公开(公告)号：EP1038246A2

公开(公告)日：2000-09-27

申请号：EP98947149.5

申请日：1998-09-18

申请人： Avista Advantage, Inc.

发明人： CROOKS, Gerry ,  ARNHOLD, Ed ,  BATTISTA, John ,  BONI, Ken ,  BOWERS, Dan ,  FEICHTNER, Mark ,  FRENCH, Blaine ,  GENZBERGER, Janna ,  HOLMES, David, D. ,  KIPPENHAN, Larry ,  MILLER, Dave ,  NANTO, Shawn ,  ORR, Teri ,  SCHLECT, Ed

IPC分类号： G06F17/60 ,  G06F17/30

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/102 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q40/12 ,  G06Q40/125 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J3/008 ,  Y04S10/60 ,  Y04S50/10 ,  Y04S50/12 ,  Y04S50/14 ,  Y10S707/99945 ,  Y10S707/99948

摘要： Electronic bill-presenting methods and bill consolidation methods are described. In one embodiment billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service which has been rendered to a consumer is received into a host computer which preferably includes a processor. With the processor, the billing information is processed by auditing the billing information against at least one tolerance parameter to determine whether said billing information satisfies the one tolerance parameter. Processed billing information is provided into a computer-viewable format, wherein the consumer can view the processed billing information and authorize payment thereof. In another embodiment, a bill consolidation method comprises receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a plurality of at least one of a service or material which has been rendered or provided, respectively, to a consumer. The host computer has a processor and an interface device. With the processor, the billing information is processed to provide processed billing information which includes a consolidated amount which is owed by the consumer. The processed billing information is provided into a computer-viewable format, and the consumer is provided with remote access to the processed billing information in the computer-viewable format via the interface device. The consumer can view the processed billing information which includes the consolidated amount. Other embodiments are described.

公开(公告)号：EP1050002A2

公开(公告)日：2000-11-08

申请号：EP98948348.2

申请日：1998-09-18

申请人： Avista Advantage, Inc.

发明人： CROOKS, Gerry ,  GENZBERGER, Janna ,  ARNHOLD, Ed ,  BATTISTA, John ,  BONI, Ken ,  MILLER, Dave ,  FEICHTNER, Mark ,  KIPPENHAN, Larry ,  NANTO, Shawn ,  ORR, Teri ,  BOWERS, Dan

IPC分类号： G06F17/60

CPC分类号： G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  G06Q40/12 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  Y10S707/99945 ,  Y10S707/99948

摘要： Computerized billing and payment authorization methods and systems are described. In one aspect, a host system includes a database in which information associated with a billable entity from which payment is to be received is stored. Billing information is received from a billing entity and is associated with a bill for payment by the billable entity. The billable entity is provided with remote electronic access to the billing information in the host computer and can authorization payment thereof. In one implementation, the billing information is scrutinized in accordance with pre-determined tolerance parameters prior to the billable entity gaining access thereto. In another implementation, a plurality of billing entities provide billing information to the host system, with the billing information being subsequently checked and consolidated into a consolidated amount which can be remotely accessed by the billable entity. In a preferred implementation a plurality of utility providers are incorporated into the system and providing billing information for customers which may have a number of different, geographically-separated sites being serviced by different utilities. The billing information is consolidated and made available electronically through access which is initiated by the customer. Preferably, the systems and methodologies of the invention are implemented in connection with a multi-user computer network such as the Internet.