Expense Receipt Validation via Device Trajectory Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current expense reimbursement systems face inefficiencies in validating business expenses due to the manual effort required to determine the validity of receipts, with existing solutions like pre-approval and reimbursement caps being either time-consuming or complex to implement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize trajectory information from employee devices to compare with receipt data, determining validity by matching device and receipt trajectory information, thereby automating the validation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual determination is used to validate receipts, then validation accuracy can be maintained, but the effort and time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical validation process with an automated electronic system that uses trajectory data from GPS devices to validate receipts. The system automatically compares device trajectories with receipt information to determine validity, eliminating the need for manual review while maintaining validation accuracy through objective data comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-validation by automatically comparing trajectory data with receipt information without requiring human intervention. The validation process serves itself by using pre-collected trajectory data from employee devices to automatically determine receipt validity, reducing the need for manual effort.
2Reliability
If pre-approval mechanism is implemented, then expense validity can be ensured, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting and storing trajectory data from employee devices before expense validation is needed. This pre-collected data is then automatically compared with receipt information during validation, ensuring expense validity without requiring a complex pre-approval process.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manual pre-approval process is replaced with an automated electronic system that uses trajectory data comparison. The system automatically validates expenses by comparing device trajectories with receipt information, maintaining reliability while significantly reducing process complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If reimbursement caps are set, then invalid claims can be limited, but the system becomes complex to implement and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex reimbursement cap system with automated trajectory-based validation. Instead of using monetary caps to limit invalid claims, the system uses objective trajectory data comparison to automatically identify and reject invalid receipts, reducing system complexity while effectively limiting invalid claims.
4Productivity
If automated validation system is implemented, then manual effort is reduced, but the system requires complex trajectory matching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-collecting and storing trajectory data from employee devices before validation is needed. This preparation work is done in advance, so that during validation, the system only needs to perform simple comparison operations with pre-processed receipt information, reducing the complexity of the matching process.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation process is segmented into distinct components: trajectory data collection, receipt information processing, and comparison operations. By dividing the validation process into these manageable segments, the system achieves high productivity while keeping each component's complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program storage product determine determining a trajectory information type of a receipt submitted by an employee. Trajectory information associated with the receipt submitted by the employee is retrieved based on the trajectory information type. Trajectory information corresponding to a device associated with the employee is also retrieved. The receipt is determined as a valid receipt in response to the trajectory information associated with the receipt submitted by the employee matching the trajectory information associated with the device associated with the employee.