Electronic invoice management system

Abstract

System (10) for automatic invoice data management comprising at least one buyer terminal device (12), at least one buyer payment device (14), at least one seller payment receiving device (16), at least one seller processing and / or computing device (18), at least one central server unit (20) and at least one communication network (22), wherein the buyer terminal device (12), the seller payment receiving device (16), the seller processing and / or computing device (18) and the server unit (20) are connected by means of the communication network (22), wherein the seller payment receiving device (16) has at least one capture module (24) for capturing invoice document data and associated metadata from the buyer and seller,which are transferable by the seller's payment receiving device (16) to the server unit (20) via the communication network (22) as a result of at least one electronic payment transaction correctly carried out by means of the buyer's payment device (14) and the seller's payment receiving device (16), wherein the server unit (20) has at least one invoice database unit (26) in which the invoice document data can be stored and are automatically transferable by the server unit (20) via the communication network (22) to the buyer's terminal device (12) and to the seller's processing and / or computing device (18).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for automatic invoice data management comprising at least one buyer terminal device, at least one buyer payment device, at least one seller payment receiving device, at least one seller processing and / or computing device, at least one central server unit and at least one communication network, wherein the buyer terminal device, the seller payment receiving device, the seller processing and / or computing device and the server unit are connected by means of the communication network.

[0002] To simplify electronic payment transactions between a buyer and a seller, a system for automatic invoice data management is proposed. This system is specifically designed to automatically send the buyer and seller the specific invoice data associated with the electronic payment transaction as soon as the transaction has been successfully completed. Systems for automatic invoice data management are already known from the prior art.

[0003] DE 10 2010 038 729 A1 discloses a system for the electronic recording of invoice data for a cost accounting system, comprising means for creating a cost accounting system, wherein the cost accounting system includes invoice data; and means for electronically recording and transmitting the invoice data to a data processing device.

[0004] From DE 20 2016 007 650 U1, an electronic transmission device with a near-field communication interface is further disclosed. This device is connected to existing cash register systems for the wireless transmission of electronic ESC / POS invoice data to mobile devices. It receives the data from the cash register systems and wirelessly transmits it to the mobile devices for reception using the near-field communication standard. The cash register systems recognize the device as an external printer, so no fundamental changes to the systems are necessary; the proposed device simply needs to be connected.

[0005] However, existing systems for managing invoice data are not designed to automatically transfer the relevant invoice data to buyers and sellers after a successful electronic payment transaction and to manage this data centrally.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to advantageously further develop a system for automatic invoice data management of the type mentioned above, in particular in such a way that invoice document data of a buyer and seller can be managed and made available to them more easily and efficiently.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a system for automatic invoice data management with the features of claim 1. According to this claim, a system for automatic invoice data management comprises at least one buyer terminal device, at least one buyer payment device, at least one seller payment receiving device, at least one seller processing and / or computing device, at least one central server unit, and at least one communication network, wherein the buyer terminal device, the seller payment receiving device, the seller processing and / or computing device, and the server unit are connected by means of the communication network, and wherein the seller payment receiving device comprises at least one capture module for capturing invoice document data and associated metadata from the buyer and seller.which are transferable by the seller's payment receiving device to the server unit via the communication network as a result of at least one correctly executed electronic payment transaction by means of the buyer's payment device and the seller's payment receiving device, wherein the server unit has at least one invoice database unit in which the invoice document data can be stored and are automatically transferable by the server unit via the communication network to the buyer's terminal device and to the seller's processing and / or computing device.

[0008] The invention is based on the fundamental idea that the invoice data and associated metadata generated as a result of an electronic payment transaction between buyer and seller can be transferred to a server, stored centrally there, and automatically transmitted via the communication network to both buyer and seller. This allows both buyer and seller to verify immediately after the purchase or sale, using the invoice data, whether the payment transaction was processed correctly. This significantly improves the security, transparency, and efficiency of electronic payment transactions between buyer and seller, thereby simplifying the process. Furthermore, the transmission of this electronic invoice data eliminates the need for printing, further reducing the effort required for invoice data management for both buyer and seller.Furthermore, eliminating these printouts saves on expensive and resource-intensive items such as printers and paper. Essentially, this also makes it possible to carry relevant business documents like invoices digitally and access them anytime, anywhere.

[0009] Additionally, it is conceivable that the buyer and seller can save the invoice data sent to them on the buyer's device and the seller's processing and / or computing equipment. However, the buyer and seller can also access, download, and manage the invoice data stored on the server unit via the buyer's device and the seller's processing and / or computing equipment.

[0010] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the system for automatic invoice data management could be configured and designed in such a way that invoices or invoice data can also be linked to warranties and / or guarantee rights for the purchased product. In the event of a warranty or guarantee claim, the corresponding documents could then be carried digitally via the system and thus be accessible anytime, anywhere. For example, such data could be transferred directly from the system to a corresponding module, such as in the seller's processing and / or computing unit. In particular, it is conceivable that this information could be accessed via the buyer's device and thus presented digitally. It would therefore no longer be necessary to carry paper documents or similar materials.

[0011] It is also conceivable in this context to be able to provide the relevant tax documents directly.

[0012] Furthermore, it is conceivable that reorders or returns could be processed via the system.

[0013] Furthermore, the server unit may include at least one invoice data analysis module that communicates with the invoice database unit and allows for the determination of creditworthiness and / or a value-added tax and / or sales tax rate based on the stored invoice data, and / or enables the tracking of the invoice data history. In particular, the invoice data analysis module can evaluate and analyze invoice data from multiple invoices, thereby providing the buyer and seller with detailed and accurate information about their electronic transactions (e.g., a specific time period, expenditure items, specific regions or countries, or which trading partner).Furthermore, this analyzed invoice data can be used in connection with the granting of loans or the conclusion of insurance contracts, enabling a more informed decision regarding the choice of lender or insurance company. Additionally, the invoice data can be analyzed using the invoice data analysis module to take into account any bonus or loyalty point system agreed upon between buyer and seller, and the corresponding bonus and loyalty point data can be linked to the invoice data.

[0014] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the server unit comprises at least one user profile database unit and at least one user profile data analysis module in mutual data communication, wherein unique buyer profile data and unique seller profile data are stored in the user profile database unit, and the buyer's terminal device and the seller's payment receiving device are in data communication with the server unit, provided that the user profile data analysis module correctly compares the buyer profile data and the seller's profile data. This comparison of buyer profile data and seller profile data by the user profile data analysis module can significantly improve the access security of the buyer's terminal device and the seller's payment receiving device to the server unit. Such an improvement in access is particularly important and advantageous for highly sensitive data such as invoice data.Access to the server unit by the buyer's device and the seller's payment receiving device via the communication network can be encrypted or coded, thereby further improving access security. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the invoice data could also be encrypted or coded.

[0015] It is also conceivable that the system is designed and configured to process financial transactions between buyer and seller. For example, it is conceivable that a so-called "digital payment" is enabled via the buyer's device. It is also conceivable that the payment flow can function in the opposite direction, i.e., from the seller back to the buyer. This is particularly advantageous because, in this case, refunds or reimbursements could be facilitated.

[0016] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the buyer's device is a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, and / or a smartwatch, with the seller's payment receiving device being a card reader and the buyer's payment device being a debit card. This configuration of the buyer's device allows the buyer constant access to the invoice data they select, resulting in particular advantages in terms of fast and efficient invoice data management and a clear overview of the invoice data for the buyer. It can be especially advantageous for the buyer's device to be a mobile device. This makes it particularly easy for the buyer to access and manage the respective invoice data regardless of location.Furthermore, debit cards and the corresponding card readers are standardized devices for processing electronic payment transactions between buyers and sellers. This offers advantages for both buyers and sellers, particularly regarding transaction security, transaction costs, and transaction management.

[0017] Furthermore, it is possible to store buyer and seller bank account data in the user profile database unit, which can be linked to the buyer and seller profile data, respectively, via the user profile data analysis module. This further reduces the effort required for buyers and sellers to manage invoice data, as multiple bank accounts can be linked to the buyer and seller profile data, thus enabling invoices from several bank accounts to be combined and processed and managed more efficiently.

[0018] The matching of bank statements or other bank account data can also be automated. For example, it is conceivable to provide a corresponding display module on the buyer's device, allowing all bank data to be viewed directly online, enabling direct access to the relevant financial information.

[0019] This display can be done online in real time.

[0020] It is also conceivable that financial transactions will be accompanied by appropriate warnings, i.e., that debits will be shown or displayed as a message on the buyer's device.

[0021] Furthermore, the invoice data analysis module and the user profile data analysis module can be linked, allowing buyer and seller profile data to be additionally linked to the respective invoice document data to form buyer and seller link data. In particular, this linkage enables the invoice data analysis module and the user profile data analysis module to determine even more detailed information regarding the invoice document data of the buyer and seller, thereby further improving the management of invoice document data. Additionally, the invoice data analysis module and the user profile data analysis module can be implemented as a single, integrated data analysis module. This allows many components to be shared, thereby increasing the performance density of such a data analysis module.

[0022] It is also conceivable that the invoice data includes multiple metadata fields containing payment information such as the payment amount, buyer, seller, and VAT and / or sales tax number. Metadata is particularly advantageous with large volumes of invoice data because it allows for clear organization, enabling quick and efficient capture, management, and processing by the invoice data analysis module.

[0023] Furthermore, it is conceivable that, following confirmation of a payment amount by the buyer and seller and as a result of at least one correctly executed electronic payment transaction, the invoice data and / or merchant receipt data of at least one card transaction could be automatically transmitted via the communication network from the seller's payment receiving device to the server unit and then back to the buyer's terminal and the seller's processing and / or computing device. This would provide an additional security measure that further reduces the error rate of electronic payment transactions and thus enables fast, transparent, and, in particular, secure electronic payment processing between buyer and seller.

[0024] Furthermore, the invoice data analysis module can automatically calculate sales and / or VAT data from the invoice data and link it to the invoice data. This type of tax calculation is particularly advantageous for commercial sellers, as it allows them to determine the sales and / or VAT amounts required for a VAT return quickly, easily, and reliably using the automatic invoice data management system. This feature can also be of interest to the buyer, for example, if they are a commercial buyer and require immediate access to this data or document.

[0025] The system can be further configured and designed to allow for the integration of online shops. For example, invoices can be transmitted directly online from the seller's system to the buyer's system and, ideally, also correctly filed and saved directly.

[0026] A "direct pay" function may also be provided and available in this context.

[0027] Additionally, the invoice data analysis module can be designed to automatically calculate and link the VAT and / or sales tax rates and currencies of various countries based on the invoice data. As the business activities of commercial sellers become increasingly globalized, they have a legitimate economic interest in further accelerating and simplifying VAT calculations for international business activities. These requirements can be met quickly and efficiently, and therefore particularly advantageously for the user, with the automatic invoice data management system. This can also be of interest to the buyer, for example, when relevant tax rates need to be calculated.

[0028] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the user profile data analysis module could link buyer profile data to at least one buyer email account and seller profile data to at least one seller email account, so that corresponding invoice data could be automatically transmitted via email from the server unit to the buyer's device and the seller's processing and / or computing equipment via the communication network. Providing the respective invoice data via email significantly simplifies invoice data management for both buyers and sellers. This allows for quick and easy secure and encrypted forwarding of invoice data to the relevant recipients.

[0029] It is also conceivable that the user profile data analysis module could link buyer and seller profile data to additional email accounts, allowing invoice data to be transmitted via email to a tax advisor, auditor, tax office, or an airport department responsible for sales and VAT matters. This functionality of the automated invoice data management system is particularly advantageous in tax matters. This system allows commercial buyers and sellers, in particular, to forward the evaluated or analyzed invoice data directly, and therefore quickly and efficiently, to tax advisors, auditors, and tax offices. This also makes tax audits significantly more efficient, as they are conducted electronically or digitally, and more transparently.Another feature of this system is particularly important for buyers and sellers who frequently transfer goods or services acquired in one country to a second country with different VAT or sales tax laws. In this case, the system can automatically analyze the relevant invoice data and generate corresponding VAT or sales tax claims at border crossings, for example, at airports or customs stations. These claims can then be forwarded directly via email or similar communication methods, such as online fax, SMS, or other messaging services, thus speeding up and simplifying this process.

[0030] It is also possible for invoice data sent to the buyer and seller via email to be manually saved on the server by the buyer and seller using the buyer's device and the seller's processing and / or computing equipment. If the buyer or seller does not wish for the invoice data to be automatically saved on the server, it can initially be sent to them via email, allowing them to manually decide whether the invoice data should be saved locally only or additionally / alternatively on the server. This functionality increases the buyer's and seller's authority in managing invoice data, especially with smaller volumes of invoice data, as it allows them to individually decide on the storage method.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that the invoice data manually selected by the buyer and seller can be deleted using the buyer's device and the seller's processing and / or computing equipment. This allows buyers and sellers to remove unimportant or expired invoice data that is no longer needed for further business activities. This further optimizes the administrative effort for buyers and sellers, as well as the processing speed and storage capacity of the server unit, especially when dealing with large volumes of invoice data.

[0032] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the user profile data analysis module could link buyer profile data to at least one buyer username and password, and seller profile data to at least one seller username and password. This significantly increases the security of the invoice data, which is stored centrally on the server and is considered highly sensitive. Additionally, it offers the advantage of allowing multiple authorized individuals to access the invoice data using their respective usernames and passwords.

[0033] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the invoice data can be categorized in different storage folders within the invoice database unit using the invoice data analysis module. This allows for further optimization of invoice data management. Different invoice data can thus be stored and retrieved in a particularly clear and simple manner in different folders (e.g., groceries, clothing, entertainment, furniture, drugstore items, health). This categorization is also particularly advantageous for tax calculations for external service providers such as tax advisors or auditors, as the improved clarity simplifies their work as well.

[0034] Furthermore, the server unit may include a search engine module that communicates with the invoice data analysis module and the user profile data analysis module. This module allows the invoice data database unit and the user profile data database unit to be searched using specific search criteria. These criteria can be transmitted to the search engine module via the communication network from the buyer's device and / or the seller's processing and / or computing equipment. The search engine module further simplifies the management of invoice data. Ultimately, this enables buyers and sellers to easily find and use invoice data that matches specific search criteria (such as name, address, country, tax ID number, VAT / sales tax number, product, barcode, matrix code, date, or amount).The same applies to external service providers such as tax advisors, tax offices or auditors, as this also significantly simplifies their work.

[0035] It is also conceivable that the invoice data analysis module could automatically consider direct debit orders with discounts and / or rebates based on the invoice data and link them to the invoice data. Since discounts and rebates are common, especially in buyer-seller relationships with a sufficiently large order volume, this function further simplifies payment processing between buyer and seller. Furthermore, it increases transparency for both buyers and sellers, as they can quickly verify whether the negotiated discounts or rebates have actually been applied during payment processing.

[0036] Furthermore, it is conceivable that both the buyer's device and the seller's payment receiving device could each have an NFC interface. The buyer's device is particularly advantageous to have an NFC interface if it is a mobile device. By using an NFC interface, the buyer no longer needs to use a separate payment device, such as a debit card. This makes the payment process more intuitive and simpler, especially for the buyer. NFC technology also offers diverse applications in many industrial and commercial sectors. Moreover, by limiting its operation to short-range communication, NFC technology provides particularly secure data transmission, as it does not transmit data over a wider area, unlike, for example, WLAN-based transmission technologies, thus making misuse more difficult.Furthermore, encrypted data transmission can be easily implemented using NFC technology.

[0037] Furthermore, the system for automatic invoice data management may include at least one vendor cash payment receiving unit. This vendor cash payment receiving unit also comprises an invoice data capture module for cash payments from buyers and an identity capture module. Thus, the identity capture module can capture the identity data of at least one cash-paying buyer and transfer it to the invoice data capture module. During the cash payment, the latter links the resulting invoice data with the buyer's identity data to create cash payment invoice data and associated metadata. The identity capture module can capture the buyer's identity data during the cash payment via a code scanned by the customer's device, an identity card, a national identity card, or other forms of identification.The seller's cash receipt device is also connected to the server unit via the communication network. In other words, the seller's cash receipt device can assign each cash payment to at least one buyer identity. Furthermore, the resulting cash payment invoice data can be transmitted to the server unit via the communication network. The cash payment invoice data transmitted to the server unit in this way can be managed in the same or a similar manner as the invoice data described above following at least one electronic payment transaction. In particular, the cash payment invoice data can be stored in the invoice database unit and automatically transmitted by the server unit via the communication network to the buyer's terminal device and to the seller's processing and / or computing unit.Furthermore, it is possible to scan invoices using a scan module and thus make them available in the system accordingly.

[0038] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the system for automatic invoice data management includes at least one encryption module.

[0039] Accordingly, the seller's payment receiving unit and the server unit can each have an encryption module. These encryption modules can be configured to encrypt all data managed by the system (such as invoice data and associated metadata, buyer profile data, seller profile data, buyer bank account data, seller bank account data, invoice data, merchant invoice data, sales tax data, and / or VAT data). The encrypted data can then be transmitted securely over the communication network. The encryption methods used can be symmetric, asymmetric, or hybrid. Examples of symmetric encryption methods include DES, 3DES, IDEA, CAST, RC4, RC5, RC5a, RC6, A5, Blowfish, Twofish, and / or AES.Examples of asymmetric encryption methods include Diffie-Hellman, RSA, and / or ElGamal. Examples of hybrid encryption methods include PGP and combinations of the aforementioned symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods. Furthermore, the buyer's device, the seller's processing and computing equipment, and the server unit are configured to decrypt the encrypted data. The data managed by the system can also be end-to-end encrypted. Examples of end-to-end encryption include OpenPGP, S / MIME, the Signal Protocol, OTR, OMEMO, and / or ZRTP / SRTP. Encryption can significantly increase data security for the data managed by the system and thus reliably prevent unauthorized access to the data by third parties.

[0040] Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0041] It shows: Fig. 1 A schematic representation of an embodiment of an automatic invoice data management system according to the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system 10 according to the invention for automatic invoice data management.

[0042] The system 10 for automatic invoice data management comprises a buyer terminal 12, a buyer payment device 14, a seller payment receiving device 16, a seller processing and computing device 18, a central server unit 20 and a communication network 22.

[0043] It is also conceivable that the buyer's terminal device 12 can be connected to, or is already connected to, a printer, which can then be used to print the receipts. This could be used, for example, to provide receipts to tax and / or financial authorities.

[0044] Cash withdrawals can also be recorded using the system, and the corresponding receipts can be printed out.

[0045] According to another embodiment, system 10 for automatic invoice data management can additionally or alternatively include a seller cash payment receiving device (not in Fig. 1 shown).

[0046] The seller cash receipt device may also include an invoice receipt data capture module for cash payments from buyers and an identity capture module (also not in Fig. 1 shown). The buyer terminal 12, the seller payment receiving unit 16, the seller processing and computing unit 18 and the server unit 20 are connected via the communication network 22.

[0047] The buyer's end device 12 is either a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone or a smartwatch.

[0048] The vendor payment receiving device 16 is a card reader or an ATM.

[0049] Furthermore, the buyer payment device 14 is a debit card.

[0050] According to another embodiment (not in Fig. (as shown in Figure 1) the buyer terminal 12 and the seller payment receiving device 18 can each also have an NFC interface.

[0051] In the case of a seller payment receiving device 16 designed as a card reader, the NFC interface can be integrated into the card reader.

[0052] If the buyer terminal 12 has an NFC interface, the buyer terminal 12 is specifically designed as a mobile buyer terminal 12.

[0053] The seller payment receiving device 16 further includes a capture module 24 for capturing invoice document data and associated metadata from buyer and seller.

[0054] The server unit 20 also includes an invoice database unit 26 and an invoice data analysis module 28.

[0055] The invoice data analysis module 28 is in data communication with the invoice database unit 26.

[0056] The server unit 20 further comprises a user profile database unit 30 and a user profile data analysis module 32 in mutual data connection.

[0057] The invoice data analysis module 28 and the user profile data analysis module 32 are also connected via data links.

[0058] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the invoice data analysis module 28 and the user profile data analysis module 32 could be designed as a single data analysis module.

[0059] The server unit 20 also has a search engine module 34, which is connected to the invoice data analysis module 28 and the user profile data analysis module 32.

[0060] System 10 for automatic invoice data management can also include two encryption modules (not included). Fig. 1 shown).

[0061] Accordingly, the seller payment receiving unit 16 and the server unit 20 can each have an encryption module. The function of system 10 for automatic invoice data management can now be described as follows: As a result of a correctly executed electronic payment transaction (using the buyer payment device 14 and the seller payment receiving device 16), invoice document data and associated metadata can be transmitted by the seller payment receiving device 16 to the server unit 20 via the communication network 22.

[0062] In this context, it is also conceivable that the invoice document data and the associated metadata can first be transferred from the seller's payment receiving unit 16 to the seller's processing and computing unit 18 and from there transferred to the server unit 20.

[0063] Consequently, the seller's payment receiving unit 16 and the seller's processing and computing unit 18 are also connected via the communication network 22.

[0064] The communication network 22 can also be at least partially wireless, for example via WLAN.

[0065] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the communication network 22 is at least partially wired.

[0066] To increase the security of the transmitted invoice data and the associated metadata, the communication network 22 is encrypted.

[0067] As explained above, server unit 20 has an invoice database unit 26.

[0068] The invoice data can be stored in this and automatically transferred by the server unit 20 via the communication network 22 to the buyer's terminal device 12 and to the seller's processing and computing unit 18.

[0069] The invoice document data can also be categorized in different storage folders in the invoice database unit 26 using the invoice data analysis module 28.

[0070] Furthermore, with the help of the invoice data analysis module 28, it is possible to determine creditworthiness or a value added tax or sales tax rate based on the stored invoice document data.

[0071] Furthermore, the invoice data analysis module 28 allows the history of invoice document data to be traced.

[0072] In this way, both buyers and sellers can quickly and easily see when, i.e., at what time and on what date, which payment transaction was processed with whom and where.

[0073] In addition, the user profile database unit contains 30 unique buyer profile data and unique seller profile data.

[0074] Furthermore, buyer bank account details and seller bank account details are stored in the user profile database unit 30.

[0075] The buyer bank account details and seller bank account details can each be linked to the buyer profile data and the seller profile data by the user profile data analysis module 32.

[0076] Consequently, the buyer terminal 12 and the seller payment receiving device 16 are only in data connection on the condition that the user profile data analysis module 32 correctly matches the buyer profile data and the seller profile data with the server unit 20.

[0077] If the buyer's terminal device 12 is used by one or more private individuals, it can be either a business or private personal computer.

[0078] Furthermore, using the user profile data analysis module 32, buyer profile data can be linked with a buyer username and a buyer password, and seller profile data can be linked with a seller username and at least one seller password.

[0079] As explained above, the invoice data analysis module 28 and the user profile data analysis module 32 are connected via data link.

[0080] This allows the buyer profile data and seller profile data to be additionally linked with the respective invoice document data to create buyer linking data and seller linking data.

[0081] The invoice data in turn includes a number of metadata fields, such as payment information on the payment amount, buyer, seller and the VAT or sales tax number.

[0082] Furthermore, as a result of confirmation of a payment amount by the buyer and seller and as a result of a correctly executed electronic payment transaction, the invoice data and, if applicable, the merchant receipt data of at least one card transaction can be automatically transmitted by the system 10 via the seller payment receiving device 16 to the server unit 20 via the communication network 22.

[0083] From there, the invoice data and, if applicable, the dealer data can be transferred back to the buyer's terminal device 12 and the seller's processing and computing unit 18.

[0084] Furthermore, using the invoice data analysis module 28, sales and VAT data can be automatically calculated from the invoice document data and also linked to the invoice document data.

[0085] Furthermore, the VAT and sales tax rates and currencies of various countries are automatically calculated using the invoice data analysis module 28 based on the invoice document data and then linked to the invoice document data.

[0086] Furthermore, it is possible that, using the invoice data analysis module 32, a direct debit order with a discount or rebate can be automatically taken into account based on the invoice document data and linked to the invoice document data.

[0087] Another functionality of System 10 is that, using the user profile data analysis module 32, buyer profile data can be linked to a buyer email account and seller profile data can be linked to at least one seller email account.

[0088] This link enables the corresponding invoice data to be automatically transmitted to the buyer and seller via email using the server unit 20 and the communication network 22 to the buyer's terminal device 12 and the seller's processing and computing unit 18.

[0089] Furthermore, the invoice data EBD sent to the buyer and seller by email can be manually stored by the buyer and seller on the server unit 20 using the buyer's terminal device 12 and the seller's processing and computing unit 18.

[0090] However, in this context it is also conceivable that the invoice document data manually selected by the buyer and seller can be deleted using the buyer's terminal device 12 and the seller's processing and computing device 18.

[0091] Using the user profile data analysis module 32, buyer profile data and seller profile data can be linked to additional email accounts.

[0092] This means that the respective invoice data can be transferred via email to, for example, a tax advisor, auditor, tax office or a department of an airport for sales and value added tax matters.

[0093] Furthermore, invoice data relating to a revoked electronic payment transaction can be transmitted to the buyer and seller via email or printed out for paper-based documentation.

[0094] Invoice data, which also relates to warranty claims or an exchange or refund of products, can also be printed out as evidence.

[0095] The same applies to invoice data in connection with a tax advisor, auditor, tax office or an airport department for sales and value added tax matters.

[0096] As explained above, the server unit 20 has a search engine module 34 which is connected to the invoice data analysis module 28 and the user profile data analysis module 32.

[0097] Using the search engine module 34, the invoice data database unit 26 and the user profile data database unit 32 can be searched according to specific search criteria.

[0098] The relevant search criteria can thus be transmitted via the communication network 22 to the search engine module 32 by means of the buyer's terminal device 12 and the seller's processing and computing unit 18.

[0099] Furthermore, in the case of a cash payment, the identity data of at least one cash-paying buyer can be recorded using the identity capture module and transferred to the invoice data capture module.

[0100] The latter links the resulting invoice data with the buyer's identity data during cash payment to create cash payment invoice data and associated metadata.

[0101] The identity capture module can capture buyer identity data during cash payments via a code scannable by the customer's terminal device, an identity card, a national identity card, or other forms of identification.

[0102] The seller's cash payment receiving device is also connected to server unit 20 via the communication network.

[0103] In other words, the seller's cash payment receiving device allows each cash payment to be assigned to at least one buyer identity.

[0104] Furthermore, the resulting cash payment invoice data can be transmitted to server unit 18 via communication network 22.

[0105] The cash payment invoice data transmitted to server unit 18 can be managed in the same or a similar way as the invoice data described above as a result of at least one electronic payment transaction.

[0106] In particular, the cash payment invoice data can be stored in the invoice database unit 26 and automatically transferred by the server unit 18 via the communication network 22 to the buyer's terminal device 12 and to the seller's processing or computing unit 18.

[0107] Furthermore, all data managed by System 10 can be encrypted using the encryption modules described above.

[0108] The encryption module of the seller payment receiving device 16 can therefore encrypt invoice document data and associated metadata as well as merchant document data.

[0109] The encryption module of server unit 20 can encrypt buyer profile data, seller profile data, buyer bank account data, seller bank account data, sales tax data and / or VAT data.

[0110] The encrypted invoice data and associated metadata, as well as merchant receipt data, received by server unit 20 can first be decrypted using a decryption module of server unit 20 before being further processed and re-encrypted by server unit 20.

[0111] The data encrypted in this way can therefore always be transmitted in encrypted form via the communication network 22.

[0112] The encryption methods applicable by the encryption modules can be symmetric, asymmetric or hybrid encryption methods.

[0113] Examples of symmetric encryption methods include DES, 3DES, IDEA, CAST, RC4, RC5, RC5a, RC6, A5, Blowfish, Twofish or AES.

[0114] Examples of asymmetric encryption methods include Diffie-Hellman, RSA, or ElGamal.

[0115] Examples of hybrid encryption methods include PGP methods as well as a combination of the aforementioned symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods.

[0116] Furthermore, the buyer terminal device 12 and the seller processing and computing unit 18 are configured to decrypt the encrypted data.

[0117] The data managed by System 10 can also be end-to-end encrypted.

[0118] Examples of end-to-end encryption include OpenPGP, S / MIME, the Signal protocol, OTR, OMEMO and / or ZRTP / SRTP. Reference symbol list 10. System for automatic invoice data management 12 buyer end device 14 Buyer payment device 16 Seller Payment Receiving Device 18 Salesperson processing and computing equipment 20 server units 22 Communication network 24 Data entry module for recording invoice data 26 Invoice database unit 28 Invoice Data Analysis Module 30 User profile database unit 32 User profile data analysis module 34 Search engine module QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2010 038 729 A1

[0003] DE 20 2016 007 650 U1

[0004]

Images