Abstract: A portable electronic device that assists in the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle by recording biometric measurement data, confirming completion of healthy activities, and generating graphs from biometric measurement data. The device may comprise a speaker for providing instructions to users as to how the portable device is to be used, results of biometric measurements, counting down the time remaining until a biometric measurement has been obtained, etc. The device may connect to a remote computer of a health care facility, health care provider, or insurance provider. Completion data for health activities is recorded. As the user completes measurements or other health activities such as appointments, the third party may provide a code for the user to record in the device to signal completion of the activity. The device may also be used to record data related to a user's participation in a rewards program.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for the creation and management of fundraising events. The system and method support creation of fundraising groups comprising team members that participate in physical activity to raise donations for a certain entity or organization. Individual team members utilize a device (e.g., pedometer) that measures activity during a specified time period. Pledges for donations are made by sponsors that log into a website and pledge to donate a certain amount of money based on the physical activity performed by a fundraising team member. Some fundraising groups may comprise multiple teams. Different teams of the same group may have different fundraising goals or objectives. The website of the system may link a fundraising group to its different fundraising teams. All teams of a fundraising group may raise money for a single entity or the teams of a fundraising group may raise funds for different entities.

Abstract: An online game that promotes physical activity by visually representing the comparative biometric data of a group of people. The biometric data may be collected using a variety of biometric devices. Each individual in the group selects an avatar for use in representing the biometric data. The biometric data is transmitted to a server and displayed collectively on a computer screen. Each individual's avatar is displayed on the screen and animated according the biometric data. In an example embodiment in which avatars are fish that are displayed on a fish tank background and the biometric data is steps counted by a pedometer, avatars associated with individuals having a higher step count are positioned above avatars for individuals having a lower step count. Biometric data may be collected from biometric devices at various time intervals and the display updated to reflect the changes in biometric data.

Abstract: An automated system and method for use by health coaches to provide health coaching services to members of a health benefits plan. The platform supports the entry of member data, completion and analysis of assessments, and the development of a health or wellness plan or program for each member. Coaches develop health and wellness plans or programs for members by defining goals and one or more activities for each goal. The platform supports tracking of progress toward goals. Calendaring and task features allow the coach to remain in contact with members. The level of interaction between a coach and a member varies according to the member's needs so the calendaring and task features provide flexibility in scheduling initial and follow-up communications. In addition to defining tasks, coaches may enter progress notes that also assist the coach in determining the level and type of communication to initiate.

Abstract: A system and method for promoting physical activity in children and recruiting individuals to participate in the program for physical activity. Promotion of physical activity is centered around an entertainment event such as a movie release. A variety of physical activities are related to the entertainment event to encourage and entice children to participate. Children and their parents are directed to a website where they can learn about the entertainment event and how they can participate in the physical activities as well as to recruit other children to participate. Children participate in the physical activities and then track their participation at the web site. Prizes and rewards are issued to reward the children for their participation in the activities and to keep them interested in the program. The program combines the entertainment event with online and real world experiences while keeping the children engaged in physical activities.

Abstract: A conveyor process and system for sorting objects having a plurality of inbound conveyors in a vertically stacked configuration and a plurality of diversion conveyors connected to the inbound conveyors for diverting objects transported on the inbound conveyors to a particular outbound conveyor.

Abstract: A user categorization system and method is disclosed. The user categorization system and method relies on server data to discover which users are consuming the finite resources of the server and in what proportions. Users are categorized according to their consumption of resources. The user categorization system and method further ascribes a relative business value to each user group to facilitate the allocation of resources among groups. In an example embodiment, users of the server resources use the SAS programming language and the server resources execute SAS applications that support the SAS programming language. The user categorization system and method connects an executed computer program to a business-defined classification of applicability to purpose. The system and method employs a double level of abstraction to link specific programming styles, first to a general solution case (“design pattern”), and then to link the general solution idiomatically to the business case.

Abstract: A hydration level measurement system and method comprising a technology embedded scale that rewards individuals for drinking an appropriate amount of liquid throughout the day. In an example embodiment, a reusable water bottle is equipped with an RFID tag and assigned to an individual so that the user's hydration level may be tracked. The RFID tag logs the individual's access as well as “before-filling” and “after-filling” weights of the bottle when placed on the scale. A computer screen acknowledges the bottle's owner, and then indicates the increased weight and how many points will be awarded to the user using an ounces-to-points conversion. Data may be transferred from the scale computer to a web server and aggregated at the server from multiple scales for multiple “hydration challenges.” A web application receives and processes user requests to display data related to each hydration challenge such as the current scores of the participants.

Abstract: A fitness challenge program designed to encourage physical activity as well as to entertain and engage participants. Individuals are organized into teams and compete individually as well as against other teams. The program incorporates the use of computer technology to record physical activity and track progress for individuals as well as their teams. The individual and team activity information is posted to a web site accessible to the participants. Each participant has an account and can access his or her activity data through the web site. Team progress can also be viewed in the form of activity level data as well as movement to various locations associated with activity levels. The program incorporates educational content that is tied to team progress in the challenge. The program may be organized and administered through the middle schools that student participants attend.

Abstract: A mobile phone messaging system and method for managing display of messages to mobile phone users. A mobile client application operates at user's mobile phone. Mobile content providers manage the display of messages and related interactions throughout a specific period of time (e.g., daily, weekly, bi-weekly). Phone wakeup time data and message identifying data are transmitted from a mobile content provider server to a mobile phone. The wakeup time data and message identifying data are stored in the phone. The wakeup times are also added to a registry at the phone that facilitates launching of applications at the times indicated in the registry. At the specified wakeup times, the mobile client application determines the message identifying data associated with the wakeup time, connects to the mobile content provider server, and provides the message identifying data. The provider responds with a specific message and the mobile client application displays the message.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting with the maintenance of healthy lifestyle habits by generating tailored strategy messages within an expert system and then pushing those messages to the corresponding individual users of the cellular phones or other portable devices. The system and method allows diet and exercise plans to be tailored to individual users based on their preferences and provides consistent and appropriate strategy messages designed to encourage and motivate users toward successfully maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. Users complete initial assessments which detail individual food and physical activity preferences. The system uses the assessments to generate individualized messages that are pushed to user devices through a system incorporating cellular technologies. Tailored messages are pushed from the computer based expert system to user devices at predetermined times each day.

Abstract: System and method to determine user compliance with personalized diet and exercise plans by analyzing responses to messages about the plans. An expert system has a number of stored messages and display characteristics from which it chooses. The expert system generates message relating to the user's diet or physical activity that are sent to a user's mobile device and analyzes responses. Display characteristics change periodically and compliance data relating to the user's adherence to the plan when certain display characteristics are used is stored (e.g., meal plan adherence, acceptance of specific food selections, and adherence to instructions and advice in messages). The expert system then determines which messages and display characteristics achieve the greatest compliance to the dietary and physical activity schedule and goals.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and sending reward messages to users accomplishing goals related to a personalized health behavior plan. Rewards may be issued for reasons such as achieving an ultimate goal, reaching an intermediate goal, or completing a suggested activity such as eating a suggested meal or performing a suggested physical activity. A reward may be a coupon for use at an establishment such as a restaurant, a clothing store, or a fitness center. Rewards may also be checks sent through postal mail or coupons for printing on a personal printer. Reward messages are generated by an expert system based on a user's personalized diet, exercise, or other health plan, goals associated with the plan, and specified preferences. Reward messages are sent to user's portable devices. Current location information may be used to send a user a reward for use at a nearby establishment.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for measuring physical activity to advance play in a game. In example embodiments, a cell phone generates a screen display and the game is played through the mobile device. The measurement of physical activity progresses the player through the game by progressing the player through “game days,” by permitting the player to travel from a current location to another location on a map of the game, by earning rewards points for the player that may be utilized in game play, etc. A specified number of steps equates with a game day and a complete game is measured in game days. The device tracks physical activity, related game days, and completion of games. During a game day, a player advances in the game as well as encounters challenges and obstacles and may be prompted to make other decisions related to the game play.

Abstract: A health care plan system and method designed to reduce future claims costs through financial incentives with member engagement metrics. Targets are pre-set for member engagement metrics. Claims cost targets for the sponsor are set based on the sponsor meeting member engagement targets. A percentage of health care plan base administrative fees are at risk based on the sponsor's claims cost performance in relation to the claims cost target. If the claims cost target is missed, the health plan administrator repays or reduces administrative fees charged to the sponsor. If the claims cost target is met, the sponsor pays additional fees to the health plan administrator. Base administrative fees are also repaid or reduced if the health care plan administrator fails to meet service performance targets. The sponsor is appraised on progress of member engagement and service performance metrics through scorecards that are sent during the plan year.

Abstract: A computerized health behavior reward system and method is disclosed. Engagement of rewards program members is based on rewards for participation in a variety of health activities. Health activities are recommended to members based on demographic and health profile information and include general health activities such as participation in fitness programs as well as disease management and clinical programs, educational campaigns, online, interactive, and social networking activities, and community based activities. Each activity may relate to a particular participation event so that members are rewarded for enrolling in a program as well as for ongoing participation. Members earn points for each health activity in which they participate. The points are accumulated in a rewards account accessible from a web site portal and can be redeemed.

Abstract: An interactive biometric display system and method for collecting and displaying biometric data. The display system comprises a device for identifying a user and at least one biometric input device (e.g., heart rate sensor). A user provides identifying data via the identifying device and biometric data via the biometric input device. The biometric data (e.g., heartbeat) is measured and recorded with a timestamp. Graphical objects for each user are presented (e.g., a heart) and move around the screen in relation to the biometric data. Attributes of graphical objects (e.g., size, color, color saturation, and height) may vary over time indicating the recency of the data. The display system may further comprise a sound component to play sound related to the biometric data. Visual as well as sound attributes may diminish, fade, or disappear over time and may be refreshed when a new reading for the user is received.

Abstract: A system and method for generating meal suggestion messages using an expert system and then pushing those suggestions to users. Meal suggestions are tailored to users based on their tastes and preferences. Users specify preferences related to a diet plan, food preferences, meal time preferences, and meal preparation preferences. An expert system considers each user's preferences and nutritional data to generate meal suggestion messages consistent with the user's preferences and dietary goals. Meal suggestions are pushed to the user according to the user's preferred time for eating each meal. The user can accept or reject the suggested meal or one or more foods within a suggested meal. For rejected meal suggestions, a meal substitution message is generated and sent. The expert system uses accepted and rejected meal suggestions to determine if certain foods or entire meals should no longer be recommended to individual users or to system users as a whole.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and sending reward messages to users accomplishing goals related to a personalized health behavior plan. Rewards may be issued for reasons such as achieving an ultimate goal, reaching an intermediate goal, or completing a suggested activity such as eating a suggested meal or performing a suggested physical activity. A reward may be a coupon for use at an establishment such as a restaurant, a clothing store, or a fitness center. Rewards may also be checks sent through postal mail or coupons for printing on a personal printer. Reward messages are generated by an expert system based on a user's personalized diet, exercise, or other health plan, goals associated with the plan, and specified preferences. Reward messages are sent to user's portable devices. Current location information may be used to send a user a reward for use at a nearby establishment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing to an individual certain information which is relevant to that individual's health status. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for providing information relevant to an individual's health status and wherein the information provided is chosen on the basis of not only the individual's health status but also complex psychosocial behavioral factors related to that individual's motivational structure and likely impact.