FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for managing a user's sun exposure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of methods for managing sun exposure are known in the art. These usually give guidance as to which sun protection factor (SPF) a user should use and how often it should be applied, or how much time a user can spend in the sun. This guidance may be based on a plurality of parameters such as user's skin type and age, weather forecast parameters such as clouds coverage and UV radiation or other relevant ambient information. A mobile application, WolframAlpha allows a user to input information about the location, skin type, date and the starting time of going out into the sun. On the basis of this information, the app provides information regarding to how long for one can stay in the sun, depending on which SPF is used.

Another example is another mobile application, Sun Coach, which allows a user to input information about a chosen SPF and location. The app provides the user with a recommendation about the time the user can spend in the sun, depending on the SPF. It also includes a timer in order to indicate start of a period of time which the user spends in the sun, and for generating a warning when this time period has elapsed as well as 2-hourly sunscreen reminders. Yet another app, Sakerhetsmyndigheten's, allows a user to input information about the age, skin type, location and the starting time of a period of time in the sun - and provides the user with a time duration which can be spent in the direct sun or in more or less shade.

Most of the above described mobile apps require that a user starts the period in the sun when starting e.g. the timer, but this precludes planning of the day. EP 1 653 204 Al, discloses a device and method for determining a personalized sun exposure program. The method calculates, based on the information about the user's skin condition as well as about the sun intensity and ultraviolet radiation, personalized daily sun exposure program which includes one or more exposure periods for the day and, for each period, an exposure time interval and/or duration and the SPF to be applied in that period. The method does not allow for inputting an exact starting and ending time and performing calculation based on these. Furthermore, the device and method disclosed in EP 1 653 204 Al do not provide a possibility of inputting retrospective user's sun exposure data of the same day, but only if he was exposed to the sun the day(s) before.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to allow a user to input, apart from information about skin type, age and location, both a starting point in time and ending point in time of a period of the sun exposure. The starting point in time can also be selected to be in the past.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for determining information relating to sun exposure, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, at a first point in time, information relating to a first starting point in time and a first ending point in time of a first time interval, the first starting point in time being different from the first point in time and the first ending point in time being later than the first point in time; and

determining the information relating to the sun exposure as information relating to sun exposure taking place during the first time interval and after the first point in time.

The present invention relates to a method for determining information relating to sun exposure. In the present context sun exposure should be interpreted as a person's subjections to the sun and his/her activity thereon.

According to the method of the first aspect of the invention, at a first point in time, information relating to a first starting point in time and a first ending point in time of a first time interval is received. The first point of time is to be interpreted as a time of a day when an initial input is performed.

Information relating to a first starting point in time is to be interpreted as a time which the person inputs and which relate to a time when the person is starting an activity. Preferably, the activity is to be performed in the sun. Therefore, the first starting point in time relates to a time of the day when the person was or expects to be exposed to the sun. Information relating to a first ending point in time is to be interpreted as a time which the person inputs and which relate to a time when the person plans to finish an activity. Preferably, the activity is to be performed in the sun. Therefore, the ending point in time relates to a time of the day when the person expects to finish exposure to the sun during the first time interval.

The first time interval is to be interpreted as a time window determined by the first starting point in time and the first ending point in time. Accordingly, the first starting point in time is to be earlier than the first ending point. Furthermore, the first time interval may advantageously define a period during which a given activity is expected to be performed by a user. For instance the activity may include spending time outside, thereby potentially exposing the user to the sun.

According to the invention, the first starting point in time is to be different from the first point in time and the first ending point in time is to be later than the first point in time. This prevents inputting the first time interval which is entirely before the first point in time, i.e. prevents inputting time intervals which are in the past.

According to the method of the invention, the information relating to the sun exposure is to be determined as information relating to sun exposure taking place during the first time interval and after the first point in time.

The advantage of defining both the first starting point in time and the first ending point in time of the first time interval of the sun exposure is that the person may prepare the day, for instance, in the morning by entering the first starting and the first ending point in time and getting a proposal as to, for instance, which sun protection factor (SPF) to use, recommended duration of the sun exposure, etc.

The information relating to the sun exposure may be determined based on one or more parameters relating to the person.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the parameters relating to the person may comprise one or more of the group consisting of: the person's age, skin type, skin condition, a skin disease and/or the like. A person's skin type may be white, beige, light brown, medium brown, dark brown or black. A skin condition may include irritations, clogs, or inflammations so the skin can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, etc. Additionally, the skin condition may be determined by a wearable or a device that can measure certain chemical substances and biomarkers in the person's skin and these can be used by the method. Furthermore, a skin disease may include skin cancer, psoriasis, different sun allergies, sun burn, or the like. By using as many details about the person as possible, it is ensured that the method is personalized and can provide the best sun protection of the person using the method.

Alternatively or additionally, the information relating to the sun exposure may be determined based on one or more parameters relating to an ultraviolet (UV) index which measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation. It may take a value starting from 0, referring to the lowest radiation up to more than 11, referring to the extreme radiation. Knowledge about the UV index is one of the most important parameters used by the method. Without introducing UV index profile, it would not be feasible to determine the information relating to the sun exposure. Additionally it may reduce a risk of overexposure of the person to the sun, when the person is aware of the UV index profile.

Furthermore, the information relating to the sun exposure may be determined based on one or more parameters relating to a location. The location may relate to the location at which the person wants to perform an activity. According to this embodiment it is ensured that the determined information relating to the sun exposure reflects local conditions prevailing at the location where the user is located or is expected to be located during the sun exposure. Accordingly, the determined information will be more accurate and relevant.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the parameters relating to the location may comprise one or more of the group consisting of: a UV index at the location, cloud coverage at the location, some other meteorological parameters of the location, or the like. The UV index at the location may be directly obtained from a local weather forecast station. Cloud coverage at the location may as well be directly obtained from a weather forecast station. Cloud coverage may include clear sky, scattered clouds, partly cloudy, or overcast. Other metrological parameters of the location may include presence of mist, fog, haze, snow or the like. Furthermore, one or more of the parameters relating to the location may comprise information about the environment, such as city with tall buildings, sea, beach, forest, field or the like. By incorporating some or all the parameters mentioned above, the method will encounter for, e.g., reflections from the sea surface, of shades from the buildings, or any other effect that has an impact on UV index. Accordingly, the method will be more accurate when determining the information relating to the sun exposure.

The information relating to the sun exposure may comprise one or more of the group consisting of: a recommended sun protection factor (SPF) and a level of sun exposure intensity. A recommended SPF may refer to a use of a product which provides appropriate sun protection so that the person is safe from possible sun burn. In another embodiment, it may relate to a SPF which ensures that the person would not increase a risk of getting a skin cancer or any other skin disease. A recommended SPF may relate to a cosmetic lotion with appropriate SPF. A level of sun exposure intensity may refer to an accumulated sun exposure, reflecting the intensity of the received sun exposure and/or the duration of the sun exposure. In one embodiment, a level of sun exposure intensity may relate to vitamin D production obtained during the sun exposure. It is noted that the vitamin D production depends on the UV index of the received sun exposure, as well as on the duration of the sun exposure. As an alternative, the level of sun exposure intensity may, in a wavelength spectrum covering UVC, UVB, UVA, visible and infrared wavelengths, relate to nitrogenmonoxide production. In another embodiment, the information relating to the sun exposure may be a combination of a recommended sun protection factor and a level of sun exposure. In this embodiment, the recommended SPF may, for instance, optimize a production of vitamin D. Namely, vitamin D will start being produced when the UV index is higher than a certain threshold. On the other hand, too high UV index will not increase a production of vitamin D but will only cause sunburn. Therefore, SPF may be selected such that maximum vitamin D production is ensured while sun burn is prevented. According to this embodiment, the selected SPF may balance considerations regarding vitamin D production and protection against sun burn, rather than taking only one of these factors into account.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, instead of receiving, at the first point in time, only one first starting and one first ending point in time, one or more additional starting point(s) in time and one or more additional ending point(s) in time may be received. By receiving more than one starting and ending point in time more than one time intervals are defined. A number of starting/ending points in time may be equivalent to a number of time intervals. In this embodiment, the at least one starting point of time may be different from the first point of time and at least one ending point in time may be later than the first point in time. Furthermore, the defined time intervals may be non-overlapping, meaning that the starting point in time of a later time interval is no earlier than the ending point in time of the earlier time interval. Wherein determining the information relating to the sun exposure as information relating to sun exposure taking place during the one or more time interval(s) and after the first point in time, the method may perform a recalculation taking into account all the time intervals entered by the user. The information relating to the sun exposure may be different for two different time intervals. According to this embodiment completely new time intervals are introduced. These may, e.g. be after the first time interval but may also be before the first time interval. During these new time intervals the person may be at another location or may have different activity compared to the first time interval. By having this embodiment, the method becomes extremely versatile and allows the person to plan his/her day without any limitations. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, after receiving, at the first point in time, the first starting point in time and the first ending point in time, a second point in time and a third point in time may be received. Naturally, these may be received after the first point in time. The second point in time may be later than the first starting point in time and earlier than the third point in time. The third point in time may be earlier than the first ending point in time. In this manner, the original first time interval may be divided in at least three time intervals. A set of new information relating to the sun exposure relating to more than one time interval as information relating to sun exposure may be determined. A first information relating to the sun exposure may relate to a new first time interval between the first starting point in time and the second point in time. A second information relating to the sun exposure may relate to a second time interval between the third point in time and the first ending point in time. Yet another information relating to the sun exposure may relate to one more time interval determined by the second point in time and the third point in time. Alternatively, more than one second points in time may be received, as well as more than one third points in time. In this case, the first interval will be divided into more than three time intervals. In this embodiment, all points in time received after the first point in time may be within the first time interval. In yet another alternative, only one second point in time may be received, dividing the first time interval into two sub intervals. According to this embodiment, it is ensured that the person may change the original first time interval in case he/she decides to e.g., spend a part of the first time interval indoor, or at another location, or to indicate any other change in his/her activities during the first time interval. Sub intervals created may cause a change in the information relating to the sun exposure originally calculated.

In one embodiment, information relating to the sun exposure during a past time interval and a usage of a sun protection factor (SPF) during the past time interval may be received. The past time interval may have a past starting point in time and past ending point in time, both being earlier than the first point in time. The past starting point in time may be earlier than the past ending point in time. In this embodiment, the information relating to the sun exposure may be determined by taking into account the past time interval and the usage of the SPF during the past time interval. Additionally, there may be more than one past time intervals as well as more than one time interval for which the information relating to the sun exposure is to be determined. This embodiment ensures that the person may input retrospective data about sun exposure of the same day. It is of a special importance in cases when the person had some activities in the sun before the first point in time. By introducing the information relating to the sun exposure during the past time interval recalculated information relating to the sun exposure will be more accurate. The present invention allows a person to dynamically change starting and ending points in time along the day. For example, the person may amend a starting/ending point in time when plan of the day changes or when the person realizes that he/she has been in a shaded area during a certain period of the time. Then, the information relating to the sun exposure may be recalculated. Furthermore, the time interval defined by the original or altered starting/ending points in time may be divided into multiple time intervals. This relates also to time windows earlier than the first point in time, so that the person is able to adapt the information entered to the actual activities of the day. In this case, the method may revert with updated information relating to the sun exposure. This updated information may also comprise a reminder related to the period of time when an SPF needs to be applied.

In one embodiment of the invention, the method may further comprise a step of receiving information obtained by means of a wrist band. The wrist band may be worn by the person who wants to learn about the information relating to the sun exposure. The wrist band may comprise one or more sensors for measuring the sun exposure. One or more sensors may collect information relating to the person's activity in the sun. The wrist band may, for instance, measure a UV index, sun reflections from the person's surroundings, or the like. Additionally, the wrist band may comprise a receiver being in connection with local meteorological stations, satellites or other wearables and receiving data about UV index. According to this embodiment, the actual sun exposure, which the user is subjected to, is taken into account when the information relating to the sun exposure is determined.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device configured to perform a method according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the remarks set forth above with reference to the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable here.

In one embodiment the device may comprise one or more sensors for measuring the sun exposure. One or more sensors may output the measured sun exposure to the device, and the device may use the measured sun exposure in determination of the information relating to the sun exposure.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the device may be or form part of a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer, a watch, or the like. In this case the method may, e.g., be performed by means of a suitable application installed on the portable electronic device. As an alternative, the device may be or form part of any other suitable kind of device or apparatus, such as a stationary computer, etc.

Specific embodiments of the invention In specific embodiments the information relating to the sun exposure may comprise a level of sun exposure intensity which may relate to vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide production as well as to optimal health conditions in relation to certain disease.

EXAMPLE 1 When the information relating to the sun exposure comprises a level of sun exposure intensity which relate to vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide production the method may provide the person with recommendation for obtaining optimal tan. The method may be set to start showing a time the person can spend in the sun without any protection. Additionally, the method may be set to show optimal behaviour of the person throughout the day, when the person is staying in the sun. Optimal behaviour may include a use of an appropriate sun protection product, protection such as sunglasses, hat, t-shirt, etc, or the like. The person then may set time when he/she wants to be in the sun and possibly make an interval where he/she plans to be in a shade or out in the sun. Subsequently, the method may make a recommendation which sun protection product the person should use prior to entering the sun, possibly one hour before, which product to apply when sun bathing starts, when to reapply or maybe change the product to a new one, when to stay in a shade, when to stay out of the sun, when to apply an additional sun protection product for an afternoon sun bathing and what to apply after sun bathing, for instance, after shower. The recommendations would lead the person towards obtaining optimal/desired tan. EXAMPLE 2

When the information relating to the sun exposure comprises a level of sun exposure intensity which relate to optimal health conditions in relation to certain disease, e.g., psoriasis the method may provide the person with recommendation for his/her behaviour in the sun. The method may provide the person with the recommendation what would be the best for him/her according to the skin conditions. The method may, for instance, each day, show an optimal sun exposure programme and use of an appropriate product such as sun protection product, a tan enhancing product, a medical cream or no cream. The method will then calculate, based on various parameters (UV index, skin type, decease state, biomarkers, etc.) and suggest different intervals with time spans when a product to be used or not, when to stay in a shade or out of the sun, and/or when the person should bath in salt/mineral water or take other special treatment. Additionally, the person can change any of the intervals defined by the method and thereby change when he/she will be in the sun, in a shade, stay out of the sun. Furthermore, he/she may also change recommended product to something stronger or lighter, an the method will in real-time, as the person turns the input parameters, provide the person with the result on most optimal advice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in further details with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Fig. 1 illustrates one example of use of the method : a) a first time interval; b) two time intervals; c) three time intervals,

Fig. 2 illustrates another example of use of the method, a) two time intervals; b) an environmental and the clouds coverage change compared to a),

Fig. 3 illustrates a use of the method in determination of vitamin D production,

Fig. 4 illustrates a use of the method in determination of recommended SPF and optimization of vitamin D production at the same time,

Fig. 5 illustrates a use of the method in optimization of vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide production while preventing sunburn, and

Fig. 6 illustrates a use of the method in optimization of user's psoriasis treatment.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 illustrates one example of how the method of the invention can be used. The method may, e.g., be performed by means of an application installed on a portable electronic device, such as a cell phone.

The method can be used by one or more persons. The person can be selected and changed, from one active user 100 to another 101. The field of the person 100 and 101 may contain a profile picture of the person. Furthermore, the field 100 contains information relating to the person, such as information about the person's age, skin type and/or skin condition. Under the field 100 there may be a field 102 with the user's name.

Further information typically provided by the person or by other phone apps are a location 103 where the active user is, or where he/she will be in a future period of time, information about the environment, altitude or the like 104, date 105 and information about the cloud coverage 106, etc. A circle, i.e. a clock 107 can be divided into a number of sections 107a-d, where each section represents periods of day with different UV index. A scale 107s represents different UV index by using different numbers.

Initially, the active user inputs 8: 00 as a first starting point in time and 11 : 15 as a first ending point in time. Accordingly, the first starting point in time and the first ending point in time define a first time interval, during which the user expects to be in the sun. Hands 108a and 108b are showing the starting and ending point in time selected by the user. Depending on the UV index and information about the active user, the method would determine information relating to the sun exposure. In the shown example, it may, e.g., calculate that the active user can, during the first time interval, stay outside without any SPF. In Fig. la it is, for the given UV profile, indicated by sections 107a-d, shown that the user can spend time outside from 8: 00 until 11 : 15 without any SPF, as indicated by field 109. Field 110 may show in text what is illustrated by the circle 109. Field 111 indicates which kind of additional protection should be used. It can be, for instance, a hat, a t-shirt, sun glasses or the like. In this particular case, the sun glasses are highlighted indicating its use in the selected time period.

In this illustrative case the method will determine required SPF in order to stay outside and be safe in the sun during a certain time interval. This determination of the information relating to the sun exposure is based on user's selection, as it is highlighted in field 112. In another embodiment, the determination of the information relating to the sun exposure may alternatively or additionally be made based on different parameters. For instance, the method may determine how much vitamin D the user can produce in a certain time interval, or the method may determine a time sufficient for the user to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D. In another example, the method may determine guidelines towards obtaining required tan. The method may make a recommendation for the person to use appropriate product/cream during the defined time intervals, and/or before and after these. In yet another example, the user may ask the method how to keep safe and not increase a risk of getting certain skin disease or to keep a disease under control. Furthermore, as lack of vitamin D and sunlight may cause depression, the method may also make recommendations how to deal with this issue. Fig. lb illustrates a case when the user inputs one more set of starting/ending points in time on the clock 107. It is illustratively shown that the user wants to spend an additional time window outside starting from 14: 00 as indicated by the hand 113a until 16: 00 as indicated by the hand 113b. The user can add this time interval by using a button 113. Once the new interval is added, the method will do a recalculation of the information relating to the sun exposure and therefore change recommendations. In Fig. lb, for the given parameters, the method will indicate that the user needs to use SPF 10 in the time intervals limited by the hands 108a-b and 113a-b as indicated in the field 109. This information will also be displayed in the field 110. In this example, nothing else will be changed.

Fig. lc illustrates a case when the user removes a previously added interval and adds two additional intervals limited by the hands 114a-b and 115a-b. The user also changes the ending time of the first time interval indicated by the hand 108b. In such a situation recommended SPF is determined to be 5 for all three time intervals, as indicated in the field 109.

Fig. 2a illustrates different UV-index profile throughout a day. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 is very similar to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, and it will therefore not be described in further detail here. Compared to illustrations in Figs, la-c different UV-index profile may be caused by a change of the location 103, a change of the date 105 or a change of the cloud coverage 106. The clock 107 is, in this case, divided into 10 sections, and each section represents a period of the day with different UV-index. The user has inputted two time intervals, 200a-b and 201a-b, when he/she expects to be in the sun and the method determined recommended SPF 20 as indicated by the field 109. The textual explanation in the field 110 will follow accordingly.

In Fig. 2b the environment 104 is changed to water/sailing and the cloud coverage 106 is changed to cloudy. These changes induce a change in UV-index forecast, as can be seen in the sections of clock 107 and the method will change the recommended SPF accordingly, as can be seen in the field 109.

Fig. 3 illustrates a use of the method in determination of vitamin D production. In this particular case, it is determined how much vitamin D will be produced during a time interval inputted by the user. A vitamin D production calculation is selected by the user, as it is highlighted in field 112. The hands 300a-b are also selected by the user. During the time interval selected, the user will receive a certain amount of sun intensity which will cause vitamin D production equivalent to 85% of the total daily need of the user. As in the previous examples, more than one time interval can be selected.

Fig. 4 illustrates determination of the information relating to the sun exposure which comprises both recommended SPF to be used and a production of vitamin D. In this example there are three intervals. Initially, the user may input a first starting and a first ending point in time, indicated by hands 400a and 400d, respectively. Then, the user may split this time interval by two additional points in time. Now, the first time interval is limited by the hands 400a and 400b, the second interval limited by 400b and 400c, and the third limited by 400c and 400d. Based on the UV-index forecast shown by the clock 107 and other parameters, the method determines that in the first time interval there is no need for SPF, in the second interval SPF 30 is recommended and in the third SPF 10 is recommended. Higher SPF is recommended during the second time interval as the UV index is expected to be higher there compared to the third time interval. This is all indicated in field 110. Fields 401 and 402 give the user information regarding how much vitamin D the user is expected to produce during the time intervals. Vitamin D production is typically expressed in percentage, and represents a portion of the daily need for vitamin D. In the second time interval there is no production of vitamin D as the SPF is too high. However, this is considered necessary in order to prevent sun burn, since a high UV index is expected during this time interval. The method does calculation for SPF so that vitamin D production is optimized. In the first interval there is no SPF so that the user produces enough vitamin D. In the mid day, i.e. the second interval (hands 400b-c) high SPF is recommended to prevent sunburn. Accordingly, throughout the defined time intervals, considerations regarding production of vitamin D and considerations regarding avoiding sun burn are balanced. Fig. 5 illustrates a use of the method in optimization of vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide production while preventing sunburn. In this example there are four intervals. Initially, the user may input a first starting and a first ending point in time, indicated by hands 500a and 500e, respectively. Then, the method may generate additional time intervals by three additional points in time to advice the user how to behave in the sun and which SPF to use. Now, the first time interval is limited by the hands 500a and 500b, the second interval limited by 500b and 500c, the third limited by 500c and 500d, and the fourth is limited by 500d and 500e. Based on the UV-index forecast shown by the clock 107 and other parameters, the method determines that in the first time interval there is no need for SPF, in the second interval SPF 5 is recommended, in the third the user is advised to stay in the shade, as indicated by parasol 501 and in the fourth time interval SPF 10 is recommended. Higher SPF is recommended during the fourth time interval as this time interval is longer than the second time interval. This is also all indicated in field 110 by appropriate text message. Fields 502 and 503 give the user information regarding how much vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide the user will produce during the two time intervals. As for vitamin D, Nitrogenmonoxide production is typically expressed in percentage, and represents a portion of the daily need for Nitrogenmonoxide. The method does calculation for SPF so that vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide production is optimized. In the first interval there is no SPF so that the user produces enough vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide. In the mid day, i.e. the third interval (hands 500c-d) parasol is recommended to prevent sunburn. Accordingly, throughout the defined time intervals, considerations regarding production of vitamin D and Nitrogenmonoxide as well as considerations regarding avoiding sun burn are balanced. Fig. 6 illustrates a use of the method in optimization of user's psoriasis treatment. The method provides the user with the recommendation what would be the best for him/her according to the skin conditions, i.e. presence of psoriasis, as indicated in field 109. The recommendation may be made based on decease level/state, user's former reactions to the sun exposure and possible feedback the user may, on a daily basis, give as an input to the method. The method shows an optimal sun exposure programme for the user. It divides the entire day in four intervals limited by hands 600a-d. In the first time interval limited by the hands 600a and 600b the user is advised to treat his psoriasis as indicated by field 601. Recommended product to be used in this time interval is indicated by field 601a. In the second interval limited by 600b and 600c, the user is advised to stay in the shade, as indicated by parasol 602. In the third time interval limited by the hands 600c and 600d the user is again advised to treat his psoriasis as indicated by field 603. Recommended product to be used in this time interval is indicated by field 603a. Finally, the fourth time interval limited by hands 600d and 600a, the user may spend without any protection as indicated by field 604.

In the same manner, the method may be used in optimization of optimal tan. Namely, the method may make a recommendation on which different sun tan products may be used in order to achieve optimal tan.