Abstract: The invention involves systems and methods for generating, manipulating, summarizing, storing, reusing, and searching electronic medical records. Structured input of medical information by medical personnel based on templates may optionally be used to facilitate analysis of records, while allowing less restrictive text input than systems of the prior art. Data extraction of relevant medical data from the input text may optionally be facilitated by the structured format of the medical records. Extracted medical data is optionally validated and linked or associated with the text from which it was extracted. The extracted medical data is normalized to allow easier searching than available in systems of the prior art. Medical and document metadata is incorporated into the extracted medical data. Particularly pertinent medical information may be extracted and summarized from a patient's medical history for use by a medical professional at the point of care.

Abstract: The invention includes a medical document handling system and method and automated coding systems and methods for assigning predetermined medical codes to medical documents based on the documents' contents. The invention functions by analyzing electronic medical records and extracting medical information using natural language processing and machine learning. The system collects and amalgamates medical documentation in various formats from multiple sources and locations, normalizes the information, analyzes the information, recognizes information indicating contents corresponding to classification codes, assigns classification codes, and presents information in context correlated to medical records for billing and other purposes.

Abstract: The invention includes a handheld device for receiving audio input in the form of speech. The handheld device is specifically optimized for digitally recording speech input for the purpose of speech recognition. The handheld device includes an ergonomically positioned pointing device to enable dictation and navigation through a document using only one hand. The handheld device may optionally include a memory device, a fingerprint security device, and a barcode scanner.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a telephone switching environment. In a preferred embodiment the system and method construct a call record for each telephone call; receive data regarding telephony events; match a received telephony event with a call record; update the matching call record based on the received telephony event data; and combine the updated call record with data indicating the location of recorded audio data for the segment of the call, to generate a master call record representing the lifetime of the telephone call. Additionally, the system and method are capable of assembling and playing back segments of telephone calls using the recorder locations described in the master call record for each telephone call, and of using the master call record to display a graphical representation of the telephone call.

Abstract: A distributed speech recognition system includes a speech processor linked to a plurality of speech recognition engines. The speech processor includes an input for receiving speech files from a plurality of users and storage means for storing the received speech files until such a time that they are forwarded to a selected speech recognition engine for processing. Each of the speech recognition engines includes a plurality of servers selectively performing different functions. The system further includes means for selectively activating or deactivating the plurality of servers based upon usage of the distributed speech recognition system.

Abstract: A system and method for playing back data segments stored in one or more locations and managed by one or more playback servers. In a preferred embodiment the system and method receive data describing data segments to be played back; transmit notifications to the playback servers to prepare for playback; and transmit playback requests to the playback servers. The system and method are also capable of playing back the segments in a specified order and such that gaps between the segments are minimized. Additionally, a graphical display can be provided to display the status of the segments being played back.

Abstract: A multi-stage data logging system comprising a telecommunications stage for receiving, processing, and compressing data from one or more input channels, a recorder stage for storing said data to a memory device, a distribution stage for retrieving said stored data and distributing said data to one or more output channels, and a plurality of interface paths linking said three stages to one another. Different stages of the system can be located wide distances apart and the interface paths linking the three stages can be automatically switched to achieve fault tolerance of the system.

Abstract: A performance gauge for use in conjunction with a transcription system including a speech processor linked to at least one speech recognition engine and at least one transcriptionist. The speech processor includes an input for receiving speech files and storage means for storing the received speech files until such a time that they are forwarded to a selected speech recognition engine or transcriptionist for processing. The system includes a transcriptionist text file database in which manually transcribed transcriptionist text files are stored, each stored transcriptionist text file including time stamped data indicative of position within an original speech file. The system further includes a recognition engine text file database in which recognition engine text files transcribed via the at least one speech recognition engine are stored, each stored recognition engine text file including time stamped data indicative of position within an original speech file.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information and/or document processing system. The information processing system includes at least one user input device, a transcription center at which voice files received from the at least one user input device are transcribed to text format and a natural language processing system receiving the transcribed voice files for analysis and processing. The natural language processing system applies knowledge based analysis for compiling the transcribed voice files. The system, further includes a dynamic experiential database processing the compiled and transcribed voice files to add value to the incoming information.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for automatic acoustic speaker adaptation in an automatic speech recognition assisted transcription system. Partial transcripts of audio files are generated by a transcriptionist. A topic language model is generated from the partial transcripts. The topic language model is interpolated with a general language model. Automatic speech recognition is performed on the audio files by a speech recognition engine using a speaker independent acoustic model and the interpolated language model to generate semi-literal transcripts of the audio files. The semi-literal transcripts are then used with the corresponding audio files to generate a speaker dependent acoustic model in an acoustic adaptation engine.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a telephone switching environment. In a preferred embodiment the system and method identify telephone call segments that relate to one telephone call and construct a data representation of a lifetime of the telephone call, using data regarding telephony events associated with the telephone call segments of the telephone call. The system and method are also capable of using the data representation to display a graphical representation of a lifetime of a telephone call.

Abstract: The invention is a method for determining the most efficient mode of transcription in a transcription system utilizing both a human transcriptionist and automated speech recognition, and systems employing this method. The invention allows determination of speaker suitability for automated speech recognition based on voice files that have already been transcribed by a human transcriptionist, and thus does not generally require a speaker to read a transcript and does not generally require a transcriptionist to transcribe a voice file specifically for the purposes of the determination. The invention allows one of several different modes of transcription to be associated with the speaker, and provides a method for determining which of these several different modes would maximize the efficiency of the transcription system for transcribing voice files generated by the speaker.

Abstract: A palm top computing device includes a rocker switch used to navigate among files stored in the computing device and/or among functions that may be selectable by a user. One function selectable by the user is a dictation mode of operation of the computing device. In the dictation mode, three positions of the rocker switch—“in”, “up” and “down”—are respectively employed to actuate basic dictation functions such as record, rewind and play.

Abstract: A dictation system is formed of two personal computers connected by an e-mail system. A hand microphone with control switches is provided at one personal computer and a foot pedal is provided at the other personal computer. The hand microphone is used to generate a dictation file at the first personal computer. In response to actuation of a control switch on the hand microphone, the dictation file is transmitted via the electronic mail system to the second personal computer. The foot pedal at the second personal computer is used to control audible reproduction of the dictation file for the purpose of transcription at the second personal computer. The resulting text file is sent via the electronic mail system from the second personal computer to the first personal computer.

Abstract: A portable digital voice recorder is interfaced for data communication with a personal computer. Voice data files are stored in the portable recorder together with header data which indicates the status of the voice data files. In response to a batch upload command, selected ones of the voice data files are uploaded to the personal computer, depending on the status of the voice data files as indicated by the status data. Graphical user interface software running in the PC causes the PC to display icons indicative of voice data files stored in the portable recorder. The header data in the portable recorder may be changed by operation of the PC's graphical user interface. For example, file designations indicated by header data in the portable recorder may be changed by editing corresponding fields displayed by the PC.

Abstract: A distributed dictation system includes a data communication network, an administrative server connected to the network, and a plurality of dictation servers connected to the network. The dictation servers store dictation jobs and selectively download the dictation jobs to transcriber stations connected to the dictation servers from time to time via the network. The administrative server receives log-on signals from the transcriber stations and selectively assigns the transcriber stations to dictation servers on the basis of assignment rules stored in the administrative server.

Abstract: A portable audio recorder stores voice information files in the form of digital data. Header data is associated with each voice information file. The header data includes the name of the person who dictated the voice information file and the serial number of the recorder unit itself. This information may be used in connection with management of the voice information files in the recorder or after the files are transferred to another device such as a personal computer. The header data may also include the serial number of the recorder and a work facility location to which the file pertains. The user of the recorder may be permitted to select a format for the header data from among a plurality of pre-stored formats. Specific transaction data may be downloaded to the recorder, and used to build a header for a voice file, which is then uploaded with the header to another device.

Abstract: A hand microphone and an adaptor module form an assembly which is a peripheral device for a personal computer. The hand microphone is used to control dictation functions to be carried out by the PC. Two separate analog control signal channels are output from the hand microphone and applied, respectively, as X- and Y-axis inputs for the game port on the PC. Control signals carried in the two signal channels are generated by actuating control switches mounted on the hand microphone.

Abstract: The proceedings of a business meeting are recorded on a portable digital audio recorder. The resulting digitized speech signals are uploaded to a personal computer which is part of a data communication network. Users of the network may arrange to access the uploaded digitized speech signals for downloading to the user's location. The downloaded digitized speech signals are audibly reproduced at the location of the requesting user.

Abstract: A multi-stage data logging system comprising a telecommunications stage for receiving, processing, and compressing data from one or more input channels, a recorder stage for storing said data to a memory device, a distribution stage for retrieving said stored data and distributing said data to one or more output channels, and a plurality of interface paths linking said three stages to one another. Different stages of the system can be located wide distances apart and the interface paths linking the three stages can be automatically switched to achieve fault tolerance of the system.