Computer system for minimizing body dysfunctions induced by jet travel or shift work
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a general purpose computer to provide information to an individual to help the individual to reduce dysfunction caused by a particular trip across a plurality of time zones, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving itinerary data, the itinerary data including a trip departure time, a trip departure location, a trip destination location and a trip arrival time;
accessing a database of time zone information to determine the time zones of a plurality of locations in response to the trip departure location and the trip destination location;
calculating a phase change between the departure and destination locations in response to the accessed time zone information;
determining a time shift day in response to the itinerary data and phase change;
determining a reference point on the time shift day;
using the reference point to generate daily recommendations of activity responsive to the itinerary data and the calculated phase change in accordance with chronobiological rules, the recommendations including a schedule for the days surrounding the time shift day indicating sleep times, meal times, meal types, caffeine times, and a watch reset time; and
providing the daily recommendations of activity to the individual.
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Abstract
A computer system incorporates an expanded and integrated theory of Chronobiology and Circadian Regulatory Biology to provide consistent recommendations for the reduction of the effects of jet lag. The system provides consistent recommendations in response to a traveler'"'"'s itinerary, meeting schedule, and personal preferences. The system can also be used to minimize the effects of changes in work and sleep schedules caused by shift work.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of operating a general purpose computer to provide information to an individual to help the individual to reduce dysfunction caused by a particular trip across a plurality of time zones, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving itinerary data, the itinerary data including a trip departure time, a trip departure location, a trip destination location and a trip arrival time; accessing a database of time zone information to determine the time zones of a plurality of locations in response to the trip departure location and the trip destination location; calculating a phase change between the departure and destination locations in response to the accessed time zone information; determining a time shift day in response to the itinerary data and phase change; determining a reference point on the time shift day; using the reference point to generate daily recommendations of activity responsive to the itinerary data and the calculated phase change in accordance with chronobiological rules, the recommendations including a schedule for the days surrounding the time shift day indicating sleep times, meal times, meal types, caffeine times, and a watch reset time; and providing the daily recommendations of activity to the individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a general purpose computer to provide information to an individual to help the individual to reduce dysfunction caused by a particular trip across a plurality of time zones, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving individual traveler preferences data, the preferences data including data indicating preferred meeting times, preferred sleep times, and preferred meal times; receiving key event data, the key event data including data indicating locations, dates, times and durations of key events; receiving itinerary data, the itinerary data including data indicating a trip departure time, a trip departure location, a trip arrival time, and a trip arrival location; accessing a database of time zone information to obtain the time zone of each key event from the key event data and the time zones of the trip departure location and the trip arrival location; calculating a phase change between the trip departure and destination locations using the accessed time zone information; converting the phase change to treat phase advances of eleven hours or greater as phase delays; determining a time shift day in response to the key event data, itinerary data, and phase change; determining a reference point on the time shift day; using the reference point to determine daily recommendations responsive to the individual traveler preferences data, the key event data, the itinerary data, the time zone of each key event, and the converted phase change in accordance with chronobiological rules, the recommendations including recommendations for the times of selected zeitgebers on the days surrounding the time shift day; and providing the daily recommendations to the individual. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer system for providing information to an individual to allow him to reduce the physical and mental dysfunction caused by a particular trip across a plurality of time zones, the system comprising:
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means for receiving itinerary data including a trip departure time, a trip departure location, a trip arrival time, and a trip destination location; means for accessing a database of time zone information to obtain the time zones of the trip departure location and the trip destination location in response to the itinerary data; means for calculating the phase change between the departure and destination locations using the accessed time zone information; means coupled to the data receiving means and to the phase change calculating means for determining a time shift day in response to the received itinerary data and the calculated phase change; means for determining a reference point on the time shift day; means for using the reference point to generate recommendations of daily activity, said recommendations responsive to the itinerary data and the calculated phase change in accordance with chronobiological rules, the recommendations including a schedule for the days surrounding the time shift day indicating sleep times, meals times, meal types, caffeine times, and a watch reset time; and output means for providing the recommendations to the individual. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of operating a general purpose computer to provide information to an individual to help the individual to reduce dysfunction caused by a particular trip across a plurality of time zones, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving itinerary data, the itinerary data including a trip departure time, a trip departure location, a trip destination location and a trip arrival time; receiving input of key event data, the key event data including the location, date, time, and duration of key events; accessing a database of time zone information to determine the time zones of a plurality of locations, including the trip departure location and the trip destination location; calculating a phase change between the departure and destination locations in response to the accessed time zone information; determining a time shift day in response to the trip departure time, the trip arrival time, the phase change and the key event data; determining a time for a break-the-fast-breakfast meal on the time shift day; using the time for the break-the-fast-breakfast meal as a reference point to generate a schedule of daily recommendations of activity for the days surrounding the time shift day in accordance with chronobiological rules; and providing the recommendations to the individual. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification