Systems and methods for ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made

A computer-implemented method for ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made may include (1) detecting a request from a user to perform a computing act, (2) measuring, using a biofeedback sensor coupled to the computing device, physiological activity of the user that is indicative of a concentration level of the user, (3) determining, based on the measured physiological activity of the user, the user's concentration level, (4) identifying a requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, (5) determining whether the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, and then (6) preventing the requested computing act from occurring if the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

User interfaces often present or request information to or from a user in a way that does not help the user reliably understand or determine the severity of their acts or decisions. For example, a user's incorrect answer to a user interface prompt may result in the accidental or unintentional deletion of years' worth of critical data. Similarly, an incorrect answer to a user interface prompt within an industrial-control environment may result in serious harm to others or other similarly disastrous consequences.

In view of the above, the instant disclosure identifies a need for improved user interfaces that ensure that critical computing decisions are knowingly and intentionally made by users.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made. In one example, the systems described herein may accomplish such a task by (1) detecting a request from a user to perform a non-trivial computing act, (2) measuring, using a biofeedback sensor coupled to the computing device, physiological activity of the user (such as neural oscillations generated by the user's brain) that is indicative of the user's concentration level, (3) determining, based on the measured physiological activity of the user, the user's concentration level (e.g., whether the user is actively concentrating on the task at hand), (4) identifying a requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, (5) determining whether the user's current concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, and then (6) preventing the requested computing act from occurring if the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act (e.g., if the user is not actively concentrating).

In some examples, the requested computing act may represent an act with non-trivial consequences, such that a user's approval and/or input may be required or desired prior to performing the computing act. In one embodiment, an application and/or operating system may generate a user interface prompt prior to performing the requested computing act in an attempt to ensure that the user knowingly and/or intentionally desired the results and/or consequences of the requested computing act. In this embodiment, the systems described herein may detect an attempt by the user to respond to the user interface prompt associated with the requested computing act.

In one example, the biofeedback sensor may represent an electroencephalograph (EEG) configured to measure electrical activity (such as the frequency of neural oscillations) produced by the user's brain. This biofeedback sensor may be worn by the user (e.g., as a headband or armband) or be integrally formed or affixed to an input device (such as mouse or keyboard) coupled to the computing device.

If the systems described herein determine that the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, then the systems described herein may either attempt to raise the user's concentration level and/or simply prevent the requested computing act from occurring. The systems described herein may attempt to raise the user's concentration level in a variety of ways, including by generating and displaying a user interface prompt. In some examples, the systems described herein may display the user interface prompt until the user provides a desired response (such as, e.g., authentication credentials or an appropriate CAPTCHA response) or until the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level.

In an additional example, the systems described herein may dynamically modify at least one characteristic of the user interface prompt (such as the placement, text, size, color, and/or any other characteristic of the user interface prompt) in an attempt to raise the user's concentration level. These systems may also dynamically modify or tailor various characteristics of the user interface prompt based on the user's concentration level. For example, if an application or operating system presents a series of user interface prompts to a user in response to a request to perform a non-trivial computing act, then the systems described herein may dynamically modify various characteristics of one or more of these prompts if the concentration level of the user beings to wane.

As will be described in greater detail below, by actively monitoring the concentration level of a user, the systems and methods described herein may be able to ensure that critical computing decisions are intentionally and knowingly made by the user. As such, the systems and methods described herein may enable users and/or employers to reduce instances of user error, potentially avoiding the negative consequences of undesired or unintentional computing acts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following will provide, with reference toFIGS. 1-2, detailed descriptions of exemplary systems for ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made. Detailed descriptions of corresponding computer-implemented methods will also be provided in connection withFIGS. 3-5. In addition, detailed descriptions of an exemplary computing system and network architecture capable of implementing one or more of the embodiments described herein will be provided in connection withFIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an exemplary system100for ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made. As illustrated in this figure, exemplary system100may include one or more modules102for performing one or more tasks. For example, and as will be explained in greater detail below, exemplary system100may include a detection module104programmed to detect a request from a user to perform a non-trivial computing act on a computing device. Exemplary system100may also include a concentration-evaluation module106programmed to (1) measure, using a biofeedback sensor coupled to the computing device, physiological activity of the user that is indicative of a concentration level of the user, (2) determine the user's concentration level based on the measured physiological activity of the user, (3) identify a requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, and then (4) determine whether the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act.

In addition, and as will be described in greater detail below, exemplary system100may include a security module108programmed to prevent the requested computing act from occurring if the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. Although illustrated as separate elements, one or more of modules102inFIG. 1may represent portions of a single module or application.

In certain embodiments, one or more of modules102inFIG. 1may represent one or more software applications or programs that, when executed by a computing device, may cause the computing device to perform one or more tasks. For example, as will be described in greater detail below, one or more of modules102may represent software modules stored and configured to run on one or more computing devices, such as the devices illustrated inFIG. 2(e.g., computing device202and/or biofeedback sensor204), computing system610inFIG. 6, and/or portions of exemplary network architecture700inFIG. 7. One or more of modules102inFIG. 1may also represent all or portions of one or more special-purpose computers configured to perform one or more tasks.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, exemplary system100may also include one or more databases, such as relational database120. In one example, and as will be described in greater detail below, relational database120may be configured to store a threshold or requisite concentration level (e.g., requisite concentration levels122) for one or more non-trivial computing acts that may be performed by a computing device (e.g., computing device202). Relational database120may represent portions of a single database or computing device or a plurality of databases or computing devices. For example, relational database120may represent a portion of computing device202inFIG. 2, computing system610inFIG. 6, and/or portions of exemplary network architecture700inFIG. 7. Alternatively, relational database120inFIG. 1may represent one or more physically separate devices capable of being accessed by a computing device, such as computing device202inFIG. 2, computing system610inFIG. 6, and/or portions of exemplary network architecture700inFIG. 7.

Exemplary system100inFIG. 1may be deployed in a variety of ways. For example, all or a portion of exemplary system100may represent portions of exemplary system200inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2, system200may include a computing device202coupled to a biofeedback sensor204. In one embodiment, and as will be described in greater detail below, modules102may program computing device202to ensure that critical computing decisions are intentionally made by (1) detecting a request from a user (e.g., a user of computing device202) to perform a computing act, (2) measuring, using a biofeedback sensor (e.g., biofeedback sensor204) coupled to the computing device, physiological activity of the user that is indicative of a concentration level of the user, (3) determining, based on the measured physiological activity of the user, the user's concentration level, (4) identifying a requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act (stored, e.g., within relational database120), (5) determining whether the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, and then (6) preventing the requested computing act from occurring if the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act.

Computing device202generally represents any type or form of computing device capable of reading computer-executable instructions. Examples of computing device202include, without limitation, laptops, desktops, servers, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), multimedia players, embedded systems, combinations of one or more of the same, exemplary computing system610inFIG. 6, or any other suitable computing device.

Biofeedback sensor204generally represents any type or form of sensor capable of measuring or monitoring any type or form of physiological activity, including physiological activity that may be indicative of a user's concentration level. In some examples, biofeedback sensor204may be worn by a user of computing device202(e.g., as a headband or armband) and coupled (via wired or wireless technology) to computing device202. In other examples, biofeedback sensor204may represent a portion of a user input device (such as a keyboard or mouse) coupled to computing device202. For example, biofeedback sensor204may represent a sensor that is integrally formed or fixed to a mouse coupled to computing device202.

FIG. 3is a flow diagram of an exemplary computer-implemented method300for ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made. The steps shown inFIG. 3may be performed by any suitable computer-executable code and/or computing system. In some embodiments, the steps shown inFIG. 3may be performed by one or more of the components of system100inFIG. 1, system200inFIG. 2, computing system610inFIG. 6, and/or portions of exemplary network architecture700inFIG. 7.

As illustrated in this figure, at step302the systems described herein may detect a request from a user to perform a computing act. For example, detection module104may, as part of computing device202inFIG. 2, detect a request from a user of computing device202to perform a non-trivial computing act.

The phrase “computing act,” as used herein, may refer to any type or form of action performed by, or in connection with, a computing device. In some examples, a “computing act” may refer to an act with non-trivial consequences, such that a user's approval and/or input may be required or desired prior to performing the computing act in order to ensure that the user knowingly and intentionally desires the results of requested computing act. Examples of such computing acts include, without limitation, acts that impact the stability, performance, and/or security of a computing device (e.g., attempts to download or access untrusted or malicious files, attempts to open a hole in a device's firewall, attempts to delete files and/or reformat storage devices, or the like), acts that may be prone to user error (e.g., repetitive acts or acts that require trivial user input to perform), acts that may impact the user's safety (e.g., industrial-control events), or any other computing act (such as service-desk conformation prompts) for which a user's input, authorization, and/or approval may be required or desired (in order to ensure, e.g., that the user knowingly and intentionally desires the results of requested computing act).

The systems described herein may perform step302in a variety of ways and/or contexts. In one example, step302(along with one or more additional steps of exemplary method300inFIG. 3) may be implemented at the application and/or operating-system level. Specifically, detection module104(along with the remainder of modules102inFIG. 1) may represent a portion (e.g., as an API) of an application or operating system installed on computing device202. In this example, detection module104may maintain a list of non-trivial computing acts that are to be monitored and may monitor (using, e.g., a filter driver) computing device202for attempts to perform any of the computing acts on this list.

In some examples, the systems described herein may perform step302by detecting an attempt by the user to respond to a user interface prompt associated with the requested computing act. For example, detection module104may detect an attempt by a user of computing device202to respond to a user interface prompt402inFIG. 4generated by an application and/or operating system in an attempt to ensure that the user knowingly and/or intentionally desires the results and/or consequences of the requested computing act (in this example, the reformatting of volume C on computing device202).

Returning toFIG. 3, at step304the systems described herein may measure, using a biofeedback sensor coupled to the computing device, physiological activity of the user that is indicative of a concentration level of the user. For example, concentration-evaluation module106may, as part of computing device202inFIG. 2, measure (using biofeedback sensor204) physiological activity of a user of computing device202that is indicative of the user's concentration level.

The phrase “concentration level,” as used herein, may refer to a user's current state of awareness, as measured using various quantifiable metrics. Examples of the types of physiological activity that may be measured to determine a user's concentration level include, without limitation, electrical activity produced by the user's brain (including, e.g., the frequencies of neural oscillations produced by the user's brain), the user's heart rate, the user's blood pressure, the user's retinal activity, the user's breath rate, or any other physiological activity that may be indicative of the user's concentration level. For example, in one embodiment biofeedback sensor204may represent an EEG configured to measure electrical activity produced by the brain of a user of computing device202.

As detailed above, biofeedback sensor204inFIG. 2generally represents any type or form of sensor capable of measuring or monitoring any type or form of physiological activity that may be indicative of a user's concentration level. In some examples, biofeedback sensor204may be worn by the user of computing device202(e.g., as a headband or armband) and coupled (via wired or wireless technology) to computing device202. In other examples, biofeedback sensor204may represent a portion of a user input device (such as a keyboard or mouse) coupled to computing device202. For example, biofeedback sensor204may represent a sensor that is integrally formed or fixed to a mouse coupled to computing device202.

Returning toFIG. 3, at step306the systems described herein may determine the user's concentration level based on the measured physiological activity of the user. For example, concentration-evaluation module106may, as part of computing device202inFIG. 2, determine the user's concentration level based on the physiological activity measured in step304.

The systems described herein may perform step306in a variety of ways. In one example, if step304involved measuring the frequencies of neural oscillations produced by the user's brain, then in step306the systems described herein may map the measured frequencies to a generally accepted scale of user awareness or concentration. One such generally accepted neurological scale specifies that neural oscillations measured in the 12 to 30 Hz frequency range (also commonly referred to as “beta waves”) are indicative of a user that is consciously alert or actively concentrating, while neural oscillations measured in the 8 to 12 Hz frequency range (commonly referred to as “alpha waves”) or 4 to 8 Hz frequency range (“commonly referred to as theta waves”) are indicative of a user that is in a state of mental relaxation or reduced consciousness, respectively. In this example, concentration-evaluation module106may determine that a user is actively concentrating if, in step304, biofeedback sensor204measured neural oscillations generated by the user's brain that fall within the 12 to 30 Hz frequency range. In contrast, concentration-evaluation module106may determine that the user is not actively concentrating if, in step304, biofeedback sensor204measured neural oscillations generated by the user's brain that fall within the 4 to 8 Hz or 8 to 12 Hz frequency range.

Returning toFIG. 3, at step308the systems described herein may identify a requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. For example, concentration-evaluation module106may, as part of computing device202inFIG. 2, identify a threshold or requisite concentration level within relational database120that is associated with the requested computing act detected in step302.

The systems described herein may perform step308in a variety of ways. In one example, the systems described herein may maintain a relational database (e.g., relational database120inFIG. 1) that identifies a threshold or requisite concentration level (e.g., requisite concentration levels122) for one or more non-trivial computing acts that may be performed by the computing device (i.e., for computing acts that produce results or consequences for which a user's input and/or authorization may be desired or required in order to ensure that the user intentionally or knowingly approved or requested performance of the computing act in question).

In the above example, if in step302detection module104detects a request by a user to perform a computing act (such as an attempt to reformat a volume of computing device202) that is identified within relational database120, then in step308concentration-evaluation module106may identify a requisite or threshold concentration level associated with the requested computing act within relational database120. In this example, concentration-evaluation module106may determine that a user must be actively concentrating (as indicated by neural oscillations generated by the user's brain in the 12 to 30 Hz frequency range) in order for the requested reformatting act to be allowed or permitted.

Returning toFIG. 3, at step310the systems described herein may determine whether the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. For example, concentration-evaluation module106may, as part of computing device202inFIG. 2, determine whether the user's concentration level measured in step306satisfies the requisite or threshold concentration level identified in step308.

The systems described herein may perform step310in a variety of ways. In one example, the systems described herein may determine whether the physiological activity measured in step304satisfies various criteria related to the requisite or threshold contemplation level identified in step308. For example, concentration-evaluation module106may determine that a user is actively concentrating on the task at hand, and thus satisfies the requisite or threshold concentration level identified in step308, if neural oscillations generated by the user's brain (as measured in step304) fall within the frequency range of 12 to 30 Hz. In contrast, concentration-evaluation module106may determine that a user is not actively concentrating, such that the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite or threshold concentration level identified in step308, if neural oscillations generated by the user's brain and measured in step304fall within the 4 to 12 Hz frequency range.

Returning toFIG. 3, at step312the systems described herein may prevent the requested computing act from occurring if the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. For example, security module108may, as part of computing device202inFIG. 2, prevent the requested computing act detected in step302from occurring if the user's concentration level determined in step306fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level identified in step308.

The systems described herein may perform step312in a variety of ways and contexts. In one example, the systems described herein may allow the requested computing act to occur if the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. For example, if concentration-evaluation module106determines that the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite or threshold concentration level identified in step308, then security module108may allow the requested computing act detected in step302to occur.

In contrast, if the systems described herein determine that a user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, then the systems described herein may attempt to raise the user's concentration level and/or simply prevent the requested computing act from occurring. For example, if concentration-evaluation module106determines in step310that a user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite or threshold concentration level identified in step308(or, alternatively, if biofeedback sensor204is not active or present), then security module108may attempt to raise the user's concentration level and/or simply prevent the requested computing act from occurring.

Security module108may attempt to raise a user's concentration level in a variety of ways. In one example, security module108may generate and display a user interface prompt, such as user interface prompt402inFIG. 4. In some examples, security module108may display the user interface prompt until the user provides a desired response (such as, e.g., authentication credentials or an appropriate CAPTCHA response) or until the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite or threshold concentration level identified in step308.

In an additional example, security module108may attempt to raise the user's concentration level by dynamically modifying at least one characteristic of the user interface prompt. For example, and as illustrated inFIG. 5, security module108may modify the placement, text, size, color, and/or any other characteristic of user interface prompt402in an attempt to raise the user's concentration level.

In one example, security module108may dynamically modify or tailor various characteristics of the user interface prompt based on the user's concentration level. For example, if an application or operating system presents a series of user interface prompts to a user in response to a request to perform a non-trivial computing act, then security module108may dynamically modify various characteristics of one or more of these prompts if concentration-evaluation module106determines that the concentration level of the user is waning. Upon completion of step312, exemplary method300inFIG. 3may terminate.

As detailed above, by actively monitoring the concentration level of a user, the systems and methods described herein may be able to ensure that critical computing decisions are intentionally and knowingly made by the user. As such, the systems and methods described herein may enable users and/or employers to reduce instances of user error, potentially avoiding the negative consequences of undesired or unintentional computing acts.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system610capable of implementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustrated herein. Computing system610broadly represents any single or multi-processor computing device or system capable of executing computer-readable instructions. Examples of computing system610include, without limitation, workstations, laptops, client-side terminals, servers, distributed computing systems, handheld devices, or any other computing system or device. In its most basic configuration, computing system610may include at least one processor614and a system memory616.

Processor614generally represents any type or form of processing unit capable of processing data or interpreting and executing instructions. In certain embodiments, processor614may receive instructions from a software application or module. These instructions may cause processor614to perform the functions of one or more of the exemplary embodiments described and/or illustrated herein. For example, processor614may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the detecting, measuring, using, determining, identifying, preventing, displaying, and modifying steps described herein. Processor614may also perform and/or be a means for performing any other steps, methods, or processes described and/or illustrated herein.

In certain embodiments, exemplary computing system610may also include one or more components or elements in addition to processor614and system memory616. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6, computing system610may include a memory controller618, an Input/Output (I/O) controller620, and a communication interface622, each of which may be interconnected via a communication infrastructure612. Communication infrastructure612generally represents any type or form of infrastructure capable of facilitating communication between one or more components of a computing device. Examples of communication infrastructure612include, without limitation, a communication bus (such as an ISA, PCI, PCIe, or similar bus) and a network.

Memory controller618generally represents any type or form of device capable of handling memory or data or controlling communication between one or more components of computing system610. For example, in certain embodiments memory controller618may control communication between processor614, system memory616, and I/O controller620via communication infrastructure612. In certain embodiments, memory controller618may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the steps or features described and/or illustrated herein, such as detecting, measuring, using, determining, identifying, preventing, displaying, and modifying.

I/O controller620generally represents any type or form of module capable of coordinating and/or controlling the input and output functions of a computing device. For example, in certain embodiments I/O controller620may control or facilitate transfer of data between one or more elements of computing system610, such as processor614, system memory616, communication interface622, display adapter626, input interface630, and storage interface634. I/O controller620may be used, for example, to perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the detecting, measuring, using, determining, identifying, preventing, displaying, and modifying steps described herein. I/O controller620may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features set forth in the instant disclosure.

In certain embodiments, communication interface622may also represent a host adapter configured to facilitate communication between computing system610and one or more additional network or storage devices via an external bus or communications channel. Examples of host adapters include, without limitation, SCSI host adapters, USB host adapters, IEEE 1394 host adapters, SATA and eSATA host adapters, ATA and PATA host adapters, Fibre Channel interface adapters, Ethernet adapters, or the like. Communication interface622may also allow computing system610to engage in distributed or remote computing. For example, communication interface622may receive instructions from a remote device or send instructions to a remote device for execution. In certain embodiments, communication interface622may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the detecting, measuring, using, determining, identifying, preventing, displaying, and modifying steps disclosed herein. Communication interface622may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features set forth in the instant disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, exemplary computing system610may also include at least one input device628coupled to communication infrastructure612via an input interface630. Input device628generally represents any type or form of input device capable of providing input, either computer or human generated, to exemplary computing system610. Examples of input device628include, without limitation, a keyboard, a pointing device, a speech recognition device, or any other input device. In at least one embodiment, input device628may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the detecting, measuring, using, determining, identifying, preventing, displaying, and modifying steps disclosed herein. Input device628may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features set forth in the instant disclosure.

In certain embodiments, storage devices632and633may be used, for example, to perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the detecting, measuring, using, determining, identifying, preventing, displaying, and modifying steps disclosed herein. Storage devices632and633may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features set forth in the instant disclosure.

FIG. 7is a block diagram of an exemplary network architecture700in which client systems710,720, and730and servers740and745may be coupled to a network750. Client systems710,720, and730generally represent any type or form of computing device or system, such as exemplary computing system610inFIG. 6.

Similarly, servers740and745generally represent computing devices or systems, such as application servers or database servers, configured to provide various database services and/or run certain software applications. Network750generally represents any telecommunication or computer network including, for example, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), or the Internet. In one example, client systems710,720, and/or730and/or servers740and/or745may include system100fromFIG. 1.

In at least one embodiment, all or a portion of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be encoded as a computer program and loaded onto and executed by server740, server745, storage devices760(1)-(N), storage devices770(1)-(N), storage devices790(1)-(N), intelligent storage array795, or any combination thereof. All or a portion of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may also be encoded as a computer program, stored in server740, run by server745, and distributed to client systems710,720, and730over network750. Accordingly, network architecture700may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the detecting, measuring, using, determining, identifying, preventing, displaying, and modifying steps disclosed herein. Network architecture700may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features set forth in the instant disclosure.

As detailed above, computing system610and/or one or more components of network architecture700may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more steps of an exemplary method for ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made. In one example, such a method may include (1) detecting a request from a user to perform a computing act, (2) measuring, using a biofeedback sensor coupled to the computing device, physiological activity of the user that is indicative of a concentration level of the user, (3) determining, based on the measured physiological activity of the user, the user's concentration level, (4) identifying a requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, (5) determining whether the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, and then (6) preventing the requested computing act from occurring if the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act.

In some examples, detecting the request from the user to perform the computing act may include detecting an attempt by the user to respond to a user interface prompt associated with the requested computing act. In addition, measuring physiological activity of the user that is indicative of the user's concentration level may include measuring, using the biofeedback sensor coupled to the computing device, electrical activity produced by the user's brain.

In one example, the biofeedback sensor may include an EEG. In an additional example, the biofeedback sensor may represent a portion of a user input device coupled to the computing device.

In one embodiment, determining whether the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act may include determining that the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. The method may also include, upon determining that the user's concentration level fails to satisfy the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act, displaying a user interface prompt in an attempt to raise the user's concentration level and/or preventing the requested computing act from occurring. In this example, displaying the user interface prompt may include displaying the user interface prompt until the user provides a desired response and/or until the user's concentration level satisfies the requisite concentration level associated with the requested computing act. The method may also include modifying at least one characteristic of the user interface prompt in an attempt to raise the user's concentration level.

All or a portion of the method may be performed by an application and/or operating system installed on the computing device.

In addition, one or more of the modules described herein may transform data, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices from one form to another. For example, modules102inFIG. 1may transform computing device202into a device capable of ensuring that critical computing decisions are intentionally made.