How Apps Use Timed Content to Enforce Health Behavior Changes
A system for health apps that locks users out of missed daily lessons and forces them to move forward to the next scheduled module instead of catching up.
Original patent title: “Enforced content interaction timing for lifestyle and health related behavior change”
A system for health apps that locks users out of missed daily lessons and forces them to move forward to the next scheduled module instead of catching up. Granted to McNeil AB in 2025 with 23 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a software mechanism that forces users to follow a strict chronological schedule for health-related content, such as smoking cessation programs. If a user fails to access a specific module during its designated 'active' window, the system locks that content permanently. When the user tries to access the missed content later, an 'enforcement module' blocks them and notifies them that the module is no longer available. The system then directs the user to wait for the next scheduled module, ensuring the user stays on a predefined path rather than skipping or delaying lessons.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover systems that allow users to access missed content at any time (on-demand learning).
- Does not cover health behavior programs that do not use a time-locked enforcement mechanism.
- Does not cover manual overrides where a user can unlock previous modules by contacting support.
- Does not cover general notification systems that simply remind users to complete a task without blocking access.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The system treats missed content as a permanent state change rather than a simple 'to-do' item, effectively using software to force a 'no-turning-back' psychological commitment to the program schedule.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Smoking cessation mobile apps
Digital pregnancy health coaching platforms
Structured dietary habit-formation applications
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent reflects a shift in digital health toward 'behavioral design,' where software developers use friction and scarcity to influence human habits. By preventing users from 'cramming' or skipping ahead, the system attempts to mimic the structure of professional coaching. It is a commercial tool for companies like McNeil AB to increase engagement and adherence in digital therapeutics.
Filed
December 20, 2021
Granted
September 30, 2025
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
McNeil AB, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is the primary assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →. This technology is part of a broader trend among digital health companies like Omada Health or Noom, which utilize structured, time-gated content to manage chronic conditions and lifestyle changes.
Market impact
This patent formalizes the 'daily lesson' model used in many wellness apps, potentially creating a barrier for competitors seeking to implement similar strict-adherence models. It reinforces the industry trend of moving away from open-access content libraries toward highly curated, time-sensitive digital experiences.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a software mechanism that forces users to follow a strict chronological schedule for health-related content, such as smoking cessation programs. If a user fails to access a specific module during its designated 'active' window, the system locks that content permanently. When the user tries to access the missed content later, an 'enforcement module' blocks them and notifies them that the module is no longer available. The system then directs the user to wait for the next scheduled module, ensuring the user stays on a predefined path rather than skipping or delaying lessons.
The clever bit
The system treats missed content as a permanent state change rather than a simple 'to-do' item, effectively using software to force a 'no-turning-back' psychological commitment to the program schedule.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover systems that allow users to access missed content at any time (on-demand learning).
- Does not cover health behavior programs that do not use a time-locked enforcement mechanism.
- Does not cover manual overrides where a user can unlock previous modules by contacting support.
- Does not cover general notification systems that simply remind users to complete a task without blocking access.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$94K – $300K
Midpoint $187K · 15.5 yr remaining · industry ×2.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
23 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Giuseffi, D., Edgar, S., Ivanova, D., Dong, M., Wildenhaus, K. J., & Mellinger, J. (2025). How Apps Use Timed Content to Enforce Health Behavior Changes (U.S. Patent No. 12,431,234). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12431234/raptor-cost
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Apps Use Timed Content to Enforce Health Behavior Changes cover?
A system for health apps that locks users out of missed daily lessons and forces them to move forward to the next scheduled module instead of catching up.
Who owns patent US 12431234?
McNeil AB owns this patent, granted in 2025.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 30, 2045, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 12431234 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent reflects a shift in digital health toward 'behavioral design,' where software developers use friction and scarcity to influence human habits. By preventing users from 'cramming' or skipping ahead, the system attempts to mimic the structure of professional coaching. It is a commercial tool for companies like McNeil AB to increase engagement and adherence in digital therapeutics.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover systems that allow users to access missed content at any time (on-demand learning).
Patent monitoring