JP6719617B2 - Electronic receipt system, server device and its program, and coupon distribution method - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic receipt system capable of delivering electronic coupon information, a server device of this system, and a program for causing a computer to function as the server device.

The receipts passed from the store to the shopper at the time of settlement of commercial transactions (acts of buying and selling goods with the shopper) are digitized, and this digitized receipt data, so-called electronic receipt information, is passed through a network such as the Internet. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an electronic receipt system that is distributed to an information terminal used by shoppers. Further, an electronic coupon system is already known in which a manufacturer or seller of goods distributes electronic coupon data, so-called electronic coupon information, to an information terminal used by a shopper through a communication network.

In a store where an electronic receipt system is introduced, consumption of receipt paper is reduced as the number of shoppers who receive receipts as electronic receipt information increases. Further, the frequency of troublesome work such as exchanging receipt paper or dealing with paper jam is reduced. Therefore, in order to enhance the usefulness of the electronic receipt system, it has been considered to deliver the electronic coupon information separately from the receipt data to the information terminal of the shopper who receives the receipt as the electronic receipt information.

Coupons usually have an expiration date. In addition, the number of times of personal use may be limited. It is possible to limit the expiration date by adding the expiration date information to the electronic coupon information and selecting the expiration date and the expiration date at the time of distribution. However, with respect to the number of times of use, it is necessary to manage the use record for each shopper, so there is no way to limit the number of times of use with the current electronic receipt system.

JP, 2014-194745, A

The problem to be solved by the embodiment of the present invention is suitable for a shopper who receives a receipt as electronic receipt information to obtain electronic coupon information in which a coupon having a limited number of times of personal use is digitized within its limitation range. The present invention aims to provide an electronic receipt system that can be distributed to users and a server device of this system.

In one embodiment, the server device includes a storage unit, a timing means, the additional means, a delivery means. The storage unit is coupon identification information that identifies electronic coupon information that is a computerized coupon that can be used in a transaction, and customer identification information that identifies a customer who is a delivery target of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information. and stores the information representing the number of times of use of the electronic coupon information that was used me by the the customer. The time measuring means measures the date. The adding means acquires the electronic coupon information in which the start date of the usable period matches the date measured by the time measuring means, and the coupon identification information of the electronic coupon information is the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information. customer identification information of customers is a distribution target, and, in association with the initial value of the information representing the number of times of use of the customer, to add to the storage unit. Delivery means, responsive to receipt of the coupon request command including the customer identification information, among the coupon identification information stored in the storage unit in association with customer identification information included in the coupon request command, the customer identification information The electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information, which is permitted to be distributed, is transmitted from the information indicating the number of times of use stored in association with the sender of the coupon request command.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic receipt system. The block diagram which shows the principal part circuit structure of an information terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of a POS terminal. The block diagram which shows the principal part circuit structure of an electronic receipt server. The block diagram which shows the principal part circuit structure of a center server. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the electronic receipt record stored in a receipt file. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the member record saved in a member file. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the coupon record stored in a coupon file. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the delivery management record stored in a delivery management file. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the update process which the processor of a center server performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the coupon confirmation process which the processor of an information terminal performs. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the top screen displayed on the touch panel of an information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the notification screen without a coupon displayed on the touch panel of an information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the coupon list screen displayed on the touch panel of an information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the coupon use screen displayed on the touch panel of an information terminal. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the coupon request command reception process which the processor of a center server performs. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of scanning processing executed by the processor of the POS terminal. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the coupon determination process in the same scanning process concretely. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the closing key process which the processor of a POS terminal performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the frequency|count request command reception process which the processor of a center server performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the receipt data receiving process which the processor of a center server performs.

Hereinafter, to a shopper who receives a receipt as electronic receipt information, an embodiment of an electronic receipt system that can appropriately deliver electronic coupon information that is a computerized coupon with a limited number of times of personal use, within the limited range, This will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of electronic receipt system]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic receipt system 1 in this embodiment.
The electronic receipt system 1 includes a POS system 2, a server system 3, and a network 4 for connecting the two systems 2 and 3 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 4 is a wide area communication network such as the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Further, the electronic receipt system 1 is connected to the information terminal 6 having a wireless communication function by relaying the base station 5 on the network 4. The information terminal 6 is, for example, a wireless communication device carried by a shopper, and corresponds to a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

The POS system 2 includes a plurality (two in the figure) of POS terminals 21, a store server 22, a router 23, and a LAN (Local Area Network) 24. The POS system 2 is configured by connecting the POS terminal 21, the store server 22, and the router 23 to the LAN 24, respectively. The LAN 24 may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. Such a POS system 2 is built in a retail store or the like that sells products.

The POS terminal 21 has a function of registering sales data of products purchased by a shopper, a function of settling a commercial transaction with the shopper, and the like. Then, the POS terminal 21 creates receipt data representing the details of the commercial transaction when the commercial transaction is settled, and issues the receipt. The receipt may be issued as a paper receipt or as an electronic receipt. When issuing as a paper receipt, the POS terminal 21 controls the printer 217 (see FIG. 3) to print the receipt data on a predetermined receipt paper. When issuing as an electronic receipt, the POS terminal 21 sends the electronic receipt data to the server system 3 together with the member ID which is the customer identification information read by the reading device.

The store server 22 includes a product master file that stores information on each product sold in the store. The information includes a product ID, which is product identification information for individually identifying each product. Further, the name of the product identified by the product ID (product name), the price per unit point (unit price), the classification code representing the product classification, and the like are also stored in the product master file. The classification code is a code for identifying the classification such as whether the product identified by the corresponding product ID is food or miscellaneous goods. When a product ID is inquired from the POS terminal 21 via the LAN 24, the store server 22 responds to the inquiry source POS terminal 21 with product information including the product ID such as the product name, unit price, and classification code.

The router 23 relays data communication between the LAN 24 and the network 4. Electronic receipt information (digitized receipt data) transmitted from the POS terminal 21 to the server system 3 via the LAN 24 is transmitted to the server system 3 on the network 4 via the router 23.

Although FIG. 1 shows the POS system 2 of one store, typically, the POS systems 2 of a plurality of stores are connected to the network 4 to configure the electronic receipt system 1 together with the server system 3.

The server system 3 includes an electronic receipt server 31 and a center server 32. The electronic receipt server 31 collectively stores the electronic receipt information issued to each shopper. Specifically, the electronic receipt server 31 includes a storage device for storing electronic receipt information, and the electronic receipt information received via the network 4 is stored in this storage device. When the electronic receipt server 31 receives a request from the information terminal 6, the electronic receipt server 31 reads the electronic receipt information issued to the shopper who is the user of the information terminal 6 from the storage device, and the information terminal 6 via the network 4. Send to.

The center server 32 collectively stores computerized coupons, so-called electronic coupon information. Specifically, the center server 32 includes a storage device for storing electronic coupon information, and stores electronic coupon information input from the outside in the storage device. Incidentally, the outside may be a computer device connected to the network 4 or a reading device that reads data from a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a USB memory, or a semiconductor memory. Upon receiving a request from the information terminal 6, the center server 32 reads out the electronic coupon information usable by the shopper who is the user of the information terminal 6 from the storage device, and the information terminal 6 via the network 4. Send to.

[Information terminal configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the information terminal 6.
The information terminal 6 is provided with a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a clock 64, a touch panel 65, a wireless unit 66, etc. in a portable body. The processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, the clock 64, the touch panel 65, and the wireless unit 66 are connected by a system transmission line 67 including an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like.

The information terminal 6 constitutes a computer by the processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, and the system transmission line 67 connecting these.
The processor 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 61 controls each unit to realize various functions as the information terminal 6 in accordance with the operating system and application programs.

The main memory 62 corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The main memory 62 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system and application programs in a non-volatile memory area. Further, the main memory 62 may store data necessary for the processor 61 to execute processing for controlling each unit in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 61.

The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory) is used as the auxiliary storage device 63. A hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like may be used as the auxiliary storage device 63. The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 for performing various processes, data generated by the process of the processor 61, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 63 may store the above application program.

The clock 64 functions as a time information source of the information terminal 6. The processor 61 clocks the current date and time based on the time information clocked by the clock 64.
The touch panel 65 functions as an input device and a display device of the information terminal 6. On the touch panel 65, an icon for starting the above application program is displayed.
The wireless unit 66 performs wireless data communication with the base station 5 using a wireless LAN, mobile data communication, or the like.

The information terminal 6 having such a configuration becomes a user terminal for the electronic receipt system 1 capable of delivering electronic coupon information by installing the electronic receipt terminal program P1 which is an application program. That is, the information terminal 6 can receive the electronic receipt information distributed from the electronic receipt server 31 via the wireless unit 66 and display the receipt image on the touch panel 65. The information terminal 6 can also receive the electronic coupon information distributed from the center server 32 via the wireless unit 66 and display the coupon list on the touch panel 65.

The electronic receipt terminal program P1 controls the processor 61 so that the information terminal 6 functions as a user terminal for the electronic receipt system 1 capable of delivering electronic coupon information. The electronic receipt terminal program P1 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 63. An electronic receipt management area W1 is formed in the auxiliary storage device 63 together with the electronic receipt terminal program P1.

In order for the user of the information terminal 6 to receive a receipt from a retail store as electronic receipt information, it is necessary to register as a member in advance. Member registration can be executed from the information terminal 6 under the control of the electronic receipt terminal program P1. Therefore, the user needs to install the electronic receipt terminal program P1 on the information terminal 6 before the member registration.

When the user activates the electronic receipt terminal program P1 and selects the member registration mode in the information terminal 6 in which the electronic receipt terminal program P1 is installed, the member registration screen is displayed on the touch panel 65. Therefore, the user inputs user information such as name, age, sex, and zip code to register as a member. By this member registration, a member ID for identifying the user is issued from the server system 3. The member ID is stored in the electronic receipt management area W1 of the information terminal 6. Hereinafter, a user who has registered as a member will be referred to as a member.

[POS terminal configuration]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the POS terminal 21.
The POS terminal 21 includes a processor 211, a main memory 212, an auxiliary storage device 213, a clock 214, a keyboard 215, a display 216, a printer 217, a scanner 218, a communication interface 219 and the like. The processor 211, the main memory 212, the auxiliary storage device 213, the clock 214, the keyboard 215, the display 216, the printer 217, the scanner 218, and the communication interface 219 are connected by the system transmission line 2110.
The processor 211, main memory 212, auxiliary storage device 213, and clock 214 of the POS terminal 21 are the same as those of the information terminal 6.

The keyboard 215 is a dedicated input device provided with various function keys such as a multiplication key, a subtotal key, and a closing key, in addition to numerical keys for numerically entering numerical values such as points and amounts. The functions required by the POS terminal 21 may be assigned to arbitrary keys of a general-purpose keyboard. The closing key is a key for the operator to declare the registration closing of the commercial transaction.

The display 216 is a display device for displaying the name (product name), price, total amount, change amount, etc. of the product registered in the POS terminal 21. There are two types of displays 216, one for a clerk operating the POS terminal 21 and one for a shopper. A touch panel that doubles as an input device and a display device may be applied instead of the keyboard 215 and the display 216.

The printer 217 prints receipt data representing the details of the commercial transaction on a predetermined receipt sheet. The receipt paper on which the receipt data is printed is cut by a cutter and issued as a paper receipt.

The scanner 218 optically reads a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional data code. Many products are provided with a code symbol which is a bar code of a product code unique to the product. The scanner 218 is used to read the code symbol attached to the product purchased by the shopper. Further, on the touch panel 65 of the information terminal 6 in which the electronic receipt terminal program P1 is installed, a code symbol obtained by converting the member ID into a bar code is displayed. The scanner 218 is also used for reading the code symbol displayed on the touch panel 65. That is, the scanner 218 also functions as a member ID reading device (first reading unit).

The member ID reading device is not limited to the scanner 218. For example, in the case where the information terminal 6 is a device compatible with near field communication and the member ID is transmitted using this near field communication, the near field communication device for receiving the member ID is a reading device. Become.

The communication interface 219 is connected to the LAN 24. The communication interface 219 performs data communication with a device connected via the LAN 24 according to a preset communication protocol.

The POS terminal 21 having such a configuration becomes an accounting apparatus of the electronic receipt system 1 capable of distributing electronic coupon information by installing the electronic receipt issuing program P2 which is an application program. That is, the POS terminal 21 can issue the receipt generated by the commercial transaction with the member as an electronic receipt. Further, the POS terminal 21 can perform a discount process according to the electronic coupon information presented by the member. The discount process includes a discount for each product and a discount for a subtotal. In this embodiment, the discount by the coupon is the amount discount, but a discount by discounting the amount at a predetermined rate, or a price change such that the price of the product is lower than the normal unit price is discounted by the coupon. May be

The electronic receipt issuing program P2 controls the processor 211 so that the POS terminal 21 can be an accounting device of the electronic receipt system 1 that can deliver electronic coupon information. The electronic receipt issuing program P2 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 213.

[Electronic receipt server configuration]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the electronic receipt server 31.
The electronic receipt server 31 includes a processor 311, a main memory 312, an auxiliary storage device 313, a clock 314, a communication interface 315, and the like. The processor 311, the main memory 312, the auxiliary storage device 313, the clock 314, and the communication interface 315 are connected by a system transmission line 316.
The processor 311, the main memory 312, the auxiliary storage device 313, and the clock 314 of the electronic receipt server 31 are the same as those of the information terminal 6 and the POS terminal 21.

The communication interface 315 is connected to the network 4. The communication interface 315 performs data communication with a device connected via the network 4 according to a preset communication protocol.

The electronic receipt server 31 having such a configuration becomes a server device of the electronic receipt system 1 capable of distributing electronic coupon information by installing the electronic receipt server program P3 which is an application program. That is, the electronic receipt server 31 collectively stores the electronic receipt information issued from each POS terminal 21. In addition, the electronic receipt server 31 transmits corresponding electronic receipt information to the information terminal 6 in response to a request from the information terminal 6.

The electronic receipt server program P3 controls the processor 311 so that the electronic receipt server 31 can serve as a server device of the electronic receipt system 1 that can distribute electronic coupon information. The electronic receipt server program P3 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 313. Further, the receipt file FL1 is formed in the auxiliary storage device 313 together with the electronic receipt server program P3. The receipt file FL1 is used as an area for collectively storing electronic receipt information.

[Center server configuration]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the center server 32.
The center server 32 includes a processor 321, a main memory 322, an auxiliary storage device 323, a clock 324, a communication interface 325 and the like. The processor 321, the main memory 322, the auxiliary storage device 323, the clock 324, and the communication interface 325 are connected by a system transmission line 326.
The processor 321, the main memory 322, the auxiliary storage device 323, the clock 324, and the communication interface 325 of the center server 32 are the same as those of the electronic receipt server 31.

By installing the electronic coupon management program P4, which is an application program, the center server 32 having such a configuration becomes a server device of the electronic receipt system 1 capable of distributing electronic coupon information. That is, the center server 32 collectively stores the electronic coupon information planned by the product manufacturer or the like. In addition, in response to a request from the information terminal 6, the center server 32 transmits, to the information terminal 6, electronic coupon information whose destination is a group to which a member carrying the information terminal 6 belongs.

The electronic coupon management program P4 controls the processor 321 so that the center server 32 serves as a server device of the electronic receipt system 1 that can distribute electronic coupon information. The electronic coupon management program P4 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 323. A member file FL2, a coupon file FL3, and a delivery management file FL4 are formed in the auxiliary storage device 323 together with the electronic coupon management program P4. The member file FL2 is used as an area for collectively storing information about members. The coupon file FL3 is used as an area for collectively storing electronic coupon information. The distribution management file FL4 is used as an area for storing information for managing distribution of the electronic coupon information for each electronic coupon information.

[Structure of each file]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the electronic receipt record FL1R stored in the receipt file FL1. The electronic receipt record FL1R includes a member ID and receipt data issued to the member identified by the member ID.

The receipt data includes store code, transaction date and time, merchandise sales data, use coupon data, settlement data, and the like. The store code is a unique code assigned to each store to identify the retail store. The product sales data is composed of a product ID, which is an identification code of a product purchased by a member, a product name, a unit price, the number of sales, a sales amount, and the like. The used coupon data includes a coupon ID, which is identification information of the electronic coupon information used by the member, a discount amount, and the like. The payment data is composed of a payment amount of a commercial transaction with a member, a payment type, and the like.

Here, the receipt file FL1 stores the electronic receipt information obtained by digitizing the receipt showing the details of the transaction in association with the customer identification information (member ID) for identifying the customer who is the subject of the transaction. Make up.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the member record FL2R stored in the member file FL2. The member record FL2R includes a member ID and the name, sex, age, postal code, transaction record data, coupon record data, rank, delivery stop flag F0, etc. of the member identified by the member ID.

The name, sex, age, and zip code are the data input at the time of member registration. The transaction record data is data in which the record of purchases of products by members is totaled. The transaction record data is generated by aggregating the merchandise sales data included in the receipt data. The coupon performance data is data in which the performance of the members using the electronic coupon information is totaled. The coupon actual data is generated by aggregating the used coupon data included in the receipt data. The rank is the degree of special treatment of the member. For example, a rank is set for each shopper according to the cumulative amount of purchase. The cumulative amount of purchase can be obtained from the transaction record data.

The distribution stop flag F0 is reset to "0" in the initial state, and is set to "1" when distribution of the electronic coupon information to the member identified by the corresponding member ID is stopped. For example, by utilizing the screen shot function of the information terminal 6 and saving the screen of the touch panel 65 as an image, it is possible to illegally use the delivered electronic coupon more than the valid number of times. Therefore, by setting the distribution stop flag F0 to "1" for the member who has acted in this way, the distribution of the electronic coupon can be stopped thereafter.
Here, the member file FL2 constitutes a fourth storage unit that stores information that prohibits distribution of the electronic coupon information in association with the customer identification information (member ID).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the coupon record FL3R stored in the coupon file FL3. The coupon record FL3R is composed of a coupon ID, a product ID related to the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID, a product name, a discount amount, a start date, an end date, a delivery condition, an effective number of times, and the like.

The product ID is the ID of the product to which the discount is applied according to the electronic coupon information. The product name is the name of the product identified by the corresponding product ID. The discount amount is the amount discounted by the electronic coupon information. The start date and the end date are the start and end dates of the period in which the electronic coupon information can be used. The delivery condition is a condition for determining a group of members to whom the electronic coupon information is delivered. The group can be grouped by items that represent the attributes of customers, such as sex, age, postal code, and rank, among the data that configures the member record FL2R. For example, when the distribution condition is "female/twenties", female members aged 20 to 29 are targeted for electronic coupon information distribution. Similarly, when the distribution condition is “rank 1st place”, the member whose rank is set 1st becomes the distribution target of the electronic coupon information. The valid number of times is the maximum number of times that the member can use the coupon of the electronic coupon information. For example, in the case of electronic coupon information that a member can use only once, the number of valid times is "1". For example, in the case of electronic coupon information that each member can use up to two times, the number of valid times is “2”.

Here, the coupon file FL3 configures a second storage unit that stores electronic coupon information obtained by computerizing coupons that can be used in transactions. This coupon file FL3 stores the number of valid times together with the electronic coupon information.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the distribution management record FL4R stored in the distribution management file FL4. The distribution management record FLR4 is composed of a coupon ID, paired data of a member ID and an allowable number N of times. The member ID identifies a member who belongs to the group to which the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID is distributed. The initial value of the allowable number N is the valid number of times of the electronic coupon information, and is counted down each time the electronic coupon information is used by the member identified by the corresponding member ID. When the allowable number N becomes “0”, the member cannot use the coupon of the electronic coupon information.

Here, the distribution management file FL4 includes coupon identification information (coupon ID) that identifies electronic coupon information, and customer identification information (member ID) of the customer who is the distribution target of the electronic coupon information that is identified by the coupon identification information. A third storage unit is configured to store information (the allowable number N) indicating the number of times the customer has used the electronic coupon information in association with each other.

[Operation of electronic receipt system]
First, the operation until the member acquires the electronic coupon information from the center server 32 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the updating process executed by the processor 321 of the center server 32 every time the date measured by the clock 324 switches to the next day. This update process is based on the electronic coupon management program P4. Note that the content of the processing illustrated in FIG. 10 and described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be appropriately used.

The processor 321 reads the coupon record FL3R from the coupon file FL3 as Act1. Incidentally, the coupon file FL3 stores a large number of coupon records FL3R related to electronic coupon information planned by the manufacturer of the product. The processor 321 executes the processing after Act2 on the read coupon record FL3R.

That is, the processor 321 confirms whether the start date of the coupon record FL3R as Act2 matches the date counted by the clock 324. When they do not match (NO in Act2), the processor 321 confirms as Act3 whether the end date of the coupon record FL3R matches the date. When they do not match (NO in Act3), the processor 321 proceeds to the process of Act13.

When the start date of coupon record FL3R matches the date of clock 324 (YES in Act2), processor 321 stores the coupon ID of coupon record FL3R in the work area as Act4. Further, the processor 321 recognizes the distribution condition of the coupon record FL3R as Act5.

The processor 321 that has recognized the distribution condition searches the member file FL2 as Act6. Then, the processor 321 determines whether or not the distribution condition is satisfied for each member record FL2R as Act7. When the member record FL2R satisfying the distribution condition is detected (YES in Act7), the processor 321 stores the paired data of the member ID of the member record FL2R and the valid number of times of the coupon record FL3R as Act8 in the work area. .. When the member record FL2R does not satisfy the distribution condition (NO in Act7), the processor 321 does not store the paired data of the member ID and the valid number in the work area.

The processor 321 determines whether or not the search for the member file FL2 has been completed as Act9. If not finished (YES in Act 9), the processor 321 returns to the process of Act 6. That is, the processor 321 continues to search the member file FL2. Every time the member record FL2R satisfying the distribution condition is detected, the processor 321 stores the paired data of the member ID and the valid number of times in the work area.

When the search for the member file is completed (NO in Act 9), the processor 321 creates the distribution management record FL4R as Act 10. The distribution management record FL4R includes the coupon ID of the coupon record FL3R read from the coupon file FL3 in the process of Act1, and the paired data of the member ID and the number of valid times created in the process of Act8. The created distribution management record FL4R is stored in the work area. After that, the processor 321 proceeds to the processing of Act13.

On the other hand, when the end date of the coupon record FL3R matches the date of the clock 324 (YES in Act3), the processor 321 searches the distribution management file FL4 as Act11 and stores the coupon ID of the coupon record FL3R. The delivery management record FL4R is deleted. Further, the processor 321 deletes the coupon record FL3R as Act12 from the coupon file FL3. After that, the processor 321 proceeds to the processing of Act13.
In addition, "deletion" of the coupon record FL3R and the delivery management record FL4R does not mean only physically deleting the record from the file. For example, the case of invalidating a record by adding flag information indicating invalidity to the record is also included in “deletion”.

In Act 13, the processor 321 determines whether or not the next coupon record FL3R exists. When the coupon file FL3 has the next coupon record FL3R (YES in Act13), the processor 321 returns to the process of Act1. Then, the processor 321 executes the processing after Act 1 in the same manner as described above.

When there is no next coupon record FL3R in the coupon file FL3 (NO in Act13), the processor 321 saves the distribution management record FL4R stored in the work area as Act14 in the distribution management file FL4. With that, the update process ends.

By this update processing, the distribution management record FL4R related to the electronic coupon information within the distribution period is collectively stored in the distribution management file FL4. Each distribution management record FL4R includes paired data of a member ID of a member that satisfies the distribution condition of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID, and the allowable number N of times for that member.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the coupon confirmation processing which is a part of the processing executed by the processor 61 of the information terminal 6. 12 to 15 are schematic diagrams showing examples of various screens displayed on the touch panel 65 by executing the coupon confirmation process. The processor 61 executes this coupon confirmation processing according to the electronic receipt terminal program P1. Note that the content of the processing illustrated in FIG. 11 and described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be appropriately used.

An icon for activating the electronic receipt terminal program P1 is displayed on the touch panel 65 of the information terminal 6 in which the electronic receipt terminal program P1 is installed. When the member touches this icon, the electronic receipt terminal program P1 is activated.

When the electronic receipt terminal program P1 is activated, the processor 61 sets the screen of the touch panel 65 as the top screen G1 (see FIG. 12) as Act21. As shown in FIG. 12, a barcode symbol 71 is displayed on the top screen G1. The barcode symbol 71 is a barcode of the member ID stored in the electronic receipt management area W1. Further, a coupon confirmation icon 72 for instructing the member to confirm the electronic coupon information and a receipt icon 73 for instructing the member to confirm the electronic receipt information are also displayed on the top screen G1.

With the top screen G1 displayed, the processor 61 waits for the screen to be touched as Act22. When it is detected that the screen is touched by the signal from the touch panel 65 (YES in Act 22 ), the processor 61 confirms whether the coupon confirmation icon 72 is touched as Act 23. When the screen area other than the coupon confirmation icon 72 is touched (NO in Act 23), the processor 61 executes a process corresponding to the touched position. For example, when the receipt icon 73 is touched, the receipt list screen is displayed on the touch panel 65. The receipt list screen is a screen listing simple information such as transaction date, store name, and total amount of electronic receipt information issued to the member. When the member touches the desired simple information display field, A receipt image of the transaction corresponding to the simple information is displayed on the touch panel 65.

When the coupon confirmation icon 72 is touched (YES in Act 23), the processor 61 sends a coupon request command having the member ID as a search key to Act 24 to the center server 32. That is, the processor 61 reads the member ID from the electronic receipt management area W1. Then, the processor 61 notifies the wireless unit 66 to transmit the coupon request command including the member ID to the center server 32.

Upon receiving this notification, the wireless unit 66 wirelessly transmits a coupon request command in which the communication address of the center server 32 is the destination address and the communication address of the information terminal 6 is the source address. This coupon request command includes the member ID in the electronic receipt management area W1. The coupon request command wirelessly transmitted is received by the base station 5 and transmitted to the center server 32 via the network 4.

Upon receiving the coupon request command, the processor 321 of the center server 32 executes the receiving process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. This processing is in accordance with the electronic coupon management program P4. Note that the content of the processing illustrated in FIG. 16 and described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be appropriately used.

When the reception process of the coupon request command is started, the processor 321 acquires the member ID as Act 41. As described above, the coupon request command includes the member ID for identifying the member who is the user of the information terminal 6 that is the transmission source of the command. The processor 321 acquires the member ID from the coupon request command.

When the member ID is acquired, the processor 321 searches the member file FL2 with the member ID as Act 42, and confirms the distribution stop flag F0 of the member record FL2R including this member ID. When the distribution stop flag F0 is set to "1" (NO in Act 42), since distribution of the electronic coupon information is stopped to the member identified by the member ID, the processor 321 causes the Act 53 Go to processing. If the distribution stop flag F0 is reset to "0" (YES in Act 42), distribution of the electronic coupon information is permitted to the member identified by the member ID. Go to processing.

In Act43, the processor 321 forms a coupon list in the volatile memory area of the main memory 322. Next, the processor 321 searches the distribution management file FL4 as Act44. Then, the processor 321 confirms whether the acquired member ID is included in each distribution management record FL4R as Act45. When the distribution management record FL4R including the member ID is detected (YES in Act 45), the processor 321 confirms as Act 46 whether the permissible number N forming the pair data with the member ID is “1” or more. ..

When the allowable number of times N is “1” or more (YES in Act 46), the processor 321 acquires the coupon ID from the distribution management record FL4R as Act 47. Then, the processor 321 reads the coupon record FL3R including the coupon file from the coupon file FL3 as Act 48, and creates electronic coupon data by the coupon ID, the product ID, the product name, the discount amount, etc. of the coupon record FL3R. The processor 321 registers the electronic coupon data in the coupon list as Act 49. When the distribution management record FL4R does not include the member ID (NO in Act 43) or when the allowable number N is “0” (NO in Act 45), the processor 321 determines that each of Act 47, Act 48, and Act 49. Do not execute the process.

The processor confirms whether or not the search of the distribution management file FL4 is completed as Act50. If not completed (NO in Act 50), the processor 321 returns to the process of Act 44. That is, the processor 321 continues to search the delivery management file FL4. Then, every time the distribution management record FL4R including the member ID acquired from the coupon request command and having the permissible number N forming the paired data with this member ID is “1” or more is detected, the processor 321 performs the distribution management. Electronic coupon data including the coupon ID of the record FL4R is created. Then, the processor 321 registers this electronic coupon data in the coupon list.

When the search of the distribution management file FL4 is completed (YES in Act50), the processor 321 confirms whether the electronic coupon data is registered in the coupon list as Act51. When the electronic coupon data is registered (YES in Act 51), the processor 321 notifies the communication interface 325 to transmit the coupon list data to the information terminal 6 which is the transmission source of the coupon request command as Act 52.

In response to this notification, the communication interface 325 transmits coupon list data having the communication address of the information terminal 6 which is the transmission source of the coupon request command as the transmission destination and the communication address of the center server 32 as the transmission source on the network 4. To do. The coupon list data includes electronic coupon data registered in the coupon list.

On the other hand, when the electronic coupon data is not registered in the coupon list (NO in Act 51), the processor 321 proceeds to the process of Act 53. In Act53, the processor 321 notifies the communication interface 325 to transmit the data indicating that there is no coupon to the information terminal 6 that is the transmission source of the coupon request command.

In response to this notification, the communication interface 325 sends the data of the coupon-less notification on the network 4 with the communication address of the information terminal 6 which is the sender of the coupon request command as the destination and the communication address of the center server 32 as the sender. Send to.

The coupon list data or the no coupon notification data transmitted on the network 4 is wirelessly transmitted from the base station 5 and received by the information terminal 6 having the communication address of the transmission destination.

Here, the computer of the center server 32, which is mainly composed of the processor 321, cooperates with the communication interface 325 to configure a distribution unit. That is, in response to receiving the coupon request command including the member ID, the computer associates the member ID included in the coupon request command with the member ID among the coupon IDs stored in the distribution management file FL4. The stored allowable number N is “1” or more, and the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID for which distribution is permitted is transmitted to the transmission source of the coupon request command.

Returning to FIG.
The processor 61 of the information terminal 6 that has transmitted the coupon request command to the center server 32 waits for the data transmitted from the center server 32 as Act 25. Here, when the data of the coupon-less notification is received via the wireless unit 66 (NO in Act 25), the processor 61 sets the screen of the touch panel 65 as Act 26 to the coupon-free notification screen G2 (see FIG. 13). To do. As shown in FIG. 13, a message 74 for notifying that there is no usable electronic coupon information together with the bar code symbol 71 of the member ID is displayed on the coupon-less notification screen G2. Therefore, the member who has touched the coupon confirmation icon 72 can confirm from this message 74 that there is no electronic coupon that can be used at this time.

The message displayed on the coupon-less notification screen G2 indicates that the electronic coupon data is not registered in the coupon list (NO in Act 51) and the distribution stop flag F0 is set to “1” (Act 42). It is also possible to change with NO). For example, when the distribution stop flag F0 is set to "1", a message notifying that distribution of electronic coupon information is prohibited may be displayed.

When the coupon list data is received from the center server 32 (YES in Act 25), the processor 61 sets the screen of the touch panel 65 as Act 27 to the coupon list screen G3 (see FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 14, a coupon list 75 is displayed on the coupon list screen G3 together with the bar code symbol 71 of the member ID. Further, the selection end icon 76 for the member to instruct the selection end of the electronic coupon information is also displayed on the coupon list screen G3. The coupon list 75 represents a list of electronic coupon data included in the coupon list data. Specifically, the coupon list 75 shows a list of the names of the products to be couponed and the discount amount. Therefore, the member who has touched the coupon confirmation icon 72 can confirm, from the coupon list 75, the products for which the coupon is currently available and the discount amount when the coupon is used.

As described above, in the electronic receipt system 1, the distribution condition is set for each electronic coupon information. Then, the electronic coupon information is distributed only to the members who satisfy this distribution condition. Therefore, it becomes possible to group members who receive receipts as electronic receipt information according to distribution conditions and distribute the electronic coupon information in group units.

Next, the operation when the member who has acquired the electronic coupon information uses the coupon to perform transaction accounting will be described.

The member who confirms the coupon list 75 searches the list 75 for the electronic coupon information to be used at the retail store. Then, if there is the electronic coupon information to be used, the member touches the row of the coupon list 75 in which the product name targeted by the coupon is displayed. At this time, when it is desired to use coupons of two or more pieces of electronic coupon information, each row is touched continuously. Then, the member who has finished selecting the electronic coupon information touches the selection end icon 76.

With the coupon list screen G3 displayed, the processor 61 waits for the screen to be touched as Act 28. When it is detected that the screen is touched by the signal from the touch panel 65 (YES in Act 28), the processor 61 determines whether the line of the coupon list 75 is touched as Act 29 or the selection end icon 76 is touched as Act 30. To confirm. When the area other than the coupon list 75 or the selection end icon 76 is touched (NO in Act 29, NO in Act 30), the processor 61 executes a process corresponding to the touched position.

When the line in the coupon list 75 is touched (YES in Act 29), the processor 61 causes the electronic coupon data (coupon ID, product ID) including the product name and the discount amount displayed in the touched line as Act 31. (ID, product name, discount amount, etc.) are stored in the work area. After that, the processor 61 returns to the process of Act 28 and waits for the screen to be touched again.

On the other hand, when the selection end icon 76 is touched (YES in Act 30), the processor 61 sets the screen of the touch panel 65 as Act 32 to the coupon use screen G4 (see FIG. 15). As shown in FIG. 15, a barcode 77 representing the coupon ID is displayed on the coupon use screen G4 together with the barcode symbol 71 of the member ID. In addition, the product name and the discount amount are displayed in association with the barcode 77. The barcode 77 is a barcode of the coupon ID included in the electronic coupon data stored in the work area. Then, the product name and the discount amount included in the electronic coupon data are displayed in association with the barcode 77. Therefore, on the touch panel 65, the member ID of the member and the coupon ID of the electronic coupon information selected by the member are displayed in the form of a barcode.

When the member touches the selection end icon 76 without selecting the electronic coupon information, the barcode 77 is not displayed on the coupon use screen G4 because the electronic coupon data is not stored in the work area.

The member who uses the coupon of the electronic coupon information presents the coupon use screen G4 to the person in charge of accounting. The person in charge who receives the coupon usage screen G4 first scans the barcode of the member ID displayed on the coupon usage screen G4 with the scanner 218 of the POS terminal 21. Then, the person in charge scans the barcode 77 of the coupon ID displayed on the coupon use screen G4 and the barcode of the product ID attached to the purchased product. Then, when the scanning is completed, the person in charge inputs the closing key and declares the closing of the registration of the commercial transaction.

Here, the order of scanning the coupon ID barcode 77 and the product ID barcode is not particularly limited. The coupon ID barcodes 77 may be collectively scanned and then the product ID barcode may be scanned. Conversely, the barcodes of the product IDs may be collectively scanned, and then the barcode 77 of the coupon ID may be scanned. Alternatively, when scanning the barcode of the product ID, the person in charge confirms whether or not there is an electronic coupon for the product, and if there is an electronic coupon, the barcode of the product ID and the barcode 77 of the coupon ID are consecutively displayed. You may scan.
Here, the scanner 218 functions as a reading device (second reading means) for reading the coupon ID. The coupon ID reading device is not limited to the scanner 218. For example, in the case where the information terminal 6 is a device compatible with short-range wireless communication and has a mechanism for transmitting a coupon ID using this short-range wireless communication, the short-range wireless communication device for receiving the coupon ID is a reading device. Become.

The processor 211 of the POS terminal 21 can identify whether the barcode is the member ID barcode, the coupon ID barcode 77, or the product ID barcode by analyzing the scanned barcode data by a known technique. ..

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the scanning process executed by the processor 211 of the POS terminal 21. FIG. 18 is a flowchart specifically showing a procedure of coupon determination processing in the scanning processing. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the closing key process executed by the processor 211 of the POS terminal 21. The processor 211 executes these processes according to the electronic receipt issuing program P2. Note that the content of the processing shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 and described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be appropriately used.

When the electronic receipt issuing program P2 is activated, the processor 211 initializes as Act61. By this initialization, the data of the transaction buffer and the coupon buffer formed in the volatile memory area of the main memory 212 are cleared. The transaction buffer is an area for temporarily storing data related to commercial transactions with members. The coupon buffer is an area for temporarily storing data related to electronic coupon information used by members. Also, by this initialization, the member flag F1 and the coupon flag F2 are reset to "0". The member flag F1 is 1-bit information that is set to "1" in the case of a commercial transaction with a member who receives a receipt as electronic receipt information. The coupon flag F2 is 1-bit information that is set to "1" in the case of a commercial transaction with a member who uses the coupon of the electronic coupon information. The member flag F1 and the coupon flag F2 are stored in, for example, a volatile memory area. The display 216 displays a screen created based on the data in the transaction buffer. Therefore, by this initialization, the screen of the display 216 also becomes the initial screen.

When the initialization is completed, the processor 211 confirms whether scanning has been performed as Act 62. When scanning is not performed (NO in Act 62), the processor 211 confirms whether key input is performed in Act 63. When the key input is not performed (NO in Act 63), the processor 211 returns to the process of Act 62. Therefore, the processor 211 waits for scanning or key input by the processing of Act 62 and Act 63.

When the barcode is scanned by the scanner 218 (YES in Act 62), the processor 211 checks the member flag F1 as Act64. Here, when the member flag F1 is reset to "0", the processor 211 confirms whether the barcode scanned as Act65 is the member ID barcode. If it is not the member ID barcode (NO in Act 65 ), the processor 211 confirms whether the barcode scanned as Act 66 is the product ID barcode. If the barcode is not the product ID (NO in Act 66), the processor 211 executes a process according to the type of the barcode.

When the scanned barcode is the barcode of the member ID (YES in Act65), the processor 211 stores in the work area the member data relating to the member ID obtained by analyzing the barcode as Act67. To do. The member data includes a member ID. Further, the name, sex, age, rank and the like set in the member file FL2 in association with the member ID may be included. Data such as name, sex, age, rank, etc. may be acquired from the center server 32 each time the barcode of the member ID is scanned, or a local file of the member file FL2 may be stored in the store server 22 in advance. It may be obtained from a local file.

The processor 211 sets the member flag F1 to "1" as Act68. After that, the processor 211 returns to the process of Act 62. Therefore, when the barcode is scanned next time (YES in Act 62 ), the member flag F 1 is set to “1” (YES in Act 64 ), so the processor 211 executes the processing of Act 69. move on. In Act69, the processor 211 confirms whether the scanned barcode is a coupon ID barcode. When the barcode is not the coupon ID (NO in Act 69), the processor 211 confirms whether the barcode scanned as Act 70 is the barcode of the product ID. If the barcode is not the merchandise ID (NO in Act 70), the processor 211 executes processing according to the type of the barcode.

When the scanned barcode is the barcode of the coupon ID (YES in Act 69), the processor 211 analyzes the barcode as Act 71 into the coupon buffer using coupon data used for the coupon ID obtained. Store. The used coupon data includes a coupon ID and a product ID, a product name, a discount amount, and the like set in the coupon file FL3 in association with the coupon ID. The data such as the product ID, the product name, and the discount amount may be acquired from the center server 32 each time the barcode of the coupon ID is scanned, or the local file of the coupon file FL3 may be stored in the store server 22 in advance, It may be obtained from this local file.

After storing the used coupon data in the coupon buffer, the processor 211 checks the coupon flag F2 as Act72. Here, when the coupon flag F2 is reset to "0" (NO in Act72), the processor 211 sets the coupon flag F2 to "1" as Act73. When the coupon flag F2 is set to "1" or the coupon flag F2 is already set to "1" (YES in Act72), the processor 211 proceeds to the process of Act76.

On the other hand, when the scanned barcode is the barcode of the product ID (YES in Act 66 or Act 70), the processor 211 proceeds to the processing of Act 74. In Act74, the processor 211 generates product sales data from the product ID obtained by analyzing the barcode. The product sales data includes a product ID, a product name (product name) identified by the product ID, a unit price, the number of sales, and a sales amount. The product name and unit price data are acquired from the product master file. The sales point is usually “1”, which is the multiplier when the multiplier is keyed in immediately before the scanning of the product ID. The sales amount is calculated by multiplying the price by the number of sales points. The processor 211 stores the product sales data in the transaction buffer.

Next, the processor 211 checks the coupon flag F2 as Act75. Here, when the coupon flag F2 is reset to "0" (NO in Act75), the processor 211 proceeds to the process of Act79. If the coupon flag F2 is set to "1" (NO in Act75), the processor 211 proceeds to the process of Act76.

In Act76, the processor 211 executes the coupon determination process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the processor 211 collates the product ID as Act 761.
In the coupon determination process, the scanned barcode is the coupon ID and is executed after the process of Act 71, or the scanned barcode is the product ID and is performed after the process of Act 74. In the former case, the processor 211 collates the product ID of the used coupon data stored in the coupon buffer in the process of Act 71 with the product ID of the product sales data already stored in the transaction buffer. In the latter case, the processor 211 collates the product ID of the product sales data stored in the transaction buffer in the process of Act 74 with the product ID of the used coupon data already stored in the coupon buffer.

As Act 762, the processor 211 confirms whether the product ID of the coupon data used matches the product ID of the product sales data. If the product IDs match (YES in Act 762), the processor 211 sends to the center server 32, as Act 763, a count request command using the coupon ID and the member ID as search keys. That is, the processor 211 communicates so as to send to the center server 32 a count request command including the coupon ID acquired from the use coupon data including the matched product ID by the matching process and the member ID stored in the process of Act 67. Notify the interface 219.

In response to this notification, the communication interface 219 transmits a count request command in which the communication address of the center server 32 is the destination address and the communication address of the POS terminal 21 is the source address. The number-of-times request command includes the coupon ID acquired from the use coupon data including the matched product ID in the matching process, and the member ID stored in the process of Act 67. The count request command is transmitted from the router 23 to the center server 32 via the network 4.

Here, the computer of the POS terminal 21 including the processor 211 as a main component forms a transmission unit in cooperation with the communication interface 219. That is, the computer sends a count request command including the member ID and coupon ID read by the scanner 218 to the server device (center server 32).

The processor 321 of the center server 32 that has received the number-of-times request command executes the receiving process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. This processing is in accordance with the electronic coupon management program P4. Note that the content of the processing illustrated in FIG. 20 and described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be appropriately used.

When the reception process of the number-of-times request command is started, the processor 321 acquires the coupon ID and the member ID as Act91. As described above, the number-of-times request command includes the member ID of the member who uses the coupon of the electronic coupon information and the coupon ID of the coupon used by the member. The processor 321 acquires the coupon ID and the member ID from the count request command.

The processor 321 searches the distribution management file FL4 as Act92. Then, the processor 321 determines whether or not there is a distribution management record FL4R that stores a coupon ID that matches the coupon ID acquired from the count request command as Act93. When there is a corresponding distribution management record FL4R (YES in Act93), the processor 321 reads the distribution management record FL4R as Act94 from the distribution management file FL4 and stores it in the work area.

The processor 321 sequentially detects the paired data of the member ID and the allowable number N from the distribution management record FL4R stored in the work area as Act95. Then, the processor 321 confirms, as Act 96, whether or not the member ID of the paired data matches the member ID acquired from the count request command. If they do not match (NO in Act 96), the processor 321 returns to the process of Act 95, detects the next paired data, and collates the member ID.

The delivery management record FL4R always stores paired data with matching member IDs. If the processor 321 detects the paired data with the matching member ID (YES in Act 96 ), the processor 321 acquires the allowable number N of the paired data as Act 97.

As Act 98, the processor 321 determines whether the allowable number N is “0” or is “1” or more. When the allowable number N is "0" (YES in Act98), the processor 321 proceeds to the process of Act99. When the allowable number N is 1 or more (NO in Act 98), the processor 321 does not execute the process of Act 99. In Act99, the processor 321 searches the member file FL2 with the member ID acquired from the count request command, and sets the distribution stop flag F0 of the member record FL2R in which the same member ID is set to “1”.

After that, the processor 321 notifies the communication interface 325 to transmit the response data including the allowable number N as Act 100 to the POS terminal 21 which is the number request command transmission source.

In response to this notification, the communication interface 325 transmits response data on the network 4 whose destination is the communication address of the POS terminal 21 which is the source of the count request command and whose source is the communication address of the center server 32. .. The response data includes the allowable number N of times. The response data is received by the router 23, and is sent to the POS terminal 21 which is the sender of the number request command via the LAN 24.

Here, the computer of the center server 32, which is mainly the processor 321, cooperates with the communication interface 325 to form a response unit. That is, the computer responds to the reception of the number-of-times request command including the member ID and the coupon ID, and allows the number of allowable times N stored in the distribution management file FL4 in association with the member ID and the coupon ID included in the number-of-times request command. Is transmitted to the POS terminal 21 which is the transmission source of the count request command.

Further, the computer of the center server 32, which is mainly composed of the processor 321, constitutes a control means by the processing of Act99. That is, when the allowable number N is “0” and the distribution of the electronic coupon information is not permitted, the computer distributes the electronic coupon information stored in association with the member ID included in the number request command of the member file FL2. The prohibited information (delivery stop flag F0) is set to "1".

The delivery stop flag F0 set to "1" can be artificially reset to "0" by a staff member, for example, in the maintenance work of the server system 3 which is performed regularly or irregularly.

Returning to FIG.
The processor 211 of the POS terminal 21, which has transmitted the count request command to the center server 32, waits for the response data transmitted from the center server 32 as Act 764. When the response data is received (YES in Act 764 ), the processor 211 determines whether the allowable number N included in the response data as Act 765 is “0” or “1” or more. When the allowable number N is “1” or more (NO in Act 765), the processor 211 stores status information indicating that the coupon is targeted in the work area as Act 766. When the allowable number N is “0” (YES in Act 765), the processor 211 stores status information indicating that the coupon is not eligible in the work area as Act 767. This is the end of the coupon determination process.

Returning to FIG.
When the coupon determination process ends, the processor 211 confirms the status information stored in the work area as the Act 77 by the coupon determination process. When the status information indicates that it is a coupon target (YES in Act 77), the processor 211 transfers, as Act 78, the used coupon data for which the matching of the product IDs is confirmed in the coupon determination process from the coupon buffer to the transaction buffer. After that, the processor 211 proceeds to the process of Act 79. When the status information indicates that the coupon is not applicable (NO in Act 77), the processor 211 proceeds to the display update process of Act 79 without executing the process of Act 78.

Here, the computer of the POS terminal 21 including the processor 211 as a main component forms a processing unit in cooperation with the communication interface 219. That is, the computer determines whether or not the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID can be used from the allowable number N of times returned from the center server 32 in response to the transmission of the number-of-times request command, and if the electronic coupon information is usable, it is read by the scanner 218. The data including the member ID and the coupon ID (used coupon data) is transmitted to the center server 32.

In Act79, the processor 211 updates the screen of the display 216 created based on the data in the transaction buffer. Therefore, when the product sales data is stored in the transaction buffer in the process of Act 74, the product name, unit price, sales points, sales amount, etc. that compose the product sales data are displayed on the screen. When the use coupon data is stored in the transaction buffer in the process of Act 78, the product name, the discount amount, etc. that compose the use coupon data are displayed on the screen. Further, an amount obtained by subtracting the total discount amount of the used coupon data from the total sales amount of the product sales data is displayed as the transaction amount.

After updating the screen of the display 216, the processor 211 returns to the process of Act 62. Therefore, when the barcode is scanned again, the processor 211 re-executes the processing after Act 69.

On the other hand, when any key of the keyboard 215 is input (YES in Act 63), the processor 211 executes a process corresponding to the input key. That is, when the input key is the closing key, the processor 211 starts the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the processor 211 confirms, as Act 81, whether or not the purchased product in the commercial transaction has been registered. That is, the processor 211 confirms whether the product sales data is stored in the transaction buffer. When the merchandise sales data is not stored in the transaction buffer (NO in Act 81), the processor 211 determines that the closing key has been input in the state where the purchase merchandise of the commercial transaction is not registered and is an erroneous operation. In this case, the processor 211 makes an input of the closing key an error.

If the merchandise sales data is stored in the transaction buffer (YES in Act 81), the processor 211 executes the settlement process as Act 82. In this payment process, the processor 211 generates payment data including the total amount of purchased products, the amount of payment for the total amount, and the payment type (cash payment, credit payment, etc.). Then, the processor 211 stores this payment data in the transaction buffer as Act 83.

Next, the processor 211 checks the member flag F1 as Act84. When the member flag F1 is reset to "0", that is, in the case of a commercial transaction with a shopper who is not an electronic receipt member, the processor 211 controls issuance of a paper receipt as Act85. Specifically, the processor 211 generates receipt data as print data from the data stored in the transaction buffer, outputs the receipt data to the printer 217, and issues a paper receipt.

On the other hand, when the member flag F1 is set to "1", that is, in the case of a commercial transaction with an electronic receipt member, the processor 211 controls issuing of the electronic receipt as Act86. Specifically, the processor 211 generates electronic receipt data from the data stored in the transaction buffer, and sends the receipt data and the member ID of the member data stored in the work area by the process of Act 67 to the center server 32. Notify the communication interface 219 to send to.

In response to this notification, the communication interface 219 transmits receipt data in which the communication address of the center server 32 is the destination address and the communication address of the POS terminal 21 is the source address. The receipt data includes a member ID, product sales data, and usage coupon data. The receipt data is transmitted from the router 23 to the center server 32 via the network 4.

The processor 321 of the center server 32 that has received the receipt data executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. Note that the content of the processing illustrated in FIG. 21 and described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be appropriately used.

The processor 321 acquires the member ID from the receipt data as Act111. Further, the processor 321 acquires transaction detail data from the receipt data as Act 112. The transaction statement data is product sales data or use coupon data.

As Act 113, the processor 321 determines whether the transaction statement data is product sales data or use coupon data. In the case of product sales data (NO in Act 93), the processor 321 updates the transaction record data of the member record FL2R including the member ID acquired in the process of Act 111 as Act 114.

In the case of the used coupon data (YES in Act 113), the processor 321 updates the coupon record data of the member record FL2R including the member ID acquired in the process of Act 91 as Act 115. Further, the processor 321 searches the delivery management file FL4 using the coupon ID of the coupon data used as Act 116 and the member ID acquired in the process of Act 91 as search keys. Then, the processor 321 decrements the allowable number N of forming the paired data with the member ID matching the search key from the paired data included in the distribution management record FL4R having the matching search key and coupon ID as Act 117 by “1”.

Here, the computer of the center server 32 having the processor 321 as a main component constitutes an updating unit. That is, the computer responds to the reception of the data (use coupon data) including the coupon ID of the electronic coupon information used in the transaction and the member ID of the member who is the subject of the transaction, and converts the data into the above data in the distribution management file FL4. The allowable number N stored in association with the included coupon ID and member ID is updated so that the number of times of use increases.

When the processing of Act 114 or Act 17 is completed, the processor 321 confirms whether there is the next transaction statement data as Act 118. When there is the next transaction statement data (YES in Act 118), the processor 321 returns to the process of Act 112 and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

When there is no next transaction statement data (NO in Act 118), the processor 321 transfers the receipt data received from the POS terminal 21 as Act 119 to the electronic receipt server 31. The electronic receipt server 31 stores the receipt data in the receipt file FL1.

As described above, in the electronic receipt system 1, the member uses the coupon of the electronic coupon information, whereby the allowable number N of the electronic coupon information for the member is reduced. Then, the electronic coupon is not distributed to the member having the member ID whose permissible number becomes “0” even within the distribution period. Therefore, according to the electronic receipt system 1, it is possible to limit the number of times the member has used each electronic coupon, and it is possible to control so that the electronic coupon information is not distributed to the members who have exceeded the number of times of use.

Here, the computer of the center server 32, which is mainly the processor 321, cooperates with the communication interface 325 to configure a receiving unit that receives electronic receipt information from the accounting apparatus (POS terminal 21) that settles a transaction.

[Effects of electronic receipt system]
In the electronic receipt system 1, the center server 32 includes a coupon file FL3 and a distribution management file FL4. In the distribution management file FL4, the coupon ID for identifying the electronic coupon information, the member ID of the member to whom the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID is distributed, and the number of times the member uses the electronic coupon information are displayed. As a piece of information, a distribution management record FL4R in which the allowable number of times N is associated is stored.

When the processor 321 of the center server 32 receives data (use coupon data) including the coupon ID of the electronic coupon information used in the transaction and the member ID of the member who is the subject of the transaction from the POS terminal 21, the distribution management is performed. The allowable number N stored in the file FL4 in association with the coupon ID and the member ID included in the above data is updated so that the number of times of use increases, that is, the allowable number N decreases. When the processor 321 receives the coupon request command including the member ID from the information terminal 6, the processor 321 selects the member ID among the coupon IDs stored in the distribution management file FL4 in association with the member ID included in the coupon request command. The coupon ID having the allowable number N stored in association with "1" or more is transmitted to the sender of the coupon request command. In other words, the electronic coupon information of the coupon ID for which the allowable number N has become “0” is not distributed. Therefore, since the electronic coupon information can be controlled not to be distributed to the member whose number of times of use reaches the valid number of times, the number of times of use of the member can be appropriately limited for each electronic coupon information.

By the way, even if the electronic coupon information of the coupon ID for which the allowable number N becomes “0” is controlled not to be distributed, the screen of the touch panel 65 is saved as an image by using the screenshot function of the information terminal 6, for example. By doing so, it is conceivable that the distributed electronic coupon is repeatedly used.

In this regard, in the electronic receipt system 1, the processor 211 of the POS terminal 21 transmits a number request command including a member ID and a coupon ID to the center server 32 prior to using the electronic coupon information. In response to the reception of the count request command, the processor 321 of the center server 32 sets the allowable count N stored in the distribution management file FL4 in association with the member ID and coupon ID included in the count request command to the count request command. It is transmitted to the POS terminal 21 of the transmission source. The processor 211 of the POS terminal 21 permits use of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID when the allowable number N is “1” or more. That is, when the allowable number N is “0”, the use of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon ID is not permitted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent fraudulent use of the distributed electronic coupon repeatedly.

Further, the center server 32 includes a member file FL2 that stores a distribution prohibition flag F0 in association with the member ID. Then, the processor 321 of the center server 32 sets the distribution prohibition flag F0 associated with the relevant member ID to “1” when the allowable number N of responses to the POS terminal 21 in response to the number request command is “0”. I am trying to do it. Further, when the processor 321 receives the coupon request command including the member ID in which the distribution prohibition flag F0 is set to “1”, the processor 321 does not distribute all the electronic coupon information to the information terminal 6 which is the sender of the coupon request command. .. Therefore, it is possible to prohibit the distribution of the electronic coupon information to a user who commits an illegal act of repeatedly using the distributed electronic coupon.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the POS terminal 21 transmits the electronic receipt information generated by the commercial transaction with the electronic receipt member to the center server 32, and after the processing in the center server 32 is completed, the center server 32 sends the electronic receipt server 31 the electronic receipt information. Transferred the receipt information. In this regard, the POS terminal 21 may transmit the electronic receipt information to the electronic receipt server 31, and the electronic receipt server 31 may store the electronic receipt information in the receipt file FL1 and transfer it to the center server 32. Alternatively, the POS terminal 21 may transmit the electronic receipt information to the electronic receipt server 31 and the center server 32 in parallel.

In the above embodiment, the electronic receipt server 31 has the receipt file FL1, and the center server 32 has the member file FL2, the coupon file FL3, and the delivery management file FL4. Then, the processor 321 of the center server 32 executes information processing with respect to the electronic coupon request command and the number-of-times request command. In this regard, for example, the electronic receipt server 31 includes a receipt file FL1, a member file FL2, and a delivery management file FL4, and the center server 32 includes a coupon file FL3. Then, the processor 311 of the electronic receipt server 31 may execute information processing for the electronic coupon request command and the number-of-times request command.

Further, the server system 3 does not necessarily have to include the electronic receipt server 31 and the center server 32. It is also possible that one server device has both the function as the electronic receipt server 31 and the function as the center server 32. Alternatively, the store server 22 configuring the POS system 2 may have the functions of the electronic receipt server 31 and the center server 32. In that case, the server system 3 is omitted from the electronic receipt system 1.

In the above embodiment, the allowable number N is exemplified as the information indicating the number of times the electronic coupon information is used. The permissible number N has an effective value set for each electronic coupon information as an initial value, and counts down each time the coupon of the coupon information identified by the corresponding coupon ID is used. The information indicating the number of times of use is not limited to such an allowable number N of times. For example, a counter that counts up the number of times of use may be used. In this case, if the counter has exceeded the valid number of times, it may be controlled so that the corresponding electronic coupon information is not distributed to the member having the member ID forming the counter data with the counter.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, the coupon file FL3 memorize|stored the valid frequency for every coupon ID. In this regard, when it is defined that the number of valid times of the electronic coupon information is all one, the valid number can be omitted by setting the initial value of the allowable number N to "1".

The server devices (the electronic receipt server 31 and the center server 32) are generally transferred while the program of this embodiment is stored in the main memory. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a program transferred separately from the server device may be written in a writable storage device included in the server device according to an operation of a user or the like. The transfer of the program or the like can be performed by recording on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The recording medium may have any form as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. The function obtained by installing or downloading the program may be one that realizes the function in cooperation with an OS (operating system) inside the apparatus.

In addition, although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.
The inventions described in the initial claims of the present application will be additionally described below.
[1] A first storage unit that stores electronic receipt information obtained by digitizing a receipt showing the details of a transaction in association with customer identification information that identifies a customer who is the subject of the transaction; and a coupon that can be used in the transaction. A second storage unit that stores electronic coupon information that has been digitized, coupon identification information that identifies the electronic coupon information, and the customer that is a delivery target of the electronic coupon information that is identified by the coupon identification information. A third storage unit that associates and stores identification information and information indicating the number of times the customer has used the electronic coupon information, the coupon identification information of the electronic coupon information used in the transaction, and the transaction thereof. The number of times of use stored in association with the coupon identification information and the customer identification information included in the data in the third storage unit in response to reception of data including the customer identification information of the target customer. Updating means for updating the information indicating the number of times so that the number of times of use increases, and in response to receiving the coupon request command including the customer identification information, the third means in association with the customer identification information included in the coupon request command. Of the coupon identification information stored in the storage unit, the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information that is permitted to be distributed from the information indicating the number of times of use stored in association with the customer identification information. And a distribution means for transmitting the coupon request command to the sender of the coupon request command.
[2] In response to the reception of the number of times request command including the customer identification information and the coupon identification information, the third storage is associated with the customer identification information and the coupon identification information included in the number of times request command. The server device according to appendix [1], further comprising: a response unit that transmits information indicating the number of times of use stored in a unit to a transmission source of the number-of-times request command.
[3] In the case where the distribution is not permitted based on the fourth storage unit that stores the information that prohibits the distribution of the electronic coupon information in association with the customer identification information and the information that indicates the number of times of use responded by the response unit. And a control means for storing information for prohibiting distribution of the electronic coupon information in association with the customer identification information included in the number-of-times request command, in the fourth storage section. The server device according to [2].
[4] A server device according to any one of supplementary notes [1] to [3], and an accounting device that generates electronic receipt information by settlement of a transaction and outputs the electronic receipt information to the server device. An electronic receipt system characterized by being equipped.
[5] The accounting device, comprising: the server device according to [2] or [3]; and an accounting device that generates electronic receipt information by settlement of a transaction and outputs the electronic receipt information to the server device. Is a first reading means for reading the customer identification information, a second reading means for reading the coupon identification information, a customer reading information read by the first reading means, and a second reading means. The transmitting means for transmitting the number-of-times request command including the read coupon identification information to the server device, and the information indicating the number of times of use returned from the server device in response to the transmission of the number-of-times request command. Whether or not the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information can be used is determined, and when the electronic coupon information is usable, the customer identification information read by the first reading unit and the coupon identification read by the second reading unit. An electronic receipt system, comprising: a processing unit that transmits data including information to the server device.
[6] A first storage unit that stores electronic receipt information obtained by digitizing a receipt showing the details of a transaction in association with customer identification information that identifies a customer who is the subject of the transaction, and a coupon that can be used in the transaction. A second storage unit that stores electronicized electronic coupon information, and coupon identification information that identifies the electronic coupon information, and the customer identification of the customer who is the distribution target of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information. A computer that inputs and outputs information to and from a third storage unit that stores information and information indicating the number of times the customer has used the electronic coupon information is stored in the computer. In response to receiving data including coupon identification information and the customer identification information of the customer who is the subject of the transaction, in association with the coupon identification information and the customer identification information included in the data in the third storage unit, A function of updating the stored information indicating the number of times of use so as to increase the number of times of use, and in response to receiving an electronic coupon request command including the customer identification information, the customer included in the electronic coupon request command. Of the coupon identification information stored in the third storage unit in association with identification information, the coupon identification information that is permitted to be distributed from the information indicating the number of times of use stored in association with the customer identification information. And a function for transmitting the electronic coupon information identified by the above to the sender of the electronic coupon request command.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Electronic receipt system, 2... POS system, 3... Server system, 4... Network, 5... Base station, 6... Information terminal, 21... POS terminal (accounting apparatus), 31... Electronic receipt server (Server apparatus), 32 ... center server (server device), FL1... receipt file (first storage unit), FL2... member file (fourth storage unit), FL3... coupon file (second storage unit), FL4... delivery management file ( Third storage unit).

Claims (7)

Coupon identification information that identifies electronic coupon information that digitizes coupons that can be used in transactions, and customer identification information that identifies the customer who is the delivery target of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information, and that customer a storage unit for storing the information representing the number of times of use of the electronic coupon information used me by,
A timekeeping means for timing the date,
Obtaining the electronic coupon information in which the start date of the usable period matches the date measured by the timing means, the coupon identification information of the electronic coupon information, the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information The customer identification information of the customer who is the delivery target of, and an adding unit that is added to the storage unit in association with the initial value of the information indicating the number of times the customer has been used ,
In response to receiving the coupon request command including a front Kikyaku identification information, among the coupon identification information in association with the customer identification information included in the coupon request command stored in the storage unit, the customer identification information Distribution means for transmitting the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information that is permitted to be distributed from the information indicating the number of times of use stored in association with the coupon request command, and
A server device comprising: In response to the reception of the number-of-times request command including the customer identification information and the coupon identification information, the number is stored in the storage unit in association with the customer identification information and the coupon identification information included in the number-of-times request command. Response means for transmitting information indicating the number of times of use to the sender of the number-of-times request command,
The server device according to claim 1, further comprising: A prohibition information storage unit that stores information prohibiting distribution of the electronic coupon information in association with the customer identification information;
When the distribution is not permitted from the information indicating the number of times of use responded by the response unit, the prohibition information storage unit prohibits the distribution of the electronic coupon information in association with the customer identification information included in the number-of-times request command. Control means for storing information to be stored,
The server device according to claim 2, further comprising: A server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An accounting device that generates electronic receipt information by transaction settlement and outputs this electronic receipt information to the server device,
Equipped with
The electronic receipt system, wherein the server device stores the electronic receipt information in association with customer identification information of a customer who is a target of the transaction. A server device according to claim 2 or 3,
An accounting device that generates electronic receipt information by transaction settlement and outputs this electronic receipt information to the server device,
Equipped with
The accounting device is
First reading means for reading the customer identification information, and second reading means for reading the coupon identification information,
Transmitting means for transmitting the number-of-times request command including the customer identification information read by the first reading means and the coupon identification information read by the second reading means to the server device;
Whether or not the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information can be used is determined from the information indicating the number of times of use returned from the server device in response to the transmission of the number-of-times request command. Processing means for transmitting data including the customer identification information read by the reading means and the coupon identification information read by the second reading means to the server device;
Equipped with,
The electronic receipt system, wherein the server device stores the electronic receipt information in association with customer identification information of a customer who is a target of the transaction. Tsu by the available coupon to the customer identification information and their clients to identify the customer is a distribution target of the electronic coupon information that is identified by the electronic coupon identification information and the coupon identification information identifying an electronic coupon information in the transaction A computer that inputs and outputs information to and from a storage unit that stores information indicating the number of times the electronic coupon information has been used.
Every time the date clocked by the clocking means for clocking the date is updated, the electronic coupon information in which the start date of the usable period matches the date clocked by the clocking means is acquired, and the electronic coupon information The coupon identification information is stored in association with the customer identification information of a customer who is a distribution target of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information, and an initial value of information indicating the number of times the customer has been used. Functions added to the department ,
Before In response to receiving the Kikyaku identification information electronic coupon request includes a command among the coupon identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the customer identification information contained in the electronic coupon request command, the customer A function of transmitting the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information that is permitted to be distributed from the information indicating the number of times of use stored in association with the identification information, to the transmission source of the electronic coupon request command,
A program for realizing. Coupon identification information that identifies electronic coupon information that is a computerized coupon that can be used in transactions, and customer identification information that identifies the customer who is the delivery target of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information, and by that customer A server device including a storage unit that stores information indicating the number of times the electronic coupon information has been used, and a time measuring unit that measures a date,
Obtaining the electronic coupon information in which the start date of the usable period matches the date measured by the time measuring means,
The coupon identification information of the electronic coupon information, the customer identification information of the customer who is the distribution target of the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information, and an initial value of information indicating the number of times the customer has been used. Associated, added to the storage,
Of the coupon identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the customer identification information included in the coupon request command, in response to receiving the coupon request command including the customer identification information, the customer identification information and A coupon distribution method of transmitting the electronic coupon information identified by the coupon identification information, which is permitted to be distributed, from the information indicating the number of times of use stored in association with the sender of the coupon request command.