WO2008042991A2

WO2008042991A2 - Selective invocation of an online identity

Info

Publication number: WO2008042991A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/080355
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy O'shaughnessy; John Crotty
Original assignee: Timothy O'shaughnessy; John Crotty
Priority date: 2006-10-03
Filing date: 2007-10-03
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: WO2008042991A3

Abstract

In one general sense, a computer-implemented method enables a first user to assist with health care issues for a second user. A first user is enabled to access a primary health profile associated with a primary identity of the first user and to access attributes related to health care issues for a second user. The first user also is enabled to access a secondary identity to assist the second user with the health-care issues. A second profile associated with the secondary identity to reflect at least some of the attributes of the second user is configured and the first user is enabled to assist with health care issues for the second user using the secondary identity based at least in part on the attributes of the second user reflected by the second profile.

Description

SELECTIVE INVOCATION OF AN ONLINE IDENTITY

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to managing a profile.

BACKGROUND

Users may access a communications network, such as the Internet, to retrieve information. For example, a user may access an online medical encyclopedia or investigate alternative treatment regimens.

SUMMARY

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, enabling the first user to access the secondary identity may include enabling the first user to maintain the primary health profile as a result of using the secondary identity to act for the second user's benefit. The first user may be enabled to engage in primary health care activities for the first user without modifying a second health profile for the secondary identity. The first user may be enabled to selectively invoke the second profile without modifying a first profile for the first user. The first user may be enabled to perceive a list of health profiles associated with the first user and to select among the listed health profiles by selecting a representation of the second profile from among the list of health profiles. In response to receiving first user selection of the second profile, the second profile may be accessed, the first user may be enabled to assume the second profile, and a display in a health portal may be modified using the second profile. Modifying the display in the health portal using modified using the second profile. Modifying the display in the health portal using the second profile may include modifying search results for medical information to present information responsive to a predicted interest of users with the attributes included in the second profile. Modifying the display in the health portal using the second profile may include enabling the first user to access communications directed to the second user. Enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user may include providing the first user with administrator privileges while the second user is incapacitated or providing the first user with restricted privileges while the second user is incapacitated. Enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user may include enabling the first user to assume attributes for a first medical condition associated with the second user and excluding the first user from assuming attributes for a second medical condition associated with the second user in response to the first user selecting to use the second health profile. Enabling the first user to assist with health care issues for the second user may include enabling the first user and the second user to concurrently access the second profile. Enabling the first user to access a secondary identity may include enabling the second user to provide, to the first user, access to the secondary identity by providing the first user with an icon that can be transferred into the list of profiles for the first user. In another general sense, a computer-implemented method enables a primary user to assist with health care issues for a secondary user. A primary user with a primary online identity is enabled to access a primary health profile. A secondary health profile associated with a secondary user is configured to reflect at least some of the attributes of the secondary user enabling the primary user to access attributes related to health care issues for a secondary user. The secondary health profile is associated with the primary identity. The primary user is enabled, from within the primary online identity, to access the secondary health profile to assist the secondary user with the health-care issues, and, the primary user uses the secondary health profile to navigates a health portal to assist the secondary user with health care issues.

In yet another general sense, a computer-implemented method enables a first user to assist with health care issues for a second user by enabling a first user with a first identity to access a first health profile. A second user with a second identity is enabled to access a second health profile. The second user is enabled to permit the first user to access the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues. In response to determining that the second user has permitted that the first user to access the second health profile, a request is received from the first user to access the second health profile, and the first user is enabled to use the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, enabling the first user to use the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues may include enabling the first user to schedule an appointment with a physician for the second user. Enabling the first user to use the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues may include enabling the first user to perceive health care claims for the second user. Enabling the second user to permit the first user to access the second health profile may include enabling the first user to manage a selected medical condition or a severe medical condition while filtering information related to a socially stigmatic condition or an unselected medical condition from first user so that the first user cannot access the information related to the socially stigmatic condition or the unselected medical condition.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. l is a block diagram of a communications system that enables a first user to assist a second user with health care issues.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a process by which a secondary user may assist a primary user with health care issues.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a process by which a first user may customize a health profile.

Fig. 4 is an illustration of a graphical user interface enabling a user to configure a health profile by interacting with a graphical representation of a health care claim.

Fig. 5 an illustration of a graphical user interface enabling a user to configure a health profile by interacting with a graphical representation of a health care claim that appears in a messaging inbox. Fig. 6 is an illustration of a graphical user interface enabling a user to configure a health profile by moving a representation of the health care claim to a tab related to a health profile in a multi-tab display for a health portal.

Fig. 7 is an illustration of a graphical user interface enabling a user to configure a separate health profile in response to determining that the user is has elected to modify a health profile with a sensitive disease state.

Fig. 8 is an illustration of a graphical user interface enabling a user to perceive the manner in which a health profile is being used.

Fig. 9 is an illustration of a graphical user interface enabling a user to customize the manner in which constituent aspects of a health profile may be used.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart of a process by which a user may assume a second user identity to address health care issues.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart of a process by which a first user may assist a second user with health care issues.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A user may rely on a health portal to manage health care needs for users and their families. For example, a health portal may be configured to reduce the burden of acquiring and managing health care information from disparate sources, process health care claims, and reimburse health care providers. In addition, the health portal may provide tools that assist a user in managing a disease condition (e.g., diabetes), for example, by tracking the user's condition using different metrics (glucose, self- identified mood, self-assessed neuropathy ratings, and blood pressure), suggesting relevant information, and enabling the user to perceive the progress of other, similarly-situated users. To better provide more responsive information, a health profile may be used to automatically present information to the user responsive to the user's needs.

While a health profile may be extremely useful in identifying relevant information for a user, a user may wish to judiciously manage how the health profile is used. For example, a user may feel comfortable in sharing information with other users related to a marathon training regimen while refusing to share any information related to a child's medical condition, hi another example illustrating how a user may control use of a health profile, a user may permit a health portal to customize information related to the user based on a chronic health condition while not permitting the health profile be used to customize information related to a sensitive disease state, particularly a health care condition associated with a social stigma.

To better manage the sharing and customization of information based on a health profile, a health portal may enable multiple health profiles to be used so that each of the profiles may be responsive to a particular need. In one configuration, a health portal enables a user to assume a different identity in order to assist another user with health care issues. For example, an adult assisting an elderly parent with health care issues may establish a special identity for the purpose of assisting the elderly parent. The special identity may be used in navigating a health portal used to manage and assist with health care issues.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system 100 that enables a first user to assist a second user with health care issues. Communications system 100 includes clients HOA and HOB, a network 150, and a host 120. Generally, the host 120 is configured to enable a first user on client 11 OB to assist a second user on client 11 OA with health care issues.

The clients 11 OA and 11 OB typically include computing devices enabling a user to exchange information over a communications network. The clients 11 OA and 11 OB may include one or more devices capable of accessing digital content residing on the host 120. The clients 11 OA and 11 OB may include a controller (not shown) that processes instructions received from or generated by a software application, a program, a piece of code, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, which independently or collectively direct operations of the clients 11 OA and 11 OB. The instructions may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal that is capable of being delivered to the clients HOA and 11OB or that may reside with the controller at clients 11 OA and 11 OB. Clients 11 OA and 11 OB may include a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal computer (PC)) capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner, a workstation, a notebook computer, a PDA ("Personal Digital Assistant"), a wireless phone, a component, other equipment, or some combination of these items that is capable of responding to and executing instructions. In one implementation, the clients HOA and HOB include one or more client applications 115A and 115B representing information retrieval software applications (e.g., a browser, a mail application, an instant messaging client, an Internet service provider client, a set top box, or other integrated client) capable of receiving one or more data units. The information retrieval applications may run on a general-purpose operating system and a hardware platform that includes a general-purpose processor and specialized hardware for graphics, communications and/or other capabilities. In another implementation, clients 11 OA and HOB may include a wireless telephone running a micro-browser application on a reduced operating system with general purpose and specialized hardware capable of operating in mobile environments.

The network 150 includes hardware and/or software capable of enabling direct or indirect communications between the clients 11 OA and HOB, and the host 115. As such, the network 150 may include a direct link between these systems, or it may include one or more networks or subnetworks between them (not shown). Each network or subnetwork may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway capable of carrying and receiving data. Examples of the delivery network include the Internet, the World Wide Web, a WAN ("Wide Area Network"), a LAN ("Local Area Network"), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks, radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery mechanism for carrying data. One example of a host 115 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a server) capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. Other examples include a personal computer, a special-purpose computer, a workstation, a device, a component, other equipment, or some combination thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions. The host 115 may include and/or form part of an information delivery network, such as, for example, the Internet, the World

Wide Web, an online service provider, and/or any other analog or digital wired and/or wireless network that provides information. Such information delivery networks may support a variety of online services, including Internet and/or web access, e-mail, instant messaging, paging, chat, interest groups, audio and/or video streaming, and/or directory services.

The host 115 may receive instructions from a software application, a program, a piece of code, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof that independently or collectively directs operations of the node. The instructions may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal that is capable of being delivered to the host 115.

The host 115 includes a health portal server application 130 configured to provide users with a health portal. For example, the host 115 may include a health portal configured to enable users to address health care needs and issues using a web browser. The health portal server application 130 may be configured to interface with a health profile database 140 to retrieve personalized information. The personalized information may enable the user to process health care claims, acquire health care services, retrieve health care information, and personalize the health care information that is provided.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart 200 of a process by which a secondary user may assist a primary user with health care issues. For example, the secondary user may include a husband assisting his wife, the primary user, with navigating health issues after delivering a baby. Although the primary user may be adept and more proficient at navigating the health care portal, special medical demands may make it desirable to enable the secondary user to assist the primary user in addressing health care issues. Thus, where a primary user is recovering from delivering a baby (or surgery), the secondary user may update the patient's health profile to better capture information provided by the doctors and nurses.

Initially, the primary user requests a health profile (210). For example, the primary user may schedule an appointment to be seen for a particular condition. The health profile server enables access to the primary user's health profile (220). For example, the primary user may be investigating a particular condition and, as a result of requesting information related to the particular condition, request an appointment. The health profile server enables the primary user to update the health profile based on a doctor's visit (230). For example, the primary user may elect to modify the health profile of the primary user in order to reflect the particular health care condition. The health profile then enables the primary user to customize the availability of the user's health profile (240). For example, a spouse may elect to share their health profile (or portions of their health profile) with their partner. The primary user may specify which portions of the health profile another user may perceive, for example, by permitting the other user to perceive allergy and general information without permitting access to sensitive disease states. The secondary user then may request access to health profile information for the primary user (250), which the health profile server then accesses (260). For example, the health profile server may retrieve a health profile in order to determine whether a requesting user has permission to access the health profile. The health profile server then determines the availability of information for the primary user's health profile (270). If so, the health profile server enables the secondary user to perceive the primary user's health profile (280).

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a process by which a first user may customize a health profile. Initially, a first user visits a doctor with an ailment (310). As a result, the doctor generates a claim with a bill (320). For example, the bill may include a claim directed to an insurance provider with a description of ailment and the medical care provided. A claim server, for example, operated by an insurance provider forwards the bill as a claim for processing (330). A health profile server receives the claim (340). For example, the claim may be used to modify a user's health profile. The health profile server identifies the claim as relating to the health profile (350). The health profile server may determine that a user being treated for diabetes may elect to create a health profile, or modify an existing profile, to indicate that the user is being treated for diabetes. The first user then accesses the health profile (360). For example, the user may access a health portal used to manage health care, process claims, and retrieve health care-related information. A health profile then is loaded and the claim is accessed (370). A user may retrieve a list of pending claims. The health profile server enables the patent to update the health profile based on the doctor's visit (380), and the health profile server enables the first user to customize the availability of the health profile (390). The first user then may selectively drag and drop the information onto a user's health profile in order to modify the user's health profile.

Fig. 4 is an illustration of a graphical user interface 400 enabling a user to configure a health profile 440 by interacting with a graphical representation of a health care claim. More precisely, a user is accessing the health portal 410 with a scheduling application for a pediatrician. In separate displays, the user also perceives a list of health care claims 430 and a health profile 4400 for the user. The list of health care claims 430 includes a list of health care claims for the health care account for the user. The list of health care claims includes a description of transactions including three pediatric visits for two different children, a meeting with a nutritionist for a third child with juvenile diabetes, an appointment with a radiologist regarding the user's broken leg, an entry related to smoking cessation, and an entry for an antibiotic prescription.

The health profile 440 indicates that the user with the identity BASEBALL D AD coaches youth sports and is a smoker trying to quit. Additionally, the user BASEBALL D AD is associated with the roles of JUVENILE_DIABETES_PARENT and CAREGIVER FORJELDERLY PARENT. In one implementation, an association with these roles indicates that the user may "switch" to another identity (or health profile) so that the health portal may customize information responsive to the newly-assumed role. Note that for these assumed roles, BASEBALL_DAD does not have the actual condition nor is BASEBALL D AD representing himself as the individual with the actual condition. Rather,

BASEB ALL_D AD is able represent himself as a caregiver for someone else with the condition indicated. In another implementation, the inclusion of the additional roles represents a label for a more detailed health profile that is currently active in addition to the other attributes expressed in the health profile 130. In addition, the user is affiliated with CHILD#1 , WIFE, and

ELDERLY PARENT. The user BASEBALL D AD may assume the health profile for these related users. In one configuration, the user associated with BASEBALL D AD switches to the affiliated role so that the health profile for BASEBALLJDAD is no longer active, while in other configurations, the affiliated roles are active concurrently.

A prompt 440 indicates that the user performed a "drag-and-drop" operation from the list of new health care claims 140 to the health profile 430. As a result, the prompt 440 asks if the user would like to modify the health profile for BASEBALL D AD to reflect the broken leg. In other implementations, a prompt 440 is not used. Instead, the mere act of moving the representation of the health care claim to the health profile 430 automatically configures the health profile.

Fig. 5 is an illustration of a graphical user interface 500 enabling a user to configure a health profile by interacting with a graphical representation of a health care claim that appears in a messaging inbox 520. Note that graphical user interface 500 is similar in many respects to graphical user interface 400 in the display of heath portals 410 and 510 and health profiles 430 and 530. However, graphical user interface 500 illustrates how the list of health care claims may appear within a messaging inbox 520. Messaging inbox 520 includes MESSAGE_101, a CLAIM_FOR_PEDIATRIC_VISIT_FOR_CHILD_#1_FOR_COLD, and a MESSAGE 102. Use of the messaging inbox 220 enables the user to perceive the health care claim in a frequently-used application, and also enables the user to perceive the health care claim in a chronological manner. Fig. 6 is an illustration of a graphical user interface 600 enabling a user to configure a health profile 630 by moving a representation of the health care claim to a tab related to a health profile in a multi-tab display 610 for a health portal. Graphical user interface 600 is similar in many respect to the graphical user interfaces previously described. For example, the list of health care claims 620 is similar to the list of new health care claims 140 described previously with respect to Fig. 1. However, graphical user interface 600 illustrates how the health profile may be configured in response to the user moving a representation of the health care claim appearing in the list of health care claims 620 onto a tab related to a health profile in a multi-tab display for a health portal configured to enable the user to manage their health care. For example, moving a representation of a health care claim onto a tab in a multi-tab display may reduce the burden of having to maintain a separate display for a health profile when the list of health care claims is being accessed. Rather, rapid modification of a health profile may be implemented by enabling items displayed in other windows to be dropped onto a representation of a health profile. Fig. 7 is an illustration of a graphical user interface 700 enabling a user to configure a separate health profile in response to determining that the user has elected to modify a health profile with a sensitive disease state. For example, there may be a social stigma associated with certain classes of health conditions (e.g., the SENSITIVE_DISEASE_STATE). Users with the sensitive disease state may attempt to separate the identity or online persona they use to access information related to the sensitive disease state from the online persona they use to access other information (e.g., related to training for a marathon). Thus, in response to determine that the user has moved a representation of a claim for SENSITIVE_DISEASE_STATE onto the health profile, the health portal asks the user to confirm the modification. The health portal also asks the user if the user would like to create a separate health profile to manage the condition related to the SENSITiVEJDISEASE STATE. If the user elects to create a separate health profile, the user may be asked to customize aspects of the separate profile with some information being imported from the existing health profile, provide specialized security information (e.g., a separate password) so that the separate profile cannot be accessed without invocation of procedures and controls designed to protect information related to the indicated condition.

Fig. 8 is an illustration of a graphical user interface 800 enabling a user to perceive the manner in which a health profile is being used. In particular, GUI 800 illustrates a profile application 810 within a community application offered by a health portal (e.g., www.revolutionhealth. com) . Profile application 810 enables a user to perceive that the identity BASEBALL D AD has been invoked. The profile application 810 indicates that the health profile for BASEB ALLJD AD is not perceivable by other users in label 820. The term "NOT SEE" appears underlined and in bold, indicating that a user may interact with the term to change the privacy setting. For example, selecting the term "NOT SEE" may cause a drop down menu to appear, thereby enabling the user to select one or more elements in the health profile for BASEB ALL D AD that may be shared. Profile application 810 also indicates that the health portal is able to customize information using the BASEBALLJDAD profile using label 830. Selecting the underlined term "customizing" may enable a control to appear enabling the user to control whether and to what extent the health portal should customize information presented to a user based on the health profile. Profile application 810 also includes a control enabling the user to invoke another identity (e.g., SENSITIVE_DISEASE_STATE_PERSON) using label 840.

GUI 800 also includes user communications interface enable the user to see that the user has two new messages and four old messages. There is one new post in the forum and 13 old posts. GUI 800 also includes headlines 850 responsive to the user's health profile. As shown, there are articles on quitting smoking, and other articles responsive to a father's health profile (e.g., an article on grilling and cardiovascular health).

Fig. 9 is an illustration of a graphical user interface 900 enabling a user to customize the manner in which constituent aspects of a health profile may be used. In one implementation, customization control 910 is presented in response to a user interacting with a profile control, such as the profile application 910 described previously with respect to Fig. 8. Customization control 910 includes slider bar controls for elements appearing in the health profile of BASEB ALLJD AD. The customization control 910 indicates that minimal identity information should be shared with other users, while a greater amount of information related to a broken leg may be shared. The user has specified that no information may be shared regarding a child with diabetes.

The customization control 910 also includes slider bar controls enabling the health portal to customize the degree to which a health portal customizes information based on the health profile. As shown, slider bar 920 includes an "overall" identity, which indicates that minimal information about BASEBALLJDAD can be shared with other users. In contrast, slider bar 930 indicates that an increased degree of information can be shared with other users. Finally, the user has indicated that information related to the child with diabetes should not be shared with other users.

Slider bar 940 enables the user to specify the degree to which the health portal uses the user profile. For example, the user may develop a complex, but unused, health profile and gradually increase the degree of customization until the user has confidence in how the health portal will use the information. Slider bar 950 enables the user to specify that the health portal should use minimal information related to the broken leg, while the health portal should provide much more customized information related to the child with diabetes. Key 970 indicates that the left side of the slider bar indicates lesser sharing/customization while the right side of the slider bar indicates a greater degree of sharing/use is permitted. Fig. 10 is a flow chart of a process by which a user may assume a second user identity to address health care issues. Initially, the system enables a user to access a health profile (1010). For example, a user may log into a health portal. The system enables configuration of a first user identity within the health profile (1020). For example, the user may create a health profile to (1) administer the family's health care needs, and (2) train for a marathon. The system enables the user to research health care status or issues based on the configuration of the first user identity (1030). Thus, a user may process health care claims for children, customize the health profiles of the children, manage health savings accounts (HSAs), and research a training regimen to prepare for a marathon.

The system then enables configuration of a second user identity within the health profile (1040). For example, the user may create a second health profile to care for a loved one undergoing surgery. The user may not want to modify their existing profile with information related to the surgery. Rather, the user may wish to create an online persona enabling information to be customized to the prospective surgery. For example, the user may wish to assume the role of a prospective or recovering patient as the user interfaces with others in online forums and as the user retrieves information related to the surgery. In one instance, using a single identity for both marathon training and surgery may cause difficulties in customizing results as the system may erroneously determine that the surgery is resulting from training for a marathon. In another instance, the user may not want to share information that the user is preparing for or recovering from surgery, which is not actually the case as the surgery is for a loved one. Thus, enabling the user to access a second user identity to navigate health care issues permits a user to compartmentalize how their health care information is being processed, and more precisely, selectively invoke the context in which a health profile is being used. A user may selectively invoke a first health profile in navigating forums on training for a marathon, and then selectively invoke a pre-surgical profile to assist a loved one prepare for surgery by asking questions from other users that have undergone the surgery.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart 1100 of a process by which a first user may assist a second user with health care issues. In particular, flow chart 1100 illustrates the process by which a first user can create a second health profile that automatically assumes properties of a second user.

Initially, the system enables a first user to access a primary identity associated with a primary health profile (1110). For example, a head of a family may create an account used to administer a family's health care needs. The system enables access to attributes related to health care issues for a second user (1120). Thus, an adult son may be caring for an elderly mother grappling with breast cancer. In one instance, the elderly mother has an online account with a health portal. Enabling access to attributes for the second user may include enabling the mother to send a message to her son with a control that automatically enables the son receive the attributes. The control may include a graphical representation (e.g., icon) that the first user (the son) may drop onto a health portal page. Dropping the icon onto the health portal page may create a new online profile for the son to selectively assume the attributes of his mother for the purpose of coordinating care. In another instance, enabling access to attributes includes sending a hypertext link that sends the second user's attributes to a staging area in the first user's health profile administration center. The first user can then selectively create the new health profile as the first user sees fit. In still another instance, the second user provides account information to the first user so that the first user may login into the second account with the login information and export information to a health profile administration center that the first user can later process.

The second user configures the second profile associated with the secondary identity to reflect some of the attribute information of the second user (1140). For example, the first user may only wish to create a profile for those health care issues where the second user will experience difficulties. Thus, the first user may elect to not include a "dental care" profile for the second user in the second profile being created by the first user, while including only information related to a severe health condition (e.g., breast cancer and its complications).

The system then enables the first user to assist with health care issues for the second user using the secondary identity based at least in part on the attributes of the second user reflected by the second profile (1150). For example, a first user (the son) may assume the secondary identity, that of a mother with breast cancer, to coordinate health care for the mother. The first user may conduct research and receive information personalized and responsive to the secondary identity. The first user may schedule appointments for the second user using the secondary identity. As the second user receives health care, the health profile for the secondary identity may be modified to reflect the health care that has been received.

In one configuration, the secondary identity is automatically linked with the second user's health profile. For example, should the second user become better able to navigate a health portal and receive health care, the second user may wish to resume using her online account with the health portal. Information from the secondary identity may be ported or automatically shared with the second user's health profile so that the health profile for the second user reflects the updates that have occurred in the second user's absence.

Alternatively or in addition, where the health profile includes access to forums and messaging communications, linking the secondary identity with the second user's health profile may include enabling the first and second user to access communications (e.g., email messages) associated with the secondary identity. For example, messages exchanged with a doctor and/prescription information may be made available to both the first user accessing the secondary identity, and the second user. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. In one configuration, a special identity is assumed to enable a user to act in a new role that has a special relationship with another user. For example, a user DAD IN THIRTIES may use a health portal to manage his family's health care. DAD_IN_THIRTIES may have an independent, elderly father using the identity ELDERLY FATHER. Unfortunately, ELDERLY_FATHER experiences a traumatic condition and is no longer independent or able to manage his health care (or requires a degree of assistance from DAD_IN_THIRTIES). DAD INJTHIRTIES may establish a special identity CARING FOR D AD for the purpose of assisting or managing health care-related issues for ELDERLY FATHER. The special identity CARING FOR DAD enables the user to associate aspects of ELDERLY FATHER, and in particular, operate responsive to the assumed identity.

Thus, DAD IN THIRTIES may be used as primary identity with an associated primary profile, and a secondary identity CARING FOR DAD with an associated secondary profile, where the secondary profile is supplemented with at least some attributes from ELDERY_FATHER's profile to allow the user, when operating under the CARIN G FOR D AD identity, to act with the benefit of a subset of the other user's attributes when performing select functions. The secondary profile likely has less than all attributes associated with the first identity of the user. By way of example, a son attempting to assist an aging father is able to invoke their secondary identity, thereby freeing the son from aspects of the profile associated with his primary identity (e.g., at least those characteristics of his own health such as diet- related characteristics that have no hereditary or other relationship to his father's health) while allowing the son to take advantage of aspects of the profile associated with his aging father's profile (e.g., health history that might aid in identifying treatment plans for his father or otherwise learning about aspects of his father's health that might impact the family). Thus, the son is able to develop a comprehensive health profile useful in assisting his father while not complicating both his own health profile for his family as he assists his father and his father's health profile as he manages his own immediate family's health care.

Also, as an alternative to developing and maintaining a comprehensive health profile, the son may use a simplified version of his own primary profile, which is available for use in combination with any other user's profile in the manner described above with respect to the elderly father. In this manner, a health portal may decide which attributes are generally maintained in the "sharing" or secondary profile of a user.

And, the health portal also may decide which attributes of a helped user (e.g., ELDERLYJFATHER) should be borrowed by the son when the son is logging in under the secondary identity (e.g., CARING FOR DAD). If operating in this mode, the son may be presented options to enable selection among various other identities (e.g., father, mother, son, etc.) for combination with his simplified secondary identity. The selection options then may be used to assist the son in caring for his father. Of course, those identities would have to provide the son with authorization. Still other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, in some implementations, the health profile is only used for the purpose of customizing the information presented to the user associated with the health profile and is not presented to other users. In other implementations, the health profile is presented to other users as the user navigates through a health portal, such as message boards, and social networking applications. In still other implementations, the health profile is selectively presented to other users in response to a specific instruction that a particular health profile may be presented to a specific user. Permitting a first user to assume aspects of a second profile for a second user may include permitting the first user to assume aspects of the second profile while the first user is incapacitated, for example, as indicated by an emergency room or a health care claim, and/or enabling two users to simultaneously access the second profile.

Although some of the operations described customizing a health profile based on selectively importing attributes resulting from the processing of health care claims, the health profile also may reflect information derived from other techniques and operate irrespective of whether processing health care claims are used to generate a health profile. For example, a health profile may be generated and modified as a result of user surveys and/or as a result of monitoring a user's activities within a health portal.

In one implementation, enabling a first user to assist a second user includes enabling the first user to have administrative privileges with respect to the health profile for the second user. For example, the first user may change physicians and insurance providers. In another implementation, the first user may be given restricted privileges. For example, the first user may be precluded from changing physicians, insurance providers, or prescriptions. Similarly, the second user may restrict the first user from accessing sensitive information. For example, the second user may wish to shield the first user from learning that the second user is dealing with erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and other stigmatic conditions. The second user may select a filtering control (e.g., a button or make selections within a list of stigmatic conditions) to preclude the first user from learning about these conditions. As a result, if health care claims for erectile dysfunction pharmaceuticals, or reimbursements for incontinence garments are received, the health portal may prevent the first user from perceiving these claims and information related to these conditions. Alternatively, in response to determining that stigmatic information will be added to a second health profile, the health profile may interrupt the addition of the stigmatic information unless the second user provides authorization. In another configuration, the stigmatic information will not be added unless the second user has been inactive and/or the health portal has determined that the second user is incapacitated. Because the computer-based system for performing the operations described above may be particularly useful in the context of enabling a user to access a health portal, the systems and operations previously described were directed to a healthcare environment. Nevertheless, the system and operations disclosed herein may be implemented to display information in contexts other than healthcare portals, such as, for example, personal finance portals, real estate portals, and/or social networking portals. For instance, as a user completes navigates a personal finance portal on behalf of associated users (children, spouse, parent), the user may assume a secondary identity based on the person on whose behalf the user is acting. Similarly, as a user completes a registration form for a real estate portal that profiles a property the user is interested in selling or a property the user is buying, the systems and operations disclosed herein may be used to permit a real estate agent to work on behalf of a client, or an adult child acting on behalf of an elderly adult. Likewise, as a user interacts with a social networking portal that profiles the user's biographical information and interests, the systems and operations disclosed herein may be used to intelligently and selectively permit a user to act on behalf of another user to adequately introduce and/or connect the user to other users of the social networking portal. In one configuration, the identity represents a screen name for a portal, and more precisely, for a health portal, hi another configuration, the identity includes a screen name, an email address, a user name, an online account name or other identifier with which a user is associated. The identity may include attribute information to serve as a health profile. A process embodying these techniques may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform desired functions by operating on input data and generating appropriate output. The techniques may be implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non- volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, specially-designed application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

Various modifications may be made. For example, useful results still may be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in the disclosed systems are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED

1. A computer-implemented method of enabling a first user to assist with health care issues for a second user comprising: enabling a first user to access a primary health profile associated with a primary identity of the first user; enabling the first user to access attributes related to health care issues for a second user; enabling the first user to access a secondary identity to assist the second user with the health-care issues; configuring a second profile associated with the secondary identity to reflect at least some of the attributes of the second user; and enabling the first user to assist with health care issues for the second user using the secondary identity based at least in part on the attributes of the second user reflected by the second profile.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the first user to access the secondary identity includes enabling the first user to maintain the primary health profile as a result of using the secondary identity to act for the second user's benefit.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the first user to engage in primary health care activities for the first user without modifying a second health profile for the secondary identity.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the first user to selectively invoke the second profile without modifying a first profile for the first user.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: enabling the first user to perceive a list of health profiles associated with the first user; enabling the first user to select among the listed health profiles by selecting a representation of the second profile from among the list of health profiles; in response to receiving first user selection of the second profile, accessing the second profile; enabling the first user to assume the second profile; modifying a display in a health portal using the second profile.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein modifying the display in the health portal using the second profile includes modifying search results for medical information to present information responsive to a predicted interest of users with the attributes included in the second profile.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein modifying the display in the health portal using the second profile includes enabling the first user to access communications directed to the second user.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user includes providing the first user with administrator privileges while the second user is incapacitated.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user includes providing the first user with restricted privileges while the second user is incapacitated.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user includes enabling the first user to assume attributes for a first medical condition associated with the second user and excluding the first user from assuming attributes for a second medical condition associated with the second user in response to the first user selecting to use the second health profile.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the first user to assist with health care issues for the second user includes enabling the first user and the second user to concurrently access the second profile.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the first user to access a secondary identity includes enabling the second user to provide, to the first user, access to the secondary identity by providing the first user with an icon that can be transferred into the list of profiles for the first user.

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13. A system that enables a first user to assist with health care issues for a second user, the system comprising instructions on a computer readable medium that when executed on a processor cause the processor to: enable a first user to access a primary health profile associated with a primary o identity of the first user; enable the first user to access attributes related to health care issues for a second user; enable the first user to access a secondary identity to assist the second user with the health-care issues; 5 configure a second profile associated with the secondary identity to reflect at least some of the attributes of the second user; and enable the first user to assist with health care issues for the second user using the secondary identity based at least in part on the attributes of the second user reflected by the second profile. 0

14. The system of claim 13 wherein enabling the first user to access the secondary identity includes enabling the first user to maintain the primary health profile as a result of using the secondary identity to act for the second user's benefit. 5

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising enabling the first user to engage in primary health care activities for the first user without modifying a second health profile for the secondary identity.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising enabling the first user to0 selectively invoke the second profile without modifying a first profile for the first user.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising: enabling the first user to perceive a list of health profiles associated with the first user; enabling the first user to select among the listed health profiles by selecting a representation of the second profile from among the list of health profiles; in response to receiving first user selection of the second profile, accessing the second profile; enabling the first user to assume the second profile; modifying a display in a health portal using the second profile.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein modifying the display in the health portal using the second profile includes modifying search results for medical information to present information responsive to a predicted interest of users with attributes included in the second profile.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein modifying the display in the health portal using the second profile includes enabling the first user to access communications directed to the second user.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user includes providing the first user with administrator privileges while the second user is incapacitated.

21. The system of claim 13 wherein enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user includes providing the first user with restricted privileges while the second user is incapacitated.

22. The system of claim 13 wherein enabling the first user to assist with the health care issues for the second user includes enabling the first user to assume attributes for a first medical condition associated with the second user and excluding the first user from assuming attributes for a second medical condition associated with the second user in response to the first user selecting to use the second health profile.

23. The system of claim 13 wherein enabling the first user to assist with health care issues for the second user includes enabling the first user and the second user to concurrently access the second profile.

24. The system of claim 13 wherein enabling the first user to access a secondary identity includes enabling the second user to provide, to the first user, access to the secondary identity by providing the first user with an icon that can be transferred into the list of profiles for the first user.

25. A system that enables a first user to assist with health care issues for a second user, the system comprising: means for enabling a first user to access a primary health profile associated with a primary identity of the first user; means for enabling the first user to access attributes related to health care issues for a second user; means for enabling the first user to access a secondary identity to assist the second user with the health-care issues; means for configuring a second profile associated with the secondary identity to reflect at least some of the attributes of the second user; and means for enabling the first user to assist with health care issues for the second user using the secondary identity based at least in part on the attributes of the second user reflected by the second profile.

26. A computer-implemented method of enabling a primary user to assist with health care issues for a secondary user comprising: enabling a primary user with a primary online identity to access a primary health profile; configuring a secondary health profile associated with a secondary user to reflect at least some of the attributes of the secondary user enabling the primary user to access attributes related to health care issues for a secondary user; associating the secondary health profile with the primary identity; enabling, from within the primary online identity, the primary user to access the secondary health profile to assist the secondary user with the health-care issues; and using the secondary health profile as the primary user navigates a health portal to assist the secondary user with health care issues.

27. A computer-implemented method of enabling a first user to assist with health care issues for a second user comprising: enabling a first user with a first identity to access a first health profile; enabling a second user with a second identity to access a second health profile; enabling the second user to permit the first user to access the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues; in response to determining that the second user has permitted that the first user to access the second health profile, receiving a request from the first user to access the second health profile; enabling the first user to use the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein enabling the first user to use the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues includes enabling the first user to schedule an appointment with a physician for the second user.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein enabling the first user to use the second health profile in navigating a health portal to assist the second user with health care issues includes enabling the first user to perceive health care claims for the second user.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein enabling the second user to permit the first user to access the second health profile includes enabling the first user to manage a selected medical condition or a severe medical condition while filtering information related to a socially stigmatic condition or an unselected medical condition from first user so that the first user cannot access the information related to the socially stigmatic condition or the unselected medical condition.