JP7317490B2 - Information processing system, information processing device and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing program.

Privilege granting services that grant privileges such as points to members according to the contents of transactions are widely used. Privileges of this type of service are generally granted when a member proves membership of the service by presenting a membership card at the time of transaction. Therefore, if you forget your membership card, even if you are a member, you cannot receive benefits.
There is also a so-called retrofitting method in which a privilege is given in response to manual input by a store clerk or the like when a transaction receipt and a membership card indicating the details of the transaction are presented after the fact. However, according to this conventional retrofitting, if the clerk or the like does not perform an appropriate operation, an inappropriate privilege is granted, so the clerk needs to operate carefully, which is troublesome. In addition, there is a possibility that an improper privilege may be granted due to intentional inappropriate operation.
Under these circumstances, it has been desired to easily retrofit the benefits while preventing fraud.

JP-A-7-37161

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing program that make it possible to easily retrofit a privilege while preventing fraud.

An information processing system according to an embodiment includes management means, first acquisition means, second acquisition means, and provision means. The management means manages whether or not the transaction data representing the content of the completed transaction is transaction data relating to a transaction for which no privilege has been granted. The first acquisition means acquires first identification data for identifying transactions. The second acquisition means acquires second identification data for identifying the member. When the management means manages that the transaction data related to the transaction identified by the first identification data acquired by the first acquisition means is the transaction data related to the transaction for which no privilege is granted, A granting process is performed for granting a benefit determined based on the transaction data to the member identified by the second identification data acquired by the second acquisition means.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a point management system according to one embodiment, and main circuit configurations of a POS terminal, a store server, and a point management device; FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor provided in the POS terminal in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor provided in the POS terminal in FIG. 1; FIG.

An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a point management system as an information processing system including a POS (point-of-sale) terminal, a store server, and a point management device will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a point management system 100 according to the present embodiment, and circuit configurations of main parts of a POS terminal 10, a store server 20 and a point management device 30. As shown in FIG.
This point management system 100 is configured by allowing the POS terminal 10 , the store server 20 and the point management device 30 to communicate with each other via the communication network 40 . Although the point management system 100 typically includes a plurality of POS terminals 10, only one is shown in FIG. A plurality of POS terminals 10 may all be installed in one store, or may be installed dispersedly in a plurality of stores. Also, the plurality of stores may all belong to a single company, or stores belonging to different companies may coexist.

The POS terminal 10 registers the details of arbitrary transactions, such as the sale of merchandise, the provision of food and beverages, or the provision of services that do not involve the transfer of goods, and furthermore, performs information processing for settling the charges related to the transactions. conduct. In addition, below, the case where the transaction made into object is made into sale of goods is demonstrated.
The shop server 20 performs information processing for managing transactions at the shop where the POS terminal 10 is installed. If multiple POS terminals 10 are installed in multiple stores, multiple store servers 20 may be included in the point management system 100 .
The point management device 30 performs information processing for managing the points owned by the member for the purpose of providing the point service. Giving points in a point service is an example of giving benefits to transactions.
The communication network 40 can use the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN (local area network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either singly or in combination. As the communication network 40, the Internet, VPN and mobile communication network are typically used in combination.

POS terminal 10 includes processor 11 , main memory 12 , auxiliary storage device 13 , display device 14 , input device 15 , reading device 16 , printer 17 , communication interface 18 and transmission line 19 . Processor 11 , main memory 12 , auxiliary storage device 13 , display device 14 , input device 15 , reading device 16 , printer 17 and communication interface 18 are connected by transmission line 19 . The processor 11 , main memory 12 and auxiliary storage device 13 are connected by a transmission line 19 to form a computer that performs information processing for controlling the POS terminal 10 .

The processor 11 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 11 executes information processing according to an information processing program such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs, thereby controlling each section to realize various functions of the POS terminal 10 .

The main memory 12 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores the above information processing program in a nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may also store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processing for controlling each unit in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11 .

The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 13 can be, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), HDD (hard disc drive), SSD (solid state drive), or any other well-known storage device. Auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by processor 11 in performing various processes and data generated by processes in processor 11 . The auxiliary storage device 13 may store an information processing program.

The display device 14 displays various screens for notifying the operator of various information. As the display device 14, for example, a well-known device such as a liquid crystal display device can be applied.
The input device 15 inputs various instructions from the operator. As the input device 15, well-known devices such as touch sensors or keyboards can be applied singly or in combination.

A reading device 16 reads data stored on a storage medium. As the reading device 16, well-known devices such as barcode scanners or card readers can be applied singly or in combination.
The printer 17 prints various images on receipt paper and issues various certificates.

The communication interface 18 performs data communication via the communication network 40 . Communication interface 18 may be a well-known device configured to perform well-known operations for data communication, eg, over the Internet.
The transmission line 19 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between connected units.

The POS terminal 10 stores in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 an information processing program describing information processing described later. The information processing program may be stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 when the hardware of the POS terminal 10 is transferred, or may be transferred separately from the hardware. In the latter case, the information processing program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or transferred via a network. In the latter case, the information processing program may be provided as an upgraded program and used in place of another information processing program of the same type already stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13 .

The store server 20 includes a processor 21 , main memory 22 , auxiliary storage device 23 , communication interface 24 and transmission path 25 .
The point management device 30 has a processor 31 , a main memory 32 , an auxiliary storage device 33 , a communication interface 34 and a transmission line 35 .
Both the store server 20 and the point management device 30 can use general-purpose computer devices for servers as basic hardware. Thus, the basic hardware configurations of the store server 20 and the point management device 30 may be the same.

In the shop server 20 and the point management device 30, the processors 21, 31, the main memories 22, 32, the auxiliary storage devices 23, 33 and the communication interfaces 24, 34 are connected by the transmission lines 25, 35. The processors 21, 31, the main memories 22, 32, and the auxiliary storage devices 23, 33 are connected by the transmission lines 25, 35, thereby forming a computer that performs information processing for controlling the shop server 20 and the point management device 30. Configure.

The processors 21 and 31 correspond to the central portion of the computer. The processors 21 and 31 execute information processing according to information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs, thereby controlling each section to realize various functions of the store server 20 and the point management device 30. .

The main memories 22 and 32 correspond to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memories 22 and 32 include a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 22 stores the above information processing program in a nonvolatile memory area. In some cases, the main memories 22 and 32 store data necessary for the processors 21 and 31 to control each part in non-volatile or volatile memory areas. The main memories 22 and 32 use volatile memory areas as work areas in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processors 21 and 31 .

The auxiliary storage devices 23 and 33 correspond to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage devices 23 and 33 can use, for example, EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or other well-known various storage devices. Auxiliary storage devices 23 and 33 store data used when processors 21 and 31 perform various processes and data generated by processes in processors 21 and 31 . The auxiliary storage devices 23 and 33 may store the above information processing program.

Communication interfaces 24 and 34 perform data communication via communication network 40 . The communication interfaces 24, 34 may be well known devices configured to perform well known processes for data communication over the Internet, for example.
The transmission lines 25 and 35 include an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and transmit data and control signals exchanged between the connected units.

The information processing program for operating the above general-purpose computer devices as the store server 20 and the point management device 30, respectively, is stored in the main memories 22, 32 or the auxiliary storage device 23, when the store server 20 or the point management device 30 is transferred. 33, or may be transferred separately from the general-purpose computer device described above. In the latter case, the information processing program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or transferred via a network.

Data stored in the auxiliary storage device 23 of the store server 20 includes the transaction database DB1. The transaction database DB1 is a collection of data included in transaction data sent from the POS terminal 10. FIG.

Data stored in the auxiliary storage device 33 of the point management device 30 includes a point database DB2 and a history database DB3. The point database DB2 is a collection of data for managing the points owned by each member. The history database DB3 is a set of data representing the history of point awarding.

Next, the operation of the point management system 100 configured as above will be described. It should be noted that the contents of various processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate.

When the POS terminal 10 is in the operation mode for registration and payment, the processor 11 performs the information processing described below for registration and payment in accordance with the information processing program stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. conduct.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of information processing by the processor 11 .

As Act1, the processor 11 performs preparatory processing such as initialization or deletion of data such as a product table that is temporarily used in information processing relating to one transaction. The product table is a data table representing a list of purchased products for one transaction, and is stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 .

As Act 2, the processor 11 confirms whether or not a member code for identifying a member of the point service has been input. If the membership code has not been input, the processor 11 determines No, and proceeds to Act3.
As Act 3, the processor 11 confirms whether or not an instruction to change the purchase product list has been given. Then, if the corresponding instruction is not given, the processor 11 determines No, and proceeds to Act4.
In Act 4, the processor 11 confirms whether or not execution of accounting has been instructed. Then, if the corresponding instruction is not given, the processor 11 determines No, and returns to Act2.
Thus, in Acts 2 to 4, the processor 11 waits for the membership code to be input, or for an instruction to change or execute accounting.

If the customer is a member of the point service and wishes to use the point service, the store clerk inputs a member code for identifying the member. For example, a store clerk causes a card reader provided as the reading device 16 to read a membership card on which a membership code is recorded. Alternatively, the store clerk causes the barcode scanner provided as the reading device 16 to read the barcode printed on the membership card and representing the membership code. Then, reading device 16 notifies processor 11 of the read membership code. Then, when the membership code is notified in this manner, the processor 11 determines Yes in Act2, and proceeds to Act5.

As Act 5, the processor 11 saves the entered membership code in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 . After that, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of Act2 to Act4. When the membership code is repeatedly input, the processor 11 executes Act 5 again and overwrites the already stored membership code with the newly input membership code. Note that the processor 11 may not determine Yes in Act2 after performing Act5 once.

The customer picks up the product to be purchased from the sales floor, brings it to the checkout corner, and hands it over to the clerk in charge of operating the POS terminal 10. - 特許庁The store clerk performs a registration operation for instructing registration of each product handed over by the customer as a purchased product. The registration operation is, for example, an operation of causing a barcode scanner provided as the reading device 16 to read the barcode displayed on the product, or an operation of touching the touch panel provided as the input device 15 to designate the product. . Alternatively, the store clerk performs a deletion operation for instructing exclusion of the registered product from the purchased products. Then, the processor 11 accepts such a registration operation or deletion operation as a change instruction, determines Yes in Act3, and proceeds to Act6.

In Act 6, the processor 11 updates the product table so as to display the product specified by the registration operation as the purchased product if the registration operation has been performed. Further, when the deletion operation is performed, the processor 11 updates the product table so that the product specified by the deletion operation is excluded from the purchased products. After that, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of Act2 to Act4.

The store clerk repeats the change instructions so that the product table represents the list of products that the customer intends to purchase. In response to this, the processor 11 repeats Act 6 and updates the product table according to the instruction. When the product table shows a list of all the products that the customer is going to purchase, the sales clerk performs a predetermined operation such as touching the checkout button displayed in the display screen of the touch panel. The operation instructs the execution of accounting. Then, the processor 11 determines Yes in Act4, and proceeds to Act7.

As Act7, the processor 11 executes accounting processing. For example, the processor 11 multiplies the sales prices of the purchased products shown in the product table, and performs discount processing as necessary to calculate the price for one transaction. Further, the processor 11, for example, performs processing for allowing the customer to settle the calculated price. The processing may be known processing by various settlement methods using cash, credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money, points, cash vouchers, and the like.

In Act 8, the processor 11 determines points to be given according to a predetermined rule. The rules may be arbitrary as long as the points to be given are determined based on the content of the transaction, such as by multiplying the settlement amount by a certain coefficient. you can The rule may be selected by the processor 11 from among a plurality of rules prepared in advance according to the time zone or the like.

As Act 9, processor 11 generates transaction data. For example, the processor 11 generates transaction data as data representing the content of the transaction, that is, the list of purchased products that are the object of the transaction. For example, the processor 11 also includes transaction number, transaction date and time, store code, terminal code, store clerk code, payment amount, payment method, or payment result in the payment data. In addition, the transaction number is a number that is determined so that each transaction can be distinguished. The transaction date and time is the date and time when the transaction was made. The store code is the identifier of the store where the transaction was made. A terminal code is an identifier of the POS terminal 10 . The clerk code is the identifier of the clerk operating the POS terminal 10 . The settlement amount is the amount settled by the above accounting process. Settlement method is the settlement method applied in the above accounting process. For example, if the settlement method is cash settlement, the settlement result is the amount deposited and the amount of change. The data to be included in the transaction data is arbitrarily determined, for example, by the designer of the POS terminal 10 or the like. The processor 11 also includes a reset flag in the transaction data. The completion flag is data representing whether or not point giving has been completed. In this embodiment, when the completed flag is set, it means that the points have been awarded.

As Act 10, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the point service is applied to the transaction being processed. For example, the processor 11 stores the member code in Act 5 and confirms whether the member code is a code for identifying a member of the point service. Then, if the member code of the member of the point service is stored, the processor 11 determines Yes and proceeds to Act11.

In Act11, the processor 11 requests the point management device 30 to give points. For example, the processor 11 sends request data in a predetermined form for requesting the awarding of points (hereinafter referred to as point transfer) to the point management device 30 through the communication interface 18 to the communication network 40 . The processor 11 transfers the membership code saved in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 in Act 5, the awarded points determined in Act 8, the transaction date and time, the terminal code, and the transaction number included in the transaction data generated in Act 9 to a point transaction. include in

In the point management device 30 , the communication interface 34 receives the point transaction transmitted by the communication network 40 . Then, the processor 31 updates the point database DB2 and the history database DB3 based on the point transactions. For example, the processor 31 adds the given point value included in the point transaction to the possessed point value indicated in the point database DB2 in association with the membership code included in the point transaction. Then, the processor 31 updates the point database DB2 so that the owned points shown in the point database DB2 in association with the member code included in the point transaction represent the value obtained by the above addition. Also, the processor 31 updates the history database DB3 so as to include, for example, the membership code, the awarded points, the date and time of the transaction, the terminal code, and the transaction number included in the point transaction as data relating to one point award. At this time, the processor 31 includes data relating to past point grants, which are already included in the history database DB3, in the history database DB3 as they are. However, the processor 31 may delete, from the history database DB3, data relating to past point grants that meet predetermined conditions due to data size limitations of the history database DB3.
Thus, the point database DB2 is a database that represents owned points in association with membership codes. Also, the history database DB3 is a database showing the history of which transactions have been executed with respect to the points given.

As Act12, the processor 11 changes the completed flag included in the transaction data generated in Act9 to a set state. The processor 11 then proceeds to Act13. For example, if the membership code is not stored in Act5, the processor 11 determines No in Act10, passes Act11 and Act12, and proceeds to Act13. That is, when the point service should not be applied, the processor 11 does not give points and resets the done flag. Thus, it is possible to check whether or not the transaction data is related to a transaction for which points have not been awarded, by checking the status of the completion flag. In other words, the processor 11 manages whether or not the transaction data is related to a transaction for which points have not been awarded by determining the state of the completed flag as described above. As a result of the processor 11 executing information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as a management means.

As Act13, the processor 11 issues a transaction receipt. A transaction receipt is a document showing the details of a transaction, the result of settlement, and the like. The processor 11 generates, for example, image data representing a list of purchased products related to the transaction being processed and the result of settlement in Act7. The processor 11 then sends the image data to the printer 17 to print the image represented by the image data on receipt paper.

As Act14, the processor 11 notifies the store server 20 of the transaction result. The processor 11 , for example, sends notification data including transaction data (hereinafter referred to as transaction data) to the shop server 20 from the communication interface 18 to the communication network 40 . After that, the processor 11 repeats the process of moving to Act1.

In the store server 20 , the communication interface 24 receives the transaction transaction transmitted by the communication network 40 . The processor 21 then updates the transaction database DB1 based on the transaction transactions. For example, the processor 21 updates the transaction database DB1 to additionally include the transaction data contained in the transaction transaction as one data record. Note that the processor 21 deletes from the transaction database DB1 transaction data relating to past transactions that meet predetermined conditions due to the data size limit of the transaction database DB1. For example, the processor 21 includes in the transaction database DB1 only transaction data relating to transactions for a predetermined number of recent days, and deletes other transaction data from the transaction database DB1. The above number of days in this case is arbitrary and may be arbitrarily determined by the designer or manager of the store server 20 . However, the above number of days is determined to include at least the period during which points are allowed to be retrofitted. That is, for example, if points are allowed to be retrofitted up to N days after the transaction date, transaction data relating to transactions for the most recent N+1 days including the current day are included in the transaction database DB1. The processor 21 may also add one data record containing only part of the data contained in the transaction data to the transaction database DB1. The processor 21 may also add to the transaction database DB1 a data record including at least part of the data included in the transaction data and data not included in the transaction data.

By the way, the processor 11 of the POS terminal 10 determines No in Act 10 and does not execute Act 11 and Act 12 if the customer does not present the membership card even for a transaction in which the customer is a member of the point service. That is, the processor 11 does not give points for the transaction. If the customer desires to give the points for the transaction for which the points have not been given after the fact, the customer presents the transaction receipt and the membership card issued for the transaction to the clerk and requests the points to be given. In response to this request, the store clerk performs a predetermined operation using the input device 15, for example, to declare that points will be added later. When the processor 11 is in the standby state of Act 1 in FIG. 2, it waits for a start declaration regarding processing other than registration and accounting by separate information processing. However, this standby may be performed in the same standby state as the confirmation of Act 1 of the processing shown in FIG. Then, in response to the execution of a predetermined operation for declaring point retrofitting, the processor 11 follows the information processing program stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 to perform the following for point retrofitting: It performs the information processing to be described. The information processing program related to information processing for post-adding points may be the same as the information processing program related to information processing shown in FIG. 2 for registration and payment, or may be different.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of information processing for post-adding points by the processor 11 .

As Act21, the processor 11 acquires a membership code. For example, the processor 11 causes the display device 14 to display a guide screen prompting the user to enter the membership code, and waits for the entry of the membership code. When the clerk causes the reading device 16 to read the membership card presented by the customer according to the guide screen, the processor acquires the membership code notified from the reading device 16 in response to this. As a result of the processor 11 executing the information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as second obtaining means for obtaining the member code as second identification data for identifying the member. function as

In Act 22, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the customer is a member of the point service based on the acquired member code. For example, the processor 11 confirms whether the acquired member code is a code for identifying a member of the point service. Processor 11 then determines No if a code different from the code for identifying the point member has been acquired as the member code, and proceeds to Act 23 .

As Act23, the processor 11 executes error processing. For example, the processor 11 causes the display device 14 to display an error screen for notifying the store clerk that the entered membership code is incorrect. However, the type of error processing to be executed may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, the designer or administrator of the POS terminal 10 . The processor 11 then ends the information processing shown in FIG. Processor 11 may return to Act21.

If the code for identifying the point member is acquired as the member code, the processor 11 determines Yes in Act 22 and proceeds to Act 24 .
As Act 24, the processor 11 acquires search data. Search data is, for example, a transaction code. Alternatively, the search data is a combination of transaction code and terminal code. The search data may be any data as long as it can identify one transaction data contained in the transaction database DB1. The retrieval data may be obtained by any method, such as input by the input device 15 or reading by the reading device 16 . In this embodiment, the processor 11 displays a bar code indicating search data on the transaction receipt issued at Act 13 in FIG. When the reading device 16 notifies the processor 11 of the retrieval data by reading the bar code, the processor 11 obtains the retrieval data. In this case, the search data corresponds to first identification data for identifying transactions. Also, the bar code corresponds to a code symbol that makes the first identification data optically readable. A transaction receipt records code symbols on receipt paper as a medium. The processor 11 extracts search data as first identification data from read data obtained by optically reading a bar code as a code symbol. As a result of the processor 11 executing information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 11 as a central part functions as recording means and first acquisition means. It should be noted that displaying this type of bar code on transaction receipts has already been done for the processing of returned goods after the completion of payment. For this reason, there is no need to display a new bar code for post-adding points on the transaction receipt.

As Act 25 , the processor 11 acquires the transaction data specified by the search data from the shop server 20 . For example, the processor 11 sends request data requesting a search for transaction data using the search data to the shop server 20 from the communication interface 18 to the communication network 40 . In the store server 20, when the request data is received by the communication interface 24, the processor 21 searches the transaction database DB1 using the search data included in the request data. If the transaction database DB1 also includes transaction data relating to transactions performed outside the period in which post-payment of points is allowed, the processor 21 retrieves transaction data relating to transactions performed within the period in which post-payment of points is allowed. For the processing of the processor 21 related to such searches, the processing that has already been performed by the existing store server for the processing of returned goods after the completion of payment can be diverted. The processor 21 then sends the response data including the transaction data specified by the search data through the communication interface 24 to the communication network 40 to the requesting POS terminal 10 . Then, in the POS terminal 10, when the response data is received by the communication interface 18, the processor 11 acquires the transaction data included in the response data.

In Act 26, the processor 11 confirms whether or not points have been given for the transactions related to the acquired transaction data. For example, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the completed flag included in the acquired transaction data is set. If it is in the set state, the processor 11 determines Yes, and proceeds to Act27.

As Act 27, the processor 11 executes error processing. The processor 11, for example, causes the display device 14 to display an error screen for notifying the store clerk that points have been given for the transaction corresponding to the input search code and that the points will not be added later. However, the type of error processing to be executed may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, the designer or administrator of the POS terminal 10 . The processor 11 then ends the information processing shown in FIG. Note that the processor 11 may return to Act24.

For example, if the completed flag included in the acquired transaction data is in a reset state, the processor 11 determines No in Act26 and proceeds to Act28.
As Act 28, the processor 11 requests the point management device 30 to give points. The processor 11 , for example, sends a point transaction addressed to the point management device 30 from the communication interface 18 to the communication network 40 . The point transaction may be the same as the point transaction sent in Act 11 in FIG. Use This point grant request is made by the management means when the transaction data related to the transaction identified by the search data acquired by the function as the first acquisition means is the transaction data related to the transaction for which points are not granted. is managed by the function of The request corresponds to grant processing for granting points determined based on the transaction data to the member identified by the member code acquired by the function as the second acquisition means. In addition, the granting process is a process of requesting the point management device 30, which is a management device for managing points as a privilege, to grant points as a privilege. As a result of the processor 11 executing information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 11 as a central part functions as a provision means.

When the communication interface 34 receives the point transaction transmitted by the communication network 40, the processor 31 of the point management device 30 updates the point database DB2 and the history database DB3 in the same manner as described above. As a result, the points relating to the past transactions are retrofitted. In addition, the point management device 30 manages in the history database DB3 what kind of transactions the points were retrofitted to. In other words, the transaction date, terminal code and transaction number included in the point transaction transmitted by the processor 11 for post-addition of points are managed by the point management device 30 as to what kind of transaction the points are granted as a privilege. It is an example of data for management for doing. As a result of the processor 11 executing information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as notification means for notifying management data.

As Act 29, the processor 11 requests the store server 20 to update the completion flag. For example, the processor 11 sends request data to the store server 20 from the communication interface 18 to the communication network 40 to request updating of the completion flag of the transaction data specified by the search data acquired in Act 24 . For example, the processor 11 may proceed to Act 29 in response to receiving a notification from the point management device 30 that the awarding of points has been completed in response to the request in Act 28 .

In the store server 20, when the request data is received by the communication interface 24, the processor 21 uses the search data included in the request data to specify one of the transaction data included in the transaction database DB1. . Then, the processor 21 updates the transaction database DB1 so that the completed flag included in the specified transaction data is changed to the set state.

As Act 30, the processor 11 issues a retrofit receipt. The retrofit receipt is a certificate showing that the points have been retrofitted. For example, the processor 11 generates image data representing the numerical value of the given points included in the transaction data obtained in Act 25 in a predetermined image representing that the points have been retrofitted. The processor 11 then sends the image data to the printer 17 to print the image represented by the image data on receipt paper. When the processor 11 finishes issuing the retrofitted receipt, the processor 11 ends the information processing shown in FIG. For example, the processor 11 may proceed to Act 30 in response to receiving a notification from the store server 20 that the updating of the done flag has been completed in response to the request in Act 29 .

Thus, according to the point management system 100, since points are added based on transaction data, it is necessary to perform operations such as input of points to be awarded while preventing fraudulent points that are not based on transactions. The operation can be facilitated because there is no

Further, according to the point management system 100, the store server 20 and the point management device 30 perform processing in accordance with requests from the POS terminal 10, but most of the processing for implementing retrofitting of points is performed by the POS terminal 10. will be Therefore, the store server 20 and the point management device 30 can be realized as they are in the same type of existing point management system, or by slightly changing the information processing.

Further, according to the point management system 100, the search data for identifying the transaction is recorded as a bar code on the transaction receipt, and the search data for identifying the transaction to which points are to be retrofitted is printed on the transaction receipt. obtained by reading the barcode above. Therefore, it is easy to perform an operation for designating a transaction for which points are retrofitted. Since the existing POS terminals have already been used to display the search data on the transaction receipt, the system can be used as it is for post-payment of points.

It is conceivable that points for retrofitting can be given by giving points arbitrarily designated by a store clerk or the like at a POS terminal. You cannot control what is done. However, according to the point management system 100, in response to the notification from the POS terminal 10, the point management device 30 updates the history database DB3 so as to be able to manage for which transaction the points for retrofitting have been given, and updates the history database DB3. can be managed.

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.
The privilege to be given is not limited to points, and may be any privilege such as the issuance of a coupon, for example.

The management of whether or not the transaction data relates to a transaction for which no privilege has been granted may be managed by a technique other than including the done flag in the transaction data. For example, a data table representing completed flags associated with search data for identifying each of the transaction data contained in the transaction database DB1 may be used. Alternatively, transaction data on transactions for which points have been awarded and transaction data on transactions for which points have not been awarded may be managed in separate databases. When using a data table, management of updating the data table may be performed by either the POS terminal 10 or the point management device 30 . When the update of the data table is managed by the point management device 30, the computer having the processor 31 as the central part functions as the management means. The data table may be saved in any one of the POS terminal 10, the store server 20 and the point management device 30, or may be saved in a storage device provided outside these devices. Further, when the transaction data database is divided into two, any of the POS terminal 10, the shop server 20, and the point management device 30 may manage the update of the database. A computer having a processor 21 as a central part when database update management is performed by the store server 20, and a computer having a processor 31 as a central part when management is performed by the point management device 30 function as management means. will have

The function as granting means may be realized by a computer having the processor 31 as a central part in the point management device 30 . For example, in the POS terminal 10, the processor 11 notifies the point management device 30 of the membership code and search data acquired in Act21 and Act24, and does not perform the process of moving to Act25. Then, the processor 31 in the point management device 30 uses the membership code and search data notified from the POS terminal 10 to execute the processing from Act 25 onwards. Alternatively, the processor 11 of the POS terminal 10 notifies the point management device 30 of the membership code and transaction data acquired in Act21 and Act25, and does not perform the processing after Act26. Then, the processor 31 in the point management device 30 uses the membership code and search data notified from the POS terminal 10 to execute the processing from Act 26 onwards. However, in both cases, the processor 31 performs the above-described processing in response to a request rather than a request in Act28 and Act29. In other words, the granting process at this time is information processing for actually granting points. In Act27 and Act30, the processor 31 requests the POS terminal 10 to execute error processing and issue a retrofitted receipt.

The function as the providing means may be realized by a computer having the processor 21 as a central part in the store server 20 . For example, in the POS terminal 10, the processor 11 notifies the store server 20 of the member code and search data acquired in Act21 and Act24, and does not perform the processing after Act25. Then, the processor 21 in the store server 20 uses the membership code and search data notified from the POS terminal 10 to execute the processing from Act 25 onwards. However, in both cases, in Act 27 and Act 30, the processor 21 requests the POS terminal 10 to execute error processing and issue a retrofitted receipt.

The function as the granting unit may be provided in any information processing device other than the POS terminal 10, the store server 20, and the point management device 30, such as a headquarters server.

The points to be added for retrofitting may be determined by the processor 11 based on the transaction data acquired in Act 25 in FIG. However, in this case, the transaction data includes all the data necessary for determining the given points. For example, if the point award rate changes depending on the time zone in which the transaction is performed, the point award rate applied when the transaction was performed is included in the transaction data.

A retrofit receipt does not have to be issued.

Each function realized by the processors 11, 21, and 31 by information processing can be partially or entirely realized by hardware such as a logic circuit that executes information processing not based on a program. Further, each of the functions described above can be implemented by combining hardware such as the logic circuit described above with software control.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

2 Auxiliary storage device 10 POS terminal 11 Processor 12 Main memory 13 Auxiliary storage device 14 Display device 15 Input device 16 Reading device 17 Printer 18 Communication interface DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19... Transmission path, 20... Store server, 21... Processor, 22... Main memory, 23... Auxiliary memory device, 24... Communication interface, 25... Transmission path, 30... Point management device, 31... Processor, 32... Main memory, 33... Auxiliary storage device, 34... Communication interface, 35... Transmission line, 40... Communication network, 100... Point management system.

Claims (5)

a management means for managing whether or not the transaction data representing the content of the completed transaction is transaction data relating to a transaction for which no privilege has been granted;
a first acquisition means for acquiring first identification data for identifying the transaction;
a second acquisition means for acquiring second identification data for identifying a member;
The management means manages that the transaction data related to the transaction identified by the first identification data acquired by the first acquisition means is transaction data related to the transaction for which the privilege is not granted. a privilege determined based on the transaction data is given to the member identified by the second identification data acquired by the second acquisition means, and the transaction for which the privilege is granted Giving means for performing a giving process for updating the history of whether it has been performed with respect to
and
The giving means is
executing a process of requesting a management device that manages the privilege to grant the privilege as the granting process;
and when requesting the granting of the privilege, notifying the management device of management data for managing by the management device what kind of transaction the privilege was granted,
Information processing system. recording means for recording the first identification data on a medium;
The information processing system of claim 1, further comprising: The recording means prints a code symbol, which is an optically readable transaction code for identifying the transaction, on a receipt sheet together with an image representing the content of the transaction; extracting the first identification data from read data obtained by optically reading a code symbol;
The information processing system according to claim 2. a management means for managing whether or not the transaction data representing the content of the completed transaction is transaction data relating to a transaction for which no privilege has been granted;
a first acquisition means for acquiring first identification data for identifying the transaction;
a second acquisition means for acquiring second identification data for identifying a member;
The management means manages that the transaction data related to the transaction identified by the first identification data acquired by the first acquisition means is transaction data related to the transaction for which the privilege is not granted. a privilege determined based on the transaction data is given to the member identified by the second identification data acquired by the second acquisition means, and the transaction for which the privilege is granted Giving means for performing a giving process for updating the history of whether it has been performed with respect to
and
The giving means is
executing a process of requesting a management device that manages the privilege to grant the privilege as the granting process;
and when requesting the granting of the privilege, notifying the management device of management data for managing by the management device what kind of transaction the privilege was granted,
Information processing equipment. the computer,
a management means for managing whether or not the transaction data representing the content of the completed transaction is transaction data relating to a transaction for which no privilege has been granted;
a first acquisition means for acquiring first identification data for identifying the transaction;
a second acquisition means for acquiring second identification data for identifying a member;
The management means manages that the transaction data related to the transaction identified by the first identification data acquired by the first acquisition means is transaction data related to the transaction for which the privilege is not granted. a privilege determined based on the transaction data is given to the member identified by the second identification data acquired by the second acquisition means, and the transaction for which the privilege is granted Giving means for performing a giving process for updating the history of whether it has been performed with respect to
An information processing program for functioning as
The giving means is
executing a process of requesting a management device that manages the privilege to grant the privilege as the granting process;
and when requesting the granting of the privilege, notifying the management device of management data for managing by the management device what kind of transaction the privilege was granted,
Information processing program .