JP2023153242A - Product return information generation device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for realizing product returns.

After purchasing a product, it may be returned. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to product returns. In Patent Document 1, a device that performs return processing uses a barcode scanner to read the product code of a product to be returned from a tag attached to the product or from a consumer terminal. The consumer terminal acquires product code data from the electronic receipt management server and causes the display device to display the product code data.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-53837

For return processing, information other than information identifying the product to be returned (the above-mentioned product code) is also required. For example, if electronic receipts have been introduced, electronic receipts will also be required to be corrected during the return process. In the device of Patent Document 1, since the product code is acquired independently, other information necessary for return processing needs to be acquired separately.

The present invention has been made in view of this problem, and one of its purposes is to provide a technique that can collectively obtain a plurality of pieces of information necessary for processing returns.

The return information generation device of the present invention includes: 1) an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the product to be returned included in the receipt information specified by the customer's input; and 2) product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned. 3) an output unit that outputs the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that processes the return of the product to be returned; , has.

A return processing device, which is an example of the present invention, 1) generates a code in which return information including product identification information of a product to be returned and other additional information included in receipt information specified by a customer input is encoded; 2) a return processing unit that decodes the obtained code into return information and uses the return information to perform return processing for the product to be returned.

The first control method of the present invention is executed by a computer. The control method includes 1) an acquisition step of acquiring information about the product to be returned that is included in the receipt information specified by the customer's input, and 2) a step to obtain information about the product to be returned, including product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned. 3) an output step of outputting the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that performs return processing for the returned product.

The second control method, which is an example of the present invention, is executed by a computer. The control method includes 1) an acquisition step of acquiring a code in which return information including product identification information of a product to be returned and other additional information included in receipt information specified by a customer input is encoded; 2) A return processing step of decoding the obtained code into return information and using the return information to execute return processing for the product to be returned.

The first program of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the first control method of the present invention.

The second program, which is an example of the present invention, causes a computer to execute each step of the second control method of the present invention.

According to the present invention, a technique is provided that can collectively obtain a plurality of pieces of information necessary for return processing.

1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a returned goods information generating device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a returned goods information generating device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a computer for realizing a returned goods information generation device. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by the returned goods information generation device of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart illustrating in more detail the flow of returns using the returned goods information generation device. It is a diagram illustrating a flow in which a user selects a target product. It is a figure which illustrates a quantity selection screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of return information. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a returned goods information generation device having an output unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a returned goods processing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of usage of the returned goods information generating device. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition after row data is selected on a product selection screen for usage example 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed after the YES button is pressed on the confirmation screen for usage example 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating receipt information that can be viewed on a receipt management site after processing a return.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all the drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, in each block diagram, unless otherwise specified, each block represents a configuration of a functional unit rather than a configuration of a hardware unit.

[Embodiment 1]
<Summary>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the returned goods information generation device of this embodiment. Note that FIG. 1 is an example to facilitate understanding of the return information generation device 2000, and the functions of the return information generation device 2000 are not limited to those shown in FIG.

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

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

The target product is selected, for example, by a user who views the receipt information 10 using the return information generation device 2000. The returned goods information generation device 2000 acquires product identification information of a target product in response to a selection operation by a user.

Note that the return information generation device 2000 may acquire the product identification information of the target product itself, or acquire information other than the product identification information about the target product, and use the acquired information to generate the product identification information of the product. You may obtain it. In the latter case, as information about the target product, for example, the purchase date and time of the product, the place of purchase, identification information of the receipt information 10, and an image including the product to be returned can be acquired.

The return information generation device 2000 generates return information used for return processing of the target product. The returned goods information includes product identification information of the target product. Furthermore, the return information also includes information other than the product identification information of the target product (hereinafter referred to as additional information). For example, the additional information includes information indicating the quantity of the target product. In addition, for example, the additional information includes the receipt information 10 itself and identification information of the receipt information 10.

The return processing device 3000 is a device that performs return processing for target products. The return processing device 3000 acquires return information, and uses the identification information of the target product indicated in the acquired return information to perform return processing for the target product. The product return process includes, for example, the process of correcting the receipt information 10, the process of refunding the price of the target product, the process of correcting the stock quantity of the target product, and the like.

<Effect>
According to the return information generation device 2000 of the present embodiment, return information is generated as information that can be used for product return processing. Here, the return information includes additional information in addition to the identification information of the product to be returned. Therefore, the return processing device 3000 can obtain the identification information and additional information of the product to be returned at once by obtaining the return information. Therefore, compared to the case where the return processing device 3000 has to separately obtain the identification information of the product to be returned and other information necessary for the return processing, the time required for the return processing by the return processing device 3000 and the return processing time are reduced. It is possible to reduce the workload of a store clerk or the like who operates the processing device 3000.

For example, if the additional information includes the receipt information 10 and the identification information of the receipt information 10, the return processing device 3000 can obtain the identification information of the product to be returned as well as the receipt information 10 to be corrected in the return processing. Furthermore, if the additional information includes the quantity of the product to be returned, the return processing device 3000 can grasp the identification information of the product to be returned and how many of the product will be returned.

This embodiment will be described in further detail below.

<Example of functional configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the return information generation device 2000 of the first embodiment. The returned goods information generation device 2000 includes an acquisition section 2020 and a generation section 2040. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires product identification information of the target product. The generation unit 2040 generates return information using the product identification information of the target product. The returned goods information includes additional information in addition to the product identification information of the target product.

<Example of hardware configuration of returned goods information generation device 2000>
Each functional component of the return information generation device 2000 may be realized by hardware (e.g., a hardwired electronic circuit) that implements each functional component, or by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a hardwired electronic circuit). (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it). A case in which each functional component of the return information generation device 2000 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described below.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a computer 1000 for realizing the return information generation device 2000. Computer 1000 is any computer. For example, the computer 1000 is a stationary computer such as a personal computer (PC) or a server machine. In addition, for example, the computer 1000 is a portable computer such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Note that the computer 1000 may be a dedicated computer designed to implement the returned goods information generation device 2000, or may be a general-purpose computer.

Computer 1000 has a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage device 1080, an input/output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission path through which the processor 1040, memory 1060, storage device 1080, input/output interface 1100, and network interface 1120 exchange data with each other. However, the method for connecting the processors 1040 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

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

The input/output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 and an input/output device. For example, an input device such as a keyboard, and an output device such as a display device are connected to the input/output interface 1100.

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

The storage device 1080 stores program modules that implement each functional component of the return information generation device 2000. Processor 1040 reads each of these program modules into memory 1060 and executes them, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to each program module.

<Processing flow>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by the return information generation device 2000 of the first embodiment. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires product identification information of the target product (S102). The generation unit 2040 generates return information using the product identification information of the target product (S104).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail the flow of returns using the returned goods information generation device 2000. First, the return information generation device 2000 outputs information prompting for input to specify the receipt information 10 (S202). For example, this information is a receipt selection screen 70 described later (see FIG. 6). The user performs an input to specify the receipt information 10 (S204).

Further, the return information generation device 2000 outputs information prompting the user to input information for specifying the target product and its return quantity (S206). For example, this information is a product selection screen 30 described later (see FIG. 6). The user performs input to specify the target product and its returned quantity (S208).

The return information generation device 2000 determines whether the target product can be returned (S210). For example, this determination is made based on a predetermined return period, as will be described later. If the target product can be returned (S210: Returnable), the return information generation device 2000 generates return information (S212). The returned goods information generation device 2000 then outputs the generated returned goods information (S214).

If the target product is not returnable (S210: return not possible), the process in FIG. 5 ends without generating return information. At this time, the return information generation device 2000 may output a warning message to the effect that a product that cannot be returned is selected.

The returned goods processing device 3000 acquires the returned goods information output by the returned goods information generation device 2000 (S216). The return processing device 3000 then performs return processing using the acquired return information (S218).

<About receipt information 10>
As described above, the receipt information 10 is data indicating information regarding the purchased product. For example, the receipt information 10 is an electronic receipt (electronic receipt) that is issued instead of or together with a paper receipt when a product is purchased.

For example, the receipt information 10 indicates product identification information (identifier or name), purchase price, purchase quantity, etc. for each purchased product. Further, the receipt information 10 indicates information representing the time point at which the product was purchased (for example, the time point at which the receipt information 10 was generated). Further, the receipt information 10 may further indicate identification information of the user who purchased the product.

<Acquisition of receipt information 10: S102>
The acquisition unit 2020 acquires the receipt information 10 (S102). There are various methods by which the acquisition unit 2020 acquires the receipt information 10. For example, the acquisition unit 2020 acquires the receipt information 10 by accessing an arbitrary storage device in which the receipt information 10 is stored. This storage device may be provided inside the return information generation device 2000 or may be provided outside.

In addition, for example, the acquisition unit 2020 may acquire the receipt information 10 by receiving the receipt information 10 transmitted by another device. For example, it is conceivable that a web service that allows viewing the receipt information 10 will be provided. In this case, receipt information 10 generated when a user purchases a product is managed by the server provided with the web service. Therefore, the acquisition unit 2020 transmits a request to the server to request transmission of the receipt information 10. The acquisition unit 2020 then acquires the receipt information 10 by receiving the response from the server.

Here, when the acquisition unit 2020 acquires the receipt information 10, the receipt information 10 to be acquired needs to be specified. For example, the receipt information 10 to be acquired is selected by the user's input operation, as will be described later.

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

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow in which a user selects a target product. First, the user selects the receipt information 10 that he/she wishes to view on the receipt selection screen 70 (S202, S204). In this example, an overview of each piece of receipt information 10 is displayed in a list, and line data 72 corresponding to each piece of receipt information 10 can be selected. The user selects the receipt information 10 by selecting the row data 72 of the desired receipt information 10.

When the receipt information 10 is selected, the acquisition unit 2020 outputs a product selection screen 30 showing the contents of the receipt information 10. The product selection screen 30 displays the contents of the receipt information 10. On the product selection screen 30, for each product, line data 32 representing information about that product can be selected. The user selects the row data 32 of the product he or she wishes to return.

Here, it is also possible to select a plurality of row data 32. For example, in FIG. 6, product B and product D are selected (the selected products are surrounded by dotted lines). When multiple types of products are selected in this way, the return information generation device 2000 generates return information including product identification information for each of these multiple types of products. According to the return information generated in this way, it is possible to perform return processing for all of these multiple types of products. Therefore, the time and labor required for return processing can be further reduced.

After selecting the product to be returned, press the OK button 34. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires, from the receipt information 10, the product identification information of the product corresponding to each row of data 32 selected when the enter button 34 is pressed.

Note that if the purchased quantity of the product corresponding to the selected row data 32 is 2 or more, a screen for selecting the number of items to be returned (hereinafter referred to as a quantity specification screen) may be further displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a quantity selection screen. When a product whose purchase quantity is 2 or more is selected on the product selection screen 30, the acquisition unit 2020 outputs a quantity specification screen 50 for specifying the return quantity of the product. In FIG. 7, the quantity specification screen 50 is displayed superimposed on the product selection screen 30. After inputting the quantity of the product to be returned on the quantity specification screen 50, the user operates the enter button 52. The acquisition unit 2020 causes the storage device to store the association between the product and the returned quantity of the product.

<Generation of return information: S104, S212>
The generation unit 2040 generates return information using the product identification information of the target product (S104, S212). As described above, the return information includes additional information in addition to the product identification information of the target product. The additional information is information that the return processing device 3000 uses to process the return of the target product.

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

Therefore, for example, the generation unit 2040 includes the receipt information 10 in the additional information. That is, the generation unit 2040 includes the product identification information and receipt information 10 of the product in the return information. By doing so, the return processing device 3000 can easily acquire both product identification information and receipt information 10 necessary for return processing.

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

Furthermore, when specifying the return quantity for a product to be returned, the return processing device 3000 needs to acquire the return quantity. Therefore, the generation unit 2040 includes the returned quantity of the target product in the additional information. Here, when a plurality of target products are indicated in the return information, the generation unit 2040 associates the identification information of the target product with the returned quantity of the target product, and includes them in the return information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of return information. In FIG. 8, the return information includes the identification information of the receipt information 10, and a table that associates the identification information of the target product with the returned quantity of the target product.

Here, what kind of information is used for the return process (that is, what kind of additional information should be included in the return information) can vary depending on the method of implementing the return process. Therefore, for example, the generation unit 2040 may acquire information indicating the type of additional information to be included in the returned goods information, and include the additional information indicated in the acquired information in the returned goods information. For example, store return information is created by associating store identification information with additional information necessary for the store specified by the store identification information (additional information used by the return processing device 3000 operated at the store). Define.

In this case, the generation unit 2040 uses the identification information of the store (that is, the store where the product was purchased) shown in the acquired receipt information 10 to search the storage device that stores the store return information, and searches the storage device that stores the store return information. Obtain store return information showing identification information. The generation unit 2040 then generates return information including the type of additional information indicated in the acquired store return information.

<Determination of whether return is possible: S210>
The generation unit 2040 may perform processing to determine whether a return requested by the user is possible. For example, specify the period during which returns are allowed. In other words, returns are accepted only during a period from the time of payment according to the receipt information 10 until a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Hereinafter, this period will be referred to as the return period. The end of the return period can be calculated by adding the length of the return period to the payment point in the receipt information 10.

For example, before generating return information, the generation unit 2040 determines whether the current time is within the return period. If the current time is within the return period, the generation unit 2040 generates return information. On the other hand, if the current time is not within the return period, the generation unit 2040 does not generate return information. Note that if the current time is not within the return period, the return information generation device 2000 preferably outputs a message indicating that the return of the target product cannot be accepted.

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

The length of the return period may vary from store to store. In this case, the generation unit 2040 obtains the length of the return period at the store related to the receipt information 10 using information that associates the store with the length of the return period at that store. Information associating a store with the length of the return period of that store is stored in advance in, for example, a server provided by the store.

Note that products that cannot be returned may not be selected as target products. For example, before outputting the product selection screen 30, the return information generation device 2000 calculates the return period for each product, and displays products whose return period has passed in a manner that they cannot be selected on the product selection screen 30.

<Output of returned goods information: S214>
The return information generation device 2000 outputs return information so that the return processing device 3000 can perform return processing based on the return information (S214). The functional component that outputs return information is referred to as an output unit 2060. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the return information generation device 2000 having the output unit 2060.

The output unit 2060 can output return information in various ways. For example, the output unit 2060 transmits return information to the return processing device 3000. In this case, the return processing device 3000 obtains return information by receiving the return information transmitted from the return information generation device 2000.

In addition, for example, the output unit 2060 may store return information in a storage device that is accessible from the return processing device 3000. In this case, the return processing device 3000 acquires return information by reading the return information from the storage device. At this time, it is preferable that the output unit 2060 notifies the return processing device 3000 that the return information has been stored in the storage device.

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

The output unit 2060 may output (print) the code on a paper medium. In this case, the return processing device 3000 acquires return information by reading the code displayed on the paper medium with a reader.

<About the returned goods processing device 3000: S216, S218>
The return processing device 3000 is a device that uses return information to perform return processing for products to be returned. For example, the return processing device 3000 modifies the receipt information 10 to indicate that the product specified by the product identification information indicated by the return information has been returned. The receipt information 10 modified here is the receipt information 10 included in the returned goods information or the receipt information 10 specified by the identification information included in the returned goods information. In addition, for example, the return processing device 3000 performs a process of refunding the price of the target product, a process of correcting the inventory quantity of the target product, and the like. Note that existing technologies can be used as specific techniques for correcting receipt information, refunding prices, correcting the number of products in stock, etc. in response to returned products.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the return processing device 3000. The returned goods processing device 3000 includes an acquisition section 3020 and a returned goods processing section 3040. The acquisition unit 3020 acquires return information (S216). The return processing unit performs return processing for the target product using the return information (S218). Note that if the returned goods information is encoded, the returned goods processing unit 3040 obtains the returned goods information by decoding the encoded returned goods information.

The hardware configuration of the return processing device 3000 is shown in FIG. 2, for example, similarly to the hardware configuration of the return information generation device 2000. However, the storage device of the computer that implements the return processing device 3000 includes a program module that implements the functions of the return processing device 3000.

<Usage example 1>
In order to deepen the understanding of the return information generation device 2000, an example of the use of the return information generation device 2000 will be described. The usage examples shown below are merely examples of the return information generation device 2000, and do not limit the functions of the return information generation device 2000.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a usage example of the returned goods information generation device 2000. The user 20 operates the user terminal 22 to select the product he or she wishes to return. The returned goods information generation device 2000 is realized by the server device 60. The return processing device 3000 is realized by a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 90 installed in a store.

The server device 60 provides the user 20 with a website (hereinafter referred to as a receipt management site) where various processes (viewing, returns, etc.) related to the receipt information 10 can be performed. The user 20 logs into the receipt management site and performs a predetermined operation so that the receipt selection screen 70 described above is displayed (see FIG. 6). On the receipt selection screen 70, the user 20 selects the receipt information 10 indicating the product he/she wishes to return. Upon receiving the result, the server device 60 causes the user terminal 22 to display the product selection screen 30. The user 20 selects the row data 32 of the product he/she wishes to return on the product selection screen 30.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the screen transition after the row data 32 is selected on the product selection screen 30 for usage example 1. In this example, when the user 20 selects the line data 32, the server device 60 causes the user terminal 22 to display an operation selection screen 40 from which an operation related to the product corresponding to the line data 32 can be selected. Here, since the user 20 wants to return the product, the user 20 operates the return button 42 on the operation selection screen 40.

When the return button 42 is pressed, the server device 60 causes the user terminal 22 to display a confirmation screen 80 for making a final confirmation as to whether or not to execute the return process. When the YES button 82 is pressed on the confirmation screen 80, the server device 60 determines whether the current date and time is within the return period.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed after the YES button 82 is pressed on the confirmation screen 80 for usage example 1. If the current date and time are not within the return period, the server device 60 causes the user terminal 22 to display an error screen 100 notifying that the return period has passed.

On the other hand, if the current date and time is within the return period, the server device 60 generates return information with the selected product as the target product. This return information includes the product identification information of the target product, the returned quantity of the target product, and the identification information of the receipt information 10.

The server device 60 encodes the generated return information and causes the user terminal 22 to display a code display screen 110 that includes the encoded return information. The coded return information is the code 112 on the code display screen 110. The clerk uses a code reader connected to the POS terminal 90 to read the code 112.

The POS terminal 90 obtains return information by decoding the code 112 read in this operation. The POS terminal 90 uses the identification information of the receipt information 10 included in the returned goods information and acquires the receipt information 10 specified by the identification information. For example, the POS terminal 90 transmits a request indicating the identification information of the receipt information 10 included in the return information to the server device 60, thereby acquiring the receipt information 10 specified by the identification information. Furthermore, the POS terminal 90 obtains the product identification information and returned quantity of the target product from the return information, and modifies the obtained receipt information 10 to indicate that the target product of the returned quantity has been returned. Then, the POS terminal 90 transmits the corrected receipt information 10 to the server device 60. As a result, the receipt information 10 managed by the server device 60 is updated.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating receipt information 10 that can be viewed on the receipt management site after the return processing. On the viewing screen 120 of FIG. 14, a mark "return" (hereinafter referred to as a return mark) is attached to the returned product. Here, by selecting the row data or return mark of the returned product on the viewing screen 120, information regarding the return (such as the date and time the return process was performed and the quantity returned) may be viewed.

Note that it may take some time after the return processing device 3000 acquires the return information until the return processing is completed. In this case, for products that are being returned, the viewing screen 120 may indicate that the product is being returned. For example, on the viewing screen 120, a return mark for a product that is undergoing return processing and a return mark for a product for which return processing has been completed are displayed in different formats. For example, the return mark is made to flash for products that are being returned, and the return mark is not flashed for products that have been returned. Further, when line data of a product that is being returned is selected on the viewing screen 120, a screen showing information regarding the returned product may be displayed.

In this usage example, the return information generation device 2000 is realized by a server device, but the return information generation device may be realized by a device other than the server device. For example, the return information generation device 2000 may be realized by the user terminal 22. Further, the return information generation device 2000 may be realized using the POS terminal 90 together with the return processing device 3000.

<Usage example 2>
In some cases, it is preferable to carry out return processing by sending the product to a store or the like. For example, there are cases where it is difficult for the user 20 to go to a store and request a return, such as when the product was purchased far away. Therefore, for example, the return information generation device 2000 may output return information in a manner that facilitates returns during such delivery. For example, the return information generation device 2000 generates data of a slip (for example, a home delivery slip) that includes a code that encodes return information. In this case, the user 20 uses the return information generation device 2000 to obtain slip data that includes a code representing return information about the product that the user 20 wants to return. Then, the user 20 puts the product to be returned in a packaging container such as cardboard, attaches the printed slip to the packaging container, and then sends the product.

A person in charge of return processing who receives the product thus delivered reads the code displayed on the slip attached to the packaging container using a code reader connected to the return processing device 3000. In this way, the returned goods will be processed for the delivered products.

Note that the code representing return information does not necessarily need to be printed on the slip. For example, a code representing return information may be printed on any portable medium (such as paper), and the portable medium may be placed in a packaging container with the product and sent.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and combinations of the embodiments described above or various configurations other than those described above may also be adopted.

Part or all of the above embodiments may be described as in the following additional notes, but are not limited to the following.
1. an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding products to be returned among purchased products;
A return information generation device comprising: a generation unit that generates return information that includes product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned and is used for return processing of the product to be returned.
2. The return information includes receipt information indicating the product to be returned, identification information of the receipt information, or the returned quantity of the product to be returned; 1. Return information generation device described in .
3. The acquisition unit acquires information regarding each of a plurality of products to be returned,
1. The generation unit generates the return information used for return processing of all the plurality of products to be returned. Or 2. Return information generation device described in .
4. 1. The generation unit generates the return information when the product to be returned is within a return period. to 3. Return information generating device described in any one of the above.
5. 1. having an output unit that outputs the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that performs return processing for the product to be returned; to 4. Return information generating device described in any one of the above.
6. 5. The output unit outputs data including the code, which is data printed on a portable medium used for delivery of the product to be returned. Return information generation device described in .
7. 1. having an output unit that transmits the return information to a return processing device that performs return processing for the product to be returned; to 4. Return information generating device described in any one of the above.

8. an acquisition unit that acquires a code in which return information including product identification information and other additional information of the product to be returned is encoded;
A return processing device comprising: a return processing unit that decodes the acquired code into the return information and uses the return information to execute return processing for the product to be returned.

9. A control method performed by a computer, comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding items to be returned among the purchased items;
A control method comprising the step of generating return information that includes product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned and is used for return processing of the product to be returned.
10. 9. The return information includes receipt information indicating the product to be returned, identification information of the receipt information, or the returned quantity of the product to be returned. Control method described in .
11. In the acquisition step, information regarding each of the plurality of products to be returned is acquired;
9. In the generation step, generate the return information to be used for return processing of all the plurality of products to be returned. or 10. Control method described in .
12. 9. In the generation step, the return information is generated if the return target product is within a return period. to 11. The control method described in any one.
13. 9. outputting the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that performs return processing for the product to be returned; 9. to 12. The control method described in any one.
14. 13. In the output step, output data including the code, which is printed on a portable medium used for shipping the product to be returned; 13. Control method described in .
15. 9. having an output step of transmitting the return information to a return processing device that performs return processing for the product to be returned; to 12. The control method described in any one.

16. A control method performed by a computer, comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring a code in which return information including product identification information and other additional information of the product to be returned is encoded;
A control method comprising: a return processing step of decoding the acquired code into the return information and using the return information to execute return processing for the product to be returned.

17. 9. to the computer. to 15. A program that executes each step of the control method described in any one of the above.

18. 16. on the computer. A program that executes each step of the control method described in .

10 Receipt information 20 User 22 User terminal 30 Product selection screen 32 Line data 34 OK button 40 Operation selection screen 42 Return button 50 Quantity specification screen 52 OK button 60 Server device 70 Receipt selection screen 72 Line data 80 Confirmation screen 82 YES button 90 POS Terminal 100 Error screen 110 Code display screen 112 Code 120 Viewing screen 1000 Computer 1020 Bus 1040 Processor 1060 Memory 1080 Storage device 1100 Input/output interface 1120 Network interface 2000 Return information generation device 2020 Acquisition unit 2040 Generation unit 2060 Output unit 3000 Return processing device 3020 Acquisition department 3040 Return processing department

Claims (8)

an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the product to be returned that is included in the receipt information specified by the customer's input;
a generation unit that generates return information used for return processing of the product to be returned, including product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned;
A return information generation device comprising: an output unit that outputs the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that performs return processing for the product to be returned. The return information generating device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit displays a screen for the customer to select the receipt information, and acquires information regarding a product to be returned that is included in the receipt information selected by the customer. . 3. The return information generation device according to claim 1, wherein the return information includes receipt information indicating the product to be returned, identification information of the receipt information, or a returned quantity of the product to be returned. The return information includes receipt information indicating the product to be returned or identification information of the receipt information,
The returned goods information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receipt information includes a purchase price of the product. Return information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output unit outputs data that is printed on a portable medium used for delivery of the product to be returned and includes the code. generator. The acquisition unit acquires information regarding each of a plurality of products to be returned,
6. The return information generation device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the return information used in return processing for all of the plurality of products to be returned. A control method performed by a computer, comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring information about the product to be returned that is included in the receipt information specified by the customer's input;
a generation step of generating return information to be used for return processing of the product to be returned, including product identification information and additional information of the product to be returned;
A control method comprising: outputting the return information as a code readable by a return processing device that performs return processing for the product to be returned. A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 7.

Images