Data processing device

Abstract

To provide a data processing apparatus which can construct customer aggregate data on a transaction in a store without using unique information.SOLUTION: A data processing apparatus 1 includes: a retrieval unit 22 which compares first transaction information acquired from a transaction terminal used for a transaction in a store with second transaction information acquired from others than the transaction terminal, using non-unique information which is not unique alone and has association with the first transaction information and the second transaction information; and an aggregate data processing unit 23 which registers, as aggregate information, the first transaction information on an aggregate database, and registers, as aggregate information, the second transaction information on the aggregate database when the second transaction information is not associated with the first transaction information as a result of the comparison by the retrieval unit 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a data processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an analysis system has been proposed that integrates POS (Point Of Sales) data, which is transaction information in a plurality of alliance stores in the same or different industries, and uses the integrated transaction information for purchase trend analysis.

[0003] In recent years, services have also begun to be developed that collect information on products purchased by customers at stores using applications for information processing terminals such as personal computers and smartphones, and provide analysis results using the collected information. Applications used in such services include a household account book application that reads product names and amounts by optical character recognition from an image of a receipt issued at a store and automatically inputs them, a receipt purchase application that gives a reward for uploading an image of a receipt, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By associating transaction information with receipt information obtained from an image of a receipt, it is possible to construct aggregated data assumed to be used in a combined manner. For example, by using the aggregated data, it is expected to expand the types of analysis or shorten the response time to customer inquiries.

[0006] When identifying receipt information, often some specific unique information such as member identification information is used. However, the handling of such information is often strictly required due to legal requirements. In particular, when providing information to the outside of the system for cooperation, there are more stringent requirements.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the embodiment of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables the construction of aggregated data without using unique information.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] In one embodiment, a data processing apparatus includes a comparison unit and an aggregated data processing unit. The comparison unit compares the first transaction information acquired from a transaction terminal used for transactions in a store with the second transaction information acquired from outside the transaction terminal by using non-unique information that corresponds between the first transaction information and the second transaction information and is not unique individually. The aggregated data processing unit registers the first transaction information as aggregated data in an aggregated database. Further, when the second transaction information does not correspond to the first transaction information as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, the aggregated data processing unit registers the second transaction information as aggregated data in the aggregated database. Furthermore, when the second transaction information corresponds to the first transaction information as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, the aggregated data processing unit registers, as aggregated data, the differential data between the second transaction information and the aggregated data based on the first transaction information already registered in the aggregated database among the second transaction information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing system including a data processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

[0012] The data processing device 1 is a computer including a processor 2, a main memory 3, an auxiliary storage device 4, and a communication interface 5. Each part constituting the data processing device 1 is connected so as to be able to input and output signals to and from each other. The data processing device 1 is, for example, a server device connected to a POS server 6 or a receipt server 7 via a communication network NW.

[0013] The processor 2 corresponds to the central part of the data processing device 1. For example, the processor 2 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but is not limited thereto. The processor 2 may be composed of various circuits. The processor 2 expands a program stored in advance in the main memory 3 or the auxiliary storage device 4 into the main memory 3. The program is a program that causes the processor 2 of the data processing device 1 to realize each part described later. The processor 2 executes various operations by executing the program expanded in the main memory 3.

[0014] The main memory 3 corresponds to the main storage part of the data processing device 1. The main memory 3 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 3 stores an OS (Operating System) or a program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 3 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 2. For example, the main memory 3 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) as the non-volatile memory area. For example, the main memory 3 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) as the volatile memory area.

[0015] The auxiliary storage device 4 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the data processing device 1. For example, the auxiliary storage device 4 is an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The auxiliary storage device 4 stores the above-described program, the data used by the processor 2 for performing various processes, and the data generated by the processes in the processor 2.

[0016] The communication interface 5 includes various interfaces that connect the data processing device 1 communicably with other devices via the communication network NW in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. As the communication interface 5, for example, a well-known Internet connection device can be applied.

[0017] Note that the hardware configuration of the data processing device 1 is not limited to the above-described configuration. The data processing device 1 can appropriately omit and change the above-described components and add new components.

[0018] As other devices connected via the communication network NW, the data processing system includes one or more POS servers 6, one or more receipt servers 7, and one or more inquiry terminals 8.

[0019] The POS server 6 is a management server for transaction information provided corresponding to each store or each company including a plurality of stores. The POS server 6 accumulates transaction information generated by one or more transaction terminals such as registration / accounting machines arranged in the store. The transaction information includes, although details will be described later, for example, terminal information for identifying each transaction terminal, date and time information indicating the purchase time, that is, the transaction time, the total amount of the transaction, and the like. The transaction information can also be referred to as first transaction information obtained from the transaction terminals used for transactions in the store.

[0020] The receipt server 7 is a management server for receipt information provided corresponding to the provider of the household account application and the receipt purchasing company. The receipt server 7 stores receipt information input by customers using the household account application or the receipt purchasing application. Although details will be described later, the receipt information is, for example, a receipt image which is an image of a receipt issued to a customer at the time of purchase at a store, i.e., at the time of transaction, and receipt reading information such as terminal information, date and time information, and the total amount of the transaction read from the image of the receipt by an optical character recognition function, and member information which is information about the customer. The receipt information can also be referred to as second transaction information acquired from outside the transaction terminal. The receipt server 7 includes a user database storing information about members who are users of the application. Note that the receipt server 7 may be an electronic receipt server that stores electronic receipts issued in place of paper receipts at stores. In this case, the receipt information does not include a receipt image.

[0021] The inquiry terminal 8 is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer provided corresponding to each of the credit card company and the receipt purchasing company. For example, the inquiry terminal 8 of the credit card company can inquire the data processing device 1 about the transaction details in response to an inquiry about the debit details from the customer. Also, the inquiry terminal 8 of the receipt purchasing company can inquire the data processing device 1 about the POS information which is the first transaction information corresponding to the receipt information which is the second transaction information.

[0022] Here, each part configured in the auxiliary storage device 4 of the data processing device 1 will be described. The auxiliary storage device 4 stores, for example, an integrated POS information database 41, an integrated receipt information database 42, an aggregate database 43, and a user database 44. Note that in FIG. 1, "database" is abbreviated as "DB".

[0023] The integrated POS information database 41 stores integrated POS information. This integrated POS information includes the POS information which is the first transaction information collected from each of the POS servers 6.

[0024] The integrated receipt information database 42 stores integrated receipt information. This integrated receipt information includes the receipt information which is the second transaction information collected from each of the receipt servers 7.

[0025] The aggregated database 43 stores aggregated data. This aggregated data includes the integrated POS information stored in the integrated POS information database 41 and the integrated receipt information stored in the integrated receipt information database 42. The aggregated database 43 includes the aggregated information database 431 that stores this aggregated data. Also, the aggregated database 43 stores an inquiry history. This inquiry history is information regarding inquiries from the inquiry terminal 8 and can include, for example, at least the inquiry source user, the inquiry date and time, and the results of successful and unsuccessful searches. The aggregated database 43 includes the inquiry archive 432 that stores this inquiry history.

[0026] The user database 44 stores user information which is information regarding credit card companies and receipt purchasing companies that make inquiries from the inquiry terminal 8.

[0027] Next, each part implemented in the processor 2 of the data processing apparatus 1 will be described. The processor 2 implements, for example, a data collection unit 21, a search unit 22, and an aggregated data processing unit 23. Each part implemented in the processor 2 can also be referred to as each function. Each part implemented in the processor 2 can also be said to be implemented in a control unit including the processor 2 and the main memory 3.

[0028] The data collection unit 21 collects POS information, which is the first transaction information, from the POS server 6 and stores it in the integrated POS information database 41 as integrated POS information. Also, the data collection unit 21 collects receipt information, which is the second transaction information, from the receipt server 7 and stores it in the integrated receipt information database 42 as integrated receipt information.

[0029] The search unit 22 searches the integrated POS information database 41 for POS information corresponding to the receipt information stored in the integrated receipt information database 42, for example. Specifically, the search unit 22 compares the receipt information stored in the integrated receipt information database 42 with the POS information stored in the integrated POS information database 41 using information that is not specific unique information such as a member number, that is, non-unique information that is not unique individually. The non-unique information includes, for example, store information indicating the store where the transaction was conducted, date and time information indicating the time of the transaction, terminal information indicating the transaction terminal used in the transaction, the total transaction amount in the transaction, and the like. The search unit 22 can also be said to be a comparison unit that compares the POS information, which is the first transaction information, with the receipt information, which is the second transaction information, using non-unique information.

[0030] The aggregated data processing unit 23 generates aggregated data and stores it in the aggregated information database 431 of the aggregated database 43. That is, the aggregated data processing unit 23 stores the POS information, which is the first transaction information stored in the integrated POS information database 41, in the aggregated information database 431 as aggregated data. In addition, the aggregated data processing unit 23 also stores the receipt information, which is the second transaction information, in the aggregated information database 431 as aggregated data. However, the information to be stored varies depending on the result of the search by the search unit 22, that is, depending on the result of the comparison by the comparison unit. When the POS information corresponding to the receipt information, which is the second transaction information, is not searched by the search unit 22, that is, when the receipt information does not correspond to the POS information, the aggregated data processing unit 23 stores the receipt information in the aggregated information database 431 as aggregated data. Also, when the POS information corresponding to the receipt information, which is the second transaction information, is searched by the search unit 22, that is, when the receipt information corresponds to the POS information, the aggregated data processing unit 23 additionally registers, as aggregated data, the differential data between the aggregated data based on the POS information already registered in the aggregated information database 431 and the receipt information. This differential data will be described later.

[0031] In addition, the aggregated data processing unit 23 receives a query using the specified information designated from the inquiry terminal 8 as a search key, searches the aggregated information database 431, and returns the specific information in the searched aggregated data to the inquiry terminal 8 that is the source of the query. The specific information can be, for example, a receipt image included in the aggregated data or a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code representing the transaction item. Further, the aggregated data processing unit 23 stores the query history regarding this query from the inquiry terminal 8 in the query archive 432.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a POS information record 411 for each POS information accumulated as integrated POS information in the integrated POS information database 41. The POS information record 411 includes information items such as a store code, a transaction date and time, a terminal number, a sales quantity, a total sales amount, a credit card company name, an approval number, a receipt number, a transaction sequence number, a register minus mode, a return transaction, and the like. The POS information record 411 can further include information about each of the traded products, such as a JAN code and a product unit price.

[0033] The store code is store information indicating the store where the transaction was conducted. This store code is not unique information and can overlap between a certain store and a store of another company. The transaction date and time is date and time information indicating the transaction time of the transaction. The terminal number is terminal information indicating the transaction terminal. The sales quantity is information indicating the number of products traded. The total sales amount is information indicating the total transaction amount in the transaction. The credit card company name is information indicating the credit company of the credit card used for the settlement of the transaction. The approval number is information indicating the number given at the time of approval from the credit company. These credit card company name and approval number are information included when the transaction is settled by credit card and are not necessarily included in all POS information. The receipt number is information indicating the number of the receipt issued for the transaction. The transaction sequence number is information indicating the number assigned to the transaction. The register minus mode is information indicating the cancellation of a transaction for which sales registration has been performed once. The return transaction is information indicating that it is POS information related to the return of a product. These register minus mode and return transaction are related to special transactions and are not necessarily included in all POS information. Note that each POS server 6 may also have information items not included in the POS information.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the record contents of a receipt information record 421 for each receipt information accumulated in the integrated receipt information database 42. The receipt information record 421 includes a receipt image 4211, receipt reading information 4212, and member information 4213.

[0035] The receipt image 4211 is image information obtained by photographing a receipt issued at a store. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the photographed receipt 9.

[0036] The receipt reading information 4212 is information printed on the receipt 9 that has been read from the receipt image 4211 by character recognition processing. The receipt reading information 4212 includes information items such as company name, store name (store number), store telephone number, date and time, cash register number, number of items, total amount, company code, card approval number, receipt number, transaction number, etc. The receipt information record 421 can further include information about each of the traded products, such as product name and unit price of the product.

[0037] The company name is the information obtained by reading the company name 91 on the receipt 9. The store name (store number) is the information obtained by reading the store number 92 on the receipt 9. The store telephone number is the information obtained by reading the store telephone number 93 on the receipt 9. The date and time is the information obtained by reading the date and time 94 on the receipt 9. The cash register number is the information obtained by reading the cash register number 95 on the receipt 9. The number of items is the information obtained by reading the number of items 96 on the receipt 9. The total amount is the information obtained by reading the total amount 97 on the receipt 9. The company code is the information obtained by reading the company code 98 on the receipt 9. The card approval number is the information obtained by reading the card approval number 99 on the receipt 9. The receipt number is the information obtained by reading the receipt number 910 on the receipt 9. The transaction number is the information obtained by reading the transaction number 911 on the receipt 9. The product name is the information obtained by reading the product name 912 on the receipt 9. The unit price of the product is the information obtained by reading the unit price of the product 913 on the receipt 9.

[0038] The member information 4213 is information about the customer who is the provider of the receipt image 4211. This information is generated based on the information about the member stored in the user database at the receipt server 7 and added to the receipt information. The member information 4213 includes information items such as member number, gender, number of household members, household annual income, etc.

[0039] The membership number is a specific unique number assigned to members of each application corresponding to the receipt server 7, and is identification information that uniquely identifies the customer to whom the receipt 9 was issued. Here, although it is referred to as a number, it may also be a symbol. The membership number is unique within each application or the company related to that application, but may overlap with other companies. The gender is information indicating the gender of the member. The household size is information indicating the number of people in the household to which the member belongs. The household annual income is information indicating the annual income of the household to which the member belongs.

[0040] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between POS information and receipt information. Also, this Figure 5 shows the query items from the query terminal 8. The store code, transaction date and time, terminal number, number of sales, total sales amount, card company name, approval number, receipt number, and transaction sequence number of the POS information respectively correspond to the store name (store number), date and time of year, cash register number, number of items, total amount, company code, card approval number, receipt number, and transaction number of the receipt information. The cash register minus mode and return transaction of the POS information do not have corresponding items in the receipt information. Conversely, the receipt image, company name, and store phone number of the receipt information do not have corresponding items in the POS information. Although not shown in Figure 5, the JAN code and product unit price of the POS information correspond to the product name and product unit price of the receipt information.

[0041] When the search unit 22 performs a search, information items that have a correspondence relationship in the POS information and the receipt information may be used. As information that always exists, for example, store information indicating the store where the transaction was conducted, date and time information indicating the time point of the transaction, terminal information indicating the transaction terminal used in the transaction, and the total transaction amount in the transaction can be used. The store information is the store code in the POS information and the store number in the receipt information. The date and time information is the transaction date and time in the POS information and the date and time of year in the receipt information. The terminal information is the terminal number in the POS information and the cash register number in the receipt information. The total transaction amount is the total sales amount in the POS information and the total amount in the receipt information.

[0042] When making an inquiry at the inquiry terminal 8 of a credit card company, as designated information, of course, card company information (card company name / company code) indicating the credit card company and approval number information (approval number / card approval number) indicating the approval number of the credit card are essential. And further, as designated information, store information (store code / store name (store number)), date and time information (transaction date and time / year, month, day, hour, minute), and total transaction amount (total sales amount / total amount) are essential. In the designated information in this case, the register minus mode and return transaction information are optional items.

[0043] When making an inquiry at the inquiry terminal 8 of a receipt purchasing company, as designated information, in addition to receipt identification information (receipt number) for identifying the receipt 9, store information (store code / store name (store number)), date and time information (transaction date and time / year, month, day, hour, minute), and terminal information (terminal number / register number) are essential. Also in the designated information in this case, the register minus mode and return transaction information are optional items.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the record content of a set data record 4311 for each set data stored in the set information database 431 of the set database 43. The set data record 4311 includes POS and common information 43111, receipt unique information 43112, member information 43113, and identification code 43114.

[0045] The POS and common information 43111 includes information items of set data corresponding to the POS information which is the first transaction information stored in the integrated POS information database 41. That is, the POS and common information 43111 includes information items such as store code, transaction date and time, terminal number, number of sales, total sales amount, card company name, approval number, receipt number, transaction sequence number, register minus mode, return transaction, JAN code, product unit price, and the like.

[0046] The receipt unique information 43112 includes information items other than the information items corresponding to the POS information included in the POS and common information 43111 among the receipt reading information 4212 in the receipt information which is the second transaction information stored in the integrated receipt information database 42. That is, the receipt unique information 43112 includes information items such as receipt images, company names, store names (store numbers), store phone numbers, product names, etc. Therefore, it can also be said that the above POS and common information 43111 includes information on information items corresponding to the POS information as shown in FIG. 5 among the receipt reading information 4212.

[0047] The member information 43113 includes information items corresponding to the member information 4213 in the receipt information. That is, the member information 43113 includes information items such as member numbers, genders, household sizes, household annual incomes, etc.

[0048] It can also be said that the receipt unique information 43112 and the member information 43113 are difference data from the aggregated data by the POS information which is the first transaction information already registered in the aggregated information database 431 among the receipt information which is the second transaction information. Therefore, it can also be said that the difference data is information on information items that have no corresponding relationship between the POS information which is the first transaction information and the receipt information which is the second transaction information.

[0049] The identification code 43114 is provided corresponding to each information item, and indicates whether the information of the corresponding information item is based on the POS information which is the first transaction information, based on the receipt information which is the second transaction information, or common to both the POS information and the receipt information. In this example, "1" indicates the POS information, "2" indicates the receipt information, and "3" indicates common.

[0050] For example, when the data collection unit 21 collects POS information, which is the first transaction information, in the integrated POS information database 41, each piece of information included in the POS information is registered in each information item of the POS and common information 43111 of the collective data record 4311 by the collective data processing unit 23. At this time, the identification code of each information item in which the information is registered is set to "1".

[0051] Also, for example, when the data collection unit 21 collects receipt information, which is the second transaction information, in the integrated receipt information database 42, the search unit 22 searches the integrated POS information database 41 for the POS information corresponding to the receipt information based on non-unique information.

[0052] Here, if the search unit 22 fails to search for the POS information corresponding to the receipt information, the POS information is not registered as collective data in the collective information database 431. Therefore, in this case, the collective data processing unit 23 registers the receipt information as collective data in each information item of the POS and common information 43111, the receipt-specific information 43112, and the member information 43113 of the collective data record 4311. At this time, the identification code of each information item is set to "2". Note that in the POS and common information 43111, the store name (store number), date and time, cash register number, points, total amount, company code, card approval number, receipt number, transaction number, product unit price, etc. in the receipt reading information 4212 are registered as the store code, transaction date and time, terminal number, sales points, total sales amount, card company name, approval number, receipt number, transaction sequence number, product unit price, etc.

[0053] Also, when the search unit 22 searches for POS information corresponding to the receipt information, the POS information is already registered as collective data in the POS and common information 43111 of the collective information database 431. Therefore, in this case, the collective data processing unit 23 adds and stores each information item of the receipt unique information 43112 and the member information 43113, which are the differential data obtained from the receipt information, to the already registered collective data. At this time, the identification codes of each information item of the receipt unique information 43112 and the member information 43113 for which information is newly added are set to "2". Also, the identification codes of each information item corresponding to the receipt information and the POS information in the POS and common information 43111 where information is already stored are set to "3".

[0054] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the record content of each inquiry history record 4321 stored in the inquiry archive 432 of the collective database 43. The inquiry history record 4321 includes information items of a collation number, a purpose, success / failure, a user ID, a date and time, and expense utilization.

[0055] The collation number is identification information for distinguishing each inquiry. The purpose is information indicating the content that is desired to be returned as the inquiry result. Success / failure is information indicating whether the specific information corresponding to the purpose could be returned to the inquiry source inquiry terminal 8. The user ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inquiry source. The date and time is information indicating the year, month, day, hour, and minute when the inquiry was made. Expense utilization is information indicating whether to bill for the inquiry from the inquiry terminal 8. For example, if the inquiry source is a receipt purchasing company that provides receipt information, no billing is performed, but if the inquiry source is a credit card company, billing can be performed, or the billing availability can be set for each individual user, or billing can be performed only when the return of the specific information for the inquiry is successful, and various billing policies can be set. The collective data processing unit 23 can generate an inquiry history according to this policy and store it in the inquiry archive 432.

[0056] Next, the data processing procedure by the data processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing procedure executed by the processor 2 of the data processing apparatus 1. The processor 2 expands and executes a program stored in advance in the main memory 3 or the auxiliary storage device 4 in the main memory 3, thereby executing operations according to the processing procedure shown in this flowchart.

[0057] In ACT1, the processor 2 determines whether to collect data from the POS server 6 or the receipt server 7. This determination is made, for example, in the case where data collection is configured to be performed at regular intervals such as every minute, by the processor 2 determining whether it is the data collection time. In this case, the fixed time may be different between data collection from the POS server 6 and data collection from the receipt server 7. Alternatively, even if the fixed time is the same, the collection timings may be different. Also, in the case where additional data is transmitted from the POS server 6 and the receipt server 7 periodically or every time an update is made, the processor 2 can make this determination by determining whether data transmitted from the POS server 6 or the receipt server 7 has been received by the communication interface 5. If it is determined not to perform data collection, it becomes NO in ACT1, and the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT2. Also, if it is determined to perform data collection, it becomes YES in ACT1, and the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT3.

[0058] In ACT2, the processor 2 determines whether a query from the inquiry terminal 8 has been received by the communication interface 5. If it is determined that the query has not been received, it becomes NO in ACT2, and the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT1 above. If it is determined that the query has been received, it becomes YES in ACT2, and the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT11.

[0059] In ACT3, the processor 2 performs data collection. That is, the processor 2 receives POS information, which is the first transaction information, from the POS server 6 via the communication interface 5 and stores it in the integrated POS information database 41. Alternatively, the processor 2 receives receipt information, which is the second transaction information, from the receipt server 7 via the communication interface 5 and stores it in the integrated receipt information database 42. When configured to perform data collection at regular intervals, the processor 2 requests the POS server 6 or the receipt server 7 to transmit new data via the communication interface 5, and receives the transmitted POS information or receipt information via the communication interface 5. Thereafter, the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT4.

[0060] In ACT4, the processor 2 determines whether POS information has been collected. If it is determined that POS information has been collected, it becomes YES in ACT4, and the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT5. If it is determined that POS information has not been collected, that is, receipt information has been collected, it becomes NO in ACT4, and the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT6.

[0061] In ACT5, the processor 2 newly registers the POS information newly stored in the integrated POS information database 41 as aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431. In this case, each piece of information of the POS information is registered in the corresponding information item of the POS and common information 43111 of the aggregated data record 4311 in the aggregated information database 431. At this time, the processor 2 sets "1" in the identification code of each information item of the POS and common information 43111. Thereafter, the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT1.

[0062] In ACT6, the processor 2 searches the integrated POS information database 41 for POS information corresponding to the receipt information newly stored in the integrated receipt information database 42. In this search, the processor 2 compares at least store information, date and time information, terminal information, and amount information as non-unique information that is not unique individually. That is, the processor 2 searches for POS information corresponding to the receipt information by comparing the data of the information items of the store name (store number), year, month, day, hour, minute, register number, and total amount in the receipt information with the data of the information items of the store code, transaction date and time, terminal number, and total sales amount in each POS information. Then, the processor 2 proceeds to the process of ACT7.

[0063] In ACT7, the processor 2 determines whether there is POS information corresponding to the receipt information. If it is determined that there is POS information corresponding to the receipt information, it becomes YES in ACT7, and the processor 2 proceeds to the process of ACT8. If it is determined that there is no POS information corresponding to the receipt information, it becomes NO in ACT7, and the processor 2 proceeds to the process of the above ACT5. In ACT5 that has thus proceeded, the processor 2 newly registers the receipt information newly stored in the integrated receipt information database 42 as aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431. In this case, each piece of information in the receipt information is stored in the corresponding information items of the POS and common information 43111, receipt unique information 43112, and member information 43113 in the aggregated data record 4311 in the aggregated information database 431. At this time, the processor 2 sets "2" in the identification codes of the corresponding information items of the POS and common information 43111, receipt unique information 43112, and member information 43113.

[0064] In ACT8, the processor 2 adds and stores the differential data of the aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431 from the receipt information newly stored in the integrated receipt information database 42. That is, in this case, the POS and common information 43111 of the aggregated data record 4311 in the aggregated information database 431 stores the POS information as the aggregated data in the above ACT5. Therefore, the processor 2 extracts the information corresponding to the information items of the receipt unique information 43112 and the member information 43113 of the aggregated data record 4311, which are the differential data among the receipt information, and stores it in the aggregated information database 431. At this time, the processor 2 rewrites the identification code of each corresponding information item in the POS and common information 43111 from "1" to "3". As a result, the POS information and the receipt information are linked. Note that the processor 2 discards the information that has already been stored in the POS and common information 43111 of the aggregated data record 4311 among the receipt information. After that, the processor 2 proceeds to the process of ACT9.

[0065] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the linking of POS information and receipt information. In the figure, the plurality of POS information surrounded by the dotted line represents the POS information about one customer collected from the POS server 6 of a supermarket company having a plurality of stores and stored in the integrated POS information database 41. Each POS information is linked by the customer's membership number. Also, in the figure, the plurality of receipt information surrounded by the broken line represents the receipt information about one customer collected from the receipt server 7 of a receipt purchasing company and stored in the integrated receipt information database 42. Each receipt information is linked by the membership number of the user of the receipt purchasing application (not shown in the figure). The membership number shown in the receipt information is the membership number of the member related to the store and is irrelevant to the membership number of this application user.

[0066] For example, when receipt information with a store name (store number) of "0001", a date and time of "July 1, 2021", a cash register number of "0001", and a total amount of "￥300" is collected, the processor 2 searches the integrated POS information database 41 for POS information with a store code of "0001", a transaction date and time of "July 1, 2021", a terminal number of "0001", and a total sales amount of "￥300". Then, the processor 2 adds and records the corresponding receipt information to each information item of the receipt unique information 43112 and the member information 43113 in the set data record 4311 of the set information database 431 corresponding to the searched POS information. In this way, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 9, the POS information and the receipt information are linked using store information, date and time information, terminal information, and amount information, which are not unique individually.

[0067] In ACT9, the processor 2 generates specific information using the accumulated content of the set information database 431. For example, the processor 2 extracts the JAN code for each product whose product name is the only known information in the receipt information from the correspondence between the JAN code of the POS and common information 43111 and the product name of the receipt unique information 43112 in the corresponding set data record 4311 of the set information database 431, and uses them as specific information. Then, the processor 2 proceeds to the process of ACT10.

[0068] In ACT10, the processor 2 transmits the generated specific information to the receipt server 7, which is the source of the receipt information, via the communication interface 5. Then, the processor 2 proceeds to the process of the above ACT1.

[0069] Note that, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 8, the processes of ACT9 and ACT10 are optional and may be omitted.

[0070] In ACT11, the processor 2 conducts an inquiry in response to an inquiry. That is, the processor 2 searches the set information database 431 using the specified information included in the inquiry from the inquiry terminal 8 as a search key.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an inquiry screen 81 on the inquiry terminal 8. The inquiry screen 81 includes an input field 811 for inputting a user ID. Although omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 8, on the inquiry terminal 8, after communicating with the data processing device 1 and logging in with the user ID input in this input field 811, an inquiry will be carried out.

[0072] The inquiry screen 81 further includes an inquiry purpose input field 812, a plurality of condition selection buttons 813, a plurality of condition input fields 814, an inquiry button 815, and a result display area 816. The inquiry purpose input field 812 is an input field for inputting an inquiry purpose. The condition selection button 813 is a button for specifying a search condition. The condition input field 814 is arranged corresponding to the condition selection button 813 and is an input field for inputting a search condition. The inquiry button 815 is a button for instructing the start of a search. When this inquiry button 815 is operated, the inquiry terminal 8 transmits an inquiry including specified information containing a plurality of search conditions and an inquiry purpose to the data processing device 1. The result display area 816 is an area for displaying specific information corresponding to the inquiry purpose, which is returned from the data processing device 1 as an inquiry result of this inquiry.

[0073] Note that FIG. 10 is an example of the inquiry screen 81 on the inquiry terminal 8 of a credit card company. In an inquiry from a credit card company, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the specified information at least includes card company information, approval number information, store information, date and time information, and total transaction amount. Among this specified information, for the card company information, the data processing device 1 can be specified by the user ID at the time of login. For the inquiry terminal 8, for the remaining essential information, namely approval number information, store information, date and time information, and total transaction amount, in the initial screen of the inquiry screen 81, it may be set to be automatically selected as the condition selection button 813. A user of a credit card company can select conditions with the remaining condition selection buttons 813. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 5, only arbitrary specified conditions may be selectable.

[0074] In ACT12, based on the information of the aggregated data record 4311 retrieved from the aggregated information database 431, the processor 2 generates specific information corresponding to the query purpose included in the query. Then, the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT13.

[0075] As the specific information, for example, in response to a query from a credit card company as shown in FIG. 10, the receipt image registered in the information item of the receipt image 4211 specified by the query purpose is used as the specific information.

[0076] Also, for example, in response to a query from the query terminal 8 of a receipt purchasing company with the JAN code of a product as the query purpose, the processor 2 generates the JAN code registered in the information item of the JAN code of the product in the POS and common information 43111 as the specific information. Or, if the query purpose is the analysis of the shopping behavior of matching users, the processor 2 further specifies another aggregated data record 4311 from the aggregated information database 431 based on the information of the retrieved aggregated data record 4311, sets a persona from shopping characteristics, Sunday behavior, basket unit price, etc., and generates a promotion proposal as the specific information. Also, if the query purpose is the purchase analysis of matching users, the processor 2 further specifies another aggregated data record 4311 from the aggregated information database 431 based on the information of the retrieved aggregated data record 4311, analyzes the weak categories and missing categories from the category performance of shopping, breaks them down into individual items, and generates a proposal for specific products as the specific information.

[0077] In ACT13, the processor 2 transmits the specific information generated in ACT12 to the query terminal 8 of the query source through the communication interface 5. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a receipt image is displayed in the result display area 816 on the query screen 81 of the query terminal 8 of the credit card company of the query source. Then, the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of ACT14.

[0078] In ACT14, the processor 2 registers the inquiry history in the inquiry archive 432. Then, the processor 2 proceeds to the processing of the above ACT1. Note that the processor 2 executes a claim program different from the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, determines the claim amount for the user who made the inquiry by the inquiry terminal 8 based on the inquiry history registered in the inquiry archive 432, and can perform a claim process to the claim destination described in the user information stored in the user database 44.

[0079] According to the embodiment described above, the data processing device 1 registers the POS information, which is the first transaction information, as collective data in the collective information database 431. Also, when comparing the receipt information, which is the second transaction information, with the POS information using non-unique information such as store information, date and time information, terminal information, amount information, etc., which are not unique individually, if there is no POS information corresponding to the receipt information, the receipt information is registered in the collective information database 431 as collective data. If there is corresponding POS information, the differential data from the collective data by the POS information already registered in the collective information database 431 among the receipt information is additionally registered in the collective information database 431. In this way, even when using information that is not unique individually and furthermore has no legal requirements, the corresponding POS information and receipt information can be retrieved from each other. Therefore, the data processing device 1 can link the POS information and the receipt information and construct collective data without using any specific unique information such as member identification information.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the data processing device 1 collects the individual POS information itself as the first transaction information generated at the time of transaction in the store. However, as long as information of information items as shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained, the first transaction information to be collected does not have to be individual POS information. For example, the first transaction information may be transaction information or journal information, which is transaction history information generated based on a plurality of POS information in the POS server 6.

[0081] Further, the data processing device 1 does not necessarily need to include the integrated POS information database 41 and the integrated receipt information database 42. That is, the data processing device 1 does not necessarily need to be configured to obtain and store information from the POS server 6 and the receipt server 7. For example, the processor 2 can store aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431 according to the following processing procedure. First, the processor 2 queries the POS server 6 or the receipt server 7 for new information to obtain POS information, which is new first transaction information, or receipt information, which is new second transaction information. Then, the processor 2 extracts non-unique information from the obtained information and queries the receipt server 7 or the POS server 6 for corresponding information based on the non-unique information to obtain the corresponding receipt information or POS information. In this way, some functions of the comparison unit may be allocated to the POS server 6 or the receipt server 7. The processor 2 stores the thus obtained POS information and / or receipt information in the aggregated information database 431 as aggregated data.

[0082] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the aggregated data record 4311 of the aggregated information database 431 includes POS and common information 43111, receipt unique information 43112, and member information 43113, but is not limited to this storage form. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the aggregated data record 4311 may be in a storage form in which each information item of the POS information record 411 shown in FIG. 2 and the receipt information record 421 shown in FIG. 3 are concatenated, and an identification code 43114 is provided for each information item.

[0083] Also, the order of the processing procedures shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is an example and is not limited to this order. For example, although the aggregated data is stored in the aggregated database 43 immediately after the data is collected in the integrated POS information database 41 or the integrated receipt information database 42 in ACT3, the storage of the aggregated data in the aggregated database 43 may be performed by batch processing once a day or the like.

[0084] Also, any process may be performed in parallel with other processes. Furthermore, the order of the processes may be changed as long as there is no conflict with preceding or subsequent processes.

[0085] Also, similar to the processes of ACT9 and ACT10, other processes may also be eliminated. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the determination process of ACT4 in the process procedure of FIG. 8 may be eliminated.

[0086] When the process of ACT4 is thus omitted, in ACT6, if the data collected in ACT3 is receipt information which is the second transaction information, the processor 2 performs the above-described process. That is, in ACT6, the processor 2 searches the integrated POS information database 41 for the POS information corresponding to the receipt information newly stored in the integrated receipt information database 42 using non-unique information. Then, in ACT7, if it is determined that there is no POS information corresponding to the receipt information, the processor 2, in ACT5, newly registers the receipt information newly stored in the integrated receipt information database 42 as aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431. Also, in ACT7, if it is determined that there is POS information corresponding to the receipt information, the processor 2, in ACT8, additionally stores the difference data of the aggregated data from the receipt information newly stored in the integrated receipt information database 42 in the aggregated information database 431.

[0087] Also, when the data collected in ACT3 is POS information which is the first transaction information, in ACT6, the processor 2 searches for receipt information corresponding to the POS information newly stored in the integrated POS information database 41 from the integrated receipt information database 42 using non-unique information. Then, in ACT7, when it is determined that there is no receipt information corresponding to the POS information, the processor 2 newly registers, in ACT5, the POS information newly stored in the integrated POS information database 41 as aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431. Also, in ACT7, when it is determined that there is receipt information corresponding to the POS information, the processor 2 additionally stores, in ACT8, the difference data of the aggregated data from the POS information newly stored in the integrated POS information database 41 in the aggregated information database 431.

[0088] That is, the processor 2 operates as a first comparison unit that compares the POS information, which is the first transaction information, with the receipt information by non-unique information that corresponds to the POS information and the receipt information, which is the second transaction information, and is not unique individually, and conversely, as a second comparison unit that compares the receipt information with the POS information by non-unique information. Further, when the POS information does not correspond to the receipt information as a result of the comparison by the first comparison unit, the first data processing unit that registers the POS information as aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431, when the receipt information does not correspond to the POS information as a result of the comparison by the second comparison unit, the second data processing unit that registers the receipt information as aggregated data in the aggregated information database 431, and when the POS information corresponds to the receipt information as a result of the comparison by the first comparison unit, the difference data between the aggregated data by the POS information already registered in the aggregated information database 431 and the receipt information is additionally registered in the aggregated data, and when the receipt information corresponds to the POS information as a result of the comparison by the second comparison unit, the difference data between the aggregated data by the receipt information already registered in the aggregated information database 431 and the POS information is additionally registered in the aggregated data, and can operate as a third data processing unit. In this way, even when using information that is not unique individually and furthermore does not require legal requirements, the POS information and the receipt information that correspond to each other can be retrieved. Therefore, the data processing device 1 can link the POS information and the receipt information and construct aggregated data without using any specific unique information such as member identification information.

[0089] Also, even when the determination process of ACT4 is eliminated in this way, it goes without saying that the storage form of the aggregated data record 4311 in the aggregated information database 431 as shown in FIG. 11 may be used.

[0090] Note that the transfer of the data processing device 1 is generally performed with the program stored in the main memory 3 or the auxiliary storage device 4. However, this is not the only case, and the transfer may be performed with the program not stored in the main memory 3 or the auxiliary storage device 4. And in this case, the program transferred separately from this data processing device 1 is written into the writable storage device provided in the data processing device 1 according to the operation of the user or the like. The transfer of the program can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The form of the recording medium is not limited as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. Also, the functions obtained by installing or downloading the program may be those that cooperate with the OS or the like inside the device to realize the functions.

[0091] In addition, although several 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 included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1... Data processing device, 2... Processor, 21... Data collection unit, 22... Search unit, 23... Aggregate data processing unit, 3... Main memory, 4... Auxiliary storage device, 41... Integrated POS information database, 411... POS information record, 42... Integrated receipt information database, 421... Receipt information record, 4211... Receipt image, 4212... Receipt reading information, 4213... Member information, 43... Aggregate database, 431... Aggregate information database, 4311... Aggregate data record, 43111... Common information, 43112... Receipt-specific information, 43113... Member information, 43114... Identification code, 432... Inquiry archive, 4321... History record, 44... User database, 5... Communication interface, 6... POS server, 7... Receipt server, 8... Inquiry terminal, 81... Inquiry screen, 811... Input field, 812... Inquiry purpose input field, 813... Condition selection button, 814... Condition input field, 815... Inquiry button, 816... Result display area, 9... Receipt, 91... Company name, 92... Store number, 93... Store phone number, 94... Date and time, 95... Cash register number, 96... Points, 97... Total amount, 98... Company code, 99... Card approval number, 910... Receipt number, 911... Transaction number, 912... Product name, 913... Product unit price, NW... Communication network.

Claims

1. A comparison unit that compares first transaction information acquired from a transaction terminal used for transactions at a store with second transaction information acquired from sources other than the transaction terminal, using non-unique information that corresponds between the first transaction information and the second transaction information and is not unique individually; A set data processing unit that accumulates set data including the first transaction information and the second transaction information related to the same transaction in a set database, registering the first transaction information in the set database as the set data, when the second transaction information does not correspond to the first transaction information as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, registering the second transaction information in the set database as the set data, when the second transaction information corresponds to the first transaction information as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, registering, in the set data, difference data between the set data and the first transaction information that is already registered in the set database among the second transaction information, a set data processing unit; A data processing apparatus comprising:

2. The non-unique information includes store information indicating the store, date and time information indicating the transaction time of the transaction, terminal information indicating the transaction terminal, and amount information indicating the total transaction amount in the transaction, The comparison unit compares the store information, the date and time information, the terminal information, and the amount information in the second transaction information with each of the first transaction information acquired from the transaction terminals of each store. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The set data processing unit further receives a query using specified information designated by the query source as a search key, searches the set database, and returns specific information in the searched set data to the query source. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The set data processing unit further accumulates, in the set database, a query history including at least the query source, the query date and time, and the search success / failure result for the query. The data processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The difference data includes at least identification information that uniquely identifies a customer who conducted the transaction at the store. The data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An aggregate database that stores aggregate data including first transaction information obtained from a transaction terminal used for transactions in a store and second transaction information regarding the same transaction as the first transaction information obtained from sources other than the transaction terminal. A first comparison unit that compares the first transaction information with the second transaction information using non-unique information that corresponds between the first transaction information and the second transaction information and is not unique individually. A second comparison unit that compares the second transaction information with the first transaction information using the non-unique information. A first data processing unit that, when the first transaction information does not correspond to the second transaction information as a result of the comparison by the first comparison unit, registers the first transaction information in the aggregate database as the aggregate data. A second data processing unit that, when the second transaction information does not correspond to the first transaction information as a result of the comparison by the second comparison unit, registers the second transaction information in the aggregate database as the aggregate data. A third data processing unit that, when the first transaction information corresponds to the second transaction information as a result of the comparison by the first comparison unit, additionally registers, in the aggregate data, difference data between the aggregate data and the second transaction information based on the first transaction information already registered in the aggregate database among the second transaction information; and when the second transaction information corresponds to the first transaction information as a result of the comparison by the second comparison unit, registers, in the aggregate data, difference data between the aggregate data and the first transaction information based on the second transaction information already registered in the aggregate database among the first transaction information. A data processing apparatus comprising the above.

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