Computerized patent and trademark fee payment method and system

An on-line method for managing invoices comprising:

• a server coupled to the Internet;
• a website stored on the server;
• a number of remote terminals coupled to the Internet, at least one of the remote terminals including an invoice entry system;
• and
• software means operative on the website and the invoice entry system, wherein the software means is operable for:
• generating an electronic invoice, including inputting identification information for a matter of a client of a firm and a requested fee associated with the matter in a standard format for payment to an outside vendor or a foreign associate as data representing the identification information into one of the remote terminals;
• uploading the electronic invoice to a database of invoices on the server;
• accessing the electronic invoice from a number of remote terminals through the website for review;
• and
• providing for a payment of the requested fee by a foreign currency exchange business.

An on-line method for managing invoices comprising:

• a server coupled to the Internet including a database of invoices from a number of outside vendors and a number of foreign associates;
• a website stored on the server;
• a number of remote terminals coupled to the Internet, at least one of the remote terminals including an invoice entry system;
• and
• software means operative on the website, the server, and the invoice entry system, wherein the software means is operable for:
• Internet entry of invoices into the database of invoices, including inputting identification information for a matter of a client of a firm, including a scanned image of a work product associated with the matter, and a requested fee associated with the matter in a standard format for payment to the number of outside vendors and the number of foreign associates as data representing the identification information into one of the remote terminals;
• accessing the database of invoices for a client from a number of remote terminals through the website for review;
• and
• providing for a payment of the requested fee.

An on-line method for managing invoices comprising:

• a server coupled to the Internet including a database of invoices from a number of outside vendors, a number of domestic firms, and a number of foreign associates;
• a website stored on the server;
• a number of remote terminals coupled to the Internet, at least one of the remote terminals including an invoice entry system;
• and
• software means operative on the website, the server, and the invoice entry system, wherein the software means is operable for:
• Internet entry of invoices into the database of invoices, including inputting identification information for a matter of a client of a firm, including a scanned image of a work product associated with the matter, a requested fee associated with the matter in a standard format for payment to the number of outside vendors, the number of domestic firms, and the number of foreign associates, selecting a requested payment date, and selecting a requested payment form as data representing the identification information into one of the remote terminals;
• accessing the database of invoices for a client from a number of remote terminals through the website for review;
• and
• providing for a payment of the requested fee.

A system for managing invoices, comprising:

• a server coupled to the Internet, the server including a website for invoice management, and including a database of invoices for a number of outside vendors, a number of domestic firms, and a number of foreign associates, the invoices containing identification information for a matter of a client of a firm, a scanned image of a work product associated with the matter, and requested fee for the work product for payment to the outside vendor, the domestic firm, or foreign associate;
• a number of remote terminals coupled to the Internet, at least one of the remote terminals including an invoice entry system for entering invoices and accessing the invoice management website and the database of invoices;
• a foreign currency exchange website coupled to invoice management website on the server;
• wherein the database of invoices for a client is assessible from a remote terminal through the invoice management website for review, and
• wherein instructions for payment of a requested fee for a work product for payment to an outside vendor, a domestic firm, or foreign associate can be communicated to the foreign currency exchange website.

A computerized system for payment of patent and trademark fees, comprising:

• a server coupled to the Internet, the server including a website for foreign invoice entry and including a database of invoices, the invoices containing identification information for a matter of a client of a firm, a scanned image of a work product associated with the matter, and requested fee for the work product for payment to an outside vendor or foreign associate;
• a number of remote terminals coupled to the Internet, at least one of the remote terminals including an invoice entry system for accessing the foreign invoice entry website and the database of invoices;
• a foreign currency exchange website coupled to the server;
• wherein the database of invoices for a client is assessible from a remote terminal through the website for foreign invoice entry by the client for review, and
• wherein instructions for payment of a requested fee for a work product for payment to an outside vendor or foreign associate can be communicated to the foreign currency exchange website.