TRAINING METHOD AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING BRAINWAVE MONITORING

• US 20080275358A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freer Logic LLC
• Original Assignee: Freer Logic LLC
• Inventors: Scanzoni, Stephen J., Freer, Peter A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,198,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/375 using biofeedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7285 for synchronising or triggering a physiological measurement or image acquisition with a physiological event or waveform, e.g. an ECG signal A61B6/5205, A61B6/541, A61B8/5207, A61B8/543 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 with automatic adjustment
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Training methods and apparatus wherein a training environment is activated only when a trainee is in a focused attention state. A brainwave monitor is employed for determining level of attention. The training environment is activated when the level of attention of the trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold. Activation of the training environment provides feedback to the trainee that he or she is in a focused attention state, and at the same time provides the incentive to remain in the focused attention state. A focused attention state is important if not required for training/learning success. The method and apparatus may be employed for training individual trainees, as well as for training team member trainees.

Claims

1. A training method for training a trainee, comprising:

employing a brainwave monitor for determining level of attention;

providing a training environment; and

monitoring the level of attention of the trainee and activating the training environment when the level of attention of the trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the training environment includes at least a representation of an actionable element.

3. The method of claim 2, which comprises allowing the trainee to actuate the at least a representation of the actionable element.

4. The method of claim 1, which further comprises providing at least one distraction in the training environment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one distraction comprises sounds, characters on a display, a person, tactile stimulation, or extraneous visual elements.

6. A training method for training a team including at least two team member trainees, comprising:

employing brainwave monitors for determining level of attention for each team member trainee;

providing a training environment; and

monitoring the levels of attention of the team member trainees and activating the training environment when the level of attention of at least one team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

7. The method of claim 6, which comprises monitoring the levels of attention of the team member trainees and activating the training environment when the levels of attention of all team member trainees are at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

8. The method of claim 6, which comprises monitoring the levels of attention of the team member trainees and activating the training environment when the level of attention of each team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold for the particular team member trainee.

9. The method of claim 6, which comprises monitoring the levels of attention of the team member trainees and activating the training environment when the levels of attention of at least one team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

10. The method of claim 6, which comprises monitoring the levels of attention of the team member trainees and activating the training environment when the level of attention of at least one team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold for the particular team member trainee.

11. Apparatus for training a trainee, comprising:

a training environment;

a brainwave monitor for monitoring electrical activity within the brain of the trainee, and determining the level of attention of the trainee; and

an activation device connected to said brainwave monitor and to said training environment, and operable to activate said training environment when the determined level of attention of the trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said training environment includes at least a representation of an actionable element.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said training environment, when activated allows the trainee to actuate the at least a representation of the actionable element.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said training environment includes at least one distraction.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one distraction comprises sounds, characters on a display, a person, tactile stimulation, or extraneous visual elements.

16. Apparatus for training a team including at least two team member trainees, comprising:

a training environment;

a brainwave monitor for each trainee for monitoring electrical activity within the brain of each trainee, and determining each trainee'"'"'s level of attention; and

an activation device connected to said brainwave monitors and to said training environment, and operable to activate said training environment when the level of attention of at least one team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said activation device activates said training environment when the levels of attention of all team member trainees are at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said activation device activates said training environment when the level of attention of each team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold for the particular team member trainee.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said activation device activates said training environment when the levels of attention of at least one team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said activation device activates said training environment when the level of attention of at least one team member trainee is at or above a predetermined attention threshold for the particular team member trainee.