Telecommunications Invoice Data Extraction and Normalization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunications carriers face significant challenges in processing and auditing numerous invoices from various providers due to non-uniform billing systems, leading to costly manual efforts and potential errors, especially with paper invoices that require manual scanning and OCR, which is not 100% accurate.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for extracting telecommunications invoice data from electronic streams, modeling it into a normalized format like XTrak Interchange Format (XIF), and validating it for accuracy, reducing the need for multiple loading programs and improving auditing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual processing methods are used for paper invoices, then handling capability is maintained, but processing time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvoice processing speedVSAvoidmanual processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processing of paper invoices with an automated electronic system that captures invoice data in electronic form, parses it using software algorithms, and loads it directly into databases. This substitution eliminates manual scanning and data entry, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining high handling capability for large volumes of invoices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple custom loading programs are created for different invoice formats, then format compatibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvoice format compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of loading programs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal invoice processing system that can handle multiple invoice formats (CABS, SECAB, and non-standard formats) through a single multi-functional platform. The system uses format detection and adaptive parsing capabilities to process diverse invoice types without requiring separate custom programs for each format, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining broad compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electronic capture and parsing layer between the diverse invoice formats and the core processing system. This intermediary component standardizes different invoice formats into a common internal representation, allowing the system to handle multiple formats through a single unified interface rather than requiring multiple specialized loading programs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If detailed auditing is performed on invoices, then billing accuracy is improved, but processing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilling audit accuracyVSAvoidprocessing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces costly manual auditing with automated electronic verification processes that compare invoice data against contractual agreements, service level agreements, and historical patterns. This automated auditing system provides detailed accuracy checks at a fraction of the cost of manual review, maintaining high measurement precision while significantly reducing processing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service auditing capabilities where the system automatically verifies invoice validity, detects anomalies, and flags discrepancies without requiring manual intervention. The system performs self-verification against stored contractual terms and service agreements, providing detailed auditing at minimal cost while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7720206B2System and method for intelligent data extraction for telecommunications invoices

Publication Date: 2010.05.18 TEOCO CORP

AI summary

A system, method and computer program product for extracting information from a telecommunications invoice is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method may include: receiving a telecommunications invoice data stream in a first data format; analyzing the telecommunications invoice data stream to determine the first data format; modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream; and mapping the modeled telecommunications invoice data stream to a normalized data format. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method may include: where the modeling of the telecommunications invoice data stream may further include any of: creating a model for the first data format; modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream according to the model; and/or modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream with an intelligent adapter.