Interactive computer program for measuring and analyzing mental ability

• US 6,435,878 B1
• Filed: 04/05/1999
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BCI, LLC
• Original Assignee: BCI, LLC
• Inventors: Knight, Jeremy, Reynolds, Josh
• Primary Examiner(s): Rovnak, John Edmund
• Application Number:
  US09/286,528
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 434/219, 434/220, 434/236, 434/237, 434/238
• US Class Current: 434/236
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/162 Testing reaction times
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation

Abstract

An interactive automatic system and technique for measuring and training of mental ability. In the illustrative embodiment, the invention is implemented on a computer which automatically presents a variety of visual and auditory stimuli. The system then measures reaction to the stimuli, adjusts certain stimulus parameters, and provides scores in response thereto. The scores are tabulated and displayed for analysis. In particular embodiments, the invention tests for physical reaction time, perceptual awareness thresholds, attention level, speed, efficiency and capacity of information processing by the brain and elementary cognitive processes, including memory, memory access and decision-making speed. The invention measures, identifies and quantifies noise in the subject'"'"'s brain and elementary cognitive processing system, and the information exchange rate between the subject'"'"'s left and right brain hemispheres. The inventive system compiles a history of the test scores, renders an overall performance rating, and delivers comments based on the subject scores. The complexity of the tests are adjusted based on the scores to optimally challenge cognitive capacities, thereby rendering more accurate evaluations of cognitive capacity, and optimizing learning of desired improvements in perceptual, physical and mental response speeds and efficiencies.

Claims

1. An interactive automatic system for measuring and analyzing mental ability including:

first means for automatically providing a stimulus for a duration of time;

second means for automatically measuring a subject'"'"'s reaction to said stimulus and providing data in response thereto;

third means responsive to said second means for adjusting the duration of time during which the stimulus is provided by the first means in response to said data; and

fourth means responsive to said means for measuring said subject'"'"'s reaction to said stimulus for measuring the subject'"'"'s threshold of perceptual discrimination.

2. The invention of claim 1 including means for measuring the subject'"'"'s physical reaction time.

3. The invention of claim 1 including means for measuring the subject'"'"'s perceptual awareness thresholds.

4. The invention of claim 1 including means for measuring the subject'"'"'s brain processing speed and efficiency.

5. The invention of claim 1 including means for measuring the subject'"'"'s cognitive capacity (speed, efficiency and capacity) for information processing.

6. The invention of claim 1 including means for measuring the subject'"'"'s cognitive capacity (speed, efficiency and capacity) for choice, descrimination and decision responses.

7. The invention of claim 1 including means for measuring the subject'"'"'s cognitive capacity (speed, efficiency and capacity) of accessing various areas of short and long term memory.

8. The invention of claim 1 including means for interactive adjustment of test complexity based on said measurements.

9. The invention of claim 1 including means for quantifying the information exchange rate between the subject'"'"'s left and right brain hemispheres.

10. The invention of claim 1 including means for non invasive identification and quantification of neural noise in the brain and elementary cognitive processing pathways.

11. The invention of claim 1 including means for measuring the subject'"'"'s level of attention.

12. The invention of claim 1 including means for compiling a history of scores, providing specific comments in response to said scores, and granting a level'"'"'s rating for the subject'"'"'s overall mental and physical performance.

13. The invention of claim 1, wherein said second means further includes means for measuring said subject'"'"'s physical reaction time.

14. An interactive automatic system for measuring and analyzing mental ability including:

first means for automatically providing a stimulus for a duration of time and

second means for automatically measuring a subject'"'"'s reaction to said stimulus and providing data relating to the subject'"'"'s threshold of perceptual discrimination.