Method for production of medical records and other technical documents

• US 6,684,188 B1
• Filed: 02/02/1996
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas D. Rudy, Geoffrey C. Mitchell
• Original Assignee: Douglas D. Rudy, Geoffrey C. Mitchell
• Inventors: Rudy, Douglas D, Mitchell, Geoffrey C
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US08/596,002
• Time in Patent Office: 2,916 Days
• Field of Search: 128/923, 128/924, 128/925, 345/352, 345/704, 345/809, 345/810, 395/12, 395/50, 395/924, 705/2, 705/3, 705/4, 707/104, 707/506, 707/104.1, 715/506
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/924 using artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/925 Neural network

Abstract

A computer implemented system for the production of medical records, legal documents and other frequently produced semi-technical documents. This is accomplished by generating an intelligent computer-guided interview and the use of serialized scriptable objects. Major program elements include a knowledge base text file, a parse engine, and an execution module. The knowledge base uses a unique rule syntax. The parse engine converts the textual knowledge base file to a compiled binary representation which can then be interpreted by the execution module. The execution module leads the user through the interview by generating a series of questions and presents possible answers in the form of pick lists. The data is recorded with a computer pen and collated into a document file. This file is coded in binary format and can be written to and recalled from disk. If the file is recalled from disk the user can continue to answer questions or change answers previously given. The result is a mobile computing system whereby data is input in a structured format. When the program is executed the user is prompted for answers to questions and, based upon the user'"'"'s response, the final document can change considerably. Depending upon each answer, the program may change the subsequent questions being asked, change the list associated with a question, change the text being generated, or change the entire structure of the document. The data collected may be also be stored in a database for analysis at a later date. Finally, the data collected is output in a narrative text format which can be tailored according to the traditions and expectations of the user'"'"'s profession. The program will output the text via a printer or it can be transmitted via electronic means.

Claims

1. A document generation system for the purpose of creating technical or professional documents comprising:

a. a mobile computing device incorporating a user interface device for entering data in various locations, said data entered pursuant to a menu driven user interface wherein choices can be selected quickly so as to make use of said mobile computing device;

b. wherein said menu driven user interface is a guided interview wherein;

the user is asked a series of question posed by said system and the subsequent questions asked vary in response to answers previously given;

c. a programmable and reusable knowledge base which is distinct from any execution program accessible by said mobile computing device such that, said programmable knowledge base is defined by a script language such that the user can perform modification of the knowledge base resulting in alteration of the final document; and

further comprises a navigation means for routing or guiding the user through the interview.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a bi-directional inference means for producing medical records, the bi-directional inference means containing the following elements;

multiple variable elements which may contain single or multiple variable values;

variable states which track user information;

rule elements which execute various actions such as screen display, text output, user prompts and pick lists depending upon the values of the variables; and

inference tables which reset or infer the values of multiple variables based upon the input value of a single variable;

the bi-directional inference means modifying the knowledge base such that the final document may be altered in a forward direction by entering answers to the questions asked in the guided interview and in a reverse direction by entering a medical diagnosis.

3. A document generation system for the purpose of creating technical or professional documents comprising:

a. a mobile computing device incorporating a user interface device for entering data in various locations, said data entered pursuant to a menu driven user interface wherein choices can be selected quickly so as to make use of said mobile computing device;

b. wherein said menu driven user interface is guided interview wherein;

the user is asked a series of questions posed by said system and the subsequent questions asked vary in response to answers previously given;

c. a programmable and reusable knowledge base which is distinct from any execution program accessible by said mobile computing device further comprising a drawing means whereby additions in the form of bit mapped images may be;

displayed on the screen;

edited by the user; and

incorporated into the final document produced.