Method and apparatus for performance optimization through physical perturbation of task elements
First Claim
1. An apparatus for training at least one trainee engaged in the performance of a task to encourage self-regulation of a physiological state consistent with the optimal performance of said task, comprising a task environment within which said task is being performed, said environment having a surface with a variable gradient and a variable stability,a target having a variable area, said target being positioned within said environment at a variable distance from said at least one trainee, and a projectile,and a task device operated by said trainee to attempt to hit said target with said projectile, said task device having variable accuracy to hit said target with said projectile, anda biofeedback device operatively connected to said at least one trainee, said biofeedback device adapted to transmit at least one measured physiological signal of said at least one trainee engaged in the performance of said task, said at least one measured physiological signal value measuring said trainee'"'"'s current physiological state,a computing device configured for computing a physiological difference value for said task, said physiological difference value being computed as the absolute value of the difference between at least one preselected target value and the said at least one corresponding measured physiological signal value of said a least one trainee engaged in the performance of said task;
- and at least one computer-controlled mechanical system configured for altering a capture probability for completing said task, by altering at least one of said task environment, said task device said biofeedback device, said projectile, said target, and any combinations thereof, and wherein said capture probability being modified to be inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.
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Abstract
The invention is an apparatus and method of biofeedback training for attaining a physiological state optimally consistent with the successful performance of a task, wherein the probability of successfully completing the task is made is inversely proportional to a physiological difference value, computed as the absolute value of the difference between at least one physiological signal optimally consistent with the successful performance of the task and at least one corresponding measured physiological signal of a trainee performing the task. The probability of successfully completing the task is made inversely proportional to the physiological difference value by making one or more measurable physical attributes of the environment in which the task is performed, and upon which completion of the task depends, vary in inverse proportion to the physiological difference value.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. An apparatus for training at least one trainee engaged in the performance of a task to encourage self-regulation of a physiological state consistent with the optimal performance of said task, comprising a task environment within which said task is being performed, said environment having a surface with a variable gradient and a variable stability,
a target having a variable area, said target being positioned within said environment at a variable distance from said at least one trainee, and a projectile, and a task device operated by said trainee to attempt to hit said target with said projectile, said task device having variable accuracy to hit said target with said projectile, and a biofeedback device operatively connected to said at least one trainee, said biofeedback device adapted to transmit at least one measured physiological signal of said at least one trainee engaged in the performance of said task, said at least one measured physiological signal value measuring said trainee'"'"'s current physiological state, a computing device configured for computing a physiological difference value for said task, said physiological difference value being computed as the absolute value of the difference between at least one preselected target value and the said at least one corresponding measured physiological signal value of said a least one trainee engaged in the performance of said task; - and at least one computer-controlled mechanical system configured for altering a capture probability for completing said task, by altering at least one of said task environment, said task device said biofeedback device, said projectile, said target, and any combinations thereof, and wherein said capture probability being modified to be inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for encouraging self-regulation of a physiological state consistent with the optimal performance of a task, comprising the steps of:
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a. positioning a trainee within a task environment having a surface, b. positioning a target, having a variable area for the receipt of a projectile, within said task environment at a distance from said trainee, c. equipping said trainee with a biofeedback device that is worn by said trainee, d. equipping said trainee with a task device with which to cast said projectile at said target, e. connecting said trainee to at least one biosensing device that is an operative component of said biofeedback device worn by said trainee, f. using said biosensing device to measure said trainee'"'"'s physiological state by measuring at least one physiological signal of said trainee, g. outputting said measurement of said trainee'"'"'s physiological state obtained by said biosensing device as a signal encoding said at least one measured value of said physiological signal to a computing device; h. using said computing device to compare said measured value of said physiological signal output to said computing device by said biosensing device to a preprogrammed, wirelessly downloadable, or trainee-input corresponding value of a physiological signal that is optimally consistent with the successful performance of said task by said trainee; i. using said computing device to compute a physiological difference value as the absolute value of a difference between said measured value of said physiological signal and said corresponding value of a physiological signal that is optimally consistent with said successful performance of said task by said trainee; j. graphically displaying said physiological difference value to said trainee by means of a display device that is an operative component of said biofeedback device k. using said computing device to transmit said physiological difference values as an encoded signal to at least one computer-controlled mechanical system; l. providing said task environment with a surface o operationally connected to a first computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to impart a vibration or undulation to said surface, said vibration or undulation having a frequency or an amplitude, or both that increase as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said computing device; m. providing said task environment with a surface operationally connected to a second computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to vary a gradient of said surface in proportion to said physiological difference value by means of a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to increase said gradient as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said computing device; n. providing said target with a third computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said variable area as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-.controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said computing device; o. providing said task device used by said trainee to cast said projectile at said target with a fourth computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to impart a vibration or undulation to said task device, said vibration or undulation having a frequency or an amplitude, or both that increase as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said computing device; p. making said distance from said trainee to said target proportional lo said physiological difference value by means of a fifth computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to increase said distance as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said computing device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification