Data processing methods, systems and computer programs for providing a payment

• US 20060015459A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Enenkiel, Achim
• Granted Patent: US 8,626,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Data processing systems and methods are disclosed for providing a payment using a Web service. In one implementation, a first computer is used for entry of data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form. Further, an identifier of the Web service, such as the uniform resource locator (URL) of the Web service, is entered into the first computer. Next, the first computer initiates data processing for providing the payment that is to be performed by a second computer on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form. The initiation and/or performance or completion of the data processing is signaled to the Web service by sending corresponding signaling data, which includes payment advice data of the payment. The Web service is coupled to a third computer that receives a result of the data processing from the second computer.

Claims

1. A data processing method, comprising:

entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form of a first computer;

entering an identifier of a Web service into the first computer;

initiating data processing for providing a payment on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form of the first computer;

sending signaling data for signaling at least one of scheduling, initiation, performance, and completion of the data processing to a Web service, the signaling data comprising payment advice data; and

sending a result of the data processing to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the Web service.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the signaling data from the Web service to the third computer prior to receipt of the result by the third computer.

3. The data processing method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an XML document by the first computer, the XML document comprising the data values and mark-up data descriptive of the assignment of the data values to the data entry fields of the electronic data entry form and the identifier of the Web service, and automatically entering the data values into the respective data entry fields and automatically entering the identifier of the Web service.

4. The data processing method of claim 3, wherein the XML document is received from the third computer.

5. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the signaling data is sent from the first computer to the Web service.

6. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the data processing is performed by a second computer, and whereby the signaling data is sent from at least one first computer and the second computer to the Web service.

7. The data processing method of claim 3, wherein the XML document contains a control parameter for processing at least one of the data values by the first computer prior to entry into the electronic data entry form.

8. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the payment advice data comprises incoming payment details for assigning the payment to an open item and clearing the open item by the third computer.

9. The data processing method of claim 7, wherein the control parameter specifies a price rebate and the signaling data comprises the control parameter.

10. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the identifier of the Web service is a uniform resource locator (URL).

11. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the signaling data comprises at least one of the data values that has been entered into the electronic data entry form, a time stamp identifying a date and time when the data processing has been scheduled, initiated and/or performed, and an identifier for identification of the third computer.

12. The data processing method of claim 11, wherein the third computer uses its identifier for querying the Web service.

13. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the entry of the data values and the identifier of the Web service is performed in response to a drag and drop operation.

14. A data processing system, comprising:

a first computer for entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form and for entering an identifier of a Web service, the first computer comprising means for initiation of data processing for providing a payment to be performed on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form;

a second computer for performing the data processing and sending a result of the data processing to a third computer; and

a Web service being coupled to the third computer, the Web service being adapted to receive signaling data that signals at least one of scheduling, initiation and completion of the data processing, the signaling data comprising payment advice data.

15. The data processing system of claim 14, wherein the first computer is adapted to send the signaling data to the Web service.

16. The data processing system of claim 14, wherein the second computer is adapted to send the signaling data to the Web service.

17. The data processing system of claim 14, wherein the signaling data comprises at least one of the data values that has been entered into the electronic data entry form, a time stamp identifying a date and/or time when the data processing step has been scheduled, initiated, and/or performed, and an identifier for identification of the third computer.

18. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein the Web service comprises a database for storing the signaling data using the identifier of the third computers as a key.

19. The data processing system of claim 14, wherein the Web service implements a push or a pull service for the third computer.

20. The data processing system of claim 14, wherein the payment advice data comprises incoming payment details, and the third computer comprises an accounts receivable application component for assigning the payment to an open item and clearing the open item.

21. A computer-readable medium including instructions for performing a data processing method when executed with a processor, the method comprising:

entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form of a first computer;

entering an identifier of a Web service into the first computer;

initiating data processing for providing a payment on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form of the first computer;

sending signaling data for signaling at least one of scheduling, initiation, performance, and completion of the data processing to a Web service, the signaling data comprising payment advice data; and

sending a result of the data processing to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the Web service.

22. A data processing apparatus, comprising:

means for entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form;

means for entering an identifier of a Web service;

means for initiating data processing for providing a payment on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form of the first computer;

means for sending signaling data for signaling at least one of scheduling, initiation, performance, and completion of the data processing to a Web service, the signaling data comprising payment advice data; and

means for sending payment data resulting from the data processing to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the Web service and the third computer including an accounts receivable application component for assigning the incoming payment to an open item and clearing the open item using the signaling data received from the Web service.