Health saver computer break

• US 5,888,173 A
• Filed: 08/10/1995
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tara Chand Singhal
• Original Assignee: Tara Chand Singhal
• Inventors: Singhal, Tara Chand
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/513,407
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 482/8, 434/227-233, 364/569, 364/551.01, 348/61, 601/37, 702/41, 701/41, 701/56, 701/176, 706/926, 706/927, 400/703, 400/704
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements

Abstract

A method for providing a health break while using computers, for those aspects of health that are impacted by use of computers for sustained periods of time. These health aspects are those which cause strain and fatigue of muscles in the neck, hand and back areas. Another, important health aspect is the strain on the ciliary muscles in the eye used for focussing. These muscles are strained by sustained visualization of the video screen. The method requires the operating system to pause the application, display a health related break message and an eye related health message at different rates for preset times. This message illustrates the purpose of break and what should be done during the break. The user has the features to delay or cancel the health related break message.

Claims

1. A method for initiating a break for a user on a computer which includes an operating system for operating an application program on the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating with the computer, an interruption in the operation of the application program on the computer at a predetermined time interval, the predetermined time interval being the criteria for initiating the interruption, the predetermined time interval being without reference to the activities of the user;

transmitting a health related message during at least a portion of the interruption; and

automatically resuming the operation of the application program upon completion of the interruption.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting a health related message includes transmitting a visual computer health related message upon a computer screen which is also used to display at least a portion of the application program.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting a health related message includes transmitting an audio computer health related message.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting a health related message includes transmitting an illustration of at least a portion of a human body affected by extended usage of the computer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting a health related message includes transmitting at least one illustration of proposed exercises for a user of the computer, the proposed exercises being directed towards a portion of a human body affected by extended usage of the computer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting a health related message a visual health related message upon a computer screen directed towards a portion of a human body affected by extended usage of the computer.

7. The method of claim 1 including the step of selectively adjusting the duration of the interruption.

8. The method of claim 1 including the step of selectively adjusting the predetermined time interval.

9. The method of claim 1 including the step of postponing the interruption.

10. A computer including an operating system which performs the method of claim 1.

11. A method for initiating a break on a computer which includes an operating system for operating an application program on the computer and a computer screen which is used in conjunction with the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating with the computer, an interruption in the operation of the application program on the computer at a predetermined time interval, the predetermined time interval being the criteria for initiating the interruption, the predetermined time interval being without reference to the activities of the user;

transmitting a visual health related message on the computer screen during at least a portion of the interruption, the visual health related message relating to a portion of a human body affected by computer usage; and

automatically resuming the operation of the application program.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting a visual health related message includes transmitting an audio computer health related message.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting a visual health related message includes transmitting a visual illustration of a portion of a human body affected by usage of the computer.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting a visual health related message includes transmitting a visual illustration of proposed exercises for the user of the computer.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting a visual health related message includes transmitting the muscles of the human body effected by computer usage.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of initiating with the computer includes initiating the interruption after operation of the application program for a predetermined time interval.

17. A computer including an operating system which performs the method of claim 11.

18. A method for initiating a break on a computer which includes an operating system for operating an application program on the computer and a computer screen, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating an interruption in the operation of the application program on the computer at a predetermined time interval, the operation of the application program for the predetermined time interval being the criteria for initiating the interruption, the predetermined time interval being without reference to the activities of the user;

transmitting a health related message on the computer screen during at least a portion of the interruption, the health related message including a visual illustration of a portion of a human body affected by the computer usage, and a visual illustration of proposed exercises for the user of the computer; and

automatically resuming the operation of the application program.

19. The method of claim 18 including the step of selectively adjusting the duration of the interruption and selectively adjusting the predetermined time interval.

20. A computer including software which includes the method of claim 18.

21. A method for initiating a break on a computer which includes an operating system for operating an application program on the computer and a computer screen, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating with the computer, an interruption in the operation of the application program on the computer at a predetermined time interval, the predetermined time interval being the criteria for initiating the interruption, the predetermined time interval being without reference to the activities of the user;

transmitting a health related message onto the computer screen during at least a portion of the interruption, the health related message regarding a human eye; and

automatically resuming the operating of the application program.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of transmitting the health related message includes transmitting an illustration of at least a portion of the human eye affected by extended usage of the computer.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of transmitting the health related message includes transmitting at least one illustration of proposed eye exercises for a user of the computer.

24. A computer including software which includes the method of claim 21.