SERVER DEVICE AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

A server device of an embodiment includes: acquire transaction specifying information on a transaction in which a product has been returned after settlement processing and return information indicating the product that has been returned regarding the transaction; register return receipt information indicating information on the product that has been returned based on the return information acquired; register corrected receipt information obtained by correcting receipt information indicating information on the transaction before the product has been returned based on the transaction specifying information acquired and the return information acquired; and output the corrected receipt information and request information to an information terminal of a customer in association with each other, the request information being information for transmitting a request for the return receipt information.

FIELD

An embodiment described herein relates generally to a server device and a computer readable storage medium.

BACKGROUND

Electronic receipts obtained by computerizing receipts received by customers who have purchased products and service (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “products”) have been used. The electronic receipts are transmitted from an electronic receipt server that manages receipt information to information terminals of customers, for example.

By the way, in a transaction, a customer returns a product that the customer has purchased once in some cases. In a case where a product is returned, a corrected receipt and a return receipt are issued generally in processing of a point of sales (POS) terminal. The corrected receipt is obtained by correcting a receipt issued at the time of purchase, and indicates that a product has been returned. Information on the returned product (e.g., name and refund amount) is described in the return receipt.

There has been proposed a device that issues the corrected receipt and the return receipt in a mechanism for issuing the above-described electronic receipt.

A conventional electronic receipt server, however, separately transmits corrected receipt information and return receipt information to an information terminal of a customer. The information terminal of the customer displays a corrected receipt and a return receipt by independent operations. For this reason, it cannot be said that good operability of the information terminal of the customer is provided.

It is thus preferable to provide a server device and a program capable of improving operability of an information terminal of a customer in display of a return receipt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A server device of an embodiment comprising: a return information acquisition unit that acquires transaction specifying information on a transaction in which a product has been returned after settlement processing and return information indicating the product that has been returned regarding the transaction; a return receipt information registration unit that registers return receipt information indicating information on the product that has been returned based on the return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit; a corrected receipt information registration unit that registers corrected receipt information obtained by correcting receipt information indicating information on the transaction before the product has been returned based on the transaction specifying information and the return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit; and an output unit that outputs the corrected receipt information and request information to an information terminal of a customer in association with each other, the request information being information for transmitting a request for the return receipt information.

A server device and a program of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiment to be described below. For example, although, in the embodiment to be described below, an example in which a mobile terminal is used as an information terminal of a customer will be described, a stationary personal computer (PC) and the like may be used.

FIG.1schematically illustrates an electronic receipt system1. The electronic receipt system1of the embodiment is constructed across a business operator that provides electronic receipt service, a store and a company (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “stores”) that issue electronic receipts, and a customer who uses the electronic receipt service.

The electronic receipt system1includes an electronic receipt server2, a settlement device3, and a customer terminal4. The electronic receipt server2is managed by the business operator that operates the electronic receipt service. The settlement device3is provided in a store. The customer terminal4includes a smartphone owned by a customer who uses the electronic receipt service. Note that, althoughFIG.1illustrates only one settlement device provided in each store, each store may include a plurality of settlement devices. Here, the electronic receipt server2is one example of a server device, and the customer terminal4is one example of an information terminal of a customer. Note that the server device may include a plurality of computers.

The electronic receipt server2is communicably connected to the settlement device3and the customer terminal4via a network such as the Internet. The electronic receipt server2may be connected to the settlement device3of each store via, for example, a headquarters server of a company that operates a store in which the settlement device3is installed.

When a customer purchases a product in a store, receipt information related to the purchase of the product is transmitted from the settlement device3of the store to the electronic receipt server2. The electronic receipt server2transmits the receipt information to the customer terminal4at predetermined timing or in response to a request from the customer terminal4. The customer can browse the receipt information received from the electronic receipt server2through the customer terminal4. This enables reduction of paper receipts issued by the settlement device3.

When a product is returned in the store, the settlement device3transmits transaction specifying information and return information to the electronic receipt server2. The transaction specifying information is used for specifying a transaction in which the product has been returned after settlement processing. The return information indicates the returned product. The electronic receipt server2registers return receipt information based on the return information. Furthermore, the electronic receipt server2registers corrected receipt information based on the transaction specifying information and the return information. For example, the electronic receipt server2, which manages receipt information after settlement, extracts receipt information after settlement specified by the received transaction specifying information, and updates the extracted receipt information based on the received return information.

Then, the electronic receipt server2transmits the corrected receipt information and request information to the customer terminal4in association with each other. The request information is used for the customer terminal4to transmit a return receipt information request to the electronic receipt server2, and includes, for example, link information of a web page that provides the return receipt information. In one example, the electronic receipt server2transmits, to the customer terminal4, display data for displaying a corrected receipt in which the link information of a web page that provides the return receipt information is embedded. The customer terminal4can easily display a link for displaying a return receipt on a display screen of the corrected receipt by the electronic receipt server2transmitting, to the customer terminal4, such information in which the corrected receipt information and the request information are associated with each other. This improves operability for a customer to display a return receipt in the customer terminal4. Note that the electronic receipt server2may transmit, for example, text data in which the corrected receipt information and the request information are associated with each other, instead of the display data. In this case, a customer terminal4generates the display data based on the received text data and the like.

Next, the electronic receipt server2will be described in detail. The electronic receipt server2also functions as a web server, and provides an electronic receipt to a customer who is a member of the electronic receipt service. Specifically, the electronic receipt server2manages receipt information of a transaction settled by the settlement device3for each transaction. Then, the electronic receipt server2publishes receipt information on a web page, and appropriately transmits the receipt information to the customer terminal4in response to a request from the customer terminal4. Here, a data format of the receipt information transmitted by the electronic receipt server2is not limited. The receipt information is a concept including display data generated based on data stored in a memory unit21(seeFIG.2) of the electronic receipt server2in order to display an electronic receipt on the customer terminal4. The same applies to the corrected receipt information and the return receipt information.

Furthermore, when a product is returned, the electronic receipt server2provides an electronic corrected receipt (hereinafter simply referred to as “corrected receipt”) and an electronic return receipt (hereinafter simply referred to as “return receipt”) to a customer. The corrected receipt is obtained by correcting a receipt indicating the content of a transaction before the product is returned. The return receipt indicates the content regarding the returned product. Specifically, the electronic receipt server2publishes the corrected receipt information and the return receipt information, which are display data, on the web page, and appropriately transmits the corrected receipt information and the return receipt information to the customer terminal4in response to a request from the customer terminal4.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server2. The electronic receipt server2includes a control unit20, the memory unit21, a display unit22, an operation unit23, and a communication unit24. The control unit20, the memory unit21, the display unit22, the operation unit23, and the communication unit24are connected to each other via a bus25or the like.

The control unit20is configured by a computer including a central processing unit (CPU)201, a read only memory (ROM)202, and a random access memory (RAM)203. The CPU201, the ROM202, and the RAM203are connected to each other via the bus25.

The CPU201controls the entire operation of the electronic receipt server2. The ROM202stores various programs such as a program used for driving the CPU201and various pieces of data. The RAM203is used as a work area of the CPU201, and develops various programs and various pieces of data stored in the ROM202and the memory unit21. The control unit20executes various pieces of control processing of the electronic receipt server2by the CPU201operating in accordance with a control program, which is stored in the ROM202or the memory unit21and developed in the RAM203.

The memory unit21includes a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and a flash memory, and maintains stored contents even when power is turned off. The memory unit21stores a control program211, a member master212, a receipt information management file213, and a return receipt information management file214.

The control program211includes a program for receiving receipt information from the settlement device3, a program for managing the received receipt information for each transaction, and a program for implementing a web server function.

The member master212is a master file that stores information on a member of electronic receipt distribution service.FIG.3illustrates a data configuration of the member master212. Each piece of data registered in the member master212is associated with each piece of information indicating a member ID, a name, a sex, an age, or an e-mail address. Each piece of information registered in the member master212is registered when a customer performs member registration of the electronic receipt distribution service.

In an item of the member ID, a member ID for identifying a member of the electronic receipt distribution service is registered. In an item of the name, information indicating the name of the member is registered. In an item of the sex, information indicating the sex of the member is registered. In an item of the age, information indicating the age of the member is registered. In an item of the e-mail address, the e-mail address of the customer terminal4owned by the member is registered.

The receipt information management file213manages receipt information of a transaction settled by the settlement device3for each transaction. The receipt information management file213is registered and updated based on the receipt information received from the settlement device3.FIG.4illustrates a data configuration of the receipt information management file213. Each piece of data registered in the receipt information management file213is associated with each piece of information indicating a member ID, receipt No, product information, a transaction amount, transaction date and time, store information, a return flag, or request information. Although, in the embodiment, the receipt information includes a member ID, receipt No, product information, a transaction amount, transaction date and time, and store information, the receipt information can be optionally set.

In an item of the member ID, a member ID for identifying a member of the electronic receipt distribution service is registered. In an item of the receipt No, receipt No for specifying one transaction of a member in each settlement device3is registered. The receipt No is issued by each settlement device3. The receipt No is one example of the transaction specifying information.

In an item of the product information, information on a product sold in a transaction specified by the receipt No is registered. In an item of the product information, information indicating a product code for specifying a product, the name of the product, a unit price, a tax amount, and the like are registered, and the information can be optionally set. When a plurality of products is purchased in one transaction, product information is registered for each of a plurality of products in the item of the product information. In an item of the transaction amount, information indicating a total amount of one transaction is registered. In an item of the transaction date and time, information indicating the date and time when one transaction is performed is registered.

In an item of the store information, information on a store where a transaction has been performed is registered. The information registered in the item of the store information includes a store code for specifying a store, and a name, a location, and a telephone number of the store, and can be optionally set. For example, register No for specifying the settlement device3that has performed settlement processing for a transaction may be included. In an item of the return flag, information indicating whether or not a product has been returned in a transaction specified by the receipt No is registered. In the item of the return flag, “0” is registered when no product is returned in a transaction, and “1” is registered when a product is returned in the transaction.

In an item of the request information, a request information is registered. The request information is used for the customer terminal4to transmit a request for a return receipt to the electronic receipt server2at the time when a product is returned in a transaction specified by the receipt No. In the embodiment, the information registered in the item of the request information is a uniform resource locator (URL) of a web page on which target return receipt information is published. The URL of a web page on which target return receipt information is published is link information, and one example of request information. Note that, when the electronic receipt server2transmits the return receipt information to the customer terminal4without using the web page, an address of a reception destination that receives a request for return receipt information and the like are registered in the item of the request information.

The receipt information registered in the receipt information management file213is rewritten in accordance with the return information acquired by the electronic receipt server2from the settlement device3. The rewritten receipt information constitutes the corrected receipt information. Therefore, it can be said that the receipt information management file213manages the corrected receipt information.

The return receipt information management file214manages the return receipt information indicating information on a returned product. When a product is returned in a settled transaction, the return receipt information is registered in the return receipt information management file214based on the return information received from the settlement device3. The return information includes a product code of a returned product and a return code indicating that the product code is a product code of the returned product. It can be said that the return receipt information is generated by the return information being registered in the return receipt information management file214.FIG.4illustrates a data configuration of the return receipt information management file214. Each piece of data registered in the return receipt information management file214is associated with each piece of information indicating return receipt No, receipt No, product information, a refund amount, return date and time, store information, or request information. Although, in the embodiment, the return receipt information includes return receipt No, receipt No, the product information, the refund amount, the return date and time, and the store information, the return receipt information can be optionally set.

In an item of the return receipt No, return receipt No for specifying a return receipt issued at the time when a product is returned is registered. The settlement device3issues the return receipt No each time the settlement device3executes return processing. When a plurality of products is returned in one return processing performed by the settlement device3, one return receipt No is issued.

In the item of the receipt No, the receipt No of a settled transaction in which a product has been returned is registered. In the item of the product information, information on the returned product is registered. In an item of the product information, information indicating a product code for specifying a product, the name of the product, a unit price, a tax amount, and the like are registered, and the information can be optionally set.

In an item of the refund amount, information indicating an amount returned to a customer by the return processing, that is, the total amount of all the returned products is registered. In an item of the return date and time, information indicating the date and time when the settlement device3executed the return processing is registered.

In an item of the store information, information on a store in which a product has been returned is registered. The information registered in the item of the store information includes a store code for specifying a store, and a name, a location, and a telephone number of the store, and may include the register No for specifying the settlement device3which performed the return processing. In an item of the request information, a URL of a web page on which the return receipt information specified by the return receipt No is published is registered.

Returning toFIG.2, a hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server2will be described.

The display unit22includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays various pieces of information. The display unit22displays information stored in the member master212, the receipt information management file213, and the return receipt information management file214, as necessary.

The operation unit23is used for inputting information to the control unit20, and includes a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse.

The communication unit24is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the settlement device3and the customer terminal4. The control unit20can transmit and receive information (data) to and from an external device by being connected to the external device via the communication unit24.

Subsequently, a functional configuration of the control unit20of the electronic receipt server2will be described.FIG.6is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the control unit20of the electronic receipt server2. The control unit20functions as an acquisition unit2001, a registration unit2002, an extraction unit2003, a reception unit2004, and an output unit2005by the CPU201operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM202or the memory unit21. Note that each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

The acquisition unit2001acquires receipt information from the settlement device3. The receipt information includes a member ID of a customer who is a member of the electronic receipt service, receipt No, product information on a product for which a transaction has been made, a transaction amount, and store information on a store in which the transaction has been made.

Furthermore, the acquisition unit2001acquires transaction specifying information on a transaction in which a product has been returned after settlement processing and return information indicating the product returned in the transaction. Specifically, the acquisition unit2001acquires, from the settlement device3, return information including receipt No of the transaction in which a product has been returned after settlement processing and a product code and a return code indicating that the product code is a return code of the returned product. The acquisition unit2001is one example of the return information acquisition unit.

The registration unit2002registers the receipt information acquired by the acquisition unit2001in the receipt information management file213.

Furthermore, the registration unit2002registers return receipt information indicating information on the returned product based on the return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit. Specifically, the registration unit2002registers the return receipt No included in the return information acquired by the acquisition unit2001, the receipt No of the transaction in which the product has been returned, the product information on the returned product, the refund amount, the return date and time, and the store information in the return receipt information management file214. Furthermore, the registration unit2002registers the URL of the web page on which the return receipt information set by the control unit20is published in the return receipt information management file214. The registration unit2002is one example of the return receipt information registration unit.

Moreover, the registration unit2002registers the corrected receipt information obtained by correcting the receipt information indicating the information on the transaction before the product is returned based on the transaction specifying information and the return information acquired by the return information acquisition unit. Specifically, the registration unit2002refers to the receipt information management file213, and updates the receipt information corresponding to the receipt No acquired by the acquisition unit2001based on the return information. For example, the registration unit2002deletes the product information included in the return information from the product information registered in the receipt information management file213. Furthermore, the registration unit2002rewrites the return flag registered in the receipt information management file213from “0” to “1”, and registers the URL of the web page set in the item of the request information. Note that, when the return flag has already been rewritten to “1” at the time when the registration unit2002updates the receipt information, the registration unit2002does not rewrite the return flag. The registration unit2002is also one example of the corrected receipt information registration unit. Note that the registration unit2002may register the corrected receipt information not by rewriting the receipt information stored in the receipt information management file213and registering the corrected receipt information but by separately generating a management file.

When the reception unit2004receives a receipt information request from the customer terminal4, the extraction unit2003extracts the receipt information corresponding to the receipt No included in the receipt information request from the receipt information management file213. Furthermore, when the reception unit2004receives a corrected receipt information request from the customer terminal4, the extraction unit2003extracts the receipt information corresponding to the receipt No included in the corrected receipt information request from the receipt information management file213. The extracted receipt information has been updated by the return information from the settlement device3, and is corrected receipt information. Moreover, when the reception unit2004receives a return receipt information request from the customer terminal4, the extraction unit2003extracts the return receipt information corresponding to the return receipt No included in the return receipt information request from the receipt information management file213.

The reception unit2004receives the receipt information request, the corrected receipt information request, and the return receipt information request from the customer terminal4.

In response to the various information requests received by the reception unit2004, the output unit2005transmits the receipt information, the corrected receipt information, and the return receipt information in the requested data format to the customer terminal4. In the embodiment, the output unit2005transmits display data generated for displaying the receipt information, the corrected receipt information, and the return receipt information extracted by the extraction unit2003on the web page. The customer terminal4displays these various pieces of information with a web browser.

Furthermore, the output unit2005outputs the corrected receipt information and the request information for transmitting a request for the return receipt information to the information terminal of the customer in association with each other. Specifically, the output unit2005transmits, to the customer terminal4, the corrected receipt information extracted by the extraction unit2003and the URL of the web page corresponding to the corrected receipt information in the receipt information management file213in association with each other. For example, the output unit2005transmits, to the customer terminal4, display data for displaying link information of the web page that provides the return receipt information with the link information being embedded in the corrected receipt. Note that the output unit2005transmits other various pieces of information to the settlement device3and the customer terminal4, as necessary.

Next, the settlement device3will be described. The settlement device3includes a POS terminal provided in each store. The type of the POS terminal is not limited. Any of a common POS terminal in which a clerk performs product registration and accounting operation, a self-POS terminal in which a customer performs the product registration and the accounting operation, a semi-self-POS terminal in which a clerk performs the product registration and a customer performs the accounting operation, and the like may be adopted. Furthermore, the settlement device3may be a settlement terminal or the like that executes processing related to cashless settlement.

The settlement device3executes settlement processing when a customer purchases a product. When reading a member ID of the electronic receipt service, the settlement device3transmits receipt information related to a transaction for which the settlement processing has been performed to the electronic receipt server2. Furthermore, when reading the member ID at the time of return processing, the settlement device3transmits return information to the electronic receipt server2.

Next, the customer terminal4will be described.FIG.7is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of the customer terminal4. The customer terminal4includes a control unit40, a memory unit41, a display unit42, an operation unit43, and a communication unit44. The control unit40, the memory unit41, the display unit42, the operation unit43, and the communication unit44are connected to each other via a bus45or the like.

The control unit40includes a computer including a CPU401, a ROM402, and a RAM403. The CPU401, the ROM402, and the RAM403are connected to each other via the bus45.

The CPU401controls the overall operation of the customer terminal4. The ROM402stores various programs such as a program used for driving the CPU401and various pieces of data. The RAM403is used as a work area of the CPU401, and develops various programs and various pieces of data stored in the ROM402and the memory unit41. The control unit40executes various pieces of control processing of the customer terminal4by the CPU401operating in accordance with a control program, which is stored in the ROM402or the memory unit41and developed in the RAM403.

The memory unit41includes a storage medium such as an HDD and a flash memory, and maintains stored contents even when power is turned off. The memory unit41stores a control program411and a member ID412.

The control program411includes an application program for receiving provision of the electronic receipt service, a program for displaying an electronic receipt, a corrected receipt, and a return receipt, and, for example, a program of a web browser and the like for browsing information published on a web.

The member ID is a member ID of the electronic receipt service. The member ID is given when the customer executes member registration of the electronic receipt service.

The display unit42includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays various pieces of information. The display unit42displays an electronic receipt, a corrected receipt, a return receipt, and the like based on information received from the electronic receipt server2.

The operation unit43is used for inputting information to the control unit40, and includes a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit42.

The communication unit44is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the electronic receipt server2. The control unit40can transmit and receive information (data) to and from an external device by being connected to the external device via the communication unit44.

Subsequently, a functional configuration of the control unit40of the customer terminal4will be described.FIG.8is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the control unit40of the customer terminal4. The control unit40functions as a reception unit4001, an input unit4002, a display processing unit4003, and a transmission unit4004by the CPU401operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM402and the memory unit41. Note that each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

The reception unit4001receives various pieces of information from an external device. For example, the reception unit4001receives receipt information, corrected receipt information associated with request information, and the return receipt information from the electronic receipt server2.

Various pieces of information is input from the operation unit43to the input unit4002. For example, an instruction of a receipt information request, an instruction of a corrected receipt information request, and an instruction of a return receipt information request are input to the input unit4002.

The transmission unit4004transmits various pieces of information to the electronic receipt server2. For example, the transmission unit4004transmits information, such as a receipt information request, a corrected receipt information request, and a return receipt request, to the electronic receipt server2. The transmission unit4004transmits a member ID together when transmitting these various pieces of information to the electronic receipt server2. This enables the electronic receipt server2to specify a transmission source (member and e-mail address of customer terminal4of member) of various pieces of information by referring the member master212.

An outline of an operation of the electronic receipt system1having the above-described configuration will be described.FIG.9is a sequence chart illustrating a flow of the operation of the electronic receipt system1. Note that the sequence chart illustrates a flow of the operation in a case where a customer purchases a product, settlement of the transaction is completed, and then the product related to the transaction is returned.

First, a flow at the time of transaction settlement will be described. When a member of the electronic receipt service purchases a product in a store, the settlement device3of the store executes settlement processing (Step S1). The settlement device3transmits receipt information on one transaction for which settlement processing has been performed to the electronic receipt server2(Step S2). The receipt information includes a member ID of a customer, issued receipt No, product information (e.g., product code, product name, unit price, and tax amount) on a transaction target product, a transaction amount, transaction date and time, and store information (e.g., store name, store code, TEL, address, and register No).

The electronic receipt server2registers the received receipt information in the receipt information management file213(Step S3). At this time, “0” is registered in a return flag of the receipt information management file213, and nothing is registered in the item of the request information.

The customer terminal4can transmit a receipt information request to the electronic receipt server2after settlement of the settlement device3(Step S4). The receipt information request is made by a URL of a web page that provides receipt information to the customer terminal4at the time when the electronic receipt server2registers the receipt information being transmitted and the customer terminal4designating the URL. Note that, in the receipt information request, when the electronic receipt server2registers the receipt information, a registration notification including receipt No may be transmitted to the customer terminal4, and the customer terminal4that has received the registration notification may transmit the receipt information request in which the receipt No has been specified to the electronic receipt server2.

The electronic receipt server2extracts the receipt information requested in the receipt information request from the receipt information management file213(Step S5). The electronic receipt server2generates display data of the extracted receipt information, and transmits the display data to the customer terminal4as the receipt information (Step S6).

The customer terminal4temporarily stores the received receipt information, in other words, the receipt information (display data) that has been published on a web and downloaded, and displays the electronic receipt on the display unit42with a web browser (Step S7). The temporarily stored receipt information is cleared, for example, when an application program of the electronic receipt service is activated next time. Note that the customer terminal4may accumulate and store the received receipt information. The corrected receipt information and the return receipt information have mechanisms of a request, reception, storage, and display similar to those of the receipt information.

FIG.10illustrates a display screen of an electronic receipt. A header unit421and a main display unit422are formed in the display unit42of the customer terminal4.

A plurality of buttons4211is formed in the header unit421. For example, the buttons4211are used for causing the main display unit422to display a barcode indicating a member ID, and are used for causing the main display unit422to display an electronic receipt.

The main display unit422displays an electronic receipt on the electronic receipt display screen. A store information display area4221and a transaction information display area4222are formed in the main display unit422. Store information is displayed in the store information display area4221. Note that a commercial message and the like may be displayed in the store information display area4221. Product information, transaction date and time, receipt No, and the like are displayed in the transaction information display area4222. The product information displays a product name and a price for each product in one line. Note that, when a large number of products are purchased in one transaction and product information does not fall within the display unit42of the customer terminal4, the main display unit422can display all pieces of information with a function of scrolling a display screen up and down.

The customer can confirm the transaction content by browsing the displayed electronic receipt. Furthermore, when returning a product in a store, the customer can inform a clerk that the customer purchased the product to be returned by presenting an electronic receipt to the clerk.

Returning toFIG.9, a flow at the time of returning a product will be described. When a product in a settled transaction is returned, the settlement device3executes return processing (Step S11). The return processing is performed for refunding the price of the returned product to the customer, and has been conventionally performed. The settlement device3transmits return information to the electronic receipt server2(Step S12). The return information includes issued return receipt No, receipt No for specifying a settled transaction in which a product has been returned, product information (e.g., product code, product name, unit price, and tax amount) on the returned product, a refund amount related to the return, return date and time, and store information (e.g., store name, store code, TEL, address, and register No).

The electronic receipt server2searches the receipt information management file213for the receipt No included in the return information (Step S13), and updates the receipt information that has been searched for based on the return information (Step S14). In other words, the electronic receipt server2registers the corrected receipt information obtained by correction based on the return information. Furthermore, the electronic receipt server2registers return receipt information based on the return information (Step S15). At this time, the URL of the web page on which the return receipt information is published is set and registered in the receipt information management file213and the return receipt information management file214.

The customer terminal4can transmit a corrected receipt information request to the electronic receipt server2after return processing of the settlement device3(Step S16).

The electronic receipt server2extracts the corrected receipt information requested in the corrected receipt information request from the receipt information management file213(Step S17), and transmits display data, in which the extracted corrected receipt information is associated with the request information, to the customer terminal4(Step S18). In one example, the request information is the URL of the web page on which the return receipt information is published.

The customer terminal4displays a corrected receipt based on the received corrected receipt information and request information (Step S19). The customer terminal4displays a corrected receipt including a button for designating the URL of the web page on which the return receipt information is published.

FIG.11illustrates a display screen of the corrected receipt. The same reference signs are attached to configurations similar to those inFIG.10, and description thereof will be omitted.

The main display unit422displays a corrected receipt on a corrected receipt display screen. In addition to the transaction information display area4222, a transaction amount display area4223, a return transaction display area4224, and a return receipt display icon4225are formed in the main display unit422. Furthermore, the contents to be corrected among the contents displayed in the transaction information display area4222, that is, the product information on the returned product and a total amount changed by the return are displayed with, for example, a red cancellation line being drawn on the contents. Note that the corrected contents may be displayed by giving not a cancellation line but some mark.

In the transaction amount display area4223, a total amount after the product is returned is displayed. The total amount after the product is returned is obtained by subtracting the price of the returned product from the total amount of the transaction before the product is returned. The return transaction display area4224is used for displaying information indicating that a product has been returned in a transaction. For example, characters such as “there is returned product” are displayed in the return transaction display area4224.

The return receipt display icon4225functions as an icon for requesting display of a return receipt. The customer can cause the main display unit422to display the return receipt by touching the return receipt display icon4225. When the settlement device3performs a plurality of pieces of return processing, return receipt display icons4225are formed for respective pieces of return processing. In other words, when a plurality of products is returned in the same transaction, an icon corresponding on a one-to-one basis to the return processing of the settlement device3is displayed. When a plurality of return receipt display icons4225is formed, the order in which the pieces of return processing were performed is displayed. In the example ofFIG.11, an upper return receipt display icon4225is used for displaying a return receipt related to the first return processing, and a lower return receipt display icon4225is used for displaying a return receipt related to the second return processing.

The corrected receipt displayed by the main display unit422includes the return receipt display icon4225, and is displayed based on information transmitted from the output unit2005of the electronic receipt server2. In other words, it can be said that the output unit2005outputs display data for causing the customer terminal4to display the corrected receipt including an icon for requesting display of the return receipt.

The customer can browse a desired return receipt by touching the return receipt display icon4225. The customer can input a request for displaying a return receipt with a corrected receipt being displayed and the corrected receipt being confirmed, which leads to good operability. Furthermore, when a plurality of pieces of return processing is performed in one transaction, the return receipt display icon4225is displayed such that the return receipt display icon4225corresponds to each piece of return processing on a one-to-one basis and the order of the pieces of return processing can be grasped. The customer can thus easily browse a desired return receipt.

Returning toFIG.9, the description will be continued. When the customer touches the return receipt display icon4225, the URL of the web page on which the return receipt information is published is designated, and a return receipt information request is input to the customer terminal4(Step S20). The customer terminal4transmits the return receipt information request to the electronic receipt server2(Step S21).

The electronic receipt server2extracts the return receipt information corresponding to the designated URL (Step S22), and transmits the return receipt information to the customer terminal4(Step S23).

The customer terminal4displays the return receipt based on the received return receipt information (Step S24).

FIG.12illustrates a display screen of the return receipt. The same reference signs are attached to configurations similar to those inFIGS.10and11, and description thereof will be omitted.

The main display unit422displays the return receipt on the return receipt display screen. The information displayed by the return receipt includes characters of “return” indicating that a return receipt is displayed, information on a transaction (receipt No, transaction date, and target register No) before the product is returned, information on the returned product (product name and price), and a refund amount. Note that the information included in the return receipt is not limited to the above, and can be optionally set.

The above-described operation enables the electronic receipt system1to provide an electronic receipt, a corrected receipt, and a return receipt to the customer who is a member of the electronic receipt service.

Next, registration processing executed by the electronic receipt server2will be described.FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the registration processing in the control unit20of the electronic receipt server2.

The control unit20determines whether or not the acquisition unit2001has acquired the receipt information from the settlement device3(Step S31). When the acquisition unit2001acquires the receipt information from the settlement device3(Y in Step S31), the registration unit2002registers the receipt information in the receipt information management file213(Step S32). Then, the control unit20ends the registration processing.

When the acquisition unit2001does not acquire the receipt information from the settlement device3(N in Step S31), the control unit20determines whether or not the acquisition unit2001has acquired the return information from the settlement device3(Step S33). When the acquisition unit2001has not acquired the return information (N in Step S33), the processing returns to Step S31.

When the acquisition unit2001acquires the return information from the settlement device3(Y in Step S33), the registration unit2002determines whether or not the receipt No included in the return information is registered in the receipt information management file213(Step S34). In other words, the registration unit2002determines whether or not the receipt information of a transaction in which a product has been returned is managed in the receipt information management file213.

When the receipt No included in the return information is registered in the receipt information management file213(Y in Step S34), the registration unit2002updates the receipt information of the receipt No based on the return information acquired by the acquisition unit2001(Step S35). The corrected receipt information is registered by updating the receipt information. Next, the registration unit2002registers the return information acquired by the acquisition unit2001in the return receipt information management file214(Step S36). Then, the control unit20ends the registration processing.

When the receipt No included in the return information acquired by the acquisition unit2001is not registered in the receipt information management file213in the processing in Step S34(N in Step S34), the output unit2005determines that the receipt information of the transaction in which a product has been returned is not to be managed by the electronic receipt server2, and performs error transmission to the settlement device3(Step S37). Then, the control unit20ends the registration processing.

Subsequently, output processing executed by the electronic receipt server2will be described.FIG.14is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the output processing in the control unit20of the electronic receipt server2.

The control unit20determines whether or not the reception unit2004has received a receipt information request from the customer terminal4(Step S41). When the reception unit2004receives the receipt information request (Y in Step S41), the control unit20determines whether or not the receipt No included in the receipt information request is registered in the receipt information management file213(Step S42).

When the receipt No included in the receipt information request is registered in the receipt information management file213(Y in Step S42), the extraction unit2003extracts the receipt information of the receipt No, and the output unit2005transmits the extracted receipt information to the customer terminal4(Step S43). Then, the control unit20ends the output processing.

When the receipt No included in the receipt information request is not registered in the receipt information management file213(N in Step S42), the output unit2005determines that the requested receipt information is not to be managed by the electronic receipt server2, and performs error transmission to the customer terminal4(Step S44). Then, the control unit20ends the output processing.

When the reception unit2004does not receive the receipt information request in the processing in Step S41(N in Step S41), the control unit20determines whether or not the reception unit2004has received the corrected receipt information request from the customer terminal4(Step S45). When the reception unit2004does not receive the corrected receipt information request (N in Step S45), the control unit20returns to the processing in Step S41.

When the reception unit2004receives the corrected receipt information request (Y in Step S45), the control unit20determines whether or not the receipt No included in the corrected receipt information request is registered in the receipt information management file213(Step S46). When the receipt No is not registered (N in Step S46), the processing proceeds to Step S44.

When the receipt No included in the corrected receipt information request received by the reception unit2004is registered in the receipt information management file213(Y in Step S46), the extraction unit2003extracts the receipt information of the receipt No as the corrected receipt information, and extracts the corresponding request information (Step S47). The output unit2005transmits the extracted corrected receipt information and request information to the customer terminal4in association with each other (Step S48).

Next, the control unit20determines whether or not the reception unit2004has received a return receipt information request from the customer terminal4(Step S49). When the reception unit2004receives the return receipt information request (Y in Step S49), the extraction unit2003extracts the return receipt information corresponding to the URL designated in the return receipt information request, and the output unit2005transmits the extracted return receipt information to the customer terminal4(Step S50). Then, the control unit20ends the output processing.

When the return receipt information request is not received in the processing in Step S49(N in Step S49), the control unit20determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the output unit2005transmitted the extracted corrected receipt information and request information to the customer terminal4in association with each other (Step S51). When the predetermined time has not elapsed (N in Step S51), the control unit20returns to the processing in Step S49. When the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in Step S51), the control unit20determines that the customer does not desire to browse the return receipt, and ends the output processing.

The electronic receipt server2can comprehensively manage the receipt information, the corrected receipt information, and the return receipt information for the transaction of the member of the electronic receipt service by the above-described registration processing. Furthermore, the electronic receipt server2can transmit information capable of improving the operability of display of a return receipt in the customer terminal4by the above-described output processing.

As described above, the electronic receipt server2of the embodiment includes: the acquisition unit2001that acquires transaction specifying information on a transaction in which a product has been returned after settlement processing and return information indicating the product that has been returned regarding the transaction; a return receipt information registration unit (registration unit2002) that registers return receipt information indicating information on the product that has been returned based on return information acquired by the acquisition unit2001; a corrected receipt information registration unit (registration unit2002) that registers corrected receipt information obtained by correcting receipt information indicating information on the transaction before the product has been returned based on the transaction specifying information and the return information acquired by the acquisition unit2001; and an output unit2005that outputs the corrected receipt information and request information for transmitting a request for the return receipt information to the customer terminal4in association with each other.

This enables the customer terminal4to acquire information in which the corrected receipt information and the request information for transmitting a request for the return receipt information are associated with each other. This enables the customer terminal4to easily display a corrected receipt including an icon for displaying the return receipt, for example. In other words, the electronic receipt server2can improve the operability regarding the display of a return receipt in the customer terminal4.

Note that, in the above-described embodiment, the control program executed by the electronic receipt server2, which is a server device, and the customer terminal4may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Furthermore, the control program executed by the electronic receipt server2and the customer terminal4of the above-described embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Moreover, the control program may be provided via the network such as the Internet.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment is presented as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.