Abstract:
A device for acknowledging warning indicators includes an electro-encephalograph for detecting signals in the midline occipital region of the user&#39;s brain, and a display system for displaying flashing indictors having differing flashing frequencies. The electro-encephalograph detects differing signals caused by the differing flashing frequencies whenever the user observes one of the flashing indicators, and the device thereby recognizes that the user has observed the warning indicator.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed generally toward warning indicators in a computerized system, and particularly toward acknowledging warning indicators using an electro-encephalograph. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern user interfaces in complex systems often include indicators of failure states or other conditions that require user interaction, or that impart otherwise important information. In a well-designed system, such indicators may appear before user interaction is critical, allowing a user time to assess a situation and determine a course of action. Because indicators may not require immediate action, they are often designed to be minimally intrusive so that a user may continue to operate the system. Unobtrusive indicators may allow a user to continue operations, but a user may also ignore such indicators, or even fail to see them. 
     A system may address this problem by demanding a user acknowledgment of a particular indicator. Such acknowledgement diverts the user&#39;s attention from operating the system and requires some type of interaction. Where a user is performing a complex task, such as flying a jet, any diversion of the user&#39;s attention is undesirable. 
     Consequently, it would be advantageous if a method and apparatus existed that were suitable for acknowledging a user has observed an indicator without diverting the user&#39;s attention or demanding a physical interaction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a novel method and apparatus for acknowledging a user has observed an indicator without diverting the user&#39;s attention or demanding a physical interaction. 
     One embodiment of the present invention includes a computer with a display and a sensing device for sensing the user&#39;s brain waves. The display includes a plurality of indicators, each indicator configured to flash at a different frequency from each of the other indicators. The sensing device interprets variations in the user&#39;s brains waves caused by the different frequencies of the different indicators to determine that the user has observed the indicator. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for determining that a user has observed an indicator. An indicator is activated on a display; the indicator flashing at a certain frequency. A sensing device senses differences in brain waves based on the flashing frequency of the indicator and determines, based on those differences, that the user has observed the indicator. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous objects and advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a computer system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a display implementing one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a brain wave sensing apparatus useful for implementing embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a helmet incorporating brain wave sensors useful for implementing embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the present invention for acknowledging a warning indicator; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the present invention for monitoring the alertness of a user with a flashing indicator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims; numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents are encompassed. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the embodiments has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention is shown. The apparatus may include a processor  100  for executing computer code. The processor  100  may be connected to memory  102  for storing the computer code and a display  104 . The processor  100  may also be operably connected to a sensor  106  for sensing the brain wave patterns of a user and an audio device  108  for delivering audible messages to the user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a representative display  104  implementing the present invention is shown. A display  104  may comprise any mechanism capable of displaying flashing indicators such as a graphic user interface (GUI), a heads-up display (HUD) or a panel of warning lights. The display  104  may include one or more indicators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 , each of the one or more indicators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  configured to flash.  FIG. 2  depicts a plurality of indicators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 , two of the indicators being flashing indicators  206  and  208 . In actual application, the flashing of the flashing indicators  206  and  208  may be consciously imperceptible to the user. 
     The one or more indicators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  may each be configured to flash at a distinct frequency different from each of the other one or more indicators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 . Two flashing frequencies are distinct when the brain wave patterns of a person observing one flashing frequency are distinguishable from the brain waves patterns of the same person observing the other flashing frequency as brain waves are measured by electro encephalography (EEG). 
     Research has shown that different frequencies of flashing light result in distinct brain wave patterns in the midline occipital region of the brain, readable by EEG. When an individual observes a certain frequency of flashing light, the individual&#39;s brain waves will appear different from the same individual&#39;s brain waves when looking at a different frequency of flashing light. That observation is true even when the flashing is consciously imperceptible to the individual. For example, a first indicator may flash at a frequency of nine hertz while a second indicator may flash at a frequency of nine and one quarter hertz. In this example, a frequency differentiation of 0.25 hertz is specified; in practice, any minimum frequency differentiation capable of producing distinguishable brain wave patterns may be used. 
     A display such as shown in  FIG. 2  may have a textual flashing indicator  206  or a graphical flashing indicator  208 . By observing the textual flashing indicator  206 , a user may generate certain brain wave patterns as compared to when the user is not observing the textual flashing indicator  206 . The user&#39;s brain wave patterns can be measured and distinguished with EEG. When the user&#39;s brain waves, as measured by EEG, indicate that the user is observing the textual flashing indicator  206 , the computer utilizing the display  104  may recognize that the user has acknowledged the textual flashing indicator  206 . The computer may then perform some acknowledgement response such as recording the user&#39;s acknowledgment, beginning resolution of the issue indicated by the textual flashing indicator  206 , or clearing the textual flashing indicator  206  so that it no longer occupies the user&#39;s field of vision. Conversely, the computer utilizing the display  104  may recognize that the user has not observed the textual flashing indicator  206  for an extended period of time. The computer may then perform some escalation response to ensure that the user is aware of the issue indicated by the textual flashing indicator  206 . An escalation response may include making the flashing of the textual flashing indicator  206  consciously intrusive, or delivering an audible warning through the audio device  108 . 
     Where a display includes a second flashing indicator, such as the graphical flashing indicator  208  shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the two flashing indicators  206  and  208  may flash at a distinct frequency. Based on the differences in the user&#39;s brain wave patterns, a computer utilizing the display  104  may determine which of the two flashing indicators  206  and  208  the user is observing and perform various responses. For example, if the computer determines that the user is observing the graphical flashing indicator  208 , the computer may perform an acknowledgment response associated with the graphical flashing indicator  208 . The computer may also perform an escalation response associated with the textual flashing indicator  206  if the computer determines that the user has not observed the textual flashing indicator  206  during a predetermined period of time. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention may include a display  104  with one or more flashing indicators to monitor a user&#39;s alertness. In this embodiment, a flashing indicator  208  may flash continuously. A computer utilizing such a display  104  may sense the user&#39;s brain wave patterns to ensure that the user is observing the flashing indicator  208  at regular intervals. The flashing indicator  208  may be incorporated into an instrument normally utilized by a user such as a speedometer in a car. If the computer determines that the user has not observed the flashing indicator  208  for some predetermined period of time, the computer may perform a warning response such as delivering an audible warning through the audio device  108  indicating that the user may not be alert. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may utilize an EEG sensor such as depicted in  FIG. 3 . An EEG sensor  106  generally comprises a plurality of electrodes  302  capable of detecting electrical activity in a persons brain when placed at certain specific points on the person&#39;s head. Each electrode  302  may be individually positioned or incorporated into a cap  300  at specific locations such that each electrode  302  may be in relatively the same location whenever a person puts on the cap  300 . Each electrode  302  may be connected to a processor  100  that may interpret data received from each electrode  302  to determine if the user is observing a flashing indicator. Referring to  FIG. 4 , electrodes  302  may be incorporated into a helmet  400 , such that the electrodes  302  may contact the user&#39;s head. In such an implementation, the plurality of electrodes  302  may form an EEG sensor  106  connected to a processor  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of the present invention is a method for acknowledging one or more warning indicators. The method may include displaying  500  one or more flashing indicators, each flashing indicator having a distinct flashing frequency. Each distinct flashing frequency may produce distinct brain wave patterns when observed by a user. A sensor, such as an EEG, may then sense  502  the brain wave patterns of the user. If a processor determines  504 , based on the user&#39;s brain wave patterns, that the user is observing one of the one or more flashing indicators, the processor may then determine  506  which of the one or more flashing indicators the user is observing. The processor may then perform 508 an acknowledgment response associated with the flashing indicator observed by the user. Such acknowledgment response may include logging the user&#39;s acknowledgment, beginning a resolution response associated with the issue indicated by the flashing indicator, reducing the prominence of the flashing indicator or any other appropriate response. 
     If the processor determines  504  that the user has not observed one or more of the one or more flashing indicators, the processor may perform 510 an escalation response and continue sensing  502  the user&#39;s brain wave patterns. An escalation response may include increasing the intrusiveness of the flashing indicator, delivering an audible warning, or any other appropriate response. The escalation response may include tracking the level of escalation necessary to attract the user&#39;s observation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the present invention is a method for monitoring the alertness of a user. The method may include displaying  600  a flashing indicator having a distinct flashing frequency. An EEG sensor may sense  602  the brain wave patterns of a user. A processor may determine  604 , based on the user&#39;s brain wave patterns, whether the user has observed the flashing indicator within a predetermined period of time. If the user has observed the flashing indicator, the processor may continue to monitor the user&#39;s brain wave patterns. If the processor determines  604  that the user has not observed the flashing indicator within the predetermined period of time, the processor may perform a warning response to warn the user that the user may not be alert. The processor may then continue to monitor the user&#39;s brain wave patterns. 
     It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.