US Patent 7636742 Automated data retrieval

Information missing from a database record is automatically identified and retrieved. In an embodiment, after the record is initially populated, a status such as complete, incomplete, missing, or verify is assigned to each field in the record. A request for information associated with the status is automatically generated, for instance asking a client to provide missing information or verify existing information. The request is transmitted to the client and solicits the client's response in any of a number of ways, for instance by email, phone, fax, or mail. The information is used to automatically update the record.