Apparatus for aggregating individuals based on association variables

• US 8,123,683 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trigeminal Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trigeminal Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Stupp, Steven Elliot, McCormick, Robert F., Bailey, Douglas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Sam
• Assistant Examiner(s): SORIANO, BOBBY GILES
• Application Number:
  US11/809,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,734 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2- 5, 600300-301, 128/898
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7267 involving training the classification device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/18 for evaluating statistical data , e.g. average values, frequency distributions, probability functions, regression analysis forecasting specially adapted for a specific administrative, business or logistic context G06Q10/04
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/70 for mining of medical data, e.g. analysing previous cases of other patients
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

An apparatus for aggregating individuals based on variables associated with a type of headache is described. The apparatus may include at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one program module. The program module may be stored in the memory and may be configured or configurable to be executed by the processor. The program module may include instructions for receiving a list of variables, where the variables in the list of variables may be triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with the type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the variables. The program module may include instructions for selecting a first forum from multiple forums. Note that the selection is based on at least a subset of the variables in the list of variables, the first forum is associated with the type of headache and at least the subset of the variables, and the first forum facilitates exchange of first information associated with the type of headache. Furthermore, the program module may include instructions for providing second information associated with the first forum to at least the one individual.

Claims

1. An apparatus to aggregate individuals based on at least a subset of a group of headache triggers, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory; and

at least one program module, the program module stored in the memory and configurable to be executed by the processor, the program module including;

instructions for determining the group of headache triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with a type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the headache triggers, wherein the group of headache triggers includes two or more headache triggers that inter-operate with each other for a range of exposure values so that the headache is induced when at least the one individual is exposed to at least the two or more headache triggers within corresponding time intervals preceding an onset of the headache;

instructions for selecting a first forum from multiple preexisting forums-based on at least the subset, wherein the first forum is associated with a group of headache sufferers that each experience one or more headaches when exposed to at least the subset, and wherein the first forum facilitates exchange of first information associated with the type of headache and the subset; and

instructions for providing second information associated with the first forum to at least the one individual.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining involves accessing the group of headache triggers in a computer-readable storage medium.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second information includes a recommendation that at least the one individual join at least the first forum.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second information includes instructions as to how at least the one individual can join the first forum.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multiple forums comprise a social network associated with the type of headache.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least the subset includes an ingredient, a constituent, a food, a dish, or a beverage.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information includes a dietary instruction.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the dietary instruction includes a recipe, and wherein the recipe excludes an item in at least the subset.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the dietary instruction include a referral to a restaurant or packaged good, and wherein the referral is based on an item in at least the subset.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information includes techniques that mitigate a symptom of the type of headache.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information includes techniques that reduce a severity, a frequency, or a duration of the type of headache.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exchanging involves communication between two members of the first forum.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exchanging involves communication between a member of the first forum and an expert associated with at least the first forum.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multiple forums further include a second forum;

and

wherein the first forum is associated with a first group of headache triggers, including at least the subset, and the second forum is associated with a second group of headache triggers.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multiple forums include a second forum;

and

wherein the first forum is associated with a first group of individuals and the second forum is associated with a second group of individuals.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the type of headache includes migraine, cluster headache, or tension headache.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining involves receiving the group of headache triggers from at least the one individual.

18. A non-transitory computer-program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer-program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium and a computer-program mechanism embedded therein to aggregate individuals based at least on a subset of a group of headache triggers, the computer-program mechanism including:

instructions for determining the group of headache triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with a type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the headache triggers, wherein the group of headache triggers includes two or more headache triggers that inter-operate with each other for a range of exposure values so that the headache is induced when at least the one individual is exposed to at least the two or more headache triggers within corresponding time intervals preceding an onset of the headache;

instructions for selecting a first forum from multiple preexisting forums based on at least the subset, wherein the first forum is associated with a group of headache sufferers that each experience one or more headaches when exposed to at least the subset, and wherein the first forum facilitates exchange of first information associated with the type of headache and the subset; and

instructions for providing second information associated with the first forum to at least the one individual.

19. A computer-implemented method for aggregating individuals based on at least a subset of a group of headache triggers, comprising:

determining the group of headache triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with a type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the headache triggers, wherein the group of headache triggers includes two or more headache triggers that inter-operate with each other for a range of exposure values so that the headache is induced when at least the one individual is exposed to at least the two or more headache triggers within corresponding time intervals preceding an onset of the headache;

selecting, using a computer, a first forum from multiple preexisting forums based on at least the subset, wherein the first forum is associated with a group of headache sufferers that each experience one or more headaches when exposed to at least the subset, and wherein the first forum facilitates exchange of first information associated with the type of headache and the subset; and

providing second information associated with the first forum to at least the one individual.