Return information generation device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique which allows for collectively obtaining multiple pieces of information needed for product return processing.SOLUTION: A product return information generation device 2000 acquires information on a product to be returned among purchased products indicated in receipt information 10. The product return information generation device 2000 generates product return information to be used for product return processing for the product to be returned using the acquired information. The product return information includes product identification information on the product to be returned and other additional information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for realizing the return of goods.

Background Art

[0002] After purchasing a product, the product may be returned. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to the return of goods. In Patent Document 1, a device that performs a return process reads a product code of a product to be returned from a tag attached to the product or a consumer terminal using a barcode scanner. The consumer terminal acquires product code data from an electronic receipt management server and displays the product code data on a display device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For the return process, information other than the information for identifying the product to be returned (the above-mentioned product code) is also required. For example, when an electronic receipt is introduced, an electronic receipt for correction in the return process is also required. In the device of Patent Document 1, since the product code is acquired alone, other information required for the return process needs to be acquired separately.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this problem, and one of its objects is to provide a technology capable of obtaining a plurality of pieces of information required for the return process collectively.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The return information generating device of the present invention comprises: 1) an acquisition unit that acquires information about products to be returned that are included in receipt information identified by customer input; 2) a generation unit that generates return information used for processing the return of products to be returned, including product identification information and additional information of the products to be returned; and 3) an output unit that outputs the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that processes the return of products to be returned.

[0007] An example of the present invention is a return processing device which includes: 1) an acquisition unit that acquires a code that encodes return information, including product identification information and other additional information of the product to be returned, contained in the receipt information identified by customer input; and 2) a return processing unit that decodes the acquired code into return information and uses the return information to perform the return processing of the product to be returned.

[0008] The first control method of the present invention is performed by a computer. The control method includes: 1) an acquisition step of acquiring information about returnable products included in receipt information identified by customer input; 2) a generation step of generating return information used for processing the return of returnable products, including product identification information and additional information of the returnable products; and 3) an output step of outputting the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that processes the return of returnable products.

[0009] A second control method, which is an example of the present invention, is performed by a computer. This control method includes: 1) an acquisition step of acquiring a code that encodes return information, which includes product identification information and other additional information of the product to be returned, contained in the receipt information identified by customer input; and 2) a return processing step of decoding the acquired code into return information and using the return information to perform the return processing of the product to be returned.

[0010] The first program of the present invention causes a computer to perform each step of the first control method of the present invention.

[0011] A second program, which is an example of the present invention, causes a computer to execute each step of the second control method of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, a technology is provided that allows for obtaining multiple pieces of information necessary for return processing in a single, consolidated manner. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the return information generation device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the functional configuration of the return information generation device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates a computer used to implement a return information generation device. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow performed by the return information generation device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This flowchart provides a more concrete example of the return process using a return information generation device. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the process by which a user selects a product. [Figure 7] This is an example diagram of a quantity selection screen. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the data structure of return information. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a return information generation device having an output unit. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the functional configuration of a return processing device. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating an example of how to use the return information generation device. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates the screen transitions after row data is selected on the product selection screen, as shown in Example 1. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates the screen displayed after the YES button is pressed on the confirmation screen, as shown in Example 1. [Figure 14]This is a diagram illustrating receipt information that can be viewed on the receipt management site after return processing.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. Also, in each block diagram, unless otherwise specified, each block represents a configuration of a functional unit rather than a configuration of a hardware unit.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] [Overview] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overview of the return information generation device of the present embodiment. Note that FIG. 1 is an example for facilitating the understanding of the return information generation device 2000, and the functions of the return information generation device 2000 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] Receipt information 10 is data indicating information regarding the purchased goods. For example, the receipt information 10 is a so-called electronic receipt. The return information generation device 2000 acquires the receipt information 10. The return information generation device 2000 is, for example, a computer such as a mobile terminal or a PC (Personal Computer) used by a person (hereinafter, user) who purchased the goods indicated by the receipt information 10. Hereinafter, the computer used by the user will also be referred to as a user terminal.

[0017] The return information generation device 2000 is used when at least one of the purchased goods (the goods indicated by the receipt information 10) is returned. The return information generation device 2000 acquires the identification information of the goods to be returned. Hereinafter, the goods to be returned will also be referred to as target goods, and the identification information of the goods will also be referred to as goods identification information. The goods identification information is information used to uniquely identify a good when managing the goods in a database or the like. For example, the goods identification information can include the name of the good and the identification number given to the good (for example, JAN (Japanese Article Number) code).

[0018] The target product is selected, for example, by a user who views receipt information 10 using the return information generation device 2000. The return information generation device 2000 obtains product identification information for the target product in response to the user's selection operation.

[0019] The return information generation device 2000 may acquire the product identification information of the target product itself, or it may acquire information other than the product identification information of the target product and use the acquired information to acquire the product identification information of that product. In the latter case, the information about the target product may include, for example, the date and time of purchase, the place of purchase, the identification information of the receipt information 10, and an image including the product to be returned.

[0020] The return information generation device 2000 generates return information used for processing the return of the target product. The return information includes product identification information of the target product. Furthermore, the return information also includes information other than the product identification information of the target product (hereinafter referred to as additional information). For example, the additional information includes information representing the quantity of the target product. Other examples of additional information include the receipt information 10 itself and the identification information of the receipt information 10.

[0021] The return processing device 3000 is a device that processes the return of a target product. The return processing device 3000 acquires return information and uses the identification information of the target product shown in the acquired return information to process the return of that product. The product return processing includes, for example, processing to correct receipt information 10, processing to refund the price of the target product, and processing to correct the inventory quantity of the target product.

[0022] <Effects and Effects> According to the return information generation device 2000 of this embodiment, return information is generated as information that can be used for processing product returns. Here, the return information includes not only the identification information of the product to be returned, but also additional information. Therefore, by acquiring the return information, the return processing device 3000 can acquire both the identification information of the product to be returned and the additional information at the same time. Thus, compared to the case in which the return processing device 3000 must acquire the identification information of the product to be returned and other information necessary for the return processing separately, the time required for return processing by the return processing device 3000 and the workload of store staff operating the return processing device 3000 can be reduced.

[0023] For example, if the additional information includes receipt information 10 and identification information for receipt information 10, the return processing device 3000 can obtain the receipt information 10 that needs to be corrected during the return process, along with the identification information of the returned product. Also, if the additional information includes the quantity of the returned product, the return processing device 3000 can determine how many of the returned product will be returned, along with the identification information of the returned product.

[0024] The following describes this embodiment in more detail.

[0025] <Example of functional configuration> Figure 2 illustrates the functional configuration of the return information generation device 2000 of Embodiment 1. The return information generation device 2000 has an acquisition unit 2020 and a generation unit 2040. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires product identification information of the target product. The generation unit 2040 generates return information using the product identification information of the target product. The return information includes additional information in addition to the product identification information of the target product.

[0026] <Example of hardware configuration for the return information generation device 2000> Each functional component of the return information generation device 2000 may be implemented by hardware (e.g., hardwired electronic circuits) or by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of electronic circuits and programs that control them). The following will further explain the case where each functional component of the return information generation device 2000 is implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates a computer 1000 for realizing the return information generation device 2000. Computer 1000 is any computer. For example, computer 1000 is a stationary computer such as a personal computer (PC) or a server machine. Alternatively, computer 1000 could be a portable computer such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. Computer 1000 may be a dedicated computer designed to realize the return information generation device 2000, or it may be a general-purpose computer.

[0028] Computer 1000 includes a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage device 1080, an input / output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission path for the processor 1040, memory 1060, storage device 1080, input / output interface 1100, and network interface 1120 to send and receive data from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1040 and other components is not limited to bus connection.

[0029] Processor 1040 is a variety of processors such as CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Memory 1060 is main memory implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Storage device 1080 is auxiliary storage implemented using hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), memory card, or ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0030] The input / output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 with input / output devices. For example, input devices such as keyboards and output devices such as display devices are connected to the input / output interface 1100.

[0031] The network interface 1120 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to a communication network. This communication network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1120 may connect to the communication network via a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0032] The storage device 1080 stores program modules that realize each functional component of the return information generation device 2000. The processor 1040 reads these program modules into the memory 1060 and executes them to realize the functions corresponding to each program module.

[0033] <Processing flow> Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow performed by the return information generation device 2000 of Embodiment 1. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires the product identification information of the target product (S102). The generation unit 2040 generates return information using the product identification information of the target product (S104).

[0034] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the return process using the return information generation device 2000 in more detail. First, the return information generation device 2000 outputs information prompting the user to input information to identify the receipt information 10 (S202). For example, this information is the receipt selection screen 70, which will be described later (see Figure 6). The user then inputs information to identify the receipt information 10 (S204).

[0035] Furthermore, the return information generation device 2000 outputs information prompting the user to input information to identify the target product and the quantity to be returned (S206). For example, this information is the product selection screen 30, which will be described later (see Figure 6). The user inputs information to identify the target product and the quantity to be returned (S208).

[0036] The return information generation device 2000 determines whether or not the product in question is eligible for return (S210). For example, this determination is made based on a predetermined return period, as will be described later. If the product in question is eligible for return (S210: eligible for return), the return information generation device 2000 generates return information (S212). The return information generation device 2000 then outputs the generated return information (S214).

[0037] If the product in question is not returnable (S210: Non-returnable), the process shown in Figure 5 ends without generating return information. In this case, the return information generation device 2000 may output a warning message indicating that a non-returnable product has been selected.

[0038] The return processing device 3000 acquires the return information output by the return information generation device 2000 (S216). Then, the return processing device 3000 uses the acquired return information to perform the return processing (S218).

[0039] <Regarding receipt information 10> As mentioned above, receipt information 10 is data that shows information about the purchased goods. For example, receipt information 10 is an electronic receipt issued in place of or along with a paper receipt when goods are purchased.

[0040] For example, receipt information 10 shows the product identification information (identifier or name), purchase price, and quantity purchased for each purchased item. Furthermore, receipt information 10 shows information indicating the time when the purchase was made (for example, the time when the receipt information 10 was generated). In addition, receipt information 10 may further show the identification information of the user who made the purchase.

[0041] <Retrieving receipt information 10: S102> The acquisition unit 2020 acquires the receipt information 10 (S102). There are various ways in which the acquisition unit 2020 acquires the receipt information 10. For example, the acquisition unit 2020 acquires the receipt information 10 by accessing any storage device in which the receipt information 10 is stored. This storage device may be located inside or outside the return information generation device 2000.

[0042] Alternatively, the acquisition unit 2020 may acquire receipt information 10 by receiving receipt information 10 transmitted by another device. For example, a web service that allows users to view receipt information 10 may be provided. In this case, the receipt information 10 generated by a user's purchase of goods is managed by the web service and the server providing it. The acquisition unit 2020 then sends a request to the server requesting the transmission of the receipt information 10. The acquisition unit 2020 then acquires the receipt information 10 by receiving a response from the server.

[0043] Here, when the acquisition unit 2020 acquires receipt information 10, the receipt information 10 to be acquired must be specified. For example, the receipt information 10 to be acquired is selected by user input, as will be described later.

[0044] <Acquisition of product identification information for the target product: S102> The acquisition unit 2020 acquires the product identification information of the target product (S102). The target product is the product shown in the receipt information 10 that has been selected by the user as a product to be returned. For example, the acquisition unit 2020 provides the user with an input interface that allows them to select the target product (S206). For example, this interface is a selection screen on which the target product can be selected. For example, this selection screen is displayed on a display device connected to the return information generation device 2000. The user selects the target product by operating the selection screen (S208). The acquisition unit 2020 acquires the product identification information of the target product by extracting the product identification information of the selected target product from the receipt information 10.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates the flow of how a user selects a target product. First, the user selects the receipt information 10 they want to view on the receipt selection screen 70 (S202, S204). In this example, an overview of each receipt information 10 is displayed in a list, and the row data 72 corresponding to each receipt information 10 is selectable. The user selects the receipt information 10 by selecting the row data 72 of the desired receipt information 10.

[0046] When receipt information 10 is selected, the acquisition unit 2020 outputs a product selection screen 30 showing the contents of that receipt information 10. The product selection screen 30 displays the contents of receipt information 10. On the product selection screen 30, row data 32 representing the information of each product can be selected. The user selects the row data 32 of the product they wish to return.

[0047] Here, multiple row data 32 can be selected. For example, in Figure 6, products B and D are selected (selected products are enclosed in a dotted line). When multiple types of products are selected in this way, the return information generation device 2000 generates return information that includes the product identification information for each of these multiple types of products. Based on the return information generated in this way, all of these multiple types of products can be returned. Therefore, the time and effort required for return processing can be further reduced.

[0048] Once you have finished selecting the items you wish to return, press the OK button 34. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires the product identification information for each row of data 32 selected when the OK button 34 is pressed from the receipt information 10.

[0049] If the purchase quantity of the product corresponding to the selected row data 32 is 2 or more, a screen for selecting the number of items to return (hereinafter referred to as the quantity specification screen) may be displayed. Figure 7 is an example of the quantity selection screen. When a product with a purchase quantity of 2 or more is selected on the product selection screen 30, the acquisition unit 2020 outputs a quantity specification screen 50 for specifying the quantity of that product to be returned. In Figure 7, the quantity specification screen 50 is displayed superimposed on the product selection screen 30. On the quantity specification screen 50, the user enters the quantity of the product to be returned and then operates the confirm button 52. The acquisition unit 2020 stores the association between the product and the quantity of that product to be returned in the storage device.

[0050] <Generate return information: S104, S212> The generation unit 2040 generates return information using the product identification information of the target product (S104, S212). As mentioned above, the return information includes additional information in addition to the product identification information of the target product. The additional information is information that the return processing device 3000 uses for processing the return of the target product.

[0051] For example, the process of processing a product return includes modifying the contents of the receipt information 10 for the returned product. Therefore, the return processing device 3000 needs to acquire the receipt information 10 in addition to the product identification information.

[0052] For example, the generation unit 2040 includes the receipt information 10 as additional information. That is, the generation unit 2040 includes the product identification information and the receipt information 10 in the return information. In this way, the return processing device 3000 can easily obtain both the product identification information and the receipt information 10 necessary for the return processing.

[0053] However, the generation unit 2040 may include identification information of receipt information 10 as additional information instead of receipt information 10. That is, the generation unit 2040 includes identification information of the target product and identification information of receipt information 10 in the return information. The return processing device 3000, which has acquired the return information, uses the identification information of receipt information 10 included in the return information to acquire the receipt information 10 identified by that identification information. For example, if the receipt information 10 is managed in a database, the return processing device 3000 searches for the receipt information 10 using the acquired identification information of receipt information 10 as a search condition to acquire the receipt information 10 corresponding to the acquired identification information of receipt information 10.

[0054] Furthermore, when specifying the quantity to be returned for items to be returned, the return processing device 3000 needs to obtain the quantity to be returned. Therefore, the generation unit 2040 includes the quantity to be returned for the target items in the additional information. If multiple target items are indicated in the return information, the generation unit 2040 associates the identification information of the target items with the quantity to be returned for those items and includes it in the return information.

[0055] Figure 8 illustrates the data structure of return information. In Figure 8, the return information includes an identification information from the receipt information 10 and a table that associates the identification information of the target product with the quantity of that product returned.

[0056] Here, the information used for return processing (i.e., what additional information should be included in the return information) can vary depending on how the return processing is implemented. For example, the generation unit 2040 may acquire information indicating the types of additional information to be included in the return information, and include the additional information indicated in the acquired information in the return information. For example, store return information may be defined in advance, associating store identification information with additional information required for the store identified by that store identification information (additional information used by the return processing device 3000 operating at that store).

[0057] In this case, the generation unit 2040 uses the identification information of the store (i.e., the store where the product was purchased) shown in the acquired receipt information 10 to search the storage device where the store return information is stored, and retrieves the store return information that shows that identification information. The generation unit 2040 then generates return information that includes the type of additional information shown in the acquired store return information.

[0058] <Determination of whether or not a return is possible: S210> The generation unit 2040 may perform a process to determine whether a return requested by the user is possible. For example, it may define a return period. That is, it may decide to accept returns only during the period from the time of payment in the receipt information 10 until a predetermined time has elapsed. Hereinafter, this period will be referred to as the return period. The end date of the return period can be calculated by adding the length of the return period to the time of payment in the receipt information 10.

[0059] For example, before generating return information, the generation unit 2040 determines whether the current time is within the return period. If the current time is within the return period, the generation unit 2040 generates return information. On the other hand, if the current time is not within the return period, the generation unit 2040 does not generate return information. If the current time is not within the return period, it is preferable for the return information generation device 2000 to output a message indicating that the return of the product in question cannot be accepted.

[0060] The length of the return period may be set for each product. In this case, the generation unit 2040 obtains the length of the return period for the target product by using information that associates the product with the length of its return period. This information that associates the product with the length of its return period is stored in advance in a product database used by, for example, a POS terminal.

[0061] The length of the return period may vary from store to store. In this case, the generation unit 2040 uses information that associates stores with the length of the return period at each store to obtain the length of the return period at the store related to the receipt information 10. This information, which associates stores with the length of the return period at each store, is stored in advance, for example, on a server provided by the store.

[0062] Furthermore, items that cannot be returned may be made unavailable for selection as eligible items. For example, before outputting the product selection screen 30, the return information generation device 2000 calculates the return period for each item, and displays items whose return period has expired in a way that makes them unavailable for selection on the product selection screen 30.

[0063] <Return Information Output: S214> The return information generation device 2000 outputs return information (S214) so ​​that the return processing device 3000 can perform return processing based on the return information. The functional component that outputs the return information is called the output unit 2060. Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the return information generation device 2000 having the output unit 2060.

[0064] There are various ways in which the output unit 2060 outputs return information. For example, the output unit 2060 sends the return information to the return processing unit 3000. In this case, the return processing unit 3000 obtains the return information by receiving the return information sent from the return information generation unit 2000.

[0065] Alternatively, for example, the output unit 2060 may store the return information in a storage device accessible from the return processing device 3000. In this case, the return processing device 3000 obtains the return information by reading it from the storage device. At this time, it is preferable for the output unit 2060 to notify the return processing device 3000 that the return information has been stored in the storage device.

[0066] Alternatively, the output unit 2060 may display the return information in a format readable by the return processing unit 3000. Specifically, the output unit 2060 converts the return information into a code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark), and displays the converted code on the display device. The return processing unit 3000 obtains the return information by reading the code displayed on the display device with a reader.

[0067] The output unit 2060 may output (print) the code onto paper. In this case, the return processing unit 3000 obtains the return information by reading the code displayed on the paper with a reader.

[0068] <Regarding the return processing unit 3000: S216, S218> The return processing device 3000 is a device that processes the return of a product using return information. For example, the return processing device 3000 modifies the receipt information 10 to indicate that the product identified by the product identification information indicated in the return information has been returned. The receipt information 10 that is modified here is the receipt information 10 included in the return information, or the receipt information 10 identified by the identification information included in the return information. In addition, the return processing device 3000 can also perform other processes, such as refunding the price of the product or modifying the inventory quantity of the product. Existing technologies can be used for the specific technologies that modify receipt information in response to product returns, refund the price, and modify the inventory quantity of the product.

[0069] Figure 10 illustrates the functional configuration of the return processing device 3000. The return processing device 3000 includes an acquisition unit 3020 and a return processing unit 3040. The acquisition unit 3020 acquires return information (S216). The return processing unit uses the return information to process the return of the target product (S218). If the return information is coded, the return processing unit 3040 obtains the return information by decoding the coded return information.

[0070] The hardware configuration of the return processing device 3000 is similar to that of the return information generation device 2000, as shown in Figure 2, for example. However, the storage device of the computer implementing the return processing device 3000 includes program modules that implement the functions of the return processing device 3000.

[0071] <Usage example 1> To deepen your understanding of the return information generation device 2000, we will explain some examples of its use. The examples shown below are merely illustrative of the return information generation device 2000 and do not limit its functions.

[0072] Figure 11 illustrates an example of the use of the return information generation device 2000. User 20 operates the user terminal 22 to select the items to be returned. The return information generation device 2000 is implemented by the server device 60. The return processing device 3000 is implemented by the POS (Point of Sales) terminal 90 installed in the store.

[0073] The server device 60 provides the user 20 with a website (hereinafter referred to as the receipt management site) that allows the user to perform various operations related to the receipt information 10 (such as viewing and returning items). The user 20 logs into the receipt management site and performs a predetermined operation so that the aforementioned receipt selection screen 70 is displayed (see Figure 6). On the receipt selection screen 70, the user 20 selects the receipt information 10 that shows the item to be returned. Upon receiving this result, the server device 60 displays the item selection screen 30 on the user terminal 22. On the item selection screen 30, the user 20 selects the row data 32 of the item to be returned.

[0074] Figure 12 illustrates the screen transitions after row data 32 is selected on the product selection screen 30 in Example 1. In this example, when user 20 selects row data 32, the server device 60 displays an operation selection screen 40 on the user terminal 22, where the user can select an operation related to the product corresponding to that row data 32. Here, since user 20 wants to return the product, user 20 operates the return button 42 on the operation selection screen 40.

[0075] When the return button 42 is pressed, the server device 60 displays a confirmation screen 80 on the user terminal 22 to ask for final confirmation of whether or not to proceed with the return process. When the YES button 82 is pressed on the confirmation screen 80, the server device 60 determines whether or not the current date and time are within the return period.

[0076] Figure 13 illustrates the screen displayed after the YES button 82 is pressed on the confirmation screen 80 in Example 1 of use. If the current date and time are not within the return period, the server device 60 displays an error screen 100 on the user terminal 22 notifying that the return period has expired.

[0077] On the other hand, if the current date and time are within the return period, the server device 60 generates return information for the selected product. This return information includes the product identification information of the product, the quantity of the product to be returned, and the identification information of the receipt information 10.

[0078] The server device 60 codes the generated return information and displays a code display screen 110 containing the coded return information on the user terminal 22. The coded return information is code 112 on the code display screen 110. The store clerk uses a code reader connected to the POS terminal 90 to read code 112.

[0079] The POS terminal 90 obtains return information by decoding the code 112 read in this operation. The POS terminal 90 uses the identification information of the receipt information 10 contained in the return information to obtain the receipt information 10 identified by that identification information. For example, the POS terminal 90 obtains the receipt information 10 identified by that identification information by sending a request to the server device 60 indicating the identification information of the receipt information 10 contained in the return information. Furthermore, the POS terminal 90 obtains the product identification information and the returned quantity of the target product from the return information and modifies the obtained receipt information 10 to indicate that the target product of that returned quantity has been returned. Then, the POS terminal 90 sends the modified receipt information 10 to the server device 60. As a result, the receipt information 10 managed by the server device 60 is updated.

[0080] Figure 14 is an example of receipt information 10 that can be viewed on the receipt management site after a return has been processed. In the viewing screen 120 of Figure 14, returned items are marked with a "return" mark (hereinafter referred to as the return mark). Here, by selecting the row data or the return mark of the returned item on the viewing screen 120, information related to the return (such as the date and time the return was processed and the quantity returned) can be viewed.

[0081] It is possible that some time may be required for the return processing to be completed after the return processing device 3000 acquires the return information. In this case, the status of items currently being returned may be indicated on the viewing screen 120. For example, the return mark for items currently being returned and the return mark for items whose return processing has been completed may be displayed in different ways on the viewing screen 120. For example, the return mark for items currently being returned may blink, while the return mark for items whose return has been completed may not blink. Additionally, when the row data of an item currently being returned is selected on the viewing screen 120, a screen displaying information related to the return may be shown.

[0082] In this example, the return information generation device 2000 is implemented using a server device, but the return information generation device may be implemented using something other than a server device. For example, the return information generation device 2000 may be implemented using a user terminal 22. Alternatively, the return information generation device 2000 may be implemented using a POS terminal 90 together with the return processing device 3000.

[0083] <Usage example 2> There are cases where it is preferable to process returns by sending the product to a store or other location. For example, this may be the case when the user 20 has purchased the product from a distant location, making it difficult for the user 20 to go to the store and request a return. In such cases, the return information generation device 2000 may output return information in a manner that facilitates such returns by delivery. For example, the return information generation device 2000 generates data for a slip (e.g., a delivery slip) that includes a code that codes the return information. In this case, the user 20 uses the return information generation device 2000 to obtain data for a slip that includes a code representing the return information for the product they wish to return. The user 20 then places the product they wish to return in a packaging container such as a cardboard box, attaches the printed slip to the packaging container, and sends the product.

[0084] Upon receiving the goods delivered in this manner, the person in charge of processing returns reads the code displayed on the slip attached to the packaging container using a code reader connected to the return processing device 3000. This initiates the return process for the delivered goods.

[0085] Note that the code representing the return information does not necessarily have to be printed on the shipping label. For example, the code representing the return information could be printed on any portable medium (such as paper), and that medium could be placed in the packaging container along with the product when shipping.

[0086] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and combinations of the above embodiments or various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0087] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: 1. An acquisition unit that acquires information about products that are eligible for return among the purchased products, A return information generating device having a generating unit that generates return information used for processing the return of the return of the returnable product, including product identification information and additional information of the returnable product. 2. The return information generating device according to 1., wherein the return information includes receipt information showing the product to be returned, identification information of the receipt information, or the quantity of the product to be returned. 3. The acquisition unit acquires information about each of the multiple products subject to return, The return information generating device according to 1. or 2., wherein the generating unit generates the return information used for processing the returns of all of the multiple products subject to return. 4. The return information generating device according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein the generating unit generates the return information when the return of the returnable product is within the period during which it is possible to return the product. 5. A return information generating device according to any one of 1 to 4, which has an output unit that outputs the return information as a readable code in a return processing device that processes the return of the goods subject to return. 6. The return information generating device according to 5, wherein the output unit outputs data that includes the code and is to be printed on a portable medium used for the delivery of the returned goods. 7. A return information generating device according to any one of 1 to 4, having an output unit that transmits the return information to a return processing device that processes the return of the return of the returnable product.

[0088] 8. An acquisition unit that acquires a code containing the product identification information and other additional information of the product to be returned, A return processing device comprising: a return processing unit that decodes the acquired code into the return information and uses the return information to perform the return processing of the product to be returned.

[0089] 9. A control method performed by a computer, The acquisition step involves obtaining information about items that are eligible for return among the purchased items, A control method comprising: a generation step of generating return information used for processing the return of the product, which includes product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned. 10. The control method described in 9, wherein the return information includes receipt information showing the product to be returned, identification information of the receipt information, or the quantity of the product to be returned. 11. In the acquisition step described above, information is obtained for each of the multiple items subject to return, The control method according to 9. or 10., wherein in the generation step, the return information used for processing the returns of all of the multiple products subject to return is generated. 12. The control method according to any one of 9 to 11, wherein in the generation step, if the return of the returnable product is within the period during which the return is permitted, the return information is generated. 13. A control method according to any one of 9 to 12, further comprising an output step that outputs the return information as a readable code in a return processing device that processes the return of the goods subject to return. 14. The control method according to 13, wherein in the output step, data including the code, which is to be printed on a portable medium used for the delivery of the returned goods, is output. 15. The control method according to any one of 9 to 12, further comprising an output step of transmitting the return information to a return processing device that processes the return of the return of the returnable product.

[0090] 16. A control method performed by a computer, A step to obtain a code that contains the product identification information and other additional information of the product to be returned, A control method comprising: a return processing step of decoding the acquired code into the return information and using the return information to perform the return processing of the product to be returned.

[0091] 17. A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the control method described in any one of items 9 through 15.

[0092] 18. A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the control method described in 16. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 10 Receipt Information 20 users 22 User terminals 30 Product Selection Screen 32 rows of data 34. Select button 40 Operation Selection Screen 42 Return button 50 Quantity specification screen 52 Select button 60 Server Devices 70 Receipt Selection Screen 72 rows of data 80 Confirmation screen 82 YES button 90 POS terminals 100 Error Screen 110 Code display screen 112 Code 120 Browsing screen 1000 calculator 1020 Bus 1040 processor 1060 memory 1080 Storage Devices 1100 Input / Output Interface 1120 Network Interface 2000 Return Information Generator 2020 Acquisition Department 2040 Generation part 2060 Output Section 3000 Return Processing Unit 3020 Acquisition Department 3040 Return Processing Department

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires information about returnable items contained in receipt information identified by customer operation at a terminal installed in the store, A generation unit that generates return information used for processing the return of the product, including product identification information and additional information of the product subject to return, A return processing device that processes the return of the aforementioned returnable product has an output unit that outputs the return information as a readable code, The output unit is a return information generation device that outputs the code by printing it or displaying it on a display.

2. The acquisition unit displays a screen for the customer to select the receipt information and acquires information regarding the returnable product included in the receipt information selected by the customer, as described in claim 1.

3. The return information generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the return information includes receipt information showing the product to be returned, identification information of the receipt information, or the quantity of the product to be returned.

4. The aforementioned return information includes receipt information showing the product to be returned, or identification information of said receipt information. The return information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receipt information includes the purchase price of the product.

5. The acquisition unit acquires information about each of the multiple products subject to return, The return information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the generating unit generates the return information used for processing the returns of all of the multiple products subject to return.

6. A control method performed by a computer, The acquisition step involves obtaining information about returnable items included in receipt information identified by customer operation on a terminal installed in the store, and A generation step that generates return information used for processing the return of the product to be returned, including product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned, The return processing device for processing the return of the aforementioned returnable product includes an output step that outputs the return information as a readable code, The output step is a control method that outputs the code by printing it or displaying it on a display.

7. A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the control method described in claim 6.

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