Automated health data acquisition, processing and communication system

Abstract

A unique health score computation method is disclosed which masks underlying health statistics, yet provides a benchmark for a variety of applications. A system and method for collecting health related information, processing the information into a composite numerical value, and publishing the value is provided. The system includes a computer having a processor, memory, and code modules executing in the processor for implementation of the method. Information concerning a plurality of intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of a user is collected. Weighting factors are applied to the parameter in order control the relative affect each parameter has on the user's calculated numerical. The health score is computed using the processor by combining the weighted parameters in accordance with an algorithm. The numerical value is published to a designated group via a portal, while the underlying parameters remain private. In one implementation, the portal is an internet based information sharing forum.

1 . A computer implemented method for processing private health related data into a masked numerical score suitable for publishing, comprising the steps of:
 receiving data into a memory, wherein the received data represents at least one intrinsic medical parameter and at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter of a user;   storing the received data in the memory;   storing weighting factors in the memory;   processing the received data by executing code in a processor that configures the processor to:
 apply respective ones of the weighting factors to the at least one intrinsic medical parameter and the at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter, and 
 apply a decay component to the processed at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter to reduce the relative weight of the processed at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter for a physical activity in dependence on at least one factor associated with the user; 
   transform the processed received data by executing additional code in the processor, wherein the processed received data are transformed into a masked composite numerical value by combining the weighted parameters in accordance with an algorithm; and   automatically publish the masked composite numerical value to a designated group via a portal, using code executing in the processor and free of human intervention, while maintaining the received data representing the at least one intrinsic medical parameter and the at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter private.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one factor associated with the user is an age or an age range of the user such that the decay component reduces the relative weight of the processed at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter for a first user of a first age or age range differently than for a second user of a second age or age range. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of averaging the published masked composite numerical value of a group of users to determine a group composite numerical value using further code executing in the processor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving data into the memory representing at least one extrinsic lifestyle parameter of the user,   wherein the step of processing the received data further includes executing additional code in the processor that configures the processor to:
 apply respective ones of the weighting factors to the at least one extrinsic lifestyle parameter, and 
 apply a decay component to reduce the relative weight of the at least one extrinsic lifestyle parameter in dependence on the at least one factor or at least one other factor associated with the user, 
   wherein the step of transforming the processed received data further includes executing code in the processor that configures the processor to combine the at least one processed intrinsic medical parameter, the at least one processed extrinsic physical activity parameter and the at least one processed extrinsic lifestyle parameter in accordance with the algorithm.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of processing, transforming and publishing are performed substantially automatically upon receipt of any of the received data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , additional steps of:
 communicating either the processed received data or the masked composite numerical value to an exercise machine and automatically establishing an exercise program on that basis, and   communicating activity information from the exercise machine to the memory for inclusion among the at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the composite numerical value and causing triggering of a feedback communication by executing code in the processor and without human intervention. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the feedback communication is operative to provide an alert to the user to initiate a physical activity or change a scheduled physical activity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the feedback communication comprises an alert sent to a predetermined person. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of monitoring comprises monitoring value over time and triggering alert in dependence on change over time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of triggering a feedback communication comprises sending an electronic communication directed to the user including directions on changes to the user's physical activity and/or lifestyle for improving the masked composite numerical value. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising calculating, by executing additional code in the processor, a predicative masked composite numerical value, which is indicative of a predicted future state based on past data, using the received data of the user in accordance with a predicative algorithm and causing triggering of a predictive feedback communication. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing the received at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter includes:
 obtaining a measure of calories expended in the physical activity into the memory; and   executing further code in the processor that configures the processor to:
 transform the measured calories into a metabolic equivalent, MET, value by dividing by the user's body weight; 
 divide the MET value between a health pool and a bonus pool, wherein the bonus pool has a predetermined size and any divided MET value exceeding the bonus pool size is allocated to the health pool; and 
 apply a daily decay component to the bonus pool; 
   wherein the step of transforming the processed data comprises combining the processed at least one intrinsic medical parameter and a weighted health pool value in accordance with the algorithm.   
     
     
         14 . A health monitoring system comprising:
 a communication unit operable to receive data on at least one intrinsic medical parameter and at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter of a user;   a memory arranged to store the received data and to store weighting factors;   a processor arranged to process the received data by executing code that configures the processor to:   apply respective ones of the weighting factors to the at least one intrinsic medical parameter and the at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter,   apply a decay component arranged to reduce the relative weight of the processed at least one physical activity parameter for a physical activity in dependence on at least one factor associated with the user;   the processor being further arranged to execute code to transform the processed received data into a masked composite numerical value using the processor by combining the weighted parameters in accordance with an algorithm; and   a portal arranged to publish the masked composite numerical value to a designated group while maintaining the received data representing the at least one intrinsic medical parameter and the at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter private.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one factor associated with the user is an age or an age range of the user such that the decay component reduces the relative weight of the processed at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter for a first user of a first age or age range differently than for a second user of a second age or age range. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the communication unit is further arranged to receive data on at least one extrinsic lifestyle parameter of a user, wherein the processor is further arranged to execute code to:
 apply respective ones of the weighting factors to the at least one extrinsic lifestyle parameter,   apply a decay component to reduce the relative weight of the at least one extrinsic lifestyle parameter in dependence on the at least one factor or at least one other factor associated with the user, and   transform the processed data by combining the at least one processed intrinsic medical parameter, the at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter and the at least one extrinsic lifestyle parameter in accordance with an algorithm.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is arranged to automatically perform the processing upon receipt of any of the received data. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a remote user device, the system being arranged to communicate with the remote user device during physical activity to receive at least selected ones of the at least one extrinsic physical activity parameter. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a monitoring unit arranged to monitor the composite numerical values and being arranged to cause triggering of a feedback communication upon detecting a predetermined event associated with the monitored composite numerical values. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the feedback communication is operative to reconfigure a program to define or that is defining a scheduled physical activity for the user. 
     
     
         21 - 24 . (canceled)