WO2000019346A1

WO2000019346A1 - Aggregating and pooling information in a communication system with feedback

Info

Publication number: WO2000019346A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/022017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen J. Brown
Original assignee: Health Hero Network, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-09-25
Filing date: 1999-09-22
Publication date: 2000-04-06
Also published as: WO2000019346A9; US6240393B1; WO2000019346A8; AU6259699A

Abstract

The invention provides a method and system for aggregating and pooling information with feedback in a computer communication system. A communication system includes a server device and a set of client devices. Each client device collects information from an associated individual (whether by asking questions of those individuals, or accepting data input from peripheral devices), and transmits that data to a server device. The server device, or some other device at its behest, determines statistical information with regard to that data (such as aggregate, correlation, dispersion, or other measures), and provides that information to a communication channel for distribution to the individuals. The communication channel can include either (1) a braodcast communication channel that members of an affinity group can display, or (2) redistributing the determined statistical measures to associated individuals using the client devices. The statistical measure (such as an aggregate or sum) can be computed and distributed for the entire population, or can be computed and compared for selected sub-populations as a contest.

Description

Title of the Invention

Aggregating and Pooling Information in a Communication System with Feedback

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to aggregating and pooling information.

2. Related Art

In programs that have a number of participants, it sometimes is desirable to

aggregate information from those participants, so as to indicate to individuals in a popu- lation when the population (or a subset of that population) is achieving a selected goal.

For example, in fund-raising events for an affinity group, it is often desirable to publicize

to the individuals the progress of the fund-raising event toward a selected goal. Similarly,

in an affmity group such as a weight-loss club, it would be advantageous to be able to

publicize the collective results of the efforts of individuals in the affinity group.

One problem in the known art is that of collecting information from diverse

sources, aggregating that information, and presenting that information to the individual

' members of the population. This problem is particularly exacerbated if the information to

be collected is not available in any single location, and is further exacerbated if the indi-

viduals to receive the information to be publicized are not available in any single location.

The known art includes methods for aggregating and pooling information

for bidding or otherwise conducting auctions using distributed communication systems.

Some of these known methods include systems described as known art in the following

applications:

o U.S. Application Serial No. 09/092.604, "Method for Conducting an On-Line Bid-

ding Session with Bid Pooling," filed June 5, 1998, in the name of the same in-

ventor, and assigned to the same assignee;

and o U.S. Application Serial No. 08/603,131, filed February 20, 1996, issued on August

1 1, 1998, as U.S. Patent 5,794,219, in the name of the same inventor, and assigned

to the same assignee.

These applications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth

herein, and are collectively referred to herein as the "On-Line Bidding Disclosures." Al-

though these applications describe other known art, no admission is made herein that any

part of these applications are themselves known in the art.

In the On-Line Bidding Disclosures, individual users, coupled to a system

using a communication network, are able to enter values into their client devices. The

individual values are collected at a server device or other data clearinghouse. The indi-

vidual values are aggregated or pooled. The aggregated or pooled information is used to

determine whether the individual users, either individually or in sub-populations, are win-

ners of the on-line auction.

Accordingly, it would also be advantageous to aggregate or pool informa-

tion (whether medical, financial, or otherwise) so that the collective information could be

publicized to participating individuals. This would be particularly advantageous in en-

couraging members of an affinity group to promote their individual efforts so as to cause

the collective affinity group to achieve a selected goal, or in encouraging sub-populations

of a population to promote their individual efforts so as to cause the collective efforts of each sub-population to match or exceed other sub-populations. These advantages are

achieved in embodiments of the invention in which each individual uses a client device to

enter values (either over a period of time, or in response to a prompt by the client device),

and in which the aggregated or pooled information is presented by means of a broadcast

medium or other communication technique. For example, members of a weight-loss club

can aggregate their individual weight-loss each day, so that the aggregated results can be

announced on a popular television show or displayed at their client devices.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a method and system for aggregating and pooling

information with feedback in a computer communication system. A communication sys-

tern includes a server device and a set of client devices. Each client device collects in-

formation from an associated individual (whether by asking questions of those individu-

als, or accepting data input from peripheral devices), and transmits that data to a server

device. The server device, or some other device at its behest, determines statistical in-

formation with regard to that data (such as aggregate, correlation, dispersion, or other

measures), and provides that information to a communication channel for distribution to

the individuals.

In a first preferred embodiment, the communication channel includes a

broadcast communication channel that members of an affinity group can display. In a second preferred embodiment, the communication channel includes redistributing the de-

termined statistical measures to associated individuals using the client devices. In a first

aspect, the invention includes distributing the computed statistical measure (such as an

aggregate or sum) for the entire population. For example, the first aspect would include

announcing a total weight-loss for a weight-loss club on a television show. In a second

aspect, the invention includes comparing the computed statistical measure for a first sub-

population against a similar statistical measure for a second sub-population. For example,

the second aspect would include comparing total weight-loss for selected teams and

awarding a prize or other benefit to the team with the best result.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a^' block diagram of a computer communication system for

aggregating and pooling information.

Figure 2 shows a process flow diagram of a method for aggregating and

pooling information in a computer communication system.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In the following description, a preferred embodiment of the invention is de-

scribed with regard to preferred process steps and data structures. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented using general purpose processors or special purpose proc-

essors operating under program control, or other circuits, adapted to particular process

steps and data structures described herein. Implementation of the process steps and data

structures described herein would not require undue experimentation or further invention.

Related Applications

Inventions described herein can be used in combination or conjunction with

inventions described in the following patent application(s):

o Application Serial No. , Express Mail Mailing No. EE261914722US,

filed September 23, 1998, in the name of Stephen J. Brown, titled "Modeling and

Scoring Risk Assessment," assigned to the same assignee, attorney docket number

HHN-003;

and

o Application Serial No. , Express Mail Mailing No. EI027453472US.

filed September 23, 1998, in the name of Stephen J. Brown, titled "Reducing Risk

Using Behavioral and Financial Rewards," assigned to the same assignee, attorney

docket number HHN-004. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth

herein.

System Elements

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a computer communication system for

aggregating and pooling information.

^• A system 100 includes a set of client devices 110, a communication path

120, a server device 130, and remote workstation 140.

Client Devices

The client devices 110 can be identical or can be of differing types. Thus,

some client devices 1 10 can include the first type of client devices 1 10 as described be-

low; some client devices 1 10 can include the second type of client devices 1 10 as de-

scribed below, or some client devices 1 10 can include alternative types of client devices

110.

A first type of client device 1 10 includes a computer 1 1 1 (including a proc-

essor, memory, and mass storage), a set of web browser software 112, and a modem 1 13. An embodiment of the first client device 1 10 is described in detail in the On-Line Bidding

Disclosures.

The first type of client device 1 10 operates under control of the web

browser software 1 12 and operating software to allow an operator 1 14 to perform web

browsing activity. Known web browser software is available from Netscape Corporation

or from Microsoft Corporation. Web browsing activity is described in documentation

available from either of those companies.

The first type of client device 110 uses the modem 1 13 to send and receive

messages using the communication path 120. The communication path 120 is described

in further detail below.

A second type of client device 1 10 includes a "remote apparatus" such as

described in the following patent application:

o Application Serial No. 08/847,009, filed April 30, 1997, in the name of Stephen J.

Brown, titled "Monitoring System for Remotely Querying Individuals," assigned

to the same assignee, attorney docket number RYA-126.

This application is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth

herein. The second type of client device 1 10 includes a display 1 15, an input device

116, an input port 1 17, and a communication interface 118.

The second type of client device 1 10 uses the display 1 15 to inform the-op-

erator 1 14 that input information is desired. The operator 114 can comprise a patient, a

caregiver for the patient, or some other person. Preferably, the display 1 15 includes an

alphanumeric display capable of displaying a question or request to the operator 1 14.

The second type of client device 110 uses the input device 1 16 to receive an

answer to the question or request. For example, if the question asks for the patient's

weight that day, the operator 1 14 uses the input device 1 16 to input the patient's weight

for that day. The input device 1 16 can include a keypad or keyboard, such as for a com-

puter or a television remote control, or can include a more restricted set of keys by which

the operator 1 14 can increment, decrement, or accept a value to be entered for the pa-

tient's weight for that day.

The second type of client device 1 10 uses the input port 1 17 to receive data

from a measuring device or other device. For example, the display 1 15 can request that

the operator 1 14 couple the second client device 1 10 to a medical scale with an electronic

readout, and the input port 1 17 can receive the electronic readout so as to directly receive

a signal corresponding to the patient's weight for that day. The second type of client device 1 10 uses the modem 1 13 similarly to the

first type of client device 1 10, to send and receive messages using the communication

path 120.

In alternative embodiments, the client device 1 10 may includes a wide vari-

ety of other devices, possibly including an electronic toy (such as a "game boy" or "vir-

tual pet"), a telephone inter-operating with an interactive voice response system, a televi-

sion set-top box inter-opcrating with a cable or satellite television interactive system, a

medical device operated at medical personnel office, or any other system by which the

operator 114 can enter a value to be used by the system 110 for aggregation and response.

Communication Path

The communication path 120 includes a set of electronic communication

links for sending and receiving messages between the client devices 1 10 and the server

device 130.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication path 120 includes the inter-

net, to which the client devices 1 10 and the server device 130 are coupled. The messages

are formatted using a communication protocol for use with the internet, such as TCP IP,

HTML, or a combination thereof. In alternative embodiments, the modem 1 13 may be replaced by any suitable communication interface, such as a direct communication link

(such as a land-line or radio), another type of network link (such as a LAN, WAN, or

combination thereof), or using another communication network (such as a private or pub-

lie telephone network).

Server Device

The server device 130 includes a computer 131 (including a processor,

' memory, and mass storage), a database 132, and a modem 133. The server device 130 is

similar to the "on-line auction company 12" described in detail in the On-Line Bidding

Disclosures.

The server device 130 uses the modem 133 to send and receive messages

using the communication path 120.

The server device 130 uses the database 132 to receive individual values

entered by each client device 110, and to identify those individual values with their asso-

ciated client device 110. The server device 130 also uses the database 132 to determine

statistical measures of the pool of those values in response thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the server device 130 operates in a similar man-

ner as the "on-line auction company 12" described in detail in the On-Line Bidding Dis-

closures

In a first preferred embodiment, the server device 130 aggregates the mdi-

vidual values entered by each client device 110. The server device 130 determines an ag-

gregate value for the set of individual values, and sends that aggregate value back to each

client device 1 10. Each client device 1 10 then displays the aggregate value to each indi-

" vidual operator 1 14, for use by the operator 1 14 or by an associated person, such as the

patient.

For example, if the individual values each represent the weight lost by the

patient for that day, the server device 130 can aggregate those values to determine a total

weight lost by the entire set of patients having client devices 1 10. The server device 130

can then feed ba^^that information to each client device 1 10 so that each patient can be

motivated to contribute to the group effort, even if that individual patient's contribution is

relatively minor.

The aggregate value determined by the server device 130 can be any statis-

tical measure or other calculated measure responsive to the set of individual values pro-

vided by the set of client devices 1 10. For example, the aggregate value can be a total (as

described with reference to the On-Line Bidding Disclosures), a maximum or minimum value, a median value, a selected centile value, a variance or standard deviation, or some

other measure. It is expected that the aggregate value will have meaning to each individ-

ual patient associated with a client device 1 10, even if that individual patient's contribu-

tion to that aggregate is relatively minor.

In a second preferred embodiment, the server device 130 aggregates the in-

dividual values entered by each client device 110, but determines the aggregate values

with regard to a set of affmity groups with which each individual is associated. As de-

^• scribed in the On-Line Bidding Disclosures, each individual operator 1 14 at each individ-

ual client device 1 10 can choose to associate themselves with one or more selected affin-

ity groups. As described in the On-Line Bidding Disclosures, these affmity groups con-

test against each other to obtain the "best" aggregate value. For example, in an on-line

auction, the best aggregate value is the highest total bid.

The server device 130 determines a separate aggregate value for each affin-

ity group, and feeds back those separate aggregate values to each client device 1 10 (or to

just those client devices 1 10 associated with the selected affinity group).

For example, if the individual values each represent the weight lost by the

patient for that day, the server device 130 can determine separate aggregate values for

each affinity group, to determine a total weight lost by the entire set of patients in each

affinity group. The server device 130 can then feed back that information to each client device 110 so that each patient can be motivated to contribute to their selected affinity

group effort, even if that individual patient's contribution is relatively minor.

The individual values and the separate aggregate values can be selected

from a wide variety of possible values, so as to promote individual well being on behalf

of each patient, and on the part of each selected affinity group.

For a first example, the individual values can be the measured height and

^• weight for each patient, and the aggregate value (whether a single aggregate value or a set

of separate aggregate values) can be a deviation from ideal weight for the entire affinity

group.

For a second example, the individual values can be monetary contributions

to a charitable or other financial cause, and the aggregate value (whether a single aggre-

gate value or a set of separate aggregate values) can be a total monetary contribution.

For a third example, the individual values can be sales made by field sales-

persons for a company or product, and the aggregate value (whether a single aggregate

value or a set of separate aggregate values) can be a total amount of sales.

/ / / Remote Workstation

A remote workstation 140 is coupled to the server device 130, so as to ac-

cess information in the database 132 and to receive the aggregate values (whether a single

aggregate value or a set of separate aggregate values).

The remote workstation 140, similar to the first type of client device 110,

includes a computer 141 (including a processor, memory, and mass storage), a set of da-

^' tabase software 142 or other display software (such as a set of web browser software).

and a modem 143.

The remote workstation 140 uses the database software 142 or other display

software to access the database^' 132. In accessing the database 132, the remote worksta-

tion 140 can receive the aggregate values (whether a single aggregate value or a set of

separate aggregate values), or can receive selected sets of individual values from the cli-

ent devices 1 10.

The remote workstation 140 uses the modem 143 similarly to the ^"way the

client device 1 10 or the server device 1 10 use their respective modems.

An operator 144 at the remote workstation 140 can use the database soft-

ware 142 or other display software to add a broadcast message to the database 132. The server device 130, when feeding back the aggregate value, sends the broadcast message to

the client devices 110.

The broadcast message can be a congratulatory message relating to the re-

sultant aggregate value, an exhortatory or inspirational message for the one or more- se-

lected affinity groups, or a commercial or political message to one. or more selected affin-

ity groups.

^• For a first example, if the resultant aggregate value indicates that a weigh-

loss club has collectively lost 10,000 pounds of weight in one day, and this is a new rec-

ord, the broadcast message can indicate the new record and congratulate all patients, even

those whose contribution was relatively minor.

For a second example, the broadcast message can be a daily inspirational

message for an affinity group, selected by the operator 144 at the remote workstation 140.

For a third example, the broadcast message can be a prize announcement (or

an announcement of another benefit) to the individual patient who contributes most to the

aggregate value. Similarly, when there are multiple affinity groups, the broadcast mes-

sage can announce a prize or other benefit to the team with the best result.

/ / / Method of Operation

Figure 2 shows a process flow diagram of a method for aggregating and

pooling information in a computer communication system.

A method 200 includes a set of flow points to be reached, and steps to be

performed, by elements of the system 100, including the client devices 1 10, the server de-

vice 130, and the remote workstation 140.

Client/Server Feedback

At a flow point 210, the system 100 is ready to receive individual values

from client devices 1 10.

At a step 21 1, client devices 1 10 receive individual values from their asso-

ciated operators 1 14. As noted above, each client device 1 10 can receive an individual

value in response to a question-and- answer session, or can receive an individual value in

response to a coupled data-collection device.

At a step 212, client devices 110 send their individual values to the server

device 130. Operators at each client device 1 10 can select an affinity group in response

to a menu of affinity groups presented by the server device 130. At a step 213, the server device 130 receives the individual values and rec-

ords them in the database 132.

At a step 214, the server device 130 determines one or more aggregate val-

ues (either a single aggregate value or a set of separate aggregate values) in response to

the set of individual values.

^• At a step 215, the server device 130 feeds back the one or more aggregate

values to the client devices 1 10.

At a step 216, the client devices 1 10 display the fed back aggregate values

to their associated operators 1 14.

The method 200 thereafter proceeds with the flow point 210 again, such as

a next day. For example, the method 200 can be selected to operate at a same or similar

time each day.

Client/Workstation Feedback

At a flow point 220, the remote workstation 140 is ready to receive individ-

ual values or aggregate values from the server device 130. At a step 221, the remote workstation 140 receives individual values or ag-

gregate values from the server device 130.

At a step 222, the operator 144 at the remote workstation 140 examines the

received individual values or aggregate values.

At a step 223, the operator 144 at the remote workstation 140 enters a

^• broadcast message to be sent to client devices 1 10.

At a step 224, the remote workstation 140 sends the broadcast message to

the server device 130.

At a step 225, the server device 130 sends the broadcast message to selected

client devices 1 10 (or to all of them).

The method thereafter proceeds with the flow point 220 again, such as a

next day. For example, the method 200 can be selected to operate at a same or similar

time each day. Alternative Embodiments

Although preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations are

possible which remain within the concept, scope, and spirit of the invention, and these

variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

Claims

L A method of aggregating information for individuals in a population

thereof, said method including steps for

collecting information for each individual at a client device associated^" with

said individual;

sending said information from said client device to a server device;

determining statistical information with regard to said information collected

^■ from a plurality of said client devices; and

distributing said statistical information to said individuals.

2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein said steps for collecting information

include steps for

coupling said client device to a data collection element for said individual:

and

collecting said information from said data collection element.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said steps for collecting information

include steps for

prompting said individual, at said client device, for said information; and

collecting said information from said individual in response to said steps for

prompting.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said steps for determining statistical

information include steps for

determining a first statistical measure for a first sub-population of said indi-

viduals; and

determining a second statistical measure for a second sub-population of said

individuals.

5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein

said steps for determining statistical information include steps for (1) de-

termining a first statistical measure for a first sub-population of said individuals, and (2)

determining a second statistical measure for a second sub-population of said individuals;

and

said steps for distributing include steps for distributing both said first statis-

tical measure and said second statistical measure.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein

said steps for determining statistical information include steps for (1) de-

and said steps for distributing include steps for (1) comparing said first statisti-

cal measure and said second statistical measure, and (2) distributing a result of said steps

for comparing.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein

said steps for determining statistical information include steps for (1) de-

^• and

said steps for distributing include steps for (1) comparing said first statisti-

cal measure and said second statistical measure, and (2) awarding a benefit in response to

a result of said steps for comparing.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein said steps for distributing include

broadcast communication.

9. A method as in claim 1 , wherein said steps for distributing include

sending said statistical information from said server device to at least one said client de-

vice.

10. A method including steps for entering, at each one of a set of client devices, a value associated with said

client device;

sending, for each one of said client devices, said value to a server device;

determining, at said server device, an aggregate value in response to said

values;

sending, from said server device to said client devices, said aggregate value;

and

displaying, at said client devices, said aggregate value.

1 1. A system for aggregating information for individuals in a population

thereof, said system including

a set of client devices, each disposed for collecting an individual value for

an individual associated therewith;

a server device, disposed for receiving said individual values, and for de-

termining at least one aggregate value in response thereto;

a communication path between said client devices and said server device:

wherein said server device distributes said at least one aggregate value to a

plurality of said client devices.

12. A system as in claim 1 1, wherein at least one said client device in-

eludes a data collection element disposed for measuring said individual value for said in-

dividual.

13. A system as in claim 11, wherein at least one said client device in-

eludes a display element, said display element capable of prompting said individ-

ual, at said client device, for said individual value; and

an input element, said input element disposed for collecting said individual

value in response to said display element.

14. A system as in claim 1 1, wherein said at least one aggregate value

includes

a first aggregate value for a first affinity group of said individuals; and

a second aggregate value for a second affmity group of said individuals.

15. A system as in claim 11, wherein said communication path includes

broadcast communication.