WO1995004972A1

WO1995004972A1 - Electronic biological clock computer

Info

Publication number: WO1995004972A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/007485
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Nix
Original assignee: John Nix
Priority date: 1993-08-10
Filing date: 1993-08-10
Publication date: 1995-02-16

Abstract

An electronic computer (50) for use in controllably selecting a sequence of acupressure meridian biological clock resetting events that enable a user to selectively reset the user's biological clock such as, for example, to accommodate biological clock misalignment that occurs due to rapid personal relocation to a different time on the Earth, or to accommodate other activities such as space travel, etc. The electronic computer (50) is capable of establishing a starting reference time being the user's actual biological clock time and an ending reference time identifying a desired biological clock time differing from the user's actual biological clock time. The computer (50) also provides the user with the capability of identifying acupressure meridian points on the user's body and to identify the order and timing of acupressure meridian point on the user's body and to identify the order and timing of acupressure meridian point stimulation to achieve desired alteration of the user's biological clock. A microprocessor (50) utilizes preprogrammed data from a RAM (66) and a programmable data from a RAM (66), together with data from a master clock circuit (52) and presents the user with an LCD display (78) of the sequence and duration of events that are necessary to achieve the desired biological clock shift.

Description

APPLICATION FOR PATENT ELECTRONIC BIOLOGICAL CLOCK COMPUTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electronic calculators and computers and more specifically concerns a special purpose electronic computer system for use by persons to provide specific data in accordance with a timing sequence to enable persons to accomplish resetting of their individual biological clocks as desired. Even more specifically, the present invention concerns a small electronic hand-held computer having the capability of providing visual display of biological acupressure meridian points and user instructional data in accordance with a timing sequence and to provide audible signals and visual signals in accordance with the preprogrammed sequence, enabling users to follow a specifically designed program for acupressure stimulation of meridian points in accordance with a timing sequence so as to readjust that person's biological clock as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jet lag is a condition that occurs when a person's functional biological time differs substantially within a short period of time from the person's actual biological time. As is well known, the Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours; thus man has divided the Earth's surface into 24 one-hour time increments known as time zones. The electromagnetic system of a person's body, that person's biological clock, is governed by this 24-hour cycle. Any shift from this regular 24-hour Earth rotation cycle, i.e. , traveling quickly across time zones, requires a resetting of the person's biological clock, much like resetting a clock or watch forward or backward. Many person's have experienced jet lag during rapid travel such as typically occurs during air travel. The loss of vital energy due to jet lag is especially disadvantageous when the person has become rapidly relocated to widely diverse locations on the Earth. The greater the distance traveled, the more likely a person is to suffer significant disadvantage from the standpoint of vital energy for normal every-day activities. After relocation to a differing Earth time zone, a person's biological clock will begin to change naturally from the person's initial biological time to an altered biological time at the new location. The period of natural biological time resetting differs widely in individuals. Some persons require very little time for biological readjustment, while others might require a three to twelve day adjustment period before that person's vital energy coincides with the 24-hour Earth rotation cycle at the new location. Especially in today's rapidly moving business climate, it is highly desirable that persons be able to relocate rapidly on the Earth and yet achieve biological clock adjustment within a minimal time period, such as during the time of travel in order to coincide with that person's new location on the Earth.

Although the present invention, including its method and apparatus are discussed particularly as it relates to biological clock misalignment or jet lag that occurs as the result of air travel, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to such, but has other uses that fall within the spirit and scope of this invention for example, during space travel. The invention may also be employed by shift workers who change solar time working cycles from time to time and who ordinarily must endure a period of biological clock adjustment in order to reach peak biological performance when the working period is changed. Other features that will become evident from a thorough understanding of the present invention, are considered within the scope of this invention.

It was determined centuries ago that the sun is the primary influence on a person's biological clock. The discoverers of the electromagnetic system or acupressure meridian system, described this influence as a high tide/low tide effect similar to the tidal effects of the moon on the oceans.

As stated on page 37 of Anatomical and Pathophysiological Concepts of Oriental Medicine, First Edition, May 1982, in a publication entitled "Acupuncture Medicine, Its Historical and Clinical Background", by Yoshiaki Omura, Sc.D., M.D., F.A.C.A., F.I.C.A.E, Mr. Omura states:

"The following are the most well-known empirical laws: "Acupuncture is given on that point or area, on different parts of that meridian, or even sometimes on a different meridian for the purpose of treatment based on the several classically important known empirical laws which exist among different meridians of different internal organs, based on the principal concept of the opposing forces of Yin and Yang in Taoism and the 5 element concept. These empirical laws which exist between internal organs indicate that treatment on one internal organ and its meridian influence the other organs and their corresponding meridians. " (5) Law of "Mid-day-Mid-night" Relationship (the law of the circadian rhythm of internal organs and their influence on their paired organs, on their circular time table of day and night)."

On page 44 of the same publication Dr. Omura further states:

"2.6 Direction Of Flow of the So-Calle Vital Energy "Qi (or Ch'ih or Ki)" and Its "Entry Point" and "Exit Point" on Each Meridian According to the classical concepts of Oriental medicine, each meridian is connected in certain specific order and directions to maintain smooth flow of the so-called vital energy "Qi" to circulate throughout the body in a harmonious manner having a balance between the so-called "Yin" force and "Yang" force. Since it is considered that the respiratory system is the beginning of the entry of such a flow of energy "Qi", being located at the center of the upper burners of the "Three Burners," it is believed that the flow of the "Qi" begins through the Lung Meridian and rotates the rest of the 11 meridians and comes back again to the Lung Meridian in the following order:

1) 3 A.M. - 5 A.M.: Lung (Yin)

2) 5 A.M. - 7 A.M.: Large Intestine (Yang)

3) 7 A.M. - 9 A.M.: Stomach (Yang)

4) 9 A.M. - 11 A.M.: Spleen (Yin)

5) 11 A.M. - 1 P.M.: Heart (Yin)

6) 1 P.M. - 3 P.M.: Small Intestine (Yang)

7) 3 P.M. - 5 P.M.: Urinary Bladder (Yang)

8) 5 P.M. - 7 P.M.: Kidney (Yin)

9) 7 P.M. - 9 P.M.: Pericardium (Yin)

10) 9 P.M. - 11 P.M.: Three Burners (Yang)

11) 11 P.M. - 1 A.M.: Gall Bladder (Yang)

12) 1 A.M. - 3 A.M.: Liver (Yin) One might think that the Entry Point of the flow of the "Qi" of each meridian first starts from the first acupuncture point of that meridian and that the Exit Point of the "Qi" corresponds to the final acupuncture point of that meridian. Unfortunately, it is not always so convenient. In only 6 meridians, the Entry Point is simultaneously the first acupuncture point and the exit Point is the last point on the meridian. In the other 6 meridians this is not the case. For instance, the Entry Point of the "Qi" of the Lung Meridian is Lu. 1, but the Exit Point is Lu. 7 rather than the last point, Lu. 11. Then the flow of "Qi" is expected to go to the large intestine, but it does not go to the starting point of the large intestine, LI. 1. Instead, the Entry Point of the large intestine is LI. 4. The Exit Point of the Large

Intestine Meridian is LI. 20, which happens to be the last acupuncture point, with the highest number of the Large Intestine Meridian. From there, the flow of the "Qi" goes to the Stomach Meridian and the Entry Point of the Stomach Meridian is St. 1, which happens to correspond to the first acupuncture point of the Stomach Meridian. The Exit Point of the Stomach

Meridian is St. 42, instead of the last acupuncture point of the Stomach Meridian, St. 45. As far as the Entry Point is concerned, with the exception of the large intestine, which starts at LI. 4, the rest of the eleven meridians start at the first acupuncture point. However, the exit point is rather irregular as already explained in the previous examples of the Lung

Meridian and the Stomach Meridian. The Entry Point and Exit Point of the main flow of "Qi" for each of the 12 main meridians are shown in the order of the direction of the flow of the "Qi." On page 46 of the same publication, Dr. Omura presents a "24-hour Biorhythmic

Chart Of The Time Where Maximum Flow Of Vital Energy "Qi" Takes Place In Each

Internal Organ And Corresponding Time In Ancient Oriental Medicine". In connection therewith, Dr. Omura states: "According to this 24-hour biorhythmic concept of the internal organs, if there is sickness of a specific internal organ, the symptoms become more striking at the time of maximum flow of vital energy "Qi". Treatment given during this time would also be expected to produce maximum effect, whether it is acupuncture, moxibustion, or medicine. According to such a concept, depending upon the diseased organ, the time and amount of the drug to take during the 24 hours is not the same per dose as in Western medicine, where the medicine is divided into equal parts and time periods. Since the paired internal organ appearing at the opposite side of the circular time table of the internal organ at the maximum activity is considered to be at the minimum activity, the organ at minimum should also be suspected as another important possible cause of the symptoms of diseased internal organs. For instance, if someone develops asthma attacks during 3 and 5 A.M., it may be due to sickness of the lung at its hyperactivity or due to decreased activity of the urinary bladder, if it happens between 5 and 7 A.M. , it could be due to hyperactivity of the large intestine or hypoactivity of the kidneys. Likewise, if someone develops chest pain, shortness of breath, or upper abdominal discomfort between 11 A.M. and 1 P.M., according to the ancient Oriental biorhythmic concept, one must suspect that the symptoms are produced directly or indirectly either by hyperactivity of the heart and its meridian, by hypoactivity of the gall bladder and its meridian, or by a combination of both. Treatment will be "sedation" of the heart meridian, or "tonification" of the gall bladder meridian, which can be determined by the use of the "Creation Cycle" and the "Destruction Cycle" of the "Five Element Theory," in addition to other finds from the "4 Methods of Diagnosis. "

In a further publication entitled "Clinical Kinesiology Systemic Acute Therapy (Including Systemic Clearing)" by Alan G. Beardall, D.C., published May, 1984, Dr. Beardall pictorially illustrates the location of various acupuncture meridians. These meridians have been well known since ancient times.

One of the "empirical laws" is that of the Mid-day-Mid-night law of circadian rhythm of the internal organs and corresponding rhythms of twelve major meridians or circuits. The acupuncture/acupressure system, i.e. electromagnetic system of the human body can be adjusted with respect to the solar cycle by stimulating a specific acupressure point on a specific acupressure meridian or circuit at a precise solar time which causes an electromagnetic phase alignment or synchronization of the human electromagnetic system with the electromagnetic field created by the Sun and Earth. The distinction between acupressure and acupuncture is that with acupuncture, needles are applied which penetrate the skin, but with acupressure only pressure is applied to the surface of the skin.

Otherwise, acupressure and acupuncture involve the same principles and the same meridian points of application.

Approximately one billion people travel each year and each of them suffers to some

extent from the stress of jet lag. Most travellers do not realize the impact that jet lag has on their lives, their businesses, their health and their productivity. People who realize the effects of jet lag, such as surgeons, do not ordinarily perform complicated procedures, including surgery for a specified amount of time after they have travelled between time zones. Diplomats in most cases are encouraged to defer important negotiations for 24 hours after flying between time zones to prevent the effects of jet lag from adversely influencing the negotiations. Sports teams try to allow enough days between travel and the actual game to permit the vitality of the athletes to be at its peak during the event. They realize the effects of jet lag, but usually their performance on the road is greatly diminished. Business people fly more than anyone. Most often they arrive at their destination and go immediately into a meeting. With the effects of jet lag present, they risk their entire purpose for flying all of those miles. Vacationers may travel around the world for that one vacation they get each year just to spend half of that vacation getting over the effects of jet lag. They return to their jobs and have to spend days recovering from jet lag before becoming fully functional. Jet lag thus wastes our two most valuable assets, time and vitality. It is a frequent topic of many major magazines. Until now, now no one has presented an understanding of this phenomena. Jet lag is a unique form of electromagnetic stress that is experienced when travelling at high rates of speed across time zones. This stress occurs because the body's biological clock becomes out of sync with the Sun. The symptoms are headaches, digestive disturbances, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, which can last for hours, days, or weeks. Hundreds of millions of dollars are lost each year due to the stress of jet lag. As mentioned above, jet lag wastes our two most important resources, time and vitality.

Each person has a biological clock which is in sync with solar time at that persons' location. The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and the biological clock of each person is governed by this 24 hour Earth rotational cycle. Any shift from this regular cycle (i.e. travelling quickly across time zones) requires a resetting of the biological clock to a different Earth time zone, much like resetting a watch forward or backward to become synchronized with a particular time zone.

The Sun is the primary influence on the biological clock. Centuries ago the discoverers of the electromagnetic system or acupuncture meridian system, described this influence as a high tide/low tide effect similar to the title effects of the Moon on the oceans. They noticed that every two hours the high tide effect moved from one meridian to the next until all 12 meridians had surged with electromagnetic energy within a 24 hour period.

When one travels across time zones at a high rate of speed, the surge or two-hour high tide in that person's meridian system is radically altered. It is either accelerated or decelerated. While in flight during air travel the biological clock of travellers becomes out of sync with solar time at the "arrival" location, resulting in this phenomena called "jet lag". Though we can easily reset our watches as we enter different time zones during air travel to reflect a different position on the planet relative to the Sun, unaided resetting of the biological clock can be accomplished only through the passage of time during which a person's electromagnetic system slowly shifts by normal body processes until it becomes synchronized with solar time at the "arrival" location. This time period is typically known as the period of "recovery" from the symptoms of jet lag but physiologically it is the time period during which a person's 12 major meridians change by normal body pressures from one solar time zone to another. The period of "recovery" is different for each person.

This is the reason that some travellers recover quickly from jet lag, and others require a very long period of recovery before normal vitality is achieved.

The early pioneers in the field of acupuncture and acupressure charted the electromagnetic system in the body and found 12 major meridians operating in pairs; 12 meridians on each side of the body, each meridian connecting to the next to form one circuit. They also noticed that every two hours the high tide effect moved on each side of a person's body from one meridian to the next until all 12 meridians had surged with electromagnetic energy within a 24-hour period.

All persons in a particular time zone experience the surge or two-hour high tide in the same meridian. When a person has traveled across time zones at a high rate of speed, the surge on two-hour high tide in a person's meridian system is radically altered. It is either accelerated or decelerated. While in flight and upon rapid time zone change the biological clock of the traveling person becomes out of phase with solar time resulting in a phenomenon referred to as "jet lag". Jet lag is a well known and highly undesirable phenomenon that for many years has been considered a phenomenon that must be endured as a natural consequence of air travel. Many different theories have been considered over the years to minimize the undesirable effects of jet lag but, until the development of the present invention, none of these theories have achieved simple and rapid results.

It is considered desirable to provide a method for enabling travelers and other persons to selectively alter their biological clocks forward or backward to a selected time zone to thus enable them to have vital energy for normal activities when that person is active at the selected time zone. It is also desirable to provide apparatus in the form of a hand-held electronic computer programmed with computer software that enables user persons to calculate the biological clock shift that is desired, the acupressure meridian points on the person's body that require stimulation, and the order and sequence of meridian point stimulation to achieve the appropriate biological clock shift that is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary feature of this invention to provide a novel electronic computer that is capable of being simply and efficiently utilized to schedule biological acupressure meridian point stimulation to achieve desired shift of a person's biological clock either forward or backward relative to a starting solar time zone to thus enable the person's energy level to be at its peak at the desired solar time zone.

It is another feature of this invention to provide a novel electronic computer that is capable of visually identifying a plurality of antemeridian (AM) and post-meridian (PM)

solar time zones together with acupressure meridian points that relate to each of the solar time zones and which electronic computer is easily and simply manipulated for computing desired biological time zone shift together with the order and sequence of specific biological meridian point stimulation for achieving a desired biological time zone shift between solar time zones.

It is an even further feature of this invention to provide a novel electronic computer that is capable of being simply and easily utilized to provide appropriate calculations enabling a user to identify the user's present solar time zone and to identify and select the order of biological meridian point stimulation to achieve biological clock shift to a selected solar time zone.

Briefly, the electronic biological clock computer of the present invention incorporates a microprocessor chip having data inputs to receive preprogrammed data from a read only memory chip that incorporates software and which is preprogrammed with data being representative of human body structure with acupressure meridian points identified thereon and data representative of an acupressure sequence based both on six and twelve hour time periods. The microprocessor chip is also coupled by a data bus to a random access memory (RAM) chip which is in the form of a low power CMOS. The microprocessor and the RAM and ROM chips are powered by long life lithium batteries that supply electrical energy for computer operation. The computer circuitry also incoroprates a continuously operating internal clock circuit which is set at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and which is preferably powered by a separate long life lithium battery. The

microprocessor is provided with a select input to which is coupled a select circuit having a manual operated switch. The microprocessor also incorporates a pair of scroll inputs each being coupled to scroll circuits having independent manually operated switches for directional scroll selection. The microprocessor is also provided with a display driver circuit for operating a liquid crystal display (LCD) and is provided with an audible signal output circuit having a speaker for providing the user with audible signals. The computer system may also be provided with a visual signal circuit which may incorporate light emitting diodes (LED) or any other suitable light source for presenting the user with visual signals.

When energized, the microprocessor receives data from the ROM and RAM chips and activates the liquid crystal display for display of the preprogrammed data of the ROM chip. The scroll circuits are then selectively energized by manual operation to identify or select the particular operation that is desired. The select button is then manually manipulated to enter the selection in the microprocessor. Thereafter, the microprocessor automatically processes the information and activates the LCD display driver to provide a visual representation on the LCD identifying the particular acupressure point or points that require stimulation to achieve the desired results. The preprogrammed and programmable data is processed in accordance with a timing sequence established by the internal clock which, as indicated bove, is preset typicallly at the factory with Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT) and which is programmable for solar time at the user's location, together with solar time at another location such as at the destination of an air travel flight. The biological clock computer of this invention incorporates electronic computer circuitry that is preprogrammed to enable a user to enter that person's actual biological time zone and to enter a biological shift time zone. With this variable data, the computer data will compute specific acupressure meridian point stimulation and other body stimulation together with the sequence and timing thereof to enable that person to achieve the desired biological time clock shift.

The computer program is also capable of providing both visual and audible signals at the end of a plurality of timing sequences to enable the person to closely follow a

prescribed procedure or method for achieving the biological time clock shift without necessitating that the person pay close attention to the computer. Upon the visual or audible signal, the user will simply inspect the display on the LCD of the computer which will identify acupressure meridian point stimulation that is appropriate at that particular time interval. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. In the Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electronic biological clock computer that is constructed in accordance with the present invention and is illustrated with its protective cover in the "open" position. Fig. 2 is an isometric illustration of the electronic biological clock computer of this invention, again with the protective cover thereof illustrated in its "open" position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the electronic biological clock computer of Figs. 1 and 2, with the cover thereof shown in the closed position. Fig. 4 is a block diagram tthat ype electronic schematic illustrating the electronic circuitry for a biological clock computer constructed in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and first to Figs. 1 and 2, an electronic biological clock computer constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 and incorporates a housing structure shown generally at 12 having a sidewall or walls 14, a top wall 16 and a bottom wall, not shown. As illustrated in the drawings, the side wall 14 is shown to be of circular configuration; however, such is not a requirement of the present invention. Within the scope of the invention, the housing structure may be of generally rectangular configuration, oval configuration or circular configuration as shown.

Although the housing 12 may comprise only the top wall 16, a bottom wall and a sidewall or walls, it may be desirable to provide the housing with a protective cover in order to insure against damage to the components that are displayed at the top wall or display panel 16. Accordingly, the housing may be provided with a protective cover 18 which is connected to the housing by means of a hinge 20 or which is capable of being assembled to the housing in any suitable fashion. To secure the cover 18 to the housing 12, the cover 18 may be provided with any suitable catch 19 which establishes releasable tension with the housing 12 in the closed position of the cover. Additionally, the cover 18 by virtue of its hinged connection at 20 may have the capability of folding to an inclined relationship with the rear panel of the housing 12 to thereby enable the unit to stand on a flat surface as shown in Fig. 2 to enable the LCD display 26 to be easily visualized. For purposes of standing on a flat surface the lower portion of the housing 12 may define a projection 21 having a flat surface 23 for supported engagement on a flat surface. The catch 19 also defines a flat surface for positioning of the computer apparatus as shown in Fig. 2. In the alternative, the protective cover may be in the form of an iris that is a component part of the housing structure.

The top wall or display panel 16 is formed to define a large, generally rectangular opening 22, which may be defined by a bezel 24 to provide an inspection opening for a

liquid crystal display 26, referred to hereinafter as an "LCD". The display panel 16 is also provided with an opening 28 through which a select button 30 is exposed to thus provide the operator of the computer with the capability of selecting the various modes of the internal computer circuitry to be discussed hereinbelow. Other openings, 32 and 34 are provided in the display panel 16 to expose scroll buttons 36 and 38. At its lower portion the display panel 16 defines an opening 40 through which audible signals from a speaker 42 are projected. The opening 40 is shown as being rectangular in form. In the alternative, the display panel 16 may define a plurality of small holes through which the audible signals of the speaker are projected.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown in block diagram form, electronic circuitry for the biological clock computer of the present invention. The electronic circuitry includes a microprocessor 50 to which is coupled an internal master clock circuit 52 by me^s of a data buss 54. The master clock circuit is preferably powered by a clock battery 56 through a power conductor 58 and 60. The clock battery 56 is typically a long-life battery such as a lithium battery which provides continuous power for an extended period of time to maintain the master clock circuit 52 in continuous operation. The master clock circuit will be set to Greenwich Mean Time at the point of computer manufacture, although such is not intended to be limiting of the scope of this invention. The clock battery 56 may be replaceable if desired although, when replaced, it will be necessary to reset the master clock 52 to Greenwich Mean Time. It should also be born in mind that the master clock circuit 52 may be an integral component part of the microprocessor circuit 50 though, for ease of understanding, it is shown in the schematic as a separate circuit component. The master clock 52 is provided with an embedded reset switch 53 and a reset circuit 55 in the event it should become necessary for the customer to reset the master clock circuit, such as will occur after battery replacement. The switch 53 is of conventional nature and is of the type that is accessible for manipulation only by a small object such as the point of a pencil or pen, thus ensuring against the possibility that it might be inadvertently actuated.

For control of the processing sequences of the microprocessor the circuitry of the biological clock computer incorporates a non-volatile read-only computer memory (ROM) 60 which is coupled by data busses 62 and 64 to the microprocessor 50. The ROM 60 provides permanent storage for about 250 records including the names of cities, number of hours from Greenwich Mean Time and standard time differential in minutes from true solar time. The computer circuitry also includes a non-volatile random access memory (RAM) 66 which is coupled to the microprocessor 50 by data busses 68 and 70. The system RAM provides storage for customer selected data input. The microprocessor provides an output buss 72 providing coupling for a liquid crystal display (LCD) display driver 74 which is in turn coupled by data buss 76 to an LCD display 78. For electrical power to the microprocessor the ROM and RAM circuits and the LCD and its driver circuitry, a system battery 80 is provided which is coupled by supply conductor 82 to a power conductor 84. This power conductor is coupled by connecting conductors 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 with the respective RAM, ROM, microprocessor, LCD display driver and LCD circuits. The system battery 80 may also be a long-life, lithium battery if desired or it may take any other suitable form. Typically, the system battery will be replaceable from time-to-time as its electrical energy output diminishes to the point it becomes insufficient for operation of the computer circuitry. The system battery 80 also provides electrical energy for illumination of the control buttons and for illumination of the LCD to thereby enable the computer to be efficiently utilized in conditions of poor light. For this purpose illuminators 96 and 98 are provided which are coupled by a conductor 100 to the system battery 80 under the control of a switch or contact 99. The illuminators 86 and 88 may

take any suitable form, such as luminescent panels, light emitting diodes, incandescent bulbs, etc. Typically, the illuminators will be of a suitable type having low electrical energy consumption to minimize the depletion rate of the system battery 80.

For selecting the various modes of microprocessor operation switches 30a, 34a and 38a are provided which are operated manually by user movement of the select button 30 and the up and down scroll buttons 34 and 38 as shown in Fig. 1. By selectively operating the scroll buttons 34 and 38 the scroll circuits are selectively operated thus causing the microprocessor to select and process ROM and RAM data which will appear on the LCD display 78. The select button 30 is utilized for selection of data that is visually identified by the LCD. Thus, the microprocessor is prepared by the ROM and RAM circuits to program the biological clock computer with appropriate data for biological clock operation in accordance with the time and duration that is selected by the user.

The computer system is also provided with an audible or alert signal capability by a speaker 102 that is coupled by conductor 104 to the microprocessor. OPERATION

As mentioned above, the internal master clock 52 is powered using a long-life lithium battery 56 and should be initialized at the point of manufacture with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). A second replaceable system battery 80 will be used to drive the LCD display 28 and processing.

The biological clock computer assumes that the following tabular city-related data (about 250 records) is permanently stored in the non-volatile read only computer memory (ROM) 60 sequenced in alphabetical order:

1. City name.

2. Number of hours from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) using standard time (i.e., GMT equals zero plus or minus a selected number of hours.)

3. Standard time differential in minutes from true Solar Time. The biological clock computer 10 also assumes the existence of liquid crystal display (LCD) images of six human body segments such as arms, legs, etc., and 12 acupressure meridian points on those body segments. Also stored in the non- volatile memory is a table of physiological electromagnetic data (12 records), which must be entered into and permanently stored in non-volatile computer memory using a computer program:

1. Body meridian point body segment image and acupressure point LCD identifiers.

2. Ending time in minutes from midnight for the selected meridian point. These records must be entered into the file in sequential order by time beginning at midnight.

The biological clock computer operates according to the following steps:

STEP 1. The internal master clock 52, which is powered by a long-life lithium battery 56, will be preset to Greenwich Mean Time. Should the clock battery fail, the internal master clock can be reset by depressing an embedded switch 53 with a pen tip. This activates a scenario in which the current city is selected from the city table using the method of Step 3 and the Daylight Savings question is asked as in Step 4 and the time is entered as in Step 10.

STEP 2. To activate the biological clock computer, the SELECT button is pressed. This causes the following menu to be displayed on the LCD 78: Main Menu

Continuously Display Solar Time

Display Current Solar Time

Display Selected City Time

Hibernate Set Alarm Clock

Start Time Traveler

Synchronize Body with Local Time

Time 12 or 24 Hour

User Information Volume Control

The UP and DOWN scroll buttons 36 or 38 are used to highlight the correct choice and the SELECT button 30 is pressed to establish the selected data processing link between the microprocessor 50, the ROM 60 and the RAM 66. Processing proceeds as follows for the various selections: a. Selecting CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY SOLAR TIME causes the LCD 78 of the computer device to display continuously the estimated current solar time for the current time zone in which the person is located or the current solar time for the city chosen. In the case of air travel, the estimated location of the aircraft may be determined from the display. b. Selecting DISPLAY CURRENT SOLAR TIME causes the LCD to display the current solar time for a city selected by the user using the city selection scenario from Step 3 and Daylight Savings Time question is asked as in Step 4. c. Selecting DISPLAY SELECTED CITY TIME causes the LCD of the device to display the current political time for a city selected by the user using the city selection scenario from Step 3 and the Daylight Savings Time question is asked as in Step 4. d. Selecting HIBERNATE causes the device to disable the LCD display and end all processing except for the internal master clock which is continuously operated by the clock battery 56. The biological clock computer is reactivated from the hibernate condition by pressing the SELECT button. e. Selecting SET ALARM CLOCK causes the device to activate a scenario in which the current city is selected from the city table using a modified version of the method of Step 3 and the Daylight Savings Time question is asked as in Step 4 and the time is entered as in Step 10. The modification to the city selection procedure described in Step 3 is that the most recently selected city is the one that is highlighted when the scrolling process is begun. When this preset time is reached, an alarm sounds, which is disabled by pressing the SELECT button. f. Selecting SYNCHRONIZE BODY WITH LOCAL TIME causes the device to initiate the acupressure scenario described in Step 14 for a city selected by the user using a modified version of the city selection scenario from Step 3 and the Daylight Savings Time question is asked as in Step 4. The modification to the city selection procedure described in Step 3 is that the most recently selected city is the one that is highlighted when the scrolling process is begun. g. Selecting TIME 12 OR 24 HOURS causes the device to display: Use 12 Hour Clock Use 24 Hour Clock with the clock option currently in use being highlighted. The UP and DOWN scroll buttons 36 and 38 are used to select the clock used and the SELECT button is pressed to effect the selection. h. Selecting USER INFORMATION causes the device to display information about the operation of the biological clock computer. The UP and DOWN scroll buttons

36 and 38 are used to scroll through the information. i. Selecting VOLUME CONTROL causes the device to display a bar that indicates the volume of the alarm. The UP and DOWN buttons are used to increase or

decrease the volume level, with the alarm being sounded as the volume is adjusted to provide the user with immediate audible feedback on the volume level selected.

STEP 3. The following heading is displayed on the top of the screen:

Select Departure City Below this heading is displayed the city table, with the first city in the table appearing highlighted immediately below the heading at the top of the screen. The UP and DOWN scroll buttons are used to scroll through the cities, with the table of cities being circularly defined (i.e., the first city in the table appears after the last city in the table when scrolling). When the departure city is highlighted, the user presses the SELECT button to indicate the departure city. A representative example of this display will appear on the LCD as follows: Select Departure City

Atlanta Boston Chicago

Dallas/Fort Worth Denver Honolulu Houston London Los Angeles New York

Paris Zurich STEP 4. The display is then cleared and the following appears:

Departure City Daylight Savings Time Yes

No The UP and DOWN buttons are used to highlight the correct choice and then the SELECT button is pressed.

STEP 5. The screen is then cleared and the following heading is displayed on the top of the screen:

Select Arrival City Below this heading is displayed the city table, with the first city in the table appearing highlighted immediately below the heading at the top of the screen. The UP and DOWN scroll buttons are used to scroll through the cities, with the table of cities being circularly defined (i.e., the first city in the table appears after the last city in the table when scrolling). When the arrival city is highlighted, the user presses the SELECT button to indicate the arrival city. A representative example of this display will appear on the LCD as follows:

Select Arrival City Atlanta Boston Chicago

Dallas/Fort Worth Denver Honolulu

Houston London Los Angeles

New York Paris

Zurich STEP 6. The display is then cleared and the following appears:

Arrival City Daylight Savings Time Yes No

The UP and DOWN scroll buttons are used to highlight the correct choice and the SELECT button is pressed.

STEP 7. The display is then cleared and the following appears:

Travel Direction West

East The UP and DOWN scroll buttons are used to highlight the correct choice and the SELECT button is pressed.

STEP 8. The display is then cleared and the following appears: Crossing International Date Line? Yes No The UP and DOWN scroll buttons are used to highlight the correct choice and the SELECT button is pressed. STEP 9. The display is then cleared and the following appears:

Press SELECT Button as Plane Takes Off

The user responds by pressing the SELECT button when the plane takes off or when the period of the timed cycle is initiated.

STEP 10. The display is then cleared and the following appears: Scheduled Arrival Time

08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00

13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00

18:00 19:00 20:00 12:00 Noon is then displayed on the LCD and the user uses the UP and DOWN scroll buttons to first scroll and select the correct arrival hour and then to scroll and select the correct arrival minute. When the correct hour or minute is highlighted during scrolling, the user presses the SELECT button to make the selection.

STEP 11. The biological clock computer then goes into an automatic operation cycle, which proceeds as described in Steps 12, 13, and 14 below. At any time during the automatic operation cycle described in these three steps, the process may be interrupted by pressing the SELECT button twice in rapid succession, in which case Step 15 is performed.

STEP 12. The biological clock computer then goes into an automatic operation cycle, which proceeds as follows, beginning immediately after departure has been

indicated: a. The audible alarm beeps once and the acupressure point together with the word LEFTSIDE is displayed on the LCD with the following message:

Press SELECT to time stimulation b. Two minutes after selection, the audible alarm beeps once and the acupressure point together with the word RIGHTSIDE is displayed on the LCD with the following message:

Press SELECT to time stimulation c. Two minutes after selection, the audible alarm beeps once and a pictorial representation of both ears are displayed on the LCD. Additionally, the following is displayed: Press SELECT to time stimulation d. Two minutes after selection, the audible alarm beeps once and the following message is displayed on the LCD:

This stimulation cycle is now complete e. The departure and arrival city names and times are displayed until the next stimulation time is reached. If CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY SOLAR TIME has been selected from the MAIN MENU, then the estimated current solar time for the current location of the aircraft is also displayed. f. Steps "a" through "e" are repeated every 60 minutes up until within 30 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, in which case the data processing proceeds to Step 13.

STEP 13. The biological clock computer now goes into an automatic operation cycle, which proceeds as follows, beginning 30 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time: a. The alarm sounds and the acupressure point together with the word LEFTSIDE is displayed with the following message: Press SELECT to indicate the beginning of stimulation b. Two minutes after selection, the audible alarm sounds once and the acupressure point together with the word RIGHTSIDE is displayed with the following message:

Press SELECT to indicate the beginning of stimulation c. Two minutes after selection, the alarm sounds and the following message is displayed:

Press SELECT to indicate the beginning of stimulation of both ears d. Two minutes after selection, the alarm beeps once and the following message is displayed: This stimulation cycle is now complete e. The departure and arrival city names and times are displayed until the next stimulation time is reached. If CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY SOLAR TIME has been selected from the MAIN MENU, then the estimated current solar time for the current location of the aircraft is also displayed. f. Steps "a" through "e" are repeated every 15 minutes after the scheduled arrival time, in which case it proceeds to Step 14.

STEP 14. The biological clock computer now goes into an automatic operation cycle, which proceeds as follows, beginning 15 minutes after the scheduled arrival time: a. The alarm sounds and the acupressure point together with the word LEFTSIDE is displayed with the following message:

Press SELECT to indicate the beginning of stimulation b. Two minutes after selection, the alarm sounds once and the acupressure point together with the word RIGHTSIDE is displayed with the following message:

Press SELECT to indicate the beginning of stimulation of both ears d. Two minutes after selection, the alarm sounds once and the following message is displayed: This stimulation cycle is now complete e. The departure and arrival city names and times are displayed until the next stimulation time is reached. If CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY SOLAR TIME has been selected from the MAIN MENU, then the estimated current solar time for the current location of the aircraft is also displayed. f. Steps "a" through "e" are repeated every 60 minutes, beginning 15 minutes after the scheduled arrival time. The process may be terminated by the user at any time by pressing the SELECT switch twice in rapid succession.

STEP 15. At any time during the automatic operation cycles, the user may interrupt by pressing the SELECT button twice in rapid succession. When interrupted, the screen is cleared and the following menu is displayed on the LCD: MENU Display Current Solar Time Display Selected City Time Enter Sleep Mode Reset Arrival Time

Reset Departure Time

The UP and DOWN scroll buttons are used to highlight the correct choice and the SELECT button is pressed. Processing proceeds as follows for the various selections: a. Selecting DISPLAY CURRENT SOLAR TIME causes the device to display the estimated current solar time for the current location of the aircraft. b. Selecting DISPLAY SELECTED CITY TIME causes the device to display the estimated current political time for a city selected by the user using the city selection scenario from Step 3 and the Daylight Savings question is asked as in Step 4. c. Selecting ENTER SLEEP MODE causes the device to display:

Set Wakeup Time Yes No The UP and DOWN scroll buttons are used to highlight the correct choice and the SELECT button is pressed. Selecting YES causes the device to activate a scenario in which the wakeup time is entered as in Step 10 using the time zone of the arrival city. When this preset time is reached, the audible alarm sounds, which is disabled by pressing the SELECT button.

After either of the above choices, the device enters SLEEP MODE. When in SLEEP MODE, processing continues until the device is "awakened" from sleep mode. Awakening of the computer device is effected by the attainment of the optional preset time that was entered when the sleep mode was activated or by pressing the SELECT button twice in rapid succession. Upon being awakened from SLEEP MODE, the LCD of the biological clock computer + device displays the sequence of acupressure meridian points to be stimulated from the time SLEEP MODE was entered until the current time and then the automatic operation cycle is resumed as described in Steps 12 through 14. d. Selecting RESET ARRIVAL TIME causes the device to repeat Step 10, in which arrival time is selected. This is provided for the case in which the flight is either

scheduled to arrive early or late. e. Selecting RESET DEPARTURE TIME causes the device to allow the entry of departure time using the scenario from Step 10. This is provided for the case in which the traveler forgot to press the select button in Step 9 when the aircraft was taking off.

In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention is one well adapted to attain all of the objects and features hereinabove set forth, together with other objects and features which are inherent in the apparatus disclosed herein.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may be produced in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiment, is therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of the equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. An electronic biological clock computer for use in controllably selecting a

sequence of acupressure stimulation events at selected acupressure meridian points on the human body for enabling a person to selectively alter the person's biological clock to a selected time zone, said electronic computer comprising:

(a) starting reference means being programmable with data for establishing a starting reference time identifying a person's actual biological clock time reference;

(b) ending reference means being programmable with data for establishing an ending reference time identifying a desired biological clock time differing from said starting reference time;

(c) meridian identifying means for sequentially identifying acupressure meridian points on the human body which, when stimulated, enable alteration of the biological clock of the person from the actual biological clock time to a selected biological clock time; and

(d) electronic data processing means utilizing said data of said programmable means and accomplishing data computations for processing selecting the number, order and timing of acupressure meridian point stimulation to achieve desired alteration of the biological clock of the person from that person's actual biological clock time to the desired biological clock time.

2. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 1 including a liquid crystal display and display driver being operatively coupled to an output of said electronic

processing means..

3. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 2, wherein: said starting reference means and said ending reference means is defined by a random access computer memory, means for identifying and selecting time reference data and for selectively storing said time reference data in said random access computer memory for processing by said electronic processing means.

4. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 2, wherein said meridian identifying means comprises: a read only computer memory having a data link with said electronic processing means and being preprogrammed with data which, when selected and processed by said electronic processing means, generates pictorial representations of human body

parts on said liquid crystal display together with specific acupressure meridian points on said human body parts.

5. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 2, wherein said electronic processing means comprises: a microprocessor circuit having data buss links with said read only memory circuit and with said random access memory circuit.

6. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 1, including:

(a) an internal master clock circuit having a data link with said electronic data processing means; and

(b) a clock battery providing continuous electrical energy to said internal master clock circuit.

7. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 6, including: a system battery being coupled to provide electrical energy to said electronic data processing means, said random access memory, said read only memory, said liquid crystal display and said display driver.

8. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 7, including: (a) audible signal means being coupled for energization by an output of said electronic data processing means; and

(b) visual illuminator circuit means being selectively energized by said

system battery.

9. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 1, including: (a) data selecting means for selecting data presented on said liquid crystal display; and

(b) data entry means for entering selected data into said electronic data processing means in preparation for processing thereof.

10. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 9, wherein: (a) said data selecting means comprises scroll circuits each having manually operable contacts for enabling selection of specific data being displayed by said liquid crystal display; and

(b) said data entry means being a data entry circuit having a manually operable select contact which, when closed, enters selected data into said electronic processing means for processing.

11. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 1, wherein: said electronic processing means is a microprocessor chip having data input and data output links with both said random access computer memory and said read only computer memory.

12. An electronic biological clock computer comprising:

(a) a microprocessor being programmed to execute a computer program correlating Greenwich Mean Time with a solar time period having a beginning time and an ending time and correlating acupressure meridian point selection in accordance with a sequence enabling a user to sequentially stimulate selected acupressure meridian points on the user's body such that during said solar time period the user's biological clock is selectively altered;

(b) a random access computer memory being linked for data transfer with said microprocessor and being programmable with selected data representing starting time, ending time and other selectable control functions; (c) a read only computer memory being linked for data transfer with said microprocessor and being programmed for permanent storage of data representing solar time zones, solar time in relation to Greenwich Mean Time, standard time differential in minutes from true solar time, body segment identification and a table of physiological electromagnetic data; (d) a master clock circuit being coupled for data transfer with said microprocessor and continuously providing data to said microprocessor representing

Greenwich Mean Time;

(e) a liquid crystal display and display driver circuits being coupled in series to an output of said microprocessor; and (f) battery means supplying electrical energy to said master clock circuit and to said microprocessor, random access computer memory, read only computer memory display driver and liquid crystal display.

13. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 12, wherein said battery means comprises: (a) a clock battery being coupled in continuous electrical energy supplying relation with said master clock circuit; and

(b) a system battery being coupled in demand relation with said microprocessor, random access computer memory, read only computer memory, display driver and liquid crystal display.

14. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 12, including: (a) up and down scroll circuits being coupled to inputs of said microprocessor and having button operated scroll contacts for inducing user controlled microprocessor selection of data being displayed at any given time on said liquid crystal display; and

(b) a select circuit being coupled with an input of said microprocessor for entering into said microprocessor data selected by said scroll circuits.

15. The electronic biological clock computer of claim 12, including: a speaker circuit being coupled with an output of said microprocessor and being operative for generation of audible signals for attracting the attention of the user.