Detection of signs of attempted deception and other emotional stresses by detecting changes in weight distribution of a standing or sitting person

• US 6,852,086 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dan Atlas, Gideon L. Miller
• Original Assignee: Dan Atlas, Gideon L. Miller
• Inventors: Atlas, Dan, Miller, Gideon L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/173,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20020193707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/595, 600/300, 600/301, 128/897, 128/898, 297/217.1, 297/217.2, 297/463.2
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1101 Detecting tremor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/164 Lie detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats

Abstract

Non-obtrusive monitoring apparatus for detecting the emotional stress of attempted deception by a standing or seated subject. The apparatus has sensors for measuring parameters of posture, sway, weight distribution, cardiac function, and respiratory function, and outputs computer-readable data for processing and reporting. Also disclosed are: systems for synchronizing output data with information about questions asked of the subject as well as other interrogation stimuli administered to the subject; and systems for analyzing the output data and interrogation stimuli to identify patterns indicating heightened anxiety.

Claims

1. A method for detecting emotional stress of a human subject in response to cognitive stimuli by measuring variations in the pressure distribution across the subject'"'"'s footprint, the method comprising:

(a) causing the subject to apply force on a flat surface, said flat surface having embedded therein a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors;

(b) connecting said pressure sensitive sensors to a signal analysis processor;

(c) presenting the subject with cognitive stimuli, the subject'"'"'s disposition to which is of interest in the context of a given interview;

(d) monitoring variations in pressure distribution between said sensors, and deriving variation signals therefrom;

(e) filtering said variation signals to derive filtered variation signals; and

(d) matching said filtered variation signals to a pattern that represents emotional stress.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said subject sits in a chair, and at least one leg of said chair is positioned on said flat surface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said flat surface is a mat.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said mat is embedded in a chair and said subject sits in said chair.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a plurality of said mats is used and the subject touches different mats of said plurality of mats with different parts of his or her body.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein at least one leg of said chair is positioned upon at least one mat of said plurality of mats.

7. A system for detecting emotional stress of a human subject, in response to cognitive stimuli by measuring variations in pressure distribution across the subject'"'"'s footprint, the system comprising:

(a) a flat surface having embedded therein a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors;

(b) a signal conditioning processing means coupled to said pressure sensitive sensors for detecting shifts in the subject'"'"'s weight distribution according to signals from said pressure sensitive sensors;

(c) a signal analysis processing means coupled to said signal conditioning processing means, said signal analysis processing means for analyzing said shifts in weight distribution to detect patterns indicative of emotional stress; and

(d) a display coupled to said signal analysis processing means.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said sensors is a high-capacitance piezo electric pressure sensor.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said sensors is a fiber-optic pressure sensor.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said sensors is a strain gauge.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said signal analysis processing means includes software operative to identify pressure change correlates of flight-or-fight responses.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said software is expert system software.