Craving input and support system

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.