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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A computer-assisted documentation system for enhancing or replacing the
process of dictating and transcribing in the generation of a document,
comprising:
means for providing a plurality of document templates including a first
document template, wherein each document template comprises text and one
or more option-text variables embedded in the text and wherein the one or
more option-text variables includes a first option-text variable;
option-text variable replacement means for obtaining a first character
string to be used to replace the first option-text variable within the
first document template, the option-text variable replacement means
comprising:
option-text storage means for storing a plurality of character strings,
including the first character string, which can be used to replace the
first option-text variable within the first document template, wherein the
option-text storage means comprises means for storing an option-text
record associated with the first option-text variable in the first
document template and wherein the option-text record comprises:
a record identifier; and
a plurality of character strings;
document processing means for processing the first document template, the
document processing means comprising:
user interface means for displaying the plurality of character strings
which comprise the option-text record associated with the first
option-text variable in the first document template;
string selection means for selecting, to replace the first option-text
variable, one of the plurality of character strings displayed; and
recording means for recording a pointer indicative of the character string
selected; and
document generating means for generating a document from the first document
template by replacing the first option-text variable with the selected
character string.
2. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 1 wherein
the plurality of document templates further includes a second document
template and wherein the first and second templates further comprise a
shared option-text variable.
3. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 2, wherein
the means for storing a record comprises means for differentiating between
a record associated with the shared option-text variable in the first
document and a record associated with the shared option-text variable in
the second document.
4. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 1 wherein:
the option-text variable replacement means further comprises option-text
note storage means for storing a user-entered character string which can
be used to replace the first option-text variable in the first document
template, the option-text note storage means comprising means for storing
an option-text note record associated with the first option-text variable,
wherein the option-text note record comprises:
an option-text note record identifier associated with the first option-text
variable;
a document template identifier associated with the first document template;
and
the user-entered character string; and
the string selection means comprises means for indicating that the
user-entered character string should be used to replace the first
option-text variable in a document generated from the first document
template.
5. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 1 wherein:
the option-text variable replacement means further comprises report logging
means for storing a date entry representative of the date the document was
generated from the first document template, the report logging means
comprising means for storing a report log record associated with the first
document template, wherein the report log record comprises the date entry
and the document identifier associated with the first document template.
6. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 1 wherein:
the means for providing the first document template comprises means for
providing the first document template with a subject matter variable; and
the option-text variable replacement means further comprises subject matter
storage means for storing subject matter character strings which can be
used to replace subject matter variables in one or more of the plurality
of document templates and subject matter associative means for associating
subject matter variables with one of a plurality of subject matters,
wherein the subject matter storage means comprises means for storing a
plurality of subject matter records associated with the plurality of
subject matters and wherein each subject matter record comprises:
a subject matter identifier associated with one of the plurality of subject
matters; and
a subject matter character string associated with the subject matter
variable;
whereby the subject matter character string associated with a particular
subject matter can be used to replace the subject matter variable while
generating the document from the first document template.
7. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 6 wherein:
the plurality of subject matters includes a first subject matter; and
the option-text variable replacement means further comprises option-text
note storage means for storing a user-entered character string which can
be used to replace the first option-text variable in the first document
template, the option-text note storage means comprising means for storing
an option-text note record associated with the first option-text variable,
wherein the option-text note record comprises:
a record identifier associated with the first option-text variable;
a subject matter identifier associated with the first subject matter;
a document template identifier associated with the first document template;
and
the user-entered character string.
whereby the user-entered character string can be used to replace the first
option-text variable in the document generated, in connection with the
first subject matter, from the first document template.
8. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 7 wherein:
the option-text variable replacement means further comprises report logging
means for storing a date entry representative of the date the document was
generated from the first document template, the report logging means
comprising means for storing a report log record associated with the first
document template and the first subject matter, wherein the report log
record comprises:
the date entry;
the subject matter identifier associated with the first subject matter; and
the document identifier associated with the first document template.
9. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 8 wherein:
the option-text note record further comprises a note date entry;
the selection data record further comprises a selection date entry; and
the note and selection date entries are used to store the date stored in
the report log record so that the option-text note record can be
associated by date with the document generated from the first document
template.
10. A computer-assisted documentation system for enhancing or replacing the
process of dictating and transcribing in the generation of a document,
comprising:
means for storing a plurality of document templates including a first
document template, wherein each document template comprises text and one
or more option-text variables, including a first option-text variable,
embedded in the text and wherein each document template is identified with
a document identifier;
a database comprising:
an option-text file comprising means for storing option-text records
associated with each option-text variable, wherein each option-text record
comprises:
an option-text record identifier; and
a plurality of character strings;
a selection data file comprising means for storing selection data records
associated with the plurality of document templates, wherein each
selection data record comprises:
a document identifier;
an option-text record identifier; and
a pointer to one of the plurality of character strings in the option-text
record associated with the option-text record identifier;
document processing means for processing the first document template, the
document processing means comprising:
user interface means for displaying the plurality of character strings
associated with each option-text variable in the first document template;
string selection means for selecting, for each option-text variable, one of
the strings displayed; and
recording means for recording a selection data record indicative of the
character string selected; and
document generating means for generating a document from the first document
template by replacing each option-text variable in the first document
template with the selected character string.
11. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 10
wherein:
the database further comprises an option-text note file comprising means
for storing an option-text note record associated with the first
option-text variable and the first document template, wherein the
option-text note record comprises a character string that can be used to
replace the first option-text note variable while generating the document
from the first document template.
12. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 10
wherein:
the database further comprises a report log file comprising means for
storing a report log record associated with the first document template,
wherein the report log record comprises a date representative of the date
the document was generated from the first document template.
13. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 10
wherein:
the database further comprises a subject matter file comprising means for
storing subject matter records associated with a plurality of subject
matters, wherein each subject matter record comprises:
a subject matter identifier; and
a plurality of character strings comprising data descriptive of the
particular subject matter; and
each selection data record further comprises a subject matter identifier
linking the selection data record to a particular subject matter.
14. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 13
wherein:
the database further comprises an option-text note file comprising means
for storing an option-text note record associated with a first option-text
variable, a first subject matter and a first document template, wherein
the option-text note record comprises a character string that can be used
to replace the first option-text note variable in the document generated,
in connection with the first subject matter, from the first document
template.
15. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 14
wherein:
the database further comprises a report log file comprising means for
storing a report log record associated with the first document template
and the first subject matter, wherein the report log record comprises a
date representative of the date the document was generated, in connection
with the first subject matter, from the first document template.
16. The computer-assisted documentation system according to claim 15
wherein:
the option-text note record further comprises a first date entry;
the selection data record further comprises a second date entry; and
the first and second date entries comprise the date stored in the report
log record such that the option-text note record can be associated by date
with the document generated from the first document template.
17. A computer-based method of generating a document, comprising:
(a) providing a plurality of document templates, wherein each document
template comprises text and one or more option-text variables;
(b) providing a plurality of option-text lists, wherein each option-text
list is associated with a particular option-text variable and wherein each
option-text list comprises a plurality of option-text segments;
(c) providing user interface means for selecting an option-text segment,
the user interface means comprising:
display means for displaying each option-text list as a menu of items; and
selection means for selecting one or more of the items displayed on the
display means;
(d) selecting a first document template and a first subject matter
identifier;
(e) displaying, on the display means, a first option-text list associated
with a first option-text variable in the first document template;
(f) selecting one or more option-text segments from the first option-text
list;
(g) accessing a selection data file associated with the first document
template and the first subject matter identifier;
(h) storing, to the selection data file, one or more pointers, wherein each
pointer is used to reference a selected option-text segment; and
(i) generating a document in which the selected option-text segments are
inserted into the first document template.
18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the step of generating a
document comprises:
(a) retrieving the selection data file;
(b) retrieving, from within the selection data file, the one or more
pointers associated with the first option-text variable;
(c) retrieving the option-text segment referenced by each pointer; and
(d) replacing the first option-text variable with the option-text segments
retrieved.
19. The method according to claim 17 wherein the step of providing user
interface means further includes providing editing means for making user
modifications to the text and the option-text segments.
20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the step of providing editing
means for making user modifications to the text and the option-text
segments includes providing option-text segment entry means for adding
user-defined option-text segments to the plurality of option-text segments
associated with the first option-text variable.
21. The method according to claim 19 wherein the step of providing editing
means for making user modifications to the text and the option-text
segments includes providing option-text note entry means for providing an
option-text note.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing user interface
means comprises:
(a) providing printing means for printing a checklist document including
indicia of each of the menu items; and
(b) providing a means of indicating a preferred menu item on the checklist
document.
23. A method of editing a document template for use in a computer-assisted
documentation system comprising one or more document templates in which
each of the one or more document templates comprises text and an
option-text variable embedded in the text, the method comprising the steps
of:
a) providing a database for use in accessing and manipulating data in
option-text files and selection data files; wherein each option-text file
comprises option-text records, including an option-text record identifier
and a plurality of character strings associated with the option-text
variable, and wherein each selection data file comprises a record
associating one of the plurality of character strings in one of the
option-text files with the associated option-text variable in a document
template;
b) accessing a document template file in order to retrieve a document
template;
c) entering text into the document template;
d) inserting a first option-text variable into the text, the step of
inserting the first option-text variable comprising:
i) providing a text area for use in entering strings of characters
associated with the first option-text variable;
ii) entering a plurality of character strings into the text area, the
plurality of character strings including a first character string;
iii) storing the plurality of character strings to an option-text file
associated with the first option-text variable;
e) storing the document template.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of inserting a first
option-text variable further comprises associating a second option-text
variable with the first character string so as to create a branch
selection function.
25. A method of selecting two or more character strings to be used to
replace a first option-text variable in a document template, the method
comprising the steps of:
a) providing a document template comprising text and a first option-text
variable embedded in the text;
b) providing a database for accessing and manipulating data in option-text
files and selection data files; wherein the database comprises a first
selection data file associated with the document template and a first
option-text file comprising a first option-text record associated with the
first option-text variable and a second option-text record associated with
a second option-text variable; wherein each of said option-text records
comprises a plurality of character strings;
c) selecting two or more character strings for association with the first
option-text variable in the document template; and
d) storing, in the first selection data file, pointers to the two or more
character strings selected.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of selecting two or more
character strings comprises:
displaying the plurality of character strings from the first option-text
record;
indicating that two or more character strings are to be combined into a
phrase associated with the first option-text variable;
selecting a first character string from the plurality of character strings
displayed; and
selecting a second character string from the plurality of character strings
displayed.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein:
the plurality of character strings of the first option-text record include
a first character string;
the first option-text record further comprises means for associating the
second option-text variable with the first character string; and
the step of selecting two or more character strings comprises:
displaying the plurality of character strings from the first option-text
record;
selecting the first character string from the plurality of character
strings displayed;
displaying the plurality of character strings from the second option-text
record; and
selecting a second character string from the plurality of character strings
displayed. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which
is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection
to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but
otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to document generation systems and, more
particularly to a system incorporating user-modifiable document templates
or "boiler-plates", a database including information to be placed into
"holes" within a particular document template, and a computing device
which combines the particular document template with relevant information
stored in the database to form a document.
Traditionally, the practice of dictating and transcribing has been used to
record information related to interviews, personal reminders, thoughts on
a subject, and drafts or letters of other documents. In the service
industries, such as consulting, legal and medical fields, professionals
have been increasingly burdened by the need to document every encounter
with clients or patients. This is particularly true in the medical field
where physicians must record information about each patient office visit,
diagnosis, suggested treatment and prescription given. In addition to
recording patient information, physicians must fill out forms for
submission to insurance companies and provide information to regulatory
agencies. To gather and produce all of this information, physicians must
spend a significant portion of their work day dictating the needed
information for each record or form. Further, a physician must maintain a
staff to transcribe the information into reports and to fill out required
forms.
A physician typically dictates a report on each patient encounter which,
subsequently, must be typed by a transcriber. The process is time
consuming and repetitive. For this reason, shortcuts are often taken
causing reports to be incomplete. As a result, potential legal and
insurance problems as well as reduced quality of patient care can occur.
Using traditional manual methods of record keeping, patient data is not
readily available for fast and easy review. A patient's medical record
cannot be easily combined with other reports or other patient data for
analysis and reporting.
In response to the above-mentioned needs and problems encountered in the
medical field, the present invention was developed. The present invention
automates the documentation process by providing a computer-based
documentation system incorporating a relational database with a
multi-document word processor, preferably within a menu-driven, graphic
window environment. The documentation system utilizes previously defined
document templates or "boiler-plates" to manage patient reporting and
includes a user interface for use in selecting phrases to be inserted in
the template. Preferably, the system will further comprise a graphics
engine for display of graphical expressions of selection analysis.
For instance, an initial exam conducted by an orthopedic surgeon will
contain many basic elements common to all patients, but response to the
exam will vary for each patient. A report to be input can contain any
number of variable responses, and each variable within the input report
can offer any number of different options from which to choose. In
addition, a physician can personalize the report, modifying or creating
new documents to suit a particular situation. Further, while generating a
particular document, a physician can customize the document by inserting
words into the generated document through the use of the integrated word
processor.
In an alternative embodiment, the physician can avoid directly using the
documenting system by utilizing printed checklists. After a checklist has
been filled out by a physician, another individual can generate the
desired documents from items checked off on the checklist.
The data input into the documenting system is electronically stored for
possible future use in reporting and/or analysis. The future uses may
include graphical analysis via the graphics engine, cost accounting, time
reporting and other desired document generation.
It will be appreciated by those familiar with the art that such a document
generation system can be utilized in a plurality of environments including
medical, legal, government, insurance and other service or document
generating environments. In the legal field, simple contracts, licenses or
agreements could be drafted in this manner. In the government, routine
status reports, procurement requests or inspection reports could be
produced by such a system. In the insurance field, insurance applications
could be processed, policies maintained, or claim reports prepared. These
and other possible areas of use of the present invention will become
apparent after reading the following detailed description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A document generation system is provided for enhancing or replacing the
dictation and transcription process. More particularly, a computer-based
documentation system is provided which processes document templates in
conjunction with pre-defined character strings to generate user-defined
reports or documents. Each document template is composed of "boiler plate"
text and "holes". A system and method are described for controlling, via a
relational database, the selection of pre-defined character strings to be
inserted into document template "holes". A second method is described for
inserting user-defined or concatenated character strings into selected
document template "holes".
According to another aspect of the document generating system, a
computer-based documentation system is described in which the contents of
a relational database are used to generate user-defined reports. The
database described consists of a plurality of document templates,
including option-text variables for use in filling the "holes" in each
template, a plurality of variable records for storing pre-defined
character strings to replace the option-text variables in the document
templates and a selection data file for storing pointers to the selected
character strings. A system and method are described for controlling, via
document processing means, the selection of pre-defined character strings
to be replace the option-text variables in a document template and for
controlling, via document generating means, the generation of a document
from pointers in the selection data file.
In addition, a branching function is described, for use within the document
processing means, in which selection of a first character string to
replace a first option-text variable in a document template will
automatically cause a branch to a second set of character strings which
can be used to replace a second option-text variable. A character string
selected from this second set of character strings is then appended to the
first string and the resulting character string is used to replace the
first option-text variable. The method described permits almost unlimited
levels of branching.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the document generation
system.
FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate data structures within different embodiments of
relational databases useful in a document generation system according to
the present invention.
FIGS. 3a-3b, 4a-4b and 5a-5b are tables illustrative of some of the data
structures used in embodiments of three relational databases useful in a
document generation system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a table illustrative of an alternate option-text data file useful
in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2a-2c.
FIGS. 7a and 7b are general block diagrams of embodiments of relational
databases used in multi-user document generation systems according to the
present invention.
FIG. 8 is a drawing depicting a preferred embodiment menu driven, graphical
window environment.
FIG. 9 is a drawing representative of a screen display of a document
template editing window for creating and editing a document template.
FIG. 10 is a drawing showing one embodiment of an option-text record
editing window used for entering and editing character strings for use in
replacing option-text variables, an example of an option-text list.
FIG. 11 is a drawing of a screen display of a patient variable selection
window useful for selecting subject matter variable for use in a document
template.
FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrative of a graphical approach to entering
patient information.
FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrative of a screen display useful for
associating user-entered character strings with an option-text variable.
FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrative of an alternate screen display useful for
entering option-text note strings for use in an option-text variable.
FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a screen display for one embodiment of a
method for combining several previously defined document templates to form
a new document template.
FIG. 16 is a general block diagram illustrative of the formation of a
document from data stored in a document template, patient data file,
option-text file and selection data file.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying Drawings which form a part hereof,
and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which
the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of a document generation system.
Document generation system 1 comprises a computing device 10, a relational
database 2 and a multi-document word processor 6. In an alternate
embodiment, document generation system 1 further comprises a graphics
engine 4 which can be used to analyze data stored within relational
database 2. In a second alternate embodiment, document generation system 1
further comprises a printer 8 for printing documents generated by system
1.
In the preferred embodiment, computing device 10 comprises an electronic
display 14, a data processing device 16, a keyboard 18 and an electronic
storage device 20. Storage device 20 is a nonvolatile storage device used
for storing information within relational database 2. Electronic storage
device 20 can be any device capable of storing data for long periods of
time. For example, electronic storage device 20 could be a floppy disk
drive, Bernoulli hard drive, Winchester hard disk, analog tape drive,
digital tape drive, optical disk drive. It will be appreciated by those in
the art that new or improved electronic storage devices can be utilized by
the present invention as they become available for use.
In an alternate embodiment, computing device 10 further comprises pointing
device 12. In that embodiment, pointing device 12 is used as an
alternative input device within document generation system 1. Pointing
device 12 may comprise a mouse, trackball, light pen, bar-code scanner or
digitizing pad.
Document generation system 1 automates the documentation process by
combining the editing power of multi-document word processor 6 with the
flexible storage of relational database 2, preferably within a
menu-driven, graphic window environment. Documentation system 1 utilizes
previously defined document templates composed of "boiler-plate" text and
information "holes" to manage patient reporting and includes a user
interface for use in selecting phrases to be inserted into "holes" in the
template.
Document templates can be created by the user to produce a variety of
reports. The user will first design a document. He or she will then assess
the document to determine the text that will change from document to
document and the text that will remain static across all documents. Static
text becomes the boiler-plate of the document template; varying text is
replaced by option-text variables or "holes".
In the preferred menu-driven, graphic window environment of system 1, a
document template is created and edited within a pop-up window. In that
environment, a pop-up window appears for the document template to be
created and the user then enters the static text and "holes" necessary to
define the document template.
In the preferred embodiment, static text is entered through keyboard 18; a
"hole" or option-text variable is generated by selecting a special
function key. In that embodiment, at the "hole" location in the document
template, the embodiment, at the "hole" location in the document template,
the user depresses the special function key reserved for entering
option-text variables. A option-text control menu then appears and the
user selects the "New" selection to create an option-text variable. Upon
selection, an option-text editing pop-up window appears and the user can
enter phrases to be used to replace the option-text variable in the
generated document. When all appropriate phrases are entered, the user
exits the option-text pop-up window. Computing device 10 then saves an
option-text record containing the phrases entered and places a unique
variable identifier associated with the option-text record in the document
template at the hole location. The user then resumes entering text into
the document template. When all text and variables have been entered, the
document template is complete and the user saves the template to
nonvolatile memory. In the preferred embodiment, document templates are
stored as ASCII files.
To use the document template, a user will select the type of report to be
generated. The document template associated with that report is retrieved
from nonvolatile memory and computing device 10 begins to evaluate each
"hole" in the template. Evaluation consists of scanning the document
template for variable identifiers. When computing device 10 finds the
first variable identifier in the document template being evaluated, it
lists the phrases contained in the option-text record associated with that
variable identifier. The user then selects one or more of the phrases
displayed, the selection(s) are recorded and computing device 10 moves to
the next variable identifier. When all variables have been evaluated, a
document can be generated.
In the preferred embodiment, variable identifiers are integer numbers
surrounded by angle brackets (e.g. <101>). This format simplifies the
variable search algorithm.
In the preferred embodiment of documentation system 1, a plurality of
pre-defined document templates may also be provided. When the user wishes
to generate a document from a pre-defined template, he or she calls up the
document template for that document and fills in the "holes" in the
template. The text used to fill the "holes" is then saved to storage
device 20 where it can be used to generate the desired document.
Relational databases are used advantageously to manage the document
templates and the phrases used to replace variables in the templates for
documents generated within document generation system 1. A relational
database comprises a series of data structures containing information
linked through common fields. These structures are presented to the user
as a collection of tables, each with one or more columns and zero or more
unique rows. Relational database 2 uses these structures to store,
retrieve and manipulate character strings used to fill "holes" in the
document template. These data structures are also used to store user
responses captured during document creation and to store relatively static
information such as patient information. The preferred embodiment of
document generation system 1 is implemented with a relational database
implemented using a B-tree model. Database manipulation is performed
through program calls to executable functions provided by a program called
B-Tree Filer 5.0 marketed by TurboPower Software of Scotts Valley, Calif.
B-Tree Filer 5.0 handles the mechanics of storing, retrieving and indexing
records and templates in database 2. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that document generation system 1 could be implemented through
other data tree structures, or even through the use of look-up tables,
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
One embodiment of a relational database 2 for use in a document generation
system 1 will be explained in connection with FIGS. 2A, 3A and 3B. FIG. 2A
illustrates a relational database 2 comprising one or more document
templates 22, an option-text file 24 and a selection data file 26.
Document template 22 comprises one or more text strings 28 and one or more
option-text variables 30. Option-text variables 30 are the "holes" in
document template 22. A document is generated from document template 22 by
replacing each option-text variable 30 with a character string 34.
One embodiment of option-text data file 24 is illustrated in the table
shown in FIG. 3A. Option-text data file 24 comprises option-text data
records 36 in which are stored a plurality of character strings 34. Each
record 36 corresponds to a specific option-text variable 30 in document
template 22. Character strings 34 are strings formed from a unique
option-text variable identifier 37 is used to associate a record 36 with
its option-text variable 30. This permits the use of an option-text
variable 30 in more than one document template 22. Each record 36 contains
N cells 38 (in a typical system N=19); each cell can contain up to one
characte | | |
