The present invention relates to systems and methods for creating and implementing circadian shift protocols responsive to user inputs and external circumstances known or unknown to the user and providing notifications to the user for the same.
Challenges of shifting an individual's circadian rhythm are well known in the art. Current solutions to shifting circadian rhythms generate protocols that fail to consider the circadian phase of the individual, do not consider whether what is indicated by the protocol is practical and likely to be adhered to be the individual, and are not adapted to prepare multiple, successive protocols that may conflict with one another, as well as other deficiencies. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a circadian shifting protocol method and system for generating the same that addresses these deficiencies.
This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.
With the above in mind, embodiments of the present invention are related to a method of determining and presenting a protocol for adjusting a circadian rhythm of a user comprising receiving an indication of an intended circadian shift comprising a shift magnitude, receiving an indication of a user circadian phase, and defining a user circadian shift protocol responsive to the shift magnitude and the indication of the user circadian phase, the user circadian shift protocol comprising one or more activities scheduled to be performed at a certain date and time. The activities may comprise at least one of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, a physical activity, and a rest activity. The method may further comprise providing an indication to perform each activity on a user device. Each of the activities are indicated to the user to affect the intended circadian shift.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving a sleep pattern for the user, wherein the user circadian shift protocol is defined responsive to the sleep pattern. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving an activity preference indication from the user identifying an activity the user will not perform, defining an excluded activity; wherein defining the user circadian shift protocol comprises defining one or more activities excluding the excluded activity.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving an indication from a user of non-performance of an activity, defining a non-performed activity and adjusting the user circadian shift protocol responsive to the non-performed activity. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise identifying a first resting activity comprised by the user circadian shift protocol and a second resting activity comprised by the user circadian shift protocol, where no other resting activities comprised by the user circadian shift protocols are scheduled between the first resting activity and the second resting activity, determining a length of time between the first resting activity and the second resting activity, defining a resting gap, and determining if the resting gap exceeds a maximum resting gap threshold. Upon determining the resting gap exceeds the maximum resting gap threshold, modifying the user circadian shift protocol by at least one of altering at least one of the first resting activity and the second resting activity such that the resting gap is reduced to no longer exceed the maximum resting gap threshold and creating a new resting activity scheduled between the first resting activity and the second resting activity.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving an indication of an intervening user event, determining whether the intervening user event conflicts with the performance of an activity, and modifying the user circadian shift protocol responsive to determining the intervening user event conflicts with the performance of an activity. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise identifying an activity comprised by the user circadian shift protocol that is concurrent with or in the proximate future of the current time, defining an identified action, receiving an indication of a present location of the user, identifying a location proximate to the present location of the user that can facilitate performance of the identified action, defining an activity location, and providing an indication of the existence and location of the activity location on the user device.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving an indication of a present circadian rhythm status of the user, receiving an indication of a present location of the user, determining a preferred circadian rhythm status responsive to the present location of the user, and determining if the present circadian rhythm of the user is mismatched with the preferred circadian rhythm status. The user circadian shift protocol is defined responsive to the present circadian rhythm of the user is mismatched with the preferred circadian rhythm status.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining whether an advancing circadian shift protocol that advances a circadian rhythm of the user or a delaying circadian shift protocol that delays the circadian rhythm of the user is preferable, defining a preferred shifting direction; wherein the user circadian shift protocol is defined responsive to the preferred shifting direction. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining a present circadian rhythm status of the user responsive to the current time and the activities scheduled prior to the current time and sending the present circadian rhythm status to a remote computerized device.
In some embodiments, the user circadian shift protocol is a first user circadian shift protocol and the method may further comprise receiving a second indication of an intended circadian shift comprising a second shift magnitude, and defining a second user circadian shift protocol responsive to the second shift magnitude, the second user circadian shift protocol comprising one or more activities scheduled to be performed at a certain date and time. The activities may comprise at least one of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, a physical activity, and a rest activity. The method may further comprise determining whether an activity of the first user circadian shift protocol conflicts with an activity of the second user circadian shift protocol. Upon determining an activity of the first user circadian shift protocol conflicts with an activity of the second user circadian shift protocol, the method may further comprise modifying at least one of the first user circadian shift protocol and the second user circadian shift protocol to remove the conflict and providing an indication to perform each activity of each of the first user circadian protocol and the second user circadian protocol on the user device.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise sending a command to a device responsive to an activity comprised by the user circadian shift protocol. In further embodiments, the command is selected from the group consisting of altering display characteristics of a display, causing a display of information on a display, altering light emission characteristics of a lighting device, altering a status of a window-related device to alter ambient light conditions, initiating production of a beverage comprising a stimulant, and transmitting a message to a person regarding provision of at least one of a chronobitotic and nutrition.
In some embodiments, the indication of the intended circadian shift may be related to travel information for a user trip, the travel information comprising a departure date, a departure time, a departure location, an arrival date, an arrival time, and an arrival location; and wherein a time zone difference between the departure location and the arrival location defines the shift magnitude. Furthermore, the travel information may further comprises a stopover start time and a stopover end time, the time between the stopover start time and the stopover end time defines a stopover duration. The method may further comprise determining if the stopover duration is sufficient for an activity and, upon determining the stopover duration is sufficient for an activity, defining the user circadian shift protocol to comprise an activity during the stopover duration, defining a stopover activity. The stopover activity may be selected from the activities consisting of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, a physical activity, and a rest activity.
Additionally, the user circadian shift protocol may comprise a maximum daily shift, and the method may further comprise determining a pre-arrival time defined as a length of time between a present time and the arrival time on the arrival date, determining a pre-arrival required daily shift to accomplish a complete circadian shift to a time zone associated with the arrival location, determining whether the pre-arrival required daily shift exceeds the maximum daily shift, and upon determining the pre-arrival required daily shift exceeds the maximum daily shift, modifying the user circadian shift protocol to accomplish a partial circadian shift by the arrival time on the arrival date.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving travel information for an individual other than the user, defining a companion, comprising a companion departure date, a companion departure time, a companion departure location, a companion arrival date, a companion arrival time, and a companion arrival location, determining a companion time zone difference between the companion departure location and the companion arrival location, defining a companion shift magnitude, and receiving personal information for each of the user and the companion. The user circadian shift protocol may be determined responsive to the personal information of at least one of the user and the companion. Furthermore, the method may further comprise receiving travel information for the companion comprising a companion departure date, a companion departure time, a companion departure location, a companion arrival date, a companion arrival time, and a companion arrival location, determining a companion time zone difference between the companion departure location and the companion arrival location, defining a companion shift magnitude, and defining a companion circadian shift protocol responsive to the shift magnitude, the circadian shift protocol comprising one or more activities. The activities may comprise at least one of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, a physical activity, and a rest activity. The method may further comprise providing an indication to perform each activity of the companion circadian shift protocol on a companion device.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving information about a change in at least one of the departure time and the departure date, defining travel change information and adjusting the user circadian shift protocol responsive to the travel change information. In some embodiments, the user circadian shift protocol is a first user circadian shift protocol, and wherein the travel information further comprises a second departure date, a second departure time, a second departure location, a second arrival date, a second arrival time, and a second arrival location. The method may further comprise determining a time zone difference between the second departure location and the second arrival location, defining a second shift magnitude and defining a second user circadian shift protocol responsive to the second shift magnitude, the second user circadian shift protocol comprising one or more second activities. The second activities may comprise at least one of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, a physical activity, and a rest activity. The method may further comprise providing an indication on the user device to perform each activity of the second user circadian shift protocol. Furthermore, the method may comprise determining whether the second user circadian shift protocol overlaps with the first circadian shift protocol. Upon determining the second user circadian shift protocol overlaps with the first circadian shift protocol, the method may further comprise modifying the first user circadian shift protocol to accomplish a partial circadian shift and modifying the second user circadian shift protocol to reflect the first user circadian shift protocol accomplishing a partial circadian shift.
In some embodiments, the user circadian shift protocol comprises an activity scheduled to be performed after the departure time and before the arrival time.
Additionally, embodiments of the invention may be directed to a method of determining and presenting a protocol for adjusting a circadian rhythm of a user comprising receiving an indication of an intended circadian shift comprising a shift magnitude, receiving a user circadian phase, receiving an activity preference indication from the user identifying an activity the user will not perform, defining an excluded activity, receiving an indication of a present circadian phase status of the user, receiving an indication of a present location of the user, determining a preferred circadian phase status responsive to the present location of the user, and determining if the present circadian phase of the user is mismatched with the preferred circadian phase status. The method may further comprise determining whether an advancing circadian shift protocol that advances a circadian rhythm of the user or a delaying circadian shift protocol that delays the circadian rhythm of the user is preferable, defining a preferred shifting direction and defining a user circadian shift protocol responsive to the shift magnitude, the chronotype preference, the preferred shifting direction, and if the present circadian phase of the user is mismatched with the preferred circadian phase status, the user circadian shift protocol comprising one or more activities scheduled to be performed at a certain date and time excluding the excluded activity. The activities may comprise a first rest activity, a second rest activity, and at least one of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, and a physical activity. The method may further comprise providing an indication to perform each activity of the user circadian shift protocol on a user device and sending a command to a device responsive to an activity comprised by the user circadian shift protocol. Each of the activities are presented to the user to affect the intended circadian shift. A length of time between the first resting activity and the second resting activity do not exceed a maximum resting gap.
Additionally, embodiments of the invention may be directed to a method of determining and presenting a protocol for adjusting a circadian rhythm of a user comprising receiving a travel information related to an upcoming user trip comprising a departure date, a departure time, a departure location, an arrival date, an arrival time, and an arrival location, a stopover start time and a stopover end time, wherein a time zone difference between the departure location and the arrival location defines a shift magnitude, and wherein the time between the stopover start time and the stopover end time defines a stopover duration, determining if the stopover duration is sufficient for an activity, receiving a chronotype preference for the user, and defining a user circadian shift protocol responsive to the shift magnitude, the chronotype preference, and if the stopover duration is sufficient for an activity, the user circadian shift protocol comprising one or more activities scheduled to be performed at a certain date and time. The activities may comprise at least one of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, a physical activity, and a rest activity. The method may further comprise providing an indication to perform each activity of the user circadian shift protocol on a user device. Each of the activities are presented to the user to affect a circadian shift. The user circadian shift protocol comprises an activity during the stopover duration if the stopover duration is sufficient for an activity selected from the activities consisting of a light exposure or light avoidance activity, a chronobiotic activity, a nutritional consumption activity, a physical activity, and a rest activity.
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.
In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.
Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” “mostly,” and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.
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In some embodiments, the shift magnitude may be expressly provided, i.e. the user indicates a desire to shift their circadian rhythm forward one hour. In some embodiments, the shift magnitude may be understood as a difference between a current, future, or otherwise assumed circadian rhythm of the user and a target circadian rhythm. In some embodiments, the shift magnitude may be determined from information provided by the user, as will be discussed in greater detail herein below.
The indication for the intended circadian shift can take many forms. In some embodiments, the indication can comprise travel information related to a user trip. The travel information may indicate a change in time zone, where the change in time zone at least partially, and in some embodiments fully, defines the shift magnitude. The travel information may comprise a departure date, a departure time, a departure location, an arrival date, an arrival time, and an arrival location. The difference between time zones of the departure location and the arrival location may define the shift magnitude. This type of inferring or determining a shift magnitude is exemplary only and does not limit the scope of the invention. A shift magnitude may be determined or inferred from other information, including, but not limited to, a scheduled event (such as a sporting event, academic evaluation, or meeting, etc.), a prescribed time to take medication, a change in time related to daylight saving time, a change in work schedule (including a change in day/night or first/second/third shift), and the like.
The method may design a protocol responsive to the entered flights, accounting for the duration of stopovers or at any destination, such that, in some instances, a partial circadian shift is affected, such that the user may more expediently shift to a circadian rhythm aligned with the time zone to which they are going, if the magnitude difference in time zones between the travel destination and the return, or onwards, destination is too great for a complete shift to be accomplished, the number of days until departure is too small to affect a complete circadian change so as to adjust the user to a circadian rhythm aligned with the destination time zone, and/or the duration of the trip is so short as to not warrant a complete circadian shift. These motivations, and any others, may each be weighted by the method, in some instances according to user input in terms of user preference, and the circadian shift protocol designed accordingly.
The method 100 may continue with receiving an indication of a user circadian phase 104. The indication of the user circadian phase may take many forms, including, but not limited to, an indication from the user as to what their diurnal preference, or choronotype, is (e.g. early bird, night owl, or neither). Further indications of the user's circadian phase may include physiological measurements. These indications are exemplary only, and any indication of a user circadian phase is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention.
The method 100 may continue with defining a user circadian shift protocol responsive to the shift magnitude and the indication of the user circadian phase. Defining the protocol may comprise scheduling one or more circadian-shifting activities to be performed at a certain date and time, with the totality of the activities defining the protocol. Each of the activities may be designed to affect the intended circadian shift. The types of activities comprised by the protocol may include, but are not limited to, light exposure and/or light avoidance activities, chronobiotic activities, nutritional consumption activities, physical activities, and rest activities. Light exposure/avoidance activities may include, but are not limited to, seeking out exposure to light, seeking out exposure to daylight, seeking out exposure to light comprising light within a blue range of the physical spectrum (i.e. light within a wavelength range from 450 nanometers (nm) to 485 nm), avoiding light, avoiding daylight, and avoiding light comprising light within the blue range, including any timing, duration, pattern, and intensity. Chronobiotic activities may include ingestion of sleep aid, or supplements or chronobiotics (drugs that shift the timing of circadian rhythms(s)) such as melatonin or its agonists (by any method, including melatonin pills, patches, and beverages). Nutritional consumption activities may include ingestion of stimulants such as caffeine (by any method, including drinking caffeinated beverages such as tea or coffee or pills) or other nutritional intake (such as eating meals or snacks). Physical activities may include exercise of any type, and of any duration, intensity, timing, and frequency. Rest activities may include overnight and/or day time sleeping intended to accomplish one or more complete sleep cycles including wake up times and going to sleep times, and napping (i.e. sleep that does not accomplish complete sleep cycles). It is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention that each of these activities may be characterized as “strongly recommended/mandatory,” “optional,” and other indications of the importance of performing the action. Such indications may be responsive to the effect each activity has on shifting the circadian rhythm of the user, with more effective activities tending to be characterized as “strongly recommended/mandatory” and less effective activities tending to be characterized as “optional.”
The method 100 may further comprise providing an indication to perform each activity comprise by the protocol on a user device 106. The indications may comprise a textual reminder to perform the activity, an iconographic reminder to perform the activity, a haptic indication, generating a colored light, an audio indication in the form of a voice reminder, a musical/tonal reminder, or any other sound to indicate the activity to be performed. In some embodiments, the indication may be presented within the context of a calendar, with the portion of the calendar occupied by the indication to perform the activity representing the date and time during which the activity is to be performed. Examples of such indications are shown in
In some embodiments, the user may provide an indication as to how they want to receive notifications about the circadian shift protocol resulting from the method. Such notifications may be provided by any means or method known in the industry, including, but not limited to, push notifications, text messages, multimedia messages, e-mails, automated telephone calls, and the like.
In some embodiments, a sleep pattern for the user may also be received, distinct from the indication of the user circadian phase. In such embodiments, the protocol may be defined responsive to the received sleep pattern. In some embodiments, an activity preference may be received from the user. Such activity preferences may include an activity the user does not wish to perform (defining an excluded activity), an activity the user prefers to perform (defining a preferred activity), and time ranges for either of the excluded or preferred activities, indicating if there is just a certain time the user wishes to exclude or promote the respective activities. The protocol may be defined responsive to either or both of the excluded activity and the preferred activity, as well as the respective time ranges.
Resting activities may comprise one or more naps. Information on when and for how long to nap either before, during or after a flight may be provided, either as specific timing or ranges of opportunity during which a shorter nap could be taken. These naps may be further categorized into ‘strongly recommended/mandatory’ or ‘optional’ based on prior sleep opportunity, time awake and/or the likelihood that people will need them or can do them.
Napping, both in terms of time and duration, may have certain controls. For example, a nap after landing may be no longer than three hours in length, and must end no later than two hours after a user's typical sleeping end time. A nap before an early flight is limited to three hours in length and can only start a maximum of two hours before a user's typical sleep start time. Moreover, pre-flight naps may be limited to one hour in length.
In addition to the times when sleep is recommended on the airplane, optional naps may also be indicated when there is an extended episode of time without scheduled sleep on the ground, in order to avoid excessive sleep loss. These will be scheduled to occur at times when they will have the least impact on light exposure or the ability to sleep at the destination.
In some embodiments, an indication of non-performance of an activity may be received, defining a non-performed activity. Such an indication may be for an activity that was intended to have already been performed, intended as being presently performed, or intended to be performed in the future. The protocol may be modified to reflect the non-performed activity while still accomplishing the intended circadian shift.
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Additionally, when determining the circadian shift protocol, certain limitations may be imposed upon when certain activities, exposures, and ingestions occur. For example, users may be required to wake up at least four hours prior to travelling, to permit for adequate transit and check-in time at the airport, which might be in conflict with what a circadian shift would suggest (e.g. sleeping until two hours prior to take-off may be more conducive to obtaining a desired circadian shift). Additionally, as another example, limitations on when a user is unable to comply with certain recommended activities, exposures, and ingestions are contemplated and accounted for. For example, while it might result in a more favorable circadian shift if complied with, an individual may be unable to sleep during a recommended time period, particularly if that individual is boarding a flight or scheduled to travel by car or taxi, for example. Accordingly, the method may take into account such real world or environmental factors, and may generate a circadian shift protocol that eliminates recommendations that are impossible or difficult to comply with, instead making recommendations that have a similar, although moderated, circadian shifting effect. Additionally, as another example, limitations on when a user is likely to comply with certain recommended activities, exposures, and ingestions are contemplated and accounted for. For example, while it might result in a more favorable circadian shift if complied with, an individual may be unlikely to sleep from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m., particularly if that individual has indicated they have a ‘morning type’ diurnal preference, e.g. early bird. Accordingly, the method may comprise creating a circadian shift protocol that has the user sleep from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. (or some other time period as may be likely to be complied with by the user) and then avoid sunlight from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. In this way, the method may generate a circadian shift protocol that minimizes recommendations that are unlikely or very difficult to comply with, instead making recommendations that have a similar, although moderated, circadian shifting effect. Additionally, as another example, limitations on when a user is likely to comply with certain recommended activities, exposures, and ingestions are contemplated and accounted for. For example, while it might result in a more favorable circadian shift if complied with, an individual may be not be able to sleep or nap right upon arrival to a destination as the individual will first need to get their luggage, drive to their hotel, check in, unpack their toothbrush etc. before they can go to sleep.
The circadian shift protocol may be connected to a user's calendar, allowing appointments and tasks to be scheduled at a time optimal for such appointment or task. If more users connect their circadian shift protocol to their calendars, the calendar may recommend the best time to meet, talk, or executive tasks together, based on their circadian shift protocols.
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In some embodiments, defining the user circadian shift protocol may comprise determining whether advancing the user's circadian rhythm (e.g. making their rise time and bed time earlier) or delaying their circadian rhythm (e.g. making their rise time and bed time later) is most effective and preferable. Such a determination may be made responsive to at least the shift magnitude, the direction of the shift, and the user circadian phase, including the user chronotype. It may further be determined whether an advancing circadian shift protocol that advances the user's circadian rhythm or a delaying circadian shift protocol that delays the user's circadian rhythm is preferred, defining a preferred shifting direction. Accordingly, the user circadian shift protocol may be defined responsive to the preferred shifting direction.
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As mentioned above, the intended circadian shift may be related to a user trip, and the indication for the intended shift may be travel information. In such embodiments, the travel information may comprise a departure date, a departure time, a departure location, an arrival date, an arrival time, and an arrival location.
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The method 900 may further comprise determining whether the prearrival required daily shift exceeds a maximum daily shift. The maximum daily shift may be understood as a maximum amount a user can shift their circadian rhythm each day. This is commonly understood to be between 1-2 hours per day. However, it is contemplated and within the scope of the invention that the protocol may be defined assuming a maximum daily shift of three hours, accounting for the improvement that circadian-shifting activities affects on circadian-shifting capabilities of the user, when compared to non-performance of such circadian-shifting activities. In some embodiments, the user may set or adjust the maximum daily shift.
Upon determining the pre-arrival required daily shift exceeds the maximum daily shift, the method 900 may continue with modifying the user circadian shift protocol to accomplish a partial circadian shift by the arrival time on the arrival date 908. This means that only a portion of the preferred circadian shift will be accomplished at arrival time, regardless of whether the preferred circadian shift is a complete shift or a partial shift.
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The method 1000 may further comprise determining a companion time zone difference between the companion departure location and the companion arrival location, defining a companion shift magnitude 1004, similar to step 106 of
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In some embodiments, the user circadian shift protocol may comprise an activity scheduled to be performed after the departure time and prior to the arrival time, i.e. during the flight.
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Additionally, at least one of the user device 4210 and the server 4220 may be positioned in communication with one or more attached devices, including, but not limited to, a third-party server 4230 that may be further attached to one or more smart devices, a smart watch 4240 that may receive and display circadian shift protocol notifications and calendar information, reformatted from how such information is delivered on the user device 4210 to account for the smaller screen or no screen, and the circumstances and context of the user. For example, a smart lamp 4250 in order to emit light having a spectral power distribution consistent with the circadian shift protocol (e.g. emitting light with greater intensity within the blue-light spectrum to simulate daylight, emitting light with less intensity in the blue-light spectrum to simulate avoiding daylight. In another example, a smart coffee maker 4260 may be communicated with to, for example, brew coffee when consuming caffeinated beverages is consistent with a circadian shift protocol, and deny brewing coffee when a circadian shift protocol recommends avoiding caffeinated beverages. In another example, a screen for crew members on an airplane display circadian shifting protocols of passengers, the passengers' needs based on their circadian shift protocols, and their compliance with the circadian shifting protocols, enabling the crew to personalize the timing of in-flight activities such as meal service, appropriate lighting, availability of coffee/tea/caffeine, melatonin, etc. consistent with such circadian shift protocols. In another example, an in-flight entertainment system display activities, exposures, and substance ingestions of a passenger's circadian shift protocol allowing the passenger to take recommended actions and maybe also use the system to order supportive products or services, including the ordering of coffee/tea/caffeine, melatonin, etc.
The circadian shifting protocol may ‘run’ the screen brightness and spectrum (e.g. reduce or increase the proportion of short wavelength blue light emitted by the screen) of any electronic device, including a computer, phone, or in-flight entertainment system on an airplane or in any other setting by altering the display characteristics of displays, altering the light emission characteristics of lighting devices. Further, the circadian shifting protocol may ‘run’ the auxiliary/overhead/seat/ambient lighting or even the window screens (either automatically pulling them up or down or filtering the intensity and spectrum of light that is transmitted) or window glass (automatically altering the filtering the intensity and spectrum of light that is transmitted). Reminders and notifications could also be presented on the screens for what to do and when based on the circadian shift protocol, taking the form of causing the display of information on a display.
Additionally, the circadian shifting protocol could ‘run’ the brightness and spectrum (e.g. reduce or increase the proportion of short wavelength blue light emitted by the screen) of hotel room lighting or even the window screens (either automatically pulling them up or down or filtering the intensity and spectrum of light that is transmitted) or window glass (automatically altering the filtering the intensity and spectrum of light that is transmitted).
If the individual wishes to follow such activities, exposures, and substance ingestion on any device, the device may offer options to support the individual in being compliant with such efforts. For example, if the user agrees to go to sleep, a movie playing on an in-flight entertainment system could be paused and an alarm clock offered to help the passenger wake up when the circadian shift protocol determined it would be optimal to wake up).
However, if the individual does wish to follow such activities, exposures, and substance ingestion, alternative suggestion may be offered to avoid impacting the circadian shift negatively (e.g. lower the brightness and a better spectrum), minimizing the negative impact when a passenger for example continues to watch a movie when they were suppose to avoid light entirely.
While the number of time zones to be crossed (and the jet lag adaptation required) will be the same for different versions of a given trip, there is variability in the degree to which the flight affects sleep patterns and the degree to which an individual can comply with the advice. In some embodiments, communication of one of the user device 4210 and the server 4220 with the third-party server 4230 may comprise identifying one or more flights that are relatively more conducive to avoiding jet lag/accomplishing a circadian shift. This may take the form of either providing a time range when it would be most conducive to the circadian shift protocol to travel, or further conducting a search of available commercial passenger flights within such a time range to provide the user with a variety of travel options that will best match the circadian shift protocol.
Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.
While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/680,887 (Attorney Docket No. 3788.00001) filed on Jun. 5, 2018 and titled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING AND PROVIDING NOTIFICATIONS FOR A CIRCADIAN SHIFT PROTOCOL. The content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62680887 | Jun 2018 | US |