Claims processing apparatus, claims processing method, and program

Abstract

Provided are an apparatus, a method, and a program for performing appropriate invoice processing using a payee master database. 【Solution means】The invoice processing apparatus 1 includes a claimant acquisition unit 131 that acquires a claimant identifier from a received invoice image, a determination unit 132 that determines whether the claimant identifier acquired by the claimant acquisition unit 131 exists in a payee master database that stores two or more payee information having the claimant identifier, and an invoice processing unit 133 that performs different processing on the invoice image according to the determination result of the determination unit 132. The invoice processing unit 133 includes a claim information acquisition means 1331 that acquires claim information, which is information necessary for performing invoice processing, when the determination unit 132 determines that the claimant identifier exists, and an invoice processing means 1336 that performs invoice processing, which is processing using the claim information and is processing related to the invoice image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a claim processing apparatus that processes claim images and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a claim reading and settlement system comprising: a claim image acquisition means for acquiring claim image data of a claim; a claim detail acquisition means for specifying claim items included in the claim using a machine learning method based on a claim master and the claim image data, and acquiring claim detail data for each of the claim items; and a claim detail confirmation screen display control means for controlling to display, on an input / output unit of a terminal device, a claim detail confirmation screen in which the claim detail data is arranged, based on an output format (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art, appropriate processing of claims using a payee master database could not be performed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The claim processing apparatus of the first invention includes a claim receiving unit that receives a claim image, a claim source acquisition unit that acquires a claim source identifier for identifying a claim source from the claim image, a determination unit that determines whether the claim source identifier acquired by the claim source acquisition unit exists in a payee master database in which two or more pieces of payee information having the claim source identifier are stored, and a claim processing unit that performs different processes on the claim image according to the determination result of the determination unit. When the determination unit determines that the claim source identifier exists in the payee master database, the claim processing unit includes a claim information acquisition means for acquiring claim information that is information corresponding to the claim source identifier and is necessary for performing claim processing, and a claim processing means for performing claim processing that is a process using the claim information acquired by the claim information acquisition means and is a process related to the claim image.

[0006] With such a configuration, appropriate processing of the claim can be performed using the payee master database.

[0007] Further, the claim processing apparatus of the second invention, with respect to the first invention, is a claim processing apparatus in which the claim processing unit accumulates payee information including the claim source identifier in the master database only when the determination unit determines that the claim source identifier does not exist in the payee master database.

[0008] With such a configuration, the payee master database can be appropriately updated.

[0009] Further, the claim processing apparatus of the third invention, with respect to the second invention, the claim processing unit includes an inquiry means for transmitting an inquiry as to whether to register the payee information including the claim source identifier in the payee master database when the determination unit determines that the claim source identifier does not exist in the payee master database, and for transmitting an inquiry including the claim source identifier to the terminal device that transmitted the claim image, a response receiving means for receiving a response to the inquiry, and a storage means for storing the payee information including the claim source identifier in the payee master database only when the response is a response indicating that it is to be stored in the payee master database.

[0010] With such a configuration, the payee master database can be updated more appropriately.

[0011] Also, in the invoice processing apparatus of the fourth invention, with respect to the third invention, the response receiving means receives a response including payee information having a claimant identifier, and the storage means stores the payee information received by the response receiving means in the payee master database.

[0012] With such a configuration, the payee master database can be updated more appropriately.

[0013] Also, in the invoice processing apparatus of the fifth invention, with respect to the first invention, the invoice processing unit acquires a default claimant code only when the determination unit determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database, acquires invoice information including the claimant code, and performs invoice processing which is a process using the invoice information and is a process related to the invoice image.

[0014] With such a configuration, appropriate processing of invoices using the payee master database can be performed.

[0015] Also, in the invoice processing apparatus of the sixth invention, with respect to any one of the first to fifth inventions, a processing identifier for identifying the processing to be performed when the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database is stored in association with the payee identifier, and the invoice processing unit performs the processing identified by the processing identifier paired with the payee identifier corresponding to the invoice image when the determination unit determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database.

[0016] With such a configuration, appropriate processing of invoices using the payee master database can be performed.

[0017] In addition, in the claim processing apparatus of the seventh invention, for the first invention, when the determination unit determines that there are two or more claim source identifiers acquired by the claim source acquisition unit in the payee master database, the claim processing unit further includes account information acquisition means for acquiring the account information of the payee from the claim form image. The claim information acquisition means determines whether payee information having the claim source identifier and the account information exists in the payee master database, and when it exists, acquires claim information having the claim source identifier and the account information. It is a claim processing apparatus.

[0018] With such a configuration, appropriate processing of the claim form can be performed using the payee master database.

[0019] In addition, the claim processing apparatus of the eighth invention further includes a claim storage unit that stores claim form information, which is the claim form image or information acquired using the claim form image, in association with the claim source identifier or the claim destination identifier, for any one of the first to seventh inventions. It is a claim processing apparatus.

[0020] With such a configuration, appropriate management of the claim form information can be performed.

[0021] In addition, the claim processing apparatus of the ninth invention performs claim processing for transmitting the claim source identifier and the claim form information, which is the claim form image or information acquired from the claim form image, for any one of the first to eighth inventions. It is a claim processing apparatus.

[0022] With such a configuration, appropriate processing of the claim form can be performed using the payee master database.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the claim processing apparatus of the present invention, appropriate processing of the claim form can be performed using the payee master database.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the claim processing apparatus and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, components denoted by the same reference numerals perform the same operations, and thus the description may be omitted again.

[0026] (Embodiment 1) In the present embodiment, a claim processing apparatus that receives a claim image from a terminal device of a payee, obtains payee information as a character string from the claim image, determines whether the payee information is registered in the payee master, and performs claim processing, which is processing using claim information, when it exists in the payee master will be described.

[0027] In the present embodiment, a billing processing apparatus that registers payment destination information including information acquired from a billing image in a payment destination master when the payment destination information is not registered in the payment destination master will be described.

[0028] In the present embodiment, a billing processing apparatus that registers payment destination information in a payment destination master based on a user's instruction will be described.

[0029] In the present embodiment, a billing processing apparatus that presents payment destination information acquired from a billing image to a user and registers the payment destination information in a payment destination master after additional writing or correction by the user will be described.

[0030] In the present embodiment, a billing processing apparatus that performs processing of billing information using a default code when the payment destination information is not registered in the payment destination master will be described.

[0031] In the present embodiment, a billing processing apparatus that performs processing according to a processing identifier stored for each billing destination when the payment destination information is not registered in the payment destination master will be described.

[0032] In the present embodiment, when there are two or more pieces of payment destination information having a billing source identifier in the payment destination master, a billing processing apparatus that acquires the payment destination account information of a billing image and determines whether there is payment destination information having the payment destination account information and the billing source identifier in the payment destination master will be described.

[0033] In the present embodiment, a billing processing apparatus that accumulates and manages a billing image or billing information acquired from a billing image in association with a billing source identifier will be described.

[0034] In the present embodiment, a billing processing apparatus that performs a billing process of transmitting a billing source identifier and a billing image or billing information acquired from a billing image to a server or the like in which a payment destination master is stored will be described.

[0035] In this specification, the fact that information X is associated with information Y means that information Y can be obtained from information X, or information X can be obtained from information Y, and the method of association is not limited. Information X and information Y may be linked, may exist in the same buffer, information X may be included in information Y, or information Y may be included in information X, etc.

[0036] Also, in this specification, selecting or determining information Z means obtaining information Z, obtaining a pointer to information Z, obtaining the ID of information Z, setting a flag for information Z, etc., as long as information Z can be accessed.

[0037] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of the claim processing system A in this embodiment. The claim processing system A includes a claim processing device 1, one or two or more terminal devices 2, and a server 3.

[0038] The claim processing device 1 is a device that performs claim processing described later using the received claim image. The claim processing device 1 is, for example, a cloud server or an ASP server, and its type is not limited.

[0039] The terminal device 2 is a terminal used by the user who transmits the claim image. The user is usually the user of the recipient of the claim. The terminal device 2 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet terminal, and its type is not limited.

[0040] The server 3 is a device that manages a payee master database (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the "payee master") described later. The server 3 is, for example, a cloud server or an ASP server, and its type is not limited.

[0041] The claim processing device 1 and each of the one or two or more terminal devices 2, and the claim processing device 1 and the server 3 can communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the claim processing system A in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the claim processing apparatus 1.

[0043] The claim processing apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 11, a reception unit 12, a processing unit 13, and a transmission unit 14. The reception unit 12 includes a claim reception unit 121. The processing unit 13 includes a claimant acquisition unit 131, a determination unit 132, a claim processing unit 133, and a claim storage unit 134. The claim processing unit 133 includes a claim information acquisition means 1331, an account information acquisition means 1332, an inquiry means 1333, a response reception means 1334, a storage means 1335, and a claim processing means 1336.

[0044] The terminal device 2 includes a terminal storage unit 21, a terminal reception unit 22, a terminal processing unit 23, a terminal transmission unit 24, a terminal reception unit 25, and a terminal output unit 26.

[0045] The server 3 includes a payee master database 31.

[0046] Various types of information are stored in the storage unit 11 that constitutes the claim processing apparatus 1. The various types of information are, for example, claim images, claim information, default one or more claimant codes, and processing identifiers.

[0047] The storage unit 11 may have a payee master database 31. In such a case, the server 3 may not exist.

[0048] The claim image is an image of a claim. Note that the claim image is, for example, a PDF file, JPEG, GIF, HTML, XML, etc., and its data format, etc. is not limited. The claim image usually has a claimant identifier, a payee identifier, and the payee's account information.

[0049] The claimant identifier is information for identifying the claimant. The claimant is the side that makes a claim. The claimant identifier is, for example, the organization name of the claimant or the name of an individual claimant. The organization name is, for example, a company name or an association name. The claimant identifier may be the claimant's ID. The claimant is usually an organization, but may also be an individual.

[0050] The claimant identifier is information that identifies the claimant. The claimant is the party being claimed against. The claimant identifier is, for example, the name of the claimant's organization or the name of an individual claimant. The claimant identifier may also be the ID of the claimant. The claimant is usually an organization, but may also be an individual.

[0051] Account information is information about the payee for a claim. Account information is, for example, information about a bank account. Account information has, for example, the name of the payee's bank, the name or ID of a bank branch, and an account number. Account information may also be, for example, the ID of electronic money.

[0052] The default claimant code is the claimant code used when the claimant identifier obtained from the claim image does not exist in the payee master database 31. The default claimant code is associated with the claimant identifier. The claimant code is usually the ID of the claimant, but may be the same as the claimant identifier. The claimant code may also be the name of the claimant (e.g., company name).

[0053] The process identifier is information that identifies a process. The process identifier is usually information that identifies a process to be performed when the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31. The process identifier is, for example, the ID of the process or the name of the function that performs the process. The process identifier is, for example, one of "automatic accumulation process", "inquiry process", or "default code process". Each of one or more process identifiers in the storage unit 11 is usually associated with a different claimant identifier. That is, usually, the process identifier is information registered by the claimant.

[0054] The process identifier "automatic accumulation process" is a process that automatically accumulates payee information that does not exist in the payee master database 31. The process identifier "automatic accumulation process" is, for example, a process that automatically accumulates part or all of the payee information obtained from the claim image in the payee master database 31.

[0055] The processing identifier "inquiry processing" is a process of accumulating payee information that does not exist in the payee master database 31 after inquiring whether to accumulate it, and accumulating it as necessary.

[0056] The processing identifier "default code processing" is a payment process performed using the default claimant code. When the processing identifier is "default code processing", usually, the payee information is not accumulated in the payee master database 31.

[0057] The receiving unit 12 receives various instructions and information from the terminal device 2. The various instructions and information are, for example, a bill image and a bill processing instruction.

[0058] The bill processing instruction is an instruction to process a bill. The bill processing instruction has a bill image. The bill processing instruction includes, for example, a payee identifier.

[0059] The bill receiving unit 121 receives a bill image. The bill receiving unit 121 usually receives a bill image from the payee's terminal device 2. Such a bill image is, for example, a bill image received by the payee's user from the claimant, or a bill image obtained by the payee by imaging (for example, converting to PDF) a bill mailed from the claimant to the payee. The bill receiving unit 121 may also receive a bill processing instruction.

[0060] The processing unit 13 performs various processes. The various processes are, for example, processes performed by the claimant acquisition unit 131, the determination unit 132, the bill processing unit 133, or the bill storage unit 134.

[0061] The claimant acquisition unit 131 acquires a claimant identifier indicating the claimant from the claim form image received by the claim form reception unit 121. The claimant acquisition unit 131 performs, for example, character recognition processing on the claim form image to acquire the claimant identifier. The claimant acquisition unit 131 gives, for example, the claim form image and a prompt for acquiring the claimant identifier to a generative AI, and acquires the claimant identifier from the generative AI. The prompt is, for example, "Tell me the organization name of the claimant described in the following claim form image!". Note that any method for acquiring the claimant identifier may be used.

[0062] The claimant acquisition unit 131 acquires one or two or more claim form attribute values from the claim form image received by the claim form reception unit 121, for example. The one or two or more claim form attribute values usually include a claimant identifier and a payee identifier. The one or more claim form attribute values include, for example, the claim amount, the address of the claimant, the phone number, the name of the representative of the claimant, and the phone number of the claimant.

[0063] The determination unit 132 determines whether the claimant identifier acquired by the claimant acquisition unit 131 exists in the payee master database 31 described later. The determination unit 132 searches the payee master database 31 using the claimant identifier acquired by the claimant acquisition unit 131 as a key, and determines whether the claimant identifier exists in the payee master database 31.

[0064] The claim form processing unit 133 performs different processing on the claim form image according to the determination result of the determination unit 132. That is, the claim form processing unit 133 performs different processing depending on whether the claimant identifier exists in the payee master database 31 or not.

[0065] The claim form processing unit 133 accumulates payee information including the claimant identifier in the payee master database 31 only when the determination unit 132 determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31. The payee information accumulated by the claim form processing unit 133 may be a part of the payee information stored in the payee master database 31. The payee information accumulated by the claim form processing unit 133 may be only the claimant identifier.

[0066] When the determination unit 132 determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31, for example, the claim form processing unit 133 acquires a default claimant code, acquires claim information including the claimant code, and performs claim form processing related to the claim form image using the claim information.

[0067] When the determination unit 132 determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31, for example, the claim form processing unit 133 acquires a default claimant code from the storage unit 11, acquires claim information including the claimant code from the payee master database 31, and performs claim form processing using the claim information.

[0068] Claim form processing is processing of a claim form using a claim form image. The claim form processing is, for example, processing for payment for a claim specified by the claim form image and processing for managing claim form information.

[0069] The claim form processing unit 133 performs processing identified by a processing identifier. When the determination unit 132 determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31, the claim form processing unit 133 acquires a payee identifier corresponding to the received claim form image, acquires a processing identifier paired with the payee identifier from the storage unit 11, and performs processing identified by the processing identifier. Note that the processing identifier is, for example, "automatic accumulation processing", "inquiry processing", or "default code processing".

[0070] The processing identified by the processing identifier "automatic accumulation processing" is processing for automatically accumulating the acquired payee information in the payee master database 31.

[0071] "Inquiry processing" is processing for inquiring of the user whether to accumulate the acquired payee information in the payee master database 31, and accumulating the payee information in the payee master database 31 in the case of an answer of "accumulate". Here, the payee information to be accumulated may include information added or modified by the user.

[0072] "Default code processing" refers to obtaining the default claimant code corresponding to the claimant identifier, obtaining claim information including the claimant code, and performing claim processing on the claim form image using the claim information. The claim processing here is usually the processing of paying the amount included in the claim information.

[0073] The claim processing unit 133 performs claim processing such as transmitting the claimant code corresponding to the claimant identifier and the claim form image or claim information obtained from the claim form image to the server 3.

[0074] When the determination unit 132 determines that the claimant identifier exists in the payee master database 31, the claim information acquisition means 1331 acquires the claim information corresponding to the claimant identifier.

[0075] Claim information is information necessary for performing claim processing. The claim information has, for example, a claimant identifier, the claimant's account information, a payee identifier, and an amount. The claim information has, for example, a claim form image.

[0076] The claim information acquisition means 1331 acquires the payee information existing in the payee master database 31 and having the claimant identifier and the account information. That is, the claim information may be the same information as the payee information.

[0077] When the determination unit 132 determines that there are two or more claimant identifiers acquired by the claimant acquisition unit 131 in the payee master database 31, the account information acquisition means 1332 acquires the payee's account information from the claim form image.

[0078] When the determination unit 132 determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31, the inquiry means 1333 is an inquiry as to whether to register the payee information including the claimant identifier in the payee master database 31, and transmits an inquiry including the claimant identifier to the terminal device 2.

[0079] The response receiving means 1334 receives a response to the inquiry from the inquiry means 1333. The response has, for example, a flag specifying "accumulate" or "not accumulate". The response has, for example, all or part of the payee information.

[0080] The response receiving means 1334 receives, for example, a response including payee information having a claimant identifier.

[0081] The storage means 1335 stores the payee information including the claimant identifier in the payee master database 31 only when the response is a response to accumulate in the payee master database 31.

[0082] The storage means 1335 stores, for example, the payee information received by the response receiving means 1334 in the payee master database 31. The payee information received by the response receiving means 1334 includes, for example, information added or changed by the user.

[0083] The claim processing means 1336 performs claim processing on the claim image using the claim information acquired by the claim information acquisition means 1331.

[0084] The claim storage unit 134 stores claim information in association with a claimant identifier or a payee identifier. The claim information includes a claim image or information acquired using the claim image. It is preferable that the claim information includes a claim image and information acquired using the claim image. It is preferable that the claim information includes a claim image. Note that the information acquired using the claim image is one or more claim attribute values. The claim storage unit 134 usually stores claim information for managing claim information.

[0085] The transmission unit 14 transmits various information. The transmission unit 14 transmits, for example, the result of processing on the received receipt image to the terminal device 2.

[0086] Various information is stored in the terminal storage unit 21 constituting the terminal device 2. The various information is, for example, a user identifier and a claim image.

[0087] The terminal reception unit 22 receives various types of information, instructions, etc. Various types of information, instructions, etc. are, for example, claim form images and claim form processing instructions.

[0088] The input means for various types of information, instructions, etc. can be anything, such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, menu screen, etc.

[0089] The terminal processing unit 23 performs various types of processing. Various types of processing are, for example, processing that converts the received information, instructions, etc. into information, instructions, etc. with a structure for transmission. Various types of processing are, for example, processing that converts the received information into information with a structure for output.

[0090] The terminal transmission unit 24 transmits various types of information, instructions, etc. to the claim form processing apparatus 1. Various types of information, instructions, etc. are, for example, claim form images and claim form processing instructions.

[0091] The terminal reception unit 25 receives various types of information from the claim form processing apparatus 1. Various types of information are, for example, the transmission result of the receipt image.

[0092] The terminal output unit 26 outputs various types of information. Various types of information are, for example, the transmission result of the receipt image.

[0093] Output includes concepts such as display on a display, projection using a projector, printing by a printer, sound output, transmission to an external device, storage on a recording medium, and transfer of processing results to other processing devices, other programs, etc.

[0094] The payment destination master database 31 that constitutes the server 3 stores one or more pieces of payment destination information. The payment destination information is the information of the claimant where the payment of the claimant occurs. The payment destination information has one or more pieces of payment destination information. Each piece of payment destination information is associated with a claimant identifier. The payment destination information has a claimant identifier. The payment destination information has, for example, the address, phone number, name of the person in charge, and account information of the claimant. The payment destination master database 31 is, for example, an RDB, but it may also be a spreadsheet file or the like, and its data structure does not matter.

[0095] The storage unit 11, the terminal storage unit 21, and the payment destination master database 31 are preferably non-volatile recording media, but can also be realized with volatile recording media.

[0096] The process of storing information in the storage unit 11 or the like does not matter. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like via a recording medium, information transmitted via a communication line or the like may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like, or information input via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like.

[0097] The receiving unit 12, the invoice receiving unit 121, and the terminal receiving unit 25 are usually realized by wireless or wired communication means, but may also be realized by means of receiving broadcasts.

[0098] The processing unit 13, the claimant acquisition unit 131, the determination unit 132, the invoice processing unit 133, the invoice storage unit 134, the claim information acquisition means 1331, the account information acquisition means 1332, the inquiry means 1333, the answer receiving means 1334, the storage means 1335, the invoice processing means 1336, and the terminal processing unit 23 can usually be realized from a processor, a memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 13 or the like are usually realized by software, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may also be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). The processor is a CPU, MPU, GPU, etc., and its type does not matter.

[0099] The transmission unit 14 and the terminal transmission unit 24 are usually realized by wireless or wired communication means, but may also be realized by broadcast means.

[0100] The terminal reception unit 22 can be realized by a device driver of an input means such as a touch panel or a keyboard, control software of a menu screen, or the like.

[0101] The terminal output unit 26 may or may not be considered to include output devices such as a display and a speaker. The terminal output unit 26 can be realized by driver software of the output device or driver software of the output device and the output device or the like.

[0102] Next, an operation example of the claim processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0103] (Step S401) The claim reception unit 121 determines whether or not it has received a claim processing instruction including a claim image. If it has received the claim processing instruction, it proceeds to step S402, and if not, it returns to step S401.

[0104] (Step S402) The claimant acquisition unit 131 acquires the claim image included in the claim processing instruction received in step S401.

[0105] (Step S403) The claimant acquisition unit 131 acquires one or more claim attribute values from the claim image. The claimant acquisition unit 131 performs, for example, character recognition processing on the claim image to acquire one or more claim attribute values.

[0106] (Step S404) The determination unit 132 acquires the claimant identifier included in the one or more claim form attribute values acquired in step S403. Further, the determination unit 132 acquires the payee identifier included in the one or more claim form attribute values acquired in step S403, or the payee identifier associated with the claim form processing instruction received in step S401. Next, the determination unit 132 searches the payee master database 31 using the acquired payee identifier and the acquired claimant identifier as keys, and determines whether there is payee information corresponding to the payee identifier and including the claimant identifier in the payee master database 31. If the payee information exists, the process proceeds to step S405; if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S406. Note that when the payee information exists, it means that there is a claimant corresponding to the claim form image.

[0107] (Step S405) The claim form processing unit 133 performs processing when it exists. Return to the upper-level processing. An example of the processing when it exists will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5. The processing when it exists is the processing when it is determined in step S404 that the payee information exists.

[0108] (Step S406) The claim form processing unit 133 etc. perform processing when it does not exist. Return to the upper-level processing. An example of the processing when it does not exist will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6. The processing when it does not exist is the processing when it is determined in step S404 that the payee information does not exist.

[0109] Note that in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the processing ends due to a power-off or a processing end interrupt.

[0110] Next, an example of the processing when it exists in step S405 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0111] (Step S501) If the search result in step S504 indicates that there is only one piece of payee information including the claimant identifier, the process proceeds to step S502; if the search result indicates that there are two or more pieces of payee information, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0112] (Step S502) The claim information acquisition means 1331 acquires claim information using one or more types of information among the claim form attribute values acquired in step S403 or the payment destination information retrieved in step S404. The claim information has, for example, a claimant identifier, the claimant's account information, a payee identifier, and an amount. The claim information has, for example, a claim form image.

[0113] (Step S503) The claim form processing means 1336 performs claim form processing, which is processing using the claim information acquired in step S502 and is processing related to the claim form image. Return to the upper-level processing. The claim form processing means 1336 performs, for example, claim form processing that is processing for payment with respect to the claim form image. The claim form processing means 1336 transmits, for example, the claim information to a payment server (not shown).

[0114] (Step S504) The account information acquisition means 1332 acquires the account information of the payee included in the claim form attribute value acquired in step S502.

[0115] (Step S505) The claim information acquisition means 1331 searches the payee master database 31 using the payee identifier, the claimant identifier, and the account information as keys.

[0116] (Step S506) If the search result in step S505 is a search result that pairs with the payee identifier and the payee information having the claimant identifier and the account information exists in the payee master database 31, the claim information acquisition means 1331 goes to step S502, and if the search result is that it does not exist, it goes to step S507.

[0117] (Step S507) The claim form processing unit 133 etc. performs processing when it does not exist. Return to the upper-level processing. An example of the processing when it does not exist will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0118] Next, an example of the processing when it does not exist in step S406 and step S507 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0119] (Step S601) The claim processing unit 133 acquires the claim destination identifier. The claim processing unit 133 determines whether a processing identifier paired with the claim destination identifier exists in the storage unit 11. If a processing identifier paired with the claim destination identifier exists, it proceeds to step S602; if not, it proceeds to step S608.

[0120] (Step S602) The claim processing unit 133 determines whether the processing identifier is "automatic accumulation processing". If the processing identifier is "automatic accumulation processing", it proceeds to step S603; if not, it proceeds to step S607.

[0121] (Step S603) The claim processing unit 133 acquires the payment destination information. Note that the payment destination information is one or more claim document attribute values acquired in step S403. The one or more claim document attribute values have, for example, the claimant identifier and the claimant's account information.

[0122] (Step S604) The accumulation means 1335 accumulates the payment destination information in the payment destination master database 31 in association with the claimant identifier. Note that the payment destination information accumulated here may be part of the payment destination information in the payment destination master database 31 (for example, information without the address, phone number, and person in charge name).

[0123] (Step S605) The claim information acquisition means 1331 acquires the claim information. Note that the claim information is one or more claim document attribute values acquired in step S403, and has, for example, the claimant identifier, the claimant's account information, and the amount.

[0124] (Step S606) The claim document processing means 1336 performs claim document processing using the claim information. Return to the upper-level processing.

[0125] (Step S607) The claim processing unit 133 determines whether the processing identifier is "inquiry processing". If the processing identifier is "inquiry processing", it proceeds to step S608; if not, it proceeds to step S615.

[0126] (Step S608) The inquiry means 1333 acquires inquiry information. The inquiry information includes, for example, one or more claim attribute values acquired in step S403 and components of a user interface (e.g., buttons) for selecting "accumulate" or "do not accumulate".

[0127] (Step S609) The inquiry means 1333 transmits the inquiry information acquired in step S608 to the terminal device 2.

[0128] (Step S610) The response receiving means 1334 determines whether a response corresponding to the transmission of the inquiry information has been received from the terminal device 2. If a response is received, it proceeds to step S611; if not, it returns to step S610.

[0129] (Step S611) The storage means 1335 determines whether the response is a response indicating "accumulate" or a response indicating "do not accumulate". If it is a response indicating "accumulate", it proceeds to step S612; if it is a response indicating "do not accumulate", it proceeds to step S614.

[0130] (Step S612) The storage means 1335 acquires payment destination information. The storage means 1335 acquires the claim destination identifier.

[0131] (Step S613) The storage means 1335 stores the acquired payment destination information in the payment destination master database 31 in association with the acquired claim destination identifier.

[0132] (Step S614) The claim information acquisition means 1331 acquires claim information. It proceeds to step S606. The claim information acquisition means 1331 acquires, for example, the information constituting the claim information from the received response, and constitutes the claim information including the said information. The claim information acquisition means 1331 acquires, for example, the information constituting the claim information from one or more claim form attribute values acquired in step S403, and constitutes the claim information including the said information.

[0133] (Step S615) The claim form processing unit 133 determines whether the process identifier is "default code process". If the process identifier is "default code process", it proceeds to step S616, and if the process identifier is not "default code process", it proceeds to step S608.

[0134] (Step S616) The claim form processing unit 133 acquires the claim destination identifier corresponding to the received claim form processing instruction. The claim form processing unit 133 acquires the default claim source code paired with the said claim destination identifier from the storage unit 11.

[0135] (Step S617) The claim information acquisition means 1331 constitutes the claim information using the default claim source code. It proceeds to step S606.

[0136] Next, an operation example of the terminal device 2 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 7.

[0137] (Step S701) The terminal reception unit 22 determines whether it has received a claim form image. If it has received a claim form image, it proceeds to step S702, and if it has not received it, it proceeds to step S704.

[0138] (Step S702) The terminal processing unit 23 acquires the claim destination identifier from the terminal storage unit 21. The terminal processing unit 23 constitutes a claim form processing instruction having the claim form image and the claim destination identifier.

[0139] (Step S703) The terminal transmission unit 24 transmits the claim processing instruction configured in step S702 to the claim processing apparatus 1. Return to step S701.

[0140] (Step S704) The terminal reception unit 25 determines whether inquiry information has been received from the claim processing apparatus 1. If the inquiry information has been received, proceed to step S705; if not, return to step S701.

[0141] (Step S705) The terminal processing unit 23 configures the inquiry information to be output based on the received inquiry information. The terminal output unit 26 outputs the inquiry information.

[0142] (Step S706) The terminal reception unit 22 determines whether a response has been received from the user. If a response has been received, proceed to step S707; if not, return to step S706.

[0143] (Step S707) The terminal processing unit 23 configures the response to be output based on the received response. The terminal transmission unit 24 transmits the response to the claim processing apparatus 1. Return to step S701.

[0144] Note that in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the processing ends due to a power-off or a processing end interrupt.

[0145] Hereinafter, a specific operation example of the claim processing system A in the present embodiment will be described.

[0146] Assume that the payee master database 31 is the payee management table shown in FIG. 8. The payee management table has one or more records having "ID", "claimant identifier", and "payee information". The "claimant identifier" has "claimant ID" and "claimant name". The "payee information" has "payer identifier", "address", "phone number", "person in charge name", and "account information". The "payer identifier" has "payer ID" and "payer name". Assume that the "account information" has, in addition to the bank name, the branch name, the account number, etc. The "ID" is information for identifying a record. Here, the "claimant ID" or "claimant name" is adopted as the claimant identifier.

[0147] Also, a processing management table shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the storage unit 11 of the bill processing apparatus 1. The processing management table is a table for managing the processing to be performed when the obtained payer identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31. The processing management table manages one or more records having "ID", "claimant identifier", "processing identifier", and "payer code". The "claimant identifier" has "payer ID" and "payer name". Here, the "claimant ID" or "claimant name" is adopted as the claimant identifier. Assume that the payer code is the payer ID here.

[0148] In the above situation, the following two specific examples will be described. Specific example 1 is the case where the obtained payer identifier exists in the payee master database 31. Specific example 2 is the case where the obtained payer identifier does not exist in the payee master database 31.

[0149] (Specific example 1) Assume that the person in charge P of Company D received a bill mailed from Company A, converted it to a PDF, and input a bill processing instruction including the PDF-converted bill image into the terminal device 2. Assume that the PDF-converted bill image is as shown in FIG. 10. [[ID=!6]]

[0150] Then, the terminal device 2 constructs a bill processing instruction having the bill image (FIG. 10) and the claimant identifier "D01" in the terminal storage unit 21, and transmits the bill processing instruction to the bill processing apparatus 1.

[0151] Next, the claim receipt unit 121 of the claim processing apparatus 1 receives a claim processing instruction including a claim image.

[0152] Next, the claimant acquisition unit 131 acquires the claim image (FIG. 10) included in the received claim processing instruction, performs character recognition processing on the claim image, and acquires one or more claim attribute values. Here, the claimant acquisition unit 131 acquires the set of claim attribute values "<claimee identifier> Company D <claimant identifier> Company A <claimant representative> Representative Director AAAA BBBB <postal code> 110-0008 <address> Tokyo... <amount> 132,000 <account information> XY Bank XXX Branch Regular: 1234567 Name: Company A < / account information>".

[0153] Next, the determination unit 132 acquires the claimant identifier "Company A" from the set of acquired claim attribute values. The determination unit 132 also acquires the claimee identifier "D01" included in the claim processing instruction. Next, the determination unit 132 searches the payee master database 31 using the acquired claimee identifier "D01" and the acquired claimant identifier "Company A" as keys, and determines that payee information having the claimee identifier "D01" and the acquired claimant identifier "Company A" exists in the "ID=1" of the payee master database 31 (FIG. 8).

[0154] Next, the claim processing unit 133 performs presence processing as follows. That is, the claim information acquisition means 1331 uses one or more types of information among the acquired claim attribute values or the searched payee information to construct the claim information "<claimee identifier> Company D <claimant identifier> Company A <claimant representative> Representative Director AAAA BBBB <postal code> 110-0008 <address> Tokyo... <amount> 132,000 <account information> XY Bank XXX Branch Regular: 1234567 Name: Company A < / account information> <claim image> img1". Note that img1 is the file name of the claim image (FIG. 10).

[0155] Next, the invoice processing means 1336 transmits the invoice information to a payment server (not shown) or server 3, and completes the payment of 132,000 yen. It is assumed that in the payment server (not shown) or server 3, processing is performed to transfer 132,000 yen from the bank account identified by the invoice recipient identifier "Company D" to the bank account identified by "<Account Information> XY Bank, XXX Branch, Regular: 1234567, Name: Company A < / Account Information>".

[0156] As described above, according to Specific Example 1, by effectively using the payee master database 31, the invoice can be processed accurately and reliably.

[0157] (Specific Example 2) It is assumed that Person P in charge at Company D input an invoice processing instruction including an invoice image sent from the person in charge at Company Y into the terminal device 2. It is assumed that such an invoice image is shown in FIG. 11.

[0158] Then, the terminal device 2 configures an invoice processing instruction having the invoice image (FIG. 11) and the invoice recipient identifier "D01" in the terminal storage unit 21, and transmits the invoice processing instruction to the invoice processing apparatus 1.

[0159] Next, the invoice receiving unit 121 of the invoice processing apparatus 1 receives an invoice processing instruction including an invoice image.

[0160] Next, the invoice issuer acquisition unit 131 acquires the invoice image (FIG. 11) included in the received invoice processing instruction, performs character recognition processing on the invoice image, and acquires a set of invoice attribute values. Here, it is assumed that the invoice issuer acquisition unit 131 has acquired the set of invoice attribute values "<Invoice Recipient Identifier> Company D <Invoice Issuer Identifier> Company Y <Zip Code> 110-0008 <Address> Tokyo... <Amount> 33,000 <Account Information> ZZ Bank, AB Branch, Regular: 7654321, Name: Company Y < / Account Information>".

[0161] Next, the determination unit 132 acquires the claimant identifier "Y Co., Ltd." from the set of acquired claim form attribute values. Also, the determination unit 132 acquires the payee identifier "D01" included in the claim form processing instruction. Next, the determination unit 132 searches the payee master database 31 using the acquired payee identifier "D01" and the acquired claimant identifier "Y Co., Ltd." as keys, and determines that there is no payee information having the payee identifier "D01" and the acquired claimant identifier "Y Co., Ltd." in the payee master database 31 (Fig. 8).

[0162] Next, the claim form processing unit 133 acquires the payee identifier "D01". The claim form processing unit 133 acquires the processing identifier "inquiry processing" that pairs with the payee identifier "D01" from the processing management table (Fig. 9).

[0163] Next, the inquiry means 1333 acquires inquiry information using the set of acquired claim form attribute values. Next, the inquiry means 1333 transmits the inquiry information to the terminal device 2. Here, it is assumed that the inquiry information includes the set of claim form attribute values "<payee identifier> Co., Ltd. D <claimant identifier> Y Co., Ltd. <address> Tokyo... <account information> ZZ Bank AB Branch Regular: 7654321 Name: Y Co., Ltd. < / account information>" acquired by the claimant acquisition unit 131.

[0164] Next, the terminal receiving unit 25 receives the inquiry information from the claim form processing apparatus 1. Next, the terminal processing unit 23 configures the inquiry information to be output based on the received inquiry information. Next, the terminal output unit 26 outputs the inquiry information. An example of such inquiry information is shown in Fig. 12.

[0165] Next, the user P checks the screen of Fig. 12, and inputs the phone number and the name of the person in charge of the new business partner "Y Co., Ltd." into the "Phone Number" and "Name of Person in Charge" fields of Fig. 12 respectively (1301), and instructs the "Store" button 1302 (see Fig. 13).

[0166] Next, the terminal reception unit 22 of the terminal device 2 receives the instruction of the "Accumulate" button 1302. Next, based on the received response, the terminal processing unit 23 constructs the response to be transmitted: "<Process> Accumulate <Claimed Party Identifier> Company D <Claiming Party Identifier> Company Y <Address> Tokyo... <Phone Number> 03-5555-6666 <Responsible Person> Kiko Inoue <Account Information> ZZ Bank, AB Branch, Regular: 7654321, Name: Company Y < / Account Information>". Next, the terminal transmission unit 24 transmits the response to the bill processing device 1.

[0167] Next, the response receiving means 1334 of the bill processing device 1 receives the response from the terminal device 2.

[0168] Next, based on "<Process> Accumulate" included in the response, the accumulation means 1335 obtains the payment destination information "<Claiming Party Identifier> Company Y <Address> Tokyo... <Phone Number> 03-5555-6666 <Responsible Person> Kiko Inoue <Account Information> ZZ Bank, AB Branch, Regular: 7654321, Name: Company Y < / Account Information>" from the information included in the response. Next, the accumulation means 1335 obtains the claimed party identifier "D01".

[0169] Next, the accumulation means 1335 accumulates the payment destination information "<Claiming Party Identifier> Company Y <Address> Tokyo... <Phone Number> 03-5555-6666 <Responsible Person> Kiko Inoue <Account Information> ZZ Bank, AB Branch, Regular: 7654321, Name: Company Y < / Account Information>" in the payment destination master database 31 in association with the claimed party identifier "D01". As described above, one new payment destination information associated with the claimed party identifier "D01" is added to the payment destination master database 31 (Figure 8). [[ID=!13]]

[0170] As described above, according to the specific example 2, the payment destination master database 31 can be appropriately updated automatically.

[0171] As described above, according to the present embodiment, appropriate processing of bills can be performed using the payment destination master database 31.

[0172] In addition, according to this embodiment, the payee master database can be appropriately updated.

[0173] Note that the processing in this embodiment may be realized by software. And this software may be distributed by software download or the like. Also, this software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. Note that this also applies to other embodiments in this specification. The software that realizes the claim processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment is the following program. That is, this program is ~.

[0174] Also, FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a computer system 300 that executes the program described in this specification and realizes the claim processing apparatus 1 and the like of the various embodiments described above.

[0175] In FIG. 14, the computer system 300 includes a computer 301 including a CD-ROM drive, a keyboard 302, a mouse 303, and a monitor 304.

[0176] In FIG. 14, in addition to the CD-ROM drive 3012, the computer 301 includes an MPU 3013, a bus 3014 connected to the CD-ROM drive 3012 and the like, a ROM 3015 for storing programs such as a boot-up program, a RAM 3016 connected to the MPU 3013 for temporarily storing instructions of an application program and providing a temporary storage space, and a hard disk 3017 for storing an application program, a system program, and data. Here, although not shown, the computer 301 may further include a network card that provides connection to a LAN.

[0177] A program for causing the computer system 300 to execute the functions of the claim processing apparatus 1 and the like according to the above-described embodiments may be stored in the CD-ROM 3101, inserted into the CD-ROM drive 3012, and further transferred to the hard disk 3017. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the computer 301 via a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 3017. The program is loaded into the RAM 3016 during execution. The program may be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 3101 or the network.

[0178] The program does not necessarily have to include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that causes the computer 301 to execute the functions of the claim processing apparatus 1 and the like according to the above-described embodiments. The program only needs to include a portion of instructions that call appropriate functions (modules) in a controlled manner so as to obtain a desired result. How the computer system 300 operates is well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0179] In the above program, in steps such as transmitting information and receiving information, processing performed by hardware, for example, processing performed by a modem or an interface card in the transmission step (processing that can only be performed by hardware) is not included.

[0180] Also, the computer that executes the above program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

[0181] Also, in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that two or more communication means existing in one device may be physically realized by one medium.

[0182] Also, in each of the above embodiments, each process may be realized by being centrally processed by a single device, or may be realized by being distributedly processed by a plurality of devices.

[0183] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that they are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0184] As described above, the invoice processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention has the effect that appropriate invoice processing can be performed using the payee master database, and is useful as a server or the like that supports invoice processing.

Explanation of Signs

[0185] A Invoice Processing System 1 Invoice Processing Apparatus 2 Terminal Device 3 Server 11 Storage Unit 12 Receiver 13 Processing Unit 14 Transmitter 21 Terminal Storage Unit 22 Terminal Reception Unit 23 Terminal Processing Unit 24 Terminal Transmitter 25 Terminal Receiver 26 Terminal Output Unit 31 Payee Master Database 121 Invoice Receiver 131 Claimant Acquisition Unit 132 Judgment Unit 133 Invoice Processing Unit 134 Invoice Storage Unit 1331 Invoice Information Acquisition Means 1332 Account Information Acquisition Means 1333 Inquiry Means 1334 Response Reception Means 1335 Storage Means 1336 Invoice Processing Means

Claims

1. An invoice receiving unit that receives an invoice image from a terminal device, A claimant acquisition unit that acquires a claimant identifier for identifying a claimant from the invoice image, A determination unit that determines whether the claimant identifier acquired by the claimant acquisition unit exists in a payee master database in which two or more pieces of payee information having the claimant identifier are stored, A claim processing unit that performs different processes on the invoice image according to the determination result of the determination unit, The claim processing unit, When the determination unit determines that the claimant identifier does not exist in the payee master database, an inquiry as to whether to register payee information including the claimant identifier in the payee master database, and an inquiry means for transmitting an inquiry including the claimant identifier to the terminal device, A response receiving means for receiving a response to the inquiry, An invoice processing apparatus comprising a storage means for storing payee information including the claimant identifier in the payee master database when the response is a response to accumulate in the payee master database.

2. The claim processing unit, When the determination unit determines that the claimant identifier exists in the payee master database, claim information acquisition means for acquiring claim information which is information corresponding to the claimant identifier and is necessary for performing claim processing, The invoice processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising invoice processing means for performing invoice processing which is processing using the claim information acquired by the claim information acquisition means and is processing related to the invoice image.

3. The response receiving means, Receives a response including payee information having a claimant identifier, The storage means, The invoice processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payee information received by the response receiving means is stored in the payee master database.

4. The claim processing unit, When the determination unit determines that two or more of the claimant identifiers acquired by the claimant acquisition unit exist in the payee master database, further comprises account information acquisition means for acquiring account information of the payee from the invoice image, The claim information acquisition means, Determines whether payee information having the claimant identifier and the account information exists in the payee master database, and when it exists, acquires the claim information having the claimant identifier and the account information. The invoice processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The claim processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a claim storage unit that stores claim information, which is the claim image or information obtained using the claim image, in association with the source claim identifier or the destination claim identifier.

6. The claim processing unit The claim processing apparatus according to claim 2, which performs the claim processing of transmitting the source claim identifier and claim information, which is the claim image or information obtained from the claim image.

7. A claim processing method implemented by a claim receiving unit, a source claim acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a claim processing unit, comprising: a claim receiving step in which the claim receiving unit receives a claim image from a terminal device; a source claim acquisition step in which the source claim acquisition unit acquires a source claim identifier that identifies a source claim from the claim image; a determination step in which the determination unit determines whether or not the source claim identifier acquired in the source claim acquisition step exists in a payee master database that stores two or more pieces of payee information having the source claim identifier; a claim processing step in which the claim processing unit performs different processes on the claim image according to the determination result in the determination step, the claim processing step comprising: when the determination unit determines that the source claim identifier does not exist in the payee master database, an inquiry as to whether or not to register payee information including the source claim identifier in the payee master database, and an inquiry sub-step of transmitting an inquiry including the source claim identifier to the terminal device; an answer receiving sub-step of receiving an answer to the inquiry; and an accumulation sub-step of accumulating payee information including the source claim identifier in the payee master database when the answer is an answer to accumulate in the payee master database.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as the claim processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images