Methods and apparatus for reducing anxiety during travel

Abstract

In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes a portable electronic device; and an application executable on the portable electronic device, the application including computer program code that (a) monitors acceleration data during a flight of an airplane; and (b) displays a representation of the acceleration data in relation to a threshold acceleration of the airplane. Numerous other aspects are provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a portable electronic device including one or more accelerometers, the one or more accelerometers configured to generate acceleration data based on a flight of an airplane; and   computer program code stored in the portable electronic device that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to:
 execute a video game on the portable electronic device; 
 monitor the acceleration data generated by the one or more accelerometers during the flight of the airplane; and 
 employ the acceleration data to control at least a portion of the video game. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to mimic in the video game turbulence experienced by the airplane. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes environmental changes in the video game based on airplane turbulence. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes objects in the video game to bounce or vibrate based on airplane turbulence. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to measure biometric data from a passenger. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, affects video game play based on the measured biometric data. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, allows for enhanced game play if the passenger remains calm. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, enables a passenger employing the portable electronic device to communicate acceleration information. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the portable electronic device comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         10 . An application executable on a portable electronic device comprising:
 computer program code stored in the portable electronic device that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to:
 execute a video game on the portable electronic device; 
 monitor the acceleration data generated by one or more accelerometers of the portable electronic device during the flight of the airplane; and 
 employ the acceleration data to control at least a portion of the video game. 
   
     
     
         11 . The application of  claim 10  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to mimic in the video game turbulence experienced by the airplane. 
     
     
         12 . The application of  claim 10  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes environmental changes in the video game based on airplane turbulence. 
     
     
         13 . The application of  claim 10  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes objects in the video game to bounce or vibrate based on airplane turbulence. 
     
     
         14 . The application of  claim 10  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, causes the portable electronic device to measure biometric data from a passenger. 
     
     
         15 . The application of  claim 14  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, affects video game play based on the measured biometric data. 
     
     
         16 . The application of  claim 15  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, allows for enhanced game play if the passenger remains calm. 
     
     
         17 . The application of  claim 10  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, enables a passenger employing the portable electronic device to communicate acceleration. 
     
     
         18 . The application of  claim 10  wherein the portable electronic device comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         19 . The application of  claim 10  further comprising computer program code that, when executed by the portable electronic device, communicates acceleration information to a server. 
     
     
         20 . The application  claim 10  wherein the portable electronic device comprises a smartphone.