Electronic receipt system and electronic receipt processing method

Abstract

To enable easy confirmation of which tax rate was applied to each of articles involved in a transaction.SOLUTION: A receipt image generator of an embodiment has acquisition means and generation means. The acquisition means acquires exchange data including a plurality of character string data including at least character string data on a character string representing an article name and character string data on a character string representing a transaction amount with respect to each of the articles that were the subject of one transaction, and including a predetermined mark associated with the articles to which a predetermined consumption tax rate is applied. The generation means displays each of the character strings represented by the character string data included in the exchange data acquired by the acquisition means, and generates image data relating to the receipt image in which at least one character string of the plurality of character strings relating to the article associated with the mark included in the exchange data is displayed in a different display color from the display colors of the other character strings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to Electronic receipt system and electronic receipt processing method .

Background Art

[0002] In response to the introduction of a reduced tax rate system, various measures have been devised to make it possible to identify that a reduced tax rate applies to a product by attaching a mark such as "ke" or "light" near the product name on the receipt. However, the display by the mark is not easy to understand, and more effective measures are expected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to make it possible to easily confirm which tax rate has been applied to each of the products that are the subject of the transaction Electronic receipt system and electronic receipt processing method .

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The Electronic receipt system of the embodiment Extraction means 、 generation means And transmission means is provided with Including a receipt image generation device and a receipt server having an update means . Extraction The means includes string data of a string representing the product name and string data of a string representing the transaction amount From one for each of the products that are the subject of the transaction, and Either the reduced tax rate or the standard tax rate exchange data including a mark predetermined in association with the product to whichExtract data for each of the goods subject to one transaction from either the reduced tax rate or the standard tax rate. The extraction It performs. The generation means Based on whether the string contained in the data extracted for one product by the extraction means contains a mark in the data extracted by the extraction means, the string is represented in different display colors for the standard tax rate and the reduced tax rate respectively generates image data related to the receipt image. The transmission means transmits the electronic receipt data including the image data generated by the generation means. The update means updates the electronic receipt database so as to include the electronic receipt data transmitted by the transmission means

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a POS terminal having a function as a receipt image generation device will be described as an example.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an electronic receipt system including POS terminals 101 and 102 and a receipt server 103. The POS terminals 101 and 102 and the receipt server 103 are capable of data communication via a communication network 200. As the communication network 200, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN (local area network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc. can be used alone or in appropriate combination.

[0009] The POS terminals 101 and 102 have different specifications for information processing related to the sale of goods, and in this embodiment, they are to be used by different retailers (Company A and Company B), respectively. However, in FIG. 1, only the basic components of the POS terminals 101 and 102 are shown. Many of these basic configurations are often common regardless of the differences in the specifications of transaction data processing. Therefore, in FIG. 1, components having the same functions among the components of the POS terminals 101 and 102 are denoted by the same reference numerals. However, the elements denoted by the same reference numerals included in the POS terminals 101 and 102 do not necessarily represent the same device, and different devices may be used in some cases. Note that the POS terminals 101 and 102 may have the same hardware configuration.

[0010] The POS terminals 101 and 102 include a processor 1, a main memory 2, an auxiliary storage unit 3, a clock unit 4, an input device 5, a display device 6, a barcode reader 7, a printer 8, a communication interface 9, and a transmission path 10. The processor 1, the main memory 2, the auxiliary storage unit 3, the clock unit 4, the input device 5, the display device 6, the barcode reader 7, the printer 8, and the communication interface 9 are connected by the transmission path 10.

[0011] In the POS terminals 101 and 102, the processor 1, the main memory 2, and the auxiliary storage unit 3 are connected by the transmission path 10 to constitute a computer that controls the POS terminals 101 and 102. Processor 1 corresponds to the central part of the computer. Processor 1 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the POS terminals 101 and 102 according to information processing programs such as an operating system and application programs.

[0012] Main memory 2 corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. Main memory 2 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area, main memory 2 stores the above information processing programs. Also, main memory 2 may store data necessary for the processor 1 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the non-volatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 2 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by processor 1. The volatile memory area includes an area for storing a list of purchased items, a so-called registration processing area.

[0013] Auxiliary storage unit 3 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 3, for example, a storage unit using a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disc drive), or an SSD (solid state drive) can be used. Auxiliary storage unit 3 stores data used when processor 1 performs various processes and data generated by the processes in processor 1. Auxiliary storage unit 3 stores a part of the above information processing programs.

[0014] The information processing program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 of the POS terminal 101 includes a sales processing program P1 and an agent program P2. The sales processing program P1 is an application program. The sales processing program P1 describes information processing related to the sale of products (hereinafter referred to as sales processing). The agent program P2 is an application program. The agent program P2 describes the process of generating electronic receipt data based on the exchange data generated by the sales process based on the sales processing program P1 and transmitting it to the receipt server 103.

[0015] The programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 of the POS terminal 102 include the sales processing program P3 and the agent program P2. That is, in the POS terminal 102, the auxiliary storage unit 3 stores the same agent program P2 as the POS terminal 101, does not store the sales processing program P1, but stores the sales processing program P3 instead. The sales processing program P3 is an application program. The sales processing program P3 describes the sales process.

[0016] The sales processing program P1 is created by an arbitrary creator so as to be adapted to the store operation and sales management at Company A. The sales processing program P3 is created by an arbitrary creator so as to be adapted to the store operation and sales management at Company B. However, the main bodies of the sales processing program P1 and the sales processing program P3 may be the same information processing program, and the settings for various processes based on the information processing program may be different. The agent program P2 is created by an arbitrary creator under the management of a service provider that provides an electronic receipt service using, for example, the receipt server 103.

[0017] The transfer of the POS terminals 101 and 102 is generally carried out with the sales processing programs P1 and P3 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3. In this case, the sales processing programs P1 and P3 may be stored in the main memory 2. However, there may be a case where the POS terminals 101 and 102 are transferred without the sales processing programs P1 and P3 being stored in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 3. In this case, the sales processing programs P1 and P3 are recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory and transferred. Alternatively, the sales processing programs P1 and P3 are transferred via a network. Then, the sales processing programs P1 and P3 may be written into the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 3 of the POS terminals 101 and 102 transferred separately as described above.

[0018] Typically, the agent program P2 is not stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 when the POS terminals 101 and 102 are transferred. The agent program P2 is downloaded from the receipt server 103 or another server to the POS terminals 101 and 102 via the communication network 200, for example, and written into the auxiliary storage unit 3. However, the agent program P2 may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory and transferred. Alternatively, the transfer of the POS terminals 101 and 102 may be carried out with the agent program P2 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3. In this case, the agent program P2 may be stored in the main memory 2.

[0019] The clock unit 4 constantly performs a timekeeping operation and outputs date and time information representing the current date and time. The input device 5 receives an operation by an operator and outputs input information corresponding to the operation. As the input device 5, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel can be used. The display device 6 displays an image representing various types of information to be presented to the operator. As the display device 6, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or a touch panel can be used.

[0020] The barcode reader 7 reads a barcode representing a membership code for identifying a member of the smart receipt service. The barcode is typically displayed on a display mounted on an information terminal held by the member. The barcode reader 7 may be shared with a device for reading a barcode representing a product code displayed on a product and identifying the product, or a device for that purpose may be provided separately from the barcode reader 7.

[0021] The printer 8 prints various character strings, images, etc. on the receipt paper. Then, the printer 8 issues a paper receipt by discharging the printed receipt paper to the outside of the POS terminals 101 and 102. As the printer 8, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer can be used.

[0022] The communication interface 9 performs data communication via the communication network 200. That is, the communication interface 9 is an example of a communication device. The transmission path 10 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0023] Note that in FIG. 1, only the POS terminals 101 and 102 are shown, but an electronic receipt system typically includes a plurality of POS terminals different from the POS terminals 101 and 102. These POS terminals may be used by Company A or Company B, or may be used by a retailer other than Company A and Company B. In all of the POS terminals used by Company A, the sales processing program P1 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3. In all of the POS terminals used by Company B, the sales processing program P3 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3. In the POS terminals used by a retailer other than Company A and Company B, a sales processing program created by an arbitrary creator so as to adapt to the store operation and sales management of the retailer as the user is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3. The agent program P2 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 of each POS terminal regardless of the user.

[0024] Next, the operation of the POS terminal 101 configured as described above will be described. Note that the content of the processing described below is an example, and it is possible to appropriately change the order of some processing, omit some processing, or add other processing.

[0025] Prior to starting the use of the POS terminal 101, the condition database D1 and the user code D2 are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3. The condition database D1 is distributed, for example, attached to the agent program P2, and is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 in the installation process for storing the agent program P2 in the auxiliary storage unit 3. Alternatively, the condition database D1 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 under the instruction of the operator in the installation work or maintenance work of the POS terminal 101. As the user code D2, a user code for identifying a retailer that uses the electronic receipt service using the POS terminal 101 from other users of the electronic receipt service is written in the installation work of the POS terminal 101 or the like. Note that the user code is given to the retailer under the management of the service provider, for example, at the time of concluding a contract for using the electronic receipt service.

[0026] The conditional database D1 is a set of data records representing the conditions for the agent program P2 to generate electronic receipt data. The data records are associated with the POS terminals 101, 102, or other retailers using POS terminals. And the data records represent the conditions regarding the associated retailers. That is, the conditional database D1 is associated with each of the retailers who are users of the POS terminals that can be included in the electronic receipt system, and includes data records adapted to each retailer, and is created, for example, under the management of a service provider providing an electronic receipt service.

[0027] Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the data record DR1 included in the conditional database D1. The data record DR1 includes fields F11, F12, F13, F14, and F15. In field F11, the user code of the associated retailer is set. In field F12, the code of a mark (hereinafter referred to as a tax mark) used by the associated retailer to indicate that a reduced tax rate is applied to the product on the paper receipt is set. In field F13, the position data indicating the position where the tax mark is placed on the paper receipt issued by the associated retailer is set. In field F14, the color code of the display color (hereinafter referred to as the reference color) basically used in the electronic receipt image is set as the reference color code. In field F15, the color code of the display color (hereinafter referred to as the special color) used to represent the product to which the reduced tax rate is applied in the electronic receipt image is set as the special color code.

[0028] Regarding the auxiliary storage unit 3 of the POS terminal 102 and other POS terminals as well, the conditional database D1 and the user code are similarly written. However, the user code D3 assigned to Company B is written in the auxiliary storage unit 3 of the POS terminal 102. The user code written in the auxiliary storage unit 3 of other POS terminals may be the user code D2 or the user code D3, or may be another user code. Thus, by storing the condition database D1, the auxiliary storage unit 3 functions as a storage means.

[0029] When the POS terminal 101 is started in the operation mode in which it should perform transaction data processing, the processor 1 starts the sales processing according to the sales processing program P1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the sales processing by the processor 1 of the POS terminal 101.

[0030] As ACT1, the processor 1 checks whether a registration operation by the operator has been started. And if the processor 1 cannot confirm the corresponding operation, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT2. As ACT2, the processor 1 checks whether a membership code has been scanned. And if the processor 1 cannot confirm the scanning of the membership code, it determines NO and returns to ACT1. Thus, as ACT1 and ACT2, the processor 1 waits for the registration to start or the membership code to be scanned.

[0031] Before performing a registration operation regarding a transaction for which the operator desires to apply the electronic receipt service, the operator holds the barcode representing the membership code in front of the barcode reader 7. Then the barcode reader 7 scans the barcode and extracts the membership code from the barcode. In response, the processor 1 determines YES at ACT2 and proceeds to ACT3.

[0032] As ACT3, the processor 1 stores the membership code extracted by the barcode reader 7 in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 3. And then the processor 1 returns to the waiting state of ACT1 and ACT2. Note that when the processor 1 proceeds to ACT3 again in response to the membership code being scanned again, the processor 1 overwrites the membership code stored in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 3 with the newly extracted membership code. Thus, in this embodiment, the member code is acquired before the start of product registration, and not acquired after the start of product registration. However, the processor 1 may acquire the member code even during the product registration process.

[0033] If the operator starts the registration, the operator performs a registration operation on the purchased product that is the subject of the transaction. Then, when the registration operation is performed while the processor 1 is in the waiting states of ACT1 and ACT2, the processor 1 determines YES in ACT1 and proceeds to ACT4. As ACT4, the processor 1 performs a registration process and an accounting process. The registration process is a process of registering the products purchased by the shopper in the purchased product list. As the registration process, the same process as that implemented in an off-the-shelf POS terminal can be used. The accounting process includes an accounting process and a settlement process. The accounting process is a process of calculating the price of the products registered in the purchased product list. The settlement process is a process of settling the price calculated by the accounting process. As the accounting process, the same process as that implemented in an off-the-shelf POS terminal can be used.

[0034] As ACT5, the processor 1 generates transaction data. The transaction data includes data collected by a POS server (not shown). Specifically, what data is included in the transaction data is arbitrary and may be determined, for example, by the designer of the sales processing program P1 or the administrator of the POS terminal 101. Note that the processor 1 may immediately transmit the transaction data generated here to the POS server or the like, or may transmit the transaction data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 to the POS server or the like at an arbitrary timing later.

[0035] As ACT6, the processor 1 generates journal data. The journal data is data for checking the history of transactions processed by the POS terminal 101. What specific data is included in the journal data is arbitrary and may be determined by, for example, the designer of the sales processing program P1 or the administrator of the POS terminal 101. The journal data may be printed and recorded on journal paper, or may be stored as electronic data. The journal data in the form of electronic data is typically stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3. However, the journal data may be stored in the POS server or recorded on a portable storage medium.

[0036] As ACT7, the processor 1 checks whether the shopper is a member of the electronic receipt service. Then, if the member code is not stored in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 3 in ACT3, the processor 1 determines NO and proceeds to ACT8. As ACT8, the processor 1 generates print data for printing a character string representing the transaction details on the receipt paper based on the list of purchased items and the result of the accounting process. As ACT9, the processor 1 sends the above print data to the printer 8 and causes the printer 8 to perform printing according to this print data, thereby issuing a paper receipt. Then, the processor 1 subsequently ends the sales process shown in Figure 3.

[0037] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the paper receipt RE1 issued by the POS terminal 101. The paper receipt RE1 represents various information regarding the transaction details by various character strings. The area AR1 in the paper receipt RE1 represents the date and time when the transaction was made, the register number for identifying the POS terminal 101, the employee number and name of the operator of the POS terminal 101. In the area A1 of Figure 4, the characters in "YYYY", "MM", "DD", "DW", "TI", "MI", "RRRR", "NNNNNNNN", and "○○○○" are actually set to represent the year, month, day, day of the week, hour, minute, register number, employee number, and name.

[0038] The area AR2 in the paper receipt RE1 represents information regarding the purchased goods that are the subject of the transaction (hereinafter referred to as product information). Within the area AR2, every two lines from the top form a set. And the character string represented by the two lines of the set represents product information regarding a product identified by a single product code. For example, the first two lines represent that a product with the product name "AAAAAAA" and a unit price of 100 yen was purchased in two quantities for a total of 200 yen. The "Ke" attached to the beginning of the first line is a tax mark indicating that a reduced tax rate was applied. The tax mark is an example of identification information for identifying the applied tax rate. Thus, the area AR2 represents a list of the purchased goods that are the subject of the transaction.

[0039] The area AR3 in the paper receipt RE1 represents the total amount including tax, the total amount of consumption tax, the amount to which the standard tax rate of consumption tax was applied, the amount to which the reduced tax rate of consumption tax was applied, the receipt No. and the store No. Note that in "NNNN" and "SSSS" in the area AR3 in FIG. 4, actually four-digit decimal numerical values are set.

[0040] On the other hand, if the member code is stored in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 3 at ACT3, the processor 1 determines YES at ACT7 and proceeds to ACT10. As ACT10, the processor 1 generates exchange data. The exchange data is data that includes information to be represented on the electronic receipt regarding the current transaction in a predetermined format. For example, the processor 1 extracts predetermined information from data regarding the transaction such as the print data of the paper receipt, the journal data, and the transaction data, and arranges the information in a predetermined format to generate the exchange data. The information included in the exchange data is mainly character string data representing the character strings represented on the paper receipt. Further, the processor 1 includes the member code stored at ACT3 in the main memory 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 3 in the exchange data.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information representing a character string shown in area AR2 of paper receipt RE1, which is included in the data for exchange. The first line in FIG. 5 corresponds to the first two lines of area AR2. That is, the information shown within {} is product information regarding a product identified by a single product code. And the product information regarding this single product is represented by enclosing each of a plurality of character strings with "", and separating the character strings with :. Note that the processor 1 stores the generated data for exchange in the auxiliary storage unit 3 with a predetermined file name.

[0042] As ACT11, the processor 1 activates the electronic receipt agent process. And the processor 1 ends the sales process shown in FIG. 3. However, the processor 1 may end the sales process after waiting for the electronic receipt agent process activated here to end.

[0043] Also in the POS terminal 102, the processor 1 executes the sales process in the same general flow as the sales process described above. However, the paper receipt issued in the POS terminal 102 is different from the paper receipt RE1 shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an example of a paper receipt RE2 issued by the POS terminal 102. Note that FIG. 6 shows only the area representing the product list of the paper receipt RE2 issued for a transaction having the same content as the transaction shown in the paper receipt RE1. In the paper receipt RE2, for example, the first two lines represent that a product with the product name "AAAAAAA" and a unit price of 100 yen was transacted 2 pieces for a total of 200 yen, which is the same, but the notation format of each piece of information is partially different.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing information representing a character string shown in the area shown in FIG. 6 of the paper receipt RE2, which is included in the data for exchange. The data for exchange has different contents of the information shown when it is generated by the POS terminal 101 and when it is generated by the POS terminal 102, but the form is common.

[0046] When the electronic receipt agent is activated, Processor 1 executes an electronic receipt agent process based on agent program P2 in a separate thread from the sales process shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of Processor 1 in the electronic receipt agent process. By executing this electronic receipt agent process by Processor 1, the electronic receipt agent is realized.

[0047] As ACT21, Processor 1 reads the exchange data generated by the sales process and stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 as described above into the work area for the electronic receipt agent process in the main memory 2. In the subsequent processing, Processor 1 processes the exchange data read here. Therefore, when simply referred to as "exchange data" hereinafter, it refers to the exchange data read into the main memory 2 here. In this way, Processor 1 acquires the exchange data. Thus, by executing information processing based on agent program P2 by Processor 1, the computer with Processor 1 as the central part functions as an acquisition means.

[0048] As ACT22, the processor 1 reads the data record DR1 associated with the user among the data records DR1 included in the condition database D1 into the work area for the electronic receipt agent process in the main memory 2. For example, the processor 1 finds out the data record DR1 in which the user code set in the field F11 matches the user code stored in the auxiliary storage unit 3 from among the data records DR1 included in the condition database D1. That is, in the POS terminal 101, the processor 1 finds out the data record DR1 in which the user code D2 of Company A is set in the field F11. Also, in the POS terminal 102, the processor 1 finds out the data record DR1 in which the user code D3 of Company B is set in the field F11. And if the processor 1 can find out the corresponding data record DR1, it reads it into the work area for the electronic receipt agent process in the main memory 2. In the subsequent processes, the processor 1 refers to the data record DR2 read here. Therefore, when simply referring to "data record DR1" hereinafter, it shall refer to the data record DR1 read into the main memory 2 here.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data record DR1 read by the processor 1 of the POS terminal 101 in ACT22. FIG. 9 shows an example where the user code of Company A, which is the user of the POS terminal 101, is "0001". In the paper receipt RE1 issued by the POS terminal 101, "Ke" is the tax mark and is arranged at the first position among the character strings included in the product information regarding one product. For this reason, "8350", which is the character code of "Ke", is set in the field F12, and "1" is set in the field F13. Also, in the electronic receipt regarding the transaction processed for sale by the POS terminal 101, "black" is set as the reference color and "blue" is set as the special color, respectively. The color codes of each color, "#000000" and "#0000ff", are set in the fields F14 and F15, respectively.

[0050] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data record DR1 read by the processor 1 of the POS terminal 102 at ACT22. In the paper receipt RE2 issued by the POS terminal 102, "light" is a tax mark and is placed fourth among the character strings included in the product information regarding one product. Therefore, "8C79", which is the character code of "light", is set in the field F12, and "4" is set in the field F13. Further, in the e-receipt regarding the transaction processed by the POS terminal 102, "black" is set as the reference color and "green" is set as the special color, respectively. In the fields F14 and F15, "#000000" and "#008000", which are the color codes of the respective colors, are set.

[0051] As ACT23, based on the replacement data and the data record DR1, the processor 1 generates image data as data representing an image of a portion of the e-receipt image before the product list. For the character string represented by the image data generated here in the receipt image, the processor 1 applies a display color corresponding to the color code set in the field F14 of the data record DR1. That is, in the case of the above specific example, in both the POS terminal 101 and the POS terminal 102, the display color of the corresponding character string is "black".

[0052] As ACT24, the processor 1 extracts one piece of product data included in the replacement data. As ACT25, the processor 1 checks whether the extracted product data has a tax mark. For example, if the character of the mark code set in the field F12 of the data record DR1 is not arranged at the position represented by the position data set in the field F13 of the above extracted product data, the processor 1 determines that there is no tax mark. And if there is no tax mark, the processor 1 determines NO and proceeds to ACT26. As ACT26, the processor 1 updates the image data so that the character string included in the product data extracted in ACT24 is represented in the reference color.

[0053] On the one hand, if the characters of the mark code are arranged at the above position, the processor 1 determines YES in ACT25 assuming there is a tax mark and proceeds to ACT27. As ACT27, the processor 1 updates the image data so that the character string included in the product data extracted in ACT24 is represented in a special color.

[0054] If the processor 1 updates the image data in ACT26 or ACT27, it proceeds to ACT28. As ACT28, the processor 1 checks whether there is product data that has not yet been extracted in ACT24 among the replacement data. Then, if the processor 1 determines that there is unextracted product data, it determines YES and repeats ACT24 and subsequent steps in the same manner as described above. However, in ACT24, the processor 1 extracts the product data that has not yet been extracted during the loop of the processes from ACT24 to ACT28.

[0055] Thus, the processor 1 sequentially updates the image data so that the character strings included in each of the product data included in the replacement data are represented in the reference color or the special color according to the presence or absence of the tax mark. Thereby, the processor 1 generates image data representing an image in which the display color of the character string for each product is made different according to the presence or absence of the associated tax mark. Thus, by the processor 1 executing the information processing based on the agent program P2, the computer with the processor 1 as the central part functions as a generation means. And if the processor 1 proceeds to ACT28 after finishing extracting all the product data, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT29.

[0056] As ACT29, the processor 1 updates the image data to add an image for the part after the product list in the electronic receipt image based on the replacement data and the data record DR1. Note that the processor 1 applies the reference color to the character strings included in the image added here.

[0057] As ACT30, processor 1 generates electronic receipt data as data including the image data updated in ACT29 and the membership code included in the exchange data. Note that processor 1 may include any data other than the image data and the membership code in the electronic receipt data.

[0058] As ACT31, processor 1 transmits the electronic receipt data to receipt server 103. For example, processor 1 sends the electronic receipt data to communication network 200 from communication interface 9 addressed to receipt server 103. Then processor 1 terminates the electronic receipt agent process with this.

[0059] When the electronic receipt data is transmitted to receipt server 103 by communication network 200, receipt server 103 updates the electronic receipt database to include the said electronic receipt data. And if receipt server 103 is requested to display an electronic receipt image from a user terminal (not shown) via communication network 200, it instructs the user terminal to display the electronic receipt image included in the electronic receipt data. Thereby, if the user terminal has a color display, the display color of the character string in the product list in the electronic receipt image is made different according to whether the standard tax rate or the reduced tax rate is applied. Thereby, the viewer of the electronic receipt image can easily judge the tax rate applied to each product by the difference in the display color.

[0060] Also, according to POS terminals 101 and 102, it is determined whether a tax mark is included in the product data based on the conditions described in data record DR1 associated with the user in condition database D1. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, even if the character used as the tax mark and the arrangement position of the tax mark in the exchange data are different for each user, the presence or absence of the tax mark can be surely determined.

[0061] Also, according to the POS terminals 101 and 102, based on the conditions described in the data record DR1 associated with the user in the condition database D1, the colors to be used as the reference color and the special color are determined. Thereby, color coding according to whether the standard tax rate or the reduced tax rate is applied can be customized for each user.

[0062] This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

[0063] The special color may be applied only to a part of the character strings included in the product data regarding the product to which the reduced tax rate is applied. For example, the special color may be applied only to the character string representing the product name.

[0064] In the replacement data, the tax mark may be included in the product data regarding the product to which the standard tax rate is applied.

[0065] The tax mark may be a mark such as a star mark.

[0066] The special color may be applied to the character strings included in the product data regarding the product to which the standard tax rate is applied, and the reference color may be applied to the character strings included in the product data regarding the product to which the reduced tax rate is applied.

[0067] The reference color may be common to all users.

[0068] The electronic receipt agent process may be executed by the receipt server 103. In this case, the receipt server 103 will be equipped with the function as a receipt image generation device. Also, the electronic receipt agent process may be executed by a device separate from the POS terminals 101, 102 and the receipt server 103. In this case, it can be realized as an independent receipt image generation device mainly functioning to execute the electronic receipt agent process, or a device having a main function other than executing the electronic receipt agent process such as a POS server can also be equipped with the function as a receipt image generation device. When executing the electronic receipt agent process by a device separate from the POS terminal, for example, the exchange data may be acquired from the POS terminal by communication via the communication network 200.

[0069] Each function realized by the processor 1 through information processing can also be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program such as a logic circuit. Also, each of the above functions can be realized by combining software control with the above hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0070] 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, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. The invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended below [Appendix 1] Acquisition means for acquiring exchange data including at least a plurality of string data representing a string representing a product name and a string representing a transaction amount for each of the products subject to one transaction, and including a predetermined mark associated with the product to which a predetermined consumption tax rate is applied Generating means for displaying each of the strings represented by the string data included in the exchange data acquired by the acquisition means, and generating image data related to a receipt image in which the display color of at least one of a plurality of strings related to the product associated with the mark included in the exchange data is made different from the display color of other strings A receipt image generation device comprising the above [Appendix 2] Using a predetermined one of the characters or symbols that may be included in the string as the mark The generation means makes the receipt image an image representing the mark included in the exchange data and at least one of a plurality of strings related to the product associated with the mark on the same line The receipt image generation device according to Appendix 1 [Appendix 3] Storage means for associating each of a plurality of types of the exchange data in which at least one of the position including the mark and the mark included is different, and storing a data record representing at least one of the position including the mark and the mark included in the associated exchange data. Further comprising The acquisition means acquires a predetermined one of the plurality of types of the exchange data. The generation means detects a mark included in the exchange data acquired by the acquisition means based on the data record associated with the exchange data acquired by the acquisition means. The receipt image generation device according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. [Appendix 4] A computer provided in a receipt image generation device Acquisition means for acquiring exchange data including a plurality of string data including at least string data representing a product name and string data representing a transaction amount, for each product targeted for a transaction, and including a predetermined mark associated with the product to which a predetermined consumption tax rate is applied Generating means for displaying each of the strings represented by the string data included in the exchange data acquired by the acquisition means, and generating image data regarding a receipt image in which the display color of at least one of a plurality of strings regarding the product associated with the mark included in the exchange data is made different from the display color of other strings. An information processing program for causing the computer to function as such. [Appendix 5] A plurality of string data including at least string data representing a product name and string data representing a transaction amount are included for each product targeted for a transaction, and exchange data including a predetermined mark associated with the product to which a predetermined consumption tax rate is applied is acquired. Each of the strings represented by the string data included in the acquired exchange data is displayed, and image data regarding a receipt image in which the display color of at least one of a plurality of strings regarding the product associated with the mark included in the exchange data is made different from the display color of other strings is generated. A receipt image generation method.

Explanation of Symbols

[0071] 1…Processor, 2…Main Memory, 3…Auxiliary Storage Unit, 4…Clock Unit, 5…Input Device, 6…Display Device, 7…Barcode Reader, 8…Printer, 9…Communication Interface, 10…Transmission Path, 101…POS Terminal, 102…POS Terminal, 103…Receipt Server, 200…Communication Network.

Claims

1. an extraction means for extracting data relating to each of the commodities that are the subject of a transaction from exchange data that includes character string data of a character string representing a product name and character string data of a character string representing a transaction amount for each of the commodities that are the subject of a transaction, and that includes a mark that is predetermined in association with a product to which either a reduced tax rate or a standard tax rate is applied; a generating means for generating image data for a receipt image in which a character string included in the data extracted by the extracting means for one product is displayed in a display color that is determined to be different for the standard tax rate and the reduced tax rate, based on whether the mark is included in the data extracted by the extracting means; a transmitting means for transmitting electronic receipt data including the image data generated by the generating means; A receipt image generating device comprising: an updating means for updating an electronic receipt database so as to include the electronic receipt data transmitted by the transmitting means; A receipt server comprising: An electronic receipt system comprising:

2. the generating means changes the display color of at least one of the product name, quantity, unit price, amount, and tax mark included in the data extracted by the extracting means for one product in the receipt image to a display color for a standard tax rate or a reduced tax rate; The electronic receipt system according to claim 1 .

3. the generating means displays, in the display color for the standard tax rate, a character string based on the data included in the replacement data, which character string should be displayed in at least one of the areas before and after the area in the receipt image that displays the character string corresponding to the data extracted by the extracting means; The electronic receipt system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In an electronic receipt system comprising a receipt image generating device and a receipt server, the receipt image generating device extracts data relating to each of the products that are the subject of a transaction from replacement data that includes, for each of the products that are the subject of a transaction, character string data of a character string representing the product name and a character string representing the transaction amount, and that includes a predetermined mark associated with a product to which either a reduced tax rate or a standard tax rate is applied; the receipt image generating device generates image data for a receipt image in which a character string included in the extracted data for one product is displayed in a display color that is determined to be different for the standard tax rate and the reduced tax rate based on whether the extracted data contains the mark; The receipt image generating device transmits electronic receipt data including the generated image data; the receipt server updating an electronic receipt database to include the electronic receipt data transmitted from the receipt image generating device; How to process electronic receipts.

5. The receipt image generating device generates image data by changing the display color of at least one of the product name, quantity, unit price, amount, and tax mark included in the data extracted for one product to a display color for a standard tax rate or a reduced tax rate. The electronic receipt processing method according to claim 4 .

6. When generating image data, the receipt image generating device displays a character string based on data included in the replacement data in a display color for the standard tax rate with respect to a character string to be displayed in at least one of the areas before and after an area in the receipt image that represents a character string corresponding to the extracted data. The electronic receipt processing method according to claim 4 or 5.

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