Abstract:
A system and method for document management, such as receipts, includes a device having a processor and associated memory, a wireless data interface and a digital imager. The device is configured to selectively generate image data corresponding to captured images of associated receipts acting in connection with a touchscreen display. Price data is extracted from multiple areas of the image data and an image of the receipts on the touchscreen display is generated. The processor determines a position of the price data on the image and highlights at least one user-selectable portion of the image on the touchscreen display. Aggregate costs are calculated and displayed in accordance with user selection.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates generally to a system and method for capturing and editing images. The application relates more specifically to capturing and editing of receipts for generating, communicating and storing of expense information. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many commercial transactions are documented by paper receipts. Receipts may be in the form of itemized billing, such as from a restaurant or a hotel. Other receipts may be related to a single purchase, such as a plane ticket or taxi fare. Still other receipts may include multiple types of expenses, such as a hotel receipt which also reflects restaurant or room service charges, or a department store receipt which includes items such as food, clothing and pharmaceuticals. Receipts may include additional charges, such as taxes, gratuities, service fees, fuel surcharges, and the like. Earliest receipts were hand written at the time of a transaction. More recently, receipts are printed by a point-of-sale device, such as at a cash register or following a credit card swipe. 
     Receipts are important for many reasons, including documenting a purchase for a possible return or exchange of merchandise. Receipts are frequently necessary for business expenses to facilitate reimbursement or to sustain a tax deduction. Receipts may contain different entries that require different treatment. For example, some items may be legitimate for reimbursement or for tax deduction, while others in the same receipt or related receipts are not. Some items may be reimbursable, but with different rules than for others on the same receipt. Distinctions may be based on areas such as company policy or tax regulations. 
     It can be difficult and time consuming to maintain paper receipts, particularly when a lot of receipts are generated such as might be encountered during long or frequent business trips. Receipts can be lost or damaged. Archiving paper receipts for months or years, particularly for large enterprises, can require substantial storage space. Also, paper receipts can fade over time. Receipts printed with thermal paper may become useless if stored in a location with too high a temperature. 
     Some businesses rely on document processing devices to generate electronic images of paper receipts. These devices include printers, copiers and scanners. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). MFPs are used in connection with example embodiments disclosed in detail below, but it is to be appreciated that any suitable document processing device can be used. Given the expense in obtaining and maintain MFPs, devices are frequently shared among users via a data network. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, a system and method for document management, such as receipts, includes a device having a processor and associated memory, a wireless data interface and a digital imager. The device is configured to selectively generate image data corresponding to captured images of associated receipts acting in connection with a touchscreen display. Price data is extracted from multiple areas of the image data and an image of the receipts on the display is generated. The processor determines a position of the price data on the image and highlights at least one user-selectable portion of the image on the display. Aggregate costs are calculated and displayed in accordance with user selection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  an example embodiment of a receipt management system; 
         FIG. 2  is an example embodiment of a document processing device; 
         FIG. 3  is an example embodiment of a portable data device; 
         FIG. 4  is an example embodiment of a flowchart for a receipt management system; 
         FIG. 5  is an example embodiment of a user interface; and 
         FIG. 6  is another example embodiment of a user interface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. 
     In accordance with the subject application,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a receipt management system  100 . A portable data device is suitably comprised of a portable computer, such a tablet, notebook or smartphone. In the illustrated example, such a portable data device is comprised of smartphone  110  which suitably includes a processor, memory, data interface, display, camera and a user interface as will be detailed below. Receipts, such as paper receipts  120  are suitably imaged by use of the camera and electronic image data generated therefrom. Image data is also suitably obtained by other devices in data communication via a wired or wireless network interface, or via a point-to-point data exchange, such as via Bluetooth, near-field communication or optical connection. In the illustrated example, image data is also suitably received from MFP  130 , suitably used to scan receipts or as storage for receipt data. Receipt data is also suitably stored or transmitted to shared data storage, such as cloud storage  150 . Data is suitably stored directly from a device or may be e-mailed between devices. Networked data communication is suitably accomplished via a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), the global Internet, or any combination thereof. Any suitably image capture system and image data format can be used. By way of example, data formats include JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PDF or DOCx formats. Data is suitably encrypted for security or compressed to save storage space or communication bandwidth. 
     In the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a user may scan receipts by taking a picture with their smartphone  110  or by scanning on an MFP  130 . Resultant data may be stored directly on the smartphone itself or in whole or in part on a networked device such as MFP  130  or cloud storage  150 . Image capture and receipt management in connection with the illustrated example will be further detailed further below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is an example of a document rendering system  200  suitably comprised within an MFP, such as MFP  130 . Included are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  202 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM  204 , and random access memory (RAM)  206 , via a data bus  212 . 
     Processor  202  is also in data communication with a storage interface  208  for reading or writing to a storage  216 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Processor  202  is also in data communication with a network interface  210  which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC)  214 , which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface  218 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Lightning, telephone line, or the like. NIC  214  and wireless network interface  218  suitably provide for connection to an associated network  220 . Processor  202  can also be in data communication with BLUETOOTH interface  226 , and NFC interface  228 , either directly as shown or through network interface  218  (not shown.) 
     Processor  202  can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Also in data communication with data bus  212  is a document processor interface  222  suitable for data communication with MFP functional units. In the illustrate example, these units include copy hardware  224 , scan hardware  226 , print hardware  228  and fax hardware  230  which together comprise MFP functional hardware  250 . It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is an example of a digital device system  300  suitably comprising a portable data device such as a tablet computer, notebook computer or smartphone such as smartphone  110 . Included are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  304 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM  310 , and random access memory (RAM)  312 , via a data bus  314 . 
     Processor  304  is also in data communication with a storage interface  306  for reading or writing to a data storage system  308 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Processor  304  is also in data communication with a network interface controller (NIC)  330 , which provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection via physical network interface  334 , or to any suitable wireless data connection via wireless network interface  338 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), telephone line, or the like. Processor  304  is also in communication with LBS services interface  336  for location based services. 
     Processor  304  is also in data communication with a user input/output (I/O) interface  340  which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as display  344 , as well as keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. I/O interface  340  suitably communicates with Bluetooth interface  350  and digital camera interface  360 . It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a flowchart  400  for a receipt management system in connection with operation of a data device such as smartphone  110  of  FIG. 1 . The process suitably commences at block  410  and proceeds to block  414  when a user commences a receipt management operation by launching an application on their device, such as a smartphone app. Next, at block  418 , receipt data is obtained imported by one or more sources  422 . Such sources may include camera  426 , scanner  430 , local storage  434  or cloud storage  438 . Receipt data, such as image data, is suitably used to generate a visible image rendering of the associated receipt or receipts at block  442 , which operation suitably includes extraction of information, such as pricing information, item identification, cost type, and the like reflected in a receipt, at block  446 . Such extraction is suitably accomplished by any suitable data mechanism, such as optical character recognition (OCR) or pattern recognition. Information relative to receipt content may also be available in barcodes, RFID information, and the like. The extracted pricing information is advantageously captured in conjunction with position data that associates a position of the pricing information relative to the rest of the image or images. Also, pricing information is suitably aggregated, such as by generating one or more totals or subtotals. A database of items is suitably used in conjunction with extraction to facilitate itemization or grouping of items. 
     By way of particular example, optical character recognition may return an entry for one or more known food items or beverages. Multiple entries are then suitably aggregated for food cost and similarly aggregated for beverage costs. Aggregations of additional items, such as taxes or tips, are also suitably made. Data associated with aggregated costs is then generated for display, along with a receipt image wherein areas associated with purchases and which factor into a report are highlighted. A determination is made at block  450  if the user is satisfied with the current receipt processing. If not, progress is made to block  454  wherein the user suitably places in order multiple pages or entries of receipts at block  458  and selects one or more of the highlighted areas for inclusion, exclusion, cataloging or bundling at block  462 . An updated display is then generated at block  442 , and this process is repeated until the user is satisfied at block  450 . At this point, a final rendering is completed and suitably created as a secure PDF at block  466 . This electronic document is then stored locally, shared or placed in on networked storage at block  470 , and the process suitably completes at block  474 . 
     In an embodiment, the receipt image data or processed electronic document can be integrated with email or messaging services. For example, a user can use email or send pictures of receipt data for automated expense report processing. In another example, multiple users can send email or messages with receipt data for a common project, allowing project expenses to be treated both individually for reimbursement purposes and together for budgeting or expensing purposes. 
     In an embodiment, users can edit receipt data to allocate, or pro-rate, the expenses to various categories. Categories can include, but are not limited to personal expenses, reimbursable expenses, non-chargeable expenses, expenses allocated to one or multiple projects, expenses identified with one or more customers, expenses allocated to or identified with another user, unreimbursed work-related expenses that may be tax deductible to the user, and so forth. Categories can also be based on IRS categories such as food and beverages, entertainment, automobile or transportation expenses, lodging, and so forth. 
     In an embodiment, the receipt data stored in network storage can be further processed. For example, the receipt data can be integrated and compared with credit card statements, which also can be downloaded and scanned. In this example, submitted expenses can be compared and correlated with bills which can assist accounting departments with tracking expenses, allocating expenses internally, authenticating expenses, and paying bills, among other suitable purposes. The data from the receipt processing can be further processed based on the categories, for example to determine expenses and generate reports or bills. In an embodiment, the receipt data can be integrated with individual budgets, for example for reimbursing actual user expenses, determining suitable per diem reimbursement, determining applicable time periods for projects, and for other suitable purposes. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a user interface including a smartphone display image  500  showing an image of a receipt  510 . In the example receipt from Switzerland, receipt itemized costs are illustrated at  514  and a total of 54.50 Swiss Francs. The total is captured and converted to dollars with the calculated, converted total of $77.05 displayed at  524 . Conversion is suitably rounded or made in connection with stored data or real-time conversion data received via a network. Receipt data is suitably captured directly by the smartphone, or selected from other areas by selection of touch-screen buttons  530 . In the example, a user can obtain data from the smartphone camera, from photo data, from a local or remote scanner or from networked storage, such as cloud storage. User selectable button  540  allows for a user to communicate data to share, or for storage. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of a smartphone display  600  which includes a rendering  610  of the same receipt used in connection with  FIG. 5 , above. In the illustrated example, the user  620  suitably selects on or more areas, such as price area  630 . Area  630  may be isolated and displayed in connection with OCR or other extraction as noted above automatically, or by user area selection. In the example, area  630  comprises included taxes that form part of the total. Selection and itemization may be desirable if such taxes are ultimately deductible or reimbursable, or otherwise ripe for separate handling. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.