U.S. patent application number 13/669421 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for computer method and system for promoting health, wellness, and fitness with multiple sponsors.
This patent application is currently assigned to VIRGIN HEALTHMILES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Virgin HealthMiles, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher R. Boyce, Richard M. Boylan.
Application Number | 20130117041 13/669421 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42679021 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130117041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyce; Christopher R. ; et
al. |
May 9, 2013 |
COMPUTER METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROMOTING HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND
FITNESS WITH MULTIPLE SPONSORS
Abstract
Disclosed is an improved automated system and corresponding
computer method of promoting and maintaining health, wellness, and
fitness. Multiple sponsors per member participant are enabled. Each
sponsor defines respective qualifying healthy behavior (activities,
purchases, other) and reward rate for each such activity and
purchase. A rewards engine operates on member accounts adding units
per member completion of qualifying healthy activities or
purchases, thereby encouraging members to adopt healthy habits.
This, in turn, leads to better health, wellness, and fitness for
the subject members. The combination of different and multiple
sponsors having different qualifying activities/purchases provides
increased member incentive.
Inventors: |
Boyce; Christopher R.;
(Hopkinton, MA) ; Boylan; Richard M.; (Medfield,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Virgin HealthMiles, Inc.; |
Framingham |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
VIRGIN HEALTHMILES, INC.
Framingham
MA
|
Family ID: |
42679021 |
Appl. No.: |
13/669421 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12553197 |
Sep 3, 2009 |
8321192 |
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13669421 |
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13215769 |
Aug 23, 2011 |
8346524 |
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12553197 |
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11156938 |
Jun 20, 2005 |
8027822 |
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13215769 |
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61191274 |
Sep 5, 2008 |
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61100424 |
Sep 26, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 10/10 20130101; G16H 20/30 20180101; G06Q 30/0207
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/2 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20120101
G06Q030/02; G06Q 50/22 20060101 G06Q050/22 |
Claims
1. A computer-based health, wellness, and fitness-promotion system,
comprising: in one or more computers: a member data store storing
in memory information about members, including a respective member
account per member and (ii) health and wellness information per
member; a sponsor data store storing in memory sponsor data of one
or more sponsors, for each sponsor the sponsor data store including
an indication of qualifying healthy activities for which members
are to be rewarded; a rewards engine executable by a processor, and
in response to input data effectively indicating qualifying healthy
activity completed by a subject member, the rewards engine using
the sponsor data as stored in the sponsor data store and
determining number of units to add to the respective member account
of the subject member as a reward for the completed healthy
activity, wherein the respective member account accumulates units
awarded to the subject member by one or more different sponsors for
different qualifying healthy activities; an assessment module
executable by the processor and in response to the input data of
the subject member, the assessment module generating at least one
of: (i) an indication of member adherence to a plan and (ii) a
personalized action plan; and a user interface operable by the
subject member through a mobile device, wherein the user interface
is configured to display to the subject member any combination of:
(i) the indication of member adherence to the plan, (ii) the
generated personalized action plan, and (iii) reward status, in a
manner that motivates healthy activity and ties healthy activity to
sponsor rewards.
2. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indication of member
adherence to a plan generated by the assessment module is an
indication of member adherence to an exercise plan.
3. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input data includes file
feeds from any combination of sponsors and data capture
partners.
4. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input data includes
point-of-sale data from sponsors.
5. (canceled)
6. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rebate process
enabling the subject member to make a certain healthy purchase; and
the rewards engine being responsive to the certain healthy purchase
and crediting to the respective member account a number of units
having a value equivalent to a percentage of the purchase
price.
7. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the different sponsors include
combinations of employer, health club, insurer, retailers,
manufacturers, government entities, healthcare profession service
providers, and pharmaceutical entities.
8. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one retailer has a
frequent shopper program in which the subject member participates;
and the sponsor data store cross references the subject member by a
frequent shopper program identification of the subject member.
9. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one retailer has a
frequent shopper program in which the subject member participates;
and the qualifying healthy activities include purchasing items for
which the frequent shopper program provides certain
benefits/rewards.
10. The computer-based health, wellness, and fitness promotion
system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a portal in
communication with the member data store, the portal configured to
enable a member to access his respective member account.
11. A computer method for promoting health, wellness, and fitness
via a computer environment, comprising: in a processor: storing
information about members, including (i) a respective member
account per member and (ii) health and wellness information per
member, said storing being in a member data store in computer
memory; storing sponsor data of one or more sponsors in a sponsor
data store in computer memory, the sponsor data including
indications for each sponsor of qualifying healthy activities for
which qualifying members are to be rewarded; responding to input
data that effectively indicates qualifying healthy activity
completed by a subject member, said responding being by a rewards
engine executed by the processor; determining, by the rewards
engine, a number of units to add to the respective member account
of the subject member for healthy activity completed by a subject
member using the sponsor data; accumulating units awarded to the
subject member in the respective member account by one or more
different sponsors for different qualifying healthy activities; in
response to the input data of the subject member, generating at
least one of: (i) an indication of member adherence to a plan, and
(ii) a personalized action plan, said generating being by an
assessment module executable by the processor; and displaying
through a user interface operable by the subject member through a
mobile device, any combination of: (i) the indication of member
adherence to the plan, (ii) the generated personalized action plan,
and (iii) reward status, in a manner that motivates healthy
activity and ties healthy activity to sponsor rewards.
12. The computer method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the
indication of member adherence to a plan generated by the
assessment module is an indication of member adherence to an
exercise plan.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein responding to input
data includes responding to file feeds from any combination of
sponsors and data capture partners.
14. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein responding to input
data includes responding to point-of-sale data from sponsors.
15. (canceled)
16. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: enabling
the subject member to receive a rebate upon making a certain
healthy purchase; and crediting to the respective member account a
number of units having a value equivalent to a percentage of the
purchase price with the rewards engine.
17. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the different
sponsors include combinations of employer, health club, insurer,
retailers, manufacturers, government entities, healthcare
profession service providers, and pharmaceutical entities.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising:
cross-referencing the subject member by a frequent shopper program
identification of the subject member.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the qualifying
activities include purchasing items for which the frequent shopper
program provides certain benefits/rewards.
20. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: enabling
a member to access his respective member account via a portal in
communication with the sponsor data store.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/553,197, filed Sep. 3, 2009, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/191,274, filed Sep. 5, 2008,
and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/100,424, filed Sep. 26,
2008. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/215,769 filed on Aug. 23, 2011 which is a
Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/156,938, now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,027,822, filed Jun. 20, 2005, by common assignee. These
patent applications are herein incorporated in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various automated systems exist for promoting and
maintaining health and wellness. Some of these systems are directed
to healthcare data management used by heath care professionals,
patients, or both. Of the healthcare data management systems, some
monitor and record vital statistics.
[0003] Other automated systems are directed to fitness and
monitoring of healthy behavior and activities. Some form of
measuring and monitoring biometrics is typical in these systems.
Such systems are used by, for example, fitness professionals,
physical therapists, trainers, etc. Some fitness programs provide
incentives or rewards to the patient participant for reaching
certain milestones.
[0004] A high percentage of the initial use of the forgoing systems
is curative in nature, e.g., recovering from or otherwise
responding to an illness or injury. Lacking is an automated system
that promotes a preventative approach to health, wellness, and
fitness. Also lacking are such systems with wider-spread
sponsorship beyond healthcare and fitness professionals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved
computer-based system and corresponding computer method of
promoting and maintaining health, wellness, and fitness.
Embodiments of the present invention are based on a preventative
health maintenance approach and employ multiple sponsors per member
participant. In particular, Applicants have discovered that
participants (members) in such preventative health, wellness, and
fitness programs have greater success when there are built-in
incentives. The greater number of sponsors, the greater number of
opportunities for incentive rewards. Thus, embodiments of the
present invention increases both the frequency and number of
different types of occasions for earning incentive rewards (in the
aggregate across multiple sponsors).
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the invention method and system
include: an online portal; a sponsor data store; a member data
store; and a rewards engine.
[0007] The sponsor data store holds sponsor data. For each sponsor,
the data store indicates a list of members (by name, member number,
or other identifier), activities or purchases that the sponsor
qualifies or defines as healthful behavior, and the reward rate for
each such activity or purchase.
[0008] The sponsor data store may cross-reference members by policy
number, frequent shopper identifier, and the like.
[0009] The member data store stores member account information, and
the rewards engine tracks and accumulates units credited to the
member by different sponsors for different activities. The rewards
engine operates on the member accounts by adding and subtracting
units per member activity as logged into the system by the members
(via user-interactive interface to the online portal) and by
respective data feeds from the sponsors as detailed below.
[0010] The rewards engine is responsive to input data that
effectively indicates qualifying healthy activity completed by
subject members. The rewards engine uses the sponsor data as stored
in the sponsor data store to determine a number of units to add to
the respective member account of the subject member for the
completed healthy activity. The respective member account
accumulates units awarded to the subject member by different
sponsors for different qualifying healthy activities at an
increased potential due to multiple potential sponsors, thereby
promoting participation in healthy activities by the members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing will be apparent from the following more
particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a computer network and system
embodying the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a screen view in the
user-interface of embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present
invention rewards engine processing member account credits from
multiple sponsors.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a computer-based interactive
health, wellness, and fitness process according to embodiments of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a computer-based interactive
health, wellness, and fitness process according to alternative
embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of voucher generation and
redemption in embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of data and communication layers
in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the computer network
architecture of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A description of example embodiments of the invention
follows.
[0021] Incorporated herein in its entirety is U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/156,938, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,027,822, which
describes a global computer network-based interactive health,
wellness, and fitness management system. The present invention
provides improvements in that system.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a user interactive health, fitness, and
wellness management system 11 that embodies the present invention.
The system 11 is formed of: (a) a member data store 63 that stores
member accounts 67a, b, . . . , n (generally 67) with corresponding
process modules that operate on, maintain, and/or retrieve data
from the member data store 63; (b) a sponsor data store 61 with
corresponding process modules that operate on, maintain, and/or
retrieve data from the sponsor data store 61; (c) a rewards engine
65; and (d) multiple sponsor/device data collection platforms 62a,
b, . . . , n (generally 62) on respective servers 60a and 60c. The
system may also include a portal 69 hosted by a server 60b.
[0023] Members and sponsors (not shown) interact with the system 11
via clients 50a, b, . . . , n (generally 50) connected to the
servers 60a-60c (generally 60) via a communications network 70
(e.g., the Internet). Data exchangers 115 coupled to the servers 60
and the network 70 make it possible to exchange information among
the various data stores 61, 63, 65, the data collection platforms
62, and the clients 50. For example, the data exchanger 115 may
enable members to access and/or update their accounts 67 on the
data store by accessing the portal 69 with a client 50a.
[0024] The member data store 63 stores member data and member
account information for each member. In some embodiments, the
member data is split between sensitive data and other data, and
stored in separate respective data stores for security (privacy)
purposes. Each member has an account 67 that stores or otherwise
holds units credited to the member by different sponsors for
different activities. The rewards engine 65 operates on the member
accounts 67, adding and subtracting units per member activity as
logged into the system 11 by the members (via user-interactive
interface to the online portal 69 and device data feeds (trackers)
66a-66n (generally 66)) and by respective data feeds from the
sponsors (via sponsor platforms 62b) as made clear below.
[0025] The device data feeds 66 (or device data trackers) are used
to collect information from a variety of sources, including, but
not limited to, gyms, retailers, and healthcare providers. For
example, the device data trackers 66 may be used to gather
information related to physical fitness, such as workout regimen or
blood pressure, or information about spending and eating habits,
such as supermarket or restaurant purchases. Further details of the
data trackers 66 (including gym/health club tracking devices) and
upload of data captured by the data trackers 66 through data
collection platforms 62 may be found in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/156,938, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,027,822, by assignee
herein incorporated by reference.
[0026] The sponsor data store 61 holds sponsor data for multiple
sponsors, such as employers, health clubs, insurers, retailers,
manufacturers, government entities, healthcare profession service
providers, and pharmaceutical entities. For each sponsor, the data
store 61 indicates: (i) a list of members (by name, member number,
or other identifier); (ii) activities or purchases that the sponsor
qualifies or defines as healthful behavior; and (iii) the reward
rate for each such activity or purchase. The sponsor data store 61
may cross-reference members by policy number, frequent shopper
identifier, and the like.
[0027] Embodiments of invention system 11 enable, for example, four
categories of sponsors, namely corporate sponsors, health club
sponsors, insurers (health, life, disability), and retail sponsors.
Other sponsors may include government entities, healthcare
professionals, pharmaceutical entities, and so forth. Retail
sponsors include retail sales entities (e.g., department stores),
grocers, and the like. Sponsors access and communicate with
invention system 11 through interactive interfaces (portals 69) on
respective clients 50.
[0028] Each member-participant can interact with the system 11
through a client 50 (e.g., client 50a). As described above, each
member has an account 67 that accumulates units from healthful
behavior. Different sponsors deem respective activities to qualify
as good health behavior and define (set) the number of units the
system 11 is to use to reward each such activity when completed by
a member. As the member account 67 accrues units over time, certain
thresholds or total unit limits that define respective
membership/reward tiers or levels with corresponding member
benefits are reached. For example, 0 through 199 units in a member
account 67 defines a first member-reward tier or level 1 in the
system 11. A member account 67 holding between 200 and 299 units is
a second member-reward tier or level 2 account with respective
member benefits. A member account 67 holding between 300 and 399
units is a third member-reward tier or level 3 account with
respective member benefits; and so on.
[0029] The units held by a member account 67 have a cash
equivalent. The invention system 11 enables corporate and other
sponsors to give cash rewards for each increase in member-reward
tier/level achieved by a member 34. Further, as a function of
member-reward tier/level, the invention system 11 enables retail
sponsors to give additional units to a member account 67 for
purchases the member makes at the retailer sponsor (i.e., units
equivalent of a percentage of the purchase price with higher
percentages for higher member-reward tiers/levels). This graduated
scale rebate model and other features of the present invention are
further detailed below.
[0030] Next an example is discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3
for purposes of illustration and not limitation of embodiments of
the present invention. A member 34 has his employer as a corporate
and first sponsor in invention system 11. A health club is a second
sponsor of the member 34 in system 11. A health insurer is a third
sponsor and a retailer is a fourth sponsor. Note the different and
multiple sponsors enable a wide variety of ways (e.g., activities,
purchases, etc.) for the member 34 to earn or otherwise obtain
units. In this way, there is increased opportunity followed by
increased rate of accumulation and thus increased incentive,
thereby promoting healthy behavior of the member 34.
[0031] The employer company (corporate sponsor) credits the member
account 67 (by way of a group health insurance rebate, employee
benefit, other arrangement and the like) $300 per year, for
example, for achieving a system (member-reward) level 5, or a
respective percentage for achieving each of member-reward levels 2
through 4. The corporate sponsor credits the member account 67 for
different preventative health activities (e.g., exercising, yearly
physical, etc.), company cafeteria healthy food purchases, and/or
other company sponsor deemed good health activities and behavior.
These qualifying activities and rate of reward in units are defined
in corporate sponsor records in sponsor data store 61.
[0032] For purposes of crediting the member account 67, the member
34 logs into portal 69/system 11 through a client 50 and enters
completed activity data through the interactive user-interface. In
addition, the member 34 through portal pages/sponsor platforms 62a
may upload data that was captured through one or more devices
(e.g., system pedometer, etc.). In one embodiment the uploaded
device activity data is transmitted to the rewards engine 65 using
real-time data push technology. Point-of-sale data is also fed into
system 11. The rewards engine 65 verifies the received (input)
activities data with corporate sponsor records and definitions in
the sponsor data store 61, determines the number of units to be
added to the member account 67, then adds the calculated number of
units to the member account 67.
[0033] The Health Club sponsor may reward the member for achieving
the different member-reward levels or tiers. In one example, the
Health Club sponsor awards free apparel to the Level 1 member, a
free guest pass for Level 2 member, a free personnel training
session to the member achieving Level 3, and the like. The sponsor
data store 61 stores information regarding this reward program as
defined by the Health Club sponsor. The invention system 11
(through portal 69 and client 50) enables the Health Club sponsor
to check on (view) member account 67 unit totals for purposes of
this step level reward program/plan. In some embodiments, the
system 11 uses pertinent sponsor data store 61 records and sets an
alert or similar automated message to the Health Club sponsor. When
the member account 67 reaches a threshold amount (as defined in
sponsor data store 61 by the sponsor), the system 11 triggers an
alert message to the Health Club sponsor, for example, by posting
the message to a portal 69 screen view displayed to the Health Club
sponsor at login or other times.
[0034] Further, the Health Club sponsor issues a system-generated
voucher to a member for participating in or completing certain
classes or sessions. The Health Club may purchase and generate
vouchers from system 11 portal 69 in bulk (optionally in advance)
or on an as-need basis. The Health Club sponsor may chose to be
billed for the vouchers on generation or on member redemption. Each
voucher has a unique identification code tracked by the invention
system 11 (rewards engine 65). The Health Club sponsor also
indicates to the system 11 the number of units to credit a member
account 67 per class, session, or activity. A record of these and
other Health Club sponsor defined (qualified) activities and
respective reward rates are stored in sponsor data store 61.
[0035] Once the Health Club issues the voucher to a member, the
member (e.g., via client 50c) logs onto portal 69/system 11 and
enters the voucher identification code along with particulars,
e.g., the name of Health Club sponsor who issued the voucher, the
dates/times of class/sessions completed corresponding to the
voucher, and the like. The rewards engine 65 (a) validates the
voucher by identification code, the issuing Health Club, and
class/session, and (b) credits the respective member account 67
with number of units the Health Club sponsor has attributed
(assigned or the otherwise predefined and stored in sponsor data
store 61) for the corresponding class/session.
[0036] The foregoing vouchers may be used by other sponsors (of all
categories) to reward members for specific activities beyond a
respective core program of the sponsor. The sponsor may use the
voucher to reward a member with additional units for the member
account 67 and/or with a cash equivalent. For example, a sponsor
may use a voucher to reward additional units to a member for
completing an annual physical, for completing a particular
class/session, for completing a sponsor-defined/qualified activity,
for purchasing a sponsor-defined healthy meal option at
participating cafeterias, and the like. These additional awards
help accelerate the member through the different member account
tiers/levels of system 11. In turn, this improves member engagement
and program compliance. See below for more details on vouchers.
[0037] Use of vouchers is not mutually exclusive of other means for
rewarding units. Sponsors may still reward units and cash
equivalents using direct data feed, as described below.
[0038] Returning to the example different sponsors of the member
34, the Health Insurance Sponsor may reward (pay) $130.00 to the
member in a given year for achieving a certain member-reward
tier/level. The Health Insurance Sponsor rewards respective units
for performing certain activities, such as completing a yearly
physical. Each of these qualifying events/activities is defined or
otherwise indicated in respective sponsor records of the sponsor
data store 61.
[0039] To record these activities, the member 34 may log onto the
system 11 via the portal 69 and enters member name, health
insurance policy number, and description of activity completed. The
interactive health, fitness, and wellness management system 11 in
turn asks the Health Insurance Sponsor (through respective client
50 communications) to validate the policy number and corresponding
member name. Upon Health Insurance sponsor validation, the rewards
engine 65 credits the member account 67 according to qualifying
activities and reward rates stated (predefined or preset by the
sponsor) in the sponsor record of sponsor data store 61.
[0040] The Retailer sponsor classifies certain goods as "healthy"
and awards respective units for each purchase of such goods by the
member. The retailer sponsor (at client 50) through portal 69 sets
these and other reward rates and qualifications in a respective
record stored in sponsor data store 61. Subsequently (such as on a
weekly basis), the retailer sponsor supplies to System 11 point of
sales or purchase data. The rewards engine 65 parses the received
data and determines number of units to credit the member account 67
following the qualifications and reward rates preset by the sponsor
and stored in sponsor data store 61.
1. Interactive Health, Fitness, and Wellness Portals
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a screen view of the portal 69 according to
embodiments of the present invention. Screen views 13 of the portal
69 show sponsor information, including, but not limited to sponsor
name, sponsor rewards earned (e.g., "2000 Sponsor Miles earned"),
and qualifying activities (e.g., "Take your Health Risk Assessment
(HRA) for 500"). The screen view 13 may also provide information
related to rebates, including a featured rebate promotion, and
information about how the system 11 works. In some embodiments, the
system 11 enables members 34 to add, delete and/or change sponsors
through the user-interactive interface of portal 69 as shown at 17
and 19 in FIG. 2. The portal 69 may include various other pages and
menu options that members can use to enter or download additional
data.
[0042] The system 11 also enables sponsors to display respective
logos in portal screen views 13 to members, to promote respective
rewards, and to provide links to external web pages via the portal
69. For example, the system 11 may enable sponsors to customize the
respective portions of the portal pertaining to rewards or rebates
for members. Sponsors may also be able to selectively promote
rewards, rebates, and the like to specified members via the portal
69. Sponsors, like members, may have unique login credentials and
may use various pages and menu options to upload, download, or
otherwise exchange data.
2. Frequent Shopper Programs
[0043] Frequent shopper programs of the retail sponsor may be
combined with the interactive health, fitness, and wellness system
11 shown in FIG. 1. For every n dollars spent as a frequent
shopper, the member earns a unit in the system 11. The retail
sponsor may set the ratio of dollars spent to member account units
earned. The ratio is stored in the respective sponsor record in
sponsor data store 61. The invention system 11 (i.e., sponsor data
store 61) cross references a retailer-issued frequent shopper
identifier with a system 11 member identifier or member account 67.
The rewards engine 65 uses the foregoing information from sponsor
data store 61 when processing point-of-sale (POS) data and when
determining the number of units to credit to the member account
67.
[0044] Further embodiments of invention system 11 accommodate
multiple retail sponsors of the same type as follows. For example,
say there are three major grocers, grocer 1, grocer 2, and grocer
3. Per respective grocer agreements (arrangements) as recorded in
the sponsor data store 61, for every $1.00 that the member spends
at grocer 1, the member accumulates one unit his respective member
account 67. For every $2.00 that the member spends at grocer 2, the
member account 67 earns one unit. For every $3.00 that the member
spends at grocer 3, the member account 67 earns one unit.
[0045] The member specifies (through portal 69) to invention system
11 (and rewards engine 65) that he is a frequent or preferred
shopper program participant at one of these grocers and selects
that grocer as the exclusive grocer sponsor for purposes of the
invention system 11. In turn, the system 11/rewards engine 65
credits the member account 67 at the corresponding rate of the
member-selected grocer according to the grocer sponsor records in
sponsor data store 61. The system 11 also allows the member (via
portal 69) to subsequently change grocer sponsor. Indication of the
member's current grocer sponsor is maintained in member data store
63 records and/or sponsor records in sponsor data store 61.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows file feeds and other data transfers (generally
29, 31, and 33) used to accomplish the foregoing sponsor rewards
across multiple sponsors to respective sponsor platforms 62 of
invention system 11. Initially, a member 34 (at client 50c)
operates the portal 69 process for adding a grocer sponsor for
example. Other sponsors may similarly be added. Based on member
address/location data in member data store 63 and on sponsor
addresses and type in the sponsor data store 61, the system 11
provides a display 30 of qualifying local grocers to the member 34.
The member 34 selects the listed grocer that he frequents and for
which he has a frequent shopper card (program membership). The user
enters the grocer supplied frequent shopper card/program
identification number (step 27a), which the rewards engine 65
verifies for uniqueness in system 11 and for accuracy with the
grocers records (step 27b) at client 50a. Upon verification, the
invention system 11 records the frequent shopper identification
data in member data store 63 records for member 34.
[0047] The subsequent shopping activity by member 34 at the
selected qualifying grocer sponsor produces program activity data.
This data is captured by the grocer sponsors system (client 50a)
and provided to invention system 11 in various file feeds 29, 31,
33. Each file feed 29, 31, 33 in one embodiment preferably follows
a comma-separated variable (.csv) data file format indicating: (i)
member identifier or name; (ii) number of units being rewarded; and
(iii) reason for reward. Alternatively, the indication of number of
units may refer or default to reward rate per activity in sponsor
records of sponsor data store 61.
[0048] If a sponsor supplies to the system 11 purchase data such as
POS data files 31, 33, then the system 11/rewards engine 65 filters
the received POS data by member identification of members listed in
member data store 63. The member identification filter may first be
by frequent shopper identification issued by the sponsor and
cross-referenced to the invention system 11 member identification
in member data store 63. Next, the rewards engine 65 filters
sponsor activity data by product code (e.g., UPC, PLU, other) 29a,
special sponsor product code (e.g., star system), SKU number,
manufacture/brand 29b, or the like.
[0049] The resulting filtered data from the sponsor platform 62
indicates qualifying member and qualifying total purchase dollar
amount on which to base the current reward. The sponsor platform 62
parses the data feed formatted data 31, 33 and filtered data 29a, b
and enables the rewards engine 65 to properly credit the member
accounts 67 (step 39). In particular, the rewards engine 65 matches
the named member in the subject data to a respective member account
67, and verifies number of units to add 39 to the member account
67. For the filtered POS data 31, 33, the rewards engine 65 uses
the qualifying total purchase dollar amount received and applies a
multiplier (reward rate) defined by the sponsor in sponsor data
store 61. The outcome is the number of units that the rewards
engine 65 adds to the member account 67.
3. Rebate Features
[0050] Turning to the rebate feature of embodiments of the
invention system 11, the portal 69 enables online retail shopping
at certain retailers. A screen view of the portal 69 displays a
product offer with an indication of a percent markdown or rebate
for qualifying items. The screen view includes a hyperlink or other
connection to the retailer's on-line shopping site. The level or
tier of the member account 67 gauges the effective percent markdown
or rebate for the qualifying item. Thus, the percent
markdown/rebate is on a graduated scale in some embodiments.
[0051] In particular, a Level 5 member may take advantage of the
full markdown percent advertised, while a lower level member will
only be allowed a respective portion of the advertised markdown
percent. The markdown percent of the qualifying item purchase price
is awarded in system 11 units (i.e., the number of units whose cash
equivalent equals the markdown percent dollar value A=M.times.P,
where M is the effective markdown percent per member level and P is
the qualifying item purchase price).
[0052] Once a member completes a purchase (of the qualifying item)
at a retailer site as linked through the portal 69/system 11, the
rewards engine 65 determines the rebate in number of units (above
calculation) and credits the respective member account 67.
[0053] Such rebates further add to the variety of opportunities for
a member to earn units for his member account 67. The rebates being
tied to member-reward level or tier of the member account 67
motivates and provides incentive for the member to make healthful
choices and engage in healthy activities that earn units and
cumulatively achieve higher member-reward levels/tiers in system
11.
4. Computer Methods for Promoting and Maintaining Health, Wellness,
and Fitness
[0054] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an interactive computer-based
method for promoting and maintaining health, wellness, and fitness.
The method starts (step 302) with storing information about members
(step 304), including a member account for each member, in a member
data store, such as the data store 63 shown in FIG. 1. Similarly,
sponsor data from multiple sponsors is stored (step 306) in a
sponsor data store (e.g., sponsor data store 61). The sponsor data
includes indications for each sponsor of (i) qualifying members;
(ii) qualifying healthy activities for which qualifying members are
to be rewarded; and (iii) reward rate for each qualifying
activity.
[0055] At step 308, a rewards engine (e.g., rewards engine 65)
responds to input data that effectively indicates qualifying
healthy activity completed by a subject member. Next, at step 310,
the rewards engine uses sponsor data to determine a number of units
to add to the respective member account of the subject member for
activity completed by the subject member. Then, at step 312, units
awarded to the subject member are accumulated in the respective
member account by different sponsors for different qualifying
healthy activities, thereby promoting healthy behavior among
members. This accumulation occurs at an increased potential because
the method involves many potential sponsors. Finally, the process
ends at step 314.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an alternative interactive
computer-based method for promoting and maintaining health,
wellness, and fitness. The process begins (step 402) with storing
member information, including qualifying healthy purchase
information (e.g., diet food instead of junk food), in respective
member accounts (step 404). The member information is
cross-referenced (step 405) with frequent shopper identification
numbers from a frequent shopper program for a retailer that
sponsors the process. Next, data from employers, health clubs,
insurers, and retailers, including reward rate information, is
stored (step 406) in a sponsor data store.
[0057] At step 408, a rewards engine responds to data representing
qualifying purchases by members, file feeds from sponsors and
members, and POS data from sponsors. This data is used to determine
(step 410) the number of units to add to the member account based
on the qualifying data from step 408 and in response to rebates,
which the process enables subject members to receive for purchases
from retail sponsors (step 413). These rebates are then credited
(step 415) to the member's account based on the purchase. Next, the
rewards engine determines (step 410) how many units to add to the
member account based in part of the items purchased at the retail
sponsors. Certain items may be linked to specific benefits,
rewards, or numbers of points based on the frequent shopper
program. The units are then accumulated in the member account (step
412) at increased potential before the process ends (step 424),
thereby encouraging members to adopt and maintain healthy
purchasing and eating habits.
[0058] The alternative process allows shown in FIG. 5 also includes
a voucher subprocess that enables sponsors to purchase member
account units in voucher form (step 417). The sponsor can then
issue the vouchers to subject members (step 419) upon completion of
healthy activities, as promotions, or for meeting other criteria.
For example, a Health Club sponsor may award vouchers to subject
members who participate in exercise classes or lose a given amount
of weight. The subject members can then redeem the vouchers at
their convenience (step 421). Thus, in this embodiment, the sponsor
does have to enter data concerning completion of healthy activity.
Instead, the sponsor gives pre-made vouchers to subject members,
who may trigger the rewards engine 65 by entering a corresponding
voucher code at home using the portal 69.
5. Voucher Processes
[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram that shows one embodiment of an
inventive voucher process 42 in detail. A sponsor operating and
interacting with system 11/portal 69 through client 50 chooses to
purchase units (i.e., the dollar equivalent thereof) for awarding
to member accounts 67 (step 41). In response to this sponsor
request, the rewards engine 65 interactively collects data from the
sponsor client 50 to create voucher codes (step 43). The data may
include, for non-limiting example:
[0060] number of vouchers requested by the sponsor;
[0061] number of units and corresponding value per voucher (this
enables voucher values to be customizable by batch);
[0062] indication of currency to print on the voucher (e.g., system
units, cash equivalent or other);
[0063] sponsor name, purchase order number (optional) and billing
trigger (creation or redemption of voucher);
[0064] expiration date by which vouchers must be redeemed; and
[0065] description to appear on member account after
redemption.
[0066] Next, having received/collected the necessary data, the
rewards engine 65 enters (step 45) this data into a codes
maintenance area (e.g., application) of system 11. In response,
system 11 (at step 47) creates a .csv file with voucher codes for
vouchers in the sponsor requested/predefined increments of value.
These voucher codes and resulting vouchers are assigned to the
specific sponsor.
[0067] At decision juncture 24 based on sponsor input, the system
11 determines whether the vouchers are to be issued in paper form
or electronically. If paper form is requested by the sponsor, then
system 11/step 54 sends the .csv file to a print vendor. There the
paper vouchers are printed, packaged, and sent to the sponsor (step
23) for distribution to members (step 49).
[0068] If the vouchers are to be in electronic form, system 11 at
step 25 imports or otherwise merges the .csv file of voucher codes
into a voucher template. This includes adding sponsor branding
and/or other design details. Step 25 results in a .pdf document
containing the subject vouchers. The rewards engine 65 at step 21
sends the electronic (.pdf) file of vouchers to the sponsor-client
50 for distribution to members (step 49).
[0069] The sponsor distributes the vouchers or voucher codes to
members accordingly (step 49). To redeem a voucher (step 40), a
member uses the interactive portal 69 entering voucher code, etc.,
as described previously. In turn, rewards engine 65 validates the
voucher code and either triggers the respective reward to the
members account 67 or gives an error (i.e., voucher already
redeemed, voucher expired, code not valid, etc.). Each voucher code
can only be used and/or redeemed once.
6. Reward, Voucher, and Rebate Funding
[0070] Embodiments of the invention system 11 are funded by
membership fees, sponsor agreements/arrangements, voucher sales and
retailer rebate agreements. For example, a grocer sponsor pays
three cents into the invention system 11 for every $1 spent by a
member at the grocer's store. This is a sufficient margin where the
cash equivalent payout by system 11 is one cent for every one
dollar spent by a member at the grocer's store. Similarly, voucher
prices as paid by sponsors provide additional revenue. The cost
structure of voucher programs per given sponsor is controlled by
dollar equivalent of member-account units set by system 11.
7. Data Communications Tiers
[0071] FIG. 7 shows three levels, or tiers of data communications
and controls used in the communications network 70 of the
interactive health, fitness, and wellness system 11 shown in FIG.
1. A data layer 111 or tier is the lowest level and supports data
stores 61, 63, 65, 66, which may be relational databases in
structured query language (SQL) or any other suitable query
language. The data layer 111 may use a set of classes, such as
ADO.NET, to connect the data stores 61, 63, 65, 66 to data-sharing
consumer applications, such as applications residing on other tiers
or accessible via the clients 50 or the portal 69. Suitable classes
allow the consumer applications to retrieve, manipulate, and update
data, including data related to member and sponsor accounts.
Suitable classes support a variety of development needs, including
serving up data to the user interface and middle-tier business
logic methods used by applications and tools.
[0072] Next is a (business and application) logic layer 113
supported by component services (COM+) or similar enterprise wide
programming model. The logic layer 113 handles resource management
tasks, such as thread allocation and security, in addition to
making applications more scalable by providing thread pooling,
object pooling, and just-in-time object activation. The logic layer
113 also helps to protect the integrity of member and sponsor data
by providing transaction support, even if a transaction spans
multiple data stores over a network. The logic layer 113 may
include one, two, or more data processing tiers and components,
each with respective functionality shown through one or more
interfaces. Common or standard middle tier/business logic layer
techniques are employed.
[0073] In the illustrated example, the logic layer 113 is formed of
a data access tier 110 and a business tier 109. This is the
business logic 109 that drives the application processes. Basically
this is the process and rules around what happens when a user makes
a functional request via the application. The data access layer 110
is the code that drives what data it needs to support the logic
requirements in the business logic. Techniques known in the art are
used to implement these processes and operations.
[0074] A presentation layer 119 forms the third tier or level of
network data communications and control. The presentation layer 119
is formed of (a) a data exchanger 115 and (b) one or more
applications 117a, . . . , n (generally 117) executing and
supporting operations of the invention portal 69 (FIGS. 1 and 2)
described above. The data exchanger 115 interfaces between tiers of
the logic layer 113 and the applications 117. The data exchanger
115 provides web services and security protocols/control for data
access (e.g., from data layer 111 and data processing/component
results of logic layer 113) by applications 117. Other
configurations are suitable as well.
[0075] Applications 117 include, for example, the member operations
and various sponsor operations, e.g., voucher generation and
redemption (process 42, FIG. 6), rewards and rebate processing
(FIGS. 4 and 5), sponsor deletion and addition (FIG. 2), and
rewards account viewing (FIG. 2), and online shopping, among other
operations and portal activities.
8. Network Architecture
[0076] FIG. 8 shows how elements of the interactive health,
fitness, and wellness system 11 of FIG. 1 are configured for data
communication in the network architecture of FIG. 7. Other
configurations and architecture are suitable as well. In the FIG. 8
embodiment, (active and passive) public firewalls 121a, b, c, d and
(active and passive) load balancers 123 a, b, c, d are employed
between clients 50 and servers 60 of the invention system 11 as
well as between the presentation layer 119 elements (e.g. client
portal 69, web services/FTP services 115, etc.) and the logical
layer 113. Further, the logical layer 113 employs a private global
network server cluster 120, an application server cluster 122, and
other internal components 124 (e.g., active directory, terminal
servers, etc.) following the COM+ standard. The data layer 111
employs relational data stores 61, 63, 65, mirrors thereof as
needed, and pertinent query server clusters 125a, b, c, d. Other
data stores and data store subsystems are suitable.
[0077] Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved
automated system for promoting, maintaining, and managing health
and wellness.
[0078] Returning to FIG. 1, client computer(s)/devices 50 and
server computer(s) 60 provide processing, storage, and input/output
devices executing application programs and the like. Client
computer(s)/devices 50 can also be linked through communications
network 70 to other computing devices, including other client
devices/processes 50 and server computer(s) 60. Communications
network 70 can be part of a remote access network, a global network
(e.g., the Internet), a worldwide collection of computers, Local
area or Wide area networks, and gateways that currently use
respective protocols (TCP/IP, BLUETOOTH.TM., etc.) to communicate
with one another. Other electronic device/computer network
architectures are suitable.
[0079] Each computer (e.g., client processor/device 50 or server
computers 60) includes a system bus and a central processor unit
attached to the system bus that provides for the execution of
computer instructions. The system bus is a set of hardware lines
used for data transfer among the components of the computer or
processing system. That is, the system bus is essentially a shared
conduit that connects different elements of a computer system
(e.g., processor, disk storage, memory, input/output ports, network
ports, etc.) that enables the transfer of information between the
elements. Attached to the system bus is I/O device interface for
connecting various input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse,
displays, printers, speakers, etc.) to the computer 50, 60. A
network interface allows the computer to connect to various other
devices attached to a network (e.g., network 70 of FIG. 1). Memory
90 provides volatile storage for computer software instructions and
data (illustrated by various arrows) used to implement an
embodiment 11 of the present invention (e.g., rewards engine 65 and
respective device/sponsor data collection platforms 62 for
multi-sponsor processing, voucher generation, and supporting code
as detailed above). Disk storage 95 provides non-volatile storage
for computer software instructions and data used to implement an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0080] In one embodiment, the processor routines and data are a
computer program product, including a computer readable medium
(e.g., a removable storage medium, such as one or more DVD-ROM's,
CD-ROM's, diskettes, tapes, etc.) that provides at least a portion
of the software instructions for the invention system. Computer
program product can be installed by any suitable software
installation procedure, as is well known in the art. In another
embodiment, at least a portion of the software instructions may
also be downloaded over a cable, communication and/or wireless
connection. In other embodiments, the invention programs are a
computer program propagated signal product embodied on a propagated
signal on a propagation medium (e.g., a radio wave, an infrared
wave, a laser wave, a sound wave, or an electrical wave propagated
over a global network such as the Internet, or other network(s)).
Such carrier medium or signals provide at least a portion of the
software instructions for the present invention
routines/program.
[0081] In alternate embodiments, the propagated signal is an analog
carrier wave or digital signal carried on the propagated medium.
For example, the propagated signal may be a digitized signal
propagated over a global network (e.g., the Internet), a
telecommunications network, or other network. In one embodiment,
the propagated signal is a signal that is transmitted over the
propagation medium over a period of time, such as the instructions
for a software application sent in packets over a network over a
period of milliseconds, seconds, minutes, or longer. In another
embodiment, the computer readable medium of computer program
product is a propagation medium that the computer system 50 may
receive and read, such as by receiving the propagation medium and
identifying a propagated signal embodied in the propagation medium,
as described above for computer program propagated signal
product.
[0082] Generally speaking, the term "carrier medium" or transient
carrier encompasses the foregoing transient signals, propagated
signals, propagated medium, storage medium and the like.
[0083] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *