Electronic receipt system, electronic receipt management server, and program therefor

According to an embodiment, a system for dynamically generating user interfaces for electronic receipts is disclosed. An electronic receipt management server receives and stores a first electronic receipt generated for a transaction made by a customer at a physical store, a customer identifier, and first additional information unique to the physical store. The server receives and stores a second electronic receipt for a transaction made by the customer at an online store, the customer identifier, and second additional information unique to the online store. The server transmits the first and second electronic receipts, the customer identifier, and the first and second additional information, in response to an inquiry containing the customer code. A client device displays a first graphical user interface including a first selectable object to view an image of the first electronic receipt and a second selectable object to view an image of the second electronic receipt.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic receipt system, an electronic receipt management server, and a program therefor.

BACKGROUND

In general, an electronic receipt system is known, by which a non-printed receipt is electronically transmitted from a merchant store transmitting device to a mobile device of a consumer who has just completed a shopping transaction at the store (i.e., at the time of payment). Even in the case where the consumers purchase products by internet shopping, the electronic receipt may be issued to the consumer.

When the receipt is converted into electronic data in this manner, household account bookkeeping is automatically and electronically performed, and thus this is beneficial to consumers. Further, introduction of the electronic receipt may reduce consumption of receipt paper, and thus this is also beneficial to stores adopting the electronic receipt system.

In addition, it is also known that product sales promotion and advertisement can be performed by electronically attaching coupons associated with purchased products to the electronic receipt.

However, the electronic receipt systems are still introduced on a per company basis and by companies which are the sellers of goods or services. Therefore, the users of the electronic receipts may only enjoy the benefits of the electronic receipt system at stores of a company which has introduced the electronic receipt system. In addition, the electronic receipts issued by internet shopping companies are also introduced on a per company basis. Thus, it is desirable to promote a wider introduction of the electronic receipt system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide an electronic receipt system, an electronic receipt management server and a program therefor, capable of promoting the further acceptance of electronic receipts in internet shopping.

In general, according to an embodiment, an electronic receipt system includes an electronic receipt collection management unit, an electronic receipt transmission unit, and an electronic receipt display unit. The electronic receipt collective management unit manages electronic receipt information which is obtained by digitizing sales information of a members' in-store shopping in association with a first code for identifying a customer, and manages sales information, which is associated with the second code, of a members' on-line shopping at a virtual store on a network as the electronic receipt information by associating the second code with the first code. The electronic receipt transmission unit transmits the electronic receipt information associated with the first code to an information processing apparatus associated with the first code. The electronic receipt display unit displays the electronic receipt information transmitted to the information processing apparatus by the electronic receipt transmission unit.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a configuration diagram showing an entire configuration of an electronic receipt system according to the embodiment. As shown inFIG. 1, a Point of Sales (POS) terminal2which is a product sales data processing apparatus executing a product sales data process (only a single terminal is shown inFIG. 1, but a plurality of terminals may be used), and a router3are provided in a store1. The POS terminal2and the router3are connected by a Local Area Network (LAN)4in the store. The router3is a device connecting the LAN4in the store with a network5which is the internet or a Virtual Private Network (VPN). In addition, although not specially shown, a store server which controls operation of the POS terminal2may be provided in the store1.

Electronic receipt servers6are connected to the network5. A plurality of electronic receipt servers6are provided, one for each of the companies that are sellers of products or services and operate convenience stores, supermarkets, food retailers, drug stores, apparel retailers, appliance stores, department stores, household goods stores, places to eat or chain stores (hereinafter referred to as stores), and each electronic receipt server6functions as a receipt management server for a company which stores and manages electronic receipt information according to a company code indicating the company that operates a store. In addition, the electronic receipt server6may be a headquarters server of a POS system having functions such as a sales management, a sales analysis, and an inventory management of each company that operates the store. Further, a plurality of online shopping servers10for electronic receipt are provided, one for each of the companies that are sellers of products or services and operate on-line shops that provide an internet shopping service, and function as receipt management servers for a company that stores and manages the electronic receipt information according to a company code indicating the company that operates an on-line shop.

Further, a mobile terminal8is connected to the network through a base station7which performs wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard or the like. The mobile terminal8is an information processing apparatus which has a web browser installed, for example, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, or the like. In addition, instead of the mobile terminal8, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer including a notebook computer may be used.

Further, the electronic receipt management server9which functions as a customer receipt management server that collectively stores and manages electronic receipt information for various types of companies that operate stores is also connected to the network5. Consumers who are registered as members for the purpose of receiving the electronic receipt service may obtain the electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt management server9using the mobile terminal8through the network5. For example, the electronic receipt management server9may be managed by a third party organization other than the company which manages the electronic receipt information in the electronic receipt server6. In addition, the electronic receipt server6may be managed by the third party organization or the like. The function of the electronic receipt server6may be integrated into the electronic receipt management server9so that the server may be managed in one server. In addition, a function of collectively managing electronic receipt information for each company, by using a plurality of company codes, may be provided as a service (application) in a form of Software as a Service (SaaS) which is a type of a cloud computing.

In addition, member registration of a consumer for the purpose of receiving an electronic receipt service is executed, for example, in the following manner (not shown). The consumer transmits a blank (no content) email to a member management server (not shown) through the network5from the mobile terminal8. The member management server transmits a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) representing a page for the member registration to the address of the received blank email. The consumer accesses the URL representing the page to establish a member registration using the mobile terminal8, and inputs necessary items for the member registration on an input screen that is displayed on the mobile terminal8. An input confirmation screen is displayed on the mobile terminal8after the input of the necessary items by the consumer is completed. Then, after the input confirmation by the consumer, member registration for a member is executed. Thereafter, the member management server delivers a member registration completion email including a member code and a password to the mobile terminal8. Through the above procedure, the member registration is completed. In addition, a “top screen display” button is provided on a registration completion screen J displayed on the mobile terminal8, after the registration is completed. The mobile terminal8displays a top screen by the customer operating the “top screen display” button.

In the electronic receipt system of such a structure, electronic receipt information indicating the payment details, which are generated by performing a product sales data process in the POS terminal2in the store1, is transmitted to the electronic receipt management server9through the electronic receipt server6over the network5, and the electronic receipt information is transmitted from the electronic receipt management server9to the mobile terminal8of the member. The member may confirm the contents by causing the electronic receipt information to be displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal8. In addition, the electronic receipt management server9publishes the electronic receipt information on the Web. The mobile terminal8having a web browser installed therein may download the electronic receipt information published on the web to the mobile terminal8by specifying and requesting a specific Uniform Resource Locator (URL), and may browse the information with the web browser. In addition, application software for browsing the electronic receipt information may be installed in the mobile terminal8to browse the electronic receipt information.

The mobile terminal8stores the member code and the password which are acquired by the consumer as described above in a storage unit13and the like (see (a) to (f) ofFIG. 2). As an output method of the member code which is stored in this manner, there is displaying a bar code, displaying a two-dimensional code, transmission of the information through information communication by Near Field Communication (NFC) which is near-field type wireless communication, and the like.

Next, an operation example of an association of the member code that is acquired by the consumer for the purpose of receiving an electronic receipt service and the internet shopping member code of the on-line shop that provides the internet shopping service will be explained.

(a) to (f) ofFIG. 2are transition diagrams showing transition examples of screens for setting and registration of a consumer.

(1) First, the consumer accesses a specific URL from the mobile terminal8of the consumer, or accesses the on-line shop from which the consumer wants to receive the electronic receipt service by the application that is installed on the mobile terminal8. When the consumer accesses the on-line shop, the mobile terminal8displays an on-line shop login screen L1for the consumer to input the member code and password of the on-line shop (see (a) ofFIG. 2). Once the member code and password are entered, the consumer logs in to the on-line shop by pressing a “Login” button B11.

(2) Then, the consumer accesses a page for registration of the member code with the on-line shop to establish electronic receipt service therewith by pressing a button (not shown) displayed on the mobile terminal8. When the consumer accesses the page, the mobile terminal8displays an input screen H1for inputting the user name, the member code, the password and the like of the electronic receipt service (see (b) ofFIG. 2).

(3) When the consumer presses an “agree on the regulation, and proceed to the next” button B12after the consumer inputs the registration contents such as the user name, the member code, and the password of the electronic receipt service, the mobile terminal8displays an input confirmation screen I1(see (c) ofFIG. 2). When the consumer presses a “confirmation” button B13after the consumer confirms the registration contents, the mobile terminal8transmits the registration contents to the member management server.

(4) When the registration contents is transmitted, the mobile terminal8displays a registration confirmation screen J1to let the consumer know that the registration contents is being confirmed (see (d) ofFIG. 2). The member management server which receives the registration contents inquires whether the member of the registration contents which is input through the input screen H1is registered, and transmits the result of the inquiry to the mobile terminal8.

(5) When the member is registered in the member management server, the mobile terminal8transmits to the electronic receipt management server9, the company code, the user name, the member code, the password and the like of the on-line shop to which the consumer was logged-in. Thus, the association of the member code acquired for the purpose of receiving the electronic receipt service and the member code of the on-line shop is performed. Then, the mobile terminal8displays a setting completion screen K1to let the consumer know that the setting and registration is completed (see (e) ofFIG. 2).

(6) In contrast, when the member is not registered in the member management server, the mobile terminal8displays a registration failure screen K2to request the consumer to confirm the input information (see (f) ofFIG. 2).

In the manner described above, the member code and the internet shopping member code are associated. By the association, the electronic receipt management server9manages not only the electronic receipt information of the products purchased in the store but also the electronic receipt information of the products purchased by internet shopping. Further, when the above setting is performed once, there is no need to perform the setting again the next time the consumer shops at the same on-line location.

Further, the association of the member code acquired by the consumer for the purpose of receiving the electronic receipt service and the existing company member card such as a point service or customer loyalty scheme operated by a company such as a chain store may be realized in the POS terminal2of each retail store or in each individual mobile terminal8.

Here, an operation example of the association of the member code acquired by the consumer and the existing company member card as described above will be described.

1. The operation example in the POS terminal2of the store

(1) First, a checker who operates the POS terminal2confirms whether or not to perform the electronic receipt service at the time of product registration (payment), and the presence or absence of a point card. When the electronic receipt service is performed, the consumer presents the mobile terminal8and the point card.

(2) The checker reads respectively the member code stored in the mobile terminal8and the company member code of the point card. Here, the reading of the member code stored in the mobile terminal8is dependent on an I/O which is provided in the POS terminal2, but the bar code, the two-dimensional code, or the NFC as described above is applied thereto.

(3) The POS terminal2transmits the member code and the company member code of the point card which are read in (2) to the electronic receipt management server9.

(4) The electronic receipt management server9receives the information transmitted in (3). When it is the first time that the electronic receipt information indicating the contents of the payment which is generated by performing a product sales data process in the POS terminal2of the store1using the point card, the member code, and the company member code of the point card are transmitted simultaneously, the information and the member code become registered in the electronic receipt management server9.

Thereafter, the consumer may receive the electronic receipt service and receive loyalty program points by presenting only the mobile terminal8or the associated point card.

2. An operation example in the mobile terminal8

(1) First, the consumer accesses the specific URL from the mobile terminal8of the consumer, or logs-in to a point card registration menu using an application that is installed in the mobile terminal8. The consumer inputs and selects the company that issued the point card to be registered. Then, the consumer inputs the company member code of the point card to be registered and transmits the registration contents to the electronic receipt management server9by pressing the registration button after confirming the number. In addition, the input of the company member code may be performed through manual input, camera photography, magnetic reading, or the like.

(2) The electronic receipt management server9receives the registration contents from the mobile terminal8in (1), inquires the customer information of each company, and returns a confirmation to the display screen of to the mobile terminal8of the consumer.

(3) The association of the member code of the electronic receipt system and the existing company member card is completed by the consumer confirming the displayed information returned from the electronic receipt management server9and pressing an agreement button on the display screen.

In the manner described above, by managing the service in the electronic receipt system and the service to give loyalty/rewards program points using the member code of a unique electronic receipt, it is possible to receive the loyalty/rewards program service through the electronic receipt system by presenting the point card in the stores which honor the point cards and by presenting the mobile terminal8in the stores which do not honor the point cards. As a result, the member code of the electronic receipt performs the role of a hub, i.e., an aggregating identity, associating respective company point/loyalty or reward program cards of each company.

A configuration of each part constituting the electronic receipt system of the present embodiment will be described, including the above described aspect.

First, a configuration of the mobile terminal8which is an information processing apparatus will be described using a block diagram ofFIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 3, the mobile terminal8includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)11functioning as a control unit, a memory12that temporarily stores data, a storage unit13from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU11and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface14connected to various public networks including the network5, a display unit17capable of displaying various items of information, an input unit18for operating the mobile terminal8, a clock unit19that tracks time, and the like. The input unit18is a touch panel laminated on the display unit17or keys provided on a case.

In addition to the web browser for browsing various items of information (content) published on the web, an electronic receipt corresponding program P11, for receiving from the electronic receipt management server9the electronic receipt information generated after the completion of payment by the product sales data process, and an electronic receipt browsing program P12for browsing the received electronic receipt information, are pre-installed in the storage unit13.

In addition, a statistical information generation program P13for generating the statistical information obtained by statistically analyzing electronic receipt information that is received from the electronic receipt server6of each company to be described later based on the company code and the business type code, is installed in advance in the storage unit13.

In addition, a receipt information transfer program P14for parsing the electronic receipt information and transferring the information is installed in advance in the storage unit13.

In addition, the electronic receipt corresponding program P11, the electronic receipt browsing program P12, the statistical information generation program P13, the receipt information transfer program P14which are executed in the mobile terminal8are provided to the mobile terminal8as files in an installable format or in an executable format by being recorded in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD).

Further, the electronic receipt corresponding program P11, the electronic receipt browsing program P12, the statistical information generation program P13and the receipt information transfer program P14which are executed in the mobile terminal8may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet so as to be provided to the mobile terminal8such as by being downloaded over a network. Further, the electronic receipt corresponding program P11, the electronic receipt browsing program P12, the statistical information generation program P13and the receipt information transfer program P14which are executed in the mobile terminal8may be provided or distributed to the mobile terminal8over a network such as the internet.

Subsequently, the configuration of the POS terminal2, which is the product sales data processing apparatus, will be described using the block diagram ofFIG. 4. As shown inFIG. 4, the POS terminal2includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)21functioning as a control unit, a memory22that temporarily stores data, a storage unit23from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU21and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface24connected to the LAN4in the store, a printer interface25to which a printer is connected, an operator display unit28that displays various items of information for the operator, a clock unit29that tracks time, a customer display unit30that displays various items of information for the customer, an input unit31for operating the POS terminal2and the like.

In addition to the POS number of the POS terminal2, an identification code management area23ais secured in the storage unit23, as an area for storing in advance a company code (identification code of a company that operates a store), a business type code, a store code indicating the store1having the POS terminal2installed, or the like. Here, the business type code is a code (classification code) for classifying business types of stores, as for example, convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, pharmacies, restaurants, places to eat and drink, or the like. In addition, such business type may be changed arbitrarily by the user's preference. In addition, the company code (identification code of the company that operates the store) and the business type code may be registered in the electronic receipt server6.

Further, in addition to software for executing various POS business operations including the product sales data process, an electronic receipt process program P15for processing electronic receipt information obtained by an electronic processing rather than a printed receipt or a written receipt issued during the product sales data process, is pre-installed in the storage unit23.

In addition, the electronic receipt process program P15executed in the POS terminal2is provided as files of an installable format or in an executable format by being recorded in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD).

Further, the electronic receipt process program P15executed in the POS terminal2may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet so as to be provided to the POS terminal by being downloaded over a network. Further, the electronic receipt process program P15executed in the POS terminal2may be provided or distributed thereto over a network such as the internet.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the electronic receipt server6which functions as a receipt management server for company will be described using the block diagram ofFIG. 5. The electronic receipt server6includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)41functioning as a control unit, a memory42that temporarily stores data, a storage unit43from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU41and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface44connected to the network5, and the like.

An electronic receipt management area43aas an area for storing electronic receipt information for each company that operates a store is secured in the storage unit43. The electronic receipt information includes a company code (identification code of the company that operates the store), the business type code, a store code, a member code of consumers, a POS number of the POS terminal2, a receipt number, product sales data, and the like.

Further, the electronic receipt management program P1for managing the electronic receipt information received from the POS terminal2of each store1in the electronic receipt management area43ais pre-installed in the storage unit43.

Further, the information transmission program P2for transmitting the electronic receipt information, to the electronic receipt management server9, which is managed in the electronic receipt management area43a, is pre-installed in advance in the storage unit43.

Further, an information management area43bfor storing various items of additional information which is associated with a desired product, a member, a company, and a store is provided in the storage unit43. Here, the additional information includes access information such as a URL to link to a website associated with a campaign of a company, a URL to link to a website associated with a commercial of a company, and a URL to link to a coupon of a company.

The electronic receipt management program P1and the information transmission program P2which are executed in the electronic receipt server6may be provided thereto as files of an installable format or in an executable format by being recorded in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD).

Further, the electronic receipt management program P1and the information transmission program P2which are executed in the electronic receipt server6may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet so as to be provided to the server6by being downloaded over a network. Further, the electronic receipt management program P1and the information transmission program P2which are executed in the electronic receipt server6may be provided or distributed thereto over a network such as the internet.

Subsequently, the configuration of the electronic receipt management server9which functions as a customer receipt management server will be described using a block diagram ofFIG. 6. The electronic receipt management server9includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)51functioning as a control unit, a memory52that temporarily stores data, a storage unit53from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU51and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface54connected to the network5, and the like.

An electronic receipt management area53ais secured in storage unit53, as an area for collectively storing the electronic receipt information of various companies that operate stores. More specifically, the electronic receipt management area53amanages electronic receipt information and additional information for each member of various companies that operate stores. The electronic receipt information includes a member code, a company code (an identification code of a company which operates a store), a store code, a POS number of a POS terminal2, a receipt number, product sales data, additional information and the like.

Further, the electronic receipt management program P3for managing additional information and electronic receipt information which are received from the electronic receipt server6of each company in the electronic receipt management area53ais pre-installed in the storage unit53.

Further, the information transmission program P4for transmitting the electronic receipt information, and additional information relating to the product purchased, to the mobile terminal8is pre-installed in the storage unit53.

The electronic receipt management program P3and the information transmission program P4, which are executed in the electronic receipt management server9, may be provided thereto as files of an installable format or in an executable format by being recorded in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD).

Alternatively, the electronic receipt management program P3and the information transmission program P4which are executed in the electronic receipt management server9may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet so as to be provided to the server9by being downloaded over a network. Further, the electronic receipt management program P3and the information transmission program P4which are executed in the electronic receipt management server9may be provided or distributed thereto over a network such as the internet.

An operation of each part constituting a system of the present embodiment will now be described.

First, an electronic receipt process executed by the CPU21of the POS terminal2, operating according to the electronic receipt process program P15, will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown inFIG. 7and the flowchart shown inFIG. 8.

As shown inFIG. 7, the electronic receipt process program P15executed in the POS terminal2is configured as a module including the electronic receipt generation unit26functioning as the electronic receipt generation device and the transmission unit27functioning as the transmission device. In hardware, the CPU21reads and executes the electronic receipt process program P15from the storage unit23so as to load each unit described above on the memory22, and the electronic receipt generation unit26and the transmission unit27are generated on the memory22.

The electronic receipt generation unit26generates electronic receipt information obtained by electronic processing in place of a printed or written receipt issued during the product sale process, which includes a company code indicating a company that operates a store, in association with the member code of consumer.

The transmission unit27transmits the electronic receipt information generated by the electronic receipt generation unit26to the electronic receipt server6that manages the electronic receipt information sorted by the company code.

As shown inFIG. 8, when there is an input of a decision operation key for starting the decision process of a product sale, the CPU21(electronic receipt generation unit26) of the POS terminal2determines whether there is an input of the member code, confirmation of the presence or absence of the issued electronic receipt, and an electronic receipt issuing instruction corresponding to completion of the payment process according to a decision operation (step S1).

For example, a method shown below is followed in order for a member to give an electronic receipt issuing instruction.

1. A clerk operates an “electronic receipt issue” button provided in the input unit31(for example, a keyboard) of the POS terminal2.

2. A consumer, who is a member, displays a bar code including a code on the display unit17of the mobile terminal8, and the clerk reads out the code with the input unit31(for example, bar code scanner) of the POS terminal2.

3. The consumer, who is a member, operates the “electronic receipt issue” button that is displayed in a manner of being able to be pressed on the customer display unit30.

4. The consumer, who is a member, displays the bar code including the code on the display unit17of the mobile terminal8, and the consumer, who is a member, in person reads out the code with the input unit31(for example, bar code scanner (a scanner separate from the scanner used in product registration is preferable)) of the POS terminal2.

5. When the consumer, who is a member, presents a company member card for receiving a point service, the input unit31of the POS terminal2(for example, such as a bar code scanner, a magnetic card reader, or NFC) reads the company member code of the company member card. When the member code of the electronic receipt is associated with the company member code which is read, it is determined that there is an instruction to issue an electronic receipt.

When it is determined that there is the electronic receipt issue instruction (Yes in step S1), the CPU21(electronic receipt generation unit26) of the POS terminal2transmits product sale data to a headquarter server, and separately from the product sale data, extracts a company code (identification code of the company that operates a store), a business type code, a store code, a member code of a consumer, a POS number of the POS terminal2, a receipt number, product sales data, and the like from an identification code management area23aprovided in the storage unit23, based on the information on products registered and information on payment at the time of payment by the product sales data process so as to generate the electronic receipt information (step S2).

Subsequently, the CPU21(transmission unit27) of the POS terminal2connects to the LAN4in the store and the network5through the network interface24, transmits the generated electronic receipt information to the electronic receipt server6(step S3), and thus terminates the process. In addition, when it is determined that there is no electronic receipt issue instruction, the CPU21prints and issues a paper receipt, transmits the product sale data to the headquarter server, and thus terminates the process.

Further, when the CPU21of the POS terminal2is in an offline state when the product sale data (transaction data) is transmitted to the headquarter server, the CPU21of the POS terminal2avoids a failure by implementing the following measures:

1. Automatic implementation of retry transmission

2. In the case of not being able to perform the measure corresponding to 1, store the product sale data (transaction data) until the network restoration and transmit the product sale data (transaction data) to the headquarter server after network restoration. In this case, the CPU21of the POS terminal2performs the display such as “the product sale data (transaction data) will be transmitted later” on the operator display unit28.

The flow of an electronic receipt management process executed by the CPU41of the electronic receipt server6operating according to the electronic receipt management program P1and the flow of an information transmission process executed by the CPU41operating according to the information transmission program P2will be described with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 9.

When the CPU41of the electronic receipt server6receives the electronic receipt information transmitted from the POS terminal2through the network interface44(Yes in step S11), the CPU41stores the received information as the electronic receipt information for each company in the electronic receipt management area43aof the storage unit43(step S12). That is, the CPU41of the electronic receipt server6functions as electronic receipt management device for managing the electronic receipt information in the storage unit43categorized by the company code.

Further, after the CPU41of the electronic receipt server6stores the received electronic receipt information, when transmission timing is set in advance (No in step S11, Yes in step S13), the CPU41transmits to the electronic receipt management server9the additional information that is managed in the information management area43band the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area43a(step S14), and the process returns to step S11.

In addition, although the CPU21(electronic receipt generation unit26) of the POS terminal2generates the electronic receipt information and transmits the electronic receipt information to the electronic receipt server6, the operation of the CPU21is not limited thereto. For example, the CPU21of the POS terminal2, based on the information on the registered product and information on payment at the time of payment by the product sales data process, may transmit a store code, a member code of a consumer, a POS number of the POS terminal2, a receipt number, product sales data, and the like to the electronic receipt server6, and the CPU41of the electronic receipt server6may add the company code, the business type code, and the like so as to generate electronic receipt information.

The flow of the electronic receipt management process executed by the CPU51of the electronic receipt management server9operating according to the electronic receipt management program P3and the flow of the product information transmission process executed by the CPU51of the electronic receipt management server9operating according to the information transmission program P4will now be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown inFIG. 10and the flowchart shown inFIG. 11.

As shown inFIG. 10, the electronic receipt management program P3and the information transmission program P4which are executed in the electronic receipt management server9are configured as a module including the reception unit55functioning as the reception means, an electronic receipt collective management unit56functioning as the electronic receipt collective management means, and an electronic receipt transmission unit57functioning as the electronic receipt transmission means. In actual hardware, the CPU51reads and executes the electronic receipt management program P3and the information transmission program P4from the storage unit53so as to load each unit described above on the memory52. Further, a reception unit55, the electronic receipt collective management unit56, and the electronic receipt transmission unit57are generated on the memory52.

The reception unit55receives electronic receipt information sorted by companies which includes a company code indicating the company that operates the store and is obtained by an electronic processing instead of by reading and recording information from a printed or written receipt issued during the product sales data process.

The electronic receipt collective management unit56stores and thus maintains the electronic receipt information sorted by company as received by the reception unit55in the electronic receipt management area53aof the storage unit53and collectively manages the information.

The electronic receipt transmission unit57acquires electronic receipt information including at least one company code which is associated with the member code from the electronic receipt management area53aand transmits the acquired information to the mobile terminal8associated with the member code of a predetermined consumer.

As shown inFIG. 11, the CPU51(reception unit55) of the electronic receipt management server9determines whether the electronic receipt information and the additional information are received through the network interface54(step S21) from the electronic receipt server6of each company.

When the electronic receipt information and the additional information are received (Yes in step S21), the CPU51(electronic receipt collective management unit56) of the electronic receipt management server9collectively stores the electronic receipt information and the additional information of various companies in the electronic receipt management area53aof the storage unit53(step S22).

In addition, the CPU51(electronic receipt transmission unit57) of the electronic receipt management server9collectively stores the electronic receipt information and the additional information in the electronic receipt management area53a. Thereafter, the CPU51transmits the electronic receipt information and the additional information to the mobile terminal8(step S23), and returns to step S21. Further, when the transmission of the electronic receipt information is completed, it is possible to manage or track the transmission of the electronic receipt information by storing a flag indicating the completion of the transmission in the electronic receipt information in the electronic receipt management area53a.

Further, when there is an electronic receipt information inquiry from the mobile terminal8(No in step S21and Yes in step S24), the CPU51(electronic receipt transmission unit57) of the electronic receipt management server9extracts the additional information and the electronic receipt information which are managed in the electronic receipt management area53aaccording to the contents of the electronic receipt information inquiry (step S25), then transmits the extracted contents to the mobile terminal8that performs the inquiry (step S26), and returns to step S21.

Subsequently, the flow of the electronic receipt receiving process executed by the CPU11of the mobile terminal8operating according to the electronic receipt corresponding program P11and the flow of the electronic receipt browsing process executed by the CPU11operating according to the electronic receipt browsing program P12will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown inFIG. 12and the flowchart shown inFIG. 13.

As shown inFIG. 12, the electronic receipt corresponding program P11and the electronic receipt browsing program P12which are executed in the mobile terminal8are configured as a module including a member association unit81functioning as the member association means, an electronic receipt reception unit82functioning as the electronic receipt reception means, and an electronic receipt display unit83functioning as the electronic receipt display means. In actual hardware, the CPU11reads and executes the electronic receipt corresponding program P11and the electronic receipt browsing program P12from the storage unit13so as to load each unit described above on the memory12. Further, the member association unit81, the electronic receipt reception unit82, and the electronic receipt display unit83are generated on the memory12.

The member association unit81associates the electronic receipt information with the member code of a predetermined shopper.

The electronic receipt reception unit82receives the electronic receipt information including at least one company code associated with the member code from the electronic receipt management server9that collectively manages the electronic receipt information.

The electronic receipt display unit83arranges the electronic receipt information received by the electronic receipt reception unit82sorted by company code, and displays the electronic receipt information on the display unit17.

As shown inFIG. 13, first, the CPU11(member association unit81) of the mobile terminal8accesses the electronic receipt management server9and inputs the member code and the password so as to perform an authentication process (step S31). Thus, the mobile terminal8is associated with the member code of the predetermined consumer.

After the authentication, the CPU11(electronic receipt reception unit82) of the mobile terminal8receives the additional information and the electronic receipt information which are managed in the electronic receipt management area53acorresponding to the member code which was input (step S32). In addition, the additional information and the electronic receipt information may be received through an email.

Subsequently, the CPU11(electronic receipt display unit83) of the mobile terminal8lists the purchase dates included in the electronic receipt information on the display unit17(step S33). By listing the purchase dates on the display unit17as described above, the mobile terminal8prompts the user who is a consumer to select information.

In addition,FIG. 14is a modified example of a display example X. In the display example X shown inFIG. 14, by attaching marks M of the stores of the companies to the dates when the user in possession of the mobile terminal8which accesses the electronic receipt management server9purchased goods in stores of various companies, it is possible to intuitively find the store where the user buys goods. That is, according to the display example X shown inFIG. 14, it is possible to easily find the information indicating the store of which company the user frequently buys goods in. In addition, in order to display the mark M of the store, a table is prepared in which the mark is pre-associated with the company code that is included in the electronic receipt information.

When it is determined that the user taps the display and selects the desired date (Yes in step S34), the CPU11(electronic receipt display unit83) of the mobile terminal8displays electronic receipt information corresponding to the selected date on the display unit17(step S35).

FIG. 15is a front view showing a display example Y in the mobile terminal. As shown inFIG. 15, the display example Y lists the stores of various companies in which the user in possession of the mobile terminal8which accesses the electronic receipt management server9purchased goods on that date. More specifically, the display example Y displays the electronic receipt information in the chronological order in which the information was received, and displays the company mark, the trade time, the company name, and the store name. Further, the CPU11(electronic receipt display unit83) of the mobile terminal8performs display in order for the user to be able to select the store corresponding to the desired date from the store information which is listed for each date using the curser following the input of the input unit18. At this time, in a case of internet shopping, the CPU11(electronic receipt display unit83) of the mobile terminal8displays, for example, “on-line shop” and the name of the on-line shop. Thus, it is known that the electronic receipt information is from the on-line shop.

When it is determined that the user selects a store on the desired date (Yes in step S36), the CPU11(electronic receipt display unit83) of the mobile terminal8displays the electronic receipt information corresponding to the store of the selected date on the display unit17(step S37).

In addition, the screen display image does not necessarily need to be the receipt image. However, the electronic receipt information is an alternative to a paper receipt and electronic proof information of product purchase for proving that the product is purchased. In the display example Z, for use in the case of being presented as the proof of a product purchase in the store when there is a return, the following information is displayed.Store namePurchased datePurchased product detailsTotal sales amountTendered amount of moneyChange amount of moneyCounter numberTrade number

FIG. 16is a front view showing a display example V of an example of internet shopping on the mobile terminal8. As shown inFIG. 16, the display example V displays the electronic receipt information of a desired on-line shop in which the user has done internet shopping using the mobile terminal8of the user which accesses the electronic receipt management server9. In internet shopping, a paper receipt is unlikely to be issued, and, instead, documents such as an invoice, a receipt or an invoice and receipt are likely to be issued. Thus, the electronic receipt information may be generated by analyzing the invoice and receipt or the like. Specifically, when the information regarding a sale such as the invoice and receipt is received, the electronic receipt server6extracts information necessary to form the electronic receipt information. The information necessary to form the electronic receipt information for internet shopping is, for example, product sales data including an on-line shop name, an on-line shop code, a member code of a consumer, an order number, purchase product details, and total sales amount, additional information, and the like. When the extraction of the information is performed, the electronic receipt server6generates the electronic receipt information from the information that is obtained by the extraction. Thus, the electronic receipt management server9manages as the electronic receipt information, information obtained by extracting the information regarding the sale such as the invoice and receipt. Then, when there is a display request of the electronic receipt information from the consumer, the mobile terminal8displays the generated electronic receipt information on the display unit.

The display example V shows the electronic receipt information that is generated from the invoice and receipts and has a layout similar to the paper invoice and receipt. In addition, documents such as the invoice, the receipt or the invoice and receipt may be received by e-mail.

In addition, there is no need that the screen display image have an invoice and receipt image. However, the electronic receipt information is intended to replace the paper invoice and receipt and is electronic proof information of product purchase for proving that the product was purchased. In the display example V, for use in the case of being presented as the proof information of product purchase in the store when there is a return, the following information is displayed. In addition, the information of the consumer, such as the name and the address of the consumer may be displayed in addition to the following information.On-line shop nameOn-line shop locationURL of the on-line shopContact address of on-line shopPurchased product detailsDelivery feeTotal sales amountPayment methodOrder dateOrder numberIssue date of an invoice and receipt

Here, the outline of a returns process will be described. As described above, the consumer is able to see the electronic receipt information in the past using the member code of the consumer as a key.

The process to return a product in the present embodiment is similar to the case of the return process using a paper receipt, and the return is performed by confirming the electronic receipt information displayed on the display unit17of the mobile terminal8as would be confirming the receipt information that is printed in advance, at the time of return.

1. The consumer causes the product to be returned together with the target electronic receipt information as displayed on the display unit17of the mobile terminal8, and presents them to a physical store location from which the item was purchased, or a store location of a retailer having multiple store locations.

2. The clerk performs journal search based on the sales date and time, the counter number, and a sale number from the electronic receipt information that is presented and confirms the sale contents.

3. The clerk performs the return process by operating the POS terminal2.

4. Since it is necessary to invalidate the original electronic receipt information after execution of the return process, the CPU21of the POS terminal2updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area43aof the electronic receipt server6.

5. The CPU21of the POS terminal2issues electronic receipt information at the time of return.

6. In addition, the electronic receipt server6updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area53aof the electronic receipt management server9which functions as a customer receipt management server, and invalidates the original electronic receipt information. Thereafter, the electronic receipt server6updates the electronic receipt management area53aof the electronic receipt management server9with the electronic receipt information at the time of return to be saved.

The return process in the present embodiment performs the return process pursuant to the requirements of each store, similar to the return process using a paper invoice and receipt, even when the product was purchased over the internet, and reflects that fact in the electronic receipt record. Subsequently, an operation example of the return process in the internet shopping will be explained.

1. The consumer informs the contact address described in the electronic receipt or the contact address described in the on-line shop of the product wanting to be returned, return reason, and the order number.

2. A clerk confirms the sale content from the order number and confirms whether the product meets the return conditions prescribed in the regulations of the store.

3. When a return condition is met, the consumer sends the product together with the document, i.e., an invoice, packing slip or other written indicia of the sale supplied by the seller to the consumer on which the order number is set forth to the on-line shop.

4. The clerk performs a journal search based on the order number described in the documentation sent to the consumer at the time of the sale of the product and confirms the sale content.

5. The clerk performs the return process by operating the POS terminal2.

6. Since it is necessary to invalidate the original electronic receipt information after execution of the return process, the CPU21of the POS terminal2updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area43aof the electronic receipt server6.

7. The CPU21of the POS terminal2issues electronic receipt information at the time of return.

8. In addition, the electronic receipt server6updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area53aof the electronic receipt management server9which functions as a customer receipt management server, and invalidates the original electronic receipt information. Thereafter, the electronic receipt server6updates and saves to the electronic receipt management area53aof the electronic receipt management server9the electronic receipt information of the return.

Additional user selectable functions relating to a user for viewing purchasing information will now be described. If the user selects an appropriate product, or an icon associated with the product (Yes in step S38), the CPU11(electronic receipt display unit83) of the mobile terminal8is connected to the network5through the network interface14, and obtains from the network5various items of information based on the access information associated with the product or icon that is selected so as to be displayed on the display unit17(step S39).

For example, when a home page associated with the product as the access information for a product “a” is set as the product information link, when the desired product is selected by a user; the home page associated with the product is displayed on the display unit17.

Further, when a home page associated with application campaign is set as the access information for an icon button “b” of “application”, when the button of “application” is selected, an application campaign page associated with the button of “application” is displayed on the display unit17.

Further, when a home page associated with a commercial is set as access information for the banner c which is a kind of icon, when the banner c is selected, the CM associated with the banner c is displayed on the display unit17.

When the termination of the electronic receipt browsing process is declared by the input unit18(Yes in step S40), the CPU11of the mobile terminal8terminates the process.

When the termination of the electronic receipt browsing process is not declared by the input unit18(No in step S40), the CPU11of the mobile terminal8returns the process to step S38and is on standby for the selection of the product or the icon associated with the product.

In addition, as described in step S23ofFIG. 11described above, not only a case the which the mobile terminal8accesses the electronic receipt management server9, but the case in which the mobile terminal8receives the electronic receipt information and the additional information from the electronic receipt management server9is described referring to the flowchart ofFIG. 17.

The CPU11(electronic receipt reception unit82) of the mobile terminal8receives the electronic receipt information and the additional information from the electronic receipt management server9(step S61).

Thereafter, when the electronic receipt browsing program P12is activated (Yes in step S62), the CPU11(electronic receipt display unit83) of the mobile terminal8displays the received electronic receipt information and additional information in association with the company code (step S63).

Subsequently, the flow of a statistical information generation process executed by the CPU11of the mobile terminal operating according to the statistical information generation program P13will be described referring to a flowchart shown inFIG. 18.

The CPU11of the mobile terminal8accesses the electronic receipt management server9and performs an authentication process by the input of the member code and password (step S51).

After the authentication, when it is determined that there is an input of information necessary to generate the statistical information, such as a time period for generating the statistical information and a type of the statistical information (Yes in step S52), the CPU11of the mobile terminal8receives the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area53acorresponding to the member code and the information necessary to generate the statistical information which are input (step S53).

Subsequently, the CPU11of the mobile terminal8generates statistical information obtained by analyzing statistically the acquired electronic receipt information, based on the information necessary to generate the statistical information (for example, a company code and business type code) (step S54), and displays the generated statistical information on the display unit17(step S55).

In addition, the electronic receipt information may be shared between different members sharing the access information of the electronic receipt system. By associating a plurality of member codes for example, the sales data of products purchased by each individual may be shared in a family, a group, a department of a company, or the like.

Thus, according to the electronic receipt system of the present embodiment, it is possible to introduce a mechanism for an electronic receipt for internet shopping, outside the company scope where an actual physical sales location for products exists, thereby facilitating the introduction of the electronic receipt.

Although the above embodiment describes the case where the internet is used in the operation of associating the member code of the electronic receipt service and the internet shopping member code, the function of associating is not limited thereto. For example, when there is no on-line shop but only a physical store location, a consumer presents their internet member code in an electronic receipt service and the member code of the electronic receipt service displayed on the mobile terminal8to a clerk. The clerk who receives the member codes inputs the internet shopping member code to the POS terminal2. Thereafter, the clerk inputs a decision operation key for starting the decision process of product sale. Thus, the member code of the electronic receipt service and the internet shopping member code may be associated in the electronic receipt management server9.

Alternatively, when there is a physical store location as well as an on-line shop, the clerk may issue a receipt attached with an URL in which registration is performed in association with the member code of the electronic receipt service, to a consumer without having the member code of the electronic receipt service. The consumer accesses and registers their information at the site of the URL presented from the mobile terminal8of the consumer, and thus the member code of the electronic receipt service and the internet shopping member code may be associated in the electronic receipt management server9.

In addition, in the above embodiment, although there is provided a page for performing a setting and registration for the purpose of receiving an electronic receipt service in an on-line shop, the page for performing a setting and registration may not be in the on-line shop. For example, the page for performing a setting and registration may be provided in the electronic receipt management server9. In this case, the consumer accesses the web page corresponding to the specific URL from the mobile terminal8of the consumer, or accesses a page for performing setting and registration by an application which is installed in the mobile terminal8. In the page for performing setting and registration, the consumer designates an on-line shop from which the consumer wants to receive the electronic receipt service, and inputs the member code of the on-line shop, the password, and the like. After the confirmation of the content input by the consumer, the mobile terminal8transmits the information to the on-line shop and inquires whether or not the member “consumer” sending the information can be registered. Once the member has been registered, the electronic receipt management server9may perform the association of the member code which is acquired for the purpose of receiving the electronic receipt service and the member code of the on-line shop.