US Patent 7809615 Enhanced automated capture of invoices into an electronic payment system

The recognition of invoices for multiple issuers and multiple recipients is automated. In one approach, many invoices are received. The received invoices are compared to a database of distinguishing features. These distinguishing features are for known templates of invoices from different issuers. Templates are selected for the invoices based on the comparisons to the distinguishing features. This also identifies the issuers for the invoices. Data is extracted from the invoices based on the selected templates. In this way, invoice capture can be automated.