Method and apparatus for processing a document containing confidential information

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A DOCUMENT

CONTAINING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

0003The present application is a continuation-in-part application of co- pending U.S. Patent Application No. 09/112,131, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A CRYPTOGRAPHICALLY-ASSISTED COMMERCIAL NETWORK SYSTEM DESIGNED TO FACILITATE AND SUPPORT EXPERT- BASED COMMERCE", filed on July 8, 1998, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 08/685,706, filed July 24, 1996, each incorporated herein by reference as part of the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0005The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for processing documents, and more specifically to methods and apparatus that facilitate the processing of documents containing possibly confidential information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0007Despite the prevalence of computers and computer-related technology, a significant amount of information processing must be performed by humans rather than by computers or similar devices. For example, humans continue to be required in proofreading and amending language-translated text, especially if the translation was performed by a computer. Similarly, humans are often required in creating computer-based information, such as a text file, from a paper document or a similar document that is not computer-based. To do so, a human must typically read printing (e.g. printed characters) on the paper document and manually type text corresponding to the printing in order to create a text file.

0008Computers can create text files from paper-based documents using a technique known as Optical Character Recognition ("OCR"). As is known in the art, OCR requires that an electronic device examine printed characters on the paper document, and determine the shapes of the printed characters by detecting patterns of dark and light. Then, character recognition methods are used to translate the shapes into computer text and a corresponding text file may be created and stored.

0009Unfortunately, OCR is often inaccurate. Any character may assume a large number of shapes, especially if the character is handwritten. To circumvent this disadvantage, some OCR systems are limited to recognizing known typefaces and sizes and cannot recognize handwriting at all. Other OCR systems use sophisticated algorithms to learn new typefaces and sizes, and may thus increase recognition accuracy somewhat. However, even the best OCR system is unable to make the common sense judgments that allow humans to recognize poorly recognizable characters and words from their context. Consequently, OCR remains unable to consistently generate accurate text files. In fact, it can take so long to proofread and correct a text file created with OCR that it would be just as easy to have a human manually create a text file by typing the text. Unfortunately, many businesses have a great need to create computer- based information from paper documents. For example, insurance companies and other businesses in the health care field must process paper documents such as claim requests, payment receipts, new member applications and medical test results. The overwhelming majority of these paper documents are processed manually which is extremely expensive and time consuming. Such documents may include confidential information, such as the medical information of patients. Consequently, it is undesirable to permit people to have access to these documents.

0010It would be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus that facilitates the creation of computer-based information from paper documents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0012It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that facilitates the creation of computer-based information from paper documents.

0013In accordance with the present invention, a controller receives a document from a customer. The document may be an image generated by scanning a paper document. One or more sections of the document that are indicated by predetermined indicia are determined. Different sections may include different types of information. For example, one section of a document might include information that identifies a person, while another section of the document might include confidential information about that person. The sections are transmitted to one or more workers who perform corresponding data entry. Separating the sections can thus preserve the confidential nature of the document. A file is subsequently received from each worker. The file corresponds to data entry performed on the section of the document. The controller determines the customer associated with the file and transmits the file to the customer. Payment is then rendered, directly or indirectly, from the customer to the workers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0014FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for processing a document in accordance with the present invention.

0015FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a controller of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

0016FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a customer database of the controller of FIG. 2.

0017FIG 4 is a schematic illustration of a worker database of the controller of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a document database of the controller of FIG. 2.

0018FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a section database of the controller of FIG. 2.

0019FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing a document in accordance with the present invention.

0020FIG. 8 is a data flow diagram illustrating the transfer of information within the apparatus of FIG. 1 during a portion of the method of FIG. 7.

0021FIGS. 9 A, 9B, 9C and 9D are images that include indicia for identifying sections. FIG. 10 is an exemplary image including indicia in the form of boundary lines that define the perimeters of two sections.

0022FIGS. 11A and 1 IB are schematic illustrations of sections of a document. FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a portion of the method of FIG. 7.

0023FIG. 13 is a data flow diagram illustrating the transfer of information within the apparatus of FIG. 1 during another portion of the method of FIG. 7. FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of another portion ofthe method of FIG. 7.

0024FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a form for entering data. FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a form database. FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a method for permitting a section to be processed by a plurality of workers.

0025FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of a record of another embodiment ofthe section database ofthe controller of FIG. 2.

0026FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing a plurality of documents in accordance with processing criteria for the plurality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0028The present invention allows a business or other entity to automatically locate and communicate with one or more workers who in turn create computer-based information (e.g. text files or data base entries) for the business from a paper document. Thus, the business need not consume resources in locating and hiring appropriate workers. The business also remains unburdened by the administrative costs associated with hiring and retaining such workers in an employment capacity.

0029In addition, the present invention further allows information derivable from the paper document to remain confidential even if the document is being processed by a worker who may be untrustworthy. Thus, even sensitive documents such as medical records may be processed without compromising their confidential information.

0030The present invention likewise benefits people that can function as "workers" (described below) even without possessing specialized skills. A market is created for such workers, who may work at times they choose and as much as they choose. In particular, very small amounts of free time (e.g. minutes) may be spent earning pay in exchange for services rendered remotely. Thus, people can earn money during times such as lunch breaks or other periods of inactivity. Workers may furthermore maintain their anonymity, should they desire.

0031Referring to FIG. 1 , an apparatus 100 comprises a controller 110 that is in communication with a customer device 120 and with worker devices 130 and 135. The controller 110 may communicate with the customer device 120 and the worker devices 130 and 135 via an appropriate network such as the Internet. Each ofthe controller 110, the customer device 120, and the worker devices 130 and 135 may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® microprocessor, that are adapted to communicate via the Internet (e.g. via a modem). Any number of customer devices and worker devices may be in communication with the controller 110. The controller 110 facilitates communication between a customer (e.g. a business) using the customer device 120 and one or more workers using worker devices such as the worker devices 130 and 135. The communication may be performed while maintaining anonymity of each party, and in fact the present invention can eliminate the need for a party to identify the other party with which it communicates. Accordingly, the parties may form a relationship that allows confidential information to be handled efficiently and without compromise.

0032Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 110 comprises a processor 202, such as the Intel® Pentium® microprocessor. The processor 202 is in communication with a data storage device 204, such as an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory. For example, the data storage device 204 may comprise one or more of a ROM, RAM and hard disk drive. The processor 202 and the data storage device 204 may each be (i) located entirely within a single computer or other computing device; (ii) connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver; or (iii) a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the controller 110 may comprise one or more computers that are connected to a remote server computer for maintaining databases.

0033The data storage device 204 stores a program 210 for controlling the processor 202. The processor 202 performs instructions ofthe program 210, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein. The program 210 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary, such as an operating system and "device drivers" for allowing the processor 202 to interface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate device drivers and other necessary program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.

0034The storage device 204 also stores (i) a customer database 220, (ii) a worker database 230, (iii) a document database 240, and (iv) a section database 250. The databases 220, 230, 240 and 250 are described in detail below and depicted with exemplary entries in the accompanying figures. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the schematic illustrations and accompanying descriptions of the databases presented herein are exemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. A number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by the tables shown. Similarly, the illustrated entries ofthe databases represent exemplary information, and those skilled in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those illustrated herein. Referring to FIG. 3, a table 300 represents an embodiment ofthe customer database 220 (FIG. 2). The table 300 includes entries 302 and 304, each defining a customer that interacts with the controller 110 (FIG. 1) to have documents processed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 300 may include any number of entries. The table 300 also defines fields for each ofthe entries 302 and 304. The fields specify (i) a customer identifier 320 that uniquely identifies the customer, (ii) an electronic mail ("email") address 322 for communication with the customer, (iii) a customer name 324, and (iv) a financial account identifier 326 that indicates a financial account the customer may use to pay for services.

0035Referring to FIG. 4, a table 400 represents an embodiment ofthe worker database 230 (FIG. 2). The table 400 includes entries 402, 404 and 406, each defining a worker that interacts with the controller 110 (FIG. 1) to process documents. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 400 may include any number of entries. The table 400 also defines fields for each ofthe entries 402, 404 and 406. The fields specify (i) a worker identifier 420 that uniquely identifies the worker, (ii) an email address 422 for communication with the worker, (iii) a worker name 424, (iv) a financial account identifier 426 that indicates a financial account that the worker may use to receive payment, (v) job skills 428 ofthe worker, (vi) a quality rating 430 ofthe worker, (vii) a speed rating 432 ofthe worker, and (viii) a fee charged 434 by the worker for its services. Those skilled in the art will understand that a number of other fields may specify further information regarding a worker, such as other types of ratings for the worker.

0036Referring to FIG. 5, a table 500 represents an embodiment ofthe document database 240 (FIG. 2). The table 500 includes entries 502 and 504, each defining a document that a customer needs to have processed by a worker. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 500 may include any number of entries. The table 500 also defines fields for each ofthe entries 502 and 504. The fields specify (i) a document identifier 520 that uniquely identifies the document, (ii) the customer 522 for which the document is to be processed, (iii) a job code 524 that identifies the type of processing to be performed on the document, (iv) a price 526 to pay for processing the document, (v) how to receive payment 528 for processing performed, (vi) a required worker rating 530, (vii) a time 532 by which the document must be processed, (viii) other required characteristics 534 ofthe worker (if any), (ix) whether sections ofthe document must be processed by different workers 536, (x) section identifiers 538 that uniquely identify sections ofthe document that are to be processed by one or more workers, and (xi) whether and when the document processing has been completed 540.

0037Referring to FIG. 6, a table 600 represents an embodiment ofthe section database 250 (FIG. 2). The table 600 includes entries 602, 604, 606, 608 and 610, each defining a section that is to be processed by a worker. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 600 may include any number of entries. The table 600 also defines fields for each ofthe entries 602, 604, 606, 608 and 610. The fields specify (i) a section identifier 620 that uniquely identifies the section, (ii) a document identifier 622 ofthe document from which the section originated, (iii) a worker identifier 624 ofthe worker to which the section was sent, (iv) when the section was sent to the worker 626, (v) when the section was completed by the worker 628, and (vi) a price 630 the worker charges for processing the section.

0038Referring to FIG. 7, a method 700 for processing a document includes receiving a document from a customer (step 702). The step 702 may comprise receiving an electronic image, such as a JPEG ("Joint Photographic Experts Group") file or GIF ("Graphics Interchange Format"), of a paper document. Such an image may be generated by a device known as a "scanner" (e.g. a flatbed scanner or drum scanner) and sent via electronic mail to the controller 110 (FIG. 1). Other methods for generating the image and sending the image to the controller 110 will be understood by those skilled in the art.

0039Alternatively, the step 702 may comprise receiving a paper document and then generating an electronic document (e.g. one or more images) from the paper document. In such an embodiment, the controller 110 may include a scanner that generates an electronic document from the received paper document. The document is divided into one or more sections (step 704). In one embodiment, each section comprises an image that is a portion of an image ofthe document. Thus, each section represents a portion ofthe document. As described in detail below, it can be advantageous to send only a section of a document to a worker. For example, one section of a document might include information that identifies a person, while another section ofthe document might include confidential information about that person. Providing these two sections to two workers would thus keep the person anonymous to the worker processing the section including the confidential information. The sections ofthe document are transmitted to one or more workers

0040(step 706). A section may be transmitted to a worker in a number of ways, such as via email or via a web site. The workers receive the sections and perform corresponding data entry. The term "data entry" refers to the process of writing data into computer memory. Such computer memory may be volatile memory (e.g. RAM) or nonvolatile memory (e.g. disk subsystems or flash memory). As used herein, data entry includes (i) creating text from an image of a paper document by reading printing (e.g. printed characters) on the image and manually typing the text corresponding to the printing, (ii) proofreading and amending text, (iii) translating text (e.g. from one language to another), and (iv) creating text from an audio file by listening to the audio and manually typing the text corresponding to the audio. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are other types of data entry that the workers may perform after receiving a section of a document.

0041In one embodiment, it may be necessary to assure that a document is processed by at least two workers. However, in another embodiment it may be acceptable to send sections to one worker. For example, it may be sufficient to send the same sections to a worker if each section cannot be matched with the others. Such an embodiment is especially appropriate where a large number of documents are processed by a single worker. The worker could not match any one section with another from the same document. In addition, it can be desirable to delay the transmission ofthe sections to the worker, since this reduces the ability ofthe worker to match the sections.

0042Once a worker has performed the specified data entry, the worker transmits back to the controller 110 (FIG. 1) a file that corresponds to the data entry. For example, the worker may transmit a text file that represents words that were printed in the section the worker received. The controller 110 receives files from each worker (step 708) and transmits the files to the customer (step 710). The controller 110 (FIG. 1) receives an amount of payment from the customer (step 712), and transmits appropriate amounts of payment to each worker (step 714). Alternatively, the controller 110 may initiate payment from the customer directly to each worker.

0043Referring to FIG. 8, a data flow diagram 800 illustrates the transfer of information among the devices ofthe apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). The illustrated transfer occurs during a first stage (i.e. steps 702, 704 and 706) ofthe method 700. The customer device 120 transmits an electronic document (e.g. an image of a paper document) to the controller 110, which in turn divides the electronic document into sections. The controller 110 then transmits the sections to the worker devices 130 and 135.

0044An image of a document may be divided into sections in a number of ways. Sections ofthe document may be defined by one or more predetermined indicia. The customer may include indicia in an image transmitted to the controller 110. For example, the document may be partially preprinted with the indicia, or the customer may add indicia to an electronic image ofthe document that it generates from a paper document. Alternatively, the indicia may be added after the customer provides the document. For example, the image may be marked with the indicia by the controller 110. In one embodiment, documents may be marked with indicia in accordance with a predetermined process, and each customer may have one (or more) associated predetermined processes. For example, the controller 110 may add predetermined indicia to all documents received from a first predetermined customer. In such an embodiment, all documents received from the first predetermined customer would be divided into sections in accordance with the same process. This can be especially advantageous for businesses having a large number of documents ofthe same type (e.g. medical claim forms).

0045FIGS. 9 A, 9B, 9C and 9D illustrate different ways to identify sections with indicia. In FIG. 9A, an image 900 includes indicia 902 that are in the form of a demarcation line. The indicia 902 thereby define two sections 904 and 906. In such an embodiment, it may be predetermined, for example, that the top section 904 contains information that identifies a person and the bottom section 906 contains confidential information about that person. In FIG. 9B, an image 920 includes indicia 922, 924 and 926, each in the form of a boundary line that defines the perimeters of one of three sections 928, 930 and 932, respectively. Alternatively, more than one indicia can indicate a plurality of disjointed portions ofthe same section. For example, the indicia 922 and 926 may indicate two disjointed portions ofthe same section, while the indicia 924 can indicate another, different section. In such an embodiment, the indicia 922 and 926 may both be ofthe same type (to denote portions ofthe same section) while the indicia 924 are of a different type. For example, the indicia 922 and 926 may both be of an identical color, width or other style, which is different from that ofthe indicia 924. In FIG. 9C, an image 940 includes indicia 942 and 944. The indicia 942 are in the form of a demarcation line that defines two sections 946 and 948. In such an embodiment, the indicia 944 may differentiate between the sections by identifying the section in which the indicia 944 is located. For example, the indicia 944 may indicate that the section 948 (which contains the indicia) contains information that identifies a person. In one embodiment, it would then be assumed that the remaining section 946 contains confidential information about that person.

0046In FIG. 9D, an image 960 includes indicia 962, 964 and 966. The indicia 962 are in the form of a demarcation line that defines two sections 968 and 970. The section 968 includes indicia 964 in the form of a bar code, and the section 970 includes indicia 966 that are also in the form of a bar code. In such an embodiment, the indicia 964 and 966 may identify the sections 968 and 970 respectively. For example, the indicia 964 may indicate that the corresponding section (the section 968) contains information that identifies a person, while indicia 966 may indicate that the corresponding section (the section 970) contains confidential information about that person.

0047Referring to FIG. 10, an image 1000 of a document includes indicia 1002 and 1004, each in the form of a boundary line that defines the perimeters of two sections 1012 and 1014, respectively. The section 1012 contains information that identifies a person (i.e. a name, social security number and address). The section 1014 contains confidential information about that person (i.e. medical information).

0048Sections ofthe document may alternatively be identified as predetermined locations within a document. For example, the top half of a document may be a first section and the bottom half may be a second section. In one embodiment, documents may be divided into sections in accordance with a predetermined set of locations, and each customer may have one (or more) associated predetermined sets of locations. For example, all documents received from a first customer may be divided into three identically sized sections: a bottom section, a middle section and a top section.

0049Sections may be mutually exclusive so that no section overlaps another section. Conversely, sections may overlap so that a portion of a document is included in more than one section. Furthermore, a document may include one or more sections, but there may be portions of a document that are not included in any section. Such portions are thus not provided to workers. For example, a portion of a document that includes a standard letterhead logo may need no processing. In addition, as described above a section may include two disjointed portions of a document.

0050Different sections of a document may include different types of information. For example, a first section may include confidential information about a person, while a second section includes information that identifies that person. Sections may also contain the same type of information, yet each section would include a small portion of such information. This is advantageous where there exists a large amount of one type of information, and it would be easier to break up the information into more manageable sizes. The image 1000 also includes an identifier 1020 that is in the form of a set of characters. Although in FIG. 10 the identifier 1020 is in the form of a set of characters, in other embodiments the identifier may be in another form, such as a bar code. The identifier 1020 identifies processing criteria (the customer's requirements and/or preferences for processing the document). The identifier may indicate, for example, an amount of payment to be paid for processing the document, billing information, a job code that specifies the type of processing required, a required rating ofthe worker(s), an indication of whether sections ofthe document can go to a single worker, a time when completion by the worker is required, and required characteristics ofthe worker.

0051The identifier 1020 on the image 1000 may indicate the document identifier described above with reference to FIG. 5. In such an embodiment, the document identifier may be used to access further information from the document database 240 (FIG. 2) from which processing criteria may be derived. In another embodiment, the identifier may represent the processing criteria. For example, if the identifier is a set of characters, the first two characters may indicate billing information, the second three characters may indicate the type of processing required and the final eight characters may indicate a time when completion by the worker is required. Similarly, if the identifier is a bar code that represents a sequence of digits, the various digits may represent various types of processing criteria, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

0052FIGS. 11 A and 1 IB each illustrate a section of a document that may be sent to a worker. The section 1100 (FIG. 11 A) corresponds to the section 1012 of FIG. 10, and the section 1150 (FIG. 1 IB) corresponds to the section 1014 of FIG. 10. The section 1100 includes a bar code 1102 that indicates worker criteria for the section 1100. Similarly, the section 1150 includes a bar code 1152 that indicates worker criteria for the section 1150. As described below, the worker criteria of a section specify requirements and/or preferences for processing the document that are provided to the worker. For example, the worker criteria may indicate a time of completion for the worker. In one embodiment, the worker criteria are based, at least in part, on the processing criteria received from the customer. In one embodiment, the worker criteria may simply indicate the section's corresponding document or customer. FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1200 for processing a document in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. The method 1200 generally describes an embodiment ofthe steps 702, 704 and 706 ofthe method 700 (FIG. 7).

0053A paper document is received from a customer (step 1202) and a corresponding electronic document (e.g. an image ofthe paper document) is generated (step 1204). In an alternate embodiment, an electronic document is received (e.g. via email). Processing criteria associated with the image are also received (step 1206). As described above, the processing criteria indicate the customer's requirements and/or preferences for processing the document. The processing criteria may comprise a job code that identifies the type of data entry to be performed on the document. Similarly, the processing criteria may comprise a requirement that a section is processed by two or more workers, so that one worker can "proofread" the work of another, or so that inaccurate processing performed by any one or more workers may be more readily detected.

0054The processing criteria may be machine-readable (e.g. in the form of a bar code) to automate reading and interpreting the processing criteria. Alternatively, the processing criteria may be text or other indicia that is not interpreted by the controller 110, but that is read by human personnel who direct the operations ofthe controller 110 accordingly. In another embodiment, the processing criteria may be text or other indicia that is merely made available to be read by workers. The processing criteria may be received separately from the document, or may be incorporated into the image ofthe document (e.g. as a bar code or other indicia on the document). The processing criteria may be received substantially simultaneously with the paper document. Typically, separate processing criteria would accompany each paper document. In an alternate embodiment, processing criteria may be received from a customer, and the processing criteria are then applied to all documents received from that customer. In such an embodiment, the customer may, for example, desire that only one type of data entry ever be performed.

0055The controller 110 then determines a first section ofthe image that is indicated by first predetermined indicia (step 1208), and determines a second section ofthe image that is indicated by second predetermined indicia (step 1210). In one embodiment, the first predetermined indicia may be the second predetermined indicia. For example, referring again to FIG. 9A, the indicia 902 are in the form of a demarcation line that defines two sections 904 and 906. Thus, the same indicia 902 indicate both sections 904 and 906.

0056Based on the processing criteria, the controller 110 selects a first worker and a second worker (steps 1212 and 1214). In one embodiment, a worker is selected if the type of work that the worker performs corresponds to the job code included in the processing criteria. For example, if the job code identifies that a document must be translated from German to English, then a worker having the requisite job skills (i.e. German language translation) is selected. Various methods for selecting workers are described below.

0057After the first worker and the second worker are selected, the first section is transmitted to the first worker (step 1216) and the second section is transmitted to the second worker (step 1218). In addition, a first identifier that identifies the document is transmitted to the first worker (step 1220), and a second identifier that also identifies the document is transmitted to the second worker (step 1222). The first identifier and the second identifier may be identical but need not be. For example, the first identifier may be "Dl " and the second identifier may be "El ", yet each may refer to the same document (e.g. the last character may uniquely identify the document). In another embodiment, the first identifier and the second identifier may identify a customer instead of the document. Thus, the sections would still correspond to a customer, and each corresponding file received in response to a transmitted section would correspond to a customer.

0058The worker criteria may include the above-described identifiers. Furthermore, the worker criteria may be transmitted and received in a manner similar to that described herein with regard to the processing criteria. For example, the first identifier and the second identifier may be transmitted separately, or may be incorporated into the sections themselves. For example, the identifiers may comprise a bar code, and the controller 110 could label each section with an identifier in the form of a bar code. Sections and identifiers may be transmitted in several ways, such as via email or via a site on the World Wide Web.

0059Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described step of transmitting a first section to a first worker and a second section to a second worker may comprise transmitting the first section to a worker in a first group of workers and the second section to a worker in a second group of workers. In such an embodiment, it may be desirable that the first group of workers are qualified to receive a first type of section (e.g. a section that includes information that identifies a person) and that the second group of workers are qualified to receive a second type of section (e.g. a section that includes confidential information about that person). Accordingly, it may be necessary to ensure the workers in that one group (or both groups) satisfy minimum requirements (e.g. no criminal background). Referring to FIG. 13, a data flow diagram 1300 illustrates the transfer of information among the devices ofthe apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). The illustrated transfer occurs during a second stage (i.e. steps 708 and 710) of the method 700, which is after that illustrated by FIG. 8. The worker devices 130 and 135 each transmit a file to the controller 110. The controller 110 then transmits the files to the customer device 120. The files may be transmitted to the customer device 120 separately, or the controller 110 may combine the files and transmit the combined file to the customer device 120.

0060Referring to FIG. 14, a method 1400 for processing a document includes receiving a first file from a first worker (step 1402). The first file corresponds to data entry performed on a first section that was previously transmitted to the first worker. As described above, the first section is derived from a document and may be a portion ofthe document. For example, the first file may be a text file of manually typed text. In another embodiment described in more detail below, the first file may be data that is created by the worker via a form and stored according to various fields ofthe form.

0061The controller 110 may also receive a first identifier that identifies a first document (from which the first section was derived). For example, the first identifier may be a document identifier as illustrated in field 520 (FIG. 5). The first identifier may also be a section identifier as illustrated in the field 620 (FIG. 6), which would, in turn, indicate a document, as is apparent from the field 622 (FIG. 6).

0062The first identifier may be received substantially simultaneously with the first file. For example, the first identifier may be received immediately before or immediately after the first file is received, thereby associating the first file with the first identifier. The first file may also include the first identifier, thereby allowing the document to be identified from the file. Other methods for identifying the first document from which the first section was derived will be understood by those skilled in the art. A second file is received from a second worker (step 1404). The second file corresponds to data entry performed on a second section that was previously transmitted to the second worker. A second identifier also identifies a second document from which the second section was derived. The second file and the step of receiving the second file are analogous to the description above ofthe step 1402.

0063The controller 110 determines whether the first document and the second document are equivalent (step 1406). If so, then the first section and the second section are derived from the same document, and accordingly the first file and the second file represent data entry performed in connection with the same document. Consequently, in one embodiment both the first file and the second file are destined for the same customer. The customer that is associated with both the first file and the second file is determined (step 1408). For example, referring again to FIG. 5, each document corresponds to a customer, as indicated by fields 520 and 522 ofthe document database 240. Thus, the customer may be determined from the document database 240. The first file and the second file are transmitted to the customer (step 1410). As described above, the files may be transmitted to the customer device 120 separately, or the controller 110 may combine the files and transmit the combined file to the customer device 120. The workers are rated based on their work (step 1412). For example, the first worker is rated based on the first file and possibly based on a previous rating, if any. Rating a worker is described in the parent application, U.S. Patent Application No. 09/112,131, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A CRYPTOGRAPHICALLY-ASSISTED COMMERCIAL NETWORK SYSTEM DESIGNED TO FACILITATE AND SUPPORT EXPERT-BASED COMMERCE", filed on July 8, 1998.

0064Although two sections and two corresponding files were described with reference to FIG. 14, a document may include one or more sections that are processed. Accordingly, in one embodiment, it may be desirable to determine the number of sections in a document, and all coπesponding files are transmitted only after a predetermined number of files (e.g. the number of sections) have been received. Alternatively, each file may be transmitted to the customer when it is received.

0065Referring to FIG. 15, a form 1500 illustrates a form that may be used to allow a worker to enter data based on the section 1100 (FIG. 11) and to store that data according to fields ofthe form 1500. The form 1500 includes a form field 1502 that permits entry of a name, a form field 1504 that permits entry of a social security number and a form field 1506. Forms may be sent along with a corresponding document from the customer to the controller 110 (FIG. 1) and in turn to the worker. Forms may also be provided to a worker via a web site. For example, a worker may be provided with a "URL" (Uniform Resource Locator) that identifies a web site or other computer-based communication channel. Upon accessing the URL, the form may be presented to the worker. Those skilled in the art will understand that various types of forms may be readily displayed. For example, HTML forms are well known to those skilled in the art, as are proprietary form formats such as PDF (portable document format) sold by Adobe and JetForm.

0066In one embodiment, the form may be accessible through a web site after the worker enters an access code at the web site. The access code may serve as authorization that the worker is allowed to access a form. The access code may additionally or alternatively uniquely identify one of a plurality of forms that are available via the web site. The access code may be provided to the worker in the worker criteria discussed above. The access code may be provided to the worker by other means as well, such as transmitted along with the section. Data that is entered via a form may be transmitted to the controller 110 which in turn transmits the data to the customer device 120. Alternatively, the data entered via the form may be transmitted directly to the customer device 120 and/or a database specified by the customer.

0067Referring to FIG. 16, a table 1600 represents a form database. The form database may be a part ofthe section database 250 (FIG. 2). The table 1600 includes entries 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608 and 1610, each defining a form to enter data in connection with processing a section. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the table 1600 may include any number of entries. The table 1600 also defines fields for each ofthe entries 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608 and 1610. The fields specify (i) a section identifier 1620 that uniquely identifies the section, (ii) a form identifier 1622 that uniquely identifies the form, (iii) a URL 1624 that identifies a web site where the form may be accessed, and (iv) an access code 1626 that is required to access the web site and/or specify a particular form available at the web site. One URL may be specified for more than one form. For example, the entries 1606, 1608 and 1610 all have the same URL "www.z.com". However, at least three forms "F3", "F4" and "F5" are all accessible using that URL. In particular, different access codes distinguish among the different forms.

0068As described above, payment may be rendered either directly or indirectly from customer to worker. Payment usually comprises a crediting of an account, such as a bank account or credit card account. However, payment may also be rendered via check or other means. The customer may be billed after any predetermined event, such as when the worker transmits the appropriate files to the customer. In one embodiment, the customer may be billed periodically (e.g. every month) for all fees due to workers.

0069Payment due may be defined by the customer, such as when the customer sets forth an amount to be paid for a particular document. Payment may also be defined by the worker, such as when the worker charges a time-based or job- based fee. Alternatively, a plurality of workers may participate in a "Dutch" auction and compete for the lowest amount or rate of pay they will accept in exchange for a particular section or type of work. The lowest bidder would then earn the right to perform the specified work in exchange for the highest bid amount. Similarly, a plurality of workers may participate in a "reverse" auction in which bidding starts low and increases until all sections have been accepted by workers. Other types of auctions may take place among workers to specify pay rates and terms. In addition, just as workers may compete in an auction for sellers, sellers may compete in an auction for workers.

0070A section of a document may include significant amounts of information, and processing such a section may require a significant amount of time. Consequently, it can be advantageous to allow a plurality of workers to participate in processing a single section. Similarly, it can be advantageous to allow a worker to receive a payment upon processing a portion of a section. Accordingly, the present invention permits a section to be partially processed by a first worker, and a second worker can further process the section. For example, a first worker may create a first text file representing the first page of a document, and a second worker may create a second text file representing the remaining pages of the document.

0071FIG. 17 illustrates a method 1700 for permitting a section to be processed by a plurality of workers. A section is transmitted to a worker (step 1702), as discussed above. In response, a file is received from the worker (step 1704), as also discussed above. The controller 110 then determines whether the section has been completely processed (step 1706). In other words, the controller 110 determines whether there is a portion ofthe section on which processing was not performed. If there is a portion ofthe section on which processing was not performed, then at least that portion (possibly the entire section) is transmitted to another worker (step 1708). The file from the original worker may also be sent to the subsequent worker to allow that worker to more readily determine which portions of the section have been processed. Subsequently, a file is received from the subsequent worker (step 1710). The steps 1706, 1708 and 1710 are repeated until the section has been completely processed by one or more workers.

0072All received files may be combined to form a combined file (step 1712). The combined file is in turn transmitted to the customer (step 1714). Alternatively, the files may be transmitted to the customer upon receipt. In an embodiment where the combined file is created, the customer need not know that the section has been processed by a plurality of workers.

0073In order to determine whether the section has been completely processed, a "stop indicator" may be received with, or included in, the file. A stop indicator indicates where in the section the worker stopped processing the section, and therefor indicates the portion ofthe section that has not been processed. The stop indicator may be a textual description ofthe portion ofthe section on which processing was not performed. For example, the stop indicator may comprise the text "Until page 3, second paragraph". In another embodiment, a file received from a worker may include the portion ofthe section that has not been processed. Alternatively, a file received from a worker may include the section which the worker has marked with indicia that indicates a portion ofthe section on which processing was not performed. Such indicia may be considered a "stop indicator" that indicates were the worker stopped processing the section. For example, the stop indicator may comprise a boundary line that separates a portion that was processed from a portion that was not processed.

0074Referring to FIG. 18, a table 1800 represents a record of another embodiment ofthe section database 250 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, each section may be processed by one or more workers, and accordingly the processing performed by each worker is recorded. Accordingly, each record coπesponds to a section as indicated by the section identifier 1802. The record also includes a document identifier 1804 to identify the document from which the section originated. The record further includes entries 1806, 1808 and 1810, each of which defines a portion ofthe section that was processed by a worker. The table 1800 also defines fields for each ofthe entries 1806, 1808 and 1810. The fields specify (i) a worker identifier 1820 ofthe worker to which the portion was sent, (ii) when the portion was sent to the worker 1822, (iii) when the portion was completed by the worker 1824, (iv) a price 1826 the worker charges for processing the portion, and (v) a percentage completion 1828 ofthe section after the specified worker completes processing his respective portion.

0075It can be advantageous to allow a customer to specify processing criteria for a group of documents, rather than processing criteria for each document. A customer may only be concerned with a "high level" goal, and thus want to specify high level processing criteria for the group of documents. For example, a customer may wish to specify that a group of one thousand documents is processed within a week for an average cost of under $10 per document. Accordingly, in one embodiment ofthe present invention a customer may specify processing criteria that apply to a plurality of documents. The controller 110 (FIG. 1) then apportions the documents among workers in a manner that satisfies the processing criteria. FIG. 19 illustrates a method 1900 for processing a plurality of documents in accordance with processing criteria for the plurality. The controller 110 receives a plurality of documents from the customer (step 1902), and also receives processing criteria applicable to the plurality of documents (step 1904). The documents and processing criteria may be received in a manner similar to that described above. The processing criteria may specify, for example, a number ofthe plurality of documents to process in a predetermined time period (e.g. at least five of these documents must be processed within a week), a required accuracy of processing (e.g. the documents must be at least 99% accurately transcribed), and a desired cost for processing the plurality of documents (no more than $1000 to process the plurality).

0076A plurality of workers are selected based on the processing criteria (step 1906). For example, the controller 110 may select ten workers that are qualified for the task and that also have the lowest rates. Similarly, the controller 110 may select twenty ofthe fastest workers if there is not much time. In one embodiment, work may be apportioned among a first set of workers that perform typing, and a second set of workers that proofread the files generated by the first set of workers. In such an embodiment, the controller 110 may determine whether it is more economical to hire more ofthe first set than o the second set to achieve the same overall level of accuracy.

0077The workers may also be selected based on the work loads ofthe workers. For example, if a particular worker has been assigned a large number of sections and has not processed many of those sections, the controller 110 may determine that the worker has a large work load and thus is unlikely to provide rapid service. Conversely, if a particular worker has few or no unprocessed sections, the controller 110 may determine that the worker has a small work load and thus is likely to provide rapid service. In addition, the past response rate (duration from receiving a section and completing processing for the section) of a worker may be considered in determining his future response rate.

0078The documents and/or sections of the documents are apportioned among the plurality of workers (step 1908) so each worker is assigned a section of a document and all sections are allocated. The sections are transmitted to the appropriate worker (step 1910). Transmitting sections to workers and subsequently receiving files from those workers has been described above.

0079Although the present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will note that various substitutions may be made to those embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.