Electronic receipt system and electronic receipt processing method

Abstract

To provide an electronic receipt system capable of suitably providing an electronic receipt to a user. [Solution] The electronic receipt system includes a store terminal 20A and a user terminal 30. When outputting a paper receipt showing transaction details, the store terminal 20A encodes the transaction details and outputs the encoded transaction details code along with the paper receipt, and the user terminal 30 can read the transaction details code displayed on the paper receipt to display an electronic receipt corresponding to the paper receipt and can save the displayed electronic receipt.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic receipt system and an electronic receipt processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A product sales data processing system has been proposed that, when a customer purchases a product, if the customer is a member, can issue an electronic receipt according to the customer's selection, and if the customer is a non-member, issues a printed receipt (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-200727 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system described in Patent Document 1, electronic receipts are not issued to non-members, and no consideration was given to a mechanism for issuing electronic receipts to non-members.

[0005] Furthermore, the system described in Patent Document 1 generates electronic receipts by configuring a registration device for registering purchased items to be network-connected to a management device that generates electronic receipts, and the management device communicates with external devices, but it is not possible to generate electronic receipts without connecting the registration device to a network.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide an electronic receipt system and the like that can suitably provide an electronic receipt to a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the electronic receipt system of the present invention comprises: An electronic receipt system comprising a transaction data processing device and a terminal, The transaction data processing device encodes the transaction details when outputting a paper receipt showing the transaction details, and stores the encoded transaction details code in The above Include it on the paper receipt and print it out. The terminal reads the transaction content code displayed on the paper receipt. and generating an electronic receipt according to the transaction content by decoding the transaction content code and specifying the transaction content. Supports paper receipts The above View e-receipt death , the displayed electronic receipt When an operation for saving the electronic receipt is detected, the electronic receipt is saved in a storage device; the transaction data processing device prints a URL of a web page for reading the transaction content code on the paper receipt and outputs the paper receipt; When the user accesses the URL printed on the paper receipt using the terminal, the terminal displays a web page for reading the transaction content code using the terminal. . Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, an electronic receipt can be suitably provided to a user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electronic receipt server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a member's transaction history, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of member information. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of an electronic receipt server. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process flow in an electronic receipt system. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process flow in an electronic receipt system. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an electronic receipt generating process. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of the display of a website for an electronic receipt system. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of display of an electronic receipt. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process flow in an electronic receipt system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A shows a paper receipt according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B shows an example of a display of an electronic receipt according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) First, a description will be given of a first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic receipt system 100 and the electronic receipt server 10 of the first embodiment are configured so that even a non-member of the electronic receipt system 100 can receive an electronic receipt by performing a new electronic receipt receiving operation at the time of (before) a transaction in a store.

[0012] (System Configuration) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic receipt system 100. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the electronic receipt system 100 is composed of an electronic receipt server 10, a store terminal 20, and a user terminal 30. The electronic receipt server 10, the store terminal 20, and the user terminal 30 are connected via a network 90.

[0013] The electronic receipt server 10 is a server that provides an electronic receipt service to a user in the electronic receipt system 100. The electronic receipt service is, for example, a service that stores transaction data of a user and provides an electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction data to the user. The electronic receipt server 10 receives transaction data related to a product purchased by the user from the store terminal 20, and accumulates and stores the transaction data. Furthermore, when the electronic receipt server 10 receives an acquisition request (viewing request) for an electronic receipt from the user terminal 30, it generates electronic receipt information according to the acquisition request based on the transaction data and transmits it to the user terminal 30. Furthermore, the electronic receipt server 10 stores member information in the electronic receipt system 100.

[0014] The store terminal 20 is, for example, a POS (Point of Sale) terminal installed in a store, and performs payment processing when a user, who is a customer, purchases a product via the user terminal 30, and transmits user information (such as a membership code of the electronic receipt system 100) and purchased product information (transaction data) read from the user terminal 30 to the electronic receipt server 10. The store terminal 20 is an example of a transaction data processing device. Note that, although three store terminals 20 are shown in FIG. 1, since a store terminal 20 is provided for each store, the number of store terminals 20 in the electronic receipt system 100 may be any number. Also, multiple store terminals 20 may be provided for each store.

[0015] The user terminal 30 is a mobile terminal with a communication function, and is typically a smartphone owned by the user. The user terminal 30 may be another communication terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smart watch. The user terminal 30 can display a code corresponding to a member ID of the electronic receipt system 100 (a barcode, a two-dimensional code, etc. indicating a member ID) on the display. Note that a user who is not a member of the electronic receipt system 100 can obtain a new member ID at the time of a transaction using the user terminal 30, and can display a code corresponding to the new member ID.

[0016] The store terminal 20 can obtain the member ID (new member ID) by reading the code, and can transmit the member ID and transaction data to the electronic receipt server 10. In addition, when the payment process is completed after the store terminal 20 has read the member ID (new member ID), the user terminal 30 can obtain electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server 10 and can display the electronic receipt on the display.

[0017] In this way, in the electronic receipt system 100, by reading the membership code at the store terminal 20 when making a payment, an electronic receipt can be issued in place of or in addition to the issuance of a paper receipt at the store terminal 20, and the electronic receipt can be received and viewed at the user terminal 30.

[0018] In this embodiment, the code that the user presents to the store terminal 20 in order to receive an electronic receipt is a code corresponding to the member ID of the electronic receipt system 100, but it is also possible to receive an electronic receipt by presenting a code corresponding to the member ID of each store. In this case, it is sufficient to previously associate the member ID of each store with the member ID of the electronic receipt system 100.

[0019] The electronic receipt system 100 may include other components, such as an information processing terminal or server for the management of a retailer (retailer, company, manufacturer) that manages the store where the store terminal 20 is located.

[0020] The network 90 is a communication network capable of transmitting various types of information, such as the Internet, a mobile communication network, or a dedicated line.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic receipt server 10. The electronic receipt server 10 includes, for example, a communication interface 13, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15, a RAM (Read Only Memory) 16, and an auxiliary storage device 17.

[0022] The communication interface 13 is hardware for communicating via the above-mentioned network 90, and is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) module.

[0023] The CPU 14 performs overall control of the electronic receipt server 10. The ROM 15 stores various data and operation programs executed by the CPU 14. The RAM 16 is used as a working area for the CPU 14.

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 17 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or an eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard), or a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Examples of the readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory include an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 17 stores a program for causing an information processing device such as a personal computer to function as the electronic receipt server 10 of the present embodiment. The program for causing an information processing device to function as the electronic receipt server 10 may be stored in the ROM 15.

[0025] The program for causing the information processing device to function as the electronic receipt server 10 of this embodiment may be made downloadable via a network, or may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magneto-optical disk, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, a HDD, an SSD, or an eMMC.

[0026] In addition, the auxiliary storage device 17 stores, for each member, a member transaction history 171 which is the transaction history of the member to whom the electronic receipt is provided.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the member transaction history 171 is information that associates a member ID, which is identification information of a member in the electronic receipt system 100, with the transaction history of the member. As shown in FIG. 5(A), the transaction history is information that associates a receipt ID, which is identification information of transaction data, with transaction data including information related to the transaction such as the store, date and time, purchased product, product price, payment amount, and payment method. The transaction data may be, for example, information that is written on a normal receipt (paper receipt). In this way, the member transaction history 171 is information in which the member's transaction data is accumulated as a transaction history. Note that the member's detailed information such as name, age, sex, address, telephone number, and birthday, as well as other information, may be stored in association with each other in the member transaction history 171.

[0028] In addition, the auxiliary storage device 17 stores member information 172, which is information about members in the electronic receipt system 100, for each member.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5B, the member information 172 is information that associates a member ID, which is identification information of a member in the electronic receipt system 100, a temporary member flag, and login information. The temporary member flag indicates that the member ID is issued to a temporary member. The member information 172 is generated by issuing a new member ID when a non-member user registers as a new member or performs a new operation to receive an electronic receipt. The temporary member flag is turned on when a new (temporary) member ID is issued to a non-member who performs a new operation to receive an electronic receipt, and is turned off when the non-member (temporary member) registers as a member and becomes a new member (regular member). The login information is information that indicates a login ID (email address, etc.) and a password for a member to log in to the electronic receipt system 100 (for example, a website provided by the electronic receipt system 100). For example, the electronic receipt server 10 authenticates the user terminal 30 based on the login information, and transmits a code corresponding to the member ID to the user terminal 30 if the authentication is successful.

[0030] Member information 172 may store attribute information (basic information) of a member, such as name, age, sex, occupation, address, and telephone number, in association with the member. Member information 172 may also store other information, such as a member's birthday and blood type, in association with the member. Store (retail) membership numbers and the like may also be stored in association with the member ID. In this way, the store membership number can be read out from the member ID, and the member ID can be read out from the store membership number.

[0031] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the store terminal 20. The store terminal 20 includes, for example, a display 21, an input device 22, a communication interface 23, a CPU 24, a ROM 25, a RAM 26, an auxiliary storage device 27, a code scanner 28, and a printer 29.

[0032] The display 21 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. Under the control of the CPU 24, the display 21 displays product information and payment information in response to the results of reading by the code scanner 28 and operations received by the input device 22.

[0033] The input device 22 is composed of a keyboard, operation buttons, a touch panel, etc., and receives operation inputs from store clerks and sends signals related to the received operations to the CPU 24.

[0034] The communication interface 23 is hardware for communicating via the above-mentioned network 90, and is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN module.

[0035] The CPU 24 performs overall control of the store terminal 20. The ROM 25 stores various data and operation programs executed by the CPU 24. The RAM 26 is used as a working area for the CPU 24.

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 27 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or eMMC, or a readable / writable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage device 27 stores a program for reading a code from the user terminal 30, performing a payment process, and transmitting transaction data corresponding to the payment process to the electronic receipt server 10. The program may be stored in the ROM 25.

[0037] The code scanner 28 reads code symbols such as bar codes written on products or codes displayed on a user terminal 30, and sends a signal corresponding to the read content to the CPU 24.

[0038] The printer 29 is a printer device that prints and outputs receipts and the like corresponding to transaction data. Note that the printer 29 may be omitted from the store terminal 20, and a printer device external to the store terminal 20 may be used to print and output receipts and the like. The store terminal 20 may also be configured with an external printer device and an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0039] In this embodiment, information is transmitted from the store terminal 20 to the electronic receipt server 10, but it is also possible to provide a store server that accumulates product information and transaction data in the store, and transmit information from the store terminal 20 to the electronic receipt server 10 via the store server.

[0040] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 includes, for example, a display 31, an input device 32, a communication interface 33, a CPU 34, a ROM 35, a RAM 36, and an auxiliary storage device 37.

[0041] The display 31 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. Under the control of the CPU 34, the display 31 displays various screens and the like in response to user operations.

[0042] The input device 32 is composed of key buttons, a touch panel, etc., and receives operation input from the user and sends a signal related to the received operation to the CPU .

[0043] The communication interface 33 is hardware for communicating via the above-mentioned network 90, and is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN module.

[0044] The CPU 34 performs overall control of the user terminal 30. The ROM 35 stores various data and operation programs executed by the CPU 34. The RAM 36 is used as a working area for the CPU 34.

[0045] The auxiliary storage device 37 is composed of a readable / writable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage device 37 displays a barcode or two-dimensional code indicating the user's membership information (membership ID of the electronic receipt system 100) on the display 31, registers transaction data in the electronic receipt server 10 (issues an electronic receipt) during payment processing, and stores a program (for example, a web browser or an electronic receipt application) for acquiring an electronic receipt from the electronic receipt server 10.

[0046] The electronic receipt application program may be downloaded via a network, for example. The program may be stored in the ROM 35.

[0047] It should be noted that the configurations of the devices shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are merely examples, and additional configurations may be added or some configurations may be omitted.

[0048] At least some of the electronic receipt server 10, the store terminal 20, and the user terminal 30 may be dedicated hardware. At least some of the electronic receipt server 10, the store terminal 20, and the user terminal 30 may be configured as a general-purpose information processing device (personal computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.).

[0049] (Functional configuration of electronic receipt server) 6 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic receipt server 10 according to the present embodiment. The electronic receipt server 10 is functionally composed of a code transmission unit 101, a transaction data receiving unit 102, a transaction data storage unit 103, an electronic receipt transmission unit 104, a member registration request receiving unit 105, and a new member registration unit 106. The CPU 14 reads a program stored in the ROM 15 or the auxiliary storage device 17, thereby operating as each functional unit.

[0050] In response to a code acquisition request from the user terminal 30, the code transmission unit 101 transmits to the user terminal 30 a code (a barcode, a two-dimensional code, a membership number, a character string, etc.) for receiving an electronic receipt.

[0051] If the code acquisition request is a login request from a registered member, the code transmission unit 101 transmits a membership code corresponding to the member ID to the user terminal 30. On the other hand, if the code acquisition request is a new acquisition request from a non-member, the code transmission unit 101 issues a new code corresponding to a new member ID and transmits the issued new code to the user terminal 30.

[0052] When a product is traded at the store terminal 20 , the transaction data receiving unit 102 receives the product transaction data from the store terminal 20 via the network 90 as data associated with the code read from the user terminal 30 .

[0053] The transaction data storage unit 103 accumulates and stores the transaction data received by the transaction data receiving unit 102 in the auxiliary storage device 17 .

[0054] When the electronic receipt transmitting unit 104 receives an electronic receipt request from the user terminal 30, it generates electronic receipt information based on the transaction data stored in the auxiliary storage device 17, and transmits the generated electronic receipt information to the user terminal 30 that transmitted the electronic receipt request. The electronic receipt corresponding to the transmitted electronic receipt information can be viewed on the user terminal 30.

[0055] When the electronic receipt request corresponds to a membership code (a member ID of a registered member corresponding to the membership code), the electronic receipt transmitting unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the membership code (member ID). On the other hand, when the electronic receipt request corresponds to a new code (a new member ID corresponding to the new code), the electronic receipt transmitting unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code (new member ID).

[0056] The member registration request receiving unit 105 receives a new member registration request from the user terminal 30 that has transmitted the electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code.

[0057] When the new member registration unit 106 receives a new member registration request, it registers the member ID corresponding to the new code issued by the code transmission unit 101 as the member ID of the new member.

[0058] When a new member is registered by new member registration unit 106, transaction data storage unit 103 stores the transaction data associated with the new member in auxiliary storage device 17 as the transaction data of the registered new member.

[0059] In this way, the electronic receipt server 10 and the electronic receipt system 100 of the present embodiment can provide electronic receipts to non-member users who have not registered as members of the electronic receipt system 100. This can promote the use of the electronic receipt service provided by the electronic receipt server 10 and the electronic receipt system 100.

[0060] (Member payment ~ Electronic receipt display operation) Next, the operation of the electronic receipt system 100 will be described. First, the operation when a member of the electronic receipt system 100 receives an electronic receipt will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the electronic receipt system 100 from when a member makes a payment at a store and receives an electronic receipt. In order to issue an electronic receipt when paying for a purchased item at a store, a user who is a member (a customer of the store) needs to display a membership code of the electronic receipt system 100 on the user terminal 30 and have the store terminal 20 read it at the time of payment. To do this, the user who is a member logs in to the electronic receipt system 100 by accessing the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or activating an electronic receipt application before making a payment at the store, thereby displaying the membership code. Therefore, in the processing shown in FIG. 7, first, the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 determines whether or not a display operation (login operation) of the membership code by the user has been detected (step S11).

[0061] In this embodiment, logging in to the electronic receipt system 100 is performed using a web browser installed in the user terminal 30. That is, each process related to the electronic receipt in the user terminal 30 is performed via the web browser. This is not limited to this, and each process related to the electronic receipt in the user terminal 30 may be performed via a dedicated electronic receipt app. Also, in order to facilitate access to the website of the electronic receipt system 100, posters or pops displaying a two-dimensional code for access may be placed in the store.

[0062] If the member code display operation is not detected (Step S11; No), the process shown in Fig. 7 ends. If the member code display operation is detected (Step S11; Yes), the CPU 34 acquires the member code from the electronic receipt server 10 by sending a member code acquisition request including login information (login user ID and password) to the electronic receipt server 10 (Step S12).

[0063] When the code sending unit 101 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives a request to obtain a membership code including login information (login request) from the user terminal 30, it reads the member ID corresponding to the login information from the member information 172 and sends a membership code obtained by encoding the member ID to the user terminal 30 (step S31).

[0064] When the CPU 34 receives the membership code from the electronic receipt server 10, it displays the membership code (bar code, two-dimensional code) on the display 31 (step S13).

[0065] The store terminal 20, by operation of the user or a store clerk, reads the membership code displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 with the code scanner 28, and obtains the member ID corresponding to the membership code (step S21).

[0066] Thereafter, the store clerk or the user reads the barcodes of the products to be purchased by the user using the code scanner 28, and manually inputs the product price using the input device 22. Then, the CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 performs a settlement process for the total amount of the product prices identified from the barcodes read by the code scanner 28 and the product prices input using the input device 22 (step S22).

[0067] The payment process includes processes such as subtracting the product price from the balance of cash, credit card, electronic money, code payment, etc. received from the user, calculating the change amount in the case of cash and displaying it on display 21, storing transaction data corresponding to this payment in auxiliary storage device 27, and outputting a paper receipt corresponding to this payment from printer 29. Note that the payment process may obtain payment information (payment method, credit card information, electronic money charge balance information, etc.) corresponding to the membership code via network 90, and perform payment process based on the payment information corresponding to the membership code. Note that since an electronic receipt is issued to the member, output of a paper receipt may be omitted.

[0068] When the payment process is completed, the CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 transmits the member ID and the transaction data of this payment (store information, date and time, purchased product, product price, payment method, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (step S23). The store terminal 20 then terminates the process shown in FIG.

[0069] When the transaction data receiving unit 102 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives the member ID and transaction data from the store terminal 20, the transaction data storage unit 103 issues a new receipt ID corresponding to the current payment, and saves the current transaction data by adding the receipt ID and the current transaction data to the transaction history of the member transaction history 171 for the corresponding member ID (step S32).

[0070] At this time, the electronic receipt server 10 may transmit an electronic receipt issuance notification including, for example, a receipt ID to the store terminal 20 and / or the user terminal 30, which is a notification indicating that the current transaction data has been normally saved, i.e., that an electronic receipt has been issued. In this way, it is possible to confirm that an electronic receipt has been issued at the store terminal 20 or the user terminal 30. In addition, by storing this receipt ID in the user terminal 30, the user can view the electronic receipt corresponding to the receipt ID at any time on the user terminal 30.

[0071] After the transaction and settlement at the store is completed, that is, after the electronic receipt is issued, at any timing, when the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 detects an operation of displaying the electronic receipt by the user (step S14; Yes), the CPU 34 transmits an electronic receipt acquisition request including information for identifying the transaction (e.g., the transaction store, transaction date and time, and the corresponding receipt ID, member ID, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (step S15). The operation of displaying the electronic receipt is, for example, an operation of selecting specific transaction data (transaction store, transaction date and time, etc.) on a list screen of transaction data on the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or in the electronic receipt app.

[0072] When the CPU 14 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives the electronic receipt acquisition request from the user terminal 30, the CPU 14 executes an electronic receipt generation process for generating an electronic receipt (step S33).

[0073] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an electronic receipt generation process. In the electronic receipt generation process, the electronic receipt transmission unit 104 of the electronic receipt server 10 searches and acquires transaction data corresponding to the electronic receipt acquisition request (transaction store, transaction date and time, electronic receipt ID, member ID, etc.) received from the user terminal 30 from the member transaction history 171 (step S101). Then, the electronic receipt transmission unit 104 embeds the acquired transaction data in an electronic receipt template (e.g., an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) file) corresponding to the store that transmitted the transaction data to generate an electronic receipt (step S102). The electronic receipt generated here may include the same information as, for example, a paper receipt issued by a store. After that, the electronic receipt generation process ends.

[0074] 7, after the electronic receipt is generated in the electronic receipt generation process, the electronic receipt transmitting unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the generated electronic receipt to the user terminal 30 (step S34). That is, when the electronic receipt acquisition request received from the user terminal 30 includes the member ID of a registered member and corresponds to the registered member code, the electronic receipt transmitting unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the member code (member ID).

[0075] When the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 receives the electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server 10, the CPU 34 formats the electronic receipt into a size and format suitable for display on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 based on the electronic receipt information, and displays the formatted electronic receipt on the display 31 (step S16). Through the above-mentioned process, a member of the electronic receipt system 100 can have an electronic receipt issued by presenting a membership code when making a transaction at a store. Then, the member can obtain and view the electronic receipt for the transaction at the user terminal 30. That is, the user who is a member can receive an electronic receipt for the transaction at the store.

[0076] (Non-member payments - electronic receipt display operation) Next, an operation when a non-member of the electronic receipt system 100 receives an electronic receipt will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a process flow in the electronic receipt system 100 in which a non-member makes a payment at a store and receives an electronic receipt. In order for a non-member to issue an electronic receipt when paying for a purchased item at a store, the non-member user needs to perform a new receiving operation for the electronic receipt by accessing the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or activating an electronic receipt application. First, the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 judges whether or not a new receiving operation for an electronic receipt by a non-member user has been detected (step S41).

[0077] To make it easier for non-members to receive new electronic receipts, posters or pops displaying two-dimensional codes for accessing the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or the download site of the electronic receipt app may be placed in the store. In this way, the posters and pops can encourage non-members of the electronic receipt system 100 to use the electronic receipt system 100 and register as members. In addition, even non-members of the electronic receipt system 100 can easily use the electronic receipt system 100 and receive electronic receipts.

[0078] If a new receiving operation of an electronic receipt is not detected (Step S41; No), the process shown in Fig. 8 is terminated. If a new receiving operation of an electronic receipt is detected (Step S41; Yes), the CPU 34 acquires a new membership code from the electronic receipt server 10 by, for example, transmitting a request to acquire a new membership code (a request to acquire a new membership code) to the electronic receipt server 10 (Step S42).

[0079] When the code transmission unit 101 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives a request to obtain a new membership code from the user terminal 30, it generates a new membership ID that does not overlap with any previously issued member IDs, and transmits a new membership code obtained by encoding the new member ID (step S51). This newly issued new membership code is also called a provisional membership code, as it is a membership code that is provisionally issued to a non-member prior to member registration. The new member ID issued in step S51 is added to the member information 172. At this time, the provisional membership flag of the added member ID is turned on.

[0080] When the CPU 34 receives a new membership code from the electronic receipt server 10, it determines whether or not a membership registration operation has been detected (step S43). For example, when the user terminal 30 receives a new membership code, it displays an operation button for new membership registration and a member information input screen on the display 31. Then, in step S43, it determines, for example, whether or not the operation button for new membership registration has been operated and member information has been input.

[0081] When a new member registration operation is detected (step S43; Yes), the CPU 34 sends a member registration request including member registration information (a member ID corresponding to the new member code, an email address of the user to be registered, a password, attribute information, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (step S44).

[0082] When the member registration request receiving unit 105 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives a member registration request from the user terminal 30, the new member registration unit 106 executes a member registration process for registering a new member of the electronic receipt system 100 (step S52). In the member registration process, the code sending unit 101 adds login information and the like to the member information 172 based on the member registration information included in the member registration request, and turns off the temporary member flag, thereby updating the member information 172. When the update to the member information 172 (member registration) is completed, the user terminal 30 is notified of this.

[0083] The member registration process may also include a process for granting a predetermined incentive (benefit) to a new member. The type of incentive may be any type, but for example, a coupon or points that can be used in a store may be granted to the new member as an incentive. Such incentives may be stored in association with the member information 172. Information regarding the granted incentive may also be notified to the user terminal 30. A message indicating that an incentive will be granted upon new member registration may also be displayed on the user terminal 30. This can encourage new member registration and promote use of the electronic receipt service.

[0084] When new member registration is completed in the user terminal 30, the process proceeds to step S13 in FIG. 7, and the same process as when the member receives an electronic receipt is executed.

[0085] When a new member registration operation is not detected (step S43; No), the CPU 34 displays a new member code (bar code, two-dimensional code) on the display 31 (step S45).

[0086] The store terminal 20, by the operation of the user or a store clerk, reads the new member code displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 with the code scanner 28, and obtains a member ID (new member ID) corresponding to the new member code (step S21). Then, a payment process (step S22) is performed, and the member ID (new member ID) and transaction data are transmitted (step S23). The processes of steps S21 to S23 are the same as those in FIG. 7. The store terminal 20 then ends the process shown in FIG. 8.

[0087] When the transaction data receiving unit 102 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives the new member ID and the transaction data from the store terminal 20, the transaction data storage unit 103 issues a new receipt ID corresponding to the current payment, generates a member transaction history 171 for the new member ID, and adds the receipt ID and the current transaction data to the transaction history, thereby saving the current transaction data (step S53). In this way, the transaction data of a non-member who has performed a new receiving operation for an electronic receipt can be stored in the electronic receipt server 10.

[0088] In addition, the electronic receipt server 10 may discard the transaction data of a non-member (member transaction history 171 of a new member ID) if the member registration for the new member ID is not performed for a predetermined period of time, or if the electronic receipt related to the transaction data is not obtained for a predetermined period of time. In this way, if a non-member performs a new receiving operation for an electronic receipt but does not use the electronic receipt service for a predetermined period of time, the information related to the non-member is deleted, so that it is possible to prevent the data capacity from being compressed due to the long-term storage of information related to the non-member. In addition, at this time, the member information 172 of the non-member may also be discarded. The member ID related to the discarded member information 172 may be reused.

[0089] After the transaction and settlement at the store where the non-member user performed the new receiving operation of the electronic receipt is completed, i.e., after the electronic receipt corresponding to the new membership code is issued, the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 detects a display operation of the electronic receipt corresponding to the new membership code at any timing (step S46; Yes), and transmits an electronic receipt acquisition request including information identifying the transaction (e.g., the transaction store, transaction date and time, new member ID corresponding to the new membership code, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (step S47). The display operation of the electronic receipt corresponding to the new membership code is, for example, a viewing operation of the electronic receipt related to the transaction performed by performing the new receiving operation on the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or the electronic receipt app.

[0090] When the CPU 14 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives the electronic receipt acquisition request from the user terminal 30, the CPU 14 executes an electronic receipt generation process for generating an electronic receipt (step S33). The process of step S33 is the same as that in FIG.

[0091] Then, the electronic receipt transmitting unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the generated electronic receipt to the user terminal 30 (step S34). That is, when the electronic receipt acquisition request received from the user terminal 30 includes a new member ID and corresponds to a new member code, the electronic receipt transmitting unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the new member code (new member ID).

[0092] When the CPU 34 of the non-member user terminal 30 receives the electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server 10, the CPU 34 formats the electronic receipt into a size and format suitable for display on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 based on the electronic receipt information, and displays the formatted electronic receipt on the display 31 (step S48). Through the above-mentioned process, a non-member of the electronic receipt system 100 can obtain a new membership code by performing a new reception operation for an electronic receipt when making a transaction at a store, and can have an electronic receipt issued by presenting the new membership code. Then, the user can obtain and view the electronic receipt for the transaction at the user terminal 30. That is, a non-member user can receive an electronic receipt for a transaction at a store.

[0093] After displaying the electronic receipt on the non-member user terminal 30, the CPU 34 judges whether or not an operation for registering as a member and saving the currently received electronic receipt has been detected (step S49). For example, the member transaction history 171 of a non-member is deleted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. By registering as a member, a non-member can accumulate and save the member transaction history 171 in the electronic receipt server 10, and can obtain and view an electronic receipt corresponding to the member transaction history 171 on the user terminal 30. In addition, for example, the electronic receipt can be saved in the user terminal 30. Note that the member registration operation may be the same as in step S43, as long as the operation button for registering a new member is operated or member information is input.

[0094] If a new member registration operation is detected (step S49; Yes), the CPU 34 sends a member registration request including member registration information (member ID corresponding to the new member code, email address of the user registering as a member, password, attribute information, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (step S50), and ends the process in Fig. 8. On the other hand, if a new member registration operation is not detected (step S49; No), the CPU 34 ends the process in Fig. 8 as it is.

[0095] When the member registration request receiving unit 105 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives a member registration request from the user terminal 30, the new member registration unit 106 executes a member registration process to register a new member of the electronic receipt system 100 (step S54). The process of step S54 may be the same as step S52. When the member registration process is completed, the transaction data and member transaction history 171 related to the member ID of the new member before the member registration, which were saved in step S53, are used as the transaction data and member transaction history 171 of the new member.

[0096] In this way, in the electronic receipt system 100 and the electronic receipt server 10 of the present embodiment, when a non-member performs a new receiving operation of an electronic receipt, an operation button for new member registration is displayed at multiple timings such as before and after receiving the electronic receipt. That is, information for new member registration is transmitted to the user terminal 30 at multiple timings after the non-member performs a new receiving operation of an electronic receipt. This makes it possible to encourage the non-member to register as a member. Note that the timing of the member registration of a non-member is not limited to the timing shown in the process of FIG. 8, and it may be possible to perform it at any timing.

[0097] As described above, according to the electronic receipt system 100 and the electronic receipt server 10 of the first embodiment, even if a user is a non-member of the electronic receipt system 100, he / she can obtain a new membership code by performing a new receiving operation for an electronic receipt when making a transaction at a store, and can have an electronic receipt issued by presenting the new membership code. Then, the user can obtain and view the electronic receipt for the transaction at the user terminal 30. That is, a non-member user can receive an electronic receipt for a transaction at a store.

[0098] (Example) FIG. 10(A) shows an example of a login screen displayed on the display 31 of a user terminal 30 (a smartphone in this example) on the website of the electronic receipt system 100 ("Electronic Receipt Net" in this example). On the login screen, a member can log in to the electronic receipt system 100 by inputting a user ID (e.g., an email address) and password for the electronic receipt system 100 and operating (touching) the login button 311. If the login authentication is successful, a membership code is transmitted from the electronic receipt server 10, and an electronic receipt membership menu screen including a membership code 313 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10(B). The membership code 313 is, for example, a barcode that can be read by the code scanner 28 of the store terminal 20, but may also be a two-dimensional code or a numerical value indicating a membership code, or may include a plurality of these.

[0099] The electronic receipt member menu screen also displays a list button 314 for displaying a list of electronic receipts related to the member's past transactions conducted by presenting the member code 313, and a read button 315 for reading the transaction content code printed on the paper receipt. When the list button 314 is operated, a list screen of past transaction information is displayed, and when the user selects a simplified display of the transaction information (date, amount, etc.) on the list screen, an electronic receipt corresponding to the simplified display is displayed on the display 31.

[0100] When the read button 315 is operated, the camera of the user terminal 30 is activated, allowing the user to read the transaction content code printed on the paper receipt. The transaction content code indicates, for example, the transaction content printed on the paper receipt, and by reading the transaction content code with the user terminal 30 via a predetermined website or a dedicated electronic receipt app, an electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction content printed on the paper receipt is displayed. The reading of the transaction content code will be explained in the second embodiment.

[0101] Furthermore, non-members can obtain a temporary membership code for receiving electronic receipts by accessing the login screen of the Electronic Receipt Net and operating the new reception button 312 on the login screen. When the new reception button 312 is operated, a temporary membership code (new membership code) is issued in the electronic receipt server 10 and the temporary membership code is transmitted, and an electronic receipt new reception menu screen including the temporary membership code 316 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10(C).

[0102] The new electronic receipt reception menu screen displays a new member registration button 317 for registering as a new member, an electronic receipt display button 318 for displaying an electronic receipt issued by presenting the temporary member code 316, and a read button 315. When the new member registration button 317 is operated, a screen for inputting information required for member registration (email address, password, etc.) and a button for transmitting the inputted information to the electronic receipt server 10 are displayed. When the electronic receipt display button 318 is operated, a list of transaction information performed by presenting the temporary member code 316 and an electronic receipt of the most recent transaction are displayed.

[0103] For example, non-members may be allowed to view only the electronic receipt issued most recently by presenting the temporary membership code 316 on the new electronic receipt reception menu screen. In this case, the electronic receipt server 10 may store only the most recent transaction data for the member transaction history of non-members. In this way, it is possible to encourage users who wish to view electronic receipts related to past transactions to register as members. Also, the electronic receipt server 10 can reduce the capacity burden.

[0104] Furthermore, on the menu screen for receiving new electronic receipts, text is displayed encouraging new member registration, such as "Register as a new member now and receive a coupon." In this way, on the menu screen for non-members, information encouraging new member registration, such as the new member registration button 317 and text encouraging new member registration, is displayed. This makes it possible to encourage non-members to register as new members and use the electronic receipt service. Note that the text shown in FIG. 10(C) is an example of information encouraging new member registration, and the information encouraging new member registration may be any information (such as information on incentives when registering as a member, or a link to an information page showing benefits when registering as a member).

[0105] 10 are merely examples, and the login screen and menu screen may include other items, and some of the buttons may be omitted. For example, other buttons such as a help button for calling up a help screen and a setting button for changing application settings may be provided.

[0106] Fig. 11(A) shows an example of a display of a member's electronic receipt. As shown in Fig. 11(A), the electronic receipt includes information such as store information (store name, address, phone number), date and time, purchased item, item price, payment amount, and payment method. Note that the electronic receipt shown in Fig. 11(A) is an example, and any electronic receipt may be used as long as it allows the user to confirm transaction data like a normal receipt. For example, the electronic receipt may include other information and images such as the store (retail) logo, detailed product information, and images of campaigns and advertisements.

[0107] Fig. 11(B) shows a display example of an electronic receipt for a non-member. As shown in Fig. 11(B), the transaction-related information included in the electronic receipt for a non-member is the same as that for a member, but includes a new member registration button 319 for saving the electronic receipt. When the new member registration button 319 is operated, a screen for inputting information required for member registration (email address, password, etc.) and a button for sending the inputted information to the electronic receipt server 10 are displayed. In this way, by displaying the new member registration buttons 317, 319 on the new electronic receipt reception menu screen for non-members and the electronic receipt screen, non-members can register as members at multiple times, making it easier for non-members to register as members and encouraging them to register as members.

[0108] As described above, the electronic receipt server 10 may delete information about temporary members after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. This prevents the storage capacity from being overwhelmed by information about temporary members who do not use the electronic receipt service for a predetermined period of time.

[0109] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, in order to transmit a member ID and transaction data from the store terminal 20 to the electronic receipt server 10, the store terminal 20 needs to have a function of communicating with the electronic receipt server 10. If the store terminal installed in the store does not have a communication function or if the store does not have a network environment, introducing an electronic receipt service like that of the first embodiment requires modification of the store terminal and construction of a network environment, which results in high introduction costs. Even if a store terminal 20 with a communication function is introduced, there may be cases where it is temporarily unable to connect to the electronic receipt server 10 due to a malfunction of the communication environment. The electronic receipt system 100A of the second embodiment is a system that enables an electronic receipt service to be provided even in a store terminal 20A in an offline environment that is not connected to a communication network.

[0110] The configuration of the electronic receipt system 100A of the second embodiment is the same as that of the electronic receipt system 100 of the first embodiment, except that the store terminal 20A is not connected to the network 90 or the electronic receipt server 10. Similarly to the store terminal 20 of the first embodiment, the store terminal 20A includes a display 21, an input device 22, a CPU 24, a ROM 25, a RAM 26, an auxiliary storage device 27, a code scanner 28, and a printer 29. Although the communication interface 23 is not necessary, the store terminal 20A may include the communication interface 23. Other processes and configurations may be the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0111] 1 is a diagram showing a process flow from when a user (a customer of a store) makes a payment at a store to when he or she receives an electronic receipt in the electronic receipt system 100A. Note that the user may be either a member or a non-member of the electronic receipt system 100A.

[0112] When a user purchases an item at a store, the store terminal 20A allows a store clerk or the user to read the barcode of the item to be purchased by the user using the code scanner 28, and manually inputs the item price using the input device 22. Then, the CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 performs a settlement process for the total amount of the item price specified from the barcode read by the code scanner 28 and the item price input using the input device 22 (step S211).

[0113] The CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 then encodes the text data indicating the details of the current payment transaction into a code such as a binary code (step S212). The text data indicating the details of the transaction may be data that corresponds to a character string printed on a paper receipt, for example.

[0114] Then, the CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 outputs (issues) from the printer 29 a paper receipt corresponding to this payment, on which a code indicating the transaction details is printed (step S213).

[0115] FIG. 13A shows an example of a paper receipt 400 output in this manner. The paper receipt 400 includes information such as store information (store name, address, phone number), date and time, purchased item, item price, payment amount, and payment method (for example, information similar to the transaction data in the member transaction history 171). A transaction content code 401 indicating the transaction content is printed on the paper receipt 400. The paper receipt 400 also includes a uniform resource locator (URL) of a website for reading the transaction content code 401. When this URL is accessed, for example, the login screen of the electronic receipt system 100A shown in FIG. 10A or a web page for reading the transaction content code 401 is displayed. The URL printed on the paper receipt 400 may be a URL dedicated to the store that issued the paper receipt 400. In this way, an electronic receipt template corresponding to the store can be used, and an electronic receipt appropriate for the store can be generated.

[0116] Thereafter, at any timing, the user operates the read button 315 on the electronic receipt member menu screen (FIG. 10(B)) or the new electronic receipt reception menu screen (FIG. 10(C)) to read the transaction content code 401 written on the paper receipt 400 using the camera of the user terminal 30. When the CPU 34 detects this (step S201; Yes), the CPU 34 acquires the transaction content code 401 (step S202). Note that the reading operation of the transaction content code 401 is not limited to this, and may be read via an electronic receipt app or from a web page corresponding to the URL printed on the paper receipt 400. For example, it is sufficient that the electronic receipt is displayed on the user terminal 30 by reading the transaction content code 401 on a predetermined website or a dedicated electronic receipt app.

[0117] The CPU 34 then decodes the transaction content code 401 to identify the transaction content, and displays an electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction content on the display 31 by embedding or forming the transaction content in an electronic receipt template (step S203).

[0118] The electronic receipt displayed in this way contains the same transaction data as the corresponding paper receipt, as shown in Fig. 13(B) .The electronic receipt also contains a save button 320 for saving the currently displayed electronic receipt (electronic receipt corresponding to the paper receipt).

[0119] When the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 detects the operation of the save button 320 for saving the electronic receipt, it saves the electronic receipt in a predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 37 (step S205). At this time, the CPU 34 also transmits the transaction data corresponding to the electronic receipt together with the member ID to the electronic receipt server 10. Then, the CPU 34 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0120] When the CPU 14 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives the transaction data from the user terminal 30, it issues a new receipt ID and saves the current transaction data by adding the receipt ID and the current transaction data to the transaction history of the member transaction history 171 of the corresponding member ID (step S221). The electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction data saved in this way can be viewed on the user terminal 30. The CPU 14 then ends the process shown in FIG.

[0121] As described above, according to the electronic receipt system 100A of the second embodiment, the user can display and save the electronic receipt by reading the transaction content code 401 with the user terminal 30, and the transaction data corresponding to the electronic receipt can be saved in the electronic receipt server 10. Therefore, even if the store terminal 20A is not connected to the electronic receipt server 10, the electronic receipt service can be provided to the user. Therefore, the store can introduce the electronic receipt service while suppressing the introduction cost. Also, an increase in the number of stores where users can use the electronic receipt service can be expected, improving the convenience for users.

[0122] (Modification) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible, and further features may be added. For example, the processing contents and determination methods shown in the above embodiment, and the data format of the information exchanged between each component are only examples, and any other format may be used as long as it can achieve the same functions and effects as the above embodiment. In addition, not all of the components described in the above embodiment are essential, and some of them may be missing.

[0123] Furthermore, it is also possible to appropriately combine the first embodiment with the second embodiment. For example, in the electronic receipt system 100 of the first embodiment, if the store terminal 20 is temporarily unable to connect to the electronic receipt server 10 due to a problem in the communication environment or the like, the process of Fig. 12 may be executed to print the transaction content code on the paper receipt as in the process of the second embodiment.

[0124] The system configuration and functional configuration shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and for example, the electronic receipt server 10 may be configured with multiple servers. Also, for example, at least a part of the data stored in the auxiliary storage device 17 may be stored in an external storage device.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the user can use electronic receipt services such as displaying a membership code and viewing an electronic receipt by accessing the website of the electronic receipt system 100, but the electronic receipt service may be made available via an electronic receipt application provided by the operator of the electronic receipt system 100.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the electronic receipt mainly refers to an electronic version of a receipt, and is transaction data that can be displayed on the user terminal 30. However, the electronic receipt may also refer to transaction data exchanged within the electronic receipt system, or may refer to a service provided by the electronic receipt system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 10 Electronic receipt server 20, 20A Store terminal 30 User terminal 90 Network 100, 100A Electronic Receipt System 101 Code transmission unit 102 Transaction data receiving unit 103 Transaction data storage unit 104 Electronic receipt transmission unit 105 Membership registration request receiving unit 106 New Member Registration Department

Claims

1. An electronic receipt system comprising a transaction data processing device and a terminal, When outputting a paper receipt showing the transaction details, the transaction data processing device encodes the transaction details and outputs the encoded transaction details code in the paper receipt; the terminal reads the transaction content code displayed on the paper receipt, decodes the transaction content code to identify the transaction content, generates an electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction content, displays the electronic receipt corresponding to the paper receipt, and when an operation for saving the electronic receipt is detected on the displayed electronic receipt, saves the electronic receipt in a storage device; the transaction data processing device prints a URL of a web page for reading the transaction content code on the paper receipt and outputs the paper receipt; When the user accesses the URL printed on the paper receipt with the terminal, the terminal displays a web page for reading the transaction content code with the terminal. Electronic receipt system.

2. The transaction data processing device is not connected to a communication network. The electronic receipt system according to claim 1 .

3. The electronic receipt system further comprises a server, When the terminal detects an operation for saving the displayed electronic receipt, the terminal transmits transaction data corresponding to the electronic receipt together with identification information of a user of the terminal to the server; The server stores the received transaction data in association with the user's identification information. The electronic receipt system according to claim 1 .

4. An electronic receipt processing method in an electronic receipt system including a transaction data processing device and a terminal, comprising: When outputting a paper receipt showing the transaction details, the transaction data processing device encodes the transaction details and outputs the encoded transaction details code in the paper receipt; the terminal reads the transaction content code displayed on the paper receipt, decodes the transaction content code to identify the transaction content, generates an electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction content, displays the electronic receipt corresponding to the paper receipt, and when an operation for saving the electronic receipt is detected on the displayed electronic receipt, saves the electronic receipt in a storage device; the transaction data processing device prints a URL of a web page for reading the transaction content code on the paper receipt and outputs the paper receipt; When the user accesses the URL printed on the paper receipt with the terminal, the terminal displays a web page for reading the transaction content code with the terminal. How to process electronic receipts.

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