AU2021105304A4

AU2021105304A4 - System and method for modifying a health requirement

Info

Publication number: AU2021105304A4
Application number: AU2021105304A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Dabrowa
Original assignee: Isleep Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Isleep Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-11
Filing date: 2021-08-11
Publication date: 2021-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-11

Abstract

The application describes a computer-implemented method for modifying a health requirement of a subject, by receiving input data relating to the subject's currenthealth, fatigue levels and/or characteristics of the subject's present circadian cycle to determineby a processor either one of desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle based on the data and to determine bythe processor a stimulus or stimuli interventionsto modify the subject's current health, fatigue levels and/or present circadian cycle to achieve the desired health, fatiguelevels and/or circadian cycle; or to determine a specific time with respect to the circadian cycle during which to applythe stimuli or interventions to achieve the health, fatiguelevel and/or circadian cycle; and outputting, bythe processor, output data including data relatingto the one or more stimuli and/or interventions and the corresponding application times. o' E o c r 2 EE' 4 ~.0 0 0 .2 E~ hFu iJ 'U W (u 46 OL - - 4; 0 0 u O.0 E c oL -at m -c wI 00

Description

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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFYING A HEALTH REQUIREMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for modifying or outputting a suggested modification to a health requirement of a human or animal subject, including for example a characteristic of the subject's health, the subject's endogenous circadian cycle and/or fatigue level, through stimuli and/or interventions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fatigue in the workplace, particularly in the transport, mining, manufacturing, hotel and airline industries, is a significant global problem. It is estimated that fatigue and the associated drain on productivity in the workplace is costing American business $63 billion a year in lost productivity. Fatigue, shiftwork disorder and other sleep disorders effect decision making and cognitive function, reducing productivity. The most significant costs arise from sleep deprivation which causes safety lapses leading to costly accidents, and contributes to other health issues such as stroke, obesity, diabetes heart disease, anxiety, depression and cancer. The World Health Organization classified shiftwork as a Class 2A carcinogen, the same category as benzene, exposing industry to compensation claims. As industry trends toward extended 24-hour operations, the problems of shiftwork and circadian misalignment have become a significant drain on productivity and safety.

Humans exhibit circadian rhythms or cycles in a variety of physiologic, cognitive and behavioral functions. Such cycles are driven by an internal biological clock or pacemaker that is located in the brain. It is also known that humans exhibit differing degrees of alertness or productivity during different "phases" of their circadian cycles. Often, the activity and rest periods in which humans wish to engage do not coincide with the most appropriate phases of their circadian cycles. For instance, night-shift workers (such as factory workers, medical personnel, police and public utilities personnel) experience a desynchrony between the activities in which they wish to engage and their physiological ability to engage in such activities, as regulated by their circadian cycles. The misalignment between the phase of the worker's circadian cycle and scheduled night-work hours manifests itself as increased drowsiness during, for example, the early morning hours of 4:00 am to 8:00 am (assuming a habitual wake time of 8:00 am to 9:00 am). It is during this time frame that the circadian cycles of most humans are at their troughs or minimums, implying that they experience decreased alertness and fatigue and are, therefore, more prone to error or accident. Night-shift workers experience a corresponding difficulty in sleeping during the daytime hours after working at night, because the peak or maximum of the circadian cycle (when humans are most alert) is aligned with the hours allotted for sleep, as dictated by the night- shift worker's schedule. This results in sleep deprivation, which only decreases alertness and further increases the risk of error or accident on the part of the worker on subsequent night shifts. For workers in the transportation field or for those who monitor processes in mining, for example, such decreases in alertness could result in disastrous consequences.

Similarly, a transmeridian traveler experiences what is commonly referred to as "jet lag" because his or her circadian cycle is not "in the correct timezone" with the geophysical time of day of the destination location. In essence, the traveler's physiological clock (as based on the geophysical day of the departure location) lags or leads his or her desired activity-rest schedule, resulting in fatigue during the usual activity hours of the destination location and a sense of alertness or wakefulness during the usual rest hours of the destination location.

There are various categories of sleep-related and affective disorders that are also believed to be related to misalignment between the circadian cycle and the desired activity-rest cycle. For example, the elderly often experience an advance in the phase of the circadian cycle to an earlier hour, which is manifested as sleepiness in the early evening hours of the day and an earlier than desired awakening during the morning hours of the day. Other sleep-related disorders believed to be associated with misalignment of the circadian cycle to a desired activity-rest schedule include delayed sleep phase insomnia, advanced sleep-phase insomnia, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder.

A number of stimulus, including light, dark, melatonin, temperature, stimulants, activity and intake of food regulate fatigue or the circadian rhythms, seasonal cycles and neuroendocrine responses in many species, including humans, and the durations of human melatonin secretion and sleep respond to changes in day length or photoperiod.

Moreover, clinical studies show that these therapies are effective for treating selected affective disorders, sleep problems and other disruptions of the circadian cycle. The circadian cycle may be phase-adjusted, modified or reset by exposing a human subject to an appropriately scheduled stimulus with select properties.

These problems are equally applicable for all animals, including animals used in farm productivity and animal athletes. Significant decreases in reaction times, track speed, cardiorespiratory functions and muscle strength have been reported following transmeridian travel in human athletes, consequences which are equally relevant for equine athletes due to the frequency of air travel to international equestrian competitions. In the example of horses, it will also be important to determine whether athletic exertion at alternative times to a training schedule may have negative implications for performance. This is particularly relevant for the current practice of exercising Thoroughbreds in the early morning hours, whilst racing schedules require that they perform optimally in the late afternoon.

More objects are becoming embedded with sensors and gaining the ability to communicate. The resulting information networks promise to create new business models, improve business processes, and reduce costs and risks. The physical world itself is becoming a type of information system. In what is referred to herein at times as the "Internet of Things", sensors and actuators are embedded in physical objects - from household objects to pacemakers - and are linked through wired and wireless networks, often using the same Internet Protocol (IP) that connects the Internet. These networks churn out huge volumes of data that flow to computers for analysis. When objects can both sense the environment and communicate, they become tools for understanding complexity and responding to it swiftly. These physical information systems are now beginning to be deployed, and some work largely without human intervention. Manufacturing processes studded with a multitude of sensors can be controlled more precisely, increasing efficiency. When operating environments are monitored continuously for hazards or when objects can take corrective action to avoid damage, risks and costs diminish. Companies that take advantage of these capabilities stand to gain against competitors that don't.

Applications are emerging in two broad categories:

Information and analysis: As the new networks link data from wearable devices, products, company assets, or the operating environment, they will generate better information and analysis, which can enhance decision making significantly.

Automation and control: Making data the basis for automation and control means converting the data and analysis collected through the Internet of Things into instructions that feed back through the network to actuators that in turn modify processes. Closing the loop from data to automated applications can raise productivity, as systems that adjust automatically to complex situations make many human interventions unnecessary.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for modifying a condition of a subject, the method including:

receiving, by a processor, input data relating to the subject's condition that is affected by the subject's biological systems that operate in accordance with a circadian cycle;

determining, by a processor, a desired condition based on the input data;

determining, by a processor, one or more stimuli to effect a modification to the subject's biological systems operating in accordance with a circadian cycle thus affecting the subject's condition to achieve a desired condition;

determining, by the processor, an application time with respect to the subjects present circadian cycle during which to apply one or more stimuli to achieve the desired condition; and

outputting, by the processor, output data relating to the one or more stimuli.

In an embodiment, said determination of one or more stimuli and/or an intervention is based on an algorithm for maximising productivity and alertness for specific biological processes such as heat, muscular, or cognitive performance.

In an embodiment, received data relating to the subject's condition and/or characteristics of the subject's present circadian cycle includes data that is input by the subject. In one embodiment, said input data further includes biometric, environmental and behavioural data based on a continuous assessment and/or prediction of the subject's condition and/or characteristics of their circadian cycle.

In an embodiment, receiving data relating to the subject's condition and/or characteristics of the subject's present circadian cycle includes receiving data from objects in a subject environment such as data from appliances and/or ambient sensors within said environment.

In an embodiment, the method further includes:

modifying the subject's current condition and/or present circadian cycle in accordance with the determined one or more stimuli and/or interventions to effect a modification to the subject's condition and/or present circadian cycle to achieve a condition.

In an embodiment, the method further includes:

modifying the subject's current condition at determined application times with respect to the subject's present circadian cycle.

In an embodiment, the method further includes:

controlling, by the processor, one or more objects within said environment to administer the one or more stimuli and/or an intervention at application times.

In an embodiment, the output data includes operational instructions for the one or more stimuli and displaying, on a graphical interface associated with said processor, said output data.

In an embodiment, said output data includes recommendations and/or suggested interventions for improving the subject's fatigue levels and/or characteristics of the subject's circadian cycle.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for modifying a condition of a subject, the system including: one or more computers; a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more computers having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform operations including: receiving, by a processor, input data relating to the subject's current condition that is affected by the subject's biological systems that operate in accordance with a circadian cycle; determining, by a processor, a desired condition based on the input data; determining, by a processor, one or more stimuli to effect a modification to the subject's biological systems operating in accordance with a circadian cycle thus affecting the subject's condition to achieve said desired condition; determining, by the processor, an application time with respect to the subject's present circadian cycle during which to apply one or more stimuli to achieve said desired condition; and outputting, by the processor, output data relating to the one or more stimuli, said output data including operational instructions for the one or more stimuli.

In an embodiment, said determination of one or more stimuli and/or one or more intervention is based on an algorithm for maximising productivity and alertness for specific biological processes such as heat, muscular, or cognitive performance.

In an embodiment, received data relating to the subject's condition and/or characteristics of the subject's present circadian cycle includes data that is input by the subject.

In an embodiment, said input data further includes biometric, environmental and behavioural data based on a continuous assessment and/or prediction of the subject's present condition and/or characteristics of their circadian cycle.

In an embodiment, the instructions further include:

modifying the subject's condition by adjusting the subject's present circadian cycle in accordance with the determined one or more stimuli and/or interventions to effect a modification to the subject's present circadian cycle to achieve the desired condition.

In an embodiment, the instructions further include:

modifying the subject's current condition by adjusting the subject's present circadian cycle at determined application times with respect to the subject's present circadian cycle.

In an embodiment, the system further includes:

one or more objects within said environment controlled by the one or more computers to administer the one or more stimuli and/or interventions at said application times.

In an embodiment, the instructions further include:

translating, by the one or more computers, said output data into operational instructions for each of said objects used to administer the one or more stimuli and/or interventions within the subject environment.

In an embodiment, the system further includes:

a graphical interface associated with the one or more computers for displaying said output data.

In an embodiment, said output data includes recommendations and/or suggested interventions for improving the subject's condition characteristics of the subject's circadian cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a box diagram representation of a method for modifying a health requirement of a subject in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a graph used to predict alertness as a function of prior behaviours, work, sleep history and other available user data; and

Figure 3 illustrates a table indicating prescribing information for various different hypnotics to be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the embodiments and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

The present invention relates to a system and method for modifying a health requirement of a subject including improving aspects of the subject's health, fatigue levels, alertness, and/or characteristics of the subject's circadian cycle within a particular environment.

A health requirement may thus be a characteristic of the subject's health, fatigue levels, alertness, circadian cycle, or any other aspect that may affect the subject's ability to be productive and/or alert in a particular environment. In particular, the system and method may involve modification to a health requirement in a manner which improves the subject's ability to be productive and/or alert in a given environment.

An embodiment 10 of the present invention is shown in the diagrammatic representation of Fig. 1 which exemplifies steps associated with a method and/or instruction of the present invention including a step 12 involving receiving input data including data relating to the subject's current health, fatigue levels and/or characteristics of the subject's present circadian cycle, step 14 involving determining a desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle based on the input data, step 16 involving determining one or more stimuli and/or interventions to effect a modification to the subject's current health, fatigue levels and/or present circadian cycle to achieve said desired health, fatigue levels and/or circadian cycle, and determining an application time with respect to said present circadian cycle during which to apply each of said one or more stimuli and/or interventions to achieve said desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle, and step 18 involving outputting data including data relating to the one or more stimuli and/or interventions and the corresponding application times. Each of these steps will now be described in more detail according to further embodiments of the invention.

Step 12 involves receiving data, and it is to be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to any one source of data. In an embodiment, the input data may include data collected by way of a continuous assessment and prediction of a subject's fatigue levels and the characteristics of their present circadian cycle. For example, data may be collected via communication between one or more computers or processors with biometric monitoring apparatus (not shown). At regular intervals these apparatus may provide measurements of Heart Rate, type and frequency of food intake, Blood Pressure, bowel functions, Breathing, Temperature, Blink Rate, Brain Activity, Reaction Time and/or any other biometric data that is able to be collected. These apparatus may be physically attached to the human or animal subject (e.g. by a heart rate monitor in physical contact with the skin) or remotely monitor the subject (e.g. ultrasonic measurement of breathing rate or temperature from a distance). This data will be then sent to the one or more computers or processors via any suitable means, including by wired connection, or wirelessly via a network interface.

In an embodiment, the input data may include data collected from monitoring devices (not shown). At regular intervals these apparatus may provide measurements of the environment around the human or animal subject, including location and movement in three dimensions, light wavelength, intensity and colour spectrum, atmospheric composition, temperature, humidity and/or any other environmental data that is able to be collected now and in the future. This data may then be sent to the one or more computers or processors via any suitable means, including by wired connection, or wirelessly via a network interface.

In an embodiment, the input data may include data in the form of behavioural data collected from interactions with the environment, purchases, activities and movements. Data may be collected from external parties, not limited to but including, to ascertain present behaviour / location / orientation and/or to obtain patterns of behaviour to analyse past behaviour and/or predict future behaviours and/or correlations between certain behaviours and/or how behaviour is correlated to past or future biometric data. Such external parties may include transportation systems, ticketing and booking systems, employers, utility companies, purchase records, financial records (eg. travel information on public transport or purchase information about gym membership to provide the user advice on exercise). The system and method may also involve communication with all such apparatus or external parties and control/change/interact with said apparatus or external party as necessary to create an influence on the human or animal subject.

In a further embodiment, the input data may include data in the form of behavioural fata collected from appliances and other monitoring devices (not shown) in an environment. Data may be collected from sources of information that monitor the subject's interaction within their environment, not limited to but including, to ascertain present behaviour/location/orientation and/or to obtain patterns of behaviour to analyse past behaviour and/or predict future behaviours and/or correlations between certain behaviours and/or how behaviour is correlated to past the future biometric data. Data may be collected from use of appliances, devices, automobile, furniture, floor coverings, lighting, fittings, toilets, showers, beds, seats, surfaces, walls, beverage holders, cooking devices, food storage devices, packaging, work equipment and objects and things that any human would interact with during their existence. The system and method may also involve communication with such apparatus and control said apparatus as necessary to create an influence on the human or animal subject.

Step 14 involves determining a desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle based on the input data. According to an embodiment, the determination step 14 may include a circadian cycle analysis which involves the assessment of predefined specific characteristics of a present endogenous circadian cycle of the human or animal subject in order to select appropriate times in the present endogenous circadian cycle (based on the assessed characteristics) at which to apply a stimulus to effect a desired modification of the circadian cycle based on predicted requirements (e.g. time required for maximum muscle performance, maximum alertness, maximum cognitive performance). Any form of appropriate statistical analysis could be implemented in this regard. In an embodiment, the statistical assessment step may include monitoring the user over a period of time measuring the characteristics of the present endogenous circadian cycle by measuring physiological and behavioural parameters of the human subject (e.g. core body temperature, subjective alertness, melatonin secretion, urine volume, etc.), and forming a representation of the physiological and behavioural parameters as a function of time. This technique for assessing the phase and amplitude of the circadian cycle may occur constantly in real time, both before and after application of a cycle-resetting or modifying stimulus regimen. It may form a part of many existing methods and studies for assessing and modifying the circadian cycle.

In another embodiment, the determination step 14 may include a fatigue analysis which involves statistically analysing past and present levels of fatigue and impairment and how that would affect present and predicted behaviours (e.g. if the individual is fatigue impaired and about to undertake a work shift the device would provide the data to the individual and suggest ways to remove the impairment).

In yet another embodiment, the determination step 14 may include a health analysis which involves statistically analysing data from a range of sources and looking for statistically significant risk factors (e.g. looking for risk factors of a heart attack). The analysis may include prediction of past, present and future sleep disorders and generate appropriate methods to resolve these issues.

Step 16 involves determining one or more stimuli and/or interventions and an application time with respect to the subject's present circadian cycle during which to apply each of said one or more stimuli and/or interventions to achieve a desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle. In an embodiment, this step may involve a selection of appropriate interventions to improve the subject's health, performance and alertness, and a selection of appropriate times with respect to the present circadian cycle of the subject during which to apply appropriate stimulus to effect a desired modification of circadian cycle.

In an embodiment, the input data which may also include direct inputs from the subject may be used to predict future user behaviour and required optimisation of body performance requirements. This information may be useful and provided to the subject and/or external organisations. For illustration, examples of direct user inputs may include:

(a) Input specific activities that the subject would like to have maximum possible energetic potential for (e.g. to gain maximum alertness for a specific meeting or maximum performance for an athletic task at a specific time);

(b) Preferences for levels of energy/energy/performance when undertaking certain activities;

(c) Review of suggested strategies and acceptance/rejection of any changes as suggested by an algorithm;

(d) Biometric, environmental and behavioural data which may be collected from the internet of things as earlier defined;

(e) Travel and work itinerates; and

() The subject's calendar may include an alertness number from 1 - 10 that the user may input when creating an entry.

The data that is input directly from the user may be used to optimise biological processes to match the required performance for predicted behaviour. Three combined categories of interventions may be administered to achieve this optimised state in the future; health, fatigue and circadian rhythm. These interventions are now described in more detail.

Regarding health interventions, an algorithm may be used to calculate selected interventions that improve the subject's health, such as predicting and intervening in health problems (e.g. heart issues etc.). This may involve comparing normal biometric and behavioural patterns against actual patterns, with the statistical noise eliminated, to watch for possible health issues. Interventions may be suggested or made as appropriate (e.g. warn user or risk factors, send information to medical professionals, call for emergency medical help). Risk Factor analysis may also be used to calculate the probability of health problems occurring, and may involve generating a "Real-Time" data set of the probability of certain health conditions. This offers a comprehensive view of how the subject's behaviour affects their long term health (e.g. a graphical interface with real-time risks and life expectancy where changes in behaviour change lifespan in real-time).

Regarding fatigue monitoring and manipulation, an algorithm may be used to calculate selected interventions optimising the subject's alertness based on predicted fatigue levels and future requirements (e.g. the method and/or instruction involves looking up the calendar and calculating times of important meetings and the alertness level required). The algorithm may be based on any available alertness model to define each user's specific alertness and predicted alertness from the aforementioned data.

For example, data related to fatigue may include but is not limited to random noise exposure, light exposure, heat exposure, humidity exposure, sleep environment, anxiety levels, sleep time, napping, sleep state, sleep quality, temperature, weather, noise levels, work environment, sleep disorders, physical condition, time zone, present time, circadian effects, workload, work type, work condition, fatigue, facial expression, yawn frequency, facial muscles, head movement, head tilt frequency, eye movement, eyelid movement, gaze, PERCLOS, AECS, fixation distance and fixation seconds ratio.

An example of an Alertness Model which could be implemented is that of the openly published science by Folkard/Akerstedt on the Three Process Model of Alertness, also known as the Sleep Wake Predictor. This model is exemplified in the graph shown in Fig. 2 and is a combination of (S-S') + C +0 which may be summed to predict alertness as a function of prior behaviours, work, sleep history and other available user data, where:

• S represents the homeostatic effect of time awake

• S' represents the recovery effect associated with sleep

• C represents the effect of 24-hour circadian rhythms

• 0 represents the sum of all other effects on alertness on the user throughout the day.

The values above may initially be estimated based on alertness models. Through the use of this method the aforementioned data will be statistically analysed to significantly change this basic model to one that is highly personalised to the user's body and environment. Data from all users of this system may be statistically analysed to further refine the model for predicting alertness. It is envisaged that this new alertness model will be based on significant data collected over many users, and over time, the aforementioned data will be statistically analysed for each individual user to create a personal predictive function for each component of the model. A personalised model of alertness for each individual is thereby created.

The third category mentioned above is circadian cycle manipulation. This calculation may include a method for modifying a human subject's circadian cycle to a desired state including the steps of assessing the characteristics of the present circadian cycle of the subject and applying, at preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle stimuli of preselected duration, whereby the characteristics of the present endogenous circadian cycle are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the subject's circadian cycle.

A number of stimulus may be applied at selected appropriate times with respect to the subject's present circadian cycle, including light, dark, hormone levels, melatonin, temperature, vasopressin receptor antagonists, stimulants, activity and intake of food. These may regulate fatigue or the circadian rhythms, seasonal cycles and neuroendocrine responses in many species, including humans, and the durations of human melatonin secretion and sleep respond to changes in day length or photoperiod. Moreover, clinical studies show that these therapies are effective for treating selected affective disorders, sleep problems and other disruptions of the circadian cycle. The circadian cycle may be phase-adjusted, modified or reset by exposing a human subject to an appropriately scheduled stimulus with select properties.

An algorithm may be used in the abovementioned determination step for calculating timing of interventions to create a circadian rhythm shift necessary to have required levels of alertness and physical maximum or minimum for particular required bodily processes, prevent possible health problems, and allow the user to achieve desired alertness/performance, maximise drug effectiveness etc. This will be useful for the elimination of such conditions such as jetlag, shiftwork disorder, fatigue or sleep disorders.

Interventions may include, but are not limited to, prescription medication (e.g. Hypnotics/Stimulants), Melatonin agonists (e.g. hypnotic/chronobiotic), over-the-counter medication, Melatonin (hypnotic and chronobiotic), stimulants (e.g. Caffeine), timed intervention of vasopressin receptor antagonists, Light-dark control (chronobiotic and stimulant (including, but not limited to, combinations of wavelength, frequency, colour and intensity of light), Prophylactic naps, Meal timing/content, activities, sleep, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

The algorithm may communicate with the subject's immediate environment and control it to administer necessary stimulus and/or interventions. This can occur automatically or through suggested changes to planned activities to maximise health and energy based on predicted future circadian rhythms and fatigue levels. This may work in conjunction with the previous calculation of predicted future Fatigue levels to provide planned interventions to prevent impairment.

There are a significant amount of interventions possible, including but not limited to:

1. Phototherapy (light) II. Darkness (absence of light) III. Vasopressin receptor antagonists. IV. Sleep Periods (>6 hours) V. Napping Periods (< 6hours) VI. Melatonin. VII. Hypnotic Medications. VIII. Alertness Medications. IX. Behaviours X. Food Intake XI. Atmospheric composition. XII. Temperature XIII. Interaction with services/organisations

XIV. Travel experience

The following paragraphs illustrate examples of interventions which may form part of output data in the method and system of the present invention.

The level of light-dark in an environment may be controlled in order to modify a subject's health requirement. For example, pulses of bright light (and, optionally, pulses of darkness) of preselected duration may be applied at preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, whereby the characteristics of the present endogenous circadian cycle are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle. The application of light pulse may take a number of forms not limited to but including any combinations of wavelength, frequency, colour and intensity of light.

The mammalian circadian oscillator, situated in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), receives environmental photic input from a specialized subset of photoreceptive retinal ganglion cells. Such photic information entrains endogenous near 24-hour rhythms to the environmental 24-hour light-dark cycle, to maintain appropriate phase relationships between rhythmic physiological and behavioral processes and periodic environmental factors. The human circadian pacemaker is exquisitely sensitive to ocular light exposure, even in some people who are otherwise totally blind. The magnitude of the resetting response to white light has been shown to depend on the timing, intensity, duration, number and pattern of exposures.

Whilst the present invention includes within its scope any available curve, the estimated Light Phase Response curve may be used to influence on the circadian rhythm and may take the following form in a determination algorithm:

f(t)= aSin(b 1t +c 1)+ a2Sin(b2t +c 2 )+ aSin(bst +c,)+ aSin(b4 t +c 4 )

Where a,= 0.7173,b = 0.4504,c1 = 1.002 a2=0.1236, b2 = 0.8343, c2 -4.043 a3=0.03706,b 3 =0.1.212c 3 = -3.192 a 4 =O0.7064, b4 =0.1409, c4 -1.728

Another example of the estimated Light Phase Response curve that may be used to influence on the circadian rhythm may take the form of Figure 4.

Light also has an effect on fatigue levels as a stimulant (and dark as a sedative). The previously mentioned light (or dark) stimuli may also be applied at preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, whereby the characteristics of the present and predicted fatigue levels are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle.

It is envisaged that the effects of this interaction on the body may be further refined based on data collected to create an accurate model for each particular individual.

Another example of an intervention is a timed intervention of vasopressin receptor antagonists. Fatigue and other symptoms of jet lag arise when the body's internal circadian clock is out of sync with environmental light-dark cycles. Studies show that genetically modified mice lacking two receptors for the peptide hormone vasopressin under experimental conditions simulating jet lag, Yamaguchi et al. (p. 85; see the Perspective by Hastings) concluded that vasopressin signalling in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-a region of the brain known to control circadian rhythms-impedes adjustment to the environmental clock.

In an embodiment, the method or system of the invention involves the application of a timed intervention of vasopressin receptor antagonists (e.g. via in the SCA oral administration (e.g SAMSCA* (tolvaptan) is a vasopressin V 2-receptor antagonist), aerosol or Infusion of vasopressin receptor antagonists directly into the SCN) to accelerate the user's recovery from jet lag. Timed interventions of external stimuli that affect the levels of vasopressin in the SCA may also be applied.

It is envisaged that human subjects that receive timed intervention of vasopressin receptor antagonists will be able to adjust to the brain's master clock being put back eight hours within a single day, while normal humans would require over six days to adapt. When the clock is put forward eight hours, humans would normally require eight days to adapt but with timed intervention of vasopressin receptor antagonists, this can be adjusted to two.

Another example intervention involves melatonin response. The consumption of Melatonin (or Melatonin Agonists) may be applied at a preselected dosage, at preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, whereby the characteristics of the present endogenous circadian cycle are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the subject's circadian cycle.

While any form of Melatonin response curve may be used to influence on the circadian rhythm, as an example the estimated Melatonin Phase Response curve may take the following form:

f(t)= a,Sin(b 1t+c1 )+a2Sin(b2t+c2)+a3 Sin(b3t+c

) Where a = 0.9487, bi = 0.2486, c1 = 1.418 a2=0.6989, b2 =0.01892,c2 =0.008426 a3=O0.06342 , b3 =0.5724,c3 =2.51

Another example of the estimated Melatonin Phase Response curve may take the form of Figure 5.

It is envisaged that the effects of this interaction on the body will be further refined based on data collected to create an accurate model for each particular individual.

Yet another intervention example is that involving the consumption by subjects of caffeine.

At preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, the consumption of caffeine may be applied at a preselected dosage, whereby the characteristics of the present and predicted fatigue levels are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle. Caffeine can be administered at the required dose by taking control of an appliance and making the required beverage for the user automatically.

The use of caffeine can also have an effect on the individual user's circadian rhythm and this may be applied according to shift work times of the subject as required. It is envisaged that the effects of this interaction on the body will be further refined based on data collected to create an accurate model for each particular individual.

A yet further example of an intervention is that involving stimulants. At preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, the consumption of stimulants may be applied at preselected dosage, whereby the characteristics of the present and predicted fatigue levels are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle. The period of 'light exposure' created via sleep may also be used at preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, whereby the characteristics of the present endogenous circadian cycle are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle.

Again, it is envisaged that the effects of this interaction on the body will be further refined based on data collected to create an accurate model for each particular individual. For example, Alertness Medications can include Caffeine (50 mg to 600 mg), or Provigil (100 mg to 400 mg) and Nuvigil (150 mg to 250 mg), and such medication may be applied to enable a subject to awakening at least 1 hour before a shift begins.

Hypnotics may also be implemented as a form of intervention to modify the subject's health requirement. At preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, the consumption of Hypnotics may be applied at preselected dosage, whereby the characteristics of the present and predicted fatigue levels are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle. The period of 'darkness' created via sleep may also be used at preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, whereby the characteristics of the present endogenous circadian cycle are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle.

For example, hypnotics can include:

First-line - Non-Benzodiazepine:

Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists

Zolpidem 5, 6.25, 10, 12.5, and 20 mg

Zaleplon 5, 10, 15, 20 mg

Eszopoclone 1, 2, 3 mg

Melatonin Receptor Agonist

Ramelteon 8 mg

Second-line:

Benzodiazepine (Halcion 1.25 mg and 2.50 mg, Restoril 15 mg and 30 mg)

New/Off label (e.g, Doxepin)

A table indicating prescribing information for various different hypnotics is shown in Fig. 3.

Yet another intervention may involve prophylactic naps. At preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, the prophylactic naps may be applied for prescribed intervals, whereby the characteristics of the present and predicted fatigue levels are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle. The period of 'darkness' created via sleep may also be used at preselected times in the assessed present circadian cycle, whereby the characteristics of the present endogenous circadian cycle are rapidly modified to become the desired state of the human subject's circadian cycle. Again, it is envisaged that the effects of this interaction on the body will be further refined based on data collected to create an accurate model for each particular individual.

In an embodiment, behaviour may be a factor in determining a stimulus and/or intervention, wherein certain behaviours of a subject may put the subject in a position in the environment to receive a planned stimulus.

The skilled addressee would thus appreciate the benefits afforded by the system and method embodying the present invention.

For example, a subject may have an important meeting at 7pm. A user may input that they want to have maximum cognitive performance and alertness for this time. Based on the biometric, environmental, and behavioural data, a suitable algorithm may be used to calculate a planned intervention that will provide the desired outcome without effecting other activities throughout the day. This may then automatically occur around the user environment. The user will have maximum alertness and cognitive performance for that meeting.

In another example, after a flight from London a subject arrives in Australia at 8am and is feeling significant effects associated with jet lag. The present invention may be implemented to realise the time zone, sleep pattern, etc, of the subject, and provide an output in the form of advice on how to manage the first few recovery days. As a result, recovery is significantly faster. It is envisaged that alertness for 9am meeting may be 85% rather than 40%, and recovery from a flight from London to Australia would be two days as opposed to three weeks. The same may apply to animal subjects to prevent jet lag in animals. For example, after a flight from London a horse arrives in Australia at 8am with typical jet lag effects. The present invention may be implemented to realise the time zone, sleep pattern, etc, of the animals and provide an output in the form of advice on how to manage the first few recovery days. As a result, recovery is significantly faster. Using this system recover from a flight from London would be two days as opposed to three weeks. The horse is manipulated so its maximum performance occurs three hours later than usual to coincide with a race.

In yet another example, the subject may have a late shift at work the next day. The subject may input that they want to have maximum cognitive performance and alertness for this time. Based on the biometric, environmental, and behavioural data, a suitable algorithm may be used to calculate a planned intervention that will provide the desired outcome without effecting other activities throughout the day. This may then automatically occur around the user environment. The user will have maximum alertness and cognitive performance during their shift.

Step 18 involves outputting data, including data relating to the one or more stimuli and/or interventions and the corresponding application times. This step may involve, or the system and method of the present invention may include a further step involving, controlling objects within an environment to administer required stimulus and/or interventions. Alternatively, the output may be in the form of recommendations to control objects within an environment to administer required stimulus and/or interventions.

In an embodiment, the present invention may involve communicating with and/or controlling:

- all objects within the subject's immediate environment;

- all objects and devices on the subject;

- external organisations; and/or

- everything that the subject interacts with.

Appliances and fittings within the subject's environment which may be controlled via data communication includes, but is not limited to, appliances, devices, automobiles, furniture, floor coverings, lighting, fittings, toilets, showers, beds, seats, surfaces, walls, beverage holders, cooking devices, food storage devices, packaging, work equipment and objects and things that any human or animal would interact with during their existence. The administered timed interventions may include prescription medication (e.g. Hypnotics/Stimulants), Melatonin agonists (e.g. hypnotic/chronobiotic), over-the counter medication, Melatonin (hypnotic and chronobiotic), stimulants (e.g. Caffeine), Light-dark control (chronobiotic and stimulant (including, but not limited to, combinations of wavelength, frequency, colour and intensity of light), Prophylactic naps, Meal timing/content, activities, sleep, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The system and method of the invention may also involve communication with all such apparatus, and control said apparatus as necessary to gather real-time data and create an influence on the human or animal subject, including but not limited to using monitoring functionality within such apparatus to recognise the position of each individual and change the specific environment directly around the human or animal subject.

The appliances/objects may also be controlled to provide health care and notifications for any medical issue that the system has predicted, and/or to manipulate the environment to take into account predicted behaviour (e.g. turn on the kettle and heater when an individual is predicted to arrive home). Predictions of behaviour can be used to plan and predict the use of the aforementioned appliances/objects for greater efficiencies (e.g. reducing electricity expenditure).

The said communications and interventions may be made in association with organisations, people and anything else the subject may interact with.

In an embodiment, a significant amount of data may be collected on the subject, including a personalised alertness algorithm. This may be held in a secure "passport" that may interact with the subject's environment and external organisations, such as a workplace, airline or hotel chain.

Interaction with the subject in order to determine and/or receive input data may be via paper, online, computational device, objects around the subject, anything in the immediate environment, clothing, tattoos, implanted devices, eyewear, contact lenses, third party systems, things that the subject interacts with in their workplace environment, animal pen, and anything else that the subject may interact with during the day.

The system or method of the present invention may involve a user interface such as a graphical user interface, wherein basic features of the user interface may include:

- A representation of any sort of interaction with anything the user comes in contact with;

- A representation of any parts of the system and/or method outlined above, including but not limited to data that is collected and/or analysed, and/or the output data which may include information and recommendations regarding stimuli and/or interventions necessary for the subject to reach a desired health requirement.

The representations may take any form, including but not limited to:

- A graphical and/or test representation of timed activities that may shift the subject's circadian rhythm to the desired state for such things as the treatment of jetlag, shift work, sleep disorders and fatigue;

- Suggestions for moving the users' activities to maximise the desired performance the user requires;

- Suggestions for the best time of day to undertake certain activities based on the exact circadian rhythm of the subject (e.g. best time to exercise for maximum performance) or avoid certain activities (e.g. period of time when at greatest risk of heart attack or road accident);

- Information related to the subject's past, present and future fatigue levels and how that would affect present and predicted behaviours with advice on possible risks and methods to manipulate future fatigue levels to that desired or required by the life form;

- Prediction of past, present and future health problems (e.g. advising that there are significant risk factors of an imminent heart attack);

- Prediction of past, present and future sleep disorders and generate appropriate methods to resolve these issues;

- A means of allowing the subject to control the process. The subject may be able to communicate what they think is important and have the system optimise their body to the requirements of the subject; or

- A means of allowing external organisations to communicate with the subject in the same way.

The system and method of the present invention may also allow for organisations and super users to manage a number of individuals using this system. Such organisations and super users may be able to create interfaces that use the data collected to provide information and optimisation possibilities.

In an embodiment, the system and method may effect and/or involve:

- Taking a significant amount of data and predict future behaviour, performance and emotions based on intended stimuli.

- Tracking and allowing multiple users to receive individual interventions. For example, the system will know where each user is in the environment and their interventions may track them as they move through the environment.

- Employing any type of interface that will be able to express the information generated by the system in a meaningful way.

For example, an interface may include a map which has workers' position and 'state' superimposed. This may then be used to optimise work flow and predict problem areas before they occur.

- Allowing for multiple user optimisation based on the data and predictions generated bythe system.

For example, a worker may be too fatigued to operate a particular form of machinery in the near future but is sufficiently capable now. Management may be able to allocate different tasks to optimise efficiency and improve safety. Another example may be crew scheduling for an airline. A further example may involve a hotel that knows the predicted and present state of guests and can optimise other functions based on this real time data.

- Track the experience of users.

For example, in a shopping mall track the user experience (from biological data) and predict their emotions and future behaviour. This could also be used for hotels, airlines and any service industry.

- Monitor Animals in any situation.

For example, monitoring animals on a farm and optimising production based on predicted changes in bodily functions or emotions. Another example would be in transit - horses would be able to transmit their data and video to the owner via a smartphone.

It is envisaged that the above may be useful to workplaces, transportation companies, space operators, hotel chains, property managers, marketing, casinos and entertainment, maritime, and other organisations.

Some further examples of productivity benefits in workplaces may include modification of the user environment, optimisation of workforce performance, the provision of data to management. For example, the system or method may be used for workplaces and other appropriate environments to assess the optimum manipulation of the work environment to maximise, safety, health and productivity (e.g. use of light to stimulate areas of the work place where fatigued workers are gathered) by controlling objects to administer interventions, adjusting future commitments (e.g. assigning future work tasks in real time to optimise capacity), and communicating with external parties (e.g. request medical assistance automatically). The behavioral, biometric and environmental data may provide an opportunity to create insights into the optimization of workforce performance. (e.g. data on employees will be provided to these organisations to ensure that any impaired individual is not undertaking dangerous activities e.g. a map of the fatigue levels of employees throughout the workplace). This data may also be provided to employers for their own analysis.

In an embodiment, the system and/or method may involve the creation of a biometric/behavioural passport based on the calculations and data collected over time. This can be integrated to any external environment to allow the environment to be manipulated as the subject requires (e.g. hotels, private jets, airlines, workplaces etc.). The biometric/behavioural passport may also provide predictions of future behaviours that may be used by the user or external parties. Correlations can be made to predict behaviour, emotions and anything that would be indicated by the data generated.

In summary, the present invention provides a number of advantages over known means of modifying a subject's health requirement. By collecting biometric, environmental and behavioural data from the "internet of things" in real time, for example, a subject may be provided with a continuous assessment and prediction of their health problems as well as a determination of appropriate stimuli and/or interventions from the data. In addition, the present invention may provide for the continuous assessment and prediction of present and future fatigue levels from the data. In an embodiment, there may be a continuous assessment and prediction of human or animal future activities and required fatigue levels and the characteristics of a desired circadian cycle to maximize productivity and alertness for specific biological processes (e.g. heat, muscular or cognitive performance). A combination of software and hardware may be used to control the subject environment to modify a subject's endogenous circadian cycle and predicted fatigue levels to a desired state.

Passively communicating with the 'internet of things' (objects, sensors and appliances connected to the network) to control the environment and collect real time biometric, behavioural and environmental data, allows for the continuous assessment and prediction of employee fatigue levels and the characteristics of their present circadian cycle, a determination of the characteristics of a desired circadian cycle to maximize productivity and alertness for specific biological processes (e.g. heat, muscular or cognitive performance) based on predicted tasks and behaviours, a selection of appropriate times with respect to the present circadian cycle during which to apply appropriate stimulus to effect a desired modification of circadian cycle, and control of objects within the environment to administer this stimulus (e.g. lighting (timing, intensity and duration of the stimulus), temperature or making a coffee automatically).

The invention further proposes, according to an embodiment, connecting the human body and predicted behaviours and health to the internet of things. This may involve, for example, analysis of human interaction with machinery in order to ascertain possible health problems and dangerous levels of fatigue, or analysis of human interaction with transportation vehicles in order to ascertain possible health problems and dangerous levels of fatigue.

The imposition of interventions can follow a specific user as they move in an environment. For example, lighting can change directly above a user sequentially as the user moves around the environment. It is envisaged that data collected may be used to provide contextual searches.

Further, the output of data may involve modification to a pair of eyeglasses to control stimuli to modify circadian cycles for a human or animal. Analysis of the aforementioned data may be used to provide tailored outcomes from domestic appliances. Analysis of the aforementioned data may be used to provide a map based illustration of the workplace with each employee's alertness and performance illustrated, or to optimise performance and alertness of employees.

A specific application of the present invention may include aeroplane travel to eliminate jetlag for passengers and crew, or shiftwork interventions for airline staff. For example, sleep may be controlled through simple suggestions or autonomously controlling the cabin environment. A busy executive may arrive in LA at 8am. The present invention may be used to realize the subject's time zone and sleep history, providing advice on how to manage the cabin environment and the first day. Recommending interventions such as 'have a coffee' or 'light boost' (timed exactly) to speed fatigue recovery, the subject's alertness for the 9am meeting will be 85% vs. %.

It is envisaged that the system of the invention can be fully automated within an aircraft. An automated system may manipulate the cabin environment to perfectly tailor it to the passengers' needs, seamlessly, without user input. Such a system may also be used to provide suggestions to the cabin crew and passengers during the flight relating to in-flight entertainment. Even when there is no time-zone difference, it is envisaged that passengers will "feel" significantly better after a flight. The system may allow them to choose when they want to be productive and alert, without the constraints of the "earth day."

The present invention includes within its scope means for subjects and any other users to create a profile requiring a username and password to access the system. The user profile generation may include an optional survey to personalize the system and associated interface for sleep disorders, that is, subjects with a possible sleep disorder may receive advice to improve their sleep and a medical referral if appropriate. Users may be provided an encrypted "travel passport" that interfaces with their aircraft and smartphone. This may contain the relevant biological information required to highly personalize their program. Their bespoke needs may be automatically recognized to manage all passenger's alertness and recovery during travel. It is envisaged that all users will have access to the system via their smartphone or inflight system.

It is also considered within the scope of the present invention to provide an automated system to make the experience completely seamless. It is envisaged that there will be a training section where doctors and our clients may explain how to improve sleep generally, improving the passengers' quality of life.

Users may input activities they would like to undertake during their flight and for the next few days. For example, they may want to watch a movie during the flight or have an important meeting the next day. The user interface may have functionality to allow the user to drag a representative icon relating to the activity to the relevant position on a timeline and the program may maximize performance. The performance plan may calculate the appropriate cabin environment to maximize performance. Even for short flights, such as New York to LA, a user may notice a significant improvement and feel 95% alert for their evening meeting instead of 50% alert. The user's jetlag may be significantly reduced and their overall alertness and recovery will be maximized.

Either via the inflight system, or their smart devices, it is envisaged that users will be able to access the interface and modify their performance plan. Using touch, for example, they can view specific events and change the plan to suit their needs. Statistical data provides users predictions of their performance and how the plan will meet their needs. Real time re-calculation ensures that the determination algorithm takes into account behavior during travel.

During travel, simple notifications may pop up providing tailored advice. For example, a light boost of a specific wavelength timed within a special 15min interval (within the day) will dramatically shift the circadian rhythm. The user can choose to skip the instruction and automatic recalculation may occur. According to an embodiment, users can also see when they will have optimum performance for specific activities. This may change in real time based on how the user interacts with the system. In addition to maximizing effectiveness, users can avoid risk periods where they are susceptible to heart attacks, alcohol, car accidents or making errors.

Post flight notifications may be implemented wherein, for example, a user has just arrived in Australia after a long haul flight. The system has recorded activities, etc, that the user has partaken in throughout the flight. The data output of the present invention may include simple tips that ensure the user is operating at maximum performance. Such notifications may also protect the user's health. For example, a significant number of heart attacks may occur at a specific period during the circadian rhythm. Advising the user that they are in this danger period, allows them take steps to avoid serious illness. Long-term, it provides protection from jetlag's carcinogenic effects. This is especially useful for older clients and those with health problems.

It is envisaged that the data output may also include a prediction regarding how tired a subject is going to be, before they know they are going to be tired. An advanced algorithm developed for spaceflight may be used which can predict alertness levels in advance, well before a user is aware there is a risk of fatigue related error. Users can then maximize future productivity via simple but carefully timed actions. For example, if the user did not have a nap, the system may recalculate and provide other suggestions.

Another specific application of the present invention may include a user's home, wherein the environment may be controlled to optimise fatigue, health and circadian processes. The system may be implemented in a home hub and connected to the home operating system, and allow the user to move their biological processes for optimum function for particular activities. For example, the user may input that they want to exercise at a particular time. The home then creates interventions around the user as the system follows him or her around the house. The biological performance is maximised by reducing fatigue through interventions and shifting the body clock. As part of the output, the system may suggest to the user optimum times for particular activities to optimise performance and health. When the user is looking at activities, wakes up in the morning, searching the internet, etc, the system may suggest particular activities.

It is envisaged that a home may include an interface wherein the user can press a button and the home and external environment simply make the interventions happen around them. Data inputs may include a complete understanding of the users' circadian rhythms and predicted biological processes over time, and understanding of when particular processes such as sleep, hunger, energy are likely to happen. This data can be used actively by the user to plan their day or by external parties to optimise performance. Such data may also be used to predict when user will be hungry to get the cooking process started. The system may interact with connected appliances to even cook an appropriate meal.

In a home environment, specific interventions may be possible including following the user and adjusting the level of lighting. In this regard, the system may ascertain where the user is in a 3D environment using any available sensor and track the user. It may then communicate to objects in the user's vicinity to create interventions to maximise their circadian cycle for intended activity. It is also envisaged that the system will use advanced combinations of lights in specific patterns to maximise the effect of interventions. Timing of drug intake for maximum efficiency may also form part of the output. The system may suggest the exact timing for the user's particular circadian rhythm for maximum affect. The same may apply to pets and other animals within the home environment.

In an embodiment, the system of the present invention may be used to contact medical emergency services, e.g. if someone had fallen down and is unconscious. The system may contact medical services if there is a predicted health problem for treatment or purchase the solution to the problem and have it delivered. The system may contact other external parties when assistance is required e.g. a taxi service or an airline to advise of a predicted change of schedule, lateness or medical problem.

It is envisaged that the output may also involve adding a fatigue (and other performance measure) to calendar and other social media when planning an event. Adding the required fatigue level (either requested by the user or calculated) offers new opportunities for search and interactions with other people and organisations.

The output may further include data suggesting the timing and type of foods as an intervention, suggesting or even ordering food passively for the user. Planning, ordering and even connecting with appliances to make meals throughout the week for maximum health effects is also viable. Advice and optimum times for exercise may also be suggested to maximise productivity and avoid health problems such as heart attacks. Data may be sent to users to track performance throughout the day and to give the user a picture of what is going on with their bodies. Data may be received from the work place and external activities may be suggested to add to the efficacy of interventions in the environment. Pets in the home environment may be tracked using the data inputs to provide useful information to the user.

In an embodiment, the environment may be controlled to minimise energy usage, including investigating predicted behaviour and biological processes to minimise energy and other utility usage in the house. Predicted behaviour as an input may also be used to pre-plan appliance use, e.g. turn on or off appliances based on predicted behaviour. Lighting may be automatically changed to optimise fatigue, health and circadian processes. Appliances may be controlled to offer an intervention to optimise fatigue, health and circadian processes, including but not limited to Fridge, TV, Screens, Heater, Kettle, Coffee Machine, Lighting systems, and Window Coverings. A caffeinated beverage may be made based on predicted fatigue levels, required alertness and dose of caffeine. Temperature within the environment may be changed based on predicted fatigue levels, required alertness and required intervention, as can oxygen levels. The air may be filtered based on detected levels of allergens to maximise sleep and health, and/or detected levels of pollutants around the user, provide a warning if danger levels.

The above interventions which apply to a home environment are equally applicable in a work environment. In addition, all staff may be screened for sleep disorders using a recognised and scientifically valid questionnaire electronically, passively via sensors, or on paper, in order to gain a complete understanding of each employee's health, fatigue and circadian rhythms over time to create an individual work biometric passport. This biometric passport may be used to make the system monitoring and interventions ever more effective.

The workforce may be optimised based on real-time alertness, performance and circadian rhythm state. Interventions may involve any object in the work environment, vehicle cabs etc. in order to make interventions and collect data. Machinery may be utilised to predict user fatigue and performance while the worker is using the machinery, and automated alerts may occur when there is danger of an accident with automated responses to prevent accidents, health problems etc. Wirelessly controlled LED lights could be used to provide interventions.

An example intervention may be letting one user know when another user is near them and provide the appropriate stimulus as necessary. The output may be in the form of a prediction of when a user will be require inputs such as food, caffeine, toilet breaks to optimise processes, or shift optimisation for an individual worker's particular biological processes to maximise their effectiveness. As mentioned with respect to the home environment, the system may be utilised to follow specific users in the work environment for specific interventions by tracing the user using monitoring devices either on the person or able to recognise the user in the physical environment, e.g light interventions following the user in real-time. Advanced interventions may include light in combinations around machinery, vehicle cabs and the like to prevent fatigue or to shift the circadian rhythms. It is also envisaged that an output of the system will include a proposed timing of drug intakes for work employees, in view of such drugs being used to maximise interventions, e.g. in space travel. Interventions involving a modification to the circadian rhythms for animals in the workplace may also be possible, e.g. to Police Dogs, Horses, Polo Ponies.

In an embodiment, the system may include sensors wherein data from sensors forms part of the input data and a corresponding output may include calling medical emergency services based on data from the sensors, e.g. if a user has fall and is unconscious. The system may further be used to contact other external parties when assistance is required e.g. a taxi service or an airline to advise of a predicted change of schedule, lateness or medical problem. The output could involve contacting and scheduling another employee for a task in real time if the employee undertaking the task is impaired. The intervention may involve advising people around an impaired employee of the employee's impairment. This would also be useful for all other uses such as a person who is impaired and driving a motor vehicle. Other drivers may have a warning on their Heads up display of the impaired driver. The environment such as road and traffic lights may also be able to reduce the negative effects of the employee's impairment to improve safety.

Adding a fatigue (and other performance measures) to calendar and workplace interactions when planning tasks is also considered within the scope of the present invention as an intervention output. This data may connect the body processes of workers to the internet and make them a factor in the decision making process. The timing and type of foods may be specified, including suggesting or even ordering food in the workplace to maximise employee effectiveness. Times for physical tasks may be optimised to boost workplace productivity and reduce accidents. Cognitive tasks may be optimised to coincide with cognitive maximum and reduce errors. Data may be sent to user and an employer tracking real-time performance of the user throughout the day. Input data may include data from activities outside the workplace to better calibrate the determination of stimuli and/or interventions and provide more effective stimuli and/or interventions.

It is further envisaged that output of the system may involve controlling the environment to minimise energy, inputs and utility bills by knowing where users are and what their requirements are. Predicted behaviour inputs may be used to pre-plan appliance use to minimise utility costs and maximise the life of any equipment. In addition, it is envisaged that the system will allow for checking of employees for behaviours that are banned on and off the workplace.

The system and method of the invention may further be implemented in a hotel environment in which the output may be stimuli and/or interventions as proposed above with respect to home and work environments. In addition, an output may involve subconsciously influencing the alertness of guests to either make them feel significantly more or less alert in specific areas/times. Predictive behaviour of guests and employees may be used to optimise efficiency in the hotel. Input data may be obtained from technology that monitors guest sleep experience, interacts wirelessly with appliances and provides real-time marketing (sleep experience etc.) and operations data (predicting wake time/room availability etc.).

Such a "smart bed" may also be able to monitor the presence of bed bugs or allergens, guest sleep experience, etc, and may interact wirelessly with appliances and provides real-time marketing (sleep experience etc.) and operations data (predicting wake time/room availability etc.). Lights and environment around the bed may be controlled for optimum sleep and wake. A user or appliance may be alerted when to make caffeinated beverage in morning and what dose based on predicted wake time. The "smart bed" may also be utilised in diagnosing and treating/referring for sleep disorders, detecting urgent health problems and contacting medical emergency services, advising on best times for sex, best times for pregnancy, monitoring for health problems, optimum wake up times, providing data to user including sexual performance data, tracking sleep, and providing a boost for alertness at future times, suggesting changes of schedule in the morning to allow for sleep in.

It is envisaged that output data from a system implemented in a hotel environment will assist with the hotel staff knowing what the user is doing in the room in order to schedule operational tasks, e.g. when to clean rooms, when the user is likely to checkout, whether the guest is sleeping. Monitoring and creating interventions for jetlag in guests across the hotel network seamlessly as guest moves from hotel to hotel is also envisaged. A biometric passport, as earlier described, may be issued to the user for an entire hotel chain with the user's history so that they can enter any hotel that is part of the chain and the system will remain operational. A user's sleep experience may be assessed and feedback provided to the guest and to the hotel. Health problems of the user may be detected in advance and such information provided to the hotel to pre address or prevent these problems. In addition, jetlag plans may be provided to customer when they check into the hotel, for example, via a smart device. The user's smart device may be configured to send information to the room in order for the user to control their environment.

Other outputs in a hotel environment may include suggestions for best times for the user to use the hotel services, suggestion for meal type and timing to avoid jetlag/shiftwork disorder (which could be sent directly to the hotel kitchen to meet or suggest these products to customers), instructions to control all objects in hotel rooms including, for example, a sleeper pod whose lighting is controllable and may be perfectly tailored to the user, or entertainment appliances for supplying targeted music, entertainment, services based on predicted or present physical state.

In addition to the above specific applications, receiving real-time data and predictions of body performance may further offer a lucrative possibility of connecting the body to the internet using fatigue levels, maximum performance times for bodily rhythms as a search criteria, targeted advertising based on predicted biological factors e.g. when the person will be hungry (restaurants message around), and/or targeted music, entertainment, services based on predicted or present physical state.

A further application may involve eye glasses or sun glasses wherein the glasses are configured to receive biometric data, and combine this with external data to allow interventions with the eyewear such as light, dark, increased focus, reduced focus, etc. It is envisaged that an LCD screen could also be incorporated.

A still further application is location tracking, which assists greatly in effective interventions when there are a number of different users e.g. workplace, aeroplane, airline lounge, stable for horses or a farm. For example, an appropriate tracking device could be used, or eyewear that can act as a location device in the workplace, allowing wireless communication with the immediate environment and bespoke interventions from any objects directly around users (important when there is a group of people such as on a plane). A tracking device for passively sensing heat signature, foot fall on floors, etc, is also within the scope of the invention as an appliance through which input data may be obtained.

As already discussed above, the present invention has a lot of useful applications in the animal world in view of all animals exhibiting circadian cycles. These cycles govern, for example, such things as milk productivity, racing performance etc. Horses also get jetlag, and an ouput from a system used in such an environment may be stimuli and/or interventions for preventing jetlag for horses and other animals when they travel internationally. An intervention may involve shifting the circadian rhythms of animals such as racehorses to maximise performance for a particularly timed race, or shifting the circadian rhythm in animals to maximise other functions.

Vital signs and possible health problems of animals may be monitored and such data may be provided to the owner, e.g. via a smartphone. Data input may further include images in photos taken, for example, every 10 seconds of the animal's environment. This would be very useful when animals are travelling, for example racehorses in aircraft. Racehorse owners may want to see what is going on with their horses around the world in real time and have evidence of anything happening to them. Sending such information to a smartphone or computer in real time to provide data to farmers is useful, and the data could include the health of animals superimposed on a map of the farm to detect any problems. This is useful for farm owners for example.

Some further envisaged interventions in an animal environment include causing an animal to wake up later or earlier to suit farm productivity times, shorten their biological day to improve productivity, prevent health problems, use timed light to boost alertness, use timed light to manipulate processes to boost performance. The same applies for all other types of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, cows (especially milk production) and sheep.

The person skilled in the art would now appreciate the various advantages of the system and method embodying the present invention.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

A computer-implemented method for modifying a health requirement of a subject, the method including:

receiving, by a processor, input data including data relating to the subject's current health, fatigue levels and/or characteristics of the subject's present circadian cycle;

determining, by a processor, a desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle based on the input data;

determining, by a processor, one or more stimuli and/or interventions to effect a modification to the subject's current health, fatigue levels and/or present circadian cycle to achieve said desired health, fatigue levels and/or circadian cycle;

determining, by the processor, an application time with respect to said present circadian cycle during which to apply each of said one or more stimuli and/or interventions to achieve said desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle; and

outputting, by the processor, output data including data relating to the one or more stimuli and/or interventions and the corresponding application times.
2. A system for modifying a health requirement of a subject, the system including:

one or more computers;

a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more computers having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform operations including:

receiving, by a processor, input data including data relating to the subject's current health, fatigue levels and/or characteristics of the subject's present circadian cycle;

determining, by a processor, a desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle based on the input data; determining, by a processor, one or more stimuli and/or interventions to effect a modification to the subject's current health, fatigue levels and/or present circadian cycle to achieve said desired health, fatigue levels and/or circadian cycle; determining, by the processor, an application time with respect to said present circadian cycle during which to apply each of said one or more stimuli and/or interventions to achieve said desired health, fatigue level and/or circadian cycle; and outputting, by the processor, output data including data relating to the one or more stimuli and/or interventions and the corresponding application times.

Fig. 4

Fig.5