Non-invasive system and method for product formulation assessment based on product-elicited brain state measurements

A non-invasive product customization system and a method of customizing a product formulation is provided. Brain activity of a user is detected in response to an input of a product formulation into a brain of the user via a sensory nervous system of the user. A mental state of the user is detected based on the detected brain activity. The product formulation is modified based on the determined mental state of the user. The modified product formulation may be presented to the user in a manner that modulates the mental state of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions relate to methods and systems for non-invasive measurements in the human body, and in particular, methods and systems related to detecting a mental state of a human.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist businesses that create personalized products, such as, e.g., fragrances, homeopathic oils, lotions, food, drinks, psychotropic substances, etc. Typically, the formulations for such personalized products are created by providing sensory input in the form of a different product formulization to a person and receiving voluntary sensory feedback from the person to different formulations of the product. However, the voluntary sensory feedback provided by any particular person will only be as accurate as the sensory limitations of that person. For example, sometimes a person may be inconsistent or intentionally untruthful in his or her voluntary sensory feedback to the formulations of the product, or may not have full conscious awareness of his or her reaction to the sensory input. Thus, the voluntary sensory feedback provided by any particular person may not be a reliable indicator that a particular product formulization is properly personalized to that person.

There, thus, remains a need to personalize product formulations to a particular person without relying on the voluntary sensory feedback from such person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present inventions, a non-invasive product customization system comprises a non-invasive brain interface assembly configured for detecting brain activity of a user (e.g., while the user is in a normal life and work environment) in response to an input of a product formulation (e.g., one or more of a fragrance, homeopathic oil for external therapeutic applications, lotion, food, drink, and psychotropic substances) into a brain of the user via a sensory nervous system (e.g., olfactory sensory system and/or gustatory sensory system) of the user. In one embodiment, the non-invasive brain interface assembly is an optical measurement assembly. In another embodiment, the non-invasive brain interface assembly is a magnetic measurement assembly. The non-invasive brain interface assembly may comprise, e.g., at least one detector configured for detecting energy from a brain of the user, and processing circuitry configured for identifying the brain activity in response to detecting the energy from the brain of the user. The non-invasive brain interface assembly may comprise a head-worn unit carrying the at least one detector, and an auxiliary non-head-worn unit carrying the processing circuitry.

The non-invasive product customization system further comprises at least one processor configured for determining a mental state (e.g., one of an emotional state, a cognitive state, and a perceptive state) of the user based on the detected brain activity, and modifying the product formulation within a virtual mixing container (e.g., by adding a selected ingredient to the product formulation within the virtual mixing container, discarding a selected ingredient from the product formulation within the virtual mixing container, and/or modifying a dosage of a selected existing ingredient in the product formulation within the virtual mixing container) based on the determined mental state of the user.

In one embodiment, the processor(s) is configured for determining a level of the mental state (e.g., one of an emotional state, a cognitive state, and a perceptive state) of the user based on the detected brain activity, and modifying the product formulation based on the level of the determined mental state of the user. The processor(s) may be configured for being manually programmed with the determined mental state. The non-invasive product customization system may optionally comprise a sensory input device configured for presenting the product formulation to the user for input into the brain of the user via the sensory nervous system of the user. The processor(s) may be further configured for combining ingredients of the modified product formulation into a final product formulation. In one embodiment, a portion of the processor(s) is contained in the brain interface assembly for determining the mental state of the user based on the detected brain activity, and another portion of the processor(s) is contained in a peripheral device for modifying the product formulation within the virtual mixing container based on the determined mental state of the user.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present inventions, a method of customizing a product formulation comprises detecting brain activity of a user (e.g., while the user is in a normal life and work environment) in response to an input of a product formulation (e.g., one or more of a fragrance, homeopathic oil for external therapeutic applications, lotion, food, drink, and psychotropic substances) into a brain of the user via a sensory nervous system (e.g., olfactory sensory system and/or gustatory sensory system) of the user. In one method, the brain activity is optically detected. In another method, the brain activity is magnetically detected. The brain activity of the user may be detected, e.g., by detecting energy from a brain of the user, and identifying the brain activity in response to detecting the energy from the brain of the user.

The method further comprises determining a mental state (e.g., one of an emotional state, a cognitive state, and a perceptive state) of the user based on the detected brain activity, and modifying the product formulation (e.g., by adding a selected ingredient to the product formulation, discarding a selected ingredient from the product formulation, and/or modifying a dosage of a selected existing ingredient in the product formulation) based on the determined mental state of the user. In one method, determining the mental state of the user based on the detected brain activity comprises determining a level of the mental state of the user based on the detected brain activity, in which case, the product formulation may be modified based on the level of the determined mental state of the user. Another method further comprises combining ingredients of the modified product formulation into a final product formulation.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present inventions, a non-invasive mental state modulation system comprises a sensory input device configured for presenting a product formulation (e.g., one or more of a fragrance, homeopathic oil for external therapeutic applications, lotion, food, drink, and psychotropic substances) into a brain of the user via a sensory nervous system (e.g., olfactory sensory system and/or gustatory sensory system) of the user.

The non-invasive mental state modulation system further comprises a non-invasive brain interface assembly configured for detecting brain activity of the user (e.g., while the user is in a normal life and work environment). In one embodiment, the non-invasive brain interface assembly is an optical measurement assembly. In another embodiment, the non-invasive brain interface assembly is a magnetic measurement assembly. The non-invasive brain interface assembly may comprise, e.g., at least one detector configured for detecting energy from a brain of the user, and processing circuitry configured for identifying the brain activity in response to detecting the energy from the brain of the user. The non-invasive brain interface assembly may comprise a head-worn unit carrying the at least one detector, and an auxiliary non-head-worn unit carrying the processing circuitry.

The non-invasive mental state modulation system further comprises at least one processor configured for determining a mental state of the user based on the detected brain activity, and in response to the determined mental state of the user, for automatically instructing the sensory input device to present the product formulation to the user in a manner that modulates the mental state of the user. Preferably, the product formulation is presented to the user in a manner that promotes a positive mental state (e.g., one of joy, relaxation, and a cognitive state) of the user.

In one embodiment, the determined mental state of the user is a negative mental state (e.g., one of anxiety and fear), and the mental state of the user is modulated to promote a positive mental state (e.g., one of joy, relaxation, and a cognitive state) of the user. In another embodiment, the processor(s) is further configured for being manually programmed with the positive mental state. In still another embodiment, a portion of the processor(s) is contained in the brain interface assembly for determining the mental state of the user based on the detected brain activity, and another portion of the processor(s) is contained in a peripheral device for modifying the product formulation within the virtual mixing container based on the determined mental state of the user.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present inventions, a method of modulating a mental state (e.g., one of an emotional state, a cognitive state, and a perceptive state) of a user comprises detecting brain activity of the user (e.g., while the user is in a normal life and work environment). In one method, the brain activity is optically detected. In another method, the brain activity is magnetically detected. The brain activity of the user may be detected, e.g., by detecting energy from a brain of the user, and identifying the brain activity in response to detecting the energy from the brain of the user.

The method further comprises determining a mental state (e.g., one of an emotional state, a cognitive state, and a perceptive state) of the user based on the detected brain activity, and automatically presenting the product formulation (e.g., one or more of a fragrance, homeopathic oil for external therapeutic applications, lotion, food, drink, and psychotropic substances) into a brain of the user via a sensory nervous system (e.g., olfactory sensory system and/or gustatory sensory system) of the user in a manner that modulates the mental state of the user. In one method, the determined mental state of the user is a negative mental state (e.g., one of anxiety and fear), and the mental state of the user is modulated to promote a positive mental state (e.g., one of joy, relaxation, and a cognitive state) of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1, a generalized embodiment of a non-invasive product customization system10constructed in accordance with the present inventions will be described. As will be described in further detail below, the non-invasive product customization system10facilitates the customization of the formulation of a product; e.g., a fragrance, homeopathic oil for external therapeutic applications, lotion, food, drink (e.g., a coffee drink with customized blend of selected coffee beans, caffeine content, and flavor such as vanilla), psychotropic substances, and the like, to a user12(or alternatively, a group of people in the same class as the user12) without requiring voluntary sensory feedback from the user12. As will be also described in further detail below, the non-invasive product formulization system may optionally serve as a non-invasive mental state modulation system that presents product formulations to the user12in order to modulate a mental state of the user12, e.g., a negative mental state to a positive mental state.

To this end, the non-invasive product system10comprises a non-invasive brain interface assembly14configured for detecting brain activity of the user12. As will be discussed in further detail below, the brain interface assembly14can be optically-based, magnetically-based, or based on any other modality that enables it to non-invasively detect brain activity of the user12(i.e., through the intact skin and skull of the user12), through the use of sensitive electronics, as will be described below, and is designed to be worn by the user12. As will also be discussed in further detail below, the non-invasive brain interface assembly14is portable in that it can be worn by the user12. In this manner, the non-invasive product customization system10may be conveniently used in a normal life and working environment. For the purposes of this specification, a “normal life and work environment” is an environment that is usual and ordinary, and thus, necessitates that the user12be able to freely ambulate without any physical hindrance by the system10or other system to which the system10is coupled or otherwise is an adjunct. Thus, a normal life and work environment excludes a clinical setting (e.g., any setting in which a conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine or computed tomography (CT) could potentially be used to detect neural activity from the user). In alternative embodiments, the non-invasive brain interface assembly16may be non-portable and/or non-wearable in cases where it is suitable for the non-invasive brain interface assembly14to be operated outside of a normal life and working environment, e.g., in a food research facility or laboratory.

The brain interface assembly14is configured for determining a mental state based on the detected brain activity of the user12, although this function can be performed by other processing components in the non-invasive product customization system10, as described in further detail below. The mental state of the user12may include, e.g., an emotional state (e.g., joy, excitement, relaxation, surprise, anxiety, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, etc.), a cognitive state encompassing intellectual functions and processes (e.g., memory retrieval, focus, attention, creativity, reasoning, problem solving, decision making, comprehension and production of language, etc.), or a perceptive state (e.g., face perception, color perception, sound perception, visual perception, etc.).

The mental state of the user12may be determined based on the detected brain activity in any one of a variety of manners. In one embodiment, a univariate approach in determining the mental state of the user12may be performed, i.e., the brain activity can be detected in a plurality (e.g., thousands) of separable cortical modules of the user12, and the brain activity obtained from each cortical module can be analyzed separately and independently. In another embodiment, a multivariate approach in determining the mental state of the user12may be performed, i.e., the brain activity can be detected in a plurality (e.g., thousands) of separable cortical modules of the user12, and the full spatial pattern of the brain activity obtained from the cortical modules can be assessed together.

Any one of a variety of models can be used to classify the mental state of the user12, and will highly depend on the characteristics of brain activity that are input onto the models. Such characteristics of brain activity may typically be extracted from the spatiotemporal brain activity that is captured, and can include, e.g., location of signal, fine grained pattern within or across locations, amplitude of signal, timing of response to behavior, magnitude of frequency bands of the signal (taking the Fourier transform of the time series), ratio of magnitude of frequency bands, cross-correlation between time series of signal between two or more locations captured simultaneously, spectral coherence between two or more locations captured simultaneously, components that maximize variance, components that maximize non-gaussian similarity, etc. The characteristics of brain activity selected to be input into the models must be considered in reference to univariate and multivariate approaches, since the univariate approach, e.g., focuses on a single location, and therefore will not take advantage of features that correlate multiple locations. The characteristics of the brain activity can be extracted from preprocessed raw data recorded during situations of patterns of thought and perception in everyday life, which are characterized by a continually changing stream of consciousness. The preprocessing of the raw data typically involves filtering the data (either in the time domain or the frequency domain) to smooth, remove noise, and separate different components of signal.

Selecting a model will be heavily dependent on whether the data is labeled or unlabeled (meaning is it known what the user is doing at the time that the brain activity is detected), as well as many other factors (e.g., is the data assumed to be normally distributed, is the data assumed relationship linear, is the data assumed relationship non-linear, etc.) Models can include, e.g., support vector machines, expectation maximization techniques, naïve-Bayesian techniques, neural networks, simple statistics (e.g., correlations), deep learning models, pattern classifiers, etc.

These models are typically initialized with some training data (meaning that a calibration routine can be performed on the user to determine what the user is doing). If no training information can be acquired, such models can be heuristically initialized based on prior knowledge, and the models can be iteratively optimized with the expectation that optimization will settle to some optimal maximum or minimum solution. Once it is known what the user is doing, the proper characteristics of the neural activity and proper models can be queried. The models may be layered or staged, so that, e.g., a first model focuses on pre-processing data (e.g., filtering), the next model focuses on clustering the pre-processed data to separate certain features that may be recognized to correlate with a known activity performed by the user, and then the next model can query a separate model to determine the mental state based on that user activity.

As will be described in further detail below, the training data or prior knowledge of the user may be obtained by providing known life/work context to the user. Altogether, the models can be used to track mental state and perception under natural or quasi-natural (i.e., in response to providing known life/work context to the user) and dynamic conditions taking in the time-course of averaged activity and determining the mental state of the user based on constant or spontaneous fluctuations in the characteristics of the brain activity extracted from the data.

A set of data models that have already been proven, for example in a laboratory setting, can be initially uploaded to the non-invasive product customization system10, which system will then use the uploaded models to determine the mental state of the user. Optionally, the non-invasive product customization system10may collect data during actual use with the user, which can then be downloaded and analyzed in a separate server, for example in a laboratory setting, to create new or updated models. Software upgrades, which may include the new or updated models, can be uploaded to the non-invasive product customization system10to provide new or updated data modelling and data collection.

The non-invasive product customization system10further comprises a sensory input device16aor a product16b(collectively, a sensory input/product16) configured for providing different product formulation inputs into the brain of the user12via the sensory nervous system of the user12. For example, the different product formulations can be inhaled and/or ingested by the user12, in which case, the sensory envious system through which the different product formulations are input into the brain of the user12may be the olfactory sensory system and/or the gustatory sensory system. The sensory input device16amay comprise, e.g., a mask or tube that conveys different product formulations to the vicinity of the nose of the user12. Alternatively, the different product formulations can be presented to the user12in the form of the actual product16b, itself. That is, the user12may simply smell or taste the product. The different product formulations may include different ingredients or different doses of the same ingredient. For example, a first product formulation may include ingredient A, ingredient B, and ingredient C; and a second product formulation may include ingredient A, ingredient C, ingredient D, and ingredient E. Or, a first product formulation may include a first dose of ingredient A, and a first dose of ingredient B, and a second product formulation may include a second different dose of ingredient A and a second different dose (or the same first dose) of ingredient B. Examples of product formulations200are shown inFIGS. 2A-2Eand described below.

The non-invasive product customization system10further comprises a peripheral device18(e.g., a Smartphone, tablet computer, or the like) configured for programming a desired mental state or mental states of the user12to be monitored by the brain interface assembly14in relation to the product formulation that is to be tested. Such mental state(s) of the user12can be individually programmed using a manual selection or manual input on the peripheral device18by the user12, and can be made available through the graphical user interface of the peripheral device18though a button, tab, or icon, e.g., through the use of a radio button or similar selectable options, representing one of a set of options of individual experiences.

The peripheral device18is also configured for modifying the product formulation using a virtual mixing container19based on the determined mental state of the user12. As examples, the peripheral device18may be configured for modifying the product formulation by adding a selected ingredient to the product formulation within the virtual mixing container19, discarding a selected ingredient from the product formulation within virtual mixing container19, and/or modifying a dosage of a selected existing ingredient in the product formulation within the virtual mixing container19. Although the virtual mixing container19is shown as being incorporated into the peripheral device18, the virtual mixing container19may be incorporated into a separate device.

Preferably, the peripheral device18is ultimately configured for determining the optimized product formulation that best promotes the desired mental state(s) programmed into the peripheral device18. This can be accomplished by, e.g., by repeatedly detecting additional brain activity of the user12via the brain interface assembly14in response to inputs of differently modified product formulations into the brain of the user via the sensory nervous system of the user12, and repeatedly determining the modified mental states of the user12based on the additionally detected brain activity of the user12via the peripheral device18. Once the product formulation has been optimized, the peripheral device18may be configured for combining the ingredients of the optimized product formulation into a final product formulation. The peripheral device18may also be further configured for repeatedly validating the optimized product formulation to ensure that the product formulation within the mixing container19, continues to promote the desired mental state(s) of the user12.

The peripheral device18may also be configured for associating each final product formulation to a particular programmed mental state, such that the peripheral device18may instruct the sensory input device16ato present a particular product formulation to the user12in a manner that modulates the mental state of the user12to the programmed mental state. For example, if the peripheral device18determines that the user12has a negative mental state (e.g., anxiety or fear), the peripheral device18may be configured for automatically selecting one of the final product formulations corresponding to a positive mental state (e.g., joy, relaxation, or a cognitive state), and instructing the sensory input device16ato present the selected product formulation to the user12in a manner that modulates the mental state of the user12to the positive mental state.

The non-invasive product customization system10also optionally comprises a database, server, or cloud structure20configured for tracking the brain activity of the user12. For example, the database, server, or cloud structure20may be configured to collect raw data (e.g., brain activity data) generated by the brain interface assembly14. Furthermore, the database, server, or cloud structure20(independently of or in conjunction with the mental state determination functions of the brain interface assembly14) may be configured for performing a data analysis of the raw data in order to determine the mental state of the user12.

For example, if the raw data obtained by the user12is being anonymized and stored in the database, server, or cloud structure20, the data models can be pooled across various users, which deep learning algorithms would benefit from. The database, server, or cloud structure20may be configured for performing cross-correlation analysis of the signal data analysis in order to reduce the pool size of the database and focus subject averaged data to a pool that is similar to the user. Most likely, each user will have a portion of their model optimized to them, but then another portion takes advantage of patterns extracted from a larger pool of users. It should also be appreciated that each user may perform any variety of an infinite number of activities. Thus, even if a user is properly calibrated, such calibration will only be for a small set of infinite possibilities. Generalizing models may comprise various variabilities and optimizing may be difficult. However, by building a large user database on the database, server, or cloud structure20, a data analysis pipeline connected to such database, server, or cloud structure20can preprocess data (clean it up), extract all different kinds of features, and then apply an appropriate data model, to overcome this issue. The brain activity of the user12may be tracked with additional life/work context to acquire meta data in depth assessment of awareness and behavior modulation patterns of the user12. Although, all of the tracked data analysis has been described as being performed by the database, server, or cloud structure20, it should be appreciated that at least a portion of the tracked data analysis functionality may be incorporated in the peripheral device18, with the caveat that it is preferred that the tracking of the brain activity between a pool of users be performed by the database, server, or cloud structure20.

Having described the structure, function, and application of data models of the non-invasive product customization system10, one method100of operating the non-invasive product customization system10will now be described with reference toFIG. 3.

Initially, the brain interface assembly14detects the brain activity of the user12(step102). For example, the brain interface assembly14may detect energy (e.g., optical energy or magnetic energy) from the brain and through the skull of the user12, and determine the brain activity in response to detecting the energy from the brain of the user12. The brain interface assembly14(or alternatively, the peripheral device18or database, server, or cloud structure20) then determines a baseline mental state of the user12based on the detected brain activity (step104). The user12then programs the peripheral device18with the desired mental state or mental states (e.g., joy) (step106). The peripheral device18then performs an analysis of the baseline mental state of the user12and the desired mental state(s) of the user12(step108). In this manner, the brain interface assembly14can be calibrated to the desired mental state(s) of the user12, such that a threshold level or quality of the brain activity of the user12corresponding to the desired mental state(s) can be determined. Thus, the user12will be determined to have reached the mental state(s) only after the detected brain activity of the user12has exceeded the threshold level or quality.

The peripheral device18then optimizes the product formulation by presenting different product formulations to the user12via the sensory input device/product16. In particular, the peripheral device18creates a product formulation from the virtual mixing container19(examples of product formulations are shown inFIGS. 2A-2D) (step110) and presents the product formulation to the user12via the sensory input device/product16(step112). The user12senses the product formulation, e.g., via smell and/or taste, and is input through the sensory nervous system to the brain of the user12(step114). As such, the sensory input device/product16serves as brain input to the user12through the sensory nervous system.

Next, the brain interface assembly14detects the brain activity of the user12while the sensory input device/product16presents the product formulation to the user12(step116), and then the brain interface assembly14(or alternatively, the peripheral device18or database, server, or cloud structure20), based on the detected brain activity, determines a level of the mental state of the user12indicative of the sensory response of the user12to the presented product formulation (step118).

If the level of the desired mental state(s) of the user12has not been reached (step120), the peripheral device18modifies the product formulation within the mixing container19to arrive at a new product formulation (step122), and then returns to step112where the peripheral device18presents the product formulation to the user12via the sensory input device/product16, and steps114-120are repeated as required until the level of the desired mental state of the user12is reached in response to the new product formulation. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, the mixing container19may currently contain various ingredients, in this example, 7 ingredients are shown. The peripheral device18may change one selected ingredient at time, e.g., by retaining the selected ingredient, but changing the dosage of the selected ingredient in the mixing container19. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the dosage of selected ingredient3has been increased, and as illustrated inFIG. 2C, the dosage of selected ingredient3has been decreased. In other examples, selected ingredient3has been discarded from the mixing container19, as illustrated inFIG. 2D, and new ingredient8has been added to the mixing container19, as illustrated inFIG. 2E.

If the level of the desired mental state of the user12has been reached (step120), the peripheral device18combines all of the ingredients from the mixing container19into the final product formulation that is associated with the desired mental state (step124). This final product formulation can be used by the user12or a group of people in the same class as the user12. The peripheral device18may periodically validate the final product formulation by returning to step112, and modifying the product formulation to ensure that the product formulation evokes the level of the desired mental state(s) in the use12, and optionally to improve the mental state of the user12.

As briefly discussed above, the non-invasive product customization system10may optionally serve as a non-invasive mental statement modulation system that presents product formulations to the user12in order to modulate a mental state of the user12. One method150of operating the non-invasive mental statement modulation system will now be described with reference toFIG. 4.

Initially, the user12may initially have a mental state, which may be conscious or subconscious (step152). In the illustrated method, the initial mental state is a negative emotional state (e.g., anxiety or fear), although other negative mental states are contemplated, as set forth above. The brain interface assembly14detects the brain activity of the user12(step154). For example, the brain interface assembly14may detect energy (e.g., optical energy or magnetic energy) from the brain and through the skull of the user12, and determine the brain activity in response to detecting the energy from the brain of the user12. The brain interface assembly14(or alternatively, the database, server, or cloud structure20) then determines that the user12has a negative emotional state based on the detected brain activity (step156).

Next, the peripheral device18determines whether the user12has been continually in the negative emotional state for a certain period of time, e.g., one, two, five, ten minutes, etc., which period of time may be preprogrammed (step158). If the user12is determined to be continually in the negative emotional state for the certain period of time (step160), the peripheral device18automatically instructs the sensory input device16to present the final product formulation associated with the programmed mental state (preferably, a positive mental state, e.g., joy, relaxation, or a cognitive state), thereby promoting the programmed mental state (step162), although the promotion of other positive mental states is also contemplated as set forth above. If the user12is determined to not be continually in the determined negative emotional state for the certain period of time (step160), the peripheral device16does not automatically instruct the sensory input device16to present the final product formulation associated with the programmed mental state, but rather returns to step154.

The brain interface assembly14aincludes a wearable unit22aconfigured for being applied to the user12, and in this case, worn on the head of the user12; and an auxiliary head-worn or non-head-worn unit24a(e.g., worn on the neck, shoulders, chest, or arm). Alternatively, the functionality of the unit24amay be incorporated into the head-worn unit22a. The auxiliary non-head-worn unit24amay be coupled to the head-worn unit22avia a wired connection26(e.g., electrical wires). Alternatively, the brain interface assembly14amay use a non-wired connection (e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for providing power to or communicating between the respective head-worn unit22aand the auxiliary unit24a.

The head-worn unit22acomprises electronic or optical components, such as, e.g., one or more optical sources, an interferometer, one or more optical detector(s) (not shown), etc., an output port28afor emitting sample light30generated by the brain interface assembly14ainto the head of the user12, an input port28bconfigured for receiving neural-encoded signal light32from the head of the user12, which signal light is then detected, modulated and/or processed to determine brain activity of the user12, and a support housing structure34containing the electronic or optical components, and ports28a,28b.

The support housing structure34may be shaped, e.g., have a banana, headband, cap, helmet, beanie, other hat shape, or other shape adjustable and conformable to the user's head, such that the ports28a,28bare in close contact with the outer skin of the head, and in this case, the scalp of the user12. The support housing structure34may be made out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. In an alternative embodiment, optical fibers (not shown) may be respectively extended from the ports28a,28b, thereby freeing up the requirement that the ports28a,28bbe disposed in close proximity to the surface of the head. In any event, an index matching fluid may be used to reduce reflection of the light generated by the head-worn unit22afrom the outer skin of the scalp. An adhesive, strap, or belt (not shown) can be used to secure the support housing structure34to the head of the user12.

The auxiliary unit24acomprises a housing36containing a controller38and a processor40. The controller38is configured for controlling the operational functions of the head-worn unit22a, whereas the processor40is configured for processing the neural-encoded signal light32acquired by the head-worn unit22ato detect and localize the brain activity of the user12, as well as to determine the mental state of the user12based on the brain activity of the user12if not performed by other processing units in the system10a. The auxiliary unit24amay additionally include a power supply (which if head-worn, may take the form of a rechargeable or non-chargeable battery), a control panel with input/output functions, a display, and memory. Alternatively, power may be provided to the auxiliary unit24awirelessly (e.g., by induction).

The functionalities of the sensory input device/product16, peripheral device18(along with the mixing container19(shown inFIG. 1), and database, server, or cloud structure20may be the same as described above with respect to the non-invasive product customization system10ofFIG. 1.

The peripheral device18is coupled to the auxiliary unit24aof the brain interface assembly14avia a wireless connection42(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the peripheral device18and the brain interface assembly14a. The peripheral device18is also coupled to the sensory input device16avia a wireless connection44(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the peripheral device18and the sensory input device16a. Alternatively, wired connections between the peripheral device18and the brain interface assembly14aand/or the sensory input device16amay be used. Alternatively or optionally, the product16bmay simply be in the vicinity of the user12to provide a natural path48in the ambient environment through which the user12may sense the product16b.

The database, server, or cloud structure20may be coupled to the auxiliary unit24aof the brain interface assembly14a(and/or the peripheral device18) via a wireless connection46(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the database, server, or cloud structure20and the brain interface assembly14aand peripheral device18. Alternatively, a wired connection between the database, server, or cloud structure20and the auxiliary unit24aof the brain interface assembly14aand/or the peripheral device18may be used.

Referring toFIG. 6, a physical implementation of one embodiment of a non-invasive product customization system10bwill now be described. The system10bcomprises an optically-based, time-domain, non-invasive brain interface assembly14b, which may, e.g., incorporate any one or more of the neural activity detection technologies described in U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/051,462, entitled “Fast-Gated Photodetector Architecture Comprising Dual Voltage Sources with a Switch Configuration” (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,158,038), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/202,771, entitled “Non-Invasive Wearable Brain Interface Systems Including a Headgear and a Plurality of Self-Contained Photodetector Units Configured to Removably Attach to the Headgear” (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,340,408), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/283,730, entitled “Stacked Photodetector Assemblies” (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,515,993), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/544,850, entitled “Wearable Systems with Stacked Photodetector Assemblies,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/880,025, entitled “Photodetector Architectures for Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/889,999, entitled “Photodetector Architectures for Efficient Fast-Gating,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/906,620, entitled “Photodetector Systems with Low-Power Time-To-Digital Converter Architectures,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/979,866 entitled “Optical Module Assemblies,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,486 entitled “Laser Diode Driver Circuit with Adjustable Turn-Off and Turn-On Current Slew Rates,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,491 entitled “Multiplexing Techniques for Interference Reduction in Time-Correlated Signal Photon Counting,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,493 entitled “SPAD Bias Compensation,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,497 entitled “Measurement Window Calibration for Detection of Temporal Point Spread Function,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,499 entitled “Techniques for Determining Impulse Response of SPAD and TDC Systems,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,502 entitled “Histogram Based Code Density Characterization and Correction in Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,506 entitled “Selectable Resolution Modes in an Optical Measurement System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,510 entitled “Hierarchical Bias Generation for Groups of SPAD Detectors,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,512 entitled “Detection and Removal of Motion Artifacts in a Wearable Optical Measurement System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,526 entitled “Dynamic Range Improvement from Highly Parallel Arrays and SPADs,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,529 entitled “Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) Bias Constant Charge,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,536 entitled “Calibration of SPAD ToF Systems Based on Per Pixel Dark Count Rate,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,543 entitled “Estimation of Source-Detector Separation in an Optical Measurement System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,550 entitled “Wearable Module for an Optical Measurement or Hybrid Technology Neural Recording System Where the Module Assemblies are Configured for Tiling Multiple Modules Together for Targeted and/or Complete Head Coverage,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,552 entitled “Wearable Devices for a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) System Where the Wearable Device Includes Conforming Headset Fixation,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,555 entitled “Integrated Detector Assemblies for a Wearable Module of an Optical Measurement System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,559 entitled “Integrated Detector Assemblies for a Wearable Module of an Optical Measurement Where the Detector Assemblies Include Spring Loaded Light Pipes,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,567 entitled “Integrated Light Source Assembly with Laser Coupling for a Wearable Optical Measurement System,” which are all expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The brain interface assembly14bincludes a head-worn unit22bthat is configured for being applied to the user12, and in this case, worn on the head of the user12; and an auxiliary non-head-worn unit24b(e.g., worn on the neck, shoulders, chest, or arm). Alternatively, the functionality of the unit24bmay be incorporated into the head-worn unit22b, as described below. The auxiliary non-head-worn unit24bmay be coupled to the head-worn unit22bvia a wired connection26(e.g., electrical wires). Alternatively, the brain interface assembly14bmay use a non-wired connection (e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for providing power to or communicating between the respective head-worn unit22band the auxiliary unit24b.

The head-worn unit22bincludes one or more light sources48configured for generating light pulses. The light source(s)48may be configured for generating one or more light pulses at one or more wavelengths that may be applied to a desired target (e.g., a target within the brain). The light source(s)48may be implemented by any suitable combination of components. For example, light source(s)48described herein may be implemented by any suitable device. For example, a light source as used herein may be, for example, a distributed feedback (DFB) laser, a super luminescent diode (SLD), a light emitting diode (LED), a diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser, a laser diode (LD), a super luminescent light emitting diode (sLED), a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), a titanium sapphire laser, a micro light emitting diode (mLED), and/or any other suitable laser or light source.

The head-worn unit22bincludes a plurality of photodetector units50, e.g., comprising single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) configured for detecting a single photon (i.e., a single particle of optical energy) in each of the light pulses. For example, an array of these sensitive photodetector units can record photons that reflect off of tissue within the brain in response to application of one or more of the light pulses generated by the light sources48. Based on the time it takes for the photons to be detected by the photodetector units, neural activity and other attributes of the brain can be determined or inferred.

Photodetector units that employ the properties of a SPAD are capable of capturing individual photons with very high time-of-arrival resolution (a few tens of picoseconds). When photons are absorbed by a SPAD, their energy frees bound charge carriers (electrons and holes) that then become free-carrier pairs. In the presence of an electric field created by a reverse bias voltage applied to the diode, these free-carriers are accelerated through a region of the SPAD, referred to as the multiplication region. As the free carriers travel through the multiplication region, they collide with other carriers bound in the atomic lattice of the semiconductor, thereby generating more free carriers through a process called impact ionization. These new free-carriers also become accelerated by the applied electric field and generate yet more free-carriers. This avalanche event can be detected and used to determine an arrival time of the photon. In order to enable detection of a single photon, a SPAD is biased with a reverse bias voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of its breakdown voltage, which is the bias level above which free-carrier generation can become self-sustaining and result in a runaway avalanche. This biasing of the SPAD is referred to as arming the device. When the SPAD is armed, a single free carrier pair created by the absorption of a single photon can create a runaway avalanche resulting in an easily detectable macroscopic current.

It will be recognized that in some alternative embodiments, the head-worn unit22bmay include a single light source48and/or single photodetector unit50. For example, brain interface system14bmay be used for controlling a single optical path and for transforming photodetector pixel measurements into an intensity value that represents an optical property of a brain tissue region. In some alternative embodiments, the head-worn unit22bdoes not include individual light sources. Instead, a light source configured to generate the light that is detected by the photodetector may be included elsewhere in the brain interface system14b. For example, a light source may be included in the auxiliary unit24b.

The head-worn unit22bfurther comprises a support housing structure52containing the light source(s)48, photodetector units50, and other electronic or optical components. As will be described in further detail below, the support housing structure52may be shaped, e.g., have a banana, headband, cap, helmet, beanie, other hat shape, or other shape adjustable and conformable to the user's head, such that the photodetector units50are in close contact with the outer skin of the head, and in this case, the scalp of the user12. The support housing structure52may be made out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation.

While brain interface system14bshows one head-word unit22b, any suitable number of head-worn units22bmay be used, for instance at different locations on the head.

The auxiliary unit24bcomprises the housing36containing the controller38and the processor40. The controller38is configured for controlling the operational functions of the head-worn unit22b, whereas the processor40is configured for processing the photons acquired by the head-worn unit22bto detect and localize the brain activity of the user12, as well as to determine the mental state of the user12based on the brain activity of the user12if not performed by other processing units in the system10b. The auxiliary unit24bmay additionally include a power supply (which if head-worn, may take the form of a rechargeable or non-chargeable battery), a control panel with input/output functions, a display, and memory. Alternatively, power may be provided to the auxiliary unit24bwirelessly (e.g., by induction).

The functionalities of the sensory input device/product16, peripheral device18, (along with the mixing container19(shown inFIG. 1), and database, server, or cloud structure20may be the same as described above with respect to the non-invasive product customization system10ofFIG. 1.

The peripheral device18is coupled to the auxiliary unit24bof the brain interface assembly14bvia a wireless connection42(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the peripheral device18and the brain interface assembly14b. The peripheral device18is also coupled to the sensory input device16avia a wireless connection44(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the peripheral device18and the sensory input device16a. Alternatively, wired connections between the peripheral device18and the brain interface assembly14band/or the sensory input device16amay be used. Alternatively or optionally, the product16bmay simply be in the vicinity of the user12to provide a natural path48in the ambient environment through which the user12may sense the product16b.

The database, server, or cloud structure20may be coupled to the auxiliary unit24bof the brain interface assembly14b(and/or the peripheral device18) via a wireless connection46(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the database, server, or cloud structure20and the brain interface assembly14band peripheral device18. Alternatively, a wired connection between the database, server, or cloud structure20and the auxiliary unit24bof the brain interface assembly14band/or the peripheral device18may be used.

Referring now toFIGS. 7A-7D, different embodiments of the brain interface assembly14bwill be described. Such brain interface assemblies14bmay communicate wirelessly or via wire with the peripheral device18, the sensory input device/product16, and database, server, cloud structure20, as described above. Each of the brain interface assemblies14bdescribed below comprises a head-worn unit22bhaving a plurality of photodetector units50and a support housing structure52in which the photodetector units50are embedded. Each of the photodetector units50may comprise, e.g., a SPAD, voltage sources, capacitors, switches, and any other circuit components (not shown) required to detect photons. Each of the brain interface assemblies14bmay also comprise one or more light sources (not shown) for generating light pulses, although the source of such light may be derived from ambient light in some cases. Each of brain interface assemblies14bmay also comprise a control/processing unit54, such as, e.g., a control circuit, time-to-digital (TDC) converter, and signal processing circuit for controlling the operational functions of the photodetector units50and any light source(s), and processing the photons acquired by photodetector units50to detect and localize the brain activity of the user12. As will be described in further detail below, the control/processing unit54may be contained in the head-worn unit22bor may be incorporated into a self-contained auxiliary unit. As will be set forth below, the support housing structure52may be shaped, e.g., have a banana, headband, cap, helmet, beanie, other hat shape, or other shape adjustable and conformable to the user's head, such that the photodetector units50are in close contact with the outer skin of the head, and in this case, the scalp of the user12.

As shown inFIG. 7A, a brain interface assembly14b(1) comprises a head-worn unit22b(1) and a power source56coupled to the head-worn unit22b(1) via a power cord58. The head-worn unit22b(1) includes the photodetector units50(shown as50-1through50-12) and a control/processing unit54a. The head-worn unit22b(1) further includes a support housing structure52athat takes a form of a cap that contains the photodetector units50and control/processing unit54a. The material for the cap52amay be selected out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. The power source56may be implemented by a battery and/or any other type of power source configured to provide operating power to the photodetector units50, control/processing unit54a, and any other component included within the brain interface assembly22b(1) via the power cord58. The head-worn unit22b(1) optionally includes a crest or other protrusion60formed in the cap52afor providing means of carrying/housing a control/processing unit54a.

As shown inFIG. 7B, a brain interface assembly14b(2) comprises a head-worn unit22b(2) and a control/processing unit54bcoupled to the head-worn unit22b(2) via a wired connection62. The head-worn unit22b(2) includes the photodetector units50(shown as50-1through50-4), and a support housing structure52bthat takes a form of a helmet containing the photodetector units50. The material for the helmet52bmay be selected out of any suitable polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. Unlike the control/processing unit54aof the brain interface assembly14b(1) illustrated inFIG. 7A, which is contained in the head-worn unit22b(1), the control/processing unit54bis self-contained, and may take the form of a garment (e.g., a vest, partial vest, or harness) for being worn on the shoulders of the user12. The self-contained control/processing unit54bmay additionally include a power supply (which if head-worn, may take the form of a rechargeable or non-chargeable battery), a control panel with input/output functions, a display, and memory. Alternatively, power may be provided to the self-contained control/processing unit54bwirelessly (e.g., by induction).

As shown inFIG. 7C, a brain interface assembly14b(3) comprises a head-worn unit22b(3) and a power source56coupled to the head-worn unit22b(3) via a power cord74. The head-worn unit22b(3) includes the photodetector units50(shown as50-1through50-12) and a control/processing unit54c. The head-worn unit22b(3) further includes a support housing structure52cthat takes a form of a beanie that contains the photodetector units50and control/processing unit54c. The material for the beanie52cmay be selected out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. The power source56may be implemented by a battery and/or any other type of power source configured to provide operating power to the photodetector units50, control/processing unit54c, and any other component included within the brain interface assembly22b(3) via a wired connection58.

As shown inFIG. 7D, a brain interface assembly14b(4) comprises a head-worn unit22b(4) and a control/processing unit54dcoupled to the head-worn unit22b(4) via a wired connection62. The head-worn unit22b(4) includes the photodetector units50(shown as50-1through50-4), and a support housing structure52dthat takes a form of a headband containing the photodetector units50. The material for the headband52dmay be selected out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. The control/processing unit54dis self-contained, and may take the form of a garment (e.g., a vest, partial vest, or harness) for being worn on the shoulders of the user12. The self-contained control/processing unit54dmay additionally include a power supply (which if head-worn, may take the form of a rechargeable or non-chargeable battery), a control panel with input/output functions, a display, and memory. Alternatively, power may be provided to the self-contained control/processing unit54dwirelessly (e.g., by induction).

Referring toFIG. 8, a physical implementation of one embodiment of a non-invasive product customization system10cwill now be described. The system10ccomprises a magnetically-based non-invasive brain interface assembly14c, which may, e.g., incorporate any one or more of the neural activity detection technologies described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/428,871, entitled “Magnetic Field Measurement Systems and Methods of Making and Using,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/418,478, entitled “Magnetic Field Measurement System and Method of Using Variable Dynamic Range Optical Magnetometers”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/418,500, entitled, “Integrated Gas Cell and Optical Components for Atomic Magnetometry and Methods for Making and Using,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/457,655, entitled “Magnetic Field Shaping Components for Magnetic Field Measurement Systems and Methods for Making and Using,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/213,980, entitled “Systems and Methods Including Multi-Mode Operation of Optically Pumped Magnetometer(S),” (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,627,460), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/456,975, entitled “Dynamic Magnetic Shielding and Beamforming Using Ferrofluid for Compact Magnetoencephalography (MEG),” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/752,393, entitled “Neural Feedback Loop Filters for Enhanced Dynamic Range Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Systems and Methods,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/741,593, entitled “Magnetic Field Measurement System with Amplitude-Selective Magnetic Shield,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/858,636, entitled “Integrated Magnetometer Arrays for Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Detection Systems and Methods,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/836,421, entitled “Systems and Methods for Suppression of Non-Neural Interferences in Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Measurements,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/842,818 entitled “Active Shield Arrays for Magnetoencephalography (MEG),” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/926,032 entitled “Systems and Methods for Multiplexed or Interleaved Operation of Magnetometers,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/896,929 entitled “Systems and Methods having an Optical Magnetometer Array with Beam Splitters,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/960,548 entitled “Methods and Systems for Fast Field Zeroing for Magnetoencephalography (MEG),” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,787 entitled “Single Controller for Wearable Sensor Unit that Includes an Array Of Magnetometers,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,797 entitled “Systems and Methods for Measuring Current Output By a Photodetector of a Wearable Sensor Unit that Includes One or More Magnetometers,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,803 entitled “Interface Configurations for a Wearable Sensor Unit that Includes One or More Magnetometers,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,804 entitled “Systems and Methods for Concentrating Alkali Metal Within a Vapor Cell of a Magnetometer Away from a Transit Path of Light,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,813 entitled “Magnetic Field Generator for a Magnetic Field Measurement System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,818 entitled “Magnetic Field Generator for a Magnetic Field Measurement System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,823 entitled “Magnetic Field Measurement Systems Including a Plurality of Wearable Sensor Units Having a Magnetic Field Generator,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/975,709 entitled “Self-Calibration of Flux Gate Offset and Gain Drift To Improve Measurement Accuracy of Magnetic Fields from the Brain Using a Wearable System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/975,693 entitled “Nested and Parallel Feedback Control Loops for Ultra-Fine Measurements of Magnetic Fields from the Brain Using a Wearable MEG System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/975,719 entitled “Estimating the Magnetic Field at Distances from Direct Measurements to Enable Fine Sensors to Measure the Magnetic Field from the Brain Using a Wearable System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/975,723 entitled “Algorithms that Exploit Maxwell's Equations and Geometry to Reduce Noise for Ultra-Fine Measurements of Magnetic Fields from the Brain Using a Wearable MEG System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/975,727 entitled “Optimal Methods to Feedback Control and Estimate Magnetic Fields to Enable a Wearable System to Measure Magnetic Fields from the Brain,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/983,406 entitled “Two Level Magnetic Shielding of Magnetometers,” which are all expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The brain interface assembly14cincludes a magnetoencephalography (MEG) head-worn unit22cthat is configured for being applied to the user12, and in this case, worn on the head of the user12; and an auxiliary non-head-worn unit24c(e.g., worn on the neck, shoulders, chest, or arm). Alternatively, the functionality of the unit24cmay be incorporated into the head-worn unit22c, as described below. The auxiliary non-head-worn unit24cmay be coupled to the head-worn unit22cvia a wired connection26(e.g., electrical wires). Alternatively, the brain interface assembly14cmay use a non-wired connection (e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for providing power to or communicating between the respective head-worn unit22cand the auxiliary unit24c.

The head-worn unit22cincludes a plurality of optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs)64or other suitable magnetometers to measure biologically generated magnetic fields from the brain of the user12and a passive shield66(and/or flux concentrators). By placing the passive shield66over the head of the user12, the ambient background magnetic field arising from areas outside the passive shield66is greatly decreased and the magnetometers64can measure or detect magnetic fields from activity occurring in the brain of the user12due to the reduction in the ambient background magnetic field.

An OPM is an optical magnetometry system used to detect a magnetic field that propagates through the human head. Optical magnetometry can include the use of optical methods to measure a magnetic field with very high accuracy—on the order of 1×10−15Tesla. Of particular interest for their high-sensitivity, an OPM can be used in optical magnetometry to measure weak magnetic fields. (The Earth's magnetic field is typically around 50 micro Tesla). In at least some systems, the OPM has an alkali vapor gas cell that contains alkali metal atoms in a combination of gas, liquid, or solid states (depending on temperature). The gas cell may contain a quenching gas, buffer gas, or specialized anti-relaxation coatings or any combination thereof. The size of the gas cells can vary from a fraction of a millimeter up to several centimeters, allowing the practicality of OPMs to be used with wearable non-invasive brain interface devices.

The head-worn unit22cfurther comprises a support housing structure68containing the OPMs64, passive shield66, and other electronic or magnetic components. As will be described in further detail below, the support housing structure68may be shaped, e.g., have a banana, headband, cap, helmet, beanie, other hat shape, or other shape adjustable and conformable to the user's head, such that the OPMs64are in close contact with the outer skin of the head, and in this case, the scalp of the user12. The support housing structure68may be made out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation.

The auxiliary unit24ccomprises the housing36containing the controller38and the processor40. The controller38is configured for controlling the operational functions of the head-worn unit22c, whereas the processor40is configured for processing the magnetic fields detected by the head-worn unit22cto detect and localize the brain activity of the user12, as well as to determine the mental state of the user12based on the brain activity of the user12if not performed by other processing units in the system10c. The auxiliary unit24cmay additionally include a power supply (which if head-worn, may take the form of a rechargeable or non-chargeable battery), a control panel with input/output functions, a display, and memory. Alternatively, power may be provided to the auxiliary unit24cwirelessly (e.g., by induction).

The functionalities of the sensory input device/product16, peripheral device18(along with the mixing container19(shown inFIG. 1), and database, server, or cloud structure20may be the same as described above with respect to the non-invasive product customization system10ofFIG. 1.

The peripheral device18is coupled to the auxiliary unit24cof the brain interface assembly14cvia a wireless connection42(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the peripheral device18and the brain interface assembly14c. The peripheral device18is also coupled to the sensory input device16avia a wireless connection44(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the peripheral device18and the sensory input device16a. Alternatively, wired connections between the peripheral device18and the brain interface assembly14cand/or the sensory input device16amay be used. Alternatively or optionally, the product16bmay simply be in the vicinity of the user12to provide a natural path48in the ambient environment through which the user12may sense the product16b.

The database, server, or cloud structure20may be coupled to the auxiliary unit24cof the brain interface assembly14c(and/or the peripheral device18) via a wireless connection46(e.g., wireless radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, cellular, etc.) or optical links (e.g., fiber optic or infrared (IR)) for communicating between the database, server, or cloud structure20and the brain interface assembly14cand peripheral device18. Alternatively, a wired connection between the database, server, or cloud structure20and the auxiliary unit24cof the brain interface assembly14cand/or the peripheral device18may be used.

Referring now toFIGS. 9A-9C, different embodiments of the brain interface assembly14cwill be described. Such brain interface assemblies14cmay communicate wirelessly or via wire with the peripheral device18, sensory input device/product16, and database, server, cloud structure20, as described above. Each of the brain interface assemblies14cdescribed below comprises a head-worn unit22chaving a plurality of OPMs64, a passive shield66, and a support housing structure68in which the OPMs64and passive shield66are embedded. Each of brain interface assemblies14cmay also comprise a control/processing unit70for controlling the operational functions of the OPMs64, and processing the magnetic fields detected by the OPMs64to detect and localize the brain activity of the user12. As will be described in further detail below, the control/processing unit70may be contained in the head-worn unit22cor may be incorporated into a self-contained auxiliary unit. As will be set forth below, the support housing structure68may be shaped, e.g., have a banana, headband, cap, helmet, beanie, other hat shape, or other shape adjustable and conformable to the user's head, such that the magnetometers64are in close contact with the outer skin of the head, and in this case, the scalp of the user12.

As shown inFIG. 9A, a brain interface assembly14c(1) comprises a head-worn unit22c(1) and a power source72coupled to the head-worn unit22c(1) via a wired connection74. The head-worn unit22c(1) includes the OPMs64(shown as64-1through64-12) and a control/processing unit70a. The head-worn unit22c(1) further includes a support housing structure68athat takes a form of a helmet that contains the OPMs64, passive shield66, and control/processing unit70a. The material for the helmet68amay be selected out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. The power source72may be implemented by a battery and/or any other type of power source configured to provide operating power to the magnetometers64, control/processing unit70a, and any other component included within the brain interface assembly22c(1) via the wired connection74. The head-worn unit22c(1) optionally includes a handle76affixed to the helmet68afor providing a convenient means of carrying the head-worn unit22c(1).

As shown inFIG. 9B, a brain interface assembly14c(2) comprises a head-worn unit22c(2) and a control/processing unit70bcoupled to the head-worn unit22b(2) via a wired connection78. The head-worn unit22c(2) includes the OPMs64(shown as64-1through64-12), and a support housing structure68bthat takes a form of a helmet that contains the OPMs64and passive shield66. The material for the helmet68bmay be selected out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. Unlike the control/processing unit70aof the brain interface assembly14c(1) illustrated inFIG. 9A, which is contained in the head-worn unit22c(1), the control/processing unit70bis self-contained, and may take the form of a garment (e.g., a vest, partial vest, or harness) for being worn on the shoulders of the user12. The self-contained control/processing unit70bmay additionally include a power supply (which if head-worn, may take the form of a rechargeable or non-chargeable battery), a control panel with input/output functions, a display, and memory. Alternatively, power may be provided to the self-contained control/processing unit70bwirelessly (e.g., by induction). The head-worn unit22c(1) optionally includes a crest or other protrusion80formed in the helmet68bfor providing means of carrying a control/processing unit70b′.

As shown inFIG. 9C, a brain interface assembly14c(3) comprises a head-worn unit22c(3) and a control/processing unit70c. The head-worn unit22c(3) includes the OPMs64(shown as64-1through64-12), and a support housing structure68cthat takes a form of a baseball cap that contains the OPMs64and passive shield66. The material for baseball cap68cmay be selected out of any suitable cloth, soft polymer, plastic, hard shell, and/or any other suitable material as may serve a particular implementation. The control/processing unit70cis self-contained, and may take the form of a garment (e.g., scarf) for being worn around the neck of the user12. The self-contained control/processing unit70cmay additionally include a power supply (which if head-worn, may take the form of a rechargeable or non-chargeable battery), a control panel with input/output functions, a display, and memory. Alternatively, power may be provided to the self-contained control/processing unit70cwirelessly (e.g., by induction).