System, user device and associated methods for dynamically adjusting circadian rhythm responsive to future events

1. A method of dynamically adjusting a circadian rhythm of an observer via a user device that includes control circuitry and an associated memory, the method comprising:

determining a preconditioning schedule for at least one future event, the step of determining a preconditioning schedule including

identifying a circadian shift needed to the circadian rhythm of the observer for the at least one future event,

determining a timeframe for preconditioning,

determining a per-day shift needed based upon the identified circadian shift needed and the determined timeframe, and

determining if the needed per-day shift exceeds a threshold,

wherein upon a determination that the per-day shift exceeds the threshold, setting the preconditioning schedule responsive to the determination to operate a light source to emit light based upon the preconditioning schedule.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the preconditioning schedule is also based upon a time zone within which the future event will occur.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the preconditioning schedule is also based upon future events within a time period accessed from a calendar.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if preconditioning schedules for the future events conflict; and

upon a determination that a conflict exists:

querying a user to select one or more non-conflicting future events, and

receiving an input from the user indicating one or more future events to precondition for.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein, upon a determination that the per-day shift exceeds the threshold, further performing:

querying the user as to whether to override the threshold;

receiving an input from the user responsive to the query of whether to exceed the threshold; and

selecting the preconditioning schedule responsive to the user input.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the threshold is 2.5 hours.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring a sleep cycle of the observer; and

implementing changes to the preconditioning schedule responsive to the sleep cycle of the observer.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein monitoring a sleep cycle of the observer comprises:

determining if the observer is asleep;

recording signals from a sleep sensor;

identifying and recording an indication of low-quality sleep from the signals received from the sleep sensor; and

determining changes to the preconditioning schedule responsive to the indication of the low-quality sleep.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the sleep sensor is at least one of an optical motion detector and an acceleration detector.

10. A method of operating a user device, that includes control circuitry and an associated memory, to determine a preconditioning schedule responsive to a future event of an observer, the method comprising:

identifying a needed circadian shift to the circadian rhythm of the observer for the future event,

determining a magnitude of the needed circadian shift and a related magnitude of a per-day shift needed for the future event, and

determining if the magnitude of the per-day shift exceeds a threshold, and selecting the preconditioning schedule based thereon for operating a light source to emit light based upon the preconditioning schedule.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein determining the preconditioning schedule is also based upon a time zone within which the future event will occur.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein determining the preconditioning schedule is also based upon future events within a time period accessed from a calendar.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein, upon a determination that the magnitude of the per-day shift exceeds the threshold, further performing:

querying the user as to whether to override the threshold;

receiving an input from the user responsive to the query of whether to exceed the threshold; and

selecting the preconditioning schedule responsive to the user input.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the threshold is 2.5 hours.

15. A user device for dynamically adjusting a circadian rhythm of an observer, the user device comprising:

control circuitry, and associated memory, configured to

determine a preconditioning schedule responsive to a future event by

identifying a circadian shift needed, to the circadian rhythm of the observer, for the future event,

determining a magnitude of the circadian shift and a related magnitude of a per-day shift needed for the future event, and

determining if the magnitude of the per-day shift exceeds a threshold, and selecting the preconditioning schedule based thereon to control a light source to emit light based upon the preconditioning schedule.

16. The user device of claim 15 further comprising a communication device coupled with the control circuitry and configured to communicate across a network; and wherein the communication device is configured to access a calendar and identify future events associated with the observer via the network.

17. The user device of claim 15 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

access future events within a time period from a calendar; and

determine which future events need preconditioning.

18. The user device of claim 15 wherein, upon a determination that the per-day shift exceeds the threshold, the control circuitry is further configured to:

query the user as to whether to override the threshold;

receive an input from the user responsive to the query of whether to exceed the threshold; and

set the preconditioning schedule responsive to the user input.

19. The user device of claim 15 further comprising a sleep sensor configured to, in combination with the control circuitry, monitor a sleep cycle of the observer; wherein the control circuitry is further configured to implement changes to the preconditioning schedule responsive to the sleep cycle of the observer.

20. The user device of claim 19 wherein the sleep sensor comprises at least one of an optical motion detector and an acceleration detector.