Patent Issued for Systems And Methods For Improving Workflow Efficiency And For Electronic Record Population In A Networked Environment (USPTO 10,621,273)

2020 APR 29 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (Springfield, Massachusetts, United States) has been issued patent number 10,621,273, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx editors.

The patent’s inventors are Knas, Michal (Monson, MA); John, Jiby (Suffield, CT).

This patent was filed on August 28, 2018 and was published online on April 27, 2020.

From the background information supplied by the inventors, news correspondents obtained the following quote: “The size and amount of data collected, maintained, and input continues to grow and expand exponentially as more and more records are maintained in electronic format. Records may include health records, application data, such as for insurance purposes; financial data; property records; or any other type of stored electronic data.

“Electronically stored data may be input directly as scanned documents or may be input into databases or electronic forms. Such data may need to be maintained in its original native format and may also need to be compiled into a form or electronic record, such as a life insurance application or underwriting policy. Input data may be gathered from a single source in a single format or may need to be gathered from a number of disparate sources in different formats. Data may include but is not limited to medical test results, question and answer forms, and publicly available records. A problem occurs when trying to input this disparate data into a single form in a timely and efficient manner because a single operator may need to be pulled from task to task or entry screen to entry screen to complete a single record. For example, a record comprising medical information may require the input operator to switch from one data entry form or source to another depending on the format and type of data being entered. Such switching and transitioning from task to task creates work flow inefficiency which results in errors, slower then acceptable data entry times, and expertise inefficiencies. Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method that allows for increased accuracy, workflow improvement and expertise in the population of electronic forms in a continuous manner.

“Additionally, gathered information may need to be entered and compiled into a single form. The information may be of such volume that the form size exceeds the operators display screen size. To enter the data, the operator has to enter data on the visible screen and then scroll up or down on the form or from left to right on the form to enter the remaining data. In forms that are very large, the additional scrolling and manual movement of the form causes input inefficiencies, errors, and loss of productivity. Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method that allows for increased efficiency and workflow improvement in the population of electronic forms by allowing for continuous input without interruption.

“Information may also need to be entered by multiple operators working on a single document or file. The information may be such that one of the operators enters data related to medical records while another enters data related to financial information. A need therefore exists for a system and method that allows for multiple operator input into a single document, as the document streams in a continuous manner from one operator to another.

“As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the input of data on a continuous streaming and scrolling form cannot be performed by a human and is not something that existed prior to computer implementation. It is not possible for a human operator using a pen and a paper form to input and complete fields in a continuous scrolling manner without stopping the form to complete the fields in a discrete manner. Data input in a paper form is a series of discrete tasks performed in sequence. It is not a continuous streaming flow of data input.”

Supplementing the background information on this patent, NewsRx reporters also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “Methods and systems of the present disclosure include a method for increasing data input by a plurality of operator input devices assigned to a plurality of operators in a networked environment. The method comprising, networking a plurality of operator input devices together in a network to provide a plurality of networked operator input devices, each operator input device being coupled to a processor running an application, a memory, and a display with a display area, receiving, by one of a plurality of networked operators input devices, via a selector device coupled to the processor running an application, a selection for an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields, from an electronic form repository. Loading the selected electronic form into a central cache of memory accessible by the plurality of operator input devices. Determining, via the application running on the processor, that the electronic form has an associated viewable area that is larger than the display areas of the plurality of the networked operator input devices, and segmenting, via the processor, the selected electronic form into a series of segments corresponding in size to the display areas of the plurality of networked operator input devices to which the segments are to be streamed. Simultaneously streaming to the plurality of networked operator input devices from the memory, the series of segments of the electronic form in a continuous stream; determining a plurality of input fields to be assigned to each operator input device of the plurality of networked operator input devices. Assigning the determined input fields to each respective operator input device of the networked operator input devices, and allowing each of the operator input device of the plurality of networked operator input devices to receive input data associated with its assigned plurality of input fields during the streaming. After receiving the inputs associated with the plurality of input fields, continuously storing the inputs associated with the assigned plurality of input fields as part of the electronic form in the memory and saving the stored inputs as part of the electronic form once all the series of segments of the electronic form have been streamed and the input for the plurality of electronic forms is complete.

“In another embodiment, the method comprises determining if all the plurality of operators have completed their assigned fields. In another embodiment, the scrolling of the series of portions of the form between operators is buffered to allow each of the plurality of networked operators to complete their assigned fields. In another embodiment, the determining is based on operator prior performance. In still another embodiment, the determining is based on operator expertise. In still another embodiment the determining is based on objective criteria. In still another embodiment the determining is based on operator availability.

“In an embodiment, a method for increasing data input and efficiency in a client/server network is disclosed. The embodiment, comprising: selecting, via an input device coupled to a processor running an application, a memory, and a display with a viewable area, an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields, from a form repository; wherein the form has an associated viewable area that is larger than the viewable area of the display; loading, the electronic form into a volatile memory of the client server network; calculating, via the application running on the processor, the viewable area of the display; reorganizing, via the processor, the selected form into a series of portions corresponding in size to viewable area of the display; streaming to the display from the volatile memory, the series of portions of the form in a continuous stream; inputting inputs associated with the plurality of fields during the streaming utilizing the input device; storing the inputs associated with the plurality of fields as part of the form in the volatile memory; and saving the stored inputs as part of the form once all the series of portions of the form have been streamed and the input for the plurality of forms is complete.

“In an embodiment, the streaming form appears to be moving in a horizontal direction. In another embodiment, the streaming form appears to be moving in a vertical direction. In another embodiment the reorganizing of the portions being streamed in an order based on a criteria. In another embodiment the rate of streaming increases or decreases based on the inputting. In an embodiment, an electronic record or form on a screen moves horizontally in a continuous manner so that a user can complete the fields of the form or input information much like an object on an assembly line. In an embodiment, the record or form will be loaded into volatile memory and will proceed to be displayed to an operator at a predetermined rate such that the operator will attempt to input data at the prescribed rate. In an embodiment, the horizontal movement will be dictated by the input of data, ensuring complete data entry before any automatic movement. In an embodiment, the display screen may preview the upcoming document or may place the current working document in context among several other displayed documents. In an embodiment, the scrolling document will maintain a constant pace while in another embodiment, the document will attempt to scroll at an ever increasing pace as long as the operator is able to complete the form. In an embodiment, the scrolling record document may automatically pause when the operator ceases inputting data. In another embodiment, the document record may automatically resume when the operator resumes input. In an embodiment, an application loaded into RAM controls the display of the form also stored in RAM. In an embodiment, the display is scrolled from RAM in a continuous manner and displayed to the user in a continuous manner.

“In an embodiment, the input fields automatically transition to the next field within the viewable record as the form scrolls in a horizontal direction. In an embodiment, the input fields automatically transition to the next field within the viewable record in a vertical direction as the form scrolls. In an embodiment, the electronic record is automatically organized to accept operator input data in a manner corresponding to a hardcopy of the record in a horizontal or vertical orientation. In an embodiment, the user may control the pace of the record scroll with a voice command, a visual command, a gesture, a biosensor movement or an input device. In an embodiment, the pace of the record scroll is controlled by an algorithm.

“In an embodiment, the fields of the form or electronic document are completed by a plurality of operators. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of operators is an expert on a specific portion of the form. In an embodiment, each form is completed sequentially, by a plurality of operators. In an embodiment, the selection of operators for the plurality of operators is selected based on individual operator parameters or objective criteria.

“In an embodiment, the operator’s movements are monitored to control the movement of the form, including stopping the movement, pausing the movement, continuing the movement, slowing the speed movement, increasing the speed the movement, or the like. In an embodiment, the operator’s eye movements control the movement of the form. In an embodiment, the operator’s head movements control the movement of the form. In an embodiment, the operator’s hand movements control the movement of the form. In an embodiment, the operator’s gestures control the movement of the form.

“In an embodiment, a plurality of operators have discreet systems networked together allowing them to operate as users on an assembly line. In this embodiment, the form, which is stored in a centralized memory location, will pass from a first system to a second discreet system down the line. In an embodiment, the form will appear to move horizontally across the screen as though on a conveyer belt. In an embodiment, the systems do not require to be physically in proximity to each other but may be distributed across a network. In an embodiment, work completed by an operator may be buffered prior to distribution to a next operator. In an embodiment, each operator works at their own respective speed and workflow is buffered between operators. In an embodiment, a centralized repository of RAM temporarily stores the form and form segments and allows them to be scrolled out to a specific operator in a continuous manner.

“In an embodiment, head movements, eye tracking, or gestures, controls the work flow and speed of the document scrolling on the screen. In an embodiment head movements, eye tracking, or gestures can change or vary the speed and flow of the document segments. In an embodiment, if an operator looks away from the screen, it can slow down or pause the screen. In another embodiment, if the operator makes a head gesture the work flow scroll speed can vary. In another embodiment, if the operator focuses on a specific location or point on the display, the speed of the work flow scroll may vary. In an embodiment, certain areas of the display are associated with specific command instructions which control the characteristics of the work flow scroll, such that when the operator looks or focuses on such areas, the work flow responds accordingly.

“In one embodiment, a method for increasing data input and efficiency in a client server network comprises receiving, via an input device coupled to a processor executing an application, a memory, and a display with a display area, a selection of an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields, from an electronic form data store, whereby the electronic form is loaded into a volatile memory of the client server network; determining, via the application executed by the processor, that the electronic form has an associated viewable area that is larger than the display area; automatically segmenting, via the application executed by the processor, the selected electronic form into a series of segments corresponding in size to the display area; streaming, via the application executed by the processor, to the display of the input device from the volatile memory, the series of segments of the electronic form in a continuous stream in a direction from a left side of the display to a right side of the display, wherein the series of segments are available to receive input associated with the plurality of input fields as the series of segments stream across the display; receiving, via the application executed by the processor, inputs associated with the plurality of input fields during the streaming utilizing the input device; and upon receiving the inputs associated with the plurality of input fields, continuously storing, via the application executed by the processor, the inputs associated with the plurality of input fields as part of the electronic form in the volatile memory.

“In another embodiment, a method for increasing data input by a plurality of operator input devices in a networked environment comprises receiving, by one of a plurality of networked operator input devices, via a selector device coupled to a processor of the operator input device executing an application, a selection for an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields, from an electronic form data store, the electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields, each of the networked operator input devices comprising a processor executing an application and a display having a display area; loading, by one of the plurality of networked operator input devices, the selected electronic form into the electronic form data store accessible by the plurality of operator input devices; determining, by one of the plurality of networked operator input devices, that the electronic form has an associated viewable area that is larger than the display areas of the plurality of the networked operator input devices; segmenting, by one of the plurality of networked operator input devices, the selected electronic form into a series of segments corresponding in size to the display areas of the plurality of networked operator input devices to which the segments are to be streamed; simultaneously streaming by one of the plurality of networked operator input devices, to at least one of the plurality of networked operator input devices from the memory, the series of segments of the electronic form in a continuous stream in a direction from a left side of the display area to a right side of the display area, wherein the series of segments are available to receive input associated with the plurality of input fields as the series of segments stream across the display area; and when each segment of the series of segments approaches the right side of the display area of a networked operator input device, streaming, by another one of the plurality of networked operator input devices, each segment from a left side of the display area, wherein each segment is available to receive input associated with the plurality of input fields as the series of segments stream across the display area.

“In yet another embodiment, a method for increasing data input by a plurality of operator input devices assigned to a plurality of operators using intelligent input devices in a networked environment comprises collecting, by an operator input device, gesture data sensed by the tracking module of the operator input device, the operator input device being one of a plurality of networked operator input devices, each operator input device comprising a processor executing an application, a display having a display area, and the tracking module; receiving, by the operator input device, via a selector device coupled to the processor of the operator input device, a selection for an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields, from an electronic form data store of the networked operator input devices, whereby the selected electronic form is loaded into the electronic form data store accessible by the plurality of networked operator input devices, whereby the electronic form is simultaneously streamed to the plurality of networked operator input devices in a continuous stream; upon determining, by the operator input device, that the electronic form has an associated viewable area that is larger than the display area of the operator input device, segmenting, by the operator input device, the selected electronic form into a series of segments corresponding in size to the display area of the operator input device to which the segments are to be streamed; during a stream of the selected electronic form on the display of the operator input device and while the electronic form is displayed as moving from a first side of the display to a second side of the display, determining, by the operator input device, whether the gesture data provides instructions for manipulating the display of the electronic form on the operator input device; and pausing, by the operator input device, the stream of the electronic form on the display of the operator input device when the instructions for manipulating the display based on the gesture data indicate that an operator associated with the operator input device is looking away from the display.

“In another embodiment, a system for increasing data input by a plurality of operator input devices assigned to a plurality of operators using intelligent input devices in a networked environment comprises a network; an electronic form data store communicatively coupled to the network; a plurality of operator input devices communicatively coupled to the network; each operator input device comprising a processor executing an application, a display having a display area, a selector device, and a tracking module; each operator input device configured to: collect gesture data sensed by the tracking module of the operator input device, receive via the selector device coupled to the processor of the operator input device, a selection for an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields, from the electronic form repository, whereby the selected electronic form is loaded into the electronic form data store accessible by the plurality of networked operator input devices, whereby the electronic form is simultaneously streamed to the plurality of networked operator input devices in a continuous stream; upon determining that the electronic form has an associated viewable area that is larger than the display area of the operator input device, segment the selected electronic form into a series of segments corresponding in size to the display area of the operator input device to which the segments are to be streamed; during a stream of the selected electronic form on the display of the operator input device and while the electronic form is displayed as moving from a first side of the display to a second side of the display, determine whether the gesture data provides instructions for manipulating the display of the electronic form on the operator input device; and pause the stream of the electronic form on the display of the operator input device when the instructions for manipulating the display based on the gesture data indicate that an operator associated with the operator input device is looking away from the display.

“Numerous other aspects, features and benefits of the present disclosure may be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“What is claimed is:

“1. A method comprising: receiving, by a server from a first electronic device within a plurality of networked electronic devices, a selection of an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields configured to receive input from the first electronic device, wherein the first electronic device has a first display area; determining, by server, that the electronic form has a viewable area that is larger than the first display area; generating, by the server, a plurality of segments of the electronic form where each segment has a respective viewable area that corresponds to the first display area, each segment within the plurality of segments comprising at least a portion of the electronic form; simultaneously displaying, by the server on the first display area, the plurality of segments of the electronic form in a continuous stream from a first side of the first display area to a second side of the first display area, wherein the plurality of segments are available to receive input from the first electronic device as the plurality of segments stream across the first display area; and when each segment of the plurality of segments approaches the second side of the first display area, displaying, by the server on a second electronic device within the plurality of networked electronic devices having a second display area, each segment in a continuous stream from a third side of the second display area to a fourth side of the second display area, wherein each segment is available to receive input from the second electronic device as that segment streams across the second display area.

“2. The method of claim 1, wherein the streaming segments of the electronic form appear to be moving in a horizontal direction on at least one of the first display area and the second display area.

“3. The method of claim 1, wherein the streaming segments of the electronic form appear to be moving in a vertical direction on at least one of the first display area and the second display area.

“4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of segments is partially viewable.

“5. The method of claim 1, wherein the segments are streamed in an order based on a criteria.

“6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining if every electronic user device within the plurality of electronic devices has received input to complete its assigned input fields.

“7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device is selected by the server based on a predetermined criteria.

“8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one segments from the plurality of segments of the electronic form is displayed on the second electronic device when the server receives input according to that segment from the first electronic device.

“9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: streaming, by the server, a first segment of the electronic form on the first electronic device and a second segment of the electronic form on the second electronic device.

“10. The method of claim 9, wherein segments are streamed simultaneously.

“11. The method of claim 9, wherein the segments are streamed sequentially.

“12. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of segments of the selected electronic form results in exclusion of at least one part of the electronic form.

“13. A computer system comprising: a plurality of electronic networked devices comprising at least a first electronic device having a first display area and a second electronic device having a second display area; a server in communication with each electronic device within the plurality of networked electronic devices, the server configured to: receive, from the first electronic device, a selection of an electronic form comprising a plurality of input fields configured to receive input from the first electronic device; determine that the electronic form has a viewable area that is larger than the first display area; generate a plurality of segments where each segment has a respective viewable area that corresponds to the first display area each segment within the plurality of segments comprising at least a portion of the electronic form; simultaneously display, on the first display area, the plurality of segments of the electronic form in a continuous stream from a first side of the first display area to a second side of the first display area, wherein the plurality of segments are available to receive input from the first electronic device as the plurality of segments stream across the first display area; and when each segment of the plurality of segments approaches the second side of the first display area, display, on a second electronic device within the plurality of networked electronic devices having a second display area, each segment in a continuous stream from a third side of the second display area to a fourth side of the second display area, wherein each segment is available to receive input from the second electronic device as that segment streams across the second display area.

“14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the streaming segments of the electronic form appear to be moving in a horizontal direction on at least one of the first display area and the second display area.

“15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the streaming segments of the electronic form appear to be moving in a vertical direction on at least one of the first display area and the second display area.

“16. The computer system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of segments is partially viewable.

“17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the segments are streamed in an order based on a criteria.

“18. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the server is further configured to: determine if every electronic device within the plurality of electronic devices has received input to complete its assigned input fields.

“19. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the second electronic device is selected by the server based on a predetermined criteria.

“20. The computer system of claim 13, wherein at least one segments from the plurality of segments of the electronic form is displayed on the second electronic device when the server receives input according to that segment from the first electronic device.”

For the URL and additional information on this patent, see: Knas, Michal; John, Jiby. Systems And Methods For Improving Workflow Efficiency And For Electronic Record Population In A Networked Environment. U.S. Patent Number 10,621,273, filed August 28, 2018, and published online on April 27, 2020. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10,621,273.PN.&OS=PN/10,621,273RS=PN/10,621,273

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)