U.S. patent application number 13/980759 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for electrode for attention training techniques.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fondamenta, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Lana Morrow. Invention is credited to Lana Morrow.
Application Number | 20140038147 13/980759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46515988 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140038147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morrow; Lana |
February 6, 2014 |
Electrode for Attention Training Techniques
Abstract
An electrode includes a core of beryllium copper alloy and a
safe metal coating. In some embodiments, the beryllium copper alloy
comprises more than three percent beryllium, less than three
percent other metals and a remaining percent copper. In some
embodiments, an apparatus includes a headband, and a first and
second safe metal coated copper-beryllium alloy electrode. The
headband is configured to fit snugly to a head of a subject in an
orientation from behind a first ear, across a crown of the subject,
to a position behind a second ear. The first electrode and second
electrode are disposed in the headband to contact a head of the
subject at a first position and a different second position,
respectively, without gels. In various embodiments, the headband
includes a chip to determine an analog signal and transmit data;
and, a system includes the headband and a signal analyzing
unit.
Inventors: |
Morrow; Lana; (New York,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Morrow; Lana |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Fondamenta, LLC
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
46515988 |
Appl. No.: |
13/980759 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
January 21, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2011/021983 |
371 Date: |
October 7, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/236 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/048 20130101;
A61B 5/0478 20130101; A61B 5/6831 20130101; C22C 9/00 20130101;
A61B 5/0006 20130101; A61B 5/0482 20130101; A61B 5/6814 20130101;
G09B 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/236 |
International
Class: |
G09B 19/00 20060101
G09B019/00 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. An apparatus comprising: a headband configured to fit snugly to
a head of a subject in an orientation from behind a first ear of
the subject, across a top of a crown of the subject, to a position
behind a second ear of the subject; a first electrode disposed in
the headband to contact a head of the subject at a first position;
and a second electrode disposed in the headband to contact the head
of the subject at a different second position.
10. (canceled)
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first
electrode and the second electrode extends perpendicular to the
headband.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first
electrode and the second electrode has a contact area on the
headband.
13. (canceled)
14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first position
corresponds about to a Cz location on the subject according to the
10-20 electrode placement system of the International Federation of
Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second position
corresponds about to a mastoid location on the subject.
16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the first electrode
and the second electrode makes electrical contact with the head of
the subject with an electrical impedance of less than about 3 kilo
ohms upon simple contact pressure provided by the headset and
without abrasion or application of a gel or a liquid.
17. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a chip-set
disposed on the headband, wherein the chip set is configured to:
determine an analog signal based on a first signal received from
the first electrode and a second signal received from the second
electrode; and transmit, wirelessly, data that indicates the analog
signal.
18. (canceled)
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein to transmit the digital data
further comprises to transmit the digital data over a short
distance using BLUETOOTH.TM. protocol.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the analog signal indicates
a common mode noise reduced difference between the first signal and
the second signal in a frequency band from at least about four (4)
Hertz to at least about twenty (20) Hertz, comprising beta brain
waves and theta brain waves.
21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the analog signal indicates
a common mode noise reduced difference between the first signal and
the second signal in a frequency band from about one quarter (0.25)
Hertz to about forty (40) Hertz, comprising alpha brain waves, beta
brain waves, delta brain waves and theta brain waves.
22. A system comprising: an apparatus comprising a headband
configured to fit snugly to a head of a subject in an orientation
from behind a first ear of the subject, across a top of a crown of
the subject, to a position behind a second ear of the subject a
first electrode disposed in the headband to contact a head of the
subject at a first position; a second electrode disposed in the
headband to contact the head of the subject at a different second
position; and a chip-set disposed on the headband, wherein the chip
set is configured to determine an analog signal based on a first
signal received from the first electrode and a second signal
received from the second electrode and transmit, wirelessly, data
that indicates the analog signal; and a signal analyzing unit
comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory
including computer program code for one or more programs, the at
least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with
the at least one processor, cause the signal analyzing unit to
perform at least the following: receive wirelessly the digital
data; determine, based on the digital data, at least a first
frequency band and a different second frequency band selected from
a group comprising an alpha brain wave band, a beta brain wave
band, a delta brain wave band and a theta brain wave band,
determine a score based on a strength or peak frequency of the
first frequency band and a strength or peak frequency of the second
frequency band, and cause a stimulus to be presented to the subject
based at least in part on the score.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the at least one memory and the
computer program code are further configured to, with the at least
one processor, cause the signal analyzing unit to cause data that
indicates the subject and the score to be made available to a
client host.
24. The system of claim 23, further comprising a client host,
wherein the client host comprises: at least one processor; and at
least one memory including computer program code for one or more
programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code
configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the signal
analyzing unit to perform at least the following: transmit a
request message for data corresponding to the subject; in response
to transmitting the request, receiving first data that indicates
the subject and the score; and presenting, to a human user, second
data that indicates the subject and the score.
25. A method comprising: determining a first electroencephalogram
potential temporal trace at an active electrode in contact with a
first position on a subject; determining a second
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace at a reference
electrode in contact with a different second position on the
subject, wherein each of the active electrode and reference
electrode is disposed in a corresponding position on a headband;
determining, in a chip set disposed in the headband, an analog
signal temporal trace based on the first electroencephalogram
potential temporal trace and the second electroencephalogram
potential temporal trace; and transmitting, from the chip set
disposed in the headband, digital data that indicates the analog
signal temporal trace.
26. The method of claims 25, wherein transmitting the digital data
further comprises transmitting the digital data over a short
distance using BLUETOOTH.TM. protocol.
27. The method of claims 25, wherein determining the analog signal
temporal trace further comprises determining a common mode noise
reduced difference between the first electroencephalogram potential
temporal trace and the second electroencephalogram potential
temporal trace in a frequency band from at least about four (4)
Hertz to at least about twenty (20) Hertz, comprising beta brain
waves and theta brain waves.
28. The method of claims 25, wherein the analog signal temporal
trace indicates a common mode noise reduced difference between the
first electroencephalogram potential temporal trace and the second
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace in a frequency band
from about one quarter (0.25) Hertz to at least about forty (40)
Hertz, comprising alpha brain waves, beta brain waves, delta brain
waves and theta brain waves.
29. A method comprising: receiving wirelessly data that indicates
an analog signal temporal trace based on a first
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace of a subject and a
different second electroencephalogram potential temporal trace of
the subject; determining, based on the data, at least a first
frequency band and a different second frequency band selected from
a group comprising an alpha brain wave band, a beta brain wave
band, a delta brain wave band and a theta brain wave band;
determining a score based on a strength or peak frequency of the
first frequency band and a strength or peak frequency of the second
frequency band; and causing a stimulus to be presented to the
subject based at least in part on the score.
30. The method of claims 29, further comprising causing the signal
analyzing unit to cause data that indicates the subject and the
score to be made available to a client host.
31. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more
sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one
or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform one or
more steps of claim 25.
32. A computer program product including one or more sequences of
one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more
processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the steps of the
method of claim 25.
33. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Cognitive learning and operant condition training efficacy
to help a person exercise their focusing and working memory skills
is well established and leads to long-term increase in attention
and memory. This kind of skill learning is equally effective as
pharmacotherapy. For example, a news report states, "One
interesting treatment is a form of therapy in which children wear
electrodes on their head and learn to control video games by
exercising the parts of the brain related to attention and focus.
Research has suggested that the method works just as well as
medication, and many children report that they enjoy it." New York
Times, Jun. 20, 2008. Proven permanent benefits of such learning
include greater focus, increased working memory and intelligence
quotient (IQ), and reduced anxiety.
[0002] Unfortunately, many devices for placing electrodes on a
subject's head suffer from one or more deficiencies. Deficiencies
include, large and bulky head gear, messy liquids or gels or
painful scalp abrasions or time consuming processes to place
electrodes in good electrical conductance with the subject's scalp,
constraining hardwired connections to recording and analyzing
equipment, limited stimulus feedback to the subject, and on site
presence of a treatment specialist, such as a technician or
therapist.
SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0003] Therefore, there is a need for electrodes to be used in
attention training, which do not suffer one or more of these
deficiencies. For example, there is a need for a lightweight,
mobile, wireless headgear with small sensitive electrodes that do
not require gels, liquids or abrasions for good electrical contact.
Similarly, there is a need for materials that provide good
electrical contact with a human head to use in the fabrication of
such sensitive electrodes.
[0004] According to one set of embodiments, a beryllium copper
alloy for such electrodes includes more than three percent by
weight beryllium, less than about three percent other metals and a
substantively remaining percent by weight copper. The other metals
are selected from a group comprising cobalt, nickel, iron, gold,
silver and lead.
[0005] According to another set of embodiments, an electrode for
detecting electroencephalogram potentials includes a core of
beryllium copper alloy and a coating of safe metal, such as copper
or silver.
[0006] According to another set of embodiments, an apparatus
includes a headband, a first electrode and a second electrode. The
headband is configured to fit snugly to a head of a subject in an
orientation from behind a first ear of the subject, across a top of
a crown of the subject, to a position behind a second ear of the
subject. The first electrode comprises a safe metal coated
copper-beryllium alloy electrode disposed in the headband to
contact a head of the subject at a first position. The second
electrode comprises a safe metal coated copper-beryllium alloy
electrode disposed in the headband to contact the head of the
subject at a different second position.
[0007] In some of these embodiments, the apparatus further includes
a chip set disposed on the headband. The chip set is configured to
determine an analog signal based on a first signal received from
the first electrode and a second signal received from the second
electrode. The chip set is configured further to transmit,
wirelessly, data that indicates the analog signal.
[0008] In another set of embodiments, a system includes the
apparatus described above and a signal analyzing unit. The signal
analyzing unit includes at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer program code for one or more programs.
The at least one memory and the computer program code are
configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the signal
analyzing unit to at least receive wirelessly the data that
indicates the analog signal and determine, based on the data, at
least a first frequency band and a different second frequency band
selected from a group comprising an alpha brain wave band, a beta
brain wave band, a delta brain wave band and a theta brain wave
band. The analyzing unit is further configured to determine a score
based on a strength or peak frequency of the first frequency band
and a strength or peak frequency of the second frequency band. The
analyzing unit is also configured to cause a stimulus to be
presented to the subject based at least in part on the score.
[0009] According to another set of embodiments, a method includes
determining a first electroencephalogram potential temporal trace
at an active electrode in contact with a first position on a
subject. The method also includes determining a second
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace at a reference
electrode in contact with a different second position on the
subject. Each of the active electrode and reference electrode
comprises a safe metal coated copper-beryllium alloy core, and each
of the active electrode and reference electrode is disposed in a
corresponding position on a headband. The method further comprises
determining, in a chip set disposed in the headband, an analog
signal temporal trace based on the first electroencephalogram
potential temporal trace and the second electroencephalogram
potential temporal trace. The method further includes transmitting,
from the chip set disposed in the headband, data that indicates the
analog signal temporal trace.
[0010] In another set of embodiments, a method includes receiving,
wirelessly, data that indicates an analog signal temporal trace
based on a first electroencephalogram potential temporal trace of a
subject and a different second electroencephalogram potential
temporal trace of the subject. The method also includes
determining, based on the data, at least a first frequency band and
a different second frequency band selected from a group comprising
an alpha brain wave band, a beta brain wave band, a delta brain
wave band and a theta brain wave band. The method further comprises
determining a score based on a strength or peak frequency of the
first frequency band and a strength or peak frequency of the second
frequency ban, and causing a stimulus to be presented to the
subject based at least in part on the score.
[0011] According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage
medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions
which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in
part, an apparatus to perform one or more steps of one of the above
methods.
[0012] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises
means for performing the steps of one of the above methods.
[0013] In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes)
can be accomplished on a service provider side or on a mobile
device side or in any shared way between service provider and
mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.
[0014] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the
invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description, simply by illustrating a number of particular
embodiments and implementations, including the best mode
contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also
capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details
can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the
accompanying drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an example
system capable of attention training with improved electrodes,
according to one embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 1B is a diagram that illustrates example placement of a
headset relative to the 10-20 electrode placement system of the
International Federation of Electroencephalography and Clinical
Neurophysiology, according to an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a block diagram that illustrates an example head
gear apparatus, according to an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a block diagram that illustrates an example
electrode for the head gear apparatus, according to an
embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 2C is a block diagram that illustrates an example chip
set for the head gear apparatus, according to an embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates an example process
for the chip set of FIG. 2C, according to one embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates an example process
for the analyzing unit of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates an example process
for the web server of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to
implement an embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to
implement an embodiment of the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset)
that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Examples of an alloy, electrode, method, apparatus, and
computer program are disclosed for attention training. In the
following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent,
however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the
invention may be practiced without these specific details or with
an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.
[0028] Although various embodiments are described with respect to
attention training using beta brain waves, it is contemplated that,
in other embodiments, the techniques described herein may be used
with other training or non-training applications based on any
electroencephalography (EEG) signals or other signals detected
non-inversely on human skin. In some embodiments, the alloy
described herein is used in electrodes for any purpose.
[0029] FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an example
system 100 capable of attention training with improved electrodes,
according to one embodiment. This system reduces or eliminates one
or more deficiencies of prior approaches, such as large and bulky
head gear, messy liquids or gels or painful scalp abrasions or time
consuming processes to place electrodes in good electrical
conductance with the subject's scalp, constraining hardwired
connections to recording and analyzing equipment, limited stimulus
feedback to the subject, and on site presence of a treatment
specialist, such as a technician or therapist.
[0030] To address this problem, the system 100 of FIG. 1A
introduces the capability to collect EEG signals from a subject 190
on a lightweight mobile headset 110 that communicates wirelessly
with a nearby analyzing unit, called an analyzer 120 for
convenience. The analyzer 120 is in communication with one or more
other network devices via communications network 105. This allows a
stimulus to be presented to the subject 190 at a user interface
module 132 as determined by an interface server module 134 based on
data sent from the analyzer 120. In some embodiments, data produced
by the analyzer 120 is stored on a web server module 142 where it
can be accessed by the interface server 134. Furthermore the data
at web server 142, in some embodiments, are accessed by a web
client module 144 (such as a browser) for the benefit of one or
more remote users, such as a technician or therapist. Although a
head of subject 190 is depicted for the purposes of illustration,
the subject 190 is not part of the system 100.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1A, the system 100 comprises a headset 110
and an analyzer 120 and user interface 132 and web client 144
having connectivity to web server 142 or interface server 134, or
some combination, via a communication network 105. By way of
example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one
or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless
network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any
combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may
be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN),
wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the
Internet), short range wireless network, or any other suitable
packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary
packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic
network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the
wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may
employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for
global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS),
global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol
multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications
system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium,
e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long
Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access
(CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless
fidelity (WiFi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth.RTM., Internet
Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network
(MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.
[0032] The analyzer 120 and user interface module 132 is any type
of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including
a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer,
multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer,
laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet
computer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personal
navigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/video
player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television
receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game
device, or any combination thereof, including the accessories and
peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. It is
also contemplated that the analyzer 120 and user interface 132 can
support any type of interface to the user (such as "wearable"
circuitry, etc.), including the mobile headset 110.
[0033] Scalp recordings of neuronal activity in the brain,
identified as an EEG, allow measurement of potential changes over
time in basic electric circuit conducting between signal (active)
electrode and reference electrode. Extra third electrode, called
ground electrode, is sometimes used. Differential voltages are
obtained by subtracting the same voltages showing at active and
reference points. A minimal configuration for mono-channel EEG
measurement is considered to consist of one active electrode, one
(or two specially linked together) reference electrode(s) and one
ground electrode. Multi-channel configurations can comprise up to
128 or 256 active electrodes. In 1958, International Federation in
Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology adopted a
standard for electrode placement called 10-20 electrode placement
system. This system standardized physical placement and
designations of electrodes on the scalp. The head is divided into
proportional distances from prominent skull landmarks (nasion,
pre-auricular points, inion) to provide adequate coverage of all
regions of the brain. Labels for the 10-20 electrode placement
system designates proportional distance in percents between ears
and nose where points for electrodes are chosen. Electrode
placements are labeled according adjacent brain areas: F (frontal),
C (central), T (temporal), P (posterior), and O (occipital). The
letters are accompanied by odd numbers at the left side of the head
and with even numbers on the right side. Left and right side is
considered by convention from point of view of a subject.
[0034] The headset 110 provides lightweight, mobile, fast, easy,
robust and sensitive electrical contact with the subject's head,
preprocessing and wireless transmission of EEG data. FIG. 1B is a
diagram that illustrates example placement of headset 110 relative
to the 10-20 electrode placement system 191 of the International
Federation of Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology,
according to an embodiment. The subject's head is depicted from
above. A nose 192 establishes the "naison" position, and a line
between left ear 194a and right ear 194b defines the central brain
areas C3, Cz and C4. A mastoid area is located behind each ear at
the back of a temporal skull plate; mastoid area 198 behind right
ear 194b is depicted in FIG. 1B. A headband component of the
headset 110 is configured to fit snugly to a head of a subject in
an orientation from behind a first ear 194a of the subject, across
a top of a crown of the subject, to a position behind a second ear
194b of the subject. In some embodiments, the headband is designed
ergonomically to be comfortable to wear for long periods of several
hours. In the illustrated embodiment, the headband passes over the
Cz position 196 at the top of the crown of the subject. The width
112 of the headband in the vicinity of the Cz position 196 is
depicted. In some embodiments, to minimize the bulkiness and weight
of the headset, the headband component is limited in size and
weight. For example, a width 112 of four centimeters or less is
used.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiments, the components of the
headset 110 are described in more detail below with reference to
FIGS. 2A through 2C. In some embodiments, the headset includes some
processing of EEG signals, including noise reduction, filtering,
and determining a differential signal. The processing is described
in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the analyzer 120 is placed
within transmission range of the headset 110, to receive from the
headset 110 the data that describes EEG signals in one or more
frequency bands. As described in more detail below with reference
to FIG. 4, The analyzer 120 determines signal strength in one or
more brain wave bands and determines a score to be used to reward
or penalize a subject 190 based on absolute or relative signal
strength in two or more brain wave bands. Standard brain wave
frequency bands are typically defined as follows, in order of
increasing frequency in hertz (Hz, 1 Hz=1 cycle per second):
[0037] delta brain wave band (0.5-4 Hz);
[0038] theta brain wave band (4-8 Hz);
[0039] alpha brain wave band (8-13 Hz);
[0040] beta brain wave band (>13 Hz).
Brain patterns form wave shapes that are commonly sinusoidal; are
measured from peak to peak; and normally range from 0.5 to 100
micro volts (.mu.V, 1 .mu.V=10.sup.-6 volts, V) in amplitude, which
is about 100 times lower than electrical signals measured at the
surface of the skin in the vicinity of the heart. The processing by
the analyzer 120 is described in more detail below with reference
to FIG. 4.
[0041] The score provided by the analyzer 120 can be used for many
purposes, including controlling games or biofeedback or other
applications. In some embodiments, the subject 190 is provided a
stimulus at a user interface module 132 based on the score. In some
embodiments, an interface server module 134, such as a game
controller, obtains the score from the analyzer 120 and uses the
score to determine a stimulus to present on the user interface
module 132, such as a video screen, television, speakers, or
tactile presentation device. Thus, in some embodiments, analyzer
120 acts as universal game adaptor that teaches the user to
exercise his or her powers of attention and memory skills through a
series of entertaining video games on one or more modules 134. In
some embodiments, analyzer 120 acts as universal adaptor that
teaches the user to exercise his or her powers of attention and
memory skills through existing cognitive tools on one or more
modules 134. In some embodiments, the wireless interface between
headset 110 and analyzer 120 can use a game wireless protocol, and
thus be used as an add-on to existing wireless games to add benefit
of playing. Some or all functions of the analyzer are thus
incorporated in the interface server 134, in such embodiments. An
advantage of such an embodiment is to allow game designers to
determine their own score to help a person exercise her or his
attention and focusing or different mental skills, like relaxing,
while playing games that exist on the market. Together, the
interface server 134 and user interface 132 constitute a subject
stimulation system 130.
[0042] In some embodiments, a remote user (e.g., technician or care
giver, such as a therapist), has access to some or all of the data
determined by the analyzer 120. For example, the data is stored in
a secure database at web server 142, and a remote user accesses the
web server 142 through a web client 144, such as a World Wide Web
browser (described below). The server 142 may send a challenge,
such as a password request, to the client 144, which, if
successfully met, authorizes a user of client 144 to access the
information about subject 190 in the database of web server 142.
Together, the web server 142 and web client 144 constitute a remote
user system 140. Thus, in some embodiments, a therapist user of web
client 144 can assess the progress or lack thereof for subject
190.
[0043] Although components are depicted as several integral modules
in a particular arrangement in FIG. 1A, in other embodiments, one
or more modules or portions thereof are combined in a different
arrangement in one or more hosts or devices connected to network
105. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may
be combined in one or more components or performed by other
components of equivalent functionality. For example, in some
embodiments, the interface server module 134 and user interface
module 132 are processes in a single user interface device, such as
a game console or cell phone (or other mobile terminal) or personal
computer. In some embodiments of another example, described above,
the headset 110 communicates directly with the interface server
134, which includes one or more functions of the analyzer 120.
[0044] By way of example, the headset 110 and analyzer 120
communicate with each other and other components of the
communication network 105 (such as subject stimulation system 130
or remote user system 140, or some combination) using well known,
new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol
includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the
communication network 105 interact with each other based on
information sent over the communication links. The protocols are
effective at different layers of operation within each node, from
generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to
selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of
information indicated by those signals, to identifying which
software application executing on a computer system sends or
receives the information. The conceptually different layers of
protocols for exchanging information over a network are described
in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.
[0045] Communications between the network nodes are typically
effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet
typically comprises (1) header information associated with a
particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the
header information and contains information that may be processed
independently of that particular protocol.
[0046] Processes executing on various devices, often communicate
using the client-server model of network communications, widely
known and used. According to the client-server model, a client
process sends a message of one or more data packets including a
request to a server process, and the server process responds by
providing a service. The server process may also return a message
of one or more data packets with a response to the client process.
Often the client process and server process execute on different
computer devices, called hosts, and communicate via a network using
one or more protocols for network communications. The term "server"
is conventionally used to refer to the process that provides the
service, or the host on which the process operates. Similarly, the
term "client" is conventionally used to refer to the process that
makes the request, or the host on which the process operates. As
used herein, the terms "client" and "server" and "service" refer to
the processes, rather than the hosts, unless otherwise clear from
the context. In addition, the process performed by a server can be
broken up to run as multiple processes on multiple hosts (sometimes
called tiers) for reasons that include reliability, scalability,
and redundancy, among others. A well known client process available
on most devices (called nodes) connected to a communications
network is a World Wide Web client (called a "web browser," or
simply "browser") that interacts through messages formatted
according to the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) with any of a
large number of servers called World Wide Web (WWW) servers that
provide web pages.
[0047] FIG. 2A is a block diagram that illustrates an example head
gear apparatus (called a headset 200 hereinafter), according to an
embodiment. The headset 200 is a particular embodiment of headset
110. Headset 200 includes a headband 202 to which is attached one
active electrode 210a and one reference electrode 210b
(collectively referenced hereinafter as EEG electrodes 210), and
corresponding leads 212a and 212b, respectively, connecting the
electrodes to a headset chip set 220. The headset chip set 220 is
also attached to the headband 202 in the illustrated embodiment. In
some embodiments, the headband is made of molded plastic because it
is light, rigid and an electrical insulator. In other embodiments a
thin metal strip is used with insulated leads and chip set. In some
embodiments, the thickness 205 of the headband is about one
centimeter thick or less to keep the headset 200 as light as
possible, but still strong enough to fit snugly and apply some
pressure on the subject's head at the locations of the electrodes
210.
[0048] In some embodiments, the headset 200 includes one or more
additional active or reference electrodes, or both. An advantage of
multiple electrodes is a richer variety of signals for noise
rejection or determining one or more scores for a subject. An
advantage of a single active electrode and a single reference
electrode is simplicity, lower cost, and fewer components in the
chip set 220 for a smaller, lighter cheaper chip set 220. In some
embodiments, the electrodes 210 are beryllium copper electrodes
with superior electrical properties that allow a higher signal to
noise ratio with fewer electrodes. In some embodiments, a ground
electrode 204 is included with a lead 212c to provide electrical
ground for chip set 220. Because detection of brain waves is not
involved, any electrode may be used as the ground electrode 204,
including copper, silver and beryllium copper electrodes.
[0049] In the example embodiment, the active electrode 210a is
placed in the headband 202 to contact the subject in the vicinity
of the Cz point 196; and the reference electrode 210b is placed in
the headband 202 to contact the subject in the vicinity of the
mastoid point 198. An advantage of this placement is that the brain
waves associated with attention are strong near the Cz point 196
and weak near the mastoid 198.
[0050] A beryllium copper alloy was developed to provide superior
electrical properties compared to other EEG electrodes. In one
embodiment, the beryllium copper alloy comprises 4% by weight
beryllium, 93.5% copper, 1% an alloy of 50% nickel and 50% cobalt,
0.7% an alloy of one third nickel and one third cobalt and one
third, and 0.8% lead.
[0051] In other embodiments, an alloy comprises about 3%-6%
beryllium; less than about 3% one or more metals selected from a
group comprising cobalt, nickel, iron, silver, gold and lead; and a
remaining percent copper.
[0052] In an example embodiment, the alloy is fabricated by melting
copper at 980 to 1030 degrees Celsius (.degree. C.) and adding the
other constituents at 1100.degree. C. degrees and stirring for
about one half hour, then cooling to an annealing temperature of
700 degrees for 2 hours. After further cooling, the alloy is then
washed with water and dried by baking.
[0053] Beryllium is often avoided in electrodes configured to
contact human skin, because beryllium is considered a carcinogen
when in airborne dust, e.g., from grinding. To circumvent this
issue, the electrodes 210 are formed with a beryllium copper core
and a safe metal coating. As used herein a safe metal is one that
is not considered a health hazard when in contact with human skin,
such as copper, gold and silver. For example, in some embodiments,
a 0.1 millimeter (mm, 1 mm=10.sup.-3 meters) copper coating is
formed on a core of beryllium copper alloy.
[0054] FIG. 2B is a block diagram that illustrates an example
electrode 210 for the head gear apparatus 200, according to an
embodiment. The electrode includes a safe metal coated base 216 and
a safe metal coated core 214, wherein the core is narrower at a tip
configured to contact a head of a subject than at a base configured
to be attached to head gear. An advantage of the narrower tip is to
contact the skin of the scalp even with hair on the scalp. In some
embodiments, the core is shaped as a figure of rotation, so that
the tip is smooth and does not scour or otherwise irritate the skin
of the scalp. In the illustrated embodiment, the core is shaped as
a hemisphere; while, in various other embodiments, the core is
shaped as a hemispheroid or a smaller portion of a spheroid. A lead
wire 212 is connected to the electrode at a connection 218, such as
a nut and post or weld joint or solder joint.
[0055] To keep the headset 200 as light as possible, the electrode
is as small as possible to still make good electrical contact with
the skin of the scalp without aid of gels or liquids and without
breaking the skin of the subject. For example, in some embodiments,
the electrode 210 extends perpendicular to the headband 202 by
about three millimeters or less. This is effectively the radius of
the spherical safe metal coated core depicted in FIG. 2B.
Similarly, in some embodiments, the electrode 210 has a base
contact area on the headband, represented by diameter 215, which is
about four millimeters or less.
[0056] In an experimental embodiment, a headband with a copper
coated beryllium copper core electrode was tested. In twenty tests,
good EEG signals were obtained with amplitudes indicating
electrical impedance at the scalp-electrode interface of about 3
kilo ohms (k.OMEGA., 1 k.OMEGA.=10.sup.3 ohms) or less. These good
results were attained with subjects moving and talking, and without
special scalp preparation, including without removing or washing
the subject's hair.
[0057] The experimental setup included a subject sitting directly
in front of a computer at a distance of about 2 meters (m). The
subject had the headband on top of the scalp, and the electrodes
were positioned as follows: one electrode was at Cz; the reference
electrode was at a mastoid level, just behind the left ear; the
ground electrode was diametrically opposite of the the reference
electrode, i.e. at the level of the mastoid near the right ear. The
device placed in the light headband amplified the signal, sending
it to a receiver in the computer. The signal was then converted
into values and was able to pass with valid signal to noise ratio,
which enabled the reception of clear data. Impedances were
consistently maintained below 3 kilo ohms. The equipment recorded
the EEG activity at a speed of 2032 samples per second in
continuous streaming, and the subject was asked to focus on the
game before him/her.
[0058] FIG. 2C is a block diagram that illustrates an example chip
set 220 for the head gear apparatus 200, according to an
embodiment. The chip set 220 performs collection of the analog EEG
signals from the electrodes 210, some preprocessing that can be
done effectively in small footprint analog components and wireless
transmission of data based on the pre-processing to the analyzer
unit. To help reduce the size and weight of the headset, short
range transmission (a few dozen meters) is used in some
embodiments. For example 20 meter range transmission using the
BLUETOOTH.RTM. protocol is employed in some embodiments.
[0059] In an illustrated embodiment, the chip set includes buffer
module 222 to match impedance of input on leads 212 connected to
electrodes 210, a high pass (HP) filter module 224 to remove a
direct current (DC) offset, an noise rejection module 226 to reduce
common mode noise, a band pass filter 228 to pass the frequency
band of interest, an amplifier to boost the signal for
transmission, a transmitter 232 to send data wirelessly to the
analyzer 120 through antenna 233, and a power supply 234 with an
on/off module 236. In some embodiments, a chassis for chip set 220
is connected to the ground electrode 204, e.g., to prevent drift of
electrical output.
[0060] In an example embodiment, the buffer module 222 entails
impedance matching of about 1 k.OMEGA. on each of two leads 212
from the two safe metal coated beryllium copper electrodes 210. The
HP filter module 224 removes a DC offset from each of the two
signals (active and reference, respectively) on the two leads. The
noise rejection module 226 reduces common mode noise found in both
signals, e.g., by differencing the two signals, with or without a
relative delay introduced to one of the signals. For example, the
module 226 is a differential amplifier that also amplifies the
voltage difference between the two signals. This amounts to
subtracting the signal on the reference electrode from the signal
on the active electrode. The reference electrode reflects all sorts
of skin currents, such as currents induced by nearby power
circuits, not associated with cerebral cortex activity that
predominates the Cz signal on the active electrode. In various
embodiments, one or more of the modules 222, 224, 226 operate on
analog signals with little distortion in the 0.25 to 40 Hz
frequency range of brain waves of interest.
[0061] The band pass module 228, passes signals with frequencies in
at least the beta and theta brain wave bands used in the
illustrated embodiment. For example, the module 228 passes
frequencies in a frequency band from at least about four (4) Hertz
to at least about twenty (20) Hertz, comprising beta brain waves
and theta brain waves (and intervening alpha brain waves). Thus,
this band also includes the alpha brain wave band but leaves out
the delta brain wave band and higher frequency in the beta band
that might be affected by power line noise (50 HZ in some countries
and 60 Hz in much of the United States). In some embodiments,
higher frequencies in the beta brain wave band, or the delta brain
wave band, or both are included. For example, the module 228 passes
frequencies in a wider frequency band from about one quarter (0.25)
Hertz to about forty (40) Hertz, comprising alpha brain waves,
additional beta brain waves, delta brain waves and theta brain
waves. In various embodiments, the modules 228 operate on analog
signals with little distortion in the pass band.
[0062] In the amplifier 230, the band passed signal is increased in
amplitude sufficiently to drive the transmitter 232 to produce a
measurable signal out to a design transmission range, such as 20 to
100 meters, through antenna 233. In some embodiments, an analog
signal is sent over transmitter 232 through antenna 233. In some
embodiments, the amplifier or transmitter includes an analog to
digital converter (ADC), so that digital data can be sent by
transmitter 232 through antenna 233. An advantage of sending
digital data is a capacity to send several minutes of signals with
frequency content up to 40 Hz, in less than a second. This is
because a 0.25 Hz to 40 Hz signal is well sampled with 80 samples
per second. Assuming each sample involves an octet (eight binary
digits called bits), this example involves a sampling rate of 640
bits per second. Common wireless digital transmission rates are
highly reliable over 1 Megabits per second (Mbps, 1 Mbps=10.sup.6
bits per second), which can send one minute of data (640 bits per
second times 60 seconds=38400 bits) in about 4 milliseconds (ms, 1
ms=10.sup.-3 seconds).
[0063] Power for the components 222 through 232 is provided by a
power supply module 234. The chip set, and consequently headset 220
is turned on and off using an on/off mechanism 236, such as a
button or toggle switch. The power output by power supply 234 is
consumed fastest by transmitter 232. The farther the transmission
is to be detected, the greater the power consumption used to
transmit. In some embodiments, to further help reduce the size and
weight of the headset, the transmission range is very short, e.g.,
about 20 meters, to consume less power and require a smaller,
lighter power supply 234 to persist a given mean time between
recharging, such as two hours. For example, in some embodiments,
the transmitter 232 uses BLUETOOTH protocol technology.
[0064] To further help reduce the size and weight of the headset,
small, light components are used in chip set 220. For example, in
some embodiments, one or more conductors or components include
nanometer thick graphene, which suffer less dissipation loss, thus
reducing heat of the chip set and reducing the drain on power
supply 234, as well as providing faster conduction and more
reliable operation and smaller and lighter chip sets.
[0065] FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates an example process
for the chip set of FIG. 2C, according to one embodiment. In one
embodiment, the chip set 220 performs the process 300 and is
implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and
a memory as shown in FIG. 7. Although methods are depicted in FIG.
3, and subsequent flow charts in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, as integral
steps in a particular order for purposes of illustration, in other
embodiments, one or more steps, or portions thereof, are performed
in a different order, or overlapping in time, in series or in
parallel, or are omitted, or one or more additional steps are
added, or the method is changed in some combination of ways.
[0066] In step 301, analog electrical signals from two electrodes
are buffered to match impedances to 1 kilo ohm. In step 303, DC
offsets are removed from the two analog signals from the two
electrodes. In step 305, common mode noise is rejected and the
noise-reduced analog signal is amplified, e.g., in a differential
amplifier. In step 307 the analog filter is band passed, e.g.,
passing the 0.25 to 40 Hz frequencies. In some embodiments that use
only beta and theta brain waves, the band passed frequency range is
about four (4) to about twenty (20) Hz. This removes high frequency
noise that would be aliased into the digital data in an ADC, if not
removed before digitization. This also removes a high energy peak,
at 50 or 60 Hz, which would remain in the noise-reduced data due to
the strong residual contribution at one of the power line
frequencies. In step 309, the noise reduced, band passed analog
signal is amplified to drive the transmitter to reach design
transmission ranges. In step 311, the amplified analog signal is
converted transmitted wirelessly. In some embodiments, the analog
signal is converted to digital data during step 311 and transmitted
as digital data in a fraction of the time in one or more data
packets.
[0067] In some embodiments, one or more of steps 303, 305, 307 and
309 is omitted from the chip set 220 and performed at the analyzer
120. In such embodiments, during step 311, analog data for each of
the two analog signals is transmitted on a corresponding one of two
separate channels, e.g., as frequency modulated or amplitude
modulated signals on two different carrier frequencies.
[0068] Thus, method 300 includes at least, during step 301,
determining a first electroencephalogram potential temporal trace
at an active electrode in contact with a first position on a
subject and determining a second electroencephalogram potential
temporal trace at a reference electrode in contact with a different
second position on the subject. In some embodiments, each of the
active electrode and reference electrode comprises a safe metal
coated copper-beryllium alloy core, and each of the active
electrode and reference electrode is disposed in a corresponding
position on a headband. Step 301 includes determining, in a chip
set disposed in the headband, two analog temporal traces based on
the first electroencephalogram potential temporal trace and the
second electroencephalogram potential temporal trace. Step 311
includes transmitting, from the chip set disposed in the headband,
data that indicates the analog signal temporal trace or traces.
[0069] In some embodiments, steps 303, 305, 307 and 309 are
included, and step 305 includes determining, in a chip set disposed
in the headband, one analog signal temporal trace (e.g.,
differential amplifier output) based on the first
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace and the second
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace. In these
embodiments, determining the analog signal temporal trace further
comprises determining a common mode noise reduced difference
between the first electroencephalogram potential temporal trace and
the second electroencephalogram potential temporal trace in a
frequency band from at least about four (4) Hertz to at least about
twenty (20) Hertz, comprising beta brain waves and theta brain
waves. If a wider band pass is used in step 307, in some
embodiments, then the analog signal temporal trace indicates a
common mode noise reduced difference between the first
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace and the second
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace in a frequency band
from about one quarter (0.25) Hertz to at least about forty (40)
Hertz, comprising alpha brain waves, beta brain waves, delta brain
waves and theta brain waves.
[0070] FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates an example process
400 for the analyzing unit (analyzer 120) of FIG. 1A, according to
one embodiment. In one embodiment, the analyzer 120 performs the
process 400 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set
including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 7 or a general
purpose computer as shown in FIG. 6 or mobile terminal as depicted
in FIG. 8. In step 401 the signals transmitted from the chip set
220 are received. For example, the digital data indicating the
noise reduced, band passed, amplified analog signals are received.
In some embodiments, the two analog signals are received and those
are common mode noise reduced by differential amplifier and band
passed and amplified and digitized in step 401.
[0071] In step 403, the digital signal time series is divided into
two or more frequency bands corresponding to one or more of the
brain wave frequency bands. For example, in some embodiments the
digital series is passed through two or more pass bands; or the
power density in two or more bands is determined using digital
Fourier analysis, such as with a digital Fast Fourier Transform
(FFT) well known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, the
strength of the beta brain wave band is represented by the power
determined for a frequency band from 13 to 19 Hz. Similarly, the
strength of the theta brain wave band is represented by the power
determined for a frequency band from 4 to 7 Hz.
[0072] In step 405 a score is based on the strength or peak
frequency of the target band. For example, a score is determined
based on the total power density in the two bands, or the ratio of
either, or the sum, to a different band, such as the alpha band
represented by power density in the frequency band from 8 to 12 Hz,
or the frequency of a strongest peak in a brain wave frequency
band, in various embodiments. For example, in the experimental
embodiment described above, if the subject was focusing, and the
beta values were in the desired range (peak amplitude between 14-20
Hz), and the theta activity was in the desired range (a peak
amplitude between 4-7 Hz), obstacle bars on the game would become
smaller, enabling a little vehicle on the screen to travel along a
road on the screen. The more the subject focused and demonstrated a
peak value approaching a value of 6 Hz in the target theta band and
a value of 17 Hz in the target beta band, the vehicle travelled at
the same speed but with fewer obstacles on the road. Furthermore,
if the desired ideal state maintained itself because of the
subject's focus, for more than 5 seconds continuum, the vehicle
would acquire glow, which is an operant conditioning reinforcer, a
positive response of the program to the subject, letting the
subject know that this is the desired mind state.
[0073] In step 407, a magnitude of a stimulus to be presented to
the subject is determined based on the score. For example, for a
score over a particular threshold value, a game playing subject 190
is rewarded with a treasure or superpower. In step 409, the
stimulus determined in step 407 is caused to be presented to the
subject, e.g., by sending to the user interface module 132. In some
embodiments, step 407 and 409 are performed by the interface server
134.
[0074] In step 411, data indicating the subject, time, score or
magnitude of the stimulus, or some combination, is sent to the web
server 142 for remote access by other users, such as a therapist
using web client 144.
[0075] Thus, step 401 includes receiving wirelessly data that
indicates an analog signal temporal trace based on a first
electroencephalogram potential temporal trace of a subject and a
different second electroencephalogram potential temporal trace of
the subject. Step 403 includes determining, based on the data, at
least a first frequency band and a different second frequency band
selected from a group comprising an alpha brain wave band, a beta
brain wave band, a delta brain wave band and a theta brain wave
band. Step 405 includes determining a score based on a strength of
the first frequency band and a strength of the second frequency
band. Sending the score to the interface server is one way of
causing a stimulus to be presented to the subject based at least in
part on the score, as occurs in steps 407 and 409 at the interface
server 134 in some embodiments.
[0076] By sending data that indicates the subject, time, score, or
the magnitude of the stimulus, or some combination to web server
142, step 411 includes causing the signal analyzing unit 120 to
cause data that indicates the subject and the score to be made
available to a client host 144.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates an example process
500 for the web server 142 of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment.
In one embodiment, the web server 142 performs the process 500 and
is implemented in, for instance, a general purpose computer as
shown in FIG. 6.
[0078] In step 501, the web server 142 receives and stores data
that indicates the subject, the time, the score or the magnitude of
the stimulus, or some combination. In step 503, one or more
statistics of subject training are derived based on the sent data,
such as percent improvement in attention, or correlation of percent
change with the magnitude of the stimulus, or time of day, or
elapsed time since powering up the headset 110.
[0079] In step 505 it is determined if a request message is
received from an authorized user, such as a therapist of the
subject. If not, control passes back to step 501 to receive and
store more data. If a request message is received, then in step 507
the user is authenticated, if not already authenticated, and an
answer for the request is determined and sent to the web client 144
operated by the authorized user, such as the therapist.
[0080] The processes described herein for attention training may be
advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a
combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For
example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously
implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip,
an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for
performing the described functions is detailed below.
[0081] FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system 600 upon which an
embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer
system 600 is depicted with respect to a particular device or
equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment
(e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 6 can deploy
the illustrated hardware and components of system 600. Computer
system 600 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or
instructions) as described herein and includes a communication
mechanism such as a bus 610 for passing information between other
internal and external components of the computer system 600.
Information (also called data) is represented as a physical
expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages,
but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic,
electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic,
sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south
magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent
two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can
represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple
simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum
bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital
data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In
some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by
a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range.
Computer system 600, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for
performing one or more steps as described herein.
[0082] A bus 610 includes one or more parallel conductors of
information so that information is transferred quickly among
devices coupled to the bus 610. One or more processors 602 for
processing information are coupled with the bus 610.
[0083] A processor (or multiple processors) 602 performs a set of
operations on information as specified by computer program code
related as described herein. The computer program code is a set of
instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation
of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified
functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer
programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set
of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the
native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of
operations include bringing information in from the bus 610 and
placing information on the bus 610. The set of operations also
typically include comparing two or more units of information,
shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or
more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or
logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each
operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the
processor is represented to the processor by information called
instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A
sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 602, such as
a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions,
also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer
instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical,
electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components,
among others, alone or in combination.
[0084] Computer system 600 also includes a memory 604 coupled to
bus 610. The memory 604, such as a random access memory (RAM) or
any other dynamic storage device, stores information including
processor instructions for steps as described herein. Dynamic
memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the
computer system 600. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a
location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved
independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory
604 is also used by the processor 602 to store temporary values
during execution of processor instructions. The computer system 600
also includes a read only memory (ROM) 606 or any other static
storage device coupled to the bus 610 for storing static
information, including instructions, that is not changed by the
computer system 600. Some memory is composed of volatile storage
that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also
coupled to bus 610 is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device
608, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for
storing information, including instructions, that persists even
when the computer system 600 is turned off or otherwise loses
power.
[0085] Information, including instructions for steps as described
herein, is provided to the bus 610 for use by the processor from an
external input device 612, such as a keyboard containing
alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor
detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections
into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon
used to represent information in computer system 600. Other
external devices coupled to bus 610, used primarily for interacting
with humans, include a display device 614, such as a cathode ray
tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode
(LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, or a
printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 616,
such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion
sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image
presented on the display 614 and issuing commands associated with
graphical elements presented on the display 614. In some
embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer
system 600 performs all functions automatically without human
input, one or more of external input device 612, display device 614
and pointing device 616 is omitted.
[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware,
such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 620, is
coupled to bus 610. The special purpose hardware is configured to
perform operations not performed by processor 602 quickly enough
for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics
accelerator cards for generating images for display 614,
cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent
over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special
external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning
equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of
operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.
[0087] Computer system 600 also includes one or more instances of a
communications interface 670 coupled to bus 610. Communication
interface 670 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling
to a variety of external devices that operate with their own
processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In
general the coupling is with a network link 678 that is connected
to a local network 680 to which a variety of external devices with
their own processors are connected. For example, communication
interface 670 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a
universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some
embodiments, communications interface 670 is an integrated services
digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card
or a telephone modem that provides an information communication
connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some
embodiments, a communication interface 670 is a cable modem that
converts signals on bus 610 into signals for a communication
connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a
communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another
example, communications interface 670 may be a local area network
(LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a
compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be
implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 670
sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic
or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals,
that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example,
in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell
phones, the communications interface 670 includes a radio band
electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio
transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface
670 enables connection to the communication network 105 for one or
more steps as described herein to the UE 101.
[0088] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any medium that participates in providing information to processor
602, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take
many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage
medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission
media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include,
for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 608.
Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 604.
Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables,
coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves
that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic
waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and
infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in
amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical
properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms
of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper
tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns
of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an
EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory
chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a
computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is
used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except
transmission media.
[0089] Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or
both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media
and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 620.
[0090] Network link 678 typically provides information
communication using transmission media through one or more networks
to other devices that use or process the information. For example,
network link 678 may provide a connection through local network 680
to a host computer 682 or to equipment 684 operated by an Internet
Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 684 in turn provides data
communication services through the public, world-wide
packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly
referred to as the Internet 690.
[0091] A computer called a server host 692 connected to the
Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to
information received over the Internet. For example, server host
692 hosts a process that provides information representing video
data for presentation at display 614. It is contemplated that the
components of system 600 can be deployed in various configurations
within other computer systems, e.g., host 682 and server 692.
[0092] At least some embodiments of the invention are related to
the use of computer system 600 for implementing some or all of the
techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the
invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 600 in
response to processor 602 executing one or more sequences of one or
more processor instructions contained in memory 604. Such
instructions, also called computer instructions, software and
program code, may be read into memory 604 from another
computer-readable medium such as storage device 608 or network link
678. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory
604 causes processor 602 to perform one or more of the method steps
described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as
ASIC 620, may be used in place of or in combination with software
to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are
not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software,
unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.
[0093] The signals transmitted over network link 678 and other
networks through communications interface 670, carry information to
and from computer system 600. Computer system 600 can send and
receive information, including program code, through the networks
680, 690 among others, through network link 678 and communications
interface 670. In an example using the Internet 690, a server host
692 transmits program code for a particular application, requested
by a message sent from computer 600, through Internet 690, ISP
equipment 684, local network 680 and communications interface 670.
The received code may be executed by processor 602 as it is
received, or may be stored in memory 604 or in storage device 608
or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In
this manner, computer system 600 may obtain application program
code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.
[0094] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to
processor 602 for execution. For example, instructions and data may
initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such
as host 682. The remote computer loads the instructions and data
into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a
telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system
600 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses
an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a
signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link
678. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 670
receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal
and places information representing the instructions and data onto
bus 610. Bus 610 carries the information to memory 604 from which
processor 602 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of
the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data
received in memory 604 may optionally be stored on storage device
608, either before or after execution by the processor 602.
[0095] FIG. 7 illustrates a chip set or chip 700 upon which an
embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 700 is
programmed to perform one or more steps as described herein and
includes, for instance, the processor and memory components
described with respect to FIG. 6 incorporated in one or more
physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical
package includes an arrangement of one or more materials,
components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a
baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical
strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical
interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the
chip set 700 can be implemented in a single chip. It is further
contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip 700
can be implemented as a single "system on a chip." It is further
contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not
be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed
herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or
chip 700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing
one or more steps of providing user interface navigation
information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set
or chip 700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for
performing one or more steps as described herein.
[0096] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 700 includes a
communication mechanism such as a bus 701 for passing information
among the components of the chip set 700. A processor 703 has
connectivity to the bus 701 to execute instructions and process
information stored in, for example, a memory 705. The processor 703
may include one or more processing cores with each core configured
to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables
multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a
multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers
of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor
703 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem
via the bus 701 to enable independent execution of instructions,
pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 703 may also be
accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform
certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital
signal processors (DSP) 707, or one or more application-specific
integrated circuits (ASIC) 709. A DSP 707 typically is configured
to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time
independently of the processor 703. Similarly, an ASIC 709 can be
configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed
by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components
to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may
include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not
shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other
special-purpose computer chips.
[0097] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 700 includes merely
one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting
and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors.
[0098] The processor 703 and accompanying components have
connectivity to the memory 705 via the bus 701. The memory 705
includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable
optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for
storing executable instructions that when executed perform the
inventive steps described herein. The memory 705 also stores the
data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive
steps.
[0099] FIG. 8 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile
terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of
operating in the system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. In
some embodiments, mobile terminal 801, or a portion thereof,
constitutes a means for performing one or more steps described
herein. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of
front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the
receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry
whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing
circuitry. As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers
to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations
in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations
of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable
to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s),
including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies)
that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or
server, to perform various functions). This definition of
"circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application,
including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this
application and if applicable to the particular context, the term
"circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a
processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying
software/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover if
applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband
integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in
a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular
network device or other network devices.
[0100] Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a
Main Control Unit (MCU) 803, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 805,
and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control
unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit 807
provides a display to the user in support of various applications
and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps as
described herein. The display 807 includes display circuitry
configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the
mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display
807 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control
of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio
function circuitry 809 includes a microphone 811 and microphone
amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the
microphone 811. The amplified speech signal output from the
microphone 811 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 813.
[0101] A radio section 815 amplifies power and converts frequency
in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a
mobile communication system, via antenna 817. The power amplifier
(PA) 819 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally
responsive to the MCU 803, with an output from the PA 819 coupled
to the duplexer 821 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in
the art. The PA 819 also couples to a battery interface and power
control unit 820.
[0102] In use, a user of mobile terminal 801 speaks into the
microphone 811 and his or her voice along with any detected
background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog
voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog
to Digital Converter (ADC) 823. The control unit 803 routes the
digital signal into the DSP 805 for processing therein, such as
speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In
one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units
not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such
as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet
radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications
(GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal
mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other
suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term
Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA),
wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity
(WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.
[0103] The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 825 for
compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur
during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude
distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 827
combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface
829. The modulator 827 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or
phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission,
an up-converter 831 combines the sine wave output from the
modulator 827 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 833
to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is
then sent through a PA 819 to increase the signal to an appropriate
power level. In practical systems, the PA 819 acts as a variable
gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 805 from
information received from a network base station. The signal is
then filtered within the duplexer 821 and optionally sent to an
antenna coupler 835 to match impedances to provide maximum power
transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 817 to a
local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied
to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The
signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may
be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a
land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN),
or other telephony networks.
[0104] Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 801 are
received via antenna 817 and immediately amplified by a low noise
amplifier (LNA) 837. A down-converter 839 lowers the carrier
frequency while the demodulator 841 strips away the RF leaving only
a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer
825 and is processed by the DSP 805. A Digital to Analog Converter
(DAC) 843 converts the signal and the resulting output is
transmitted to the user through the speaker 845, all under control
of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 803 which can be implemented as a
Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).
[0105] The MCU 803 receives various signals including input signals
from the keyboard 847. The keyboard 847 and/or the MCU 803 in
combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone
811) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input.
The MCU 803 runs a user interface software to facilitate user
control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 801 as
described herein. The MCU 803 also delivers a display command and a
switch command to the display 807 and to the speech output
switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 803 exchanges
information with the DSP 805 and can access an optionally
incorporated SIM card 849 and a memory 851. In addition, the MCU
803 executes various control functions required of the terminal.
The DSP 805 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of
a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice
signals. Additionally, DSP 805 determines the background noise
level of the local environment from the signals detected by
microphone 811 and sets the gain of microphone 811 to a level
selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the
mobile terminal 801.
[0106] The CODEC 813 includes the ADC 823 and DAC 843. The memory
851 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is
capable of storing other data including music data received via,
e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM
memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable
storage medium known in the art. The memory device 851 may be, but
not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical
storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other
non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.
[0107] An optionally incorporated SIM card 849 carries, for
instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number,
the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security
information. The SIM card 849 serves primarily to identify the
mobile terminal 801 on a radio network. The card 849 also contains
a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text
messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.
[0108] While the invention has been described in connection with a
number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so
limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent
arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.
Although features of the invention are expressed in certain
combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these
features can be arranged in any combination and order.
* * * * *