U.S. patent application number 10/403167 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-29 for method and system for delivering behavior modification information over a network.
Invention is credited to Buhkin, Michael, Cartter, Christian T., Cobb, Nathan Knight, Graham, Amanda Louise, Rosenbloom, David L..
Application Number | 20040016437 10/403167 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28675537 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040016437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cobb, Nathan Knight ; et
al. |
January 29, 2004 |
Method and system for delivering behavior modification information
over a network
Abstract
This invention features a method for delivering information over
a network, the method including: a) monitoring an action of a user
on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired
behavior modification; b) obtaining user supplied data relating to
the desired behavior modification; c) evaluating the observed user
data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information
for progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification;
d) presenting the tailored information to the user over the
network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired
behavior modification is achieved. The user is continually provided
with re-tailored information resulting from an iterative process of
obtaining and evaluating data that progresses the user towards a
desired behavior modification. The desired behavior modification
can be, for example, the cessation of smoking.
Inventors: |
Cobb, Nathan Knight;
(Jamaica Plain, MA) ; Buhkin, Michael; (Jamaica
Plain, MA) ; Cartter, Christian T.; (Cambridge,
MA) ; Graham, Amanda Louise; (Providence, RI)
; Rosenbloom, David L.; (Boston, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Iandiorio & Teska
260 Bear Hill Road
Waltham
MA
02451-1018
US
|
Family ID: |
28675537 |
Appl. No.: |
10/403167 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60368769 |
Mar 29, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/270 ;
705/7.37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G16H 20/10 20180101; G06Q 10/06375 20130101; G16H 20/70
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/270 ;
705/11 |
International
Class: |
A24F 047/00 |
Goverment Interests
[0002] This invention was made at least in part with funds from the
U.S. National Cancer Institute. The U.S. Government may have
certain rights in the invention.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for delivering information over a network, the method
comprising: a) monitoring an action of a user on the network to
obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior
modification; b) obtaining user supplied data relating to the
desired behavior modification; c) evaluating the observed user data
and the user supplied data to generate tailored information for
progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification; d)
presenting the tailored information to the user over the network;
and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior
modification is achieved.
2. The method of claim 1 further including determining if
additional data is required from the user in order for the user to
achieve the desired behavior modification.
3. The method of claim 2 further including obtaining the additional
data from the user.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said user action is selected from
the group consisting of: an interaction with a online
questionnaire, an interaction with a module to assist the user in
the cessation of smoking, an interaction with a module to assist
the user in selecting a date for the cessation of smoking,
interacting with a module to provide the user with the ability to
manage personal information, an interaction with a calendar module
to provide the user with the ability to set dates and goals which
relate to the quit date and the desired behavior modification, an
interaction with a journal module that allows the user to record
information related to the desired behavior modification, an
interaction with a Medications Module, an interaction with a module
relating to frequently asked questions, and an interaction with an
online support community.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said Medications Module suggests a
medication profile to the user based upon said user observed data
and said user supplied data.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said action of the user includes
an interaction with an online support community that is selected
from the group consisting of: a discussion forum relating to
discussion of specific issues associated with the desired behavior
modification, a user initiated forum, interactive communication
with community members via on-line chat, a buddy feature that
tracks whether other known users are on-line at the same time as
the user, a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in the
desired behavior modification, and e-mail for sending and receiving
messages to and from others users on the system.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired behavior modification
is a cessation of smoking.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said user supplied data is
selected from the group consisting of: a quit date, an age, a sex,
a zip code, a type of dependency, a quantity of dependent substance
used, and questionnaire answers.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said user observed data includes
how often the user has interacted with specific features.
10. The method of claim 1 further including providing a link to the
user to enable the user to interact with a counselor over a
network.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing the
observed user data and the user supplied data over the network to
the counselor such that the counselor can provide tailored
information and suggestions to the user based upon the observed
user data and the user supplied data.
12. A method for delivering smoking cessation information over a
network, the method comprising: a) monitoring a first action of a
user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to the
cessation of smoking; b) monitoring a second action of the user on
the network to obtain user supplied data relating to the cessation
of smoking; c) evaluating the observed user data and the user
supplied data to generate tailored information and provide
suggestions for an event, said tailored information and suggestions
for progressing a user towards the cessation of smoking; d)
presenting the tailored information and suggestions to the user
over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) to
provide updated tailored information until the desired behavior
modification is achieved.
13. A system for delivering healthcare content to a user over a
network, the system comprising: a monitoring engine for monitoring
an event of a user on the network to obtain observed user data
relating to a desired behavior modification, and to obtain user
supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; an
evaluation engine responsive to the monitoring engine, said
evaluation engine configured to evaluate the observed user data and
the user supplied data to generate tailored information which
progresses the user towards the desired behavior modification.
14. The system of claim 13 further including a Medications Module
for suggesting a medication profile for the user.
15. The system of claim 13 further including a Quit Date Module for
assisting the user in selecting a quit date for the desired
behavior modification program.
16. The system of claim 13 further including a module for assisting
the user in the cessation of smoking.
17. The system of claim 13 further including a Profile Module for
providing the user with the ability to manage personal
information.
18. The system of claim 13 further including a Calendar Module for
providing the user with the ability to set dates and goals which
relate to the quit date and the desired behavior modification.
19. The system of claim 13 further including a Journal Module for
the user to record information as they progress toward the desired
behavior modification.
20. The system of claim 13 further including an On-Line Support
Community Module.
21. The system of claim 20 wherein said On-Line Support Community
Module is selected from the group consisting of: a forum relating
to discussion of specific issues associated with the desired
behavior modification, a user initiated forum, interactive
communication with community members via on-line chat; a buddy
feature for tracking whether other known users are on-line at the
same time as the user; a list of users who are celebrating a
milestone in the desired behavior modification, and e-mail for
sending and receiving messages to and from other users on the
system.
22. A system of manufacture, comprising: a computer readable medium
having computer readable program code for delivering information
over a network, the computer readable program code including
instructions for causing the computer system to: a) monitor a first
action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data
relating to a desired behavior modification; b) obtain user
supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; c)
evaluate the observed user data and the user supplied data to
generate tailored information for progressing a user towards the
desired behavior modification; d) present the tailored information
to the user over the network; and e) repeat steps a), b), c) and d)
until the desired behavior modification is achieved.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the computer readable program
code further comprises instructions for causing the computer system
to determine if additional data is required from the user in order
for the user to achieve the desired behavior modification.
24. The system of claim 22 wherein said user observed data includes
how often the user has interacted with specific features.
25. The system of claim 22 wherein said desired behavior
modification is a cessation of smoking.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/368,769, filed Mar. 29, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a method and system for delivering
information over a network, and more specifically, a method and
system for delivering information about behavior modification over
a computer network to a plurality of users.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A major challenge to treating many chronic conditions is
modifying established behavior and encouraging compliance with
treatment regimens. For example, most people who smoke want to quit
but find it very difficult because, in part, the nicotine in
tobacco is highly addictive and also because well-established
patterns of behavior are difficult to change. This is of great
concern because smoking is a major cause of premature death and
morbidity in the world. Thus, an intervention that helps large
numbers of people quit smoking at reasonable cost and convenience
is a major contribution to public health.
[0005] Traditional smoking cessation and/or behavior modification
programs, which can include written self help materials, personal
and/or group counseling and telephone based counseling, typically
present static information that is not tailored for specific people
and which does not change as a person's circumstances and
conditions change during a quit attempt. Clearly, a 40 year old
blue collar man who has been smoking for twenty years requires a
different behavior modification program than a 20 year old white
collar woman who has only been smoking for one year. Static
programs can also be disadvantageous because a person may suffer
setbacks during a quit attempt. Moreover, a person may not be
actively engaged with a behavior modification program and may
require encouragement and support from the system and/or other
users of the system to progress towards a desired behavior
modification.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an
information delivery system that obtains user supplied data and
also observed user data.
[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide such an
information delivery system that provides tailored information to a
user based upon the obtained user supplied data and observed user
data.
[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide such an
information delivery system that repeatedly provides tailored
information to a user based upon the obtained user supplied data
and observed user data until a desired behavior modification is
achieved.
[0009] The invention results from the realization that a more
effective method for delivering information on a network can be
effected by obtaining both user supplied data and observed user
data to generate and provide, to a user over the network, tailored
information that progresses the user towards a desired behavior
modification. The method can be repeated until the desired behavior
modification is achieved.
[0010] This invention features a method for delivering information
over a network, the method including: a) monitoring an action of a
user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a
desired behavior modification; b) obtaining user supplied data
relating to the desired behavior modification; c) evaluating the
observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored
information for progressing a user towards the desired behavior
modification; d) presenting the tailored information to the user
over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until
the desired behavior modification is achieved.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the method may include further
including evaluating to determine if additional data is required
from the user in order for the user to achieve the desired behavior
modification. The method may include obtaining the additional data
from the user. The user action may be selected from the group
consisting of: an interaction with a online questionnaire, an
interaction with a module to assist the user in the cessation of
smoking, an interaction with a module to assist the user in
selecting a date for the cessation of smoking, interacting with a
module to provide the user with the ability to manage personal
information, an interaction with a calendar module to provide the
user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate to the
quit date and the desired behavior modification, an interaction
with a journal module that allows the user to record information
related to the desired behavior modification, an interaction with a
Medications Module, an interaction with a module relating to
frequently asked questions, and an interaction with an online
support community. The Medications Module may suggest a medication
profile to the user based upon the user observed data and the user
supplied data. The user action may includes an interaction with an
online support community that is selected from the group consisting
of: a discussion forum relating to discussion of specific issues
associated with the desired behavior modification, a user initiated
forum, interactive communication with community members via on-line
chat, a buddy feature that tracks whether other known users are
on-line at the same time as the user, a list of users who are
celebrating a milestone in the desired behavior modification, and
e-mail for sending and receiving messages to and from others users
on the system. The desired behavior modification may be selected
from the group consisting of: a cessation of smoking, a cessation
of chewing tobacco and a cessation of chewing snuff. The user
supplied data may be selected from the group consisting of: a quit
date, an age, a sex, a zip code, a type of dependency, a quantity
of dependent substance used, and questionnaire answers. The user
observed data may include how often the user has interacted with
specific features. The method may include providing a link to the
user to enable the user to interact with a counselor over a
network. The method may include providing the observed user data
and the user supplied data over the network to the counselor such
that the counselor can provide tailored information and suggestions
to the user based upon the observed user data and the user supplied
data.
[0012] The invention also features a method for delivering smoking
cessation information over a network, the method including: a)
monitoring a first action of a user on the network to obtain
observed user data relating to the cessation of smoking; b)
monitoring a second action of the user on the network to obtain
user supplied data relating to the cessation of smoking; c)
evaluating the observed user data and the user supplied data to
generate tailored information and provide suggestions for an event,
the tailored information and suggestions for progressing a user
towards the cessation of smoking; d) presenting the tailored
information and suggestions to the user over the network; and e)
repeating steps a), b), c) and d) to provide updated tailored
information until the desired behavior modification is
achieved.
[0013] The invention also features a system for delivering
healthcare content to a user over a network, the system including:
a monitoring engine for monitoring an event of a user on the
network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior
modification, and obtaining user supplied data relating to the
desired behavior modification; an evaluation engine response to the
monitoring engine, the evaluation engine evaluating the observed
user data, and the user supplied data to generate tailored
information which progresses the user towards the desired behavior
modification.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the system may include a
Medications Module for suggesting a medication profile for the
user. The system may include a Quit Date Module for assisting the
user in selecting a quit date for the desired behavior modification
program. The system may include a module for assisting the user in
the cessation of smoking. The system may include a Profile Module
for providing the user with the ability to manage personal
information. The system may include a Calendar Module for providing
the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate to
the quit date and the desired behavior modification. The system may
include a Journal Module for the user to record information as they
progress toward the desired behavior modification. The system may
include an On-Line Support Community Module. The On-Line Support
Community Module may be selected from the group consisting of: a
forum relating to discussion of specific issues associated with the
desired behavior modification, a user initiated forum, interactive
communication with community members via on-line chat; a buddy
feature for tracking whether other known users are on-line at the
same time as the user; a list of users who are celebrating a
milestone in the desired behavior modification, and e-mail for
sending and receiving messages to and from other users on the
system.
[0015] This invention also features an article of manufacture,
including: a computer readable medium having computer readable
program code for delivering information over a network, the
computer readable program code including instructions for causing
the computer system to: a) monitor a first action of a user on the
network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior
modification; b) obtain user supplied data relating to the desired
behavior modification; c) evaluate the observed user data and the
user supplied data to generate tailored information for progressing
a user towards the desired behavior modification; d) present the
tailored information to the user over the network; and e) repeat
steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is
achieved.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the article of manufacture, the
computer readable program code may include instructions for causing
the computer system to determine if additional data is required
from the user in order for the user to achieve the desired behavior
modification. The user observed data may include how often the user
has interacted with specific features. The desired behavior
modification may be selected from the group consisting of: a
cessation of smoking, a cessation of chewing tobacco and a
cessation of chewing snuff.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those
skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred
embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of the
information delivery service according to the subject
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the server of FIG. 1 in
greater detail;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one method for delivering
information that can be used with the server of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is the flowchart of FIG. 3 in greater detail showing
the monitoring engine, evaluation engine, and presentation
engine;
[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of an exemplary behavior
modification program that can be used with the system of FIG.
1;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a Quitting Guide Module that is
used with the system of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a Quit Tips Module that is used
with the system of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a My Quit Module used with the
system of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for a My Next Steps Module that is
used with the system of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for a Medications Module that is used
with the system of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 11 is another flowchart of the Medications Module of
FIG. 10;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a web page structure that
is used with the system of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a software interface that is used with the server
of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 14 is another software interface that is used with the
server of FIG. 1; and
[0032] FIG. 15 is a diagram of an e-mail sent to a user from the
server of FIG. 1.
DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed
below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to
the details of construction and the arrangements of components set
forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings.
[0034] There is shown in FIG. 1 an information delivery system 10
which includes a server 12, one or more user terminals 14, and
computer networks 16 and 16'. User terminals 14 can include one or
more remote or local terminals 14', 14", and 14'", . . . , each of
which can be any apparatus that can connect to server 12 through
network 16 or 16', such as a computer, computer terminal, cell
phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet PC, mobile phone, a
programmable user interface, or any apparatus with a web browser.
Networks 16 and 16' can include any type of computer network such
as a local area network, a wide area network or the Internet.
Server 12 includes at least one database that stores information
for distribution through or use on server 12.
[0035] In operation, a user 14' can connect to server 12 through
network 16 over line 19' to obtain or provide information, which
can relate to a desired behavior modification. Also, user 14' can
connect to server 12 and communicate with another user 14" to
exchange information that will lead towards a desired behavior
modification.
[0036] Server 12, FIG. 2, preferably includes a monitoring engine
20, evaluation engine 22, and presentation engine 24. Monitoring
engine 20 monitors an action of one of the users 14', FIG. 1, over
network 16 to obtain information that monitoring engine 20 observes
about the user. Specifically, monitoring engine 20 observes the
actions of one of the users on the network to obtain observed user
data that relates to the desired behavior modification. In
addition, monitoring engine 20 also monitors the actions of the
user on the network to obtain user supplied data relating to the
desired behavior modification. To obtain the user supplied data,
monitoring engine 20 may merely accept the data that the user
supplies to server 12 over network 16. Evaluation engine 22 obtains
from monitoring engine 20 the observed user data and the user
supplied data to generate information tailored to a specific user.
For example, evaluation engine 22 can provide a suggestion for a
user to try another program or event on server 12.
[0037] Additionally, evaluation engine 22 can provide tailored
information to the user that will progress the user a towards
desired behavior modification, such as providing an appropriate
level of information to the user. Presentation engine 24 takes the
information produced by evaluation engine 22 and presents the
tailored information and any suggestions to the user over network
16. Server 12 can iteratively repeat the actions of monitoring
engine 20, evaluation engine 22, and presentation engine 24 until
the desired behavior modification is achieved.
[0038] The flowchart of FIG. 3, which depicts the primary steps
associated with delivering information over a network, begins at 30
with presenting information about a behavior modification over a
network. This presentation of information can invite the user to
register with a service associated with server 12 and begin using
the service. At step 32, the server registers the user and obtains
basic registration information to identify at the user's current
stage of behavior modification. Based upon the user supplied data
obtained in step 32, the server uniquely displays tailored
information and/or suggestions to the user that will progress the
user towards the desired behavior modification. In step 35, the
server presents the tailored information generated in step 34 to
the user over the network. In step 36, the server collects user
supplied data provided by the user through specific software
modules. These software modules can provide informative feedback to
the user and assist the user in progressing towards the next stage
of behavior modification. In step 34, the server takes the user
supplied data obtained in step 36 to regenerate the tailored
information and suggested features appropriate to move the user to
the next stage of behavior modification. In step 35, the
regenerated tailored information is presented to the user. In this
manner, the user is continually provided with re-tailored
information resulting from an iterative process of obtaining and
evaluating data that progresses the user towards a desired behavior
modification.
[0039] In step 38, the server observes the user's action over the
network and collects the observed user data. For example, the
server can observe the user's utilization of program features and
interaction with informational resources on the server. At 34, the
server regenerates the tailored information and/or the suggested
features and in step 35 presents the regenerated tailored
information to the user. Steps 36 and 38 can be individually
repeated in conjunction with step 34 as much as necessary, or as
much as desired, to generate up-to-date tailored information based
upon the user's current stage of behavior modification. Likewise,
steps 34, 36 and 38 can occur in any order. The step of presenting
the tailored information to the user in step 35 can be done as
often as desired so as to present the user with updated tailored
information and/or suggestions.
[0040] In a more specific embodiment of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 4,
where like parts have been given like numbers accompanied by a
lower-case "a", the step of generating tailored information and
suggested features is performed by evaluation engine 22a. The steps
of 36a and 38a are performed by monitoring engine 20a. One or more
monitoring engines could be used to collect the observed user data
at 38a and the user supplied data collected in step 36a. The step
of presenting the tailored and re-tailored information to the user
is performed by presentation engine 24a.
[0041] An exemplary behavior modification program 40, FIG. 5A,
includes five stages 42-50 for modifying behavior. These stages
include Pre-contemplation Stage 42, Contemplation Stage 44,
Preparation Stage 46, Action Stage 48, and Maintenance Stage 50.
Program 40a, FIG. 5B, specifically relates to a smoking cessation
program. Each of stages 42a-50a can include one or more modules or
programs that progress a user towards the next stage of the
program. Each of the modules in program 40a can be used with only
one of stages 42a-50a or with several of the stages. Although FIGS.
5A and 5B show a behavior modification program having a number of
stages, the subject invention is not limited to a behavior
modification program or a behavior modification program having
stages.
[0042] Pre-contemplation Stage 42a includes a Registration Module
52 and a Self-Assessment Module 54. Registration Module 52 obtains
information about a user's quitting history, age, sex, zip code,
type and quantity of dependency, and other user information that
may be necessary for demographics, etc. Self-Assessment Module 54
can include questionnaires to assist the user in assessing their
stage of modification such as a "Why do you smoke?" questionnaire
and a Fagerstrom questionnaire, which is well known in the art of
smoking cessation.
[0043] Contemplation Stage 44a includes a Medications Module 56, a
Social Support Module 58, a Quit Date Module 60, and a Quitting
Guide Module 62. Medications Module 56 evaluates a user's response
to a detailed questionnaire and displays a recommendation of
medication tailored to the user's needs.
[0044] Social Support Module 58 allows users 14 to participate in a
network support community. For example, Social Support Module 58
allows users to identify themselves to other users, engage in
private communications through e-mail or other means, report
problems and abuses to the server, and obtain a sense of history in
their interactions with the server or website. Some of the features
that can be implemented with Social Support Module 58 include
discussion forums designated for discussion of specific issues
associated with the behavior modification, clubs, such as
user-initiated discussion forums, a chat feature to provide live,
interactive communication with community members, Q-mail to
facilitate private user-to-user communications that do not require
users to reveal their e-mail addresses, a buddies feature that
allows users to track whether other users they know are on the
network at the same time, a list of users who are celebrating a
milestone in their desired behavior, a user directory which allows
users to locate other members with similar profile characteristics,
and/or an anniversaries feature which lists users who are
celebrating particular milestones in their process of behavior
modification.
[0045] Quit Date Module 60 assists a user in setting a particular
goal date for a behavior modification, such as the cessation of
smoking. If the behavior modification is cessation of smoking,
setting the quit date is an action that starts a user to plan a
program of quitting. For other behavior modifications, this module
would assist a user in setting other time-based goals. If a user
has not set a quit date, Quit Date Module 60 suggests to the user
that the user set a quit date. To ensure that the user supplied
quit date is still accurate, Quit Date Module 60 can prompt the
user at a re-occurring predetermined time interval, asking whether
the quit date is still accurate.
[0046] Quitting Guide Module 62 displays tailored information that
depends upon the user supplied data and the user observed data. The
tailored information generally relates to how a user can progress
towards the next stage of behavior modification. One manner in
which the information from Quitting Guide Module 62 is tailored is
that the information is divided into sections relating to the
different stages 42-50 of behavior modification. For example, for a
user who is early in the process of behavior modification and has
not set a quit date, Quitting Guide Module 62 can display a chapter
heading such as "Making the Decision" to the user since the user is
at Pre-contemplation Stage 42. Once the user sets a quit date and
progresses to Contemplation Stage 44, Quitting Guide Module 62 will
display one or more chapters of information relevant to stage 44.
The information that Quitting Guide Module 62 provides to a user
can be further tailored in that the actual text provided by the
guide is tailored depending upon the user's characteristics. For
example, a pregnant woman who reads information from a guide will
see additional paragraphs relevant to her pregnancy. Thus, Quitting
Guide Module 62 evaluates both the state of behavioral change of
the user and any other data from monitoring engine 20a to generate
specific advice.
[0047] Preparation Stage 46a includes Social Support Module 58 and
Quitting Guide Module 62. Although modules 58 and 62 are included
in both stages 44 and 46, modules 58 and 62 may provide and obtain
different sets of information depending on which stage the user is
at. Action Stage 48a also includes Social Support Module 58 and
Quitting Guide Module 62. Maintenance Stage 50a includes Quitting
Guide Module 62 which can include information relevant to
Maintenance Stage 50a, such as relapse prevention, and nutrition
and weight gain. Behavior modification program 40a can also include
other modules that are used with one or more of stages 42a-50a,
such as a Quit Tips Module 64, a My Quit Module 66, and a My Next
Steps Module 68.
[0048] Quit Tips Module 64 schedules processes that offer users
additional recommendations whether or not they access the
information on server 12. At a predetermined frequency, such as
daily, the server determines which users have subscribed to a
service on the server. The server can then evaluate all available
data about each of the users and personalize a message in the form
of an e-mail, such as an HTML e-mail. For example, if the server
determines that the user has selected a medication plan, the e-mail
will include a section that has specific medication tips. The
information in these e-mails can be based upon the user's stage of
behavior modification in addition to all monitored data.
[0049] My Quit Module 66 serves as a functional wrapper to several
of the other modules on the server. In the embodiment in which the
server provides a website to users, My Quit Module 66 is the
personal log in and resource center for individuals working to quit
smoking. When a user logs into the web page on the server, My Quit
Module 66 evaluates all existing data that the user has supplied
and combines this with data that has been observed about the user's
activity on the website. This combined information is used to
target the sub-modules of information on the web page and to tailor
information on the page for the user. My Next Steps Module 68
suggests one or more actions a user should complete next to
progress towards the desired behavior modification. For example, My
Next Steps Module 68 can provide a list of prioritized features
available on the server or website that the user should
complete.
[0050] A user's stage of behavior modification will influence what
features or modules are more useful or relevant, and, thus, will
influence what features or modules My Next Steps Module 68 will
suggest to a user. For example, a user in Action Stage 48 will
benefit more from features like buddies and the journal because the
user can find other users for support and to record process. My
Next Steps Module 68 may direct a user who is in Contemplation
Stage 44 to features like forums and chat. My Next Steps Module 68
takes into account actions that a user has already taken or
completed. For example, a user may have already used the buddies
feature, so My Next Steps Module may now recommend that feature to
the user and may recommend another feature that the user has not
recently used.
[0051] My Next Steps Module 68 makes suggestions to users in two
different manners. First, My Next Steps Module 68 will display all
the different features available to the user and graphically
display which features the user has already tried, such as by
turning a hypertext link to a different color. Second, My Next
Steps Module 68 will suggest to the user the top three relevant
features that the user should try next based upon the data the
server has evaluated about the user.
[0052] My Next Steps Module 68 can use an algorithm to determine
what features to suggest to a user. One such algorithm is a search
engine that uses a matrix of available features that have a
desirability score appropriate for the user's stage of behavior
modification. The matrix can also designate that some features are
excluded for some users or for users in a particular stage of
behavior modification. The matrix can include the number of times
if any a user has used each feature and use this information to
determine what feature(s) should or should not be suggested to a
user. As a user continues to use the behavior modification program
40a and the server gathers more data about the user, My Next Steps
Module 68 can more accurately target suggested features to a user
based upon the user's background data.
[0053] FIGS. 6-10 show five different modules used with program 40a
and the data that each module monitors to create tailored
information for each user. Quitting Guide Module 62a, FIG. 6,
obtains user supplied data 36b from various modules such as the
Quit Date Module or the user's gender or pregnancy information from
the Registration Module. Quitting Guide Module 62a also obtains
observed user data 38b, such as monitoring whether or not a user
has selected a medication plan or has recently verified the
accuracy of the user's quit date. Quitting Guide Module 62a uses
the user supplied data 36b and the observed user data 38b to create
tailored information 34b such as highlighting an appropriate
chapter and an informational guide, customizing text, adding
messages relevant to pregnancy if a user is pregnant, and providing
information about particular medications.
[0054] Quit Tips Module 64a, FIG. 7, obtains user supplied data
36c, such as subscription information obtained from the
Registration Module, quit date information obtained from the Quit
Date Module and medication choice obtained from the Medications
Module. Quit Tips Module 64a obtains observed user data 38c such as
data relating to the user's use of prior Quit Tips e-mails, the
user's navigation on the server or website, the user's use of tips
or quotes, and the observed user's current stage of behavior
modification. Quit Tips Module 64a provides tailored information
34c to the user, such as a tailored medication plan, statistics,
tips, quotes, anniversaries, news, or tailored information from the
My Quitting Guide Module.
[0055] My Quit Module 66a, FIG. 8, obtains user supplied data 36d,
such as user information from the Registration Module, user
information from the Self-Assessment Module, and user smoking
history obtained from a Q-gadget feature. The Q-gadget feature
collects data from the user, such as how frequently the user smokes
and the user's cost of smoking, to calculate smoking statistics for
the user. After setting a quit date, a user can access the Q-gadget
feature and change the user's smoking information such as the cost
per pack and cigarettes smoked per day. In response to the changed
user information, the Q-gadget feature changes the user's
statistics, such as the lifetime saved, money saved, etc.
[0056] My Quit Module 66a obtains observed user data 38d, such as
whether or not the user has verified the accuracy of the quit date
from the Quit Date Module, whether or not the user has selected a
medication plan from the Medications Module, and what features the
user has used and has not used. My Quit Module 66a uses data 36d
and 38d to provide tailored information 34d, such as tailored
information for the My Next Steps Module or the Quitting Guide
Module, a tailored countdown, anniversary or statistics.
[0057] My Next Steps Module 68a obtains user supplied data 36e,
such as a quit date from the Quit Date Module, smoking motivations
or degree of addiction from the Self-Assessment Module, or previous
quit attempts from the Registration Module. My Next Steps Module
68a obtains observed user data 38e, such as features that the user
has not used on the server, the number of buddies, or the amount of
participation in forums or clubs from the Social Support Module. My
Next Steps Module 68a uses data 36e and 38e to provide tailored
information 34e, such as suggesting the user find buddies on line,
participating in forums, or performing a self-assessment.
[0058] Medications Module 56a obtains user supplied data 36f, such
as specific data to tailor a medication recommendation. Medications
Module 56a obtains observed user data 38f, such as by verifying the
accuracy of existing data, or observing the user's activity on the
server with respect to medications. Medications Module 56a, uses
the tailored information 34f to provide suggestions about types of
medication and suggestions for taking a specific medication. It
should be apparent from the above description for FIGS. 6-10 that
any module can obtain user supplied data and/or observed user data
from any of the other modules described herein and also from the
user's activity on the server or website.
[0059] A flowchart, FIG. 11, for using the Medications Module
begins in step 70 with allowing the user to access the Medications
Module. In step 72, the Medications Module determines whether or
not the information relating to the Fagerstrom self-assessment test
is up-to-date. If the test information is not up-to-date, in step
74, the Medications Module administers either part of the
Fagerstrom test, or the full test. If at step 72, the Medications
Module determines that the Fagerstrom information is up-to-date,
then in step 76, the Medications Module determines whether or not
the user has set a quit date for the behavior modification, such as
the cessation of smoking. If the user has not set a quit date, then
in step 78 the Quit Date Module assists the user in setting a quit
date. The Medications Module may either automatically send the user
to the Quit Date Module, or may only suggest that the user access
the feature associated with the Quit Date Module to set a quit
date. If at step 76 the Medications Module determines the user has
set a quit date, at step 80, the Medications Module administers a
full medications questionnaire to determine what is the best
medication for a user to progress towards the behavior
modification, such as the cessation of smoking.
[0060] Software interface 90, FIG. 12, includes the main content
window 92, a site specific header 94, site-wide footer 96,
right-hand tailored information 98, and left-hand tailored
information 100. Main content window 92 displays information
depending on what feature or part of the server site, such as a
website, that the user is looking at. Site specific header 94
includes typical information that may be included on every web page
and can also include branding information to identify a specific
network or website. Right-hand 98 and Left-hand 100 tailored
information includes information that the server has determined is
appropriately tailored to each specific user. Site-wide footer 96
can include a standard footer on each network or website, such as a
copyright notice and/or site-specific information. This tailored
and re-tailored information may be different for every user that
accesses the information on the server.
[0061] Software interface 110, FIG. 13, shows how the server can
obtain user supplied information and provide tailored information
to the user. To obtain user supplied information, the server can
provide registration questions to the user. For example, the server
can obtain information about whether the user is seriously thinking
of quitting smoking 112, how soon the user smokes their first
cigarette in the morning 114, how may times the user has quit
smoking for at least 24 hours 116, and how many cigarettes the user
smokes on an average day 118. In addition, the server can ask the
user what kind of treatment was used during past quit attempts 120,
whether or not the user would prefer to receive e-mail 122, the
race or ethnic background of the user 124, the highest level of
education that the user achieved 126, and the profession or trade
of the user 128.
[0062] Software interface 110 also includes tailored information
such as one or more quotes 130 that are tailored with regard to the
user's stage of behavior modification. Also, software interface 110
includes tailored statistics, such as how much money the user can
expect to save if they quit 132, days added to the user's life for
quitting 134, and tips 136, which can be related to the user's
stage of behavior modification.
[0063] Software interface 140, FIG. 14, shows how the server can
obtain observed user data. Software interface 140 can provide the
user with options to use features of the system and track whether
the user uses these features and how much if so. For example,
software interface 140 includes a link 142 to a Quit Date Module to
set a quit date, a link 144 to quitting tools to learn about
smoking behavior, a link 146 to a quitting guide to obtain
information, and a link 148 to a Medications Module. Software
interface 140 can also include a link 150 to support forums, a link
152 to a buddy feature, a link 154 to "celebrate an anniversary of
a quit date", a link 156 to sending Q-mail to a friend, and a link
164 to "start a club".
[0064] Software interface 140 also includes tailored information
such as the feature My Next Steps 162 that provides suggested
features from the My Next Steps Module. My next steps 162 shows the
three next suggested steps as being Quit Date Wizard, My Profile
and forums. The suggestions provided by My Next Steps 162 are
frequently updated and re-tailored in an iterative process of
obtaining and evaluating the observed user data and user supplied
data. Interface 140 can also include information such as a user
profile 164, a calendar 166, a journal 168, and user rewards
170.
[0065] Additionally, software interface 140 can include tab 161 for
an expert support page that has information or a link for a user to
obtain expert advice, such as by an expert counselor over the
network, about the desired behavior modification. If a user
contacts a counselor over the network, the counselor preferably has
access to the user's observed user data and user supplied data to
provide a tailored opinion and/or tailored suggestions to the user
with regard to the desired behavior modification.
[0066] The server can also provide tailored information and/or
suggestions to a user based on user supplied data and observed user
data through an e-mail 180 to a user. E-mail 180 includes tailored
information such as statistics 182, a "Quit Tip" 184, a quote 186
related to the behavior modification, news headlines 187, a
frequent question and answer 188, and promotional information 190
relating to the behavior modification. The tailored information
182-190 and software interface 180 can include hypertext links to
allow the user to obtain further information from the server if the
user desires further information. The server can also obtain
additional observed user data when a user selects one of the
hypertext links in e-mail 180 related to tailored information
182-190.
[0067] One skilled in the art would recognize that this system can
be applied to additional behavior modifications including, but not
limited to, weight loss, alcohol and drug dependency and substance
abuse through programs that may be stage-based, as illustrated in
the example of smoking cessation, or non-stage based, where
user-supplied and observed user data are evaluated along a
continuum of change as the user progresses towards a long term goal
such as weight reduction.
[0068] The methods of the present invention can be performed with a
server or computer and computer software installed thereon that has
instructions to perform the steps of the invention. Alternatively,
methods of the present invention can be performed with equipment
that has installed hardware or firmware having instructions to
perform the steps of the invention. Software used with embodiments
of the present invention can be stored on computer readable medium
for storing data, such as, for example, but not limited to, floppy
disks, magnetic tape, zip disks, hard drives, CD-ROM, optical
disks, RAM, ROM, PROM or a combination of these.
[0069] Although specific features of the invention are shown in
some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as
each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features
in accordance with the invention. The words "including",
"comprising", "having", and "with" as used herein are to be
interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any
physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in
the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible
embodiments.
[0070] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and
are within the following claims:
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