Systems and methods of presenting simulated credit score information

• US 9,569,797 B1
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Consumerinfo.com Incorporated (Experian plc)
• Original Assignee: Consumerinfo.com Incorporated (Experian plc)
• Inventors: Fegel, Julia E., Mahacek, Jeffrey Bryan, Rohn, Janice Anne, Burger, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Vyas, Abhishek
• Application Number:
  US13/326,803
• Time in Patent Office: 1,888 Days
• Field of Search: 705/38
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

In an embodiment, a computer system receives credit information relating to a consumer, and calculates a credit score associated with the consumer. The system constructs a credit score scenario user interface. The system maintains a plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, and calculates a plurality of simulated credit scores associated with respective credit score simulation scenarios. The system also constructs a credit score simulation control interface. The system maintains a plurality of credit score simulation parameters, and generates a user interface with a graphical indication of the calculated credit score and a plurality of sliders, each slider being divided into segments that are colored to graphically indicate the likely effect of repositioning the slider within the respective segment. When the user repositions the sliders, the graphical indication of the calculated credit score is adjusted, based on a recalculation of the credit score.

Claims

1. A method of automatically calculating credit score simulation information associated with a user in a networked computing system, the networked computing system comprising:

a credit data warehouse comprising a plurality of credit files having credit parameters associated with a corresponding plurality of users;

a plurality of user computing devices associated with corresponding of the plurality of users, the user computing devices each capable of requesting credit score simulation information,

a credit simulator server, executing computer instructions including a plurality of modules including at least;

a credit score calculator module comprising a credit score calculation algorithm that generates a credit score based on a plurality of input parameters such that the credit score calculation algorithm is executable on a plurality of sets of input parameters in order to output a corresponding plurality of corresponding credit scores;

a credit score simulation module comprising a predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios for application to credit information of each of a plurality of users, wherein the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios are the same for each of the plurality of users, independent of different credit information of respective users, wherein each of the credit score simulation scenarios indicates at least;

a parameter of the credit score calculation algorithm;

a parameter adjustment rule indicating a mathematical effect of changes in the parameter to credit scores; and

a textual description of the credit score simulation scenario;

wherein the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios include at least;

a first predefined credit score simulation scenario associated with a timely payment parameter of the credit score calculation algorithm and first parameter adjustment rules indicating a first mathematical effect of changes in timely payment activities on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

a second predefined credit score simulation scenario associated with a credit card offer acceptance parameter of the credit score calculation algorithm and second parameter adjustment rules indicating a second mathematical effect of acceptance of credit card offers on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

at least third, fourth, and fifth predefined credit score simulation scenarios each associated with different parameter adjustment rules indicating impact of adjustments to a corresponding parameter on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

the credit score simulation module;

accesses, from the credit data warehouse, credit information relating to a first user of the plurality of users, the credit information including a plurality of credit parameters specific to the first user;

calculates, a current credit score of the first user by evaluating the credit score calculation algorithm based least on the plurality of credit parameters specific to the user accessed form the credit data warehouse;

for each of the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, including the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth predefined credit score simulation scenarios;

based on the parameter adjustment rule associated with the respective credit score simulation scenario, determines one or more credit parameters specific to the first user to modify prior to calculating a scenario credit score for the predefined credit score simulation scenario;

for each of the determined one or more credit parameters to modify, generates a scenario credit parameter; and

calculates a scenario credit score using the credit score calculation algorithm based at least on the one or more generated scenario credit parameters;

wherein at least a first scenario credit score, a second scenario credit score, a third scenario credit score, a fourth scenario credit score, and a fifth scenario credit score are calculated based on respective scenario credit parameters;

a report generation module that;

constructs user interface data configured for execution by a first user computing device to;

display on a display of the first user computing device a user interface including;

a listing of at least a portion of each of the textual descriptions of the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, and

for each predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, the corresponding calculated scenario credit score,

a first graphical differentiation of a first one or more of the calculated scenario credit scores that are greater than the calculated current credit score of the user,

a second graphical differentiation of a second one or more of the calculated scenario credit scores that are less than the calculated current credit score of the user, and

interactive user interface controls in spatial relation to respective predefined credit score simulation scenarios, the user interface controls configured to initiate updates to the user interface to show or hide expanded scenario information for the corresponding predefined credit score simulation scenario;

transmits the user interface data to the first user computing device;

wherein the first user computing device;

receives the user interface data;

executes the user interface data in order to display the user interface on the display of the first user computing device;

in response to receiving selection of a first user interface control associated with the first predefined credit score simulation scenario of the displayed user interface, determine whether the first expanded scenario information is cached on the first user computing device; and

in response to determining that the first expanded scenario information is not cached on the first user computing device, transmitting a request to the credit simulation server for first expanded scenario information corresponding to the first predefined credit score simulation scenario;

wherein the credit simulation server is further configured to, in response to receiving the request for the first expanded scenario information from the first user computing device;

determine the first expanded scenario information by;

calculating a first simulated future scenario credit score associated with a first future time period;

calculating a second simulated future scenario credit score associated with a second future time period;

transmitting updated user interface data to the first user computing device, the updated user interface data including an expanded information pane to be positioned below the first predefined credit score simulation scenario, the expanded information pane indicating;

the first future time period and the associated first simulated future scenario credit score of the user indicating a first hypothetical future credit score of the first user after the first future time period in response to timely payments made by the user during the first future time period;

the second future time period and the associated second simulated future scenario credit score user indicating a second hypothetical future credit score of the first user after the second future time period in response to timely payments made by the user during the second future time period; and

transmit the updated user interface data to the first user computing device;

or

in response to determining that the first expanded scenario information is cached on the first user computing device,

updating the user interface data to include an expanded information pane below the first predefined credit score simulation scenario, the expanding information pane indicating;

the first future time period and the associated first simulated future scenario credit score of the user indicating a first hypothetical future credit score of the first user after the first future time period in response to timely payments made by the user during the first future time period;

the second future time period and the associated second simulated future scenario credit score user indicating a second hypothetical future credit score of the first user after the second future time period in response to timely payments made by the user during the second future time period; and

render the updated user interface data on the display of the first user computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios are sorted by respective simulated credit scores of the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios.

3. A computing system for automatically calculating credit score simulation information associated with a user, the computing system comprising:

one or more hardware computer processors configured to;

access a credit score calculation algorithm configured to generate a credit score based on a plurality of input parameters such that the credit score calculation algorithm is executable on a plurality of sets of input parameters in order to output a corresponding plurality of corresponding credit scores;

access a predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios for application to credit information of each of a plurality of consumers, wherein the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios are the same for each of the plurality of consumers, independent of different credit information of respective consumers, wherein each of the credit score simulation scenarios indicates at least;

a parameter of a credit score calculation algorithm;

a parameter adjustment rule indicating a mathematical effect of changes in the parameter to credit scores of consumer;

a textual description of the credit score simulation scenario;

wherein the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios include at least;

a first predefined credit score simulation scenario associated with a timely payment parameter of the credit score calculation algorithm and first parameter adjustment rules indicating a first mathematical effect of changes in timely payment activities on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

a second predefined credit score simulation scenario associated with a credit card offer acceptance parameter of the credit score calculation algorithm and second parameter adjustment rules indicating a second mathematical effect of acceptance of credit card offers on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

at least third, fourth, and fifth predefined credit score simulation scenarios each associated with different parameter adjustment rules indicating impact of adjustments to a corresponding parameter on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

access credit information relating to a first consumer of the plurality of consumers, the credit information including a plurality of credit parameters specific to the first consumer;

for each of the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, including the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth predefined credit score simulation scenarios;

based on the parameter adjustment rule associated with the respective credit score simulation scenario, determine one or more credit parameters specific to the first consumer to modify prior to calculating a scenario credit score for the predefined credit score simulation scenario;

for each of the determined one or more credit parameters to modify, generate a scenario credit parameter;

calculate a scenario credit score using the credit score calculation algorithm based at least on the one or more generated scenario credit parameters;

wherein at least a first scenario credit score, a second scenario credit score, a third scenario credit score, a fourth scenario credit score, and a fifth scenario credit score are calculated based on respective scenario credit parameters;

construct user interface data configured for execution by a user computing device to;

display on a display of the user computer device;

a listing of at least a portion of each of the textual descriptions of the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, and

for each predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, the corresponding calculated scenario credit score,

a first graphical differentiation of a first one or more of the calculated scenario credit scores that are greater than a current credit score of the consumer,

a second graphical differentiation of a second one of the calculated scenario credit scores are less than the current credit score of the consumer, and

interactive user interface controls in spatial relation to respective predefined credit score simulation scenarios, the user interface controls configured to initiate updates to the user interface to show or hide expanded scenario information below the corresponding predefined credit score simulation scenario when selected;

in response to user selection of a first user interface control associated with the first predefined credit score simulation scenario, determine whether the first expanded scenario information is cached on the user computing device; and

in response to determining that the first expanded scenario information is not cached on the user computing device, transmit a request to the computing system for first expanded scenario information corresponding to the first predefined credit score simulation scenario;

wherein the computing system is further configured to;

determine the first expanded scenario information by;

calculating a first scenario credit score associated with a first future time period;

calculating a second scenario credit score associated with a second future time period;

updating the user interface data to indicate;

the first time future time period and the associated first scenario credit score, wherein the first scenario credit score indicates a first simulated future credit score of the consumer after the first future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the first future time period;

the second time future time period and the associated second scenario credit score, wherein the second scenario credit score indicates a second simulated future credit score of the consumer after the second future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the second future time period; and

transmit the updated user interface data to the user computing device;

in response to determining that the first expanded scenario information is cached on the user computing device,

updating the user interface data to indicate;

the first time future time period and the associated first scenario credit score, wherein the first scenario credit score indicates a first simulated future credit score of the consumer after the first future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the first future time period;

the second time future time period and the associated second scenario credit score, wherein the second scenario credit score indicates a second simulated future credit score of the consumer after the second future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the second future time period; and

render the updated user interface data on the display device of the user computing device.

4. Non-transitory physical computer storage comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computing system, are configured to:

access a credit score calculation algorithm configured to generate a credit score based on a plurality of input parameters such that the credit score calculation algorithm is executable on a plurality of sets of input parameters in order to output a corresponding plurality of corresponding credit scores;

access a predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios for application to credit information of each of a plurality of consumers independent, wherein the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios are the same for each of the plurality of consumers, independent of different credit information of respective consumers, wherein each of the credit score simulation scenarios indicates at least;

a parameter of a credit score calculation algorithm;

a parameter adjustment rule indicating a mathematical effect of changes in the parameter to credit scores of consumer;

a textual description of the credit score simulation scenario;

wherein the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios include at least;

a first predefined credit score simulation scenario associated with a timely payment parameter of the credit score calculation algorithm and first parameter adjustment rules indicating a first mathematical effect of changes in timely payment activities on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

a second predefined credit score simulation scenario associated with a credit card offer acceptance parameter of the credit score calculation algorithm and second parameter adjustment rules indicating a second mathematical effect of acceptance of credit card offers on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

at least third, fourth, and fifth predefined credit score simulation scenarios each associated with different parameter adjustment rules indicating impact of adjustments to a corresponding parameter on credit scores calculated by the credit score calculation algorithm;

access credit information relating to a first consumer of the plurality of consumers, the credit information including a plurality of credit parameters specific to the first consumer;

for each of the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, including the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth predefined credit score simulation scenarios;

based on the parameter adjustment rule associated with the respective credit score simulation scenario, determining one or more credit parameters specific to the first consumer to modify prior to calculating a scenario credit score for the predefined credit score simulation scenario;

for each of the determined one or more credit parameters to modify, generating a scenario credit parameter;

calculating a scenario credit score using the credit score calculation algorithm based at least on the one or more generated scenario credit parameters;

wherein at least a first scenario credit score, a second scenario credit score, a third scenario credit score, a fourth scenario credit score, and a fifth scenario credit score are calculated based on respective scenario credit parameters;

generate user interface data configured for execution by a user computing device to;

display on a display of the user computer device;

a listing of at least a portion of each of the textual descriptions of the predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, and

for each predefined plurality of credit score simulation scenarios, the corresponding calculated scenario credit score,

a first graphical differentiation of a first one or more of the calculated scenario credit scores that are greater than a current credit score of the consumer,

a second graphical differentiation of a second one of the calculated scenario credit scores are less than the current credit score of the consumer, and

interactive user interface controls in spatial relation to respective predefined credit score simulation scenarios, the user interface controls configured to initiate updates to the user interface to show or hide expanded scenario information below for the corresponding predefined credit score simulation scenario when selected;

in response to user selection of a first user interface control associated with the first predefined credit score simulation scenario, determine whether the first expanded scenario information is cached on the user computing device; and

in response to determining that the first expanded scenario information is not cached on the user computing device, transmit a request to the computing system for first expanded scenario information corresponding to the first predefined credit score simulation scenario;

wherein the computing system is further configured to;

determine the first expanded scenario information by;

calculating a first scenario credit score associated with a first future time period;

calculating a second scenario credit score associated with a second future time period;

updating the user interface data to indicate;

the first time future time period and the associated first scenario credit score, wherein the first scenario credit score indicates a first simulated future credit score of the consumer after the first future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the first future time period;

the second time future time period and the associated second scenario credit score, wherein the second scenario credit score indicates a second simulated future credit score of the consumer after the second future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the second future time period; and

transmit the updated user interface data to the user computing device;

in response to determining that the first expanded scenario information is cached on the user computing device,

updating the user interface data to indicate;

the first time future time period and the associated first scenario credit score, wherein the first scenario credit score indicates a first simulated future credit score of the consumer after the first future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the first future time period;

the second time future time period and the associated second scenario credit score, wherein the second scenario credit score indicates a second simulated future credit score of the consumer after the second future time period in response to timely payments made by the consumer during the second future time period; and

render the updated user interface data on the display device of the user computing device.