JP7794487B2 - Server, electronic receipt processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server, an electronic receipt processing method, and a program.

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

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-200727

The system described in Patent Document 1 does not issue electronic receipts to non-members, and no consideration was given to a mechanism for issuing electronic receipts to non-members.

Furthermore, the system described in Patent Document 1 generates electronic receipts by connecting a registration device for registering purchased items to a management device that generates electronic receipts via a network, and the management device communicates with external devices. However, it is not possible to generate electronic receipts without connecting the registration device to a network.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above situation, and aims to provide a server etc. that can provide electronic receipts to users in an optimal manner.

In order to achieve the above object, the server of the present invention comprises:
a code transmitting means for transmitting a code to a terminal in response to a code acquisition request from the terminal;
a transaction data receiving means for receiving, from the transaction data processing device, transaction data of the commodity as data associated with the code read from the terminal when the commodity is traded in the transaction data processing device;
a transaction data storage means for accumulating and storing the transaction data received from the transaction data processing device in a storage device;
an electronic receipt transmitting means for, when receiving an electronic receipt acquisition request from a terminal, generating electronic receipt information based on the transaction data stored in the storage device, and transmitting the generated electronic receipt information to the terminal of the user who has transmitted the electronic receipt acquisition request;
The code transmitting means
If the code acquisition request is a login request, a membership code corresponding to the membership ID included in the login request is transmitted to the terminal;
If the code acquisition request is a new acquisition request, a new member ID is generated, a new code corresponding to the new member ID is issued, and the new code is transmitted to the terminal;
The electronic receipt sending means
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes a member ID corresponding to the member code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the member ID ;
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes the new member ID corresponding to the new code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the new member ID ;
a member registration request receiving means for receiving a new member registration request from a terminal that has transmitted electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code;
and a new member registration means for registering the new member ID corresponding to the new code as the member ID of a new member when the new member registration request is received,
When a new member is registered by the new member registration means, the transaction data storage means stores the transaction data associated with the new member in the storage device as the transaction data of the registered new member.

This invention allows users to conveniently receive electronic receipts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic receipt server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store terminal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal. 1A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a member transaction history, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of member information. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic receipt server. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a processing flow in an electronic receipt system. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a processing flow in an electronic receipt system. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an electronic receipt generation process. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of the display of a website for an electronic receipt system. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of display of an electronic receipt. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow in an electronic receipt system according to a second embodiment. 10A is a diagram showing a paper receipt according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a display example of an electronic receipt according to the second embodiment.

The following describes an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.

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

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

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

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

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

The store terminal 20 can obtain the member ID (new member ID) by reading the code, and can send the member ID and transaction data to the electronic receipt server 10. Furthermore, once the payment process is completed after the store terminal 20 has read the member ID (new member ID), the user terminal 30 can then obtain electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server 10 and display the electronic receipt on the display.

In this way, the electronic receipt system 100 allows the store terminal 20 to issue an electronic receipt instead of or in addition to issuing a paper receipt by reading the membership code when making a payment at the store terminal 20, and the electronic receipt can be received and viewed at the user terminal 30.

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

The electronic receipt system 100 may also include other components, such as an information processing terminal or server for the retailer (retailer, company, manufacturer) that oversees the store where the store terminal 20 is located.

Network 90 is a communications network capable of transmitting various types of information, such as the Internet, a mobile communications network, or a dedicated line.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 5(A), member transaction history 171 is information that associates a member ID, which is identification information for a member in the electronic receipt system 100, with the member's transaction history. As shown in FIG. 5(A), transaction history is information that associates a receipt ID, which is identification information for transaction data, with transaction data that includes information related to the transaction, such as the store, date and time, purchased item, item price, payment amount, and payment method. The transaction data may be, for example, the same information that is normally printed on a receipt (paper receipt). In this way, member transaction history 171 is information in which the member's transaction data is accumulated as transaction history. Note that member transaction history 171 may also store detailed information about the member, such as name, age, gender, address, telephone number, and birthday, in association with other information.

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

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

Member information 172 may also store and associate member attribute information (basic information) such as name, age, gender, occupation, address, and telephone number. Member information 172 may also store and associate other information such as the member's birthday and blood type. Store (retail) membership numbers and the like may also be stored and associated with the member ID. In this way, the store membership number can be read using the member ID, and the member ID can be read using the store membership number.

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

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

The input device 22 is composed of a keyboard, operation buttons, touch panel, etc., and accepts operation inputs from store staff and sends signals related to the accepted operations to the CPU 24.

The communication interface 23 is hardware for communicating via the network 90 described above, and is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN module.

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

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

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

The printer 29 is a printer device that prints and outputs receipts and other documents corresponding to transaction data. It is also possible to omit the printer 29 from the store terminal 20 and use an external printer device to print and output receipts and other documents. The store terminal 20 may also be configured with an external printer device and an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet.

In this embodiment, information is sent from the store terminal 20 to the electronic receipt server 10, but it is also possible to provide a store server that stores product information and transaction data for the store, and send information from the store terminal 20 to the electronic receipt server 10 via the store server.

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

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

The input device 32 is composed of key buttons, a touch panel, etc., and accepts operation inputs from the user and sends signals related to the accepted operations to the CPU 34.

The communication interface 33 is hardware for communicating via the network 90 described above, and is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN module.

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

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

The electronic receipt app program may be downloadable, for example, via a network. The program may also be stored in ROM 35.

Note that the configurations of each device shown in Figures 2 to 4 are examples, and additional components may be added or some components may be omitted.

Furthermore, at least some of the electronic receipt server 10, store terminal 20, and user terminal 30 may be dedicated hardware. Furthermore, at least some of the electronic receipt server 10, store terminal 20, and user terminal 30 may be configured as general-purpose information processing devices (personal computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.).

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

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

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

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

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

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

If the electronic receipt acquisition request corresponds to a membership code (member ID of a registered member corresponding to the membership code), the electronic receipt transmission unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the membership code (member ID). On the other hand, if the electronic receipt acquisition request corresponds to a new code (new member ID corresponding to the new code), the electronic receipt transmission unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code (new member ID).

The member registration request receiving unit 105 receives a new member registration request from the user terminal 30 that sent electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code.

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

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

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

(Member payment - electronic receipt display operation)
Next, the operation of the electronic receipt system 100 will be described. First, the operation when a member of the electronic receipt system 100 receives an electronic receipt will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of processes in the electronic receipt system 100 from when a member makes a payment at a store until receiving an electronic receipt. In order to issue an electronic receipt when paying for purchased goods at a store, a user who is a member (a customer of the store) needs to display a membership code of the electronic receipt system 100 on the user terminal 30 and have the store terminal 20 read the membership code at the time of payment. To do this, the user who is a member displays the membership code by logging in to the electronic receipt system 100 by accessing the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or by launching an electronic receipt app, etc., before making a payment at the store. Therefore, in the process shown in FIG. 7 , first, the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 determines whether or not a display operation (login operation) of the membership code by the user has been detected (step S11).

In this embodiment, logging in to the electronic receipt system 100 is performed using a web browser installed on the user terminal 30. That is, each process related to electronic receipts on the user terminal 30 is performed via the web browser. This is not limited to this, and each process related to electronic receipts on the user terminal 30 may also be performed via a dedicated electronic receipt app. Also, to make it easier to access the website of the electronic receipt system 100, posters or pop-ups displaying a two-dimensional code for access may be placed in stores.

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

When the code sending unit 101 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives a request (login request) to obtain a membership code including login information from the user terminal 30, it reads the membership ID corresponding to the login information from the membership information 172 and sends a membership code that is an encoded version of the membership ID to the user terminal 30 (step S31).

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

The store terminal 20, operated by the user or a store clerk, reads the membership code displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 using the code scanner 28, thereby obtaining the member ID corresponding to the membership code (step S21).

Then, the store clerk or the user reads the barcodes of the products the user wishes to purchase using the code scanner 28, and manually inputs the product price using the input device 22. The CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 then performs payment processing for the total product price determined from the barcodes read by the code scanner 28 and the product price input using the input device 22 (step S22).

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

When the payment process is complete, the CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 sends the member ID and transaction data for this payment (store information, date and time, purchased item, item price, payment method, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (step S23). The store terminal 20 then ends the process shown in FIG. 7.

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

At this time, the electronic receipt server 10 may send an electronic receipt issuance notification, including a receipt ID, to the store terminal 20 and/or user terminal 30, indicating that the transaction data has been successfully saved, i.e., that an electronic receipt has been issued. This allows the store terminal 20 and/or user terminal 30 to confirm that an electronic receipt has been issued. Furthermore, by storing this receipt ID in the user terminal 30, the user can view the electronic receipt corresponding to the receipt ID on the user terminal 30 at any time.

After the transaction and payment at the store is completed, that is, after the electronic receipt is issued, at any timing, if the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 detects an operation to display the electronic receipt by the user (Step S14; Yes), it sends an electronic receipt acquisition request including information that identifies the transaction (e.g., the transaction store, transaction date and time, and the corresponding receipt ID, member ID, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (Step S15). The operation to display the electronic receipt is, for example, an operation to select specific transaction data (transaction store, transaction date and time, etc.) on a transaction data list screen on the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or in the electronic receipt app.

When the CPU 14 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives an electronic receipt acquisition request from the user terminal 30, it executes an electronic receipt generation process to generate an electronic receipt (step S33).

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

After the electronic receipt is generated in the electronic receipt generation process, returning to FIG. 7, the electronic receipt transmission unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the generated electronic receipt to the user terminal 30 (step S34). That is, if the electronic receipt acquisition request received from the user terminal 30 includes the member ID of a registered member and corresponds to the registered member code, the electronic receipt transmission unit 104 transmits electronic receipt information corresponding to the member code (member ID).

When the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 receives the electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server 10, it formats the electronic receipt into a size and format that can be suitably displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 based on the electronic receipt information, and displays the formatted electronic receipt on the display 31 (step S16). Through the above process, a member of the electronic receipt system 100 can have an electronic receipt issued by presenting their membership code when making a transaction at a store. Then, they can obtain and view the electronic receipt for that transaction on the user terminal 30. In other words, the user who is a member can receive an electronic receipt for a transaction at the store.

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

To make it easier for non-members to receive new electronic receipts, stores may place posters or pop-ups displaying two-dimensional codes for accessing the website of the electronic receipt system 100 or the download site for the electronic receipt app. In this way, posters and pop-ups can encourage non-members of the electronic receipt system 100 to use the electronic receipt system 100 and register as members. Furthermore, even non-members of the electronic receipt system 100 can easily use the electronic receipt system 100 and receive electronic receipts.

If a new electronic receipt reception operation is not detected (Step S41; No), the processing shown in FIG. 8 ends. If a new electronic receipt reception operation is detected (Step S41; Yes), the CPU 34 acquires a new membership code from the electronic receipt server 10 by, for example, sending a request to acquire a new membership code (a request to acquire a new membership code) to the electronic receipt server 10 (Step S42).

When the code sending unit 101 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives a request to obtain a new member code from the user terminal 30, it generates a new member ID that does not overlap with any previously issued member IDs and sends a new member code that is a coded version of that member ID (step S51). This newly issued new member code is also called a provisional member code, as it is a membership code temporarily issued to a non-member prior to member registration. The new member ID issued in step S51 is also added to the member information 172. The provisional member flag for the added member ID is turned on at this time.

When the CPU 34 receives a new member code from the electronic receipt server 10, it determines whether a member registration operation has been detected (step S43). For example, when the user terminal 30 receives a new member code, it displays operation buttons for new member registration and a member information input screen on the display 31. Then, in step S43, it determines, for example, whether the operation button for new member registration has been operated and member information has been entered.

If a new member registration operation is detected (Step S43; Yes), the CPU 34 sends a member registration request including member registration information (member ID corresponding to the new member code, email address, password, attribute information, etc. of the user registering as a member) to the electronic receipt server 10 (Step S44).

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

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

Once new member registration is completed on the user terminal 30, the process proceeds to step S13 in Figure 7, and the same processing is performed as when the member receives an electronic receipt.

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

The store terminal 20, operated by the user or store clerk, reads the new member code displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 using the code scanner 28, thereby obtaining a member ID (new member ID) corresponding to the new member code (step S21). Then, payment processing (step S22) and transmission of the member ID (new member ID) and transaction data (step S23) are performed. The processing of steps S21 to S23 is the same as in Figure 7. The store terminal 20 then ends the processing shown in Figure 8.

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

In addition, the electronic receipt server 10 may discard the transaction data of a non-member (member transaction history 171 of a new member ID) if member registration for that new member ID is not performed for a predetermined period of time, or if an electronic receipt related to the transaction data is not obtained for a predetermined period of time. By doing this, if a non-member performs a new electronic receipt reception operation but does not use the electronic receipt service for a predetermined period of time, the information related to the non-member is deleted, thereby preventing a burden on data capacity due to long-term storage of information related to non-members. At this time, the non-member's member information 172 may also be discarded. The member ID related to the discarded member information 172 may be reused.

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

When the CPU 14 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives the electronic receipt acquisition request from the user terminal 30, it executes an electronic receipt generation process to generate an electronic receipt (step S33). The process of step S33 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7.

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

When the CPU 34 of the non-member user terminal 30 receives the electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server 10, it formats the electronic receipt into a size and format that can be suitably displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 based on the electronic receipt information, and displays the formatted electronic receipt on the display 31 (step S48). Through the above process, a non-member of the electronic receipt system 100 can receive a new electronic receipt when making a transaction at a store, obtain a new membership code, and then present the new membership code to have an electronic receipt issued. The user can then obtain and view the electronic receipt for that transaction on the user terminal 30. In other words, a non-member user can receive an electronic receipt for a transaction at a store.

After displaying the electronic receipt on the non-member user terminal 30, the CPU 34 determines whether an operation to register as a member and save the currently received electronic receipt has been detected (step S49). For example, the member transaction history 171 of a non-member is configured to be deleted after a predetermined period of time has passed. By registering as a member, a non-member can accumulate and save the member transaction history 171 in the electronic receipt server 10, and can obtain and view the electronic receipt corresponding to the member transaction history 171 on the user terminal 30. In addition, for example, the electronic receipt can be saved in the user terminal 30. Note that the member registration operation may be the same as in step S43, as long as the operation button for registering a new member is operated or member information is entered.

If a new member registration operation is detected (step S49; Yes), the CPU 34 sends a member registration request including member registration information (member ID corresponding to the new member code, email address of the user registering, password, attribute information, etc.) to the electronic receipt server 10 (step S50), and ends the processing in FIG. 8. If a new member registration operation is not detected (step S49; No), the CPU 34 ends the processing in FIG. 8 as is.

When the member registration request receiving unit 105 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives a member registration request from the user terminal 30, the new member registration unit 106 executes member registration processing to register a new member for the electronic receipt system 100 (step S54). The processing of step S54 may be the same as step S52. When the member registration processing is complete, the transaction data and member transaction history 171 related to the new member's member ID before registration, which were saved in step S53, become available as the new member's transaction data and member transaction history 171.

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

As described above, according to the electronic receipt system 100 and electronic receipt server 10 of embodiment 1, even non-members of the electronic receipt system 100 can receive a new electronic receipt when making a transaction at a store, obtain a new membership code, and present the new membership code to have an electronic receipt issued. Then, the user can obtain and view the electronic receipt for that transaction on the user terminal 30. In other words, non-member users can receive electronic receipts for transactions at a store.

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

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

When the read button 315 is operated, the camera on the user terminal 30 is activated and the transaction content code printed on the paper receipt can be read. The transaction content code indicates, for example, the transaction content printed on the paper receipt. By reading the transaction content code on the user terminal 30 via a predetermined website or a dedicated electronic receipt app, an electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction content printed on the paper receipt is displayed. Note that reading the transaction content code will be explained in embodiment 2.

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

The new electronic receipt reception menu screen displays a new member registration button 317 for registering as a new member, an electronic receipt display button 318 for displaying an electronic receipt issued by presenting the temporary member code 316, and a read button 315. Operating the new member registration button 317 displays a screen for entering information required for member registration (email address, password, etc.) and a button for sending the entered information to the electronic receipt server 10. Operating the electronic receipt display button 318 also displays a list of transaction information performed by presenting the temporary member code 316 and an electronic receipt for the most recent transaction.

For example, non-members may be able to view only the electronic receipt that was most recently issued by presenting the temporary membership code 316 on the new electronic receipt reception menu screen. In this case, the electronic receipt server 10 may store only the most recent transaction data for the non-member's member transaction history. This can encourage users who wish to view electronic receipts related to past transactions to register as members. It can also reduce the capacity burden on the electronic receipt server 10.

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

Note that the login screen and menu screen shown in FIG. 10 are merely examples, and the login screen and menu screen may include other items, or some of the buttons may be omitted. For example, other buttons may be provided, such as a help button for calling up a help screen or a settings button for changing application settings.

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

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

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

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, in order to transmit a member ID and transaction data from the store terminal 20 to the electronic receipt server 10, the store terminal 20 needed to have a function for communicating with the electronic receipt server 10. If the store terminal installed in the store does not have a communication function or if the store does not have a network environment, introducing an electronic receipt service like that of the first embodiment would require modifying the store terminal and building a network environment, resulting in high introduction costs. Furthermore, even if a store terminal 20 with a communication function is installed, there may be cases where it is temporarily unable to connect to the electronic receipt server 10 due to a problem in the communication environment, etc. The electronic receipt system 100A of the second embodiment is a system that makes it possible to provide an electronic receipt service even with a store terminal 20A in an offline environment that is not connected to a communication network.

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

This diagram shows the process flow in the electronic receipt system 100A, from when a user (a store customer) makes a payment at a store until they receive an electronic receipt. Note that the user may be either a member or a non-member of the electronic receipt system 100A.

When a user purchases an item at a store, the store terminal 20A uses the code scanner 28 to read the barcode of the item the user is purchasing, and the store clerk or the user manually inputs the item price using the input device 22. The CPU 24 of the store terminal 20 then performs payment processing for the total amount of the item price determined from the barcode read by the code scanner 28 and the item price input using the input device 22 (step S211).

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

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

Figure 13 (A) shows an example of a paper receipt 400 output in this manner. The paper receipt 400 includes information such as store information (store name, address, phone number), date and time, purchased items, item price, payment amount, and payment method (for example, information similar to the transaction data in the member transaction history 171). A transaction content code 401 indicating the transaction content is printed on the paper receipt 400. The paper receipt 400 also includes a uniform resource locator (URL) for a website from which the transaction content code 401 can be read. Accessing this URL displays, for example, the login screen for the electronic receipt system 100A shown in Figure 10 (A) or a web page from which the transaction content code 401 can be read. The URL printed on the paper receipt 400 may be a URL specific to the store that issued the paper receipt 400. This allows the use of an electronic receipt template corresponding to the store, allowing electronic receipts tailored to the store to be generated.

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

The CPU 34 then decodes the transaction content code 401 to identify the transaction content, and embeds or formats the transaction content into an electronic receipt template, thereby displaying an electronic receipt corresponding to the transaction content on the display 31 (step S203).

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

When the CPU 34 of the user terminal 30 detects the operation of the save button 320 for saving the electronic receipt, it saves the electronic receipt in a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage device 37 (step S205). At this time, the CPU 34 also transmits the transaction data corresponding to the electronic receipt together with the member ID to the electronic receipt server 10. Then, the CPU 34 ends the processing shown in FIG. 12.

When the CPU 14 of the electronic receipt server 10 receives transaction data from the user terminal 30, it issues a new receipt ID and saves the current transaction data by adding the receipt ID and the current transaction data to the transaction history in the member transaction history 171 for the corresponding member ID (step S221). The electronic receipt corresponding to the saved transaction data can be viewed on the user terminal 30. The CPU 14 then ends the processing shown in FIG. 12.

As described above, according to the electronic receipt system 100A of the second embodiment, a user can display and save an electronic receipt by reading the transaction content code 401 with the user terminal 30, and the transaction data corresponding to the electronic receipt can be saved in the electronic receipt server 10. Therefore, even if the store terminal 20A is not connected to the electronic receipt server 10, the electronic receipt service can be provided to the user. This allows stores to introduce the electronic receipt service while keeping introduction costs down. Furthermore, an increase in stores where users can use the electronic receipt service is expected, improving user convenience.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible, and further features may be added. For example, the processing contents, determination methods, and data formats of information exchanged between the components shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and any other configuration may be used as long as it can achieve the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the above-described embodiments are essential, and some may be missing.

Furthermore, embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 may be combined as appropriate. For example, in embodiment 1, if the store terminal 20 in the electronic receipt system 100 is temporarily unable to connect to the electronic receipt server 10 due to a problem with the communication environment, the process shown in FIG. 12 may be executed, and the transaction content code may be printed on the paper receipt as in the process of embodiment 2.

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

In addition, in the above embodiment, a user can access the website of the electronic receipt system 100 to use electronic receipt services such as displaying a membership code and viewing electronic receipts, but it is also possible to make the electronic receipt service available via an electronic receipt application provided by the operator of the electronic receipt system 100.

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

10 Electronic receipt server 20, 20A Store terminal 30 User terminal 90 Network 100, 100A Electronic receipt system 101 Code transmission unit 102 Transaction data reception unit 103 Transaction data storage unit 104 Electronic receipt transmission unit 105 Member registration request reception unit 106 New member registration unit

Claims (7)

a code transmitting means for transmitting a code to a terminal in response to a code acquisition request from the terminal;
a transaction data receiving means for receiving, from the transaction data processing device, transaction data of the commodity as data associated with the code read from the terminal when the commodity is traded in the transaction data processing device;
a transaction data storage means for storing the transaction data received from the transaction data processing device in a storage device;
an electronic receipt transmitting means for, when receiving an electronic receipt acquisition request from a terminal, generating electronic receipt information based on the transaction data stored in the storage device, and transmitting the generated electronic receipt information to the terminal of the user who has transmitted the electronic receipt acquisition request;
The code transmitting means
If the code acquisition request is a login request, a membership code corresponding to the membership ID included in the login request is transmitted to the terminal;
If the code acquisition request is a new acquisition request, a new member ID is generated, a new code corresponding to the new member ID is issued, and the new code is transmitted to the terminal;
The electronic receipt sending means
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes a member ID corresponding to the member code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the member ID ;
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes the new member ID corresponding to the new code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the new member ID ;
a member registration request receiving means for receiving a new member registration request from a terminal that has transmitted electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code;
and a new member registration means for registering the new member ID corresponding to the new code as the member ID of a new member when the new member registration request is received,
When a new member is registered by the new member registration means, the transaction data storage means stores the transaction data associated with the new member in the storage device as the transaction data of the registered new member. The server according to claim 1 , wherein when the electronic receipt transmitting means transmits the electronic receipt corresponding to the new code, the server transmits information prompting the user to register as a new member to the terminal that transmitted the electronic receipt information. 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein when the electronic receipt transmitting means transmits an electronic receipt corresponding to the new code, the server transmits information for new member registration at a plurality of timings to the terminal that transmitted the electronic receipt information. The server according to claim 1 , wherein if a new member registration request is not received within a predetermined period from the terminal that transmitted the electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code, the server discards the transaction data corresponding to the new code. The server according to claim 1 , wherein when a new member is registered by said new member registration means, a special benefit is given to the new member. An electronic receipt processing method executed by a server,
a code transmitting step of transmitting a code to the terminal in response to a code acquisition request from the terminal;
a transaction data receiving step of receiving, from the transaction data processing device, transaction data of the commodity as data associated with the code read from the terminal when the commodity is traded in the transaction data processing device;
a transaction data storage step of accumulating and storing the transaction data received from the transaction data processing device in a storage device;
an electronic receipt transmitting step of generating electronic receipt information based on the transaction data stored in the storage device when an electronic receipt acquisition request is received from a terminal, and transmitting the generated electronic receipt information to the terminal of the user who has transmitted the electronic receipt acquisition request;
In the code transmitting step,
If the code acquisition request is a login request, a membership code corresponding to the membership ID included in the login request is transmitted to the terminal;
If the code acquisition request is a new acquisition request, a new member ID is generated, a new code corresponding to the new member ID is issued, and the new code is transmitted to the terminal;
In the electronic receipt transmitting step,
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes a member ID corresponding to the member code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the member ID ;
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes the new member ID corresponding to the new code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the new member ID ;
a member registration request receiving step of receiving a new member registration request from the terminal that has transmitted the electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code;
a new member registration step of registering the new member ID corresponding to the new code as the member ID of a new member when the new member registration request is received,
In the transaction data storage step, when a new member is registered in the new member registration step, the transaction data associated with the new member is stored in the storage device as the transaction data of the registered new member. Computer,
a code transmitting means for transmitting a code to a terminal in response to a code acquisition request from the terminal;
a transaction data receiving means for receiving, from the transaction data processing device, transaction data of the commodity as data associated with the code read from the terminal when the commodity is traded in the transaction data processing device;
a transaction data storage means for accumulating and storing the transaction data received from the transaction data processing device in a storage device;
when receiving an electronic receipt request from a terminal, generating electronic receipt information based on the transaction data stored in the storage device, and transmitting the generated electronic receipt information to the terminal of the user who has transmitted the electronic receipt request;
The code transmitting means
If the code acquisition request is a login request, a membership code corresponding to the membership ID included in the login request is transmitted to the terminal;
If the code acquisition request is a new acquisition request, a new member ID is generated, a new code corresponding to the new member ID is issued, and the new code is transmitted to the terminal;
The electronic receipt sending means
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes a member ID corresponding to the member code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the member ID ;
If the electronic receipt acquisition request includes the new member ID corresponding to the new code, generating and transmitting electronic receipt information based on the transaction data corresponding to the new member ID ;
The computer
a member registration request receiving means for receiving a new member registration request from a terminal that has transmitted electronic receipt information corresponding to the new code;
when the new member registration request is received, further functioning as a new member registration means for registering the new member ID corresponding to the new code as the member ID of the new member;
The transaction data storage means is a program that, when a new member is registered by the new member registration means, stores the transaction data associated with the new member in the storage device as the transaction data of the registered new member.