Operator Productivity Tools
SmartKey
SmartKey is a unique and patented toolkit that enables the fast and accurate manual correction of automatic data entry results. The solution uses the characteristics of human perception as a basis for error detection.
Error Repair
The task of error repair executes various contextual and logical tests aimed at improving automatic recognition results. The possibility of errors introduced by the ICR engine causes widespread customer concern, which in turn hampers the introduction of new ICR applications. To alleviate this problem, the team in IBM Haifa developed a "smart" interactive ICR validation user interface to validate ICR decisions and correct any errors made by the ICR.
This novel patented process is designed to allow highly efficient and virtually error-free data entry. Typically, data entry using this process is five times faster than the conventional manual key-in process. Incidentally, this technique is structured in such a way that the operator performing data entry has no access to the full form. As a result, the privacy of the data is preserved. This technique is especially suitable for Internet-centric data collection applications.
Workflow Optimization - KIM
Recently, it has been shown that significant improvements in system performance and operator productivity can be achieved by optimizing the sequencing of the above processing stages. Accordingly, we developed and patented the Key In Manager (KIM) module, which maximizes the amount of information extracted from each operator keystroke. It has been demonstrated that the addition of KIM doubles operator productivity. Thus, overall operator productivity can be up to ten times higher than that of manual systems, and five times higher than conventional automated systems.
Automatic Coding
To enhance the usability of textual information, it is frequently desirable to classify data entries into a number of predefined groups. One example is the Population Census application, where each person fills in their occupation. However, to use this information for statistical purposes, one must find the numeric code corresponding to each occupation description. A similar type of scenario occurs in the health industry, insurance industry, transportation industry (bills of lading), and so forth. This task is extremely labor-intensive and error prone.
We developed a novel cost-effective solution that combines automatic coding and automated tools, resulting in a dramatic improvement in the productivity of manual coders.