Computer system and computer-implemented method for selecting invoice settlement options
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a computer system, the method comprising:
- storing, in a database, a plurality of attributes with respect to each of a plurality of vendors;
storing, in a database, data indicative of attributes of a plurality of invoices, each of said invoices rendered by a respective one of said plurality of vendors;
establishing at least one settlement rule for selecting, from among a plurality of settlement options, a settlement option to be used for at least some of said invoices; and
applying said at least one settlement rule to said invoices in a manner such that;
(a) the computer system selects a first one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a first one of said invoices rendered by a first one of said vendors; and
(b) the computer system selects a second one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a second one of said invoices rendered by said first one of said vendors, said second one of said plurality of settlement options different from said first one of said settlement options.
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Abstract
A method of operating a computer system includes storing attributes of a buying organization, vendors, invoices and/or line-item details from invoices in one or more databases. Rules are established for selecting settlement options for the invoices. The rules are applied such that the computer system selects a first one of the settlement options to settle a first one of the invoices rendered by one of the vendors, and the computer system selects a second one of the settlement options to settle a second one of the invoices rendered by that vendor.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer system, the method comprising:
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storing, in a database, a plurality of attributes with respect to each of a plurality of vendors; storing, in a database, data indicative of attributes of a plurality of invoices, each of said invoices rendered by a respective one of said plurality of vendors; establishing at least one settlement rule for selecting, from among a plurality of settlement options, a settlement option to be used for at least some of said invoices; and applying said at least one settlement rule to said invoices in a manner such that; (a) the computer system selects a first one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a first one of said invoices rendered by a first one of said vendors; and (b) the computer system selects a second one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a second one of said invoices rendered by said first one of said vendors, said second one of said plurality of settlement options different from said first one of said settlement options. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for paying invoices, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory in operative communication with the processor, the memory for storing a plurality of processing instructions enabling the processor to; store, in a database, a plurality of attributes with respect to each of a plurality of vendors; store, in a database, data indicative of attributes of a plurality of invoices, each of said invoices rendered by a respective one of said plurality of vendors; establish at least one settlement rule for selecting, from among a plurality of settlement options, a settlement option to be used for at least some of said invoices; and apply said at least one settlement rule to said invoices in a manner such that; (a) the apparatus selects a first one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a first one of said invoices rendered by a first one of said vendors; and (b) the apparatus selects a second one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a second one of said invoices rendered by said first one of said vendors, said second one of said plurality of settlement options different from said first one of said settlement options.
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17. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions for implementing a method, performed by a computer, for paying invoices, the method comprising:
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storing, in a database, a plurality of attributes with respect to each of a plurality of vendors; storing, in a database, data indicative of attributes of a plurality of invoices, each of said invoices rendered by a respective one of said plurality of vendors; establishing at least one settlement rule for selecting, from among a plurality of settlement options, a settlement option to be used for at least some of said invoices; and applying said at least one settlement rule to said invoices in a manner such that; (a) the computer selects a first one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a first one of said invoices rendered by a first one of said vendors; and (b) the system selects a second one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a second one of said invoices rendered by said first one of said vendors, said second one of said plurality of settlement options different from said first one of said settlement options.
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18. A method of operating a computer system, the method comprising:
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storing a first settlement rule and a second settlement rule in the computer system, the first settlement rule applicable to a first vendor, the second settlement rule different from the first settlement rule and applicable to a second vendor different from the first vendor; the computer system applying the first settlement rule to a first invoice rendered by the first vendor to select a first settlement option for the first invoice from among a plurality of settlement options; the computer system applying the first settlement rule to a second invoice rendered by the first vendor to select a second settlement option for the second invoice from among the plurality of settlement options, the second settlement option different from the first settlement option; the computer system applying the second settlement rule to a first invoice rendered by the second vendor to select a selected settlement option for the first invoice rendered by the second vendor from among the plurality of settlement options; and the computer system applying the second settlement rule to a second invoice rendered by the second vendor to select another selected settlement option for the second invoice rendered by the second vendor from among the plurality of settlement options, the another selected settlement option different from the selected settlement option for the first invoice rendered by the second vendor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of operating a computer system, the method comprising:
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storing, in a database, a plurality of attributes with respect to each of a plurality of vendors; storing in a database, data indicative of attributes of an invoice, the invoice including a plurality of line items; establishing at least one settlement rule for selecting, from among a plurality of settlement options, a respective settlement option to be used for each of said line items; and applying said at least one settlement rule to said invoice in a manner such that; (a) the computer system selects a first one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a first one of said line items; and (b) the computer system selects a second one of said plurality of settlement options to settle a second one of said line items, said second one of said plurality of settlement options different from said first one of said settlement options.
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Specification