Abstract: One variation of a method includes: defining a first capacitance gradient of capacitance thresholds spanning a capacitive touch sensor; defining a first pressure gradient of pressure thresholds spanning a pressure sensor; reading a capacitance value from the capacitive touch sensor proximal a first location; detecting presence of a first input at the first location in response to the capacitance value exceeding a capacitance threshold assigned to the first location; reading a pressure value from the pressure sensor proximal the first location; detecting presence of a second input proximal the first location in response to the pressure value exceeding a pressure threshold; in response to detecting the first input and detecting the second input: merging the first input and the second input into a confirmed touch input; and generating a first touch image representing the first location and the pressure value of the confirmed touch input.

Abstract: A mobile client application for managing user interface components. Mobile device screen user interface components are defined using XML documents stored at a server. Each user interface component has associated actions including draw when displayed and drawing aspect when selected. A main canvas is initialized to manage all images, text, and widgets. An XML parser pushes the user interface components to the main canvas as they are parsed and retrieved from the server. Drawing occurs after all components have been parsed and created in the main canvas. The entire canvas is drawn but only a portion of the canvas is displayed at any time. Scrolling of user interface component elements is managed by tracking selected items on the screen, and offsetting the main canvas by the number of pixels required to draw the selected element on the screen.

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 method defining, creating, and managing meals according to user preferences regarding a diet plan, preferred foods, preferred meal preparation options, and meal times. An expert system uses information about an individual's diet preferences and related goals, to develop a personalized plan including a complete meal plan and to generate meal suggestion messages for each meal. Meal suggestion messages are transmitted to users' portable devices at their preferred meal times. If a user accepts a meal suggestion, nutritional information regarding the accepted meal is tracked and considered in determining the user's progress toward a goal. If a user rejects a meal suggestion, the expert system generates a meal substitute suggestion or a specific food item substitute suggestion. When the user accepts the substitute suggestion, nutritional information regarding the substituted meal or food item is tracked and considered in determining the user's progress toward a goal.

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: 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: 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 system and method for using biometric data received from a user to generate feedback messages for transmission to the user while the user performs a physical activity. Wireless biometric sensors such as those used to monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse rate are integrated into a user's diet and exercise plan and the personalized instruction that the individual receives. An expert system uses the biometric data to monitor the effectiveness of the physical activity and generate feedback messages. The expert system then sends the messages to the user's mobile device. The messages may inform the user of the biometric data, may provide positive reinforcement related to the user's progress toward a stated goal, or may suggest modifications to the physical activity to assist the user in reaching a stated goal.