A method and system for managing feedback to a user
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of managing feedback to a user. The invention further relates to a system implementing the method. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
For various reasons people may want to change their behavior. For example, in order to promote survival and quality of life, people with heart failure are recommended to be physically active, reduce their salt intake, stop smoking, and reduce their alcohol consumption.
Behavioral change has been extensively studied. Researchers have proposed several behavior change models, and these models form the basis of behavior change programs.
In many behavioral change programs the participants measure or estimate their current behavior. For example, in smoking cessation programs behavioral data is obtained by participants counting the number of cigarettes smoked, and in physical activity programs behavioral data is obtained by participants using an activity monitor to measure their physical activity level.
It is an object of the invention to improve the feedback to a user in response to the obtained behavioral data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object is achieved with the method according to claim 1 and the system according to claim 14.
Behavioral data that is obtained from a user desiring to achieve a behavioral change comprises objective data relating to a predetermined action and perceived data relating to said predetermined action. The objective action-related data (or objective action data) is collected with at least one sensor. The perceived action-related data (or perceived action data) is collected with a user interaction device and is indicative for how the user perceives his performance relating to said predetermined action. The objective action data and perceived action data are processed to obtain a measured action level and a perceived action level. The level is indicative for the intensity of the measured or perceived action. The perception of the user's performance relating to the predetermined action may differ from what can be derived from the objective action related data that is collected with the at least one sensor, and the feedback is made dependent on both the measured (objective) action level and the perceived (subjective) action level, thereby improving the feedback.
The user may for example wear a heart rate sensor and the measured heart rate (beats per minute) may be used to determine the measured action level. As an example it may be determined how much time on a day the user has had "an average physical activity" or "a more than average physical activity". For the "average physical activity" the user's heart rate should for example be in a range of 50 to 60% of the user's maximum heart rate and for the "more than average physical activity" the user's heart rate should for example be in a range of 60 to 85% of the user's maximum heart rate, wherein the user's maximum heart rate may be estimated as (220 - the user's age) beats per minute. The user interaction device is used to collect the perceived action-related data, for example by requesting the user to provide his estimate on the number of minutes this day he has been "average active" and how many minutes he has been "more than average active". The answers to these questions are processed to obtain the perceived action level, for example "6 hours average active", "1 hour more than average active".
In an embodiment of the method a mismatch level between the measured
(objective) action level and the perceived action level is determined and the feedback provided is dependent on said mismatch level. Referring to the discussed example the measured action level may be "5 hours average active" and "20 minutes more than average active" resulting in a mismatch between the measured action level and the perceived action level. In case the difference between the measured and perceived action level is smaller than 30 minutes for the average active period and smaller than 10 minutes for the more than average active period the mismatch may for example be regarded as "low". Other thresholds may be selected that correspond to a predetermined mismatch level of for example "medium mismatch" and "high mismatch". By making the feedback dependent on said mismatch level it is personalized for said used, thereby improving the effectiveness of the feedback.
In an embodiment the mismatch level may be determined by comparison of the perceived action level with the measured action level: if the perceived action level is in a range extending from the measured action level reduced with a predetermined threshold to the measured action level increased with a further predetermined threshold a similarity between the perceived and measured action level is assumed and the mismatch level is low; when the perceived action level is not within this range there is a high mismatch level between the perceived and measured action level. In an embodiment a first predetermined feedback is provided in case the perceived action level is higher than the measured action level increased with the further predetermined threshold, a second predetermined feedback is provided in case the perceived action level is lower than the measured action level reduced with the predetermined threshold and a third predetermined feedback is provided in case the perceived action level is in said range extending from the measured action level reduced with a predetermined threshold to the measured action level increased with a further
predetermined thresho Id.
With the objective action data the measured action level may be determined. Likewise with the user perception data the perceived action level may be determined. For example a user that desires to have a more active lifestyle may use a pedometer for collecting objective data relating to walking, and based on the action (walking in this example) related data provided by the pedometer a group for this user is determined, wherein the group is characterized by a pedometer count (or measured action level) between a first predetermined number and a second predetermined number, for example between 4000 and 6000 steps per day.
Likewise with the user interaction device the perceived action level is determined. Based on the input provided by the user the perceived action level may be found to correspond to a further group being characterized by a step count of 8000 to 10000 per day. These results may for example reflect that the user has been more active this day than the previous day (by comparing the objective action data of today with the objective action data of yesterday) but that he did not yet reach the goal of for example 9000 steps per day, although the user really felt to have achieved that target. The feedback provided to the user is dependent on both the determined group and the determined further group and aims to stimulate the user to achieve the further improvement of his active lifestyle.
In a further embodiment the processing of the action data comprises classifying the measured action level in a group among a plurality of groups wherein each group of said plurality of groups corresponds to the measured action level having values in a particular predetermined range.
Likewise the processing of the user-perceived action data comprises classifying the perceived action level in a further group among a plurality of further groups, wherein each further group corresponds to the perceived action level having values in a further predetermined range. The provided feedback is dependent on the classified group applicable for the measured action level and the classified further group applicable for the perceived action level.
The pedometer may be included in the system for managing feedback to a user. Said pedometer may comprise an accelerometer or movement sensor that is worn or attached to the user to measure the activity of the user. The objective action data collected by the accelerometer or movement sensor is processed by the pedometer to result is a step count which may be used as an indicator for the measured action level. The objective action data may also be collected with a sensor that measures a physiological signal, for example the heart beat frequency. Also stationary sensors may be used to collect the objective action data. For example when a user is trying to stop smoking a smoke detector in his room may be used to collect data on any cigarette smoking activity.
Other examples of sensors that may be used to collect objective action data are a breath analyzer for testing the breath from the user to determine the presence of a predetermined element in said breath (for example to determine whether the user has taken any alcohol), and/or data from a urine analyzer for testing the urine from the user to determine the presence of a predetermined element in said urine.
The system for managing feedback to a user comprises at least one sensor for collecting objective action data on a predetermined action. For example an accelerometer attached to the body of the user may be used to collect objective action data on physical activity. The system further comprises a user interaction device for collecting user-perceived action data on said predetermined action. For example the user interaction device user may collect the perceived action data on said predetermined action by providing the user a plurality of predetermined options from which the user has to choose. For example a screen on the user interaction device may show at a predetermined time a question 'please indicate the number of cigarettes you smoked the last two hours?' whereby the user can select between 'less than 2 cigarettes', 'between 2 and 4 cigarettes' and 'more than 4 cigarettes'. To draw the attention of the user the user interaction device may comprise audible, tactile or visual means to make the user aware that the system requests input on perceived action data to determine the perceived action level. The system further comprises processing means to process said objective action data (obtained from the various types of sensors that may be applied) to determine a measured action level and to process said user-perceived action data to determine a perceived action level. Further the system comprises feedback means for providing feedback to the user in dependence of the determined measured action level and perceived action level. The feedback means may comprise tactile, audible of visual means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a system for managing feedback to a user;
Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a user interaction device;
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a method of managing feedback to a user;
Fig. 4 shows a feedback table.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system for managing feedback to a user 30. The system is used to assist the user in achieving a desired behavioral change. A behavioral change is characterized by changes in actions of the user. For example a user desiring to improve his health may want (or need) to stop smoking and to increase his physical activity.
To assist the user in achieving these goals, i.e. stop smoking and increase physical exercise, the system monitors via its sensors the user's smoking of cigarettes and the user's physical activity to enable the user to obtain objective data. The smoking of a cigarette may be monitored with a stationary sensor such as a smoke detector 20 that is located in the dwelling of the user. Or the user desiring behavioral change may use a specially adapted lighter that reports how often it is used in a predetermined period (for example a day). The physical activity of the user may be monitored with an accelerometer 10 that is attached to user's the body (for example to a belt) for collecting movement related data. Objective action-related data may also be collected using a breath analyzer for testing the breath from the user to determine the presence of a predetermined element in said breath, with a blood analyzer to determine the presence of a predetermined element, or with a urine analyzer for testing the urine from the user to determine the presence of a predetermined element in said urine. The action related data that is collected with the sensors of the system is referred to as objective action data. The gathered objective action data is processed by processing means 60 to determine a measured action level. For example the objective action data collected with an accelerometer may be processed to determine a step count wherein the value of the step count is indicative for the measured action level. Data collected from a barometric pressure sensor and the accelerometer, both sensors being attached to the user, may be combined to determine whether the user has taken the stairs which also adds to the measured action level.
The system further collects subjective data referred to as user-perceived action data with a user interaction device 50 which may be a portable device (for example a personal digital assistant or smart phone) or a stationary device. The user interaction device comprises output means 90 (for example a display) to present the user a plurality of predetermined questions relating to his desired behavioral change (i.e. relating to the perceived number of cigarettes smoked or the perceived activity level) and requests the user to provide answers using input means 80. The user-perceived data is processed by said processing means to determine a perceived action level (for example the perceived number of cigarettes smoked may be indicative for the perceived action level). The system further comprises feedback means 70 for providing feedback to the user wherein said feedback is dependent on the determined measured action level and determined perceived action level. The feedback means 70 may comprise tactile means, visual means or audible means to provide predetermined feedback to the user. The predetermined feedback may be a simple message on a display or an outputted tune (for example provided by the user interaction device) but could also include an email sent to the user or educational content that is offered on a personal computer (PC) or tablet PC, wherein the personal computer or tablet PC are coupled to the system. In addition the feedback means may report to a caregiver assisting the user in his desired behavioral change. The sensor and processing means are (wired or wireless) coupled to enable a data transfer to said processing means. Likewise the user interaction device and the processing means are coupled, and the processing means are coupled to the feedback means. The feedback means 70, processing means 60, input means 80 and output means 90 may be included in one single device, for example the user interaction device 50 such as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively separate devices may be used for these functions. For example the functionality of the user interaction device, the processing means, the processing means and the feedback means may be realized by a personal computer (PC) that is programmed to perform the method of managing feedback, wherein the personal computer has a coupling with the sensor or sensors to enable an action data upload.
Figure 3 illustrates a method of managing feedback to a user that is implemented in the above described system for managing feedback to the user 30. The method 100 comprises the steps of
collecting 101 with at least one sensor 10, 20 objective action data on a predetermined action; collecting 102 with a user interaction device 50 user-perceived action data on said predetermined action, said user-perceived action data being inputted via said user interaction device;
processing 103 said objective action data to determine a measured action level; - processing 104 said user-perceived action data to determine a perceived action level;
providing with the feedback means feedback 106 to the user dependent on said measured and perceived action levels.
In an embodiment the feedback means 70 provide feedback in dependence of the perceived action level (for example the number of cigarettes smoked the last two hours) being in a first predetermined range (for example smaller than 2 cigarettes) and the measured action level (number of smoked cigarettes as measured by the specially adapted lighter or the smoke detector) being in a second predetermined range (for example between 4 and 6 cigarettes).
In a further embodiment a further processing step is included in the method in which it is determined whether:
the perceived action level is larger than the measured action level increased with a first predetermined threshold;
the perceived action level is smaller than the measured action level reduced with a second predetermined threshold;
the perceived action level is in a range extending from the measured action level reduced with the second predetermined threshold to the measured action level increased with the first predetermined threshold.
In case the perceived action level is within the range extending from the measured action level reduced with the second predetermined threshold to the measured action level increased with the first predetermined threshold there is a similarity between the user's perception of the activity level and the objective measured action level. When the perceived action level is outside said range there is a mismatch between the user's perception and the actual action level. To improve the effectiveness the feedback to the user in case of a determined similarity will differ from the feedback in case of a determined mismatch. Further the feedback may be different for the case of mismatch in which the perceived action level is smaller than the lower end of the range (i.e. the measured action level reduced with a second predetermined threshold) and for the case of mismatch in which the perceived action level is higher than the upper end of the range (i.e. the perceived action level is larger than the measured action level increased with a first predetermined threshold). The feedback means therefore
provide a first predetermined feedback when the perceived action level is larger than the measured action level increased with a first predetermined threshold;
- provide a second predetermined feedback when the perceived action level is smaller than the measured action level reduced with a second predetermined threshold;
provide a third predetermined feedback when the perceived action level is in a range extending from the measured action level reduced with the second predetermined threshold to the measured action level increased with the first predetermined threshold.
A further embodiment of the method is explained with the feedback table shown in Figure 4. This embodiment provides the advantage that the feedback is further differentiated dependent on perceived action level and measured action level. In this embodiment the step 103 of processing the objective action data to determine the action level comprises classifying the measured action level in a group among a plurality of groups 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 wherein each group corresponds to the measured action level having values in a predetermined range. For example when the user is wearing a pedometer to collect data on step counts, the step counts being representative for the physical activity level of the user during the day, the plurality of groups may comprise a first group 200 ranging from 0 to 200 steps per day, a second group 201 ranging from 200 to 400 steps per day, up to a fifth group from 800 to 1000 steps per day. In step 103 of the method the objective action data of the user is processed and it is determined to be 700 steps for this particular day resulting the measured action level to be classified in the fourth group 203 which is ranging from 600 to 800 steps. Likewise the step of processing the user-perceived action data comprises classifying the perceived action level in a further group among a plurality of further groups 205, 206, 207, 208, wherein each further group corresponds to the perceived action level having values in a further predetermined range. For example the user may be asked to rate his activity level in comparison to his activity level of yesterday: has he been more active and for example taken the stairs more frequently? The user may for example select the options
- "about the same as yesterday", corresponding to the second further group 206, or
"less than yesterday", corresponding to the first further group 205, or
"more than yesterday", corresponding to the third further group 207. In step 104 of the method the collected perception data of the user is processed and it is determined to be "less than yesterday" for this particular day, because the user had several long meetings this day resulting in less movements. The perceived action level is classified in the first further group 205.
The feedback means provide predetermined feedback dependent on the classified group and classified further group, for example by using a lookup table 190. Figure 4 shows an example of a lookup table comprising six predetermined feedbacks: a first predetermined feedback 160, a second predetermined feedback 150, a third predetermined feedback 120, a fourth predetermined feedback 130, a fifth predetermined feedback 170 and a sixth predetermined feedback 180. In the example given the user is given a sixth
predetermined feedback 180 indicated with the circle (fourth group 203 and first further group 205). The predetermined feedbacks may be programmable by a caregiver to enable a further personalization of the feedback provided to the user.
There is provided a method 100 and system for managing feedback to a user 30. The system assists the user in achieving a behavioral change by monitoring via sensors 10, 20 predetermined actions that relate to the behavior that the user desires to change. The system further collects perception data via a user interaction device 50 data on how the user perceives his accomplishments relating to said predetermined actions and provides motivational feedback 106 dependent on the obtained sensor data 101 and the collected perception data 102.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.