Long pulling in php with Laravel

controller.php

public function get_checkin_poll()
{
	$filepath = 'storage/work/checkin_poll_' . Auth::user()->id;
	$last_cycle = File::get($filepath);
	$break = false;
	$thread = uniqid();


	// if last cycle was > 60 secs continue
	$time_dif = time() - $last_cycle;
	Log::last($time_dif);
	if ($time_dif > 60) {
		File::put($filepath, time());
		exit;
	}


	// create an array to hold the types of polling actions
	$json = array(
		'contact' => null,
		'service_queue_count' => null
	);


	while (1) {
		Log::cycle($thread);
		// get the updated value of activity_at for logged in user.
		$user = User::find(Auth::user()->id);


		// if last actiiity was > 40 seconds stop
		$active_dif = time() - strtotime($user->activity_at);
		Log::active($active_dif);
		if ($active_dif > 60)
			$break = true;


		// Check for requesting patients
		// If there are any contacts requesting to be verified show them.
		$contact = Contact::where_account_user_id(Auth::user()->account_user_id)
			->where_request(1)
			->first();

		if ($contact != null) {
			$json['contact'] = $contact->to_array();
			$break = true;
		}

		// Check the service queue
		// if the number of contacts != this count of contacts reload the services queue
		$pivot_count = DB::table('contact_dashboard')
			->where_account_user_id(Auth::user()->account_user_id)
			->count();

		Log::queue($pivot_count);

		// get the value to be compared in future.
		if ($json['service_queue_count'] == null) {
			$json['service_queue_count'] = $pivot_count;
		}

		if ($json['service_queue_count'] != $pivot_count) {
			$break = true;
		}

		if ($break)
			break;

		// save time of last cycle
		File::put($filepath, time());
		sleep(3);
	}

	File::put($filepath, '');

	return Response::json($json);
}

script.js

    function waitForMsg() {
		$.get('/focus/contact/checkin_poll', function(data){
			if (data != '') {
				if (data.contact != undefined) {
					var view = viewVerify(data.contact);
					s.contact = data.contact;
					$('.verify-contact').show(0).html(view);
				}

				Service.loadServices();
			}

			setTimeout(function(){
				waitForMsg()
			}, 3000);
		});
	}