U.S. patent application number 13/271157 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-13 for system to format and use electronically readable identification data strings, biometric data, matrix codes and other data to link and enroll users of products and services to roles and rights and fees and prices associated with research protocols linked to said products and services.
Invention is credited to Stanley Benjamin Smith.
Application Number | 20120233013 13/271157 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46796945 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120233013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Stanley Benjamin |
September 13, 2012 |
System to format and use electronically readable identification
data strings, biometric data, matrix codes and other data to link
and enroll users of products and services to roles and rights and
fees and prices associated with research protocols linked to said
products and services
Abstract
The system and method uses strings of computer readable
characters, such as QR Codes, biometric data captured from
electronic devices, and RFID tags to link contributors to a data
supply chain upon transmission from electronic devices that
transmit said data strings. The electronically readable
identification data strings include connection and context
information for enrollees, regulators, and providers of services
and products to be subscribed to asynchronous notifications and
alerts as well to exchange fees, incentives, and rewards for
contributions, participation, and access. Enrolled contributors are
enabled to interact with electronic devices or websites or servers
to contribute observations and data into protocols or otherwise
participate in a data supply chain. In some instances, links
between a server and electronic devices capable of overwriting
computer readable character strings or matrix codes will be
implemented and fees charged for revising said data strings upon
acceptance of a version transmitted by enrolled contributors.
Inventors: |
Smith; Stanley Benjamin;
(Fort Mill, SC) |
Family ID: |
46796945 |
Appl. No.: |
13/271157 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12932798 |
Mar 7, 2011 |
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13271157 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/00 20130101;
G06Q 10/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.5 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A system and method for formatting a data string or matrix code
to instruct a server or electronic device to register a user upon
receipt of a data string or an image of a matrix code from said
user wherein said data string or image contains: an instruction to
post or link one or a plurality of products or services or agents
associated with the data string or matrix code to a dataset housed
upon the server or electronic device receiving the data string or
matrix code upon receipt of said data string or matrix code; an
instruction to collect information from the user of the server or
electronic device originating the data string upon receipt of the
data string by the server or electronic device receiving the data
string; an instruction to accept from the user of the server or
electronic device originating the data string or matrix code upon
receipt of the data string or matrix code by the server or
electronic device receiving the data string or matrix code an
electronically transmissible address or method of contact from the
user of the server or electronic device originating the data string
or matrix code; an instruction to assign the user to the one or a
plurality of datasets associated with the one or a plurality of
products or services or agents housed upon the server or electronic
device receiving the data string or matrix code; an instruction to
assign the user a right to access one or a plurality of data
collection forms associated with the one or a plurality of datasets
assigned to the user; an instruction to assign the user a right to
access one or a plurality of data collection forms associated with
the one or a plurality of datasets assigned to the user; an
instruction to assign the user a right to enter data into one or a
plurality of data collection forms associated with the one or a
plurality of datasets assigned to the user; an instruction to
assign the user a right to change or edit an observation within one
or a plurality of data collection forms associated with the one or
a plurality of datasets assigned to the user; an instruction to
assign the user a right to accept or reject an observation within
one or a plurality of data collection forms associated with the one
or a plurality of datasets assigned to the user or to another user
or role specified within the matrix code; an instruction to assign
the user a right to append or attach a file to an observation
within one or a plurality of data collection forms associated with
the one or a plurality of datasets assigned to the user or to
another user or role specified within the matrix code; an
instruction to charge a transaction fee to be paid by the owner of
the one or a plurality of datasets accessed by the user to the
owner of the server or electronic device housing the one or a
plurality of datasets upon posting of an entry of at least one
observation into a data collection form associated with at least
one dataset; an instruction to log and implement a payment
transaction of one or a plurality of fees to be paid to the user
associated with the one or a plurality of datasets for each data
observation or entry accepted by the owner of the one or a
plurality of datasets; an instruction to log and implement a prize
or bounty to be delivered to the user associated with the one or a
plurality of datasets for a data entry accepted by the designated
owner of the one or a plurality of datasets or the owner of the
server hosting the one or a plurality of datasets; an instruction
to log and designate one or a plurality of roles or rights with
fees or prices or charges to be collected from the user associated
with the one or a plurality of roles or rights upon said user
accessing one or a plurality of datasets or upon said user being
the recipient of one or a plurality of server actions generated by
trigger events within the one or a plurality of datasets; an
instruction to log and designate one or a plurality of roles or
rights with fees or prices or charges to be collected from the user
associated with the one or a plurality of roles or rights upon said
user viewing or downloading data from one or a plurality of
datasets; an instruction to log and implement an incremental
adjustment of the status label or tag of the user associated with
one or a plurality of datasets for a data entry accepted by the
designated owner of the one or a plurality of datasets or the owner
of the server hosting the one or a plurality of datasets; an
instruction to assign a user to a position within an organizational
hierarchy wherein the position is subordinate to or superior to a
position assigned to at least one other position within an
organizational hierarchy; an instruction to log and implement an
incremental adjustment of the set of rights of the user associated
with each of the one or a plurality of datasets for a data entry
accepted by the designated owner of the one or a plurality of
datasets or the owner of the server hosting the one or a plurality
of datasets; an instruction to associate or link an observation to
at least one other user associated with the one or a plurality of
datasets; an instruction to associate or link a first user
associated with the one or a plurality of datasets to have a right
to review or validate or approve an associated or linked
observation entered by a second user connected to the first user in
a subordinate position within a hierarchy; an instruction to
associate or link a first user associated with one or a plurality
of datasets to have a right to edit or change one or a plurality of
associated or linked observations not entered by the first user,
but by a second user connected to the first user in a subordinate
position within a hierarchy; an instruction to associate or link a
particular user associated with one or a plurality of datasets to
have a right to append or attach one or a plurality of files to one
or a plurality of associated or linked observations not entered by
that user; an instruction to assign a particular user associated
with one or a plurality of datasets a right to build one or a
plurality of calculation formulae for one or a plurality of
observations entered by the user, said calculations having one or a
plurality of threshold or trigger values that when achieved may
initiate actions and events upon or by the server or electronic
device housing said one or a plurality of datasets; an instruction
to assign a particular user associated with one or a plurality of
datasets a right to combine one or a plurality of datasets and
apply the one or a plurality of calculation formulae for one or a
plurality of observations entered by all users associated with said
one or a plurality of combined datasets, said calculations having
one or a plurality of threshold or trigger values that when
achieved may initiate actions and events upon or by the server or
electronic device housing said one or a plurality of datasets; an
instruction to assign a user associated with one or a plurality of
datasets a right to assign one or a plurality of rating scales to
one or a plurality of forms within one or a plurality of datasets;
an instruction to assign a user associated with one or a plurality
of datasets a right to design one or a plurality of notifications
or emails or to designate one or a plurality of server actions to
perform upon achievement of a threshold value calculated by one or
a plurality of formulae upon the one or a plurality of datasets; an
instruction to assign one or a plurality of users associated with
one or a plurality of datasets a right to receive one or a
plurality of notifications or alerts triggered by one or a
plurality of calculation formulae for one or a plurality of
observations entered by particular users or by all users associated
with said one or a plurality of datasets; an instruction to
designate the one or a plurality of users associated with one or a
plurality of datasets a right to receive one or a plurality of
screen postings on the respective electronic device of the
designated user or to forward instant messages or emails upon
achievement of a threshold value calculated by one or a plurality
of formulae upon the one or a plurality of datasets; an instruction
to forward the one or a plurality of notifications or screen
postings onto the respective electronic device of the designated
user or to forward instant messages or mails upon achievement of a
threshold value calculated by one or a plurality of formulae upon
the one or a plurality of datasets; an instruction upon connection
to forward the one or a plurality of notifications or screen
postings onto the respective electronic device of the designated
user or to forward instant messages or emails upon achievement of a
threshold value calculated by one or a plurality of formulae upon
the one or a plurality of datasets; plurality of formulae upon the
one or a plurality of datasets; and an instruction to designate one
or a plurality of entities that are not assigned user rights to a
dataset to be included in the dataset viewing, notification, email,
alert, instant messaging, and screen postings triggered by one or a
plurality of calculation formulae for one or a plurality of
observations entered by all users associated with said one or a
plurality of datasets.
2. A system and method for formatting a data string or matrix code
to instruct a server or electronic device to register a user upon
receipt of an image of the matrix code or upon receipt of the data
string wherein said formatting includes: offering an option to draw
from said data string or matrix code and post upon the server
contact information, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and
addresses from said data string or matrix code or a data table upon
a server upon connection to that server; offering an option to draw
from said data string or matrix code and post upon the server
demographic information, such as age, gender, health status, and
occupational history from said data string or matrix code or a data
table upon a server upon connection to that server; offering an
option to draw from said data string or matrix code and post upon
the server information regarding a medical history from said data
string or matrix code or a data table upon a server upon connection
to that server; offering an option to draw from said data string or
matrix code and post upon the server information regarding a gene
map from a data string or matrix code or a data table upon a server
upon connection to that server; offering an option to draw from
said data string or matrix code and post upon the server social
network link and information upon connection to that server;
offering an option to draw from said data string or matrix code and
post upon the server further or additional data within the data
string or matrix code upon connection to that server; and offering
an option to draw from said data string or matrix code and post
upon the server banking and credit card and other financial
transactional links from a data string or matrix code or a data
table upon a server upon connection to that server.
3. A system and method for a server or electronic device to
generate a revision to a data string or matrix code: associating
the revised data string or matrix code with a data string or matrix
code of an enrolled contributor included into the data supply
chain; connecting to the electronic device or server originating
the initial or prior version of the data string or matrix code;
offering an option to implement a link from the server to the
electronically writable medium or device capable of generating a
data string or matrix code; offering an option to draw from said
server one or a plurality of modifications to write to the
electronically writable medium or device one or a plurality of
changes to a data string or matrix code assigned to said user;
offering an option to manually or to automatically post or
overwrite the current version of the data string or matrix code on
the originating server; and offering an option to the user of the
server to collect a fee or payment for the one or a plurality of
modifications of the original data string or matrix code.
4. The system and method as in claim 2 for enabling a participant
enrolling into a data supply using a data string or matrix code
for: accepting one or a plurality of the fields or links posted
onto the server from said data string or electronically readable
identification or matrix code for acceptance or rejection to be
stored on the server; accepting a solicitation for updates of one
or a plurality of fields from said data string or matrix or
electronically readable identification code marked for storage on
the server; and accepting access on a server associated with the
enrolled contributor or participant from said electronically
readable identification or matrix code to download one or a
plurality of fields marked for storage on the server.
5. The system and method as in claim 1 wherein the registering of
one or a plurality of users to link to one or a plurality of
datasets may be for a designated time span.
6. The system and method as in claim 1 wherein fees for processing
a registration are collected through interact banking services.
7. The system and method as in claim 1 wherein fees and payments
for contributions of observations from enrolled users are paid
through internet banking services.
8. The system and method as in claim 1 wherein an entity such as a
person or agent of a vendor or manufacturer or service provider or
regulatory agency or financial institution or researcher may use
one or a plurality of the following options to; manually register
and post data and updates to data regarding their identity and the
identity of the entity they represent to include one or a plurality
of data items of demographic and other information to be linked to
users who are contributors of observations; transmit from an
electronic device a matrix or electronically readable
identification code to register and post data and updates to data
regarding their identity and the identity of the entity they
represent to include one or a plurality of data items of
demographic and other information to be linked to users who are
contributors of observations; and transmit a string of data from an
electronic device capable of transmitting computer readable code to
register and post data and updates to data regarding their identity
and the identity of the entity they represent to include one or a
plurality of data items of demographic and other information to be
linked to users who are contributors of observations.
9. The system and method of claim 1 wherein an entity not assigned
full or all user rights may be: included in the notification,
email, alert, instant messaging, and screen postings triggered by
one or a plurality of calculation formulae for one or a plurality
of observations within said dataset for a designated time span;
included in the notification, email, alert, instant messaging, and
screen postings triggered by one or a plurality of calculation
formulae for one or a plurality of observations within said dataset
for a designated protocol or data collection form; required to pay
fees for dataset views or other methods of dataset access; and
required to pay fees for notifications, wails, alerts, instant
messages, and screen postings triggered by one or a plurality of
calculation formulae for one or a plurality of observations within
said dataset.
10. The system and method as in claim 1 wherein an electronic
device that transmits a matrix code or other electronically
readable identification code may receive an instruction from said
matrix or electronically readable identification code to transmit
data associated with said electronic device to be included in the
enrollment data.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The system and method of the invention described herein
relates to the enrollment of participants into a data supply chain
through configuration and hardlinking or object hyperlinking or
transmission of electronically readable identification strings of
data, biometric data, matrix or two dimensional codes, and other
strings of identification data readable by electronic devices. More
specifically, it introduces art to format and configure
electronically readable identification data or biometric data or
matrix codes that conform to one or a plurality of metadata
standards including formatting, configuring, and joining codes or
strings of characters to enroll contributors, collectors, auditors,
and users of data into a data collection and processing method and
system to use for research or risk management or quality control or
performance feedback to manufacturers or service providers or
individual actors or persons upon sale or distribution or exchange
of a product or service; also including transaction fees, payment,
and other methods for compensating participants for roles
undertaken within the data supply chain. Included within the one or
a plurality of forms of electronically readable identification to
implement the enrollment process is registration for receipt of
notifications, alerts and updates to be transmitted to the
enrollee, and assignment of the enrollee to roles and functions
within the data supply chain. A further aspect of the invention
described herein is allocation of prices and fees for users
exercising their roles and rights within a data supply chain. The
system and method further includes use of electronic devices to
transmit and update data strings of biometric information, matrix
codes, data from RFID tags, and electronically readable
identification codes within electronic devices as information
associated with an enrollee or a product or service or a person
providing a service changes.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Adverse side effects of medications and product defects in
manufactured biological and chemical agents or medical or
protective devices and equipment can result in harm or loss.
Indeed, many products or services may pose a risk to users,
purchasers or recipients. Product recalls of automobiles, food,
toys, and medicines that were thought to be safe occur with
regularity. Gaps in time between trends in data indicating risk and
analysis and action regarding said risk can result in unnecessary
loss of lives and property. Implementing a rapid enrollment system
and method to facilitate input into datasets to be used for data
analysis or to trigger notifications and feedback to manufacturers,
providers, users, regulators, and other vested parties will enable
early warning of emergent problems and rapid response to risks
associated with a product or service. Notifications, alerts, and
other communications enabled through the system and method of the
invention described herein distributed to participants in a data
supply chain including regulatory agencies, manufacturers, service
providers, and individual end users of products and services will
enable better management of risks and liabilities in real time.
Monetizing the enrollment event may motivate participation in a
data supply chain. Additionally, assigning values and prices and
other rewards to rights and roles assigned participants in a data
supply chain through the enrollment process structures and
rationalizes widely distributed yet flexible participation.
[0005] The Department of Homeland Security and the FDA are
encouraging development of systems and methods for real time
tracking of the distribution, utilization, and positive or adverse
impacts of biological and chemical agents or equipment that may be
distributed through emergency response channels or through standard
retail and other distribution channels and outlets during emergency
events. Enrolling users of products and services into feedback
processes, especially feedback processes for vaccines
pharmaceuticals or medical devices, will support statutory and
regulatory requirements to track risks and other data or
information following regulatory approval and upon inclusion into
distribution networks. Studies of long term effects and
interactions of medications or services, such as medical
procedures, also may uncover unanticipated adverse effects.
[0006] The invention described herein has a preferred embodiment
that includes formatting a QR Code or any of the many variants of
matrix codes or other identification codes, including biometric
identification, to associate a product or service or procedure with
an end user or customer. Upon transfer or implementation or
purchase or initiation of use of a product or service or procedure,
a link between said end user or customer and other participating
entities in a data supply chain can be established. For example,
the recipient of the product as well as the vendor and provider can
enroll to access data collection protocols as data contributors or
to serve other roles within a data supply chain.
[0007] The term "data supply chain" is intended to describe a
linked system of data contributors, protocols and formats for
collection of data, data from automated entry and posting
processes, input from persons that vet audit and analyze data,
triggers and other processes and calculations that mark achievement
of positive or negative thresholds of values within the dataset,
server or electronic device and human actions resulting from
trigger thresholds being reached or surpassed, communications
notifications or additional server or electronic device actions
involving or forwarded to contributors and other participants, and
other forward or backward chains of server or electronic device
actions that may be initiated by achievement of trigger conditions
including allocation of transaction fees prices awards charges and
other exchanges of social or physical currencies among participants
in the data supply chain and process. The value of a right or a
role within a data supply chain may vary. Users who contribute
observations or data may be allocated a payment per contribution;
while those who review or audit observations may be allocated a
different level of payment or reward. In contrast, users who access
a portion of a data supply chain may be charged or fee for the
right to view or download or access or may be assigned a right to
receive a notification or other action resulting from the operation
of the data supply chain. The allocation of payments or charges
will vary according to the value propositions and decisions of
managers of the data supply chain regarding rights and roles for
interaction with said data supply chain.
[0008] An additional use of electronically readable identification
strings or biometric data or matrix codes in the invention
described herein is the optimal assignment to a potential enrollee
of an electronically readable identification string such as a
string of biometric data and a matrix code or an RFID tag that
includes identity data and other forms of identifying data thus
enabling enrollment data to be enriched. Enrollment of contributors
may be automated through use of said electronically readable
identification strings or biometric data or matrix codes or RFID
tags when transmitted or exchanged by electronic devices.
Enrollment of service providers or product manufacturers into a
data supply chain may also be achieved through use of
electronically readable identification strings or matrix codes from
said providers or product manufacturers. A further use of data
strings or matrix codes includes assignment of a data string or
matrix code to associate with each product or service or procedure
the service provider or manufacturer elects to link into the data
supply chain, thus registering said product or service or procedure
or a variant of said product or service or procedure. Thus, there
are six kinds of participation within a data supply chain; first,
the producer or manufacturer or provider of the product or service
or procedure that is to be associated with observations; second,
the product or service or procedure or even the person or employee
that is the target or recipient of observations; third, the persons
or devices that generate and input observations about the target or
recipient of the observations; fourth, the persons or equipment
that vet or validate observations for processing and other actions,
such as routing notifications and reports regarding the
observations to any of the entities participating in the data
supply chain; fifth, the regulatory or financial processing entity
that may not be in a direct relationship with the targets of
observations, but may be enabled to interact with the datasets
within the data supply chain and be included in notification and
reporting in order to do external reviews or to allocate and
implement payment or exchange of fees prices and other rewards to
other participants; and sixth, where the participants does not
participate in improving or changing the content of the data supply
chain, yet may view or review or download data or be the recipient
of server actions generated by changes within the data supply
chain.
[0009] Electronically readable identification within RFID tags,
embedded chips, and two dimensional matrix codes can carry
significantly more data than earlier constructs for code strings,
such as UPC codes; and are now capable of including data from an
enrollee's medical history, biometric data, and financial and
transactional information for posting to one or a plurality of
datasets on a server or device homing the enrollee's enrollment
information. Electronic devices capable of capturing biometric data
may also post or append said data to an enrollee's enrollment or
registration information.
[0010] Structuring automated enrollment and payment or incentives
for real time end user input into a disciplined research process
included within a well designed data supply chain will advance the
public interest. The invention described herein can further be
folded into any of the processes for offering reviews and feedback
through social networks and through direct registration or
subscription to feedback formats and processes on websites managed
by manufacturers or producers as well as by software as a service
(SaaS) vendors. The invention described herein can further be
applied to risks associated with behavior of persons operating as
representatives of agencies or organizations in a fashion similar
to application of the invention to capturing data regarding impact
or consequences resulting from use of a service or product.
[0011] Art to implement data supply chain and provide incentives to
participate in data supply has been evolving. The invention
described herein advances the advantages of the data supply chain
with triggered real time notifications introduced by Smith (U.S.
Pat. No. 7,860,760). That system and method, Smith (U.S. Pat. No.
7,860,760), enables pricing of notifications and server actions
triggered by new or updated data streamed or posted into a dataset.
Art introduced through Smith (Ser. No. 12/930,280) enables pricing
of a data item for inclusion into a data supply chain by its
popularity as a search terra Smith (Ser. No. 12/932,798) of which
this invention is a Continuation in Part also teaches art to weight
and price contributions from variably weighted sources and variably
weighted observations of research targets or data items. Additional
art introduced by Smith (Ser. No. 12/932,797) describes a system
and method for calculating fees for interaction of a user with a
graphical user interface (GUI) on a website or host server housing
a dataset or a plurality of datasets accessible through said GUI.
The invention described herein enables enrolled participants to
interact with GUI's as described by Smith (Ser. No. 12,932,797) if
the data collector or enrolled data contributor opt to engage in
the pricing and fee exchanges of that system and method. Further
art introduced by Smith (Ser. No. 13/134,596) offers a system and
method to facilitate and price data exchange from electronic
devices linked to the systems and methods of Smith (U.S. Pat No.
7,860,760, Ser. No. 12/932,797, and 12/932,798). Art has also been
described, Smith (Attorney File: DatasetIteration) to integrate
fees and rewards for incremental improvements, updates, and
additions of data to data accumulation processes within Social
Networks or networks of users and servers or websites. Smith (Ser.
No. 13/136,421) further introduces a system and method for pricing
linking of message streams and RFID tags and UPC codes to data
sources. That invention, Smith (Ser. No. 13/136,421), deals with
pricing uploading of data and data streams through electronic
devices, rather than enrollment of participants into a data supply
chain. The invention described herein takes a different approach to
pricing and inclusion by addressing pricing and fees for enrollment
registration or subscription and prices and fees for variants of
roles and rights assigned to participants in a data supply
chain.
[0012] While each of the systems and methods of the systems, and
methods of the patent and patent applications cited herein can be
implemented completely independently of one another, an integration
of all said cited systems and methods will facilitate the social
objective of encouraging the evolution of real time data supply
chains to reduce risks and leverage knowledge and information. The
art described in the invention herein provides a method and system
for rapid enrollment of participants into a data supply chain. At
every point within a data supply chain, transaction fees and prices
can be implemented and established for enrolling and registering
data contributors.
[0013] Clinical Research Organizations (CRO's) and other research
service providers enroll contributors of data and feedback into
research processes and programs that include access to formal
protocols. For example, CRO's enlist interviewers or agents to
collect data from physicians who are in a position to observe risks
or side effects; or CRO's provide survey forms (often called
"protocols") and materials for physicians or other health care
providers to complete regarding observations of side effects and
drug interactions and medical outcomes. Often, responses to
questions on survey forms are manually entered into datasets by
data entry technicians or entered through electronic devices
implementing survey form reading software, introducing a potential
for data entry errors. Additionally, when CRO's conduct telephone
surveys and use other forms of personal contact such as office
visits and interviews to actively collect data from users of
pharmaceuticals or other products, the agents or equipment
collecting the information may misinterpret or inaccurately record
the information. The system and method of the invention for rapid
enrollment of contributors to research protocols described herein
reduces the lag time between end users of products and services
initiating use of a product or service and the registering and
posting observations of side effects or responses to a
pharmaceutical or medication, increasing the potential for timely
accurate structured data entry. Broadly distributed enrollment of
contributors into a data supply chain can also supplement, enhance,
and serve to check or verify the quality of data obtained through
personal interaction and interviews, especially if control or
comparison groups are part of follow on study processes for long
term outcomes, for side effects, and for unanticipated adverse
impact.
[0014] Another common method for collecting data is to email a link
to the website housing a survey to a potential contributor.
Manufacturers and service providers often retain SaaS vendors that
offer email linking and other survey research capabilities.
Companies and services such as SurveyMonkey or Zoomerang enable
researchers to construct and deliver surveys and link contributors
into survey administration processes. Research and survey
organizations like Gallup and Gartner also structure temporary or
permanent links between their sites and distributed groups of
contributors to collect input into survey research forms. Data
collected through these survey research organizations is analyzed
at intervals; sometimes even regular intervals. However, the delay
between input and analysis and notification of persons or entities
that might be subject to risks or liabilities can be costly. The
system and method described herein integrates communication and
notification methods upon enrollment to reduce the lag time between
discovery of risk and alerting enrollees and other parties included
into the data supply chain.
[0015] An industry has evolved to enable the processing and
interpretation of data gathered through survey collection tools.
Art introduced by Smith (U.S. Pat. No. 7,860,760) enables the
bypassing of much of the data processing required in survey
research and moves directly to triggered actions based upon
thresholds or triggers set by researchers or physicians or others
engaged in risk management as data is accumulated in real time.
Post hoc analysis of the collected data is still available, but the
delay between input related to known risks or risk thresholds and
initiation of alerts is eliminated. Art introduced by Smith (Ser.
No. 12/932,798) enables the weighting of input sources and the
weighting of targets for observation and can be integrated with the
art of Smith (U.S. Pat. No. 7,860,760) to improve relevance,
timeliness and utility of data collected. The invention described
herein is a Continuation in Part of Smith (Ser. No. 12/932,798). If
contributors of data enter responses and observations into
protocols that are sufficiently well formed and constructed, and
are enabled to offer sufficient detail or context regarding; [0016]
the behavior and impact of a person providing a service, [0017] the
consequences or side effects of use of a product or performance of
a procedure, [0018] the consequences or results that emerge
following the provision of a service or use of a product, [0019]
and consequences or results that follow the implementation of a
process or procedure, the quality and utility and appropriateness
of the data and the resulting response to analysis and
interpretation may be enriched.
[0020] Eliminating the complexities of enrollment of contributors
and other participants and bypassing the multiple steps and
processes required for analysis prior to action enables risk
management to be more efficiently and effectively managed on a
larger scale and can leverage the art in Smith (U.S. Pat. No.
7,860,760) without sacrificing the quality of the data collected.
However, without social and monetary incentives to encourage
enrollment, or without monetization of the enrollment transaction
as introduced by the system and method of the invention described
herein, the volume of real time collection of observations from
widely dispersed sets of enrollees in real time is likely to be
lower, resulting in slower accumulation of data that might trip a
risk and notification trigger or threshold. The combination of a
simple enrollment process with rewards and incentives and
monetization of the process for enrollment will facilitate a robust
and continuous supply of actionable real time data. Conversely,
providing access to portions of a data supply chain or actions
generated through a data supply chain enables fees and payments to
be charged to those who benefit from the data supplied or
accessed.
[0021] The emergence and wide distribution of smart phones and
other electronic devices capable of implementing computer readable
code expands the technological capacity to include end users of
products and services into rigorous research processes efficiently
and automatically. In the event of national regional or local
emergencies, these electronic devices can enable tracking the
distribution, utilization, and impact of resources or assets.
Further, it can enable receipt of continuous feedback from
emergency responders or citizens in possession of said resources or
assets to improve decision making regarding levels of risk,
prioritizing allocation of resources, and other factors. Enrolling
both emergency responders and citizens rapidly and efficiently into
real time contributions of data to datasets of value to
governmental or regulatory agencies and other stakeholders or
entities for the regulation, management, or reduction of risks to
public health or welfare is essential, for managing emergency and
crisis situations. Linking the user of the resource, the provider
of the resource, ad hoc or pre-validated research protocols, and
real time triggering of alerts and notifications can enable truly
flexible real time responses to emergency situations.
[0022] Users and producers of data in the various forms of
databases, data tables, streams of data from RFID tags, data
generated by and through messaging services and social networking
sites, and data generated by the multitude of electronic devices
capable of implementing computer readable code will benefit from
improved and additional tools for enrolling voluntary contributors
of data into a data supply chain. The invention described herein
addresses a system and method for achievement of a subset of a data
supply chain we have labeled C1 in the group of four fundamental
components of a data supply chain we label as "Delta4C:" [0023] 1.
C1=Connect and enroll all involved parties or participants rapidly
and effectively from a distributed network to properly include and
assign observers into a process for data contribution [0024] 2.
C2=Collect real time observations from a full circle of
contributors with variable weighting for reputation and access to
relevant information [0025] 3. C3=Compute the values and ratings of
accumulated observations to assess whether thresholds for risks or
alerts have been met or surpassed [0026] 4. C4=Communicate or
notify the right parties regarding information that is actionable
for them.
[0027] The method and system of the invention described herein
focuses won the term labeled "C1" in the list and enables rapid
enrollment of end users of products or goods and services as
contributors of real time actionable intelligence and information
to be used to reduce risks in times of national emergency as well
as collect routine incremental observations. The method and system
will also enable implementation of transaction fees and charges to
be paid to the provider or vendor doing the enrollment and also
enable the producer of the product or service to implement rewards,
fees, bounties, coupons, and other incentives for contributions of
data to a data supply chain. Using the system and method, FDA, CDC,
HSA, FEMA, DOD and other agencies or entities may accumulate input
from dispersed contributors; including observations of the utility,
effects, impacts, outcomes, side effects, associated risks,
advantages, quality or other measures, and numerical ratings useful
for assessing a manufactured item or service or process. Indeed,
the system and method can be applied to any subject or topic for
research, such as biological or social or environmental
interactions. The system and method of the enrollment process may
be enriched to include sufficient information about enrollees to
enable real time notifications and communications to be tailored to
inform and instruct enrollees and emergency responders of actions
to undertake in response to emergent or unique situations.
[0028] The FDA has begun to consider tools and mechanisms for a
"flexible, nimble system to produce medical countermeasures rapidly
in the face of any attack or threat, known or unknown," and the
rapid enrollment of contributors to the data supply chain of
observations regarding risks and liabilities along with the
notification processes will facilitate achievement of that
objective. The data supply chain and accompanying infrastructure
will enable the goal of the FDA's MCMi regulatory science program
(Pillar II): "to facilitate, simplify, and speed the development
and evaluation of medical countermeasures by . . . risk
communication to improve public health outcomes, . . . and
real-time tracking and evaluation of MCM safety and efficacy during
public health emergencies." There are significant benefits to
meliorating risks through capturing real time observations from a
full circle of observers and to proactively notify providers,
patients or other recipients of services or products, as well as
manufacturers and service providers as risks are identified. Easing
processes to enable every responsible party and every user of a
medication or medical device or product or service to contribute
weighted, vetted, context rich data regarding side effects, drug
interactions, contamination, manufacturing defects, or other
potential concerns before they endanger larger groups of consumers
or escalate into liabilities will make consumers safer and provide
emergency responders with actionable intelligence as they formulate
policy and determine courses of action. The richer the information
regarding the contributor of data, such as the contributor's
medical history or genetic map or demographic information, the more
comprehensive the analysis and interpretation of the interaction of
the contributor and the product or service. Conversely, the richer
the information regarding the product or service itself and the
provider of the product or service, the more comprehensive the
analysis and interpretation of the interactions between persons
performing a service or between products or services and those who
receive the services or products. Generating and assigning matrix
or other codes or biometric data to potential participants in a
data supply chain can leverage any of the information the enrollee
chooses to contribute or make available to the research process as
well as facilitate the automation of registration or subscription,
assignment and transfer of payments and fees and other incentives,
and assignment of the enrollee to the proper subset of systems and
processes and research protocols within a data supply chain.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Users and producers of data in the various forms of
databases, data tables, streams of data from RFID tags, data
generated by and through messaging services and social networking
sites, and data generated by the multitude of electronic devices
capable of implementing computer readable code will benefit from
improved and additional tools for enrolling contributors of data
into a data supply chain. The invention described herein introduces
art to utilize strings of computer readable characters or biometric
data captured through electronic devices or matrix codes or in
purely digital strings to enroll participants into a data supply
chain. Data may be physically embodied as printed QR Codes and
other computer readable matrix or two dimensional codes or bar
codes readable or photographable by tag readers or electronic
devices with wireless and electronic transmission capabilities.
Said devices, such as smart phones or electronic devices will
transmit the images or digital data streams to a server or other
electronic device or website to enroll participants into a data
supply chain. In some cases where the data itself is housed upon an
electronic device, such as the medical history of a patient or the
employment and job assignment of an emergency services worker, the
data may be transmitted without the intermediate step of converting
it from a matrix code or other data string. The invention described
herein will enable the optional use of electronic devices to
generate computer readable code to configure, format, and generate
an electronically readable identification code such as a matrix
code or a character string to print or encode directly upon any
product label or upon a receipt for a product or service; or upon a
page or poster or card associated with a product or service; or
upon a magnetic medium such as a metallic strip attached to a
plastic card. The generated code may additionally include UPC codes
and other point of sale codes that can be read and transmitted
electronically when an exchange or sale is made or a service or
product is distributed. The generated code may also include
biometric data. To prevent unauthorized modification of data
encoded in the electronically readable identification data string
or biometric data or QR Code, it may be digitally signed or other
authentication and security protocols may be included in the code
creation process or the electronic transmission process.
[0030] The data string is transmitted to an electronic device or
server capable of reading it to enable linking the user or
purchaser of the product, service, or procedure to the correct
research protocol or plurality of research protocols within the
data supply chain. The transmission of strings of data captured
from electronically readable identification data strings or matrix
codes associated with one or a plurality of products or services or
procedures enrolls the user or purchaser into the respective data
supply chain. The electronic device transmitting the data string
may also implement computes readable code to read instructions from
a portion of the string of data associated with a product or
service or procedure or person providing a service to automate a
link to the server or device performing the enrollment or housing
or hosting the data entry or research protocols; enabling the user
of the device to enter additional information, such as a unique
password or other registration information not contained within the
transmitted data string. Thus, the invention described herein will
use computer readable code to configure, format, and generate an
electronically readable identification string of data or a matrix
code or a string of computer readable characters or a string of
biometric data to assign to a potential contributor or participant
in a data supply chain. The act of a smart phone or other
electronic device photographing and transmitting the electronically
readable identification code to enable enrollment will
automatically connect the user to a web page or electronic device
acting as a server according to instructions embedded within the
data string or matrix code regarding: [0031] 1. The fee to collect
from an organization or business or agency for enrolling the
consumer or user of the product or service into a data supply
chain; [0032] 2. Presentation upon the server of one or a plurality
of screens or forms to enroll the consumer or user and accept input
regarding said user's logon, passwords, identity and roles within a
data supply chain; [0033] 3. Connection to one or a plurality of
designated research or data collection protocols or research
protocols or forms assigned to the service or product being
registered by said enrolled user; [0034] 4. Implementation of the
fee or payment or amount or award or other form of recognition or
exchange to be offered or paid to said enrolled consumer or said
user enrolled for contributions of data to said research protocols;
[0035] 5. Implementation of the rights and roles assigned to said
enrolled consumer or said user of the product or service to enter
observations regarding the product or service; [0036] 6. Assignment
of rights and roles assigned to said enrolled consumer or said user
of the product or service to configure processes for notification
and alerts if calculations applied to data exceed thresholds set by
the manufacturer, the service provider, the agency or organization,
or said enrolled user respectively; [0037] 7. Assignment of rights
roles fees and charges assigned to said enrolled consumer or said
user of the product or service and to others enrolled into the data
supply chain to receive notification and alerts or other server
actions if cumulative calculations trip a trigger or achieve a
threshold. [0038] 8. Designation of rights roles fees and charges
assigned to said enrolled user entitled to access portions of the
data supply chain.
[0039] The act of a user of a smart phone or other electronic
device photographing and transmitting an electronically readable
identification data string or matrix code or string of biometric
data assigned to said user will enroll said user automatically and
post the designated data onto the receiving server. In some
instances, that data might be sufficient to connect the enrollee
into the data supply chain without further action on the part of
said enrollee; in others, said enrollee may be presented with
fields or forms to enter further information to complete
registration or subscription of said enrollee and integrate said
enrollee into a data supply chain.
[0040] If an electronically readable identification data string
generator or RFID tag or a matrix code generator or a point of sale
device is capable of transmitting to and connecting directly with
the server hosting or managing the data supply chain connects with
said server through an electronic device associated with an
enrolled user, the electronically readable identification data
string generator or RFID tag or matrix code generator or point of
sale device or said server can transmit and post an update or
modification to the data string or matrix code associated with said
enrolled user or participant. This bilateral transmission may
enable said user or participant to be assigned new roles or rules
or rights. The potential for reducing risks and improving outcomes
through this two-way dialogue of iterative updating is tremendous.
In addition, offering a user an option to implement a link from the
server to the electronically writable medium holding the data
string or matrix code of said user or participant will enable real
time or continuous upgrading of said user or participant's medical
record and other information embedded within the identification
data string or matrix code if that data is obtained internal to the
respective data supply chain. Said updated identification data
string or matrix code can then be made available for many purposes,
such as automating the transfer of data when signing into an
emergency room or transferring medical information to a new
physician. Fees for updating the identification data string or
matrix code assigned to the user or participant may be used to
defray fees accrued to be paid to the participant for contributions
of observations. Other payment and pricing alternatives will be
evident to those skilled in the art of pricing for updates and for
contributions using means other than those that are unique to the
invention described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 "Diagram of Matrix Code Instruction, Component and
Content Adjustment" diagrams how a server implements data strings
or matrix codes to enroll users into assigned datasets, and manages
those datasets and integrates them with testing, processing, user
rights, and fees and charges to post to forms and update and
transmit or receive notifications and reports.
[0042] FIG. 2 "Diagram of System Components" diagrams how data
strings or matrix codes assigned to the enrollee and the product or
service are linked to electronic devices with camera and
transmission capabilities and servers housing and processing
datasets.
[0043] FIG. 3 "Diagram of System Roles, Actors, Entities" diagrams
how users, servers, and other entities connect to the dataset
through matrix codes or data strings and how assigned roles and
rights to design, manage, and contribute observations, process
payments and other rewards are arranged in a typical embodiment of
the invention described herein.
[0044] FIG. 4 "Diagram of Process Relationships of Entities
Enrolled In the Data Supply Chain" diagrams the types of enrollees
and how their registrations or subscriptions are processed and
linked to fees, charges, payments and other reward calculations in
a typical embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] Several problems consistently disrupt or prevent continuous
collection and real time distribution of actionable data about
risk: [0046] Data collection and utilization is inconsistent [0047]
Enrollment of contributors is complex [0048] Data is dispersed
[0049] Data is delayed [0050] Collection is intermittent (everyone
reports on their own schedules) and incoherent (continuity and
consistency across protocols is essential for real time research)
[0051] Data is insufficient (recipients of medications [patients]
know most about the impact of the drug on them, but do not usually
have the tools or training to know how to contribute that
information in real time or in a structured manner) [0052] Data is
not vetted or validated by appropriate auditors or researchers
[0053] Intervening variables associated with the participant
(patient), such as their genetic map or medical history or
demographics, can significantly qualify the interpretation of the
collected data [0054] Data input does not conform to regulatory
standards or requirements making reporting or data output difficult
to compare against standards or requirements [0055] Absence of
tools for triggering actions based on data available to risk
managers [0056] Relevant information about the person contributing
the data or consuming the product and/or service is not linked to
the data collection process, but housed separately [0057] Relevant
information about the vendor or provider or the individual
delivering or implementing the service or product is incomplete or
unavailable.
[0058] A partial solution to these problems is available through
the system and method of the invention herein to rapidly enroll
participants into real time research processes, especially if said
participants are enabled to offer some or all relevant demographic
information, biometric data, medical history, and individual
genetic information upon enrollment through transmission of data
drawn from a matrix code or other structured and ordered data
associated with said participants. Enabled through the
electronically readable identification code or matrix code
associated with an enrollee or participant are computer readable
instructions to the device or server accepting the electronically
readable identification code or matrix code to enable said enrollee
to participate and make contributions through a system and method
to: [0059] Post/offer and discover data to a central location from
participants (patients, providers, regulators, and pharmaceutical
companies or manufacturers or service providers); [0060] Push and
pull data from the full circle of contributors in real time; [0061]
Collect and federate data through rigorous protocols that comply
with regulatory standards and requirements; [0062] Collect and
curate rated, vetted, scored, and structured data along with
searchable context-rich narratives; [0063] Enable real time data
accumulation from participants who are observing risks and impacts
of the services or products; [0064] Enable links to governmental
regulatory agencies and other stakeholders; [0065] Provide a
self-service interface for simple data sharing that conforms to
regulatory requirements and standards; [0066] Use triggering to
process and construct notification or alerts about actionable data
and potential risks; [0067] Automate notification of the right
party--even patients and providers as regulatory or risk profile
thresholds get tripped by triggers; [0068] Leverage social networks
to increase numbers of observations; [0069] Leverage social
networks to distribute postings of alerts; [0070] Generate, upon
distribution or receipt of a service or product, a data string or
matrix code to enable a handshake or link between the enrollee or
registrant or data contributor and the rest of the supply chain for
the service or product; [0071] Utilize cameras in smart phones,
scanning lasers, and other sensors or mobile devices to capture
data strings or matrix codes for decoding to enable direct links to
servers able to enroll participants into the data gathering process
and assign said participants to research protocols; [0072] Enable a
data entry or observation collection interface to be initiated upon
first use of the service or product or when a purchaser voluntarily
opts to become a participant or enrollee into the data gathering or
risk management system; [0073] Enable regulators or experts to vet
and validate data as it is input into the system to ensure
relevance, utility, accuracy, data quality, priority or urgency,
and maintain data consistency; [0074] Post and link vetted
observations to regulatory or research or quality control datasets
external to the primary dataset(s); [0075] Notify and/or perform
other automated actions based on set schedules or upon changes to
data; [0076] Collect transaction fees and distribute rewards,
bounties, prizes, social recognitions and incentives, and payment
for contributions of observations; [0077] Collect payment for
access to the data within the data supply chain, such as data
views, downloads, or receipt of notification or alerts; [0078]
Update demographic, connection, medical, genetic, or other data
associated with the enrolled participant as well as the provider of
the service or product to the enrolled participant.
[0079] A non-intrusive widely available enrollment approach enables
even an ordinary purchase transaction to be capable of invoking a
connection to a risk management or a product improvement system. In
effect, the system and the chain of enrollment and contribution can
be invoked and initiated for any product or service that is of
interest to national security or national health at the point of
discovery as well as any product or service in the private sector
that might benefit from continuous real time research or protocol
oriented data collection and posting that may result in triggered
alerts and/or notifications. In fact, using the system and method
of the invention described herein with other art introduced to
implement and manage a data supply chain enables any set of people
to shape the unfocused disordered data that crosses their transom
into ordered and structured processes for notification and alerts.
Enrollment in many embodiments of the invention described herein
includes implementing a subscription to asynchronous notifications
for the enrollee.
[0080] The system and method of this invention facilitates fee
calculations, assignment, allocation, and exchanges for activities
related to enrollment of contributors to datasets and to users who
interact with said datasets. The invention described herein
introduces art to configure, format, and utilize electronically
readable identification data strings or matrix codes, such as QR
Codes, biometric data, or other computer readable matrix or bar
codes that may be read and transmitted to a server or electronic
device or website by smart phone image readers or other electronic
devices with camera capabilities or other biometric data capture
capabilities in order to enroll and link a user to a data supply
chain. Further, in some embodiments of the invention described
herein, a combination of one or a plurality of RFID data tags
readable by an electronic device and able to connect with
communication API's or other methods and conventions for linking of
data collected at the point of capture may be included in
connection methods used to link to servers or electronic devices
included in a data supply chain.
[0081] Additional conventions for electronic tags, biometric data
capture, and operating system codes may emerge, and the invention
anticipates folding these into the connection systems and methods
that enable an enrollment process. A connection to at least one
server or electronic device participating in a data supply chain is
a precursor to enabling the implementation of fees and charges for
enrolling contributors and for implementing the transmission of
bounties, coupons, awards, rewards and other social or economic
incentives to motivate contributors to offer observations in real
time with sufficient accuracy and context. To the extent that these
supplemental linking processes through antiquated codes such as
GUID's or through RFID tags are also able to carry instructions for
fees for enrollment and payment and incentives to contributors, the
system and method described herein may be adjusted to accommodate
these, especially if they extend or improve the universality or
efficiency of the enrollment process. Further, to the extent that
these supplemental linking processes through codes in addition to
data strings or matrix codes, such as biometric data capture
devices or RFID tags are also able to carry medical histories,
genetic maps, demographic, financial transaction information, and
other data regarding the enrollee; an enrollee and data from an
enrollee may be assigned to other datasets and protocols within the
data supply chain thus automating enrollment into alternate
branches of the wider data supply chain. Retaining an authorized
chain of ownership and preventing unauthorized modification of data
encoded in the electronically readable identification data strings
or QR Code or other strings of digital enrollment data can be
implemented through many authentication methods and variants of
digital signatures or Public Key cryptography techniques or other
systems and methods to restrict access and to maintain a history of
users and their participation in the data supply chain.
[0082] Terms used in the description of the invention described
herein, such as "contributor," "enrollee," "participant,"
"researcher," "person," "entity" and other terms for "user" are
interchangeable. Use of the term "enrollee" is generally intended
to apply to enrollment of recipients of products or services or
behaviors. Use of the term "registration" is generally intended to
apply to the other side of the transaction; the vendor or the agent
providing a service or procedure, or manufacturer or product itself
being used by the enrollee. However, "enroll" or "register" or
"subscribe" or variations of these terms are used in the patent
described herein to apply to any "user" according to the context of
the embodiment. The use of a different term is for purposes of
remaining within the context of an embodiment and is not intended
to change the definition commonly applied to the term "user" by the
USPTO.
[0083] An embodiment of the invention can read content or
instructions included in a data string or matrix code to assign an
enrollee to a position or role within a hierarchy of subordinate
lateral, and supervisory relationships. These designated positions
or roles can enable an enrollee to validate or vet observations,
configure notifications and triggers, route notifications and
triggers to other roles and positions within the hierarchy,
reassign down line enrollees to research protocols or datasets, and
other activities rights and roles indicated within the matrix code
or data string. Said designated roles and positions can also be
associated with fee or payment allocations and amounts according to
respective user's status or role within the hierarchy. For example,
the regulator may vet all observations from all contributors to all
datasets but receive no fees; the researcher may vet all
observations into a specific subset of protocols and receive a
payment for vetting each observation; and the physician may vet all
observations from contributors who are on his patient roster and
receive a credit from the manufacturer of the product or device. A
variant of an embodiment of the invention for role assignment can
also read and implement content or instructions included in a data
string or matrix code to assign an enrollee to a position or role
within a hierarchy of roles and rights to download a subset of the
data supply chain or view or receive notifications or other server
actions.
[0084] An embodiment of the invention can also enable enrollment of
a contributor some time following the purchase of a product or
service if the recipient of the product or service can be
identified or contacted and invited to enroll into the data supply
chain through email solicitations or other electronic forms or
methods or through mailers or personal contact. This embodiment may
optionally include a data string or matrix code with already
captured medical and other information associated with the
potential enrollee, as well as a data string or matrix code for the
product or service that is the object of the data collection
process for the data supply chain. Another embodiment of the
invention can enable any entity engaged in real time research or
risk management, such as a federal or state agency, or city, or
county, or business to enroll a person into a data supply chain at
the point of purchase or check-out or payment or registration for a
service or business transaction with that entity. In these cases,
links to credit card information or tax information or other
electronic datasets containing information about the enrollee may
be accessed (with the permission of the prospective enrollee if
that is a prerequisite to posting of data associated with said
potential enrollee) and data relevant to the enrollee's
participation in the data supply chain can be linked or transmitted
to the server or electronic device or website implementing the
enrollment. The data string or matrix code may include instructions
to accept a series of passwords and identifying information to
enable a user upon first accessing the server housing the research
protocols for the data supply chain to configure their rewards and
implement links to banks or other entities involved in financial
transactions or services resulting from their participation,
including other data supply chains.
[0085] Combinations of multiple formats and configurations for data
strings including data strings from automatic devices for identity
recognition producing biometric data of all types can be folded
into any embodiments of the invention described herein. Dependent
and independent data strings may be linked and configured or
transformed to enable enrollment according to the requirements or
instructions of those who manage or implement enrollment into the
data supply chain. In one embodiment, the UPC code is embedded into
the data string or matrix code and the act of reading the data
string or matrix code by an electronic code reader would be similar
to a point of sale transaction. In another embodiment, information
about a chain of service providers and organizations or agencies
would be embedded into the data string or matrix code for posting
into data collection processes and systems at a website specified
within the data string or matrix code. Yet another embodiment of
the invention described herein can be applied to enrollment or
registration of employees into an organization, enabling a full
circle of citizens or customers or consumers, organizational
actors, supervisors, peers, and individual employees to participate
in a data supply chain for assessing performance in regard to jobs
or work roles or goals. Similarly, citizens or customers or
consumers can be enrolled or register to provide observations of
service needs or requirements or performance of entities and
persons who provide services to them.
[0086] The option to receive notifications and the distribution
paths and types and methods and contents of the notifications can
vary according to the needs and choices of the enrollee or the
policies and practices of the organizations or entities enrolling
the contributors. In every embodiment, where enrollment occurs
using the system and method of the invention described herein, fees
and other exchanges may be assigned and designated within the
matrix code or data string used to register and enroll the
contributor into the data supply chain. An example of how this
operates in the pharmaceutical arena is that the physician may be
assigned a fee from the manufacturer, the retailer may also be
assigned a fee from the manufacturer, the regulatory agency
overseeing the side effects of the medication may designate the
posting of the name of the physician onto a site for "Preventative
Medicine Contributors," the enrolled contributor or user may be
assigned a coupon or reward from the manufacturer, the service
provider housing the dataset may be assigned a transaction
processing fee by the manufacturer or by the regulatory agency or
both, and a link to an entity processing financial transactions may
implemented and a transfer of funds to one or a plurality of
accounts implemented.
[0087] The configuration and combination of compensation and
incentives to enrollees into the data supply chain may be embedded
within the matrix code or data string. The act of reading the
matrix code or data string takes the potential data contributing
participant into the data supply chain to the correct link to a
dataset and carries with it the rights and roles and rules for
enabling the contribution as well as the rules and processes for
implementing transaction fees and payment methods and processes. In
the cave of registration through a data string containing data from
an electronic device such as a biometric device, the transmission
of the biometric data may include additional data to identify the
electronic device or biometric device, the owner of the electronic
or biometric device, and a string of data regarding the subject of
the biometric reading to be enrolled into the data supply
chain.
[0088] An enrollment process is available to the manufacturer or
vendor of a service or product as well as to their agents, such a
subset of their employees. Using the method and system described
herein for enrollment of persons, they can enroll their
organization or agents into the data supply chain, or they can
enable their agents to enroll directly. It is expected that the
registration or enrollment by the supplier, manufacturer or
provider of the product or service will often be through direct
transmission or registration through an electronic device, rather
than through an intervening step of transmission of a matrix code
or data string; though it is also expected, for instance, that an
emergency responder would carry a card or an RFID tag that would
link said emergency responder to their registration within the data
supply chain to access more detailed or confidential information
regarding the status or history or other data of any of the subsets
of identity information regarding the person receiving the
emergency response, the products or services they have been
associated with, the vendors or these products and services, and so
forth. Thus, policies associated with participants may also be
included within their electronically readable identification data
strings.
[0089] If a data string or matrix code is already assigned to the
user, the user who is opting to contribute data simply transmits
the code to the server registering enrollees. The user who is
opting to contribute data, but does not have a data string or
matrix code assigned, simply enters an email address and/or other
contact, routing, payment, and supplementary identification
information into forms posted by the website or server or posted
upon the electronic device and may also opt to check a checkbox to
receive notifications about the product or service. An optional
configuration for the system and method may offer the user a form
to enter a side effect or a reaction or evaluative response into
the research protocol upon enrollment or upon reconnection to the
website or server or electronic device housing the enrollment
data.
[0090] If the data contributing participant in a data supply chain
does not have a smart phone with camera capability or requests an
alternative to the data string or matrix code, a website or server
address and a string of characters may be provided to the potential
data contributing participant at the point of exchange or purchase
of the product or service. Upon accessing and connecting to the
website or server, the potential data contributing participant will
be presented with a form to accept the string of characters and
register the data contributing participant and provide said
participant with access to one or a plurality of data entry forms.
In this embodiment, a gateway URL is printed on the item or product
or distributed with the service along with the character string to
enter when said participants connects to the URL to enable
registration through manual entry.
[0091] In one embodiment, a participant in a data supply chain may
be assigned a data string in a format capable of being embedded
into or upon a magnetic strip, or wristband, or RFID tag, or other
writable tag accessible to electronic transmission and in
compliance with HIPAA requirements. This would enable the original
format and content instructions for the data string or matrix code
to be overwritten and a revised image to be generated and posted or
printed or transmitted. A segment from the participant's health
record such as allergies or emergency contact information,
financial and insurance information, medical providers, and other
details will increase the type and volume and range of data to
process for analysis of risks and liabilities and triggering of
alerts and notifications when risk thresholds are achieved or
passed. The data string or matrix code may also carry information
to link to other servers containing further details and information
about the participant's health record with those servers responsive
only to authorized access codes or signatures, thus protecting
confidential data. A variant of this embodiment may enable
iterative electronic exchanges between the server hosting data for
multiple participants and a participant in possession of his own
unique data string or matrix code; that exchange reconfiguring the
data string or matrix code of said participant. Thus, a participant
is not only able to automatically post a plurality of data items
and fields into the data supply chain upon receipt and transmission
of the data string or matrix code assigned to said participant, but
the data string or matrix code of said participant is able to be
modified or updated to improve the utility and quality of the data
housed within the data string or matrix code he possesses. For
example, a soldier or a hospital patient would carry a
transactional history of their observations along with their
medical and demographic details within their data string or matrix
code, thus enabling providers of services to access a record of
their current status upon receipt of permission to read or post or
transmit the matrix code string. In a variant of this embodiment, a
device capable of collecting and structuring biometric data can be
the vehicle for generating the electronically readable
identification data string. A further capability inherent in this
embodiment is the ability of the person assigned the role of
vetting observations or managing the soldier or patient to assign
different or additional protocols for input from the soldier or
patient as their status shifts due to relocation, severity or
changes in the configuration of their condition, use of new
medications resources products or services, or exposure to new or
different threats to their health or safety.
[0092] Fees for updating the data string or matrix code assigned to
the participants may be used to defray fees paid to the participant
for contributions of observations. The reciprocal connection of a
revisable data string or matrix code and a server will also
initiate implementation and collection of prices and fees for
updates. A variation of this embodiment and of other embodiments
described herein may use a plurality of matrix codes that carry the
same registration or identity information regarding the user, but
can append additional data from each of plurality of matrix codes
or biometric data capture sources or devices to the dataset housed
upon the server. As matrix code conventions adjust and expand in
capability, it is possible a single code or a series of matrix
codes can carry a significant amount of data and be used for backup
data storage as well as for specific purposes and linkages to a
data supply chain. This is not a trivial embodiment because
motivating users to become contributors to a data supply chain can
also result from their desire to have the convenience of housing
their own data on a remote server in addition to the financial or
other social rewards resulting from being a participant in a data
supply chain.
[0093] An embodiment that implements the system and method of the
invention for managing behavioral risks utilizes the enrollment
process for both the recipient of a service from a person, such as
a citizen interacting with an emergency services provider. The
citizen is enrolled as a data contributor. The emergency services
provider is registered as a provider associated with or linked to
the agency providing a service. As the citizen interacts with the
agent of the agency providing the service, the agent or the agency
may distribute the data string or matrix code associated with the
service being provided with the citizen and the citizen then
proceeds to respond to research protocols associated with the agent
linked to the agency. Applying this embodiment to any customer
service activity where the "product" is the interaction of the
consumer and the provider of the service will enable the agency to
engage in research based continuous identification of best
practices. Exchanging recognition tokens or other forms of reward
or payment as described in the invention herein will encourage
contributions of feedback necessary to determine best practices or
identify problematic behavior or unproductive variances in
provision of services.
[0094] What has been described above includes examples of the
system and/or method for the patent described herein. It is not
possible to describe every combination of processes or utilities or
configurations for purposes of describing the system and/or method
of the patent described herein, but one of ordinary skill in the
art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations
of the system and/or method are possible. Accordingly, the system
and/or method of the patent described herein is intended to include
alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0095] Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used
in the detailed description or claims, the term is intended to be a
synonym of the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted
when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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