TASK ASSISTANCE BASED ON COGNITIVE STATE

• US 20160117938A1
• Filed: 06/22/2015
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kraemer, James R., Polkosky, Melanie D., Ramachandran, Puthukode G., Yan, Shunguo
• Application Number:
  US14/745,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20160117938A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14 Devices for taking samples of blood hypodermic syringes A61M5/00; Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration within the blood, pH-value of blood measuring of blood pressure A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4803 Speech analysis specially adapted for diagnostic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

Embodiments relate to providing task assistance. One aspect includes collecting sensor data from a sensor that is communicatively coupled to a computer device, and receiving inputs from a user of the device. The inputs are directed to implementation of tasks via applications operated on the device. Another aspect includes determining a cognitive state of the user from the sensor data and the inputs for each of the tasks performed and calculating a normative cognitive state of the user that is represented as a value within a range of values. A further aspect includes selecting a task assist function responsive to initiation of a task by the user at the device. The task assist function is selected based on a deviation of a value representing a current determined cognitive state from the normative cognitive state value.

Claims

1. A method for providing task assistance, the method comprising:

collecting, from a computer device, sensor data from at least one sensor that is communicatively coupled to the computer device;

receiving inputs from an end user of the computer device, the inputs directed to implementation of tasks via applications operated on the computer device;

determining, by the computer device, a cognitive state of the end user from the sensor data and the inputs for each of the tasks performed by the end user;

calculating a normative cognitive state of the end user that is represented as a value within a range of values, the values indicative of a range of intensities of the corresponding cognitive state;

storing the sensor data, inputs, corresponding cognitive states, and normative cognitive state in a profile created for the end user; and

selecting, by the computer device, a task assist function responsive to initiation of a task by the end user at the computer device, the task assist function selected based on a deviation of a value representing a current determined cognitive state from the normative cognitive state value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying, from the profile, patterns among the determined cognitive states, the inputs, and the sensor data;

predicting a cognitive state of the end user prior to implementation of a task based on the patterns in view of currently acquired sensor data and contextual end user activity; and

selecting a task assist function based on the predicted cognitive state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is derived from sensors, the sensor data including at least one of:

ambient temperature;

biometric data comprising at least one of;

oxygen;

blood sugar;

heart rate; and

respiration rate;

vibration;

acceleration;

lighting conditions;

environmental chemical presence;

noise levels;

voice;

images; and

geo-locations.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

mapping cognitive states to task assist functions and tasks, the task assist functions determined to facilitate execution of the tasks for a generalized population of end users.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the task assist function comprises a modified user interface having enlarged task features.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the task assist function comprises a modified user interface having reduced number of task elements.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the task assist function comprises a help feature.