METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REAL-TIME MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND FATIGUE AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOME PREDICTIONS

• US 20130006064A1
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce Reiner
• Original Assignee: Bruce Reiner
• Inventors: Reiner, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 9,380,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/20 Workers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/22 Motor vehicles operators, e.g. drivers, pilots, captains
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/24 Computer workstation operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to objectively measure stress and fatigue using measurement tools, record stress and fatigue related data in a standardized database, create automated prompts and alerts based upon pre-defined stress and fatigue thresholds (which are derived based upon individual end-user and task performance), provide a number of interventions (which can be preferentially selected by the individual end-user), create data-driven best practice guidelines though meta-analysis of the database, and provide an objective tool for comparative technology assessment.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of managing stress and/or fatigue in users, comprising:

recording real-time stress and/or fatigue measurements on a user performing a workflow, using at least one measurement tool;

comparing said measurements with a predetermined threshold value of stress and/or fatigue stored in a database of a computer system;

notifying the user of said threshold value of stress and/or fatigue by electronic means; and

providing options to the user on a display of said computer system, to one of stop said workflow, adjust said workflow, modify a task complexity in said workflow, or to continue said workflow.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said measurement tool takes visual, physiologic, and cognitive measurements of stress and/or fatigue.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether said threshold value of stress and/or fatigue has been exceeded; and

issuing a high-priority alert to said user by electronic means.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

initiating a fatigue escalation pathway, by requiring said user to input a reason into said database, for overriding said threshold value of stress and/or fatigue.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

issuing alerts to designated parties by electronic means, on a condition that said override is initiated; and

increasing monitoring frequency of said stress and/or fatigue measurements of said user, using said at least one measurement tool.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

initiating a stop of said workflow in said computer system, when said stress and/or fatigue measurements of said user reach a predetermined critical amount.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a user profile on stress and/or fatigue from said database; and

allowing editing of said user profile.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing baseline assessments of stress and/or fatigue on said user in said database, said baseline assessments received from said at least one measurement tool;

comparing said baseline measurements to stored stress and/or fatigue measurements on said user.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initiating a stop of said workflow upon user command to said computer system, when said stress and/or fatigue measurements of said user approach said predetermined threshold value.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing manual or automated intervention options on said display, to said user during said stop of said workflow.

11. A computer system which manages stress and/or fatigue in users, comprising:

at least one memory which contains at least one program comprising the steps of;

recording real-time stress and/or fatigue measurements on a user performing a workflow, using at least one measurement tool;

comparing said measurements with a predetermined threshold value of stress and/or fatigue stored in a database of a computer system;

notifying the user of said threshold value of stress and/or fatigue by electronic means; and

providing options to the user on a display of said computer system, to one of stop said workflow, adjust said workflow, modify a task complexity in said workflow, or to continue said workflow; and

and at least one processor for executing the program.

12. A computer-readable medium which includes instructions for managing stress and/or fatigue in users, comprising:

recording real-time stress and/or fatigue measurements on a user performing a workflow, using at least one measurement tool;

comparing said measurements with a predetermined threshold value of stress and/or fatigue stored in a database of a computer system;

notifying the user of said threshold value of stress and/or fatigue by electronic means; and

providing options to the user on a display of said computer system, to one of stop said workflow, adjust said workflow, modify a task complexity in said workflow, or to continue said workflow.