Electronic invoicing and payment system

• US 6,044,362 A
• Filed: 09/08/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BCE EMERGIS TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
• Original Assignee: InvoiceLink Corp. (Telus Corporation)
• Inventors: Neely, R. Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Irshadullah, M.
• Application Number:
  US08/925,344
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 705/34, 705/40, 705/30, 705/35, 705/26, 705/27, 705/44, 379/91.01, 379/114, 380/30, 283/58
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0425 the cheque being electronic only
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

A system for automated electronic invoicing and payment system for providing remote customer review of automated billing from an invoicer. The system includes invoice presentment electronics having a control system and first communication electronics. The system also includes at least one remote authorization terminal having a customer interface, the terminal having second communication electronics adapted to operatively communicate with the first communication electronics. The control system of the invoice presentment electronics is adapted to provide billing data, regarding a customer invoice preauthorized for automated billing, to the first communication electronics for transmission to the second communication electronics. The customer interface of the remote authorization terminal is adapted to present the billing data to a customer and to receive a response relating to the billing data from the customer, the response indicating one of acceptance of the billing data for automated billing or modification of the billing data for modifying automated billing. Acceptance can either be an active response from the customer or a passive response, for example, automatic acceptance up to a preset limit.

Claims

1. An automated electronic invoicing and payment system for providing remote customer review of automated billing from an invoicer, wherein the customer payment instructions are sent from the customer directly to the invoicer, said system comprising:

(a) invoice presentation electronics adapted to present customer billing data for customer review and to request payment instructions relating to automated billing to said customer; and

(b) a remote electronic customer authorization interface adapted to;

(i) receive the customer billing data for customer review and the request for payment instructions from said invoice presentation electronics;

(ii) provide the customer billing data for customer review and the request for payment instructions to the customer;

(iii) receive customer payment instructions from the customer in response to the request for payment instructions; and

(iv) transmit the customer payment instructions from the customer directly to said invoicer, said payment instructions including at least a customer invoice account number and an associated customer payment account.

2. The system according to claim 1 further including a payment source, said invoice presentment electronics adapted to transmit the payment instructions to the payment source after customer review.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said payment source is a clearing house.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said clearing house is a payment network.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said clearing house is a courier.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein said payment instructions include transmission date.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein said payment instructions include amount to draft from customer associated financial institution.

8. The system according to claim 2, wherein said payment instructions include account information associated with the customer from which to draft payment.

9. The system according to claim 2, wherein said payment instructions include account information associated with the invoicer from which to deposit payment.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said billing data includes invoicer billing information.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said billing information includes a due date.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said billing information includes an amount due.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said billing information includes a list of goods or services provided during a billing period.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein said billing information includes a late charge.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein said billing information includes account information.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said billing data includes customer information.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said customer information includes customer name.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein said customer information includes customer address.

19. The system according to claim 16, wherein said customer information includes account information for the customer.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein said billing data includes a customer account identifier.

21. The system according to claim 1, wherein said billing data includes an invoice identifier.

22. The system according to claim 1, wherein said invoice presentment electronics includes invoice information relating to customer bills and account information relating to financial institutions associated with the customer from which payments may be drafted.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said invoice presentment electronics further includes preauthorized payment instructions for automated payment of a billing amount set out in said billing information from an account set out in said account information.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the request for payment instructions from said invoice presentment electronics query the customer if the preauthorized payment instructions are desired for the billing data presented.

25. The system according to claim 23, wherein the request for payment instructions from said invoice presentment electronics query the customer if the preauthorized payment instructions need modification for the billing data presented.

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein said customer authorization interface includes an editor for modifying the preauthorized payment instructions.

27. The system according to claim 22, wherein the account information includes account information from a plurality of financial institutions and the request for payment instructions query the customer to select the financial institution from which to draft payment for an associated customer bill.

28. The system according to claim 27, wherein said invoice presentment electronics includes a preauthorized default identifying the financial institution from which to draft payment for said associated customer bill.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is adapted to receive a customer input to accept the preauthorized default.

30. The system according to claim 28, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is adapted to receive a customer input to modify the preauthorized default.

31. The system according to claim 1, wherein said request for payment instructions include billing information selected from the group consisting of amount due, time of payment, account from which to draft payment.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein said customer authorization interface is adapted to modify the billing information to change one or more of the group consisting of amount due, time of payment and account from which to draft payment.

33. The system according to claim 1, wherein said billing data include notices for the customer.

34. The system according to claim 1, wherein said billing data include advertising information directed towards the customer.

35. The system according to claim 1, wherein said billing data include control information.

36. A remote electronic customer authorization interface for an automated electronic invoicing and payment system for providing remote customer review of automated billing from an invoicer, wherein the customer payment instructions are sent from the customer directly to the invoicer said system comprising:

(a) means for receiving customer billing data for customer review and a request for payment instructions from said invoicer;

(b) means for receiving customer payment instructions from the customer in response to said request for payment instructions from said invoicer; and

(c) means for transmitting the customer payment instructions from the customer directly to said invoicer, said payment instructions including at least a customer invoice account number and an associated customer payment account.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein said payment instructions include a date to draft payment.

38. The system according to claim 36, wherein said payment instructions include a amount of invoice.

39. The system according to claim 36, wherein said invoicer provides a customer accessible site for receiving said billing data and said request for payment instructions, said site accessible from said electronic customer authorization interface.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein said customer accessible site is an Internet site and said electronic customer authorization interface includes a browser for accessing said customer accessible site.

41. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is an automated teller machine.

42. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a remote kiosk.

43. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a personal computer.

44. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is an interactive television.

45. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a telephone.

46. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a computer, said billing data and said request for payment instructions are presented by e-mail to the customer and the customer payment instructions are provided by a customer e-mail.

47. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface includes a display for presenting said billing data and said request for payment instructions and a customer actuable input for receiving customer payment instructions.

48. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface includes audio electronics and a speaker for presenting said billing data and said request for payment instructions and a customer actuable input for receiving customer payment instructions.

49. The system according to claim 39, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is adapted to allow a customer to poll said invoice presentment electronics to receive said billing data and said request for payment instructions.

50. An automated electronic invoicing and payment system for providing remote customer review of automated billing from an invoicer, wherein the customer payment instructions are sent from the customer directly to the invoicer, said system comprising:

(a) invoice presentation electronics adapted to present customer billing data for customer review and to request payment instructions relating to automated billing to said customer;

(b) a remote electronic customer authorization interface, said customer interface including;

means for receiving customer billing data for customer review and a request for payment instructions from said invoicer;

means for receiving customer payment instructions from the customer in response to said request for payment instructions from said invoicer; and

means for transmitting the customer payment instructions from the customer to said invoicer, said interface adapted to;

(i) receive the customer billing data for customer review and to request for payment instructions from said invoice presentation electronics;

(ii) provide the customer billing data for customer review and the request for payment instructions to the customer, (iii) receive customer payment instructions from the customer in response to the request for payment instructions; and

(iv) transmit the customer payment instructions from the customer directly to said invoicer, said payment instructions including at least a customer invoice account number and an associated customer payment account; and

(c) a payment source, said invoice presentment electronics adapted to transmit the payment instructions to the payment source after customer review.

51. The system according to claim 50, wherein said payment source is a clearing house.

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein said clearing house is a courier.

53. The system according to claim 51, wherein said clearing house is a payment network.

54. The system according to claim 50, wherein said payment instructions include transmission date.

55. The system according to claim 50, wherein said payment instructions include amount to draft from customer associated financial institution.

56. The system according to claim 50, wherein said payment instructions include account information associated with the customer from which to draft payment.

57. The system according to claim 50, wherein said payment instructions include account information associated with the invoicer from which to deposit payment.

58. The system according to claim 50, wherein said billing data includes invoicer billing information.

59. The system according to claim 58, wherein said billing information includes a due date.

60. The system according to claim 58, wherein said billing information includes an amount due.

61. The system according to claim 58, wherein said billing information includes a list of goods or services provided during a billing period.

62. The system according to claim 58, wherein said billing information includes a late charge.

63. The system according to claim 58, wherein said billing information includes account information.

64. The system according to claim 50, wherein said billing data includes customer information.

65. The system according to claim 64, wherein said customer information includes customer name.

66. The system according to claim 64, wherein said customer information includes customer address.

67. The system according to claim 64, wherein said customer information includes account information for the customer.

68. The system according to claim 50, wherein said billing data includes a customer account identifier.

69. The system according to claim 50, wherein said billing data includes an invoice identifier.

70. The system according to claim 50, wherein said invoice presentment electronics includes invoice information relating to customer bills and account information relating to financial institutions associated with the customer from which payments may be drafted.

71. The system according to claim 70, wherein the account information includes account information from a plurality of financial institutions and the request for payment instructions query the customer to select the financial institution from which to draft payment for an associated customer bill.

72. The system according to claim 71, wherein said invoice presentment electronics includes a preauthorized default identifying the financial institution from which to draft payment for said associated customer bill.

73. The system according to claim 72, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is adapted to receive a customer input to accept the preauthorized default.

74. The system according to claim 72, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is adapted to receive a customer input to modify the preauthorized default.

75. The system according to claim 70, wherein said invoice presentment electronics further includes preauthorized payment instructions for automated payment of a billing amount set out in said billing information from an account set out in said account information.

76. The system according to claim 75, wherein the request for payment instructions from said invoice presentment electronics query the customer if the preauthorized payment instructions are desired for the billing data presented.

77. The system according to claim 75, wherein the request for payment instructions from said invoice presentment electronics query the customer if the preauthorized payment instructions need modification for the billing data presented.

78. The system according to claim 75, wherein said customer authorization interface includes an editor for modifying the preauthorized payment instructions.

79. The system according to claim 50, wherein said request for payment instructions include billing information selected from the group consisting of amount due, time of payment, account from which to draft payment.

80. The system according to claim 79, wherein said customer authorization interface is adapted to modify the billing information to change one or more of the group consisting of amount due, time of payment and account from which to draft payment.

81. The system according to claim 50, wherein said billing data include notices for the customer.

82. The system according to claim 50, wherein said billing data include advertising information directed towards the customer.

83. The system according to claim 50, wherein said billing data include control information.

84. The system according to claim 50, wherein said payment instructions include a date to draft payment.

85. The system according to claim 50, wherein said payment instructions include a amount of invoice.

86. The system according to claim 50, wherein said invoicer provides a customer accessible site for receiving said billing data and said request for payment instructions, said site accessible from said electronic customer authorization interface.

87. The system according to claim 86, wherein said customer accessible site is an Internet site and said electronic customer authorization interface includes a browser for accessing said customer accessible site.

88. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is an automated teller machine.

89. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a remote kiosk.

90. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a personal computer.

91. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is an interactive television.

92. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a telephone.

93. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is a computer, said billing data and said request for payment instructions are presented by e-mail to the customer and the customer payment instructions are provided by a customer e-mail.

94. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface includes a display for presenting said billing data and said request for payment instructions and a customer actuable input for receiving customer payment instructions.

95. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface includes audio electronics and a speaker for presenting said billing data and said request for payment instructions and a customer actuable input for receiving customer payment instructions.

96. The system according to claim 86, wherein said electronic customer authorization interface is adapted to allow a customer to poll said invoice presentment electronics to receive said billing data and said request for payment instructions.

97. A computerized method for automated electronic invoicing and payment system for providing remote customer review of automated billing from an invoicer, wherein the customer payment instructions are sent from the customer directly to the invoicer, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) presenting customer billing data for customer review and requesting payment instructions relating to automated billing to said customer using an invoice presentation electronics; and

(b) receiving the customer billing data for customer review and the request for payment instructions from said invoice presentation electronics to said customer using a remote electronic customer authorization interface; and

(c) providing customer payment instructions from the customer in response to the request for payment instructions directly to said invoicer, said payment instructions including at least a customer invoice account number and an associated customer payment account.

98. A computerized method for automated electronic invoicing and payment system for providing remote customer review of automated billing from an invoicer using a remote electronic customer authorization interface, wherein the customer payment instructions are sent from the customer directly to the invoicer, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving customer billing data for customer review and a request for payment instructions from said invoicer;

(b) receiving customer payment instructions from the customer in response to said request for payment instructions from said invoicer; and

(c) transmitting the customer payment instructions from the customer directly to said invoicer, said payment instructions including at least a customer invoice account number and an associated customer payment account.

99. A computerized method for automated electronic invoicing and payment system for providing remote customer review of automated billing from an invoicer, wherein customer payment instructions are sent from the customer directly the invoicer, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) presenting customer billing data for customer review and requesting payment instructions relating to automated billing to said customer using an invoice presentation electronics;

(b) authorizing payment using a remote electronic customer authorization interface, said customer interface including;

means for receiving customer billing data for customer review and a request for payment instructions from said invoicer, means for receiving customer payment instructions from the customer in response to said request for payment instructions from said invoicer; and

means for transmitting the customer payment instructions from the customer to said invoicer, said interface adapted to;

(i) receive the customer billing data for customer review and the request for payment instructions from said invoice presentation electronics;

(ii) provide the customer billing data for customer review and the request for payment instructions to the customer;

(iii) receive customer payment instructions from the customer in response to the request for payment instructions; and

(iv) transmit the customer payment instructions from the customer directly to said invoicer, said payment instructions including at least a customer invoice account number and an associated customer payment account; and

(c) transmitting the payment instructions to a payment source after customer review using said invoice presentment electronics.