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US5788648:
Electroencephalographic apparatus for exploring responses to quantified stimuli

Inventor(s):
Nadel; Eric Tab , Miami, FL

Applicant(s):
Quantum Interference Devices, Inc., Miami, FL

Issued/Filed Dates: Aug. 4, 1998 / March 4, 1997

Application Number: US199700081211

Abstract:
An electroencephalographic apparatus for exploring a person's response to external stimuli, which includes electroencephalographic sensing apparatus for sensing brainwave signals from the person; stimulating apparatus for generating the stimuli; and processing apparatus having at least a first input operative for receiving the brainwave signals, at least a second input for monitoring the stimuli; the processing apparatus including computing apparatus operative for computing a correlation quotient of the brainwave signals and the stimuli.

I claim:
1. Electroencephalographic apparatus for exploring a person's response to external stimuli, comprising: electroencephalographic sensing means for sensing brainwave signals from the person; stimulating means for generating the stimuli; processing means having at least a first input operative for receiving said brainwave signals, at least a second input for monitoring said stimuli; said processing means including computing means operative for computing a correlation quotient of said brainwave signals and said stimuli, said processing means including a microprocessor, and a memory coupled to said processor for storing processing programs for said microprocessor; a Fourier algorithm stored in the memory for transforming said brainwave signals into Fourier signals, said Fourier algorithm being a fast Fourier algorithm; further including a correlation quotient transform stored in said memory for generating a correlation coefficient between said brainwave signals and said stimuli; and an encryption algorithm stored in said memory for encrypting said correlation coefficient.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electroencephalographic sensing means include brainwave signals sensing means coupled to the person's brain, amplifying means coupled to said brainwave signals, and means for amplifying and conditioning said brainwaves for entry to said processing means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said stimulating means include quantizing means for quantizing said stimuli.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said stimuli include at least one of visual, oral, tactile, acoustic and olfactory stimuli.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said quantizing means include a quantifier having an output coupled to said processing means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said brainwave signals is divided into phases including an early phase before receipt of said stimuli, and a later phase following said stimuli, and wherein said correlation transform algorithm is operative for generating an auto-correlation coefficient based on said correlation between said early and said later phase.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further including data transmission means for transmitting said correlation factor to a receiving entity spaced apart from said processing means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a data base in said memory for storing computing data for said microprocessor.

Background/Summary:
The invention relates to electroencephalographic apparatus aimed at exploring a person's reactions and responses as expressed in the person's brainwave signals in response to various external quantifiable stimuli. In particular the invention is directed to generating such responses in quantified format and to generate correlation coefficients between the stimuli and the responses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A considerable amount of research has been undertaken in exploring the nature and significance of human brainwaves, as they can be studied by sensitive electronic sensing devices.

Encephalographic devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,068, which relates to an encephalographic activated control system, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,368, which describes methods and apparatus for entraining human brain patterns by means of frequency following response techniques. In this reference, in one embodiment, a plurality of electroencephalographic wave forms characteristic of a given state of consciousness, are combined to yield an electroencephalographic waveform to which subjects may be susceptible. U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,899 shows examples of different brainwaves.

From the prior art it is known that human brain wave signals can be resolved into so-called alpha-waves, beta-waves, delta-waves and so forth, and that each react differently in response to external stimuli, such as light, sounds, smells, tactile stimuli, etc.

Applicant, however, is unaware of earlier explorations directed to the object of correlating quantitatively any connection between external stimuli and the brainwave responses of a human brain. In this context the range of interest is especially directed to the domain of quantifying a relation between various phases of external stimuli and resulting brain waves, but not limited to responses to quantifiable stimuli that can be expressed and measured quantitatively.

The invention is by extension also directed to the domain of quantifying a so-called auto-correlation between various phases of application of external stimuli.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to the art of expanding the art of exploring and analyzing a person's responses to stimuli, i.e. stimulations applied in the form of quantifiable stimuli including, but not limited to, external stimuli in the form of any one of and combinations of oral, visual, tactile, acoustic and/or olfactory stimuli. In accordance with the invention, there is provided electroencephalographic apparatus for exploring a person's response to external stimuli, which includes electroencephalographic sensing apparatus for sensing brainwave signals from the person; stimulating apparatus for generating the stimuli; and processing apparatus having at least a first input operative for receiving the brainwave signals, at least a second input for monitoring the stimuli; the processing apparatus including computing apparatus operative for computing a correlation quotient of the brainwave signals and the stimuli.

According to a further feature of the invention the electroencephalographic sensing apparatus includes brainwave signal sensing apparatus coupled to the person's brain, and amplifying apparatus coupled to the brainwave signal sensing apparatus for amplifying and conditioning the brainwaves for entry to the processing apparatus.

According to another feature, the apparatus according to the invention includes stimulating apparatus having quantizing apparatus for quantizing the stimuli, wherein further the stimuli include at least one of visual, oral, tactile, acoustic and olfactory stimuli.

According to an additional feature, the quantizing apparatus includes a quantifier having an output coupled to the processing apparatus, wherein the processing apparatus includes a microprocessor, and a memory coupled to the processor for storing processing programs for the microprocessor.

Again, according to another feature a Fourier algorithm is stored in the memory for transforming the brainwave signal into a Fourier signal, wherein the Fourier algorithm can be a fast Fourier algorithm.

According to a still further feature, the apparatus according to the invention provides a correlation transform stored in the memory for generating a correlation coefficient between the brainwave signal and the stimuli. The apparatus according to the invention may further include an encryption algorithm stored in the memory for encrypting the correlation coefficient.

In the inventive apparatus, the brainwave signal can be divided into phases including an early phase before receipt of the stimuli, and a later phase following the stimuli, and the correlation transform algorithm may be operative for generating an auto-correlation coefficient based on the correlation between the early and the later phases.

The invention may further include data transmission apparatus for transmitting the correlation factor to a receiving entity spaced apart from the processing apparatus, and a data base in the memory for storing computing data for the microprocessor.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.