Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/194,542, filed on Feb. 28, 2014, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-162604, filed on Aug. 5, 2013, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-041289, filed on Mar. 1, 2013; the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic receipt system, an electronic receipt management server, and a program therefor. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electronic receipt system according to an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a transition diagram showing transition examples of screens for setting and registration of a consumer. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a POS terminal. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic receipt server. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic receipt management server. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram relating to an electronic receipt process performed in the POS terminal. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a flow of the electronic receipt process. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a flow of an information transmission process in the electronic receipt server. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram relating to an electronic receipt management process and a product information transmission process performed in the electronic receipt management server. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing flows of the electronic receipt management process and the product information transmission process. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a functional block diagram relating to an electronic receipt receiving process and an electronic receipt browsing process performed in the mobile terminal. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing flows of the electronic receipt receiving process and the electronic receipt browsing process. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a front view showing a display example in the mobile terminal. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a front view showing a display example in the mobile terminal. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a front view showing a display example of an internet shopping in the mobile terminal. 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing flows of the electronic receipt receiving process and the electronic receipt browsing process. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a flowchart showing a flow of a statistical information generation process performed in the mobile terminal. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    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. 
         [0026]    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&#39; 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&#39; 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. 
         [0027]    An embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram showing an entire configuration of an electronic receipt system according to the embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a Point of Sales (POS) terminal  2  which is a product sales data processing apparatus executing a product sales data process (only a single terminal is shown in  FIG. 1 , but a plurality of terminals may be used), and a router  3  are provided in a store  1 . The POS terminal  2  and the router  3  are connected by a Local Area Network (LAN)  4  in the store. The router  3  is a device connecting the LAN  4  in the store with a network  5  which is the internet or a Virtual Private Network (VPN). In addition, although not specially shown, a store server which controls operation of the POS terminal  2  may be provided in the store  1 . 
         [0029]    Electronic receipt servers  6  are connected to the network  5 . A plurality of electronic receipt servers  6  are 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 server  6  functions 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 server  6  may 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 servers  10  for 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. 
         [0030]    Further, a mobile terminal  8  is connected to the network through a base station  7  which performs wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard or the like. The mobile terminal  8  is 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 terminal  8 , an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer including a notebook computer may be used. 
         [0031]    Further, the electronic receipt management server  9  which 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 network  5 . 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 server  9  using the mobile terminal  8  through the network  5 . For example, the electronic receipt management server  9  may be managed by a third party organization other than the company which manages the electronic receipt information in the electronic receipt server  6 . In addition, the electronic receipt server  6  may be managed by the third party organization or the like. The function of the electronic receipt server  6  may be integrated into the electronic receipt management server  9  so 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. 
         [0032]    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 network  5  from the mobile terminal  8 . 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 terminal  8 , and inputs necessary items for the member registration on an input screen that is displayed on the mobile terminal  8 . An input confirmation screen is displayed on the mobile terminal  8  after 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 terminal  8 . 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 terminal  8 , after the registration is completed. The mobile terminal  8  displays a top screen by the customer operating the “top screen display” button. 
         [0033]    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 terminal  2  in the store  1 , is transmitted to the electronic receipt management server  9  through the electronic receipt server  6  over the network  5 , and the electronic receipt information is transmitted from the electronic receipt management server  9  to the mobile terminal  8  of the member. The member may confirm the contents by causing the electronic receipt information to be displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal  8 . In addition, the electronic receipt management server  9  publishes the electronic receipt information on the Web. The mobile terminal  8  having a web browser installed therein may download the electronic receipt information published on the web to the mobile terminal  8  by 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 terminal  8  to browse the electronic receipt information. 
         [0034]    The mobile terminal  8  stores the member code and the password which are acquired by the consumer as described above in a storage unit  13  and the like (see (a) to (f) of  FIG. 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. 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    (a) to (f) of  FIG. 2  are transition diagrams showing transition examples of screens for setting and registration of a consumer. 
         [0037]    (1) First, the consumer accesses a specific URL from the mobile terminal  8  of 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 terminal  8 . When the consumer accesses the on-line shop, the mobile terminal  8  displays an on-line shop login screen L 1  for the consumer to input the member code and password of the on-line shop (see (a) of  FIG. 2 ). Once the member code and password are entered, the consumer logs in to the on-line shop by pressing a “Login” button B 11 . 
         [0038]    (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 terminal  8 . When the consumer accesses the page, the mobile terminal  8  displays an input screen H 1  for inputting the user name, the member code, the password and the like of the electronic receipt service (see (b) of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0039]    (3) When the consumer presses an “agree on the regulation, and proceed to the next” button B 12  after the consumer inputs the registration contents such as the user name, the member code, and the password of the electronic receipt service, the mobile terminal  8  displays an input confirmation screen I 1  (see (c) of  FIG. 2 ). When the consumer presses a “confirmation” button B 13  after the consumer confirms the registration contents, the mobile terminal  8  transmits the registration contents to the member management server. 
         [0040]    (4) When the registration contents is transmitted, the mobile terminal  8  displays a registration confirmation screen J 1  to let the consumer know that the registration contents is being confirmed (see (d) of  FIG. 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 H 1  is registered, and transmits the result of the inquiry to the mobile terminal  8 . 
         [0041]    (5) When the member is registered in the member management server, the mobile terminal  8  transmits to the electronic receipt management server  9 , 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 terminal  8  displays a setting completion screen K 1  to let the consumer know that the setting and registration is completed (see (e) of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0042]    (6) In contrast, when the member is not registered in the member management server, the mobile terminal  8  displays a registration failure screen K 2  to request the consumer to confirm the input information (see (f) of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0043]    In the manner described above, the member code and the internet shopping member code are associated. By the association, the electronic receipt management server  9  manages 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. 
         [0044]    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 terminal  2  of each retail store or in each individual mobile terminal  8 . 
         [0045]    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. 
         [0046]    1. The Operation Example in the POS Terminal  2  of the Store 
         [0047]    (1) First, a checker who operates the POS terminal  2  confirms 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 terminal  8  and the point card. 
         [0048]    (2) The checker reads respectively the member code stored in the mobile terminal  8  and the company member code of the point card. Here, the reading of the member code stored in the mobile terminal  8  is dependent on an I/O which is provided in the POS terminal  2 , but the bar code, the two-dimensional code, or the NFC as described above is applied thereto. 
         [0049]    (3) The POS terminal  2  transmits the member code and the company member code of the point card which are read in (2) to the electronic receipt management server  9 . 
         [0050]    (4) The electronic receipt management server  9  receives 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 terminal  2  of the store  1  using 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 server  9 . 
         [0051]    Thereafter, the consumer may receive the electronic receipt service and receive loyalty program points by presenting only the mobile terminal  8  or the associated point card. 
         [0052]    2. An Operation Example in the Mobile Terminal  8   
         [0053]    (1) First, the consumer accesses the specific URL from the mobile terminal  8  of the consumer, or logs-in to a point card registration menu using an application that is installed in the mobile terminal  8 . 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 server  9  by 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. 
         [0054]    (2) The electronic receipt management server  9  receives the registration contents from the mobile terminal  8  in (1), inquires the customer information of each company, and returns a confirmation to the display screen of to the mobile terminal  8  of the consumer. 
         [0055]    (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 server  9  and pressing an agreement button on the display screen. 
         [0056]    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 terminal  8  in 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. 
         [0057]    A configuration of each part constituting the electronic receipt system of the present embodiment will be described, including the above described aspect. 
         [0058]    First, a configuration of the mobile terminal  8  which is an information processing apparatus will be described using a block diagram of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mobile terminal  8  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  11  functioning as a control unit, a memory  12  that temporarily stores data, a storage unit  13  from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU  11  and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface  14  connected to various public networks including the network  5 , a display unit  17  capable of displaying various items of information, an input unit  18  for operating the mobile terminal  8 , a clock unit  19  that tracks time, and the like. The input unit  18  is a touch panel laminated on the display unit  17  or keys provided on a case. 
         [0059]    In addition to the web browser for browsing various items of information (content) published on the web, an electronic receipt corresponding program P 11 , for receiving from the electronic receipt management server  9  the electronic receipt information generated after the completion of payment by the product sales data process, and an electronic receipt browsing program P 12  for browsing the received electronic receipt information, are pre-installed in the storage unit  13 . 
         [0060]    In addition, a statistical information generation program P 13  for generating the statistical information obtained by statistically analyzing electronic receipt information that is received from the electronic receipt server  6  of each company to be described later based on the company code and the business type code, is installed in advance in the storage unit  13 . 
         [0061]    In addition, a receipt information transfer program P 14  for parsing the electronic receipt information and transferring the information is installed in advance in the storage unit  13 . 
         [0062]    In addition, the electronic receipt corresponding program P 11 , the electronic receipt browsing program P 12 , the statistical information generation program P 13 , the receipt information transfer program P 14  which are executed in the mobile terminal  8  are provided to the mobile terminal  8  as 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). 
         [0063]    Further, the electronic receipt corresponding program P 11 , the electronic receipt browsing program P 12 , the statistical information generation program P 13  and the receipt information transfer program P 14  which are executed in the mobile terminal  8  may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet so as to be provided to the mobile terminal  8  such as by being downloaded over a network. Further, the electronic receipt corresponding program P 11 , the electronic receipt browsing program P 12 , the statistical information generation program P 13  and the receipt information transfer program P 14  which are executed in the mobile terminal  8  may be provided or distributed to the mobile terminal  8  over a network such as the internet. 
         [0064]    Subsequently, the configuration of the POS terminal  2 , which is the product sales data processing apparatus, will be described using the block diagram of  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the POS terminal  2  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  21  functioning as a control unit, a memory  22  that temporarily stores data, a storage unit  23  from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU  21  and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface  24  connected to the LAN  4  in the store, a printer interface  25  to which a printer is connected, an operator display unit  28  that displays various items of information for the operator, a clock unit  29  that tracks time, a customer display unit  30  that displays various items of information for the customer, an input unit  31  for operating the POS terminal  2  and the like. 
         [0065]    In addition to the POS number of the POS terminal  2 , an identification code management area  23   a  is secured in the storage unit  23 , 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 store  1  having the POS terminal  2  installed, 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&#39;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 server  6 . 
         [0066]    Further, in addition to software for executing various POS business operations including the product sales data process, an electronic receipt process program P 15  for 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 unit  23 . 
         [0067]    In addition, the electronic receipt process program P 15  executed in the POS terminal  2  is 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). 
         [0068]    Further, the electronic receipt process program P 15  executed in the POS terminal  2  may 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 P 15  executed in the POS terminal  2  may be provided or distributed thereto over a network such as the internet. 
         [0069]    Hereinafter, the configuration of the electronic receipt server  6  which functions as a receipt management server for company will be described using the block diagram of  FIG. 5 . The electronic receipt server  6  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  41  functioning as a control unit, a memory  42  that temporarily stores data, a storage unit  43  from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU  41  and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface  44  connected to the network  5 , and the like. 
         [0070]    An electronic receipt management area  43   a  as an area for storing electronic receipt information for each company that operates a store is secured in the storage unit  43 . 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 terminal  2 , a receipt number, product sales data, and the like. 
         [0071]    Further, the electronic receipt management program P 1  for managing the electronic receipt information received from the POS terminal  2  of each store  1  in the electronic receipt management area  43   a  is pre-installed in the storage unit  43 . 
         [0072]    Further, the information transmission program P 2  for transmitting the electronic receipt information, to the electronic receipt management server  9 , which is managed in the electronic receipt management area  43   a , is pre-installed in advance in the storage unit  43 . 
         [0073]    Further, an information management area  43   b  for 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 unit  43 . 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. 
         [0074]    The electronic receipt management program P 1  and the information transmission program P 2  which are executed in the electronic receipt server  6  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). 
         [0075]    Further, the electronic receipt management program P 1  and the information transmission program P 2  which are executed in the electronic receipt server  6  may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet so as to be provided to the server  6  by being downloaded over a network. Further, the electronic receipt management program P 1  and the information transmission program P 2  which are executed in the electronic receipt server  6  may be provided or distributed thereto over a network such as the internet. 
         [0076]    Subsequently, the configuration of the electronic receipt management server  9  which functions as a customer receipt management server will be described using a block diagram of  FIG. 6 . The electronic receipt management server  9  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  51  functioning as a control unit, a memory  52  that temporarily stores data, a storage unit  53  from which reading is possible by an instruction from the CPU  51  and into which programs and data are stored, a network interface  54  connected to the network  5 , and the like. 
         [0077]    An electronic receipt management area  53   a  is secured in storage unit  53 , as an area for collectively storing the electronic receipt information of various companies that operate stores. More specifically, the electronic receipt management area  53   a  manages 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 terminal  2 , a receipt number, product sales data, additional information and the like. 
         [0078]    Further, the electronic receipt management program P 3  for managing additional information and electronic receipt information which are received from the electronic receipt server  6  of each company in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  is pre-installed in the storage unit  53 . 
         [0079]    Further, the information transmission program P 4  for transmitting the electronic receipt information, and additional information relating to the product purchased, to the mobile terminal  8  is pre-installed in the storage unit  53 . 
         [0080]    The electronic receipt management program P 3  and the information transmission program P 4 , which are executed in the electronic receipt management server  9 , 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). 
         [0081]    Alternatively, the electronic receipt management program P 3  and the information transmission program P 4  which are executed in the electronic receipt management server  9  may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet so as to be provided to the server  9  by being downloaded over a network. Further, the electronic receipt management program P 3  and the information transmission program P 4  which are executed in the electronic receipt management server  9  may be provided or distributed thereto over a network such as the internet. 
         [0082]    An operation of each part constituting a system of the present embodiment will now be described. 
         [0083]    First, an electronic receipt process executed by the CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2 , operating according to the electronic receipt process program P 15 , will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in  FIG. 7  and the flowchart shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the electronic receipt process program P 15  executed in the POS terminal  2  is configured as a module including the electronic receipt generation unit  26  functioning as the electronic receipt generation device and the transmission unit  27  functioning as the transmission device. In hardware, the CPU  21  reads and executes the electronic receipt process program P 15  from the storage unit  23  so as to load each unit described above on the memory  22 , and the electronic receipt generation unit  26  and the transmission unit  27  are generated on the memory  22 . 
         [0085]    The electronic receipt generation unit  26  generates 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. 
         [0086]    The transmission unit  27  transmits the electronic receipt information generated by the electronic receipt generation unit  26  to the electronic receipt server  6  that manages the electronic receipt information sorted by the company code. 
         [0087]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , when there is an input of a decision operation key for starting the decision process of a product sale, the CPU  21  (electronic receipt generation unit  26 ) of the POS terminal  2  determines 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 S 1 ). 
         [0088]    For example, a method shown below is followed in order for a member to give an electronic receipt issuing instruction. 
         [0089]    1. A clerk operates an “electronic receipt issue” button provided in the input unit  31  (for example, a keyboard) of the POS terminal  2 . 
         [0090]    2. A consumer, who is a member, displays a bar code including a code on the display unit  17  of the mobile terminal  8 , and the clerk reads out the code with the input unit  31  (for example, bar code scanner) of the POS terminal  2 . 
         [0091]    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 unit  30 . 
         [0092]    4. The consumer, who is a member, displays the bar code including the code on the display unit  17  of the mobile terminal  8 , and the consumer, who is a member, in person reads out the code with the input unit  31  (for example, bar code scanner (a scanner separate from the scanner used in product registration is preferable)) of the POS terminal  2 . 
         [0093]    5. When the consumer, who is a member, presents a company member card for receiving a point service, the input unit  31  of the POS terminal  2  (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. 
         [0094]    When it is determined that there is the electronic receipt issue instruction (Yes in step S 1 ), the CPU  21  (electronic receipt generation unit  26 ) of the POS terminal  2  transmits 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 terminal  2 , a receipt number, product sales data, and the like from an identification code management area  23   a  provided in the storage unit  23 , 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 S 2 ). 
         [0095]    Subsequently, the CPU  21  (transmission unit  27 ) of the POS terminal  2  connects to the LAN  4  in the store and the network  5  through the network interface  24 , transmits the generated electronic receipt information to the electronic receipt server  6  (step S 3 ), and thus terminates the process. In addition, when it is determined that there is no electronic receipt issue instruction, the CPU  21  prints and issues a paper receipt, transmits the product sale data to the headquarter server, and thus terminates the process. 
         [0096]    Further, when the CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2  is in an offline state when the product sale data (transaction data) is transmitted to the headquarter server, the CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2  avoids a failure by implementing the following measures: 
         [0097]    1. Automatic implementation of retry transmission 
         [0098]    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 CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2  performs the display such as “the product sale data (transaction data) will be transmitted later” on the operator display unit  28 . 
         [0099]    The flow of an electronic receipt management process executed by the CPU  41  of the electronic receipt server  6  operating according to the electronic receipt management program P 1  and the flow of an information transmission process executed by the CPU  41  operating according to the information transmission program P 2  will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0100]    When the CPU  41  of the electronic receipt server  6  receives the electronic receipt information transmitted from the POS terminal  2  through the network interface  44  (Yes in step S 11 ), the CPU  41  stores the received information as the electronic receipt information for each company in the electronic receipt management area  43   a  of the storage unit  43  (step S 12 ). That is, the CPU  41  of the electronic receipt server  6  functions as electronic receipt management device for managing the electronic receipt information in the storage unit  43  categorized by the company code. 
         [0101]    Further, after the CPU  41  of the electronic receipt server  6  stores the received electronic receipt information, when transmission timing is set in advance (No in step S 11 , Yes in step S 13 ), the CPU  41  transmits to the electronic receipt management server  9  the additional information that is managed in the information management area  43   b  and the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area  43   a  (step S 14 ), and the process returns to step S 11 . 
         [0102]    In addition, although the CPU  21  (electronic receipt generation unit  26 ) of the POS terminal  2  generates the electronic receipt information and transmits the electronic receipt information to the electronic receipt server  6 , the operation of the CPU  21  is not limited thereto. For example, the CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2 , 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 terminal  2 , a receipt number, product sales data, and the like to the electronic receipt server  6 , and the CPU  41  of the electronic receipt server  6  may add the company code, the business type code, and the like so as to generate electronic receipt information. 
         [0103]    The flow of the electronic receipt management process executed by the CPU  51  of the electronic receipt management server  9  operating according to the electronic receipt management program P 3  and the flow of the product information transmission process executed by the CPU  51  of the electronic receipt management server  9  operating according to the information transmission program P 4  will now be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in  FIG. 10  and the flowchart shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0104]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the electronic receipt management program P 3  and the information transmission program P 4  which are executed in the electronic receipt management server  9  are configured as a module including the reception unit  55  functioning as the reception means, an electronic receipt collective management unit  56  functioning as the electronic receipt collective management means, and an electronic receipt transmission unit  57  functioning as the electronic receipt transmission means. In actual hardware, the CPU  51  reads and executes the electronic receipt management program P 3  and the information transmission program P 4  from the storage unit  53  so as to load each unit described above on the memory  52 . Further, a reception unit  55 , the electronic receipt collective management unit  56 , and the electronic receipt transmission unit  57  are generated on the memory  52 . 
         [0105]    The reception unit  55  receives 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. 
         [0106]    The electronic receipt collective management unit  56  stores and thus maintains the electronic receipt information sorted by company as received by the reception unit  55  in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  of the storage unit  53  and collectively manages the information. 
         [0107]    The electronic receipt transmission unit  57  acquires electronic receipt information including at least one company code which is associated with the member code from the electronic receipt management area  53   a  and transmits the acquired information to the mobile terminal  8  associated with the member code of a predetermined consumer. 
         [0108]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the CPU  51  (reception unit  55 ) of the electronic receipt management server  9  determines whether the electronic receipt information and the additional information are received through the network interface  54  (step S 21 ) from the electronic receipt server  6  of each company. 
         [0109]    When the electronic receipt information and the additional information are received (Yes in step S 21 ), the CPU  51  (electronic receipt collective management unit  56 ) of the electronic receipt management server  9  collectively stores the electronic receipt information and the additional information of various companies in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  of the storage unit  53  (step S 22 ). 
         [0110]    In addition, the CPU  51  (electronic receipt transmission unit  57 ) of the electronic receipt management server  9  collectively stores the electronic receipt information and the additional information in the electronic receipt management area  53   a . Thereafter, the CPU  51  transmits the electronic receipt information and the additional information to the mobile terminal  8  (step S 23 ), and returns to step S 21 . 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 area  53   a.    
         [0111]    Further, when there is an electronic receipt information inquiry from the mobile terminal  8  (No in step S 21  and Yes in step S 24 ), the CPU  51  (electronic receipt transmission unit  57 ) of the electronic receipt management server  9  extracts the additional information and the electronic receipt information which are managed in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  according to the contents of the electronic receipt information inquiry (step S 25 ), then transmits the extracted contents to the mobile terminal  8  that performs the inquiry (step S 26 ), and returns to step S 21 . 
         [0112]    Subsequently, the flow of the electronic receipt receiving process executed by the CPU  11  of the mobile terminal  8  operating according to the electronic receipt corresponding program P 11  and the flow of the electronic receipt browsing process executed by the CPU  11  operating according to the electronic receipt browsing program P 12  will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in  FIG. 12  and the flowchart shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0113]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the electronic receipt corresponding program P 11  and the electronic receipt browsing program P 12  which are executed in the mobile terminal  8  are configured as a module including a member association unit  81  functioning as the member association means, an electronic receipt reception unit  82  functioning as the electronic receipt reception means, and an electronic receipt display unit  83  functioning as the electronic receipt display means. In actual hardware, the CPU  11  reads and executes the electronic receipt corresponding program P 11  and the electronic receipt browsing program P 12  from the storage unit  13  so as to load each unit described above on the memory  12 . Further, the member association unit  81 , the electronic receipt reception unit  82 , and the electronic receipt display unit  83  are generated on the memory  12 . 
         [0114]    The member association unit  81  associates the electronic receipt information with the member code of a predetermined shopper. 
         [0115]    The electronic receipt reception unit  82  receives the electronic receipt information including at least one company code associated with the member code from the electronic receipt management server  9  that collectively manages the electronic receipt information. 
         [0116]    The electronic receipt display unit  83  arranges the electronic receipt information received by the electronic receipt reception unit  82  sorted by company code, and displays the electronic receipt information on the display unit  17 . 
         [0117]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , first, the CPU  11  (member association unit  81 ) of the mobile terminal  8  accesses the electronic receipt management server  9  and inputs the member code and the password so as to perform an authentication process (step S 31 ). Thus, the mobile terminal  8  is associated with the member code of the predetermined consumer. 
         [0118]    After the authentication, the CPU  11  (electronic receipt reception unit  82 ) of the mobile terminal  8  receives the additional information and the electronic receipt information which are managed in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  corresponding to the member code which was input (step S 32 ). In addition, the additional information and the electronic receipt information may be received through an email. 
         [0119]    Subsequently, the CPU  11  (electronic receipt display unit  83 ) of the mobile terminal  8  lists the purchase dates included in the electronic receipt information on the display unit  17  (step S 33 ). By listing the purchase dates on the display unit  17  as described above, the mobile terminal  8  prompts the user who is a consumer to select information. 
         [0120]    In addition,  FIG. 14  is a modified example of a display example X. In the display example X shown in  FIG. 14 , by attaching marks M of the stores of the companies to the dates when the user in possession of the mobile terminal  8  which accesses the electronic receipt management server  9  purchased 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 in  FIG. 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. 
         [0121]    When it is determined that the user taps the display and selects the desired date (Yes in step S 34 ), the CPU  11  (electronic receipt display unit  83 ) of the mobile terminal  8  displays electronic receipt information corresponding to the selected date on the display unit  17  (step S 35 ). 
         [0122]      FIG. 15  is a front view showing a display example Y in the mobile terminal. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the display example Y lists the stores of various companies in which the user in possession of the mobile terminal  8  which accesses the electronic receipt management server  9  purchased 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 CPU  11  (electronic receipt display unit  83 ) of the mobile terminal  8  performs 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 cursor following the input of the input unit  18 . At this time, in a case of internet shopping, the CPU  11  (electronic receipt display unit  83 ) of the mobile terminal  8  displays, 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. 
         [0123]    When it is determined that the user selects a store on the desired date (Yes in step S 36 ), the CPU  11  (electronic receipt display unit  83 ) of the mobile terminal  8  displays the electronic receipt information corresponding to the store of the selected date on the display unit  17  (step S 37 ). 
         [0124]    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 name   Purchased date   Purchased product details   Total sales amount   Tendered amount of money   Change amount of money   Counter number   Trade number       
 
         [0133]      FIG. 16  is a front view showing a display example V of an example of internet shopping on the mobile terminal  8 . As shown in  FIG. 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 terminal  8  of the user which accesses the electronic receipt management server  9 . 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 server  6  extracts 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 server  6  generates the electronic receipt information from the information that is obtained by the extraction. Thus, the electronic receipt management server  9  manages 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 terminal  8  displays the generated electronic receipt information on the display unit. 
         [0134]    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. 
         [0135]    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 name   On-line shop location   URL of the on-line shop   Contact address of on-line shop   Purchased product details   Delivery fee   Total sales amount   Payment method   Order date   Order number   Issue date of an invoice and receipt       
 
         [0147]    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. 
         [0148]    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 unit  17  of the mobile terminal  8  as would be confirming the receipt information that is printed in advance, at the time of return. 
         [0149]    1. The consumer causes the product to be returned together with the target electronic receipt information as displayed on the display unit  17  of the mobile terminal  8 , 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. 
         [0150]    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. 
         [0151]    3. The clerk performs the return process by operating the POS terminal  2 . 
         [0152]    4. Since it is necessary to invalidate the original electronic receipt information after execution of the return process, the CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2  updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area  43   a  of the electronic receipt server  6 . 
         [0153]    5. The CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2  issues electronic receipt information at the time of return. 
         [0154]    6. In addition, the electronic receipt server  6  updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  of the electronic receipt management server  9  which functions as a customer receipt management server, and invalidates the original electronic receipt information. Thereafter, the electronic receipt server  6  updates the electronic receipt management area  53   a  of the electronic receipt management server  9  with the electronic receipt information at the time of return to be saved. 
         [0155]    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. 
         [0156]    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. 
         [0157]    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. 
         [0158]    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. 
         [0159]    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. 
         [0160]    5. The clerk performs the return process by operating the POS terminal  2 . 
         [0161]    6. Since it is necessary to invalidate the original electronic receipt information after execution of the return process, the CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2  updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area  43   a  of the electronic receipt server  6 . 
         [0162]    7. The CPU  21  of the POS terminal  2  issues electronic receipt information at the time of return. 
         [0163]    8. In addition, the electronic receipt server  6  updates the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  of the electronic receipt management server  9  which functions as a customer receipt management server, and invalidates the original electronic receipt information. Thereafter, the electronic receipt server  6  updates and saves to the electronic receipt management area  53   a  of the electronic receipt management server  9  the electronic receipt information of the return. 
         [0164]    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 S 38 ), the CPU  11  (electronic receipt display unit  83 ) of the mobile terminal  8  is connected to the network  5  through the network interface  14 , and obtains from the network  5  various 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 unit  17  (step S 39 ). 
         [0165]    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 unit  17 . 
         [0166]    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 unit  17 . 
         [0167]    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 unit  17 . 
         [0168]    When the termination of the electronic receipt browsing process is declared by the input unit  18  (Yes in step S 40 ), the CPU  11  of the mobile terminal  8  terminates the process. 
         [0169]    When the termination of the electronic receipt browsing process is not declared by the input unit  18  (No in step S 40 ), the CPU  11  of the mobile terminal  8  returns the process to step S 38  and is on standby for the selection of the product or the icon associated with the product. 
         [0170]    In addition, as described in step S 23  of  FIG. 11  described above, not only a case the which the mobile terminal  8  accesses the electronic receipt management server  9 , but the case in which the mobile terminal  8  receives the electronic receipt information and the additional information from the electronic receipt management server  9  is described referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0171]    The CPU  11  (electronic receipt reception unit  82 ) of the mobile terminal  8  receives the electronic receipt information and the additional information from the electronic receipt management server  9  (step S 61 ). 
         [0172]    Thereafter, when the electronic receipt browsing program P 12  is activated (Yes in step S 62 ), the CPU  11  (electronic receipt display unit  83 ) of the mobile terminal  8  displays the received electronic receipt information and additional information in association with the company code (step S 63 ). 
         [0173]    Subsequently, the flow of a statistical information generation process executed by the CPU  11  of the mobile terminal operating according to the statistical information generation program P 13  will be described referring to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0174]    The CPU  11  of the mobile terminal  8  accesses the electronic receipt management server  9  and performs an authentication process by the input of the member code and password (step S 51 ). 
         [0175]    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 S 52 ), the CPU  11  of the mobile terminal  8  receives the electronic receipt information that is managed in the electronic receipt management area  53   a  corresponding to the member code and the information necessary to generate the statistical information which are input (step S 53 ). 
         [0176]    Subsequently, the CPU  11  of the mobile terminal  8  generates 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 S 54 ), and displays the generated statistical information on the display unit  17  (step S 55 ). 
         [0177]    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. 
         [0178]    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. 
         [0179]    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 noon-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 terminal  8  to a clerk. The clerk who receives the member codes inputs the internet shopping member code to the POS terminal  2 . 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 server  9 . 
         [0180]    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 terminal  8  of 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 server  9 . 
         [0181]    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 server  9 . In this case, the consumer accesses the web page corresponding to the specific URL from the mobile terminal  8  of the consumer, or accesses a page for performing setting and registration by an application which is installed in the mobile terminal  8 . 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 terminal  8  transmits 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 server  9  may 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. 
         [0182]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.