Comprehensive management of human health

Abstract

A health guidance system receives health information from input devices and other sources, tracks one or more health goals, and enforces those goals by acting upon other devices. The health guidance system collects health information to paint a comprehensive picture of the user's health. The system uses the information it collects to interact with a variety of devices to enforce the user's health goals and ensure accountability. Thus, the health guidance system provides a comprehensive software system for collecting health information and using that information to produce positive changes in the health of users.

1 . A computer-implemented method for promoting human health, the method comprising:
 receiving health-related information;   identifying the user associated with the health information;   storing the health-related information in a data store;   analyzing one or more health goals associated with the user to identify actions to improve the user's health; and   upon determining that it is time for action based on one of the user's health goals, performing a health action based on the user's health-related information and health goals,   wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving health-related information comprises receiving information about food intake from an electronic eating utensil. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving health-related information comprises receiving information about user activity from an electronic device carried by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying the user comprises receiving a device identifier that the user previously registered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying the user comprises receiving a user identifier that identifies the user to which the information applies. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein storing the health related information comprises storing the information in an online database accessible via a network. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing one or more health goals associated with the user comprises accessing stored health information and comparing the information to health objectives of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing one or more health goals associated with the user comprises determining one or more devices registered by the user for influencing the user's health decisions. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing one or more health goals associated with the user comprises analyzing at least one recommendation from a physician of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein performing a health action comprises preventing the user from using a device that could have unhealthy results. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein performing a health action comprises notifying the user about healthy behavior related to the user's current activity. 
     
     
         12 . A computer system for encouraging healthy living, the system comprising:
 a processor and memory configured to execute software instructions;   a health information receiving component configured to receive health information about a person;   a health data store configured to store health information about the person and other users of the system;   a goal management component configured to track one or more health-related goals of each person and processes received health information to determine progress toward those goals;   an activity request component configured to receive information about at least one activity the person is about to perform that may relate to the person's health; and   a health action component configured to take actions to promote progress of the person's health-related goals.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the health information component is further configured to communicate with a device carried by the person routinely and used during eating as a utensil to consume food. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the goal management component is further configured to receive goals from the person through a user interface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the goal management component is further configured to receive goals from at least one other person associated with the person with which the goals are associated. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the goal management component is further configured to automatically suggest generated goals based on the person's health information. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the goal management component is further configured to determine and store points in accordance with a point system that rewards and incentivizes healthy behavior. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the activity request component is further configured to send a response to at least one device to prevent the person's current activity. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a reporting component configured to produce reports identifying at least one trend across two or more users of the system. 
     
     
         20 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling a computer system to define health goals, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a processor to perform actions comprising:
 accessing user health information from a data store;   determining at least one user health deficiency by analyzing the accessed health information;   proposing a health plan to the user for promoting a healthy lifestyle;   receiving user feedback related to the proposed health plan; and   storing the user's health goals in a data store for subsequent use by a system for enforcing the goals.