US 7480631

Summary of US Patent 7480631

Title: System and method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse

Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA is the current assignee. Earlier assignees included Bank One, Delaware, National Association, and Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association.

Inventors: Angel Merced, Timothy A. Webb, SueAnne Senz, Chakravarthi S. Bathula, Lou Ann Hoffman, Anthony E. Rita, and Kevin D. Buckner.

Filing Date: December 15, 2004.

Issue Date: January 20, 2009.

Abstract: The patent describes a system and method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse. One method involves receiving a telephone call from a caller about a credit account, identifying potential fraud problems by searching account data against predefined criteria (qualifiers and quantifiers), asking the caller a series of questions where each subsequent question depends on previous responses and identified problems, and then determining the account's fraud status through a computerized analysis of these responses.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method that begins with receiving a phone call about a credit account. The system then identifies possible fraud issues by checking the account data against specific fraud indicators (qualifiers and quantifiers). A series of questions is presented to the caller, with each question tailored based on the identified fraud issues and the caller's previous answers. Finally, a computer analyzes the caller's responses to determine the credit account's fraud status.
• Claim 7 (Method): This method focuses on a more automated, real-time approach. It involves continuously capturing transaction data for a credit account and comparing it against various fraud qualifiers and quantifiers. Based on this evaluation, a fraud alert is generated, which includes the type of potential fraud and a recommended plan to address it.
• Claim 10 (Method): This claim is similar to Claim 1 but broadens the initial interaction. It describes a method where an interactive communication (not just a telephone call) is established with a customer regarding a credit account. Potential fraud-related problems are identified by searching account data using qualifiers and quantifiers. The customer is then asked a series of dynamically generated questions, and a computerized analysis of their responses determines the fraud status.
• Claim 11 (System): This claim outlines a system designed to perform the method steps of Claim 1. It includes components (referred to as "means for") to receive a telephone call, identify potential fraud problems using qualifiers and quantifiers from credit account data, present dynamic questions to the caller and solicit responses, and determine the fraud status through computerized analysis of those responses.
• Claim 17 (System): This claim defines a system that implements the method of Claim 7. It includes "means for" capturing real-time transaction data, evaluating this data against fraud qualifiers and quantifiers, and generating a fraud alert that specifies the potential fraud type and a recommended strategy.
• Claim 20 (Method): This claim expands upon Claim 10 by adding a disposition strategy. After establishing interactive communication, identifying fraud problems, asking dynamic questions, and determining fraud status, this method further involves generating a strategy for handling the credit account. This strategy is based on the determined fraud status, a predefined fraud recovery pattern, an assessment of the account's profitability and risk, and an estimated success rate for recovering potential fraud losses.
• Claim 21 (Computer Readable Medium): This claim covers a computer-readable medium containing software code that enables a processor to execute the method steps of Claim 1. This includes code for receiving a telephone call, identifying fraud problems, presenting and soliciting responses to dynamic questions, and determining fraud status through computerized analysis.
• Claim 27 (Computer Readable Medium): This claim covers a computer-readable medium containing software code that enables a processor to execute the method steps of Claim 7. This includes code for capturing real-time transaction data, evaluating it against fraud qualifiers and quantifiers, and generating a fraud alert with a potential fraud type and a recommended strategy.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets (including May, June, and July schedules) did not explicitly list any cases related to patent number US7480631. Therefore, there is no authoritative information indicating ongoing litigation for this specific patent in the CAFC for 2026 at this time.

The search results did not directly identify any specific litigation cases where US patent 7480631 was the subject of an infringement lawsuit. The results primarily discuss:

• A class action settlement related to PACER fees.
• Unified Patents' general activities in filing inter partes reviews (IPRs) and their role as a membership organization, but not specifically mentioning US7480631.
• Other unrelated patent litigation cases, such as one involving International Rectifier Corp. and IXYS Corp. (US Patent No. 4,959,699), Amgen Inc. v. Sanofi (regarding Section 112 enablement for genus claims), Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc. v. Par-Kan Co., LLC (US Patent Nos. 8,967,940 and 9,745,123), and Apple's settlement in a wide-angle camera patent dispute.

Therefore, based on the performed searches, there is no known litigation involving US patent 7480631.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US patent 7480631 according to the USPTO Open Data Portal API as of the most recent ingest. A subsequent web search for "US7480631 PTAB", "7480631 IPR", "74806631 PGR", and "74806631 CBM" confirms that no Inter Partes Review (IPR), Post-Grant Review (PGR), or Covered Business Method (CBM) proceedings have been filed against this patent. Therefore, all claims of US7480631 remain untested by AIA trial procedures, and no claims have been invalidated or sustained through these mechanisms.

Strategic summary

All claims of US7480631 (claims 1-29) are currently UNTESTED by any AIA trial proceeding. There are no claims that have been canceled or sustained through IPR, PGR, or CBM. This means that, for a potential defendant, the patent has not been subjected to the scrutiny of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, since no AIA trial proceedings have been instituted, there is no estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) for any potential petitioner. All prior art grounds (e.g., §§ 102, 103) that could be raised in an IPR are still available for a future challenge. There is no pattern of PTAB activity, as no proceedings have been filed.

Recommended next steps

Given the absence of any PTAB activity, a defendant facing assertion of US7480631 would find all claims of the patent untested in an AIA trial. The absence of PTAB challenges for a patent issued in 2009 can be a signal, though not definitive, that potential challengers have not found sufficiently strong grounds or motivation to pursue such actions, or that the patent has not been aggressively asserted in a manner that would provoke IPR filings.

For a defendant, the absence of prior PTAB challenges means:

• No claims have been invalidated: All claims (1-29) are presumed valid and have not been challenged in an IPR/PGR/CBM context.
• No estoppel: There are no prior art grounds on which a defendant would be estopped from raising in a new AIA trial petition.
• Opportunity for initial challenge: If facing an assertion, a defendant would have the opportunity to be the first to challenge the patent's validity via an IPR or PGR (if applicable, though PGR is time-barred for this patent's issue date).

Further due diligence would involve a thorough prior art search to assess the patentability of the claims against potential grounds under §§ 102 and 103, which could then form the basis of a new IPR petition if an assertion is received.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US patent 7480631 according to the USPTO Open Data Portal API as of the most recent ingest. A subsequent web search for "US7480631 PTAB", "7480631 IPR", "74806631 PGR", and "74806631 CBM" confirms that no Inter Partes Review (IPR), Post-Grant Review (PGR), or Covered Business Method (CBM) proceedings have been filed against this patent. Therefore, all claims of US7480631 remain untested by AIA trial procedures, and no claims have been invalidated or sustained through these mechanisms.

Strategic summary

All claims of US7480631 (claims 1-29) are currently UNTESTED by any AIA trial proceeding. There are no claims that have been canceled or sustained through IPR, PGR, or CBM proceedings. This means that, for a potential defendant, the patent has not been subjected to the scrutiny of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, since no AIA trial proceedings have been instituted, there is no estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) for any potential petitioner. All prior art grounds (e.g., §§ 102, 103) that could be raised in an IPR are still available for a future challenge. There is no pattern of PTAB activity, as no proceedings have been filed against this patent.

Recommended next steps

Given the absence of any PTAB activity, a defendant facing assertion of US7480631 would find all claims of the patent untested in an AIA trial. The absence of PTAB challenges for a patent issued in 2009 can be a signal, though not definitive, that potential challengers have not found sufficiently strong grounds or motivation to pursue such actions, or that the patent has not been aggressively asserted in a manner that would provoke IPR filings.

For a defendant, the absence of prior PTAB challenges means:

• No claims have been invalidated: All claims (1-29) are presumed valid and have not been challenged in an IPR/PGR/CBM context.
• No estoppel: There are no prior art grounds on which a defendant would be estopped from raising in a new AIA trial petition.
• Opportunity for initial challenge: If facing an assertion, a defendant would have the opportunity to be the first to challenge the patent's validity via an IPR or PGR (if applicable, though PGR is time-barred for this patent's issue date).

Further due diligence would involve a thorough prior art search to assess the patentability of the claims against potential grounds under §§ 102 and 103, which could then form the basis of a new IPR petition if an assertion is received.

Inventors

The named inventors for US Patent 7480631 are Angel Merced, Timothy A. Webb, SueAnne Senz, Chakravarthi S. Bathula, Lou Ann Hoffman, Anthony E. Rita, and Kevin D. Buckner. At the time of filing, these inventors were likely employed by Bank One, Delaware, National Association, or a related entity within the JPMorgan Chase corporate family, given that Bank One was the initial corporate assignee on the filing date. There are no unusual patterns indicating a mass departure of inventors within 12 months of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee listed on the patent application was JPMorgan Chase Bank NA. However, the initial recorded assignment of the inventors' interests was to BANK ONE, DELAWARE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. Bank One, Delaware, National Association subsequently merged into Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, and then was assigned to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is a major operating financial institution offering a wide range of banking and financial services, including credit cards and related fraud detection and prevention systems, which directly embody the claims of this patent. The company is currently operating.

Assignment timeline

• 2004-12-14 (executed) / recorded 2004-12-15 — Reel 015890/0879

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: BATHULA, CHAKRAVARTHI S.; BUCKNER, KEVIN D.; HOFFMAN, LOU ANN; MERCED, ANGEL; RITA, ANTHONY E.; SENZ, SUE ANNE; WEBB, TIMOTHY A.
  • Assignee: BANK ONE, DELAWARE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  • Correspondent: BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE P.O. BOX 10395 CHICAGO IL 60610
  • Context: Inventor assignment to a corporate entity.

• 2008-10-27 (executed) / recorded 2008-10-28 — Reel 022000/0129

  • Conveyance: MERGER
  • Assignor: BANK ONE, DELAWARE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  • Assignee: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  • Correspondent: Not explicitly listed on record, typical for merger documents.
  • Context: Corporate merger between related financial institutions.

• 2008-11-03 (executed) / recorded 2008-11-03 — Reel 022005/0517

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, N.A.
  • Assignee: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  • Correspondent: WARD, DAVID M. JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A. MAIL CODE 2-1081 270 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10017. This correspondent is a corporate counsel for JPMorgan Chase.
  • Context: Internal reorganization and assignment to the ultimate parent entity.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 7480631
    2004 : Inventors to Bank One Delaware
    2008 : Bank One merged to Chase Manhattan
         : Chase Manhattan to JPMorgan Chase
    2009 : Patent issued
    2027 : Patent expires

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. All assignees in the chain (Bank One, Delaware, National Association; Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association; and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) are established operating financial institutions, not shell entities formed for licensing. Their recorded addresses are corporate locations.

2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. None of the assignees listed in the chain (Bank One, Chase Manhattan, JPMorgan Chase) are identified as known NPEs or high-frequency plaintiffs on public lists.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Not present. The correspondent for the initial inventor assignment (Reel 015890/0879) was BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE. The merger document (Reel 022000/0129) did not explicitly list an attorney correspondent. The final assignment (Reel 022005/0517) listed David M. Ward, corporate counsel for JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. There is no recurrence of the same attorney or firm across multiple distinct assignment links in this chain.

4. Cascading transfers — Not present. While there are two transfers in close proximity in late 2008 (a merger executed 2008-10-27 and an assignment executed 2008-11-03), these are internal corporate reorganizations between clearly related operating entities (within the JPMorgan Chase family) rather than consecutive transfers through unrelated chained LLCs.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. The last recorded assignment was in November 2008, and the patent issued in January 2009. The provided litigation summary did not identify any specific infringement lawsuits naming US7480631.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. is a large, operating financial institution and has not undergone bankruptcy proceedings that would necessitate a patent portfolio sale.

7. Privateering — Not present. There is no evidence from the assignment records or the provided context to suggest that JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. transferred this patent to an NPE to assert on its behalf against competitors. The patent remains with the operating company.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent is currently held by JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., which is an operating company, not a defensive aggregator like RPX or AST.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion. The patent's ownership chain clearly shows it has remained within the JPMorgan Chase corporate family since its inception, moving from the inventors to Bank One, then through a merger to Chase Manhattan, and finally to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is a major operating company whose core business of providing credit cards and financial services directly embodies the "System and method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse" described in the patent. There are no signals of NPE involvement, shell entities, or other troll-like patterns in the assignment history.

Verification link: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7480631, I will examine the "References Cited" section of the patent itself. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool is designed for this purpose, allowing users to search patents and patent application publications and review citations.

Here are the patent citations listed in US7480631, along with their publication dates, brief descriptions (as can be inferred from their titles or general domain of finance/data processing), and potential relevance to the claims of US7480631:

US Patent Documents:

• US3634669A
  • Full Citation: US3634669A, "Analog computation of insurance and investment quantities"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 11, 1972; Filing: July 16, 1969
  • Brief Description: This patent generally relates to analog computation for insurance and investment.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Given the broad scope, this patent is likely cited for its foundational computing aspects in a financial context. It might generally anticipate the concept of computerized analysis in financial services as broadly claimed in the "determining a fraud status based on a computerized analysis" element of claims like 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, and 28, to the extent that it establishes the prior art for applying computational methods in finance.
• US4254474A
  • Full Citation: US4254474A, "Information processing system using threshold passive modification"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 3, 1981; Filing: August 2, 1979
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an information processing system utilizing threshold passive modification. This could be relevant to how data is evaluated.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent could potentially anticipate the "evaluating the captured transaction data against a plurality of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers" element of claims 7, 17, and 27, by demonstrating prior art in evaluating data against predetermined criteria.
• US4346442A
  • Full Citation: US4346442A, "Securities brokerage-cash management system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 24, 1982; Filing: July 29, 1980
  • Brief Description: This patent relates to a securities brokerage and cash management system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Similar to US3634669A, this likely establishes prior art for financial data processing systems, potentially broadly anticipating the computerized analysis elements of claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27.
• US4355372A
  • Full Citation: US4355372A, "Market survey data collection method"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 19, 1982; Filing: December 24, 1980
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for collecting market survey data.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent might be relevant to the collection and processing of information, potentially touching upon the broad concept of "capturing transaction data" in claims 7, 17, and 27, especially if "market survey data" could be analogous to transaction data in a broad sense.
• US4376978A
  • Full Citation: US4376978A, "Securities brokerage-cash management system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 15, 1983; Filing: July 29, 1980
  • Brief Description: Another patent related to securities brokerage and cash management systems.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This would likely be similar to US4346442A in its potential anticipation of computerized financial data processing elements across various claims.
• US4597046A
  • Full Citation: US4597046A, "Securities brokerage-cash management system obviating float costs by anticipatory liquidation of short term assets"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 24, 1986; Filing: October 22, 1980
  • Brief Description: This patent discusses a securities brokerage-cash management system that aims to reduce float costs through anticipatory liquidation of assets.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Again, this patent reinforces the prior art for financial management systems and computerized processing of financial data, broadly anticipating the use of computers in financial analysis in claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27.
• US4598367A
  • Full Citation: US4598367A, "Financial quotation system using synthesized speech"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 1, 1986; Filing: November 9, 1983
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a financial quotation system that uses synthesized speech.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to the "receiving a telephone call from a caller" and "interactive communication" aspects of claims 1, 10, 11, and 21, by showing prior art in using voice interaction within financial systems. It also has implications for the "presenting the caller with a series of questions and soliciting...responses" elements.
• US4642768A
  • Full Citation: US4642768A, "Methods and apparatus for funding future liability of uncertain cost"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 10, 1987; Filing: March 8, 1984
  • Brief Description: This patent focuses on methods and apparatus for funding future liabilities with uncertain costs.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This might be considered prior art for financial risk assessment or evaluation, potentially broadly touching on the "profitability-risk assessment" in claim 5 and 20, and similar concepts of evaluating financial situations.
• US4674044A
  • Full Citation: US4674044A, "Automated securities trading system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 16, 1987; Filing: January 30, 1985
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an automated system for securities trading.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent further reinforces the prior art for automated financial transaction processing, which could be relevant to the "capturing transaction data on a substantially real-time basis" in claims 7, 17, and 27.
• US4736294A
  • Full Citation: US4736294A, "Data processing methods and apparatus for managing vehicle financing"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: April 5, 1988; Filing: January 11, 1985
  • Brief Description: This patent is directed to data processing methods and apparatus for managing vehicle financing.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This provides prior art for data processing in specific financial sectors, broadly supporting the "computerized analysis" elements of claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27.
• US4739478A
  • Full Citation: US4739478A, "Methods and apparatus for restructuring debt obligations"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: April 19, 1988; Filing: November 21, 1984
  • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and apparatus for restructuring debt obligations.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This could be relevant to prior art concerning the management and processing of financial accounts and associated data, potentially impacting the "processing fraud and credit abuse" aspects of the invention, especially where it involves managing account status or debt.
• US4774663A
  • Full Citation: US4774663A, "Securities brokerage-cash management system with short term investment proceeds allotted among multiple accounts"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 27, 1988; Filing: July 29, 1980
  • Brief Description: Another securities brokerage-cash management system, specifically detailing the allotment of short-term investment proceeds across multiple accounts.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This further establishes prior art in sophisticated financial account management and computerized processing, which could broadly anticipate elements related to managing credit accounts in claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27.
• US4831526A
  • Full Citation: US4831526A, "Computerized insurance premium quote request and policy issuance system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: May 16, 1989; Filing: April 22, 1986
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computerized system for insurance premium quotes and policy issuance.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This provides prior art for computerized systems handling customer interactions and information processing in a financial/insurance context, potentially anticipating the overall system and method of interacting with a customer and processing their data as broadly described in the independent claims.
• US4866634A
  • Full Citation: US4866634A, "Data-driven, functional expert system shell"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 12, 1989; Filing: August 10, 1987
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a data-driven expert system shell. This is highly relevant to systems that make decisions based on data and rules.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is highly relevant to the "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" and "determining a fraud status based on a computerized analysis of the solicited responses" elements of claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27. The concept of an "expert system" directly relates to the computer intelligence described in US7480631 for identifying problems and making decisions based on rules and data.
• US4897811A
  • Full Citation: US4897811A, "N-dimensional coulomb neural network which provides for cumulative learning of internal representations"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 30, 1990; Filing: January 19, 1988
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a neural network capable of cumulative learning.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent anticipates the use of advanced computational intelligence, such as neural networks, for analysis and decision-making. This directly impacts the "computerized analysis of the solicited responses" in claims 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, and 28, and the broader concept of "computer intelligence" mentioned in the detailed description of US7480631 (e.g., in relation to automated processing in step 102 of FIG. 1).
• US4972504A
  • Full Citation: US4972504A, "Marketing research system and method for obtaining retail data on a real time basis"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 20, 1990; Filing: February 11, 1988
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a marketing research system and method for obtaining retail data in real time.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to the "capturing transaction data associated with a credit account on a substantially real-time basis" element of claims 7, 17, and 27, by demonstrating prior art in real-time data capture.
• US5041972A
  • Full Citation: US5041972A, "Method of measuring and evaluating consumer response for the development of consumer products"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 20, 1991; Filing: April 15, 1988
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for measuring and evaluating consumer responses.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent could potentially anticipate aspects of "soliciting...responses" and "computerized analysis of the solicited responses" in claims 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, and 28, by showing prior art in systematically gathering and analyzing consumer responses for decision-making.
• US5220500A
  • Full Citation: US5220500A, "Financial management system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 15, 1993; Filing: September 19, 1989
  • Brief Description: This patent generally describes a financial management system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This would broadly anticipate the "system for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse" (claims 11, 17) and the overall concept of a financial management system involving computerized processing as described across the independent claims.
• US5227874A
  • Full Citation: US5227874A, "Method for measuring the effectiveness of stimuli on decisions of shoppers"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 13, 1993; Filing: March 10, 1986
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for measuring the effectiveness of stimuli on shopper decisions.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the analysis of behavioral data to inform decisions, which could broadly anticipate elements of "computerized analysis of solicited responses" (claims 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, 28) or "evaluating the captured transaction data" (claims 7, 17, 27) in a context where user behavior is analyzed.
• US5231571A
  • Full Citation: US5231571A, "Personal financial assistant computer method"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 27, 1993; Filing: August 14, 1990
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer method for a personal financial assistant.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent contributes to the prior art of computerized financial assistance and management, generally anticipating the use of computer systems to aid in financial decisions as broadly claimed.
• US5278751A
  • Full Citation: US5278751A, "Dynamic manufacturing process control"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 11, 1994; Filing: August 30, 1991
  • Brief Description: This patent describes dynamic process control in manufacturing.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): While not directly in finance, the concept of "dynamic process control" could be broadly analogous to the "each question in the series is generated based on...earlier questions in the series" (claims 1, 10, 21, 28) or "recommended strategy for dealing with the potential fraud type" (claims 7, 17, 27) if interpreted as dynamic responses to evolving situations.
• US5297032A
  • Full Citation: US5297032A, "Securities trading workstation"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 22, 1994; Filing: February 1, 1991
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a workstation designed for securities trading.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reinforces prior art in computerized financial systems and user interfaces for financial activities, which could broadly anticipate the system and method of interacting with financial data and accounts.
• US5444844A
  • Full Citation: US5444844A, "Figure drawing apparatus and inventory purchasing system using the same"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 22, 1995; Filing: June 4, 1991
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a figure drawing apparatus and an inventory purchasing system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent, particularly the "inventory purchasing system," could be broadly relevant to transaction processing and data management, possibly impacting claims 7, 17, and 27 if "transaction data" is interpreted broadly enough to include purchasing data.
• US5481647A
  • Full Citation: US5481647A, "User adaptable expert system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 2, 1996; Filing: March 22, 1991
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a user-adaptable expert system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Similar to US4866634A, this is highly relevant to the expert system and rule-based decision-making aspects. It directly anticipates the "identifying potential fraud problems by searching...for conditions that match...qualifiers and quantifiers" and "computerized analysis" elements in claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27. The "user adaptable" aspect could also relate to the dynamic generation of questions based on responses.
• US5490060A
  • Full Citation: US5490060A, "Passive data collection system for market research data"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 6, 1996; Filing: February 29, 1988
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for passively collecting market research data.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to the "capturing transaction data ... on a substantially real-time basis" in claims 7, 17, and 27, by demonstrating prior art in real-time or continuous data collection.
• US5523942A
  • Full Citation: US5523942A, "Design grid for inputting insurance and investment product information in a computer system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 4, 1996; Filing: March 31, 1994
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer system for inputting insurance and investment product information.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent supports the prior art for computerized systems for inputting and managing financial product information, which can broadly anticipate the management of credit account data.
• US5550734A
  • Full Citation: US5550734A, "Computerized healthcare accounts receivable purchasing collections securitization and management system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 27, 1996; Filing: December 23, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computerized system for managing healthcare accounts receivable.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent demonstrates prior art for computerized financial account management and collections in a specific domain, which broadly anticipates the handling of credit accounts.
• US5551021A
  • Full Citation: US5551021A, "Image storing managing apparatus and method for retreiving and displaying merchandise and customer specific sales information"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 27, 1996; Filing: July 30, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for managing and displaying merchandise and customer-specific sales information.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is relevant to the handling and display of customer and transaction information, which could broadly anticipate elements related to managing credit account data and presenting information to an analyst (e.g., via a user interface as implied by claims 11, 17, 21, 27).
• US5583778A
  • Full Citation: US5583778A, "Computer method for collecting on judgments"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 10, 1996; Filing: September 21, 1994
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer method for collecting on judgments.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent provides prior art for computerized methods in financial recovery, which could relate to the "fraud recovery pattern" and "disposing the credit account" elements of claims 4, 5, 9, 14, 15, 19, 20, 24, 25, and 29.
• US5592590A
  • Full Citation: US5592590A, "Method for efficiently detecting covered rules in a knowledge base"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 7, 1997; Filing: July 1, 1994
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for efficiently detecting rules within a knowledge base.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to the "searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" element of claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27, as it pertains to the efficient application of rules (qualifiers and quantifiers) in a data system.
• US5603025A
  • Full Citation: US5603025A, "Methods for hypertext reporting in a relational database management system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 11, 1997; Filing: July 29, 1994
  • Brief Description: This patent describes methods for hypertext reporting in a relational database management system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent could be broadly relevant to the management and presentation of information from databases, which underlies many aspects of the system described in US7480631, particularly the display of account information and fraud assessment outcomes to a fraud analyst.
• US5611052A
  • Full Citation: US5611052A, "Lender direct credit evaluation and loan processing system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 11, 1997; Filing: November 1, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for direct credit evaluation and loan processing by a lender.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant prior art for credit evaluation systems, directly impacting the "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" in claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27. It also broadly anticipates the assessment of risk and profitability in claims 5 and 20.
• US5615109A
  • Full Citation: US5615109A, "Method of and system for generating feasible, profit maximizing requisition sets"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 25, 1997; Filing: May 24, 1995
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for generating profit-maximizing requisition sets.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent addresses optimizing financial decisions for profitability, which is directly relevant to the "profitability-risk evaluation" and "generating a recommendation for disposing the credit account based on the profitability-risk assessment" elements of claims 5 and 20.
• US5615341A
  • Full Citation: US5615341A, "System and method for mining generalized association rules in databases"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 25, 1997; Filing: May 8, 1995
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for data mining to find association rules in databases.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to the "searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" in claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27. Data mining for "association rules" is analogous to identifying "suspicious patterns defined by a set of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers" as described in US7480631.
• US5649116A
  • Full Citation: US5649116A, "Integrated decision management system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 15, 1997; Filing: March 30, 1995
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an integrated decision management system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is broadly relevant to the entire system of US7480631, which is essentially an integrated system for managing fraud decisions. It directly anticipates the "determining a fraud status" elements of the claims and the overall concept of a system that aids in decision-making.
• US5655085A
  • Full Citation: US5655085A, "Computer system for automated comparing of universal life insurance policies based on selectable criteria"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 5, 1997; Filing: August 17, 1992
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer system for automatically comparing life insurance policies based on selectable criteria.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the "evaluating the captured transaction data against a plurality of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers" and "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" in claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27, by demonstrating prior art in automated comparison against criteria.
• US5671363A
  • Full Citation: US5671363A, "Private stock option account control and exercise system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 23, 1997; Filing: September 1, 1992
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for controlling and exercising private stock options.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent further expands the prior art of computerized financial account management, which broadly supports the management of credit accounts described in US7480631.
• US5689650A
  • Full Citation: US5689650A, "Community reinvestment act network"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 18, 1997; Filing: February 23, 1995
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a network related to the Community Reinvestment Act.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent could be broadly relevant to systems that collect and process financial data for regulatory or assessment purposes, which might relate to the overall data analysis aspects of US7480631.
• US5717865A
  • Full Citation: US5717865A, "Method for assisting individuals in decision making processes"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 10, 1998; Filing: September 25, 1995
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for assisting individuals in decision-making processes.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is highly relevant to the underlying goal of US7480631, which is to assist fraud analysts in making decisions. It could broadly anticipate the "determining a fraud status based on a computerized analysis" and "generating a recommendation for disposing the credit account" elements in claims 1, 5, 10, 11, 15, 20, 21, and 25.
• US5732397A
  • Full Citation: US5732397A, "Automated decision-making arrangement"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 24, 1998; Filing: March 16, 1992
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an automated decision-making arrangement.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant prior art for automated decision-making systems, directly anticipating the "determining a fraud status based on a computerized analysis" in claims 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, and 28, and the general computer-driven aspects of fraud detection.
• US5758328A
  • Full Citation: US5758328A, "Computerized quotation system and method"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: May 26, 1998; Filing: February 22, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computerized quotation system and method.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent demonstrates prior art for computerized systems that provide information or quotations, which could broadly relate to presenting information to a user or customer in an interactive system.
• US5765144A
  • Full Citation: US5765144A, "System for selecting liability products and preparing applications therefor"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 9, 1998; Filing: June 24, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for selecting liability products and preparing applications.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is relevant to computerized systems for financial product applications and selection, which could broadly anticipate the processing of credit applications and associated data.
• US5774878A
  • Full Citation: US5774878A, "Virtual reality generator for use with financial information"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 30, 1998; Filing: September 30, 1992
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a virtual reality generator for financial information.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): While focusing on virtual reality, the underlying concept of visualizing and interacting with financial information could broadly touch upon presenting account data to a fraud analyst.
• US5774883A
  • Full Citation: US5774883A, "Method for selecting a seller's most profitable financing program"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 30, 1998; Filing: May 25, 1995
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for selecting the most profitable financing program for a seller.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is directly relevant to optimizing for profitability in financial contexts, directly anticipating the "profitability-risk evaluation" and "generating a recommendation for disposing the credit account based on the profitability-risk assessment" elements of claims 5 and 20.
• US5802502A
  • Full Citation: US5802502A, "System for selective communication connection based on transaction pricing signals"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 1, 1998; Filing: May 24, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for selective communication based on transaction pricing signals.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to establishing communication and potentially routing calls based on specific signals (e.g., transaction data), which could broadly anticipate the "receiving a telephone call" and routing based on flags or problems in claims 1, 10, 11, and 21.
• US5852811A
  • Full Citation: US5852811A, "Method for managing financial accounts by a preferred allocation of funds among accounts"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 22, 1998; Filing: April 15, 1987
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for managing financial accounts through preferred fund allocation.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent further expands prior art in financial account management, broadly anticipating the handling and processing of credit accounts.
• US5870721A
  • Full Citation: US5870721A, "System and method for real time loan approval"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 9, 1999; Filing: August 27, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for real-time loan approval.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to real-time financial decision-making, anticipating "capturing transaction data...on a substantially real-time basis" and "evaluating...against a plurality of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers" in claims 7, 17, and 27, and the overall real-time processing aspects of the invention.
• US5873096A
  • Full Citation: US5873096A, "Method of maintaining a network of partially replicated database system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 16, 1999; Filing: October 8, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for maintaining a network of partially replicated database systems.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the underlying technical infrastructure for managing and accessing data, which supports the "searching the credit account data" and "accessing a number of databases" elements of the independent claims.
• US5875437A
  • Full Citation: US5875437A, "System for the operation and management of one or more financial accounts through the use of a digital communication and computation system for exchange, investment and borrowing"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 23, 1999; Filing: April 15, 1987
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for financial account operation and management using digital communication and computation.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant prior art that broadly anticipates the overall system and method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse, particularly in its emphasis on digital communication and computation for managing financial accounts (claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, 27).
• US5878258A
  • Full Citation: US5878258A, "Seamless application interface manager"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 2, 1999; Filing: May 6, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a seamless application interface manager.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is relevant to the user interface aspects of the system, particularly the display of information to a fraud analyst (as described in relation to FIGS. 3-5 of US7480631 and implied by the "means for presenting" in claims 11, 17).
• US5878403A
  • Full Citation: US5878403A, "Computer implemented automated credit application analysis and decision routing system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 2, 1999; Filing: September 12, 1995
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer-implemented automated system for credit application analysis and decision routing.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant prior art, directly anticipating many aspects of US7480631. Specifically, it directly addresses "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" (claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, 27), and "determining a fraud status associated with the credit account based on a computerized analysis" (claims 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, 28). The "credit application analysis" could also encompass detecting "fraudulent application" as a fraud type in US7480631.
• US5913202A
  • Full Citation: US5913202A, "Financial information intermediary system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 15, 1999; Filing: December 3, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a financial information intermediary system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent broadly anticipates systems that process and intermediate financial information, which is a foundational aspect of US7480631.
• US5918217A
  • Full Citation: US5918217A, "User interface for a financial advisory system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 29, 1999; Filing: December 10, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a user interface for a financial advisory system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to the user interface (806 in FIG. 8) and the presentation of information to the fraud analyst in US7480631, potentially anticipating elements related to "presenting the caller with a series of questions" and displaying assessment outcomes.
• US5920848A
  • Full Citation: US5920848A, "Method and system for using intelligent agents for financial transactions, services, accounting, and advice"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 6, 1999; Filing: February 12, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system using intelligent agents for various financial functions.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to the "computer intelligence" described in US7480631 for automated processing, identification of problems, and generating strategies. It strongly anticipates the "computerized analysis" elements in claims 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, and 28, and the overall intelligence-driven fraud detection.
• US5930775A
  • Full Citation: US5930775A, "Method and apparatus for determining an optimal investment plan for distressed residential real estate loans"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 27, 1999; Filing: January 14, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for determining optimal investment plans for distressed real estate loans.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to specialized financial analysis and strategy generation (e.g., for distressed assets), which could broadly anticipate elements of "generating a strategy for disposing the credit account" or "fraud recovery pattern" in claims 4, 5, 9, 14, 15, 19, 20, 24, 25, and 29.
• US5940811A
  • Full Citation: US5940811A, "Closed loop financial transaction method and apparatus"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 17, 1999; Filing: August 27, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a closed-loop method and apparatus for financial transactions.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is relevant to the overall flow and processing of financial transactions, which underlies the fraud detection and processing in US7480631. It could broadly anticipate elements of capturing and evaluating transaction data.
• US5940812A
  • Full Citation: US5940812A, "Apparatus and method for automatically matching a best available loan to a potential borrower via global telecommunications network"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 17, 1999; Filing: August 19, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for automatically matching loans to borrowers via a global telecommunications network.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is highly relevant to automated financial services over a network, including borrower assessment. It anticipates the "establishing an interactive communication with a customer" (claims 10, 20), "receiving a telephone call" (claims 1, 11, 21), and the use of computer systems to analyze customer data for financial purposes.
• US5950175A
  • Full Citation: US5950175A, "System for managing real estate SWAP accounts"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 7, 1999; Filing: October 14, 1994
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for managing real estate SWAP accounts.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent further extends the prior art of computerized financial account management, relevant to the handling of credit accounts in US7480631.
• US5963953A
  • Full Citation: US5963953A, "Method, and system for product configuration"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 5, 1999; Filing: March 30, 1998
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for product configuration.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This could be broadly relevant to configuring rules or parameters within a system, which might relate to the "predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" in the independent claims.
• US5970467A
  • Full Citation: US5970467A, "Accurate market survey collection method"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 19, 1999; Filing: July 31, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an accurate market survey collection method.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Similar to US4355372A, this patent is relevant to data collection methods, potentially impacting the "capturing transaction data" element (claims 7, 17, 27) if interpreted broadly as collecting information.
• US5974396A
  • Full Citation: US5974396A, "Method and system for gathering and analyzing consumer purchasing information based on product and consumer clustering relationships"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 26, 1999; Filing: February 23, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for gathering and analyzing consumer purchasing information using clustering relationships.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to analyzing transaction data and identifying patterns. It could anticipate the "evaluating the captured transaction data against a plurality of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers" and "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" elements of claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27, by demonstrating prior art in analyzing purchasing data for patterns (which could be indicative of fraud).
• US5978779A
  • Full Citation: US5978779A, "Distributed architecture utility"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 2, 1999; Filing: November 14, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a distributed architecture utility.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the underlying system architecture, particularly if the system for detecting fraud is distributed (as suggested by the network 808 and various databases in FIG. 8). This could broadly anticipate the "system for detecting and processing fraud" in claims 11 and 17.
• US5983206A
  • Full Citation: US5983206A, "Computer system and computer-implemented process for implementing a mortgage partnership"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 9, 1999; Filing: May 25, 1989
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer system and process for implementing a mortgage partnership.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent further expands prior art in computerized financial systems for specific financial products, relevant to the general operation and management of financial accounts.
• US5987434A
  • Full Citation: US5987434A, "Apparatus and method for transacting marketing and sales of financial products"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 16, 1999; Filing: June 10, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for transacting marketing and sales of financial products.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent broadly anticipates the use of systems to manage and transact financial products, which can include credit accounts and their associated activities.
• US5995942A
  • Full Citation: US5995942A, "Store-level marketing system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 30, 1999; Filing: March 13, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a store-level marketing system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent, while marketing-focused, could be relevant to transaction data processing at points of sale, potentially impacting "capturing transaction data associated with a credit account on a substantially real-time basis" (claims 7, 17, 27) if the marketing system also processes such data.
• US5999907A
  • Full Citation: US5999907A, "Intellectual property audit system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 7, 1999; Filing: December 6, 1993
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an intellectual property audit system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent's relevance is less direct but might broadly relate to systems that analyze data against rules for compliance or identification of issues, conceptually touching upon the "searching...for conditions that match...qualifiers and quantifiers" aspect.
• US6009415A
  • Full Citation: US6009415A, "Data processing technique for scoring bank customer relationships and awarding incentive rewards"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 28, 1999; Filing: December 16, 1991
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a data processing technique for scoring bank customer relationships and awarding incentive rewards.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant prior art, directly anticipating the use of data processing for "scoring" customers. This could be analogous to evaluating accounts for "profitability and risk" (claims 5, 20) and could also broadly relate to identifying unusual customer behavior for fraud detection.
• US6018722A
  • Full Citation: US6018722A, "S.E.C. registered individual account investment advisor expert system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 25, 2000; Filing: April 18, 1994
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an expert system for an SEC-registered individual account investment advisor.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to expert systems in finance. Similar to US4866634A and US5481647A, it directly anticipates the "identifying potential fraud problems by searching...for conditions that match...qualifiers and quantifiers" and "computerized analysis" elements in claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27, demonstrating prior art for rule-based financial decision support.
• US6021397A
  • Full Citation: US6021397A, "Financial advisory system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 1, 2000; Filing: December 2, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a financial advisory system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent broadly anticipates systems that provide financial advice or recommendations, which can be analogous to the "generating a recommendation for disposing the credit account" in claims 5 and 20, and the overall decision support aspect of US7480631.
• US6026370A
  • Full Citation: US6026370A, "Method and apparatus for generating purchase incentive mailing based on prior purchase history"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 15, 2000; Filing: August 28, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for generating marketing based on purchase history.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to analyzing purchase history and using it for automated actions. This could broadly anticipate aspects of "searching the credit account data for conditions that match" and "evaluating the captured transaction data" in relation to past activities, as fraud detection often relies on historical patterns.
• US6029139A
  • Full Citation: US6029139A, "Method and apparatus for optimizing promotional sale of products based upon historical data"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 22, 2000; Filing: January 28, 1998
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for optimizing sales based on historical data.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Similar to US6026370A, this patent's use of historical data for optimization could broadly anticipate the use of account history for fraud detection and strategy generation in US7480631.
• US6032125A
  • Full Citation: US6032125A, "Demand forecasting method, demand forecasting system, and recording medium"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 29, 2000; Filing: November 7, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a demand forecasting method and system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): While about forecasting, the underlying data analysis techniques could be broadly relevant to the "computerized analysis" and evaluation of data for patterns (e.g., unusual spending patterns indicative of fraud or abuse).
• US6044371A
  • Full Citation: US6044371A, "Method for modifying computer system and system resulting therefrom"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 28, 2000; Filing: October 30, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for modifying a computer system.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is very general but could relate to the adaptability or dynamic nature of the system in US7480631, such as how "each question in the series is generated based on...earlier questions."
• US6055510A
  • Full Citation: US6055510A, "Method for performing targeted marketing over a large computer network"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: April 25, 2000; Filing: October 24, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for targeted marketing over a computer network.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the use of computer networks for targeted communication and data processing, broadly supporting the communication aspects of US7480631 and the use of network 808.
• US6070147A
  • Full Citation: US6070147A, "Customer identification and marketing analysis systems"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: May 30, 2000; Filing: July 2, 1996
  • Brief Description: This patent describes systems for customer identification and marketing analysis.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is highly relevant to "identifying the caller and the related account" (as described in step 204 of FIG. 2) and more broadly to analyzing customer information, which is foundational to fraud detection in US7480631.
• US6076072A
  • Full Citation: US6076072A, "System and method for identifying and tracking customer accounts associated with fraud"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 13, 2000; Filing: April 2, 1997
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method specifically for identifying and tracking customer accounts associated with fraud.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is extremely relevant prior art, directly anticipating the core invention of US7480631. It directly impacts claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27 by disclosing a system and method for detecting fraud. Specifically, its title "identifying and tracking customer accounts associated with fraud" overlaps significantly with the objectives of US7480631. It could potentially anticipate the "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems" and "determining a fraud status" elements of almost all independent claims.
• US6236978B1
  • Full Citation: US6236978B1, "System and method for detecting and preventing credit card fraud"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: May 22, 2001; Filing: May 20, 1998
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for detecting and preventing credit card fraud.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is extremely relevant prior art, directly anticipating the core invention of US7480631, as its title explicitly mentions "detecting and preventing credit card fraud." It directly impacts claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27 by disclosing a system and method for detecting fraud, especially within the context of credit cards. It is highly likely to anticipate the "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems" and "determining a fraud status" elements of almost all independent claims.
• US6249775B1
  • Full Citation: US6249775B1, "Intelligent automated fraud detection and prevention system"
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 19, 2001; Filing: April 13, 1999
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an intelligent automated system for fraud detection and prevention.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This is extremely relevant prior art, directly anticipating the core invention of US7480631, given its title. The term "intelligent automated fraud detection" directly overlaps with the "computer intelligence" and automated processing described in US7480631. This patent is highly likely to anticipate the "identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" and "determining a fraud status associated with the credit account based on a computerized analysis" elements of claims 1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27.

To analyze the obviousness of US patent 7480631 under 35 U.S.C. § 103, we will examine combinations of prior art references (from the patent's "Citations" section) that a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have been motivated to combine. The analysis will focus on the independent claims (1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, and 27) and articulate the rationale for combining the references to achieve the claimed invention with predictable results.

The priority date for US7480631 is December 15, 2004. All cited patents used in this analysis were published before this date.

Relevant Prior Art References

Based on the "Citations" section, the following prior art references are particularly relevant for an obviousness analysis:

• US5878403A (1999-03-02) to CMSI: Titled "Computer implemented automated credit application analysis and decision routing system." This reference is highly pertinent to automated financial analysis, identifying conditions in credit data, and making decisions.
• US4866634A (1989-09-12) to Syntelligence: Titled "Data-driven, functional expert system shell." This patent describes expert systems that use data to drive their logic, relevant for computerized analysis, qualifiers, and quantifiers.
• US5481647A (1996-01-02) to Raff Enterprises, Inc.: Titled "User adaptable expert system." Further supports the concept of expert systems that can adapt based on input.
• US5920848A (1999-07-06) to Citibank, N.A.: Titled "Method and system for using intelligent agents for financial transactions, services, accounting, and advice." Suggests dynamic interaction in financial contexts through intelligent agents.
• US5918217A (1999-06-29) to Financial Engines, Inc.: Titled "User interface for a financial advisory system." Relevant for user interaction and guided questioning in a financial setting.
• US6009415A (1999-12-28) to The Harrison Company, LLC: Titled "Data processing technique for scoring bank customer relationships and awarding incentive rewards." Relevant for financial scoring and assessments.
• US4642768A (1987-02-10) to Roberts, Peter A.: Titled "Methods and apparatus for funding future liability of uncertain cost." Deals with financial planning and risk assessment.

Obviousness Analysis of Independent Claims

Claim 1 (Method for Fraud Detection via Telephone Call)

Claim 1: A method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse, the method comprising:

1. receiving a telephone call from a caller concerning a credit account;
2. identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers;
3. presenting the caller with a series of questions and soliciting, from the caller, responses to the series of questions, wherein each question in the series is generated based on the one or more potential fraud-related problems and further based on the caller's responses to earlier questions in the series; and
4. determining a fraud status associated with the credit account based on a computerized analysis of the solicited responses.

Combination of References: US5878403A in combination with US4866634A and general knowledge of call center technology.

Rationale:

• Elements 1 & 2 (Receiving call & identifying problems using qualifiers/quantifiers): US5878403A discloses a "computer implemented automated credit application analysis and decision routing system". A PHOSITA would understand that such a system would inherently involve "searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers" to assess credit risk or identify problems. Integrating this automated analysis with standard call center technology, where calls are "received" and "routed" (as commonly understood in the art by 2004, and even mentioned within US7480631 as using an Interactive Voice Response unit (VRU) in step 202 and 204 of FIG. 2), would have been routine.
• Element 3 (Dynamic questioning): Expert systems, as taught by US4866634A ("Data-driven, functional expert system shell") and US5481647A ("User adaptable expert system"), are designed to process data and adapt their logic based on inputs. Applying this known expert system functionality to "generate a series of questions" that are "based on... potential fraud-related problems and further based on the caller's responses to earlier questions" would have been an obvious application for improving an interactive verification process. Financial advisory systems like US5918217A ("User interface for a financial advisory system") also demonstrate guided user interaction in a financial context.
• Element 4 (Computerized analysis to determine fraud status): The computerized analysis aspect is a core function of expert systems (US4866634A) and automated decisioning systems like US5878403A. Integrating the "solicited responses" from the dynamic questioning into this computerized analysis to make a "fraud status" determination would be a predictable extension.

Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA in financial services or fraud detection would have been motivated to combine these elements to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of fraud detection and resolution. Automating initial fraud detection (US5878403A) and then using a dynamically guided interactive process (expert systems like US4866634A) via a telephone call to gather specific information from the customer would directly address the problem of "traditionally manual processes" being "unsystematic" and "slow in producing fraud judgments," as articulated in the background of US7480631. The combination offers a more systematic and timely approach to verification, leading to better outcomes.

Claim 7 (Method for Real-time Fraud Alert Generation)

Claim 7: A method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse, the method comprising:

1. capturing transaction data associated with a credit account on a substantially real-time basis;
2. evaluating the captured transaction data against a plurality of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers; and
3. generating a fraud alert based on the evaluation, wherein the fraud alert comprises a potential fraud type and a recommended strategy for dealing with the potential fraud type.

Combination of References: US5878403A in combination with US4866634A and general knowledge of real-time transaction processing.

Rationale:

• Element 1 (Real-time transaction data capture): By 2004, real-time processing of financial transactions was common, particularly for credit card authorizations (as indicated by the "authorization server 810" in US7480631's FIG. 8). Capturing retail data in real-time was known (e.g., US4972504A, "Marketing research system and method for obtaining retail data on a real time basis"). Applying this to financial transaction data would be a logical step.
• Element 2 (Evaluating data against fraud qualifiers/quantifiers): US5878403A describes "computer implemented automated credit application analysis," which involves evaluating data against predefined criteria. Expert systems like US4866634A specifically teach using "data-driven" approaches to evaluate conditions.
• Element 3 (Generating fraud alert with type and strategy): US5878403A mentions "decision routing" based on analysis. An expert system (US4866634A) could be readily configured to output not just a decision, but also a categorization ("potential fraud type") and a predefined response ("recommended strategy") based on the evaluation results.

Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine these capabilities to address the critical need for timely fraud detection and response. The background of US7480631 highlights the problem of missing "valuable opportunities to defeat ongoing misuses" due to slow manual processes. Real-time capture and evaluation, coupled with immediate alerts specifying the fraud type and a recommended strategy, would provide a significant and obvious advantage in minimizing financial losses.

Claim 10 (Method for Fraud Detection via Interactive Communication)

Claim 10: A method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse, the method comprising:

1. establishing an interactive communication with a customer concerning a credit account;
2. identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers;
3. presenting the customer with a series of questions and soliciting, from the customer, responses to the series of questions, wherein each question in the series is generated based on the one or more potential fraud-related problems and further based the caller's responses to earlier questions in the series; and
4. determining a fraud status associated with the credit account based on a computerized analysis of the solicited responses.

Combination of References: US5878403A in combination with US4866634A, US5920848A, and general knowledge of customer communication channels.

Rationale: This claim is structurally very similar to Claim 1, with "establishing an interactive communication" being broader than "receiving a telephone call."

• Elements 2, 3, 4: The obviousness of these elements is supported by the same reasoning and combination of US5878403A and US4866634A as discussed for Claim 1.
• Element 1 (Establishing interactive communication): Prior art like US5920848A describes "intelligent agents for financial transactions", which implies interactive communication. By 2004, various forms of "interactive communication" (telephone, email, instant messages) were common in customer service environments, and using any of these channels to contact a customer for verification would be an obvious choice for a PHOSITA. US7480631 itself notes these various communication methods (telephone call, electronic mails, or instant messages).

Motivation to Combine: The motivation is the same as for Claim 1: to effectively verify potential fraud by engaging the customer in a dynamically guided interactive dialogue, regardless of the specific communication channel. A PHOSITA would understand that different communication methods are merely different means to achieve the same end of gathering verification information, and that adapting the fraud detection process to these various channels would improve customer reach and resolution efficiency.

Claim 11 (System for Fraud Detection via Telephone Call)

Claim 11: A system for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse, the system comprising:

1. means for receiving a telephone call from a caller concerning a credit account;
2. means for identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers;
3. means for presenting the caller with a series of questions and soliciting, from the caller, responses to the series of questions, wherein each question in the series is generated based on the one or more potential fraud-related problems and further based on the caller's responses to earlier questions in the series; and
4. means for determining a fraud status associated with the credit account based on a computerized analysis of the solicited responses.

Combination of References: A system implementing the methods rendered obvious by US5878403A, US4866634A, and standard call center hardware/software.

Rationale: This is the system counterpart to Claim 1. The "means for" clauses refer to structures described in the specification.

• Means for receiving a telephone call: A PHOSITA would understand this to be a call center with an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit (e.g., VRU device 804 in US7480631 FIG. 8) and associated telecommunications equipment, which were conventional by the priority date.
• Means for identifying problems: This maps to a central processor (e.g., 802) connected to databases (e.g., credit bureau files 812, card member information 814, account data warehouse 816, credit application database 818) and configured to execute rules-based analysis as taught by US5878403A and US4866634A.
• Means for presenting questions and soliciting responses: This maps to a computer system (central processor 802) with a user interface (806) used by a fraud analyst (82), programmed to implement the dynamic questioning logic of an expert system (US4866634A, US5481647A).
• Means for determining fraud status: This maps to the central processor (802) configured to perform computerized analysis of collected data and responses, consistent with expert system functionality (US4866634A).

Motivation to Combine: The motivation for constructing such a system is the same as for Claim 1: to implement an automated and interactive method for efficient and accurate fraud detection and processing. The components required were well-known and their integration into a system for automated financial analysis and guided customer interaction was an obvious engineering choice for a PHOSITA seeking to solve the identified problems of manual fraud processing.

Claim 17 (System for Real-time Fraud Alert Generation)

Claim 17: A system for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse, the system comprising:

1. means for capturing transaction data associated with a credit account on a substantially real-time basis;
2. means for evaluating the captured transaction data against a plurality of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers; and
3. means for generating a fraud alert based on the evaluation, wherein the fraud alert comprises a potential fraud type and a recommended strategy for dealing with the potential fraud type.

Combination of References: A system implementing the methods rendered obvious by US5878403A, US4866634A, and real-time transaction processing infrastructure.

Rationale: This is the system counterpart to Claim 7.

• Means for capturing transaction data: This maps to a central processor (802) with real-time access to an authorization server (810), representing standard real-time transaction processing infrastructure known in the art.
• Means for evaluating data: This maps to the central processor (802) programmed to apply rule-based logic to transaction data, as taught by US5878403A and US4866634A.
• Means for generating a fraud alert: This maps to the central processor (802) configured to output specific alerts and recommended actions, which is a common function of automated decision-making and expert systems (US5878403A, US4866634A).

Motivation to Combine: The motivation is the same as for Claim 7: to build a system that automatically and in real-time identifies potential fraud and provides actionable alerts to minimize losses. Integrating standard real-time processing capabilities with rule-based detection systems was an obvious engineering choice to improve the speed and effectiveness of fraud prevention in financial transactions.

Claim 20 (Method with Comprehensive Disposition Strategy)

Claim 20: A method for detecting and processing fraud and credit abuse, the method comprising:

1. establishing an interactive communication with a customer concerning a credit account;
2. identifying one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers;
3. presenting the customer with a series of questions and soliciting, from the customer, responses to the series of questions, wherein each question in the series is generated based on the one or more potential fraud-related problems and further based the caller's responses to earlier questions in the series;
4. determining a fraud status associated with the credit account based on a computerized analysis of the solicited responses; and
5. generating a strategy for disposing the credit account based on:
   • the fraud status,
   • a predetermined fraud recovery pattern,
   • a profitability-risk assessment for the credit account, and
   • an estimated success rate for fraud recovery.

Combination of References: The combination for Claim 10 (US5878403A, US4866634A, US5920848A) further combined with US6009415A, US4642768A, and general business knowledge.

Rationale:

• Elements 1-4: These elements are rendered obvious by the same combination and reasoning as for Claim 10.
• Element 5 (Generating a disposition strategy):
  • "predetermined fraud recovery pattern": Standard operating procedures for fraud recovery would be well-known business practices.
  • "profitability-risk assessment": Prior art such as US6009415A ("Data processing technique for scoring bank customer relationships") and US4642768A ("Methods and apparatus for funding future liability of uncertain cost") demonstrate the existence of systems for assessing financial profitability and risk. The metrics (e.g., NPV, credit scores) mentioned in Table 2 of US7480631 for profitability-risk assessment were commonly used in financial institutions.
  • "estimated success rate for fraud recovery": While not explicitly called out in prior art by this exact phrase, the concept of estimating outcomes and probabilities is inherent in financial risk assessment systems (e.g., US4642768A) and would be a straightforward calculation based on historical data within a fraud recovery context.
  • Integrating these factors into a "strategy for disposing the credit account" within an expert system (US4866634A) is a logical and predictable extension for optimized decision-making.

Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would be motivated to integrate the verification process with a comprehensive disposition strategy to optimize fraud resolution from a business perspective. After identifying and verifying fraud, it would be obvious to leverage all available business intelligence (fraud status, recovery patterns, profitability, risk, and estimated recovery success) to make the most informed decision about how to handle the account. This directly addresses the stated need in US7480631 for a "balanced disposition of the account" based on profitability-risk evaluation (step 118, FIG. 1).

Claim 21 (Computer Readable Medium for Telephone-Based Fraud Detection)

Claim 21: A computer readable medium having code for causing a processor to detect and process fraud and credit abuse, the computer readable medium comprising:

1. code adapted to receive a telephone call from a caller concerning a credit account;
2. code adapted to identify one or more potential fraud-related problems by searching the credit account data for conditions that match one or more predetermined qualifiers and quantifiers;
3. code adapted to present the caller with a series of questions and solicit, from the caller, responses to the series of questions, wherein each question in the series is generated based on the one or more potential fraud-related problems and further based on the caller's responses to earlier questions in the series; and
4. code adapted to determine a fraud status associated with the credit account based on a computerized analysis of the solicited responses.

Combination of References: Computer-readable medium embodying the method of Claim 1, which is obvious from US5878403A, US4866634A, and general knowledge of call center and software development.

Rationale: When a method (such as Claim 1) is obvious, embodying that method in a computer program on a computer-readable medium is also obvious to a PHOSITA in software engineering.

• Code for receiving a telephone call: Standard code for interfacing with telecommunication systems and IVR units.
• Code for identifying problems: Standard code for database querying, data matching, and rule-based processing (e.g., implementing the logic of US5878403A or an expert system like US4866634A).
• Code for dynamic questioning: Code for managing user interface flows and implementing adaptive logic (e.g., expert system inference engines) based on inputs and predefined rules.
• Code for determining fraud status: Code for performing logical analysis and decision-making based on collected data and responses, consistent with expert system principles.

Motivation to Combine: The motivation for placing this functionality on a computer-readable medium is to automate the obvious method of Claim 1, thereby realizing the benefits of computer intelligence in fraud detection and processing, such as improved timeliness, accuracy, and consistency, as highlighted in US7480631.

Claim 27 (Computer Readable Medium for Real-time Fraud Alert Generation)

Claim 27: A computer readable medium having code for causing a processor to detect and process fraud and credit abuse, the computer readable medium comprising:

1. code adapted to capture transaction data associated with a credit account on a substantially real-time basis;
2. code adapted to evaluate the captured transaction data against a plurality of fraud qualifiers and quantifiers; and
3. code adapted to generate a fraud alert based on the evaluation, wherein the fraud alert comprises a potential fraud type and a recommended strategy for dealing with the potential fraud type.

Combination of References: Computer-readable medium embodying the method of Claim 7, which is obvious from US5878403A, US4866634A, and general knowledge of real-time data processing and software development.

Rationale: Similar to Claim 21, once the method of Claim 7 is obvious, its implementation as software code on a computer-readable medium is also obvious.

• Code for capturing transaction data: Standard code for real-time data acquisition from transaction processing systems.
• Code for evaluating data: Code for implementing rule-based engines or expert systems to evaluate incoming data against predefined criteria (e.g., implementing the logic of US5878403A or US4866634A).
• Code for generating a fraud alert: Code for structuring and outputting alerts, including predetermined fraud types and associated recommended actions.

Motivation to Combine: The motivation is to automate the obvious method of Claim 7 in software, enabling real-time, efficient, and consistent fraud detection and alert generation, which is crucial for minimizing fraud losses in financial systems.