Computer method for collecting on money judgments

Abstract

In a method for collecting on judgments, zip code data is maintained in electronic form in a memory of a digital computer. The zip code data includes, for each given zip code, a list of respective zip codes all geographically contiguous to the given zip code. Bank data is also maintained in electronic form in the memory of the digital computer. The bank data includes bank identification information and address zip codes for banks covered by the bank data. In implementing the method, a zip code for a judgment defendant is entered into the computer. The computer is then operated to determine (i) a plurality of zip codes contiguous to the entered zip code and (ii) target banks with addresses having one of the entered zip code and the determined contiguous zip codes. Upon determination of the contiguous zip codes and the target banking institutions, the computer automatically prints (i) correspondence to at least some of the determined target banks and (ii) mailing addresses for use on envelopes for the correspondence.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method executed by a general purpose digital computer for generating a bank mailing list, comprising: 
       (a) storing, in a first memory location of said computer, a plurality of zip codes, each of the stored zip codes being geographically associated with at least one other stored zip code, a geographical area represented by a given stored zip code being contiguous with a geographical area represented by each stored zip code associated with the given stored zip code;  
       (b) storing, in a second memory location of said computer, a plurality of bank postal addresses, each of said bank addresses including a bank zip code;  
       (c) receiving input, from a user of said computer, identifying a zip code of said defendant ;  
       (d) selecting a target zip code, from among said stored zip codes, matching said identified zip code of said defendant ;  
       (e) selecting a primary zip code, from among said stored zip codes, geographically associated with said target zip code;  
       (f) selecting a first-tier bank address having a bank zip code matching at least one of said target zip code said primary zip code;  
       (g) transmitting to a printer said first-tier bank address; and  
       (h) operating said printer to print said first-tier bank address.  
     
     
       2. The method defined in  claim 1  wherein steps (e)-(h) are repeated a plurality of times. 
     
     
       3. The method defined in  claim 2  wherein a primary zip code is selected in step (e) only upon a determination that such primary zip code has not been selected in any prior iteration of step (e). 
     
     
       4. The method defined in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
       receiving input, from a user of said computer, identifying a mailing cost for mailing correspondence to each of said bank addresses;  
       receiving input, from a user of said computer, identifying a spending limit amount;  
       prior to each iteration of step (g), calculating a projected total mailing cost by summing said mailing costs for each first-tier bank address; and  
       terminating said step of transmitting upon a determination that said projected total mailing cost is greater than or equal to said spending limit amount.  
     
     
       5. The method defined in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       (i) storing, in a third memory location of said computer, a plurality of stored names of counties, each of said counties being geographically associated with at least one of said stored zip codes, a geographical area represented by a given stored zip code being located at least partially within a geographical area represented by each county associated with such given stored zip code;  
       (j) selecting a primary county geographically associated with said target zip code;  
       (k) selecting a secondary zip code, from among said stored zip codes, geographically associated with the selected primary county;  
       (l) selecting a second-tier bank address having a bank zip code matching said secondary zip code;  
       (m) transmitting to a printer said second-tier bank address; and  
       (n) operating said printer to print said second-tier bank address.  
     
     
       6. The method defined in  claim 5  wherein steps (k)-(n) are performed a plurality of times. 
     
     
       7. The method defined in  claim 6  wherein a secondary zip code is selected in step (k) only upon a determination that said secondary zip code has not been selected in any prior iteration of step (k) and step (e). 
     
     
       8. The method defined in  claim 5 , wherein each stored county name is associated with at least one other stored county name, a geographical area of any given county being contiguous with a geographical area of each county geographically associated with such given county, further comprising: 
       (o) selecting a secondary county associated with said primary county;  
       (p) selecting an additional secondary zip code, from among said stored zip codes, associated with said secondary county;  
       (q) selecting an additional second-tier bank address having a bank zip code matching said additional secondary zip code;  
       (r) transmitting to a printer said additional second-tier bank address; and  
       (s) operating said printer to print said additional second-tier bank address.  
     
     
       9. The method defined in  claim 8 , wherein steps (p)-(s) are performed a plurality of times. 
     
     
       10. The method defined in  claim 9 , wherein an additional secondary zip code is selected in a step (t) only upon a determination that said additional secondary zip code has not been selected in any prior iteration of step (o), step (k), and step (e). 
     
     
       11. A system for generating a bank mailing list, comprising: 
       (1) a computer including:  
       a first memory having stored therein a plurality of stored zip codes, each of the stored zip codes being associated with at least one other stored zip code, a geographical area represented by each stored zip code being contiguous with a geographical area represented by each associated stored zip code;  
       a second memory having stored therein a plurality of bank postal addresses, each of said bank addresses including a bank zip code;  
       means for inputting from a user of said computer a zip code of said defendant ;  
       means for selecting a target zip code, from among said stored zip codes, matching said input zip code of said defendant ;  
       means for selecting a primary zip code, from among said stored zip codes, associated with said target zip code; and  
       means for selecting a first-tier bank address having a bank zip code matching at least one of said target zip code said primary zip code;  
       (2) a printer for printing said first-tier bank address; and  
       (3) means for transmitting to said printer said first-tier bank address.  
     
     
       12. A method executed by a general purpose digital computer for generating a bank communication list, comprising: 
       ( a )  storing, in a first memory location of said computer, a plurality of codes, each of the stored codes being geographically associated with at least one other stored code, a geographical area represented by a given stored code being contiguous with a geographical area represented by each stored code associated with the given stored code;    
       ( b )  storing, in a second memory location of said computer, information relating to a plurality of banks, said information including, for each bank, a bank geographic location having an associated code;    
       ( c )  receiving input, from a user of said computer, identifying a target code;    
       ( d )  identifying, from said information relating to a plurality of banks, a bank having a predetermined relation of a respective bank geographic associated code and said target code;    
       ( e )  storing said information relating to said identified bank in a list at a third memory location; and    
       ( f )  operating the computer to print said information contained in said list.    
     
     
       13. The method defined in  claim 12  wherein steps ( d )-( f )  are repeated a plurality of times.    
     
     
       14. The method defined in  claim 13  wherein a bank is identified in step ( d )  which is not previously stored in said list.    
     
     
       15. The method defined in  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
       
         associating a cost to a transmission of said output information to identified banks;  
       
       
         prior to transmitting to a respective identified bank, calculating a projected total transmission cost by summing said costs for each respective bank; and  
       
       
         transmitting information to respective identified banks to incur associated costs up to a predetermined limit.  
       
     
     
       16. A system for generating a bank communication list, comprising: 
       (   1   )  a computer including:    
       
         a first memory having stored therein a plurality of stored codes, each of the stored codes being associated with at least one other stored code, a geographical area represented by each stored code being contiguous with a geographical area represented by each associated stored code;  
       
       
         a second memory having stored therein information relating to a plurality of banks, said information including, for each bank, a bank geographic location having an associated code;  
       
       
         means for inputting, from a user of said computer, a geographically associated code; and  
       
       
         means for identifying a bank, from among said plurality of banks, having an associated code having a predetermined relation to said input geographically associated code;  
       
       (   2   )  means for outputting said information relating said identified bank;    
       (   3   )  means for generating a print of said output information.