Sales data management system and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a sales data management system configured to verify whether an item brought into a store for return, or the like, is an item which has been sold in the store, and an information processing apparatus.SOLUTION: A sales data management system includes: a data processing apparatus equipped with an input section to which item identification information identifying an item of commodity is input; and a server device equipped with a management section which manages item identification information of commodities sold by a sales business operator. The sales data management system includes: a determination unit which determines whether the item identification information input to the input section is included in the item identification information managed by the management section; and an output unit which outputs a result determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sales data management system and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in stores or companies that sell products (hereinafter collectively referred to as "stores, etc."), there are cases where returns or repairs of products sold at such stores, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "returns, etc.") are accepted. When returns, etc. are made, it is common practice for the customer to present the receipt at the time of purchasing the target product, and for the store clerk to check the receipt and then accept the returns, etc. The store clerk checks the product name printed on the receipt, etc., and confirms that the target product brought in by the customer is a product sold at their own store, etc.

[0003] In the above operation, the confirmation that the product is one sold at one's own store, etc. only stops at the confirmation at the product unit level and is not at the individual item unit level. Here, a product refers to those within a range specified by a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code, etc., and an individual item refers to each individual article belonging to a product. That is, there are multiple individual items for one product. In the above operation, even if the store clerk looks at the receipt, they cannot confirm that the individual item brought in by the customer is one sold at the store, etc.

[0004] For this reason, for example, even if a customer brings in an individual item sold elsewhere to a store, etc., if it is a product printed on the receipt issued by that store, etc., they have no choice but to respond to returns, etc. In other words, the conventional operation could not prevent improper returns, etc. Although a system for managing products at the individual item unit level has also been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1), it is not utilized for handling returns, etc.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a sales data management system and information processing device that can verify whether or not an individual item brought to a store for return or other reasons was sold at that store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sales data management system of this embodiment includes a data processing device equipped with an input unit into which individual item identification information that identifies individual items of products subject to return and sales business identification information that identifies the company to which the sales business that brought in the product belongs, and individual item identification information of products sold by a sales business and sales business identification information of the company to which the sales business that sold the product belongs. Add a correspondence A sales data management system comprising: a server device equipped with a management unit for managing data; a determination unit that determines whether individual product identification information entered into the input unit is included in the individual product identification information managed by the management unit, and if it is determined that it is included, determines whether the sales business identification information entered into the input unit matches the sales business identification information managed by the management unit; and an output unit that outputs the determination result of the determination unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic receipt system including a sales data management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the POS terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit of the POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the data structure of the member master stored in the storage unit of the electronic receipt server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]Figure 6 shows the data structure of the receipt information management file stored in the storage unit of the electronic receipt server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit of the electronic receipt server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a sequence chart showing the operation flow of the electronic receipt system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process by the control unit of the electronic receipt server in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the receipt display screen in the customer terminal of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit of the POS terminal in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process by the control unit of the POS terminal in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes embodiments of a sales data management system and information processing device with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, the embodiments described below describe an example where the server device is an electronic receipt server that manages receipt information for multiple companies, but the invention is not limited to this. The server device may be a store server that manages purchase information for stores that sell products, or a company server that manages purchase information for a company that operates multiple stores, and so on.

[0009] Furthermore, the embodiments described below will describe an example in which the sales data management system 1 determines whether or not an individual item brought into a store was sold at that store, but it is not limited to this example. The sales data management system 1 may, for example, determine whether or not an individual item brought into a store was sold at another store of the company that operates that store.

[0010] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the electronic receipt system 10. The electronic receipt system 10 of this embodiment is built across businesses that provide electronic receipt services, stores that sell goods, and customers that use the electronic receipt service.

[0011] The electronic receipt system 10 consists of a sales data management system 1 and a customer terminal 4. The customer terminal 4 is a smartphone or similar device owned by a customer using the electronic receipt service. The sales data management system 1 has POS (Point of Sales) terminals 2 installed in each store and an electronic receipt server 3 managed by the operator of the electronic receipt service. Each store equipped with a POS terminal 2 can be a store of multiple types of business, such as a store selling apparel, a store selling electrical appliances, or a store selling daily necessities. In Figure 1, only one POS terminal 2 is shown for each store, but each store may have multiple POS terminals 2.

[0012] The electronic receipt server 3 is connected to the POS terminal 2 and the customer terminal 4 via a network such as the Internet, enabling them to communicate with each other. The electronic receipt server 3 may also be connected to the POS terminal 2 of each store via a store server managed by the store where the POS terminal 2 is installed, or a headquarters server of the company that operates the store, etc.

[0013] During payment processing, POS terminal 2 receives the electronic receipt service member ID and a product code that identifies the customer's purchased items. Based on the entered product code, POS terminal 2 registers the items and executes the payment process for each transaction. POS terminal 2 also receives an item code that identifies the individual items purchased by the customer. Once the payment processing for a transaction is complete, POS terminal 2 sends receipt information, including the member ID, store ID, transaction amount, product information for purchased items, and item code, to the electronic receipt server 3. Here, the member ID is an example of purchaser identification information, the item code is an example of individual item identification information, and POS terminal 2 is an example of a data processing device.

[0014] The electronic receipt server 3 receives and manages receipt information from each POS terminal 2. The electronic receipt server 3 transmits the receipt information to the customer terminal 4 at predetermined times or in response to a request from the customer terminal 4. Customers can view the receipt information received from the electronic receipt server 3 using their customer terminal 4. This reduces the amount of paper receipts issued by the POS terminal 2.

[0015] Furthermore, the electronic receipt server 3 performs a determination process in response to a purchase confirmation request from the POS terminal 2. The purchase confirmation request includes information such as the store ID and item code, and requests confirmation that the item identified by the item code was sold at the store identified by the store ID. The determination process performed by the electronic receipt server 3 determines, in response to the purchase confirmation request, whether or not the item identified by the item code was sold at the store identified by the store ID. The electronic receipt server 3 then transmits the determination result to the POS terminal 2. Here, the electronic receipt server 3 is an example of a server device and also an example of an information processing device.

[0016] The electronic receipt server 3 may determine whether the individual item specified by the above individual item code has been sold at another store of the company that operates the store specified by the above store ID. In this case, the purchase confirmation request shall include the company ID. Further, the data processing device that transmits the purchase confirmation request and receives the determination result for the purchase confirmation request may be provided separately from the POS terminal 2.

[0017] Next, the POS terminal 2 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the POS terminal 2. The POS terminal 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, a scanner 24, an RFID reader 25, a card reader 26, a change dispenser 27, and a communication unit 28. The control unit 20, the storage unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, the scanner 24, the RFID reader 25, the card reader 26, the change dispenser 27, and the communication unit 28 are connected to each other via a bus 29 or the like.

[0018] The control unit 20 has a computer configuration including a CPU 201 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via the bus 29.

[0019] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs such as programs used to drive the CPU 201 and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201 and expands various programs and various data stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21. The control unit 20 operates according to the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21 and expanded in the RAM 203, thereby executing various control processes of the POS terminal 2.

[0020] The RAM 203 also includes a product information unit 2031. The product information unit 2031 stores product information (product code, product name, price, etc.) and individual product codes associated with the products purchased by the customer (buyer). The product information stored in the product information unit 2031 is read from the storage unit 21 based on the product code read by the scanner 24 from the code symbol attached to the product. The individual product codes stored in the product information unit 2031 are read by the RFID reader 25 from the RF tag embedded in the product. The process of storing (registering) product information in the product information unit 2031 is also called product registration.

[0021] The storage unit 21 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 21 stores the control program 211, the product master 212, and the store information 213.

[0022] The control program 211 is a program that implements functions such as registering products based on product codes read by the scanner 24, processing settlement for a single transaction based on information stored in the product information unit 2031, sending and receiving various information with the electronic receipt server 3, and processing returns.

[0023] Product Master 212 is a master file that stores product information for items sold by a store. Product Master 212 stores product names, prices, etc., associated with product codes. Because the products handled by a store change daily, Product Master 212 is updated as needed.

[0024] Store information 213 includes information such as a store ID that identifies the store where the POS terminal 2 is installed, and a company ID that identifies the company that operates the store. Store information 213 is used when sending a purchase confirmation request to the electronic receipt server 3, and can be set arbitrarily by the store. For example, if a store only accepts returns for items sold at its own store, the POS terminal 2 sends a request to the electronic receipt server 3 to determine whether the item brought in by the customer was purchased at that store (purchase confirmation request). In this case, the purchase confirmation request must include information that identifies the store, so store information 213 is set to the store ID.

[0025] Furthermore, if the store accepts returns for items sold at other stores of the same company, the POS terminal 2 sends a request to the electronic receipt server 3 to determine whether the item brought in by the customer was purchased at a store of the same company as the store itself (purchase confirmation request). In this case, the purchase confirmation request must include information that identifies the company, so the store information 213 is set to the company ID. Note that, for example, if the store server manages information only on items sold at the store, the store information 213 does not need to be stored.

[0026] The display unit 22 is a display device and is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit 22 displays various information under the control of the control unit 20. For example, the display unit 22 displays product information of registered products and the total amount of a single transaction (transaction amount).

[0027] The operation unit 23 is an input device and consists of a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 22, a keyboard provided separately from the display unit 22, and the like. The operation unit 23 inputs various information entered by store staff or other personnel to the control unit 20. For example, the operation unit 23 inputs a return processing start instruction to the control unit 20 to instruct the start of the return process.

[0028] The scanner 24 reads the product code from a code symbol such as a barcode attached to the product (hereinafter also referred to as "product barcode"). Specifically, the scanner 24 recognizes the product barcode optically or by imaging. Then, the scanner 24 decodes the recognized product barcode and reads the product code indicated by the product barcode. The decoding of the product barcode recognized by the scanner 24 may be performed by the control unit 20. The scanner 24 also reads the member ID of the electronic receipt service from the barcode displayed on the customer terminal 4. The scanner 24 may be fixedly installed on the POS terminal 2, or it may be a handheld device that can be held and operated by a store employee.

[0029] The RFID reader 25 reads the individual product code from the RF tag embedded in the product. It is desirable that the RFID reader 25 be positioned so that it can read the area where the store clerk places the product after scanning the product barcode. This allows the RFID reader 25 to automatically read the individual product code after the store clerk scans the product barcode. Furthermore, if the RF tag embedded in the product contains a product code, the RFID reader 25 will also read the product code from that RF tag. In this case, it is not necessary to read the product code with the scanner 24.

[0030] The card reader 26 reads information from various cards. For example, the card reader 26 reads consumer information necessary for credit card payment from a consumer's credit card. The card reader 26 may be a magnetic card reader that reads information from magnetic cards, or an IC card reader that reads information from cards with a built-in IC chip.

[0031] The change dispenser 27 accepts the banknotes and coins paid by the customer when the customer pays for the purchase in cash, and dispenses change as needed.

[0032] The communication unit 28 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the electronic receipt server 3. The control unit 20 is connected to the external device via the communication unit 28, enabling it to send and receive information (data) with the external device.

[0033] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the POS terminal 2 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the POS terminal 2. The control unit 20 functions as a transmit / receive unit 2001, an input unit 2002, a registration unit 2003, a settlement processing unit 2004, and a display control unit 2005, with the CPU 201 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21. Note that each of these functions may be configured using hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0034] The transmitting / receiving unit 2001 transmits and receives various information with the electronic receipt server 3. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 sends receipt information including the member ID, store ID, and individual item code to the electronic receipt server 3. The transmitting / receiving unit 2001 also sends a purchase confirmation request including the member ID, store ID, and individual item code to the electronic receipt server 3. Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a determination result from the electronic receipt server 3 as a response to the purchase confirmation request.

[0035] The input unit 2002 receives various information from the operation unit 23, scanner 24, and RFID reader 25. For example, the input unit 2002 receives a return processing start instruction from the operation unit 23, declaring the start of the return process. The input unit 2002 also receives the individual product code from the RFID reader 25. Furthermore, the input unit 2002 receives the product code and member ID from the scanner 24. If the product code or other information is written on the RF tag embedded in the product, the product code is entered into the input unit 2002 from the RFID reader 25.

[0036] The registration unit 2003 performs product registration. Specifically, the registration unit 2003 reads product information corresponding to the product code entered in the input unit 2002 from the product master 212 and registers (stores) it in the product information unit 2031. In addition, the registration unit 2003 associates the individual item code entered in the input unit 2002 with the product code and registers it in the product information unit 2031.

[0037] The settlement processing unit 2004 executes settlement processing for a single transaction. Settlement processing is the process by which a customer completes payment for a purchase. For example, the settlement processing unit 2004 calculates the transaction amount for a single transaction, generates receipt information, and processes cash payments and cashless payments. The settlement processing unit 2004 also executes return processing. Return processing is the process performed when a customer returns an item, and includes calculating the return amount and registering information related to the return.

[0038] The display control unit 2005 causes the display unit 22 to display various information. For example, the display control unit 2005 displays product information of registered products and the transaction amount of a single transaction on the display unit 22.

[0039] Next, the electronic receipt server 3 will be described in detail. The electronic receipt server 3 also functions as a web server and provides electronic receipts to customers who are members of the electronic receipt service. Specifically, the electronic receipt server 3 manages receipt information for each transaction settled at the POS terminal 2. The electronic receipt server 3 then publishes the receipt information on a web page and transmits the receipt information to the customer terminal 4 as needed in response to requests from the customer terminal 4. Here, the data format of the receipt information transmitted by the electronic receipt server 3 is not specified.

[0040] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server 3. The electronic receipt server 3 comprises a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, and a communication unit 34. The control unit 30, storage unit 31, display unit 32, operation unit 33, and communication unit 34 are connected to each other via a bus 35, etc.

[0041] The control unit 30 has a computer configuration consisting of a CPU 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303. The CPU 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303 are connected to each other via a bus 35.

[0042] The CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the electronic receipt server 3. The ROM 302 stores various programs and data, such as the program used to drive the CPU 301. The RAM 303 is used as the work area for the CPU 301 and loads the various programs and data stored in the ROM 302 and the storage unit 31. The control unit 30 executes various control processes for the electronic receipt server 3 by having the CPU 301 operate according to the control programs stored in the ROM 302 and the storage unit 31 and loaded into the RAM 303.

[0043] The storage unit 31 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 31 stores the control program 311, the member master 312, and the receipt information management file 313.

[0044] The control program 311 includes a program for receiving various information from the POS terminal 2, a program for managing the received receipt information for each transaction, a program for executing a judgment process in response to a purchase confirmation request received from the POS terminal 2, and a program for implementing web server functionality.

[0045] The Member Master 312 is a master file that stores information about members of the electronic receipt service. Figure 5 shows the data structure of the Member Master 312. The Member Master 312 stores the member's name, gender, age, and notification address, associated with the member ID. The notification address is, for example, the email address of the customer terminal 4 owned by the member.

[0046] The receipt information management file 313 is a file that manages receipt information for transactions settled at the POS terminal 2, for each member and for each transaction. The receipt information management file 313 is registered and updated based on the receipt information received from the POS terminal 2. Figure 6 shows the data structure of the receipt information management file 313. The receipt information management file 313 stores the receipt number, company ID, store ID, transaction amount, individual item code, and product information, associated with the member ID.

[0047] The Member ID is information that identifies a member of the electronic receipt service, and as mentioned above, it is an example of purchaser identification information. Note that purchaser identification information can be any information that can identify a purchaser, and is not limited to the electronic receipt service Member ID; it may also be a store member ID issued by each store. The Receipt No. is information that identifies a single transaction at each POS terminal 2.

[0048] The company ID is information that identifies the company selling the goods. The store ID is information that identifies the store selling the goods, and is an example of seller identification information. The company ID may also be used as seller identification information. The transaction amount is the transaction amount for one transaction, i.e., the total price of the goods purchased in one transaction. The company ID, store ID, and transaction amount are stored in a one-to-one correspondence with the receipt number.

[0049] The individual item code is information that identifies an individual item, and as mentioned above, it is an example of individual item identification information. If multiple individual items are purchased in a single transaction, multiple individual item codes are registered corresponding to the receipt number. Product information is information about the products sold in the transaction identified by the receipt number. Product information includes, for example, the product code that identifies the product, the product name, the unit price, the tax amount, etc., and is stored in a one-to-one correspondence with the individual item code.

[0050] Returning to Figure 4, let's describe the hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server 3.

[0051] The display unit 32 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel and displays various information. The display unit 32 displays information stored in, for example, the member master 312 or the receipt information management file 313 as needed.

[0052] The operation unit 33 is for inputting information to the control unit 30 and consists of a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, etc.

[0053] The communication unit 34 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the POS terminal 2 and the customer terminal 4. The control unit 30 is connected to the external devices via the communication unit 34, enabling it to send and receive information (data) with the external devices.

[0054] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 30 of the electronic receipt server 3 will be described. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 30 of the electronic receipt server 3. The control unit 30 functions as a transmitting / receiving unit 3001, a receiving unit 3002, an acquisition unit 3003, a management unit 3004, and a determination unit 3005, with the CPU 301 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 302 and the storage unit 31. Note that each of these functions may be configured with hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0055] The transmitting / receiving unit 3001 transmits and receives various information between the POS terminal 2 and the customer terminal 4. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 3001 receives receipt information including member ID, company ID, store ID, and item code from the POS terminal 2. The transmitting / receiving unit 3001 also receives a purchase confirmation request including member ID, store ID, and item code from the POS terminal 2 and transmits the determination result to the POS terminal 2 as a response to the purchase confirmation request. Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving unit 3001 receives a receipt information request from the customer terminal 4 and transmits the receipt information to the customer terminal 4 as a response to the receipt information request. The transmitting / receiving unit 3001 is an example of an output unit.

[0056] The reception unit 3002 receives various information from the operation unit 33. For example, the reception unit 3002 receives information for updating the member master 312 or the receipt information management file 313 when manual updates are required.

[0057] The acquisition unit 3003 acquires individual item identification information that identifies individual products. Specifically, the acquisition unit 3003 acquires receipt information (including individual item codes) received by the transmission / reception unit 3001 from the POS terminal 2.

[0058] The management unit 3004 manages individual product identification information for products sold by the retailer. Specifically, the management unit 3004 stores receipt information, including individual product codes, acquired by the acquisition unit 3003 in the receipt information management file 313. The management unit 3004 also reads the information stored in the receipt information management file 313 as needed.

[0059] The determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item identification information entered into the input unit 2002 of the POS terminal 2 is included in the individual item identification information managed by the management unit 3004. Specifically, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item code included in the purchase confirmation request received by the transmission / reception unit 3001 from the POS terminal 2 is stored in the receipt information management file 313. In other words, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item for which a purchase confirmation request was received from the POS terminal 2 was sold at any store using the sales data management system 1. If the sales data management system 1 is applied to only one store, the above determination can also be used to determine whether the individual item for which a purchase confirmation request was received from the POS terminal 2 was sold at that single store.

[0060] Furthermore, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item code and store ID included in the purchase confirmation request received by the transmitting / receiving unit 3001 from the POS terminal 2 are stored in association with the receipt information management file 313. In other words, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item for which a purchase confirmation request was received from the POS terminal 2 was sold at the store where the POS terminal 2 is installed.

[0061] Furthermore, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item code and member ID included in the purchase confirmation request received by the transmission / reception unit 3001 from the POS terminal 2 are stored in association with the receipt information management file 313. In other words, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item for which a purchase confirmation request was received from the POS terminal 2 was purchased by a customer who wishes to return it or for other reasons.

[0062] The POS terminal 2 may also have the same functionality as the determination unit 3005. In this case, the electronic receipt server 3 only needs to read the information corresponding to the individual item codes included in the purchase confirmation request from the receipt information management file 313 and send it to the POS terminal 2.

[0063] The following outlines the operation of the electronic receipt system 10, which includes the sales data management system 1 with the above configuration. Figure 8 is a sequence chart showing the operation flow of the electronic receipt system 10.

[0064] First, let's explain the transaction settlement process. When a customer who is a member of the electronic receipt service purchases goods at a store, their member ID is entered into the store's POS terminal 2 (Step S1). Then, POS terminal 2 reads the product code and individual item code for the purchased goods (Step S2). Next, POS terminal 2 performs product registration (Step S3). During product registration, the product code and individual item code read for each product are associated and stored in the product information unit 2031.

[0065] Once all the items to be purchased by the customer have been registered and payment instructions have been entered, POS terminal 2 executes the payment process based on the registered product information (step S4). After the payment process is complete, POS terminal 2 sends receipt information, including the member ID, company ID, store ID, product information, and individual item code, to the electronic receipt server 3 (step S5).

[0066] The electronic receipt server 3 registers the received receipt information in the receipt information management file 313 (step S6). The customer terminal 4 can send a receipt information request to the electronic receipt server 3 after payment at the POS terminal 2 (step S7). For example, a receipt information request is made when the electronic receipt server 3 registers the receipt information, sends the URL of a web page providing the receipt information to the customer terminal 4, and the customer terminal 4 specifies the URL. Alternatively, when the electronic receipt server 3 registers the receipt information, it may send a registration notification including the receipt number to the customer terminal 4, and the customer terminal 4, upon receiving the registration notification, sends a receipt information request specifying the receipt number to the electronic receipt server 3.

[0067] The electronic receipt server 3 extracts the receipt information requested in the receipt information request from the receipt information management file 313 (step S8). The electronic receipt server 3 sends the extracted receipt information to the customer terminal 4 (step S9).

[0068] The customer terminal 4 temporarily stores the received receipt information, in other words, the receipt information that has been published on the Web and downloaded, and displays the electronic receipt on the display unit 42 using a web browser (step S10). The temporarily stored receipt information is cleared, for example, when the application program for the electronic receipt service is started next time. The customer terminal 4 may also store the received receipt information in an accumulated manner.

[0069] Through the above operations, customers can purchase products at stores equipped with POS terminal 2 and view receipt information related to the purchase on their customer terminal 4. Furthermore, the electronic receipt server 3 can manage receipt information, including product information and individual product codes, for items processed through payment at POS terminal 2.

[0070] Next, we will explain the process for accepting returns at the store. Note that while this explanation focuses on the return process, the same procedures apply to returns due to malfunctions, etc. The sales data management system 1 can be used to verify whether an item brought in by a customer was purchased at that store.

[0071] First, when a customer brings an item to the store to return it, a store employee inputs a return processing start instruction into POS terminal 2 (step S11). Next, the member ID of the customer who brought in the item is entered into POS terminal 2 (step S12). In addition, POS terminal 2 reads the item code from the RF tag embedded in the item brought in by the customer (step S13).

[0072] The POS terminal 2 sends a purchase confirmation request to the electronic receipt server 3, which includes the entered member ID, the store ID which is store information stored in the memory unit 21, and the read individual item code (step S14).

[0073] When the electronic receipt server 3 receives a purchase confirmation request, it performs a determination process (step S15). Details of the determination process will be described later. The electronic receipt server 3 sends the determination result from the determination process to the POS terminal 2 (step S16).

[0074] POS terminal 2 determines whether a return can be processed based on the judgment result received from the electronic receipt server 3 (step S17). In other words, POS terminal 2 determines whether the individual item brought in by the customer is eligible for return. If it is eligible for return, POS terminal 2 executes the return process (step S18).

[0075] Next, we will explain the judgment process performed by the electronic receipt server 3. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the judgment process performed by the control unit 30 of the electronic receipt server 3.

[0076] The control unit 30 determines whether the transmitting / receiving unit 3001 has received a purchase confirmation request from the POS terminal 2 (step S21). If it has not received a request (N in step S21), it returns to the process in step S21 and waits.

[0077] When the transmitting / receiving unit 3001 receives a purchase confirmation request from the POS terminal 2 (Y in step S21), the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item code included in the purchase confirmation request is registered in the receipt information management file 313 (step S22). In other words, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual item that is the subject of the purchase confirmation request was sold legitimately at any store, that is, whether or not it is stolen.

[0078] If the item code included in the purchase confirmation request is registered in the receipt information management file 313 (Y in step S22), the determination unit 3005 determines whether the store ID included in the purchase confirmation request matches the store ID corresponding to the item code in the receipt information management file 313 (step S23). In other words, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the item subject to the purchase confirmation request was sold at the store that accepted the return.

[0079] If the store ID included in the purchase confirmation request matches the store ID corresponding to the item code (Y in step S23), the determination unit 3005 determines whether the member ID included in the purchase confirmation request matches the member ID corresponding to the item code in the receipt information management file 313 (step S24). In other words, the determination unit 3005 determines whether the customer requesting the return is the customer who purchased the item in question.

[0080] If the member ID included in the purchase confirmation request matches the member ID corresponding to the individual item code (Y in step S24), the determination unit 3005 determines that the item is returnable (step S25). Subsequently, the transmission / reception unit 3001 transmits the determination result to the POS terminal 2, which is the source of the purchase request confirmation (step S26). Then, the control unit 30 terminates the determination process.

[0081] In the process of step S22, if the individual item code included in the purchase confirmation request is not registered in the receipt information management file 313 (N in step S22), the determination unit 3005 determines that the item is not returnable (step S27). The determination unit 3005 determines that the individual item subject to the purchase confirmation request may be stolen and therefore is not returnable. After that, the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step S26.

[0082] In the process of step S23, if the store ID included in the purchase confirmation request does not match the store ID corresponding to the individual item code (N in step S23), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step S27. The determination unit 3005 determines that the individual item that is the subject of the purchase confirmation request was not sold at the store where the POS terminal 2 that sent the purchase confirmation request is installed, and determines that it is not eligible for return.

[0083] In step S24, if the member ID included in the purchase confirmation request does not match the member ID corresponding to the individual item code (N in step S24), the determination unit 3005 makes a warning determination (step S28). The determination unit 3005 makes a warning determination to notify the store that a customer other than the customer who purchased the individual item subject to the purchase confirmation request is requesting a return. The processing of the POS terminal 2 upon receiving the warning determination result can be arbitrarily set by the store. Then, the control unit 30 proceeds to the processing in step S26. Note that the determination in step S24 is not always necessary.

[0084] As described above, the sales data management system 1 of the first embodiment comprises a POS terminal 2 equipped with an input unit 2002 into which an individual item code identifying an individual product is entered, and an electronic receipt server 3 equipped with a management unit 3004 that manages the individual item codes of products sold by the retailer, and further comprises a determination unit 3005 that determines whether or not the individual item code entered into the input unit 2002 is included in the individual item codes managed by the management unit 3004, and a transmitting / receiving unit 3001 that outputs the determination result from the determination unit 3005.

[0085] This allows the sales data management system 1 to determine whether an item identified by its item code entered into the POS terminal 2 was sold at the store where the POS terminal 2 is installed. Therefore, stores using the sales data management system 1 can verify whether an item subject to return was sold at their store when they accept a return.

[0086] Furthermore, in the sales data management system 1 of the first embodiment, the input unit 2002 receives a member ID that identifies the purchaser of the product, the management unit 3004 manages the individual product code in association with the member ID of the purchaser who purchased the individual product identified by the individual product code, and the determination unit 3005 determines whether the individual product code and member ID entered in the input unit 2002 are managed in association by the management unit 3004.

[0087] This allows the sales data management system 1 to determine whether a customer identified by the member ID entered into the POS terminal 2 is the same customer who purchased the item identified by the item code. Therefore, stores using the sales data management system 1 can verify whether the returned item was purchased by the customer who brought it in when accepting returns. This prevents stores from, for example, mistakenly accepting stolen goods from legitimate purchasers as eligible for return.

[0088] Furthermore, the management unit 3004 of the sales data management system 1 in the first embodiment manages receipt information related to transactions between the seller and the buyer.

[0089] This allows the sales data management system 1 to utilize an electronic receipt server that manages receipt information. Therefore, the sales data management system 1 can be easily constructed. In other words, it becomes possible to provide an electronic receipt service using the sales data management system 1.

[0090] In addition, the POS terminal 2 of the sales data management system 1 of the first embodiment further includes a settlement processing unit 2004 that performs return processing related to the return of sold goods, and the settlement processing unit 2004 performs return processing according to the determination result output by the transmitting / receiving unit 3001.

[0091] This allows the POS terminal 2 to prohibit the return process if, for example, the determination unit 3005 determines that the item is not eligible for return. Therefore, it prevents stores from complying with fraudulent return requests.

[0092] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the POS terminal 2 determines whether the individual item code displayed on the electronic receipt matches the individual item code read from the individual item brought into the store, thereby confirming whether the item was sold at that store. The POS terminal 2 is an example of an information processing device. In this embodiment, it is also possible to use a paper receipt instead of an electronic receipt. In the following, descriptions of the same configuration and functions as in the first embodiment may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0093] Figure 10 shows the receipt display screen on the customer terminal 4. The customer terminal 4 can display a receipt by launching the application program for the electronic receipt service. The display unit 42 of the customer terminal 4 has a header unit 421 and a main display unit 422.

[0094] The header section 421 has several buttons 4211 formed on it. These buttons 4211 are, for example, used to display a barcode indicating a member ID on the main display section 422, or to display an electronic receipt on the main display section 422.

[0095] The main display unit 422 displays the electronic receipt on the electronic receipt display screen shown in Figure 10. The main display unit 422 also displays the start screen when the electronic receipt service application program is launched. The main display unit 422 includes a store information display area 4221 and a transaction information display area 4222.

[0096] The store information display area 4221 displays store information. This information may include, for example, the company name, store name, company ID, and store ID. In addition to store information, the store information display area 4221 may also display commercial messages.

[0097] The transaction information display area 4222 displays product information, transaction date and time, receipt number, etc. The displayed product information includes the product name and price, as well as a barcode 4223. The barcode 4223 indicates an individual item code that identifies the purchased individual item. By reading the barcode 4223 displayed on the receipt, the individual items purchased in the transaction on that receipt can be identified. In addition, if there are many purchased items in a single transaction and the product information does not fit on the display unit 42 of the customer terminal 4, the main display unit 422 can display all the information by scrolling the display screen up and down.

[0098] Customers can verify transaction details by viewing the displayed electronic receipt. Additionally, when returning items at a store, customers can present the electronic receipt to the staff to inform them that they purchased the item being returned.

[0099] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the POS terminal 2 will be described. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the POS terminal 2. The control unit 20 functions as a transmit / receive unit 2001, an input unit 2002, a registration unit 2003, a settlement processing unit 2004, a display control unit 2005, and a determination unit 2006, with the CPU 201 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21. Note that each of these functions may be configured using hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0100] The functions of the transmitting / receiving unit 2001, registration unit 2003, payment processing unit 2004, and display control unit 2005 are the same as in the first embodiment, so redundant explanations will be omitted. The input unit 2002 receives the individual item code read by the scanner 24 from the barcode on the receipt displayed on the customer terminal 4. The other functions of the input unit 2002 are the same as in the first embodiment. Here, the input unit 2002 is an example of a first input unit into which individual item identification information indicated by a medium attached to the product is input, and is also an example of a second input unit into which individual item identification information indicated by the receipt of the purchased product is input. The display control unit 2005 is an example of an output unit.

[0101] The following describes the process for accepting returns in the above configuration. The customer presents the item to be returned and the receipt for that item to the store clerk. The clerk verifies that the presented receipt was issued by their store. Store information may be written to the barcode 4223 on the receipt. In this case, the clerk can verify that the presented receipt was issued by their store by reading the barcode 4223. Next, the clerk has the scanner 24 read the item code from the barcode on the receipt on the customer terminal 4, and the RFID reader 25 read the item code from the RF tag embedded in the item brought in.

[0102] POS terminal 2 performs a determination process to determine whether the item code read by scanner 24 matches the item code read by RFID reader 25. This allows the store to confirm whether the item brought in by the customer was purchased in the transaction related to the presented receipt, in other words, whether it was an item sold at their store.

[0103] Next, we will explain the determination process performed by the POS terminal 2. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process by the control unit 20 of the POS terminal 2.

[0104] The control unit 20 determines whether or not a judgment instruction has been input to the input unit 2002 from the operation unit 23 (step S31). If no instruction has been input (N in step S31), it returns to the process of step S31 and waits.

[0105] When a determination instruction is input to the input unit 2002 (Y in step S31), the control unit 20 determines whether or not an individual product code has been input to the input unit 2002 from the RFID reader 25 (step S32). If no code has been input (N in step S32), the control unit returns to the process in step S32 and waits.

[0106] When an individual item code is input to the input unit 2002 from the RFID reader 25 (Y in step S32), the control unit 20 determines whether or not an individual item code has been input to the input unit 2002 from the scanner 24 (step S33). If it has not been input (N in step S33), it returns to the process in step S33 and waits. Note that the order of the processes in step S32 and step S33 may be reversed.

[0107] When an individual item code is input to the input unit 2002 from the scanner 24 (step S33, Y), the determination unit 2006 determines whether the individual item code input from the RFID reader 25 matches the individual item code input from the scanner 24 (step S34).

[0108] If the individual item code input from the RFID reader 25 matches the individual item code input from the scanner 24 (Y in step S34), the determination unit 2006 determines that the item is returnable (step S35). Subsequently, the display control unit 2005 outputs the determination result to the display unit 22 and displays it on the display unit 22 (step S36). Then, the control unit 20 terminates the determination process.

[0109] In step S34, if the individual item code entered from the RFID reader 25 does not match the individual item code entered from the scanner 24 (N in step S34), the determination unit 2006 determines that the item is not returnable (step S37). The determination unit 2006 determines that the item brought in and the item purchased in the transaction shown on the receipt displayed on the customer terminal 4 are not the same item and therefore the item is not returnable. After that, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S36.

[0110] As described above, the POS terminal 2 of the second embodiment includes a first input unit (input unit 2002) into which the individual item code indicated by the RF tag attached to the product is input, a second input unit (input unit 2002) into which the individual item code indicated by the receipt of the purchased product is input, a determination unit 2006 that determines whether the individual item code input to the first input unit matches the individual item code input to the second input unit, and a display control unit 2005 that outputs the determination result from the determination unit 2006.

[0111] This allows POS terminal 2 to determine whether an item, identified by the item code indicated by the RF tag attached to the product brought into the store, was sold at that store. Therefore, stores using POS terminal 2 can verify whether an item to be returned was sold at their store when accepting a return.

[0112] In each of the above embodiments, the control programs executed by the POS terminal 2, the electronic receipt server 3, and the customer terminal 4 may be provided by recording them on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the control programs executed by each of the above devices may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network, or they may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0113] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0114] 1. Sales Data Management System 2 POS terminals (data processing device in the first embodiment, information processing device in the second embodiment) 3. Electronic receipt server (server device, information processing device in the first embodiment) 2002 Input section (First input section, second input section in the second embodiment) 2005 Display Control Unit (Output Unit in the Second Embodiment) 2006 Judgment Department 3001 Transmitting / receiving unit (output unit in the first embodiment) 3003 Acquisition Department 3004 Management Department 3005 Judgment section [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0115] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-29860

Claims

1. A sales data management system comprising: a data processing device equipped with an input unit into which individual item identification information identifying individual items of products subject to return and seller identification information identifying the company to which the seller that brought the product belongs; and a server device equipped with a management unit that manages the individual item identification information of products sold by a seller and the seller identification information of the company to which the seller that sold the product belongs in association, A determination unit determines whether the individual product identification information entered into the input unit is included in the individual product identification information managed by the management unit, and if it is determined that it is included, it determines whether the seller identification information entered into the input unit matches the seller identification information managed by the management unit. An output unit that outputs the determination result from the determination unit, A sales data management system equipped with the following features.

2. The input unit receives customer identification information to identify the customer returning the product. The aforementioned management unit manages the individual product identification information of products sold by the sales company and the customer identification information of the purchaser who purchased the individual product identified by said individual product identification information, in association with each other. The determination unit determines whether the individual product identification information and customer identification information entered into the input unit are managed in association with the management unit. The sales data management system according to claim 1.

3. The management unit manages receipt information for each transaction generated in the transaction between the seller and the buyer, and manages the information contained in the receipt information, including the seller identification information of the company to which the seller that sold the goods belongs, the individual product identification information of the goods sold by the seller of the company identified by the seller identification information, and the customer identification information of the buyer who purchased the individual product identified by the individual product identification information. The sales data management system according to claim 2.

4. The data processing device further includes a return processing unit that performs return processing related to the return of sold goods, The return processing unit executes a return process according to the determination result output by the output unit. A sales data management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An acquisition unit that acquires individual item identification information to identify individual items of the product subject to return, and seller identification information to identify the company to which the seller to whom the product was brought belongs, A determination unit refers to a storage unit that stores individual product identification information of products sold by a seller in association with the seller identification information of the company to which the seller that sold the product belongs, and determines whether the individual product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is stored in the storage unit, and if it is determined that it is included, determines whether the seller identification information acquired by the acquisition unit matches the seller identification information stored in the storage unit. An output unit that outputs the determination result from the determination unit, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

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