Sélection de la langue

Search

Sommaire du brevet 2724689 

Énoncé de désistement de responsabilité concernant l'information provenant de tiers

Une partie des informations de ce site Web a été fournie par des sources externes. Le gouvernement du Canada n'assume aucune responsabilité concernant la précision, l'actualité ou la fiabilité des informations fournies par les sources externes. Les utilisateurs qui désirent employer cette information devraient consulter directement la source des informations. Le contenu fourni par les sources externes n'est pas assujetti aux exigences sur les langues officielles, la protection des renseignements personnels et l'accessibilité.

Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

L'apparition de différences dans le texte et l'image des Revendications et de l'Abrégé dépend du moment auquel le document est publié. Les textes des Revendications et de l'Abrégé sont affichés :

  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Demande de brevet: (11) CA 2724689
(54) Titre français: PROCEDE ET SYSTEME POUR FOURNIR A UN UTILISATEUR UNE STIMULATION COGNITIVE ADAPTATIVE A BASE DE REGLES
(54) Titre anglais: A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ADAPTIVE RULE BASED COGNITIVE STIMULATION TO A USER
Statut: Réputée abandonnée et au-delà du délai pour le rétablissement - en attente de la réponse à l’avis de communication rejetée
Données bibliographiques
(51) Classification internationale des brevets (CIB):
  • A61B 5/16 (2006.01)
  • A61B 5/1171 (2016.01)
  • G9B 7/04 (2006.01)
(72) Inventeurs :
  • ROBINSON, JERRY (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
  • WU, MELINDA (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
  • MICHEL, DAN (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(73) Titulaires :
  • DAKIM, INC.
(71) Demandeurs :
  • DAKIM, INC. (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(74) Agent: NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT CANADA LLP/S.E.N.C.R.L., S.R.L.
(74) Co-agent:
(45) Délivré:
(86) Date de dépôt PCT: 2008-02-04
(87) Mise à la disponibilité du public: 2009-08-13
Requête d'examen: 2013-01-08
Licence disponible: S.O.
Cédé au domaine public: S.O.
(25) Langue des documents déposés: Anglais

Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT): Oui
(86) Numéro de la demande PCT: PCT/US2008/052951
(87) Numéro de publication internationale PCT: US2008052951
(85) Entrée nationale: 2010-11-17

(30) Données de priorité de la demande: S.O.

Abrégés

Abrégé français

L'invention porte sur un procédé et sur un système pour fournir une stimulation cognitive évolutive, hautement variable, en continu et à long terme sur un spectre large de domaines cognitifs. On présente à l'utilisateur une série d'activités audio/visuelles de divertissement personnalisées pour l'utilisateur, sur la base de l'expérience de vie de l'utilisateur et du niveau cognitif, chaque activité fournissant une stimulation dans un ou plusieurs domaines cognitifs. Les activités elles-mêmes et leurs niveaux de défi peuvent changer, en temps réel, sur à la fois le court et le long terme, variant par rapport aux structures de réponse d'utilisateur d'historique et en cours, créant une expérience qui reste engageante, avec une utilisation en continu, sur une période de mois ou d'années.


Abrégé anglais


A method and system for providing evolving, highly variable, long-term on-
going cognitive stimulation over a
broad spectrum of cognitive domains. The user is presented with a series of
entertaining audio/visual activities customized for the
user, based on the user's life experience and cognitive level, each activity
providing stimulation in one or more cognitive domains.
The activities themselves and their level of challenge may change, in real
time, over both the short- and the long term, varying in
relation to current and historical user response patterns, creating an
experience that remains engaging, with on-going use, over a
period of months or years.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing adaptive rule base.d cognitive stimulation to a
user,
comprising the. steps of:
providing a query to identify a user;
providing the identified users demographic. data from a
demographic data base;
providing the user's cognitive profile based upon the user's
demographic data;
establishing a stimulation protocol based upon a hierarchy of
predefined rules and the user's cognitive profile;
providing, a stimulus based upon the stimulation protocol;
evaluating the response to the stimulus; and
providing user feedback indicative of-the evaluated response.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a query to identify a
user comprises the steps of:
taking a current photograph of the user;
utilizing a biometric identification process for comparing the current
photograph With a stored inventory of user photographs; and
requesting confirmation in the event that a successful photograph
comparison occurs.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of repeating the steps
of claim 2 no greater than a pre-determined number of times or until a
successful photograph match occurs, which ever comes first.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising, utilizing a keyboard, the step of
providing user identification in the event that no successful photograph
occurs.
31

5. The method of claim 1 comprising utilizing at least the user's name, birth
date, country of origin, first and subsequent languages spoken, residence
history, hobbies, vacation history, interest areas, family member names
and relationship to the user, vision and hearing limitations, if any, in
providing the users demographic data.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of updating the user's
cognitive profile based upon the users response for the stimulus.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of providing a stimulus comprises
the step of providing interactive presentations in a predetermined
hierarchy comprising the steps of:
presenting a show;
presenting at least one session contained within the show; and
presenting at least one event contained within the session, said
show comprising the sessions presented in at least one complete
performance of said method, said session comprising all the events
presented in a single complete performance of said method, said session
utilizing the users cognitive profile updated based upon.user past
responses to stimuli, said event comprising at least one user stimulus-
response interaction for at least maintaining and improving the user's
cognitive profile.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of presenting an event comprises
the step of utilizing a screen for visual interface with the user and
utilizing
speakers or headphones for audible interface with the user.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of presenting an event comprises
presenting a stimulus selected from the group consisting of: providing a
demographic questionnaire, providing orientation on use of the method,
32

providing an audio/visual presentation on the level of success from the
users last performance of the method, providing information regarding
current events, providing a query requiring a single response; providing an
event in story format involving at least one stimulus-response interaction;
providing an event in a puzzle format for user solution; providing an event
designed to lead a user through physical exercises; providing an
audio/visual presentation for improving the users'state of mind, outlook,
disposition or motivation; and an audio/visual presentation for solely
entertainment purposes.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:
presenting at least one selectable category, each category
representing different subject matter,
presenting an audio/visual presentation related to the selected
category;
presenting a plurality of queries related to the audio/visual
presentation,
said queries posing interrogative expressions related to said audio/visual
presentation, said interrogative expressions having a level of difficulty
based upon the user's cognitive profile,
evaluating the response to the query;
acknowledging success in the selection of the correct interrogative
expression; and
requesting an alternate selection of an interrogative expression in
the event of the selection of an incorrect expression.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of removing the
selected incorrect interrogative expression from available choices until
either only the correct interrogative expression remains or the correct
interrogative expression has been selected, whichever occurs first.
33

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of adjusting the
user's
cognitive profile as a function of the level of success in the selection of
the
correct interrogative expressions.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:
measuring the time difference between the occurrence of
presenting the queries and the response thereto;
comparing said time difference to a predetermined value;
prompting a response upon the occurrence of the predetermined
value;
after a predetermined time, issuing a subsequent prompt upon the
failure of responding to a prior prompt; and
repeating issuing a subsequent prompt and terminating the current
presentation after a predetermined number of prompts.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of providing a
different
presentation upon the termination of the current presentation.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of providing a less
difficult presentation upon the termination of the current presentation.
16. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of increasing the level
of challenge of the queries in a presentation upon the successful selection
of all interrogative, expressions in such presentation within a
predetermined length of time.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of updating the user's
cognitive profile based upon the successful selection of all interrogative
expressions in such presentation within a predetermined length of time.
34

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of selecting
subsequent presentations in accordance with the user's updated cognitive
profile.
19. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of acknowledging includes the
step of providing an audio or visual presentation having non-challenging
entertainment and positive feedback value as a reward for successful user
performance.
20. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of evaluating further comprises
the step of determining whether said responses are consistent with the.
user's current cognitive profile and providing an.alert in the event that it
is
determined that said responses are indicative of a decline in a user's
performance greater than a predetermined amount.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of providing the alert
to a remote observer.
22. A method of providing adaptive rule based cognitive stimulation during a
stimulation session to a user having cognitive profiles defined for a
plurality of.cognitive domains, said stimulation session comprising at least
one event contained within the session, a cognitive domain contained
within the event, at least one event type contained within the cognitive
domain and at least one event subtype contained within the at least one
event type, said method comprising the steps of:
selecting an event, an event type and an event subtype in
accordance with a plurality of predefined rules in a hierarchy; and
establishing a stimulation protocol based upon the hierarchy of
predefined rules and the users cognitive profile.
35

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of selecting a
cognitive
domain from the group consisting of: long term memory, short term
memory, language, visuospatial skills and critical thinking.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein said.at least one event is related to a
specific selectable special interest area (SIA) such that selection of an SIA
precludes cognitive stimulation in areas other than the selected SIA.
25. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of utilizing at least
one
temporal rule configured for selecting the event types and the times of
occurrence thereof during a stimulation session.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step utilizing said temporal rules
further comprises the steps of:
providing orientation to the user regarding the selected event types;
and
providing positive reinforcement to the user at the termination of a
stimulation session.
27. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of utilizing at lest
one
frequency rule configured for selecting the number of occurrences of each
event type during a stimulation session, providing thereby a plurality of
different event types presented in varying order.
28. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of utilizing at least
one
post event subtype (PEST) rule configured for specifying a subsequent
event subtype following the presentation of a prior event subtype.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein, following a challenging cognitively
stimulating event subtype, the step of specifying a subsequent event
subtype comprises the step of selecting a rewarding event comprising
36

reminiscence selected from the group consisting of music, film clips,
congratulatory presentations and encouragement presentations.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein each rule associated with an event
includes a minimum starting event count(MSEC) value and wherein a total
event count (TEC) comprises the number of events presented to a user in
a session, further comprising the step of eliminating from contention for
application, all rules with a MSEC greater than the TEC.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein each rule associated with an event
includes a number of events since a last rule application (NESLRA) count
and wherein a rules minimum occurrence (RMO) count comprises a
minimum number of rules applied, further comprising the step of
eliminating from contention for application all rules with a RMO count
greater than the NESLRA count.
32. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of eliminating from
contention for application all rules designating events whose difficulty level
is not commensurate with the user's current cognitive profile.
33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of sorting rules not
eliminated from contention for application comprising:
sorting in descending order, the rules by NESLRA;
sorting in ascending order, the rules by RMO;
sorting in ascending order by sequence number, the rules in a
sequence, identified by such sequence number; and
applying the first rule determined from said ordered sort, to identify
a next event for presentation.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein identifying the next event to be
presented further comprises the steps of:
37

utilizing the user's current level of cognitive ability;
utilizing the last event presented to the user; and
utilizing the user's demographic profile and SIA.
35. A method of providing adaptive rule based cognitive stimulation during a
stimulation session to a. user having. cognitive profiles defined for a
plurality of cognitive domains, said stimulation- session comprising a
plurality events contained within a session, said plurality of events being
presented to a user in a sequence established by said rules, said events
including at least one query, wherein for each domain said method
comprises the steps of:
presenting a plurality of queries to a user for response thereby;
evaluating the number of correct and incorrect responses to said
queries;
based upon said evaluation, determining the level of difficulty of
said queries; and
adjusting the level of difficulty of subsequent queries as a function
of said evaluation.
36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of increasing the level
of difficulty of a subsequent query upon the occurrence of a consecutive
number of correct responses being equal to a predetermined number.
37. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of decreasing the level
of difficulty of a subsequent query upon the occurrence of a number of
incorrect responses being equal to a predetermined number.
38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of reducing the
number of incorrect responses by one upon the occurrence of the number
of consecutive correct responses being equal to a predetermined number.
38

39. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of reducing the level
of
difficulty of queries in all domains upon the occurrence of the number of
incorrect responses in a predetermined number of domains being equal to
a predetermined number.
40. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of increasing the level
of difficulty of queries in all domains upon the occurrence of the number of
correct responses in a predetermined number of domains being equal to a
predetermined number.
41. The method of claim 35, wherein said cognitive profiles define an initial
cognitive ability of said user, said method further comprising the step of
adjusting the cognitive ability of said user in accordance with the
evaluation of the user's responses to said queries.
42. A system for providing adaptive rule based cognitive stimulation to a user
comprising:
a stimulation device adapted to present a plurality of queries to the
user, said queries having an initial level of difficulty in a selected
cognitive
domain;
a response device adapted to receive the user's responses to said
queries;
an evaluation device adapted to evaluate the user's responses to
said queries, said evaluation device further adapted to adjust the level of
difficulty of,said queries commensurate with the user's cognitive ability;
and
audio/visual interactive display means for presenting queries to and
receiving responses from said user.
43. The system of claim 42 wherein said stimulation device establishes the
initial level of query difficulty and an initial cognitive ability of the
user.
39

44. The system of claim 43 wherein the stimulation device comprises means
for utilizing demographic information comprising the user's birth date,
gender, language, culture, education, profession, and personal
preferences, said means further utilizing the user's cognitive information
comprising short term memory, long term memory, calculation,
visuospatial and critical thinking to establish the user's initial cognitive
ability.
45. The system of claim 44 wherein the evaluation device is adapted to adjust
the level of difficulty of subsequent queries in a selected cognitive domain
as a function of the number and sequence of correct responses to prior
queries in such selected cognitive domain.
46. The system of claim 45 wherein the evaluation device is adapted to adjust
the user's cognitive ability in a selected cognitive domain as a function of
the number and sequence of correct responses to prior queries, in such
selected cognitive domain.
47. The system of claim 45 wherein the evaluation device is adapted to utilize
a rule based protocol to adjust the level of difficulty of the queries and the
order of presentation of such queries.
48. The system of claim 45 wherein the stimulation device is adapted to
provide congratulatory feedback to the user via said display means upon
receipt of a correct response and conciliatory positive reinforcement and
encouragement upon receipt of an incorrect response in order to maintain
and/or increase the user's self esteem and self confidence.
49. A system for providing rule based cognitive stimulation to a user,
comprising:
40

means for determining and recording the user's cognitive ability;
stimulation means for presenting at least one query, having a level
of difficulty in a cognitive domain, to said user for responses thereby;
evaluation means for providing an evaluation of said responses
relative to said at least one query;
means for adjusting the level of difficulty of subsequent queries
based upon said evaluation and the user's cognitive ability.
50. The system of claim 49 further comprising interactive display means for
presenting a query to the user and receiving the user's response to such
query.
51. The system of claim 49 further comprising means for utilizing a rule based
protocol to adjust the level of difficulty of subsequent queries and the order
of presentation thereof commensurate with the user's recorded cognitive
ability.
52. The system of claim 51,further comprising means for adjusting the user's
recorded cognitive ability based upon the evaluation of the responses to
subsequent queries.
53. The system of claim 52 wherein said stimulation means presents
subsequent queries at a level of difficulty commensurate with the user's
adjusted recorded cognitive ability.
54. The system of claim 53 wherein said cognitive domain comprises a
plurality of cognitive domains and wherein said stimulation means,
presents queries in each of said cognitive domains commensurate with
the user's cognitive ability in each respective one of such cognitive
domains.
41

55. The system of claim -49 further comprising means for identifying a user
commencing use of the system and utilizing such user's last recorded
cognitive ability in the event that said user has previously used said
system.
56. The system of claim 55 wherein said identifying means comprises a
camera for obtaining an image of the user, the system further comprising
means for comparing the image provided by said camera and a stored
data base of images for identifying the user.
42

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ADAPTIVE RULE BASED
COGNITIVE STIMULATION TO A USER
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit under 35. U.S C. 119(e).of
Provisional Application Serial Number 60/748,326, entitled Method and
Apparatus for Providing Cognitive Stimulation..
BACKGROUND OF-THE INVENTION
For the majority of the population, cognitive abilities decline with
increasing age; significantly reducing quality of life. Studies indicate
ongoing
cognitive. stimulation can mitigate this decline. They also suggest that the
degree
of mitigation increases with increased frequency and duration of such
stimulation.
Systems and methods have, been developed to test and train cognitive
abilities. However, these systems make use of simple, repetitive tasks.-as
testing
and training stimuli, such as comparing the.speed of two moving circles
presented on a computer screen as taught in U.S. 'Patent No 6,632,174 to,
Breznetz. Although such tasks may be used to evaluate and train specific low-
level cognitive-abilities, they lack the variability, ecological validity, and
entertainment value necessary to encourage and maintain long-term use and
interest and without long-term use, their real-world therapeutic value is
limited.
Thus, there is a continuing need for endeavors that not only train low-level
cognitive abilities, but do so in a way that is entertaining and relates to
the real
world to encourage long-term use.

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Summary of the Present Invention
Briefly stated, the present disclosure describes an interactive cognitive
stimulation system and method, designed to engage individuals in fun and
challenging cognitive activities and exercises that will improve their quality
of life
and, in the case of non-demented seniors, slow or possibly prevent the onset
of
dementia. To ensure a high level of user interest, and to maximize real world
relation, it engages user's (the term user and patient may be used
interchangeably) in complex and ever-changing interactive, cognitive exercises
which draw on real-world skills and subject-matter, and which are matched to
each user's specific cognitive abilities, background, and interests. To
further
encourage continued and future participation, the format in which the
exercises
are presented is fun, entertaining, and, most importantly, unlike a tedious
and
laborious test.
Before a user's first session, an administrator (typically in an assisted
living or senior care facility) or family member fills out a short "User Data"
questionnaire for that user usually using a web-enabled application. In a
stand-
alone home application, the user-data is entered usually by way of a keyboard,
either a. computer keyboard or a virtual keyboard appearing on a computer
monitor (touch screen). Answers to the questionnaire provide the basis of
obtaining generally two types of information: demographic information and
cognitive information, related exclusively.to the user. An embodiment of the
disclosure (system) uses the demographic information, including such items as
date-of-birth, gender, language, culture, education, profession and likes and
dislikes, to. select appropriate content data from a stored data base,
presenting
the user only activities relevant to his/her background, interests and age.
Cognitive information is. then used to set the initial levels of challenge of
exercises presented to the user in their first. session.
2

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Providing each user with a unique program tailored to his specific abilities,
interests and experience requires the identification of the specific user
prior to the
start of each session. Facial recognition technology has been adapted to
accomplish this, goal. To begin a session, the user sits facing a touch
screen,
presses a. notated button.on the first screen to. commence operation of an
identification process, A button represents a notated or identified portion of
the
screen that the. user contacts to identify his input, selection or response.
This
signals the. built-in digital camera to take the. user's picture. The system
searches
its database for a picture that matches-the user's picture: In the most common
scenario, when a match is found, the user is automatically logged in. In
certain
arrangements,, where for example the system is dedicated solely to a single
user,
normally in a home environment, the mere act of turning the system on,
satisfies
the user identification process.
After confirming the user's identity, the user commences a session. During
the session the user participates in activities and. exercises addressing six
cognitive domains: long-term memory, short-term memory, calculation,
language, visuospatial, and critical thinking, all interacting through the
touch
screen interface. When a user answers a question he/she receives immediate
verbal, audio and video feedback, and voice encouragement.
If a user answers a question, puzzle or game "correctly," the user moves.
on to the next exercise. However, if an answer is "incorrect," the user
receives
encouraging verbal feedback and direction, which eventually results in the
user
being guided. to the correct answer. In this context, it is very important to
appreciate that the user never 'fails' or answers "incorrectly," but rather
nevertheless, receives self esteem supporting positive reinforcement and
encouragement.
If a user does not answer a question within a time representative of his/her
normal response expectation, the user is prompted to "take a guess, if the
user is
3

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
unsure of the correct answer:" If after two prompts, the user still doesn't
respond,
the user is directed to the next exercise after a conciliatory transition,
such as for
example, "This one is really tough. Let's try something else."
If a user consistently misses questions for a particular cognitive domain or
takes an inordinately long time to answer questions, the sequence of inquiries
is
adjusted to give the user easier questions for that.domain. This prevents
feelings
of failure. and frustration that could lead users to quit, but instead,
promotes a
sense of success, building feelings of accomplishment, self-confidence and
self-
esteem. Similarly, if the user answers. all questions for a particular
cognitive
domain correctly and at a fast pace, the inquiries are adjusted to, give the
user
more. difficult questions more appropriate to his/her mental capabilities in
that
domain. Users will often receive non-challenging and entertaining optional
rewards in the form, for example, of a movie or music clip. Over time, the
user in
a care facility environment or those users connected to a central office via
the
internet may also receive, more tangible rewards and acknowledgements of their
accomplishments through the mail.
Throughout the session, the user's response patterns are recorded and
are used to update the user's mental status settings by domain. The mental
status data provides the basis for the system undertakes statistical 'analysis
and
send alerts regarding changes in patterns of user performance. A. significant
decline' in a user's performance (e.g.,speed and/or accuracy- of response)
could
indicate a possible change in medical condition including 'a stroke or an
adverse
drug interaction. The system can be:programmed, with 'the permission of'the
user, to send an alert via email to the user's caregivers, physicians and
family
members if it detects such declines.
4

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig.1 is an illustration of a block diagram of the general components of a
system to provide adaptive rule based cognitive stimulation to a user
according
to an example embodiment of the. present invention;
Fig.2 is an illustration of a hierarchy of components of a show which
includes sessions, events and screens in.accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 3 is,a flow chart to determine initial system tasks based upon the
nature of the user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the creation of cognitive profiles of the
user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the initialization of a user's current
show
environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the sequence of event occurrences and
interaction with a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the, present
invention;
Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the determination of the next rule to
apply,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the determination of the next event to
apply, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is an illustration ofa block diagram of system hardware components
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Figs. 1 Oa to 10 z is an illustration of an example session including a
.sequence of events, queries, and system feed back to the. user, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. -11 is a flow chart illustrating the adjustment of the user's cognitive
ability in a 'cognitive domain, in'accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention.
Detailed Description
Figure 1 is an overall simplified block diagram of an example embodiment
of the system of the present invention. Stimulator 100 is microprocessor based
and is configured to process information, namely User Data for inclusion and
update of a User Profile and Content data. In the present embodiment, the
device uses information contained within various databases to interact with
the
user. The databases that are represented in Figure 1 are: Events Rule Database
(104), which contains the various rules used to decide when and how events are
to be displayedr to the user, further described below; User Demographic'
Profile
database (108), which contains the information from the general profile of the
user (such as native language, date of birth, likes and dislikes, etc.);
Events
database (112), which contains the list of information on each event (like
Hidden
Words. in Figures 1'0T- 1 OX, representing the entire event); User Cognitive
Profile
database (116,) which has the. user information relating to their cognitive
levels
and. mental status (further described below); Event Screens database (1-20)
which contains the individual screens in each event (example, each individual
screen in Hidden Words shown in Figures 10T, 1OU, 1OV, and 1OX); User Last
Show Environment database (124), where information on the last various events
the user has seen is stored; Event Screen Elements database (126), which
contains the various elements of an event screen (example, button graphics,
video clips, pictures, etc); and User Response Database (138), where all the
6

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
responses to the events shown the user are stored. The Stimulator 100 includes
a number of operations that perform functions necessary to interact with
users,
namely: an Interfacer (130), and an Evaluator (134). Depending on the event
screen selected (based on rules described below), the Interfacer (130)
retrieves
all the relevant visual and audio cues that comprise that event screen, such
as
button graphics, movie clips, pictures, etc.
The system provides the described information from the Event Screen
Elements database 126, and presents it to the user through the touch screen
monitor (132A) and/or Speakers (132B). The user then responds by means of
touch screen monitor (132A) monitor; and those responses go back through the
stimulator 100, to the Interfacer (130), and then to the evaluator (134). The
evaluator (134) processes the user responses, and provides the processed
responses to the User Response database (138). The evaluator (134), from the
user's response, determines. whether the user is ready for a "more difficult"
event,
or should receive an "easier" event or maintain the same level of event
difficulty
in continuing with the presentations. The evaluator (134), is also responsible
for
providing the audio cues to the user depending on the. user's response, such
as
"that's right!" or "try again!" The stimulator 100 also provides user response
information to the User Cognitive Profile database (116) and the User Last
Show
Environment database (124). During use, these databases that receive
information from the stimulator 100 will build upon and update the user
profile as
well as add additional information that,the device uses in future interactions
with
that user..
The User Response Database provides information it has received to an
operation called the;Analyzer (142), which analyzes the user's response. While
operations undertaken in the Evaluator (134) occurs in real-time, the Analyzer
(142) typically processes information during nonuse intervals or during user
sleep
time. The Analyzer undertakes checking the user's responses. for any possible
signs indicative of problems regarding the user's health. Depending upon the
7

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
results of the analysis, the Analyzer (142) will either communicate to the
user
with an Alert (144) which provides emergency information to caregivers,
physicians and/or family members, or communicates with a Report (146) to
caregivers, physicians and/or family members
The Stimulator 100 initiates a session as shown in Fig 3 at-step 300. As
will be described in more detail later regarding Figures 1 OA - 1 OE, the
system
using stored photos and facial recognition technology, attempts to identify
the
user. In doing so the system determines, by way of the user profile data,
whetherto commence further operations depending upon whether a new user or
existing user is participating in the session. In the event a new user is
detected
then an assessment at step 302 commences. The assessment retrieves first the
user's. demographic information, then the user's cognitive information from
the
questionnaire. If an existing user is detected then an initialize function is
undertaken at step 304. Initialization first retrieves the user's demographic
information from the questionnaire, then retrieves the user's ,cognitive
information
from the User Cognitive Profile Database 108 continually revised during
previous
user's sessions. Upon completion of-eitherassessment at 302 or initialize at
step 304 a stimulate function at 306 is undertaken.
An embodiment of the present invention utilizes two different kinds of data:
User Data and Content Data. Initially, the user will provide "User Data" that
is
basically the user profile, representing information about the user that can
affect
how the system interacts with the user, and creates a user profile that is
constantly being updated through continual user interaction. In a preferred
embodiment, the user profile information is gathered via an Internet link (a
remote application). It is a compilation and representation of the users'
recorded
experience. over several months and even years using the system and method
described herein. The initial user "baseline" information includes demographic
information about the user, which is filled in by a questionnaire answered
either
by the user or a caregiver, which may include, for example, but is not limited
to
8

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
name, date of birth, country of origin, language (first language/other
language
spoken/ language preferred), residence history, hobbies, vocation history,
special
interest areas, family. member's names and their relationship to the user,
vision
limitations, and hearing limitations. User data also includes the cognitive
functional level of the user, which details the cognitive ability, or Mental
Status
(MS) of the user, described as Stage I (L1-normal high functioning), Stage 2
(L2-
normal), Stage 3 (L3-normal brain aging), Stage 4 (L4-mild cognitive
impairment), and Stage 5 (L5-mild to moderate dementia). Any references to a
user's "stage," will mean the level of their cognitive ability.
Content Data
Content data, which is independent of user's recorded experience, may
take the form of general information inquiries, recognition and problem
solving
exercises, such as for example, completing puzzles and the rewards may take
the form of audio-visual recognition aimed at providing re-enforcing and
motivational encouragement to the user. Figure 2 is a representation showing
the
hierarchical structure of the content data and its subparts. A show 200
represents
the entire user's experience which can last over several months or years. This
show 200 may consist of any number of session 202s (i.e. 202A, 202B, etc.),
one
or more per day. A session 202 represents user experience with the system in
one sitting, which may last minutes to hours. For example, referring to Figure
10,
the entire Figure is considered one session. A session 202 may consist of any
number of event 204s (i.e. 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D, etc.), which represents the
smallest "unit" of a user's experience of the device during a session. Event
204
may consist of a single stimulus-response interaction (typically one screen)
or
multiple stimulus-response interactions (multiple screens). This can include a
presentation of a "reward" (movie and music clips, trivia, fun facts, photos)
in
response to a "correct" user answer.
9

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
There are a variety of event 204 types, which include but not being limited
to: a demographic questionnaire, Login (user authentication), Main Title (an
A/V
presentation that displays every session, typically just-after the login
event),
Volume-Adj (a series of screens to allow the user to adjust the volume of the
speakers or headphones to their preferred level), Orientation (a quick
audio/visual review of how to use the system), Review (an A/V of high points
from the users last session 202), News (an Event presenting something
involving
current news), Question (an Event presented in question format, requiring a
single response), Story* (an event presented. in story-format, which may
involve
multiple user stimulus/response interactions), Puzzle (an event that acts
like. a
well-known puzzle format, like Tic-Tac-Toe), PhysEd (an Event designed to lead
the user through physical exercises), Motivation (an A/V presentation designed
to
improve the users outlook or motivate the user), Entertainment (an A/V
presentation just for.fun).
Again referring ahead to Figure 10, an event would consist of the
presentations illustrated in panels 1 OH -10J, 10K - 10L, 1`OM - 10S, 10T -
10X,
and 1 OY - 1 OZ. An Event 204 may consist of one or more event screen 206s
.(i.e. 206A, 2066, 206C, etc.). These event screens are what the user actually
sees and interacts-with. An event screen may consist of various event screen
elements such as audio from System Speakers (132B) (i.e. music, sound
effects), graphic (i.e. images, illustrations, line art), and/or video from
touch
screen 132A (i.e. movie clips, animations) that also interacts with the user
and
aids, with the user stimulation process. These'are illustrated in Figure 10,
with the
graphic, photos, and movie clips seen in each individual panel.
The system can be set up to function in a user's home, medical facility,
senior care, community, community center, therapeutic center, senior day care
center and any similar area. The preferable set up of the system is for the
user to
be. positioned facing the touch screen 132A, so that the Camera (131) can
focus
on their face. The Camera 131 preferably positioned at the top of the screen
will

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
scan the user's face, and use facial recognition technology to identify the
user
based on a previously scanned: photograph normally obtained at initial user
data
entry. The system proceeds to identify the user and load the appropriate data,
such as the user profile and prior use history. After confirming user identity
and
loading the appropriate data, the, system commences a session. The system will
either Initialize (if the user has used the system before) or Assess (if the
user is
using the system for the first time). Subsequently, the.system will proceed.
to user
stimulation (further discussed below).
Throughout this session, the stimulation process will include multitudes of
various events types which include but are not limited to: DemoQ (demographic
questionnaire), Login (user authentication), Main Title (an A/V presentation
that
displays every session, typically just after the login event), Volume-Adj (a
series
of screens to allow the user to. adjust the volume of the speakers or
headphones
to their preferred level), Orientation (a quick AN review of 'how to use the
invention), Review (an A/V of high points from the, users last Session 202),,
News
(an event presenting something involving current news), Question (an event
presented in question format, requiring a single response), Story, (an event
presented in story format, which may involve multiple user stimulus/response
interactions), Puzzle '(an event that acts like a well known puzzle.format,
like Tic-
Tac-Toe), Phys Ed (an event designed to lead the user through physical
exercises), Motivation (an A/V.presentation designed to improve the users
outlook or motivate the user), Entertainment (an A/V presentation just for
fun).
There are a variety of sources of stimulation the system selectively uses
that include a variety of events (based on, but not limited to fine art,
historical
events, pop culture, inspirational messages, exercise activities, meditation
activities, and spiritual activities). The sessions may include certain
special
events, such as an ending event or events including a
teaser/preview/cliffhanger
for motivation for the user to return, and a starting event or events
involving the
promised activity/exercise from the teaser/preview. The system may present
user
11

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
personal items such as addressing the user by their name, acknowledging their
birthday, and/or an inclusion of events that have.user specific photos, sound
bites, home movies/videos of.user/family activities that include family and
friends
or with places and/or events user is personally familiar with, and questions
.relating to stored user data (as an example, "how old were you in 1952?).
There
may be questions that could: be in a multiple choice form; involve events that
include movie and music clips, sound effects; involve "radio theater" style
vignettes; include "rewards" for getting ''correct answers, that include movie
and
music clips, trivia, fun facts, photos; and involve character voices to help
illustrate
concepts.. There also may be a voice over announcer or host to: present the
stimulus to the user simultaneously with the on screen (written in type)
stimulus;
provide positive, directional,. or correctional responses to user input;
provide what
appears to be randomized feedback responses to, users. using a "round robin
process;'`; prompt users to take a guess if there is. a pause or interval
without a
response; and. provide, time orientation.
The system described herein, provides other types of auditory feedback,
such as escalating "dings" for "correct" responses. Cognitive domains
exercised
by such stimulation includes but'are not limited to Short Term Memory/Delayed
Recall, Long Term Memory, Language, Visual (includes visuospatial and
visuoperceptive), Critical Thinking (includes. Concept formation, sorting,
patterns,
logic/reasoning, planning, flexibility), and Mathematical. In an institutional
setting,
an administrator may choose session duration (typically 30- 45-minutes, based
on scheduling requirements). An embodiment of the invention will adjust the
session (events 204) -to match the chosen duration independently of the
application of the rules, which determine Event sequence. This shall give the
user a sense:thaf there is a beginning (a ramp up, easier .events to start),
middle
(a break, particular events), and end to each session. The user will then feel
as if
he/she has "completed" a session, rather than experiencing an abrupt
interruption or a forced ending.
12

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
After completion of a session, the system stores' all the data it has attained
to analyze for future.interactions with"the uses.. The system provides reports
and
any important'alerts regarding the user's performance to caregivers,
physicians
and family members involved with the user's well being. In the event that a
user
is in communication with an institutional system installation by means of an
internet.connection, the user system and the home base server can exchange
information, which allows the home base. server to analyze the user data,
upload
new content, upgrade software, and diagnose any possible problems with the
device. While the system can operate standalone, the default function of the
system is to cease operation if the system has not communicated with the home
base server for longer than two (2) days. For environments such as retirement
and senior care communities where multiple systems are in operation, an
alternative. manner of downloading content or other similar types of
communication with the home base server may ensue. Among the devices in that
location that are connected to their facilities' network, the devices will
choose one
of them to be the "master," which can change each time such a communication is
made. This "master," will be the first to download the content, and then
through
the facilities" network spread that download or similar communication to the
"rest
of the systems. Upon starting a new session, as mentioned above, the device
will
remember past interactions with the user, and continue to build upon the
user's
profile-to better conform to the user's needs'and ensure maximum stimulation.
Software
Figure 3. illustrates a very basic overview of a Session 202. First at step
300, a session begins. If this is the first session for the user, then the
system will
continue with step 302 Assessment, depicted in detail in Figure 4 described
below. If this is not the first session the. user had experienced with the
system,
then the system will instead start step 304 Initialize, depicted in detail in
Figure 5
also described below. After the assessment or initialization, the device will
continue with step 306 Stimulate, further described below.
13

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Figure 4 illustrates the steps taken in an Assessment (step-302), the
operation that occurs when a new user starts a new show. At first step 400 the
system collects the user's baseline demographic information from the User
Demographic Database 108. The system at step 402 determines the user's
baseline mental status. In determining the user's baseline mental status,
Stimulator 100 performs a process identical to step 400, but does so using
events from the event database 112. After the user's baseline, mental status
is
determined, the system at step 404 creates a cognitive profile record. It also
records the same mental status determined in step 402, in a User Cognitive
Profile database 116. The device uses the single baseline in all the user's
cognitive profile records as a starting point for selecting events from the
Event
Database 112 of appropriate difficulty to present to the user'during each
Session.
After the starting point is.determined, the system will proceed with
stimulating the
user.
Figure 5 illustrates the steps taken in an Initialization procedure 304, the
operation that occurs when a user who has used the device before, starts a new
session. This operation retrieves from databases 108, 116, 124 and 138 all
information .necessary to conduct a current session 202 in a manner informed
by
user data stored by stimulator 100 in previous sessions 202s. At step 500 the
system reads. the. show rules pertinent to the show to be presented. The show
rules are organized to properly conduct a presentation through the events and
screens to be utilized.
At step 502, the system reads the user's demographic profile from the
User Demographic Profile database 108. At step 504 the system reads the
user's Last-Show. environment, by retrieving the user's information from the
User's Last-Show Environment Database 124, as well as counters (further
explained in the Next Rule to Apply section below) reflecting the number of
Events 204 that have occurred since the last presentation of Events in each of
14

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
the cognitive domains. This exercise ensures that repetitive and in some
cases,
non-suitable events, due to either ease or difficulty or complexity, are not
presented in a current show. Accordingly, both the challenge level and
interest
level to the user is maintained at a value proper for the current user. At
step 506,
the system initializes the user's current show environment and proceeds with
stimulating the user.
For processing the large number of possible events to provide cognitive
stimulation for the user, an embodiment of the system has as set of "event
rules."
The event rules determine both the sequence and manner in which way the
Sessions and Events are presented to each user. Instead of "pre-programming"
the.-Sessions and Events (which may give a sense of repetitiveness and.not
properly address the users interests, needs, nor provide needed day-to-day
variations in cognitive ability), the system uses an "adaptive, response"
technique
embodying a concept named, "the next rule to apply" which is discussed further
below. A novel aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that the
adaptive response technique makes each session unique for each user, every
time it is used.
The steps involved in determining the sequence of event occurrence and
interaction with the user is shown in Figure 6. Upon the start of the
cognitive
'stimulation process at step 601, the stimulation may continue for the length
of the
predetermined duration (DUR) of the session at step 602. After the desired
session duration is reached, cognitive stimulation ends at step 603. If the
current
duration time is less than the desired duration time, the system determines
the
next rule to apply at step 604. Next, the system uses the determined rule from
the previous step to determine the. next event to show (606). Each event has a
certain number of event screens, and so that event comes with a starting event
count above 0, and as the event progresses the number starts to count down as
each event screen is presented. After determining the rule to be used, the
system presents the screens to the user until the Event Screen Count (SC)

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
reaches zero at step 608 which is reached after.the':system presents the final
screen 206 of the event 204 (see Fig 2). Each different event. has an
associated
screen count which represents the number of different screens contained within
the particular event. The screen count number depends upon and varies as a
function of the type, complexity and objective of the event currently being
presented.
The system then evaluates the user's responses and, if appropriate,
changes the value stored in the User Cognitive Profile database 108 for the
current user and the current event 204's primary cognitive domain (part of the
self adjustment function) in step 610. If the screen counts are above zero,
the
device will continue to show the user the next screen in the event in step
614.
These screens will display a screen 206. of event 204, which includes giving
a,
query and displaying buttons for-the user to contact to receive the user's
response. Depending on the type of screen ;and event, the screen will continue
to be shown to the user until the button number (B) equals 0, or the "correct"
button has., been pressed in step 616. After the button number (B) reaches 0,
or
the "correct" button has been chosen, the system.then stores the response time
and the number of attempts necessary to get a "correct" response for each
Screen 206 of the current event 204 in step 618. In the instance that the
number
of buttons is greater than 0, or is the "incorrect," button, the system
decreases
the complexity of the stimulus at 618 in each stimulus-response possibility on
each screen 206 from which the user can choose, or provide a verbal or visual
hint, or both at. step 622. The device receives the user's input at step 620,
for
each stimulus-response possibility on each screen 206 of event 204, and then
gives the user encouraging feedback after each response at step 622 based on
his or her response and the results are recorded at step 624.
16

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Rules and Events
A salient feature of an embodiment of the present system is its rule-based
procedure for determining what content the user is presented, and the time of
presentation. The rule-based procedure by which an embodiment of the present
invention chooses content for a user relies upon rules regarding the
characteristics of the content to be shown to users, rather than identifying
the
exact content to be seen by each user. In addition, the procedure ensures that
users will not see content inapplicable to them, and allows session times
to'be of
any length, since the content at specific percentages of the session time may
be
specified.
The rules are an important tool for controlling each user's experience
during a session using the system described herein. The two main aspects of
this
experience are show contour and show variability. The show contour provides a
continuum of presentations through a session in order to provide the user with
the feeling that they are smoothly proceeding from the beginning stage,
through
the middle stage to ending stage of a session, rather than just experience, an
abrupt start.or an abrupt end with the potential of causing some uneasiness
and
anxiety in the user. Show variability refers to making the show seem new and
novel at all times in order to avoid giving the user a sense of repetitiveness
in
event or show presentations. It is important to control the show contour
because,
as in a television 'episode, each user session is a self-contained episode and
must have a beginning, middle, and end. Sessions of any length will contain
all
these elements of the show contour. Additionally, it is important that the
show be
unpredictable because, without variability, users are likely to become bored
and
stop using the system and thereby discontinue the cognitive stimulation
benefit
provided by using the. system.
17

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
The table below illustrates-an example of rule protocol in a user session:
Rule # Cognitive Level of Minimum Sequence
Domain Functioning Frequency Number
1 Long term Normal. High One per 5 1
memory (L1) events
2 Long term Mild Cognitive one per 5 2
memory Impairment events
(L4)
3 Short term Normal High One per 7 3
memory (L1) events-
4 Short term Mild Cognitive One per 7 4
memory Impairment events
(L4)
The rules are chosen based on the user's cognitive profile and last show
environment. In this example, if the user is high-functioning. (L1), then
either rule
1 or 3 will apply. The system then attempts to choose a rule based on the
minimum frequency specified. If the user has not seen- a long-term memory
event in the last 6 events, and has not seen a short-term memory event. in the
last:8 events, then again, both rules .1 and 3 qualify because the user has
not
met the minimum frequency requirements for both rules. In this case, the
sequence number determines which rule is used next. Since rule 1 has a lower
sequence number than rule 3, rule 1 is the rule chosen.
Once rule 1 is selected, it will guide the system in choosing the next event
to show the user. Rule 1 requires the system to look in the events database
for
an event that exercises the cognitive domain of long term memory. The event
must also be at a high difficulty level, since the rule chosen indicates that
the
user's level of functioning is high. Finally, the event must match the user's
demographics, as collected in the initial questionnaire. In a similar fashion,
if the
18

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
user level of functioning is mild cognitive impairment (L4), then either rule
2 or 4
will apply and since rule 2 has a lower sequence number than rule 4, rule 2 is
chosen. The selection of an event according to rule 2 then follows with the
above
considerations, relating however, to mild cognitive impairment rather normal
high.
To explain the way in which the rules accomplish their purposes, it is
important to discuss the organization of the content seen by the user. A show
consists of self-contained building blocks called events, which may be of
varying
lengths and complexity; they are strung together, bead-like, according to the
Rules. Events are organized in a hierarchy that includes Domains, event types,
and event subtypes. Domains are the cognitive domains familiar to
neuropsychologists, such as ,Long-Term Memory, Short-Term Memory,
Language, Visuospatial skills, and two sub-domains of Executive function,
Critical thinking and Calculation. There are also specific domains that serve
to
organize, the content not corresponding to familiar cognitive domains. These
unique domains include such categories. that may be designated as "Spirit and
Soul" and "The Center," a group of exercises that serve, to relax and focus
the
user.
Each domain has several associated event types, which are higher-level
groupings of events within the domain. For example, the Short-Term Memory
domain has an event type called "Lists." Each event type, in turn, has several
associated event subtypes, lower-level groupings of events within the event
type.
For example, in an event type. identified as a "List", there is an event
subtype
called "Word Lists." Each event subtype is associated with :one event type,,
and
each event type is associated with one domain. With regard to the example
above, the list identifies the category of the event type, and"word" as
distinct
from numbers as symbols, for example, defines the nature of the content of the
"List". Another possible example of an event subtype, is "Tom's Grocery List."
19

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Events are further categorized by Special Interest Area (SIA): When the
users start, their first session, they choose from a list of SIA's and
indicate which
ones they especially like or dislike. The rules ensure that the users do not
see
events in SIA's they do not like, and see a higher percentage of events in
SIA's
they do like.-SIA's:may include history, music, sports and pop culture as mere
examples.
The two main purposes of the Rules, however; as discussed above, are to
control the contour of the show and provide variation. As mentioned
previously,
providing show "contour" provides the user with a sense of a "beginning," a
"middle," and an "end," so the user doesn't feel that his show had abruptly
started
and ended. Providing variation is also important to ensure that the user
doesn't
get bored with constant repeated events, and encourages repeated use. There
are two rule types necessary to accomplish these two purposes. The first rule
type is the Temporal Rule type; temporal rules specify which types of events
will
be seen at different-time periods in each session. All the rules, including
the
temporal rules; tend to customize the presentation to the current user. The
events identified by the temporal rules serve to orient the user at the
beginning of
each session and to end the session on a positive note. The second rule type
is
the Frequency Rule type; frequency rules specify how often a user will, see a
given type of event. Because these frequency rules control the minimum and
maximum frequencies of event types, users will see a large range of different
event-types in a varied fashion'.
It is desirable to further control the show contour by following difficult
events with easier ones, or by following long events with shorter ones. This
enforces variability in difficulty and rewards users for completing long or
difficult
events. To accomplish this, a third type of rule is necessary, defined as the
post
event subtype (PEST) rules. PEST rules specify event subtypes to follow other
event subtypes. In most cases, the leading event subtype is a challenging,
highly

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
cognitively stimulating event, and the post event subtype is a rewarding event
that involves reminiscence of music or film clips.
Each rule and event has various values associated with them. Some have
"count" values (which can be defined in varying ways such as being the minimum
amount of events needed, before being implemented); or identifying "serial
numbers," (an internal indicia identifying a specific user or event) or
similar
distinguishing indicia. Depending on the situation, these values are used by
the
system in different ways to either sort by their values, or make a choice
among
several choices. depending on their counts.
Determining the Next.Rule to Apply (Step 604, Figure 7)
To further explain the procedure of determining the Next Rule to Apply,
references is made to Figure 7 which outlines the steps taken in step 604,
"Determine Next Rule to Apply." With further reference to Figure 10,
determining
the next rule to apply would take place before each event, that is, between
Figure
10G and Figure 10H, and between Figure 10J and Figure 1OK, and between
Figure 10L and Figure '10M, and between Figure 10S and Figure 10T, and
between Figure 10X and Figure 10Y, and between Figure 1OY and Figure 1OZ,
for example. As described above, each rule associated with certain events has
a
"Minimum-Starting-Event-Count" value. The "Minimum-Starting-Event-Count"
means that the rule will not be applied if the total number of'event's the
user has
been presented is less than the event count value that the rule has been
given.
Additionally, as the user continually uses the system, the system counts the
number of events they've experienced and totals it into a "Total-Event-Count."
The "Total-Event-Count," is the number of events the user has seen throughout
an entire show.
In' block 702, the system reads the "Total-Event-Count", and eliminates
'from current contention all other rules with Minimum-Starting-Event-Counts
that
are higher than that "Total-Event-Count." These higher-numbered events may
21

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
not yet be appropriate for the user to experience, so eliminates those as
choices
of events to show the user. In the same fashion as the previous step, the
system
then eliminates from the current contention all rules with a Number-of-Events-
Since-Last-Rule-Application-Count less than the Rule's. Minimum-Occurrence-
Count in, block 704, resulting in providing significant variability. Next in
block 706
the system goes. through a final elimination process, by eliminating from
current
contention all rules whose group level doesn't match the. user's level in the
domain to which the rule applies.
The system then proceeds through a rule sorting phase, sorting the
remaining rules by (number of events since the last application count) - (the
rule's maximum number of events since last) in block 708, in descending order.
The rule's number of events since the last application count indicates the
number
of events that have. occurred since the last time that event category has been
used, and the rule's maximum number of events since last value indicates the
number of events that should occur between two events. that are of the same
subtype. Then a sort of rules by their "minimum number of~events since last"
in
ascending order in block 710 is performed. This value indicates the minimum
number of events that should occur between two events of the same subtype.
Then a sort of rules by their sequence number (numbers that indicate a general
order, the lower the number of the event means the more likely it will be seen
first
than other events with higher numbers) in ascending order in block 712 is
performed. Finally, the system applies the first rule in the remaining set in
block
714 from the rules sorted in blocks 708-712 according to the priority they
have
been given.
After the system chooses the next rule, to apply, the system uses it to
determine the next event, to apply. Depending on the rule chosen, the system
will
go through the Events Database (112), match information from the User
Demographic Database (108) and the User Cognitive. Database (116), and sort
through the events several times before picking the appropriate events. These
.steps are further described below.

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Determining the Next Event to Apply (Step 606, Figure 8)
To further explain the Next Event to.Apply, reference. is made to Figure .8
which outlines the steps taken in step 606, "Determine Next Event to Apply."
With
further reference to Figure 10, determining, the Next Event to Apply would
take
place before each event that, is between Figure 1 OG and Figure 1 OH, between
Figure 1 OJ and Figure 10K, between Figure 1OL and Figure 1 OM, between Figure
1OS and Figure 1 OT, between Figure 1OX and Figure 1OY and between Figure
1 OY and Figure 1 OZ, for example. Depending on the rule determined in the
step
above, the system may determine the next event in varying ways, but each
follows: the same basic steps. In block 802, for the event category associated
with the next. rule to apply determined previously, the system retrieves from
the
User Cognitive Profile. Database (116) the user's current cognitive stage,
that is,
the present level of the user's cognitive ability and "Last Event Seen serial
number." This "Last Event Seen serial number" is the term that is used for the
last event the user has seen, to track the user's progress and to ensure
variability
of the events the user sees to avoid repetitiveness.
As the user uses the.system and interacts with the events, the last event
the user has seen is noted in the User Cognitive Profile' Database (116),
which is
termed. the "Last Event Seen serial number." Next, for the event category
associated with the next rule to apply, the system determines the user's
awareness era from the user's birth date plus ten years through the current
date
and the user's cognitive stage, in block 804. Depending on the Mental Status
of
the user, it may vary, typically decreasing at higher stages. At Stage 1, it
may
begin at. the user's date of birth plus 15 years, ending at the present day.
Stage
2 it may begin at user's date-of-birth plus 15 years and end 40 yrs later (age
55).
At stage 3 it may begin at user's date-of-birth plus 15 yrs and end 20 yrs
later
23

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
(age 35). At stage 4 it may begin at user's date-of-birth plus 15 yrs and end
10
yrs later (age 25). Finally, with step 806 the system gets the next event
that
matches: the event category determined associated with the determined rule;
the
language, culture, and gender of the user retrieved from the User Demographic
Database (108); the awareness era (previously calculated); the user's level
for
the event category's domain (retrieved from the User Cognitive Profile
Database
(116)); the user's special interest areas retrieved from the User Demographic
Database (108); with the first serial number greater than the high-watermark
serial number retrieved in step 802. Once the system finds the Next Event to
Apply, the system presents the event to the user at the user's level in the
particular event's domain.
Evaluation of User Responses and Adjustment of Difficulty Level, if
appropriate
(step 610)
To be effective, a -cognitive stimulation system presents users with an
optimum level, of challenge. This is true for the following reasons: if the
challenge
is too great, the user will experience frustration; if the system is not
challenging
enough, the user will be bored. In either case, the user will likely lose
interest in
using the system-and therefore no longer receive the benefits of mental
stimulation the system provides.
The system self-adjusts to provide users with the optimum level of
challenge, as follows: As the user plays the system, it evaluates the user's
responses to questions. Based on how many incorrect responses the user
makes before choosing the correct response, the system determines if the
difficulty level is too high or low for the user, and adjusts accordingly.
This
enables-the system to customize the stimulation to the user's individual level
of
cognitive ability, mitigating the risks of user frustration and boredom.
24

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
The system self-adjusts independently for each user in each cognitive
domain. This reflects the fact that cognitive functioning varies across
domains for
each individual, and that cognitive decline may take place at varying rates
within
each domain: With independent self-adjustment in each domain, each user can
be at.a different difficulty level in each domain, and the user's level in
each
domain can change independently, further mitigating the risks of user
frustration
and boredom.
There are specific criteria for the system to change the user's level in a
domain. These are outlined in Figure 11 and explained below. Each time a user
responds to a given screen, this procedure starts at block 1102 and goes
through
a series of queries to see whether it's appropriate to adjust the, user's
difficulty
level. Block 1102, evaluates results for a given screen and adjust the user's
stage
(user's. cognitive level), if appropriate.
Increasing the difficulty level in a domain
If, in one domain, the user answers a selected number of questions in a
row correctly (five questions, for example) on the first attempt, the user
will
subsequently see more difficult content in that domain. Of course, the
presentation of more difficult content is not to be perceived as a penalty,
but
rather a further challenge to enhance thought process and a feeling of
accomplishment and reward, for the user. This also indicates competency and/or
sufficiency of cognitive ability. In Figure 11, block 1104, the system
evaluates
whether the user had responded correctly on the first attempt. If so, the
system
in block 1112, continues to count the number of consecutive. screens in the
screen's domain where the user had responded correctly on the first attempt.
If
that number is below selected number, typically five, 'the process ends. If
however the number is above another selected number, typically four, the
system
continues to block 1120 and raises the difficulty level. If the user does not.
answer

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
correctly on the first attempt, the system will continue to block 1106 and
evaluate
whether the user had "failed" the screen.
Decreasing the difficulty level in a domain
Two situations will cause the system to show easier content to the user.
Both rely on the concept of a failed screen, indicative of a user's failure to
successfully select the "correct" response in the manner described below.
Screen Failure (block 1106)
A screen is considered failed if it exhibits the following combinations. of
screen attributes and user responses. If the screen is considered failed in
any of
the following cases, the system will continue to block 1108 and count the
number
of failed screens in that screen's domain:
1) The screen has. only one correct response and the user makes at least
two incorrect responses before arriving at the correct response.
2) The screen has multiple correct responses that do not have a specific
sequence order and 'the user's number of incorrect responses before choosing
all
the correct responses is, greater than or equal to two-thirds of the number of
incorrect responses on the screen.
3) The screen has multiple correct responses that do have a specific
sequence order and does not have buttons that are not in the sequence, and the
user's number of out-of-sequence responses before arriving at the correct
sequence is. greater than or equal to two-thirds of the number of buttons on
the
screen.
4) The screen has multiple correct' responses that do have a specific
sequence.order, does have buttons that are not in the sequence, and does not
display a virtual keyboard or in the instance that the user's number of
incorrect or
out-of-sequence responses, before arriving at the correct sequence, is greater
than,or equal a predetermined percentage (preferably two-thirds) of the number
26

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
of buttons on the screen. However, each response that is correct but out of
sequence is multiplied by a predetermined percentage (preferably one-half)
before beginning this calculation.
5) The screen displays a virtual keyboard; the user is. required to spell a
word that is the, correct response, and the user has spelled at least two
incorrect
words before arriving at the correct word.
Decreasing the Difficulty in One Domain
The first situation that results in decreased difficulty of content seen by
the
user decreases the difficulty level in only one.domain. The system will show
easier content in a domain if the user has failed three screens in the domain.
Experience has shown that three screen failures is the threshold for
frustration in
most users. and the point at which users want to see easier content. In figure
11
block 1108, if the number of failed screens i's above 2, the system moves on
to
block 1110 and decreases the difficulty level in that one domain.
No Screen Failure
If however none of the situations apply and there is no screen failure, the
system moves to block 1122. It would be not be appropriate for the system to
decrease the difficulty level of content merely because the user had simply
been
careless on a few screens, or had difficulty with one isolated subject in the
domain, that is, if the user's three failed screens were an anomaly. To
account
for this, possibility, the system provides a way to nullify failed screens. If
the user
does not fail on. four consecutive screens in a domain, the system subtracts
one
from the number of screen failures in the. domain seen in block 1124. The
logic
behind this is that, if a failure is truly an anomaly, then the user must
prove this
by performing above. the failure threshold on multiple screens in succession.
Otherwise, the process ends. The system also contemplates a special case
where in the event an adjustment has been made by way of improvement from
27

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
L4 or L5 and a single screen failure within the next three screen in the
applicable
domain occurs, the user will immediately returned from L3 to L4 or from L4 to
L5
as the case may be. The rationale for the readjustment is to ensure that a
user
who should realistically be at L4 or L5 but who responds correctly and
consecutively to several queries in L4 or L5, isn't elevated to L3 or L4 as
the
case may be; and left there inappropriately,. but is quickly returned to the
easier
level (L's) after rapid subsequent failures.
Decreasing the Difficulty in All Domains
To account for the instance when three consecutive screen. failures in one
domain are followed by three failures-in subsequent consecutive domains
potentially resulting in 18'consecutive screen failures over six domains, the
system has an override feature that will drop the difficulty level in all
domains if
the user has failed at least five screens in a row across at least three
domains.
Such a pattern of failures indicates the user is having a multi-domain
decrement
in functioning. This may be the result of the normal day-to-day fluctuation in
mental acuity frequently seen in demented users, or it may be the result of a
more serious medical problem, such as a small stroke. In either case, the
system
will accommodate the user by decreasing the difficulty level of all content
shown
to the user. Accordingly, the system in block 1108 counts the number of failed
screens and if greater than three, the system moves to block 1114 and counts
the number of consecutive failed screens. If the number of failed screens is
below five, the difficulty' level remains unchanged. If instead the number is.
above
4, then the system counts the number of different domains in-which the user
.failed consecutively in block 1116. If the number of failed domains is less
than
three, the difficulty level remains unchanged. If however the number is above
2,
then the system decreases the difficulty level in all domains in block 1118.
28

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
Interface Design, Apparatus and System
As mentioned above the device uses a touch screen interface 126A to
overcome any technological. barrier the.user may have. The interface 126A may
also include a camera 131 used at least for identifying the user. The events
have
a button/answer/input control that will either: disappear when a "correct"
choice is
made; use pictures, words, or numbers to display choices; and other possible
mediums to interact with the user. This on-screen control can display further
answers; and serve as an input device for user responses. The screen can also
display an on-screen calendar for date orientation. Audio interface may be
provided by a standard speaker 126B with accompanying. electronics 950.
As described for Fig. 1 and in further detail in Fig. 9, the device is
composed of integrated hardware and software. The show rules data base 104,
the events data base 120, the screens data base 120, the user response data
base 1.32, the user demographic profile data base 108, the user cognitive data
base 116-and the user last show environment data base 112 may be contained
in a commercially available digital storage medium. The stimulator 100 and
analyzer 136 may be implemented in memory units. known to those skilled in the
.art. As described above, through an Internet connection the system through
networking circuitry 930, can update or.download content-and upload user
performance. Complex data manipulation and control processes may be
undertaken in commercially available or specially designed central processing
.units 902. Also the device can provide reports and any important alerts
regarding
the user's performance to caregivers, physicians'-and family. members. The
device can be set up to function in a user's home, medical facility, senior
care
community, community center, therapeutic center, senior day care center and
any similar area.
The descriptions of the invention, the specific details, and the drawings
mentioned above, are not meant to limit the scope-of the present invention.
The
present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing
29

CA 02724689 2010-11-17
WO 2009/099435 PCT/US2008/052951
from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to
be
considered in-all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope
of the
invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes, which.come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims, are to be embraced within their scope.

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

2024-08-01 : Dans le cadre de la transition vers les Brevets de nouvelle génération (BNG), la base de données sur les brevets canadiens (BDBC) contient désormais un Historique d'événement plus détaillé, qui reproduit le Journal des événements de notre nouvelle solution interne.

Veuillez noter que les événements débutant par « Inactive : » se réfèrent à des événements qui ne sont plus utilisés dans notre nouvelle solution interne.

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , Historique d'événement , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

Historique d'événement

Description Date
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2022-11-29
Inactive : Morte - Aucune rép. dem. par.30(2) Règles 2016-07-27
Demande non rétablie avant l'échéance 2016-07-27
Réputée abandonnée - omission de répondre à un avis sur les taxes pour le maintien en état 2016-02-04
Inactive : CIB expirée 2016-01-01
Inactive : Abandon. - Aucune rép dem par.30(2) Règles 2015-07-27
Inactive : Dem. de l'examinateur par.30(2) Règles 2015-01-27
Inactive : Rapport - Aucun CQ 2015-01-09
Lettre envoyée 2013-01-28
Toutes les exigences pour l'examen - jugée conforme 2013-01-08
Requête d'examen reçue 2013-01-08
Exigences pour une requête d'examen - jugée conforme 2013-01-08
Inactive : Page couverture publiée 2011-02-04
Inactive : Notice - Entrée phase nat. - Pas de RE 2011-01-11
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2011-01-10
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2011-01-10
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 2011-01-10
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2011-01-10
Demande reçue - PCT 2011-01-10
Exigences pour l'entrée dans la phase nationale - jugée conforme 2010-11-17
Demande publiée (accessible au public) 2009-08-13

Historique d'abandonnement

Date d'abandonnement Raison Date de rétablissement
2016-02-04

Taxes périodiques

Le dernier paiement a été reçu le 2014-12-01

Avis : Si le paiement en totalité n'a pas été reçu au plus tard à la date indiquée, une taxe supplémentaire peut être imposée, soit une des taxes suivantes :

  • taxe de rétablissement ;
  • taxe pour paiement en souffrance ; ou
  • taxe additionnelle pour le renversement d'une péremption réputée.

Les taxes sur les brevets sont ajustées au 1er janvier de chaque année. Les montants ci-dessus sont les montants actuels s'ils sont reçus au plus tard le 31 décembre de l'année en cours.
Veuillez vous référer à la page web des taxes sur les brevets de l'OPIC pour voir tous les montants actuels des taxes.

Historique des taxes

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Date payée
Taxe nationale de base - générale 2010-11-17
TM (demande, 3e anniv.) - générale 03 2011-02-04 2010-11-17
TM (demande, 2e anniv.) - générale 02 2010-02-04 2010-11-17
Rétablissement (phase nationale) 2010-11-17
TM (demande, 4e anniv.) - générale 04 2012-02-06 2011-11-18
Requête d'examen - générale 2013-01-08
TM (demande, 5e anniv.) - générale 05 2013-02-04 2013-01-31
TM (demande, 6e anniv.) - générale 06 2014-02-04 2014-01-23
TM (demande, 7e anniv.) - générale 07 2015-02-04 2014-12-01
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
DAKIM, INC.
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
DAN MICHEL
JERRY ROBINSON
MELINDA WU
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
Documents

Pour visionner les fichiers sélectionnés, entrer le code reCAPTCHA :



Pour visualiser une image, cliquer sur un lien dans la colonne description du document (Temporairement non-disponible). Pour télécharger l'image (les images), cliquer l'une ou plusieurs cases à cocher dans la première colonne et ensuite cliquer sur le bouton "Télécharger sélection en format PDF (archive Zip)" ou le bouton "Télécharger sélection (en un fichier PDF fusionné)".

Liste des documents de brevet publiés et non publiés sur la BDBC .

Si vous avez des difficultés à accéder au contenu, veuillez communiquer avec le Centre de services à la clientèle au 1-866-997-1936, ou envoyer un courriel au Centre de service à la clientèle de l'OPIC.


Description du
Document 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Dessins 2010-11-16 19 817
Description 2010-11-16 30 1 399
Revendications 2010-11-16 12 427
Abrégé 2010-11-16 1 62
Dessin représentatif 2011-02-03 1 14
Page couverture 2011-02-03 2 49
Avis d'entree dans la phase nationale 2011-01-10 1 196
Rappel - requête d'examen 2012-10-08 1 117
Accusé de réception de la requête d'examen 2013-01-27 1 176
Courtoisie - Lettre d'abandon (R30(2)) 2015-09-20 1 164
Courtoisie - Lettre d'abandon (taxe de maintien en état) 2016-03-16 1 171
PCT 2010-11-16 19 834