Methods and apparatus for reducing anxiety during travel

• US 10,196,154 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2017
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US15/653,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20170313440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 434428
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/02 Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W

Abstract

In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes a portable electronic device; and an application executable on the portable electronic device, the application including computer program code that (a) monitors acceleration data during a flight of an airplane; and (b) displays a representation of the acceleration data in relation to a threshold acceleration of the airplane. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a portable electronic device;

one or more accelerometers, the one or more accelerometers configured to generate acceleration data based on a flight of an airplane, the acceleration data being indicative of acceleration along a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis; and

computer program code stored in the portable electronic device that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to;

monitor the acceleration data generated by the one or more accelerometers during the flight of the airplane; and

display a representation of the acceleration data generated by the one or more accelerometers in relation to a maximum safe acceleration of the airplane;

wherein the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are each orthogonal to the other two axes, and the maximum safe acceleration is an acceleration beyond which damage to the airplane in flight is expected, and

wherein the one or more accelerometers are disposed within the portable electronic device, and the computer program code stored in the portable electronic device, when executed by the portable electronic device, further causes the portable electronic device to monitor acceleration of the airplane responsive to the acceleration data generated by the one or more accelerometers during the flight of the airplane.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor disposed external to the portable electronic device,

wherein the one or more accelerometers are disposed in the sensor, and wherein the computer program code stored in the portable electronic device, when executed by the portable electronic device, further causes the portable electronic device to monitor acceleration of the airplane responsive to receiving acceleration data from the sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is disposed in a smart wristwatch.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a wearable sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer program code stored in the portable electronic device, when executed by the portable electronic device, further causes the portable electronic device to correlate the acceleration data with a corresponding location of the airplane.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer program code stored in the portable electronic device, when executed by the portable electronic device, further causes the portable electronic device to provide a video game on the portable electric device, and to employ the acceleration data to affect the video game.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer program code stored in the portable electronic device, when executed by the portable electronic device, further causes the portable electronic device to monitor biometric information of a user of the portable electronic device, and to select content provided to the user based on a combination of the acceleration data and the biometric information.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a portable electronic device;

one or more accelerometers disposed in the portable electronic device, the one or more accelerometers configured to generate acceleration data based on a flight of an aircraft, the acceleration data representative of a magnitude of instantaneous acceleration; and

a display screen coupled to the portable electronic device,

wherein the portable electronic device is configured to correlate instantaneous magnitudes of acceleration experienced over time by the aircraft carrying the portable electronic device based on the acceleration data generated by the one or more accelerometers during the flight of the aircraft,

wherein the portable electronic device is further configured to display, on the display screen, a representation of the instantaneous magnitudes of acceleration over time in relation to a threshold acceleration tolerance level of the aircraft;

wherein an acceleration of the aircraft greater than the threshold acceleration tolerance level of the aircraft can damage the aircraft in flight; and

wherein the portable electronic device is configured to monitor acceleration of the aircraft responsive to the acceleration data generated by the one or more accelerometers during the flight of the aircraft.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device is further configured to correlate the instantaneous magnitudes of acceleration with corresponding locations of the aircraft.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device is further configured to provide a video game on the portable electronic device, and employ the acceleration data to affect the video game.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device is further configured to monitor biometric information of a user of the portable electronic device, and select content provided to the user based on a combination of the acceleration data and the biometric information.

12. A method of reducing anxiety during a flight, comprising:

providing a portable electronic device having computer program code stored therein that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to;

monitor acceleration data during the flight of an airplane; and

display a representation of the acceleration data in relation to a threshold acceleration tolerance level of the airplane;

operating one or more accelerometers during the flight of the airplane, such that the one or more accelerometers generate the acceleration data;

monitoring, by the portable electronic device, the acceleration data during the flight of the airplane; and

displaying, by the portable electronic device, the representation of the acceleration data in relation to the threshold acceleration tolerance level of the airplane,

wherein an acceleration of the airplane greater than the threshold acceleration tolerance level of the airplane can damage the airplane in flight, and

wherein the one or more accelerometers are disposed within the portable electronic device, and the computer program code stored in the portable electronic device, when executed by the portable electronic device, further causes the portable electronic device to monitor acceleration of the airplane responsive to the acceleration data generated by the one or more accelerometers during the flight of the airplane.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by the portable electronic device, acceleration data from a sensor disposed external to the portable electronic device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is disposed in a smart wristwatch.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a wearable sensor.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

correlating the acceleration data with corresponding locations of the airplane.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a video game on the portable electronic device; and

employing the acceleration data to affect the video game.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

monitoring biometric information of a user of the portable electronic device; and

selecting content provided to the user based on a combination of the acceleration data and the biometric information.