CRAVING INPUT AND SUPPORT SYSTEM
A craving control device comprising a housing, a craving input actuator supported by the housing, a wireless communicator supported by the housing, and a controller is provided. The craving input actuator can be configured to obtain information from a user pertaining to a timing, frequency, or intensity of a craving. The controller can be operatively connected to the craving input actuator and the wireless communicator to communicate craving information received by the craving input actuator via the wireless communicator to a device external to the housing. The device external to the housing can be a personal communication device. The housing can be sized and configured to be enclosed in the user's hand and or to be placed in a pocket of the user's clothing. Methods for using the craving control devices are also provided.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/551,178, filed Aug. 15, 2017, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national phase application of International Patent Application No. PCT/US16/22117, filed Mar. 11, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/132,436, filed Mar. 12, 2015, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEAll publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDCommunication devices to assist users change habitual behavior are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,994 describes an interactive behavior modification system that provides motivational messages to a user and obtains information from the user using a computer, personal digital assistant or other personal communication system. In one embodiment, the device asks the user questions, and the user may depress buttons to select answers. Motivational or behavioral information may be sent to the user via the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,567,785 describes a behavior modification device that asks the user whether unwanted behavior has occurred within an earlier time period. The frequency and timing of the prompt signal depends on the response to the previous prompt; future prompts come sooner and more frequently if unwanted behavior has occurred. The system cannot receive unprompted input from the user, such as by indicating when the user has a desire or craving for the undesired behavior, and it therefore has no way to respond to such an unprompted indication from the user.
There are applications that run on a smartphone that allow users to track cravings and that provide coaching tips for coping with such cravings. Smokers are able to record how often they overcome cravings and see visual renderings of their progress on the mobile application itself. The smartphone application must be used on a smartphone, of course, and therefore lacks an easy and discreet form factor for an input mechanism to identify cravings.
US Patent Publ. No. 2014/0207048 describes a drug delivery device that includes a data collection application into which the user can input a craving for, e.g., a cigarette. In addition to providing nicotine to help satisfy the craving, the system can respond with a message via text or phone encouraging the user to maintain his or her conviction to the treatment protocol.
FIELDThe present application relates generally to the field of addiction treatment and craving support. The cravings can be associated with drugs, bioactive agents, other pharmaceutical substances, food, TV, stress, OCD-type behaviors, and other behaviors that can induce cravings.
BACKGROUNDSuccessfully quitting an addiction can involve weaning oneself off of the drug and/or modifying psychological and habitual behaviors associated with the addiction or behavior. Cravings associated with a physical drug dependency and/or psychological and habitual behaviors associated with the addiction can result in a relapse. Cravings can occur at set times or can be triggered by external events. Typically the cravings for the specific addictive substance and/or the addictive behavior can last on the order of several minutes and then pass. Improved methods and devices are desired to provide support for the user or patient to handle the periodic cravings with the goal of decreasing instances of relapse and to improve the user's overall success at quitting the addiction.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention relates generally to systems and methods for providing support to a user of a device to handle cravings.
In general, in one embodiment, a craving control device includes a housing, a craving input actuator supported by the housing, the craving input actuator being configured to obtain information from a user pertaining to a timing, frequency, or intensity of a craving, a wireless communicator supported by the housing, a controller operatively connected to the craving input actuator and the wireless communicator to communicate craving timing, frequency, or intensity information received by the craving input actuator via the wireless communicator to a device external to the housing.
This and other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. The housing can be sized and configured to be enclosed in the user's hand. The housing can be sized and configured to be placed in a pocket of the user's clothing. The housing can be sized and configured to be worn on the user's clothing. The craving control device can further include a distraction feature adapted to distract the user during a craving episode. The distraction feature can be a textured area on an exterior surface of the housing. The distraction feature can be a user-movable element supported by the housing. The distraction feature can be a timer marking an expected duration of the craving episode. The timer can start with actuation of the craving input actuator. The timer can include a visual display configured to change during the expected duration of the craving episode. The visual display can include a plurality of lights. The timer can include a vibration source operable by the controller to vibrate for the expected duration of the craving episode. The controller can be configured to operate the vibration source to vibrate with an intensity that varies during the expected duration of the craving episode. The craving control device can further include a user parameter sensor supported by the housing and adapted to obtain user parameter information relevant to the craving, the controller can be operatively connected to the user parameter sensor to communicate user parameter information sensed by the sensor via the wireless communicator to the device external to the housing. The craving control device can further include an environmental parameter sensor supported by the housing and adapted to obtain environmental information relevant to the craving, the controller can be operatively connected to the environmental parameter sensor to communicate environmental parameter information sensed by the sensor via the wireless communicator to the device external to the housing. The craving control device can further include a breath sensor and a display supported by the housing, the controller can be operatively connected to the display to provide a target breathing pattern for the user and to the breath sensor to measure a breathing pattern of the user. The craving control device can further include the external device, the external device can include a personal communication device which can have a processor programmed to electronically send a message to a support contact provided by the user. The craving control device can further include the external device, the external device can include a personal communication device which can have a processor programmed to provide craving support to the user in response to craving information from the craving input actuator. The processor of the craving control device can further be programmed to provide the craving support proactively to the user based on a past information from the user pertaining to craving occurrence and craving intensity. The craving control device can further include a user parameter sensor, the personal communication device processor can be further programmed to provide craving support to the user in response to a user parameter sensed by the sensor. The user parameter sensor can include one or more of a: humidity sensor, breath sensor, nicotine sensor, carbon monoxide sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, oxygen sensor, inertia sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG) lead, electromyography (EMG) lead, accelerometer, blood pressure sensor, galvanic skin response sensor, temperature sensor, and heart rate sensor. The craving control device can further include an environmental parameter sensor, the personal communication device processor being further programmed to provide craving support to the user in response to environmental parameter information sensed by the sensor. The environmental parameter sensor can include an ambient light sensor, ultraviolet light sensor, air pressure sensor, environmental pollutant sensor, or a temperature sensor. The controller can further be configured to determine the intensity of the craving based on a pattern received by the input actuator.
In general, in one embodiment, a method of receiving a craving input from a user including receiving information from the user pertaining to a craving occurrence and an intensity of a craving with a craving control device including a housing and a craving input actuator supported by the housing, the information from the user pertaining to the craving occurrence and craving intensity of the craving received through the craving input actuator; and wireles sly communicating craving occurrence and craving intensity information received by the craving input actuator to a device external to the housing.
This and other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. The method can further include providing a distraction to the user in response to the craving occurrence and craving intensity information with a distraction feature that is part of the craving control device. The distraction feature can be a textured area on an exterior surface of the housing. The distraction feature can be a user-movable element supported by the housing. The distraction feature can be a timer marking an expected duration of the craving episode, can further include starting the timer after actuation of the craving input actuator. The method can further include providing a visual display with the timer that changes during the expected duration of the craving episode. Providing the visual display can include providing a plurality of lights. The timer can include a vibration source operable by the controller and further include vibrating the vibration source for the expected duration of the craving episode. The method can further include varying an intensity of the vibration source during the expected duration of the craving episode. The method can further include receiving a user parameter information relevant to the craving with a user parameter sensor supported by the housing and wirelessly transmitting data corresponding to the user parameter information to the device external to the housing. The method can further include receiving an environmental parameter information relevant to the craving with an environmental parameter sensor supported by the housing and wirelessly transmitting data corresponding to the environmental parameter information to the device external to the housing. The method can further include receiving breathing parameter information relevant to the craving from the user with a breath sensor supported by the housing and providing a target breathing pattern for the user with a display supported by the housing. The method can further include providing a craving support to the user in response to craving information from the craving input actuator with the external device. The method can further include receiving information from a user parameter sensor supported by the housing and providing a craving support to the user based on a user parameter sensed by the user parameter sensor. The user parameter sensor can include one or more of a: humidity sensor, breath sensor, nicotine sensor, carbon monoxide sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, oxygen sensor, inertia sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG) lead, electromyography (EMG) lead, accelerometer, blood pressure sensor, galvanic skin response sensor, temperature sensor, and heart rate sensor. The method can further include receiving information from an environmental parameter sensor supported by the housing and providing a craving support to the user based on the environmental parameter sensed by the environmental parameter sensor. The environmental parameter sensor can include an ambient light sensor, ultraviolet light sensor, air pressure sensor, environmental pollutant sensor, or a temperature sensor. The housing can be sized and configured to be enclosed in the user's hand. The housing can be sized and configured to be placed in a pocket of the user's clothing. The external device can include a personal communication device including a display and further including providing instructions to the user to modify a breathing pattern of the user with the display of the personal communication device. The external device can include a personal communication device including a display and further including providing information to the user with the display of the personal communication device relating to the timing and intensity of the cravings. The method can further include determining the intensity of the craving based on a pattern received by the input actuator. The external device can include a personal communication device and further including electronically sending a message to a support contact provided by the user upon receiving information from the user pertaining to the occurrence and intensity of the craving. The method can further include providing a distraction to the user proactively based on a past information from the user pertaining to craving occurrence and craving intensity.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
Individuals experiencing cravings they wish to resist (e.g., nicotine cravings) would benefit from a discreet and effective way to communicate a craving and receive support to resist the craving. The prior art has not provided a device and system to do so. The craving control device is designed so that the physical device is hidden from others and the way that it is interacted with can be hidden and discreet. The craving control device can provide support to the user during a craving episode or proactively prior to a craving episode to reduce the likelihood of the user relapsing. The craving control devices described herein can increase the overall success for the user to quit the addictive activity.
Craving control device are described herein. The craving control devices can include a housing and a craving input actuator supported by the housing. The craving input actuator can be configured to obtain information from a user pertaining to a timing, frequency, or intensity of a craving. The user can press a surface of the housing to actuate the craving input actuator. The craving control device can include a wireless communicator supported by the housing. The craving control device can include a controller operatively connected to the craving input actuator and the wireless communicator to communicate craving timing, frequency, or intensity information received by the craving input actuator via the wireless communicator to a device external to the housing.
One embodiment of the invention provides a drug delivery system for, e.g., delivering nicotine transdermally and includes a mechanism for activation by a user to identify a craving experienced by the user. The mechanism may be, e.g., a button on a transdermal delivery device such as that disclosed in US Patent Publ. No. 2014/0207048. In some embodiments, the system will record the incidence and duration of the cravings. The system may also give the user tactile, visual and/or auditory feedback related to and during craving episodes to help the user cope with craving-related anxiety and to provide encouragement to the user to overcome the craving. The system may also send data, such as that of a cigarette craving, duration of a craving, and result of the craving (e.g., smoking a cigarette or overcoming the craving), to a companion mobile app in a nearby smartphone for behavioral support and predictive modeling.
The craving control device can have a discrete size and shape. The housing can be sized and configured to be enclosed in the user's hand. The housing can be sized and configured to be placed in a pocket of the user's clothing. The housing can be sized and configured to be worn on the user's clothing.
The craving control device can provide craving support and behavioral support. The support can be provided in anticipation of a craving or upon actuation of the craving input actuator on the craving control device.
The craving control device can include a distraction feature adapted to distract the user during a craving episode. In some embodiments the distraction feature can be a textured area on an exterior surface of the housing. In some embodiments the distraction feature can be a user-movable element supported by the housing. The textured surface and user-movable element can both function as a distraction to the user by redirecting physical habits to reduce cravings. In the example of nicotine dependency the distraction feature can provide the user something to do with their hands to distract them from the hand-to-mouth smoking gesture. The user can rub the textured surface and/or move the user-movable element to distract from the craving episode. The craving input device can also gather user data via the movement of the user-movable element and the use of the textured surface to categorize or quantify the craving episode, such as the craving intensity.
In some embodiments the distraction feature can be a timer marking an expected duration of the craving episode. The timer can distract the user from the craving episode. The timer can start with actuation of the craving input actuator. In some embodiments the timer can include a visual display configured to change during the expected duration of the craving episode. The visual display can include a plurality of lights. In some embodiments the timer can include a vibration source operable by the controller to vibrate for the expected duration of the craving episode. The controller can be configured to operate the vibration source to vibrate with an intensity that varies during the expected duration of the craving episode. The timer feedback mode (e.g. visual through the display or tactile through the vibration source) can be automatically selected by the craving control device. For example, an ambient light sensor on the device can determine the ambient light conditions. If a dark environment is detected, such as the device is enclosed in the hand of the user, then tactile feedback can be selected and initiated. If a light environment is detected then the visual feedback can be initiated. The length of the timer can be selected based on a typical craving length of about two minutes. In some embodiments the timer duration can be set by the user or determined by the system based on the user information. The user can let the timer go through the entire 2 minutes or they can stop the timer, which then lets the system know that the craving was overcome earlier than the 2 minutes. The user can also input whether they overcome the craving using the craving control device or the smartphone companion application.
In some embodiments the vibration source and/or the visual display can be used to convey information to the user. The visual display can be represented as a circle of lights that rotates to indicate time, pulses to indicate intensity, and changes color to indicate type of content. The vibration source can be configured to generate a series of patterns that can represent specific information, such as a timer, intensity, and specific information. The users can also customize the display and vibrational patterns for the timer through the companion smartphone application.
The craving control device can include a variety of different sensors, such as user parameter sensors and environmental sensors. The sensors can be supported by the housing and a controller in the craving control device can be operatively connected to the sensor to communicate sensor information sensed by the sensor via the wireless communicator to a device external to the housing. The sensors can be supported on a printed circuit board (PCB) within the housing of the craving control device or in electrical communication with a processor on the PCB.
The user parameter sensor can include one or more of a: humidity sensor, breath sensor, nicotine sensor, carbon monoxide sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, oxygen sensor, inertia sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG) lead, electromyography (EMG) lead, accelerometer, blood pressure sensor, galvanic skin response sensor, temperature sensor, and heart rate sensor. In the example of the ECG lead or EMG lead, sensors can be used that adhere to the skin of the user and that are in electrical communication with the processor to relay signals sensed by the ECG lead/EMG lead.
The environmental parameter sensor can include one or more of: an ambient light sensor, ultraviolet light sensor, air pressure sensor, environmental pollutant sensor, or a temperature sensor.
In some embodiments the craving control device can include a breath sensor and a display supported by the housing. The breath sensor can sense the user's breathing pattern and the display of the craving control device can provide a target breathing pattern for the user. Instructions can also, or in the alternative, be provided to the user to modify a breathing pattern of the user with a display of a personal communication device.
The controller can be configured to determine the intensity of the craving based on a pattern received by the craving input actuator, such as the number of times the craving input actuator is actuated and a time between actuations of the craving input actuator. The severity and mood of a craving can be assigned based on the pattern of actuating the input actuator. A software algorithm calculates the severity based on frequency and duration of presses over a duration of time. For example, if the button is pressed multiple times in a short amount of time (seconds) or, alternatively, if the button is press firmly vs. gently, then the system can register the craving as being more severe. The level of severity of the craving can be visualized in a display.
The external device can include a personal communication device having a processor. The processor can be programmed to electronically send a message to a support contact provided by the user. The processor can be programmed to provide craving support to the user in response to craving information from the craving input actuator. The processor in the personal communication device can be programmed to provide a craving support proactively to the user based on a user history data or user information like the occurrence and intensity of a craving. The processor of the personal communication device can be configured to provide information to the user with the display of the personal communication device relating to the timing and intensity of the cravings.
In some embodiments, the craving input mechanism may be in a structure independent of a drug delivery device. In such embodiments, the system may include a craving input mechanism supported on a wearable device such as a bracelet, broach or pendant. The user may activate the craving input mechanism to identify a craving incident, and the system may record the incidence and duration of the cravings. The system may also give the user tactile (e.g., via haptic feedback in vibrational patterns against the user's body), visual and/or auditory feedback (e.g., LED displays and audible chimes) related to and during craving episodes to help the user cope with craving-related anxiety and to provide encouragement to the user to overcome the craving. The system may also send data, such as the of a cigarette craving, duration of a craving, and result of the craving (e.g., smoking a cigarette), to a companion mobile app in a nearby smartphone for behavioral support and predictive modeling. The system may be used to address cravings and addictive behavior attributed to cigarette smoking, food cravings; sugar cravings; alcohol cravings; marijuana cravings; nicotine cravings; gambling cravings; sexual cravings; and other destructive compulsive behaviors. Other form factors of the device include a wristband, an armband, an anklet, a necklace, a ring, an earring, and an adhesive-attached pod. The device may also be a stand-alone system not worn on the body. The device could include multiple sensors and functions that support the system's overall pursuit of improved health and wellbeing. These sensors and functions could include but are not limited to: accelerometers, heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, skin temperature monitors, haptic vibration patterns, LED displays, and auditory signals. This functionality may also be combined with a transdermal drug delivery device, such as that disclosed in US Patent Publ. No. 2014/0207048.
In some embodiments, the system may be used to record the beginning of a craving episode, the end of a craving episode, the duration of a craving episode, and/or the result of a craving episode (i.e., whether or not the user succumbed to the craving). The craving input mechanism may be, e.g., button(s), lever(s), a surface that registers a gesture such as a swipe, a press, a tap, and/or a pinch, and/or a speaker for an audio recording.
In some embodiments, the system may include one or more of the following:
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- a backend subsystem that stores data in a secure and confidential manner and includes an algorithm-driven predictive modeling engine that analyzes data from the craving input mechanism
- a mobile application to predict cravings, trend historical cravings data, and trigger proactive tailored messages to help users cope with cravings
- a mobile device capable of receiving data about the craving event, whether via a wireless connection, a wired connection or both
- a computer capable of receiving data about the craving event, whether via a wireless connection, a wired connection or both
- a large, multi-user application, which is capable of receiving data about the craving event, whether via a wireless connection or a wired connection, or both.
These and other features enable the system of this invention to capture and record craving events discretely and easily to aid the user with understanding their unique and individual craving patterns and data related to succumbing and/or overcoming the cravings. Furthermore, the data captured can be transferred to a larger system to harness unique processing capabilities of a larger ecosystem. The data that is captured in each recording includes but is not limited to: time of craving, length of craving from start of episode to end of episode, and result of the craving.
In some embodiments, each time the user actuates the craving input mechanism to indicate a craving episode, the system initiates a built-in timer, which signals via vibration, sound or visual display, the start and end of the craving episode to the user. As most craving episodes last only a few minutes, the built-in timer will signal to the user when the craving should be ending. After the timer indicates the completion of the craving episode, the user will receive tactile, visual or auditory feedback from the system that the craving episode has passed. Users benefit from knowing that each craving episode lasts a fixed duration with a definitive end.
In some embodiments, the system includes sensors and built-in functionality to provide feedback to the user regarding each craving episode and series of episodes. The feedback may include: (1) haptic vibrational patterns felt against the body that are designed to soothe the User in the moment of the craving and provide information about the craving; (2) visual displays on the device (lights, animations, text, etc.) to provide the user with data regarding the cravings and encouragement to cope with cravings; and/or (3) auditory signals such as chimes and beeps to signal craving events and provide information about the cravings to the user. The feedback is triggered via algorithms embedded within the system that leverage the user's data collected by the craving input mechanism itself.
In some embodiments, the system includes a mechanism configured to provide physical vibrational patterns felt against the body to the user during a user-reported craving episode, as entered by the user via the craving input mechanism. The craving therapy could take the form of, e.g., a combination of vibrational/haptic patterns felt against the user's body along with visual and auditory signals. The patterns emitted by the device are intended to provide therapeutic, calming benefit to the user to help him/her cope with the craving, and associated feelings of anxiety, in the moment the craving is occurring.
Some embodiments of the invention includes a craving calculator, i.e., a robust set of analytics and predictive algorithms that harness data collected through the craving input mechanism as well as from other applications, such as a complementary mobile application or third party mobile tools, and then analyze and compute both craving data input by the user and data from the user's ecosystem (e.g., data collected by other apps running on a smartphone/desktop system) to educate and inform the user about his/her past and future craving episodes. Example of data that can be analyzed includes: the number of cravings, severity of cravings, mood, physical activity, location during times of cravings, etc. This innovation allows a user to view historical patterns of his/her cravings in context of their lives as well as predictive data for when future cravings may occur.
In some embodiments the craving control device can automatically select the feedback/distraction mode between touch feedback and visual feedback. The sensors on board the craving control device can be used to determine the appropriate feedback modality. For example a light sensor on the craving control device can detect whether the craving control device is in a dark place such as a pocket or a light place such as a hand. When the craving control device detects a dark context, it can use touch feedback (e.g. the haptic-based interface). When the craving control device detects a light environment, it can use visual feedback (e.g. light-based interface). For example, when the craving control device is in a pocket, it can automatically use touch feedback in order to keep the feedback communication discreet. When the craving control device is taken out of a pocket and held in the hand, it can automatically switch to light-based visual feedback so that it can be seen discreetly in the hand. In some embodiments the user can also override the sensor's default behavior via a companion software application, such as software provided on a personal communication device or computer, to select haptic feedback and/or visual feedback when specified conditions are detected by the craving control device.
Quitting an addiction like smoking can also involve redirecting physical habits as in addition to eliminating the dependency on the nicotine drug. In some embodiments the craving control device includes a mechanical feature that allows users to physically play with it to distract from the hand-to-mouth smoking gesture and to give them something to do with their hands. The “fidget” feature or factor can be used as a distraction feature to help the user avoid cravings.
In some embodiments the craving control devices described herein can include a distraction features that is a user-movable element supported by the craving control device housing.
The user-movable element can be described as a mechanical fidget factor.
When the user indicates that they need assistance, the device can provide the user with a soothing pattern that they can use to help manage the brief episode of stress or craving. The pattern can be either pre-defined or programmed by the user. The pattern can be provided by vibrational or haptic feedback. In some embodiments the vibrational feedback can be used to provide a soothing support to the user during the experience of the craving.
The user can record the severity and mood of a craving based on press pattern of the craving input actuator. A software algorithm can be used to calculate the severity of the craving based on frequency and duration of presses over a duration of time. For example, if the button is pressed multiple times in a short amount of time (seconds) or, alternatively, if the button is pressed firmly vs. gently, then the system detects that craving as being more severe. The level of severity of the craving can be visualized in the cravings graphed in a companion app running on a mobile device or pc (see
The craving control devices can send and receive data to a personal communication device running a companion application to the craving control device. The companion application can provide information, insights, craving support, messages, and notices to the user.
In some embodiments the companion smartphone application can receive and analyze data from a source other than the craving control device. For example, the companion smartphone application can use 3rd party data in combination with data from the craving control device. For example, in addition to collecting biometric data via sensors on the craving control device, the companion smartphone application can hook into 3rd party data and services that can be used in combination to create even more personal insights based on new correlations identified between the different sets of data. Examples of 3rd party data and services include GPS to detect location and Calendar to detect context of what users are doing at a given time. The information is used to determine patterns in times of heightened cravings such as stressful meetings at work or at the bar with friends.
The basic craving input mechanism shown in
When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as
Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth in the claims.
The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
Claims
1. A craving input mechanism comprising:
- a housing configured as a bracelet adapted to be disposed on a user's wrist;
- a craving input actuator supported by the housing, the craving input actuator being configured to operate by a user to input information pertaining to a craving;
- a wireless communicator supported by the housing;
- a controller operatively connected to the craving input actuator and the wireless communicator to communicate the information pertaining to a craving via the wireless communicator to a device external to the housing.
2. The craving input mechanism of claim 1 wherein the craving input actuator comprises a button.
3. The craving input mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a visual display operatively connected to the controller.
4. The craving input mechanism of claim 3 wherein the visual display comprises an LED.
5. The craving input mechanism of claim 3 wherein the visual display comprises a plurality of LEDs.
6. The craving input mechanism of claim 1 wherein the wireless communicator comprises a Bluetooth radio.
7. The craving input mechanism of claim 1 wherein the wireless communicator is configured to communicate with an application running on a smartphone.
8. The craving input mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a vibration source operable by the controller to vibrate during a craving episode.
9. A method of treating a craving episode of a user, the method comprising:
- wearing a craving input mechanism on a wrist of the user;
- actuating a button on the craving input mechanism to indicate the existence of a craving; and
- communicating craving information wireles sly to a device external to the craving input mechanism.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the craving information comprises a craving occurrence or a craving intensity.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising activating a visual display.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the visual display comprises a plurality of LEDs.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the device external to the craving input comprises a smartphone.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing a vibration output to the user.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing craving support to the user.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of providing craving support comprises activating an LED display.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of providing craving support comprises providing a vibration output to the user.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 28, 2018
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2018
Inventors: Jennifer E. DARMOUR (Seattle, WA), Jenny E. HAPGOOD (Tacoma, WA), David Evans ROTH (Issaquah, WA), Ronald A. OVERBECK (Winthrop, WA), Alan Joel LEVY (Bellevue, WA)
Application Number: 16/115,415