Abstract:
A billing system for a service provider-client environment, which includes a service provider site, a first computer-based device disposed at the service provider site having billing software operably associated with the first computer-based device for enabling logging of client data and service provider data. The billing software prompts a service provider to select one of a logging and no logging of time for one of a matter and a call and can accrue an amount of time and associate the time with a client upon selection of the logging. The billing software also prompts a service provider to select one of a logging and no logging of print cost and postage cost in response to a printer job being initiated for one of a print document and an envelope document and associate the time with a client upon selection of the logging. The billing software manipulates the data corresponding to the amount of time, print cost and postage cost and said client data in a manner to produce a billing data file and accounts for crediting and debiting the billing data file. Additionally, billing software produces invoice indicia corresponding to billing data file. A printer is operably associated with said first computer-based device for printing an invoice having the corresponding billing data file and indicia thereon. A scanner is optionally operably associated with said first computer-based device for scanning the indicia from the invoice to enable the billing software to apply a credit to the billing data file. An interface device is optionally operably associated with said first computer-based device for providing a triggering event to software resident on said first computer-based device and for producing DTMF tones enabling said first computer-based device to automatically place telephone calls when prompted by said software.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/197,399 filed Nov. 20, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,138 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/827,784 filed Apr. 11, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,847. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a billing system. More particularly, this invention relates to a billing system which provides enhanced forced accounting and reduced billing features. 
     2. Related Art 
     There are a number of software billing systems which exist in the art. These commonly include a manual entry or initiation of time and enable in-house creation of a bill. These systems fail to adequately alleviate important problems associated with billing systems. 
     For example, some of these systems require that the service provider input time and cost and then create a bill. However, the trend of professionals is to become more self-sufficient in their jobs and often requires the professional, accountant or lawyer for example, to become more computer-interactive and produce much of the work product. Depending upon the particular profession, there is a need to accurately account for and bill a client as a function of time spent on a particular matter. 
     Accounting for phone time remains troublesome. This is due to the fact that many of the calls which are made or received on behalf of a client may only account for a couple of minutes time to the professional and becomes either a nuisance to the professional to administratively log, bill and follow up weighed against the actual amount of time billed. Additionally, when the professional currently logs phone call time, it is commonly done in a preset increment of an hour, such as a sixth (10 minutes) of an hour, to account not only for the phone time, but also for the administrative time for billing and accounting. This can result in the client being over charged for the actual professional time spent. 
     A further problem is the unproductive time spent in administrative tasks relating to billing and accounting. There is also a need for an improved method of tracking accounts receivables. 
     Still another problem evolves around cost recovery. Presently, cost recovery equipment is very expensive and uses separate computer based devices which reside at the copy terminals and postage terminals and require interfacing with a myriad of different brand copiers and postage equipment. These separate devices require a user to input a client code in order to gain access to perform the operation. While these devices have are of some benefit, they are far more expensive and cumbersome to maintain. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for a better billing system. The present invention overcomes these limitations. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an improvement upon the disclosed invention in related continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/197,399 filed Nov. 20, 1998 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/827,784 filed Apr. 11, 1997 which involved telephone detection integration within a billing system which also utilized Internet remote billing. 
     It is an object of the present invention to improve billing systems. 
     It is another object to improve the equipment used in a billing system. 
     It is another object to reduce administrative time in billing and accounting tasks by employing the present invention. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a billing system which includes a telephone, printing device, postage applicator, and a first computer-based device. The invention also includes means operably associated with the first computer-based device for detecting at least when one of the telephone, printing device and postage applicator is initiated for use and generating a signal in response thereto. 
     Means operably associated with the detecting means are also included for receiving the signal and automatically activating billing software application. The billing software application means operably associated with the first computer-based device enables logging of client data, service provider data and associating and accruing at least one of matter time at a first rate, call time at a second rate, printing usage at a third rate and postage usage at a fourth rate with a particular client into a billing data file, wherein the rates may or may not be the same. Said means further includes provisions for generating DTMF tones permitting telephone calls to be automatically placed by the user via the said billing software application. 
     The invention further includes second computer-based device, preferably remotely located, operably associated with the first computer-based device with complimentary software means operably associated therewith for enabling communication with the billing software application in the first computer-based device. The software means in the first computer-based device includes means for manually or automatically transmitting the data file to the second computer-based device. The software means of the second computer-based device has means for manually or automatically receiving and manipulating the data file in a manner to create an invoice to the client for the service provider. 
     The billing software means includes means for generating invoice data corresponding to the billing data file and generating a scanable identification indicia corresponding to the invoice data. Means for printing the invoice data and identification indicia on an invoice are provided. Further included are means operably associated with the first computer-based device and the billing software means for scanning the indicia to enable the billing software means to readily sort to the invoice debit data and enable credit thereto. 
     Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon viewing the drawings and reading the detailed description hereafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 a  is a schematic of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 b  is a schematic of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 c  is a schematic of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 d  is a schematic of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 e  is a schematic of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 a  is a schematic diagram of a telephone use detector with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 b  is a schematic diagram of another telephone use detector with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 c  is a schematic diagram of still another telephone use detector with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 d  is a schematic diagram of yet another telephone use detector with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 e  is a schematic diagram of still another telephone use detector with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 f  is a schematic diagram of another telephone use detector with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 g  is a schematic diagram of another telephone use detector including DTMF generating circuits for use with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a end perspective view of a part of an adapter part of the detector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is another end perspective view of the part of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a end perspective view of another part of an adapter part of the detector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is another end perspective view of the part of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic of another embodiment the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, the billing system of the present invention is generally referred to by the numeral  10 . The billing system  16  includes a telephone  12  having a handset  14  and optionally, a speaker hands-free button  16  which can be digital or analog, a printing device  17  and a postage applicator  19  which can be a conventional postage machine or software application operably coupled with the printing device  17  such that the printer applies the postage amount. The printer  17  and postage applicator  19  can be connected via a network or directly to a specific computer port, e.g., a parallel or serial port. The invention also includes a computer-based device  18  which is operably connected to the telephone  12  as hereinafter described. It is contemplated that other voice communication means may be employed, for example, voice communication through the computer-based device  18  and that these devices are contemplated within the invention. It is understood that computer-based device  18  has operably associated memory and operating system, modem, clock, monitor and keyboard. 
     A telephone use detector  20  is operably connected with the telephone  12 , the computer-based device  18  and a service source  26  for detecting when the telephone  12  is in use and generates a signal in response thereto. Referring to FIG. 2 a , the telephone use detector  20  includes a conventional telephone jack port  22  (MODF 1 ) to receive a terminal end of a telephone line  24  from the service source  26 . The port  22  is operatively connected to a resistor  28  and relay  30  which are in parallel arrangement with one another. 
     The resistor  28  and relay  30  are also connected to another telephone line port  32  (MODF 2 ) which receives a conventional terminal end of a telephone line  34  which has its other terminal end connected to the telephone  12 . The relay  30  is operatively connected via a disable switch  29  to a full-wave bridge rectifier  31  which will automatically correct the line polarity in the event that the telephone service source  26  is miss-wired. Resistors  33  and  35  and zener diode  37  are operatively connected such that when the telephone  12  is in use, current will flow in the line  36  via the relay  30  being energized providing approximately 5 volts D.C. across the diode  37 . The output of the diode  37  is connected to the pin  44 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, which connect to the computer-based device  18  as described herein. A capacitor  39  is provided to filter signal current sent to the computer-based device  18  and eliminate short transients. 
     It should be noted that this embodiment utilizes the power obtained directly from the telephone service sources  26 . Therefore, there should be a common ground with the computer. This ground can be established, for example, by connecting the grounded side of the circuit directly to the center screw of a telephone jack utility box via a conducting wire. 
     In the case of detector  20 , the interconnection of the detector  20  and computer-based device  18 , a line  36  is operatively associated with the relay  30  of the detector  20  at one end such that current runs through the line  36  when the relay  30  is in a closed position indicating that the telephone  12  is in use. Another end of the line  36  operatively connects to an adapter  38  designed to connect to a port  40  of the computer-based device  18 , for example, a serial port or mouse port. The adapter  38  is equipped with conventional number of pins  42  as would be required for such port  40  to permit modem or mouse communication depending upon the adapter  38  or  38 ′ used. One pin  44  is operatively connected to the line  36 . It is contemplated that other modem connections may be employed with computer-based device  18  to communicate via source  26 . 
     The adapter  38  includes a male end  46  and female end  48 . The pins  42  extend from the male end  46  to the female end  48 . In this regard, the female end  48  is formed to operably receive a male end of a conventional mouse adapter  50  (not shown). 
     A terminate and stay resident (TSR) software means  52  is operatively resident in the memory  54  on the computer-based device  18  and is preferably always operating and running on the computer-based device  18  and looking at the pin  44  to determine the current existing in the pin  44 . The TSR  52  is operably connected with means  56  for initiating billing software means  58  once a current is detected in the pin  44 . It is understood that other modifications, derivations and improvements of performing this aspect of the invention will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. 
     With respect to the printer  17  and postage applicator  19 , an analogous detection and activation of billing software means  58  can be effected. Particularly, a print driver can be employed which whenever initiated by an application program would similarly activate the billing software means  58  from a minimized state for logging use thereof. Optionally, a SetWindowsHookEx( ) can be employed to hook the messages sent to an application program, such as a MS-WORD or WordPerfect dialog box window. Likewise, a postage meter driver can be employed which when initiated triggers the billings software means  58  for logging use thereof. 
     Another embodiment of the telephone use detector  20 ′ is shown in FIGS. 1 b  and  2   b . Here, the detector  20 ′ is likewise operably connected to the telephone  12 , the computer-based device  18  and the service source  26  for detecting when the telephone  12  is in use and generates a signal in response thereto. The detector  20 ′ includes a conventional telephone jack port  22 ′ (MODF 1 ) to receive a terminal end of a telephone line  24  from the service source  26 . The port  22 ′ is operatively connected to a resistor  28 ′ and relay  30 ′ which are in parallel arrangement with one another. 
     The resistor  28 ′ and relay  30 ′ are also connected to another telephone line port  32 ′ (MODF 2 ) which receives a conventional terminal end of the telephone line  34  which has its other terminal end connected to the telephone  12 . The relay  30 ′ is operatively connected via the disable switch  29 ′ to a battery  70  (e.g., a 9 volt battery as is commonly used in transistor radios). Regulator  71  and capacitor  72  are operatively connected such that when the telephone  12  is removed from its hook, current will flow in the line  26  causing relay  30 ′ to energize providing power to regulator  71  which produces approximately 5 volts D.C. across resistor  73 . The output of regulator  71  is connected to pin  44 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, which connect to the computer-based device  18  as described above. A capacitor  39  is provided to filter the signal being sent to the computer-based device  18  to eliminate short transients. 
     FIGS. 1 c  and  2   c  shows another schematic for a detector for a two line phone system. Here, two line jack port  22 ″ connects to capacitor  28 ″ which in turn connects to a bridge rectifier  29 ″. The bridge rectifier  29 ″ is operatively connected to a resistor  30 ″ which is operatively connected to an optical coupler  31 ″ as shown. The optical coupler  31 ″ is connected to a capacitor  33 ″ and line  2  of jack port  32 ″. 
     A capacitor  35 ″ operatively connects to two line jack port  22 ″ and bridge rectifier  36 ″. Bridge rectifier  36 ″ operatively connects to a resistor  37 ″. An optical coupler  38 ″ connects to the resistor  37 ″ and a capacitor  39 ″ and line  1  of the jack port  32 ″. Jack ports  22 ″ and  32 ″ are connected as shown in FIG. 2 c . A voltage signal is sent through line  36  when a current is detected in the line  34 , and the voltage signal is used in a similar manner as described for FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b.    
     FIGS. 1 d  and  2   d  is still another embodiment of a detector wherein an optical sensor  90  is employed on the telephone. Here, the optical sensor  90  is preferably mounted to a cradle of the telephone  12  which holds the handset  14 . The optical sensor  90  provides a light to voltage conversion. The voltage output is proportional to the intensity of light impinging on the sensor  90 . Thus, where the handset  14  is in the cradle, the optical sensor  90  detects the presence thereof and when out of the cradle, the optical sensor  90  detects absence of thereof and a signal is generated which travels through the line  36 ′ to adapter  38  for use as described hereinafter for similar signals (voltage) sent via line a  36  wherein detectors  20  and  20 ′ are employed. 
     Referring now to the schematic diagram as shown in FIG. 2 d , the sensor assembly  90  consists of an infrared photo-diode  336  and integral infrared photo-transistor  326 . Current to photo-diode  336  is limited by resistor  342 . When the telephone receiver is “on-hook”, light from photo-diode  336  is reflected back to photo-transistor  326  whereupon it is amplified by transistor  3324 . When the telephone handset  14  is “off-hook”, light from the photo-diode  336  is not reflected back to photo-transistor  326 , and hence the circuit in this fashion is able to detect whether or not the telephone is in use. Integrated circuit  301 , an LM 567  tone decoder, provides a modulated square wave via inverter  334 , which is utilized in driving the photo-diode  336 . Photo-diode  336  is modulated in such a way as to prevent ambient light, such as interior or exterior lighting from interfering with the operation of the circuit. Modulated reflected light received by photo-transistor  326  and amplified by transistor  324  is further amplified by transistor  332  enabling the signal level to reach values which are suitable for input to integrated circuit  301 . Resistors  322 ,  328  and  330  are selected to adjust the gain of the amplifier stage thus ensuring proper operation. Capacitor  320  couples the modulated signal to integrated circuit  301  while removing any direct current bias voltage produced by transistor  332 . Integrated circuit  301  also serves the dual purpose of frequency detection. 
     When the modulation frequency, which is produced at one of the pins of integrated circuit  301  is present to another pin of integrated circuit  301 , integrated circuit  301  detects the presence of said modulation frequency and causes current to flow in light-emitting-diode  306  thus turning it on. Resistor  308  limits the current flow to LED  306 . When LED  306  is turned on, opto-coupler is activated and allows signals to pass through capacitor  310 . One lead from opto-coupler  305  is connected to the transmit pin of the computer&#39;s serial port, while another pin from opto-coupler  305  is connected to the receive pin of the computer&#39;s serial port via connector  303  which is a DB-9 styled connector. Once LED  306  activates opto-coupler  305 , the signals are looped through the serial port whereupon the computer based device  18  is able to detect the presence of the activation. Each time the telephone is removed from the hook, integrated circuit  301  detects the loss of reflected signal and activated the opto-coupler  305  thus signally the computer as to the telephones use. The said modulation frequency is determined by resistor  300  and capacitor  302  which form a standard RC oscillator. Capacitors  316  and  314  are filters used to set the detection bandwidth and output ripple. Capacitor  312  is used to filter the power supply input. 
     An alternative embodiment of optical sensor  90  is also shown in FIG. 2 e . It utilizes an infrared photo-diode  344  and current limiting resistor  342  which is electrically similar to diode  336  and  342 . Infrared photo-transistor  346  is utilized in place of transistors  326  and  324 . Resistor  350  sets the gain of the photo-transistor while capacitor  348  couples the modulated light signal from the photo-transistor  346  to the integrated circuit  301  in the same way as capacitor  320 . 
     Still another embodiment in FIG. 2 f  depicts a magnetic reed switch detector  400  which is preferably normally closed. The reed switch  400  operably connects to the serial ports receive pin and transmit pin. Whenever the state of the reed switch changes due to the proximity of the magnets  402  and  404  ( 402  connecting to the hand set and  404  to the base), the billing application software  58  receives an “off hook” signal and activates the billing software  58  to a maximized state for enabling logging of the phone time. Subsequent “on hook” signal stops accrual of phone time. 
     In yet still another embodiment, FIG. 2 g  depicts a solid-state magnetic sensor  500  which is preferably a three terminal ratiometric device based on the Hall effect. Magnetic sensor  500  is connected to the base set and is operably connected to an amplifier  501  and level detector  502  which further connects to the serial port&#39;s receive pin and transmit pin. Whenever the level detector  502  receives a signal from amplifier  501  that exceeds its preset threshold due to the proximity of a magnet  503  on the hand set, the billing application software  58  receives an “off hook” signal and activates the billing software  58 . This embodiment is most similar in function to that depicted in FIG. 2 f  with the exception that the implementation involves an active component instead of a passive reed switch. This feature enables the embodiment to utilize a smaller magnet and sensor which are less obtrusive to the user when affixed to a telephone. 
     In addition to the detection hardware described herein above, the embodiment also includes circuits for the production of DTMF tones. An embedded microprocessor  504  is provided that is powered from voltage obtained from the computer&#39;s serial port. Microprocessor  504  is based on the 80C52 architecture and is well known to anyone of ordinary skill in the art and available under such trademarks as “Intel” and “Phillips”. Microprocessor  504  is operably connected to a DTMF encoder  505  such as the MC145412 also well known to anyone of ordinary skill in the art and available under the trademark “Motorola”. The DTMF encoder is operably connected to an amplifier  506  and impedance matching network  507  which couples the DTMF signal into the handset of the telephone via MODF connectors  508  and  509 . Connector  508  is removably attachable to the telephone base unit while connector  509  is removably attachable to the telephone handset cord. The DTMF signals from encoder  505 , amplifier  506  and impedance matching network  507  are connected in parallel to the telephone handset&#39;s internal microphone. In this way, tone dialing signals can be produced to enable the automatic placement of calls. Microprocessor  504  has resident software  510  which converts signals from the computer&#39;s serial port to control signals for the DTMF encoder  505 . Power for microprocessor  504  can alternatively be derived from an internal battery or low voltage wall adapter. 
     By way of example, it is understood the billing software application  58  described herein can reside either locally or remotely and be accessible in a LAN or a WAN environment via the Internet, for example. The billing software means  58  is operatively associated in the memory  54  of the computer-based device  18  and includes means  60   a  for associating, logging and storing of first client data into a client data file  61   a , matter/call/print/postage comment data (i.e., the comments associated with the usage of phone, printer, and/or postage or matter worked on) into a data file  61   b  and service provider data into a service provider data file  61   c  and for associating and accruing the amount of time spent on a matter or call at a predetermined selectable rate, or print cost at a predetermined selectable rate, or postage at a predetermined selectable rate as part of a usage data, and date of such matter, call or cost with a first particular client. The billing software means  58  provides for manual and automatic initiation and termination of time logging as it is associated with the clock of the computer-based device  18  as well as automatic and manual activated prompts for logging print and postage costs entry. If the matter, call, pint, and/or postage is desired to be billed to the client, the means  60  provides for writing and storing all usage data (telephone usage—call time, amount of pages printed, postage applied at predetermined rates) with corresponding client data, service provider data, into billing data file  63  in memory  54 . 
     The billing software means  58  can pause the accrual of time aspect of means  60   a , for example, in a manner to stay accrual of the matter/call time for the first client matter or call for a condition such as another matter worked on or call being received or made on line  36 , using call waiting or three way calling modes, for example. This permits the billable call time to be accurately reflected for the first client. In this vein, the billing software means  58  is capable, preferably automatically in a like manner as described above, of initiating another means  60   b  for associating, logging and storing of second client data into a client data file  61   a , matter/call/print/postage- comment data into a comment data file  61   b  and service provider data into a service provider data file  61   c  and associating and accruing the amount of time for which a matter is worked or a call detected, e.g., via current in line  36  or phone “off hook” (“call time”), pages printed, postage applied, at predetermined rates, and date of transaction with a second client and, if the matter or call is desired to be billed to the second client, writing and storing such usage data, matter data, comment data, client data, service provider data into billing data file  63 . It is noted that means  60  can be initiated by the user enabling the use of an edit mode of billing software means  58  for purposes of editing the data. 
     In addition, for the case of multiple lines, the detector  20 ″ is preferably equipped to detect usage on multiple lines  24   a  and  24   b . For example, the current detected in lines  24   a  and  24   b  can be added together and the TSR means  52  can further detect the additional current and initiate the billing software means  58  to initiate means  60   b . Optionally, the magnetic reed switch  400  acts as a universal detecting means for detecting when the phone is “on or off hook.” 
     Upon initiation (sometimes referred to activation by one skilled in the art), billing software means  58  displays a screen (e.g., a windows-based screen) on the monitor prompting the service provider to log the matter/call/print/postage or cancel the logging of the matter/call/print/postage. If, for example, the service provider cancels the logging or initiates time billing cycle of a selected client, the screen disappears, the billing software application means  58  is minimized and the logging stayed or continues to run in case of a selected client while in a minimized state, and the screen reverts to a prior window application which may have been running. Upon either manually initiating the billing software means  58  for purposes of logging a matter, print or postage or sensing usage of telephone  12 , printing device  17 , or postage applicator  19  and automatically initiating, the screen is maximized providing the user the option to log the new transaction. The existing client can be manually or automatically paused in the case of billing of another matter/call/print/postage to the new client. 
     Upon selecting logging of the matter/call/print/postage, billing software means  58  displays a screen requesting service provider to select whether the matter/call/print/postage is to be billed to a client, e.g., “new client” or “existing client.” In selecting “existing client” the billing software means  58  displays a screen requesting service provider to select with which client data the usage data is to be associated. Manual initiation of this function also permits selection of the client or creation of the new client data. Upon selection of the client and activation of the means  60 , a screen is displayed permitting or requesting the service provider to enter comments (stored as comment data) to be associated with the matter/call/print/postage, where after entry, the screen disappears to a minimized state showing it running on a task bar and returns to the prior screen (thus task switching back to the prior window environment). If, for example, a prior client&#39;s time accrual was paused, the task bar would show the prior client resumed and time accrual would continue. 
     In addition as will be understood in connection with FIG. 2 g , if the user desires to place a telephone call to a specific client which appears in the above referenced screen, the client can be selected by double-clicking on the name whereupon a window will appear asking if the user wishes to telephone said client. If the use selects “yes”, the telephone number for the client is transmitted to the computer&#39;s serial port where the telephone interface, as described above and as depicted in FIG. 2 g , will generate the necessary DTMF tones to place the call. The call and logging is automatically terminated when the handset is returned to the “on-hook” position. The ability to enter comments into the comment data file is as previously described. 
     The means  60  associates the matter/call time data, print data, postage data, date data and comment data with the selected client from the client data file  61   a . Upon completion of the matter, the user maximizes the screen and is enabled by software billing means  58  to stop time accrual, in the case of a call, i.e., the line current ceases or the telephone  12  is “on hook” and is detected by the TSR means  52 , in the case of print job is initiated or postage applicator initiated is detected in a similar manner, and the screen is maximized. In such case, the means  60  provides for storing the associated matter/call data, print data, postage data, date data, client data, and comment data with the service provider data into the matter/call/print/postage billing data file  63  in the memory  54  of the computer-based device  18  or in the memory of the remote computer-based device  100 . 
     Means  60  permits entry of client data into client data file  61   a  via a client screen which displays client name field, contact name field, street address field, city address field, state zip code field, country field, work, fax, e-mail and home telephone fields and creates a unique identification for each client. Similarly, permitted is the entry of comment data into the comment data file  61   b  via a comment screen having comment field. Likewise, entry of service provider data is permitted via a service provider screen having company name field, service provider name field, street address field, city address field, state zip code field, country field, work, fax and home telephone fields, e-mail field, hourly rate field, print cost field, postage cost field and COM port field and unique identification for the service provider is permitted and stored in the service provider data file  61   c . The software means  58  further has means  65  for encrypting/de-encrypting the data in the billing data file  63 . 
     Another aspect of the invention includes second computer-based device  100  operably associated with the first computer-based device  18  via, for example, the service source  26  and conventional computer-based device modem links or a network. The computer-based device  100  likewise includes operably associated memory and operating system, clock, monitor, modem and keyboard and is provided with complimentary billing software means  158  operably associated with the  154  memory of the computer-based device  100  and has means  165  for encrypting/de-encrypting the billing data file  63 . The billing software means  58  and  158  include means  64  and  164 , respectively, for communicating with one another in a manner such that the data in the data file  63  may be transmitted, preferably in an encrypted form, and de-encrypted by the computer-based device for purposes of generating an invoice to the client. The invention is very useful over the Internet. The billing software means  58  in the first computer-based device  18  includes means for manually or automatically transmitting the billing data file  63  to the second computer-based device  100 . 
     The communication means  64  is equipped to perform one of automatically transmitting the data at a predetermined time of each month or manually transmitting the data at the service provider&#39;s initiation. In the case of electing manual or automatic transmission, the communication means  64  transmits at the predetermined time/date upon the initiation of the billing software means  58 . The communication means  164  is preferably continuously set up to receive the transmitted billing data file and in turn, the billing software means  158  de-encrypts, if needed, and generates an invoice (preferably by way of any suitable printing means or optionally electronically) to the client on behalf of the service provider. Herein, the invoice generated would include listing the client data and service provider data with itemized matter/call time data, print data, postage data and associated comment data. 
     The billing software means  158  manipulates the received billing data file  63  to an invoice data file  161  which is used to generate an invoice. A printer  163  is operably connected to the computer-based device  100  and billing software means  158  to permit the invoice to be printed. 
     Further, the invention includes accounting aspect for marking whether the invoice has been paid. Software billing means  158  includes means  167  for generating scanable identification invoice indicia data  169  corresponding to particular billing data file  63  and which is stored in invoice data file  161  for a client. There can be any number of invoice data files  161 , the amount of which is created by billing software means  158  as needed. The invoice data file  161 and scanable identification invoice indicia data  169  are printed on invoice  200  via employing printer  163 . The invoice indicia  169  is preferably in the form of a bar code  201  on invoice  200 . A scanner  170  is operably associated with the computer-based device  100  and the billing software means  158  for scanning the bar code  201  to enable the billing software means  158  to readily sort to the corresponding billing invoice data file  161  and post with a credit (full or partial) thereto. Outstanding invoices can be rebilled by billing software means  158  if not credited. The billing software means  158  provides a window on the computer-based device&#39;s  100  display  203  to enable visual confirmation of the crediting of an invoice. 
     While this aspect of the invention is shown as residing on the computer-based device  100 , it is contemplated that the accounting software in the billing software means  158 , printer and scanner can be implemented on computer-based device  18 . The billing software  58  can also be optionally equipped with similar means for creating invoice indicia. Thus, a fast mechanism is provided by the present invention whereby a returned invoice  200  with payment can be credited. The billing software means  158  is capable of partial crediting of a invoice, wherein the invoice data in the billing data file  161  will remain unmarked paid until fully paid carrying over a balance to the next generated invoice for such client. 
     By so providing, the invention has greatly reduced the administrative cost and burden to professional environments. Particularly, the invention provides more substantial cost recovery components, i.e., paper, copy and postage costs, as well as the previously disclosed telephone time, in a unique manner for capturing the same. Further, invention has enabled the outsourcing of billing to a remote location, for example, via the Internet. 
     The above described embodiment is set forth by way of example and is not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that obvious modifications, derivations and variations can be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto should be read in their full scope including any such modifications, derivations and variations.