Patent Application: US-58602906-A

Abstract:
a computerized system designed as a professional tool to administer psychological and neuropsychological tests to human subjects using multimedia technology to present and collect audiovisual and graphomotor response data , and continuously accumulate normative and clinical data in a centralized database that is remotely accessible via the internet . a set of integrated hardware and software components utilize the internet for data transfer and access . local testing modules administer tests to subjects with minimal examiner involvement , use audiovisual test presentation , and collect response data that includes audiovisual , graphic and touch responses . the local testing modules are remotely connected to a centralized data bank that stores and accumulates subject data , and can be remotely accessible for clinical comparison of individual subjects for diagnostic purposes , or for group analyses for research purposes . test administration and database software are a part of the system . the system is expandable to incorporate additional local test software . available technology is integrated to improve the testing methodology , data collection , assessment throughput , normative data availability , normative and clinical database expandability , and potential for diverse and creative data analysis .

Description:
it should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention . various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention . accordingly , the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims . referring to fig1 , fig2 , fig3 , and fig4 there is shown a diagrammatic view of the npap apparatus incorporating features of the present invention . although the present invention will be described with reference to the single embodiment shown in the drawings , it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments . in addition , any suitable size , shape or type of elements or materials could be used . fig1 is a block diagram of the apparatus components and connectivity . the local testing module 10 represents the portion of the computerized apparatus that is located at a testing facility where subjects are physically present and examined . the local testing module consists of one or more subject &# 39 ; s stations 12 connected by a local network to an examiner &# 39 ; s station 14 . the subject &# 39 ; s station 12 is equipped to present the tests and to record data . the examiner &# 39 ; s station 14 controls one or more subject &# 39 ; s stations 12 and is equipped to start , stop , and monitor testing . once testing is completed the data from the local testing module 10 is forwarded to a central data bank 16 via a remote secure internet connection 18 . the central data bank 16 can receive input from multiple local testing modules 10 . the central data bank 16 performs two principal activities . first , it accumulates and permanently stores test data . second , it provides an interface to perform queries on the stored data . the central data bank 16 is accessible by multiple remote access stations 20 via secure remote internet connections 22 for examination and analysis of the stored data . fig2 is a diagram of the components of the subject &# 39 ; s station 12 of fig1 from the subject &# 39 ; s perspective . the subject &# 39 ; s station 12 is designed around a custom multimedia computer 24 that is used to administer the tests to the subject . various components illustrated in fig2 are connected to computer 24 by wire or wireless links ( not shown ) in a manner well known in the art . the subject &# 39 ; s station 12 contains a high resolution touch screen 26 allowing simple pointing responses without the need for a keyboard . an additional tablet monitor 28 , having a stylus 30 is included to allow drawing or written responses . responses by touch or stylus will also be archived . two pan / tilt controllable camera units 32 a and 32 b are a part of the station , providing video of the subject , with the capability of tracking certain features on the subject . additionally , an eye - tracking system 34 , as offered by or similar to the eyegaze analysis system , manufactured by lc technologies , inc . of fairfax , va ., u . s . a . is a part of the station to follow gaze response and relate it to the test responses . microphones 36 a and 36 b are used to record verbal responses . a light source 38 provides standard illumination for video recording . an audio system , implemented by using computer 24 and having speakers 40 a and 40 b , provides high quality auditory stimuli . a panic button 42 is included to allow the subject to call the examiner for assistance . all measured inputs are globally timed and synchronized . in this way , an accurate record of the subject &# 39 ; s total response during the test can be archived and the session recreated . all of the responses and sensory input are automatically sent to the central data bank 16 via the examiner &# 39 ; s station 14 to create the global database of test responses . fig3 is a diagram of the components of the subject &# 39 ; s station depicted in fig1 and fig2 , if viewed from above . in fig3 a , the touch screen monitor is depicted in a tilted position to enhance touch responses . a subject &# 39 ; s chair 44 indicates the subject &# 39 ; s position relative to the system components . fig4 is a diagram of the components of the examiner &# 39 ; s station 14 depicted in fig1 from the examiner &# 39 ; s view . station 14 is designed around a computer 56 . various components illustrated in fig4 are connected to computer 56 by wire or wireless links ( not shown ) in a manner well known in the art . the components include a conventional keyboard 46 and mouse 48 , a microphone 50 and speakers 52 a and 52 b . with assistance from observations made on video monitor 54 , station 14 is used to control multiple subject &# 39 ; s stations 12 . by using multiplexing , a single examiner can monitor a number of subject consoles . station 14 has the capability of multiple video and audio feeds from each of the subject &# 39 ; s stations 12 , allowing the examiner to monitor a subject individually . examiner &# 39 ; s station 14 has the capability of remote intervention during the test . monitor 54 displays the test administration information from each of the locally connected subject &# 39 ; s stations 14 . fig4 shows the display for five subject &# 39 ; s stations 12 . the test administration information includes video input from each of the subject &# 39 ; s stations 12 , the test and item of the testing procedure that is being administered , as well as display of controls . the controls allow the examiner to select audio input from one of the subject &# 39 ; s stations , turn on the microphone to speak with the subject , and to start or interrupt the testing procedures . all tests are downloaded from the examiner console and the full suite of data provided during the test is sent to it from the subject &# 39 ; s station 12 . the examiner &# 39 ; s station 14 then sends the relevant data to a server in central data bank 16 for inclusion in the database therein . software may leverage existing web - based browser technology with the custom designs of the station . using internet protocols , multiple video and audio feeds can be multiplexed into the central data bank 16 from the testing stations . software is utilized to permit interaction between the system and the subject , as well as to assist in analysis of the test findings . the system provides auditory instructions to the subject and can automatically respond to certain subject &# 39 ; s behaviors . for example , speech recognition software may be used to recognize and digitize simple responses ( numerals , letters , [ and ] limited word vocabulary ). the system may also have a provision to flag verbal responses that cannot be recognized for later manual correction . a limited version of automated video segmentation ( liu and kender , 2003 ) may be used to allow the video to be compressed temporally into relevant segments associated with responses . it should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention . various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention . accordingly , the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims . 1 . ahraronson , v ., & amp ; 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