WO2010138998A1 - Systèmes, procédés et appareil pour gérer des créances impayées et rapporter une non-distribution de biens et/ou de services - Google Patents

Systèmes, procédés et appareil pour gérer des créances impayées et rapporter une non-distribution de biens et/ou de services Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010138998A1
WO2010138998A1 PCT/AU2010/000664 AU2010000664W WO2010138998A1 WO 2010138998 A1 WO2010138998 A1 WO 2010138998A1 AU 2010000664 W AU2010000664 W AU 2010000664W WO 2010138998 A1 WO2010138998 A1 WO 2010138998A1
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Prior art keywords
debt
unpaid
debtor
actuatable
indicium
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PCT/AU2010/000664
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English (en)
Inventor
Vanessa Prowse
Michael Browitt
Hadar Paz
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Breechwill Pty Ltd
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Priority claimed from AU2009902465A external-priority patent/AU2009902465A0/en
Application filed by Breechwill Pty Ltd filed Critical Breechwill Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2010138998A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010138998A1/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to systems, methods and apparatus for managing unpaid debts, such as invoices and for managing reporting relating to non-delivery, or partial non-delivery, of goods and/or services.
  • the present invention relates to graphical user interfaces for facilitating the same.
  • a purchaser When goods and/or services are provided by a retailer, wholesaler, service provider or the like, a purchaser typically pays for the goods and/or services upon receipt or within a payment period, such as 7, 14, 30 or 60 days from the date of provision of the goods and/or services, for example, on the basis of an invoice issued by the provider.
  • a payment period such as 7, 14, 30 or 60 days from the date of provision of the goods and/or services, for example, on the basis of an invoice issued by the provider.
  • the provider may need to chase the purchaser for payment, which can be both time consuming and costly for the provider, who may need to pay for the services of a debt collection agency and/or commence legal proceedings. Lack of timely payment can also negatively impact on the cash flow of the provider's business.
  • United States Patent Application No. 2006/0184435 discloses a debt collecting and financing method in which a financing party accesses the accounts payable of a creditor to provide a loan to the creditor, which can assist the creditor's cash flow until the debt is settled.
  • United States Patent Application No. 2008/0189202 discloses a method of collecting delinquent specialised debt, such as a healthcare debt, in which an interactive internet-based system enables debt recovery agencies to competitively bid on overdue accounts receivable held by healthcare providers. Overdue accounts are ranked from most collectable to least collectable and the winning bidder can be appointed by the healthcare provider to recover the debt. At least theoretically, the overdue accounts are pursued more aggressively since the debt collection agency has competitively bid for the overdue accounts.
  • United States Patent Application No. 2007/0156554 discloses a method and apparatus for computer assisted settling of debts, such as consumer debts, in which the consumer is provided with a settlement history for a creditor to whom they are in debt. The consumer is thus informed of discounts that creditors will accept in order to settle debts in view of debtors' financial hardships. Debtors are thus able to reduce or pay off their debts more quickly since discounts are more likely to be obtained and creditors receive at least a proportion of their outstanding debts more quickly.
  • United States Patent Application No. 2006/0143104 discloses a software solution for debt recovery comprising a graphical user interface which facilitates the production of forms relating to debt recovery via an embedded word processing capability. This software system purports to increase debt servicer effectiveness whilst decreasing the time and expense associated with the debt collection process.
  • United States Patent No. 6,535,856 discloses systems, methods and software for regulating and enforcing open account payments and updating credit ratings in which a database stores information about buyers and sellers who are members of the system and information from sellers about buyers who have defaulted on payment terms. The buyer is notified of a time period within which to cure the default and if the buyer fails to cure the default in time, sellers who sell to the buyer are notified of the failure to cure the default.
  • the systems, methods and apparatus can also notify buyers who are members of the system of late delivery, short delivery, non-delivery and/or incompletion of services or defective goods or the like supplied by sellers. Whilst this system has the potential to improve debt recovery and delivery of goods and/or services, only members of the system benefit and only where there is an existing relationship between the buyer and the seller or where the buyers and sellers are in a common class or category.
  • the terms "comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method and/or an apparatus which addresses or at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems or provides a useful commercial alternative.
  • Another preferred object of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method and/or an apparatus which allows individuals and/or companies to negotiate the payment amount to settle unpaid debts.
  • Another preferred object of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method and/or an apparatus which allows individuals and/or companies to provide a reason for non-payment or a reason why the goods and/or services have not been delivered by a supplier in accordance with terms of delivery and for that reason to be published on a public portal.
  • the invention resides in a graphical user interface for displaying: an identifier for at least one debtor; at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor; a first actuatable indicium, the activation of which allows the debtor to pay the unpaid debt; and a second actuatable indicium, the activation of which allows the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt.
  • the graphical user interface displays one or more further actuatable indicia, the activation of which allows the debtor to pursue an alternative course of action, such as, but not limited to: notifying of a false allegation; advise that the debt has been paid via another channel; request removal or cancellation of the unpaid debt; list an unpaid debt; edit a listing of an unpaid debt; make an offer to negotiate the payment of an unpaid debt; accept an offer for a negotiated payment of an unpaid debt; decline an offer for partial payment of an unpaid debt.
  • an alternative course of action such as, but not limited to: notifying of a false allegation; advise that the debt has been paid via another channel; request removal or cancellation of the unpaid debt; list an unpaid debt; edit a listing of an unpaid debt; make an offer to negotiate the payment of an unpaid debt; accept an offer for a negotiated payment of an unpaid debt; decline an offer for partial payment of an unpaid debt.
  • the invention resides in a computer-implemented method of managing unpaid debts, the method including: storing an identifier for at least one debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor, the identifier and the at least one detail provided via a portal accessible via a computing device in communication with a communications network; retrieving an identifier for at least one debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor in response to a search query submitted via the portal; displaying a first actuatable indicium to allow the debtor to pay the unpaid debt by activation of the first actuatable indicium; and displaying a second actuatable indicium to allow the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt by activation of the second actuatable indicium.
  • the invention resides in an apparatus for managing unpaid debts comprising computer readable program code components configured to cause: storing an identifier for at least one debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor, the identifier and the at least one detail provided via a portal accessible via a computing device in communication with a Communications network; retrieving an identifier for at least one debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor in response to a search query submitted via the portal; displaying a first actuatable indicium to allow the debtor to pay the unpaid debt by activation of the first actuatable indicium; and displaying a second actuatable indicium to allow the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt by activation of the second actuatable indicium.
  • the invention resides in a system for managing unpaid debts comprising: a data store in communication with a communications network for storing an identifier for at least one debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor, the identifier and the at least one detail provided via a portal accessible via a computing device in communication with the communications network; and at least one processor operatively coupled to the data store for: retrieving an identifier for at least one debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor from the data store in response to a search query submitted via the portal accessed by a computing device in communication with the communications network; displaying a first actuatable indicium to allow the debtor to pay the unpaid debt by activation of the first actuatable indicium; and displaying a second actuatable indicium to allow the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt by activation of the second actuatable
  • the unpaid debt is an unpaid invoice, receipt or the like.
  • the unpaid debt is only displayed if it is due or overdue.
  • the identifier for the at least one debtor can include one or more of the following: a name; an address; a company or business number, such as an Australian Company or Business Number, a state or other locality indicator; a unique identifier code.
  • the at least one detail relating to the debt can include one or more of the following for an invoice, receipt or the like: a number; a unique code; creditor details; an issue date; a due date; a listing date; an amount; a status.
  • the identifier for the at least one debtor and the at least one detail relating to the debt are provided by a creditor or a listing agent for the creditor.
  • the invention resides in a graphical user interface comprising: an actuatable indicium, the activation of which allows a purchaser of goods and/or services to cause the graphical user interface to display: an identifier for at least one supplier of the goods and/or services; and at least one detail relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery.
  • the invention resides in a computer-implemented method of managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services, the method including: storing an identifier for at least one supplier of goods and/or services and at least one detail relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery, the identifier and the at least one detail provided via a portal accessible via a computing device in communication with a communications network; and retrieving an identifier for at least one supplier and at least one detail relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery in response to a search query submitted via the portal.
  • the invention resides in an apparatus for managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services comprising computer readable program code components configured to cause: storing an identifier for at least one supplier of goods and/or services and at least one detail relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery, the identifier and the at least one detail provided via a portal accessible via a computing device in communication with a communications network; and retrieving an identifier for at least one supplier and at least one detail relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery in response to a search query submitted via the portal.
  • the invention resides in a system for managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services comprising: a data store in communication with a communications network for: storing an identifier for at least one supplier of goods and/or services and at least one detail relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery, the identifier and the at least one detail provided via a portal accessible via a computing device in communication with a communications network; and retrieving an identifier for at least one supplier and at least one detail relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery in response to a search query submitted via the portal.
  • the identifier for the at least one supplier can include one or more of the following: a name; an address; a company or business number, such as an Australian Company or Business Number, a state or other locality indicator; a unique identifier code.
  • the at least one detail relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery can include one or more of the following: buyer details; a type of non-compliance, such as late delivery, non-delivery, short delivery, incomplete provision of services, defective goods/services.
  • the identifier for at least one supplier and the at least one detail relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered in accordance with terms of delivery are provided by a purchaser of the goods and/or services.
  • the invention resides in a graphical user interface for displaying: an identifier for at least one debtor; at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor; a first actuatable indicium, the activation of which automatically advises a creditor that the debtor wishes to at least partially settle the debt.
  • activation of the first actuatable indicium can cause the graphical user interface to display a form for completion by the debtor to arrange payment of the debt with the creditor.
  • FIG 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a computing device for use with embodiments of the present invention
  • FIG 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for managing unpaid debts and managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
  • FIG 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a search result returned from the database of the system shown in FIG 2;
  • FIG 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
  • FIG 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another graphical user interface in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
  • FIG 6 is a general flow diagram illustrating a status cycle of an unpaid debt according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG 7 is a general flow diagram illustrating methods for managing unpaid debts and managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods, apparatus and graphical user interfaces that enable individuals and companies to search a portal for paid and unpaid debts against their name and against the names of other individuals and companies and for goods and/or services having not been delivered by them or by other suppliers in accordance with terms of delivery.
  • the individuals and companies may be competitors, service providers, trade partners, industry players or the like.
  • the portal is in the form of a public online portal that permits users, such as individuals and companies, to list unpaid invoices on the portal, which triggers notification to the debtor that the invoice has been listed on the portal and an invitation to login and pay the invoice.
  • the portal permits users to view listings of unpaid invoices and pay unpaid invoices.
  • Some embodiments of the portal facilitate the negotiation of the amount of the invoice to be paid.
  • Some embodiments of the portal permit users to publish a reason for non-payment of listed invoices or for non-delivery of goods and/or services.
  • FIG 1 a schematic diagram illustrates a computing device 100 for use with the systems, methods, apparatus and graphical user interfaces according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • Examples of computing device 100 include, but are not limited to, personal, laptop, netbook and notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia devices, mobile telephones and other computing devices.
  • PDAs personal digital assistants
  • the computing device 100 comprises a processor 105 operatively coupled to one or more input devices 110, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, controller and/or other suitable input device.
  • Processor 105 is operatively coupled to one or more output devices 115, such as a screen, printer and/or other suitable output device.
  • Processor 105 is also operatively coupled to a storage medium in the form of memory 120.
  • computing device 100 further comprises well known communication means to enable the computing device 100 to communicate with other computing devices via wired and/or wireless data connections.
  • Memory 120 comprises a computer readable medium 125, such as a read only memory (e.g., programmable read only memory (PROM), or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM)), a random access memory (e.g. static random access memory (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)), or hybrid memory (e.g., FLASH), or other types of memory as are well known in the art.
  • the computer readable medium 125 comprises computer readable program code components 130 for execution of the embodiments of the present invention described herein. Referring to FIG 2, a schematic diagram illustrates a system 200 for managing unpaid debts and for managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • the system 200 comprises one of more computing devices 100 as described above coupled to be in communication with a communications network 205, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or a global communications network, such as the Internet, via conventional wireless and/or wired connections as are well known in the art.
  • Computing devices 100 can be coupled to be in communication with an apparatus 210, such as a server or other computing device, via communications network 205, when such computing devices access apparatus 210 via a portal 214, such as a public portal.
  • One or more payment networks 212 or similar facilities or the like as operated by and/or subscribed to by financial institutions are coupled to be in communication with communications network 205.
  • Apparatus 210 comprises a processor 215 operatively coupled to a storage medium in the form of memory 220.
  • Memory 220 comprises a computer readable medium 225, such as those described above in relation to computer readable medium 125.
  • Computer readable medium 225 comprises computer readable program code components 230 for managing unpaid debts and for managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. At least some of computer readable program code components 230 are selectively executed by the processor 215 and are configured to cause the execution of the embodiments of the present invention described herein.
  • Computer readable medium 225 of apparatus 200 also comprises a database 235 for storing data relating to managing unpaid debts and managing reporting relating to the delivery of goods and/or services in accordance with embodiments of the present invention described herein.
  • database 235 can store an identifier for each debtor and supplier, which can include one or more of the following: a name; an address; a state or other locality indicator; a unique identifier code.
  • Database 235 can store details relating to the debt, such as one or more of the following for an invoice, receipt or the like: a number; a unique code; an issue date; a due date; a listing date; an amount; a status.
  • Database 235 can store details relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery, such as one or more of the following: a type of non-compliance, such as late delivery, non- delivery, short delivery, incomplete provision of services, defective goods/services.
  • Database 235 can be in the form of an SQL database although other forms of database familiar to those skilled in the art could be employed.
  • a user can access the database 235 from their computing device 100 via communications network 205 and via portal 214.
  • a user can search the database for free by submitting a search query via the portal 214 to cause the database 235 to be interrogated to check whether an unpaid debt, such as an invoice, is listed in their name or in the name of another individual or company.
  • the returned search result can include the name of the individual or company, their geographical location or region, such as a state, whether they have an entry against their name, whether the entries are paid entries, partially paid entries or unpaid entries and other such information.
  • FIG 3 An example of a search result 300 returned from the database 235 in the form of a listing for a debtor, such as a company or individual, having at least one unpaid debt is shown in FIG 3.
  • the result 300 comprises an identifier 302 for the debtor, which can include the name of the company or individual, a company number and their registered address.
  • Result 300 also comprises a listing ID for each debt, which in this example is a unique code 305, such as 001111 , 001112 or 001113.
  • the result 300 can also comprise an invoice number where the debt is in the form of an invoice.
  • the unique identifier will uniquely identify the debt because it is possible that invoices in the system from different creditors will have the same number.
  • the result 300 also comprises an identifier 310 for the creditor, such as a company or individual, to whom the debt is owed.
  • the identifiers 310 are the names of companies who issued the invoices.
  • Result 300 also comprises a listing date 315 being the date the invoice was listed in the database 235, a due date 320 for the invoice to be paid, an amount 325 for the invoice and a status 330 for the invoice.
  • one of the invoices shows a status 330 of "didntpay” indicating that the debt is still outstanding.
  • One of the invoices shows a status 330 of "didntdeliver” indicating that the goods and/or services were not delivered in accordance with the terms of delivery.
  • Result 300 can also comprise an issue date for the invoice or a date from which the debt existed. Result 300 can also display a number of days the debt is overdue calculated form the due date, which may be the date of the invoice depending on the terms of payment. According to some embodiments, debts for a company having a status of "didntpay” can be viewed in a separate listing from debts for the same company having a status of "didntdeliver" or "didpay”. When a company or individual is returned in a search, actuatable indicia 335, 340, 345 can be displayed next to the identifier 302 for the company or individual.
  • actuatable indicia 335, 340, 345 are selectable by the user to view the respective lists. For example, if a user activates actuatable indicia 335, a list of invoices having a status of "didntpay" for which the identified company is the debtor will be displayed.
  • the unpaid debt such as an invoice
  • the unpaid debt can only be displayed in response to a search therefor in the database 235 if the unpaid debt is due or overdue. Therefore, in such embodiments, unpaid invoices which are still within the payments terms, such as payment required within 7 days, 30 days, 60 days, etc. from the date of issue, would not be identified in a search.
  • both overdue and non- overdue debts can be displayed.
  • users can register with the system 200 and open an account via the portal 214, which may provide enhanced functionality in relation to the listing of paid and unpaid debts and enable the user to pay unpaid debts.
  • users need not register with the system in order to pay the unpaid debts and utilize the functionality of the system.
  • Registration can be implemented by any suitable means familiar to those skilled in the art and can include recording user details, requiring acceptance of terms and conditions of use of the portal 214 and known security measures.
  • FIG 4 a schematic diagram illustrates a graphical user interface 400 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
  • the graphical user interface 400 is displayed on the output device 115, such as a screen, of computing device 100, once a user has submitted a search query to the database 235 via the portal 214 and a search result has been returned.
  • the graphical user interface 400 displays the identifier 302 for the debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor.
  • graphical user interface 400 displays multiple details relating to the unpaid debt including the unique code 305 for the debt, the identifier 310 for the creditor, the listing date 315, the due date 320, the amount 325 and the status 330.
  • the graphical user interface 400 also displays a first actuatable indicium 405, the activation of which allows the debtor to pay the unpaid debt.
  • the graphical user interface 400 also displays a second actuatable indicium 410, the activation of which allows the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt.
  • the graphical user interface 400 can also display other actuatable indicia including one or more of the following: a third actuatable indicium 415, the activation of which allows the user to notify of a false allegation; a fourth actuatable indicium 420, the activation of which allows the user to advise that the debt has been paid via another channel; a fifth actuatable indicium 425, the activation of which allows the user to request removal or cancellation of the unpaid debt; a sixth actuatable indicium 430, the activation of which allows the user to list an unpaid debt; a seventh actuatable indicium 435, the activation of which allows the user to edit a listing of an unpaid debt; an eighth actuatable indicium 440, the activation of which allows the user to make an offer to negotiate payment of an unpaid debt; a ninth actuatable indicium 445, the activation of which allows the user to accept an offer to negotiate the payment of an unpaid debt; a ten
  • Actuatable indicia 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450 and 455 can be in the form of an icon, link or similar, the activation of which causes computer program code components to be executed which enable actions to be carried out as initiated by the user, which will now be described in further detail.
  • first actuatable indicium 405 When a user clicks on, or otherwise actuates, first actuatable indicium 405, terms and conditions for payment of the unpaid debt are displayed to the user on the user's computing device 100 and the terms and conditions must be accepted to proceed. If the terms and conditions are not accepted, the user is redirected to a feedback form and the IP address of the user may be recorded. It should be appreciated that this process in relation to the terms and conditions will be executed after activation by the user of any of the actuatable indicia described herein, but will not be repeated in the description for the sake of brevity.
  • payment fields including a BPAY® number, or other unique identifier for making a payment in an established payment protocol, are displayed to the user on the user's computing device 100.
  • the BPAY® or other unique number can also be sent in an email to the user.
  • the user may also enter an email address or address for the creditor.
  • the user can then pay the debt via the portal 214 by, for example, submitting credit card details, which can be verified via one of the payment networks 212 coupled to be in communication with the portal 214 via communications network 205.
  • the user can pay the debt via their own internet banking facility via one of the payment networks 212 coupled to be in communication with the communications network and accessible via one of the computing devices 100 or via another e-commerce payment protocol, such as SecurePay.
  • Other payment mechanisms can be employed, such as payment at a post office.
  • Reconciliation can include one or more of the following: sending a receipt and/or confirmation email to the user; sending a confirmation email and/or SMS to the individual or company who listed the debt, such as the company who listed their invoice; sending a payment advice to the listing entity for a percentage of the debt or in accordance with a scale as a fee for services; sending a conventional letter; updating status of debt to "paid".
  • the system 200 can collect a listing fee from the listing entity for listing an invoice or other debt and/or the system 200 can charge a collection fee when the debt is paid by the debtor.
  • the listing fee and/or collection fee may be fixed or a percentage of the debt amount.
  • the portal 214 permits users to log in to the portal and select an existing company or individual or to add a company or individual to the database 235. Once a company or individual is added or selected, the user can upload or otherwise add details of an unpaid debt, such as details relating to an unpaid invoice. This can be achieved by actuating sixth actuatable indicium 430, which initiates a search of the database 235 on the basis of the search criteria entered by the user. The user enters one or more details relating to the unpaid debt, such as the invoice number, the due date 320 and the amount 325.
  • the user selects whether the details are to be published immediately, therefore enabling the details to be immediately searchable by others in the database 235, or whether a grace period applies, in which case a future date can be specified by the user from which the details will be searchable by others in the database 235. Confirmation of the listing or the future listing is then sent to the listing entity, the creditor (if different from the listing entity) and the debtor by email, SMS and/or conventional mail according to the contact details provided.
  • the graphical user interface 400 shown in FIG 4 enables a user to actuate the second actuatable indicium 410, which allows the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt.
  • the second actuatable indicium 410 is activated, the user is presented with one or a number of selectable reasons relating to the non- payment of the debt.
  • the reasons can relate to goods and/or services and can include, but are not limited to: a type of non-compliance with terms of delivery of the goods and/or services, such as late delivery, non-delivery, short delivery, incomplete provision of services, defective goods/services or the like.
  • one aspect of the present invention resides in a computer- implemented method of managing unpaid debts including storing the identifier 302 for at least one debtor and at least one detail (305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330) relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor.
  • the identifier and the at least one detail are provided, optionally by a creditor or listing agent, via the portal 214 accessible via one of the computing devices 100 in communication with the communications network 205.
  • the method includes retrieving an identifier 302 for at least one debtor and at least one detail relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor in response to a search query submitted to the database 235 via the portal 214.
  • the method further includes displaying the first actuatable indicium 405 to allow the debtor to pay the unpaid debt by activation of the first actuatable indicium 405 and displaying the second actuatable indicium 410 to allow the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt by activation of the second actuatable indicium 410.
  • Another aspect of the present invention hence resides in the apparatus 210 for managing unpaid debts comprising computer readable program code components 230 configured to cause storing the identifier 302 for at least one debtor and at least one of the details 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330 relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor.
  • the identifier 302 and at least one of the details are provided, optionally by a creditor or listing agent, via the portal 214 accessible via one of the computing devices 100 in communication with the communications network 205.
  • the computer readable program code components 230 are configured to cause retrieving an identifier 302 for at least one debtor and at least one of the details relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor in response to a search query submitted to the database 235 via the portal 214.
  • the computer readable program code components 230 are configured to cause displaying the first actuatable indicium 405 to allow the debtor to pay the unpaid debt by activation of the first actuatable indicium and displaying the second actuatable indicium 410 to allow the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt by activation of the second actuatable indicium.
  • a further aspect of the present invention resides in the system 200 for managing unpaid debts comprising a data store in the form of the database 235 in communication with the communications network 205.
  • the database 235 stores the identifier 302 for at least one debtor and at least one of the details 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330 relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor.
  • the identifier and at least one of the details are provided by, or on behalf of, a creditor via the portal 214 accessible via one of the computing devices 100 in communication with the communications network 205.
  • An identifier 302 for at least one debtor and at least one of the details relating to a debt unpaid by the debtor is retrieved from the database 235 by the processor 215 operatively coupled to the database 235 in response to a search query submitted via the portal 214 accessed by one of the computing devices 100.
  • Processors 215 and 105 cause the first actuatable indicium 405 to be displayed to allow the debtor to pay the unpaid debt by activation of the first actuatable indicium 405 and cause the second actuatable indicium 410 to be displayed to allow the debtor to provide a reason relating to non-payment of the debt by activation of the second actuatable indicium 410.
  • FIG 4 shows a single graphical user interface 400 comprising actuatable indicia 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450 and 455 for performing different functions in accordance with embodiments of the present invention as described herein.
  • multiple graphical user interfaces can be provided with each graphical user interface comprising one or more of the aforementioned actuatable indicia with one or more of the details 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330 relating to the debt in any combination.
  • the invention resides in a graphical user interface 500 comprising an actuatable indicium 505, the activation of which allows a purchaser of goods and/or services, or their agent, to cause the graphical user interface 500 to display an identifier 310 for at least one supplier of the goods and/or services and at least one detail 510 relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery.
  • the at least one detail 510 can be entered by the user or selected from a number of selectable reasons as described above.
  • the one or more details 510 relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery can include a type of non- compliance, such as late delivery, non-delivery, short delivery, incomplete provision of services, defective goods/services and the like.
  • Graphical user interface 500 can also display other details relating to the goods and/or services purported to have been provided or supplied, such as the unique listing code 305, the listing date 315, the due date 320 for payment for the goods and/or services, the monetary amount 325 and the status 330, such as unpaid, partially paid etc.
  • embodiments of the present invention reside in a computer-implemented method of managing reporting relating to the delivery of goods and/or services.
  • Embodiments of the method include storing in the database 235 an identifier 302 for at least one supplier of goods and/or services and at least one detail 510 relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery.
  • the identifier 302 such as the name of the supplier, and the at least one detail 510 are provided by a purchaser of the goods and/or services, or their agent, via the portal 214 accessible via one of the computing devices 100 in communication with the communications network 205.
  • the method includes retrieving an identifier 302 for at least one supplier and at least one detail relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery from the database 235 in response to a search query submitted to the database 235 via the portal 214.
  • Apparatus 210 comprises computer readable program code components 230 configured to cause storing in the database 235 an identifier 302 for at least one supplier of goods and/or services and at least one detail 510 relating to the goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery.
  • the identifier 302 and the at least one detail 510 can be provided by a purchaser of the goods and/or services via the portal 214 accessible via one of the computing devices 100 in communication with the communications network 205.
  • the apparatus 210 also comprises computer readable program code components 230 configured to cause retrieving from the database 235 an identifier for at least one supplier and at least one detail relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery in response to a search query submitted to the database 235 via the portal 214.
  • embodiments of the present invention resides in a system 200 for managing reporting relating to delivery of goods and/or services
  • the identifiers 302 and the details 510 are provided by a purchaser of the goods and/or services, or their agent, via the portal 214 accessible via one of the computing devices 100 in communication with the communications network 205.
  • System 200 also comprises a processor 215 operatively coupled to the database 235 for retrieving an identifier 302 for at least one supplier and at least one detail 510 relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery in response to a search query submitted to the database 235 via the portal 214.
  • the invoices, receipts etc. can comprise terms and conditions that bind the debtors to agree to have the invoice, receipt etc. listed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention once the invoice or receipt is overdue.
  • such terms and conditions can bind the suppliers to allow buyers to specify one or more detail 510 relating to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery.
  • a logo or symbol may be displayed on the invoice, receipt etc. indicating that the invoice, receipt etc. is part of embodiments of the present invention and indicating where the terms and conditions can be read in full, for example by reference to a URL for the portal 214.
  • a user in the form of a debtor can make an offer to negotiate payment of an unpaid debt.
  • the user can enter an offer amount that the user wishes to pay.
  • a percentage value that the offer represents may be automatically calculated and displayed.
  • the user can enter a percentage amount that the user wishes to pay and a monetary amount may be automatically calculated and displayed.
  • the offer is sent to the debtor via email, SMS and/or mail according to the contact details available for the debtor.
  • the user when a user registers with the system, the user may opt in or out to respectively enable or disable the option to receive offers for a negotiated payment of an unpaid debt.
  • the eighth actuatable indicium 440 will be enabled or disabled accordingly for debts relating to that user.
  • a user in the form of a creditor can accept an offer of a negotiated payment of an unpaid debt made by a debtor as described above.
  • a BPAY® number or other unique identifier for making a payment via an established payment protocol, is sent to the debtor via email, SMS or other communication means to enable the debtor to make the payment for the accepted amount as described above.
  • reconciliation takes place within the system and the status of the unpaid debt is updated to "paid".
  • a user in the form of a creditor can decline an offer for a negotiated payment of an unpaid debt made by a debtor as described above.
  • an email, SMS or other communication is sent to the debtor notifying them that their offer has been declined.
  • the status of the unpaid debt will remain unchanged.
  • the option to make further offers for partial payment of an unpaid debt may be removed by deactivating the eighth actuatable indicium 440.
  • only future offers for negotiated payments that are greater than a previously rejected offer may be accepted by the system for consideration by the creditor. Previous offers for negotiated payments may or may not be displayed in association with the details of the unpaid debt.
  • a user can notify of false accusations.
  • the user can upload to the database 235, via their computing device 100, communications network 205 and portal 214, information relating to such a matter, such as a police report, correspondence from a legal representative, statutory declarations, affidavits and the like.
  • the uploaded information will need to be verified and the allegation can be either accepted or rejected for the purposes of the present system 200. If the allegation is rejected, the unpaid debt remains on the system 200 and can be displayed as described above. If the allegation is accepted, the unpaid debt is removed from the system 200 and can no longer be searched or displayed. Both the creditor and the debtor are notified by email, SMS, mail etc.
  • the user can advise the system 200 that the debt has been paid via another channel.
  • a confirmation email or other communication is sent to the user and the user is prompted to pay a fee.
  • confirmation is sent to both the creditor and the debtor and the status of the debt is updated to "paid".
  • the user in the form of the creditor can request removal of the unpaid debt.
  • a charge may still be made to the creditor for listing the debt even if it is removed without the debt being paid by the debtor.
  • the user can edit a listing of an unpaid debt.
  • only a subset of the details 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330 may be edited by the user.
  • the invoice number, the due date 320 and/or the amount 325 may be edited, but the listing date 315 and/or the status 330 may not be editable. Confirmation of the changes may be sent to both the creditor and the debtor.
  • actuatable indicia can be provided on the graphical user interfaces
  • graphical user interfaces forming part of the present invention for performing other functions in relation to unpaid debts and/or in relation to goods and/or services having not been delivered by the supplier in accordance with terms of delivery.
  • Such functions include, but are not limited to enabling a user to change their account details and enabling users to select one or more reasons for rejecting the terms and conditions of use of the portal 214.
  • some of the graphical user interfaces may be for internal use only and actuatable indicia can be provided on these interfaces to perform functions such as, but not limited to, reconciling payments submitted by users, processing batch payments, removing published records, updating records to "false allegation" status, override records changed by users, removing all records for a particular entity or charging an entity.
  • FIG 6 a general flow diagram illustrates a status cycle of an unpaid debt according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • an unpaid debt Once details of an unpaid debt are uploaded to the database 235, such details can be published immediately or once a specified grace period, such as 14 days, has elapsed. Publication enables such details to be searched for and retrieved from the database 235.
  • the system 200 can make the unpaid debt publicly available and details can be obtained by any user via an appropriate search of the database 235. If the debt is paid, or is not paid within the specified period, it can then be archived such that the at least one detail relating to the debt, whether paid or not, is no longer publicly available.
  • a notification of a false allegation may be made causing the unpaid debt to be withdrawn from publication.
  • the unpaid debt may be withdrawn from publication due to a notification of a false allegation prior to publication and as a result of the debtor being notified of the proposal to list the debt by the system 200.
  • the status of the unpaid debt may change to "didntdeliver" if a debtor submits a reason for not paying the debt, such as the goods and/or services not being delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of delivery. After the specified period, such as 12 months, has elapsed, the unpaid debt having a status of "didntdeliver" can be archived. Alternatively, the unpaid debt having a status of "didntdeliver" may be withdrawn from publication due to a subsequent notification of a false allegation, as shown in FIG 6.
  • the method 700 includes at 705 a user searching the database 235 for an individual or company. Upon interrogating the database at 710, if a record for the individual or company is not found, the method includes at 715 providing the user with the option to enter details, such as list an individual or company and/or upload or otherwise enter details relating to an unpaid debt at 720. If a record for the individual or company is found, the method includes at 725 displaying the record, which can also occur once a user has uploaded a new record at 720.
  • the method includes the user selecting and thus activating one of the actuatable indicia 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450 and 455 to initiate performance of the desired operation, such as paying an unpaid debt, submitting a reason for non-payment or non-delivery or the like as described in detail above.
  • the user must accept the terms and conditions at 735 to enable the desired function to be performed at 740. If the user rejects the terms and conditions at 735, the user is presented with the option at 745 to submit one or more reasons why the terms and conditions were rejected, at which point the IP address of the user may be recorded.
  • creditors can list details of the outstanding debt as described herein and pay a listing fee, for example, according to the number of debts listed and/or according to a percentage of the amount of the debt(s).
  • Debtors who have their debt listed can arrange to settle, or at least partially settle, the outstanding debt. This is achieved upon activation by the debtor of a designated actuatable indicium displayed in the graphical user interface.
  • activation of the designated actuatable indicium causes a form to be displayed on the graphical user interface, which is completed by the debtor and automatically communicated to the creditor, for example, via email.
  • the electronic communication sent to the creditor instructs the creditor to contact the debtor to arrange settlement.
  • an email or SMS is automatically sent to the creditor instructing the creditor to contact the debtor to arrange settlement without the completed form also being sent, but comprising relevant contact details of the debtor.
  • activation of the designated actuatable indicium by the debtor automatically advises a creditor via electronic communication that the debtor wishes to at least partially settle the debt.
  • the electronic communication can also comprise instructions for the creditor to contact the debtor and contact details for the debtor.
  • embodiments of the present invention thus provide a solution to the aforementioned problems of the prior art by providing systems, methods, apparatus and graphical user interfaces for searching and displaying records of paid and/or unpaid debts in a user's own name or in the name of other companies or individuals.
  • searches can be conducted anonymously and free of charge. Therefore, the information is available to any user and is not restricted to only the registered participants or members of a particular scheme.
  • Buyers can search for previous failures by suppliers to deliver in accordance with delivery terms before engaging the services of, or buying goods from, suppliers. Similarly, suppliers can search for buyers who have previously defaulted on payments before extending those buyers credit or before selling them goods and/or services.
  • Embodiments of the present invention also enable debtors to submit one or more reasons for non-payment, such as the goods and/or services not having been delivered according to the terms of delivery, or to submit one or more reasons for delivery not having occurred in accordance with the terms of delivery, or the option to notify of false accusations or refute a false allegation.
  • embodiments of the present invention are equitable enabling both buyers and suppliers to defend their position. It is envisaged that embodiments of the present invention will reduce the time and cost associated with recovering all or a substantial part of unpaid debts because users can easily and quickly publish details thereof, which can be freely searched. Debtors will be keen to settle their debts to avoid them being publicly available and embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms to settle the unpaid debt. Hence, the likelihood of debt collection companies and/or legal proceedings being required is reduced, thus reducing costs.
  • embodiments of the present invention benefit users and society as a whole by facilitating prompt debt recovery and deterring both individuals and companies from defaulting on payment and/or from not delivering goods and/or services in accordance with terms of delivery, thus contributing to the economic benefit of each country in which the invention is implemented.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne des systèmes, des procédés, un appareil et des interfaces graphiques utilisateur pour gérer des créances impayées, telles que des factures, et pour gérer un rapport concernant une non-distribution, ou une non-distribution partielle de biens et/ou de services. Selon certains modes de réalisation, un système (200) pour gérer des créances impayées comprend une mémoire de données (235) en communication avec un réseau de communication (205) pour mémoriser des identifiants de débiteurs et des détails concernant des créances impayées associées. Les identifiants et les détails sont fournis via un portail (214) accessible par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif informatique (100). Un processeur (215) couplé fonctionnellement à la mémoire de données récupère les identifiants et les détails associés concernant des créances impayées dans la mémoire de données en réponse à des interrogations de recherche soumises via le portail. Le processeur affiche également des première et seconde marques actionnables pour permettre au débiteur de payer la créance ou de fournir une raison concernant le non-paiement de la créance en activant la première ou la seconde marque actionnable, respectivement.
PCT/AU2010/000664 2009-06-01 2010-05-31 Systèmes, procédés et appareil pour gérer des créances impayées et rapporter une non-distribution de biens et/ou de services WO2010138998A1 (fr)

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AU2009902465 2009-06-01
AU2009902465A AU2009902465A0 (en) 2009-06-01 Systems, methods and apparatus for managing unpaid debts and reporting non-delivery of goods and/or services

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WO2010138998A1 true WO2010138998A1 (fr) 2010-12-09

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130041798A1 (en) * 2011-08-09 2013-02-14 Kenneth Unger Debt Collection Database

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WO2001082676A2 (fr) * 2000-05-02 2001-11-08 General Electric Capital Equipment Finance Inc. Procede et systeme web de gestion des comptes debiteurs
WO2001084346A2 (fr) * 2000-05-02 2001-11-08 General Electric Capital Equipment Finance, Inc. Procede et dispositif de gestion de creances
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