Method and system for delivering behavior modification information over a network

Abstract

This invention features a method for delivering information over a network, the method including: a) monitoring an action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification; b) obtaining user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; c) evaluating the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification; d) presenting the tailored information to the user over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved. The user is continually provided with re-tailored information resulting from an iterative process of obtaining and evaluating data that progresses the user towards a desired behavior modification. The desired behavior modification can be, for example, the cessation of smoking.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/368,769, filed Mar. 29, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a method and system for delivering information over a network, and more specifically, a method and system for delivering information about behavior modification over a computer network to a plurality of users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A major challenge to treating many chronic conditions is modifying established behavior and encouraging compliance with treatment regimens. For example, most people who smoke want to quit but find it very difficult because, in part, the nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive and also because well-established patterns of behavior are difficult to change. This is of great concern because smoking is a major cause of premature death and morbidity in the world. Thus, an intervention that helps large numbers of people quit smoking at reasonable cost and convenience is a major contribution to public health.

[0005] Traditional smoking cessation and/or behavior modification programs, which can include written self help materials, personal and/or group counseling and telephone based counseling, typically present static information that is not tailored for specific people and which does not change as a person's circumstances and conditions change during a quit attempt. Clearly, a 40 year old blue collar man who has been smoking for twenty years requires a different behavior modification program than a 20 year old white collar woman who has only been smoking for one year. Static programs can also be disadvantageous because a person may suffer setbacks during a quit attempt. Moreover, a person may not be actively engaged with a behavior modification program and may require encouragement and support from the system and/or other users of the system to progress towards a desired behavior modification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an information delivery system that obtains user supplied data and also observed user data.

[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide such an information delivery system that provides tailored information to a user based upon the obtained user supplied data and observed user data.

[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide such an information delivery system that repeatedly provides tailored information to a user based upon the obtained user supplied data and observed user data until a desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0009] The invention results from the realization that a more effective method for delivering information on a network can be effected by obtaining both user supplied data and observed user data to generate and provide, to a user over the network, tailored information that progresses the user towards a desired behavior modification. The method can be repeated until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0010] This invention features a method for delivering information over a network, the method including: a) monitoring an action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification; b) obtaining user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; c) evaluating the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification; d) presenting the tailored information to the user over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the method may include further including evaluating to determine if additional data is required from the user in order for the user to achieve the desired behavior modification. The method may include obtaining the additional data from the user. The user action may be selected from the group consisting of: an interaction with a online questionnaire, an interaction with a module to assist the user in the cessation of smoking, an interaction with a module to assist the user in selecting a date for the cessation of smoking, interacting with a module to provide the user with the ability to manage personal information, an interaction with a calendar module to provide the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate to the quit date and the desired behavior modification, an interaction with a journal module that allows the user to record information related to the desired behavior modification, an interaction with a Medications Module, an interaction with a module relating to frequently asked questions, and an interaction with an online support community. The Medications Module may suggest a medication profile to the user based upon the user observed data and the user supplied data. The user action may includes an interaction with an online support community that is selected from the group consisting of: a discussion forum relating to discussion of specific issues associated with the desired behavior modification, a user initiated forum, interactive communication with community members via on-line chat, a buddy feature that tracks whether other known users are on-line at the same time as the user, a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in the desired behavior modification, and e-mail for sending and receiving messages to and from others users on the system. The desired behavior modification may be selected from the group consisting of: a cessation of smoking, a cessation of chewing tobacco and a cessation of chewing snuff. The user supplied data may be selected from the group consisting of: a quit date, an age, a sex, a zip code, a type of dependency, a quantity of dependent substance used, and questionnaire answers. The user observed data may include how often the user has interacted with specific features. The method may include providing a link to the user to enable the user to interact with a counselor over a network. The method may include providing the observed user data and the user supplied data over the network to the counselor such that the counselor can provide tailored information and suggestions to the user based upon the observed user data and the user supplied data.

[0012] The invention also features a method for delivering smoking cessation information over a network, the method including: a) monitoring a first action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to the cessation of smoking; b) monitoring a second action of the user on the network to obtain user supplied data relating to the cessation of smoking; c) evaluating the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information and provide suggestions for an event, the tailored information and suggestions for progressing a user towards the cessation of smoking; d) presenting the tailored information and suggestions to the user over the network; and e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) to provide updated tailored information until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0013] The invention also features a system for delivering healthcare content to a user over a network, the system including: a monitoring engine for monitoring an event of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification, and obtaining user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; an evaluation engine response to the monitoring engine, the evaluation engine evaluating the observed user data, and the user supplied data to generate tailored information which progresses the user towards the desired behavior modification.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the system may include a Medications Module for suggesting a medication profile for the user. The system may include a Quit Date Module for assisting the user in selecting a quit date for the desired behavior modification program. The system may include a module for assisting the user in the cessation of smoking. The system may include a Profile Module for providing the user with the ability to manage personal information. The system may include a Calendar Module for providing the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate to the quit date and the desired behavior modification. The system may include a Journal Module for the user to record information as they progress toward the desired behavior modification. The system may include an On-Line Support Community Module. The On-Line Support Community Module may be selected from the group consisting of: a forum relating to discussion of specific issues associated with the desired behavior modification, a user initiated forum, interactive communication with community members via on-line chat; a buddy feature for tracking whether other known users are on-line at the same time as the user; a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in the desired behavior modification, and e-mail for sending and receiving messages to and from other users on the system.

[0015] This invention also features an article of manufacture, including: a computer readable medium having computer readable program code for delivering information over a network, the computer readable program code including instructions for causing the computer system to: a) monitor a first action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification; b) obtain user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification; c) evaluate the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification; d) present the tailored information to the user over the network; and e) repeat steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the article of manufacture, the computer readable program code may include instructions for causing the computer system to determine if additional data is required from the user in order for the user to achieve the desired behavior modification. The user observed data may include how often the user has interacted with specific features. The desired behavior modification may be selected from the group consisting of: a cessation of smoking, a cessation of chewing tobacco and a cessation of chewing snuff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of the information delivery service according to the subject invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the server of FIG. 1 in greater detail;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one method for delivering information that can be used with the server of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 is the flowchart of FIG. 3 in greater detail showing the monitoring engine, evaluation engine, and presentation engine;

[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of an exemplary behavior modification program that can be used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a Quitting Guide Module that is used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a Quit Tips Module that is used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a My Quit Module used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for a My Next Steps Module that is used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for a Medications Module that is used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 11 is another flowchart of the Medications Module of FIG. 10;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a web page structure that is used with the system of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a software interface that is used with the server of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 14 is another software interface that is used with the server of FIG. 1; and

[0032] FIG. 15 is a diagram of an e-mail sent to a user from the server of FIG. 1.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

[0034] There is shown in FIG. 1 an information delivery system 10 which includes a server 12, one or more user terminals 14, and computer networks 16 and 16′. User terminals 14 can include one or more remote or local terminals 14′, 14″, and 14′″, . . . , each of which can be any apparatus that can connect to server 12 through network 16 or 16′, such as a computer, computer terminal, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet PC, mobile phone, a programmable user interface, or any apparatus with a web browser. Networks 16 and 16′ can include any type of computer network such as a local area network, a wide area network or the Internet. Server 12 includes at least one database that stores information for distribution through or use on server 12.

[0035] In operation, a user 14′ can connect to server 12 through network 16 over line 19′ to obtain or provide information, which can relate to a desired behavior modification. Also, user 14′ can connect to server 12 and communicate with another user 14″ to exchange information that will lead towards a desired behavior modification.

[0036] Server 12, FIG. 2, preferably includes a monitoring engine 20, evaluation engine 22, and presentation engine 24. Monitoring engine 20 monitors an action of one of the users 14′, FIG. 1, over network 16 to obtain information that monitoring engine 20 observes about the user. Specifically, monitoring engine 20 observes the actions of one of the users on the network to obtain observed user data that relates to the desired behavior modification. In addition, monitoring engine 20 also monitors the actions of the user on the network to obtain user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification. To obtain the user supplied data, monitoring engine 20 may merely accept the data that the user supplies to server 12 over network 16. Evaluation engine 22 obtains from monitoring engine 20 the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate information tailored to a specific user. For example, evaluation engine 22 can provide a suggestion for a user to try another program or event on server 12.

[0037] Additionally, evaluation engine 22 can provide tailored information to the user that will progress the user a towards desired behavior modification, such as providing an appropriate level of information to the user. Presentation engine 24 takes the information produced by evaluation engine 22 and presents the tailored information and any suggestions to the user over network 16. Server 12 can iteratively repeat the actions of monitoring engine 20, evaluation engine 22, and presentation engine 24 until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

[0038] The flowchart of FIG. 3, which depicts the primary steps associated with delivering information over a network, begins at 30 with presenting information about a behavior modification over a network. This presentation of information can invite the user to register with a service associated with server 12 and begin using the service. At step 32, the server registers the user and obtains basic registration information to identify at the user's current stage of behavior modification. Based upon the user supplied data obtained in step 32, the server uniquely displays tailored information and/or suggestions to the user that will progress the user towards the desired behavior modification. In step 35, the server presents the tailored information generated in step 34 to the user over the network. In step 36, the server collects user supplied data provided by the user through specific software modules. These software modules can provide informative feedback to the user and assist the user in progressing towards the next stage of behavior modification. In step 34, the server takes the user supplied data obtained in step 36 to regenerate the tailored information and suggested features appropriate to move the user to the next stage of behavior modification. In step 35, the regenerated tailored information is presented to the user. In this manner, the user is continually provided with re-tailored information resulting from an iterative process of obtaining and evaluating data that progresses the user towards a desired behavior modification.

[0039] In step 38, the server observes the user's action over the network and collects the observed user data. For example, the server can observe the user's utilization of program features and interaction with informational resources on the server. At 34, the server regenerates the tailored information and/or the suggested features and in step 35 presents the regenerated tailored information to the user. Steps 36 and 38 can be individually repeated in conjunction with step 34 as much as necessary, or as much as desired, to generate up-to-date tailored information based upon the user's current stage of behavior modification. Likewise, steps 34, 36 and 38 can occur in any order. The step of presenting the tailored information to the user in step 35 can be done as often as desired so as to present the user with updated tailored information and/or suggestions.

[0040] In a more specific embodiment of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 4, where like parts have been given like numbers accompanied by a lower-case “a”, the step of generating tailored information and suggested features is performed by evaluation engine 22a. The steps of 36a and 38a are performed by monitoring engine 20a. One or more monitoring engines could be used to collect the observed user data at 38a and the user supplied data collected in step 36a. The step of presenting the tailored and re-tailored information to the user is performed by presentation engine 24a.

[0041] An exemplary behavior modification program 40, FIG. 5A, includes five stages 42-50 for modifying behavior. These stages include Pre-contemplation Stage 42, Contemplation Stage 44, Preparation Stage 46, Action Stage 48, and Maintenance Stage 50. Program 40a, FIG. 5B, specifically relates to a smoking cessation program. Each of stages 42a-50a can include one or more modules or programs that progress a user towards the next stage of the program. Each of the modules in program 40a can be used with only one of stages 42a-50a or with several of the stages. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B show a behavior modification program having a number of stages, the subject invention is not limited to a behavior modification program or a behavior modification program having stages.

[0042] Pre-contemplation Stage 42a includes a Registration Module 52 and a Self-Assessment Module 54. Registration Module 52 obtains information about a user's quitting history, age, sex, zip code, type and quantity of dependency, and other user information that may be necessary for demographics, etc. Self-Assessment Module 54 can include questionnaires to assist the user in assessing their stage of modification such as a “Why do you smoke?” questionnaire and a Fagerström questionnaire, which is well known in the art of smoking cessation.

[0043] Contemplation Stage 44a includes a Medications Module 56, a Social Support Module 58, a Quit Date Module 60, and a Quitting Guide Module 62. Medications Module 56 evaluates a user's response to a detailed questionnaire and displays a recommendation of medication tailored to the user's needs.

[0044] Social Support Module 58 allows users 14 to participate in a network support community. For example, Social Support Module 58 allows users to identify themselves to other users, engage in private communications through e-mail or other means, report problems and abuses to the server, and obtain a sense of history in their interactions with the server or website. Some of the features that can be implemented with Social Support Module 58 include discussion forums designated for discussion of specific issues associated with the behavior modification, clubs, such as user-initiated discussion forums, a chat feature to provide live, interactive communication with community members, Q-mail to facilitate private user-to-user communications that do not require users to reveal their e-mail addresses, a buddies feature that allows users to track whether other users they know are on the network at the same time, a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in their desired behavior, a user directory which allows users to locate other members with similar profile characteristics, and/or an anniversaries feature which lists users who are celebrating particular milestones in their process of behavior modification.

[0045] Quit Date Module 60 assists a user in setting a particular goal date for a behavior modification, such as the cessation of smoking. If the behavior modification is cessation of smoking, setting the quit date is an action that starts a user to plan a program of quitting. For other behavior modifications, this module would assist a user in setting other time-based goals. If a user has not set a quit date, Quit Date Module 60 suggests to the user that the user set a quit date. To ensure that the user supplied quit date is still accurate, Quit Date Module 60 can prompt the user at a re-occurring predetermined time interval, asking whether the quit date is still accurate.

[0046] Quitting Guide Module 62 displays tailored information that depends upon the user supplied data and the user observed data. The tailored information generally relates to how a user can progress towards the next stage of behavior modification. One manner in which the information from Quitting Guide Module 62 is tailored is that the information is divided into sections relating to the different stages 42-50 of behavior modification. For example, for a user who is early in the process of behavior modification and has not set a quit date, Quitting Guide Module 62 can display a chapter heading such as “Making the Decision” to the user since the user is at Pre-contemplation Stage 42. Once the user sets a quit date and progresses to Contemplation Stage 44, Quitting Guide Module 62 will display one or more chapters of information relevant to stage 44. The information that Quitting Guide Module 62 provides to a user can be further tailored in that the actual text provided by the guide is tailored depending upon the user's characteristics. For example, a pregnant woman who reads information from a guide will see additional paragraphs relevant to her pregnancy. Thus, Quitting Guide Module 62 evaluates both the state of behavioral change of the user and any other data from monitoring engine 20a to generate specific advice.

[0047] Preparation Stage 46a includes Social Support Module 58 and Quitting Guide Module 62. Although modules 58 and 62 are included in both stages 44 and 46, modules 58 and 62 may provide and obtain different sets of information depending on which stage the user is at. Action Stage 48a also includes Social Support Module 58 and Quitting Guide Module 62. Maintenance Stage 50a includes Quitting Guide Module 62 which can include information relevant to Maintenance Stage 50a, such as relapse prevention, and nutrition and weight gain. Behavior modification program 40a can also include other modules that are used with one or more of stages 42a-50a, such as a Quit Tips Module 64, a My Quit Module 66, and a My Next Steps Module 68.

[0048] Quit Tips Module 64 schedules processes that offer users additional recommendations whether or not they access the information on server 12. At a predetermined frequency, such as daily, the server determines which users have subscribed to a service on the server. The server can then evaluate all available data about each of the users and personalize a message in the form of an e-mail, such as an HTML e-mail. For example, if the server determines that the user has selected a medication plan, the e-mail will include a section that has specific medication tips. The information in these e-mails can be based upon the user's stage of behavior modification in addition to all monitored data.

[0049] My Quit Module 66 serves as a functional wrapper to several of the other modules on the server. In the embodiment in which the server provides a website to users, My Quit Module 66 is the personal log in and resource center for individuals working to quit smoking. When a user logs into the web page on the server, My Quit Module 66 evaluates all existing data that the user has supplied and combines this with data that has been observed about the user's activity on the website. This combined information is used to target the sub-modules of information on the web page and to tailor information on the page for the user. My Next Steps Module 68 suggests one or more actions a user should complete next to progress towards the desired behavior modification. For example, My Next Steps Module 68 can provide a list of prioritized features available on the server or website that the user should complete.

[0050] A user's stage of behavior modification will influence what features or modules are more useful or relevant, and, thus, will influence what features or modules My Next Steps Module 68 will suggest to a user. For example, a user in Action Stage 48 will benefit more from features like buddies and the journal because the user can find other users for support and to record process. My Next Steps Module 68 may direct a user who is in Contemplation Stage 44 to features like forums and chat. My Next Steps Module 68 takes into account actions that a user has already taken or completed. For example, a user may have already used the buddies feature, so My Next Steps Module may now recommend that feature to the user and may recommend another feature that the user has not recently used.

[0051] My Next Steps Module 68 makes suggestions to users in two different manners. First, My Next Steps Module 68 will display all the different features available to the user and graphically display which features the user has already tried, such as by turning a hypertext link to a different color. Second, My Next Steps Module 68 will suggest to the user the top three relevant features that the user should try next based upon the data the server has evaluated about the user.

[0052] My Next Steps Module 68 can use an algorithm to determine what features to suggest to a user. One such algorithm is a search engine that uses a matrix of available features that have a desirability score appropriate for the user's stage of behavior modification. The matrix can also designate that some features are excluded for some users or for users in a particular stage of behavior modification. The matrix can include the number of times if any a user has used each feature and use this information to determine what feature(s) should or should not be suggested to a user. As a user continues to use the behavior modification program 40a and the server gathers more data about the user, My Next Steps Module 68 can more accurately target suggested features to a user based upon the user's background data.

[0053] FIGS. 6-10 show five different modules used with program 40a and the data that each module monitors to create tailored information for each user. Quitting Guide Module 62a, FIG. 6, obtains user supplied data 36b from various modules such as the Quit Date Module or the user's gender or pregnancy information from the Registration Module. Quitting Guide Module 62a also obtains observed user data 38b, such as monitoring whether or not a user has selected a medication plan or has recently verified the accuracy of the user's quit date. Quitting Guide Module 62a uses the user supplied data 36b and the observed user data 38b to create tailored information 34b such as highlighting an appropriate chapter and an informational guide, customizing text, adding messages relevant to pregnancy if a user is pregnant, and providing information about particular medications.

[0054] Quit Tips Module 64a, FIG. 7, obtains user supplied data 36c, such as subscription information obtained from the Registration Module, quit date information obtained from the Quit Date Module and medication choice obtained from the Medications Module. Quit Tips Module 64a obtains observed user data 38c such as data relating to the user's use of prior Quit Tips e-mails, the user's navigation on the server or website, the user's use of tips or quotes, and the observed user's current stage of behavior modification. Quit Tips Module 64a provides tailored information 34c to the user, such as a tailored medication plan, statistics, tips, quotes, anniversaries, news, or tailored information from the My Quitting Guide Module.

[0055] My Quit Module 66a, FIG. 8, obtains user supplied data 36d, such as user information from the Registration Module, user information from the Self-Assessment Module, and user smoking history obtained from a Q-gadget feature. The Q-gadget feature collects data from the user, such as how frequently the user smokes and the user's cost of smoking, to calculate smoking statistics for the user. After setting a quit date, a user can access the Q-gadget feature and change the user's smoking information such as the cost per pack and cigarettes smoked per day. In response to the changed user information, the Q-gadget feature changes the user's statistics, such as the lifetime saved, money saved, etc.

[0056] My Quit Module 66a obtains observed user data 38d, such as whether or not the user has verified the accuracy of the quit date from the Quit Date Module, whether or not the user has selected a medication plan from the Medications Module, and what features the user has used and has not used. My Quit Module 66a uses data 36d and 38d to provide tailored information 34d, such as tailored information for the My Next Steps Module or the Quitting Guide Module, a tailored countdown, anniversary or statistics.

[0057] My Next Steps Module 68a obtains user supplied data 36e, such as a quit date from the Quit Date Module, smoking motivations or degree of addiction from the Self-Assessment Module, or previous quit attempts from the Registration Module. My Next Steps Module 68a obtains observed user data 38e, such as features that the user has not used on the server, the number of buddies, or the amount of participation in forums or clubs from the Social Support Module. My Next Steps Module 68a uses data 36e and 38e to provide tailored information 34e, such as suggesting the user find buddies on line, participating in forums, or performing a self-assessment.

[0058] Medications Module 56a obtains user supplied data 36f, such as specific data to tailor a medication recommendation. Medications Module 56a obtains observed user data 38f, such as by verifying the accuracy of existing data, or observing the user's activity on the server with respect to medications. Medications Module 56a, uses the tailored information 34f to provide suggestions about types of medication and suggestions for taking a specific medication. It should be apparent from the above description for FIGS. 6-10 that any module can obtain user supplied data and/or observed user data from any of the other modules described herein and also from the user's activity on the server or website.

[0059] A flowchart, FIG. 11, for using the Medications Module begins in step 70 with allowing the user to access the Medications Module. In step 72, the Medications Module determines whether or not the information relating to the Fagerström self-assessment test is up-to-date. If the test information is not up-to-date, in step 74, the Medications Module administers either part of the Fagerström test, or the full test. If at step 72, the Medications Module determines that the Fagerström information is up-to-date, then in step 76, the Medications Module determines whether or not the user has set a quit date for the behavior modification, such as the cessation of smoking. If the user has not set a quit date, then in step 78 the Quit Date Module assists the user in setting a quit date. The Medications Module may either automatically send the user to the Quit Date Module, or may only suggest that the user access the feature associated with the Quit Date Module to set a quit date. If at step 76 the Medications Module determines the user has set a quit date, at step 80, the Medications Module administers a full medications questionnaire to determine what is the best medication for a user to progress towards the behavior modification, such as the cessation of smoking.

[0060] Software interface 90, FIG. 12, includes the main content window 92, a site specific header 94, site-wide footer 96, right-hand tailored information 98, and left-hand tailored information 100. Main content window 92 displays information depending on what feature or part of the server site, such as a website, that the user is looking at. Site specific header 94 includes typical information that may be included on every web page and can also include branding information to identify a specific network or website. Right-hand 98 and Left-hand 100 tailored information includes information that the server has determined is appropriately tailored to each specific user. Site-wide footer 96 can include a standard footer on each network or website, such as a copyright notice and/or site-specific information. This tailored and re-tailored information may be different for every user that accesses the information on the server.

[0061] Software interface 110, FIG. 13, shows how the server can obtain user supplied information and provide tailored information to the user. To obtain user supplied information, the server can provide registration questions to the user. For example, the server can obtain information about whether the user is seriously thinking of quitting smoking 112, how soon the user smokes their first cigarette in the morning 114, how may times the user has quit smoking for at least 24 hours 116, and how many cigarettes the user smokes on an average day 118. In addition, the server can ask the user what kind of treatment was used during past quit attempts 120, whether or not the user would prefer to receive e-mail 122, the race or ethnic background of the user 124, the highest level of education that the user achieved 126, and the profession or trade of the user 128.

[0062] Software interface 110 also includes tailored information such as one or more quotes 130 that are tailored with regard to the user's stage of behavior modification. Also, software interface 110 includes tailored statistics, such as how much money the user can expect to save if they quit 132, days added to the user's life for quitting 134, and tips 136, which can be related to the user's stage of behavior modification.

[0063] Software interface 140, FIG. 14, shows how the server can obtain observed user data. Software interface 140 can provide the user with options to use features of the system and track whether the user uses these features and how much if so. For example, software interface 140 includes a link 142 to a Quit Date Module to set a quit date, a link 144 to quitting tools to learn about smoking behavior, a link 146 to a quitting guide to obtain information, and a link 148 to a Medications Module. Software interface 140 can also include a link 150 to support forums, a link 152 to a buddy feature, a link 154 to “celebrate an anniversary of a quit date”, a link 156 to sending Q-mail to a friend, and a link 164 to “start a club”.

[0064] Software interface 140 also includes tailored information such as the feature My Next Steps 162 that provides suggested features from the My Next Steps Module. My next steps 162 shows the three next suggested steps as being Quit Date Wizard, My Profile and forums. The suggestions provided by My Next Steps 162 are frequently updated and re-tailored in an iterative process of obtaining and evaluating the observed user data and user supplied data. Interface 140 can also include information such as a user profile 164, a calendar 166, a journal 168, and user rewards 170.

[0065] Additionally, software interface 140 can include tab 161 for an expert support page that has information or a link for a user to obtain expert advice, such as by an expert counselor over the network, about the desired behavior modification. If a user contacts a counselor over the network, the counselor preferably has access to the user's observed user data and user supplied data to provide a tailored opinion and/or tailored suggestions to the user with regard to the desired behavior modification.

[0066] The server can also provide tailored information and/or suggestions to a user based on user supplied data and observed user data through an e-mail 180 to a user. E-mail 180 includes tailored information such as statistics 182, a “Quit Tip” 184, a quote 186 related to the behavior modification, news headlines 187, a frequent question and answer 188, and promotional information 190 relating to the behavior modification. The tailored information 182-190 and software interface 180 can include hypertext links to allow the user to obtain further information from the server if the user desires further information. The server can also obtain additional observed user data when a user selects one of the hypertext links in e-mail 180 related to tailored information 182-190.

[0067] One skilled in the art would recognize that this system can be applied to additional behavior modifications including, but not limited to, weight loss, alcohol and drug dependency and substance abuse through programs that may be stage-based, as illustrated in the example of smoking cessation, or non-stage based, where user-supplied and observed user data are evaluated along a continuum of change as the user progresses towards a long term goal such as weight reduction.

[0068] The methods of the present invention can be performed with a server or computer and computer software installed thereon that has instructions to perform the steps of the invention. Alternatively, methods of the present invention can be performed with equipment that has installed hardware or firmware having instructions to perform the steps of the invention. Software used with embodiments of the present invention can be stored on computer readable medium for storing data, such as, for example, but not limited to, floppy disks, magnetic tape, zip disks, hard drives, CD-ROM, optical disks, RAM, ROM, PROM or a combination of these.

[0069] Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible embodiments.

[0070] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims:

Claims

1. A method for delivering information over a network, the method comprising:

a) monitoring an action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification;

b) obtaining user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification;

c) evaluating the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification;

d) presenting the tailored information to the user over the network; and

e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

2. The method of claim 1 further including determining if additional data is required from the user in order for the user to achieve the desired behavior modification.

3. The method of claim 2 further including obtaining the additional data from the user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said user action is selected from the group consisting of: an interaction with a online questionnaire, an interaction with a module to assist the user in the cessation of smoking, an interaction with a module to assist the user in selecting a date for the cessation of smoking, interacting with a module to provide the user with the ability to manage personal information, an interaction with a calendar module to provide the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate to the quit date and the desired behavior modification, an interaction with a journal module that allows the user to record information related to the desired behavior modification, an interaction with a Medications Module, an interaction with a module relating to frequently asked questions, and an interaction with an online support community.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said Medications Module suggests a medication profile to the user based upon said user observed data and said user supplied data.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said action of the user includes an interaction with an online support community that is selected from the group consisting of: a discussion forum relating to discussion of specific issues associated with the desired behavior modification, a user initiated forum, interactive communication with community members via on-line chat, a buddy feature that tracks whether other known users are on-line at the same time as the user, a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in the desired behavior modification, and e-mail for sending and receiving messages to and from others users on the system.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired behavior modification is a cessation of smoking.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said user supplied data is selected from the group consisting of: a quit date, an age, a sex, a zip code, a type of dependency, a quantity of dependent substance used, and questionnaire answers.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said user observed data includes how often the user has interacted with specific features.

10. The method of claim 1 further including providing a link to the user to enable the user to interact with a counselor over a network.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing the observed user data and the user supplied data over the network to the counselor such that the counselor can provide tailored information and suggestions to the user based upon the observed user data and the user supplied data.

12. A method for delivering smoking cessation information over a network, the method comprising:

a) monitoring a first action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to the cessation of smoking;

b) monitoring a second action of the user on the network to obtain user supplied data relating to the cessation of smoking;

c) evaluating the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information and provide suggestions for an event, said tailored information and suggestions for progressing a user towards the cessation of smoking;

d) presenting the tailored information and suggestions to the user over the network; and

e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) to provide updated tailored information until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

13. A system for delivering healthcare content to a user over a network, the system comprising:

a monitoring engine for monitoring an event of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification, and to obtain user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification;

an evaluation engine responsive to the monitoring engine, said evaluation engine configured to evaluate the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information which progresses the user towards the desired behavior modification.

14. The system of claim 13 further including a Medications Module for suggesting a medication profile for the user.

15. The system of claim 13 further including a Quit Date Module for assisting the user in selecting a quit date for the desired behavior modification program.

16. The system of claim 13 further including a module for assisting the user in the cessation of smoking.

17. The system of claim 13 further including a Profile Module for providing the user with the ability to manage personal information.

18. The system of claim 13 further including a Calendar Module for providing the user with the ability to set dates and goals which relate to the quit date and the desired behavior modification.

19. The system of claim 13 further including a Journal Module for the user to record information as they progress toward the desired behavior modification.

20. The system of claim 13 further including an On-Line Support Community Module.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said On-Line Support Community Module is selected from the group consisting of: a forum relating to discussion of specific issues associated with the desired behavior modification, a user initiated forum, interactive communication with community members via on-line chat; a buddy feature for tracking whether other known users are on-line at the same time as the user; a list of users who are celebrating a milestone in the desired behavior modification, and e-mail for sending and receiving messages to and from other users on the system.

22. A system of manufacture, comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer readable program code for delivering information over a network, the computer readable program code including instructions for causing the computer system to:

a) monitor a first action of a user on the network to obtain observed user data relating to a desired behavior modification;

b) obtain user supplied data relating to the desired behavior modification;

c) evaluate the observed user data and the user supplied data to generate tailored information for progressing a user towards the desired behavior modification;

d) present the tailored information to the user over the network; and

e) repeat steps a), b), c) and d) until the desired behavior modification is achieved.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the computer readable program code further comprises instructions for causing the computer system to determine if additional data is required from the user in order for the user to achieve the desired behavior modification.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein said user observed data includes how often the user has interacted with specific features.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein said desired behavior modification is a cessation of smoking.