MECHANISMS FOR COLLECTING ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY DATA

• US 20110282231A1
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nielsen Company (US) LLC (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Original Assignee: NeuroFocus Inc. (Nielsen Holdings plc)
• Inventors: Pradeep, Anantha, Knight, Robert T., Gurumoorthy, Ramachandran
• Application Number:
  US12/778,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20110282231A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/372 Analysis of electroencephalograms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head

Abstract

Efficient and effective mechanisms for collecting electroencephalography (EEG) data are provided to allow neuro-response data collection for in situ engagement monitoring and tracking. An EEG headset includes multiple point electrodes individually isolated and amplified. In some examples, multiple left side scalp electrodes exert forces that counterbalance forces from multiple right side scalp electrodes to secure the headset to allow front electrodes and rear electrodes to contact the scalp. Electrodes are arranged to avoid contact with the temporal region. The headset can be configured to perform processing while supporting both continuous input and output.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving neuro-response data from a user at a dry electrode arranged on a flexible electroencephalography (EEG) headset, wherein the dry electrode is configured to make a point contact with the scalp of the user;

individually amplifying the neuro-response data from the dry electrode to generate amplified neuro-response data from the dry electrode;

aggregating the amplified neuro-response data with amplified neuro-response data from a plurality of other dry electrodes on the flexible EEG headset, wherein dry electrodes on the flexible EEG headset are arranged to avoid measuring neuro-response data from the temporal region;

analyzing the neuro-response data to determine the effectiveness of the marketing and entertainment materials presented to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the EEG headset includes a flexible printed circuit board.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an amplifier is configured on the flexible printed circuit board.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of amplifiers correspond to the plurality of dry electrodes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein electrooculography (EOG) sensors are used to detect eye movements of the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the aggregated neuro-response data is transmitted wirelessly to a remote data analyzer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data analyzer is configured to determine the effectiveness of marketing and entertainment materials by measuring attention.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the effectiveness of marketing and entertainment materials comprises measuring emotion, and memory retention.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible support structure is configured to secure the plurality of right side electrodes and the plurality of left side electrodes to the scalp of the user.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein an amplifier is configured on a flexible printed circuit board.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of amplifiers correspond to the plurality of dry electrodes.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of electroencephalography (EEG) dry electrodes configured to make a plurality of point contacts with a scalp of a user, the plurality of EEG dry electrodes including a plurality of right side electrodes, a plurality of left side electrodes, and a plurality of front electrodes, wherein the plurality of EEG dry electrodes avoid contact with the temporal region;

a flexible support structure attached to the plurality of electrodes;

a plurality of amplifiers associated with the plurality of dry electrodes, wherein neuro-response data from each of the plurality of dry electrodes is individually amplified and isolated;

a transmitter configured to send the neuro-response data to a neuro-response data analyzer configured to determine in-situ attention and engagement of the user exposed to stimulus materials.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the flexible support structure is associated with an EEG headset.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein an amplifier is configured on a flexible printed circuit board.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein a plurality of amplifiers correspond to the plurality of dry electrodes.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein electrooculography (EOG) sensors are used to detect eye movements of the user.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein aggregated neuro-response data is transmitted to a data analyzer.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the data analyzer is configured to determine the effectiveness of marketing and entertainment materials.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the effectiveness of marketing and entertainment materials comprises measuring attention, emotion, and memory retention.

17. An electroencephalography (EEG) headset, comprising:

a plurality of electroencephalography (EEG) dry electrodes configured to make a plurality of point contacts with a scalp of a user, the plurality of EEG dry electrodes including a plurality of right side electrodes applying forces counterbalancing forces applied by a plurality of left side electrodes, a plurality of front electrodes, and a plurality of rear electrodes, wherein the plurality of EEG dry electrodes avoid contact with the temporal region;

a flexible support structure attached to the plurality of electrodes;

a plurality of amplifiers associated with the plurality of dry electrodes, wherein neuro-response data from each of the plurality of dry electrodes is individually amplified and isolated;

a transmitter configured to send the neuro-response data to a neuro-response data analyzer configured to determine in-situ attention and engagement of the user exposed to stimulus materials.