Patent ID: 8165934
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method of managing invoices comprising the steps of: receiving, by a first computer system, an electronic image of an invoice; assigning, by the first computer system, an invoice identifier (ID) to the invoice; storing, in a data storage unit that is part of the computer system or accessible to the computer system, the electronic image of the invoice such that the electronic image of the invoice is linked with the invoice ID so that the invoice ID can be used to retrieve the electronic image; storing information pertaining to the invoice such that the information is linked with the invoice ID; in response to a request transmitted from a user's computer, transmitting the electronic image to the user's computer, which is configured to display the electronic image; after transmitting the electronic image to the user's computer, receiving from the user's computer a message indicating whether or not the invoice requires approval; determining whether the invoice requires approval, wherein the determining step comprises parsing, by the computer system, the message; placing the invoice in a first queue of invoices in response to determining that the invoice does not require approval or placing the invoice in a second queue of invoices that is different than the first queue in response to determining that the invoice requires approval; receiving, from a user's computer, a request to process the invoices from the second queue of invoices; and in response to the request to process the invoices from the second queue of invoices, transmitting to the user's computer a first user interface screen that includes an electronic image of an invoice from the second queue, information pertaining to the invoice, and control elements for enabling the user to select an e-mail address of an approver and cause an e-mail to be sent to the approver's e-mail address, wherein the e-mail includes a link that when activated causes a second user interface screen to be transmitted to the approver's computer wherein the second user interface screen includes the electronic image of the invoice and control elements to allow the approver to indicate his approval of the invoice.