Reflex training and improvement system

• US 8,251,818 B1
• Filed: 08/27/2010
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReFlex, LLC
• Original Assignee: ReFlex, LLC
• Inventors: Dunn, Todd, Venktatramanan, Gopinath
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wong, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/869,954
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 434112-117
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0055 with means for distracting the user, e.g. visual or audio means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/67 adaptively or by learning from player actions, e.g. skill level adjustment or by storing successful combat sequences for re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6027 using adaptive systems learning from user actions, e.g. for skill level adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking

Abstract

A reflex training system operates on a computer or other processing system, having hand and foot controls for response to stimuli. The use of a computer allows the system to be portable and used in a variety of locations. The system is highly configurable and can be used for training for individuals having different needs and at different levels. The configurability relates to the types of stimuli presented to the user, the types of responses required by the user, and the characteristics of different levels. The system provides a variety of reports relating to performance so that progress can be reviewed. The system can be operated on-line to create a community of users.

Claims

1. A method executed by a game platform comprising a processor configured for rendering, on a screen display, a reflex training system, the method comprising:

sequentially displaying at specific user configurable intervals via the screen display a plurality of visual stimuli comprising a combination of at least two of the following;

(i) a hand,

(ii) two hands,

(iii) a foot,

(iv) two feet,

(v) one hand and one foot,

(vi) two hands and one foot,

(vii) one hand and two feet, or

(viii) two hands and two feet;

responding to the sequential display of visual stimuli via game controllers associated with the hands or feet of the user;

recording the time between the sequential display of the visual stimuli and the response to the display by the user;

recording the response via the game controllers and determining if the response corresponded to the visual stimuli;

evaluating the response time between visual stimuli and the response by the user and the number of responses that accurately corresponded to the visual stimuli;

modifying the timing and sequence of the visual stimuli to improve the response of the user to the visual stimuli;

identifying the most incorrect responses associated with a particular limb of a user in response to pre-determined visual stimuli; and

recommending a sequence of visual stimuli timing intervals between visual stimuli to improve user responses associated with the limb.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the game controllers are configured to teach users with missing fingers to improve the dexterity of the user using the available fingers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a third party evaluates the response time between visual stimuli and the response by the user and the amount of responses that accurately correspond to the visual stimuli and modifies the timing and sequence of the visual stimuli of the game platform to improve the response of the user to the visual stimuli.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising color-coding the visual stimuli to prompt the user to respond or not to respond to the visual stimuli.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an audible stimulus to prompt the user to respond or not to respond to the visual stimuli.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the slowest response times associated with a particular limb of a user in response to pre-determined visual stimuli.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the timing between visual stimuli may be set from between 0.5 and 50 seconds by the user.

8. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in a computer readable medium for rendering on a screen display visual stimuli to assist the user in improving reflex skills, the computer program product including executable instructions operable to cause a game platform to:

sequentially display at specific user configurable intervals via the screen a plurality of visual stimuli;

process the response to the sequential display of visual stimuli received from game controllers associated with the hands or feet of the user;

record the time between the sequential display of the visual stimuli and the response to the display by the user;

record the response via the game controllers and determining if the response corresponded to the visual stimuli;

provide data related to the response time between visual stimuli and the response by the user and the number of responses that accurately corresponded to the visual stimuli;

permit user modification of the specific timing and specific sequence of the visual stimuli to improve the response of the user to the visual stimuli;

identify the most incorrect responses associated with a particular limb of a user in response to pre-determined visual stimuli; and

recommend a sequence of visual stimuli timing intervals between visual stimuli to improve user responses associated with the limb.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the executable instructions further cause the program to color-code the visual stimuli to prompt the user to respond or not to respond to the visual stimuli.

10. The computer program of claim 8, wherein the executable instructions further cause the program to provide an audible stimulus to the prompt the user to respond or not to respond to the visual stimuli.

11. The computer program of claim 8, wherein the executable instructions further cause the program to identify the slowest response times associated with a particular limb of a user in response to pre-determined visual stimuli.

12. The computer program of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions further cause the program to identify and recommend a sequence of visual stimuli timing interval between visual stimuli to improve user responses associated with the limb.

13. A system comprising:

a display device; and

a game platform comprising a processor, the processor configured to;

sequentially display at specific user configurable intervals via the screen a plurality of visual stimuli comprising a combination of hands or feet;

process the response to the sequential display of visual stimuli received from game controllers associated with the hands or feet of the user;

record the time between the sequential display of the visual stimuli and the response to the display by the user;

record the response via the game controllers and determining if the response corresponded to the visual stimuli;

provide data related to the response time between visual stimuli and the response by the user and the number of responses that accurately corresponded to the visual stimuli; and

permit user modification of the specific timing and specific sequence of the visual stimuli to improve the response of the user to the visual stimuli;

identify the most incorrect responses associated with a particular limb of a user in response to pre-determined visual stimuli; and

recommend a sequence of visual stimuli timing intervals between visual stimuli to improve user responses associated with the limb.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the sequential display of visual stimuli comprises an increasing sequential memory operation.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to receive and store information regarding the amount of sleep a user has obtained and compare that information to the user'"'"'s responses to the visual stimuli.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to receive and store information regarding the diet of the user and compare that information to the user'"'"'s responses to the visual stimuli.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the system further comprises a network connection to a storage device configured to store information related to the user'"'"'s responses to the visual stimuli.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising a network connection to other systems permitting multiple users to simultaneously view the same visual stimuli.