device: a generating means for generating transaction data including a trader code for registering the details of the transaction and identifying the trader who performed the transaction; a transmission means for transmitting the transaction data generated by the generation means to the electronic receipt server when the transaction is completed; Equipped with The electronic receipt server includes: a receiving means for receiving the transaction data transmitted by the transmitting means; a storage means for storing data that is determined to be stored among the data included in the transaction data received by the receiving means in a storage device in association with the trader code; a granting means for granting a predetermined benefit to a grantee associated with the transactor code if a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the received transaction data when the transaction data is received by the receiving means; A notification means for notifying a notification destination determined in relation to the trader code when the benefit is granted by the granting means; Equipped with Electronic receipt system. [Appendix 5] A computer that controls an electronic receipt server that has a receiving means for receiving transaction data including a transactor code that indicates the content of a completed transaction and identifies the transactor who performed the transaction, a storage means for storing data that is determined to be stored among the data included in the transaction data received by the receiving means in a storage device in association with the trader code; a granting means for granting a predetermined benefit to a grantee associated with the transactor code if a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the received transaction data when the transaction data is received by the receiving means; A notification means for notifying a notification destination determined in relation to the trader code when the benefit is granted by the granting means; A program to make it function as such. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1,11...processor, 2,12...main memory, 3,13...auxiliary storage device, 4,18...communication interface, 5,19...transmission path, 14...display device, 15...input device, 16...reading device, 17...printer, 100...electronic receipt server, 200...POS terminal, 300...information terminal, 400...communication network.

Claims

1. A receiving means for receiving transaction data from the transaction registration device, the transaction data including a transactor code that identifies the transactor who performed the transaction and a membership code given to a user of a membership service other than the electronic receipt service, and further including linking data for requesting that the transactor code be linked to a receipt membership code that identifies the user of the electronic receipt service; a confirmation means for confirming whether or not linked data is included in the transaction data received by the receiving means; a granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to a grantee associated with a transactor code included in the transaction data received by the receiving means in response to the confirmation means confirming that the transaction data includes linked data; a notification means for notifying a notification destination determined in relation to the transactor code included in the transaction data received by the receiving means when the special offer is granted by the granting means; An electronic receipt server comprising:

2. The notification means sends an email to an email address associated with a receipt membership code that is requested to be linked to a transactor code in the linking data included in the transaction data received by the receiving means. The electronic receipt server according to claim 1 .

3. the notification means notifies the user that the privilege has been granted by the granting means, as well as a part of data representing details of the transaction contained in the transaction data received by the receiving means; The electronic receipt server according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system includes a transaction registration device and an electronic receipt server, The transaction registration device: a generating means for registering the contents of a transaction to indicate the contents of the transaction, and generating transaction data including a membership code given to a user of a membership service other than the electronic receipt service, a transactor code identifying the transactor who performed the transaction, and linking data for requesting linking the transactor code to a receipt membership code identifying the user of the electronic receipt service when linking is instructed; a transmission means for transmitting the transaction data generated by the generation means to the electronic receipt server when the transaction is completed; Equipped with The electronic receipt server includes: a receiving means for receiving the transaction data transmitted by the transmitting means; a confirmation means for confirming whether or not linked data is included in the transaction data received by the receiving means; a granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to a grantee associated with a transactor code included in the transaction data received by the receiving means in response to the confirmation means confirming that the transaction data includes linked data; a notification means for notifying a notification destination determined in relation to the transactor code included in the transaction data received by the receiving means when the special offer is granted by the granting means; Equipped with Electronic receipt system.

5. The notification means sends an email to an email address associated with a receipt membership code that is requested to be linked to a transactor code in the linking data included in the transaction data received by the receiving means. The electronic receipt system according to claim 4.

6. the notification means notifies the user that the privilege has been granted by the granting means, as well as a part of data representing the content of the transaction contained in the transaction data received by the receiving means; The electronic receipt system according to claim 4 or 5.

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