Neurophysiological-based control system integrity verification

• US 9,986,933 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANU, ETSUB D
• Application Number:
  US13/406,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20130226023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,290 Days
• Field of Search: 600544, 600545
• 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, in a test stimulus source, a test stimulus that will result in a predetermined neurophysiological response in a user;

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

comparing, in the processor, the test neurophysiological response and a predetermined neurophysiological response to determine if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly; and

when a determination is made, in the processor, that the neurophysiological-based control system is not operating properly;

(1) generating an alert, (2) generating a log file record, and (3) reverting operation to an alternate system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

supplying the test command to the test stimulus source; and

determining, in the processor, 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, in the processor, neurophysiological brain activity signals obtained from the user to thereby generate a system command;

supplying the system command to a system controller; and

determining, in the processor, 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. 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 the neurophysiological brain sensor to receive the neurophysiological brain activity signals therefrom and configured, in response thereto, to (i) generate a test neurophysiological response, (ii) compare the test neurophysiological response and a predetermined neurophysiological response to determine if the neurophysiological-based control system is operating properly, and (iii) upon determining that the neurophysiological-based control system is not operating properly, to;

generate an alert,

generate a log file record, and

revert operation to an alternate system.

14. The system of claim 13, 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.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the test stimulus source is configured to generate one or more of a visual stimulus, an aural stimulus, and a tactile stimulus.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein neurophysiological brain activity sensor is configured to sense steady state visual evoked response potentials (SSVEPs).

17. The system of claim 13, wherein neurophysiological brain activity sensor is configured to sense event-related potentials (ERPs).

18. The system of claim 13, wherein neurophysiological brain activity sensor is configured to sense alpha waves.