PROCESS FOR ASSISTING A PERSON TO ACHIEVE A GOAL

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a process for assisting a person to achieve a goal. The present invention relates to a method, system and computer program for assisting a person to achieve a goal.

Background of the Invention

Increased population body weights over the past 20 to 30 years have governments concerned about their health budgets and losses in productivity. The World Health Organisation has previously described the increased weight of the population as an epidemic, estimating 300 million adults are obese (Body Mass Index 30+) and 1.1 billion adults are overweight (Body Mass Index 25 to 30) worldwide. The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey, released on 27 ^th February 2006, stated the proportion of Australian men and women who are obese or overweight is 62 percent and 45 percent respectively.

Weight reduction programs have previously focussed on short-term changes that typically fail to provide tangible incentives to motivate long-term body mass changes in people. Long-term maintenance of losses in body weight are often overlooked in favour of less intimidating diets and exercise programs that run for 8 to 20 weeks. Comparatively, a long-term focus on weight reduction is not as appealing.

Weight loss contracts have previously been developed with a view to obtaining a formal commitment from a dieter to lose weight. An example of such a contract is the Weight Loss Contract from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. The general idea behind the contract is to establish an agreement between a physician and patient to lose weight, so that the patient is bound by more than their own self discipline to

lose weight. The contract includes a "Reward" section where the patient can nominate a reward of his or her choice if he or she is able to maintain a new weight for a period of one month. The contract also includes a "Non-Reward" section where the patient can nominate a penalty of his or her choice if he or she is unable to maintain or lose weight for a month. The rewards and the penalties, as defined by the patient, may lack sufficient impetus to drive the patient to achieve his or her weight loss goals. There may not be any genuine incentive to lose weight.

Roche ™ was granted permission by the Australian Government to advertise its weight- loss drug Xenical ™ directly to the public. General Practitioners may prescribe the drug combined with a patient/physician contract in order to obtain a commitment from the patient to change his or her lifestyle. However, the contract does not appear to incorporate meaningful incentives to achieve weight loss goals.

In 2004, Oprah Winfrey endorsed Bob Greene's web site (www.getwiththeprogram.org) that includes a health contract designed to improve the life habits (exercise/nutrition) of people. However, once again, the contract does not appear to include sufficient impetus to drive people to achieve their weight loss goals.

The above described health contracts generally recognise that people need self-reliance, responsibility and self discipline to lose weight. However, they appear to lack any meaningful incentives for people to achieve weight loss goals.

US 5,207,580 discloses a tailored health-related behaviour change and adherence aid system. This system includes a series of questions for completion by a person, where the answers to these questions are used to select health instruction statements for changing the behaviour of the person. While the system taught by US 5,207,580 may be generally useful in determining a healthy life style for a person, it does not appear to teach a system whereby the person is bound to a contract having tangible incentives to encourage the person to reach weight loss goals within a specific time frame, for example.

US 6,336,136 teaches a diet system which is carried out over the Internet. A server, over a network, stores at least one weight reduction program, including information from which a specific weight reduction plan can be selected. The server receives user information, from a client, that includes a current image of the user. The server compares the current image to a previous image of the user to verify at least part of the information from the user. The server determines a weight reduction program based on the information by the user and the image comparison. The system taught by US 6,336,136 may provide a useful tool for managing a weight loss program. However, measuring a person's performance based on photos may create difficulties. For example, it may be possible for a person to submit a photo that does not accurately reflect his or her present weight. In doing so, the person can cheat the system. Further, people may not be comfortable with submitting photos of themselves to a web site for assessment.

Measuring performance based on Body Mass Index alone without considering other health issues may be detrimental to the health of the dieter. People who lose weight relatively quickly may need to be regularly checked by medical practitioners to ensure that the loss of weight is not adversely effecting their health.

It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned difficulties, or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a process for assisting a person to achieve a goal within a predetermined period of time, including the steps of:

(a) effecting an agreement with the person to achieve said goal by achieving a plurality of sub-goals each to be completed within a corresponding period of time;

(b) receiving payment of an amount of money from the person; and

(c) paying the person another amount of money after he or she has successfully achieved each one of said sub-goals within corresponding periods of time.

- A -

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for assisting a person to achieve a goal within a predetermined period of time, including the steps of:

(a) effecting an agreement with the person to achieve said goal by achieving a plurality of sub-goals each to be completed within a corresponding period of time;

(b) receiving payment of an amount of money from the person; and

(c) paying the person another amount of money after he or she has successfully achieved each one of said sub-goals within corresponding periods of time.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for assisting a person to achieve a goal within a predetermined period of time, said system for performing the steps of:

(a) generating data representing an agreement with the person to achieve said goal by achieving a plurality of sub-goals each to be completed within a corresponding period of time;

(b) receiving payment of an amount of money from the person; and

(c) paying the person another amount of money after he or she has successfully achieved each one of said sub-goals within corresponding periods of time.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program for assisting a person to achieve a goal within a predetermined period of time, said program for performing the steps of:

(a) generating data representing an agreement with the person to achieve said goal by achieving a plurality of sub-goals each to be completed within a corresponding period of time;

(b) receiving payment of an amount of money from the person; and

(c) paying the person another amount of money after he or she has successfully achieved each one of said sub-goals within corresponding periods of time.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable data storage medium, including the above described computer program stored thereon.

Advantageously, preferred embodiments of the invention provide the requisite impetus for people to make long-term health changes by motivating them to do so with financial consequences for failing to meet defined goals.

Advantageously, preferred embodiments of the invention include agreements that reinforce decisions with financial incentives and consequences. These agreements advantageously assist in long-term weight loss maintenance. These agreements advantageously assist in smoking cessation with long-term abstinence.

The agreements can be used in conjunction with weight-loss or stop-smoking programs of the individual's choice.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non- limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system for assisting a person to achieve a goal;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a part of the system shown in Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing steps performed by a person using the system shown in

Figure 1 to achieve a goal;

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing steps performed by the system shown in Figure 1 to assist the person to achieve a goal;

Figure 5 shows an example of a Health Contract confirmation form generated by the system shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows an example of another Health Contract confirmation form generated by the system shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is another flow chart showing steps performed by a person using the system shown in Figure 1 to achieve a goal;

Figure 8 is another flow chart showing steps performed by the system shown in Figure 1 to assist the person to achieve a goal; and

Figure 9 shows an example of another Health Contract confirmation form generated by the system shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The system 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be used to assist a person to achieve a goal such as losing weight or giving up smoking, for example. The system 10, advantageously, provides the requisite impetus for a person to achieve his or her goals by motivating them to do so with money. For example, the person will lose money as a consequence of not achieving one or more goals within an agreed period of time.

A person can use the system 10 to enter into an agreement with the proprietor of the system 10, whereby he or she pays the proprietor an amount of money and agrees to achieve a goal, such as losing a certain amount of weight, within a prescribed period of time. The person achieves the goal by agreeing to achieve a series of sub-goals each to be completed within a corresponding period of time. On successfully achieving each sub- goal, the system 10 pays the person an amount of money. Advantageously, if the person achieves each goal in the series of goals, then he or she will receive a total amount of money that is greater than the then initial amount that he or she paid to the proprietor.

The proprietor preferably invests the initial amount of money received from the person. Advantageously, at the end of the prescribed period of time, the money invested by the proprietor is worth more than the money paid to the person if the person achieves his or her goal.

Advantageously, the person stands to lose a significant amount of money unless he or she successfully achieves the sub-goals within the prescribed period of time. Advantageously, the fear of loss of a significant amount of money provides the requisite motivation to achieve each sub-goal on time.

The system 10 is provided by a computer system 12 that includes a server 14 in communication with a database 16, as shown in Figure 1. The computer system 12 is able to communicate with equipment 18 of members, or users, of the system 12 over a communications network 20 using standard communication protocols. The members are financial planners, for example. The equipment 18 of the members can be a variety of communications devices such as personal computers; interactive televisions; hand held computers etc. The communications network 20 may include the Internet, telecommunications networks and/or local area networks.

The components of the computer system 12 can be configured in a variety of ways. The components can be implemented entirely by software to be executed on standard computer server hardware, which may comprise one hardware unit or different computer hardware units distributed over various locations, some of which may require the communications network 20 for communication. A number of the components or parts thereof may also be implemented by application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It will be apparent from the description of the system 12, and its operation below, that the most practical implementation of the components of the computer system 12 is a software implementation. Alternative methods of providing system displays and information can also be used, for example WML pages for mobile telephones, and interactive voice response (IVR) systems for connection to standard fixed telephones or voice over IP terminals.

The server 14 of the computer system 12 includes a web server 22, a transaction engine 24 and a database server 26 arranged in the manner shown in Figure 2. The web server 22 is software stored on the server 14 that allows the computer system 12 to serve static and dynamic web pages of the web application. The web server 22 allows members of the system 12 to access web pages created and stored on the computer system 12 via their respective terminals 18. The web pages published by the web server 22 are dynamic and are populated by data provided by the transaction engine 24 of the computer system 12.

The transaction engine 24 is software that processes data received by the web server 22 from users of the system 12 via their terminals 18 and is able to retrieve and store data on the database 16 via the database server 26. The transaction engine 24 communicates with the web server 22 and database server 26 to execute data transactions for the system 12 and thereby provides dynamic content for the web pages provided by the web server 22, as described below.

The database server 26 is software stored on the server 14. The database server 26 reads, writes, maintains and secures data on the database 16. The database server 26 maintains data in the database for all members of the system 12. The database 16 is maintained preferably on hard disk storage of the server 14 of the computer system 12.

Preferred embodiment of the system 12 are described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to a system 12 for assisting a person to achieve a weight loss goal. However, the system 12 is equally applicable to achieving other goals such as quitting smoking, for example.

A person can establish an account on the system 12 by either contacting the proprietor of the system 12 by telephone or using a login page generated by the system 12 to register as a new user, for example. A person with an account is a client of the system 12.

A client can use his or her personal computer 18, for example, to access the login web page generated by the system 12 via the Internet 20. The login web page generated by the computer system 12 includes a user identification data box and a user password data box. On detection of a valid user name and password, the system 12 generates a web page (not shown) that is populated with data associated with the client.

Preferred examples of the system 12 are below described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to a system 12 for assisting a person to achieve a weight loss goal and for assisting a person to quit smoking. However, the system 12 is equally applicable to achieving other goals.

The web page generated by the system 12 for a client includes a number of tools that assist the client to interact with the system 12. These tools include, amongst other things:

1. A "Agreement - Body Mass Index" function button (not shown); and 2. A "Agreement - Non Smoker" function button (not shown).

Preferred examples of the system 10 are below described for each one of the above functions.

1. Agreement — Body Mass Index

A client performs the steps shown in Figure 3 to enter into an agreement with the proprietor of the system 12 to lose an amount of weight within a predetermined period of time. The system 12 assists the client to lose weight by performing the steps shown in Figure 4. The client is motivated by the system 12 to lose weight by parting company with an amount money and receiving smaller sums of money back from the proprietor of the system 12 only on successful completion of predefined weight loss goals.

The client can use the system 12 to enter into an agreement with the proprietor and to lose weight by executing, at step 30, the "Agreement - Body Mass Index" function button provided on the client's web page. On detection of execution the "Agreement - Body Mass Index" function button, the system 12 generates, at step 32, a Agreement - Body Mass Index web page (not shown) which presents the client with some general information about the agreement that they are about to enter. For example, the information includes:

Agreement: a. The client agrees pays $999.00 per agreement to 'self contract change' with annual reviews over five years from the date of entering into the agreement and receiving payments for successful fulfilment of agreed sub-goals.

b. The client agrees that, within one calender month of the date on which they make payment of the $999 to the proprietor, he or she will consult a qualified medical practitioner to confirm the client's Body Mass Index.

The Agreement - Body Mass Index web page includes a Body Mass Index Calculator and requests that the client enters his or her weight in Kilograms into a corresponding data box and his or her Height in meters into another corresponding data box. On successful completion of this information by the client, at step 34, the system 12 generates, at step 36, the client's Body Mass Index (BMI) in accordance with the following equation:

_BMI Wei _g ht{K _g ) (Height(m)f

The system 12 displays the following information on the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page for the client:

BMI Range classes are in incremental amounts of 4.9 and are as follows:

a. Normal-healthy BMI range is 20.0 to 24.9; i. Overweight BMI range is 25.0 to 29.9; ii. Obese Class I range is 30.0 to 34.9; iii. Obese Class II range is 35.0 to 39.9; iv. Obese Class III range is 40.0 to 44.9; and v. Obese Class IV is 45.0 to 45.9.

The client can compare the outcome of the BMI calculation with the above classes.

The system 12 generates, at step 37, a recommendation for the client based on the results of the BMI calculation. An example is set out below:

"You could commit to change from 80 kg (overweight BMI class) to a healthy- normal BMI range, for your height, of 58kg to 72kg. This would be measured again one year after confirming your present BMI with a medical practitioner over the next calendar month, if you decide to commit to a contract. Each contract costs $999. If you achieve your healthy-normal weight goal, and confirm annually over five years that you are continuing to maintain the weight loss, you shall receive $225 annually - a total payment of $1125. This is dependant upon your achieving the weight loss goals and having the BMI confirmed annually by a registered medical practitioner - at own cost. This personalised agreement will be given to you prior to the annual date. For any year you do not achieve or maintain a health

BMI, or fail to consult a medical practitioner and return the documentation to us, you shall lose the annual payment for that year. In case of non-success, the years following will be assumed to continue your renewed commitment to a healthy- normal body weight."

Notwithstanding the above message, the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page permits the client to select between two different agreements for reducing his or her BMI level, each contract shall cost $999 dollars. These formats are described below in detail. The client is able to select, at step 38, between the two formats by executing corresponding function buttons located on the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page.

a. Reduce 1 ; and b. Reduce 2.

Reduce 1.

Upon execution, at step 38, of the Reduce 1 function button, the system 12 generates, at step 40, a form including the following information:

a. Full name; b. Address;

c. Age; d. E-mail address; and e. Estimated height and weight.

The form requests the client to confirm that the above information is correct permits amendments. This information was either entered in to the system 12 upon registration and/or using the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page. Upon confirmation of that the information is correct, the system 12 stores the information, at step 40, and requests:

a. Payment of $999; and b. Client's preferred method of being paid when goals are achieved.

Th client can pay, at step 42, by credit card, for example, or by any other suitable means. The system 12 stores the information, at step 40, and generates, at step 45, the form 42 shown in Figure 5 for the client. The Reduce 1 Health Contract confirmation form 42 contracts the client to:

i. lower his or her BMI range by one level by the first anniversary of the contract; and ii. Maintain the new lower level of BMI range for the remaining 4 years of the contract.

The client receives, at step 46, the form 42 on his or her computer terminal 18 by e-mail from the system 12 or prints it from his or her web page.

The client is obligated to complete the form 42, at step 48, by contacting a qualified medical practitioner within a month of the date of making payment, at step 42. The medical practitioner determines the client's BMI and checks his or her health. The client submits the completed form 42, at step 50, to the proprietor of the system 12. The proprietor receives the completed form, at step 52, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

On the first anniversary of the date on which the medical practitioner signed the form 42, the system 12 generates, at step 54, another Health Contract confirmation form 42 for the client. The system 12 preferably sends the client a copy of the form 42 by E-mail. Alternatively, the client can down load the form 42 from his or her web page.

The client receives the form, at step 46, and is once again obligated to contact a qualified medical practitioner to complete the form 42, at step 48. The client submits the form 42, at step 50, to the proprietor of the system within a month of the date of the first anniversary of the date on which the first Health Contract confirmation form 42 was signed by the doctor. The proprietor receives the completed form, at step 56, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

If the client has successfully lowered his or her BMI by one level, or more, the system 12 electronically transfers, at step 58, an amount of $225 dollars to the client's bank account. Otherwise, the client forfeits the annual payment of $225.00 for that year. Alternatively, the administrator or proprietor of the system 12 could send the client a cheque for $225 by regular mail.

The system generates and sends a Health Contract confirmation form 42 to the client on the anniversary of the second, third, fourth and fifth of the date on which the first form 42 was signed by the doctor. The client repeats steps 46 to 50 on receipt of each one of these forms 42. Whereby the client receives payment, at step 58, if he or she has maintained the target BMI of the first anniversary. Payment is forfeit if the client does not maintain the target BMI.

If the client is unsuccessful at the annual review, for any years that follow they must again lower their BMI into their contracted BMI range or lower to successfully obtain the annual payment of $225. If successful over all 5 years, the total payment equals $1125.

Reduce 2.

Upon execution, at step 38, of the Reduce 2 function button, the system 12 generates, at step 40, a form including the following information:

a. Full name; b. Address; c. Age; d. E-mail address; and e. Estimated height and weight.

The form requests the client to confirm that the above information is correct permits amendments. This information was either entered in to the system 12 upon registration and/or using the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page. Upon confirmation of that the information is correct, the system 12 stores the information, at step 40, and requests:

a. Payment of $999; and b. Client's preferred method of being paid when goals are achieved.

Th client can pay, at step 41, by credit card, for example, or by any other suitable means. The system 12 stores the information, at step 40, and generates, at step 45, the Health Contract confirmation form 42 shown in Figure 6 for the client. The Reduce 2 Health Contract confirmation form 42 contracts the client to:

i. lower his or her BMI range by one level by the first anniversary of the contract; ii. Maintain the new level until the 2 ^nd anniversary; iii. Lower his or her BMI range by another level by the third anniversary; and iii. Maintain the new level for the remaining 2 years of the contract.

The client receives, at step 46, the Health Contract form 56 on his or her computer terminal 18 by e-mail from the system 12 or prints it from his or her web page.

The client is obligated to complete the form 56, at step 48, by contacting a qualified medical practitioner within a month of the date of making payment, at step 41. The medical practitioner determines the client's BMI and checks his or her health. The client submits the completed form 42, at step 50, to the proprietor of the system 12. The proprietor receives the completed form, at step 52, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

On the first anniversary of the date on which the medical practitioner signed the form 42, the system 12 generates, at step 54, another Health Contract confirmation form 56 for the client. The system 12 preferably sends the client a copy of the form 56 by E-mail. Alternatively, the client can down load the form 56 from his or her web page.

The client receives the form 56, at step 46, and is once again obligated to contact a qualified medical practitioner to complete the form 56, at step 48. The medical practitioner completes the form 56 by determining the client's BMI and signing and dating the form 56.

The client submits the form 56, at step 50, to the proprietor of the system 12 within a month of the date of the first anniversary of the date on which the first Health Contract confirmation form 56 was signed by the doctor. The proprietor receives the completed form 56, at step 56, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

If the client has successfully lowered his or her BMI by one level, or more, the system 12 electronically transfers, at step 58, an amount of $250 dollars to the client's bank account. Otherwise, the client forfeits the annual payment of $250 for that year. Alternatively, the administrator or proprietor of the system 12 could send the client a cheque for $250 by regular mail.

The system 12 generates and sends, at step 54, a Health Contract confirmation form 56 to the client on the second anniversary of the date on which the first form 56 was signed by the doctor. The client receives the form 56, at step 46, and is once again obligated to contact a qualified medical practitioner to complete the form 56, at step 48. The medical practitioner completes the form 56 by determining the client's BMI and signing and dating the form 56.

The client submits the form 56, at step 50, to the proprietor of the system 12 within month of the date of the first anniversary of the date on which the first Health Contract confirmation form 56 was signed by the doctor. The proprietor receives the completed form 56, at step 56, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

If the client has successfully maintained his or her BMI level, or lost further weight, then the system 12 electronically transfers, at step 58, an amount of $250 dollars to the client's bank account. Otherwise, the client forfeits the amiual payment of $250 for that year. Alternatively, the administrator or proprietor of the system 12 could send the client a cheque for $250 by regular mail.

The system 12 generates and sends, at step 54, a Health Contract confirmation form 56 to the client on the third anniversary of the date on which the first form 56 was signed by the doctor. The client receives the form 56, at step 46, and is once again obligated to contact a qualified medical practitioner to complete the form 56, at step 48. The medical practitioner completes the form 56 by determining the client's BMI and signing and dating the form 56.

The client submits the form 56, at step 50, to the proprietor of the system 12 within month of the date of the third anniversary of the date on which the first Health Contract confirmation form 56 was signed by the doctor. The proprietor receives the completed form 56, at step 56, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

If the client has successfully lowered his or her BMI level, or more, then the system 12 electronically transfers, at step 58, an amount of $250 dollars to the client's bank account. Otherwise, the client forfeits the annual payment of $250 for that year. Alternatively, the administrator or proprietor of the system 12 could send the client a cheque for $250 by regular mail.

The system 12 generates and sends a Health Contract confirmation form 56 to the client on the anniversary of the fourth and fifth of the date on which the first form 56 was signed by the doctor. The client repeats steps 46 to 50 on receipt of each one of these forms 42. Whereby the client receives payment, at step 58, of $250 if he or she has maintained the target BMI of the third anniversary. Payment is forfeit if the client does not maintain the target BMI.

If the client is unsuccessful at the annual review, for any years that follow the third anniversary they must again lower their BMI into their contracted BMI range or lower to successfully obtain the annual payment of $250. If successful over all 5 years, the total payment equals $1250.

The Reduce 2 form 56 is preferably only used by those who are in Obese Class 1 (BMI 30.0-34.9) or higher. Without acknowledging the time value of money, for this contract if the client fails for only one of the five years, they would still be ahead one dollar.

If for any of the 5 years the client is unsuccessful - above contracted BMI range - they shall forfeit annual payment for that year. Therein a consequence/incentive exists in the agreement.

Clients can use the system 12 to buy multiple contracts (parcels: up to maximum 100) to increase the measure of consequence-incentive-motivation, and to match their level of wealth or appetite for risk.

Example 1.

An example of a client, Jenny, using the system 12 to effect a Agreement - BMI is described below. Jenny is 25 years old; 170 cm tall; and weighs 80 kg. Jenny uses her computer 18 to access the system's 12 web page and registers as a new client.

After registering, Jenny logs onto the system 12 as a new client. The system 12 generates a web page for Jenny which includes a number of tools that assist her to interact with the system 12. These tools include, amongst other things:

a. A "Agreement - Body Mass Index" function button (not shown); and b. A "Agreement - Non Smoker" function button (not shown).

Upon execution, at step 30, of the "Agreement - Body Mass Index" function button, the system 12 generates, at step 32, the above described Agreement - Body Mas Index web page. Jenny reviews information about the Agreement offered by the system 12 and enters, at step 34 her height and weight into the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. Using Equation 1, the system 12 generates Jenny's BMI as follows:

BMI = 80/(1.7O) ²

27.7

Jenny is able to determine her weight class from the charts provided on the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page. She sees that a BMI of 27.7 puts her in the 'overweight' class (BMI 25.0 to 29.9) with and increased risk of physical illnesses.

The system 12 generates, at step 37, the following proposal for Jenny:

"You could commit to change from 80 kg (overweight BMI class) to a healthy- normal BMI range, for your height, of 58kg to 72kg. This would be measured again one year after confirming your present BMI with a medical practitioner over

the next calendar month, if you decide to commit to a contract. Each agreement costs $999. If you achieve your healthy-normal weight goal, and confirm annually over five years that you are continuing to maintain the weight loss, you shall receive $225 annually - a total payment of $1125. This is dependant upon your achieving the weight loss goals and having the BMI confirmed annually by a registered medical practitioner - at own cost. This personalised health contract will be given to you prior to the annual date. For any year you do not achieve or maintain a health BMI, or fail to consult a medical practitioner and return the documentation to us, you shall lose the annual payment for that year. In case of non-success, the years following will be assumed to continue your renewed commitment to a healthy-normal body weight."

Jenny decides to purchase an agreement. She does so by selecting, at step 38, the "Reduce 1 " function button presented to her on the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page. Upon execution of this function button, the system 12 stores, at step 40, the following information in the database 16:

i. Full name; ii. Address; iii. Age; iv. E-mail address; and v. Estimated height and weight.

This information was either entered into the system 12 upon registration and/or using the Agreement - Body Mass Index web page.

Upon successfully storing the above information, the system 12 requests, at step 40, payment of $999 from Jenny and her preferred method of being paid. Jenny may pay, at step 42, the $999 by credit card and provide her financial institution BSB and account number for future payments.

The system 12 generates, at step 45, the Health Contract confirmation form 42 shown in Figure 4 for Jenny for display on her computer terminal 18. Upon receipt of the form 42, at step 46, Jenny can print a copy of the contract on her printer, or save a copy on her computer for later use.

The agreement will be considered null, and full repayment made to Jenny if she fails to complete the contract, at step 48, with a registered medical practitioner, or does not have it signed and dated within a calendar month of initial health contract purchase.

Jenny returns, at step 50, the completed contract to the proprietor of the system 12. The Proprietor of the system 12 receives the completed contract, at step 52. The details of the completed contract are entered into the system.

The five years begins from the date of the medical practitioner's signature and date upon the contract. In this example, the medical practitioner completed the contract on 7 May, 2007. The system 12 updates Jenny's web page with these new details and sends her an e- mail reminding her that she must be within her targeted healthy BMI range of 58 to 72kg by the first anniversary of the date of the contract, ie 7 May, 2008. She has a one month window after the date of that anniversary to see a medical practitioner. Jenny's web page includes reminders of the deadline for reaching her weight target. The system 12 again sends a reminder e-mail to Jenny one month before the deadline of 7 May, 2008. This reminder is placed on her web page with explicit details and a reminder of the conditions to achieve her annual payment of $225.

On 7 May 2008, Jenny has achieved a body weight of 69 kg. The system 12 sends her, at step 54, a Health Contract completion form 42 for completion by a medical practitioner. Upon receipt, at step 46, of the Health Contract Form 42, Jenny returns to her medical practitioner and requests that he determine her BMI and complete the form, at step 48. Her BMI is now 23.9. Jenny submits, at step 50, the Health Contract form 42 by e-mailing it to the proprietor of the system 12. The proprietor receives, at step 56, the completed Health Contract confirmation form 42 and updates the system 12.

The system 12 updates the content of Jenny's web page and sends her an e-mail congratulating her achievement. The system 12 transfers, at step 58, a payment of $225 to her bank account. The system 12 sends her a reminder of future obligation to remain within the weight range of 58 to 72 kg, its associated health benefits, and reinforced by annual payments for remaining 4 years of $225 upon her continued annual weight maintenance confirmations with a medical practitioner.

Jenny's web page provides her with the following information: i. A personal account for changes of details; ii. A personalised record of key dates and weight goals; iii. A BMI chart displaying forecast BMI ranges over the five years from contract date - this is the date the medical practitioner first signs the contract documentation; and iv. Helpful tips, ideas, covering a wide variety of general strategies she may investigate to help accomplish her goal of weight reduction. A core philosophy will centre on lifestyle changes, not diets per se.

Example 2.

Tom is 37 years old. He is a high-achiever in many areas. However his busyness has been to the detriment of a healthy lifestyle. His height is 1.80 metres and 118 kg (BMI = 118/3.24 = 36.4) and consulting our website sees he is eligible to enter a health contract to Reduce 2 BMI ranges over 5 years to move from the 35.0-39.9 (BMI Class II Obese) to 30.0-34.9 (BMI Class I Obese) in the first year, maintain this in second year, then move down to 25.0-29.9 (BMI Class Overweight) in the third year, maintaining this weight loss for the fourth and fifth years.

Tom is aware this is a difficult task. However feels it necessary as recently his doctor warned him about high blood pressure and likely future heart problems or diabetes type 2.

Tom is attracted to the high total return over the five years for the 'Reduce 2 BMI ranges'

health contract of $250 annually for a total over the successful 5 years of $1250 for each entered $999 contract. He regards himself as an ambitious risk-taker and raises the stakes upon himself by purchasing a parcel of 20 contracts for a total cost of $19,980 to commit his change to making lifestyle changes to reduce body weight and thereby achieve a better health prognosis.

As per Jenny's example, Tom is successful annually and sends to the proprietors of the system 12 completed Health Contract confirmation forms 56. That is, forms 56 that have been signed and dated by his medical practitioner. Each year he is electronically sent $250 x 20 = $5000 and a congratulatory letter. N.B. say in this example Tom failed in the third year to achieve a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9, and as agreed forfeited payment that year. If he then achieved this BMI range instead in the fourth year and maintained for fifth year successfully, Tom still would come out past break even, ahead $20 on face value (total paid out to Tom for achievement in 4 of 5 years: $20000).

2. A "Agreement - Non Smoker" function button (not shown).

A client performs the steps shown in Figure 7 to enter into an agreement with the proprietor of the system 12 to quit smoking cigarettes, for example. The system 12 assists the client to quit smoking by performing the steps shown in Figure 8. The client is motivated by the system 12 to quit smoking by first parting company with an amount money and then receiving payment of smaller sums of money only on successful completion of predefined goals.

The client can use the system 12 to enter into an agreement with the proprietor and to quit smoking by executing, at step 100, the "Agreement - Non Smoker" function button provided on the client's web page. On detection of execution the "Agreement - Non Smoker" function button, the system 12 generates, at step 102, an Agreement - Non Smoker web page (not shown) which presents the client with some general information about the contract that they are about to enter. For example, the information includes:

Agreement - Non Smoker: a. The client agrees pays $999.00 per agreement to 'self contract change ¹ with annual reviews over five years from the date of entering into the agreement and receiving payments for successful fulfilment of agreed goals. b. The client agrees that, within one calender month of the date on which the agreement with the proprietor is completed, he or she will consult a qualified medical practitioner to complete a confirm form, c. 'Non-smoker' is a person who does not inhale smoke from any apparatus that delivers nicotine, or other substances, into the mouth or lungs.

The Agreement - Non Smoker web page permits the client to enter into an agreement to quit smoking over a five year period, for example. Each agreement costs $999 dollars. It is anticipated that the agreements may be taken over different periods of time and for different amounts of money.

Upon execution, at step 104, of the Reduce 1 function button, the system 12 generates a form including the following information:

a. Full name; b. Address; and c. Age.

The form requests the client to confirm that the above information is correct permits amendments. This information was either entered in to the system 12 upon registration and/or using the Agreement - Non Smoker web page. Upon confirmation of that the information is correct, the system 12 stores the information, at step 106, and requests:

a. Payment of $999; and b. Client's preferred method of being paid when goals are achieved.

Th client can pay, at step 108, by credit card, for example, or by any other suitable means. The system 12 stores the information, at step 106, and generates, at step 110, the form 112 shown in Figure 9 for the client. The Reduce 1 Health Contract - non smoker confirmation form 112 contracts the client to:

i. Cease smoking; ii. Declare before a qualified medical practitioner that he or she has not had smoked for a period of twelve months and iii. Repeat the declaration process for a period of five years.

The client receives, at step 114, the form 112 on his or her computer terminal 18 by e-mail from the system 12 or prints it from his or her web page.

The client is obligated to complete the form 112, at step 116, by contacting a qualified medical practitioner within a month of the date of making payment, at step 108. The medical practitioner checks the client's health and signs the form 112. The client submits the completed form 112, at step 118, to the proprietor of the system 12. The proprietor receives the completed form, at step 120, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

On the first anniversary of the date on which the medical practitioner signed the form 112, the system 12 generates, at step 122, another Health Contract - non smoker confirmation form 112 for the client. The system 12 preferably sends the client a copy of the form 112 by E-mail. Alternatively, the client can down load the form 112 from his or her web page.

The client receives the form, at step 114, and is once again obligated to contact a qualified medical practitioner to complete the form 112, at step 116. The client submits the form 112, at step 118, to the proprietor of the system within a month of the date of the first anniversary of the date on which the first Health Contract confirmation form 112 was signed by the doctor. The proprietor receives the completed form, at step 124, from the client and enters the relevant data into the system 12.

If the client has successfully not smoked for the first year, then the system 12 electronically transfers, at step 126, an amount of $225 dollars to the client's bank account. Otherwise, the client forfeits the annual payment of $225 for that year. Alternatively, the administrator or proprietor of the system 12 could send the client a cheque for $225 by regular mail.

The system generates and sends, at step 122, a Health Contract confirmation form 112 to the client on the anniversary of the second, third, fourth and fifth of the date on which the first form 112 was signed by the doctor. The client repeats steps 114, 116 and 118 on receipt of each one of these forms 112 from the system 12. The client receives payment, at step 58, if he or she has maintained his or her non-smoking status on each mentioned anniversary. Payment is forfeit if the client does not maintain non smoking status.

The system 12 can be used by a person who is desirous of quitting smoking tobacco or any other substance.

This contract preferably relies on verbal and written honour, instead of physical evidence. 'Smoking' and 'non-smoker' (without reference to 'nicotine') allows it to apply for people who smoke substances other than nicotine, without identifying their drug.

Financial Aspects of the Invention

The proprietor of the system 12 invests the money received from clients. Protecting the security of future cash flows to clients is important for goodwill and reputation. The proprietor preferably invests money received from clients in the following manner:

1. 30% Cash;

2. 20% Short-term securities (less than or equal to 1 year); 3. 25% Fixed Interest; and

4. 25 % blue-chip Shares.

This allocation would occur after 5 to 10 percent of incoming funds is used to manage working capital (building, marketing and administrative costs, wages).

It is envisaged that the proprietor of the system 12 has a local office in each country around the world where clients of the system are resident. The proprietor may choose to licence rights to local offices in some countries. The local offices each use a local branch of a financial institution common to all countries (e.g. Citibank). Negotiations may result in this association being marketed to address security concerns felt by clients.

The pure cash flows are as follows: a. For both the 'Reduce 1 BMI range' and 'non-smoker' health contracts costing $999 (present value) each, assuming a client's success for all five years, paid at each year end $225 (total $1125). This equates to a break-even annual interest rate from moneys received for the proprietor of 4.09 %. b. For the 'Reduce 2 BMI ranges' health contracts costing $999 (present value) each, assuming a client's success for all five years, paid at each year end $250 (total $1250). This equates to a break-even annual interest rate from monies received for the proprietor of 7.97 %.

These are thought fair and reasonable returns to:

i. motivate the client; ii. ensure the business model is financially robust; iii. provide a return that does not strain the business model in the case of low returns in financial markets; and iv. not so high as to warrant over-attention to possible fraudulent claims, and legal action.

Currently these cash flows are foreseen to not require adjustment, and should weather economic and interest rate cycles. The interest rate equivalents will not be marketed to clients - only the annual cash returns per contract.

While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. We desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular forms shown and we intend in the append claims to cover all modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia, or in any other country.