CN117859142A - Electronic receipt issuing method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic receipt issuing method by which a user can confirm an electronic receipt conveniently through a smart phone. The electronic receipt issuing method comprises the following steps: a step in which the electronic receipt issuing machine receives information relating to a transaction from the POS terminal, generates an address corresponding to the information, and stores transaction information in a server in correspondence with the address; a step of transmitting the generated address to the user terminal through a short-range wireless communication technology; and a step of displaying the electronic receipt by the user terminal through the transferred address.

Description

Electronic receipt issuing method

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of issuing an electronic receipt so that a user can conveniently confirm on a smart phone.

Background

A receipt is received when the consumer completes a transaction (transaction) to purchase an item or utilize a service. Generally, POS terminals issue the contents of a transaction in a paper receipt through a receipt printer. However, from the consumer's perspective, paper receipts are difficult to manage effectively and personal information may be compromised. In addition, from the perspective of the operator, there is a problem in that paper receipts create additional management costs based on printing.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide a method of issuing an electronic receipt so that a user can conveniently confirm on a smartphone. The technical problems to be achieved in the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems can be deduced by the following examples.

Technical proposal for solving the problems

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an electronic receipt issuing method including: a step of receiving transaction information related to a transaction, generating an address corresponding to the transaction information, and storing the transaction information in a server in correspondence with the address; a step of transmitting the generated address to a user terminal through a short-range wireless communication technology; and displaying, by the user terminal, an electronic receipt generated in correspondence with the transaction information by the address to which the user terminal is transferred.

Here, the transaction information is generated after the transaction is completed.

Here, the transaction information is generated before the transaction is completed.

Here, further comprising: after the user terminal receives the address, the user terminal also receives transaction information generated after the transaction is completed, updates the transaction information generated after the transaction is completed to a server corresponding to the address, and displays a final electronic receipt generated corresponding to the transaction information generated after the transaction is completed.

Here, the address is inherently generated in correspondence with the transaction information.

Here, the address includes an unique identifier, and is generated inherently in correspondence with the transaction information.

Here, the address is a URL connecting to a web page.

Here, in the step of transferring the generated address through a short-range wireless communication technology, the generated address is transferred to the user terminal through an NDEF message including the generated address as a payload.

Here, the address is a deep-link URL that connects to an application page.

Other aspects, features, and advantages, in addition to those described above, will become apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

Such general and specific aspects may be implemented using a system, method, computer program, or any combination of systems, methods, computer programs.

Effects of the invention

According to the embodiment of the invention, the user can confirm the electronic receipt through the browser without installing an additional application program on the smart phone.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an electronic receipt issuing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic receipt issuing machine shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the server shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic user terminal shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an electronic receipt issuing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an electronic receipt issuing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of displaying an electronic receipt on a smart phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an electronic receipt issuing method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a wait box on a smartphone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an electronic receipt issuing method including: a step of receiving transaction information related to a transaction, generating an address corresponding to the transaction information, and storing the transaction information in a server in correspondence with the address; transmitting the generated address to a user terminal through a short-range wireless communication technology; and displaying, by the user terminal, an electronic receipt generated in correspondence with the transaction information by the address to which the user terminal is transmitted.

The invention is capable of numerous modifications and embodiments, and specific embodiments are described by way of illustration and description. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, but encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included within the spirit and technical scope of the invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known techniques may obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an electronic receipt issuing system (electronic receipt issuing system) 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic receipt issuing system 10 of an embodiment of the present invention includes a POS (Point of Sale) terminal 100, an electronic receipt issuing machine (e-receipt generator) 200, a server 300, and a user terminal 400.

The POS terminal 100 is a device that is responsible for processing a transaction (transaction) for purchasing an item or using a service, confirming the result thereof, and managing information related to the transaction.

POS terminal 100 includes a card reader, bar code reader, paper receipt printer, etc., and may be implemented by a variety of means other than a computer or mobile device. The POS terminal 100 referred to in the present invention is a generic term for devices responsible for information related to transactions, and includes POP (point of purchase: point of purchase) terminals, kiosks, and the like, which are devices responsible for functions similar thereto.

The POS terminal 100 and the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 can transmit and receive data through a communication system. For example, the communication system may include a wired communication system through a USB (Universal Serial Bus: universal serial bus) cable or the like or a wireless communication system such as a wireless network (Wi-Fi), bluetooth (Bluetooth), or the like, but the scope of the invention is not limited thereto.

Although POS terminal 100 is shown as a single device in fig. 1, the present invention is not limited thereto and may include a plurality of devices connected to electronic receipt issuing machine 200.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 is a medium in which a consumer can confirm an electronic receipt with a smart phone. The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 transfers data to the user terminal 400 or exchanges data with the user terminal 400 using a short-range wireless communication technology (short-range wireless connectivity technologies). According to an embodiment, to use the NFC (Near-Field Communication: near field communication) approach (standard: standard), the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may include an NFC Tag (NFC Tag). However, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 is not limited thereto, and may use Bluetooth (Bluetooth), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification: radio frequency identification), MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission: magnetic security transmission), beacon (Beacon), purple peak (Zigbee), or the like.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 communicates with the server 300 via a communication network (not shown). At this time, the communication network may be the Internet (Internet) so that data can be transmitted and received after the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 is connected to the server 300, but is not limited thereto. The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may be connected to the internet through a wireless network (Wi-Fi) to connect with the server 300, but is not limited thereto.

The server 300 may be a dedicated server or a cloud (closed) server, to which the present invention is not limited, and various forms of servers may be applied.

The server 300 is connected to the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 via a communication network (not shown), receives data from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200, and stores the data in a database. The server 300 is connected to the user terminal 400 via a communication network (not shown), and transmits data to the user terminal 400. Here, the communication network may be the internet, but is not limited thereto. The user terminal 400 may be connected to the internet (internet) through a wireless network or a mobile network (mobile network) to connect with a server, but is not limited thereto.

The user terminal 400 is a device by which a user as a transaction subject can confirm an electronic receipt. The user terminal 400 may include a smart phone (smart phone), a smart watch (smart watch), a smart device (smart device), a personal portable terminal (PDA, personal Digital Assistant: personal digital assistant), a wireless communication terminal (Wireless Communication Terminal), etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The user terminal 400 is a device supporting a short-range wireless communication function (short-range wireless connectivity technologies: short-range wireless connection technology) so as to be able to wirelessly communicate with the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 at a short distance. According to an embodiment, the user terminal 400 may support NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user terminal 400 may support Bluetooth (Bluetooth), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification: radio frequency identification), MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission: magnetic security transmission), beacon (Beacon), purple peak (Zigbee), etc.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 shown in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 includes a network interface unit 210, a communication interface unit 220, a memory 230, a program storage unit 240, a control unit 250, an address generation unit 260, an NFC tag control unit 270, and the like.

The network interface unit 210 provides an interface necessary for transmitting an address and transaction information corresponding thereto to a server in association with a communication network.

The communication interface unit 220 provides an interface necessary for receiving transaction information from the POS terminal 100 in conjunction with a communication system.

The memory 230 functions to temporarily store data processed by the control unit 250, transaction information transmitted to the electronic receipt issuing machine 200, and the like.

The program storage unit 240 is provided with control software for executing a job for transmitting data to the server 300, a job for receiving data from the POS terminal 100, a job for generating an address corresponding to transaction information, a job for generating a message corresponding to the address and programming the NFC tag, and the like.

The control unit 250 is a central processing unit that controls the entire process related to the issuance of an electronic receipt in the electronic receipt issuing machine 200. That is, the control unit 250 executes various services such as control software that drives the program storage unit 240.

The address generation unit 260 generates a unique address in accordance with the received transaction information. Here, the address refers to URL (Uniform Resource Locator: uniform resource locator) that can be connected to a Web site or a Web page (Web page) on the Internet (Internet), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The address generation unit 260 generates an unique address (unique address) by including an unique identifier (identifier) corresponding to the transaction information in the address. For example, the address may have the form of a "web address/identifier". Here, the form of the identifier may have various lengths combined by characters, numerals, special characters, and the like, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

As an example, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may generate the identifier through content related to transaction information. For example, the identifier may be generated based on information of the electronic receipt issuing machine 200, a generation date and time of transaction information. As another example, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may use a hash (hash) technique to generate the identifier. Here, the hash technique is a technique of obtaining one result value corresponding to one input value by a hash function (hash function). In this case, the identifier may be a result value obtained by a hash technique with the transaction information as an input value. However, the method of generating the identifier of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The NFC tag control unit 270 generates a message (message) corresponding to the address, and controls the NFC tag to transmit the message (message) as a short-range wireless communication signal. According to an embodiment, the message may be a specific format (format) for short-range wireless communication. Here, the specific format is a format in which the user terminal 400 that received the corresponding message can immediately perform a predetermined (predefined) action. For example, the NFC tag control portion 270 generates and transmits (emit) NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format: NFC data exchange format) message (message). The NDEF message contains information to be transmitted to the ue 400. Here, the NDEF message includes an address as a payload (payload). Then, the user terminal 400 receives the NDEF message, thereby performing a preset action. Here, the preset action may open a web page linked to the address through the browser.

The above-described constituent parts may be formed by combining two or more functionally connected constituent parts into one constituent part, or may be formed by separating one constituent part into a plurality of constituent parts according to the function. On the other hand, in order to effectively operate the respective constituent parts, other constituent parts may be included or existing constituent parts may be excluded. The names of the constituent parts are determined by their functions for convenience only, and are not limited thereto, and may be named in various ways.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the server 300 shown in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 3, the server 300 may include a communication part 310, a memory 320, a program storage part 330, a control part 340, a database 350, and an electronic receipt application programming interface (e-receipt application programming interface; e-receiver API) 360.

The communication unit 310 provides an interface necessary for transmitting and receiving signals between the server 300 and the user terminal 400, and between the server 300 and the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 in the form of data. Here, the communication unit 310 may be a device including hardware and software necessary for transmitting and receiving a control signal, a data signal, or the like by wireless connection with another network device.

The memory 320 performs a function of temporarily or permanently storing data processed by the control section 340. Here, the memory 320 may include a magnetic storage medium (magnetic storage media) or a flash memory medium (flash storage media), but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The program storage unit 330 may store a program composed of commands instructing all processes executed by the control unit described later.

The control unit 340 is a central processing unit that controls the entire process of providing the user terminal 400 with the electronic receipt such as the electronic receipt, that is, the control unit 340 drives control software installed in the program storage unit 330, and controls the respective components in the server 300, thereby enabling execution of the function of providing the electronic receipt.

Here, the control unit 340 may include all kinds of devices capable of processing data such as a processor (processor). Here, a processor may refer to a data processing apparatus built in hardware having a circuit physically structured to execute a function expressed by, for example, code or a command contained in a program.

Database 350 links and stores the entire address, identifiers contained in the address, or other information referring to the address or other information referring to the identifier, and transaction information. Accordingly, the server 300 can easily confirm the transaction information through the address-related information.

Electronic receipt application programming interface 360 provides an interface for converting transaction information into a format for an electronic receipt through a variety of applications. In addition, an interface is provided that exposes the generated electronic receipt in the form of a web page linked to the address.

Such a constitution is exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the server 300 may further include additional components or omit some of the components described above, as needed.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic user terminal 400 shown in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 4, the user terminal 400 includes a network interface section 410, a communication interface section 420, a memory 430, an input/output section 440, a program storage section 450, a control section 460, a display control section 470, and the like.

The network interface part 410 provides an interface necessary for receiving an electronic receipt in linkage with a communication network.

The communication interface part 420 provides an interface necessary for receiving data from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 through a short-range wireless communication technology.

The memory 430 has a function of temporarily storing data processed by the control unit 460, or temporarily storing an address received from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200, or the like.

The input/output section 440 may be constituted by a touch recognition display controller or other various input/output controllers. As an example, a touch recognition display controller provides an output interface and an input interface between a device and a user. The touch recognition display controller transmits and receives an electrical signal to and from the control unit 460. Additionally, the touch recognition display controller may display visual output to the user, which may include text, graphics, images, video, and combinations thereof. The input/output unit 440 described above may be a predetermined display member such as an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display: organic light emitting display) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display: liquid crystal display) that can be touch-recognized. The input/output section 440 may display an electronic receipt on the connected web page based on the received address so that the user can confirm.

The program storage unit 450 is provided with control software for executing a job for receiving a message from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200, a job for confirming the format of the received message and, in the case of an NDEF message, connecting to an address included in the NDEF message through a browser in a predetermined operation, and the like.

The control unit 460 is a central processing unit that controls the entire process related to the display of the electronic receipt in the user terminal 400. That is, the control unit 460 executes various services such as driving control software installed in the program storage unit.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an electronic receipt issuing system 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 5, an electronic receipt issuing system 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a POS terminal 110 having a function of an electronic receipt issuing machine, a server 300, and a user terminal 400.

Much of the electronic receipt issuing system 20 of FIG. 2 is similar to the electronic receipt issuing system 10 of FIG. 1. However, the electronic receipt issuing machine of the embodiment of fig. 2 is implemented by a program form recorded in a recording medium readable by a POS terminal, instead of an additional device. Thus, a feature of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is that POS terminal 110 includes the functionality of an electronic receipt issuing machine.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an electronic receipt issuing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 6, in step 101, a user completes a transaction.

Here, the completion of the transaction refers to a state in which all items selected by the user are scanned in the POS terminal 100, discounts and points are obtained as needed, and the corresponding costs are paid by using a settlement means.

Upon completion of the transaction, POS terminal 100 acquires transaction information (transaction information). Transaction information is a collection of all information about a transaction that completes a settlement. For example, the transaction information may include a transaction date, a name of goods or services, a unit price, a quantity, a settlement amount, an additional tax amount, information related to a transaction means, a credit amount, a discount amount, a final settlement amount reflecting the discount, a merchant number, a business license number, a representative person name, an address, a phone number, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The transaction information is data in which the above information is recorded in a text file format. For example, the Format of the transaction information may be a TXT (Text) file, an RTF (Rich Text Format) file, an XML (Extensible Markup Language: extensible markup language) file, a JSON (Java Script Object Notation: java script object notation) file, a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file, a TSV (Tab-Separated Values) file Format, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In step 102, the POS terminal 100 transmits transaction information to the electronic receipt issuing machine 200.

According to fig. 1, the pos terminal 100 transmits transaction information to the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 through a wired communication method or a wireless communication method. According to fig. 2, since the POS terminal and the electronic receipt issuing machine are integrated, transaction information can be transmitted internally.

In step 103, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates an address (address) corresponding to the received transaction information.

Here, the address refers to URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which can be connected to a Web site or a Web page (Web page) on the Internet (Internet), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 is characterized by generating an unique address (unique address) corresponding to transaction information. This is because address collision (class) occurs when the same address is generated in correspondence with transaction information different from each other. The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates an unique address by including an unique identifier (identifier) corresponding to transaction information in the address. For example, the address may be in the form of a "web address/identifier". Here, the form of the identifier may have various lengths combined by characters, numerals, special characters, and the like, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

As an example, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may generate an identifier through content related to transaction information. For example, the identifier may be generated based on information of the electronic receipt issuing machine 200, the date and time of generation of the transaction information. As another example, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may use a hash (hash) technique to generate the identifier. Here, the hash technique refers to a technique of obtaining one result value corresponding to one input value by a hash function. In this case, the identifier may be a result value obtained by hashing with transaction information as an input value.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an identifier (identifier) is used when generating an address (URL), and then the address is transferred to the user terminal 400 using NFC, thereby guaranteeing the following points. First, it can be ensured that only one user is issued an electronic receipt. In addition, in terms of the server 300, it is ensured that the corresponding address (URL) is confirmed by one user terminal 400, i.e., one user. Therefore, there is an advantage in that if other users want to see the same address, the address is no longer operated, and thus personal privacy and security can be maintained.

In step 104, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 transmits the transaction information and the information of the address corresponding thereto to the server.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may transmit the transaction information and the entire address corresponding thereto, the identifier included in the address, other information referring to the identifier, or the like to the server, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In step 105, the server 300 stores the transaction information transmitted from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 and the information of the address corresponding thereto.

According to steps 104 and 105, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 transmits the transaction information and the information of the address corresponding thereto to the server 300, and the server 300 stores it so that the user can confirm the electronic receipt reflecting the transaction information on the network from the user terminal 400 only through the link of the address thereafter. According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the electronic receipt is confirmed through the browser in the form of a web page, it is characterized in that a user does not need to install a specific mobile application on the smart phone in order to confirm the electronic receipt.

In step 106, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates and transmits a short-range wireless communication signal corresponding to the address.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 is characterized in that information is transmitted to the user terminal 400 through short-range wireless communication NFC. According to one embodiment, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates and transmits a message of a specific format (format) for short-range wireless communication. Here, the specific format refers to a format in which the user terminal 400 receiving the corresponding message can immediately perform a predetermined (predefined) action. For example, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates and transmits (emit) an NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format: NFC data exchange format) message (message). The NDEF message contains information to be transmitted to the ue 400. Here, the NDEF message includes an address as information (payload). Then, the user terminal 400 receives the NDEF message, thereby performing a preset action. Here, the preset action may open a web page linked to the address through the browser.

In fig. 6, step 106 is shown to occur after step 105, but the invention is not limited thereto, and step 105 and step 106 may occur simultaneously, or step 105 may occur after step 106.

In step 107, the user terminal 400 makes a one-shot connection (tapping) with the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 to receive an address.

The user terminal 400 receives information from the electronic receipt issuing machine through short-range wireless communication. The user terminal 400 may include a device, application or application programming interface (Application Programming Interface) that supports or assists in supporting NFC functionality. According to one embodiment, the user terminal 400 receives an NDEF message containing an address as a payload (payload) by being within a few tens of centimeters (cm) of the electronic receipt issuing machine 200.

According to step 107, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 transmits the address to the user terminal 400 through short-range wireless communication, so that the user terminal 400 can acquire information related to the electronic receipt by performing a simple and quick action of one-shot connection with the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 without inputting personal information to the POS terminal 100 in order to acquire the electronic receipt.

In steps 108 and 109, the user terminal 400 connects to a designated web page based on the received address to display an electronic receipt.

The user terminal 400 is connected to a Web page (Web page) on the Internet (Internet) linked to the received address. The user terminal 400 receives the address through the NDEF message and automatically connects with the web page linked to the address by performing a preset action. The server 300 has stored transaction information corresponding to the address. The server 300 converts transaction information into a format of an electronic receipt through an application program described later. The server 300 discloses the generated electronic receipt in the form of a web page linked to the address. Accordingly, the user terminal 400 is connected to the web page linked to the address, so that the electronic receipt can be confirmed.

The electronic receipt may be generated through various types of applications such as a progressive Web application (Progressive Web App), a responsive Web application (Responsive Web App), a rich media internet application (Rich Internet App), a Single Page application (Single Page App), or a Multi Page application (Multi Page App), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

An electronic receipt is one of electronic documents in which transaction information is displayed by a series of rules according to a format determined by a provider. Here, the provider refers to a main body responsible for selling goods or providing a server in a transaction. For example, the provider may be a merchant or a retailer (consumer), but is not limited thereto, which is a different concept from the consumer, user, or customer mentioned in the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic receipt according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 7, the electronic receipt may be displayed in the form of a web page through a browser. The electronic receipt may contain a transaction date, a name of the good or service, a unit price, an amount, a settlement amount, an additional tax, a card name, a receipt approval number, a merchant number, a business license number, a representative name, an address, a telephone number, and the like. The format of the electronic receipt may be determined by the provider and is not limited to that shown in the figures.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a consumer can confirm an electronic receipt without having to install a specific application on the smartphone. In the case of issuing an electronic receipt through an existing specific application, there is an inconvenience in that it is necessary to install a specific application on a smart phone of a consumer, register it, and the like. However, the electronic receipt of the present invention can be confirmed in the form of a web page through a browser, so that a consumer does not need to install an additional application or enter a website or register for obtaining the electronic receipt.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage in that a consumer can confirm an electronic receipt from his smart phone only by a simple action of making a one-shot connection (tapping) with the electronic receipt providing machine. The invention transmits the URL to the intelligent mobile phone through the NDEF message, so that the intelligent mobile phone immediately executes the URL by utilizing a preset command in the NDEF message. Thus, the consumer can confirm the electronic receipt through the browser by performing only one-shot connected action without additional action.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a consumer may receive an electronic receipt through his own smart phone without providing personal information such as an email or phone number to the operator. That is, the present invention has an advantage in that unnecessary leakage of personal information is prevented during settlement of a transaction, the procedure and time for issuing a receipt are shortened, and an electronic receipt can be more conveniently confirmed by a smart phone of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage in that consumers can receive electronic receipts through their own smart phones regardless of transaction means. In the case where an existing card company issues an electronic receipt, the electronic receipt can be received only in the case of settlement using a corresponding card. However, in the present invention, since the electronic receipt can be issued to the smart phone of the consumer in conjunction with the POS terminal of the operator, the consumer can receive the electronic receipt irrespective of settlement means such as cash, check, card, mobile settlement, or simple settlement.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is the advantage that a consumer can receive an electronic receipt containing all of a series of information related to a transaction. In the case of receiving an electronic receipt through a related application or SMS (Short Message Service: short message service) after performing current card settlement, mobile settlement, simple settlement, or the like, only limited information related to a transaction is displayed in the electronic receipt. For example, in this case, only a total amount (total amount) is displayed, and detailed contents (item content, number of transactions, amount of each item, tax) and the like relating to the transactions are not displayed. However, the electronic receipt issuing method according to the present invention has an advantage in that a consumer can receive an electronic receipt containing all information related to a transaction.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an electronic receipt issuing method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 8, in step 201, a user is in a state before starting a transaction or at least a part of the transaction is started.

Unlike fig. 3, in step 201, the user's transaction has not yet been completed. Step 201 is before the user pays the corresponding price for the selected item using a settlement means. For example, step 201 may be the point in time when the user scans at least one item in the POS terminal for checkout before the user scans the first item in the POS terminal for checkout or the user scans all items in the POS terminal but before the checkout is completed.

In step 202, the POS terminal 100 transmits the intermediate transaction information to the electronic receipt issuing machine.

According to fig. 1, the pos terminal 100 transmits the intermediate transaction information to the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 through a wired communication method or a wireless communication method. According to fig. 2, since the POS terminal and the electronic receipt issuing machine are integrated, transaction information can be transmitted internally.

Here, the intermediate transaction information (intermediate transaction information) is different from the complete transaction information (completed transaction information) described later. Intermediate transaction information refers to a collection of all information about transactions that have not been settled. For example, the intermediate transaction information may include a date of the transaction, a name of the good or service, a unit price, a quantity, a subtotal (subtotal), a merchant number, a business license number, a representative name, an address, a telephone number, and the like. However, the intermediate transaction information does not include an aggregate amount (total), information related to settlement means, a credit amount, a discount amount, a final settlement amount reflecting the discount, and the like.

The temporary transaction information is data stored in a certain format. For example, the temporary transaction information may be data in which the above information is recorded in a text file format, but is not limited thereto.

In step 203, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates an address corresponding to the received intermediate transaction information.

Here, the address refers to URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which can be connected to a Web site (Web site) or a Web page (Web page) on the internet (internet), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 is characterized by generating an address unique to the intermediate transaction information. This is because address collision (class) occurs when the same address is generated in correspondence with transaction information different from each other. The electronic receipt issuing machine generates an unique address by including an unique identifier (identifier) corresponding to the intermediate transaction information in the address. For example, the address may be in the form of a "web address/identifier". Here, the form of the identifier may have various lengths combined by characters, numerals, special characters, and the like, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

As an example, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may generate the identifier through content related to the intermediate transaction information. For example, the identifier may be generated based on information of the electronic receipt issuing machine 200, the date and time of generation of the transaction information. As another example, the electronic receipt issuing machine may use hash (ing) techniques to generate the identifier. Here, the hash technique refers to a technique of obtaining one result value corresponding to one input value by a hash function. In this case, the identifier may be a result value obtained by a hash technique with the intermediate transaction information as an input value.

In step 204, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 transmits the intermediate transaction information and the information of the address corresponding thereto to the server 300.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may transmit the intermediate transaction information and the entire address corresponding thereto, the identifier included in the address, other information referring to the identifier, or the like to the server, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In step 205, the server 300 stores the intermediate transaction information transmitted from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 and the information of the address corresponding thereto.

In step 206, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates and transmits a short-range wireless communication signal corresponding to the address.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 is characterized in that information is transmitted to the user terminal 400 through short-range wireless communication NFC. According to one embodiment, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 generates and transmits a message of a specific format (format) for short-range wireless communication. Here, the specific format is a format enabling the user terminal 400 receiving the corresponding message to immediately perform a predetermined (predefined) action. For example, the electronic receipt issuing machine generates and transmits (emit) NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) message (message). The NDEF message contains information to be transmitted to the ue 400. Here, the NDEF message includes an address as information (payload). Then, the user terminal 400 receives the NDEF message, thereby performing a preset action.

In fig. 5, step 206 is shown to occur after step 205, but the invention is not limited thereto, and step 205 and step 206 may occur simultaneously, or step 205 may occur after step 206.

In step 207, the user terminal 400 makes a one-shot connection (tapping) with the electronic receipt issuing machine to receive an address.

The user terminal 400 receives information from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 through short-range wireless communication. The user terminal 400 may include a device, application, or application programming interface that supports or assists in supporting NFC functionality. According to one embodiment, the user terminal 400 receives an NDEF message containing an address as information (payload) by being within several tens of centimeters of the electronic receipt issuing machine.

In steps 208 and 209, the user terminal 400 connects to a designated web page based on the received address to display a temporary electronic receipt (preliminary e-receipt).

The user terminal 400 is connected to a Web page (Web page) on the Internet (Internet) linked to the received address. The server 300 has stored intermediate transaction information corresponding to the address. The server 300 converts the intermediate transaction information into a format of a temporary electronic receipt through an application. The server 300 discloses the generated temporary electronic receipt in the form of a web page linked to the address. Accordingly, the user terminal 400 may connect with a web page linked to an address, thereby confirming the temporary electronic receipt.

The temporary electronic receipt may be generated through various types of applications such as a progressive Web application (Progressive Web App), a responsive Web application (Responsive Web App), a rich media internet application (Rich Internet App), a Single Page application (Single Page App), or a Multi Page application (Multi Page App), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, the user terminal 400 may also display a notification "step of preparing a final electronic receipt (your electronic receipt is being prepared)", without displaying a temporary electronic receipt.

In step 210, the user completes the transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, the POS terminal 100 obtains complete transaction information (completed transaction information: completed transaction information). The complete transaction information of an embodiment is a collection of all information about a transaction that completes a settlement.

According to one embodiment, the complete transaction information may include information related to a final settlement amount, a final additional tax, settlement means, and the like, in addition to a transaction date, a name of a good or service, a unit price, a quantity, a merchant number, a business license number, a representative name, an address, a phone number, and the like.

According to another embodiment, the complete transaction information may include all information about transactions that complete settlement after reflecting membership discount offers or loyalty offers. In this case, the complete transaction information may include membership information, point amount, discount information, discount amount, final settlement amount reflecting discount, and the like, in addition to the above-described information.

Similarly to the temporary transaction information, the complete transaction information is also data stored in a certain format. For example, the complete transaction information is data in which the above information is recorded in a text file format.

In step 211, the POS terminal 100 transmits the complete transaction information to the electronic receipt issuing machine 200.

According to fig. 1, the pos terminal 100 transmits transaction information to the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 through a wired communication method or a wireless communication method. According to fig. 2, since the POS terminal and the electronic receipt issuing machine are integrated, transaction information can be transmitted internally.

In step 212, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 transmits the complete transaction information and the information of the address corresponding thereto to the server 300.

The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 already has intermediate transaction information and an address corresponding thereto. The intermediate transaction information may be replaced (replace or update: replaced or updated) by complete transaction information. Accordingly, the electronic receipt issuing machine 200 uses the address corresponding to the intermediate transaction information as the address corresponding to the complete transaction information. Therefore, in this case, there is no concern about address collision (class). The electronic receipt issuing machine 200 may transmit the complete transaction information and the already owned entire address, the identifier included in the address, other information referring to the address, or other information referring to the identifier, etc., to the server 300, to which the present invention is not limited.

In step 213, the server 300 updates the intermediate transaction information to (update) complete transaction information through information of the address transmitted from the electronic receipt issuing machine 200.

In steps 214 and 215, the user terminal 400 connects to a designated web page based on the received address to display a final electronic receipt (updated electronic receipt).

The user terminal 400 is connected to a Web page (Web page) on the internet (internet) linked to the received address. The server 300 has updated and stored the complete transaction information corresponding to the address. The server 300 converts the complete transaction information into a format of an electronic receipt through an application. The server 300 discloses the final electronic receipt generated in the form of a web page linked to the address. Thus, the user terminal 400 may connect with a web page linked to an address, thereby confirming a final electronic receipt.

The final electronic receipt may be generated by various types of applications such as a progressive Web application (Progressive Web App), a responsive Web application (Responsive Web App), a rich media internet application (Rich Internet App), a Single Page application (Single Page App), or a Multi Page application (Multi Page App), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The electronic receipt providing method shown in fig. 6 is characterized in that a user connects a smart phone with an electronic receipt issuing machine one by one after completing a transaction to confirm an electronic receipt. In contrast, the electronic receipt providing method shown in fig. 8 is characterized in that a user can receive the address of the related web page by connecting the smart phone with the electronic receipt issuing machine in one shot even before the completion of the transaction, and then automatically update the final electronic receipt upon completion of the transaction to be able to be confirmed by the user.

The method of issuing an electronic receipt according to still another embodiment of the present invention is largely similar to the method of fig. 6 and 8. Hereinafter, only the portions having the differences will be described.

In step 103 of fig. 6 and step 203 of fig. 8, the electronic receipt issuing machine generates an address corresponding to the received transaction information. Here, the address refers to URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which can be connected to a Web site (Web site) or a Web page (Web page) on the Internet (Internet).

However, in accordance with an electronic receipt issuing method of yet another embodiment, the address herein refers to a deep link URL (deep link URL) that can be directly connected to a mobile application page (mobile application page) or a web application page (web application page).

The deep-link URL may be directly generated corresponding to the transaction information. However, the electronic receipt issuing machine is not limited thereto, and may generate (derive) a URL to be a deep-link URL after generating the URL corresponding to the transaction information.

On the other hand, in steps 108 and 109 of fig. 6 and 214 and 215 of fig. 8, the user terminal 400 connects to a designated web page based on the received address to display an electronic receipt.

However, according to the electronic receipt issuing method of still another embodiment, since the address is a deep-link URL, the user terminal 400 directly connects to a designated mobile application page or web application page based on the received address to display an electronic receipt.

Specifically, the user terminal 400 executes an application program to connect with a mobile application program page or a web application program page linked to a received address. The user terminal 400 receives the address through the NDEF message, and executes the related application through a preset action, and connects with the page linked to the address.

In an alternative embodiment, if the relevant application is not installed at the user's terminal 400, the user terminal 400 is connected to a mobile application page or a web application page linked to an address after installing the desired application. In this case, the user terminal 400 also receives an address through an NDEF message and performs a preset action, thereby performing an action for installing a desired application and connecting with a page linked to the address.

Throughout the specification, when a certain component is "included" in a certain section, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, it is meant that other components may also be included, but not excluded. In addition, in this specification, a "portion" may be a hardware component (hardware component) such as a processor or a circuit and/or a software component (software component) executed by a hardware component such as a processor.

On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present invention, each component, functional block, or means may be configured by one or more sub-components, and the electrical, electronic, and mechanical functions performed by each component may be implemented by various known elements or mechanical elements such as an electronic circuit, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: application specific integrated circuit), or may be implemented by each element alone or by a combination of two or more elements.

Furthermore, combinations of blocks of the attached block diagrams and steps of the flowchart illustrations can also be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, portable notebook computer, network computer, mobile device such as a smart phone, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the instructions which execute via the processor of the computer device or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a memory or computer-readable memory that can be used in a computer device or other programmable data processing apparatus to implement the functions specified in the block diagrams or steps of the flowcharts, or both. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer apparatus or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer apparatus or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the steps are provided for implementing the functions specified in the block diagrams and flowchart block or blocks.

In addition, each block or step may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In addition, it is noted that in several alternative embodiments, the functions noted in the blocks or steps may occur out of the order. For example, in two blocks or steps shown in succession, the blocks or steps may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks or steps may sometimes be executed in the reverse order of the corresponding functionality.

The invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but this is only exemplary and it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that various modifications and other embodiments realizing equality can be made thereby. The true scope of the invention should therefore be determined from the scope of the appended claims.

Industrial applicability

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of issuing an electronic receipt to enable a consumer to conveniently confirm on a smartphone, so that an operator can utilize the method.

Claims (1)

1. An electronic receipt issuing method, comprising:

a step in which the POS terminal transmits transaction information related to the transaction to the electronic receipt issuing machine;

The electronic receipt issuing machine receives the transaction information, generates an unique identifier corresponding to the transaction information, generates information including an address of the generated unique identifier, and transmits the transaction information and the address corresponding to the transaction information to a server, wherein the unique identifier is generated using a hash technique or using a generation date and time of the transaction information;

the step of receiving the transaction information and the address information by the server and storing the transaction information corresponding to the address information;

a step in which the electronic receipt issuing machine generates and transmits a short-range wireless communication signal corresponding to an NDEF message containing the generated address as a payload;

a step in which the user terminal receives the address through the transmitted short-range wireless communication signal; and

the user terminal immediately displaying an electronic receipt generated by the received address corresponding to the transaction information through a web page or an application page corresponding to the address without using execution of an email, a short message, or an application;

the electronic receipt issuing machine includes:

A network interface unit for providing an interface necessary for transmitting the transaction information and the address information corresponding to the transaction information to the server in association with a communication network;

a communication interface unit for providing an interface necessary for receiving the transaction information from the POS terminal in association with a communication system;

a memory storing the received transaction information;

an address generation unit that generates the unique identifier in association with the received transaction information, and generates an address containing the generated unique identifier; and

an NFC tag control unit that generates and transmits a short-range wireless communication signal corresponding to the NDEF message including the generated address as a payload;

the server includes:

a communication unit that provides an interface necessary for providing a transmission/reception signal between the user terminal and the electronic receipt issuing machine in a data format;

a database storing the transaction information and the address information received from the electronic receipt issuing machine;

a control unit configured to store the transaction information in the database in correspondence with the received address information; and

an electronic receipt application programming interface providing an interface for converting the transaction information into an electronic receipt format, providing an interface for exposing the generated electronic receipt in the form of the web page or the application page corresponding to the address;

The transaction information is generated after or before the transaction is completed,

in case the transaction information is generated before the transaction is completed, after the step of the user terminal receiving the address through the transmitted short-range wireless communication signal,

further comprises: the user terminal also receives transaction information generated after the completion of the transaction, updates the transaction information generated after the completion of the transaction to the server in correspondence with the address, and displays a final electronic receipt generated in correspondence with the transaction information generated after the completion of the transaction.