CRAVING INPUT AND SUPPORT SYSTEM
A craving control device comprising a housing, a craving input actuator supported by the housing, a wireless communicator supported by the housing, and a controller is provided. The craving input actuator can be configured to obtain information from a user pertaining to a timing, frequency, or intensity of a craving. The controller can be operatively connected to the craving input actuator and the wireless communicator to communicate craving information received by the craving input actuator via the wireless communicator to a device external to the housing. The device external to the housing can be a personal communication device. The housing can be sized and configured to be enclosed in the user's hand and or to be placed in a pocket of the user's clothing. Methods for using the craving control devices are also provided.
1 . A craving input mechanism comprising:
a housing configured as a bracelet adapted to be disposed on a user's wrist;
a craving input actuator supported by the housing, the craving input actuator being configured to operate by a user to input information pertaining to a craving;
a wireless communicator supported by the housing;
a controller operatively connected to the craving input actuator and the wireless communicator to communicate the information pertaining to a craving via the wireless communicator to a device external to the housing.
2 . The craving input mechanism of claim 1 wherein the craving input actuator comprises a button.
3 . The craving input mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a visual display operatively connected to the controller.
4 . The craving input mechanism of claim 3 wherein the visual display comprises an LED.
5 . The craving input mechanism of claim 3 wherein the visual display comprises a plurality of LEDs.
6 . The craving input mechanism of claim 1 wherein the wireless communicator comprises a Bluetooth radio.
7 . The craving input mechanism of claim 1 wherein the wireless communicator is configured to communicate with an application running on a smartphone.
8 . The craving input mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a vibration source operable by the controller to vibrate during a craving episode.
9 . A method of treating a craving episode of a user, the method comprising:
wearing a craving input mechanism on a wrist of the user;
actuating a button on the craving input mechanism to indicate the existence of a craving; and
communicating craving information wireles sly to a device external to the craving input mechanism.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the craving information comprises a craving occurrence or a craving intensity.
11 . The method of claim 9 further comprising activating a visual display.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the visual display comprises a plurality of LEDs.
13 . The method of claim 9 wherein the device external to the craving input comprises a smartphone.
14 . The method of claim 9 further comprising providing a vibration output to the user.
15 . The method of claim 9 further comprising providing craving support to the user.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the step of providing craving support comprises activating an LED display.
17 . The method of claim 15 wherein the step of providing craving support comprises providing a vibration output to the user.