MOBILE SELF-MANAGEMENT COMPLIANCE AND NOTIFICATION METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

Abstract

A remote interactive method, system and computer program product is provided for self-managing a person's regular lifestyle needs through controlled notification and feedback. The invention provides a simple, cost effective and flexible self-management and compliance scheme that does not require third party intervention or treatment options typical with immediate-response or alert-based systems. The invention also provides for long term management and analysis for the benefit of the individual. In implementing the invention in a healthcare environment, the individual will gain a better understanding of managing their lifestyle and behaviour. A related business model is also disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a system diagram of the present invention, in one particular embodiment thereof.

FIG. 1B is a system diagram of the present invention, in another embodiment thereof.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating the overall method of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating aspects of the method illustrated in FIG. 2A, namely the user's set-up, and the user's notification set-up.

FIG. 2C is a flowchart illustrating aspects of the method illustrated in FIG. 2A, namely system/admin approval.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of the method illustrated in FIG. 2A, namely an active interface.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of the method illustrated in FIG. 2A, namely access to a database.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of the method illustrated in FIG. 2A, namely a system administrator interface.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of the method illustrated in FIG. 2A, namely administrator user compliance review.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely a user login and registration system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely database schema requirements for the user login and registration system depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely a registered user web interface.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely a blood sugar report management system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely database schema requirements for the blood sugar report management system depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely a mobile reporting system.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely database schema requirements for the mobile reporting system depicted in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely an administration interface.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a further aspect of one particular embodiment of the present invention, namely database schema requirements for the administration interface depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of generating revenue in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a method of generating revenue in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a further embodiment of a method of generating revenue in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of mobile lifestyle self-management and compliance, comprising the steps of: (a) registering one or more users with a lifestyle notification scheme in association with one or more lifestyle attributes designated by the user, wherein the notification scheme comprises a notification schedule tailored by the user upon registration;(b) providing notifications on a regular basis to the user in accordance with the notification schedule;(c) the user using an input device as a communication means to provide response data in response to the notifications; and(d) collecting the response data and providing the response data to a notification engine, the notification engine permitting the user to: (i) review and analyse the response data;(ii) modify the notification scheme if so desired.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the input device is a personal communication device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the personal communication device is a cellular phone.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the input device is a glucometer operable for wireless communication.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising an administrative interface means whereby an administrator is permitted to access the notification engine.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising a confirmation means whereby the response data provided by the user via the input device is confirmed prior to being provided to the notification engine.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the notification scheme further comprises lifestyle protocols established by the user, the lifestyle protocols comprising: (a) data parameters prescribing a range of acceptable response data values for the lifestyle attribute; and(b) alert means to provide alerts to one or more user-designated third parties;wherein the lifestyle protocols are operable to:(c) analyze and identify trends in the response data;(d) provide feedback to the user related to the analysis and identification of trends and in relation to comparison of the response data and the data parameters; and/or(e) deliver alerts to the one or more third parties if: (i) the response data falls outside of the data parameters; or(ii) the user fails to respond to the notification.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the response data comprises glucose levels and/or blood pressure information of a user suffering from Diabetes.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the response data comprises qualitative data relevant to diet or exercise management.

10. A system for mobile lifestyle self-management, the system operable to connect to one or more remote computers to provide access to the resources of the system at said one or more remote computers, the system comprising: (a) a server computer;(b) a server application linked to the server computer, the server application including a notification engine, the server application being operable to provide instructions to the server that: (i) register one or more users;(ii) establish a notification schedule for each user in association with one or more lifestyle attributes designated by the user;(iii) provide notifications on a regular basis to the user in accordance with the notification schedule; and(iv) collect response data provided by the user through an input device used as a communication means in response to the notifications; andwherein the server application is operable on the server to enable the users to: (i) review and analyse the response data;(ii) modify the notification schedule if so desired.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the server application is further operable to provide instructions to the server to establish lifestyle protocols comprising: (a) data parameters prescribing a range of acceptable response data values for the lifestyle attribute; and(b) alert means to provide alerts to one or more user-designated third parties;wherein the lifestyle protocols are operable to:(a) analyze and identify trends in the response data;(b) provide feedback to the user related to the analysis and identification of trends and in relation to comparison of the response data and the data parameters; and/or(c) deliver alerts to the one or more third parties if: (i) the response data falls outside of the data parameters; or(ii) the user fails to respond to the notification.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the input device is a personal communication device, and a telephony server is operable to support a connection between the personal communication device and the server.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the personal communication device is a cellular phone.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the notification is provided to the user by the cellular phone by means of an enhanced text message.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the server computer is linked to a database and the server application includes a database management utility for managing the storage and retrieval of response data from the database related to the operation of the notification engine, wherein the database management utility is operable to encrypt the response data provided by the user.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the server application is operable to publish a series of web pages to the Internet, wherein the web pages include: (a) one or more web pages defining a user interface; and(b) one or more web pages defining an administrator interface.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the web pages include: (a) a user account login page;(b) a notification scheme setup page including lifestyle attribute selection means, interval selection means and input selection means;(c) a database access page including response data input means, data review means, notification scheme modification means, and data printing means;(d) an administrator login page;(e) an administrator approval request page;

18. The system of claim 10 wherein the response data comprises glucose levels and/or blood pressure information of a user suffering from Diabetes.

19. The system of claim 10 wherein the response data comprises qualitative data relevant to diet or exercise management.

20. A computer program product, for use on a server computer, the computer program product comprising: (a) a computer usable medium;(b) computer readable program code recorded or storable in the computer usable medium, the computer readable program code defining a server application on the server computer that is operable on the server computer to: (i) register one or more users and establish a notification schedule for each user in association with one or more lifestyle attributes designated by the user;(ii) provide notifications on a regular basis to the user in accordance with the notification schedule; and(iii) collect response data provided by the user through an input device used as a communication means in response to the notifications;wherein the server application is operable on the server to enable the users to: (i) review and analyse the response data;(ii) alter the notification schedule if so desired.

21. A method of providing services comprising the steps of: (a) partnering with at least one telecommunications or healthcare provider to provide subscription-based services;(b) the telecommunications or healthcare provider collecting subscription service fees from an end-user; and(c) hosting a mobile lifestyle self-management system comprising: (i) registering one or more end-users with a notification scheme in association with one or more lifestyle attributes designated by the end-user, wherein the notification scheme comprises a notification schedule tailored by the end-user upon registration;(ii) providing notifications on a regular basis to the end-user in accordance with the notification schedule;(iii) the end-user using an input device as a communication means to provide response data in response to the notifications; and(iv) collecting the response data and providing the response data to a notification engine, the notification engine permitting the user to review and analyse the response data and alter the notification schedule if so desired.