NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM INTEGRITY VERIFICATION

• US 20130226023A1
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Nutaro, Joseph J., Mathan, Santosh, Grothe, Steven P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,986,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/374 Detecting the frequency distribution of signals, e.g. detecting delta, theta, alpha, beta or gamma waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for verifying operability of a neurophysiological-based control system include generating a test stimulus that will result in a predetermined neurophysiological response in a user. Neurophysiological brain activity signals obtained from the user in response to the test stimulus are processed to generate a test neurophysiological response. The test neurophysiological response and a predetermined neurophysiological response are compared to determine if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly.

Claims

1. A method for verifying operability of a neurophysiological-based control system, comprising the steps of:

generating a test stimulus that will result in a predetermined neurophysiological response in a user;

processing neurophysiological brain activity signals obtained from the user in response to the test stimulus, to thereby generate a test neurophysiological response; and

comparing the test neurophysiological response and a predetermined neurophysiological response to determine if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing neurophysiological brain activity signals obtained from the user to thereby generate a test command; and

supplying the test command to a test stimulus source; and

determining if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly based on the response of the test stimulus source to the test command.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing neurophysiological brain activity signals obtained from the user to thereby generate a system command;

supplying the system command to a system controller; and

determining if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly based on the response of the system controller to the system command.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the test stimulus is generated periodically.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the test stimulus is generated continuously.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a test stimulus comprises generating a visual stimulus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a test stimulus comprises generating an aural stimulus.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a test stimulus comprises generating a tactile stimulus.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the neurophysiological-based control system is disposed within a task environment; and

the step of generating a test stimulus comprises utilizing one or more stimuli inherent in the task environment.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing neurophysiological brain activity signals comprises:

sensing steady state visual evoked response potentials (SSVEPs); and

processing the SSVEPs to generate the test neurophysiological response.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing neurophysiological brain activity signals comprises:

sensing event-related potentials (ERPs); and

processing the ERPs to generate the test neurophysiological response.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing neurophysiological brain activity signals comprises:

sensing alpha waves; and

processing the alpha waves to generate the test neurophysiological response.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when a determination is made that the neurophysiological-based control system is not operating properly, performing one or more of generating an alert, generating a log file record, or reverting operation to an alternate system.

14. A neurophysiological-based control system, comprising:

a test stimulus source configured to at least selectively generate and supply a test stimulus that will result in a predetermined neurophysiological response in a user;

a neurophysiological brain sensor configured to obtain and supply a plurality of neurophysiological brain activity signals from the user when the user is receiving the test stimulus; and

a processor coupled to receive the neurophysiological brain activity signals and configured, in response thereto, to (i) generate a test neurophysiological response and (ii) compare the test neurophysiological response and a predetermined neurophysiological response to determine if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the system further comprises a system controller coupled to receive system commands and responsive thereto to generate one or more component commands;

the processor is further configured to;

process neurophysiological brain activity signals and generate the system commands;

monitor the response of the system controller to the system commands; and

determine if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly based on the response of the system controller to the system command.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the test stimulus source is configured to generate one or more of a visual stimulus, an aural stimulus, and a tactile stimulus.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein neurophysiological brain activity sensor is configured to sense steady state visual evoked response potentials (SSVEPs).

18. The system of claim 14, wherein neurophysiological brain activity sensor is configured to sense event-related potentials (ERPs).

19. The system of claim 14, wherein neurophysiological brain activity sensor is configured to sense alpha waves.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured, upon determining that the neurophysiological-based control system is not operating properly, to:

generate an alert,

generate a log file record, or

revert operation to an alternate system.