Interactive behavior modification system

Claim 2

A multimedia method for interactive behavior modification for promoting awareness of and changing high-risk behaviors, said method being administered by means of a computer system with full-motion video and audio output capabilities, the method comprising: teaser step including teaser video/audio for attracting a user to use the system, showing highlights, and familiarizing said user with primary subject matter; a main menu step providing a gateway to said user for executing one from among a group of primary learning modules; a group of primary learning modules, said group at least including, an interactive adventure module comprising a user-navigable decision tree in which the user is required to make decisions of consequence to their health, said decisions being presented in real-time in the context of a first hand virtual experience in a familiar social setting as portrayed by video/audio clips, wherein the user is confronted with decisions while navigating said interactive contextual adventure module, a local information module comprising a user-navigable database of local information relating to subject matter concerns and resources in an immediate geographic region of the user, a topical encyclopedia module including a user-navigable database of frequently requested subjects and information thereon, and video/audio/images for accentuating said information, a subject matter quizzes module including a series of culturally and geographically relevant questions about the primary subject matter presented with accompanying video/audio/images; and a tracking module for tracking user information and decisions, said tracking module further comprising global tracking means operating to record and compile information on multiple user patterns for indicating where education or public health intervention may be needed, and local tracking means operating to record and compile a single user's inputs and to foreclose subsequent decisions in said interactive adventure module in accordance with said user inputs to simulate impaired judgment.

Claim 3

The multimedia method for interactive behavior modification according to claim 1, wherein said teaser step is presented in the format of a music video with popular song and video clips, and a voice-over describing the primary learning modules.

Claim 4

A multimedia method for promoting awareness and changing high-risk behaviors in areas of significant public health concern, comprising: an interactive adventure based on a user-navigable decision tree in which the user is required to make decisions of consequence, and said decisions are presented in real-time in the context of a first hand virtual experience in a typical setting portrayed by audio/video clips, said audio/video clips being selected to simulate culturally familiar environments and typical influences such as peer pressure and need for immediate gratification, whereby the user is influenced toward making a poor decision that in actuality would compromise his/her health; and a tracking module comprising global tracking means operating to record and compile information on multiple user patterns for indicating where education or public health intervention may be needed, and local tracking means operating to record and compile a single user's inputs and to foreclose subsequent decisions in said interactive adventure in accordance with said user inputs to simulate impaired judgment.

Claim 5

A multimedia method for promoting awareness and changing high-risk behaviors in areas of significant public health concern, comprising: an interactive adventure based on a user-navigable decision tree in which the user is required to make decisions of consequence, and said decisions are presented in real-time in the context of a first hand virtual experience in a typical setting portrayed by audio/video clips, said audio/video clips being selected to simulate culturally familiar environments and typical influences such as peer pressure and need for immediate gratification, whereby the user is influenced toward making a poor decision that in actuality would compromise his/her health; and a tracking module comprising global tracking means operating to record and compile information on multiple user patterns for indicating where education or public health intervention may be needed, and local tracking means operating to record and compile a single user's inputs and to foreclose subsequent decisions in said interactive adventure in accordance with said user inputs to simulate impaired judgment.

Claim 6

The multimedia method for interactive behavior modification according to claim 3, wherein said tracking module records decisions made by all users and provides feedback to outside authorities regarding user characteristics.

Claim 7

The multimedia method according to claim 3, wherein the user is confronted with decisions whether to accept alcohol/drugs while navigating said interactive contextual adventure, and said tracking module records a number of times the user accepts said drink/drugs and forecloses subsequent decisions in accordance with said number to simulate impaired judgment.

Claim 8

The multimedia method according to claim 3, wherein said interactive adventure includes virtual advisors portrayed as superposed windows displaying full-motion video/audio clips of characters that arise at key decision points along the decision tree for giving the user advice on both sides of impending decisions.

Claim 9

The multimedia method according to claim 6, wherein said virtual advisors are full-motion video/audio clips of faces of characters previously introduced in said interactive contextual adventure.

Claim 10

The multimedia method according to claim 7, wherein said virtual advisors include multimedia video clips presented in superposed and relatively smaller windows that move across the video display.

Claim 11

The multimedia method according to claim 8, wherein said virtual advisors embody the thought process, express conflicting viewpoints, and foreshadow the range of possible outcomes of the decisions about to be made.

Claim 12

The multimedia method according to claim 3, wherein said tracking module tracks user behavior patterns, attitudes, and knowledge levels for outputting said information to local health authorities to allow focussed intervention.

Claim 13

A multimedia system for interactive behavior modification and promoting awareness of and changing high-risk behaviors that compromise the public health, comprising: a multi-media computer system; and a multimedia behavior modification program for promoting awareness and changing high-risk behaviors in areas of significant public health concern, said program embodying a learning method comprising the following steps, a teaser step including teaser video/audio for attracting a user to use the system, showing highlights, and familiarizing said user with primary subject matter; a main menu step providing a gateway to said user for executing one from among a group of primary learning modules; a group of primary learning modules, said group at least including, an interactive adventure module comprising a user-navigable decision tree in which the user is required to make decisions of consequence to their health, said decisions being presented in real-time in the context of a first hand virtual experience in a familiar social setting as portrayed by video/audio clips, a local information module comprising a user-navigable database of local information relating to subject matter concerns and resources in an immediate geographic region of the user, a topical encyclopedia module including a user-navigable database of frequently requested subjects and information thereon, and video/audio/images for accentuating said information, a subject matter quiz module including a series of culturally and geographically relevant questions about the primary subject matter presented with accompanying video/audio/images, a tracking module for tracking user information and decisions, and for processing said information to provide feedback on user characteristics and patterns of use, said tracking module further comprising a usage tracking subroutine for recording usage of the method, and the modules most often used, a teaser tracking subroutine for recording usage of the teaser step, an idle tracking subroutine for tracking usage of all primary learning modules, a main menu tracking subroutine for tracking selections at said main menu step, an interactive/contextual adventure tracking subroutine for tracking paths navigated during the interactive/contextual adventure, a local information module tracking routine for tracking interest in local subject matter facts/statistics, and a topical encyclopedia module tracking routine for tracking hits to keywords in said topical encyclopedia module; whereby results from said tracking routine are used globally to record and compile information on multiple user patterns to indicate to authorities when and where specific education or public health intervention may be needed, and locally to record and compile a single user's inputsand to foreclose subsequent decisions in said interactive adventure module in accordance with said user inputs to simulate impaired judgment.

Claim 14

A multimedia system for interactive behavior modification and promoting awareness of and changing high-risk behaviors that compromise the public health, comprising: a multi-media computer system; and a multimedia behavior modification program for promoting awareness and changing high-risk behaviors in areas of significant public health concern, said program embodying a learning method comprising the following steps, a teaser step including teaser video/audio for attracting a user to use the system, showing highlights, and familiarizing said user with primary subject matter; a main menu step providing a gateway to said user for executing one from among a group of primary learning modules; a group of primary learning modules, said group at least including, an interactive adventure module comprising a user-navigable decision tree in which the user is required to make decisions of consequence to their health, said decisions being presented in real-time in the context of a first hand virtual experience in a familiar social setting as portrayed by video/audio clips, a local information module comprising a user-navigable database of local information relating to subject matter concerns and resources in an immediate geographic region of the user, a topical encyclopedia module including a user-navigable database of frequently requested subjects and information thereon, and video/audio/images for accentuating said information, a subject matter quiz module including a series of culturally and geographically relevant questions about the primary subject matter presented with accompanying video/audio/images, a tracking module for tracking user information and decisions, and for processing said information to provide feedback on user characteristics and patterns of use, said tracking module further comprising a usage tracking subroutine for recording usage of the method, and the modules most often used, a teaser tracking subroutine for recording usage of the teaser step, an idle tracking subroutine for tracking usage of all primary learning modules, a main menu tracking subroutine for tracking selections at said main menu step, an interactive/contextual adventure tracking subroutine for tracking paths navigated during the interactive/contextual adventure, a local information module tracking routine for tracking interest in local subject matter facts/statistics, and a topical encyclopedia module tracking routine for tracking hits to keywords in said topical encyclopedia module; whereby results from said tracking routine are used globally to record and compile information on multiple user patterns to indicate to authorities when and where specific education or public health intervention may be needed, and locally to record and compile a single user's inputsand to foreclose subsequent decisions in said interactive adventure module in accordance with said user inputs to simulate impaired judgment.

Claim 15

The multimedia system for interactive behavior modification according to claim 11, whereby said multimedia behavior modification program automatically performs local, targeted community-based research to embellish a full spectrum of prevention.