WO2025255227A1

WO2025255227A1 - System and method for proactive monitoring and management of anxiety using wearable technology and mobile application

Info

Publication number: WO2025255227A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/032260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexa Zalopany CASEY
Original assignee: Compassioneur Works LLC
Current assignee: Compassioneur Works LLC
Priority date: 2024-06-05
Filing date: 2025-06-04
Publication date: 2025-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-05

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product for monitoring and managing anxiety in a user includes a wearable device that monitors heart rate variability (HRV) and other health metrics, and a mobile application that analyzes these metrics. When HRV exceeds a predefined threshold, the system alerts the user, prompts them with questions regarding their physical activity and emotional state, and provides personalized engagement activities to mitigate anxiety. The wearable device utilizes various sensors to gather health data, and the mobile application processes this data to offer tailored interventions. This integrated approach ensures proactive and personalized anxiety management, improving user coping skills over time.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROACTIVE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF ANXIETY USING

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE APPLICATION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/656,360 of CASEY, entitled " SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROACTIVE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF ANXIETY USING WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE APPLICATION," filed on 05 JUNE 2024, now pending, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to health monitoring and management systems and methods, and more particularly to systems and methods for proactive monitoring and management of anxiety through the integration of wearable technology and mobile applications, thereby enhancing the early detection of anxiety indicators, providing personalized intervention strategies, and improving overall user well-being while minimizing the need for continuous manual monitoring and the like.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

[0003] In recent years, systems and methods for managing anxiety have been developed. However, such systems typically rely on the individual recognizing and reporting their own anxiety, which can often occur only after the anxiety has significantly escalated. This reactive approach can result in delayed intervention and less effective management of anxiety symptoms. Additionally, these systems often require manual input from the user, which can be cumbersome and unreliable. There is a need for a more proactive and automated solution that can detect early signs of anxiety, provide timely interventions, and minimize the dependency on user-initiated reporting and manual data entry.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a method and system that addresses the above and other problems. The above and other problems are addressed by the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, which provide systems and methods for managing and mitigating anxiety through a proactive approach. The disclosed system comprises a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, smart ring, bracelet, chest strap, headband, wearable devices with other form factors, etc.), and a smartphone application, website, and the like, that work in tandem to monitor a user's heart rate variability (HRV), and other health metrics, and the like. The system detects about a 25% increase in HRV above the user's baseline, which may indicate the onset of anxiety. Upon detection, the system prompts the user to confirm or rule out physical activities that could explain the HRV increase. If anxiety is suspected, the system offers personalized engagement activities based on pre-surveyed user preferences. These activities include viewing specific images or videos, listening to music, or other forms of distraction to help manage anxiety. Additionally, the system provides options for user feedback and further support, including contacting friends, doctors, or emergency services. The system's design aims to reduce anxiety proactively and improve the user's coping skills over time by providing timely interventions and monitoring the effectiveness of the provided solutions.

[0005] Accordingly, in illustrative aspects of the present disclosure there is provided a system, method and computer program product for monitoring and managing anxiety in a user, including a wearable device configured to monitor heart rate variability (HRV) and health metrics of a user; a mobile application in communication with the wearable device, the mobile application configured to receive and analyze the monitored health metrics; an alert mechanism configured to notify the user when the HRV exceeds a predefined threshold; a feedback module configured to prompt the user with questions regarding their physical activity and emotional state; and a distraction module configured to provide personalized engagement activities to the user based on their preferences to mitigate anxiety.

[0006] The wearable device further includes a plurality of sensors including at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a barometric pressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heart rate monitor, an oximetry sensor, a skin conductance sensor, and a GPS sensor.

[0007] The alert mechanism is configured to provide notifications through vibration, audio alerts, and visual alerts on the wearable device and mobile application.

[0008] T feedback module utilizes a Likert scale to assess an emotional state of the user and prompt further engagement if the user reports feeling anxious.

[0009] The distraction module includes grounding techniques, breathing exercises, movement exercises, music, videos, visual art, recorded messages, and soothing sounds, tailored to preferences of the user. [0010] The system, method and computer program product further include a report generation module configured to analyze the monitored health metrics and collected user responses, and generate periodic reports on anxiety management progress of the user.

[0011] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description, by illustrating a number of illustrative embodiments and implementations, including the best mode, contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure. The present disclosure is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated byway of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustrative system and method for monitoring and managing anxiety through heart rate variability (HRV) and other health metrics;

[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustrative system and method depicting features of an application that monitors various health and activity metrics;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for the system and method illustrating a process of tracking, monitoring, and responding to changes in HRV;

[0016] FIG. 4 is an illustrative system and method showing various health monitoring and user interaction features provided by an application;

[0017] FIG. 5 is an illustrative system and method detailing administrative and user management modules of an application;

[0018] FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart demonstrating the data processing and behavior prediction steps in the anxiety management system;

[0019] FIG. 7 is an illustrative flowchart for the system and method showing a detailed process of HRV monitoring and user engagement activities to manage anxiety;

[0020] FIG. 8 is an illustrative system and method depicting synchronization of a wearable device with client and server applications through various sensors; [0021] FIGs. 9A-9C are an illustrative flowchart of the system and method detailing a process of HRV monitoring, physical activity identification, user engagement activities, feedback processes, and providing further support including emergency contacts and resumption of monitoring;

[0022] FIGs. 10A-10C are illustrative user interfaces for the system and methods depicting the initial setup screens, registration, profile completion, account creation, login, and OTP request screens of the application;

[0023] FIG. 11 is an illustrative user interface forthe system and method depicting various emotional states used for mood tracking within an application;

[0024] FIGs. 12A-12F are illustrative user interfaces for the system and method showing a main dashboard, notification features, policy, export data, privacy policy screens, additional settings, premium upgrade options, personalized recommendations, notification setup process, search, solutions module, video, discover, and data export screens;

[0025] FIG. 13 is an illustrative user interface for the system and method showing anxiety charts with daily, weekly, and monthly views;

[0026] FIG. 14 is an illustrative user interface for the system and method depicting wearable device synchronization and wait screens; and

[0027] FIG. 15 is an illustrative user interface for the system and method 100 showing an application development environment and user management dashboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a diagram for illustrating systems and methods 100 for enhanced detection and identification of microbes, and the like, by employing ultraviolet (UV) light radiation, and the like.

[0029] FIG. 1 is an illustrative system and method 100 for monitoring and managing anxiety through heart rate variability (HRV) and other health metrics. In FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises a base module 104 and a monitoring module 106. The base module 104 includes an anxiety alert system 110, which detects anxiety-related symptoms and triggers an alert 108. The behavior pattern module 112 analyzes the user's behavior to identify patterns associated with anxiety. Voice processing 118 captures and processes the user's voice for further analysis, leading to the generation of alerts 122 when necessary. The monitoring module 106 encompasses several health monitoring functions, including physical activity tracking 126, blood pressure monitoring 134, and oxygen level monitoring 130. The physical activity data 124 and oxygen level data 128 are collected and processed to provide a comprehensive health status of the user. Blood pressure readings 132 are also integrated into the system for a thorough analysis. Finally, the system generates detailed reports 138 summarizing the collected data, trends, and any detected anomalies, which can be reviewed for further action. The entire system is managed through a central application 102, which coordinates the data collection, processing, and alert mechanisms to ensure timely interventions for managing anxiety attacks.

[0030] FIG. 2 is an illustrative system and method 100 depicting features of an application that monitors various health and activity metrics. In FIG. 2, the application includes a steps counter 124 for tracking the number of steps taken, calories burnt at 202 for monitoring energy expenditure, and heartbeat tracking 204 to continuously monitor the user's heart rate. Additionally, the application offers water level analysis at 206 to ensure adequate hydration and sleep analysis at 208 for assessing sleep patterns and quality. The application also includes a challenges module 210 that presents the user with various health-related challenges, and a community setup feature 212 that enables users to engage with a support community, participate in chats, refer friends, and earn rewards at 214. The health dashboard 136 provides an overview of the user's health metrics, while the health report download feature 216 allows users to download detailed health reports. Location tracking 218 helps monitor the user's location for activity logging and safety purposes. Voice monitoring 116 analyzes the user's voice for mood and stress levels, and a voice-based mood analysis module 220 provides deeper insights into the user's emotional state. Anxiety monitoring at 108 continuously tracks for signs of anxiety, and low blood pressure monitoring at 132 and oxygen level monitoring at 128 provide additional health data. A profiling feature 222 tailors recommendations and interventions based on a holistic view of the user's health profile, for example, including the voice monitoring 116, the voice-based mood analysis 220, any suitable health profile parameters, and the like.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for the system and method 100 illustrating a process of tracking, monitoring, and responding to changes in HRV. In FIG. 3, the system begins by tracking heart rate variability at 302 and continuously monitoring HRV levels at 304. If about a 25% increase in HRV is detected at 306, the system proceeds to identify the activity causing the increase at 308. The user's mood is identified at 310, and if no other physical activity is detected at 312, the system initiates distraction techniques at 314 to mitigate potential anxiety. The user is then encouraged to engage in the suggested activity at 316. Subsequently, the system assesses the user's feelings at 318 to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. If the user's condition improves, the system resolves the situation and returns to monitoring at 320. If there is no improvement, the system seeks alternative resolutions at 322 to further address the user's anxiety. This structured process ensures a responsive and adaptive approach to managing anxiety through real-time monitoring and personalized interventions.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an illustrative system and method 100 showing various health monitoring and user interaction features provided by an application. In FIG. 4, the application includes a healthcare monitoring app 136, which provides a fully functional healthcare platform with dedicated APIs for each module. The chat, community, refer and earn feature 212 enables users to chat within communities, refer others, and earn rewards. Behavior-based profiling 112 generates user behavior patterns and reports. Anxiety monitoring 108 involves continuous monitoring, alerts, notifications, and behavior prediction via wearable devices, and the like. Oxygen saturation monitoring 128 predicts mood based on oxygen saturation levels. User behavior analysis 112 and pattern generation provide insights into user behaviors.

The health dashboard 136 offers a custom health dashboard for each user, integrating various health metrics. Blood pressure monitoring 132 and anxiety monitoring 108 track and predict health conditions. The doctor management system 402 includes all features needed for onboarding, processing, and automating patient management. User management 404 involves creating, reading, and updating user profiles. Modular report generation 136 ensures process automation and quality control. Finally, the prescription & chat feature 406 allows users to chat with healthcare providers and receive prescriptions directly through the app.

[0033] FIG. 5 is an illustrative system and method 100 detailing administrative and user management modules of an application. In FIG. 5, an admin module 502 encompasses various private modules essential for the backend management of the application. A database module 504 is integral to storing and managing data, including the user module, payment module, behavior module, referrals module, discounts module, and community user data 506. A doctor module 508 allows healthcare professionals to create, read, update, and delete patient information 510. Similarly, a user module 512 permits users to create, read, update, and delete their profiles and other related data 514. a behavior module 516 focuses on analyzing patterns, data, mood, and levels of users 518 to generate insights and personalized recommendations. Each of these modules is connected to a central application 102, facilitating seamless interaction and data flow between the administrative backend and user-facing features, ensuring efficient management and operation of the system.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart 100 demonstrating the data processing and behavior prediction steps in the anxiety management system. In FIG. 6, the process begins with a one-click sign-in at 602, enabling users to log in and sign up using their mobile numbers. Following sign-in, data processing at 604 occurs, where the system utilizes collected data and neural networks to generate user behavior patterns. This leads to the behavior module at 114, which predicts user behavior and forms patterns based on the processed data. Subsequently, the system generates reports at 138, compiling the analyzed data into comprehensive reports for review. Finally, the system issues alerts at 122 through buzzer and vibration-based notifications to inform the user of significant findings or necessary actions. This flow ensures a seamless and efficient method for monitoring, analyzing, and responding to user health metrics.

[0035] FIG. 7 is an illustrative flowchart forthe system and method 100 showing a detailed process of HRV monitoring and user engagement activities to manage anxiety. In FIG. 7, the system begins by tracking the average HRV at 702 and analyzing HRV behavior in relation to oxygen levels at 704. When HRV exceeds about 25% above the average as detected at 706, the system checks for factors such as exercise at 708, sexual activity at 710, and other potential influences at 712. If none of these factors are present, the system assesses the potential for anxiety at 714, noting the user's mood as happy, sad, or neutral. Based on this assessment, the system can initiate various distraction techniques at 716 to mitigate anxiety. These techniques include grounding at 718, breathing exercises at 720, movement at 722, music at 724, video at 726, visual art at 728, recorded messages at 730, and calming sounds at 732. After these interventions, the system queries the user to determine if further assistance is needed at 734. Additional elements to track at 736 include the use of a journal for voice memos and text entries at 738. A description section at 740 explains that the system detects body reactions before the user is consciously aware of anxiety at 742, and it aims to distract the user before they can fully experience fear or anxiety at 744. This proactive approach utilizes various distractions to avoid or minimize cognitive and emotional escalation at 748, ensuring effective management of anxiety through timely interventions.

[0036] FIG. 8 is an illustrative system and method 100 depicting synchronization of a wearable device with client and server applications through various sensors. In FIG. 8, a wearable device 802 (e.g., a smartwatch, smart ring, bracelet, chest strap, headband, wearable devices of other form factors, etc.) equipped with a sensor suite 804a and an HRV monitoring module 804b continuously tracks various health metrics. The sensor suite 804a includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometric pressure sensor, ambient temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, oximetry sensor, skin conductance sensor, skin temperature sensor, and GPS. The data collected by the wearable device 802 is synchronized with a mobile phone 806 via a synchronization process 806a, and further synchronized with a computer 808 via synchronization process 808a. This synchronization ensures that the health data is available across all user devices. The client applications software 810 on the phone and computer communicates with server application software 818 hosted on servers 820 through the internet 814. This communication flow 812 and 816 allows for the continuous updating and processing of health data, ensuring that real-time monitoring and analytics are maintained. The server application software 818 processes the incoming data, providing insights and alerts to the user based on the monitored HRV and other health metrics. This integrated system ensures comprehensive health monitoring and timely interventions for managing the user's well-being.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the disclosed system can be implemented with various platforms, for example, such an artificial intelligence (Al) platform, a machine learning platform, and the like, as a patient-centered anxiety monitoring system that enables individuals to track and manage anxiety through continuous health data measurement and analysis. Such a system can include various integrated components, for example, such as a core platform, a physician dashboard, and a community platform, and the like. The physician dashboard can serve as a care management tool for healthcare providers, and the like, to monitor patient anxiety data in realtime, assess symptom patterns, support diagnostics, enhance treatment planning, offer patient support beyond clinical visits, and the like. The community platform can provide educational resources, peer support forums, access to therapeutic interventions, and the like, and seamless integration with the physician dashboard. Such integrated architecture facilitates continuous mental health management by combining self-monitoring, professional oversight, and community support, thereby supplementing traditional care without replacing it.

[0038] FIGs. 9A-9C are an illustrative flowchart of the system and method 100 detailing a process of HRV monitoring, physical activity identification, user engagement activities, feedback processes, and providing further support including emergency contacts and resumption of monitoring. In FIG. 9A, the process starts with a wearable device 802 equipped with an HRV monitoring module 804b. The system continuously monitors HRV levels. If there is an increase of about 25% above the average HRV detected at 902, the system checks if the user is physically active at 904. If the user is physically active, the system proceeds to define the activity at 906 and logs it accordingly. If the user is not physically active, the system asks the user to assess their feelings using a Likert scale at 908. The user provides any answer at 910, which is then processed for further steps in managing the user's health status. The process ensures timely identification of significant HRV changes and appropriate user feedback to determine the next actions.

[0039] In FIG. 9B, if the initial check indicates that the user's HRV has increased by about 25% above the average, the system initiates various engagement activities. The first engagement activity at 912 is deployed, and if it does not yield a positive outcome, the system proceeds to the second engagement activity at 914, and subsequently to further engagements at 916 as needed. If any engagement results in a decrease in HRV by about 20%, the system then asks the user if they are feeling better using a Likert scale at 918. If the user indicates that they are feeling better, they are given the option to record a voice memo at 920 and/or complete a brief survey at 922 for feedback purposes. The HRV monitoring module 804b continuously tracks the user's HRV throughout this process. If none of the engagements are successful in reducing the user's HRV, the flow returns to step 912 for reassessment or moves to a next phase step 924 for additional interventions. This iterative engagement process ensures that multiple strategies are attempted to alleviate the user's anxiety and improve their well-being.

[0040] In FIG. 9C, if the engagements in the previous step 916 do not sufficiently address the user's condition, the system asks if the user wants to talk with someone at 924. If the user chooses to talk with someone, they are provided with options to contact a friend at 924a, a doctor at 926b, or an Al agent at 928c. If the user does not want to talk with someone, the system inquires if they want to call emergency services (9-1-1) at 932. If the user chooses not to call 9-1- 1, the system asks if they are sure they want to dismiss the 9-1-1 call at 936 and requires confirmation to dismiss the call twice at 938. If the user confirms twice, the system resumes normal monitoring at 930. If at any point the user decides to call 9-1-1, the system completes the emergency call at 934. Throughout this process, the HRV monitoring module 804b on the wearable device 802 continues to track the user's HRV, ensuring continuous monitoring and appropriate response to the user's health status.

[0041] FIGs. 10A-10C are illustrative user interfaces for the system and methods 100 depicting the initial setup screens, registration, profile completion, account creation, login, and OTP request screens of the application. In FIG. 10A, a screen 1002 is the introductory screen displaying the application logo and a "Get Started" button, inviting users to begin their interaction with the app. A screen 1004 is the "Track" screen, which provides an overview of the tracking capabilities of the application. This screen highlights the feature that monitors various health metrics to detect changes that may indicate anxiety or stress. A screen 1006 is the "Notify" screen, showcasing the application's ability to send alerts to the user when significant changes in health metrics are detected, prompting them to take appropriate actions. A screen 1008 is the "Resolve" screen, which explains how the application assists users in managing and resolving their anxiety or stress through personalized interventions and activities. These initial screens provide a comprehensive introduction to the app's primary functionalities, ensuring users understand the tracking, notification, and resolution features available to them.

[0042] FIG. 10B illustrates additional user interface screens 1010, 1012, 1014, and 1016 of the application, guiding users through the registration and profile setup process. In FIG. 10B, the screen 1010 allows users to enter their mobile number and request a One-Time Password (OTP) for verification. The screen 1012 displays the OTP verification interface, where users input the received code to confirm their identity. The screen 1014 is the profile completion screen, prompting users to enter their personal information, such as name, gender, date of birth, blood group, weight, and height, to complete their profile. The screen 1016 welcomes the user upon successful registration and profile completion, displaying a message of encouragement and a "Go To Home" button that directs the user to the main dashboard of the application. These screens ensure a smooth and user-friendly onboarding experience, enabling users to quickly and easily set up their account and personal profile.

[0043] FIG. 10C illustrates additional user interface screens 1018, 1020, and 1022 of the application, facilitating account creation and login processes. In FIG. 10C, the screen 1018 is the "Create an Account" screen, where new users can enter their first name, last name, email, and password to register for a new account. This screen also provides options to register using Google, Facebook, or Apple accounts. The screen 1020 is the "Welcome Back" screen for returning users. Here, users can enter their email and password to log in to their existing account. This screen also offers the option to reset a forgotten password and includes quick login options via Google, Facebook, or Apple accounts. The screen 1022 is another "Let's Get Started" screen, similar to the one depicted in FIG. 10B, where users can enter their phone number to request an OTP for login or registration. This screen also includes an option to log in using a Google account. These screens ensure that both new and returning users can easily access the application, providing a streamlined process for account management and access.

[0044] FIG. 11 is an illustrative user interface for the system and method 100 depicting various emotional states used for mood tracking within an application. In FIG. 11, screen 1024 shows a user in a calm or neutral state, serving as a baseline for comparison with other emotional states. A screen 1026 depicts a user experiencing anxiety, characterized by visual cues such as a distressed facial expression and shaky lines indicating trembling or nervousness. A screen 1028 represents a user feeling conflicted or uncertain, with a facial expression split between happy and sad, illustrating mixed emotions. A screen 1030 displays a user in a state of fearor panic, indicated by wide eyes, a clenched posture, and sweat drops or tears. These screens are used to help the application assess the user's current emotional state and provide appropriate feedback or interventions based on these visual cues.

[0045] FIGs. 12A-12F are illustrative user interfaces for the system and method 100 showing a main dashboard, notification features, policy, export data, privacy policy screens, additional settings, premium upgrade options, personalized recommendations, notification setup process, search, solutions module, video, discover, and data export screens. In FIG. 12A, a screen 1202 displays a navigation bar with icons for different sections of the app, allowing users to quickly switch between functions. A screen 1204 is the main dashboard, providing an overview of the user's activity, including an anxiety chart, heart rate trends, total steps, sleep data, and calories burned. This comprehensive view helps users monitortheir overall health and well-being. A screen 1206 shows the notifications interface, listing recent notifications such as completed exercises, calorie burn updates, normal heart rates, and increased anxiety levels. This screen keeps users informed of their progress and alerts them to significant health changes. A screen 1208 is the profile management interface, where users can view and edit their personal details, export data, view history, and manage paired devices. It also includes options to enable pre-app notifications and emergency SOS alerts, along with contact and support information. A screen 1210 allows users to edit their profile information, such as subscription status, name, date of birth, blood group, weight, and height. This ensures that the app's health tracking features are tailored to the user's specific characteristics. A screen 1212 displays activity progress, showing a bar graph of the user's activity levels over the week. This visual representation helps users track their physical activity trends and set goals for improvement. These screens collectively provide a detailed and user-friendly interface for managing health data, receiving notifications, and personalizing the user experience within the application.

[0046] FIG. 12B illustrates various user interface screens 1214, 1216, and 1218 of the application, each providing different settings and informational content. In FIG. 12B, the screen 1214 displays the "Policies" and "FAQs" sections. The Policies section includes options for accessing the Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, linking devices, and the End User Agreement. The FAQs section offers information on topics such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, and techniques for calming down anxiety. The screen 1216 shows the "Export Data" interface, which allows users to export their data from the application. This screen provides a brief description of the data export process and a button to initiate the export. The screen 1218 is the "Privacy Policy" screen, detailing the privacy practices of the application. This screen provides information on how the application handles user data, ensuring users are informed about their data privacy rights and the measures taken to protect their information. These screens collectively provide users with access to important policies, the ability to export their data, and answers to frequently asked questions, ensuring a comprehensive and user-friendly experience within the application.

[0047] FIG. 12C illustrates additional user interface screens 1220, 1222, 1224, 1226, and 1228 of the application, showcasing various settings and features. The screen 1220 displays a navigation menu providing access to different sections of the application. Screen 1222 lists options for exporting data, viewing history, linking devices, contacting support, and accessing the privacy policy. Screen 1224 presents a selection between a free and premium plan, indicating the different subscription tiers available to the user. Screen 1226 highlights options for calculating BMI and participating in questionnaires or surveys, enabling users to input personal health information and provide feedback. Finally, screen 1228 shows the profile section of the application, where users can manage their accounts, including upgrading their plan, editing personal details, exporting data, viewing history, linking devices, and managing notification settings. This screen also provides options for contacting support and accessing the privacy policy, ensuring comprehensive user account management and support functionalities.

[0048] FIG. 12D illustrates user interface screens 1230, 1232, 1234, and 1236 of the application, each serving distinct purposes within the user experience. Screen 1230 is a welcome screen, presenting users with options to personalize their experience by selecting their preferences from categories such as music, games, pets, blogs, doctors, and podcasts. This personalization helps tailor the application to the user's specific interests and needs. Screen 1232 prompts users to enable notifications, explaining that notifications will be used to provide personalized distractions during potential anxiety attacks. The screen includes a prompt for the user to allow notifications, with options to enable them now or later. Screen 1234 informs users of the necessity of enabling notifications for the application to function correctly, ensuring users understand the importance of this feature for the application's performance. It gently encourages users to enable notifications to avoid stress. Screen 1236 displays a notification feed, where users can see a list of notifications received from the application. This screen helps users stay informed about activities, reminders, and challenges provided by the application, enhancing user engagement and adherence to anxiety management strategies.

[0049] FIG. 12E illustrates user interface screens 1238, 1242, and 1244, which pertain to the "Discover" module of the application. Screen 1238 shows a search interface where users can input topics of interest to explore relevant content within the application. This screen provides a simple and intuitive search bar to facilitate user navigation. Screen 1242 outlines the various features available in the Solutions Module. These features include questionnaires such as genderneutral Q&A and emergency Q&A, various types of videos including animal, yoga, and breathing videos, easy-to-play games, and different music options such as calm music, music only, water sounds, and bird sounds. This screen provides a comprehensive overview of the tools available to users for managing anxiety. Screen 1244 displays the search results and available content options within the Discover module. Users can browse through different categories like meditation, cat videos, dog videos, sleep, wisdom, and games. Additionally, there is an option to unlock premium content for enhanced features. This screen helps users quickly find and access the content that best suits their needs for anxiety management and relaxation. [0050] FIG. 12F illustrates various user interface screens of the application, specifically focusing on features related to videos, discovery, user activity tracking, and data export. Screen 1246 shows a video interface where users can view videos, with interactive elements such as like, comment, and share buttons. Screen 1248 provides a discovery interface, highlighting recommended videos and games such as "Strikeforce Kitty," and includes categories like meditation, cat videos, dog videos, sleep, wisdom, and games, with an option to unlock premium content. Screen 1250 depicts a detailed view of user activity tracking, displaying metrics like anxiety ratings, activity levels, heart rate, and sleep data, all visualized through various charts and graphs to help users monitor their well-being. Screen 1252 shows the export data interface, where users can request their data by entering their email and sending a request. This ensures users can obtain a copy of their data for personal records or further analysis. Additionally, element 1254 indicates an audio journal feature, providing users with a space to record their thoughts and feelings, enhancing the app's capability to support mental health through journaling.

[0051] FIG. 13 is an illustrative user interface for the system and method 100 showing anxiety charts with daily, weekly, and monthly views. In FIG. 13, screen 1302 shows a daily anxiety chart, which plots anxiety levels at different hours of the day, allowing users to monitor fluctuations within a 24-hour period. Screen 1304 presents a weekly anxiety chart, highlighting anxiety levels across different days of the week to identify patterns or triggers on specific days. Screen 1306 depicts a monthly anxiety chart, tracking anxiety trends over several months, enabling users to observe long-term changes and the effectiveness of coping strategies. Each chart includes a y-axis representing anxiety levels as a percentage and a selectable dropdown menu to switch between daily, weekly, and monthly views.

[0052] FIG. 14 is an illustrative user interface for the system and method 100 depicting wearable device synchronization and wait screens. In FIG. 14, screen 1402 shows the initial wearable device face, displaying the application logo prominently. Screen 1404 depicts the synchronization screen, where the user initiates a sync process, indicated by a button labeled "SYNC" below the logo. Screen 1406 represents the waiting screen, which appears while the synchronization or other processes are in progress, featuring an animated graphic with bubbles and a stopwatch icon at the bottom, indicating the user should wait. These screens guide the user through the initial setup and synchronization steps, ensuring a seamless interaction with the application.

[0053] FIG. 15 is an illustrative user interface for the system and method 100 showing an application development environment and user management dashboard. In FIG. 15, element 1502 represents the main window of the development environment, displaying the overall layout of the application being developed. Element 1504 shows the navigation bar at the top, allowing access to different sections and tools within the environment. Element 1506 depicts a user profile widget, showcasing the integration of user-specific data such as profile pictures and basic information. Element 1508 highlights a settings panel or strip, where developers can adjust settings and configurations, such as changing strip elements or other customizable options. This environment facilitates streamlined application development by providing intuitive access to various configuration and customization options.

[0054] All the features of the illustrative systems and methods of FIGs. 1-6, as described herein, can be employed alone or in any suitable combination, and include automation of various steps, including cleaning, sterilization between samples, and the like, through a variety of suitable technologies (e.g., robotics, Artificial Intelligence, etc.), as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s).

[0055] All the features of the illustrative systems and methods of FIGs. 1-15, as described herein, can be employed alone or in any suitable combination, and include computer automation, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s).

[0056] Accordingly, the above-described devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can include, for example, any suitable servers, workstations, PCs, laptop computers, PDAs, Internet appliances, handheld devices, cellular telephones, wireless devices, other devices, and the like, capable of performing the processes of the illustrative embodiments. The devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems or devices.

[0057] One or more interface mechanisms can be used with the illustrative embodiments, including, for example, Internet access, telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and the like), wireless communications media, and the like. For example, employed communications networks or links can include one or more wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, G3 communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, a combination thereof, and the like.

[0058] It is to be understood that the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments are for illustrative purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware used to implement the illustrative embodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). For example, the functionality of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be implemented via one or more programmed computer systems or devices.

[0059] To implement such variations as well as other variations, a single computer system can be programmed to perform the special purpose functions of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments. On the other hand, two or more programmed computer systems or devices can be substituted for any one of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy, replication, and the like, also can be implemented, as desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments.

[0060] The devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can store information relating to various processes described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like, of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments. One or more databases of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can store the information used to implement the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The processes described with respect to the illustrative embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/orgenerated by the processes of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments in one or more databases thereof.

[0061] All or a portion of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and software arts. Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the illustrative embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. Further, the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be implemented on the World Wide Web. In addition, the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s). Thus, the illustrative embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and/or software.

[0062] Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure can include software for controlling the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments, for driving the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments, for enabling the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, applications software, and the like. Such computer readable media further can include the computer program product of an embodiment of the present disclosure for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the disclosure. Computer code devices of the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure can include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) objects, and the like. Moreover, parts of the processing of the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure can be distributed for better performance, reliability, cost, and the like.

[0063] As stated above, the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure and for holding data structures, tables, records, and/or other data described herein. Computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, magneto-optical

Y1 disks, and the like. Volatile media can include dynamic memories, and the like. Transmission media can include coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optics, and the like. Transmission media also can take the form of acoustic, optical, electromagnetic waves, and the like, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) communications, infrared (IR) data communications, and the like. Common forms of computer-readable media can include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other suitable magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other suitable optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other suitable physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other suitable memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave or any other suitable medium from which a computer can read.

[0064] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, and implementations, the present disclosure is not so limited, but rather covers various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for monitoring and managing anxiety in a user, comprising: a wearable device configured to monitor heart rate variability (HRV) and health metrics of a user; a mobile application in communication with the wearable device, the mobile application configured to receive and analyze the monitored health metrics; an alert mechanism configured to notify the user when the HRV exceeds a predefined threshold; a feedback module configured to prompt the user with questions regarding their physical activity and emotional state; and a distraction module configured to provide personalized engagement activities to the user based on their preferences to mitigate anxiety.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable device further comprises a plurality of sensors including at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a barometric pressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heart rate monitor, an oximetry sensor, a skin conductance sensor, and a GPS sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the alert mechanism is configured to provide notifications through vibration, audio alerts, and visual alerts on the wearable device and mobile application.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback module utilizes a Likert scale to assess an emotional state of the user and prompt further engagement if the user reports feeling anxious.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the distraction module includes grounding techniques, breathing exercises, movement exercises, music, videos, visual art, recorded messages, and soothing sounds, tailored to preferences of the user.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a report generation module configured to analyze the monitored health metrics and collected user responses, and generate periodic reports on anxiety management progress of the user.

7. A method for monitoring and managing anxiety in a user, comprising: monitoring heart rate variability (HRV) and health metrics of a user using a wearable device; receiving and analyzing the monitored health metrics on a mobile application in communication with the wearable device; notifying the user through an alert mechanism when the HRV exceeds a predefined threshold; prompting the user with questions regarding their physical activity and emotional state via a feedback module; and providing personalized engagement activities to the user based on their preferences to mitigate anxiety through a distraction module.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein monitoring the health metrics further comprises utilizing a plurality of sensors on the wearable device, including at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a barometric pressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heart rate monitor, an oximetry sensor, a skin conductance sensor, and a GPS sensor.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein notifying the user further comprises providing notifications through vibration, audio alerts, and visual alerts on the wearable device and the mobile application.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein prompting the user with questions further comprises utilizing a Likert scale to assess an emotional state of the user and prompting further engagement if the user reports feeling anxious.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein providing personalized engagement activities further comprises offering options including at least one of grounding techniques, breathing exercises, movement exercises, music, videos, visual art, recorded messages, and soothing sounds, tailored to the user's preferences.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising generating periodic reports on anxiety management progress of the user by analyzing the monitored health metrics and collected user responses using a report generation module.

13. A computer program product for monitoring and managing anxiety in a user, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program instructions embodied thereon, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform the steps of: monitor heart rate variability (HRV) and health metrics of a user using a wearable device; receive and analyze the monitored health metrics on a mobile application in communication with the wearable device; notify the user through an alert mechanism when the HRV exceeds a predefined threshold; prompt the user with questions regarding their physical activity and emotional state via a feedback module; and provide personalized engagement activities to the user based on their preferences to mitigate anxiety through a distraction module.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the program instructions to monitor the health metrics further comprise instructions to utilize a plurality of sensors on the wearable device, including at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a barometric pressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heart rate monitor, an oximetry sensor, a skin conductance sensor, and a GPS sensor.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the program instructions to notify the user further comprise instructions to provide notifications through vibration, audio alerts, and visual alerts on the wearable device and the mobile application.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the program instructions to prompt the user with questions further comprise instructions to utilize a Likert scale to assess an emotional state of the user and prompt further engagement if the user reports feeling anxious.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the program instructions to provide personalized engagement activities further comprise instructions to offer options including at least one of grounding techniques, breathing exercises, movement exercises, music, videos, visual art, recorded messages, and soothing sounds, tailored to preferences of the user.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising program instructions to generate periodic reports on anxiety management progress of the user by analyzing the monitored health metrics and collected user responses using a report generation module.