Attachment integrated claims system and operating method therefor

• US 6,338,093 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2000
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Integrated Claims Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Andrew L. Dirienzo
• Inventors: DiRienzo, Andrew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peeso, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US09/592,256
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 709/226, 709/229, 709/232, 709/236-238, 345/112, 345/116, 345/131, 345/133, 345/326, 345/334, 345/335, 345/156, 345/501, 345/522
• US Class Current: 709/238
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A combination of first, second, and third storage media storing computer readable instructions permit non-networked computers to cooperate synergistically. Preferably, the first storage medium stores computer readable instructions for permitting a first computer system to receive textual data as field data, to assemble the field data and a corresponding digitized attachment into a first file and to transmit the first file to a second computer system via the Internet, while the second storage medium stores computer readable instructions for permitting the second computer system to receive the first file via the Internet, to display the first file including the digitized attachment on a first window generated by a graphics user interface (GUI) instantiated by the second computer system, to display a second file in a second window, and to transfer the field data to a third computer system operatively connected to the second computer system. Additionally, the third storage medium stores computer readable instructions for permitting the third computer system to receive the field data from the second computer system, to process the field data to thereby generate the second file including portions of the field data extracted from the first file, and to transmit the second file to the second computer system. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Claims

1. A combination of storage media storing computer readable instructions for permitting non-networked computers to cooperate synergistically, comprising:

a first storage medium storing computer readable instructions for permitting a first computer system to receive textual data as field data, to assemble the field data and a corresponding digitized attachment into a first file and to transmit the first file to a second computer system via the Internet;

a second storage medium storing computer readable instructions for permitting the second computer system to receive the first file via the Internet, to display the first file including the digitized attachment on a first window generated by a graphics user interface (GUI) instantiated by the second computer system, to display a second file in a second window, and to transfer the field data to a third computer system operatively connected to the second computer system; and

a third storage medium storing computer readable instructions for permitting the third computer system to receive the field data from the second computer system, to process the field data to thereby generate the second file including portions of the field data extracted from the first file, and to transmit the second file to the second computer system.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the second computer is a buffer computer system and wherein third computer is a mainframe computer.

3. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the GUI permits the first file including the digitized attachment and the second file to be simultaneously displayed.

4. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the second computer comprises a client-server computer system, wherein the second storage medium resides on a server computer and the GUI is displayed on a client computer.

5. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the second computer system receives a plurality of first files via the Internet, and transfers the respective field data from the first files to a third computer system;

the third computer receives the respective first field data from the second computer system, and processes the respective first field data to thereby generate corresponding second files including portions of the first field data extracted from the respective first files;

the GUI displays a listing of the first files awaiting review by a user to thereby permit the user to select one the first files;

the third computer system transmits the respective second file corresponding to the selected one the first files to the second computer system; and

the GUI displays the selected first file including the corresponding digitized attachment in the first window, and displays the respective second file in a second window.

6. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein ASCII characters generated by an input device associated with the second computer system are transmitted to the third computer system to thereby permit insertion of additional field data into the second file.

7. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer readable instructions stored on the third storage medium comprises legacy software incapable of processing and displaying the digitized attachment.

16. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the second computer comprises a buffer computer system electrically coupled to a mainframe computer.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the second processor is disposed in the mainframe computer, and wherein the first form, the second form, and the digitized data are displayed by a third processor disposed in the buffer computer system.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the second computer comprises a client-server computer system, wherein the third processor is disposed in a server computer instantiating a graphical user interface (GUI) and the GUI is displayed on a client computer.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the input device is operatively coupled to the client computer.

20. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein:

the second input device is coupled to the third processor; and

the second alpha-numeric characters are transmitted from the third processor to the second processor to thereby permit completion of the second form.

8. A combination of storage media storing computer readable instructions for permitting non-networked computers to cooperate synergistically, comprising:

a first storage medium storing computer readable instructions for permitting a first computer system to receive textual data as field data, to assemble the field data and a corresponding digitized attachment into a first file and to transmit the first file to a second computer system via the Internet;

a second storage medium storing computer readable instructions for permitting the second computer system to receive the first file via the Internet, to display the corresponding first field data in a first window generated by a graphics user interface (GUI) instantiated by the second computer system, to display the digitized attachment in a second window, to display a second file in a third window, and to transfer the field data to a third computer system operatively connected to the second computer system; and

a third storage medium storing computer readable instructions for permitting the third computer system to receive the field data from the second computer system, to process the field data to thereby generate the second file including portions of the field data extracted from the first file, and to transmit the second file to the second computer system.

9. The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein the second computer is a buffer computer system and wherein third computer is a mainframe computer.

10. The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein the GUI permits the field data, the digitized attachment and the second file to be simultaneously displayed.

11. The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein the second computer comprises a client-server computer system, wherein the second storage medium resides on a server computer and the GUI is displayed on a client computer.

12. The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein:

the second computer system receives a plurality of first files via the Internet, and transfers the respective field data from the first files to a third computer system;

the third computer receives the respective first field data from the second computer system, and processes the respective first field data to thereby generate corresponding second files including portions of the first field data extracted from the respective first files;

the GUI displays a listing of the first files awaiting review by a user to thereby permit the user to select one the first files;

the third computer system transmits the respective first field data and the respective second file corresponding to the selected one the first files to the second computer system; and

the GUI displays the first field data, the digitized attachment, and the second file corresponding to the selected first file in the respective first, second and third windows.

13. The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein ASCII characters generated by an input device associated with the second computer system are transmitted to the third computer system to thereby permit completion insertion of additional field data into the second file.

14. The combination as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer readable instructions stored on the third storage medium comprises legacy software incapable of processing and displaying the digitized attachment.

15. A system for transmitting and receiving attachment integrated files, each containing a plurality of field data and digitized data corresponding to at least one of the field data, over the Internet, the system comprising:

a first computer system including;

a first memory storing a first software module containing first operating instructions readable by the first computer system;

a first display device for displaying a predetermined first form, the first form being stored in the first memory;

a first input device permitting entry of first alpha-numeric characters into the first form; and

a first processor for converting the first alpha-numeric characters into fields to thereby generate first field data, and converting the first field data and the digitized data into one of the attachment integrated files responsive to the first operating instructions; and

a second computer system, receiving the one of the attachment integrated files from the first computer system via the Internet, including;

a second memory storing a second software module containing second operating instructions readable by the second computer system;

a second input device permitting entry of second alpha-numeric characters required to complete a second form into the second form;

a second display device for displaying the first form, the second form, the first and second forms being stored in the second memory, and the digitized data, wherein at least a portion of the first alpha-numeric characters are exhibited in the first and second forms simultaneously; and

a second processor for automatically inserting the second alpha-numeric characters into fields to thereby generate second field data, and automatically generating an outgoing message containing the second field data responsive to the second operating instructions.

21. A system for transmitting and receiving attachment integrated mail messages, each containing a plurality of field data and digitized data corresponding to at least one of the field data, over the Internet, the system comprising:

first means for generating one of the attachment integrated files including;

second means for storing first operating instructions readable by the first means;

third means for generating the digitized data;

fourth means for exhibiting a predetermined first form, the first form being stored in the second means;

fifth means for entering first alpha-numeric characters into the first form; and

sixth means for converting the first alpha-numeric characters into fields to thereby generate first field data, and for converting the first field data and the digitized data into the one of the attachment integrated files;

seventh means for transmitting the one of the attachment integrated files over the Internet; and

eighth means for receiving the one of the attachment integrated files from the seventh means, including;

ninth means storing second operating instructions readable by the eighth means;

tenth means for entering second alpha-numeric characters required to complete a predetermined second form into the second form;

eleventh means for exhibiting the first form, the second form, the first and second forms being stored in the ninth means, and the digitized data, wherein at least a portion of the first alpha-numeric characters are exhibited in the first and second forms simultaneously; and

twelfth means for converting the second alpha-numeric characters into fields to thereby generate second field data, and for generating an outgoing file containing the second field data.

22. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the eighth means comprises a buffer computer system operatively connected to a mainframe computer.

23. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the tenth means for entering the second alpha-numeric characters and eleventh means for exhibiting the first form, the second form, and the digitized data is disposed in the buffer computer system, and wherein the twelfth means is disposed in the mainframe computer.

24. A method for permitting non-networked computers including first, second and third computers, each of the first, second and third computers including a memory, an input device, and a display, respectively, the first and the second computers being connected to one another by the Internet, and the first computer including a digitizing device, to cooperate synergistically, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) retrieving a first form from storage in the first computer'"'"'s memory and displaying the first form on the first computer'"'"'s display;

(b) writing first field data to the first form using the first computer'"'"'s input device;

(c) generating a digitized attachment;

(d) combining the digitized attachment and the first form so as to generate an attachment integrated file;

(e) transmitting the attachment integrated file to the second computer via the Internet;

(f) transmitting the first field data from the second computer to the third computer;

(g) generating a second form upon receipt of the attachment integrated file, the first and second forms containing at least a portion of the first field data on the third computer;

(h) displaying the first form, the second form and an image corresponding to the digitized attachment in respective windows of a graphical user interface (GUI) generated by the second computer;

(i) inserting second field data into the second form using the second computer'"'"'s input device;

(j) transmitting the first and second field data corresponding to second form back to the first computer via the Internet.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

(k) receiving the first and second field data corresponding to the second form on the first computer via the Internet;

(l) reconstructing and displaying the second form on the first computer'"'"'s display;

(m) adding completion data to the second form using the first computer'"'"'s input device to thereby convent the second form into a third form; and

(n) transmitting the first and second field data and the completion data corresponding to the third form from the first computer to the second computer via the Internet.

26. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

(o) receiving the first and second field data corresponding to the second form on the first computer via the Internet;

(p) generating a third form responsive to receipt of the first and second field data corresponding to the second form;

(q) automatically transferring selected portions of the first and second filed data to the third form;

(r) entering completion data into the third form using the first computer'"'"'s input device; and

(s) transmitting the selected portions of the first and second field data and the completion data corresponding to the third form from the first computer to the second computer via the Internet.

27. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the step (d) comprises the step of combining the digitized attachment and the first form by inserting the digitized attachment into a predetermined field portion of the first form so as to generate an attachment integrated file.

28. A method for operating a computer network including first and second computer systems connected via the Internet, each of the first and second computers including a memory, an input device, and a display, respectively, the method comprising:

(a) retrieving a first form from storage in the first computer system'"'"'s memory and displaying the first form on the first computer system'"'"'s display;

(b) writing first field data to the first form using the first computer system'"'"'s input device;

(c) combining a digital attachment and the first form so as to generate an attachment integrated file;

(d) transmitting the attachment integrated file to the second computer system over the Internet;

(e) generating a second form upon receipt of the attachment integrated file, the first and second forms containing at least a portion of the first field data;

(f) displaying the second form and an image corresponding to the digital attachment on a graphical user interface (GUI) instantiated on the second computer system'"'"'s display; and

(g) writing second field data to the second form using the second computer system'"'"'s input device.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the second computer system comprises a buffer computer system and a mainframe computer and further comprising the step of (h) transmitting selected portions of the first field data and the second field data between the mainframe computer and the buffer computer system.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the second computer system comprises a buffer computer system and a mainframe computer and further comprising the step of (h) transmitting selected portions of the first field data and the second field data between the mainframe computer and the buffer computer system over an intranet.

31. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the second computer system comprises a buffer computer system and a mainframe computer and further comprising the step of (h) transmitting the first field data and the second field data between the mainframe computer and the buffer computer system.

32. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the second computer system comprises a buffer computer system and a mainframe computer and further comprising the step of (h) transmitting the first field data and the second field data between the mainframe computer and the buffer computer system over an intranet.

33. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the second computer system comprises a client-server computer system and a mainframe computer and further comprising the step of (h) transmitting selected portions of the first field data and the second field data between the mainframe computer and a server in the client-server computer system.

34. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the second computer system comprises a client-server computer system and a mainframe computer and farther comprising the step of (h) transmitting the first field data and the second field data between the mainframe computer and a server in the client-server computer system over an intranet.

35. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the second computer system comprises a buffer computer system and a mainframe computer, wherein the mainframe computer processes and display only ASCII characters, and further comprising the step of (h) transmitting at least selected portions of the first field data and the second field data between the mainframe computer and the buffer computer system.