US6826542B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for collecting, enhancing and distributing invoices electronically via the internet
Assignee: iPayables Inc
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Filing: 2000-11-22
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Granted: 2004-11-30
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Expires: 2020-11-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a central invoicing system. Payors and invoicers can use the central invoicing system by connecting to it by a network, such as the Internet, and using an interaction device, such as a personal computer with web browsing software. Payors can create, on the central invoicing system, a list of invoicers from whom they wish to receive invoices. The system sends invitations, including a user name and password, to the selected invoicers to enroll with the central invoicing system. The system provides invoicers with a facility to enroll with the central invoicing system over the Internet. Payors can also customize the format of the invoices they are to receive from the selected invoicers. The central invoicing system stores each payor's particular invoicing format on a server. The system allows an invoicer to connect to the system through the Internet to create invoices. The invoicer can then submit that invoice to the payor through the system. The system formats the invoice according to the payor's desired invoice format and transmits the invoice to the payor's financial system. The system may also retain the invoice on the server and notify the appropriate payor. Once notified, the payor may access the central invoicing system to view, process, and approve the invoice. If the payor approves the invoice, the invoice is transmitted to the payor's financial system.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth L. Virgin
- 👤 Jonathan M. Titel
- 👤 Robert L. Ripley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/102; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In a computer system, a method of providing to vendors electronic invoicing formats desired by different payors, the method comprising: storing at a website a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors; storing at the website authorized vendor data wherein the authorized vendor data defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; selecting at a vendor computer, a payor to invoice; and dynamically varying, based on the selected payor and the authorized vendor data, the display at the vendor computer to reflect the electronic invoicing format that the vendor is authorized to use when invoicing the payor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a computer system, a method of providing to vendors electronic invoicing formats desired by different payors, the method comprising: storing at a website a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors; storing at the website authorized vendor data wherein the authorized vendor data defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; selecting at a vendor computer, a payor to invoice; and dynamically varying, based on the selected payor and the authorized vendor data, the display at the vendor computer to reflect the electronic invoicing format that the vendor is authorized to use when invoicing the payor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the act of dynamically varying, varies the format of the data specified in an invoice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the act of dynamically varying, varies the amount of data specified in an invoice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the act of dynamically varying, varies the arrangement of data in an invoice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the act of dynamically varying, varies the unit of measure specified in an invoice.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the act of dynamically varying, varies the account number specified in an invoice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the act of dynamically varying, varies the location specified in an invoice.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a computer system, a method of providing to vendors electronic invoicing formats desired by different payors, the method comprising: storing in a computer accessible storage medium a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors; storing in a computer accessible storage medium vendor data wherein the vendor data defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; and displaying at the vendor computer the electronic invoicing format that the vendor data indicates that the vendor is authorized to use when invoicing the payor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a computer system, a method of providing to vendors electronic invoicing formats desired by different payors, the method comprising: storing in a computer accessible storage medium a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors; storing in a computer accessible storage medium vendor data wherein the vendor data defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; and displaying at the vendor computer the electronic invoicing format that the vendor data indicates that the vendor is authorized to use when invoicing the payor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the act of displaying varies the invoicing format displayed on the vendor computer when a different payor is selected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the computer accessible storage medium is accessed via the Internet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the computer accessible storage medium is accessed via a wireless network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the computer accessible storage medium is accessed via an electronic network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the vendor data lists the vendors that are authorized to use specific payor invoicing formats.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a website that is accessible by multiple vendors, a method of assisting the vendors to obtain the proper electronic invoicing formats accepted by different payors, the method comprising: storing at a website a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors; storing at the website authorized vendor data provided by the plurality of payors wherein the authorized vendor data defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; and providing at least one electronic invoicing format to the vendor that the vendor data indicates that the vendor is authorized to use.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a website that is accessible by multiple vendors, a method of assisting the vendors to obtain the proper electronic invoicing formats accepted by different payors, the method comprising: storing at a website a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors; storing at the website authorized vendor data provided by the plurality of payors wherein the authorized vendor data defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; and providing at least one electronic invoicing format to the vendor that the vendor data indicates that the vendor is authorized to use.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the act of providing downloads an electronic invoice format for a particular payor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the act of providing downloads multiple electronic invoice formats for multiple payors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic invoicing system that is configured to provide to vendors electronic invoicing formats desired by different payors, the electronic invoicing system comprising: a computer accessible storage medium that is configured to store a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors, the computer accessible storage medium further configured to store vendor data that defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; and processor circuitry that is in communication with the computer accessible storage medium and at least one vendor computer wherein the processor circuitry is configured to determine based on the vendor data whether a vendor computer is authorized to use the electronic invoicing format of a selected payor and if so, the processor circuitry is further configured to provide the electronic invoicing format of the selected payor to the vendor computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic invoicing system that is configured to provide to vendors electronic invoicing formats desired by different payors, the electronic invoicing system comprising: a computer accessible storage medium that is configured to store a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to a plurality of payors, the computer accessible storage medium further configured to store vendor data that defines which vendors are authorized to use the invoicing formats of particular payors; and processor circuitry that is in communication with the computer accessible storage medium and at least one vendor computer wherein the processor circuitry is configured to determine based on the vendor data whether a vendor computer is authorized to use the electronic invoicing format of a selected payor and if so, the processor circuitry is further configured to provide the electronic invoicing format of the selected payor to the vendor computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the different electronic invoice formats varies the arrange of data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the electronic invoice formats vary the format of the data specified in an invoice.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the vendor data lists the vendors that are authorized to use specific payor invoicing formats.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim of claim 17 wherein the processor circuitry is accessible by the vendor computer via a network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim of claim 17 wherein the processor circuitry is part of a website.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a website that is accessible by multiple vendors, a method of allow a payor to define which vendors are authorized to use a particular invoicing format, the method comprising: storing at a website a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to at least one payor; and storing at the website authorized vendor data provided by the payor wherein the authorized vendor data defines which electronic invoicing formats may be used by different vendors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a website that is accessible by multiple vendors, a method of allow a payor to define which vendors are authorized to use a particular invoicing format, the method comprising: storing at a website a plurality of electronic invoicing formats that correspond to at least one payor; and storing at the website authorized vendor data provided by the payor wherein the authorized vendor data defines which electronic invoicing formats may be used by different vendors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-11-30 | 2008-05-31 | 2008-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-30 | 2012-05-31 | 2012-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-30 | 2016-05-31 | 2016-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |