Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/010,508 filed on Jun. 11, 2014, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The systems and methods described herein relate to assessing possible cognitive impairment, which may include identifying possible concussions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    People who have suffered an initial brain injury and are not properly treated are at high risk of further injury, including potential death from swelling in the brain. Currently, many attempt to identify concussion risk by asking a potentially injured person to “close their eyes and stand” (to test balance) or to describe “how much their head hurts.” But concussion symptoms are often initially subtle. Severe symptoms such as headaches and dizziness often appear only after significant delay. Worse, children at play or athletes in sports may be motivated to downplay symptoms indicative of concussions in order to continue their activity. Consequently, concussed athletes frequently resume playing despite an underlying injury, to their detriment. Improved methods for assessing potential brain injuries are needed. 
         [0004]    The occurrence of brain injury is often not initially apparent to an untrained observer. A medical professional can provide accurate diagnoses, but medical professionals are frequently unavailable at likely sites of concussions. Several concussion-testing programs rely on biennial baseline tests, but a 2007 study led by Steven Broglio, director at the NeuroSport Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan, found that even uninjured students showed little consistency in baseline cognitive tests taken a mere 45 days apart. Thus there exists a need in the art for systems and methods for assessing user impairment based on personalized, current cognitive performance baselines. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In certain aspects, the system described herein assesses possible brain injury in a human. In such aspects, the system comprises a user database configured to store a performance threshold associated with a first user, and a processor operably connected to the user database. The processor is configured to present one or more assessment tasks to the first user, receive input from the first user in response to the one or more assessment tasks, and score the input received in response to the one or more assessment tasks. The one or more assessment tasks may include questions for the first user to answer, actions for the first user to perform, or other suitable tasks. The processor is further configured to output an indicator representative of a comparison of the input score to the performance threshold stored in the user database. In some implementations, the possible brain injury is a possible concussion. In some implementations, one or more elements of the system may be implemented on a cloud computing device. 
         [0006]    In some implementations, the processor is further configured to determine whether the first user has completed a baseline test within a predetermined period of time, the baseline test comprising one or more baseline tasks. The predetermined period of time may be one month, three weeks, two weeks, one week, or some other suitable period of time. In some such implementations, the baseline tasks include one or more user status questions (e.g., a symptom question, a fatigue question, a mood question, or other suitable questions), one or more problem-solving tasks (e.g., a Tower of Hanoi task, a mathematical processing task, and a logical reasoning task), one or more attention tasks (e.g., a running memory continuous performance task, and a Stroop test), one or more working memory tasks (e.g., a digit span test, a code substitution task, and a digit set comparison task), one or more reaction time tasks (e.g., a two-choice reaction time test, a four-choice reaction time test, and a procedural reaction time test), one or more visuospatial tasks (e.g., a Trail Making Test, a spatial processing task, and a tracking task), non-cognitive tasks (e.g., a balance task), or other suitable tasks, and the processor may be further configured to randomly generate one or more of such tasks. If the first user has not completed a baseline test within the predetermined period of time, the processor is further configured to output a prompt to request that the first user complete a baseline test and administer a first baseline test comprising one or more baseline tasks to the first user. The performance threshold may be based on input received from the first user in response to the first baseline test. In some such implementations, the processor is further configured to administer the baseline test within a period of time of user exercise in the absence of a possible brain injury. As an illustrative example of such an implementation, the processor may receive a message from a second user (such as a coach or guardian of the first user) indicating when a practice session has been completed, and may respond to the message by prompting the first user to complete a baseline test. The processor may be further configured to administer a second baseline test to the first user and identify a change in performance from the first baseline test to the second baseline test, and in some implementations may modify the performance threshold based on the change in performance. In implementations in which the processor is configured to administer a second baseline test, the processor may be configured to administer the second baseline test to the first user after identifying a possible brain injury. 
         [0007]    In some implementations, the processor is further configured to output an indicator representative of the comparison to a second user, who may be a coach, a legal guardian, a referee, an umpire, a trainer, a medical professional, or some other suitable second party. In some such implementations, the processor is further configured to output an indicator representative of the comparison to a third user, to receive feedback from the third user responding to the indicator, and output the third-user feedback to the second user. As an illustrative example of such an implementation, a referee and a medical professional may both receive an indicator representative of the comparison between the input score and the performance threshold, and the referee may further receive the medical professional&#39;s comments regarding the comparison. 
         [0008]    In some implementations, the processor is further configured to present the one or more assessment tasks for completion within a predetermined period of response time. The predetermined period of response time may be ten minutes, seven minutes, five minutes, four minutes, two minutes, or some other suitable period of response time. 
         [0009]    In some implementations, the one or more assessment tasks include one or more user status questions (e.g., a symptom question, a fatigue question, a mood question, or other suitable questions), one or more problem-solving tasks (e.g., a Tower of Hanoi task, a mathematical processing task, and a logical reasoning task), one or more attention tasks (e.g., a running memory continuous performance task, and a Stroop test), one or more working memory tasks (e.g., a digit span test, a code substitution task, and a digit set comparison task), one or more reaction time tasks (e.g., a two-choice reaction time test, a four-choice reaction time test, and a procedural reaction time test), one or more visuospatial tasks (e.g., a Trail Making Test, a spatial processing task, and a tracking task), non-cognitive tasks (e.g., a balance task), or other suitable tasks, and the processor may be further configured to randomly generate one or more of such tasks. 
         [0010]    In implementations in which the processor is configured to administer a Stroop test, the processor may be further configured to identify whether the first user is color-blind, the first user&#39;s type of color-blindness, and Stroop test questions unaffected by the first user&#39;s color-blindness. In some such implementations, the processor is further configured to identify the first user&#39;s type of color-blindness based on at least one of the one or more assessment tasks. 
         [0011]    In some implementations, the processor is further configured to receive sensor data associated with the user, wherein the input score is based on the sensor data. Such data may include accelerometer data, touchscreen data, heart rate data, or other suitable data. 
         [0012]    In some implementations, the processor is further configured to identify a location of and/or contact a medical care facility near the first user. 
         [0013]    In some implementations, the one or more assessment tasks include one or more gating tasks associated with severe impairment, and the processor is further configured to administer the one or more gating tasks to the first user, determine whether the input received in response to the one or more gating tasks is indicative of severe impairment, and, if the input received in response to the one or more gating tasks is indicative of severe impairment, stop administration of assessment tasks and output a warning. 
         [0014]    In certain aspects, the computer-implemented method described herein assesses possible brain injury in a human. In such aspects, the method comprises presenting one or more assessment tasks to administer to a first user, receiving input from the first user in response to the one or more assessment tasks, scoring the input received in response to the one or more assessment tasks, and identifying a performance threshold associated with the first user. The one or more assessment tasks may include questions for the first user to answer, actions for the first user to perform, or other suitable tasks. The method outputs an indicator representative of a comparison of the input score to the performance threshold. In some implementations, the possible brain injury is a possible concussion. 
         [0015]    In some implementations, the method further comprises determining whether the first user has completed a baseline test within a predetermined period of time, the baseline test comprising one or more baseline tasks. The predetermined period of time may be one month, three weeks, two weeks, one week, or some other suitable period of time. In some such implementations, the baseline tasks include one or more user status questions (e.g., a symptom question, a fatigue question, a mood question, or other suitable questions), one or more problem-solving tasks (e.g., a Tower of Hanoi task, a mathematical processing task, and a logical reasoning task), one or more attention tasks (e.g., a running memory continuous performance task, and a Stroop test), one or more working memory tasks (e.g., a digit span test, a code substitution task, and a digit set comparison task), one or more reaction time tasks (e.g., a two-choice reaction time test, a four-choice reaction time test, and a procedural reaction time test), one or more visuospatial tasks (e.g., a Trail Making Test, a spatial processing task, and a tracking task), non-cognitive tasks (e.g., a balance task), or other suitable tasks, and the method may further comprise randomly generating one or more of such tasks. If the first user has not completed a baseline test within the predetermined period of time, the method outputs a prompt to request that the first user complete a baseline test and administers a first baseline test comprising one or more baseline tasks to the user. The performance threshold may be based on input received from the first user in response to the first baseline test. In some such implementations, the method administers the baseline test within a period of time of user exercise in the absence of a possible brain injury. As an illustrative example of such an implementation, the method may prompt the first user to complete a baseline test when a second user (such as a coach or guardian of the first user) indicates that a practice session has been completed. The method may further administer a second baseline test to the first user and identify a change in performance from the first baseline test to the second baseline test, and in some implementations may modify the performance threshold based on the change in performance. In implementations in which the method administers a second baseline test, the method may administer the second baseline test to the first user after identifying a possible brain injury. 
         [0016]    In some implementations, the method further comprises outputting an indicator representative of the comparison to a second user, who may be a coach, a legal guardian, a referee, an umpire, a trainer, a medical professional, or some other suitable second party. In some such implementations, the method further comprises outputting an indicator representative of the comparison to a third user, receiving feedback from the third user responding to the indicator, and outputting the third-user feedback to the second user. As an illustrative example of such an implementation, a referee and a medical professional may both receive an indicator representative of the comparison between the input score and the performance threshold, and the referee may further receive the medical professional&#39;s comments regarding the comparison. 
         [0017]    In some implementations, the method further comprises presenting the one or more assessment tasks for completion within a predetermined period of response time. The predetermined period of response time may be ten minutes, seven minutes, five minutes, four minutes, two minutes, or some other suitable period of response time. 
         [0018]    In some implementations, the one or more assessment tasks include one or more user status questions (e.g., a symptom question, a fatigue question, a mood question, or other suitable questions), one or more problem-solving tasks (e.g., a Tower of Hanoi task, a mathematical processing task, and a logical reasoning task), one or more attention tasks (e.g., a running memory continuous performance task, and a Stroop test), one or more working memory tasks (e.g., a digit span test, a code substitution task, and a digit set comparison task), one or more reaction time tasks (e.g., a two-choice reaction time test, a four-choice reaction time test, and a procedural reaction time test), one or more visuospatial tasks (e.g., a Trail Making Test, a spatial processing task, and a tracking task), non-cognitive tasks (e.g., a balance task), or other suitable tasks, and the method may further comprise randomly generating one or more of such tasks. 
         [0019]    In implementations in which the method comprises administering a Stroop test, the method may further comprise identifying whether the first user is color-blind, the first user&#39;s type of color-blindness, and Stroop test questions unaffected by the first user&#39;s color-blindness. In some such implementations, method further comprises identifying the first user&#39;s type of color-blindness based on at least one of the one or more assessment tasks. 
         [0020]    In some implementations, the method further comprises receiving sensor data associated with the user, wherein the input score is based on the sensor data. Such data may include accelerometer data, touchscreen data, heart rate data, or other suitable data. 
         [0021]    In some implementations, the method further comprises identifying a location of a medical care facility near the first user. 
         [0022]    In some implementations, the one or more assessment tasks include one or more gating tasks associated with severe impairment, and the method further comprises administering the one or more gating tasks to the first user, determining whether the input received in response to the one or more gating tasks is associated with severe impairment, and, if the input received in response to the one or more gating tasks is associated with severe impairment, stopping administration of assessment tasks and outputting a warning. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The systems and methods described herein are set forth in the appended list of claims. However, for the purpose of explanation, several implementations are set forth in the following drawings. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an injury assessment system, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a user device, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an assessment server, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an injury assessment process, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a test reminder process, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a baseline measurement process, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a screenshot of a test selection screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a screenshot of a baseline test instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a screenshot of an orientation question instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a screenshot of an orientation question screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a screenshot of a symptom question instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a screenshot of a symptom question screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a screenshot of a Trail Making Test instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a screenshot of a Trail Making Test screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a screenshot of a first word recall test instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is a screenshot of a first word recall test screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a screenshot of a Stroop test instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a screenshot of a Stroop test screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is a screenshot of a second word recall test instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  is a screenshot of a second word recall test screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0044]      FIG. 21  is a screenshot of a digit span test instruction screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0045]      FIG. 22  is a screenshot of a digit span test screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0046]      FIG. 23  is a screenshot of an assessment test screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0047]      FIG. 24  is a screenshot of an assessment test screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0048]      FIG. 25  is a screenshot of a second party welcome screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0049]      FIG. 26  is a screenshot of an athlete test review screen, according to an illustrative implementation; 
           [0050]      FIG. 27  is a screenshot of a group baseline review screen, according to an illustrative implementation; and 
           [0051]      FIG. 28  is a block diagram of a computing device for performing any of the processes described herein, according to an illustrative implementation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0052]    In the following description, numerous details are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the implementations described herein may be practiced without the use of these specific details and that the implementations described herein may be modified, supplemented, or otherwise altered without departing from the scope of the systems and methods described herein. 
         [0053]    The systems and methods described herein relate to assessing possible brain injuries or impairment. A user is associated with a performance threshold, which may be based on regular baseline tests administered to the user. One or more assessment tasks are administered to the user, and input received from the user in response to the assessment tasks is scored. An indicator representative of a comparison of the input score to the performance threshold is outputted-which may include providing the comparison to another user, such as a coach, a referee, a parent, a legal guardian, a medical professional, or some other suitable user-indicating whether the user is likely to be suffering impairment. 
         [0054]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative block diagram of an injury assessment system  100 , which assesses whether a user is likely to have suffered a brain injury. As depicted, three different users interact with injury assessment system  100  through, respectively, user devices  102   a - 102   c  (collectively user devices  102 ), which are described in more detail in relation to  FIG. 2 . For illustrative purposes, user device  102   a  is associated with a first user being tested, while user devices  102   b  and  102   c  are associated with receiving users associated with the first user, such as coaches, legal guardians, referees, umpires, trainers, medical professionals, or other suitable users. User device  102   a  may administer baseline and assessment tests to the first user, and user devices  102   b  and  102   c  may provide information regarding the first user&#39;s results to individuals authorized to receive such information. There may be a different number of user devices  102  than are depicted here, and there may be a different number of tested users and receiving users. Information regarding user baseline and assessment tests may be transmitted to and from user devices  102  through network  104 . Network  104  is a computer network, and in certain implementations may be the Internet. User information may be stored in assessment server  106 , which may be a server, a personal computer, a mainframe, a cluster of computing devices, or some other suitable computing device, and is described in more detail in relation to  FIG. 3 . In some implementations, user information is stored entirely on one or more user devices  102 , and there is no assessment server  106 . In such implementations, calculation of a user&#39;s performance threshold and analysis of a user&#39;s performance relative to such a threshold may be performed by one or more user devices  102 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative block diagram of a user device  200 , which may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal laptop computer, a wearable computing device, or some other suitable computing device. User device  200  may act as one of the user devices  102  of  FIG. 1 . User device  200  may administer tests to assess possible brain injury in a user and display information regarding one or more user&#39;s tests. User device  200  transmits and receives data through communication port  202 . Communications processor  204  may send and receive information regarding user tests through communication port  202 . User input  206  may receive user responses to tasks, requests for information regarding a user, or other suitable information; user output  208  may present assessment tasks, baseline tasks, assessments of impairment, or other suitable information. User database  210  stores information about a tested user, which may include the user&#39;s baseline test results, the user&#39;s threshold performance, which tested users&#39; data each receiving user is permitted to view, tasks to administer to the user, or other suitable information. Data processor  212  may identify tasks to administer to a user, score user responses to tasks, output information related to a user&#39;s performance threshold, output information regarding an impairment assessment of a user, identify and/or contact a medical facility close to the user, or perform other suitable actions. 
         [0056]    The depicted communication port  202  is a network port which sends and receives baseline and assessment information via network  104 . Baseline information may include one or more of a user&#39;s performance threshold, when a user last completed a baseline test, when the user is due for another baseline test, a user&#39;s answers to baseline tasks, baseline tasks, rules for generating baseline tasks, or other suitable information. Assessment information may include one or more of a user&#39;s performance threshold, assessment tasks, a user&#39;s response to assessment tasks, rules for generating assessment tasks, feedback regarding an assessment of a user&#39;s impairment, or other suitable information. Communication port  202  may include a 100BASE-TX port, a 1000BASE-T port, a 10 GBASE-T port, a WI-FI antenna, a BLUETOOTH antenna, a cellular antenna, or any other suitable network port. In certain implementations, there may be a different number of ports than are depicted. In certain implementations, communication port  202  may provide secure communications, such as by using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, or other suitable protocol. 
         [0057]    Communication processor  204  may be a computer processor that sends and receives information via communications port  202 . In response to instructions received from data processor  212 , communication processor  204  may request baseline or assessment tasks, transmit updates regarding a user&#39;s performance threshold or task responses, request information from a website or application server, or transmit other suitable data. Communication processor  204  may further forward or act on information received through communications port  202 , such as by recording user baseline information in user database  210 , providing information regarding an assessment of a possible brain injury to user output  208  or data processor  212 , or taking some other suitable measure. Communication processor  204  may also send and receive user information: as an illustrative example, if an assessment indicates that a user may have suffered a concussion, communication processor  204  may receive GPS information identifying the user&#39;s location and transmit a message to a medical professional authorized to view the user&#39;s information. 
         [0058]    User input  206  may include one or more user input devices, such as a keyboard, a microphone, a touchpad, a touchscreen, an accelerometer, or other suitable input devices. User input  206  allows a user to request administration of a baseline or an assessment test, to respond to baseline and assessment tasks, to request information regarding a user&#39;s performance on baseline tests, to request directions to a medical service provider, or to otherwise interact with user device  200 . Information received through user input  206  may be transmitted to data processor  212  for processing. In some implementations, a user input device comprising user input  206  may be remote from user device  200 , and may transmit information to user device  200  through a USB connection, a BLUETOOTH connection, or some other suitable connection. In some such implementations, user input  206  includes a helmet-mounted sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) that transmits impact data. 
         [0059]    User output  208  may include one or more user output devices, such as a display, a touchscreen, speakers, a haptic output, or other suitable output devices. User output  208  may display the output of communication processor  204  and data processor  212  in a user-understandable fashion, which may include presenting baseline tasks or assessment tasks, presenting the results of an assessment test, presenting changes in a user&#39;s baseline test results over time, indicating which associated users&#39; information the user may view, or providing some other suitable output. 
         [0060]    User database  210  may be a computer-readable and -writable medium storing information about a user, which may include which other users&#39; data the user is authorized to access, the user&#39;s performance threshold, baseline tasks, assessment tasks, information regarding appropriate tasks for the user (e.g., whether the user is color-blind and, if so, the user&#39;s type of color-blindness), information identifying other users associated with the user, or other suitable information. In some implementations, a portion or the whole of user database  210  may be accessed through a remote network, and may be stored on assessment server  106  or on some other suitable cloud computing drive. 
         [0061]    Data processor  212  may be a computer processor that may determine what tasks to present a user, prompt a user to take a baseline test, assess whether a user may be impaired, identify other users to transmit user information to, identify medical facilities in the vicinity of the user, and perform other functions of the user device  200 . As described in relation to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when data processor  212  recognizes input received from user input  206  as a user request for a baseline or assessment test, data processor  212  identifies tasks for the user based on information in user database  210  or requested, via communication processor  204 , from assessment server  106 . Data processor  212  administers the identified tasks to the user via user output  208 , and, based on the user&#39;s responses, may revise the user performance threshold stored in user database  210 , output a warning to user output  208 , instruct communication processor  204  to transmit a warning to designated related users, or otherwise respond to the user&#39;s input. 
         [0062]    In some implementations, data processor  212  retrieves and stores information from user database  210 , and communication processor  204  synchronizes information between assessment server  106  and user database  210 . In some such implementations, communication processor  204  may synchronize information on a periodic basis (e.g., daily, weekly, or monthly), in response to predetermined user actions (e.g., completion of a baseline test), in response to predetermined conditions (e.g., reestablishment of a connection of user device  200  to network  104 ), or based on some other suitable criteria. As an illustrative example of such an implementation, if no network access is available to user device  200 , data processor  212  may identify tasks based on information recorded in user database  210 , may cache changes to the user&#39;s performance threshold in user database  210  until the user device  200  can reconnect to network  104 , and may instruct communication processor  204  to update the user&#39;s information on assessment server  106  based on the cached changes once communication processor  204  is able to connect to assessment server  106 . 
         [0063]    User device  200  administers baseline and assessment tests to users, compares assessment test results with performance thresholds based on baseline tests, and outputs warnings when an assessment indicates impairment. Data processor  212  may prompt a user to take a baseline test via user output  208  after the lapse of a period of time without the user taking a baseline test, based on a message received from another user device  200  (such as a coach indicating that a practice session has ended and all players should take a baseline test) via communication port  202 , or based on some other suitable criteria. Data processor  212  administers a baseline test in response to a user requesting a baseline test through user input  206 , and may score the baseline test and revise a performance threshold for the user stored in user database  210  based on the user&#39;s responses received via user input  206 . When a user requests an assessment test, data processor  212  identifies assessment tasks based on information received from assessment server  106  or retrieved from user database  210 , administers the tasks through user output  208 , and scores responses received through user input  206 . If the scored assessment test suggests that the user may be suffering from impairment, data processor  212  informs the user through user output  208  and may instruct communication processor  204  to inform other users listed in user database  210 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative block diagram of an assessment server  300 , which may be a server, a personal computer, a mainframe, a cluster of computing devices, or some other suitable computing device. Referring to  FIG. 1 , assessment server  300  may correspond to assessment server  106 . Assessment server  300  may track a user&#39;s baseline and assessment task responses and performance threshold, verify whether a user is authorized to view another user&#39;s information, identify whether a user is likely to be suffering from an impairment, or perform other suitable tasks. Assessment server  300  transmits and receives data through communications port  302 . Communication processor  304  may send and receive information regarding tasks, user responses, and injury assessments through communication port  302 . User database  306  stores information about users, which may include information identifying a device associated with a user, a performance threshold of a user, whether a user is colorblind, whether a user is authorized to access another user&#39;s information, who has permission to authorize a user to view another user&#39;s information, which users should be notified if a user is assessed as having a possible concussion, or other suitable information. Assessment database  308  stores information regarding baseline and assessment tasks, which may include which may include instructions for generating randomized tasks, tasks with model responses and instructions for scoring responses, or other suitable information. 
         [0065]    The depicted communication port  302  is a network port which sends and receives assessment information via network  104 . Assessment information may include baseline tasks, assessment tasks, user responses to tasks, performance thresholds, assessments of possible brain injury, reminders to take baseline tests, or other suitable information. Communication port  302  may include a 100BASE-TX port, a 1000BASE-T port, a 10 GBASE-T port, a WI-FI antenna, a BLUETOOTH antenna, a cellular antenna, or any other suitable network port. In certain implementations, there may be a different number of ports than are depicted. In certain implementations, communication port  302  may provide secure communications, such as by using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, or other suitable protocol. 
         [0066]    Communication processor  304  may be a computer processor that sends and receives information via communications port  302 . Communication processor  304  may transmit information regarding a user&#39;s records to a user device  102 , transmit a reminder to a user device  102  to take a baseline test, transmit tasks or instructions regarding tasks from assessment database  308  to a user device  102 , information regarding a user&#39;s performance on a baseline or an assessment test to one or more other designated users, or perform other suitable tasks. Such transmissions may be made in response to a request from a user device  102 , or may be pushed to user device  102  under certain pre-determined conditions, such as a different user device  102  requesting that a user take a baseline test, the elapse of a predetermined amount of time, or some other suitable condition. As an illustrative example, if a user takes an assessment test and scores below the user&#39;s performance threshold, communications port  302  may push a warning regarding the user and a link to a server identifying nearby medical facilities to other user devices  102 . Communication processor  304  may also revise information in user database  306  and assessment database  308 , such as by updating user&#39;s records in user database  306  based on information received from a user device  102  or adding assessment tasks to an assessment database  308  in response to a command from an authorized system administrator. 
         [0067]    User database  306  may be a computer-readable and -writable medium storing information about a user, which may include one or more of the user&#39;s performance threshold, user devices  102  associated with the user, baseline test result history, assessment test result history, a user&#39;s disabilities that are relevant to baseline or assessment tasks, emergency contact information associated with a user, which other users are authorized to view the user&#39;s information, which receiving users should receive the user&#39;s information and under which circumstances, or other suitable information. As an illustrative example, a coach may designate when a game is taking place, and a referee may be designated as a recipient of an athlete&#39;s assessment test results during the game period if the referee is within a predetermined distance from the user. 
         [0068]    Assessment database  308  may be a computer-readable and -writable medium storing information regarding baseline and assessment tasks, which may include instructions to display to a user, rules for grading user responses, or other suitable information. As illustrative examples, assessment database  308  may include: computer instructions for generating cognitive tasks, such as a Stroop test, a Trail Making Test, a digit span test, or other suitable tasks; computer instructions for a balance test, including identifying results based on an output of an accelerometer, computer instructions for generating orientation tasks, such as questions to determine whether the user knows what day of the week it is; or other suitable information. In some implementations, user database  306  may be partially or wholly combined with assessment database  308 . 
         [0069]    Assessment server  300  may record a user&#39;s baseline and assessment task responses and performance threshold, determine whether a user may be impaired, and inform other users that a user may be impaired. Communication processor  304  may send and receive information regarding tasks, baseline test results, injury assessments, and other suitable information via communications port  302 , and store or retrieve such information from user database  306  and assessment database  308  as appropriate. 
         [0070]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative flow chart of an injury assessment process  400 . Injury assessment process  400  assesses whether a user is likely to be suffering from cognitive impairment, and generates a warning to the user and/or associated receiving users if so. Referring to  FIG. 2 , injury assessment process  400  begins with step  401 , in which data processor  212  identifies a user requesting an assessment test through user input  206 . Data processor  212  may identify the user based on whether the user is the only user associated with the user device  200 . In some implementations, a user may request an assessment test on behalf of another user: as an illustrative example, a coach may request an assessment test using her own user device  200 , and then hand the user device  200  to one of her players for assessment. In such implementations, the coach may identify the user to data processor  212 . 
         [0071]    In step  402 , data processor  212  identifies a gating task for the user. A gating task may determine whether the user being tested is healthy enough to complete more cognitively challenging tasks, and may include asking the user to answer an orientation question (e.g., the day of the week, the month, the city in which the user lives, or other suitable questions), asking the user to answer a symptom question (e.g., whether the user is nauseous, is experiencing tinnitus, or other suitable questions), asking the user to perform a task, such as holding user device  200  steady for a period of time, or some other suitable task. In step  403 , the user provides a response to the gating task through user input  206 , and in step  404  data processor  212  determines whether the user response indicates a problem. In some implementations, there may be more than one triage task, in which case steps  402 - 404  are repeated until the user shows behavior consistent with impairment or provides a positive/normal response to all of the triage tasks. If the user shows impairment, process  400  continues to step  410 , described below; otherwise it continues to step  405 . 
         [0072]    In step  405 , data processor  212  identifies one or more assessment tasks for the user. Assessment tasks may include cognitive tests, such as a Stroop test, a Trail Making Test, a digit span test, or other suitable cognitive tests; a symptom question, such as whether the user is experiencing a ringing sensation or feels nauseous; physical activities, such as facing a camera comprising part of user input  206  and looking in a series of prescribed directions; or other suitable tasks. In implementations where assessment tasks include a Stroop test, data processor  212  may determine whether the user is colorblind based on information stored in user database  210 , and may administer Stroop test questions in accord with the user&#39;s colorblindness or lack thereof. Data processor  212  may retrieve assessment tasks or instructions for generating assessment tasks from user database  210  or, referring to  FIG. 3 , request them from assessment server  300 . In step  406 , data processor  212  administers the identified tasks to the user via user output  208 . In some implementations, the tasks selected in step  405  are chosen such that the tasks would normally be completed by the identified user within a predetermined period of response time. In some implementations, injury assessment process  400  provides assessment tasks until a predetermined period of response time has lapsed, and thus repeats steps  405 - 406  until the predetermined period of response time has lapsed. The predetermined period of response time may be two minutes, four minutes, five minutes, six minutes, seven minutes, or some other suitable period of time. In some implementations the predetermined period of response time may be a function of settings created by a trainer, a guardian, or a medical professional, and may vary between users. 
         [0073]    In step  407 , data processor  212  scores the user responses received via user input  206 . In some implementations, user responses to assessment tasks are scored based in part on the rapidity with which the user completed the task, the steadiness with which the user held user device  200 , or other suitable criteria. In step  408 , data processor  212  compares the user score to a performance threshold associated with the user, which may be stored in user database  210  or requested from assessment server  300 . If the user&#39;s score meets or exceeds the user&#39;s performance threshold, or is outside a predetermined (normal) range around the user&#39;s performance threshold, process  400  ends with step  409 , in which data processor  212  outputs the results to designated receiving users. Step  409  may include one or more of displaying the result through user output  208 , instructing communication processor  204  to transmit the results to assessment server  300  for distribution or directly to other user devices  200  associated with the receiving user, or other suitable actions. 
         [0074]    If data processor  212  finds that the user may be suffering from impairment or injury in steps  404  or  408 , e.g., because the user&#39;s score is outside an acceptable range around the user&#39;s performance, process  400  proceeds to step  410 , in which a warning is output to designated receiving users. Step  410  may include displaying the result through user output  208 , instructing communication processor  204  to transmit the results to assessment server  300  for distribution or directly to other user devices  200  associated with the receiving user, or other suitable actions. In step  411 , process  400  may forward responses from one or more designated receiving users to other users, e.g., the tested user and/or another receiving user (such as a coach or referee). As an illustrative example, if a medical professional judges that the results are worrisome but do not constitute an emergency, the medical professional may transmit a message to a coach saying that the player should be taken out of the game but does not need to be taken to a hospital. A response in step  411  may be transmitted from a designated receiving user&#39;s user device  200  to assessment server  300  for distribution, or may be directly transmitted to another designated receiving user&#39;s user device  200 . Process  400  then ends with step  412 , in which data processor  212  identifies nearby medical service providers. Data processor  212  may complete step  412  by instructing communication processor  204  to transmit location information to assessment server  300  or to a third-party location server and request location information of nearby medical service providers. 
         [0075]    In some implementations, process  400  may exclude one or more of the depicted steps or may perform one or more of the depicted steps in an alternate order. As illustrative examples, process  400  may exclude step  411 , may reverse the order of steps  411  and  412 , or may only complete step  412  if requested by a user. In some implementations, one or more steps of injury assessment process  400  may be completed by communication processor  304  based on information received from a user device  200 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative flow chart of a test reminder process  500 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , test reminder process  500  prompts users to take the baseline tests that serve as the basis for assessing whether a user may be impaired or injured in process  400 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , test reminder process  500  begins with step  501 , in which communication processor  304  identifies a user subject to baseline testing. In step  502 , communication processor  304  determines whether the user has taken a baseline test within a predetermined period, which may include retrieving the date of the user&#39;s last baseline test from user database  306  or, referring to  FIG. 2 , requesting the date of the user&#39;s last baseline test from the user&#39;s user device  200 . If the user has taken a baseline test within the predetermined period, test reminder process  500  concludes; if not, it continues to step  503 . 
         [0077]    In some implementations, the predetermined period of step  502  may be based on when the user last took a baseline test, and the predetermined period may be a period of days, one week, two weeks, three weeks, a month, or some other suitable period of time. In some implementations of step  502 , the predetermined period may be based on receipt of a user request that associated users complete a baseline test, and the predetermined period may be a period of ten minutes, a half-hour, an hour, one-and-a-half hours, two hours, or some other suitable period of time. As an illustrative example of the latter implementations, a coach may transmit a message requesting that players complete a baseline test to assessment server  300  during or immediately after a practice session in order for athletes&#39; baselines to be measured under physically active conditions. 
         [0078]    In step  503 , communication processor  304  transmits a message prompting the user identified in step  501  to the user&#39;s device  200 . The message may comprise a text message, an app notification, or some other suitable prompt. In step  504 , communication processor  304  identifies receiving users associated with the user of step  501  based on information in user database  306 . Such other users may include a coach, a parent, a legal guardian, a medical professional, a referee of an upcoming game, or other suitable users. In step  505 , communication processor  304  informs the receiving users identified in step  504  that the tested user is overdue for a baseline test. In some implementations, process  500  may exclude one or more of the depicted steps or may perform one or more of the depicted steps in an alternate order. As illustrative examples, steps  503 - 505  may be completed in a different order or in parallel; steps  504  and  505  may only be completed if the tested user does not begin taking a baseline test within a predetermined period of time after step  503  is completed; or steps  504  and  505  may be excluded entirely. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in some implementations, one or more steps of test reminder process  500  may be completed by user device  200 . As illustrative examples, data processor  212  may identify whether the user has taken a baseline test based on information stored in user database  210  or received from assessment server  300 ; data processor  212  may prompt the user to take a baseline test in step  503 ; and communication processor  204  may transmit messages to complete step  505 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 6  is an illustrative flow chart of a baseline measurement process  600 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , baseline measurement process  600  determines a performance threshold that serves as a basis for assessing whether a user may be impaired or injured in process  400 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , baseline measurement process  600  begins with step  601 , in which data processor  212  identifies the user taking a baseline test. In step  602 , data processor  212  identifies baseline tasks for the user, which may include one or more of retrieving baseline tasks from user database  210 , requesting baseline tasks from assessment server  300 , and generating baseline tasks based on instructions stored in user database  210  or by assessment server  300 . Baseline tasks may include a Stroop test, a Trail Making Test, a digit span test, or other suitable cognitive tests; a symptom question, such as whether the user is experiencing a ringing sensation or feels nauseous; physical activities, such as facing a camera comprising part of user input  206  and looking in a series of prescribed directions (which may be indicated by visual or audio instructions); or other suitable tasks. In implementations where baseline tasks include a Stroop test, data processor  212  may determine whether the user is colorblind based on information stored in user database  210 , and may identify Stroop test tasks in accord with the user&#39;s colorblindness or lack thereof. In step  603 , data processor  212  administers the baseline tasks to the user via user output  208 ; in step  604 , data processor  212  receives responses to the baseline tasks from the user via user input  206 . Steps  603  and  604  may be repeated until all the tasks have been completed, until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, or based on some other suitable criteria. 
         [0081]    In step  606 , data processor  212  scores the responses received from the user in step  604 . Responses may be scored based on accuracy, speed, any available physical data (e.g., input from a heartbeat monitor, input from an impact sensor, steadiness of the user device  200  as recorded by an accelerometer, or other suitable information), or other suitable information. In step  606 , data processor  212  revises a performance threshold associated with the user based on the score calculated in step  605 , which may include replacing the performance threshold with a predetermined fraction of the score, recalculating the performance threshold as a weighted average of the newly calculated score and previous scores or the previous threshold, or some other suitable revision. In some implementations, revision of the threshold may also vary based on whether the baseline test was taken within a predetermined amount of time of the conclusion of a practice session: in such implementations, the conclusion of a practice session may be determined based on a message from a designated user (such as a coach), a scheduled time, or based on other suitable criteria. Data processor  212  may store the revised performance threshold in one or both of user database  210  and on assessment server  300 . In some implementations, data processor  212  may also display baseline results using user output  208  and may forward results to one or more other designated users via communication processor  204 . 
         [0082]    In some implementations, one or more of the steps of process  600  may be completed by assessment server  300 . As an illustrative example, communication processor  204  may forward the score calculated in step  605  to server  300 , which may revise the threshold associated with the user accordingly. 
         [0083]    In some implementations, process  600  may exclude one or more of the depicted steps or may perform one or more of the depicted steps in an alternate order. As an illustrative example, process  600  may repeat steps  602 - 605  such that, after a first baseline task is identified, each subsequent baseline task is identified based on the score calculated in step  605 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative screenshot of a test selection screen  700 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  700  may be displayed by user output  208  to allow a user to choose between beginning injury assessment process  400  or baseline measurement process  600 , or reviewing previous test scores. 
         [0085]      FIG. 8  is an illustrative screenshot of an baseline test instruction screen  800 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , screen  800  may be displayed by user output  208  during baseline measurement process  600 .  FIG. 8  informs a user that they are about to begin a baseline assessment test. 
         [0086]      FIG. 9  is an illustrative screenshot of an orientation question instruction screen  900 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , screen  900  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400 .  FIG. 9  explains how the user is to respond to an orientation question such as is depicted in  FIG. 10 . As depicted, an orientation question may be related to the time. 
         [0087]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative screenshot of an orientation question screen  1000 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , screen  1000  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400 . As depicted, a user should respond to the depicted screen by selecting the current month. The score for such a question may be calculated based on whether the question was answered correctly and the time taken to answer. There may be alternative or additional orientation question screens  1000 , such as asking the user to indicate the approximate time of day, the day of the week, the city in which the user is currently located, or other suitable questions. 
         [0088]      FIG. 11  is an illustrative of a symptom question instruction screen  1100 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1100  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in screen  1100 , a symptom question asks a user to rate a symptom on a numerical scale. In some implementations, one or more symptom questions may be yes/no questions, such as whether the user is experiencing ringing in the ears. 
         [0089]      FIG. 12  is an illustrative screenshot of a symptom question screen  1200 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1200  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As depicted, a user should respond to the depicted screen by selecting their current sensitivity to light. The score for such a question may be calculated based on the sensitivity selected by the user. There may be alternative or additional orientation question screens  1200 , such as asking the user how dizzy they feel, the extent of any pain they feel, or other suitable questions. 
         [0090]      FIG. 13  is an illustrative screenshot of a Trail Making Test instruction screen  1300 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1300  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in screen  1300 , a Trail Making Test comprises displaying a grid of characters and requiring a user to select the characters in a prescribed order. 
         [0091]      FIG. 14  is an illustrative screenshot of a Trail Making Test screen  1400 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1400  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As depicted, were screen  1400  to appear immediately after screen  1300 , a user should respond to the depicted screen by selecting the number  1 , followed by the letter A, followed by the number  2 , and so on. The score for such a question may be calculated based on the number of correct entries selected during a predetermined period of time, on the time taken to properly complete the task, or on some other suitable criteria. 
         [0092]      FIG. 15  is an illustrative screenshot of a first word recall test instruction screen  1500 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1500  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in screen  1500 , a word recall test comprises displaying a series of words, and later displaying one or more words and asking the user whether the later-displayed words were in the earlier series of words. 
         [0093]      FIG. 16  is an illustrative screenshot of a first word recall test screen  1600 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1600  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in reference to  FIG. 15 , a list of words will be displayed; as depicted, a first word in the list is being displayed, and will later be replaced with another word in the list. The user does not need to respond to the word list displayed in screen  1600 , but instead remember the words for later questions, as described in relation to  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 17  is an illustrative screenshot of a Stroop test instruction screen  1700 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1700  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in screen  1700 , a Stroop test comprises displaying a color word in a color that may not match the color word, and requiring the user to identify the color in which the word is displayed. 
         [0095]      FIG. 18  is an illustrative screenshot of a Stroop test screen  1800 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1800  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in reference to  FIG. 17 , a user should respond to the depicted screen by selecting the color in which the word “pink” is displayed rather than the color pink itself. The score for such a question may be calculated based on whether the question was answered correctly and the time taken to answer. 
         [0096]      FIG. 19  is an illustrative screenshot of a second word recall test instruction screen  1900 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  1900  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in screen  1500 , screen  1900  appears after screen  1600 , and may appear after one or more other questions have been administered to the user. Screen  1900  explains that a user is to answer whether a displayed word was included in an earlier list of words. 
         [0097]      FIG. 20  is an illustrative screenshot of a second word recall test screen  2000 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  2000  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in reference to  FIGS. 15 and 19 , a user should respond to the depicted screen  2000  by selecting “yes” if the word “bubble” appeared in an earlier displayed word list, and “no” if not. The score for such a question may be calculated based on whether the question was answered correctly and the time taken to answer. 
         [0098]      FIG. 21  is an illustrative screenshot of a digit span test instruction screen  2100 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  2100  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in screen  2100 , a digit span test comprises displaying a series of numbers and requiring the user to then repeat the series of numbers in the same order as they were displayed. 
         [0099]      FIG. 22  is an illustrative screenshot of a digit span test screen  2200 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , screen  2200  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400  and baseline measurement process  600 . As explained in reference to  FIG. 21 , a user should respond to the depicted screen by entering a series of numbers in the same order that an earlier series of numbers were displayed. The score for such a question may be calculated based on whether the question was answered correctly and the time taken to answer. 
         [0100]      FIG. 23  is an illustrative screenshot of an assessment test screen  2300 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , screen  2300  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400 . Screen  2300  compares the results of an assessment test as compared to the user&#39;s historical baseline test results. 
         [0101]      FIG. 24  is an illustrative screenshot of an assessment test screen  2400 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , screen  2400  may be displayed by user output  208  during injury assessment process  400 . Screen  2400  compares the results of an assessment test as compared to the user&#39;s historical baseline test results. As depicted, a higher score indicates greater likelihood of impairment, and as the depicted test results are greater than a threshold, screen  2400  suggests that the user seek medical attention. 
         [0102]      FIG. 25  is an illustrative screenshot of a second party welcome screen  2500 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , screen  2500  may be displayed by a user output  208  of a device authorized to display another user&#39;s baseline test results. As depicted, screen  2500  allows a coach to choose whether to view a specific user&#39;s results, or to view a table of all users whose results the coach is authorized to view. Screen  2500  may be displayed on a coach&#39;s user device  200 , a medical professional&#39;s user device  200 , or some other suitable person&#39;s user device  200 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 26  is an illustrative screenshot of an athlete test review screen  2600 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , screen  2600  may be displayed by a user output  208  of a device authorized to display a user&#39;s baseline test results. As depicted, screen  2600  allows a first user (e.g., a coach or a parent) to enter the name of a second user (e.g., an athlete). If the first user is authorized to view the second user&#39;s results, screen  2600  will display the second user&#39;s results. Screen  2600  may be displayed on a coach&#39;s user device  200 , a medical professional&#39;s user device  200 , or some other suitable person&#39;s user device  200 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 27  is an illustrative screenshot of a group baseline review screen  2700 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , screen  2700  may be displayed by a user output  208  of a device authorized to display a user&#39;s baseline test results. As depicted, screen  2700  displays results associated with a list of athletes to a user authorized to view the athletes&#39; test results. Screen  2700  may be displayed on a coach&#39;s user device  200 , a medical professional&#39;s user device  200 , or some other suitable person&#39;s user device  200 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 28  is a block diagram of a computing device that can be used to implement or support any of the components of the system of  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  3 , and for performing any of the processes described herein. Assessment server  300  may be implemented on one or more computing devices  2800  having suitable circuitry, and user device  102  may communicate with assessment server  106  through one or more computing devices  2800  having suitable circuitry. In certain aspects, a plurality of the components of injury assessment system  100  may be included within one computing device  2800 . In certain implementations, a component of injury assessment system  100  may be implemented across several computing devices  2800 . 
         [0106]    The computing device  2800  comprises at least one communications interface unit, an input/output controller  2810 , system memory, and one or more data storage devices. This can support a network connection, such as a connection to network  104  in  FIG. 2 . The system memory includes at least one random access memory (RAM  2802 ) and at least one read-only memory (ROM  2804 ). RAM  2802  can support the user database  2810  of  FIG. 2 , for example. All of these elements are in communication with a central processing unit (CPU  2806 ) to facilitate the operation of the computing device  2800 . The computing device  2800  may be configured in many different ways. For example, the computing device  2800  may be a conventional standalone computer or, alternatively, the functions of computing device  2800  may be distributed across multiple computer systems and architectures. In  FIG. 28 , the computing device  2800  may be linked, via network or local network, to other servers or systems. 
         [0107]    The computing device  2800  may be configured in a distributed architecture, wherein databases and processors are housed in separate units or locations. Some units perform primary processing functions and contain, at a minimum, a general controller or a processor and a system memory. In distributed architecture implementations, each of these units may be attached via the communications interface unit  2808  to a communications hub or port (not shown) that serves as a primary communication link with other servers, client or user computers, and other related devices. The communications hub or port may have minimal processing capability itself, serving primarily as a communications router. A variety of communications protocols may be part of the system, including, but not limited to: Ethernet, SAP, SAS™, ATP, BLUETOOTH™, GSM, and TCP/IP. 
         [0108]    The CPU  2806  comprises a processor, such as one or more conventional microprocessors and one or more supplementary co-processors such as math co-processors for offloading workload from the CPU  2806 . The CPU  2806  is in communication with the communications interface unit  2808  and the input/output controller  2810 , through which the CPU  2806  communicates with other devices such as other servers, user terminals, or devices. The communications interface unit  2808  and the input/output controller  2810  may include multiple communication channels for simultaneous communication with, for example, other processors, servers, or client terminals. 
         [0109]    The CPU  2806  is also in communication with the data storage device. The data storage device may comprise an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical, or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, RAM  2802 , ROM  2804 , flash drive, an optical disc such as a compact disc, or a hard disk or drive. The CPU  2806  and the data storage device each may be, for example, located entirely within a single computer or other computing device; or connected to each other by a communication medium, such as a USB port, serial port cable, a coaxial cable, an Ethernet cable, a telephone line, a radio frequency transceiver, or other similar wireless or wired medium or combination of the foregoing. For example, the CPU  2806  may be connected to the data storage device via the communications interface unit  2808 . The CPU  2806  may be configured to perform one or more particular processing functions. 
         [0110]    The data storage device may store, for example, (i) an operating system  2812  for the computing device  2800 ; (ii) one or more applications  2814  (e.g., computer program code or a computer program product) adapted to direct the CPU  2806  in accordance with the systems and methods described here, and particularly in accordance with the processes described in detail with regard to the CPU  2806 ; or (iii) database(s)  2816  adapted to store information that may be utilized to store information required by the program. The depicted database  2816  can be any suitable database system, and can be a local or distributed database system. 
         [0111]    The operating system  2812  and applications  2814  may be stored, for example, in a compressed, an uncompiled and an encrypted format, and may include computer program code. The instructions of the program may be read into a main memory of the processor from a computer-readable medium other than the data storage device, such as from the ROM  2804  or from the RAM  2802 , or from a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, such as that found within the well-known Web pages transferred among devices connected to the Internet. While execution of sequences of instructions in the program causes the CPU  2806  to perform the process steps described herein, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of the present disclosure. Thus, the systems and methods described are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. 
         [0112]    Suitable computer program code may be provided for performing one or more functions in relation to an assessment system as described herein. The program also may include program elements such as an operating system  2812 , a database management system, and “device drivers” that allow the processor to interface with computer peripheral devices (e.g., a video display, a keyboard, a computer mouse, etc.) via the input/output controller  2810 . 
         [0113]    The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any non-transitory medium that provides or participates in providing instructions to the processor of the computing device  2800  (or any other processor of a device described herein) for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical, magnetic, or opto-magnetic disks, or integrated circuit memory, such as flash memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM or EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable read-only memory), a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other non-transitory medium from which a computer can read. 
         [0114]    Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the CPU  2806  (or any other processor of a device described herein) for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be borne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer (not shown). The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over an Ethernet connection, cable line, or even telephone line using a modem. A communications device local to a computing device  2800  (e.g., a server) can receive the data on the respective communications line and place the data on a system bus for the processor. The system bus carries the data to main memory, from which the processor retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory may optionally be stored in memory either before or after execution by the processor. In addition, instructions may be received via a communication port as electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals, which are exemplary forms of wireless communications or data streams that carry various types of information. 
         [0115]    Some implementations of the above described may be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, requests, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof. 
         [0116]    While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. For example, assessment system  100  may be implemented entirely on a user device  102 , which may eliminate the need for an assessment server  106 ; users subject to tests may have an athlete-specific user device  200  distinct from other users&#39; devices; a user device  200  may display different information and options depending on whether a user signing in is a tested user or is authorized to view other users&#39; information; a user device  200  may offer an option to contact a medical professional in response to a poor assessment test; a user device  200  may generate an alert if a user&#39;s baseline tests show a pattern of decline; users may select to view information regarding concussions; alternate or additional baseline or assessment tasks may be provided, such as a fatigue scale, a mood scale, a two-choice reaction time test, a four-choice reaction time test, a procedural reaction time test, a running memory continuous performance task, a mathematical processing task, a digit set comparison task, a logical reasoning task, a Tower of Hanoi task, a spatial processing task, and a tracking task; a user&#39;s assessment tasks may be based on the baseline tasks they have most recently completed; system  100  may have access to scheduling information, and may inform other users if an athlete has not taken a baseline exam within a predetermined period of the beginning of a scheduled practice or game; performance thresholds may be based in part on test results of populations similar to the user, standardized thresholds, or clinically calibrated thresholds associated with injury risk. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure. Elements of an implementation of the systems and methods described herein may be independently implemented or combined with other implementations. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Technology Category: 3