Visualization testing and/or training

• US 8,998,828 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Reichow, Alan W., Yoo, Herb
• Primary Examiner(s): EISEMAN, ADAM JARED
• Application Number:
  US12/500,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20110009777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,098 Days
• Field of Search: 600/558, 600/587, 600/595
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/032 Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors A61B3/036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0015 Comparing movements or motion sequences with computerised simulations of movements or motion sequences, e.g. for generating an ideal template as reference to be achieved by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0666 worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/40 respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/62 posture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/025 : for the head or the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 : for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 : Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

The visual and/or visualization skills of a subject may be tested and/or trained using systems and methods in accordance with the present invention. Visual stimuli may be presented to a test subject. Measurements relating to the performance of the subject, such as stability information, eye movement data, physiological information, or other information, may be made both with and without visual stimuli being provided to a subject. Similar measurements may be made while the subject visualizes the visual stimuli, and the collected data may be compared to evaluate the subject'"'"'s ability to visualize visual stimuli. Secondary stimuli may also be provided to subject as part of this process, or mental activities may be required by subject as well.

Claims

1. A system for testing or training the stability of an individual, the system comprising:

a display device that provides visual stimuli to the individual for a first period of time;

at least one stability measurement device that measures the balance of the individual; and

a control unit coupled to the at least one stability measurement device configured to;

(1) collect a first set of measurement data while the display device provides the visual stimuli to the individual for the first period of time,

(2) prevent the individual from being exposed to the visual stimuli and collect a second set of measurement data while the individual is instructed to form a mental image of the visual stimuli, the second set of measurement data collected during a second period of time not coextensive with the first period of time, and

(3) compare the first set of measurement data to the second set of measurement data to evaluate the individual.

2. The system for testing or training the stability of an individual of claim 1, wherein the at least one stability measurement device comprises at least one pressure sensitive surface stood upon by the individual during the first period of time and the second period of time.

3. The system for testing or training the stability of an individual of claim 1, wherein the at least one stability measurement device comprises a plurality of inertial sensors that are affixed to the individual during the first period of time and the second period of time.

4. The system for testing or training the stability of an individual of claim 1, wherein the second period of time occurs after the first period of time.

5. The system for testing or training the stability of an individual of claim 4, wherein the at least one stability measurement device and control unit is further configured to:

measure the stability of the individual during a third period of time not coextensive with the first period of time and not coextensive with the second period of time, wherein the third period of time occurs before the first period of time, and wherein the display device does not provide the visual stimuli to the individual during the third period of time; and

compare the first, second and third set of measurement data to evaluate the individvual.

6. The system for testing or training the stability of an individual of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a display screen.

7. The system for testing or training the stability of an individual of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises display goggles.

8. The system for testing or training the stability of an individual of claim 1, wherein the visual stimuli displayed by the display device simulates an activity.

9. A computerized method stored on a non-transient storage medium carried out by a visualization training system having at least one processor for testing or training the visualization ability of an individual, the method comprising:

measuring performance of the individual while the individual is exposed to a first set of visual stimuli by a display device to obtain a first set of performance data;

preventing the individual from being exposed to the first set of visual stimuli and measuring performance of the individual while the individual is instructed to form a mental image of the first set of visual stimuli to obtain a second set of performance data; and

comparing, using the at least one processor, the first set of performance data and the second set of performance data to evaluate the visualization ability of the individual.

10. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the performance data comprises stability data.

11. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the performance data comprises eye movement data.

12. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the performance data comprises physiological data.

13. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the performance data comprises stability data and eye movement data.

14. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the performance data comprises stability data and physiological data.

15. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the performance data comprises eye movement data and physiological data.

16. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the performance data comprises stability data, eye movement data, and physiological data.

17. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the display device used to expose the individual to visual stimuli comprises a display screen.

18. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the display device used to expose the individual to visual stimuli comprises display goggles.

19. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein the visual stimuli to which the individual is exposed comprises simulated activity.

20. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein measuring the performance of the individual comprises using at least one pressure sensitive surface upon which the individual stands to detect the pressure exerted by the individual while standing.

21. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein measuring the performance of the individual comprises using at least one inertial sensor affixed to the individual to measure the movement of the individual while standing.

22. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein measuring the performance of the individual comprises using an eye movement monitoring system to detect the eye movements of the individual.

23. The method for testing or training the visualization of an individual of claim 9, wherein measuring the performance of the individual comprises using an electro-oculogram to detect the eye movements of the individual.