US20140101038A1 - Notification of the availability of electronic bills - Google Patents
Notification of the availability of electronic bills Download PDFInfo
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- US20140101038A1 US20140101038A1 US14/099,509 US201314099509A US2014101038A1 US 20140101038 A1 US20140101038 A1 US 20140101038A1 US 201314099509 A US201314099509 A US 201314099509A US 2014101038 A1 US2014101038 A1 US 2014101038A1
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- payee
- electronic
- biller
- user
- database
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/14—Payment architectures specially adapted for billing systems
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/04—Payment circuits
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
- G06Q20/102—Bill distribution or payments
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
- G06Q20/108—Remote banking, e.g. home banking
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/40—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
- G06Q20/401—Transaction verification
- G06Q20/4014—Identity check for transactions
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/04—Billing or invoicing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
- G06Q40/02—Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
Definitions
- the memory stores a plurality of payee pick-lists.
- Each of the payee pick-lists is associated with a different payer.
- Each payee pick-list can also include information indicating which of the included payees offers electronic bill presentment, as well as the availability of electronic bill information.
- FIG. 8 is a simplified depiction of a central database for storing electronic billing and remittance information, in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations of FIG. 16 to indicate electronic bill presentment availability.
- FIG. 32 depicts the steps necessary to inform a newly registered user of the existence of stored billing information.
- a central processor such as central processor 140 A shown in FIG. 1 , receives registration information. This information, along with a user identifier, is stored in a relational database, such as database 140 B 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 , as depicted in step 3202 .
- Central station 140 A accesses the unregistered user/customer database, which may be similar to database 140 B 5 shown in FIG. 1 , as depicted in step 3205 , and determines if the newly registered user is included in the database. If the new registered user is included in the database, the newly registered user is optionally notified of the stored billing information at step 3210 .
Abstract
To notify a person of the availability of electronic billing information, billing information associated with bills of a biller for its customers is stored in a first data store, and identify information identifying unregistered persons having billing information stored in the first data store, is stored in a second data store. Registration information identifying a person who is currently unregistered is received via a wide area network. The received registration information is compared with the identity information stored in the second data store. Based on the comparison, it is determined if the received registration information identifies a customer of the biller. If so, a notice of the availability of the stored billing information of the biller is transmitted to the person via the wide area network.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/139,627, filed May 31, 2005, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/734,694, filed Dec. 13, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,792,749, issued Sep. 7, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/298,889, filed Apr. 26, 1999, now abandoned, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
- The present invention relates generally to electronic bill presentment and/or payment. More specifically, the present invention relates to notifying users of the availability of electronic bill information.
- Over the past several years an international network of networks known as the Internet has become increasingly popular. The Internet allows millions of users throughout the world to communicate with each other. To provide users with easier access to information available on the Internet, a World Wide Web has been established. The World Wide Web allows information to be organized, searched and presented on the Internet using hypertext. Thus, using the World Wide Web a user can submit a query for information and be linked electronically to information of interest which has been stored at web locations on the Internet. Using hypertext, a user can also communicate information to other users of the Internet. Hence the Web has made it relatively easy for virtually anyone having access to a personal computer or other device connected to the Internet to communicate with others who are also connected to the Internet.
- With the proliferation of Internet users, numerous services are now provided over the Internet. One of the first such services to be offered was electronic banking Electronic banking allows banking customers to access their account information and execute banking transactions, e.g. the transfer of funds from a savings to checking account, by simply linking to a bank server using the Internet to access account information and communicate transfer instructions.
- More recently, it has become possible to electronically pay bills by communicating instructions, via the Internet, to a financial institute maintaining deposited or credited funds of a pre-registered payer, or to a representative of the financial institute. The payments are then made to the payee by the financial institute or its representative. Funds from the payer's deposit or credit account, i.e. the payer's account, are debited by the financial institute to cover the payment. The payment by the financial institute or its representative to the payee can be made in any number of ways.
- For example, the financial institute or representative may electronically transfer funds from the payer's account to the payee's account, may electronically transfer funds from a financial institute/representative's deposit or credit account, to the payee's account, may prepare a paper draft on the financial institute/representative account and mail it to the payee, may prepare an electronically printed paper check on the payer's account and mail it to the payee, or may make a wire transfer from either the financial institute/representative account or payer's account.
- If the funds transferred to the payee are drawn from the financial institute/representative account, funds from the payer's account are electronically or otherwise transferred by the financial institute to the financial institute/representative account to cover the payment. Further, if the payment will be made from funds in the financial institute/representative account, the payment will preferably be consolidated with payments being made to the same payee on behalf of other payers.
- Accordingly, such electronic bill payment systems eliminate the need for a payer to write or print paper checks and then forward them by mail to the payee. This makes it easier and more efficient for the payer to make payments. Payees receiving consolidated payments no longer have to deal with checks from each payee and therefore can process payments more efficiently. The making of payments by the electronic or wire transfer of funds provides even further efficiencies in payment processing by payees, and it is well recognized that making payments electronically can significantly reduce the cost of processing payments for both the payer and payee.
- The number of users of electronic bill payment services has grown dramatically since introduction by CheckFree Corporation, the assignee of the present application. However, because the billing side of the billing/payment process had not been integrated with the electronic payment process, many potential users remained reluctant to utilize the service.
- More particularly, until the offering by CheckFree Corporation, electronic bill payment systems were operated independent of the bill presentment process. Still today, most conventional electronic bill payment systems generally require that the payee receive a conventional paper bill from a merchant or other billing entity, the exception being for certain bill payments, such as mortgage payments, which can be pre-authorized by the payee. Thus, for most bill payments, it is only after the paper bill has been received that the payee can connect to the electronic bill payment system via the Internet and provide a payment instruction.
- Using CheckFree's fully integrated electronic bill presentment and payment system, registered merchants and other payers can electronically present bills to registered consumers and other payees by communicating bills via the Internet, to the electronic presentment/payment service provider, which could be a financial institute/representative or some other service provider. Typically, the bill is stored centrally on the electronic presentment/payment system server. The service provider notifies the payer, for example by Internet email, of the availability of the bill and the bill can then be accessed by the payer by connecting to the system server or some other server, via the Internet, to retrieve the bill. Once connected to the system server, the payer can also communicate a payment instruction to the server and the payment can then be made to the payee as previously described.
- Accordingly, CheckFree's electronic bill presentment and payment system eliminates the need for a payee to print paper bills and then forward them by mail to the payer. This makes it easier and more efficient for the payee to issue bills. Payers receiving electronic bills no longer have to deal with paper bills from each payer. The combination of electronic presentment and payment of bills has provided even further efficiencies and cost reductions in billing and payment processing by both payers and payees.
- Although electronic bill presentment and particularly integrated electronic bill presentment and payment have received broad user acceptance from both payers and payees, there remains a significant number of payers using electronic bill presentiment and payment services who are not taking full advantage of the benefits of the electronic bill presentment facet of the services. These payers may not electronically receive all of their bills which are available in the electronic presentment form. Instead, these payers continue to receive some bills in paper form and make payments in either electronic or paper form. Oftentimes this is because the electronic payers are unaware that a particular payee offers electronic presentment.
- One reason a payer may be unaware of the availability of electronic bills from a particular payee is that the community of payees who offer electronic bill presentment is ever-growing. These new-to-electronic-bill-presentment payees often have not informed their customers in a timely manner that electronic bill presentment is available. There is also a segment of the users of integrated electronic bill payment and presentment services who are unaware that any of their payees offer electronic bill presentment. Accordingly, a need exists for a technique to inform bill presentment and payment service users that electronic bill presentment is available, whether these customers are already taking advantage of electronic bill presentment to some extent, or whether they simply use the payment side of the service, to increase usage of electronic bill presentment.
- As described above, electronic bill presentment offers significant benefits to payees. However, to gain these benefits, a payee who offers electronic bill presentment must be able to identify those payers who might wish to utilize electronic bill presentment. Currently, the only way for payees to identify a payer for electronic bill presentment is to receive a request for electronic bill presentment from that payer. The payee might also identify a payer for electronic bill presentment based on knowledge that a payer currently makes payments electronically to that payee. By being able to identify consumers who utilize electronic bill presentment and payment services for purposes unrelated to receiving or paying a payee's bill, a payee could efficiently focus its efforts to recruit new payers into the payee's electronic bill presentment and payment community of users. Accordingly, a need exists for a technique which will allow electronic billers to identify payers who may be amenable to electronic bill presentment and/or payment, to increase usage of electronic bill presentment and/or payment.
- It is accordingly an objective of the present invention to provide a technique which will facilitate increased usage of electronic bill presentment.
- Additional objects, advantages, novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, including the following detailed description, as well as by practice of the invention. While the invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiment(s), it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, as well as other fields of use, which are within the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein and with respect to which the invention could be of significant utility.
- The present invention provides a system and method for processing bill payment information. The system includes at least one processor, a memory for storing data, and a communications port for transmitting and receiving information, including bill payment information. The processor may be any type processor, such as a personal computer, high powered workstation, or sophisticated main-frame processor. The memory also may be a type of memory capable of storing data, including random access memory, floppy or hard magnetic disk, or optical disk. Data stored in the memory and data processed by the processor are exchanged between the processor and the memory. The data can include bill payment information and operating instructions for controlling the operations of the processor. The communications port may be connected to a network configured to transmit electronic or optical data. The network can include a public or private telephone network, the Internet, or any other type network. Bill payment information can include directions to pay a bill, information identifying payers, payees, billers, customers, financial institutions, and/or data representing accounts maintained at financial institutions. The bill payment information could also, or alternatively, include information identifying parties to financial transactions that may or may not take place in the future.
- In accordance with the invention, the processor processes information identifying a payee to whom a payer intends to electronically direct payment. This identifying information may be information stored in the memory, it may be information received via the communications port, or it may be information received by the processor in some other manner. The information may be information received from the payer and processed prior to storage in the memory, or it may be processed subsequent to storage in the memory. The information could, if desired, be received, processed in a manner unrelated to bill payment, stored, and then retrieved and processed again. The information identifying the payee could be, but preferably is not, associated with a directive to make a payment to that payee.
- The processor processes the information to determine if bills of the payee are available electronically. That is, are bills issued by the payee, also sometimes referred to as a biller, available in electronic format as opposed to a traditional format in which bills are presented on paper to a payee, also sometimes referred to as a customer.
- If the processor determines that bills issued by the identified payee are available, electronically, i.e. are either already available in electronic form or could be made available in electronic form, the processor directs that a notice be transmitted to the payer notifying the payer that the bills of the payee are available electronically. This notice may be transmitted via any network of computers, any telephone network, or even via traditional mail.
- Beneficially, the processor directs that information identifying the payee be transmitted to the payer along with notice that bills from this payee are available electronically.
- Advantageously, the system also can include several different databases stored in the memory. For example, a database for storing information identifying a payee to whom a payer intends to electronically make payment may be stored. This database is referred to as a payee pick-list. The payee pick-list database can include information identifying more than one payee. As discussed above, the information identifying the payee may be processed either after storage, which could, in this case be storage in the payee pick-list database, or prior to storage in the payee pick-list database.
- Preferably, the memory stores a plurality of payee pick-lists. Each of the payee pick-lists is associated with a different payer. Each payee pick-list can also include information indicating which of the included payees offers electronic bill presentment, as well as the availability of electronic bill information.
- In accordance with a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the information identifying the payee may be processed by the processor more than once. If initial processing determines that the bills of the payee are not available electronically, the processor will subsequently process the information again. If this subsequent processing determines that the bills of the payee are available electronically, the payer is then informed as discussed above. This subsequent processing may be performed periodically or based on a triggering event so that information regarding availability is updated routinely.
- Another of the databases which may be stored in the memory is a database storing information identifying payees that offer electronic bill presentment. The processor can be configured to access this database to determine if a payee is included in this database.
- Yet another of the databases which may be stored in the memory is a database storing information identifying payees that have presented one or more electronic bills. This database is sometimes referred to as a biller database. The processor can be configured to access this database and determine if a payee is included in this database.
- Still another of the databases which may be stored in the memory is a database storing electronic billing information. The electronic billing information may relate to payers who have paid a bill electronically, payers who have received a bill electronically, payees who have presented a bill electronically, payees who presently present bills electronically, stored electronic bills, and may include other information associated with a bill. The processor can be configured to access this database and determine if information associated with a payee is included in this database. Preferably, the processor is also configured to access this database and determine if a stored electronic bill for a payer and associated with the payee is stored in the database. If so, the processor directs a further notice be transmitted to the payer notifying the payer that the stored electronic bill is available.
- In another beneficial aspect of the invention, a processor, such as a user computer, can be configured to receive, responsive to the transmitted notice, an inputted request from the payer to receive the bills of the payee electronically. If desired, the processor can, responsive to receipt of the inputted request, cause the request to be transmitted to the payee via, for example, a hyper-link, batch transfer or other communication.
- Still another of the databases which may be stored in the memory is a database storing information identifying payers having stored electronic bills in the database storing electronic billing information. This database is sometimes referred to as a customer database. The processor may be configured to access this database to determine if a payer is included in this database before accessing the database storing electronic billing information to determine if a stored electronic bill for the payer and associated with a payee is stored in that database. If the payer is not included in the customer database, the processor need not access the database storing electronic billing information.
- Preferably, the processor is also configured to receive an electronic bill, which could be in the form of full or summary bill information in any format, from a payee directed to a payer. The processor processes this electronic bill to determine if the payee is included in the database storing information identifying those payees having presented at least one electronic bill, discussed above and referred to as the biller database. If not, information identifying the payee is added to this database.
- If information identifying the payee is not included in the biller database, then an indication that the payee offers electronic bill presentment will not be stored in any payee pick-list. Beneficially, to keep each pick-list current, if the payee is not included in the biller database the processor can be configured to identify the payee pick-lists in which the payee is identified and store information identifying the payee as a payee offering electronic bill presentment in each of the identified payee pick-lists.
- Another of the databases that can be stored in the memory is sometimes referred to as a master payee pick-list. The master payee pick-list includes information identifying every payee included in each of the individual payee pick-lists for each payer. The master payee pick-list may also include information identifying each payer having identified a payee in an individual payee pick-list. In which case, each payee is associated with each respective identified payer.
- The processor is optionally configured to access the master payee pick-list and to determine, if the payee is not included in the biller database, if that payee is included in the master payee pick-list. If so, the processor determines which of the payers are associated with the payee. The processor then stores information identifying the payee as a payee that offers electronic bill presentment in each individual payee pick-list associated with an identified payer.
- The processor may additionally be configured to store a received electronic bill. Beneficially, the processor can also be configured to transmit a notice to a payer that the electronic bill is available. As with the above-discussed notice, the transmission may take on any of several forms.
- In accordance with another particularly preferable aspect of the invention, the processor is configured to determine if a payer is associated with an individual payee pick-list. If so, the processor can determine if a payee is included in that payer's individual payee-pick list. And, if so, the processor stores an indication of available electronic billing information from the payee in that payer's individual payee pick-list. This processing ensures that the payee's individual payee pick-list is kept current as to availability of any stored electronic billing information.
- To keep the customer database current, the processor may be configured to access the customer database and determine if a payer is included. If not, information identifying the payer can be stored in the customer database.
- The processor may also be configured to determine if a payee is included in the master payee pick-list, even if the payee is included in the biller database. If a payee is included in the master payee pick-list, the processor can determine if a payer is associated with that payee in the master payee pick-list. If so, the processor stores an indication of available electronic billing information from that payee in that payer's individual payee pick-list.
- In another embodiment of the invention, computer programming is stored on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is readable by a computer to cause the computer to operate as discussed above. That is, the programming stored on the computer readable medium causes a computer to perform each desired aspect of the invention discussed above.
- In another aspect of the invention, information is received which identifies a person, a deposit account associated with the person, and a financial institution at which the deposit account is maintained. Information identifying the person need never have been received before. Electronic billing information is stored in a first database. Other information identifying unregistered persons having electronic billing information stored in the first database is stored in a second database. A determination is made as to whether the other information stored in the second database identifies the person. If so, the person is notified of the availability of stored electronic billing information which identifies the person. Thus, a person who is unregistered can be notified of stored billing information immediately upon becoming registered.
- In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for notifying a payer of the availability of electronic bill presentment is disclosed. An instruction to pay a bill of a payee is received via a network. A database is accessed which contains information identifying payees who offer electronic bill presentment. A determination is made as to whether the payee is included in the database. If so, the payer is notified that the payee offers electronic bill presentment.
- Advantageously, a request to receive electronic bills from the payee is received from the payer. The payee is notified that the payer requests to receive the electronic bills. The notification to the payer may be via a hyper-link, batch transfer or other communication. Beneficially, electronic bill presentment options may be transmitted to the payer. A request from the payer is input to select one of the options. This inputted request is transmitted to the payee.
- Another database may be accessed which stores information identifying stored electronic billing information. If it is determined that electronic billing information for the payer is stored in this other database, the payee is notified of the availability of the stored electronic billing information. A request from the payer to access the stored information may be entered by the payer. A hyper-link can be activated responsive to receipt of the request and the stored information may be transmitted to the payer via the hyper-link.
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FIG. 1 depicts an electronic bill presentation and payment network in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 2 depicts the communications between various network stations depicted inFIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations ofFIG. 2 , in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 4 depicts the communications between various network stations depicted inFIG. 1 to direct payers to electronic bills, in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations inFIG. 4 , in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 6 depicts the communications between various network stations depicted inFIG. 1 to pay paper bills, in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations inFIG. 6 , in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a simplified depiction of a central database for storing electronic billing and remittance information, in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a simplified depiction of a registered user/biller database for storing a list of registered users who are electronic billers, in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the central clearinghouse station processor to maintain a registered user/biller database. -
FIG. 11 is a simplified depiction of a registered user/customer database for storing a list of registered users who are customers, in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the central clearinghouse station processor to maintain a registered user/customer database. -
FIG. 13 is a simplified depiction of an unregistered user/customer database for storing a list of unregistered users who are customers, in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the central clearinghouse station processor to maintain a unregistered user/customer database. -
FIG. 15 is a simplified depiction of an individual payee pick-list for storing information identifying payees a user may plan to pay electronically. -
FIG. 16 depicts the communications between various network stations depicted inFIG. 1 to maintain an individual user's payee pick-list. -
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations inFIG. 16 , to maintain an individual user's payee pick-list in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations ofFIG. 16 to utilize an individual user's payee pick-list. -
FIG. 19 is a simplified depiction of an individual payee pick-list as presented to a user via a network connection to select a payee for payment. -
FIG. 20 is a simplified depiction of a payment screen as presented to a user via a network connection to make a payment. -
FIG. 21 is a simplified depiction of a sign-up screen as presented to a user via a network connection to sign-up for electronic bill presentment. -
FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations ofFIG. 16 to indicate electronic bill presentment availability. -
FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the operations which are performed by the network stations ofFIG. 16 to indicate stored billing information availability. -
FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing alternative operations which are performed by the network stations ofFIG. 16 to indicate both availability of electronic bill presentment and availability of stored billing information. -
FIG. 25 presents alternative communications between various network stations depicted inFIG. 1 to maintain an individual user's payee pick-list, a master payee pick-list, and to include additional information in an individual payee pick-list. -
FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing alternative operations which are performed by the network stations ofFIG. 25 to maintain individual payee pick-lists and to indicate availability of additional information. -
FIG. 27 is a simplified depiction of a master payee pick-list for storing information identifying every payee identified by at least one user for inclusion in an individual user's payee pick-list. -
FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing operations performed by the network stations ofFIG. 25 to maintain a master payee pick-list. -
FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing alternative operations performed by the network stations ofFIG. 25 to determine if a new registered user/biller is included in a payee pick-list. -
FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing operations performed by the network stations ofFIG. 25 to determine if a new registered user/customer has included the biller in its payee pick-list. -
FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing alternative operations performed by the network stations ofFIG. 25 to determine if a new registered user/customer has included the biller in its payee pick-list. -
FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing operations performed by the network stations ofFIG. 1 to register a previously unregistered user. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , a bill presentment andpayment network 100 includes a large number of user stations represented as payee andpayer user stations 110A-110H, respectively representing payees and payers A-H. It will be recognized that thenetwork 100 preferably includes many thousands if not millions of user stations. The user stations are capable of communicating via theInternet 150, although it will be understood that some other communications network could be utilized in lieu of the Internet. - Also included in the
network 100 are a large number of financial institute (FI)user stations 130A-130D, respectively representing financial institutes I-L. TheFI stations 130A-130D are capable of connecting to acommunications network 160 which could be the Internet and/or a more secure communications network such as the conventional ACH communications network or some other inter-bank communications network. Additionally included in thenetwork 100 is acentral clearinghouse station 140.Station 140 includes aprocessor 140A andmemory 140B. Thememory 140B stores databases 140B3-140B5 for storing user-class information, as will be discussed below, databases 140B6 and 140B7 for storing payee information, as will be discussed below, and programmed instructions 140B1. Thememory 140B also stores a relational database 140B2 for storing billing and remittance information. Each user A-H has a deposit and/or payment account, each to be called an account herein, maintained at one of the financial institutes I-L. - Although, as shown, each of the
user stations 110A-110H can communicate with thecentral clearinghouse station 140 via theInternet 150, for purposes of the following description, only certain of users A-H are registered to electronically present and/or pay bills onnetwork 150, seeFIGS. 8 , 9, 11 and 13. More particularly, for purposes of the following discussion, users D, F and G are unregistered users ofnetwork 100. Further, user A is an individual and users B and H are small business entities. User E is a large business entity. - To facilitate the use of the electronic bill presentment and payment services, the
central clearinghouse station 140 operates in accordance with instructions 140B1, to perform a registration process. For some users, the registration process may require only that the user provide its identification, its account number and an identification of a financial institute at which its account is maintained. In any event, this information is stored in the relational database 140B2 in association with a user identifier and an identifier indicating that the user is a registered user. Having this information, the centralclearinghouse station processor 140A can now direct payments, preferably by electronic fund transfer, to the account of a registered user. The centralclearinghouse station processor 140A can also now directs payments, preferably by electronic fund transfer, from the account of a registered user to make a payment directed by that registered user. The centralclearinghouse station processor 140A also operates to generate remittance information for each payment directed to a user, registered or unregistered, as will be further described below, and to direct the storage of such information in the relational databases 140B2 in association with the user identifier. Thus, the database 140B2 serves as a temporary depository for remittance information corresponding to any payment directed to a user on behalf of registered network users. - To
central clearinghouse station 140, individuals, small businesses, and large businesses appear the same. Thecentral processor 140A also functions to generate user-class information for each bill received from a registered user for electronic presentment, as will be discussed below. - The
central processor 140A also operates to generate billing information for each bill, whether including full or summary information, received from a registered user for payment by another user and to direct the storage of such information in the relational database 140B2 in association with the other user's identifier. Thus, the relational database 140B2 serves as a temporary depository for billing information which may be provided by any of the registered users. Registered users who provide electronic bills for payment by other users are also known as billers. Users to whom received electronic bills are directed are also known as customers. - The
central processor 140A preferably further functions to electronically receive bills from registered billers in the form output by any commonly used standard invoicing software packages, such as Quickbooks, Peachtree and other off-the-shelf invoicing software, or alternatively in ASCII or other formats and, if necessary, to convert the received bill into standard format billing information for storage in the database 140B2 in relationship with the applicable customer identifier for subsequent presentment to theapplicable user station 110A-H. Accordingly, registered billers need not modify their existing invoicing software or substantially modify their existing procedures, other than to transmit the bill output from their existing invoicing software via theInternet 150 to thecentral clearinghouse station 140, to have their bills electronically presented to the applicable customer. - The central
clearinghouse station processor 140A is also preferably capable of generating remittance information in multiple standard formats, compatible with all the commonly used accounts receivable or invoicing software, and in ASCII or other formats. Thecentral processor 140A directs the storage of the formatted remittance information in the database 140B2 ofmemory 140B in association with the applicable user identifier. The remittance information can be generated and stored in all the above mentioned formats. Alternatively, the applicable biller can select, or otherwise identify, a particular one of the formats in which it wishes to receive remittance information. Using this later alternative, the remittance information is formatted and stored only in the requested format. Accordingly, registered billers can obtain remittance advice by simply using a browser to contact thecentral clearinghouse station 140 and requesting the stored remittance information. Responsive to the request, the centralclearinghouse station processor 140A retrieves the applicable remittance information from the database 140B2 and transmits the information via theInternet 150 to the applicable user station. Because the information will typically be received in at least one format usable by the biller's standard invoicing software, this information can be directly input to the accounts receivable system and processed in the conventional manner. -
FIG. 2 depicts the communications between various network stations to electronically present and pay bills. Turning toFIGS. 2 and 3 , user A and user H are registered instep 300 ofFIG. 3 . User H, who is also a biller and represented byuser station 110H, generates, instep 310 inFIG. 3 , a bill to user A, represented bystation 110A. The bill may be generated by a standard software package or otherwise. The output of the software, which represents the bill, is transmitted incommunication 205 from theuser station 110H to thecentral clearinghouse station 140, as indicated instep 315 ofFIG. 3 . The centralclearinghouse station processor 140A, in accordance with programmed instructions 140B1, processes the received bill to generate standard format billing information instep 320. - The
central processor 140A also determines if user A is a registered user, as indicated instep 321. If so, as is the case here, thecentral processor 140A, incommunication 210A, directs the storage of the billing information in the relational database 140B2 of thememory 140B in association with the user A identifier, as shown instep 325. - Additionally,
central processor 140A may optionally generate and transmit a notification touser station 110H notifyinguser station 110H of the registration status of user A, as indicated bycommunication 280 andstep 328. Biller H may then inform the customer, perhaps in correspondence enclosed with a paper copy of the bill mailed to user A, that billing and/or payment is available electronically, thereby motivating the registered user to utilize electronic bill payment and/or presentment. - The
central processor 140A may also optionally generate and transmit a notification to theuser station 110A of the availability of stored billing information, as indicated bycommunication 215 and step 330, if the user to whom the bill is directed is a registered user. - If the bill were for unregistered user D rather than registered user A,
central processor 140A determines if a user D identifier is stored in database 140B2 atstep 322. If unregistered user D has previously been paid by a registered user, or if a registered user has submitted an electronic bill for payment by user D, an identifier for user D will already be stored in database 140B2. If so, operations continue withstep 325. If not, a user D identifier is generated based upon the billing information and stored in database 140B2, as indicated bycommunication 285 andstep 323. Next, the generated billing information is stored in the database 140B2 in association with the user identifier, as indicated bycommunication 210B andstep 325. Thus, after completion ofstep 323, operation continue as described above and depicted beginning atstep 325. - A request for the billing information, as indicated in
step 335, is received viacommunication 220 at thecentral clearinghouse station 140 fromstation 110A. Thecentral processor 140A determines whether or not the request is from a registered user instep 337. If the request were from unregistered user D rather than registered user A, thecentral processor 140A would transmit a query to station 110D, as shown inFIG. 1 , to determine if user D desires to register and thereby obtain access to its billing information which is stored on database 140B2. Optionally, an unregistered customer could be provided with limited access to its stored electronic billing information to sample electronic bill presentment based upon providing sufficient information to verify the customer's identity, but without the need to provide an account number and associated financial institute information. - Thus, it should be understood that the
central clearinghouse station 140 operates to generate and direct the storage of billing information in association with registered and unregistered user identifiers, as may be desired by a registered user. If billing information for an unregistered user is stored in database 140B2, the biller may inform the unregistered customer, perhaps in correspondence enclosed with a paper copy of the bill mailed to the unregistered user, that the bill is available and payable electronically and can be accessed by contacting thecentral clearinghouse station 140 at its Internet web site, thereby motivating the unregistered user to register for electronic bill presentment and/or payment services. Preferably, the non-registered requesting user is registered viacommunications 222 instep 340. It will of course be noted that althoughcommunications 222 are shown inFIG. 2 for completeness, since user A has pre-registered, these communication would not actually occur withstation 110A but would be required, for example, withstation 110D in order to register user D. - As indicated in
step 345, thecentral processor 140A retrieves the applicable billing information from the database 140B2 ofmemory 140B responsive to the access request fromstation 110A, as indicated bycommunication 225. The retrieved information is then communicated by thestation 140, as directed bycentral processor 140A, to theuser station 110A viacommunication 230, as indicated instep 350. Instep 355, thecentral processor 140A receives a payment instruction viacommunication 235 from theuser station 110A. Based upon the instruction, thecentral processor 140A generates remittance information instep 360 and directs the storage of the remittance information in the database 140B2 ofmemory 140B in association with the user H identifier via thecommunication 240, as indicated instep 365. Remittance information may include such information as the name of the payer, the payer's address, phone number, and account number with the payee, among other information. Generated and stored remittance information is particularly beneficial in those situations in which thecentral station 140 stores bill information for an unregistered user who becomes registered and electronically pays the bill represented by the stored bill information. The remittance information informs the biller that the bill has been paid and that the customer is now a registered user. - The
central processor 140A also generates a pay directive instep 370. Instep 375, the generated pay directive is transmitted. As discussed above, payment may be accomplished in various ways. However, preferably the directive is to the financial institute I, represented bystation 130A, which maintains an account for the user A. The directive is transmitted viacommunication 245 to theFI station 130A and the payment funds are transferred electronically incommunication 270, for deposit in the user H account maintained at financial institute K, represented byFI station 130C. Of course, the payment directive may not be electronic, it may be a paper directive, such as a draft or check. And, the payment directive, whether electronic or paper, may direct that funds from the payer's account be transferred to, electronically or otherwise, an account associated with thecentral clearinghouse station 140. The financial institute K may, if desired, notify user H viacommunication 275 tostation 110H, of the receipt of the deposit, as indicated instep 377. It should be understood that the generation and storage of the remittance information and the generation and/or transmission of the pay directive may occur substantially simultaneously or at different times, as will be described further below. - Optionally, although not preferably, an email or other notice is sent via
communication 250 to theuser station 110H, to notify the user of the availability of the stored remittance information, as indicated instep 380. Instep 385, a request for remittance information is transmitted incommunication 255 from theuser station 110H and received by thecentral station 140.Communications 260, betweencentral clearinghouse processor 140A andmemory 140B, result in the retrieval of the remittance information from the database 140B2 in response to the request, as indicated instep 390. The retrieved information is transmitted from thecentral station 140, as directed byprocessor 140A, to theuser station 110H viacommunication 265, as indicated instep 395. - User A can also communicate with financial institute I, preferably via
central station 140, to electronically confirm the transfer of the payment amount from its account and the user H can also communicate with financial institute K, preferably viacentral station 140, to electronically confirm the transfer of payment amount to its account, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. - As introduced above, electronic billing information may be stored in the database 140B2 of
memory 140B even for those customers who are not registered with thecentral station 140. Further, electronic billing information may be stored in the database 140B2 for registered users even if the particular registered user has not requested electronic bill presentment. Accordingly, thecentral station 140 operates to direct registered users who contact thecentral station 140 to make payments on the basis of paper bills to the electronic billing information available on the database 140B2 ofmemory 140B, as will be discussed below. -
FIG. 4 is similar toFIG. 2 except thatcommunications communications FIG. 4 , such ascommunications FIG. 2 . Additionally, the various entities and/or components illustrated inFIG. 4 , such as thecentral station 140, thecentral station processor 140A, thecentral station memory 140B, thebiller user station 110H, and the financialinstitution user stations FIG. 1 . As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 , a payment instruction, to pay a paper bill received in the mail by registered user C, is transmitted bycommunication 400 from the user station associated with user C, such asuser station 110C illustrated inFIG. 1 , to thecentral station 140, and received by thecentral station processor 140A, as indicated bystep 500. Incommunication 405, thecentral station 140, directed by thecentral processor 140A, notifies theapplicable user station 110C, of the availability of electronic billing information which is stored in the database 140B2 ofmemory 140B in association with the user C identifier, as reflected instep 505. Thecentral station processor 140A generates an inquiry to the user C, inquiring if the user C wishes to receive the billing information. The inquiry is also transmitted fromcentral station 140 touser station 110C incommunication 405. The user C responds to the query incommunication 410 from thepayer 110C tocentral station 140, as indicated instep 510. If the user C responds in the affirmative, i.e. indicating a desire to access to the billing information stored in the database 140B2, operations continue as previously described beginning withstep 345 ofFIG. 3 . If the user C responds in the negative, operations continue as previously described beginning withstep 360 ofFIG. 3 . - A registered user may pay any person or entity via the
network 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 . Thus, a user may direct that payment be made to a registered user, whether or not that user is also an electronic biller. Also, a user may also direct payment to an unregistered user who has no established relationship withnetwork 100.FIG. 6 depicts the communications necessary to perform electronic bill payment of a paper bill received by a registered user via mail delivery from an unregistered user. Certain components illustrated inFIG. 6 , such as thecentral station 140, thecentral station processor 140A, thecentral station memory 140B, thepayer user station 110B, and thepayee user station 110F, may be similar to those components illustrated and described above with reference toFIG. 1 . Communications illustrated inFIG. 6 will be described in conjunction withFIG. 7 . Incommunication 600, a payment instruction, to pay the paper bill received by mail by registered user B, is transmitted fromuser station 110B tocentral station 140. The instruction is received by thecentral station processor 140A, as indicated instep 700. Thecentral station processor 140A, instep 705, makes a determination as to whether or not payee F is registered. If payee F is determined to be a registered user, processing continues withstep 360 ofFIG. 3 . - If payee F is determined to be unregistered,
central station processor 140A, instep 706, makes a determination as to whether or not payee F is included in database 140B2. If payee F is not included, instep 707, the central station processor generates and stores a user identifier for payee F in database 140B2. Operations continue withstep 710. If payee F is included in database 140B2, operations proceed directly to step 710. - The
central processor 140A generates remittance information instep 710. The generated remittance information is preferably identical to that generated instep 360 ofFIG. 3 , but could be in a somewhat modified form particularly suitable for paper remittance if so desired. Optionally, the generated remittance information may be stored in database 140B2 atstep 715 and viacommunication 601. Instep 718 thecentral station processor 140A generates check/draft information. The generated remittance and check/draft information is transmitted incommunication 605 to aprinter 650 which, instep 720, prints a paper check/draft and associated remittance information which form apayment document 655. Thepayment document 655 is delivered to payee F. - Preferably, the
central processor 140A also drives theprinter 650 to print additional information notifying payee F of the availability of electronic bill presentation and payment services through thecentral station 140. As payee F receives more and more payments via thecentral station 140, payee F will become more and more motivated to present its bills and receive its payments electronically over thenetwork 100, and hence to become a registered user of the network. If, as depicted atstep 715, the remittance information has been stored in database 140B2, the additional information could also include notifying the payee F of the availability of the stored remittance information and inviting payee F to view the stored remittance information available atcentral clearinghouse station 140 via thenetwork 100. -
FIG. 8 shows a somewhat simplified depiction of arelational database 800 suitable for use as database 140B2 illustrated and discussed above with reference toFIG. 1 .FIG. 8 will be helpful in understanding the robustness of thecentral station 140 ofFIG. 1 . As indicated above, preferably each user for whom billing or remittance information is generated, whether or not a registered user, is identified with a user identifier. That is, all of the user identifiers are associated with users that have either registered, been paid through thecentral station 140 at the request of a registered user or have billing information which is stored at the central database 140B2 at the request of a registered user. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , the user identifiers are stored incolumn 805 of therelational database 800. The registration status of each identified user is stored incolumn 810, in association with the applicable identifier. As shown, the users A-C, E, and H-L are registered users, while users D, F and G are unregistered users. It should be noted that each of the financial institutes I-L are shown to be registered and hence have the ability to electronically present and pay bills, in addition to their previously described functions. The applicable financial institutes identifiers are also stored incolumn 815 for each of the registered users. Along with the financial institute identifiers are stored applicable payment account numbers (PA) and/or debit account numbers (DA) incolumn 815. The credit account and the debit account may be the same account. Incolumn 820 billing information can be temporarily stored for each user. As shown, billing information is currently stored for certain registered users as well as certain unregistered users. Incolumn 825 remittance information can be temporarily stored for each user. As shown, remittance information is currently stored for certain registered users as well as certain unregistered users. - In an especially preferred feature of the invention and as shown in
FIG. 1 , individual user-class databases, in addition to database 140B2, are maintained bycentral processor 140A and stored inmemory 140B. Additionally, as shown inFIG. 1 , one or more other databases, such as databases 140B3-B7, may be stored inmemory 140B. Database 140B3 is a list of registered users/billers, registered users who have electronically presented a bill. Database 140B4 is a list of registered users/customers, registered users who have had a bill electronically posted tocentral station 140 by a registered user/biller for payment. Database 140B5 is a database of unregistered users/customers, unregistered users who have had an bill electronically posted tocentral station 140 by a registered user/biller for payment. As should be understood, a registered user can appear in one of or both of databases 140B3-140B4.Central processor 140A generates the information stored in these databases each time billing information is transmitted tocentral station 140A by a registered user. -
FIG. 9 shows a simplified exemplary depiction of a registered users/billers database, such as database 140B3 illustrated inFIG. 1 . This database can include, in addition to information identifying the included registered users/billers 905,billing information 910 about the bills each user has electronically presented through a central station, such as thecentral station 140 illustrated inFIG. 1 .FIG. 10 depicts the processing steps necessary to maintain this database. Followingstep 325 ofFIG. 3 , instep 1010, a central processor, such ascentral processor 140A shown inFIG. 1 , accesses database 140B3 to determine if the registered user/biller is included in database 140B3. If the registered user/biller electronically presenting the bill has previously electronically presented a bill, the user will already be included in the database. If yes, billing information for the current bill can is stored in database 140B3 and associated with the registered user/biller identifier insteps 1015. Operations then continue withstep 328 ofFIG. 3 . If the registered user/biller is not included in database 140B3, information identifying the user is added to the database instep 1020. Operations then continue withstep 1015. - This database serves to dynamically maintain a list of users who are electronic billers. As a user becomes an electronic biller, whether a new user or an existing user adopting electronic billing, that user is added to this database. Thus, database 140B3 always contains an accurate and current list of users who are electronic billers. The operator of the central clearinghouse station, such as
station 140 shown inFIG. 1 , at all times knows which of the users are electronic billers. Thus, this database may be used in notifying a registered user that a payee to whom the user is directing payment is an electronic biller, as discussed above. Also, this database may be used in determining if the payee to whom the user is directing payment has electronically presented a bill for this user. -
FIG. 11 shows a simplified exemplary depiction of a database of registered users who have had a bill electronically posted to a central clearinghouse station, such as database 140B4 associated with thecentral station 140 shown inFIG. 1 . This database can include, in addition to information identifying the included registered users/customers 1105, billing information about each of the bills posted tocentral station 140 for the user, 1110.FIG. 12 depicts the processing steps necessary to maintain this database. Following an affirmative decision instep 321, instep 1210, a central processor associated with thecentral station 140, such ascentral processor 140A shown inFIG. 1 , accesses database 140B4 to determine if the registered user/customer to whom the electronic bill is directed is included in database 140B4. If the registered user/customer has previously had an electronic bill posted for payment by a registered user, the user/customer will already be included in the database. If yes, billing information for the current electronic bill is stored in database 140B4 and associated with the registered user/customer identifier instep 1215. Operations then continue withstep 325 ofFIG. 3 . If the registered user/customer is not included in database 140B4, information identifying the user is added to the database instep 1220. Operations then continue withstep 1215. - This database serves to dynamically maintain a list of all customers for whom billing information is stored at
central station 140. This database may be used in notifying a user that electronic billing information is stored atcentral station 140, as discussed above. - As should be understood, the operations depicted in
FIGS. 10 and 12 may take place simultaneously, or the operations depicted inFIG. 10 may take place before those depicted inFIG. 12 , or vice-versa. -
FIG. 13 shows a simplified exemplary depiction of a database of unregistered users/customers who have had a bill electronically posted to a central station by a registered user/biller, such as database 140B5 associated with thecentral station 140 shown inFIG. 1 . This database can include, in addition to information identifying the included unregistered users/customers 1305, billing information about each of the bills posted tocentral station 140 for theunregistered users 1310 by a registered user.FIG. 14 depicts the processing steps necessary to maintain this database. Following a negative determination instep 321 ofFIG. 3 , instep 1410central processor 140A accesses database 140B5 to determine if the unregistered user/customer to whom the electronic bill is directed is included in database 140B5. If the unregistered user/customer has previously had an electronic bill posted for payment by a registered user, the user/customer will already be included in the database. If yes, billing information for the current electronic bill is stored in database 140B5 and associated with the unregistered user/customer identifier instep 1415. Operations then continue withstep 322 ofFIG. 3 . If the unregistered user/customer is not included in database 140B5, information identifying the user is added to the database instep 1420. Operations then continue withstep 1415. - A beneficial feature of the invention is that a registered user can store at a central clearinghouse station, such as the
central clearinghouse station 140 illustrated inFIG. 1 , a list of payees the user may plan to pay electronically. Each user's individual list is stored in the form of yet another database in a memory associated with thecentral clearinghouse station 140, such asmemory 140B shown inFIG. 1 , or some other storage device (not shown) connected to a processor associated with thecentral clearinghouse station 140, such as thecentral processor 140A shown inFIG. 1 .FIG. 15 is a simplified exemplary depiction of a database containing a list of payees for user B, and may be similar to database 140B6 illustrated inFIG. 1 . This database is known as a payee pick-list. A payee pick-list may includepayee identifiers 1501, street addresses 1502,cities 1503, states 1504,zip codes 1505,phone numbers 1506, and the users'consumer account numbers 1507 with the payee, among other information. The payee pick-list can include payees who are both registered users and unregistered users. -
FIGS. 16 and 17 depict the communications and steps necessary to maintain a payee pick-list for registered user B. Certain components illustrated inFIG. 16 , such as theuser station 110B, thecentral station processor 140A, and thecentral station memory 140B, may be similar to those components illustrated and discussed above with reference toFIG. 1 . With reference toFIG. 16 ,communication 1601, depicts a communication over which user B transmits information identifying a payee for inclusion in a payee pick-list for user B. InFIG. 17 , atstep 1701, the transmitted information is received at thecentral station 140.Central processor 140A accesses database 140B2 and determines if a user identifier identifying the payee is stored in a relational database, such as database 140B2 ofmemory 140B viacommunication 1610 atstep 1707. If the payee is inmemory 140B, atstep 1710, the payee's user identifier is stored in registered user B's payee pick-list viacommunication 1620A. If a user identifier is not stored inmemory 140B, at step 1715 a user identifier is generated for the payee. Then, atstep 1710, the user identifier is stored in a payee pick-list database, such as database 140B6 illustrated inFIG. 1 , viacommunication 1620B. The payee pick-list may be established at registration, or any time after registration. Also, at any time, a registered user may add to, delete from or update information in its payee pick-list. - A registered user may establish a communications session with
central station 140 at any time.FIG. 18 depicts exemplary operations during such a communications session. Central station transmits, atstep 1801, user B's payee pick-list to user B viacommunication 1602. User B may then select, atstep 1810, a payee from its payee pick-list to which payment is to be directed. This selection, and associated payment instructions, are transmitted tocentral station 140 viacommunication 1603 and received atstep 1820. Thereafter, operations continue withstep 705 ofFIG. 7 . - It should be understood that multiple payees may be selected from the payee pick-list. Also, it should be understood that user B may at all times pay a payee not included in his or her payee pick-list.
-
FIG. 19 shows a simplified exemplary depiction of a payee pick-list screen 1900 transmitted to user B and displayed on a computer display. In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the payee pick-list transmitted to a registered user will include other information beyond that identifying the includedpayees 1915A-D. The payee pick-list can include one or more hyper-links 1920A-D selectable to cause a central processor, such asprocessor 140A shown as a component of thecentral clearinghouse station 140 inFIG. 1 , to transmit to user B a pay directive screen to be displayed oncomputer display 1900 which includes all necessary information to make a payment, as shown inexemplary payment screen 2000 ofFIG. 20 . This screen includes thepayee name 2001,billing address information 2010, and a payment amount to be completed by theuser 2015. - Preferably, the payee pick-list transmitted to user B includes an indication that an electronic bill from a payee, or payees, is stored in a database, such as database 140B2 shown in
FIG. 1 , for user B, as discussed above and depicted here at 1905A and 1905B. Payer B, also as discussed above, may select to view the stored electronic bill or bills. The indication that an electronic bill is stored at thecentral clearinghouse station 140 can be a hyper-link selectable by user B to causecentral processor 140A to transmit the stored billing information to user station 10B. - The payee pick-list presented to user B also can include an indication that a payee included in user B's payee pick-list offers electronic bill presentment, whether or not billing information from that particular payee for user B is currently stored in
memory central processor 140A to inform the selected payee that user B has selected electronic bill presentment for future bills.Central clearinghouse station 140 may inform the payee of the selection by a network communication or by traditional mail or telephonic communication. Or, selection of the hyper-link may causecentral processor 140A to transmit to user B ascreen 2100 for display which includes electronic billing options, as shown in simplified exemplaryFIG. 21 . As shown, the options can include receiving both an electronic bill and a paper copy of thebill 2104, or receiving electronic bills only 2105. Also, a user can select to receive electronic bills and paper bills for a period of time, and thereafter receive only electronic bills, perhaps for one billing cycle or for threemonths electronic billing 2110. That is, a user will receive a limited number of electronic bills along with paper bills, then billing will revert back to exclusively paper billing. Yet another option is to receive an e-mall notification of any future stored billing information being available atcentral clearinghouse station FIG. 21 . -
FIGS. 22 and 23 present operations of a central processor, such asprocessor 140A shown inFIG. 1 , in compiling the information to be presented to a user along with the payees included in the user's payee pick-list. After user B has established a communication with a central clearinghouse station, such ascentral clearinghouse station 140 illustrated inFIG. 1 , atstep 2201,central processor 140A accesses user B's stored payee pick-list database, which may be similar to database 140B6 shown inFIG. 1 , and the registered user/biller database, which may be similar to database 140B3 shown inFIG. 1 . Atstep 2210,central processor 140A determines the common entries between the two databases. For any common entry,central processor 140A stores an indication in the user B payee pick-list database associated with the user identifier for the common entry that the payee is an electronic biller, as depicted at step 2220. - At
step 2301,central processor 140A accesses user B's stored payee pick-list database 140B6 and a database of unregistered customers who have had a bill posted to thecentral clearinghouse station 140, such as database 140B5 illustrated inFIG. 1 . As shown instep 2310,central processor 140A determines if any of the user B payee pick-list payees also have stored billing information for user B at thecentral clearinghouse station 140. For any payees having stored billing information for user B at the central station,central processor 140A stores an indication in the user B payee pick-list database associated with the user identifier for the payee having stored the bill at thecentral clearinghouse station 140 atstep 2315. - It should be understood that database 140B2 may be accessed in place of either of or both of a database of registered users/billers who have electronically presented a bill and a database of registered users/customers who have had a bill electronically posted to the
central station 140, such as databases 140B3 and 140B4 illustrated inFIG. 1 , as depicted insteps - It should also be understood that the steps in
FIGS. 22 and 23 may take place simultaneously, or the steps ofFIG. 22 may follow the steps ofFIG. 23 , or vice versa. In any event, the steps discussed and shown further reveal the robustness ofcentral processing station 140. Thecentral processor 140A functions to dynamically indicate availability of electronic bill presentment and availability of stored billing information. Prior to each transmission of a user's payee pick-list, thecentral processor 140A determines which of the payees are electronic billers and which of those have submitted billing information to thecentral processor 140A. Since, as described above, each electronic biller is included in the user/biller database, and since that database is updated every time an electronic bill is submitted, each timecentral processor 140A determines the common entries between the user/biller database and a user payee pick-list database, the results of that determination are accurate and up-to-date. -
FIG. 24 depicts an alternative implementation of the present invention. Due to the billing information stored associated with the user identifier for each registered user/biller in a database of registered users/billers who have electronically presented a bill, such as database 140B3 shown inFIG. 1 , the steps ofFIGS. 22 and 23 can be combined. Atstep 2401, a central processor, such ascentral processor 140A shown inFIG. 1 , accesses both the payee pick-list database for user B, which may be similar to database 140B6 illustrated inFIG. 1 , and the registered user/biller database 140B3. Thecentral processor 140A determines any common user identifiers between the two databases atstep 2410. With the billing information being stored in database 140B3,central processor 140A next determines if any of the billing information stored in association with a common entry is for a bill directed to user B, as depicted atstep 2420. An indication that a payee is an electronic biller and an indication of any stored billing formation is added to user B's payee pick-list associated with the user identifier of the electronically presenting user atstep 2425 for any common entries and any of the common entries with stored billing information directed to user B. - In yet another implementation, the processing necessary to include further information beyond payee identifiers presented with a user's payee pick-list can occur in a different manner from that described above.
FIGS. 25 and 26 depict alternative communications and operations in storing a payee in user B's payee pick-list database. As discussed above, prior to anytransmission 1602 of user B's pick-list touser B 110B (such as atransmission 1602 in response to arequest 1601 received from user B), a determination is made by a central processor, such asprocessor 140A shown inFIG. 1 , as to the electronic billing status of each included payee. This electronic billing status includes determining if the payee is an electronic biller and if the payee has billing information for the user stored in memory, such asmemory 140B shown inFIG. 1 . Alternatively, this determination can be made whenever user B adds a payee to its payee pick-list, whenever a new electronic biller is added to a registered user/biller database, such as database 140B3 illustrated inFIG. 1 , and whenever a new payee is added to the registered user/customer database, such as database 140B4 illustrated inFIG. 1 . As desireduser B 110B may then communicate aselection 1603 of a payee from the payee pick-list for receipt by thecentral processor 140A. - Following
steps 1701 ofFIG. 17 , the processing to add a payee to the payee pick-list is somewhat different than described above. As shown inFIG. 26 , ifcentral processor 140A determines that the payee is not included inmemory 140B atstep 2606, processing continues as described above withsteps FIG. 17 . However, ifcentral processor 140A determines that the payee is included inmemory 140B, operations continue withstep 2607.Central processor 140A stores the payee's user identifier in user B's payee pick-list. Atstep 2610,central processor 140A accesses database 140B3 viacommunication 2505 ofFIG. 25 to determine if the payee is a registered user/biller. If not, operations end. If the payee is a registered user/biller, an indication is added to a database containing a list of payees for user B, such as database 140B6 illustrated inFIG. 1 , viacommunication 2510 that the payee is a registered user/biller atstep 2615. - Operations continue with
step 2620. Viacommunication 2515,central processor 140A accesses database 140B4 to determine if the payee has stored billing information for user B in this database. If not, operations end. If so, an indication is added to database 140B6 viacommunication 2520 and atstep 2625 that billing information is stored for user B. As a result of the processing depicted insteps - It should be understood that the processing depicted in
steps steps FIG. 22 andsteps FIG. 23 . Thus, the alternative use of database 140B2 discussed above in relation to these steps also applies to the processing depicted insteps - When the indication of electronic billing status is created at initial storage of a payee identifier in an individual payee pick-list instead of prior to each transmission of the list to the user, each individual payee pick-list is kept up current the following processing. This processing is necessary, as a user/payee may become an electronic biller subsequent to that user/payee being added to an individual payee pick-list. Also, an electronic biller may post billing information to the
central station 140 for an individual user subsequent to that user adding that user/payee to its individual payee pick-list. -
Central processor 140A serves to maintain yet another database, known as a master payee pick-list. This database is also stored inmemory 140B as database 140B7, as shown inFIG. 1 . The master payee pick-list is a list of every payee which appears on at least one individual payee pick-list.FIG. 27 is a simplified exemplary depiction of the database. In addition to user identifiers for each payee appearing in an individual payee pick-list 2701, the database also contains an indication of each user on whose individual payee pick-list the payee appears 2710, and thepayee street address 2711,city 2712,state 2713,zip code 2714, andphone number 2715. The master payee pick-list is kept current by the following processing depicted inFIGS. 28 and 29 . - Whenever a registered user adds a payee to its individual payee pick-list, following
step 1701 ofFIG. 17 , atstep 2801 ofFIG. 28 and viacommunication 2525,central processor 140A determines if the payee is included in the master payee pick-list. If not, the user identifier for the payee, along with the other information described above, is stored in the master payee pick-list atstep 2805 and viacommunication 2530. Operations continue withstep 2810. If the payee is included in the master payee pick-list, atstep 2810, the user identifier identifying the individual user adding the payee to its individual payee pick-list is stored in the master payee pick-list associated with the payee identifier, viacommunication 2535. - Whenever
central processor 140A adds a new registered user/biller to a database of registered billers, such as database 140B3 illustrated inFIG. 1 ,central processor 140A also determines if the added registered user/biller is included in a master payee pick-list database, such as database 140B7 illustrated inFIG. 1 , as depicted inFIG. 29 ,step 2901 and viacommunication 2540.Step 2901 followsstep 1015 ofFIG. 10 . If the new registered user/biller is not included in the master payee pick-list database 140B7, operations continue withstep 328 ofFIG. 3 . If the new registered user/biller appears in the master payee pick-list, operations continue withstep 2910. Thecentral processor 140A adds an indication to each individual payee pick-list database in which the new registered user/biller appears as a payee that the new registered user/biller is an electronic bill presenter viacommunication 2545. Due to the processing depicted insteps - Whenever
central processor 140A adds a new registered user/customer to database 140B4,central processor 140A also determines if the new registered user/customer maintains a payee pick-list atcentral clearinghouse station 140. As depicted inFIG. 30 followingstep 1215 ofFIG. 12 , atstep 3001 and viacommunication 2550,central processor 140A determines if the new registered user/customer maintains a payee pick-list. If the new registered user/customer does not have a payee pick-list, operations continue withstep 325 ofFIG. 3 . On the other hand, if the new registered user/customer does have a payee pick-list,central processor 140A determines if the biller presenting the electronic bill is included in the individual payee pick-list at step 3005 and viacommunication 2555. If not, operations continue withstep 325 ofFIG. 3 . If the biller is included in the individual payee pick-list, an indication is added to the individual payee pick-list that there is stored electronic billing information available, as depicted instep 3010 andcommunication 2560. Operations continue withstep 325 ofFIG. 3 . Becausecentral processor 140A determines, for each new entry into the registered user/customer database, if a customer maintains a payee pick-list and if that pick-list contains information identifying the payee electronically presenting the bill,central processor 140A is able to keep the electronic billing status information in each individual payee pick-list current. -
Central processor 140A can determine if each new entry into the registered user/customer database 140B4 maintains a payee pick-list and if the biller is included in the individual payee pick-list by accessing the master payee-pick list, as depicted inFIG. 31 . The following processing replaces the processing depicted atsteps 3001 and 3005 ofFIG. 30 .Central processor 140A accesses the master payee pick-list, as depicted instep 3101. Thecentral processor 140A next determines if the new user/customer is included in the master payee pick-list, atstep 3105. If not, operations continue withstep 325 ofFIG. 3 . If the new user/customer is included in the master payee pick-list,central processor 140A determines if the customer is associated with the biller in the master payee-pick list,step 3110. If not, operations continue withstep 325 ofFIG. 3 . If yes, operations continue withstep 3010 ofFIG. 30 . - Because
central processor 140A maintains user-class databases for not only registered users, but also for unregistered users,central processor 140A can notify a newly registered user of any existing stored billing information for the newly registered user. -
FIG. 32 depicts the steps necessary to inform a newly registered user of the existence of stored billing information. Atstep 3201, a central processor, such ascentral processor 140A shown inFIG. 1 , receives registration information. This information, along with a user identifier, is stored in a relational database, such as database 140B2 illustrated inFIG. 1 , as depicted instep 3202.Central station 140A accesses the unregistered user/customer database, which may be similar to database 140B5 shown inFIG. 1 , as depicted instep 3205, and determines if the newly registered user is included in the database. If the new registered user is included in the database, the newly registered user is optionally notified of the stored billing information atstep 3210. After optional notification, and atstep 3215, the stored billing information is removed from the unregistered user/customer database 140B5 and stored in the registered user/customer database, which may be similar to database 140B4 shown inFIG. 1 , keeping both the unregistered and registered user/customer databases current. - It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that, while the invention has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Various features and aspects of the above described invention may be used individually or jointly. Further, although the invention has been described in the context of its implementation in a particular environment and for particular purposes, e.g. electronic bill presentment and/or payment, those skilled in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially utilized in any number of environments and implementations. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breath and spirit of the invention as disclosed herein.
Claims (20)
1. A system, comprising:
one or more memories that stores computer-executable instructions; and
one or more computer processors configured to access the one or more memories, wherein at least one of the one or more processors is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine a biller as an electronic biller whose bills are capable of being electronically presented by the system;
determine, responsive to determining the biller as an electronic biller, a payee list associated with a payor and comprising a payee that corresponds to the biller;
generate a first indication of the biller as an electronic biller;
generate a presentation of the payee list comprising a second indication of the biller as an electronic biller, wherein the second indication corresponds to the first indication; and
transmit the presentation of the payee list for presentation to the payor.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise further instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
add the first indication to a database storing the payee list;
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the computer-executable instructions to determine the payee list comprise further instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
determine a set of payee lists comprising a respective payee that corresponds to the biller, and
wherein the computer-executable instructions to add the first indication to a database storing the payee list comprise further instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
associate the first indication with each of the set of payee lists.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions to determine the biller as an electronic biller comprise further instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
add the biller to a database that comprises electronic billers.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second indication is generated based at least in part on the first indication.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second indication is associated with the payee in the presentation.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
receive, from the biller subsequent to being added to the payee list, billing information associated with the payor.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second indication comprises a hyperlink selectable by the payor to cause the electronic bill presentment and payment system to inform the biller that the payor has selected electronic bill presentment for future bills from the biller.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
receive a request from the payor to sign up for electronic bill presentment from the biller.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the request includes at least one of a selection to receive both electronic and paper bills, a selection to receive electronic bills only, a selection to receive both electronic and paper bills for a number of billing cycles or a time period and then electronic bills only, a selection to receive both electronic and paper bills for a trial period and then paper bills only, and a selection to receive electronic mail notification of available future billing information.
11. A method comprising:
determining, by a computerized electronic bill presentment and payment system comprising one or more computer processors, a biller as an electronic biller whose bills are capable of being electronically presented by the electronic bill presentment and payment system;
determining, by the computerized electronic bill presentment and payment system responsive to determining the biller as an electronic biller, a payee list associated with a payor and comprising a payee that corresponds to the biller;
generating, by the computerized electronic bill presentment and payment system, a first indication of the biller as an electronic biller;
generating, by the computerized electronic bill presentment and payment system, a presentation of the payee list comprising a second indication of the biller as an electronic biller, wherein the second indication corresponds to the first indication; and
transmitting, by the computerized electronic bill presentment and payment system via a network and for presentation to the payor, the presentation of the payee list.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising adding, by the computerized electronic bill presentment and payment system, the first indication to a database storing the payee list.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein determining the payee list comprises determining a set of payee lists comprising a respective payee that corresponds to the biller, and wherein adding the first indication to a database storing the payee list comprises associating the first indication with each of the set of payee lists.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising adding the biller to a database that comprises electronic billers.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second indication is generated based at least in part on the first indication.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second indication is associated with the payee in the presentation.
17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising receiving, from the biller subsequent to being added to the payee list, billing information associated with the payor.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second indication comprises a hyperlink selectable by the payor to cause the electronic bill presentment and payment system to inform the biller that the payor has selected electronic bill presentment for future bills from the biller.
19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising receiving a request from the payor to sign up for electronic bill presentment from the biller.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the request includes at least one of a selection to receive both electronic and paper bills, a selection to receive electronic bills only, a selection to receive both electronic and paper bills for a number of billing cycles or a time period and then electronic bills only, a selection to receive both electronic and paper bills for a trial period and then paper bills only, and a selection to receive electronic mail notification of available future billing information.
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US10373154B2 (en) | 2014-05-19 | 2019-08-06 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Apparatus, method, and computer program product for settlement to a merchant's card account using an on-line bill payment platform |
US20210400109A1 (en) * | 2018-09-05 | 2021-12-23 | Gary G. Stringham | Systems and methods for distributing electronic documents |
US11522944B2 (en) * | 2018-09-05 | 2022-12-06 | Gary G. Stringham | Systems and methods for distributing electronic documents |
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Also Published As
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---|---|
US7792749B2 (en) | 2010-09-07 |
US20020013768A1 (en) | 2002-01-31 |
US20050209965A1 (en) | 2005-09-22 |
EP1049056A2 (en) | 2000-11-02 |
ZA200001930B (en) | 2000-10-31 |
US20150193751A1 (en) | 2015-07-09 |
EP1049056A3 (en) | 2001-06-13 |
US8612342B2 (en) | 2013-12-17 |
SG165137A1 (en) | 2010-10-28 |
CA2306123A1 (en) | 2000-10-26 |
AU2889200A (en) | 2000-11-16 |
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