System and process for the verification of data

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for verification of data contained in an unstructured data source, such as a supplier invoice. It is very difficult to obtain information from an unstructured data source, such as an invoice, using processing technology, without error. The apparatus and method are arranged to locate a predetermined data element in the invoice, using an optical character recognition application. The predetermined data element may be a company number, such as an ABN. The ABN can then be used to access databases to obtain further information relating to the supplier. For example, account details. The further information can be cross referenced against the unstructured data to confirm that the further information, such as account number is present in the unstructured data.

1 . A method for verification of data contained in an unstructured data source, comprising the steps of:
 processing the unstructured data source to search for a predetermined data element recognisable in the unstructured data, to locate the predetermined data element;   utilising the located predetermined data element, accessing a database source and locating at least one further data element stored in the database source associated with the predetermined data element;   utilising the further data element and processing the unstructured data source to search for the further data element within the unstructured data, and   comparing the further data element located in the unstructured data with the further data element from the database, and providing a verification indication, based on the comparison.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the unstructured data source is a document. 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the unstructured data source is an invoice. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein the predetermined data element is a company identifier. 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, comprising the further step of accessing further database source(s) to obtain further stored information to cross reference against the unstructured data. 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unstructured data source comprises a coded data element, and the method comprises the further step of decoding the coded data element. 
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the coded data element includes a digital signature and the step of decoding comprises verifying the signature. 
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the method comprises the further step of accessing a database to retrieve secure data associated with the signature. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for verification of data contained in an unstructured data source, comprising a computer having a processor, memory and an operating system supporting computer processes:
 an identification process arranged to search the unstructured data source for a predetermined data element recognisable in the unstructured data, and locate the predetermined data element;   a checking process arranged to access a database source and, using the located predetermined data element, to locate at least one further data element stored in the data source, associated with the predetermined data element, and   a comparison process arranged to search the unstructured data source for the located further data element by comparing the unstructured data with the further data element obtained from the data source, and to provide a verification indication based on the comparison.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the unstructured data source is a document. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the unstructured data source is an invoice. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 ,  10  or  11 , wherein the predetermined data element is a company identifier. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus in accordance with any one of  claims 9  to  12 , wherein the unstructured data source comprises a coded data element, and the apparatus further comprises a decoding process for decoding the coded data element. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the coded data element includes a digital signature, and the decoding process is arranged to obtain the digital signature, and wherein the checking process is arranged to access a database to retrieve secure data associated with the signature. 
     
     
         15 . A computer program, comprising instructions for controlling a computer to implement a method in accordance with any one of  claims 1  to  8 . 
     
     
         16 . A non-volatile computer readable medium providing a computer program in accordance with  claim 15 . 
     
     
         17 . A data signal, comprising a computer program in accordance with  claim 15 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for verification of supplier details of a supplier of goods or services, comprising the steps of:
 decoding a coded data element associated with the supplier, to obtain a digital signature associated with the supplier;   accessing a database and obtaining supplier details associated with the signature.   
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the coded data element is provided by a document associated with the supplier. 
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the document is an invoice. 
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 18 - 20 , comprising the further step of providing a document having the coded data element. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for verification of supplier details of a supplier of goods or services, the apparatus comprising a computer having a processor, memory and operating system supporting computer processes:
 a decoding process arranged to decode a coded data element associated with the supplier, to obtain the digital signature associated with the supplier;   a checking process arranged to access a database and obtain supplier details associated with the signature.   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the coded data element is provided by a document associated with the supplier. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the document is an invoice. 
     
     
         25 . A computer program, comprising instructions for controlling a computer to implement a method in accordance with anyone of  claims 18 - 21 . 
     
     
         26 . A non-volatile computer readable medium, providing a computer program in accordance with  claim 25 . 
     
     
         27 . A data signal, comprising a computer program in accordance with  claim 25 . 
     
     
         28 . A document, the document including a coded data element arranged to be decoded to provide a digital signature which can be utilised in accessing a database and obtaining details associated with the signature. 
     
     
         29 . A document in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the document is a supplier invoice.