This patent application relates to a rewards system and method, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a rewards method, the method including: defining an activity target for a predetermined period; receiving activity data including information relating to an activity that has been completed by a user during the predetermined period; calculating a value of a periodic payment that the user needs to make for an article that the user has purchased; and if the user meets the activity target for the predetermined period then reducing the value of the payment for that period.

The method may further include: accessing historical activity data relating to a user; using the historical activity data to determine the activity target for the user for the predetermined period;

The method may include transmitting a message to an external payment system to effect the payment for that period. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a rewards system, the system including: a memory for storing therein user identification data identifying a user, activity target data including an activity target for the user and a value of a periodic payment that the user needs to make for an article that the user has purchased; a communications module for receiving activity data including information relating to an activity that has been completed by the user and storing this in the memory together with previously stored activity data; a processor adapted for calculating if the user meets the activity target for a predetermined period and if so then reducing the value of the payment for that period.

The processor may further transmit a message via the communications module including the user identity and the reward that has been awarded to the user.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a rewards method, the method including: determining a wellness program level associated with a user; calculating a value of a periodic payment that the user needs to make for an article that the user has purchased; and if the wellness program level associated with the user is at or above a particular level during a predetermined period, then reducing the value of the payment for that period. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a rewards system, the system including: a memory for storing therein user identification data identifying a user, data indicating a wellness program level associated with the user and a value of a periodic payment that the user needs to make for an article that the user has purchased; and a processor adapted for calculating if the wellness program level associated with the user is at or above a particular level during a predetermined period and if so then reducing the value of the payment for that period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a system in accordance with an example embodiment; and

Figure 2 shows a view of a rewards display.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings an example rewards system is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The system 10 in an example embodiment is at least one server including a number of modules for implementing the present invention. The at least one server includes machine-readable instructions which are executable by the at least one server.

A memory in the form of a database 12 is connected to the server and is used for storing therein user identification data identifying a user, activity target data including an activity target for the user and a value of a periodic payment that the user needs to make for an article that the user has purchased.

A communications module 14 is used for receiving activity data including information relating to an activity that has been completed by the user and storing this in the memory together with previously stored activity data. This will be described in more detail below.

A processor 16 is adapted for calculating if the user meets the activity target for a predetermined period and if so then rewarding the user.

In one example, the reward is reducing the value of the payment for that period.

For purposes of illustration, the article that the user has purchased is an Apple Watch™.

The total cost of the watch is divided up into periodic payments, for example weekly or monthly.

The user is then given their activity target and the user's periodic repayment will be determined by the level of activity.

This could be set by the processor in a number of ways. In one simple example, if the user misses their activity target they will pay the full periodic payment whereas if the user meets their activity target they will pay a reduced or zero periodic payment. ln another example embodiment, the periodic payment could be adjusted in a more complex manner whereby the more active the user, the lower the payment ranging from zero to the full periodic payment.

The user's activity is measured in a number of different ways one of which is by a user wearable device. In the illustrated example, the watch itself has capability to monitor exercise such as walking or running. This data is captured and transmitted from the watch via a communications network to the communications module 14 of the server 10.

In addition, other activity data is collected from a system of a third party service provider such as gyms and other health partner visits. So for example, where the gym is operated by a third party, the gym will collect data relating to the number of attendances of the user and transmit this to the server 10.

Where the gym has machines that are able to monitor the user's actual activity and report this back to the server, this activity data is also captured and compiled.

In this example, the activity data could include a number of fields such as one or more of the duration of the activity, a speed at which the activity is performed, the amount of resistance provided by a machine on which the user is exercising, a height that the user reaches during the exercise, data relating to the user's heart rate during the activity and measurements of power to name a few examples.

In one example embodiment, the user's activities are allocated points which are added up to one or more predetermined threshold values. Each threshold value determines what the periodic payments will be. Obviously, the higher the threshold value the lower the periodic payment.

In one example embodiment, the activity target is specifically set for the individual by accessing historical activity data relating to the user stored in the memory 12. This historical activity data is then used to determine the activity target for the user for a predetermined period.

An example of how this is accomplished is as follows. Each user is set a weekly physical activity goal that is both personalised and clinically relevant

Goals are based on the guideline recommendations for cardiovascular physical activity progression programs.

Goals are unique and personalised according to a member's key health and cardiovascular risks.

The following data is used to recommend both the weekly goals and underlying physical activity progression program:

1. Demographic information: Age, gender;

2. Biometric information: BMI (weight and height), including waist circumference;

3. Medical information: Smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, renal failure, cancer treatment; and

4. Current level of physical activity (as monitored within the Vitality program).

Using the above data, users are segmented into one of three health risk groups.

Each group is recommended activity goals based on the clinically appropriate cardiovascular progression program for that segment.

The goals can also be dynamically adjusted by an algorithm which combines the above information for each individual with their respective goal history (behaviour) to dynamically adjusted and recommend the subsequent weekly goals. Any subsequent changes to a user's health and cardiovascular risk profile (from a variety of other data sources) are automatically fed through and used to dynamically adjust the recommended goal (level of activity).

It will be appreciated that a user that is not very active will be given a lower activity target than a user that is very active and in this manner each user will be motivated to improve their levels of activity and thereby improve their health.

In addition to add a level of "gamification" a random element can be added to the weekly points targets. This ensures that the target presented to the user is both clinically sound but also interesting in that some weeks it will be a stretch target and in others less onerous.

A digital display including the activity target generated for the user as well as an indicator of how the user is performing is generated and displayed to the user via the mobile communications device and/or the watch.

Typically the server will transmit data including the activity target as well as activity data indicating how the user is doing to the user's mobile communications device and/or the watch.

This is consolidated, summarised and presented back to users in the form of a single weekly activity goal.

The goals are expressed to a member in a single, consistent currency - Vitality fitness points.

Weekly goals are represented visually (as a circle showing ones progress towards the goal) on the user's mobile communications device and/or the watch and/or via website. The user interface is dynamically updated to reflect the latest activity and progress towards the weekly goal.

At the end of each goal cycle (plus monitoring period) - it is clearly displayed whether the individual has completed his/her goal.

An example of the display is illustrated in Figure 2. The display also includes an indication for the user of how much time they have remaining to complete their activity points goal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the activity goal is a weekly goal whereas the periodic payment is a monthly payment. The user needs to meet their activity target every week to obtain the reduction in the monthly payment and therefore also included in the display is an indication of the number of weekly goals achieved in the month to date.

Also available for the user to display is a view of activities that they can do to earn activity points.

User can also invite up to four other users to form a team.

Such relationships are reciprocal i.e. if the invitation is accepted then user A is a team member to user B and vice versa.

Notwithstanding the above, each user can invite different users to join their network. This results in a spread of social of networks

Similarly - users can see the goal progress (displayed in the same way as the individual's goal above) of other users with whom they have agreed to form a team.

While each individual goal is personalised, the goal outcome of both the individual and each user in a team is aggregated (consolidated) in order to further incentivise and reward physical activity. Typically however, in order for a user to receive a reward they based on their friend's goal achievement, the user must also meet their goal achievements.

In addition, a surprise rewards enhancement can be included whereby if, for example, 3 friends and the user achieve their weekly goals, the user will qualify for a surprise reward. The user will be guaranteed a reward, but that reward is probabilistic and the user will obtain a reward of different values according to set probabilities ranging from a coffee to a R250 voucher.

In addition to the above, the compliance of a person with a wellness program is monitored.

An example of such a wellness program is presently managed by the applicant and is disclosed in the applicant's South African granted patent number ZA 99/1746, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In an example wellness program, users participate in approved related facilities and/or services, for example gymnasiums, Smoke Enders™ and Weightless™.

Thus examples of compliance with a wellness program might include:

Compliance with a fitness program;

• Weight loss program compliance;

Smoking cessation;

• The purchase of healthy food products;

• The compliance with drug regimes; and

• Taking certain medical tests periodically.

In one example, users are awarded points and depending on the total number of points allocated to a user, they fall within one of five statuses. In the implementation of the wellness program, these statuses have been named in ascending order of value, blue, bronze, silver, gold and diamond. All users are placed initially in the blue status. Once a person has accumulated a predetermined number of points, his/her status is upgraded to the next appropriate level.

It will be appreciated that for purposes of the present invention the wellness program could be operated by a third party that operates the wellness program and then informs a product seller of the degree of participation of the person with the wellness program.

This could occur by a third party transmitting data to at least one server operated by the product seller. The data is received at the server 10 and stored in the database/memory 12 associated with the at least one server.

In one example the data will include at least an identity of the person and data identifying the status of the person, for example blue, bronze, silver, gold and diamond.

In order to determine the status, a monitoring of the compliance of the person with the wellness program includes receiving usage information associated with the person's usage of the wellness program and determining, based on the usage information, a status level associated with the person for the wellness program, wherein the status level indicates a degree of participation in the wellness program

The usage information received may include information associated with a plurality of separate and distinct occurrences of wellness program participation by the person.

The usage information can then be used to determine a payback as will be described below. ln an alternative embodiment, the method may further include determining a status level associated with the person that further includes receiving the usage information from an information processing system and assigning a given point value to each separate and distinct occurrence of wellness program participation.

A total point value is determined based on an accumulation of each given point value assigned to each separate and distinct occurrence of wellness program participation

The total point value is then compared to a plurality of point ranges, each point range in the plurality of point ranges being associated with a status level and identifying a point range in the plurality of point ranges corresponding to the total point value.

Finally, a status level is assigned that is associated with the point range that has been identified to the person.

Data relating to the compliance of the person with the wellness program is stored in the memory/database 12.

In one example embodiment, the stored wellness data is used as one factor to calculate the amount of a periodic payment.

In one example, wellness program data relating to the compliance of a person with a wellness program is received and stored. Reference is now again made to the situation where periodic payments should be made by a user for an article that the user has purchased. In this case, the processor 16 may be adapted to reduce the value of the payment for a particular period by a certain amount, based on a current point value or status level associated with the person within the wellness program. The reduction value can typically be made dependent on the status level of the person such that the higher the status, the less the user needs to pay for that particular period. The table below provides an example of the reductions which can be provided:

If, for example, the article that the user has purchased is an Apple Watch and amounts to a required payment of R500 per month, then he will only need to pay R350 per month instead, if he has a gold status. If, at some stage, his status changes to diamond, then he will only need to pay R300 per month.

It will be appreciated that the reduction of the periodic payments provided as a result of the activity targets and the status level associated with a person within the wellness program, may be combined in that the reduction is dependent on both the status of the person and whether or not his activity targets have been met.

By again using a similar example as described above, if a person needs to pay R500 per month for an Apple Watch™, but reaches all his weekly activity targets, then he may not need to pay anything for that particular month. If he reaches only part of which weekly targets, then he may qualify for a lesser reduction (e.g. 20%). However, if he has a gold status, then he may obtain a further 30% discount. In other words, the repayment may be reduced by (1) meeting certain activity targets and (2) having a certain status (as described above).

Tiering may alternatively or in addition be applied by factors other than Vitality status e.g. geographic area; based on the history of past weekly goals achieved; based on the underlying insurance product that the member has; or base on your employer grouping.

The combination of the activity targets and the compliance with the wellness program may be used to calculate other rewards.

In this example, the combination of the person's wellness program status together with whether or not they have met their activity targets will be used to determine the reward.

For example, the higher the person's wellness program status the higher the reward which could then be reduced and/or increased if the person has met their activity targets.

For example, if a wellness programme member is rewarded with a percentage discount on their monthly gym membership, this percentage discount will be increased if they meet their activity target in the previous month. Thus a 75% reduction in a monthly gym membership payment could become a 100% reduction in the payment if the previous month's activity targets are met.

Another non-limiting example is a wellness programme member will receive between 15%-35% discount when purchasing flights based on their wellness status. This discount will be increased by 5% if they meet their activity target.

One example implementation of this is that when the member books the flight they receive their discount based on their wellness status. If they then meet their activity target between the time of booking the flight and when they actually take the flight, this discount will be increased.