System for generating and transmitting credit reports

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating credit reports. The system includes a central data processing facility (also referred to as a data processor or host computer) which is connectable to the three national credit repositories dedicated data links. The central data processor requests credit information on an applicant from one or more of the repositories, generates a credit report, and transmits the report to the requesting user (i.e., customer). Requests and reports are transmitted via a communications system or network which includes: local telephone lines; Redi-Access; Accunet; and a dedicated, high speed, data transmission channel. If data is inputted from more than one repository, the central data processing facility eliminates duplicated data, selects the best data if there are conflicts, and merges the remaining data into a single report.

Claims

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A system for generating a credit report which comprises:

plural repositories of credit information;

a central data processing means;

a user terminal;

a first data link for connecting said user terminal to said central data processing means;

and additional data links for connecting said central data processing means to each of said repositories of credit information;

said central data processing means including; means responsive to a message reaching it via the first data link for activating the additional data links and consequentially retrieving from each of the plural repositories items of credit information related to an entity identified from the user terminal; means for comparing the items of credit information retrieved from the different repositories, eliminating items of credit information duplicated in the different repositories, and selecting the most accurate of different versions of items of credit information retrieved from different ones of the repositories, sorting and merging the surviving items of credit information into a single credit report of selected format, and thereafter activating the first data link and transmitting the credit report over that data link to the user terminal.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 in which the central data processing means includes means for relating the order in which the repositories are searched for those items of information relevant to a specific request for a credit report.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 in which the user terminal includes a monitor, said system also comprising means at the user terminal for bringing up on said monitor a screen which can be filled in by an operator at said terminal with data which, when transmitted to said central data processing means over said first data link, will enable the generation of a credit report on a specified entity.

4. A system as defined in claim 1 which has means at said terminal for bringing up on said monitor a set of screens as aforesaid and means for batch-transmitting plural sets of data collected by filling in plural ones of said screens to said central data processing means.

5. A system as defined in claim 4 which includes operator-activatable means at the user terminal for interrupting the batch transmission of data sets to the central data processing means to enable the transmission of a high priority data set and the subsequent resumption of the batch transmission of the plural data sets to said central data processing means.

6. A system as defined in claim 1 in which the central data processing means is geographically removed from each of the repositories of credit information and the user terminal is geographically removed from said repositories and said central data processing means.

7. A system as defined in claim 6 in which said first data link and said additional data links all comprise dedicated, high speed, data transmission means.

8. A system as defined in claim 1 in which includes means at said user terminal by which an operator can designate the repository or repositories from which data will be retrieved by the central data processing means for inclusion in any particular credit report.

9. A system as defined in claim 1 in which the central data processing means has means for retrieving from each of the repositories with a single inquiry data relevant to applications for credit made by joint applicants.

10. A system as defined in claim 1 which has a plurality of user terminals each, said user terminals being connectable to the central data processing means by a transmission link.

11. A system as defined in claim 1 in which the central data processing means is capable of retrieving data simultaneously from multiple ones of said credit information repositories.

12. A system as defined in claim 1 in which the central data processing means has the capability of not merging data from different repositories if an account number is not provided for the retrieved items of credit information or if a retrieved item of credit information is an account type and the account type is collection.

13. A system as defined in claim 1 in which, the central data processing means has the capability of selecting best items of credit information to be included in the credit report by evaluating high credit, credit history, monthly payment, and balance of account data for each of an applicant's accounts with respect to which duplicated or conflicting items of credit information have been retrieved from different repositories.

14. A system as defined in claim 1 in which the central data processing means has the capability of comparing account types, opening dates of accounts, and account numbers in determining duplicate items of credit information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a novel system for making credit reports available in a very short period of time to any subscriber who has an appropriate computer terminal, irrespective of the geographical location of the terminal.

"Geographically removed" and similar terms are employed herein to identify both locations which may be in different cities, states, etc. from a central computer facility of the system and locations which may be closer together but still spatially separated; e.g., user terminals on different desks in the same room as the central data processing facility or in different parts of the same building.

In a second, and equally important aspect, the present invention relates to a novel, subscriber-accessible system and to a method for: acquiring data from multiple repositories of credit information; selecting the most accurate, and eliminating duplicate, items of information; merging the remaining items of information into a report formatted for easy reading; and electronically transmitting the report to a subscriber-designated -computer terminal. The subscriber may be what is implied by this term or an organization which is an intermediary, ordering reports and making them available to third parties dealing with credit applicants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer credit reporting has been utilized in America for well over a century. Originally, when everyone in a community knew everyone else, there was little trouble establishing the credit worthiness of individuals. As cities grew and their populations became larger, merchants began calling each of the references given by credit applicants. The number of these calls quickly increased, and entire departments had to be set up to make the inquiries. Soon, a more efficient way to obtain and store credit information became a necessity.

The solution was the establishment of credit repositories or bureaus. Credit repositories give credit granters quick and easy access to credit information from one source, thereby reducing costs to all parties. Credit bureaus serve both the consumer and the credit granting industry. Without a central repository of information maintained by an unbiased organization, neither group would enjoy the benefits of credit.

Credit bureaus realize their income from subscribing creditors, who pay fees to the bureau. In return, the bureau maintains credit files and makes credit information available to its subscribers.

Initially, each small town probably had an independent credit bureau serving the local credit community. As the credit industry grew and consumers became more transient, there developed a need for regional or national sources of information.

Today, there are three, major, national credit reporting systems or repositories:

Thompson, Ramo & Wooldridge (TRW)

Transunion Credit Information Company, Inc. (TU)

Credit Bureau, Inc. (CBI)

Each of these companies owns credit bureaus and makes computerized credit files available to other, independently owned, subscriber credit bureaus as well. Many of the small town credit bureaus still in existence have an affiliation with one of these national repositories.

Information enters the credit reporting system computers through:

Accounts receivable tapes which are regularly sent by credit granters to credit bureaus and used by them to update their files

Manual updates through computer terminals Inquiries made through remote terminals (the repositories use the information given to them in the inquiry to update their files)

Subscribers to a repository can access information contained in a credit file in a number of ways:

Remote teleprompter (these are small terminals that are provided by the repository; the operator types each inquiry while on-line)

CPU to CPU (computer to computer)

Personal computer (with software designed for credit access)

Verbal inquiry (to small credit bureaus that may or may not have their information computerized)

For small credit subscribers, the most common of these accessing methods are remote teleprompters and personal computers. In both cases, the subscriber must dial up and access each repository separately and obtain separate reports from each. A typical inquiry requires that information about the applicant be typed directly into the teleprompter or onto a screen if the subscriber is working with a personal computer program. This information includes the applicant's name, address, social security number, and employer and any previous addresses. In both cases, if an applicant has had a previous residence in another region, the inquiry must be typed and sent separately to a repository for each region. This creates extra labor and a higher margin for error.

Each repository has stronger coverage in some areas than in others. For a variety of reasons, many subscribers report to only one national repository or report only to a local credit bureau. As national repositories purchase local credit bureaus to increase their coverage, one repository may obtain the most complete credit files in an area simply by purchasing the largest local bureau.

Many companies who access credit files subscribe to only one national repository as well. This may preclude them from obtaining the most complete credit report if their applicant lives in a region that may be better covered by another repository. Even though a company may subscribe to more than one national repository, the operator must make a decision (based on the applicant's zip code) as to which national repository has the most complete coverage. This is labor intensive and can have a high error factor as the repositories are constantly updating their files. Even though the repositories send out their own table of who has the best coverage by zip code, it requires labor and inquiry costs on the subscriber's part to run those comparison checks needed to verify the validity of the claims of better coverage made by each national repository.

If the subscriber chooses to access two or more repositories, each must be accessed independently; and separate reports are obtained. These separate reports can be difficult to read together because they are formatted differently and typically contain a number of duplicate tradelines (even within the same report). The operator must manually compare the reports, resolve the duplicates, and obtain the most current information on each tradeline. This obviously increases the labor costs involved in obtaining credit information. Furthermore, the chances for error are significant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There have now been invented, and disclosed herein, a novel system and method for generating credit reports which eliminate the foregoing and other drawbacks of the above-discussed, currently employed method of generating credit reports.

This novel system is designed to perform six functions: data input, report gathering, data comparison, data merging, report formatting, and report delivery.

First, the system gathers subscriber provided data relevant to a credit applicant and forwards that data to a central data processing facility, which may be in a different city and/or state than the subscriber's computer terminal. Using this data, the central facility requests credit reports from appropriate repositories such as the three national credit repositories: TRW, CBI and Trans Union. These repositories are be widely separated from each other and from the central, data processing facility.

When the credit reports are received from the repositories, they are compared. If differences occur between like items in the reports, the most accurate data is selected. Duplicate items in the several reports are eliminated. The surviving, thus selected raw data items are merged into a single report which is formatted for easy reading.

The final report is returned electronically to a computer terminal designated by the subscriber who originated the request for the credit report. Even with the current limitations of long distance communication links, the transaction can be completed and the report made available at the subscriber designated terminal in as little as one-two minutes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, it will be apparent to the reader that one important and primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of novel, improved systems and methods for generating credit reports and making those reports available in very short periods of time to subscribers who may be geographically removed from the report generating facility.

Other also important but more specific objects of the present invention reside in the provision of credit report generating and transmitting systems and methods as characterized in the preceding object:

which are capable of making credit reports available to subscribers in shorter periods of time than is possible by using conventional credit reporting techniques, even when the subscriber is geographically removed from the credit report-generating facility of the system;

which have the capability of acquiring credit information from multiple repositories of credit information, eliminating duplicate items, selecting the most accurate of different versions of the same items, and presenting the surviving, selected items in an electronically transmitted form and in a format which is easily read when the report is displayed on a monitor screen or printed out by the requesting subscriber;

which, from the subscriber's viewpoint, are flexible, forgiving, and user friendly;

which provide for batch-transmission of requests for credit reports from a subscriber's terminal to a central data processing facility and which allow batch-transmission to be interrupted for transmission of a priority request and then resumed;

which allow credit data for a given report to be acquired from a specified one, or multiple, selected ones, or all of the available repositories of credit data at the option of the subscriber who requests the report;

which are capable of automatically filing credit reports in an orderly fashion for each subscriber; and

which are capable of generating both individual and joint credit reports.

Other important objects and features and additional advantages of the invention will be apparent to the reader from the foregoing and the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing:

FIG. is a block diagram of a system for generating credit reports and transmitting those reports to subscribers in response to subscribers-made requests, all in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a screen seen by a user (or customer) when the user initiates a request for a credit report at his or her computer or computer terminal;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process for generating credit reports in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts the flow of data in the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 pictorially depicts the client-server relationship provided by the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation of an interprocess communications facility employed in the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Overview

Referring now the drawing, FIG. 1 depicts a system 20 which embodies the principles of the present invention. System 20 responds to a subscriber's request by generating a credit report on a designated applicant or set of applicants--husband and wife, for example--and electronically transmitting the report to a computer terminal also designated by the requesting subscriber.

The major components of system 20 include a central data processing facility 22 and a communication system 24 for connecting the central data processing facility to subscribers' personal or other computers such as those identified by reference characters 26 and 28. The central data processing facility or host computer 22 is also linked to repositories of credit information. These, identified by reference characters 30, 32, and 34 in FIG. 1, will typically be the national credit repositories: TRW, CBI, and Trans Union.

Any number of subscribers can access central data processing facility 22 and request credit reports. The data communications links between the additional subscriber terminals and central facility 22 have not been shown as they may duplicate the one that is illustrated and because these several links employ common components as will become apparent hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it was pointed out above that the process of obtaining a merged credit report in accord with the principles of the present invention is typically initiated by way of a personal computer although a mini- or mainframe computer can equally well be employed. In one application of the invention, the user is presented with an easily filled in screen 36 (see FIG. 2) soliciting the input needed to collect the applicant data. The user may fill in as many screens as the requirements of the moment dictate up to a maximum of nine hundred ninety nine. Any subset of the applications or all the applications together may be batch transmitted to the central data processing facility 22, or any one application may be sent alone. An entire group may be slated for batch transmission; and, in the middle of the process, a high priority application may be sent out of order, if that is deemed desirable.

Once the applicant data has been collected, it is passed over local telephone lines 42 to communications network or system 24 which includes Redi-Access and Accunet. Redi-Access is a service of Control Data Corporation; it provides a permanent connection to Accunet. Accunet is a nationwide, high speed, data transmission network using a combination of satellite, microwave, fiberoptic and wire facilities. Accunet routes the data from the Redi-Access connection to a high speed data channel 44 in communications network 24 at a minimum speed of 187,000 characters per second. Channel 44 moves the data to central facility 22.

When the applicant data user's query is received by host computer 22, it is appropriately formatted to query each of the three national data repositories. The repositories are simultaneously asked for credit reports on the applicant via leased data channels 46, 48, and 50. The number of data repositories actually queried is dependent on choices made when the customer's account is initialized, the applicant's zip code, and any special requests made by the customer and transmitted with the applicant data.

The repositories return the applicant's credit data to host computer 22 via links 46, 48, and 50. If two or more repositories are queried, the host computer compares the several sets of data, searching for duplicate entries. It then merges the data into a single report. The report consists of the most correct data items encountered in the duplicates plus data received but not duplicated. Once the report data has been collected, compared and merged, it is formatted for printing and placed on the high speed data channel 44. The data channel returns the report to Accunet, Accunet carries the report to the RediAccess link, and the report is relayed to the end user's computer via telephone lines 42.

If the end user is using a personal computer such as 26, the report is written to a file on one of the computer's disks. The user then has the option of storing the report for later use, printing the report, displaying the report on the computer screen, or employing any combination of those options. If the recipient is using a third party system, the report is accepted by that system and printed for transmittal to the end user; i.e., the requestor of the credit report.

Appropriate software must be installed at the end user's (or third party's) facility. This software has several functions.

First, a form or screen is presented on the user's computer monitor. This screen prompts the user for each piece of needed applicant data. A full set of Help screens is available should any confusion develop while writing data to the screen.

A second function of the software is communications. The applicant data must be transmitted to data processing facility 22, and the reports produced by that data processor must be returned. In system 20, no additional communications software is necessary. The communications software connects the subscriber's computer to phone lines 44, routes the data, carries on the necessary dialogues with the communications network 24 and data processor 22, waits for the report to be returned, and delivers it to the filing system of the user's computer 26 or 28.

Third, the software maintains an orderly filing system for the merged reports returned from central data processor 22. When an applicant's report is received by the user's computer 26 or 28, it is placed in its own unique file. This gives the user complete control of its disposition. The file may be displayed, printed, kept for future reference or deleted, all at the user's discretion.

A second, very important part of the system 20 is the data transmission network 24. As discussed above, this network is made up of: local telephone lines 42, Redi-Access, Accunet, and high speed data channel 44.

The local telephone company carries data from the modem 38 or 40 at the user's site to the telephone number provided by Redi-Access and also brings the formatted report back from central data processor 22 over that same connection.

Redi-Access provides twenty-four hour accessibility to Accunet through a telephone number which, in most cases, is a local call. Were it not for RediAccess, it would be necessary for each subscriber to maintain a leased circuit connecting it to Accunet. That would be prohibitively expensive.

Accunet collects data and other communications from subscribers all over the continental United States and Hawaii. It bundles those communications into packets of up to two hundred fifty six characters and routes them to their destined locations, here the central data processing facility 22.

The last portion of the network is direct channel 44. It is a high speed, unshared communications link between Accunet and the central data processing facility 22. The direct channel is a synchronous communications circuit capable of handling over seven thousand characters per second. It brings applicant data from Accunet and returns the formatted credit reports to the requesting client through Accunet.

When applicant data is received from a user by the central data processing facility 22, a series of activities is initiated. First, the input data is searched for repository requests. The requests may be made of only one, any two, or all three repositories. The inquiries may be joint or individual. If an inquiry is joint, the reports from each repository will be joint. If the inquiry is individual, all reports will be individual. When the user makes no selections, data processing facility 22 will select the repositories based on preferences made at setup time and on the zip code of the applicant. The inquiry made to the first repository will be joint and the second and third inquiries will be individual. If no spouse is included in the application information supplied by the user, all reports will be individual. Central data processing facility 22 will choose the repositories based on an algorithm which has grown out of extensive experience in the nationwide credit market.

Once the repositories are determined, the applicant information is formatted for each of the repositories. Facility 22 then requests credit report(s) from the appropriate repositories and waits for their responses.

Normally, in under two minutes and in many case just over one minute, the repositories will have processed the requests and returned reports to facility 22. This data processing facility must then put the report data into a standard format and begin the search process for duplicate entries.

Computer 22 thus compares each credit report entry, searching for duplicates. The comparison is quite exhaustive, requiring not just one or two matching elements but several to call the entry a duplicate. Once it is determined that a duplicate exists, the duplicate entries are merged into single entries consisting of the most accurate data from each version of the entry. For example, one version of a trade might show a high balance of $125,000 while another might show $124,950. The $124,950 figure would be selected as the more accurate and included in the formatted report.

After the reports have been screened for duplicates, all of the reports are merged into a single report and so reformatted as to be readable either by the human eye or by computer.

After final formatting, the report is first sorted by applicant. For example, the applicant may be a couple, John and Mary. John has applied as the applicant, and Mary has applied as applicant's spouse. The trades belonging to John will be listed first. Those belonging to Mary will be listed second. And, finally, there will be shown those trades which do not match either name well but are identified with the social security number of at least one of the applicants. Within each of these groups, the trades will be listed in descending order of balance.

Typically, the reports will initially be produced in a format which is printable as received and readable by the human eye. The report data may be written to a file or passed through directly to a printer.

Specifications

This section of the detailed description deals with: (1) the protocols for contacting and passing information to central data processing facility 22; (2) the data output format provided by central data processing facility 22; and (3) error codes employed to unravel those odd cases where things don't go right.

Standards

Quotation marks will be used to set off a string of characters which must be used specifically. For example, "ATDT" as a Hayes command means "send the modem the letters ATDT". The symbol n when repeated and found within quotation marks will be used to indicate any numerals from 0 to 9 where it is appropriate that a numeral must be used but that it may be any number. For example, the Hayes dialing sequence "ATDTnnnnnnn" means the letters ATDT followed by any seven digit telephone number. The symbol <cr> will always mean a carriage return--hex value OD. The new line character, hex value OF, will be indicated by <n1>. The <n1> character is used by host computer 22 to delimit its own transmitted lines. Where any alphanumeric character is acceptable, a lower case x will be used. For example, when logging into Accunet, "NET xxxx" means the word "NET" followed by four variable characters. A form feed--hex value OC--will be represented by the symbol <ff>. Column numbers will begin with column as the leftmost printable column on a page. Line 1 will be considered to be the first printable line on a page.

System Topology

As discussed above and shown in FIG. 1, system 20 employs a high speed connection to the Accunet/Redi-Access X.25 public data network.

The network accepts dialup connections and relays them to central data processor 22. The data processor operates on a prime computer platform, employing a 56 kb, V.35, X.25 connection to Accunet's digital service.

The data processor employs Primenet (Prime's network products) to enable the connection to Accunet. Primenet also enables interprocess communications with the central data processing facility.

Client/Server Methodology

Data processing facility 22 uses one set of processes dedicated to the task of interfacing and supporting the end user (CLIENT). Another set of processes (acting as the SERVER) conducts the business of gathering the raw credit data (see FIG. 3).

Multiple copies of the CLIENT process, XDMAN (X12 Dialogue Manager) and the SERVER programs--XXXSV, TRWSV, and TUCSV--being carried out by data processor 22 are started up at system boot time or whenever the processes require restarting.

Client Interface

The CLIENT process interfaces directly with data processor 22 to carry out the request for a merged repository file. XDMAN utilizes the network interface subroutine, X25C, to manage the connection, X25R to receive the ANSI X12 dialogue transactions, and X25T to transmit responses to the end user.

XDMAN utilizes the repository controller MRDM (Multiple Repository Dialogue Manager) to manage simultaneous repository dialogues with the repository servers, TRWSV, TUCSV, and XXXSV. XDMAN utilizes the called subroutine CDMM (Credit Data Merge Manager) to merge the repository data and CRFH (Credit Report Format Handler) to format the output in the desired media.

Session Life Cycle

When a request is presented, it is in the form of a network connection. Once connected, XDMAN begins a session life cycle that is terminated by the recognition of a disconnect or by no requests within a predetermined period of time.

Within the session life cycle, ANSI X12 segments are received. These segments are edited by the subroutine AXIE (ANSI X12 Input Editor), using an X12 rules table in common shared memory. Positive and negative acknowledgements are transmitted back to the user via the X12 acknowledgement subroutine AXAN (ANSI X12 Acknowledge/Negative Acknowledge).

When a valid CRO (Credit Report Order) segment is received, XDMAN chooses the repositories and formats the inquires for each of the repository servers. MRDM manages concurrent dialogues with the repository servers.

When results are returned, MRDM notifies XDMAN. XDMAN then calls merge subroutines and format subroutines to combine the heterogeneous data elements. Once it is complete, XDMAN transmits the response to the end user and logs the transaction. The session life cycle is then continued until expiration.

    ______________________________________
    Client Interface Pseudo Code
    ______________________________________
    0.0   XDMAN-MAIN-LOGIC
    DO 1.0 HOUSEKEEPING
    DO 2.0 PROG-CONTROL-LOGIC UNTIL AN
    ABNORMAL CONDITION OCCURS
    DO 3.0 EOJ-LOGIC
    0.0   XDMAN-MAIN-LOGIC-END
    1.0   HOUSEKEEPING
    OPEN FILES
    1.0   HOUSEKEEPING-END
    2.0   PROG-CONTROL-LOGIC
    DO 2.1 GET-A-CONNECTION
    DO 2.2 INITIALIZE-SESSION
    DO 2.3 SESSION-CONTROL-LOGIC UNTIL
    SESSION-LIFE-
    CYCLE ENDED
    2.0   PROG-CONTROL-LOGIC-END
    2.1   GET-A-CONNECTION
    CALL `X25C`
    IF CONNECTION-FAILED
    THEN
    FLAG AN ERROR AND TERMINATE THE
    SESSION-LIFE-CYCLE
    END-IF
    2.1   GET-A-CONNECTION-END
    2.2   INITIALIZE-SESSION
    CALL `AXAN` TO SEND INITIAL
    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
    2.2   INITIALIZE-SESSION-END
    2.3   SESSION-CONTROL-LOGIC
    DO 2.3.1 GET-VALID-ORDER UNTIL A VALID CRO
    SEGMENT IS FOUND
    DO 2.3.2 PROCESS-REPORT-REQUEST
    DO 2.3.3 PROCESS-REPORT-OUTPUT
    2.3  SESSION-CONTROL-LOGIC-END
    2.3.1
         GET-VALID-ORDER
    CALL `X25R` TO RECEIVE A SEGMENT
    CASE-IF X25R-RETURN-CODE
    IF DATA-RECEIVED
    DO 2.3.1.1 EVALUATE-SEGMENT
    IF NETWORK-ERROR
    DO 2.3.1.2 NETWORK-ERROR
    IF DISCONNECT
    DO 2.3.1.3 RECOGNIZE-DISCO
    IF TIME-OUT
    DO 2.3.1.4 GENERATE-DISCO
    CASE END
    2.3.1 GET-VALID-ORDER-END
    2.3.1.1
          EVALUATE-SEGMENT
    CALL `AXIE` TO EDIT THE INPUT
    ANSI X12 SEGMENT
    CALL `AXAN` TO POSITIVELY
    ACKNOWLEDGE THE
    SEGMENT IF ERROR FREE
          OR NEGATIVELY ACKNOWLEDGE THE
          SEGMENT IF IN ERROR
    2.3.1.1
          EVALUATE-SEGMENT-END
    2.3.1.2
          NETWORK-ERROR
    CALL `X25C` TO CLEAR THE CONNECTION
    SET SESSION-LIFE-CYCLE AS ENDED
    2.3.1.2
          NETWORK-ERROR-END
    2.3.1.3
          RECOGNIZE-DISCO
    SET SESSION-LIFE-CYCLE AS ENDED
    2.3.1.3
          RECOGNIZE-DISCO-END
    2.3.1.4
          GENERATE-DISCO
    CALL `X25C` TO CLEAR THE CONNECTION
    SET SESSION-LIFE-CYCLE AS ENDED
    2.3.1.4
          GENERATE-DISCO-END
    2.3.2 PROCESS-ORDER-REQUEST
    DO 2.3.2.1 SETUP-SERVER-INTERFACE
    DO 2.3.2.2 GET-REPOSITORY-DATA
    DO 2.3.2.3 MERGE-REPOSITORY-DATA
    2.3.2 PROCESS-ORDER-REQUEST-END
    2.3.2.1
          SETUP-SERVER-INTERFACE
    BUILD INQUIRIES FOR THE REPOSITORY SERVERS
    BASED UPON WHICH REPOSITORIES WERE
    CHOSEN OR WHICH REPOSITORIES
    BEST COVER THE CONSUMER ZIP CODE
    2.3.2.1
          SETUP-SERVER-INTERFACE-END
    2.3.2.2
          GET-REPOSITORY-DATA
    CALL `MRDM` REGAINING CONTROL WHEN
    ALL SERVERS HAVE
    COMPLETED OR TIMED OUT BASED UPON A
    PREDETERMINED TIMEOUT VALUE
    2.3.2.2
          GET-REPOSITORY-DATA-END
    2.3.2.3
          MERGE-REPOSITORY-DATA
    CALL `CDMM` MERGING THE DATA AND PLACING
    IT IN VIRTUAL MEMORY
    2.3.2.3
          MERGE-REPOSITORY-DATA-END
    2.3.3.
          PROCESS-REPORT-OUTPUT
    DO 2.3.3.1 FORMAT-OUTPUT-REPORT
    DO 2.3.3.2 TRANSMIT-OUTPUT-REPORT
    2.3.3 PROCES-REPORT-OUTPUT-END
    2.3.3.1
          FORMAT-OUTPUT-REPORT
    CALL `CRFH` TO FORMAT THE DATA IN VIRTUAL
    MEMORY INTO THE DESIRED
    CREDIT REPORT FORMAT
    2.3.3.1
          FORMAT-OUTPUT-REPORT-END
    2.3.3.2
          TRANSMIT-OUTPUT-REPORT
    CALL `X25T` TO TRANSMIT THE FORMATTED
    REPORT BACK TO THE USER
    2.3.3.2
           TRANSMIT-OUTPUT-REPORT-END
    3.0   EOJ-LOGIC
    CLOSE FILES
    3.0   EOJ-LOGIC-END
    ______________________________________

    ______________________________________
    Server Interface Pseudo Code
    ______________________________________
    0.0   MAIN-LOGIC
          DO 1.0 HOUSEKEEPING
          DO 2.0 PROCESS-LOGIC UNTIL AN ABNORMAL
          CONDITION OCCURS
          DO 3.0 EOJ-LOGIC
          STOP RUN
    0.0   MAIN-LOGIC-END
    1.0   HOUSEKEEPING
          OPEN FILES
    1.0   HOUSEKEEPING-END
    2.0   PROCESS-LOGIC
          DO 2.1 GET-INPUT-REQUEST
          DO 2.2 RETRIEVE-BUREAU-DATA
          DO 2.3 RETURN-BUREAU-DATA
          DO 2.4 UPDATE-OUTPUT-FILES
          END-IF
    2.0   PROCESS-LOGIC-END
    2.1   GET-INPUT-REQUEST
          DO 2.1.1 GET-A-CONNECT
          DO 2.1.2 GET-A-REQUEST
    2.1   GET-INPUT-REQUEST-END
    2.1.1 GET-A-CONNECT
          CALL `X25C` WAITING ON A
          CONNECTION FROM
          MRDM
    2.1.1 GET-A-CONNECT-END
    2.1.2 GET-A-REQUEST
          CALL `X25R` TO GET THE INQUIRY DATA FROM
          MRDM
    2.1.2 GET-A-REQUEST-END
    2.2   RETRIEVE-BUREA-DATA
          DO 2.2.1 GET-PRE-EXIST
          IF THE FILE DOES NOT ALREADY EXIST
          THEN
    DO 2.2.2 BUREAU-ACCESS-DIALOGUE
    END-IF
    2.2   RETRIEVE-BUREAU-DATA-END
    2.2.1 GET-PRE-EXIST
    READ XXXPCF USING THE UNIQUE
    KEY PASSED FROM
    MRDM
    2.2.1 GET-PRE-EXIST-END
    2.2.2 BUREAU-ACCESS-DIALOGUE
          DO 2.2.2.1 SCENE-1
          DO 2.2.2.2 SCENE-2
          DO 2.2.2.3 SCENE-3
    2.2.2.
          BUREAU-ACCESS-DIALOGUE-END
    2.2.2.1
          SCENE-1
          CALL `XXX1` TO ASSURE THE
          TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXISTS
    2.2.2.1
          SCENE-1-END
    2.2.2.2
          SCENE-2
          CALL `XXX2` TO PERFORM THE INITIAL
          DIALOGUE STEP
    2.2.2.2
          SCENE-2-END
    2.2.2.3
          SCENE-3
          CALL `XXX3` TO REQUEST AND RETRIEVE THE
          CREDIT DATA
    2.2.2.4
          SCENE-3-END
    2.3   RETURN-RETRIEVED-DATA
          DO 2.3.1 SEND-DATA
    2.3   RETURN-RETRIEVED-DATA-END
    2.3.1 SEND-DATA
          CALL `X25T` TO RETURN THE DATA TO MRDM
    2.3.1 SEND-DATA-END
    2.4   UPDATE-OUTPUT-FILES
          IF THE FILE DID NOT PREEXIST
          THEN
    WRITE XXXPCF FILE USING A UNIQUE KEY
          END-IF
    2.4   UPDATE-OUTPUT-FILES-END
    3.0   EOJ
          CLOSE FILES
    3.0   EOJ-END
    ______________________________________

                                      TABLE 1
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Segment Schematics
     ##STR1##
     ##STR2##
     ##STR3##
     ##STR4##
     ##STR5##
    __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2
    __________________________________________________________________________
    CRC Element Table
    CRO*F1*CMMNTS*LASTNME*FIRSTNAME*MIDNAME*JR*123121234*121212*NM*1234*
    STNAME*AV*N*1*CITY*ST*12312*US*SPSNM*
    SPFNAM*SMNAM*JR*123121234*121212*NM*123*STREET*AV*N*10*CITY*ST*12345*US*12
    NO.
       ELEMENT NAME MAND/OPT
                           DATA TYPE
                                   MIN MAX COMMENTS
    __________________________________________________________________________
     1 Report format
                    M      ID      1    2  "F1"
     2 Free-form description
                    O      AN      2   20
     3 Surname      M      AN      1   35  First 18 used
     4 First name   M      AN      1   35  First 10 used
     5 Middle name  O      AN      1   35  First 10 used
     6 Generation   O      AN      1    2
     7 Social Security Number
                    M      NU      9    9
     8 Date of birth/age
                    O      DT      6    2
     9 Address type M      ID      1   35
    10 House/box number
                    M      AN      1   35
    11 Street name/route number
                    O      AN      1   35
    12 Type of thoroughfare
                    O      AN      1   35  FIG. 4
    13 Direction    O      AN      1   35  FIG. 4
    14 Apartment number
                    O      AN      1   20
    15 City name    M      AN      2   19
    16 State/province code
                    M      ID      2    2
    17 Zip code     M      ID      5    9
    18 Country code O      ID      2    2
    19 Spouse's surname
                    O      AN      1   35  First 18 used
    20 Spouse's first name
                    O      AN      1   35  First 10 used
    21 Spouse's middle name
                    O      AN      1   35  First 10 used
    22 Spouse's generation
                    O      AN      1   35
    23 Spouse's Soc. Sec. No.
                    O      AN      1   30
    24 Spouse's date of birth/age
                    O      DT      6    6
    25 Former address type
                    O      ID      1    2
    26 Former house/box number
                    O      AN      1   35
    27 Former street name/rt. no.
                    O      AN      1   35
    28 Former thoroughfare type
                    O      AN      1   35  FIG. 4
    29 Former direction
                    O      AN      1   35  FIG. 4
    30 Former apartment number
                    O      AN      1   35
    31 Former city  O      AN      2   19
    32 Former state O      ID      2    2
    33 Former zip   O      ID      2    9
    34 Former country
                    O      ID      2    2
    35 Repository overrides
                    O      AN      1   30
    36 Individual/joint
                    O      AN      1    3
    __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 3
    ______________________________________
    Thoroughfare types
    AV = AVENUE        PL = PLACE
    BV = BOULEVARD     PY = PARKWAY
    CI = CIRCLE        PZ = PLAZA
    CT = COURT         RD = ROAD
    DR = DRIVE         SO = ROW
    EX = EXPRESSWAY    SQ = SQUARE
    FR = FREEWAY       ST = STREET
    HY = HIGHWAY       TE = TERRACE
    LN = LANE          TR = TRAIL
    PI = PIKE          WY = WAY
    Direction Codes
    N = NORTH          NE = NORTHEAST
    E = EAST           NW = NORTHWEST
    S = SOUTH          SE = SOUTHEAST
    W = WEST           SW = SOUTHWEST
    ______________________________________

                                      TABLE 4
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Credit Report, F1 Format
    __________________________________________________________________________
    CREDCO INSTANT MERGE CREDIT REPORT
                                   Reference: 1-23456-789012-345
    Sub: LASTNAME**********, FIRST****** MIDDLE***** JR
                                   Ssn: 123-45-6789 Age: XX
    Sps: LASTNAME**********, FIRST****** MIDDLE*****
                                   Ssn: 123-45-6789 Age: XX
    Curt Addr: 123456 NW ASTREETNAME****, CITY****************, ST 12345
    Account Name/Number (bureaus)      Past Due  Last
    Open    High
                Pymt Balance
                        MOP Status Rptd
                                       30
                                         60
                                           90+
                                              MR Diq
    Accounts under subject:
    JC PENNEY / 123456-2345 (TRW, TUC)
    A 10-87 500 REV 125 R-9 COLL/P&L
                                   10-89
                                       00
                                         08
                                           12 24 2-89
    Hist: 10-89 111111113113313311
    Closed to further use
    TRADENAME*********************/20****************** (TRW, TUC, CBI)
    X 10-87 *****500 ***REV *****345
                        R-1 COLL/P&L
                                   10-89
                                       00
                                         00
                                           00 24 9-89
    Payment pattern *******************
    Any footnotes ******************
    Possible Non-Applicant Accounts:
    TRADENAME*********************/20****************** (TRW, TUC, CBI)
    X 10-87 *****500 ***REV *****345
                        R-1 COLL/P&L
                                   10-89
                                       00
                                         00
                                           00 24 9-89
    Payment pattern *******************
    Any footnotes ******************
    **END OF REPORT**
    __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 5
    ______________________________________
    ECOA Codes
    ______________________________________
    U UNDESIGNATED    Not designated by the
                      creditor
    I INDIVIDUAL      Individual account
    J JOINT           Joint account
    A AUTHORIZED USER Authorized to use someone
                      else's account
    S SHARED          Joint account
    C CO-MAKER        Joint responsibility for
                      the account
    B CO-SIGNER       Responsibility only in case
                      of default on the account
    M MAKER           Individual account
    T TERMINATED      Closed account
    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 6
    ______________________________________
    Account Types
    ______________________________________
              REV   Revolving
              INS   Installment
              OPN   Open, 30 day
              MTG   Mortgage
              CRL   Line of Credit
    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 7
    ______________________________________
    Universal Rating Code
    ______________________________________
           0   Too new to rate
           1   Current
           2   30 days late
           3   60 days late
           4   90 days late
           5   120 days late
           6   150 days late
           7   Wage earner plan or bankruptcy
           8   Repossession or Foreclosure
           9   Collection or charge off
           U   Unrated
    ______________________________________

    ______________________________________
    CREDITOR    ACCOUNT NUMBER
    NAME
    REPOSITORY  ECOA CODE (Account ownership
    NAME        designator)
    SUBSCRIBER  BORROWER/
    NAME        CO-BORROWERIDENTIFICATION
    CREDIT      CATEGORY CODE (internal ECOA of
    ADDRESS     the operator of system 20)
    ______________________________________

    ______________________________________
    Match string = 5 (1234)
                         5 .times. 100 = 500
    Characters in object =
                         14 Divided by 14
                         Equals = 35%
    ______________________________________

                                      TABLE 8
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Representative Credit Report
    __________________________________________________________________________
    CREDCO INSTANT MERGE Credit Report
                             11/01/90 Ref: 0-00000-000000-000
    Prepared For: Consumer Lending
    Repositories: CBI-I, TRW-I, TUC-I
                             Notes: REF-000000000000000
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Sub: SAMPLE, SAM R.      Ssn: 111-22-3333 Age: 38
    Curr Addr: 2865 101st St., PORTLAND, OR 97011
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Account Name/Number (Sources)             Past due        Last
    Open     High
                 Pymt
                     Balance
                           MOP   Status  Rptd 30  60  90+ MR  Diq
    __________________________________________________________________________
    Accounts under subject:
    CTX Mortgage/7400000001545808 (TRW)
    I   08-89
             94500
                 962 94458 M-1   CURRENT 04-90
                                              00  00  00  02
    Hist: 04-90
               11
    GMAC/342LP41 (CBI*, TUC)
    I   11-86
             16607
                 277 6920  I-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              01  00  00  35  02-90
    Hist: 05-90
               1112111111111111111111111
    SECURITY PACIFIC NTL BK/542096696901 (CBI, TRW, TUC)
    I   04-88
             6500
                 20  125   R-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              00  00  00  24
    Hist: 05-90
               1111111111111111111111111
    DRS SVC BUREAU/(TUC*)
    I   N/A  106 N/A 106   U-9   COLL/P&L
                                         09-85
                                              --  --  --  --
    COLLECTION ACCOUNT
    DT124995
    UNPAID
    NORWEST FINANCIAL/601100958950 (CBI)
    I   04-86
             1600
                 0
    0-                     R-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              00  00  00  42
    Hist: 05-90
               1111111111111111111111111
    FREDERICK & NELSON/52083341 (CBI, TRW, TUC)
    I   05-86
    0-           0
    0-                     R-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              00  00  00  41
    Hist: 05-90
               1111111111111111111111111
    NORDSTROM/46766626 (CBI*, TRW, TUC)
    I   04-86
             102 0
    0-                     R-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              02  01  00  35  04-90
    Hist: 05-90
               1321111111111121111111111
    J C PENNEY/805335406620 (CBI, TRW, TUC)
    I   08-82
             100 0
    0-                     R-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              00  00  00  60
    Hist: 05-90
               1111111111111111111111111
    CHEMICAL BANK/2870000147746981 (CBI, TRW*, TUC)
    I   02-87
             405 0
    0-                     R-1   CURRENT  05-90
                                              01  00  00  32  01-90
    Hist: 05-90
               1111211111111111111111111
    U.S. BANCORP VSA/4000117967006019 (CBI, TRW, TUC)
    I   01-89
             1500
                 0
    0-                     R-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              00  00  00  10
    Hist: 05-90
               1111111111
    NATIONAL CREDIT CRP/3731386704200 (TRW, TUC)
    I   12-75
    0-           0
    0-                     O-1   CURRENT 05-90
                                              00  00  00  24
     Hist: 05-90
                ##STR6##
    Account Name/Number (Sources)             Past due        Last
    Open     High
                 Pymt
                     Balance
                           MOP   Status  Rptd 30  60  90+ MR  Diq
    WASHINGTON FEDERL/4412411852133 (TRW, TUC)
    I   10-75
             2300
                 0
    0-                     R-1   CURRENT 04-90
                                              00  00  00  10
    Hist: 04-90
               1111111111
    AUTOS R US/FSA30175Y8 (CBI, TUC)
    I   08-86
             4936
                 0   CLOSED
                           I-1   CURRENT 11-87
                                              00  00  00  15
    Hist: 11-87
               1111111111111111
    Inquiries made in the last 180 days:
    8-25-90 USA MTG (TRW)
    9-5-90  CREDCO IMS (TUC)
    9-6-90  CREDCO OR (CBI, TRW, TUC)
    Address Information:
    1.      2865 SE 101
            PORTLAND, OR 97011 Rptd 12-85 (CBI, TRW, TUC)
    2.      00 FOOTHILLS APTS
            PORTLAND, OR 97011 Rptd 02-87 ( CBI)
    3.      2865 S 101
            CHICAGO, IL 60621 Rptd 11-82 (CBI)
    4.      524A HARRISON AV
            LODI, NJ 07644 (TRW)
    5.      5241 H
            , 07644 (TRW)
    6.      65241 HARRISON AV
            LODI, NJ 07644 (TRW)
    7.      542 H
            , 07644 (TRW)
    AKA Information:
    1.      SAMPLE, SAM (CBI)
    2.      SAMPLE, SAMUEL (TRW)
    3.      SAMPLE, SAM R. (TUC)
    Employment Information:
    1.      NATIONAL WEATHER BOISE, ID
            METEOROLOGIST (CBI)
    2.      TOUCHE ROSS
            MANAGER Rptd 11-84 (TUC)
    Public record information:
    NOTE: Public records may contain duplicate information. This report
          displays all
          information reported by the repositories accessed.
    1.      JUDGEMENT FILED IN 03-85 BY D ROSENTHAL AGAINST SAM R. SAMPLE FOR
            $1000;
            STATUS UNKNOWN; (CBI-#55822)
    2.      FORECLOSURE INFO: $61674 N AMER MTG 2379 BRIARWEST 98 CHI;
            REPORTED 05-85
            (CBI-#12255)
    3.      CIVIL JUDGMENT FILED BY DUKE ALFORD FOR $1000; STATUS UNKNOWN;
            REPORTED
            08-87 (TUC-#583964)
    4.      TAX LIEN FILED FOR $452; STATUS RELEASED 05-88; REPORTED 12-87
            (TUC-#87337007088)
    Financial Information:
    1.      OTHER INCOME OF $10000 FROM PAPER ROUTE REPORTED 10-89; (CBI)
    2.      SAVINGS ACCOUNT OPENED 10-87 UNDER FINANCIAL BANK #ACCOUNT NBR
            11111L
            BALANCE $5000 (TUC-F123456)
    Miscellaneous Information:
    1.      COURT RECORDS VERIFIED 05-90 (CBI)
    Consumer Information:
    1.      WAS IN HOSPITAL FOR TWO MONTHS IN 1986; UNABLE TO PAY NORDSTROM
            ON TIME. (TRW)
    Consumer referral Information:
    CBI
            CBI SEATTLE, PHONE: (206) 865-0255
              14335 NE 24TH ST., STE. 120, BELLEVUE, WA 9807
            TRW
             TRW CREDIT DATA, PHONE: (503) 245-1352
              9570 S.W. BARBUR BLVD., SUITE 311, PORTLAND, OR 97219
            TUC
             TRANS UNION CORPORATION, PHONE: (714) 870-5191
              P.O. BOX 3110, FULLERTON, CA 92634
    Prepared By:
            CREDCO, INC.
            777 S. PCH, SUITE 112, SOLANA BEACH, CA 92075 (800) 637-2422
    **END OF REPORT**
    __________________________________________________________________________

• Inventors
  Zoffel, George S.; St. Laurent, Nichola A.; Murdock, Robb;
• Assignee
  Credco of Washington, Inc. (Seattle, WA)
• Published
  Dec-28-1993
• Current US Classes:
  705/38
• Application #
  637071
• International Classes
  G06G 007/52
• Field of Search
  364/401 364/406 364/408
• Examiner
  Envall, Jr.; Roy N.
• Agent
  Hughes & Multer
• US Patent References:
  5132899