U.S. patent application number 11/002768 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for systems and methods for managing workflow based on search escalation for worker procurement.
Invention is credited to Archbold, Janice K..
Application Number | 20050195429 11/002768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27624707 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050195429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Archbold, Janice K. |
September 8, 2005 |
Systems and methods for managing workflow based on search
escalation for worker procurement
Abstract
A system is disclosed that includes one or more "HOME"s where
there is a (1) "DAD"computer and software system for human User
interaction to initiate Jobs (Transcription, Translation, Data
Entry, and Transaction Creation) and to utilize voice-mail through
real-time voice and tone signal input and (2) "HIS" computer and
software system for keeping the databases used to process Jobs and
for keeping the statistical records of jobs for analysis, general
ledger, payroll and billing. In addition the system includes one or
more "MOM"s where there is a software system server on a computer
set on the backbone of a global communication network (e.g.
Internet) that (1) receives Job packets from its HOMEs, (2) selects
Scribes for work (e.g. transcription), (3) generates messages in
the form of E-Mail and Voice-Mail to specified users for
information or action, (4) updates the status of the Job Record and
transferring that updated Record to a SUPERMOM, (5) implements all
the details of job processing steps and logic that has been
controlled by Human Supervisors. The system may further include a
"SUPERMOM" where there is a software system server on a computer
set on the backbone of the global computer network (e.g. Internet)
that receives Job Packets from MOMs where portions of the job are
spread over two or more MOMs; SUPERMOM directs and transfers that
job data; receives Job Record updates and maintains a Site for
on-line internet job tracking inquiries; SUPERMOM selects Scribes
for Jobs that are not able to find an available Scribe within their
own MOM's HOMEs, collects the statistical and financial data from
all the HOMEs, and provides general top level management decision
making information.
Inventors: |
Archbold, Janice K.; (West
Chester, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
27624707 |
Appl. No.: |
11/002768 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11002768 |
Dec 2, 2004 |
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10389116 |
May 29, 2003 |
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10389116 |
May 29, 2003 |
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09694884 |
Oct 24, 2000 |
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6604124 |
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09694884 |
Oct 24, 2000 |
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09041839 |
Mar 12, 1998 |
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60040753 |
Mar 13, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20130101;
Y02D 10/24 20180101; G06Q 10/0633 20130101; H04L 51/066 20130101;
G06Q 10/10 20130101; G06F 3/16 20130101; G06Q 10/06316 20130101;
G06F 9/4881 20130101; G06F 3/00 20130101; G06Q 20/085 20130101;
G06Q 10/087 20130101; H04L 12/1439 20130101; Y02D 10/00 20180101;
G06Q 10/06311 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/001.15 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A system for automatically managing workflow, comprising: a
first computer that maintains first scribe data for each of a first
plurality of scribes, said first scribe data including respective
qualification information and a respective availability schedule
associated with each of the first plurality of scribes; wherein the
first computer receives a job record containing a set of
computer-readable job processing requirements, determines from the
first scribe data that no scribe in the first plurality of scribes
is available and qualified to perform a job step associated with
the job processing requirements, and notifies a second computer
that no scribe in the first plurality of scribes is available and
qualified to perform the job step, and wherein the second computer
determines, based on second scribe data associated with a second
plurality of scribes associated with a third computer, that no
scribe in the second plurality of scribes is available and
qualified to perform the job step and notifies an fourth computer
that no scribe in the second plurality of scribes is available and
qualified to perform the job step, and wherein the fourth computer
determines, based on third scribe data associated with a third
plurality of scribes, whether a selected scribe is available and
qualified to perform the job step and, if the selected scribe is
available and qualified to perform the job step, forwards a job
packet to a scribe computer associated with the selected
scribe.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fourth computer maintains
respective third scribe data for each of the third plurality of
scribes, said third scribe data including respective qualification
information and a respective availability schedule associated with
each of the third plurality of scribes.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein, if no scribe in the third
plurality of scribes is available and qualified to perform the job
step, the fourth computer initiates a Internet-based bidding
process via which a fourth plurality of scribes can bid to perform
the job step.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fourth computer identifies a
qualified bidder from the bidding process and forwards the job
packet to the qualified bidder.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the qualified bidder is
identified based on qualifications to perform the job step and a
price for which the qualified bidder will perform the job step.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fourth computer maintains a
list of qualified scribes that may bid on specified activities of
job steps.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fourth computer maintains
respective quality analysis data associated with each of the fourth
plurality of scribes.
8. A system for automatically managing workflow, comprising: a
first computer that maintains first scribe data for each of a first
plurality of scribes, said first scribe data including respective
qualification information and a respective availability schedule
associated with each of the first plurality of scribes; wherein the
first computer receives a job record containing a set of
computer-readable job processing requirements, determines from the
first scribe data that no scribe in the first plurality of scribes
is available and qualified to perform a job step associated with
the job processing requirements, and notifies a second computer
that no scribe in the first plurality of scribes is available and
qualified to perform the job step, and wherein the second computer
selects, based on scribe data associated with a second plurality of
scribes associated with a third computer, a scribe that is
available and qualified to perform the job step and forwards a job
packet to a scribe computer associated with the selected scribe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/389,116, filed May 29, 2003, which is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/694,884, filed Oct. 24, 2000,
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,124, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/041,839, filed Mar. 12, 1998, now
abandoned, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of
U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/040,753, filed Mar. 13,
1997. The disclosure of each of the above-referenced U.S. patent
applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
REFERENCE TO COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX
[0002] This application includes a computer program listing
appendix on compact disc. The compact disc includes a single file
named "iscb00006asciifig.txt," created Dec. 2, 2004. The size of
the file is 80 kilobytes. The contents of the computer program
listing appendix are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This present invention relates to hardware, software, and
methods and processes of using them in a system for automatic
electronic document processing. One application of the present
invention includes transcription, including automated assignment of
jobs to widely-scattered individual scribes, automated management
of billing information, and providing for scribe queries of
authors. Another application of the present invention includes
multimedia and electronic file creation, allowing authors to create
multimedia documents even though the authors are interacting with
the system solely through a standard telephone connection. Portions
of the invention are preferably implemented over a global
communication network (e.g. the Internet).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The system of the present invention consists of (A) one or
more "HOME"s, connected to an internet provider not more than two
"hops" away from the internet backbone, where there is a (1) "DAD"
computer and software system for human User interaction to initiate
Jobs of Transcription, Translation, Data Entry, and transaction
creation and to Input at Job Steps, and to utilize Voice-Mail
through real-time voice and tone signal input and (2) "HIS"
computer and software system for keeping the Databases used to
process Jobs and for keeping the statistical records of jobs for
analysis, general ledger, payroll and billing: (B) one or more
"MOM"s where there is a software system server on a computer set on
the backbone of the internet that receives Job packets from its
HOMEs that includes a Job Record, and directs the Job Packet to its
current destination according to its current status, by a
combination of placing it in a designated Directory, transferring
specified parts to designated HOME's DAD Mail-Boxes, selecting
Scribes for transcription, generating Electronic Worker Messages in
the form of E-Mail and Voice Mail to specified Users for
information or action, updating the status of the job Record and
transferring that updated Record to SUPERMOM, and all the details
of job processing steps and logic that has been controlled by Human
Supervisors; and (C) "SUPERMOM" where there is a software system
server on a computer set on the backbone of the internet that
receives Job Packets from MOMS where portions of the job are spread
over two or more MOMS and then SUPERMOM directs and transfers the
job data; receives Job Record updates and maintains a Site for
on-line internet job tracking inquiries; selects Scribes for Jobs
that are not able to find an available Scribe within their own
MOM's HOMES, collects the statistical and financial data from all
the HOMEs, and provides the general top level management decision
making information for its large international company.
[0005] The invention provides a system for the creation and
management of electronic files in the performance of jobs,
comprising: a) a MOM computer being associated with a plurality of
HOME computers with which said MOM computer communicates; b) each
of said HOME computers comprising a first programmed computer
system for receiving input from a User and for generating Job
Packets and further for providing a plurality of Mail-Boxes for
storing input; e) each of said HOME computers further comprising a
second programmed computer system for keeping and updating
databases used to process jobs and for keeping and updating
statistical records of jobs; f) said MOM computer comprising a
server in communication with a global communications network and
further comprising means for accepting input from Supervisors; said
server comprising means for receiving Job Packets from each of said
HOME computers associated with said MOM computer; i) wherein each
of said Job Packets includes a Job Record, said Job Record
comprising Job Data; ii) said server comprising means for receiving
a Job Packet and for directing it to a current destination
specified in the Job Data thereof; iii) said server comprising
means for directing a part of a Job Packet to a Mail-Box on any
HOME computer in the system; iv) said server comprising means for
selecting Scribes for transcription; v) said server comprising
means for generating Electronic Worker Messages in the form of
email and voicemail to specified Users for information or action;
g) said server comprising means for updating the status of a Job
Record and further comprising means for transferring said updated
Job Record to the SUPERMOM computer; and h) said server comprising
means for performing job processing steps and logic in response to
input from Supervisors.
[0006] The invention further provides a system for the creation and
management of electronic files in the performance of jobs,
including a) a plurality of MOM computers; b) each of said MOM
computers being associated with a plurality of HOME computers with
which said MOM computer communicates; c) a SUPERMOM computer being
associated with a plurality of MOM computers with which said
SUPERMOM computer communicates; d) each of said HOME computers
comprising a first programmed computer system for receiving input
from a User and for generating Job Packets and further for
providing a plurality of Mail-Boxes for storing input; e) each of
said HOME computers further comprising a second programmed computer
system for keeping and updating databases used to process jobs and
for keeping and updating statistical records of jobs; f) each of
said MOM computers comprising a server in communication with a
global communications network and further comprising means for
accepting input from Supervisors; said server comprising means for
receiving Job Packets from each of said HOME computers associated
with said MOM computer; i) wherein each of said Job Packets
includes a Job Record, said Job Record comprising Job Data; ii)
said server comprising means for receiving a Job Packet and for
directing it to a current destination specified in the Job Data
thereof; iii) said server comprising means for directing a part of
a Job Packet to a Mail-Box on any HOME computer in the system; iv)
said server comprising means for selecting Scribes for
transcription; v) said server comprising means for generating
Electronic Worker Messages in the form of email and voicemail to
specified Users for information or action; g) said server
comprising means for updating the status of a Job Record and
further comprising means for transferring said updated Job Record
to the SUPERMOM computer; h) said server comprising means for
performing job processing steps and logic in response to input from
Supervisors; i) said SUPERMOM computer comprising means for
receiving Job Packets from MOM computers where portions of the job
are spread among a plurality of said MOM computers, and said
SUPERMOM computer directs and transfers said Job Data; j) said
SUPERMOM computer comprising means for receiving Job Record updates
and further comprising means for tracking jobs; and k) said
SUPERMOM computer further comprising means for assigning a Scribe
at a second MOM computer to a job in the event that no Scribe is
available at a first MOM computer at which the job originates.
[0007] The invention further provides a machine readable medium
comprising programming instructions for a HOME computer wherein
said HOME computer is programmed: a) for receiving input from a
User and for generating Job Packets and further for providing a
plurality of Mail-Boxes for storing input; b) for keeping and
updating databoxes used to process jobs and for keeping and
updating statistical records of jobs; and c) for communicating with
a MOM computer.
[0008] There are many advantages to the present invention. In the
prior art, the number of Scribes available for work was limited in
a few fashions. First, many prior art systems for handling
transcription have hard-wired limits. Some prior art hardware
supports a limited number of terminals, such as 12, at which
transcribers and editors work. Second, since a human job manager
monitors and assigns jobs, the human job manager can only
effectively supervise up to about 12 people. The first limitation
of the prior art can be overcome in the system of the present
invention; more Scribes can be added by expanding the implemented
system. Second, the system of the present invention does not
require a human monitor; jobs are assigned by the system depending
on the availability of qualified Scribes.
[0009] It is a further advantage that the Scribes can connect to
the system through telephone or Internet connections so that the
Scribes preferably constitute a distributed workforce. This
eliminates the need for on-site transcription: sites near hospitals
(or other customers for transcription or related services) are
expensive. Indeed, it is not necessary to maintain any additional
office space off-site for groups of Scribes to use as a workspace.
Scribes can telecommute if they have the proper hardware and
software (the `terminal` for the present invention can be a
standard personal computer (or equivalent networked computer or
similar "thin client" terminal). The advantages in saved time,
energy expended in travel, flexibility in scheduling are all some
of the advantages of the present invention.
[0010] As a distributed workforce whose productivity,
qualifications, and responsiveness can be tracked, Scribes can be
paid on their production. Scribes who take the time to acquire more
training, for example, will be able to command a higher rate of pay
for those jobs that demand additional skills.
[0011] It is another advantage of the present invention that Job
Transaction information is available. The information can provide
information about Scribes (productivity, billing information ,
qualifications, availability in real-time, projected availability,
frequency of queries to authors, ability to update their own
schedule in real-time, etc.), Authors (job status, frequency that
Scribes have to communicate with the Author to obtain answers to
queries, etc.), HOMEs (e.g. the HOME is `farming out` a lot of
Scribe work to other HOMES in a particular subject area suggesting
that additional training and/or personnel are required) and others.
Prior art systems do not allow for the real-time capture and
subsequent analysis of Job Transaction information.
[0012] It is a great advantage of the present invention that an
Author can create a multi-content file while working from a
standard push-button telephone, anywhere in the world. Armed with a
phone machine equipped with a fax, and an Author can create
multi-content and multi-media documents for inclusion in an
electronic file. For example, an attorney can dictate a memo
regarding a personal injury case into the system, fax a copy of an
offer of settlement for transcription and a visual attachment of
x-rays of the client's injuries into the same electronic file. The
present invention is not limited to mere dictation and
transcription: faxes, computer files, audio, video, and other
elements can be included in Jobs and assembled by appropriately
qualified and equipped Scribes.
[0013] The present invention can have many ways to deliver the
electronic file back to its Author and others. While the audio is
being transcribed, certain Authors will have the ability to forward
notice that the audio is available to certain other Users
(Listeners). For example, a radiologist can dictate her review of
an X-ray and forward that information to selected Listeners. The
final transcripted product may then be written out to a file,
database and/or printed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention, both as to its organization and its
manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages,
may be best understood by reference to the following description,
in connection with the accompanying figure.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a preferred representation of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The system of the present invention consists of (A) one or
more "HOME"s, connected to an internet provider not more than two
"hops" away from the internet backbone, where there is a (1) "DAD"
computer and software system for human User interaction to initiate
Jobs of Transcription, Translation, Data Entry, and transaction
creation and to Input at Job Steps, and to utilize Voice-Mail
through real-time voice and tone signal input and (2) "HIS"
computer and software system for keeping the Databases used to
process Jobs and for keeping the statistical records of jobs for
analysis, general ledger, payroll and billing; (B) one or more
"MOM"s where there is a software system server on a computer set on
the backbone of the internet that receives Job packets from its
HOMEs that includes a Job Record, and directs the Job Packet to its
current destination according to its current status, by a
combination of placing it in a designated Directory, transferring
specified parts to designated HOME's DAD Mail-Boxes, selecting
Scribes for transcription, generating Electronic Worker Messages in
the form of E-Mail and Voice-Mail to specified Users for
information or action, updating the status of the Job Record and
transferring that updated Record to SUPERMOM, and all the details
of job processing steps and logic that has been controlled by Human
Supervisors; and (C) "SUPERMOM" where there is a software system
server on a computer set on the backbone of the internet that
receives Job Packets from MOMs where portions of the job are spread
over two or more MOMs and then SUPERMOM directs and transfers the
job data; receives Job Record updates and maintains a Site for
on-line internet job tracking inquiries; selects Scribes for Jobs
that are not able to find an available Scribe within their own
MOM's HOMEs, collects the statistical and financial data from all
the HOMEs, and provides the general top level management decision
making information for its large international company.
[0017] MOM Sites and the SUPERMOM Site have fail-safe systems for
transferring their operation to a redundant site in another power
grid when their main site can no longer sustain an effort to
operate with a general power failure or with a "glitch" in the
internet system.
[0018] DAD includes a system controller which is based on a 32/64
bit Pentium Pro microprocessor operating at not less than 300
megahertz under real time enhanced UNIX System and is capable of
concurrent processing under UNIX. (Pentium is a trademark of Intel
Corporation and UNIX is a trademark of ATT Corp.) The system
includes not less than 100 megabytes of RAM, 3 serial ports, 20
gigabytes removable hard disk drives, a 31/4 inch floppy disc
drive, and Read/Write CD drive and from 12 to 96 voice/fax ports.
The system is provided with a basic voice operating system, running
under UNIX which provides the basic functions necessary for any
voice storage and retrieval system; interfaces to trunk lines,
analog to digital conversions for voice file storage and digital to
analog conversions for voice file retrieval for Author editing and
review and voice mail Subscribers (listeners). The system is
provided with a basic fax/modem operating system, running under
UNIX which provides the basic functions necessary for any fax file
storage, retrieval and transmission system: interfaces to trunk
lines for fax receipt from Users, fax-back transmission to Users
and Guests. DAD is connected to an internet provider by direct
connection by the lowest bytes per second at T-1 (1.5) up to T-3
(or higher as appropriate bandwidth becomes economically feasible).
DAD has a Power-Over Mode that is used during a power failure, from
battery back-up to an electric generator. It has a Power-Down Mode
that is used when the generator is calculated to fall for want of
fuel, finishing those jobs that it can, not accepting new jobs,
sending Electronic Worker Messages to MOM and SUPERMOM, sending
E-Mail Messages to Authors and Clients who will have their jobs
suspended and gracefully going into a Power Down and Out mode. On
Restart, Dad knows it is not starting for the first time because it
has retained memory of its Identity and its Power Down Status. It
Powers Up resettling all of its indicators to continue with the
Pending Jobs, sending out those same messages saying that it is
back in business.
[0019] His can be either a part of the physical components of DAD
or connected to DAD through a MIS connection. HIS is a 32/64 bit
Pentium Pro microprocessor operating at not less than 300
megahertz, with not less than 100 megabytes of RAM, 2 serial ports,
1 parallel port, not less than 10 gigabytes removable hard disk
drives, a 31/4 inch floppy disk drive, a Read/Write CD drive. HIS
is connected to the Internet by direct connection by the lowest
bytes per second at 56 KB to T-1 (1.5) to T-3. There is a MICROSOFT
WINDOWS NT operating system and MICROSOFT SQL server. HIS has
battery back-up and is connected to an electric generator.
[0020] MOM and Supermom software resides on a system controller
similar to an IBM 700 server running under UNIX in a Windows NT
Environment/MICROSOFT SQL server with 18 slots for "hot swappable`
hard disks, minimum 200 megabytes of RAM, utilizing RAID system
drive check and recovery system, providing the basic functions of a
WEB server for on-line access, storage and transfer of files for
the HOMEs systems. Sizing of the hard drive capacities and
bandwidth will depend on the number of HOMEs under the regional
MOMs. Supermom is the controller of work flow between MOMs and is
the repository and server for job tracking and statement
information for Scribes and Clients that span MOMs.
[0021] Users of the system interact with the system through POT
lines calls to DAD for voice or fax interaction, and through the
Internet to MOM and SuperMOM for movement of files and viewing of
status. Jobs are initiated by voice calls to DAD. If a job entails
transcription the system may prompt for template to be used. Some
templates are for word-processing or data-entry by the
transcriptionists and/or by independent speech recognition
pre-processing software of the dictated information; and some
templates are for voice-prompted interactive software processing
where the user is directed to "fill in" a voice form that will be
transcribed by a transcriptionist and/or by independent speech
recognition pre-processing software to a word-processing or
data-entry form.
[0022] When a job is ready for Transcription, DAD passes the VOX
File along with a skeleton Job Record Transaction and the
appropriate Template from its storage on HIS to MOM via an FTP. MOM
takes the Job Packet, and inspects for accompanying modem-IP files
and their number, updates the Job Record Status, FTPs that Status
update to SUPERMOM, Date/Time stamps, creates a Job Sub-Directory
under the Client/Author/Template Directory, selects a Scribe using
algorithms (such as discussed herein below) with the Scribe
Database Record, the Scribes ON-LINE and the Job's Priority and the
calculated transcription time versus the priority. If there is too
much work to be accomplished in the priority time, Mom tries to
split up the job into segments using the specially-generated
Segment Markers imbedded in the VOX by the DAD software on receipt
of "Page" and "Section" commands for the transcription. If the VOX
cannot be segmented, an Electronic Worker Message is generated to
the Author and specified Client User's Voice-Mail Box and E-Mails
are also sent advising of the projected delay. If the Job can be
segmented, the VOX is broken up and Sub-Jobs are created and the
Author and Client are advised of the number of Sub Jobs by
Voice-Mail and E-Mail. If Scribes are not available, MOM FTP sends
the JOB Packet to SUPERMOM for processing as follows: When the
Scribe is selected, an Electronic Worker Message is created in
Voice-Mail and E-Mail, Job Sub-Directories are created under their
In-Basket Directory and the VOX from DAD is translated to a
Real-Audio.RTM. (or equivalent) file which is placed in their Job
Directory, if the job contains fax input files from the Author,
and/or modem-IP files from the client, MOM or SUPERMOM goes to the
Job Directory of the Client/Author/Template/Job and places those
files in the Scribe's In-Basket. If the Job included any file that
was to be sent by the Client and was not, MOM notifies the Client
by electronic message, and waits until the missing files are
supplied before sending the Job to a Scribe. The Job Record Status
is updated and there is a Status update, Date/Timestamp to
SUPERMOM. A clock begins ticking for the Scribe to download the
job. If it is not downloaded within time to transcribe, the Scribe
is notified of the Job's removal and the entire proceeding is
repeated for the next selected Scribe. When the job is downloaded
by the Scribe by FtP, Job Sub-Directories are created for their
Out-Basket, the Job Record Status is updated and a copy is sent by
FTP to SUPERMOM. When the Job is completed, the Scribe uploads by
FTP to her Out-Basket. The Job Record Status is updated, a copy is
sent to SUPERMOM and (1) if the Job requires a preview by the
Author, the transcription is sent by FTP to the Author's Home DAD
for fax, an Electronic Worker Message is created to the Author and
sent to the Author's Home DAD for placement in their Voice-Mail
Box, an E-Mail message is created and sent to the Author if he has
an E-Mail Address and the Job is put on a pending status waiting
for an electronic message back from the HOME's DAD that the fax has
been sent, whereupon the Job's TIME-OUT clock for acceptance begins
ticking based on an algorithm equal to the designated priority; it
reaches acceptance if the job is not rejected by the Author by
Voice-Mail Reject, and the times runs out or if the Author makes a
voice-Mail Accept and (2) the transcription file is placed in the
Client/Author/Template in Box Directory and if the job has not
already been accepted as in (1) above, the TIME,OUT begins when the
file is placed in the Client's directory. The Job Record Status is
updated and a copy sent to SUPERMOM. On download, the Job Record
Status is updated, Date/time stamped, a copy sent to SUPERMOM, and
on acceptance by TIMED-out or Acceptance by the Author and the
Client has downloaded the file, the Job Record Status is updated,
Date/time stamped and a copy sent to SUPERMOM. The Scribes
directories for that job are cleared as well as the Client's
directories.
[0023] Scribes are notified of work pending that is outside of
their contracted time range when the work is of an urgent nature to
the system: Generated electronic messages will be sent by e-mail to
the Scribe and by phone call to the Scribe's designated voice phone
line or pager from the Scribe's HOME's DAD.
[0024] If the Job is rejected by the Author, an Electronic Worker
Message is created for the Scribe's Mail-Box, an E-Mail is created,
the Job Record Status is updated, a copy sent to Mom, the Author's
VOX file for the Reject is sent to the Scribe's HOME's DAD and a
fax file, if included in the Reject Job Packet, is placed in the
Scribe's Job directory in their In-Basket. If MOM finds that the
transcribing Scribe is not available or will not be available for
the correction, she creates an Electronic Worker Message, and an
E-Mail Message to the Scribe to be answered in x minutes, and if
the Scribe Times-out, the Scribe's transcribed file, the Job's
input files, and the Job's correction VOX with possible Fax File
are removed from the Scribe's Directory, an E-Mail Message is
created to the Scribe's Home, a transaction noting the reject is
made to the Scribe's Database Record, and the entire Job is placed
in the next available Scribe's created directories. After the
correction is made, the transcribed file is uploaded to the
Scribe's Out-Box, and the whole process of acceptance as detailed
in the preceding paragraph begins anew.
[0025] Scribe-Query Requests to Authors-for clarification of their
Transcription are initiated by the Scribe through their web-page
connection to MOM with a Scribe-Query Request Transaction: they can
give a voice-mail message for the Author of their current Job that
includes a "clip" of the Real-Audio.RTM. file; the Heading and
Subject are generated by an Electronic Worker; MOM transfers the
message to the Author's HOME's DAD; DAD places the voice-mail in
the Author's Voice-Mail box for play-back the next time the Author
calls in. The Scribe receives the Author's reply by downloading the
reply audio file that was placed in the Scribe's in Basket by MOM.
The entire procedure is documented by updates to the Job
Record.
[0026] Some Transcription Jobs, if using certain templates, are not
completed until the content of the Job has been analyzed and
processed by a template-specific software program: certain
transcription documents need to be analyzed for word-specific
strings that when taken together and compared to indices of codes,
will result in the document having system-generated data associated
with it. In these cases, the files that are delivered back to the
Client will include more content than was originally supplied by
the Author and the template.
[0027] Voice-Mail-send Jobs to Recipients within a HOME never leave
the Home for processing. If the Voice-Mail Recipient is at another
Home within the same MOM, the VOX file is sent FTP with the Job
Record to MOM who sends it FTP to the Recipient's HOME's DAD, where
it is placed in the Recipient's Voice-Mail Box. If the Recipient is
at a HOME on another MOM, the Job Packet is sent via SUPERMOM to
the MOM of the Recipient's Home, and that MOM sends the VOX to the
Recipient's HOME's DAD for placement in their Mail-Box.
[0028] Voice-Mail-receive Jobs from Users listening to their
Voice-Mail never leave the HOME. If a User within a Client Group
calls into a Foreign HOME to receive Voice-Mail from his own HOME,
DAD creates a temporary Mail-Box for the User by JOB-ID, tells the
User the Job ID, the Job Record Transaction is sent out from the
Foreign Home to its MOM who either sends it on to SUPERMOM or sends
the transaction to the User's HOME DAD. The User's HOME DAD sends
the VOX out with the Job Record Transaction to its MOM who either
sends it on to SUPERMOM or to the HOME's DAD where the transaction
began and DAD places the VOX in the temporary Mail-BOX.
[0029] Voice-Mail Jobs not involved in the critical steps of
transcription processing are not sent to SUPERMOM for job status
inquiry. The status is updated so that the transmitting DADs and
MOMs know what step they are at in fulfilling a job.
[0030] Voice-Mail Report Jobs are part of a Transcription Job.
Their recipients can be at a foreign HOMEs within a MOM or at
another MOM, but they are members of a Client Group. After receipt
of a Voice-Report, the Recipient can request a fax-back of the
transcribed document. It is likely that the transcribed document is
not finished at the time of the Recipient's Listening. Therefore,
Transcription Jobs that include Voice-Mail Reports are not
completed until they send the Transcribed Document to the
Recipient's Home for fax transmission by DAD for fax-back to the
Recipient.
[0031] Transcribed reports can be fax-back documents for Guest
Users designated by the Author at the time of dictation. Guests
call into the system as a "Guest", giving the generated password
and Document ID that was given to them (outside of the system) by
way of the originating Author.
[0032] At the end of any job that had to leave DAD for MOM, the Job
Record(s) in its final state is sent to the HOME's HIS for
transaction to the HOME's JOB Files for analysis, general ledger,
payroll and billing.
[0033] E-mail transcription jobs are transcribed on a non-formatted
generic template and handled as a simplified transcription job with
delivery to one or more e-mail addresses as specified by the Author
at the time of dictation using indices of HOME user(s)'addresses
and/or Author's addresses for delivery.
[0034] Transcription jobs that result in a formatted document can
be sent by an Author as an attachment via e-mail to one or more
e-mail addresses as specified by the Author at the time of
dictation using indices of HOME user(s)'addresses and/or Author's
addresses for delivery.
[0035] Transcription Jobs do not necessarily result in a file that
is to be printed. Even if the template is for a document, the
destination of the document may not be a printer. Conversely, if
the template is for a transaction to be applied to a database one
of the destinations of the file may be a printer. Transcription
Jobs may contain only the slightest vestiges of audio input with
the majority of the source being supplied by supplemental files for
the job by FTP to the HOME's MOM's internet site.
[0036] Transcription Jobs that create documents can create a file
that contains multiple pages. Transcription Jobs that create
database transactions can create a file that contains multiple
records. Transcription Jobs that create electronic files of any
type can contain multiple parts that make the whole as multiple
"web" pages make a "site".
[0037] Translation Jobs are different from Transcription Jobs in
the following details: All Translation Jobs require the file that
is to be translated to accompany the job. Preferably, translations
are made from a file and not from an audio source. If other
electronic input is needed to complete the work, then the completed
translation file would be input to a Transcription Job in the
normal manner, but preferably to a HOME operating in the translated
language.
[0038] Scribes are persons who key-in data to an electronic
template, using a keyboard (or other input device as
appropriate--for example, a drawing tablet), creating an electronic
file. The source data is in the form of audio or any electronic
file that will be used to partially or completely create the final
electronic file: an electronic record can be partially completed by
transcribing from an audio file, and by a graphics file to be
embedded, and by a faxed file to be visually interpreted and/or
transcribed; a multi-media transaction record can be partially
completed by all the above, and additionally an audio-video file;
and finally, electronic records can be created from sources that
capture all the senses that have already been or will be, sometime
in the future, recorded electronically.
[0039] Provisional Scribes have been pre-qualified through an
interactive website program. Provisional Scribes are assigned to a
HOME and are currently being qualified for a particular level of
work by their HOME's Scribe Coordinator (Personnel). A Provisional
Scribe "shadows" the transcription of an Assigned Scribe. A
computer program compares the output of the Provisional Scribe with
the output of the Assigned Scribe. The comparison document, results
and scoring are forwarded as a Job to the HOME's Scribe Coordinator
(Personnel) for handling appropriate to the situation (for example,
qualifying the Provisional Scribe for the higher level or type of
work). For some types of work, it may be necessary for the Scribe
to be qualified by a human person (i.e. where design, drawing or
translation skill is required) but for most transcription the
scoring can be handled by computer.
[0040] Compared Double Key Document Production is a function
required for some templates when the highest degree of accuracy
"mission critical" is contracted by the Client. In the case of
transcription from an audio or faxed visual source, the original
source is used as input to the Job's Secondary Scribe (can be a
human transcriptionist or "speaker independent voice translator" or
Optical Character Recognition translator). The original source is
sent with the transcribed record to the Job's Primary Scribe where
the transcription is shown on their monitor. If the original source
was a graphic representation it is shown with the transcription as
split-screen windows, each synchronously scrolling line by line at
an adjustable pace until a keyed halt for editing by the Scribe. If
the original source was voice, the voice is "played" in synchrony
with each line at an adjustable pace until a keyed halt for editing
by the Scribe.
[0041] Proofing Scribes are assigned by HOME personnel to Jobs "on
the fly" at random. The HOME personnel can "tag" the Scribe's User
record so that all jobs are proofed until the tag is removed, or
the HOME personnel can tag a job for proofing "in transit", during
the elapsing time that the electronic file is being created, before
it is completed and the completed file uploaded by the Scribe. When
a Job has been targeted for proofing, the Job is sent to any one of
the HOME's designated proofing Scribes, provided the proofing will
not make the job late for delivery (a systems generated e-mail to
the requesting HOME coordinator will be sent on non-compliance of
requests). The original source is sent with the completed file to
the Job's Proofing Scribe where the transcription is shown on their
monitor. If the original source was a graphic representation it is
shown with the transcription as split-screen windows, each
synchronously scrolling line by line at an adjustable pace until a
keyed halt for editing by the Scribe. If the original source was
voice, the voice is "played" in synchrony with each line at an
adjustable pace until a keyed halt for editing by the Scribe. The
proofed job that is up-loaded by the proofing Scribe will be the
job that is delivered to the client. The two versions are compared
by the comparison computer program that is used for Provisional
Scribes, with the results being forwarded to the HOME's Scribe
Coordinator or other designated HOME personnel.
[0042] Users
[0043] Users are persons who have initial access to the
A:.backslash.Scribes system through the phone-line ports. All jobs
of Transcription, Transaction or Voice-Mail are initiated by a call
to "Home" (a franchise location) where a modified and enhanced
digital voice processing computer and software portion of the
invention resides and is referred to in these documents as "DAD".
The Database Records of the Home are kept on a Management
Information System computer, referred to in these documents as
"HIS", that is attached to DAD. Both DAD and HIS are attached to
the Internet.
[0044] All Users have a U-USER-ID unique to their HOME. That with
the combination of U-USERNAME makes them unique to the universal
system.
[0045] When a User pays an initial visit to Home they have some
work to do to set up their Mail Box at least; setting up their
access to the A:.backslash.SCRIBES sites; and (depending on Class)
setting up their information on the Home Database. For the Home
Database Record, Home Personnel put in the initial information
creating a skeleton record for the highest level of User (Group if
applicable), then the User fills in the fields that they have
access to by pre-recorded prompts, whereupon it becomes a Job for
transcription and the transcribed document becomes a transaction to
the Home Database. When the User is setting up their Mail-Box they
respond to pre-recorded prompts to create a Name Header that will
go with all their Voice-Mail Messages--their name . . . "Dr. John
J. Jones". They set up their password to the Voice-Mail
(A:.backslash.SCRIBES ) system which should be the same password
that they use for viewing their section of the Home Site. When a
User creates a Voice-Mail Message they will be prompted to specify
the message's subject . . . (e.g. "Patient Record 497845-Jane Doe")
creating a Subject Header.
[0046] When a User accesses their Voice-Mail In-Box, they are told
the number of New Messages they have, and the number of Saved
Messages they still have. They are presented first with any
Electronic Worker Message(s) by FIFO. Then they are presented with
any Scribe Query Request Messages (FIFO) to which they must respond
before continuing, then, with general FIFO messages with its Name
Header and Subject Header. The Listener can direct the system to
retrieve the next record without listening to the entire message,
at any time in the Listening Process. The Listener can direct the
system to go forward or backward within a message by 3 second
intervals; go to the beginning or end of the message. The Listener
can direct the system to give the day and time of the message. The
Listener can direct that a Message be saved (for n days). After the
Listener has proceeded into the body of the Message they cannot get
out of the message until they respond to prompts to "Listen Again".
"Save" or "Discard" before being presented with the next Messages.
If they disconnect prior to a decision, the Message is not "Saved",
nor "Discarded" but remains in the Mail Box as a "New Message".
[0047] The major class of users (U-USER CLASS, USER Record) are
"A"uthors. All Authors have a parent company "sponsoring" them who
are "Clients" of the Home franchise. The Client is the entity
responsible for payment to the Home for the use of the
A:.backslash.Scribes system by the Authors. Therefore, it is the
Client that grants the permissions for the different types of
things that the Author might request the system to do and the
different types of input/output that the Author might wish to have.
An Author can always do transcription and always do Voice-Mail
Send. Some Authors can do Voice-Mail. Send to Foreign HOMEs. Some
Authors can transcribe and, using their dictation, send Voice-Mail
Reports whereupon the recipient of the Voice-Mail Report can
request a printed transcript of that Voice-Mail when it is
available by fax-back. All Authors can initiate a transcription job
(provide the system with the necessary log-on and job-type
information through voice response to pre-recorded prompt messages
or through tone signals) and then either dictate in real-time or
tape-stream their pre-recorded dictation. Some Authors can add file
input to their transcription job which can be in the form of
document files, or any form of multimedia, including an audio file
from broadcast radio, television or internet. Multimedia could also
include webpage information, video, audio, radiological imaging,
graphics, statistical information from computer files, and faxed
files. Some Authors can preview their transcribed document or
transaction by fax-back or e-mail attachment prior to the
transcription being made available to the Client for retrieval.
Some Authors can initiate a job from a Foreign Home. Some Authors
(using free-form templates) can direct the placement of the
transcription and the formatting of the document through single
signal plus voice command or through multiple signals corresponding
to the commands of a publishing software program such as Microsoft
Publisher.RTM. for Section Break, Page Break, Headings, Paragraphs,
etc. All Authors can listen to their Voice-Mail. Some Authors can
listen to their Voice-Mail on their own Home from a Foreign Home.
Authors respond to Voice-Mail Inquiries from Scribes processing
their transcription jobs with Voice-Mail Replies (neither Author
nor Scribe knows the U-USER-ID or the Home location of either's
Voice-Mail Box in a preferred embodiment). If the Author-Listener
is the recipient of a Scribe Query Request, the Scribe's Mom, Home,
and Mail-Box address are "attached" to the message for an immediate
response (as prompted by the system) by the Listener to the Scribe.
The incoming Voice Message to the Author had an Electronic Worker
pre-recorded substitute for the Scribe's Name Header . . . (as
"Scribe Query Request") and the JOB ID was generated by an
Electronic Worker for the Subject Header. The Listener is put into
a loop and must respond to the Scribe Query Request. If the
Listener disconnects, the message is saved as "New" in the
Listener's Mail Box and the entire message is copied and placed in
a pre-designated Client User's Mail-Box from the CLIENT Record;
C-CONTACT-INFO fields. A transaction is made to MOM updating the
status of the Job, as "Scribe Query Request Received, but
Unanswered".
[0048] An example of an AUTHOR with the most processing steps are
Radiologists who dictate their diagnostic report of a patient's
film, allow it to be "listened to" by a number of other doctors who
need to have the Radiologist's finding prior to its being
transcribed and then can request a "copy" of the transcribed report
for their files by fax-back. The Radiologist may request to preview
the transcription before it is made available to the other doctors
or to their Client Hospital's Record Management System. If the
Listener is the recipient of a Voice-Mail Report they will be
informed when it is ready for fax-back during the course of their
interaction with the system.
[0049] AUTHORS are responsible for supplying their own fax document
when they request FAX Input with the job by fax transmission at the
end of their Voice-Mail Rejection (if it includes a fax) or at the
end of their dictation (if it includes a fax input). Authors are
not responsible for transcription file receipt/retrieval or Record
Management. For example, if the Author was an attorney dictating a
memo to a paralegal regarding a faxed contract, the attorney could
read in her comments and attach the fax. Optionally, the faxed
contract would be preserved as an image file, or, if desired,
presented to the Scribe as content to be transcribed or
processed.
[0050] If an AUTHOR is giving a live dictation they can give
signals to "record", "mark", "reverse" (1 second intervals),
"Reverse to "Mark", "play", "forward" (3 second intervals),
"Forward to Mark, "Page", "Section", "Pause", "Resume" and "End".
After a Pause signal is received, if there is no "Resume" signal
within 20 seconds the call is disconnected. Streamed-Tape
dictations use the "Pause" and "Resume" signals to allow for Author
manual input of the next tape side. The "Paused" dictation remains
in the Author's Dictation In-Box under the JOB-ID until when the
Author starts another Dictation Job, DAD asks the Author, "Do you
want to resume JOB-ID nnnnn", If the response is, "No", then DAD
asks, "Do you want JOB-ID nnnnn saved?" Then if the Author makes
the decision to save it (DAD responds "JOB-ID nnnnn is saved for 30
days"). Else it is Discarded. DAD assigns a new JOB-ID to the new
Dictation. If the Author is continuing with the Dictation Job, they
will position themselves with the editing commands described at the
beginning of this paragraph. On receiving the "End" signal from the
Author, DAD moves the VOX out, creating a Job Transaction Skeleton
Record and pulling out the Author's Template from HIS and sends the
complete Job Package to MOM via FTP. If the Author is still
connected after they have given the "end" signal, DAD asks, "Would
you like to Dictate a new Report?" If the answer is "Yes", DAD
assigns the new JOB-ID and gives the JOB-ID to the Author . . .
"Your new Job-ID is nnnnn"., and begins the process of determining
the type of dictation job required. If the answer is "no", DAD asks
the Author to signal the process that is to be initiated.
[0051] "G"roup Users can send and receive Voice-Mail to Client
Users in their Group and to Author users in the group by address
(1-16) or by broadcast to Client (1-16) or by Broadcast to all
Clients. They are not responsible for any part of any Job. Except
for their initial activity in setting up their status as a User,
they are non-participating observers of the A:.backslash.SCRIBES
system as it pertains to their Clients.
[0052] "C"lients are Users of Voice-Mail to any other User in their
Client's Database, and to any other user of another Client's
database within the same Client's Group. They can send Voice-Mail
to Users in their CLIENT Database, or within their Client Group on
the GROUP Database by a specific Voice-Mail Address (from 1 to 16)
or they can Broadcast to a U-USER CLASS in their CLIENT Record,
based on their U-USER-SUB-TYPE in the USER Record. Clients can also
send Voice-Mail to any of their HOME's personnel (Home-Owner,
Coordinators, Financial Manager and Salespeople). Examples of
CLIENTS are Hospital Administration personnel and Hospital Computer
Records Management personnel. Clients are responsible for
transcription file receipt/retrieval and Record Management. Clients
are also responsible for making Author-requested input files
available on their Client/Author/Template/Input/JOB ID (lowest
level ID generated by MOM on receipt of the Job from the Home
(cleared out after Job is accepted). Clients are the recipients of
Electronic Worker Messages generated by MOM(s) in reference to
certain steps in the progress of a Job.
[0053] "S"cribes are Users of Voice-Mail to their HOME's personnel
and to Authors also, but only in the form of system generated
"Scribe Query Request" transactions. In the latter case, Scribes
can include a "Clip" of relevant sections of the Author's Audio
File about which they have a query. A Scribe's "Client" is their
Home, and the Home Franchise can grant them permission to send
Voice-Mail to other Scribes within their Home through
U-USER-SUB-TYPE field as "H" indicating they can communicate with
other Scribes of their Home. If the U-USER-TYPE field is "M" they
have permission to communicate with other Scribes at other HOMEs
under their MOM; and if "S" they have permission to communicate
with any Scribe anywhere. Scribes are the recipients of Electronic
Worker Messages generated by MOM(s) or SUPERMOM in reference to
certain steps in the progress of a Job in the form of e-mail,
voice-mail or calls to a phone number or pager.
[0054] "P"ersonnel of a Home are Voice-Mail Users. Their Home is
their "Client". They can send Voice-Mail to other Personnel of the
Home by address or Broadcast. Whether they can send Voice-Mail to
other classes and other HOMEs depends on their permissions in their
USER Record. Certain Personnel in the Home are responsible for
setting up the different records for the different Classes of Users
in their Home on the HOME's Database; they are assisted in this
creation by transaction Input to the A:.backslash.SCRIBES system
from the Users themselves when they set up their "accounts" on
their initial "visit". Certain personnel are responsible for the
creation of Template Files for the Authors. Personnel are
recipients of Electronic Worker Messages generated by their
MOM.
[0055] Groups, Clients, Authors and Scribes have access to their
Home Site's Internet Directory. Clients and Scribes can upload and
download from their directories. Groups and Authors can view their
directories. Groups, if spread over more than one MOM, view their
directory from SUPERMOM Site.
[0056] SUPERMOM maintains a Job Status Site where Clients and
Authors can check on the current status of a Job that belongs to
them (much like the Fed-Ex shipping Tracking System that is
available to Fed-Ex customers through the Internet, today).
[0057] MOMs maintain Account and Statistical Information for
Clients, Authors, and Scribes with input help from SUPERMOM for
those Scribes who have worked for other MOMs. SUPERMOM maintains
Group Sites for Groups whose Clients spill over into other MOMs
with HotLinks to the Client Sites.
[0058] MOMs maintain Account and Statistical Information for their
HOMEs with input help from SUPERMOM.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment, MOMs pay Scribes through Direct
Deposits for work the Scribes did for MOMs' Clients. In the Case of
Scribes doing work for Foreign MOMs, the Foreign MOMs make payment
to the Home of the Scribe through SUPERMOM and the Scribe's Home
then makes the payment to the Scribe.
[0060] Scribes begin their work with their Home by initiating their
Voice-Mail Box and by building their Scribe Database Record through
a Transaction session where the Scribe is prompted for response.
Home Personnel add information to the Scribe Database Record
through a Live Transaction Session with their Home Information
System (HIS). After the Scribes are on the Database and after the
Home Site's Scribe Directory is in place, the Scribe is given
instructions for first accessing the Site. At that time the Scribe
accesses their form where certain information is displayed and
certain information is input by the Scribe: Scribe's contracted
work schedule, beginning and ending date for that schedule;
Scribe's "ON-LNE BUTTON" and "OFF-LINE BUTTON" and HotLinks to
other information and functions. The Scribe will download the
software needed to work in the A:.backslash.SCRIBES
environment.
[0061] When the Scribe sits down at their computer to begin a work
session, they will dial-in to their local internet provider. They
will then go to their Scribe Home form where they will click on the
ON-LINE BUTTON. The next screen they view is their Directory. Any
jobs in the input directory are to be downloaded by priority
indicated. They download all files for a Job. Only one Job at a
time is to be worked on unless a previous Job is "waiting for a
Query Reply" (from the Author). The Scribe proceeds with the
transcription, and if necessary initiates a Scribe Query Request
transaction, "clipping" the portion of the Real-Audio.RTM. file in
question. If the Scribe has more Jobs that they could be doing,
they will be able to download another Job as soon as their HOME's
MOM receives a Scribe Query Status Transaction from the Home. When
the Scribe has finished the Job they upload the file to their
Output Directory where it will stay until it is accepted unless it
has been targeted by HOME personnel for "proofing". If the Scribe
signs off before a Job has been accepted and the Time-Out will not
occur until after x minutes of their scheduled sign-on, the Job
remains in their directory. If the Time-Out will occur while they
are unavailable, the Scribe is advised that the Job is subject to
rejection while they are off-line and the correction will be given
to another Scribe unless they sign-on within x minutes of being
advised that their Job has been rejected. When the Scribe closes
their session they go to their form where they click on the
"OFF-LINE" button.
[0062] During the Scribe's creation of the Transcription, they can
adjust the volume and speed of the Real-Audio.RTM. file through a
control window on their screen. They can optionally use a hardware
foot treadle that controls the Real-Audio.RTM. file for "stop",
"play", "reverse", "fast reverse", "fast forward" or they can use a
software speaker-independent voice-recognition command system for
accomplishing the same effects (new technology).
[0063] If the Job that the Scribe receives has been pre-transcribed
either through a human transcriptionist or through and independent
speech computer software program the transcribed document is viewed
on her screen in synchrony with the original speech.
[0064] The Scribe receives Electronic Worker Messages by Voice-Mail
and by E-Mail from MOM or SUPERMOM advising of work or Job Status .
. . "You have new work--(x) priority work, JOB #nnnnn"; "Yu have a
Reply for JOB #nnnnn"; "Your Job "# nnnnn was rejected at nn nn
hours", etc.
[0065] If a Job has been targeted for Proofing" the entire job
output and input is transferred to the Proofing Scribe who will now
be responsible for the job through acceptance. The original
Scribe's output will be compared with the Proofing Scribe's output
for statistical comparison results. Both Scribes will be paid for
their effort at each of their contracted rates for both
transcription for the template and for proofing of the
template.
[0066] Scribes are contracted to be available for work certain days
of the week, certain hours of the day. However, they do take leaves
and they do take emergency time-off and they may need to reschedule
their work contract. The Scribe advises their Home of a next Leave
to come, and if possible, emergency Time-off in advance, by
updating their Scribe Form by entries to the S-P-OFF DATE: and
S-P-NXT ON DATE fields, and if applicable by entering a proposed
contract schedule in the corresponding form section. The form
editor software edits the entries for completion and logic and when
the Scribe enters the data, the program creates an Electronic
Worker Message for delivery to the Home Scribe Coordinator
(personnel) giving the Scribe User ID and Subject (1) time-ff or
(2) if the proposed new schedule decreases either hours worked in a
day or days worked in a week. Home personnel will cause the program
to replace the existing schedule with the proposed schedule after
communicating with the Scribe and getting a new electronic contract
"signed". Home Personnel cannot have the access to otherwise change
the Scribe schedule fields.
[0067] Scribes are pre-qualified through a public set of
interactive web-site Scribe Evaluation Programs (new technology)
where they can register for the opportunity for contract bidding
with A:.backslash.Scribes Corporation. When a Scribe is a
successful bidder and secures a contract with a local HOME they are
guaranteed at least the lowest level of expected competency of
template transcription jobs. To bid for a higher level, they will
take that higher level's set of interactive web-site evaluations.
If they qualify they will secure an amended contract with the HOME
and they will become a Provisional Scribe for that higher level. A
Provisional Scribe earns money transcribing at their prior lower
levels of work, and in addition "shadow" Assigned Scribes at the
higher level of work periodically when their work load permits them
to do so. The HOME's personnel update their Scribe Record with the
information that they are a Provisional Scribe at the higher level.
The Scribe initiates a shadow transcription through her Scribe form
web site, MOM builds a Sub-directory in the Scribe's Directory as a
Provisional Directory and hands the Scribe a Job that is being done
by an Assigned Scribe. Mom takes the Assigned Scribe's finished
transcription and puts it in a sub-directory of the Scribe for
comparison with the Provisional Scribe's output, along with Job
statistic information that would be critical to the evaluation
process. Mom initiates a comparison program to be run giving the
outcome in report format which is available to the Provisional
Scribe as well as her HOME. It is up to the Home to decide whether
and/or when to accept the Provisional Scribe's bid to contract for
the higher level of work.
[0068] "GUEST"s access the system from POT lines to request the
fax-backs of documents that have been made available by
User-Author's. The Author indicates during the dictation session
that there will be guests requesting fax-backs of the transcribed
document. The system generates a password along with the generated
Document ID and announces both and the expiration date to the
Author who will be solely responsible for supplying that
information to any number of guests that he wants to receive the
document. The system will keep track of the number of guests using
the system by document, author, department, client, and group for
applying charges to the Job.
[0069] Referring now to FIG. 1, which shows a representation of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. SuperMom 101 is
connected to the Internet backbone 102. Mom (East) 103 is connected
through the Internet to SuperMom 101. A redundant Mom East 104 is
located in a geographically different area, and potentially on a
different area of the Internet to minimize the likelihood that a
power interruption, cut cabling, etc. will stop information from
transactions from reaching both Mom East 103 and redundant Mom East
104. It is important to note that redundant Mom East 104 is
preferably redundant, and not merely a mirrored site. Mom West 105
serves another region. Scribes 106 can preferably work from home,
or potentially from sites housing small groups of Scribes 107. A
Scribe 106 can have a first connection 108 directly to the HOME 109
or a second connection 110 to an Internet Service Provider 111.
Authors 112 preferably connect directly with the HOME 109 via a
telephone connection. Institution 113 connects to the HOME 109 via
phone lines 114 and/or a connection 115 to the Internet.
[0070] Coding Sheets Explanation
[0071] The Symbolic Language Processor is a decision table
translator and pre-compiler program created by Howard I. Bryson.
While following specific SLP "grammar" it can be used by a systems
designer using plain English, and it can be used by a programmer
using a specific coding language such as COBOL, Basic, PL/1, etc.
The Processor sorts the coded input first by Section (Environment,
Files, Data, Tables, Procedures.) and then by line number. The
Processor checks for "grammar" completeness and use in the
statements and for complete option paths in the table rules. This
pre-compile step catches clerical errors and points out logic
errors for redundancy or incompleteness.
[0072] The translator step takes the coded Tables and Procs and
builds sub-programs from the procedures and tables: the name of the
Procedure or Table is the starting point of execution; "Comment"
lines will be generated as comments in the appropriate language of
the program compiler; "Prefix" tag will be generated as
"Tab-nnn-Prefix" step-name, and statements within the prefix will
not be re-arranged or re-coded, but will be direct input to the
final program compiler; "Tests" tag will be generated as
"Tab-nnn-Tests" step-name; "Actions" become "Tab-nnn-Actions"
step-name; "Exit" becomes "Tab-nnn-Exit" step-name followed by an
address used for return to the next in-line code of the calling
program. The processor re-arranges the tests according to the
requested priority coded in the Rules which will be explained
below.
[0073] Procedures (PROCS) are coded on plain coding sheets. Line
numbers are filled in by the coder. The coder must assume that the
coding statements will be sorted by line-number in the pre-compile
process--just like any program coding sheet. See FIG. 2A of the
Appendix.
[0074] The entrance to a procedure is the first line of code
following the Proc-nnn step-name. The usual exit from a procedure
is at the Exit Proc-nnn-Exit step-name, where the address of the
calling program's next in-line statement is dynamically placed
during execution of the program by the calling sub-program. The
processor assigns any coded step-name a prefix of "proc-nnn" (from
the title), therefore the coder does not. The coding language in a
Procedure is exactly the way it must appear to the final program
compiler-SLP does not translate procedures. See FIG. 2B of the
Appendix.
[0075] Tables (TABs) are coded on decision table coding sheets
which have three main sections. Prefix, Tests and Actions. Line
numbers within sections are filled in by the coder and therefore
the coder must assume that the result makes sense when the lines
are sorted by number. Rules are vertical one-character sub-sections
of Tests and Actions. Theoretically, there can be any number of
rules, but practically, 16 is a good maximum for any one table. The
Translator sorts Rules by the coded priority to generate condition
and action statements that are in accordance with the wishes of the
coder. See FIG. 2C of the Appendix.
[0076] "Tests" Section coding contains a statement to be tested
according to the conditions coded in the Rules sub-section per
line; a line is considered complete on encountering a period.
Therefore a statement can span several lines while the conditions
to be tested are coded on the line that ends with a period. The
statements usually contain an "Operator" and the Rules contain an
"Operand". See Table 1 below.
[0077] "Actions" Section coding contains a statement to be executed
(can span several lines) according to the action numbers assigned
in the Rules. The numbers are significant in this regard: The
lowest number action for that condition will be executed first and
conversely, the highest number action for a condition will be
executed last. Equal actions numbers can be executed in any order.
See FIG. 2D of the Appendix.
1 TABLE 1 OPERATOR OPERAND VS (versus) E (equal to) H (higher than)
L (lower than) N (not equal to) I (not greater than) IS (condition)
M (not less than (don't care) T (true) F (false) (don't care)
Statement with no operator U (unconditional action)
[0078] TRANSLATION EXAMPLE: Using TAB-WD (on FIG. 2D): The Table is
entered at the top and the first coding that will be executed is in
the Prefix--an "on 1" statement that is used extensively in the
AEDP flow documentation: The expression is similar to the awk
scripting programming language "do statement while (test)" in that
the statement is executed and then the condition is evaluated
resulting in a one-time-switch preceding a statement that cannot be
executed again unless the "switch" is reset. It is also similar to
other programming languages' "on (the count of) 1 until (the count
of) 1" conventions.
[0079] The next coding that will be executed will be after the
"TAB-WD-TESTS"step-name that will be generated by the processor.
The first "IF statement" that will be generated is not going to be
the first statement that is coded due to the "Probability" numeric
codes that have been placed in the Rules: the coder is asking the
generator to place the question and actions associated with Rule 1
as the first coding to be executed, and the question and actions of
Rule 2 to be placed for execution after all other questions could
possibly be asked. In this case, the coder is overstating, for
purposes of example, that the probability of being disconnected is
a #1 probability, so that if there has been a disconnect, the other
questions and actions are not executed and the path treats the
exception and exits back to the calling program. The coder believes
that the most likely probability is that the Author is associated
with only one department. The reason the coder did not write the
questions in order of probability is for clarity of the reader and
ease of coding a complete decision table accounting for all
possible decision outcomes. The reason that the coder went to the
trouble of giving probabilities at all is for the program to
execute its steps in the most efficient manner of time rather than
space if the distinction should become necessary in the
translation. Giving equal probability to any rules means that the
coder believes that there is equal probability that any one of
those paths will occur.
[0080] The following is an interpretation of the paths following
TAB-WD-TESTS step-name entrance:
[0081] 1) IF (NOT) STILL-CONNECTED
[0082] PASS TABLE-WD-COND/1" TO PROC-DIS,
[0083] GO TO TAB-WD-EXIT.
[0084] 2) IF STILL-CONNECTED
[0085] AND EXCEEDED # OF DEPARTMENT FIELDS IS TRUE
[0086] ANNOUNCE: "There are no more selections, we'll start
over",
[0087] RESET TAB-WD-PREFIX-SWITCH,
[0088] GO TO TAB-WD-EXIT.
[0089] 3) IF STILL-CONNECTED
[0090] AND EXCEEDED # OF DEPARTMENT FIELDS IS FALSE
[0091] AND AUTHOR HAS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENT IS FALSE
[0092] USE DEPARTMENT RECORD SELECTED
[0093] RESET TAB-WD-PREFIX-SWITCH,
[0094] GO TO TAB-WD-EXIT.
[0095] 4) IF STILL-CONNECTED
[0096] AND EXCEEDED # OF DEPARTMENT FIELDS IS FALSE
[0097] AND AUTHOR HAS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENT IS TRUE
[0098] UNCONDITIONALLY, PROMPT FOR DEPARTMENT (FIRST) 3 TRIES
[0099] ELSE "NO",
[0100] THEN IF DEPARTMENT RESPONSE IS "yes"
[0101] USE DEPARTMENT RECORD SELECTED,
[0102] RESET TAB-WD-PREFIX-SWITCH,
[0103] GO TO TAB-WD-EXIT.
[0104] 5) IF STILL-CONNECTED
[0105] AND EXCEEDED # OF DEPARTMENT FIELDS IS FALSE
[0106] AND AUTHOR HAS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENT IS TRUE
[0107] UNCONDITIONALLY, PROMPT FOR DEPARTMENT (FIRST) 3 TRIES
[0108] ELSE "NO",
[0109] THEN IF DEPARTMENT RESPONSE IS "no"
[0110] STEP UP DEPARTMENT,
[0111] GO TO TAB-WD.
[0112] Please note that the coder has to cover all possible paths
for completeness using binary arithmetic logic (2 statements give 3
possibilities of T/F combinations; 3 statements give 7; 4 give 15,
etc.). However, blank conditions such as displayed here on the left
side of the Rules are interpreted by the processor as "{circumflex
over ( )}" (carets) the sign for "I don't care", so that the coder
does not have to complete the sets for all statements if the
leading condition for the statement is met (Rules 1,2,3 have
implied " don't cares" under the lead condition).
[0113] The Processor would translate the above more efficiently
than translated here so that the question: "Still connected?" would
not be repeated, once the answer was found to be negative.
Likewise, the question: "Exceeded # of Departments?" would not be
repeated once the answer was found to be true, and so on with "# of
departments, 'till finally the statements in (5) would be reduced
to .kappa.Else, step up department, go to tab-wd" so that
unnecessary programming steps would not be executed for every
running of the program.
[0114] FIGS. 4 through 54 of the Appendix thoroughly show major
portions of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as
contemplated by the inventor. The most complicated path, that of an
Author, is presented in great detail. One of ordinary still in
implementing such a system should, with the aid of the coding sheet
instruction contained herein, be able to create appropriate program
code so as to implement the system.
[0115] FIGS. 54 through 59 of the Appendix show the structure of
the database records of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 54 shows the structure of MOM database records.
FIG. 55 shows the structure of GROUP database records. FIG. 56
shows the structure of CLIENT database records. FIG. 57 shows the
structure of DEPARTMENT database records. FIG. 58 shows the
structure of USER database records. FIG. 59 shows the structure of
SCRIBE database records. Different implementations of the system
would likely contain such fields, information, and relations as
necessary to meet the design of the particular embodiment
implemented.
[0116] FIGS. 60 through 60I of the Appendix show the structure of
the Job Transaction Record. A carefully designed Job Transaction
record allows the record to support many functions. Billing,
payroll, tracking royalties, use rights, historical record of the
job steps that occurred, making a basis for analysis of efficiency
(e.g. Scribe, Author, Home, as previously discussed).
[0117] FIGS. 61 through 61F of the Appendix show a preferred method
of the present invention of assigning Jobs to available
Scribes.
[0118] While the above provides a full and complete disclosure of
the preferred embodiments of this invention, equivalents may be
employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Such changes might involve alternate databases,
processes, criteria, structural arrangement, capacities, sizes,
operational features, reports or the like. Therefore the above
description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended
claims.
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