Method and apparatus for risk identification and mitigation in shift work fatigue
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorLynn Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for shift work scheduling based upon an optimization of analyzing and managing fatigue primarily in but not limited to aviation occupations. The invention matches workers to shifts in a manner that minimizes fatigue while on shift and maximizes shift worker effectiveness. The invention is adaptable to other occupations where assuring shift work crew rest is critical. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) allow for the insertion of sleep into crew shift work schedules. Alternative sleep models are used for different modes of sleep. The invention produces as an output an optimized shift work/sleep schedules with an associated effectiveness determination.
Claims31
An apparatus for risk identification and mitigation in shift work and analyzing and modeling shift worker fatigue, comprising:
- a computer Graphical User Interface (GUI);
- a software program comprising computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein said software program, when executed, causes said computer Graphical User Interface (GUI) to generate
- resource combinations for a plurality of shifts in a particular workday;
- resource and shift combinations across all said workdays;
- a maximum effectiveness of each of said shift combinations so as to determine an optimum combination;
- a user interface for generating a work schedule;
- a schedule preprocessor for producing direct parameters from said work schedule;
- a sleep database containing work and sleep information;
- a sleep engine for inserting sleep into said work schedule by breaking down said direct parameters by work segments in cooperation with said sleep database;
- and
- a sleep modeler for outputting work and sleep effectiveness results from said work segments;
- database building responsive to data entry;
- timezone selection options;
- and
- data display for displaying results;
- wherein said generation of database building responsive to database entry further comprises generation of
- a schedule;
- a parameter table;
- a base table;
- a rank table;
- and
- an airframe table;
- wherein
- said schedule comprises work and sleep activities in chronological order;
- said parameter table comprises direct and indirect parameters for a particular schedule;
- said base table comprises a list of military bases, airports, hospitals and points of interest;
- said rank table comprises a list of individuals and their military rank;
- and
- said airframe table comprises a list of ground, air and sea vehicle type.
A software program for risk identification and mitigation of shift work fatigue, said software program comprising a series of computer-executable steps stored on a non-transitory medium which, when executed by said computer, cause said computer to
- determine resource combinations for a plurality of shifts in a particular workday;
- determine resource and shift combinations across all said workdays;
- determine a maximum effectiveness of each of said shift combinations so as to determine an optimum combination;
- generate a work schedule;
- preprocess said work schedule so as to produce direct parameters from said work schedule;
- build a sleep database containing work and sleep information;
- insert sleep into said work schedule by breaking down said direct parameters by work segments in cooperation with said sleep database;
- and
- output work and sleep effectiveness results from said work segments using a sleep model;
- wherein said software program step of building a sleep data base further comprises causing said computer to create
- a schedule;
- a parameter table;
- a base table;
- a rank table;
- and
- an airframe table;
- wherein said schedule comprises work and sleep activities in chronological order;
- said parameter table comprises direct and indirect parameters for a particular schedule;
- said base table comprises a list of military bases, airports, hospitals and points of interest;
- said rank table comprises a list of individuals and their military rank;
- said airframe table comprises a list of ground, air and sea vehicle type;
- and
- a display of the results of said sleep database according to schedule, wherein said results are capable of identifying a critical effectiveness zone, active schedule, properties, and sleep performance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.