METHOD FOR MANAGING BUYER TRANSACTIONS AND SETTLEMENTS USING COMMUNICATION NETWORK BETWEEN COMPUTERS, AND METHOD FOR RELAYING INFORMATION FOLLOWING BUYER CONSUMPTION TRENDS TO THE BUYER

• US 20120226583A1
• Filed: 04/12/2012
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Computer Applications Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Computer Applications Company Limited
• Inventors: Uehara, Tsuyoshi, Murakami, Masaharu
• Granted Patent: US 8,407,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

Described herein are methods and apparatus for the processing of electronic invoices. A server for processing invoices communicates with computing systems such as a supplier system (used by a supplier), a buyer system (used by a buyer), and finance systems (which manage bank accounts of the supplier and buyer). The server communicates with the supplier system and the buyer system regarding an electronic invoice that relates to a transaction between the supplier and the buyer, and that includes a unique identification code. When the buyer has approved the electronic invoice, the supplier system and/or the server is able to settle the invoice using the unique identification code.

Claims

1. A method for use in a system that includes a server, a supplier system, a buyer system, a first finance system, and a second finance system, wherein

the supplier system is used by a supplier,

the buyer system is used by a buyer,

the first finance system manages a bank account of the buyer,

the second finance system manages a bank account of the supplier, and

the supplier system, the buyer system, the first finance system, the second finance system, and the server are connected to and communicate via a communication network,

wherein the method comprises:

the server receiving an electronic invoice from the supplier system via the communication network,

wherein the electronic invoice relates to a transaction between the supplier and the buyer,

wherein the electronic invoice includes a unique identification code,

wherein the unique identification code identifies the electronic invoice from a plurality of electronic invoices issued to the buyer by the supplier, and

wherein the unique identification code is generated by the supplier system;

the server registering the electronic invoice in a database;

the server transmitting information that defines a Graphical User Interface (GUI) screen to the buyer system via the communication network,

wherein the GUI screen is for showing contents of the electronic invoice registered in the database and for allowing the buyer to approve the contents of the electronic invoice;

the server, in response to an approval of the electronic invoice performed by the buyer using the GUI screen, creating a transfer request message,

wherein the transfer request message includes the unique identification code included in the electronic invoice; and

the server transmitting the transfer request message to the first finance system via the communication network, such that, following reception of the transfer request message at the first finance system;

the first finance system and the second finance system are able, using the unique identification code, to perform a deposit of the amount of the electronic invoice from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier;

the second finance system is able, using the unique identification code, to send an electronic deposit/withdrawal statement to the server or the supplier system,

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement describes that the deposit from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier has been made, and

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement includes the unique identification code; and

at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using the unique identification code.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the server receiving the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement from the second finance system via the communication network, and

the server settling the electronic invoice using the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the server settling the electronic invoice is performed using only the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using only the unique identification code.

5. A server configured for operation in a system that includes the server, a supplier system, a buyer system, a first finance system, and a second finance system, wherein

the supplier system is used by a supplier,

the buyer system is used by a buyer,

the first finance system manages a bank account of the buyer,

the second finance system manages a bank account of the supplier, and

the supplier system, the buyer system, the first finance system, the second finance system, and the server are connected to and communicate via a communication network,

wherein the server comprises:

means for receiving an electronic invoice from the supplier system via the communication network,

wherein the electronic invoice relates to a transaction between the supplier and the buyer,

wherein the electronic invoice includes a unique identification code,

wherein the unique identification code identifies the electronic invoice from a plurality of electronic invoices issued to the buyer by the supplier, and

wherein the unique identification code is generated by the supplier system;

means for registering the electronic invoice in a database;

means for transmitting information that defines a Graphical User Interface (GUI) screen to the buyer system via the communication network,

wherein the GUI screen is for showing contents of the electronic invoice registered in the database and for allowing the buyer to approve the contents of the electronic invoice;

means for creating, in response to an approval of the electronic invoice performed by the buyer using the GUI screen, a transfer request message,

wherein the transfer request message includes the unique identification code included in the electronic invoice; and

means for transmitting the transfer request message to the first finance system via the communication network, such that, following reception of the transfer request message at the first finance system;

the first finance system and the second finance system are able, using the unique identification code, to perform a deposit of the amount of the electronic invoice from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier;

the second finance system is able, using the unique identification code, to send an electronic deposit/withdrawal statement to the server or the supplier system,

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement describes that the deposit from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier has been made,

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement includes the unique identification code; and

at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using the unique identification code.

6. The server of claim 5, further comprising:

means for receiving the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement from the second finance system via the communication network, and

means for settling the electronic invoice using the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

7. The server of claim 6, wherein the means for settling the electronic invoice is configured to settle the electronic invoice using only the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

8. The server of claim 5, wherein the at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using only the unique identification code.

9. A server configured for operation in a system that includes the server, a supplier system, a buyer system, a first finance system, and a second finance system, wherein

the supplier system is used by a supplier,

the buyer system is used by a buyer,

the first finance system manages a bank account of the buyer,

the second finance system manages a bank account of the supplier, and

the supplier system, the buyer system, the first finance system, the second finance system, and the server are connected to and communicate via a communication network,

wherein the server comprises:

a network interface configured to receive an electronic invoice from the supplier system via the communication network,

wherein the electronic invoice relates to a transaction between the supplier and the buyer,

wherein the electronic invoice includes a unique identification code,

wherein the unique identification code identifies the electronic invoice from a plurality of electronic invoices issued to the buyer by the supplier, and

wherein the unique identification code is generated by the supplier system; and

a processor configured to register the electronic invoice in a database;

wherein the network interface is further configured to transmit information that defines a Graphical User Interface (GUI) screen to the buyer system via the communication network,

wherein the GUI screen is for showing contents of the electronic invoice registered in the database and for allowing the buyer to approve the contents of the electronic invoice;

wherein the processor is further configured to create, in response to an approval of the electronic invoice performed by the buyer using the GUI screen, a transfer request message,

wherein the transfer request message includes the unique identification code included in the electronic invoice; and

wherein the network interface is further configured to transmit the transfer request message to the first finance system via the communication network, such that, following reception of the transfer request message at the first finance system;

the first finance system and the second finance system are able, using the unique identification code, to perform a deposit of the amount of the electronic invoice from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier;

the second finance system is able, using the unique identification code, to send an electronic deposit/withdrawal statement to the server or the supplier system,

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement describes that the deposit from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier has been made, and

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement includes the unique identification code; and

at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using the unique identification code.

10. The server of claim 9,

wherein the network interface is further configured to receive the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement from the second finance system via the communication network, and

wherein the processor is further configured to settle the electronic invoice using the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

11. The server of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to settle the electronic invoice using only the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

12. The server of claim 9, wherein the at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using only the unique identification code.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor in a server, cause the server to perform a method for processing an electronic invoice,

wherein the server is configured for operation in a system that includes the server, a supplier system, a buyer system, a first finance system, and a second finance system, wherein

the supplier system is used by a supplier,

the buyer system is used by a buyer,

the first finance system manages a bank account of the buyer,

the second finance system manages a bank account of the supplier, and

the supplier system, the buyer system, the first finance system, the second finance system, and the server are connected to and communicate via a communication network, and

wherein the method comprises:

receiving, at the server, the electronic invoice from the supplier system via the communication network,

wherein the electronic invoice relates to a transaction between the supplier and the buyer,

wherein the electronic invoice includes a unique identification code,

wherein the unique identification code identifies the electronic invoice from a plurality of electronic invoices issued to the buyer by the supplier, and

wherein the unique identification code is generated by the supplier system;

registering, at the server, the electronic invoice in a database;

transmitting, from the server, information that defines a Graphical User Interface (GUI) screen to the buyer system via the communication network,

wherein the GUI screen is for showing contents of the electronic invoice registered in the database and for allowing the buyer to approve the contents of the electronic invoice;

generating, at the server, a transfer request message in response to an approval of the electronic invoice performed by the buyer using the GUI screen,

wherein the transfer request message includes the unique identification code included in the electronic invoice; and

transmitting, from the server, the transfer request message to the first finance system via the communication network, such that, following reception of the transfer request message at the first finance system;

the first finance system and the second finance system are able, using the unique identification code, to perform a deposit of the amount of the electronic invoice from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier;

the second finance system is able, using the unique identification code, to send an electronic deposit/withdrawal statement to the server or the supplier system,

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement describes that the deposit from the bank account of the buyer into the bank account of the supplier has been made,

wherein the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement includes the unique identification code; and

at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using the unique identification code.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving, at the server, the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement from the second finance system via the communication network, and

settling, at the server, the electronic invoice using the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein settling the electronic invoice is performed using only the unique identification code included in the electronic deposit/withdrawal statement.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the at least one of the supplier system and the server is able to settle the electronic invoice using only the unique identification code.