JP2004507837A - Biometric identification in pharmacies - Google Patents

Abstract

Anonymously identify consumers purchasing treatment and / or medicines and target based at least in part on current medical and / or medicine information using the consumer's current medical and / or medicine information Methods, systems and computer readable instructions for providing targeted promotions to consumers. In an example embodiment, the current medical information and / or medication information is a consumer's current medication prescription.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
(Technical field)
The present invention relates to providing targeted promotions using medical information from consumers. More specifically, the present invention recognizes a consumer anonymously or automatically (overt, real name), identifies the consumer's treatment, and targets based on the identified treatment. Related to providing promotions.
[0002]
(Background technology)
Predictive targeting is a marketing technique that directs marketing efforts to an individual or group of individuals having features that indicate a given behavioral possibility, such as a purchase. The features to be examined generally include historical data and / or demographic data. By focusing marketing efforts on individuals or groups that may be interested in a product according to the expected profile, marketing costs can be reduced, and even if a small group of individuals are interested in a product, the cost per person can be reduced. You can receive information. A more complete description of prospective targeting and marketing can be found, for example, in Edward L., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1992. It is described in “The Direct Marketing Handbook,” edited by Nash, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Nos. 6,026,370, 5,974,399, 5,892,827, 5,832,457, 5,612,868, and 5,173,851. Nos. 4,910,672, 6,014,634, and 6,055,573, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. .
[0003]
One of the limitations of conventional predictive targeting includes the inability to use current information about situations and events that may lead to actions or purchases, and / or the difficulty of using it. These environments and events are often considered to have higher predictive value than mere historical records, but are often difficult to record and / or retrieve. Common examples of using current information about the environment and events to provide promotions include offering new car purchase discounts to college graduates, providing home buyers coupons for home repair supplies, And referrals to "traffic accident lawyers" who provide personal injury law services to those involved in an accident. If a representative demographic population rarely purchases such products by graduation or anticipating purchase behavior based on current events or circumstances, such as a home purchase or accident, Alternatively, even when there is no record of such purchase history, product information can be provided at low cost per person.
[0004]
The advantage of anticipated purchase behavior based on the current event or situation is that, except for large ticket items, in light of the cost of determining whether such an event or situation currently exists. Is hardly worth it. In the above example, the marketer would have to contact the university for a list of graduates, search public records of recent real estate transactions, or follow an ambulance in town, for example. In other words, there is often little incentive to provide information about a consumer's current event information and / or status information. Thus, the status data / event data remains rarely used and / or difficult to use.
[0005]
One specific type of current event / situation information that is rarely used is information about the medical condition of the consumer. For various ethical, medical, financial, privacy, social, and legal reasons, consumers and / or health care providers may provide medical information to marketers and / or Be careful to offer to sales people. Identify and market sick individuals because many diseases and conditions are rare and / or have little or no precedent and are relatively evenly distributed among different demographic groups Marketing and merchandise information for medical products is often not available because the cost of providing promotions is too high.
[0006]
(Disclosure of the Invention)
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is a novel method, system, and computer readable method for effectively issuing targeted promotions based on a consumer's medical condition (medical event and / or medical condition). Is to provide instructions.
[0007]
It is another object of the present invention to provide novel methods, systems, and computer readable instructions that enable consumers to receive targeted promotions while ensuring consumer privacy.
[0008]
Yet another object of the present invention is a novel method, system, which allows consumers to receive medications to treat current illnesses and / or illnesses while ensuring consumer privacy. It is to provide computer readable instructions.
[0009]
It is another object of the present invention to provide novel methods, systems, and computer readable instructions that speed up the process by which consumers receive pharmaceutical products.
[0010]
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide novel methods, systems, and computer readable instructions that ensure that consumers who desire a pharmaceutical product can be identified.
[0011]
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing novel methods, systems, and computer readable instructions for identifying a consumer purchasing treatment and / or medicine. In an exemplary embodiment, the identification is an anonymous biometric identification of the consumer. After identifying the consumer by real or anonymous name, the consumer's current medical and / or pharmaceutical information is used to target based at least in part on the current medical and / or pharmaceutical information. Offer the promoted consumer to the consumer. In an example embodiment, the current medical information and / or medication information is a consumer's current medication prescription. In an exemplary embodiment, anonymous identification is likewise used, preferably without explicitly identifying the individual, to give an individual or group who is preparing a pharmaceutical and / or medical device the pharmaceutical and / or medical device. Indicates the presence of an anonymous individual who wants a medical device. In one embodiment, the indication is to indicate to the pharmacist that there are unidentified individuals in the store and / or at the shopping location that want a particular medication. In yet another embodiment, targeted promotions are provided, along with a booklet providing detailed information about the medical condition and / or medication of the consumer.
[0012]
As used herein, the terms "anonymous consumer" and "anonymous identification" and the term "identifying anonymously" disclose the name of the consumer to those who are preparing and / or providing treatment. Refers to the identification of a consumer by a system that can use this identification information to identify a consumer's treatment and prepare and / or provide this treatment without having to do so.
[0013]
As used herein, the term "promotion" refers to any offer, advertisement, newsletter, incentive, coupon, commercial, recipe, and / or communication that promotes one or more goods and / or services. Point.
[0014]
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer readable method for providing consumers with targeted promotions based on their current healthcare event / situation information while maintaining their privacy. Explains the instructions that can be performed. This is especially important when using medical information to predict consumer behavior. Further, the methods, devices, and computer readable instructions address medical conditions while accomplishing these goals in an inexpensive manner, saving consumers time and avoiding exposure. Finally, the method, apparatus, and computer readable instructions allow the consumer to be more reliably identified while seeking the medication.
[0015]
A more complete understanding of the present invention and of the many advantages associated with the present invention may be readily obtained by better understanding the present invention by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0016]
(Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention)
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and particularly with reference to FIG. 1, an example of issuing a promotion based on consumer input may be used. The network structure is shown. The network structure includes at least one interaction site 630, or 640, 650, which in a preferred embodiment is connected to the central database device 610 via the network 620. In alternative embodiments, the network 620 may be completely absent or partially absent, or the interaction sites 630, 640, 650 may be implemented on a computer system such as a central database device 610. Thus, network 620 may be implemented as a conventional communication or communication network, or as electrical leads, wires, and buses in a computer.
[0017]
Using the processor 611 of the central database device 610, code and decode data transmitted on the network 620, control the reading and writing of data to and from the memory tables 612a-d, and Perform analysis. The processor 611 is an arbitrary processor configured for transmitting a large amount of data, and performs a large amount of calculation when performing communication processing (possibly as a web server), searching a database, and executing a calculation algorithm. A conventional personal computer or workstation with sufficient memory and processing capacity may be configured to function as processor 611. Pentium III microprocessors such as the 1 GHz Pentium III for SC242 manufactured by Intel, the 500 MHz PowerPC G4 processor from Motorola, and the 1 GHz AMD ATHLON processor from Advanced Micro Devices are all It can be used as the processor 611. The memory tables 612a-d are data media accessible by any type of processor, including any type of disk, including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, This includes, but is not limited to, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of medium suitable for storing electrical data.
[0018]
Network 620 may be a local area network and / or a connection via a wide area network, a virtual private network, or a public switched telephone network. In the exemplary embodiment, network 620 includes a number of connection modes, including a cable modem connection, and / or a DSL connection, a dial-up modem connection, and other suitable connection mechanisms.
[0019]
The first type of interaction site is a kiosk interaction site 630, which includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a kiosk terminal 630a at the entrance of a store, shopping area, shopping center, shopping mall, or the like. It is. The interaction site 630 may include a processor similar to the processor 611, but in an exemplary embodiment, the interaction site simply transmits and receives data on the network 620 and transmits the data from the input device 630c. It is dedicated to code and decode when received and output to promotion output device 630b. The kiosk interaction site 630 is designed to be operated by consumers, and in some embodiments, can identify consumers anonymously. Simply moving the kiosk interaction site 630 away from where the treatment or medication is being prepared increases the privacy and security layer of the identification process. In addition, placing the kiosk interaction site 630 at the entry point of a vendor or group of vendors can immediately initiate the preparation of a treatment or medication to be provided to an individual, saving consumers time. The kiosk interaction site 630 includes an ID input device 630c that receives identification information from the consumer and transfers this information to the processor 611, and the transferred identification information is compared with the identification table 612a by the processor 611, To provide an indication that there is a consumer at the kiosk interaction site 630. The ID input device 630c may be any of a number of recognizers, may or may not specifically require the identification of the consumer by name, or simply allows the consumer to interact with the kiosk interaction site. 630 can be identified with a real name or anonymously. Examples of suitable embodiments of the ID input device 630c include a keyboard and a touch screen, a computer mouse, a barcode reader, a magnetic reader (including a strip reader, a disk reader, and a tape reader), a smart card. Readers, pressure sensors, motion detection devices, fingerprint readers, iris authentication devices, genetic information identification devices, electromagnetic receivers, voltmeters, heat sensors, or digital processors to interface with passwords, patterns, keywords, sequences, It includes other transducers that can recognize other identification information. The function of the input device 630c must be to receive the identification entered by the consumer.
[0020]
In the exemplary embodiment, ID input device 630c is biometric. In other words, the ID input device 630c uses the biological information and / or biological parameters to identify the consumer. One significant advantage of this method includes that biological information is almost, by definition, anonymous. In other words, the biological information used to identify a consumer does not create the unfortunate event that the consumer is identified by others. This adds another layer of security to the identification process. In addition, biometric identification is relatively difficult to alter / plagiarize from an individual and helps provide treatment or medication to the right individual.
[0021]
Suitable types of biometric identification include fingerprint readers, voice and iris recognizers, and genetic information identifiers including gene chips. Fingerprint readers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,747,147, 5,109,427, 3,882,462, and 5,631,971. The entire contents are incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, a scanner as the ID input device 630c creates a digital image of a fingerprint by converting a pattern of light reflected by a fingertip. The processor 611 using fingerprint identification (FID) software can be used to analyze the reflected light pattern by searching for two unique features. One feature is the core, the center of the fingerprint. Another feature is the details at which the ridge ends or branches. Processor 611 thus describes the series of vectors in relation to the detail. Even if the finger is moved away from the center or rotated during the scan, the vector describing the relationship between details does not change significantly and is sufficiently complex and unique. Using ridges and details, one of two possible identifications is performed, one-to-one or one-to-many. One-to-one searches are performed within an identity verification system (IVS) used for security purposes. The IVS gives the subject a name in advance, records the detailed pattern of the fingerprint just scanned by the ID input device 630c and transmitted from the kiosk terminal 630a to the processor 611, and the known fingerprint stored in the database identification table 612a. Compare. Because not all details can be captured due to cuts or aberrations, processor 611 can at most only determine the likelihood that a fingerprint matches another fingerprint in identification table 612a. If the known fingerprints in identification table 612a match within acceptable limits, processor 611 "identifies" the individual. The best-known example of a one-to-many search is that performed by an AFIS (Automatic Fingerprint Identification Device) used by police. This is also called cold search, and most commonly compares fingerprints from unknown people to a database of known people and fingerprints to determine if the unknown person is already in the database. Used to determine To reduce the number of fingerprints to compare unknown persons, FID first counts ridges in the direction from the core to the edge of the fingerprint. Counting ridges is fast, but inherently inaccurate. Depending on how hard you press your finger against the scanner, the number of ridges on the same finger can easily change each time you press your fingerprint. Also, the range of the ridges on all fingers does not change much, typically between 10 and 20. However, counting the ridges eliminates obvious mismatches. Processor 611 then examines the possible matches generated from counting the ridges, looking for another similarity in the detail pattern.
[0022]
Speech recognition is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,640,490, 5,751,904, 5,745,64, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the speech recognition software controlling processor 611 must first search for registrations of candidate speeches to be recognized by the software and store these registrations in identification table 612a. In order for an individual to add his or her voice to the list of candidate voices, the individual must read out the known text for an appropriate period of time, typically 10 minutes to 1 hour. From this sampling, the speech recognition software creates a table in the identification table 612a that is the basis for the speech of many individuals, which is a basis that varies from the phoneme pronunciation or conversation model of the speaker. After registration, the speaker can later read out the text that he wants the software to compare with the voice reference of the candidate's voice, in front of the microphone functioning as the ID input device 630c. ID input device 630c preferably removes background audio using noise cancellation. The quality of the microphone functioning as the ID input device 630c and the power of the computer processor 611 are related to the quality of speech recognition. The speaker can use a continuous conversation that is a normal conversation with no breaks between words. The analog signal generated by the microphone functioning as the ID input device 630c is sampled by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in the kiosk terminal 630a, generally at a rate of 30 kHz, preferably at a rate of 50 kHz or more. Is converted to a set of measurements of several factors, including pitch, volume, frequency, phoneme length, and silence. The measurements are compressed for faster processing, and the voice engine of the software adjusts the measurements taking into account, for example, the background sound of the microphone and the characteristics of the sound. A speech recognizer, such as a neural network algorithm that controls the processor 611, converts the modified measurements from the kiosk terminal 630a to the candidates previously compiled and sampled from the individual's conversation and stored in the identification data record 612a. Compare to a database of previous measurements associated with an individual. For each measurement, such as pitch, the recognizer searches the identification table 612a for the database item that best matches the particular measurement. To further narrow down the options, the speech engine compares the other measurements only with those of the database items that scored higher in the identification table 612a, for example, with respect to the pitch measurement. This process continues until processor 611 finds a candidate audio that best matches the audio of the sample over the entire range of measurements.
[0023]
An alternative embodiment of the ID input device 630c identifies the consumer anonymously by a DNA fingerprint test. The DNA fingerprint test is based on the differences in genes between individuals and is described in an article published by Applied Biosystems entitled "Automation of DNA Fingerprinting: a Multi-Color Fluorophore Approach". Other example techniques are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,831,065, 5,576,180, 4,880,750, 6,077,668, which are incorporated herein by reference. Is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Briefly, in one embodiment, currently, the most informative genetic markers that represent human characteristics are the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci. VNTR alleles vary in size depending on the number of tandem repeats. DNA is isolated from blood or other cell or tissue samples, and the DNA sequence at the VNTR locus can be unambiguously amplified by PCR. Performing PCR with automated DNA purification, automated primer synthesis, and automated fluorescent fragment analysis allows biometrics to identify individuals. These procedures are based on GENEPURE, commercially available from Applied Biosystems. ^TM 341 nucleic acid purification device, PCR-MATE ^TM 391 DNA synthesizer, GENE SCANNER ^TM It is automated using a 362 fluorescent fragment analyzer.
[0024]
Briefly describing these steps, the DNA is purified using a GENEPURE 341 nucleic acid purifier from Applied Biosystems. This device is used to automatically purify nucleic acids from a wide range of sample types. A protocol specifically designed for processing small amounts of DNA with the GENEPURE system uses the phenol chloroform chemistry of this system and BASEBINDER resin. After diluting the whole blood sample (50 pL) to 1.5 mL with saline (TBS) supplemented with Tris buffer, it was directly placed in the GENEPURE reaction vessel containing the 2X solubilization buffer already supplied by the GENEPURE device, Heated to 60 ° C. Subsequently, proteinase K is supplied by the apparatus, and digestion is performed for 1 hour while vibrating. Next, extraction is performed twice with a phenol / water / chloroform reagent using a device, and once with chloroform. BASEBINDER resin is added to each reactor and sodium acetate and isoprepanol are fed using the equipment. Under these conditions, the gene DNA binds to the resin. The apparatus collects the resin / precipitate complex on a PRECIPITATE II filter, which is washed with ethanol to remove trace contaminants. The DNA can then be extracted from the resin with water.
[0025]
Prior to purification, oligonucleotide primers specific for the three VNTR target loci were amplified using PCR-MATE391 DNA using fast oligonucleotide deprotection (FOD) phosphoramidite and a standard 0.2 μmol scale synthesis cycle. You may synthesize | combine with a synthesizer. Common target VNTR loci are ApoB (1), pMCT118 (2), pNZ22 (3). When adding the last monomer using a standard synthesis cycle to attach the fluorescent dye, the AMINOLINK2 ^TM An amine linker can be added to the 5 'end of each primer. After cleavage and deprotection of the oligonucleotide, the fluorescent dye NHS ester is coupled to the primer to be labeled over the portion of AMINOLINK2.
[0026]
A DNA sample is amplified in a state of low VNTR using an oligonucleotide primer labeled with a fluorescent dye using a GENEAMP PCR DNA amplifying device manufactured by Perkin Elmer Cetas Instruments. Primers are labeled with different dyes, such as ApoB (FAM blue), pMCT118 (JOE green), pYNZ22 (TAMRA yellow), and are adjusted so that PCR products can be labeled in situ.
[0027]
A partial preparation of the PCR product labeled with a fluorescent dye is coupled with a medium size standard GENESCAN1000 labeled with the "red" chromophore ROX. The sample is then placed in a 2% agarose gel on a GENE SCANNER and electrophoresed at 4 volts / cm over the entire 4 cm "readable area".
[0028]
The GENE SCANNER instrument uses multicolor fluorescent DNA sequencing techniques for submarine agarose gel electrophoresis. This instrument incorporates a multi-line argon ion laser that scans the entire gel and excites fluorescence from passing PCR products labeled with a dye. The emitted light is filtered, collected, transmitted as digital signals, and automatically analyzed by a computer to assign fragment lengths and quantify fluorescence. The measured fluorescence pattern is then compared to previously measured fluorescence patterns in the identification table 612a corresponding to some candidate individuals. This continues until the location of the matching pattern associated with the particular individual has been determined.
[0029]
Regardless of the nature of the ID input device 630c, once the identification data is generated and / or digitized, it can be transferred from the kiosk terminal 630a to the processor 611 of the central database device 610. Of course, this can be done over network 620, but alternatively, processor 611 may be part of a kiosk interaction site 630 (not shown). In any case, the identification data is relayed to the processor 611 where it is compared with the table stored in the identification data storage record 612a. An example of the data structure of the identification data storage record 612a is shown as a data record A710 in FIG. 3A.
[0030]
When processor 611 identifies a matching or nearly matching record, it further accesses data storage records 612b, 612c, 612d. The personal consumer data storage record 612b may include, for example, current treatments and / or medications used or prescribed by the consumer, and new treatments or medications prescribed by the health care provider, and / or Or an example data structure of data storage record 612b, including data relating to an individual consumer, such as demographic information, health information, allergy information, historical records of past purchases, etc., in data record C730 of FIG. 4a. It is shown. When processor 611 identifies the consumer, processor 611 accesses consumer personal table 612b and makes the data therein available for many possible uses.
[0031]
A first possible use of the consumer personal table 612b is to indicate to the consumer at the kiosk terminal 630a the treatments and / or medications available to the consumer. In one embodiment, this information is, for example, cost information and / or insurance coverage information collected from information stored in treatment / pharmaceutical information 612c; Alternatively, it may include information about the treatment and / or the medicine itself, such as a selection function for selecting one of the medicines, side effects, and / or drug interactions.
[0032]
Another possibility of using the consumer's personal table 612b is that the consumer is at or coming soon to a vendor's store, a potentially unidentified consumer who has access to certain treatments and / or medications. Indicate to the vendor, eg, a pharmacist, that they are asking, and that the vendor should begin preparing the selected treatment and / or medication. This potential use saves the consumer time and helps protect the identity of the consumer when needed. Thus, information identifying the requested treatment and / or drug (with or without information about the consumer) is available on the network 620 at the vendor's interaction site 650 operated by the vendor and possibly at the vendor's location. Can be sent to At the vendor's interaction site 650, medical treatment information and / or drug information is output to the vendor using a medical / pharmaceutical information output device 650b, which allows the vendor to prepare the therapy and / or drug. You can get started. Accordingly, the medical / pharmaceutical information output device 650b may be a computer monitor or printer (paper or other media), magnetic writer (disk drive) capable of indicating the nature of the selected treatment and / or medication to the vendor. , A magnetic strip writer, a tape writer, a barcode writer, and any other output device. In an example embodiment, another identification input device 650c is at the interaction site 650 and can again confirm the identity of the consumer when the consumer receives the selected treatment and / or medication. In the exemplary embodiment, receipt of the selected treatment / medicine is also anonymous. For example, identification input device 650c controls access to a locker where the selected treatment and / or medication was previously located. In this way, the consumer can receive the selected treatment and / or medication without one-to-one contact with the vendor or pharmacist.
[0033]
The primary use of the consumer personal table 612b is to determine the appropriate promotion to issue on the promotion output device 630b based on potential treatments and / or medications available or recommended to the consumer. Is to decide. This is done in light of the information stored in the medical / pharmaceutical data storage record 612c and the information stored in the client and / or product data storage record 612d. The medical / pharmaceutical data storage record 612c contains data relating to the treatment and / or medicine, confirms the safe administration and use of the treatment and / or medicine, and reflects the fact that the individual consumer has requested treatment and / or medicine. The information provided is used to determine the appropriate promotion. An example data structure of the medical / pharmaceutical data storage record 612c is shown in data record B720 of FIG. 3b. The client and / or merchandise data storage record 612d is used to determine data regarding clients contracted to provide targeted promotions in accordance with the present invention and appropriate targeted promotions for client merchandise. Including information. An exemplary data structure for the client and / or merchandise data storage record 612c is shown as data record D740 in FIG. 4b.
[0034]
Thus, using the consumer personal table 612b and possibly consumer feedback at the kiosk terminal 630a, when a treatment and / or drug is selected or identified, the treatment and / or drug is selected. Information from the medical / pharmaceutical data storage record 612c. Information regarding determining an appropriate promotion may include, for example, other treatments or adjunct treatments and / or conditions for the disease and / or morbidity for which the treatment and / or medicinal product is generally prescribed and / or used. May be included. Thus, the medical / pharmaceutical data storage record 612c for a topical antibiotic cream, indicating an open wound or swelling, contains the fact that such a wound or swelling is generally bandaged in some way, and that Prescriptions for antibiotics include a list of common flu-like symptoms (fever, runny nose, headache, sore throat) that may be associated with such prescriptions. When the processor 611 determines a condition and / or other treatment or adjunctive treatment using the medical / pharmaceutical data storage record 612c, the client and / or product data storage record 612d is searched to match the identified condition. Find the client's product (s) that will serve as or as an alternative and / or adjunct treatment. Thus, in the case of the topical antibiotic cream described above, the client and / or merchandise data storage record 612d continues to search until it locates the client providing the bandage and identifies the appropriate promotion for the client's bandage. . For systemically administered antibiotics, the client and / or merchandise data storage record 612d may include, for example, germicidal alcohol to reduce fever and / or antiphlogistics to relieve runny nose, painkillers to treat headache, throat pain. The search continues until the location of the client providing the troche to be treated is determined and the appropriate promotion is determined.
[0035]
In the exemplary embodiment, the appropriate type of promotion is returned to kiosk terminal 630a, at which point the promotion is output using promotion output device 630b. Promotion output device 630b may also comprise any of a number of different devices, including a computer monitor, a printer (paper or another medium), a magnetic writer (disk drive, magnetic drive). Strip writer, tape writer, bar code writer, television screen, radio broadcast, internet data transmission, newspaper or newsletter print advertising, or simply electronic promotion automatically communicated to another device In this case, there is no need to be at the kiosk interaction site 630 as shown in FIG. 1 since another device is, for example, a checkout cashier or credit card company.
[0036]
In another alternative embodiment, the appropriate type of promotion is returned to the healthcare provider's terminal 640a at the healthcare provider's interaction site 640, where the promotion is output using the promotion output device 640b. Is done. Currently, many healthcare providers use network devices similar to the systems described herein to register prescription and / or recommended treatments and / or medications. By providing the promotion at the healthcare provider's location (eg, a doctor's clinic or hospital), the promotion is offered as quickly as possible, giving the healthcare provider a chance to discuss the value of the promotion with individuals. In addition, the promotion appears to be a source of care for the health care provider, and is therefore of great importance to consumers.
[0037]
Promotions provided on promotion output devices 630b and / or 640b may be any offers and / or advertisements, newsletters, incentives, coupons, commercials, recipes promoting one or more goods and / or services. , Pointing to contact. In one embodiment, the promotion is provided with or in a newsletter, such as a health newsletter as set forth in US Pat. No. 6,067,524, which is incorporated herein by reference. Included in the description.
[0038]
An alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. The main difference is that several processors 611, 611a, 611b accessing different database devices 610, 615, 660 are available. This embodiment assumes that different vendors have contracted to operate different database systems. For example, as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,982,914, 5,838,812, 5,805,719, and 5,613,012, Smart Touch Inc. has identified an identification database device 660. , All of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0039]
Further, in FIG. 2, the vendor interaction site 650 having the store terminal 650a has been removed. In this case, the kiosk interaction site 630 may be anywhere in the store, but at a site that receives the selected treatment and / or medication. In this case, the time savings and enhanced security provided by welcoming consumers at the kiosk's interaction site 630 at the entrance to the store or group of stores is not realized, but the hardware is eliminated by eliminating redundant equipment. Costs are minimal.
[0040]
FIGS. 3a and 3b are used to store the personal identification data in data storage records 612a and 612c of FIG. 1 or, alternatively, 660a and 616a of FIG. Shown are two different data record structures 710 and 720 that can be used. The identification elements 710d, 710e, 710f are compared to the same parameters measured at the ID input device 630c, or alternatively at 650c. When properly or nearly matching data is found, the associated consumer's name (or other identifying information) 710c is retrieved from record 710. The drug information 720d, 710e, 710f, 710g is associated with a particular drug name or other identifying information 720c and is targeted at the 630b and 640b of FIG. 1 and the promotional output device of 630b of FIG. Used to select the appropriate product for the promotion.
[0041]
4a and 4b respectively show the data storage records of 612b and 612d of FIG. 1 and / or 612b and 616b of FIG. 2, data of personal consumer and data of the client's product, and promotions available for that product. Shows two different data record structures 730 and 740 that can be used to store. The consumer's name (or other identifying information) 710c can be used to identify the corresponding data record 730 using element 730c. This allows the use of a wide range of consumer information 730e, 730f, 730g, 730h regarding consumer medical and / or demographic and historical information when determining appropriate targeted promotions. it can. This is used with the information available about the client's product in data record D740. Elements 740d, 740e, 740f are compared to drug information 720d, 710e, 710f, 710g from the treatment and / or drug selected in light of consumer information 730e, 730f, 730g, 730h, and the promotion target for this product And decide whether or not to offer it to the consumer. Alternatively, in some cases, this determination can be made without the consumer information 730e, 730f, 730g, 730h.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one possible embodiment of the present invention. In step 5100, consumer identification is performed. The identification of the consumer may include any of the identification mechanisms described above with respect to the identification input device 630c or another similar identification mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the identification is performed on an anonymous basis. In other words, the name of the identified individual is hidden from vendors such as pharmacists who prepare or provide treatment and / or medication. Thus, as long as the individual's name is not easily accessible to the vendor or preparer, the individual's name can be stored in a data field associated with the individual's identity, such as data record A710 shown in FIG. 3a. The identification of step 5100 may involve using an internet connection, interactive television, or other network equipment in a private facility such as a grocery kiosk or grocery store checkout cashier in a public facility, or at home. Can be done. It is only necessary that the individual be isolated from the vendor so that the identification is anonymous and the individual remains anonymous.
[0043]
At step 5200, an appropriate targeted promotion can be selected based on medical information previously determined for the consumer. This medical information may be a medical record or a prescription, information about the condition of the disease, or other information provided by the consumer. If the identification mechanism in step 5100 is anonymous, the identity of the consumer remains unknown to the provider and / or preparer of the treatment and / or medication, such as a pharmacist. In one embodiment, the promotion selection process is performed in the context of consumer information, such as demographic or historical information, or other medical information, but to provide targeted promotions in accordance with the present invention, a separate There is no need to get any information.
[0044]
In the simplest embodiment, some of the drug fields 720d, 720e, 720f, 720g of the treatment / drug data record B720 are compared to the targeting information fields 740d, 740e, 740f of the client / product data record D740, and between them. And a comparison is made until a product (s) with corresponding targeting information fields 740d, 740e, 740f is selected. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the product (s) with corresponding targeting information fields 740d, 740e, 740f may be included, for example, in a demographic information field, a history information field of a personal consumer data record C730, Further consideration is made in the light of the medical information fields 730g, 730h, 730e.
[0045]
Once the consumer has been identified (real name or anonymous) and an appropriate targeted promotion has been selected, a targeted promotion can be provided to the consumer in step 5300. Providing targeted promotions can take place at any of a number of different locations, such as the interaction site 630 or 640 shown in FIG. 1, a consumer home, a consumer If you make a purchase, it is a cashier, newsletter, commercial, email, newspaper article, website advertisement, radio broadcast, or any other location that can offer targeted promotions. That is, the consumer does not need to receive the promotion on his own. In other words, a particular action of the consumer can trigger and automatically provide a promotion, such as logging on to a website and / or purchasing a product or receiving a medical newsletter. Opening a mailbox, using a credit card, using a customer card, watching a television program, listening to a radio program, and the like. The promotion of step 5200 may include, for example, offers, advertisements, incentives, coupons, commercials, recipes, contacts that promote one or more goods and / or services.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart that includes a new step 6200 of identifying a treatment and / or medication for a consumer. The treatment and / or drug identification may be performed automatically by the processor 611 of FIG. 1 using, for example, a data record stored in the personal consumer table 612b, or, for example, at the interaction site 630. It can be done with a consumer who is already there. Consumer assistance is particularly needed when some treatments and / or medications are available to consumers. In this case, the consumer may optionally choose to receive only one of the available treatments and / or medications.
[0047]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart that includes a new step 7500 of providing an identified treatment and / or medication to a consumer. In this step, the vendor selects one or more identified treatments and / or medicines from among several available treatments and / or medicines, and selects the identified treatment (s). And / or provide medicines to consumers. Thus, the selection may include removing the correct medication from the shelf, placing the correct volume in the container, or providing the correct medical device to the consumer. Provision can be made in a number of different ways, including the anonymous locker mechanism described above, other methods of providing and / or providing the identified treatment and / or medicament to the consumer, including surgical intervention.
[0048]
FIG. 8 explicitly illustrates one of the advantages of the present invention, namely that multiple steps can be performed at least partially simultaneously, as shown by steps 8400 and 8500 performed in parallel. That is, while the targeted promotion is being prepared at step 8500, the desired treatment and / or medication can be prepared at step 8400. This saves consumers time and gives them another reason to share their medical data with marketers. Of course, the promotion and desired treatment must be provided to the consumer, as shown in steps 8600 and 8700, respectively. The order of these two steps is arbitrary. For example, a drug may be provided first at step 8400 and a promotion may be provided at step 8600 at a later date. This order is particularly valid in the case of a chronic disease or condition, or where the client's merchandise is not available from the same vendor where the identified treatment or drug is available. For example, an individual receiving a drug for a certain form of arthritis at a pharmacy may later receive a targeted promotion for a spa by mail.
[0049]
FIG. 9 shows a computer device 801 that can form several different units in one embodiment of the present invention. For example, the computing device 801 can alternately form the central database device 610 or the interaction sites 630, 640, 605 of FIG. Thus, computing device 801 is described using a unique reference number. When describing parts similar to those in another figure among the parts of the computer device 801, they are explicitly referred to in the text. Computer device 801 includes a bus 803 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 805 coupled with bus 803 for processing information. Processor 805 may form processor 611 of FIG. Computer device 801 is also coupled to bus 803 and stores information and instructions to be executed by processor 805, such as random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage (eg, dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM). (SRAM), a main memory 807 such as a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), or a flash RAM. Further, main memory 807 may be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information while processor 805 is executing instructions. Computer device 801 is further coupled to bus 803 and stores static information and instructions for processor 805, or a read-only memory (ROM) 809, or other static storage device (eg, a programmable ROM (PROM), an eraser). PROM (EPROM), electronically erasable PROM (EEPROM). A storage device 811 such as a magnetic or optical disk is also provided and coupled to the bus 803 for storing information and instructions. The storage device 811 may include the data storage records 612a, 612b, 612c, 612d of FIG.
[0050]
Computer apparatus 801 may also include a special purpose logic device (eg, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) or a configurable logic device (eg, a generic array of logic (GAL) or a reprogrammable field programmable gate array (FPGA)). May be included. Other removable media devices (eg, compact disks, tapes, removable magneto-optical media) or fixed high-density media drives may be connected to a suitable device bus (eg, a small computer interface (SCSI) bus, an enhanced integrated device). An electronics (IDE) bus, or an ultra direct memory access (DMA) bus may be used to add to the computing device 801. Such removable media devices and fixed high-density media drives can also include the data storage records 612a, 612b, 612c, 612d of FIG. Computer device 801 may further include a compact disc reader, compact disc read / write unit, or compact disc jukebox, each of which may be connected to the same device bus or to another device bus. May be.
[0051]
Computer device 801 can be coupled via bus 803 to a display 813, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user. The display 813 can form the promotion output device 630b, 640b, 650b of FIG. 1, especially if the promotion is a recipe or an advertisement. The display 813 may be controlled by a display card or a graphics card. The computing device includes input devices such as a keyboard 815 and a cursor control 817 and communicates information and command selections to the processor 805. Keyboard 815 and cursor control 817 may form input device 640c or may be used as ID input device 630c or 650c in FIG. 1 to receive a password as identification. The cursor control 817 is, for example, a mouse, a trackball, or a cursor direction key. The cursor control 817 communicates the direction information and the selection of the command to the processor 805, and controls the movement of the cursor on the display 813. Further, a printer (not shown) may provide the promotion output device 630b or 640b of FIG. 1, or the medical / pharmaceutical information output device 650b, especially if the promotion is a coupon.
[0052]
Computer device 801 responds to processor 805 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, eg, main memory 807, in response to some or all of the processing steps of the present invention. Execute Such instructions can be read into main memory 807 from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device 811. One or more processors in a multi-processing configuration may be used to execute the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 807. In an alternative embodiment, hard-wired circuitry can be used instead of or in conjunction with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are not limited to a specific hardware circuit and software combination.
[0053]
As described above, the device 801 may be programmed according to the teachings of the present invention, and may store at least one computer-readable medium or data structure described herein, or a table, record, or other data. Including memory. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a compact disk, hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, tape, magneto-optical disk, PROM (EPROM, EEPROM, flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, and the like. The invention can be stored on a computer readable medium or combination of media to control a computer device 801 and drive the device (s) implementing the invention, wherein the computer device 801 is a human user. Includes software that allows you to interact with Such software includes, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and application software. Such a computer-readable recording medium further includes the computer program product of the present invention that executes all or a part of the processing (when the processing is distributed) performed when implementing the present invention.
[0054]
The computer code device of the present invention is any interpreted or executable code mechanism, including scripts, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes, and fully executable programs. However, the present invention is not limited to these. Further, portions of the processing of the present invention can be distributed to improve performance, and / or reliability, and cost.
[0055]
As used herein, the term “computer readable medium” refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions for processor 805 to execute. A computer-readable medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks, such as storage device 811. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 807. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 803. Transmission media may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave data communications and infrared data communications.
[0056]
Common forms of the computer-readable recording medium include, for example, a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a tape, a magneto-optical disk, a PROM (EPROM, EEPROM, flash EPROM), a DRAM, an SRAM, an SDRAM, or any arbitrary one. Other magnetic media, compact discs (e.g., CD-ROM), or any other optical media, punched cards, paper tapes, or other physical media with a pattern of holes, a carrier wave (described below), or a computer And other media that can be read.
[0057]
Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions executed by processor 805. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can remotely load the instructions implementing all or part of the present invention into dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer device 801 can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to bus 803 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on bus 803. Bus 803 carries data to main memory, and processor 805 retrieves and executes instructions from main memory 807. Optionally, the instructions received by main memory 807 may be stored on storage device 811 either before or after execution by processor 805.
[0058]
Computer device 801 also includes a communication interface 819 coupled to bus 803. As previously described, the communication interface 819 itself forms the promotion output device 630b, 640b, 650b, and can electronically communicate the electronic promotion to a remote device. Such electronic promotions may include, for example, electronic coupons that are automatically sent to the vendor's register, electronic orders placed directly at the consumer's discretion, or credits assigned to the consumer's account when purchasing or ordering goods. May be included. Communication interface 819 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 821 that is connected to a local network 823. For example, communication interface 819 may be a network interface card connected to a packet-switched local area network (LAN). As another example, communication interface 819 may be an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. Good. Wireless links can also be implemented. In any implementation, communication interface 819 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.
[0059]
Network link 821 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to another data device. For example, network link 821 may provide a connection to computer 825 via a local network 823 (eg, a LAN) or via equipment operated by a service provider that provides communication services via communication network 827. it can. Communication network 827 may form network 620 of FIG. In one embodiment, computer 825 is one of interaction sites 630, 640, 650 of FIG. 1, and computer 601 is central database device 610. In some embodiments, local network 823 and communication network 827 preferably use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals over various networks that exchange digital data with the computer device 801 and the signals over the communication interface 819 over the network link 821 are exemplary forms of carriers that carry information. Computer device 801 can send notifications via the network (s), network link 821, and communication interface 819 and receive data including program code.
[0060]
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention, within the scope of the appended claims, may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a network structure as an example of issuing a promotion based on a consumer's input.
FIG. 2
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a network structure as a second example of issuing a promotion based on a consumer's input.
FIG. 3a
FIG. 4 illustrates an example data record structure.
FIG. 3b
FIG. 4 illustrates an example data record structure.
FIG. 4a
FIG. 4 is another diagram illustrating an example data record structure.
FIG. 4b
FIG. 4 is another diagram illustrating an example data record structure.
FIG. 5
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for issuing a targeted promotion based on a consumer's medical condition.
FIG. 6
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a second process for issuing a targeted promotion based on a consumer's medical condition.
FIG. 7
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a third process for issuing a targeted promotion based on a consumer's medical condition.
FIG. 8
FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a fourth process for issuing targeted promotions based on a consumer's medical condition.
FIG. 9
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a computer device programmed to perform one or more of the special functions of the present invention.

Claims (44)

Identifying the consumer using the identifying information;
Using the identification information to determine a treatment to recommend to the consumer;
Selecting a targeted promotion based at least in part on the treatment of the consumer;
Providing the targeted promotion to the consumer. Preparing the treatment for the consumer;
Providing the treatment to the consumer. Providing the treatment comprises:
Receiving the identification information from the consumer again;
3. The method of claim 2, comprising re-identifying the consumer using the identification information. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the identification information again and re-identifying is performed at a different location from where the identification information is received and the identification is performed. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the treatment further comprises placing the treatment in a locker. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein preparing the treatment comprises preparing a prescription medication (medication). The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment is a prescription drug (drug treatment). The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the identifying information comprises measuring a biological parameter of the consumer. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein identifying the consumer comprises comparing the biological parameter to a plurality of previously measured biological parameters from a plurality of candidate consumers. . 9. The method of claim 8, wherein measuring the biological parameter comprises scanning a fingerprint of the consumer. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein measuring the biological parameter comprises recording the consumer's voice. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein measuring the biological parameter comprises performing a nucleotide base fingerprint on the consumer. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the identification information occurs at at least one of a store entrance and a store group entrance. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the store is a pharmacy. Determining the treatment comprises:
Prompting the consumer with a list of potential (potential, potential) treatments;
Receiving a treatment selected from the plurality of possible treatments. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of possible treatments is a plurality of medications (medications) for which the consumer has a plurality of prescriptions. Choosing the targeted promotion is
Associating the treatment with an auxiliary treatment;
Searching a list of possible client products for the indicated client product corresponding to the ancillary treatment of the treatment;
The method of claim 1, comprising selecting the indicated client product. Choosing the targeted promotion is
Associating the treatment with symptoms;
Retrieving a list of multiple client products, including conditions that can be treated with each of the multiple client products;
The method of claim 1, comprising selecting the indicated client product based on a relationship between a condition that the indicated client product can treat and a condition of the treatment. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises anonymously identifying the consumer such that the identity of the consumer is hidden from those preparing the treatment. A treatment identification device configured to identify a treatment for a consumer and output information corresponding to the treatment;
A processor configured to receive the treatment information for the consumer and select a targeted promotion for the consumer based at least in part on the treatment information;
A promotion output device configured to provide the targeted promotion to the consumer. The treatment identification device,
A consumer database including a first field configured to store a plurality of candidate treatment information, wherein the treatment information is selected from a plurality of candidate consumer treatment information. The system of claim 20, comprising a database. The treatment identification device further comprises:
A consumer identification device configured to collect identification information from the consumer;
22. An identification database, storing identification information of a plurality of candidate consumers, and comprising an identification database configured to search for substantially matching consumer identification information that substantially matches the collected identification information. System. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the consumer identification device comprises a fingerprint scanner. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the consumer identification device comprises a microphone. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein said consumer identification device comprises a nucleic acid analyzer. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the consumer identification device comprises a card reader. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the consumer identification device comprises a magnetic strip reader. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the treatment comprises a drug (medication). 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the medicament (medication) comprises a prescription medicine (medication). The system of claim 20, wherein the promotion output device comprises a coupon printer. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the promotion output device includes a newsletter. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the promotion output device is in a store. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the promotion output device is at a health care provider. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the treatment identification system is in a store. A consumer identification device configured to obtain identification information from a consumer;
A consumer identification database configured to provide a plurality of candidate consumer identification information;
A consumer database configured to provide a plurality of candidate consumer information;
A product database configured to provide a plurality of candidate product information;
A medical database configured to provide a plurality of treatment information;
A consumer identification information that substantially matches from the plurality of candidate consumer identification information is selected, and a matching consumer information is selected from the candidate consumer information based on the consumer identity information that substantially matches. A target selected from a plurality of pieces of treatment information selected from the plurality of pieces of treatment information based at least in part on the matching consumer information; and a plurality of candidate pieces of product information based at least in part on the selected treatment information. A processor configured to select the narrowed product information;
A promotion output device configured to receive the targeted product information from the processor and output the targeted promotion to the consumer. Means for identifying treatment for consumers;
Means for providing targeted promotions based on the identified treatment. A computer-readable recording medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer device, the program instructions being, when executed by a computer, causing a computer system to perform the method of claim 1. Medium. A computer-readable recording medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer device, the program instructions being, when executed by a computer, causing a computer system to perform the method of claim 1. Medium. A computer-readable recording medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer device, the program instructions being, when executed by a computer, causing a computer system to perform the method of claim 2. Medium. A computer-readable recording medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer device, the program instructions being, when executed by a computer, causing a computer system to perform the method of claim 3. Medium. 9. A computer readable recording medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer device, the program instructions being, when executed by a computer, causing the computer system to perform the method of claim 8. Medium. A computer-readable recording medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer device, the program instructions comprising, when executed by a computer, causing the computer system to perform the method of claim 15. Medium. A computer readable recording medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer device, the program instructions being, when executed by a computer, causing a computer system to perform the method of claim 17. Medium. 19. A computer readable recording medium containing program instructions to be executed on a computer device, the program instructions being, when executed by a computer, causing the computer system to perform the method according to claim 18. Medium.

Images