JP7376664B2 - electronic receipt system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to electronic receipt systems .

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system called an electronic receipt is known in which a receipt or a receipt given from a store to a shopper at the time of product payment is electronically delivered to the shopper's mobile terminal or the like.

By converting receipts into electronic data in this way, household account bookkeeping can be automatically electronically recorded, which is beneficial to shoppers. In addition, by introducing electronic receipts, the consumption of receipt paper can be reduced, which is also beneficial for stores that have introduced them.

In addition, conventionally, in devices that are capable of printing on paper and outputting electronic receipts, the output destination is determined based on necessity information that is preset for each customer and indicates whether or not printing is necessary. A technique to do this has been proposed.

By the way, receipt data for printout is generally created in an unstructured format such as text data, but when providing this receipt data as an electronic receipt, it is not convenient in terms of data management. The problem is that it's bad. Therefore, a technology that can improve the convenience of electronic receipts is desired.

An electronic receipt system according to an embodiment includes a transaction data processing device and an electronic receipt management server that are communicably connected, and the transaction data processing device stores receipt data including at least transaction details. a generating means for generating in an unstructured format; and a converting means for converting the receipt data into a structured format different from the unstructured format when the receipt data includes a customer code for identifying a customer; If the receipt data includes the customer code, display control means causes the display unit to display an output destination selection screen from which one or both of a printing device and the electronic receipt management server can be selected as an output destination of the receipt data. If the selected output destination includes an electronic receipt management server, the receipt data converted into the structured format by the conversion means is output to the electronic receipt management server, and the printing device is output to the selected output destination. and output means for outputting the receipt data in the unstructured format generated by the generation means to the printing device, and the electronic receipt management server outputs the receipt data converted to the structured format. A transmitting means is provided for transmitting data as an electronic receipt to a destination corresponding to the customer code included in the receipt data.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the entire configuration of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a transition diagram showing an example of screen transition during customer membership registration. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main part configuration of the POS terminal. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electronic receipt server. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main part configuration of the electronic receipt management server. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main part configuration of the mobile terminal. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram related to electronic receipt processing at the POS terminal. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an example of receipt data. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an electronic receipt. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of electronic receipt processing at the POS terminal. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an output destination selection screen displayed on the display section of the POS terminal. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of electronic receipt management processing and information transmission processing in the electronic receipt server. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of electronic receipt management processing and product information transmission processing in the electronic receipt management server. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of electronic receipt management processing and product information transmission processing in the electronic receipt management server. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of electronic receipt receiving processing and electronic receipt viewing processing in a mobile terminal. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of electronic receipt receiving processing and electronic receipt viewing processing on the mobile terminal. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic receipt displayed on the display section of the mobile terminal.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the entire configuration of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic receipt system includes a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 1, a store server 2, an electronic receipt server 3, an electronic receipt management server 4, a promotion setting terminal 5, and a promotion management server 6. and a mobile terminal 7.

POS terminal 1 and store server 2 are provided within store P1. The POS terminal 1 and the store server 2 are communicably connected via an in-store network N1 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Furthermore, the POS terminal 1 and the store server 2 can be connected to the network N2 that connects the store P1 and the headquarters P2 via a network device (not shown) such as a router connected to the in-store network N1. be. Here, the network N2 is, for example, a dedicated line such as the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

The POS terminal 1 is a product sales data processing device that executes product sales data processing. The POS terminal 1 generates receipt data including the transaction details of the product to be paid for, and outputs a paper receipt by printing the receipt data with a printer 13, which will be described later. Further, the POS terminal 1 outputs (sends) the electronic receipt with the data format of the receipt data converted to the electronic receipt server 3 via the network N2. The method of transmitting the electronic receipt is not particularly limited, and a general-purpose protocol such as HTTP or HTTPS may be used. Note that the number of POS terminals 1 provided in the store P1 is not particularly limited, and may be a plurality of POS terminals.

The store server 2 centrally manages product sales data processing and the like performed by the POS terminal 1. For example, the store server 2 stores and manages product sales data generated by the product sales data processing of the POS terminal 1, and stores and manages product data files used in the product sales data processing.

Note that the number of POS terminals 1 disposed in the store P1 is not particularly limited, and may be a plurality of POS terminals. Further, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the POS terminal 1 outputs an electronic receipt will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the store server 2 or a conversion device (not shown) converts the receipt data generated by the POS terminal 1 into a data format. A configuration may be adopted in which the conversion is output to the electronic receipt server 3 as an electronic receipt.

The electronic receipt server 3 is provided at the headquarters P2 of a company that operates a store or chain store (hereinafter referred to as a store), and functions as a receipt management server for the company that manages receipt data for each company that operates the store. . The electronic receipt server 3 has functions such as sales management, sales analysis, and inventory management for companies that operate stores, for example.

Further, the electronic receipt server 3 receives the electronic receipt transmitted from the POS terminal 1 via the network N2. Further, the electronic receipt server 3 transmits the received electronic receipt to the electronic receipt management server 4 via the network N3 that connects the headquarters P2 and the electronic receipt center P3.

Here, the network N3 is, for example, a dedicated line such as the Internet or a VPN. Further, the method of transmitting the electronic receipt is not particularly limited, and a general-purpose protocol such as HTTP or HTTPS may be used.

The electronic receipt management server 4 is provided in the electronic receipt center P3. The electronic receipt center P3 is, for example, a third party organization other than a company that manages receipt data on the electronic receipt server 3. Note that the electronic receipt server 3 may also be managed by a third party organization.

The electronic receipt management server 4 functions as a customer receipt management server that collectively manages receipt data of various companies that operate stores. The electronic receipt management server 4 stores member information such as the name and membership code of each customer (member) who has registered as a member through the procedures described below, and destination information (e.g., e-mail address) of the mobile terminal 7 to which the electronic receipt will be sent. The data is stored and managed in the member master held in the database DB. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a member management server or the like that stores and manages member data is provided separately from the electronic receipt management server 4.

Further, the electronic receipt management server 4 receives the electronic receipt transmitted from the electronic receipt server 3 via the network N3, and stores and manages this electronic receipt in an electronic receipt management area 43a, which will be described later, held in the database DB. do. More specifically, the electronic receipt includes elements such as a membership code in addition to product transaction details (product sales data), and is managed in association with the membership data of the corresponding member.

Further, the electronic receipt management server 4 receives additional information such as campaign information related to a campaign for a specific product from a promotion setting terminal 5 connected via a network N4, which will be described later, and retains this additional information in the database DB. The information is stored and managed in an additional information management area 43b, which will be described later. More specifically, the additional information is managed in association with an element that satisfies a predetermined condition among the elements included in the electronic receipt stored in the database DB.

Furthermore, when the electronic receipt is stored in the database DB, the electronic receipt management server 4 identifies the destination (mobile terminal 7) by referring to the destination information associated with the membership code of this electronic receipt. Then, the electronic receipt management server 4 transmits the electronic receipt stored in the database DB to its destination via a network N5, which will be described later. Note that if additional information is associated with the electronic receipt, this additional information is also transmitted to the destination.

Further, when the electronic receipt management server 4 receives an electronic receipt inquiry specifying a membership code from a mobile terminal 7 connected via a network N5, which will be described later, the electronic receipt management server 4 extracts the electronic receipt corresponding to the membership code from the database DB. , is transmitted to the mobile terminal 7. Note that if additional information is associated with the electronic receipt, this additional information is also transmitted to the mobile terminal 7 that made the inquiry.

The promotion setting terminal 5 and the promotion management server 6 are provided at the consumer goods manufacturer P4 or the like. The promotion setting terminal 5 is a terminal device such as a PC (Personal Computer), and transmits additional information to the electronic receipt management server 4 via the network N4. Here, the network N4 is, for example, a dedicated line such as the Internet or a VPN. Further, the method of transmitting the additional information is not particularly limited, and a general-purpose protocol such as HTTP or HTTPS may be used.

The mobile terminal 7 is a terminal device used by a user (customer) of this system, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet computer. The mobile terminal 7 is equipped with an application such as a web browser for viewing various information provided on the network N5. Note that instead of the mobile terminal 7, a terminal device such as a PC may be applied.

The mobile terminal 7 registers as a member of this system by accessing the electronic receipt management server 4 via the network N5. Here, the network N5 is the Internet or various public networks.

By the way, membership registration of a customer in this system is performed, for example, in the following procedure. The customer sends a blank email from the mobile terminal 7 to the electronic receipt management server 4 via the network N5. The electronic receipt management server 4 transmits a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating a page for membership registration to the received email address. The customer accesses the URL indicating the page for membership registration from the mobile terminal 7, and displays an input screen for entering information necessary for membership registration (name, destination information, etc.). After the customer completes inputting the necessary information, the electronic receipt management server 4 executes membership registration in the member master. Thereafter, the electronic receipt management server 4 delivers a membership registration completion email containing the membership code (customer code) and password to the mobile terminal 7. This completes membership registration.

After membership registration as described above, the mobile terminal 7 displays the customer's membership code on the display unit 73 as a code symbol CS such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, as shown in FIG. The customer presents the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 7 to the clerk at the time of transaction settlement at the store P1. The store clerk reads the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 7 with the code scanner 15 (see FIG. 3) connected to the POS terminal 1. This makes it possible to associate the customer's membership code with the receipt data generated after payment through product sales data processing at the POS terminal 1.

Furthermore, after a payment (transaction) is made at the POS terminal 1, the mobile terminal 7 receives an electronic receipt for the transaction transmitted from the electronic receipt management server 4 via the network N5. By transmitting an electronic receipt inquiry specifying the membership code to the electronic receipt management server 4 via the network N5, the electronic receipt of the member concerned is received from the electronic receipt management server 4. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 7 displays the received electronic receipt on a display unit 73, which will be described later (see FIG. 17).

Further, if additional information is associated with the received electronic receipt, the mobile terminal 7 displays an icon or the like instructing the user to apply for a project related to the campaign based on this additional information (see FIG. 17). For example, connection destination information (URL, etc.) indicating a destination for application to the project (for example, the promotion management server 6) can be set in the icon. In this case, upon receiving the operation on the icon, the mobile terminal 7 accesses the promotion management server 6 via the network N5 and executes processing related to the application.

Promotion management server 6 is a server device that accepts access from mobile terminal 7 connected via network N5. The promotion management server 6 has an entry master that manages application history for each campaign type in association with a membership code for identifying each member. When the promotion management server 6 receives an application for a campaign from the mobile terminal 7 via the network N5, it manages the application history for each campaign type in association with the membership code. Note that when the mobile terminal 7 accesses the promotion management server 6, it transmits the membership code associated with the user (member) of the mobile terminal 7, which is held in the receipt data or the like.

In the electronic receipt system having such a configuration, an electronic receipt (receipt data) indicating the details of a transaction (payment) generated by processing product sales data at the POS terminal 1 of the store P1 is sent via the electronic receipt server 3. It is transmitted to the electronic receipt management server 4 and published on the Web. Therefore, by specifying a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the mobile terminal 7 equipped with a web browser can download receipt data published on the web to the mobile terminal 7 and view it on the web browser. . Note that an application for viewing receipt data may be installed on the mobile terminal 7 and viewed.

Next, the configuration of the main devices that construct the electronic receipt system of this embodiment will be explained.

First, the POS terminal 1, which is a product sales data processing device, will be explained. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the POS terminal 1 includes a control section 11 that centrally controls various calculations and each section of the POS terminal 1. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various programs and data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data. This is a computer that includes an RTC (Real Time Clock) section that measures the current date and time.

The control section 11 is connected to an operation section 12 , a printer 13 , a display section 14 , and a code scanner 15 via a bus 18 .

The operation unit 12 has various operation keys for an operator to input operations. Operation keys include, for example, a numeric key for inputting numerical values, a cursor key and a selection confirmation key for selecting a predetermined item, a subtotal key for instructing the output of the total of products for which sales are registered in a transaction, and a key. A closing key or the like is provided to declare that the transaction will be closed and the payment will be settled.

The printer 13 is a printer device that prints receipts, journals, and the like. The printer 13 includes a cutting mechanism (not shown) that cuts paper such as roll paper to be printed, and cuts the paper according to a cut command described later.

The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information such as the product name and price of the product registered for sale, the total amount of one transaction for which payment has been declared, and the amount of change. The display unit 14 includes an operator display 14a that displays various information for cashiers, and a customer display 14b that displays various information for customers. Note that the display section 14 may have a touch panel configuration, and in this case, the touch panel functions as the operation section 12.

The code scanner 15 is a scanner device that optically reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. The code scanner 15 reads, for example, a code symbol attached to a product or a code symbol displayed on the mobile terminal 7, and outputs information held in the code symbol to the control unit 11. It is assumed that a code symbol attached to a product holds a product code or the like for identifying the product. Further, it is assumed that the code symbol displayed on the mobile terminal 7 holds a member code (customer code) or the like for identifying the customer who carries the mobile terminal 7.

Further, the control unit 11 is connected to a communication I/F (interface) 16 via a bus 18, and can be connected to the in-store network N1 and network N2 via this communication I/F 16. There is.

Further, the control section 11 is connected to the storage section 17 via a bus 18. The storage unit 17 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 17 stores programs for executing various POS operations including product sales data processing. The storage unit 17 also stores various data files related to product sales data processing, such as product data files storing product data such as the product name, product code, and unit price of each product. The storage unit 17 also stores a receipt data processing program 17a for processing product sales data and processing related to receipt data.

The storage unit 17 also stores a POS number for identifying one's own POS terminal 1 from other POS terminals 1, a company code (identification code of a company that operates a store), a business type/business type code, and the location where the POS terminal 1 is installed. The store code etc. indicating the store P1 where the store is located is stored in the identification code management area 17b. Here, the industry type/business type code is a code (classification code) that distinguishes the type of business/business type of the store, such as a convenience store, a supermarket, a department store, a pharmacy, a restaurant, a restaurant, or the like. Note that such business types and business types can be arbitrarily changed according to the user's preference. Further, the company code (identification code of the company that operates the store) and industry/business type code may be registered in the electronic receipt server 3.

The storage unit 17 also stores a receipt data schema 17c that describes conversion rules for converting unstructured receipt data into structured receipt data (hereinafter referred to as an electronic receipt).

Next, the configuration of the electronic receipt server 3 that functions as a corporate receipt management server will be explained using the block diagram of FIG. 4. The electronic receipt server 3 includes a control section 31 that centrally controls various calculations and each section of the electronic receipt server 3. The control unit 31 is a computer that includes a CPU, a ROM that stores various programs and data, a RAM that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data, an RTC unit that measures the current date and time, and the like. be.

The control unit 31 can be connected to the network N2 and the network N3 via a communication I/F 32 connected to the bus 34. Further, the control section 31 is connected to the storage section 33 via a bus 34.

The storage unit 33 stores electronic receipts for each company that operates a store in an electronic receipt management area 33a. The electronic receipt includes a company code (identification code of the company that operates the store), industry/business type code, store code, shopper's membership code, POS number of the POS terminal 1, receipt number, product sales data, and the like.

The storage unit 33 also stores an electronic receipt management program 33b for managing electronic receipts in the electronic receipt management area 33a. The storage unit 33 also stores an information transmission program 33c for transmitting receipt data managed in the electronic receipt management area 33a to the electronic receipt management server 4.

Next, the configuration of the electronic receipt management server 4 that functions as a customer receipt management server will be explained using the block diagram of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic receipt management server 4 includes a control section 41 that centrally controls various calculations and each section of the electronic receipt management server 4. The control unit 41 is a computer that includes a CPU, a ROM that stores various programs and data, a RAM that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data, and an RTC unit that measures the current date and time. be.

The control unit 41 can be connected to the network N3, the network N4, and the network N5 via a communication I/F 42 connected to the bus 44. Further, the control section 41 is connected to the storage section 43 via a bus 44.

In addition to a member master management area (not shown) for storing and managing member master data, the storage unit 43 has an electronic receipt management area 43a for collectively storing electronic receipts of various companies that operate stores. has been done. More specifically, the electronic receipt management area 43a manages electronic receipts of various companies that operate stores for each member.

The electronic receipt includes a membership code, a company code (identification code of the company that operates the store), a store code, a POS number of the POS terminal 1, a receipt number, product sales data (including date and time data), and the like. Therefore, for example, a consumer goods manufacturer, etc. can obtain unique proof of purchased products related to the manufacturer from this electronic receipt under specific conditions (for example, limited to a specific company that operates a store, limited to a specific region, limited to a specific It will be possible to obtain it for a limited time, etc.). Consumer goods manufacturers include manufacturers of foods, beverages, clothing, cosmetics, medicines, household goods, etc.

Furthermore, the storage unit 43 stores various types of additional information in the additional information management area 43b in association with desired products (product codes), members (membership codes), companies (company codes), and stores (store codes). Here, the additional information refers to, for example, desired product information and campaign information related to a campaign that is associated with specific conditions (for example, a specific company that operates a store, a specific region, a specific store, a specific time, etc.) etc. The additional information includes access information such as a URL linking to a homepage associated with a company's campaign, a URL linking to a homepage associated with a company's CM, and a URL linking to a company's coupon.

The storage unit 43 also stores electronic receipts and additional information of each company in an electronic receipt management area 43a and an additional information management area 43b, in addition to a membership management program (not shown) for managing the membership master in a membership master area. An electronic receipt management program 43c for management is stored. Furthermore, the storage unit 43 stores an information transmission program 43d for transmitting an electronic receipt and additional information of a desired product to the mobile terminal 7. Note that the member master management area, electronic receipt management area 43a, and additional information management area 43b correspond to the database DB shown in FIG.

Next, the configuration of the mobile terminal 7 will be explained using the block diagram of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 7 includes a control unit 71 that controls various calculations and other parts of the mobile terminal 7 in an integrated manner. The control unit 71 is a computer that includes a CPU, a ROM that stores various programs and data, a RAM that temporarily stores various programs and rewritably stores various data, an RTC unit that measures the current date and time, and the like. be.

The operation section 72 is connected to the operation section 72 and the display section 73 via a bus 76. The operation unit 72 includes various operation keys and a pointing device for the user (customer) to input operations. The display unit 73 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information such as an electronic receipt, which will be described later. Note that the display section 73 may have a touch panel configuration, and in this case, the touch panel functions as the operation section 72.

Further, the control unit 71 is connected to a communication I/F 74 via a bus 76, and can be connected to the network N5 via this communication I/F 74. In addition, it is good also as a structure which can be connected to the in-store network N1 via the communication I/F 74.

Further, the control section 71 is connected to the storage section 75 via a bus 76. The storage unit 75 includes a web browser for viewing various information (content) published on the web, an electronic receipt compatible program 75a for receiving electronic receipts from the electronic receipt management server 4, and received receipt data. An electronic receipt viewing program 75b for viewing the electronic receipt is stored.

Next, the operation of each part constituting the system of this embodiment will be explained.

First, electronic receipt processing executed by the control unit 11 of the POS terminal 1 operating according to the receipt data processing program 17a will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

As shown in FIG. 7, the receipt data processing program 17a executed by the POS terminal 1 includes a receipt data generation section 111 that functions as a receipt data generation means and a customer code acquisition means, and a receipt data generation section 111 that functions as an output means and a conversion means. It has a module configuration including an output section 112. As for the actual hardware, the CPU of the control unit 11 reads the receipt data processing program 17a from the storage unit 17 and executes it, so that the above-mentioned units are loaded onto the RAM, and the receipt data generation unit 111 and the receipt data output unit 112 are loaded into the RAM. It is now generated on top.

Here, the receipt data generation unit 111 is a functional unit corresponding to an existing application that mainly processes product sales data and generates receipt printing data (receipt data). When the receipt data generation unit 111 acquires a product code that specifies a product via the code scanner 15, it reads the product data corresponding to the product code from the product data file, and calculates the payment amount based on the unit price included in this product data. Execute product sales data processing to be calculated. Then, the receipt data generation unit 111 generates the product sales data processed during the product sales data processing, that is, receipt data including the transaction details of the product.

Further, when the receipt data generation unit 111 acquires a membership code that identifies a customer via the code scanner 15 at any timing during one transaction, it generates receipt data including the membership code.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an example of receipt data. Here, the receipt data is text data or the like in an unstructured format, and is used for printing by the printer 13. As shown in FIG. 8, the receipt data includes the above-mentioned product sales data D1 and membership code D2. Here, the product sales data D1 includes the product name (product code) of the product for which payment is made, the amount thereof, the total amount of each product, the deposited amount paid by the customer, the amount of change, etc.

In addition, the receipt data includes a company code (company name) D3 indicating the company that operates the store, a store code (store name) D4, a store phone number D5, an address D6, a transaction date and time D7, a transaction number (receipt number) D8, It includes elements such as a register number D9 and a person in charge name D10. Note that the elements included in the receipt data are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 8, and may include other elements such as industry/business type codes, or may exclude elements such as the telephone number D5 and address D6.

When the receipt data generation unit 111 receives a press of the close key, it determines that the product sales data processing for one transaction is completed, and outputs (issues) the generated receipt data to the receipt data output unit 112 along with a cut command. do. Here, the cut command is one of commonly used printer control commands, and is instruction information that instructs to cut the paper on which receipt data is printed. Note that the receipt data may be generated all at once when the closing key is pressed, or may be generated sequentially each time a product code or customer code is acquired.

The receipt data output unit 112 determines the output destination of the receipt data each time the receipt data generation unit 111 generates receipt data for one transaction. More specifically, when the receipt data generation unit 111 issues a cut command, the receipt data output unit 112 determines that receipt data for one transaction has been generated. Then, the receipt data output unit 112 determines whether the generated receipt data includes a membership code or not, and outputs the receipt data to an output destination determined according to the determination result.

Specifically, when the receipt data output unit 112 determines that the membership code is not included in the receipt data, the receipt data output unit 112 outputs the receipt data to the printer 13 together with a cut command. Thereby, the printer 13 prints the receipt data on paper and then cuts the paper according to the cut command, thereby printing out a paper receipt for one transaction. In addition, when printing out, all the elements constituting the receipt data may be printed, or the member code etc. may be removed or other information such as advertisements may be added before printing.

Further, when the receipt data output unit 112 determines that the receipt data includes a membership code, the receipt data output unit 112 converts the receipt data into a predetermined data format according to the conversion rules of the receipt data schema 17c. Then, the receipt data output unit 112 transmits (outputs) the receipt data whose data format has been converted, that is, the electronic receipt, to the electronic receipt server 3 that manages each company according to the company code.

Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an electronic receipt. As shown in FIG. 9, the electronic receipt is composed of data (structured document) in a structured format such as XML or CSV. Note that FIG. 9 shows an example in which each element (D1 to D10) of the receipt data shown in FIG. 8 is converted into an XML format.

Conversion of receipt data into an electronic receipt is performed based on conversion rules described in the receipt data schema 17c. Specifically, the receipt data schema 17c defines predetermined elements constituting receipt data and attribute information (tags, etc.) indicating attributes of the elements. The receipt data output unit 112 generates an electronic receipt in a structured format as shown in FIG. 9 by structuring each element of the receipt data using the corresponding attribute information. By creating an electronic receipt in such a structured format, the elements included in the electronic receipt can be used efficiently, and various advantages can be obtained in terms of data management.

In this manner, the receipt data output unit 112 determines that receipt data for one transaction has been generated by issuing the cut command by the receipt data generation unit 111, and starts outputting the receipt data. As a result, there is no need for the receipt data generation unit 111 to notify the receipt data output unit 112 of a dedicated signal for instructing the end of one transaction. The receipt data output unit 112 can output receipt data for one transaction without making any changes. Furthermore, since changes to the receipt data generation unit 111 can be suppressed, it is possible to efficiently utilize existing applications and realize an electronic receipt output function.

Further, the receipt data output unit 112 determines the output destination of the receipt data depending on whether the receipt data includes a membership code. As a result, it is possible to output a paper receipt or an electronic receipt without preparing information on whether or not a paper receipt is required for each customer, so it is possible to efficiently determine the output destination of receipt data. Additionally, for example, customers (members) can select whether to output a paper receipt or an electronic receipt by inputting or not inputting a membership code for each transaction, which improves customer convenience. .

Furthermore, when outputting receipt data to the electronic receipt server 3, the receipt data output unit 112 converts elements included in the receipt data into a structured electronic receipt and outputs the electronic receipt. As a result, the elements included in the electronic receipt can be used efficiently, so the electronic receipt server 3 and the electronic receipt management server 4 that manage the electronic receipt, and the mobile terminal 7 that displays the electronic receipt, The convenience of electronic receipts can be improved.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of electronic receipt processing at the POS terminal 1. First, the receipt data generation unit 111 of the POS terminal 1 determines whether the code symbol (product code) attached to the product or the code symbol (membership code) displayed on the mobile terminal 7 has been read by the code scanner 15. Determination is made (step S11). If the code symbol is not read (step S11; No), the receipt data generation unit 111 moves to step S16.

On the other hand, if the receipt data generation unit 111 determines that the code symbol has been read (step S11; Yes), it determines whether the information acquired by the reading is a product code or a membership code (step S12).

When the product code is acquired in step S12 (step S12; product code), the receipt data generation unit 111 reads product data from the product data file for the product specified by the product code, and this product data contains Product sales data processing is executed to calculate the payment amount based on the unit price (step S13). Next, the receipt data generation unit 111 generates receipt data including the product sales data processed during the product sales data processing (step S14).

Further, when a membership code is acquired in step S12 (step S12; membership code), the receipt data generation unit 111 generates receipt data including the membership code (step S15).

Here, in order to input the membership code into the POS terminal 1, for example, a customer who is a member displays a code symbol including the membership code etc. on the display section 73 of the mobile terminal 7, and a clerk or the customer who is a member himself/herself The code scanner 15 of the POS terminal 1 reads it. Note that the receipt data generation unit 111 may perform exclusive processing or the like so that only one member code is input during one transaction.

In the subsequent step S16, the receipt data generation unit 111 determines whether or not the start of the closing process is instructed by pressing the closing key or the like (step S16). If the start of the closing process is not instructed (step S16; No), the process returns to step S11. When the start of the closing process is instructed (step S16; Yes), the receipt data generation unit 111 issues (outputs) a cut command to the receipt data output unit 112 (step S17).

Upon receiving the cut command from the receipt data generation unit 111, the receipt data output unit 112 determines that receipt data for one transaction has been generated, and determines whether the receipt data includes a membership code (step S18 ).

If the receipt data does not include a membership code (step S18; No), the receipt data output unit 112 prints out the receipt data by outputting the receipt data for one transaction to the printer 13 together with a cut command ( Step S19), this process ends. Thereby, the printer 13 prints the receipt data on paper and then cuts the paper according to the cut command, thereby printing out a paper receipt for one transaction.

On the other hand, if the receipt data includes a membership code (step S18; Yes), the receipt data output unit 112 generates an electronic receipt by converting the data format of the receipt data, which is an unstructured format, into a structured format. (Step S20). Then, the receipt data output unit 112 transmits the generated electronic receipt to the electronic receipt server 3 via the communication I/F 16 (step S21), and ends this process.

Note that in the above process, when the receipt data includes a membership code, the receipt data is output to the electronic receipt server 3; however, the present invention is not limited to this. Good too.

Furthermore, if the receipt data includes a membership code, the configuration may be such that the output destination of the receipt data can be selected. For example, the mobile terminal 7 may have the code symbol CS displayed hold output classification information that specifies the output destination of the receipt data, and select the output destination based on this output classification information. In this case, the receipt data generation unit 111 includes the output category information read by the code scanner 15 in the receipt data together with the membership code. Then, when the receipt data output unit 112 determines that the membership code is included in the receipt data and also determines that output classification information exists, the receipt data output unit 112 determines the output destination of the receipt data based on the output classification information. Note that it is possible to specify either or both of the printer 13 and the electronic receipt server 3 in the output classification information.

Alternatively, the output destination of the receipt data may be selected each time the product is paid. When using this form, for example, when the receipt data output unit 112 determines that the membership code is included in the receipt data, the receipt data output unit 112 displays an output destination selection screen on the display unit 14 for selecting the output destination of the receipt data. .

Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the output destination selection screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14. As shown in the figure, the output destination selection screen G1 has a first button B1 for specifying the printer 13, a second button B2 for specifying the electronic receipt server 3, and a printer as operators for specifying the output destination of the receipt data. 13 and a third button B3 for specifying both the electronic receipt server 3 and the electronic receipt server 3. When using this output destination selection screen G1, the operator of the POS terminal 1 confirms with the customer the output destination of the receipt data, and operates the operator of the output destination selected by the customer. Then, upon receiving the operation of the operator, the receipt data output unit 112 outputs the receipt data to the output destination corresponding to the operator.

Note that the selection screen may be displayed not only on the operator display 14a but also on the customer display 14b. Furthermore, if the customer display 14b has a touch panel configuration, the customer himself/herself may select the output destination.

Further, during the product sales data processing, the customer may be asked to confirm the output destination of the receipt data. When this format is used, the receipt data generation unit 111 displays the output destination selection screen G1 etc. on the display unit 14. Display and include the output destination corresponding to the operated control in the receipt data as output classification information. Then, when the receipt data includes the membership code and the output category information, the receipt data output unit 112 determines the output destination of the receipt data based on the output category information.

In this manner, when the receipt data includes a membership code, the receipt data output unit 112 automatically selects the output destination of the receipt data, or accepts manual selection of the output destination. This allows the method of determining the output destination to be changed flexibly, so that the output destination of the receipt data can be efficiently determined.

Next, the flow of electronic receipt management processing executed by the control unit 31 of the electronic receipt server 3 by operating according to the electronic receipt management program 33b and information transmission processing executed by operating according to the information transmission program 33c is as follows. This will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the control unit 31 of the electronic receipt server 3 receives the electronic receipt transmitted from the POS terminal 1 via the communication I/F 32 (step S31; Yes), the control unit 31 stores the electronic receipt for each company in the electronic receipt management area 33a of the storage unit 33. It is stored as a receipt (step S32). Then, the control unit 31 of the electronic receipt server 3 transmits the electronic receipt stored in step S32 to the electronic receipt management server 4 (step S33), and returns to step S31.

Further, when the preset transmission timing comes (step S31; No → step S34; Yes), the control unit 31 of the electronic receipt server 3 converts the electronic receipt stored and managed in the electronic receipt management area 33a into an electronic receipt. The information is transmitted to the management server 4 (step S35), and the process returns to step S31. By transmitting in step S35, it is possible to transmit, for example, electronic receipts that were not included in the transmission target in step S33 to the electronic receipt management server 4. Note that in step S35, control may be performed so that only unsent electronic receipts are sent.

Next, the flow of electronic receipt management processing executed by the control unit 41 of the electronic receipt management server 4 by operating according to the electronic receipt management program 43c and product information transmission processing executed by operating according to the information transmission program 43d. will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 13 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electronic receipt management program 43c and the information transmission program 43d executed by the electronic receipt management server 4 include a receiving section 411, an electronic receipt managing section 412, and an electronic receipt transmitting section 413, which function as receiving means. It has a modular structure. As for the actual hardware, the CPU of the control unit 41 reads out and executes the electronic receipt management program 43c and the information transmission program 43d from the storage unit 43, so that the above-mentioned units are loaded onto the RAM, and the receiving unit 411 and the electronic receipt management unit 412, an electronic receipt transmitter 413 is generated on the RAM.

The receiving unit 411 receives a receipt printed out when processing product sales data or an electronic receipt for each company that is electronically processed in place of a receipt, which includes a company code indicating the company that operates the store, and sends it to an electronic receipt server. Receive from 3.

The electronic receipt management section 412 stores and manages the electronic receipt for each company received by the receiving section 411 in the electronic receipt management area 43a of the storage section 43. The electronic receipt management unit 412 also stores campaign information, etc. related to a campaign that is associated with a desired product and elements of specific conditions (for example, limited to a specific company that operates a store, limited to a specific region, limited to a specific time, etc.). The additional information is stored and managed in the additional information management area 43b of the storage unit 43.

The electronic receipt transmitting unit 413 sends the electronic receipt associated with the membership code of a predetermined shopper and including at least one company code to the electronic receipt management area 43a, to the mobile terminal 7 associated with the membership code of a predetermined shopper. Get it from and send it. Furthermore, when additional information is associated with elements constituting the electronic receipt, the electronic receipt transmitter 413 acquires the additional information from the additional information management area 43b and transmits it together with the electronic receipt.

As shown in FIG. 14, the receiving unit 411 of the electronic receipt management server 4 determines whether or not the electronic receipt transmitted from the electronic receipt server 3 of each company has been received via the communication I/F 42 (step S41).

If an electronic receipt is received (step S41; Yes), the electronic receipt management unit 412 of the electronic receipt management server 4 stores electronic receipts of various companies in the electronic receipt management area 43a of the storage unit 43 (step S42). Here, if additional information related to an element of the stored electronic receipt (product code, membership code, company code, store code, etc.) exists, the additional information is associated with that element. Subsequently, the electronic receipt transmitting unit 413 transmits the electronic receipt stored in step S42 to the destination (mobile terminal 7) managed in association with the membership code of the electronic receipt (step S43), and transmits the electronic receipt stored in step S41. Return to Further, in step S43, if additional information is associated with the electronic receipt, this additional information is also transmitted to the destination.

Further, when the electronic receipt transmission unit 413 of the electronic receipt management server 4 receives an electronic receipt inquiry from the mobile terminal 7 (step S41; No → step S44; Yes), the electronic receipt transmission unit 413 stores and manages the electronic receipt in the electronic receipt management area 43a. After extracting the electronic receipt in accordance with the content of the electronic receipt inquiry (step S45), it is transmitted to the mobile terminal 7 that made the inquiry (step S46), and the process returns to step S41. Further, in step S46, if additional information is associated with the electronic receipt, this additional information is also transmitted to the mobile terminal 7 that made the inquiry.

Next, the flow of the electronic receipt receiving process executed by the control unit 71 of the mobile terminal 7 by operating according to the electronic receipt corresponding program 75a and the electronic receipt viewing process executed by operating according to the electronic receipt viewing program 75b will be explained. , will be explained with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

As shown in FIG. 15, the electronic receipt support program 75a and the electronic receipt viewing program 75b executed on the mobile terminal 7 have a module configuration including a member association section 711, an electronic receipt receiving section 712, and an electronic receipt display section 713. ing. As for actual hardware, the CPU of the control unit 71 reads out and executes the electronic receipt correspondence program 75a and the electronic receipt viewing program 75b from the storage unit 75, so that the above-mentioned parts are loaded onto the RAM, and the member association unit 711 and the electronic A receipt receiving section 712 and an electronic receipt display section 713 are generated on the RAM.

The member association unit 711 associates membership codes of predetermined shoppers. The electronic receipt receiving unit 712 receives an electronic receipt from the electronic receipt management server 4. The electronic receipt display section 713 displays the electronic receipt received by the electronic receipt receiving section 712 on the display section 73 .

As shown in FIG. 16, first, the member association unit 711 of the mobile terminal 7 accesses the electronic receipt management server 4 and executes authentication processing by inputting the membership code and password (step S51). Thereby, the mobile terminal 7 and the membership code of the predetermined shopper are associated with each other.

After the authentication, the electronic receipt receiving unit 712 of the mobile terminal 7 receives the electronic receipt stored and managed in the electronic receipt management area 43a of the electronic receipt management server 4 in accordance with the input member code (step S52). ). Furthermore, if additional information is associated with the electronic receipt, this additional information is also received from the electronic receipt management server 4. Note that the receipt data may be received by e-mail.

Next, the electronic receipt display section 713 of the mobile terminal 7 displays the electronic receipt etc. received by the electronic receipt receiving section 712 on the display section 73 (step S53), and the process ends.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the electronic receipt G2 displayed on the display section 73 of the mobile terminal 7. The electronic receipt G2 is displayed with the same layout and content as the receipt printed on paper. Further, within the electronic receipt G2, the cursor that follows the input on the operation unit 72 can focus on the product a, etc. that indicates the traded product. Further, FIG. 17 shows an example in which a store name logo section G21 that displays a store name logo, a banner display section G22 that displays an advertisement, etc. are provided in the electronic receipt G2.

Note that the display form of the receipt data does not necessarily have to match the image of the receipt printed on paper. However, receipt data replaces a paper receipt and serves as electronic product purchase proof information that proves that a product has been purchased. Therefore, FIG. 17 shows an example in which the following information is displayed for use when presenting the product purchase certificate information.
・Store name ・Purchase date and time ・Purchased item details ・Total sales amount ・Deposit amount ・Change amount ・Cash register number ・Transaction number

Here, if the URL (access information) of the promotion management server 6 etc. is set as additional information for any of the products a, this URL will be linked to the corresponding product name, or access to this URL will be An icon b or the like serving as an operator is displayed for instructing.

For example, if the access destination indicated by the URL is a server device (for example, the promotion management server 6) that accepts applications for a predetermined campaign, the control unit 71 of the mobile terminal 7 manages the promotion in response to pressing the icon b etc. Access the server 6 and execute processing related to the application. When accessing the access destination, the membership code of the device itself held in receipt data or the like may be transmitted. The promotion management server 6 manages application history for each campaign type in association with a membership code for identifying each member.

Note that when a plurality of pieces of receipt data are received, a selection screen may be displayed on which each piece of receipt data can be selected based on the date of purchase, company code, etc. included in the receipt data. In this case, the electronic receipt display section 713 displays the receipt data selected from the selection screen on the display section 73.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the code scanner 15 is used to acquire the membership code, etc., but the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods may be used to acquire the membership code, etc. Specifically, the POS terminal 1 and the mobile terminal 7 are equipped with a short-range wireless communication unit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), so that membership codes, etc. can be transmitted and received by short-range wireless communication. You can also use it as In this case, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 7 stores the membership code and the like in the storage unit 75, an IC tag (not shown), and the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the membership code etc. are acquired from the mobile terminal 7, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the acquisition may be made from a medium capable of holding the membership code such as an IC card or a magnetic card. . In addition, when using an IC card, the POS terminal 1 shall be equipped with a reading/writing unit such as an IC card reader/writer. Furthermore, when using a magnetic card, the POS terminal 1 is assumed to be equipped with a card reader/card writer for the magnetic card.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electronic receipt server 3 is provided in the headquarters P2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the electronic receipt server 3 for the store may be provided in the store P1. In this case, the POS terminal 1 outputs the electronic receipt to the electronic receipt server 3 connected to the in-store network N1 of its own store, and the electronic receipt server 3 outputs the electronic receipt to the electronic receipt management server via the in-store network N1 and network N2. Send the electronic receipt to 4.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electronic receipt generated by the POS terminal 1 is output to the electronic receipt management server 4 via the electronic receipt server 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. The electronic receipt may be directly output to the electronic receipt management server 4 by accessing the electronic receipt management server 4 via the electronic receipt management server 4.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 receives the electronic receipt via the electronic receipt management server 4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile terminal 7 may receive the electronic receipt directly from the POS terminal 1. In this case, the POS terminal 1 outputs the generated electronic receipt to the mobile terminal 7 connected via the in-store network N1 or a short-range wireless communication unit (not shown). Further, in this case, the POS terminal 1 may perform the authentication process.

Further, in the above embodiment, the product data file is stored in the POS terminal 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the store server 2 may store the product data file so that it can be referenced from the POS terminal 1.

1 POS terminal 2 Store server 3 Electronic receipt server 4 Electronic receipt management server 5 Promotion setting terminal 6 Promotion management server 7 Mobile terminal 11 Control section 12 Operation section 13 Printer 14 Display section 15 Code scanner 16 Communication I/F
17 Storage unit 17a Receipt data processing program 17b Identification code management area 17c Receipt data schema 18 Bus 111 Receipt data generation unit 112 Receipt data output unit

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-90375

Claims (5)

An electronic receipt system comprising a transaction data processing device and an electronic receipt management server that are communicatively connected,
The transaction data processing device includes:
a generation means for generating receipt data including at least transaction details in an unstructured format;
When the receipt data includes a customer code for identifying the customer, a conversion means for converting the receipt data into a structured format different from the unstructured format;
If the receipt data includes the customer code, display control means causes the display unit to display an output destination selection screen from which one or both of a printing device and the electronic receipt management server can be selected as an output destination of the receipt data. and,
If the selected output destination includes an electronic receipt management server, the receipt data converted into the structured format by the conversion means is output to the electronic receipt management server, and the selected output destination includes a printing device. output means for outputting the receipt data in the unstructured format generated by the generation means to the printing device;
Equipped with
The electronic receipt management server comprises a transmitting means for transmitting the receipt data converted into the structured format as an electronic receipt to a destination corresponding to the customer code included in the receipt data. When the receipt data includes a customer code for identifying the customer, and when the output destination selected on the output destination selection screen includes the electronic receipt management server, the conversion means converts the receipt data into The electronic receipt system of claim 1, wherein the electronic receipt system converts into the structured format. The generating means generates the receipt data in the unstructured format containing the details of the transaction every time a transaction is performed, and generates the receipt data in the unstructured format including the details of the transaction, and generates the receipt data of the customer on the condition that the customer code is input at the time of the transaction. The electronic receipt system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic receipt system generates the unstructured format receipt data including a code. 2. The electronic receipt system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits the electronic receipt including the customer code corresponding to the destination in response to a request from the destination. 5. The electronic receipt system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits additional information related to elements included in the receipt data together with the electronic receipt.

Images