Abstract:
A computer program for instructing a processor to display to a user of a computing device a reminder for the user to perform an action, the computer program comprising a series of instructions for:
       displaying in a window on a screen associated with the computing device the reminder represented by a character that undertakes said action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by the user;   enabling the user to set a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user; and   enabling the user to access within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the right of foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Application Serial Number 2010246373 filed in Australia on Nov. 23, 2010 by the same inventors, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    This invention relates to an on-screen reminder program and more particularly it relates to an on-screen reminder program that provides a reminder to a user, typically in a seated position using a computing device such as a PC, to undertake a particular action. More particularly the invention relates to a program to remind a user seated in front of a computing device to perform an action, such as a movement or an exercise. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Users of computing devices at home or in the workplace, such as PCs or laptops, typically spend hours on end sitting in front of or adjacent the screen associated with the computing device without much physical exercise or movement. The user can spend a long time looking at the screen and, apart from using the keyboard and/or mouse, without much physical exertion by the rest of their body. Besides placing a strain on the eyes, wrists, fingers or arms, a person sitting in one spot for a substantial length of time can be unhealthy for that person as such a position can lead to soreness in the hands, arms, forearms, neck and back, particularly where poor posture is used or repetitive actions lead to repetitive strain injuries. 
         [0004]    It is up to the individual to remind himself or herself to stop, move around or get up and have a break once in a while. However, such users can get carried away with the work they are undertaking using the computing device and forget to make such movement. 
         [0005]    Other arrangements that have been used to remind a user to move or exercise whilst using a computing device, has been to set an external alarm or a timer to go off at various times. However, there is no organised procedure to enable a user to perform particular movements, actions or exercises used on the device. Furthermore, a user may forget what the alarm is for or simply switch it off and ignore performing a movement, action or exercise. 
         [0006]    The present invention seeks to provide an improved manner in which a user can have a structured reminder to effectively get the user to perform a particular movement, action or exercise. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program for instructing a processor to display to a user of a computing device a reminder for the user to perform an action, the computer program comprising a series of instructions for: 
         [0008]    displaying in a window on a screen associated with the computing device the reminder represented by a character that undertakes said action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by the user; 
         [0009]    enabling the user to set a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user; and 
         [0010]    enabling the user to access within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window. 
         [0011]    The action preferably includes one or more movements by the character that indicate an action, movement or exercise for a portion of the body of the user to be performed by the user. 
         [0012]    The action may be a still image or a set of moving images of the character indicating a reminder message to the user. 
         [0013]    The computer program preferably instructs the processor to display a personal reminder in the window for the user. The computer program may enable the user to insert a text message for the reminder and set the date, time and frequency of the reminder. A time interval between display of successive reminders can be set by the user. 
         [0014]    The one or more actions may be accompanied by a written instruction in the window on performing the action. A portion of the displayed window can be used to display advertising material. The user can choose a character from a plurality of characters. The window or a separate window may be used to display to the user a regional notice or message, dependent on the geographical location of the user, alerting the user to an event occurring within the local region of the user. The window or a separate window may be used to display to the user an administration message from an administrator. 
         [0015]    The user may have access to a previous action displayed, a next action to be displayed or to repeat a displayed action in a sequence of displayed actions within the window. In a sequence of personal reminders, the user can have access to a previously displayed personal reminder, a next personal reminder to be displayed or to repeat a displayed personal reminder within the window. 
         [0016]    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a reminder to a user of a computing device in order for the user to perform an action, the method including the steps of: 
         [0017]    displaying in a window on a screen associated with the computing device the reminder represented by a character that undertakes said action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by the user, the character being generated by a first executable portion of a computer program; 
         [0018]    enabling the user, through a second executable portion of the computer program, to set a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user; and 
         [0019]    enabling the user, through a third executable portion of the computer program, to access within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window. 
         [0020]    In the method, the action may includes one or more movements by the character that indicate an action, movement or exercise for a portion of the body of the user to be performed by the user. 
         [0021]    In the method, the action may be a still image or a set of moving images of the character indicating a reminder message to the user. 
         [0022]    The method may further include displaying a personal reminder in the window for the user. 
         [0023]    The method may further include displaying a regional notice or message to the user in the window or a separate window, the regional notice or message being dependent on the geographical location of the user, alerting the user to an event occurring within the local region of the user. 
         [0024]    The method may further include displaying an administration message from an administrator to the user in the window or a separate window. 
         [0025]    According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing information to a user of a computing device, the system comprising: 
         [0026]    a first server for downloading a computer program that displays to the user on the computing device a reminder for the user to perform an action; 
         [0027]    a communications network connecting said first server to the computing device; 
         [0028]    wherein the reminder is displayed in a window on a screen of the computing device and is represented by a character that undertakes said action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by the user, the character being generated by a first executable portion of the computer program; 
         [0029]    wherein further the user, through a second executable portion of the computer program, is able to set a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user; and 
         [0030]    wherein further the user, through a third executable portion of the computer program, is provided with the option of accessing within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window. 
         [0031]    The system may further include a second server connected to the communications network and to the computing device. 
         [0032]    A regional notice or message may be sent to the user computing device and/or any other user computing device from the first server and displayed in the respective window or a separate window, the regional message being dependent on the geographical location of the user and/or other users, alerting the user or users to an event occurring within the local region of the user or users. 
         [0033]    An administration message can be sent by an administrator via the first server to the user computing device and/or user computing devices, that can be linked to the second server, and displayed in the respective window or a separate window on the computing devices. 
         [0034]    According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product including at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program portions having: 
         [0035]    a first executable portion for displaying in a window on a screen associated with a computing device a reminder represented by a character that undertakes an action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by a user; 
         [0036]    a second executable portion for setting a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user; and 
         [0037]    a third executable portion for enabling the user to access within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window. 
         [0038]    According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for: 
         [0039]    displaying in a window on a screen associated with the computing device the reminder represented by a character that undertakes said action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by the user; 
         [0040]    enabling the user to set a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user; and 
         [0041]    enabling the user to access within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window. 
         [0042]    According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable media containing a computer program for displaying to a user of a computing device a reminder for the user to perform an action, the computer program comprising a series of instructions for: 
         [0043]    displaying in a window on a screen associated with the computing device the reminder represented by a character that undertakes said action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by the user; 
         [0044]    enabling the user to set a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user; and 
         [0045]    enabling the user to access within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window. 
         [0046]    According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for displaying to a user a reminder for the user to perform an action, the system comprising: 
         [0047]    a user computing device having a storage device, a processor, an input device and an output device, the processor being programmed to: 
         [0048]    display in a window on the output device of the computing device the reminder represented by a character that undertakes said action, from a plurality of available actions, to be carried out by the user; 
         [0049]    enable the user to set a predetermined time when one or more of the plurality of actions undertaken by the character is displayed to the user, the user setting the predetermined time using the input device to; and 
         [0050]    enable the user to access within the displayed window another of the plurality of actions to display in the window by using the input device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0051]    A preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0052]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system used to download and provide updates to an on-screen reminder program; 
           [0053]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of basic components of a user computing device that forms part of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 2  is a view of a screen on a computing device of a user showing a pop-up window providing access to the program; 
           [0055]      FIG. 3  shows a more detailed view of the pop-up of  FIG. 2  with a character performing an action with a message for the user to undertake; 
           [0056]      FIG. 4  is a screen showing a personal reminder for the user; 
           [0057]      FIG. 5  is a view of a screen showing a window that provides various options available within the program; 
           [0058]      FIG. 6  shows a personal reminder window enabling a user to form or alter a reminder; 
           [0059]      FIG. 7  is a screen showing an “options window” that enables various options to be entered associated with the program; 
           [0060]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram showing the steps taken by the program and options made available to the user; and 
           [0061]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram showing processes undertaken by a remote server and by the program in terms of providing signals or updates to the program. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a block diagram of a system  100  used to download a computer program from a first server, being a remote server  102 , to either a computing device, such as stand alone PC  104  or to a second server, such as company server  106 , over a communications network, such as the interne  108 . Whether the program is downloaded to company server  106 , depending on the number of licences obtained, these can be distributed to a number of PC&#39;s  104  that are directly connected to the company server  106 . 
         [0063]    When the program has been downloaded to either company server  106  or PC  104 , a user of PC  104  logs on to the computing device and the computer program is initiated as part of the “start up” function of the logging-in process. 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 1A  there is shown the basic components of the user computing device  104 . The device  104  includes a processor  110 , main memory  112  such as a hard disk, RAM  114 , input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, touch pad or touch screen  116  and output device  118  such as a screen/monitor. 
         [0065]    In  FIGS. 2-5 , corresponding numerals generally apply between the figures. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an icon  202  of the program will appear in the system tray  204  that forms part of the screen  200  displayed to the user on PC  104 . The program, stored in a memory  112 ,  114  of PC  104 , provides instructions, through a first executable portion, to a processor  110  on PC  104  to display the icon  202  on screen  200 . On double clicking the icon  202  by the user, that is by left double clicking on the icon  202 , it causes the program to run whereby window  206  appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen  200 . The window  206  generally covers approximately 10% or greater area of the screen  200 . The actual area of the screen  200  covered by window  206  is adjustable. 
         [0067]    A more detailed view of window  206  is shown in  FIG. 3  and is depicted as action/information screen  300 . The image that appears in the portion  302  can be either an action or movement by a character, a personal reminder to the user, an administrator message or a regional message. The character is generally distinctive and has personality. 
         [0068]    In the movement mode, an action to be undertaken by the user is displayed in portion  302  at the next scheduled time. The action is an animation by a chosen character showing a simple movement that can last for up to 60 seconds before automatically closing when there has been no input to the control buttons  306  to  312  from the user. The animation or video image is one of many that is stored in the memory  112 ,  114  on PC  104  and is randomly, under instruction from the program, retrieved and displayed on screen  200 . Individual images/movements can be selected by the user to be displayed at times or intervals, also selected by the user, through a second executable portion of the computer program. The user may alternate between displayed images by using the previous button  306  to display the previous image, next button  310  to display the next image, a repeat button  308  in order to repeat the image just displayed and finish button  312  in order to close the current item. On clicking any of the buttons  306  to  312  by the user using a keyboard or mouse, these interactions are recorded by the program upon which the program, through a third executable portion, instructs the processor in PC  104  to perform the necessary action. In window  304  a text message may be displayed that provides suggestions for the user to read to assist the user to undertake the displayed movement, action or exercise. Additionally in box  314  there is provided a space reserved for advertising material. 
         [0069]    Examples of images that may display a simple movement, action or exercise can be to remind the user to stretch or move his/her back or neck, stretch or move the arms, hands or feet, focus the eyes away from the screen  200 , perform eye exercises or simple finger movements. In addition, “seated only” movements, actions or exercises can be provided for users that are wheelchair bound or are unable to stand. As many different movements, actions or exercises as are necessary or requested can be stored in the original program in the memory of the PC  104  or be sent as an update from remote server  102 , to be described hereinafter. Initially two different animated sequences are available. The first sequence is a seated sequence for users who are in wheelchairs or otherwise cannot move around or stand. The second sequence will be a mixture of standing, seated or moving around exercises, for example conducting a movement, action or exercise behind a chair or against a nearby wall. Although there are many different types of animated sequences that can be displayed, the user will have a choice to repeat or display up to five such sequences using the buttons  306  to  310 . 
         [0070]    A second mode that is initiated by the program is a personal reminder mode, a window  400  which is shown in  FIG. 4 . The reminders are set by the user at a particular time to be automatically shown by the program on the screen  200  to the user, in the same window that the movement modes are shown. The reminder is shown in text, an example of which is shown at  402  on screen  200 . If more than one message exists, then each message is displayed for a short time and will move in sequence and be repeated until all messages have been displayed. Or alternatively the previous button  404 , next button  406  or repeat button  408  can be used to skip through each of the messages. Individual messages will need to be deleted by clicking on the finish button  410  before the window  400  minimises. 
         [0071]    Alternatively, the personal reminder message may be a depiction of the character that is used in the movement mode but is a still image with the character, for example, holding a board with the message/reminder written on the board and to be read by the user. The character may be in any one of a number of poses and the message may be delivered in a text format on any particular medium that is associated or used by the character. 
         [0072]    A third message mode is the administrator message mode. It will be provided in a window, such as window  400  or window  206 , and the message can be initiated by the administrator, for example, in a company which is sent from company server  106 . The message will be transmitted to the first (remote) server  102  to verify the authentication of the administrator and confirm with the administrator that the message is to be sent to one or more of the licensed users using a PC  104  that is connected to or uses the company server  106 . This is usually done by an exchange of emails or other messages between servers  102  and  106 . Once confirmation and authentication is achieved, the first server  102  sends the message to each of the relevant users on the various PCs  104  (associated with the second server  106 ). Again if more than one message exists, then each will be displayed for a short time and moved in sequence and repeated until all messages have been displayed. The buttons  404  to  408  may be used to skip through each of the messages. Each individual message will need to be deleted by clicking on the finish button  410  before the window showing the message minimises. 
         [0073]    A further message mode that is undertaken by the program is a regional message mode, which is geographically based, where for example the same message can be sent over the internet  108  from servers such as  102  to a number of recipients. The regional message will be presented in a window similar to window  400  or  206  and is defined by the regional location of the particular PC in conjunction with local authorities of that geographical region, for example a flood or bushfire warning. The message will only disappear when it is acknowledged via depressing the finish button  410 . This particular mode is reserved for a significant message that affects the whole of the local region, for example a flood or bushfire. The remote server  102  is used in conjunction with other communication means associated with the local authorities. If more than one message exists then each message is displayed for a short time and moved in sequence and repeated until all of the messages have been displayed. The messages can be skipped through by using the buttons  404 ,  406  and  408 . 
         [0074]    The regional message may be displayed in a separate box to the box  400  or  206  and draw the attention of the user, for example in a flashing mode and where it is prominently displayed on the screen such as in the centre of the screen. It is possible that one of the other three modes simultaneously shows a reminder or message when a regional message is being broadcast to the user. 
         [0075]    In all of the above four modes, that is movement mode, personal reminder mode, administrator message mode and regional message mode each message may be accompanied by audio, stored in memory and accessed by the program, to alert the user who may not be looking at the screen at that particular time. Where the movement or personal reminder mode is used showing the character, the accompanying audio can be shown as if emanating from the character, for example, conversation, instruction, orders or singing to mention a few forms of audio. 
         [0076]    In arranging display of all of the messages, this is based on a set time for the movement mode and the personal reminder mode or can be initiated at any time in the case of an administrator message or a regional message to be broadcast and displayed. In each of the first two cases, movement mode and personal reminder mode, the program instructs the processor associated with PC  104  to display the message after comparison between an internal timer with the time set for the message. 
         [0077]    The section  314  is reserved for advertising material, wherein the display of various advertisements will be controlled by the program according to an advertising schedule. Each advertisement may have a sound or animation associated with it and be extracted from memory of any one of PC  104 , company server  106 , or remote server  102 . 
         [0078]    As mentioned previously by left double clicking on the icon  202 , this will cause the program to run. By right clicking on the icon  202  it will initiate a menu as shown in  FIG. 5  with the icon now referred to as  502 . The menu  508  appears on screen  500  in the window  506 . Clicking away from the menu  508  will cause the menu  508  to close. 
         [0079]    The menu  508  consists of a number of files and applications that can be opened, some of which can be modified by the user to control the display and timing of the messages in window  506 . The “run now” application  510  can be selected in order to start the program. Alternatively, a personal reminder window can be opened by clicking option  512  which enables the user to set a new personal reminder. An example of such a window is shown in  FIG. 6  in window  600 . In box  602  a particular reminder message can be entered and have up to a maximum of 100 characters. In box  604  the day that the reminder is to be sent is entered and in box  606  the time is entered for that day. Box  608  provides an option to set the reminder at a period of time from the present, for example, in one hour or two hours from the present time. Box  610  enables the reminder to be repeated after a set time period, for example, at the same time each day. In box  612  a sound can be applied to accompany the message. Once the message is complete the user clicks on the save button  614  and exits at  616 . The reminder is then stored in memory of PC  104  and accessed by the program at the set time. When the reminder appears at the set time and is acknowledged by depressing the finish button, the reminder is then automatically deleted. 
         [0080]    Referring back to  FIG. 5 , option  514  on the menu  508  is for the administration message window to be opened. This is only available on licensed PCs and the feature can only be actioned by the nominated administrator. The particular administration message will, for example, appear on all licensed PC, under the multi-user licence purchased by the particular company that owns the company server  106 . 
         [0081]    By clicking on option  516  this opens an options window. An example of the options window is shown at  FIG. 7 , as window  700 . A drop down box  702  allows the user to have the size of the window  206  run in a large or small format with the default being small. Drop down box  704  enables one of a number of animation characters to be selected or be displayed in the various action messages, such as movements or exercises which may be undertaken by the user. Each of the characters can be animated and perform a sequence of movements or be still or provide an indication to the user as to what action to undertake. A default character may be used. 
         [0082]    In drop down menu box  706  the preferred time interval between movements being shown can be selected with the default being  45  minutes. Thus at every interval the selected character will perform a chosen movement, action or exercise or a still graphic from a range of movements, actions or exercises stored in memory for the user to view. 
         [0083]    In drop down box  708  the type of movement may be selected. The default is for all movements to be shown by the selected character. As mentioned previously, “seated only” movements, actions or exercises can be selected. 
         [0084]    In drop down box  710 , the close method is selected with a default being to automatically close within 15 seconds. That is the exercise or action being performed by the selected character is to close automatically within 15 seconds. For the longer actions performed by the character, a longer close time is selected. 
         [0085]    All of the changes are saved by depressing button  712  and the “options window”  700  or exited by icon button  714 . The various changes are then stored in the memory of PC  104  and accessed by the program. 
         [0086]    Returning to  FIG. 5  in the menu  508 , a further option  518  can be selected which provides a link to purchase the software product where a free trial is currently being used by the user. 
         [0087]    The option  520  opens up an “activate me” window in which the current licence status is displayed, that is, either a free licence or a paid licence which includes for each the date of expiry or days remaining. There is also disclosed the company name if licensed or a “home use only” if unlicensed. If the program is licensed then the license number is displayed or if it is only for home use, a series of zeros is shown as the licence. A load button is displayed to load a License File. This will allow the user to browse to the location of the License File and then open it. If the License File is valid, it will cause the computer program to operate in License mode. Two types of License Files are provided to the user: 
         [0088]    (1) A “Standard” License File suitable for all standard user functions; 
         [0089]    (2) An “Administrator” License File for users appointed to manage the “administration messages” in addition to the standard user functions. 
         [0090]    The user must load whichever License File is appropriate for their position regarding the programs “Administrator Message” management. 
         [0091]    By clicking on button  522 , this opens up a “help” window that has a list of frequently asked questions and a link to a help page of the owner operator of the program. 
         [0092]    Option  524  displays information about the current version of the character being used to display the various actions as well as status information on that character. It also displays disclaimer, warranty, owner and licensee details. It also displays the current license and a link to the owner/operator web site. 
         [0093]    Option  526  provides an explanation of what the character is and displays a link back to the owner/operator website. Option  528  opens a support window which displays support contact details and a manual as well as details of remote functions and an option to “autofix”. Autofix checks all local files and attempts to download any damaged or missing files from first server  102 . 
         [0094]    Option  530  accesses an “uninstall” window which displays various uninstall options and requests confirmation if uninstall is selected. Option  532  is the “close” window that when clicked confirms that the user actually wants to close down the program. 
         [0095]    Referring to  FIG. 1  again, the system  100  uses a database  103  which is not directly accessible by the internet but only through server  102 . The remote server  102  is preferably based on a standard PHP/MySQL server system. The database  103  is a MySQL database and all communications to database  103  is via PHP logic at the remote server  102 . Communications to and from the remote server  102  over the internet  108  will be encrypted through any available encryption format. 
         [0096]    Database  103  stores all information required to control the various aspects of behaviour of the characters that are shown in animated form as reminders to each registered user. Such behaviour includes animation, advertising, schedules, client data, licenses, version control, and messages from administrators and messages associated with regional or geographically based occurrences. 
         [0097]    The remote server  102  is used in combination with database  103  to transmit any update information that is required for all the programs that are being downloaded and stored on the various PCs  104  or company server  106 . PHP logic controls all of the transmissions between the recipient clients, being PC  104  or company server  106 , and the remote server  102 . Each information message or transaction is encrypted before transmission and then decrypted on receipt This occurs in both directions across the internet  108 . All transactions or messages between the clients and the server are via predefined commands from a command library stored in database  103 . Any update information required to be downloaded on the client computing devices can be sent at any time or at predefined times. 
         [0098]    The program that is stored on each of the client devices such as PC&#39;s  104  or company server  106 , periodically poll the remote server for any messages that are required to be transmitted and shown to the end users, such as administrator messages or regional based messages or updates that are required for any of the functions within the program. As an example, the program might request more movements, actions or exercises to be transmitted over the internet to the relevant PC which would be a separate action aside from polling the remote server  102 . The remote server, in communication with database  103  may then forward another set of actions that can last for the next week or the next few days. 
         [0099]    The computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s) or steps(s), such as in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0100]    Referring to  FIG. 8  there is shown a flow diagram  800  of steps used by the program and options available to the user of the program. At step  802  the user downloads the program from the first server (remote) server  102 . At step  804  after downloading and installing the program, a window appears on the screen of the computing device of the user to ask the user to select preferences on the character that they wish to use, enter basic end user demographic information and agree to the terms and conditions of the license. Various characters can be selected and can appear at a range of intervals, such as in 30 minutes, 45 minutes, an hour, 90 minutes or two hours. These options, that is number of characters and time intervals to select from, are reduced for users trialling the program. 
         [0101]    At step  806  after the completion of the step  804 , the window reduces and a character as chosen by the user appears as a small icon in the system tray  204  on the screen of the user&#39;s computing device. At step  808 , at the set time the character appears in a window approximately  7 cm square on the right hand side of the screen and performs the action, chosen from a plurality of actions or messages stored in the memory of the user&#39;s computing device (see  300 ). This can be accompanied by explanatory text about the action and an advertisement. A disclaimer may also be displayed stating that the owner/operator does not accept liability if a user is injured as a result of performing an action, movement or exercise. 
         [0102]    At step  810  after the action or message has been performed, the window that displayed the action or message is then reduced in size and is removed to the system tray again. At step  812  if the user wishes to alter any of the options available in the program this is done at step  814  which can include making changes to the type of character used, the time interval between the display of messages and what sort of action/movement is to be displayed. The process then returns to step  808 . 
         [0103]    Where no option needs to be altered at step  812 , the process moves to the decision box  816  where an option is given to the user to make or alter a reminder. Where a new reminder has to be made or changes to an existing reminder is required, this is done at step  818  and the process returns to step  808 . Otherwise if no changes are to be made to the reminder or no new reminders are needed then the process moves again to step  808 . 
         [0104]    With reference to  FIG. 9  there is shown a flow diagram of communications between the remote server  102  and client devices such as PC  104  or company server  106 . It also discloses action steps to be undertaken by the program that resides on the client device itself. The flow diagram  900  starts at decision box  902  where a determination is made as to whether a server update is required to be downloaded to the user&#39;s computing device. If “yes” then a communication is made at step  904  with the server  102  and the required updates are downloaded. If not, then the process moves to decision box  906  where the server  102  is polled as to whether a regional message has been posted. If the answer is “yes” then at step  908  the regional message is displayed by transmitting the message from the remote server  102  to the various users’ PCs  104 . Where no regional message is to be posted then the process moves to box  910  where a determination is made as to whether an administrator message has been posted, for example by company server  106 . If this is the case then the administrator message is displayed at step  912 . If no administrator message is to be posted the process moves to decision box  914  where a determination on whether a personal reminder has been posted is made. Where a personal reminder is current then at the set time the reminder message is displayed at step  916 . 
         [0105]    If no personal reminder has been posted or is current, the process moves to decision box  918  where a determination as to whether a movement or action sequence needs to be commenced. If “yes” then the movement, action or reminder to be undertaken by the character is displayed at step  920 . Otherwise the process moves to  922  and undertakes no action until the required time when a reminder or action to be performed by the character is due. 
         [0106]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.