Surgery – Truss – Pad
Patent
1987-03-30
1990-09-11
Sykes, Angela D.
Surgery
Truss
Pad
128745, A61B 50484
Patent
active
049553887
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an attention monitor.
More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the level of attention of a subject to a visual stimulus. Results from the method and apparatus of the invention provide valuable information of an objective nature as to a subject's attention or interest in visually displayed information such as a television commerical, picture or poster or the like. The assessment can then be used to make changes in the advertisement, picture or poster or the like in order to make it more attractive or more likely to keep the attention of an observer.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of assessing the interest of a subject to a visual stimulus comprising the steps of displaying a visual control signal, obtaining an electroencephalographic (EEG) signal from the subject whilst said visual control signal is being viewed, analysing the EEG signal to determine the magnitude of the component of the EEG signal which corresponds to said control signal, displaying the visual stimulus simultaneously with said control signal, determining the change in the magnitude of said component of the EEG signal, and assessing the interest of the subject by reference to the magnitude of said change.
It has been found that the human brain will discriminate against visual "noise" signals or flicker signals when it is concentrating on other visual information. Accordingly, in the method above, the brain discriminates against the visual control signal which is presented as a visual "noise" signal or a flicker signal and the method of the invention enables accurate assessment of the EEG response to the visual control signal in order to accurately determine the amount by which it has been disminished in amplitude. This provides a measure of the brain's interest in the visual stimulus.
Preferably the visual control signal comprises a signal and the change in magnitude of said component of the EEG signal is determined by using analytical techniques which enable isolation of a sinusoidal component of known frequency from a background signal.
In one form of the invention, the visual stimulus is displayed on a TV screen and the visual control signal is superimposed on the subject's field of view and preferably comprises a visible light signal the intensity of which varies at an accurately known sinusoidal frequency. Alternatively, the control signal may take the form of a visual noise signal or flicker displayed on the television screen. Alternatively, it may comprise a sinusoidal variation of the brightness of the screen. In a further form, a liquid crystal screen could be interposed between the viewer and television screen and be arranged to sinusoidally vary the light transmission therethrough at a fixed sinusoidal rate.
The invention also provides apparatus for assessing the interest of a subject to a visual stimulus comprising means for generating a visually perceptible control signal, display means for displaying a visual stimulus, means for deriving an EEG signal from the subject whilst the visual control signal and the visual stimulus are being simultaneously viewed by the subject, and analysing means for determining the change in magnitude of that component of the EEG signal which is attributable to the control signal from a first state in which the subject views only the controls signal and a second state when the subject views both the control signal and the visual stimulus.
In one arrangement the means for generating a visually perceptible control signal includes a screen interposed between the subject and the display means for adding a component of light or attenuating light transmitted through the screen. For instance, the means for generating may comprise a semi-reflective screen through which the display means is visible and which is arranged to reflect the control signals to the subject. Alternatively, the means for generating a control signal may comprise a liquid crystal screen which is controlled so as t
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Swinburne Limited
Sykes Angela D.
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