System and method for skill enhancement and behavior modification

Claims

We claim:

1. A training device for selectively monitoring one or more of a plurality of physiological signals produced by a human being and for displaying computed measures of such signals including:

(a) a plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducer means adapted to be singly and plurally utilized for conversion of said plurality of physiological signals into a corresponding plurality of equivalent electrical signals;

(b) a plurality of corresponding signal conditioning means for said equivalent electrical signals including adjustable electrical amplification means, filtering means and conversion means adapted to convert said plurality of said conditioned equivalent electrical signals into a corresponding plurality of equivalent equipotential pulse trains, each of whose instantaneous frequencies is proportional to each of said corresponding plurality of said conditioned equivalent electrical signals;

(c) a plurality of display means operative for presentation of said plurality of equivalent equipotential pulse trains as computed measures of said physiological signals;

(d) terminal means for control of said training device by the said human being;

(e) a plurality of relatively independent computer means cooperating in selective combinations and at least one combination of which is adapted to calculate said computed measures of said corresponding plurality of equivalent equipotential pulse trains, and another combination of which is adapted to control at least one of said plurality of display means;

(f) supervising computer means adapted to control, select and/or coordinate said plurality of said relatively independent computer means; and

(g) communication bus means adapted to transmit information between said plurality of relatively independent computer means and said supervising computer means.

2. A training device as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of display means each includes at least one of:

(a) visual display means for the presentation of visual stimuli or pictures, and

(b) auditory display means for the presentation of audible stimuli or sounds to said human being.

3. A training device as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducer means each includes at least one of:

(a) electrode means adapted to conduct electrical activity produced by said human being to said device;

(b) photo detection means and a light source in optical proximity to said photo detection means wherein light from said light source is modulated by physiological signals such as blood flow before reaching said photo detection means wherein electrical activity is produced in correspondence with said modulation and coupled to said device;

(c) variable resistance means such that variation of human limb or body volume or position causes corresponding variation in resistance of said resistance means which is coupled to said device;

(d) piezoelectric means adapted to generate electrical charge in correspondence with variation of force or pressure upon said piezoelectric means by physiological signals such as activity of human muscle which is coupled to said device.

4. A training device as in claim 1 wherein:

(a) a plurality of transmitters are provided corresponding with said plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducer means, said plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducer means being adapted to modulate a corresponding plurality of electrical carrier signals with information equivalent to said physiological signals; and

(b) wherein a plurality of corresponding remote receiver means are provided to which said information is transmitted; and

(c) wherein said information is demodulated and coupled to said signal conditioning means.

5. A training device as in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of signal conditioning means further comprises:

(a) preamplifier means adapted to amplify electrical signals received from any one or more of said plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducer means such that physiological information is contained in the instantaneous variation of the magnitude of said electrical signals;

(b) adjustable gain amplifier and filter means including adjustable electrical amplification factor means adapted to further amplify electrical signals received from said preamplifier means;

(c) gain switch means adapted to vary the said adjustable electrical amplification factor of said adjustable gain amplifier and filter means;

(d) voltage to frequency converter means adapted to receive electrical signals from said adjustable gain amplifier and filter means and to generate an equipotential pulse train wherein the instantaneous frequency of said pulse train is in correspondence to the instantaneous variation of the magnitude of said electrical signals;

(e) photo detector means and opto-isolator means including a first light source which is in close proximity thereto, said opto-isolator means being adapted to convert said equipotential pulse train into a corresponding and second equipotential pulse train; and

(f) a second and plurality of photo detector means and a plurality of second opto-isolator means including a second plurality of light source means and in close proximity to said second plurality of photo detector means, said second equipotential pulse train being transmitted to at least one of said plurality of relatively independent computer means and being adapted to receive pulses from said plurality of relatively independent computers and to transit said pulses to said gain switch.

6. A training device as in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of relatively independent computer means further comprises:

(a) central processing means wherein arithmetic operations, comparison of numbers, logical operations, and interpretation and execution of instructions are performed;

(b) program memory means containing a plurality of binary sequences adapted to contain control sequences from said central processing means;

(c) data memory means adapted to contain a second plurality of binary sequences including: results of arithmetic and logical operations performed in said central processing means, a summation of said equipotential pulse trains from said signal conditioning means, control sequences from said supervising computer means, and parameter sequences from said supervising computer means;

(d) a plurality of timer means adapted to accept a third plurality of binary sequences from said central processing means and to produce a fourth binary sequence after a time determined by said third plurality of binary sequences;

(e) a plurality of parallel input/output means adapted to connect each of said plurality of relatively independent computer means to said communication bus means, and additionally adapted to couple each of said plurality of relatively independent computer means to either said signal conditioning means or to each of said plurality of display means; and

(f) local bus means adapted to transit information between said plurality of parallel input/output means, said central processing means, said program memory means, said data memory means, and said plurality of timer means.

7. A training device as in claim 6 wherein the first mentioned of said plurality of binary sequences in said program memory means further comprises:

(a) integration binary sequence means adapted to control said central processing means, said data memory means, said plurality of timer means, and said plurality of parallel input/output means such that the number of said equipotential pulses per unit of time can be transmitted to said plurality of parallel input/output means and to said data memory means, such unit of time being controlled by said fourth binary sequence;

(b) peak binary sequence means adapted to control said central processing means, said data memory means, said plurality of timer means, and said plurality of parallel input/output means such that the maximum frequency of said equipotential pulse train in a unit of time can be transmitted to said plurality of parallel input-output means and to said data memory means, such unit of time being controlled by said fourth binary sequence;

(c) peak to peak binary sequence means adapted to control said central processing means, said data memory means, said plurality of timer means, and said plurality of parallel input/output means such that the difference between the maximum frequency and the minimum frequency of said equipotential pulse train in a unit of time can be transmitted to said plurality of parallel input/output means and to said data memory means, such unit of time being controlled by said fourth binary sequence;

(d) analog conversion sequence means adapted to control said central processing means, said data memory means, said plurality of timer means, and said plurality of parallel input/output means such that the frequency of said equipotential pulse train can be transmitted to said plurality of parallel input/output means and to said data memory means, such transmission being determined at the time controlled by said fourth binary sequence;

(e) normalizing binary sequence means adapted to control said central processing means, said data memory means, said plurality of timer means, and said plurality of parallel input/output means such that said gain switch means is adapted to sequence said electrical amplification factor of said adjustable gain amplifier and filter means from highest value to such value as produces a predetermined frequency of said equipotential pulse train, such predetermined frequency being proportional to the maximum allowed voltage which can be generated by said adjustable gain amplifier and filter means which is consistent with said replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducer means;

(f) binary visual display sequence means adapted to control said central processing means, said data memory means, said plurality of timer means, and said plurality of parallel input/output means such that a visual presentation or picture appears on said visual display means; and

(g) binary auditory display sequence means adapted to control said central processing means, said data memory means, said plurality of timer means, and said plurality of parallel input/output means such that an audible presentation, stimulus or sound issues from said auditory display means.

8. A training device as in claim 1 wherein said supervising computer means further comprises:

(a) second central processing means wherein arithmetic operations, comparison of numbers, logical operations, and interpretation and execution of instructions are performed;

(b) interchangeable program memory means containing a fifth plurality of binary sequences adapted to control said second central processing means, said interchangeable program memory means being capable of being removed from said supervising computer means and replaced with at least one of a plurality of a second interchangeable program memory means containing a sixth plurality of binary sequences adapted to control said second central processing means;

(c) second data memory means adapted to contain a seventh plurality of binary sequences including results of arithmetic and logical operations performed in said second mentioned central processing means, results of computations executed in each of said plurality of computer means, and information transmitted from said terminal means;

(d) second plurality of timer means adapted to receive an eighth plurality of binary sequences from said second central processing means and to generate a ninth binary sequence after a period of time determined by said eighth plurality of binary sequences;

(e) communications port means adapted to receive information from said terminal means and to transmit information to said terminal means;

(f) communication bus control means adapted to receive information from said communications bus means and to transmit information to said communications bus means;

(g) second local bus means adapted to transmit information between said second central processing means, said second data memory means, said second plurality of timer means, said communications port means, and said communication bus control means.

9. A training device as in claim 8 wherein said interchangeable program memory means contains at least one of a tenth plurality of binary sequences and:

(a) adapted to control said second central processing means, said second data memory means, said second plurality of timer means, said communications port means and said communication bus control means such that an eleventh plurality of binary sequences is transmitted to said plurality of relatively independent computer means creating at least one of a plurality of visual or auditory presentations on at least one of the said plurality of display means, or

(b) adapted to control said second central processing means, said second data memory means, said second plurality of timer means, said communications port means, and said bus control means such that said information transitted from said plurality of relatively independent computer means can be compared to a selected or computed range of values and such that an error signal proportional to the difference between said information and said selected or computed range is calculated, such error being retransmitted to said plurality of relatively independent computer means, wherein it modifies or alters at least one of said plurality of display means.

10. A method of improving skilled behavior or performance by and for a human being comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving his or her plurality of signals as physiological information at successive instants of time regarding behavior or performance from one or more of a plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducer means;

(b) quantifying said physiological information underlying such behavior or performance at said successive instants of time by means of at least one of a plurality of relatively independent and cooperating computer means each having a plurality of discrete functions and adapted to perform at least one of a plurality of discrete mathematical calculations at said successive instants of time and whose results provide a measure of at least one specific aspect of physiological behavior or performance at each of said successive instants of time;

(c) comparing said measured physiological behavioral information at each of said successive instants of time against a predetermined measure for said each of successive instants of time considered to be optimal for said one specific aspect of physiological behavior or performance and calculating by means of a supervising computer means an error quantity for said each of successive instants of time, such error quantity being the difference between the said predetermined measure and said measure of said one specific aspect of physiological behavior or performance of said each of successive instants of time; and

(d) displaying by means of at least one of a plurality of selective display means either the said predetermined measure considered to be optimal of said one specific aspect of physiological behavior or performance, or the said error quantity, said one of a plurality of selective display means showing or reflecting at least one of said predetermined measures of said specific one aspect of physiological behavior or performance or said error quantity, said plurality of selective display means being controlled by at least one of said relatively independent and cooperating computer means, said relatively independent and cooperating computer means being adapted to modify any one of said plurality of selective display means.

11. The method defined in claim 10 further including:

(a) utilization of said plurality of selective display means by said human being and affording an opportunity for improvement of skilled performance or behavior,

(b) including the steps of progressive modification of performance or behavior by him or her with subsequent reduction of said error quantity.

12. The method defined in claim 10 wherein

step (a) thereof includes at least one of the steps of receiving information regarding the position of limbs or other parts of the human body, or receiving a plurality of myographic, encephalic, or cardiographic or hemodynamic information either singly or in any combination thereof, and wherein:

step (b) thereof includes at least one of the steps of calculating the integral of such behavior or performance as a function of time, or the calculation of the peak magnitude or variation of such behavior or performance per unit of time as a function of time, or the calculation of the excursion or peak to peak variation of such behavior or performance per unit of time as a function of time, or the calculation of the instantaneous variation or magnitude of such behavior or performance as a function of time, and wherein:

step (c) thereof further includes the step of calculating a second error which assumes one of two values, taking a first value when the absolute value of the difference between the said calculated measure and the said predetermined measure is in excess of a predetermined lower bound and taking a second value when the absolute value of the difference between the said calculated measure and the said predetermined measure is smaller than said predetermined lower bound, said predetermined lower bound being a predetermined function of both the absolute value of the difference between the said calculated measure and the said predetermined measure and time, and wherein:

step (d) thereof includes at least one of the steps of representation of such information on a television receiver or the like, such representation being in the form of a picture familiar to human beings such that variables associated with said picture are proportional to either said calculated measure of behavior or performance, or said first mentioned error or said second error either individually or in combination, or representation of such information on a speaker or the like, such representation being in the form of sounds familiar to human beings such that variables associated with such sounds are proportional to either the said calculated measure of such behavior or performance, said first mentioned error or said second error, or the said predetermined measure of such behavior or performance either individually or in combination.

13. A method of improving physical fitness or well-being of a human being comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving his or her physiological information regarding behavior or performance or well-being from a plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducers;

(b) quantifying said physiological information underlying such behavior or performance or well-being by means of at least one of a plurality of relatively independent cooperating computers adapted to perform at least one of a plurality of discrete mathematical calculations whose results provide a measure of at least one specific aspect of physiological behavior or performance or well-being;

(c) quantifying a predetermined measure based upon said received and quantified physiological information considered to be optimal as a function of said physiological information and time for the specific aspect of physiological behavior or performance or well-being representative of the source of such physiological information by means of supervising computer means;

(d) receiving his or her successive physiological information regarding their respective continued state of behavior or performance or well-being as a function of time from said plurality of replaceable, selectable and interchangeable transducers;

(e) quantifying said successive physiological information underlying such behavior or performance or well-being;

(f) comparing the quantified information from said successive physiological information against said predetermined measure considered to be optimal and calculating by means of at least one of said plurality of relatively independent cooperating computers an error quantity, such error quantity being the difference between said predetermined measure and said quantified measure of said successive physiological information at each successive instant of time, and

(g) displaying either said predetermined measure considered to be optimal, said quantified measure of said successive physiological information, or said calculated error quantity by means of at least one selective display means, as a function of time either individually or in any combination.

14. The method defined in claim 13 wherein:

steps (a) and (d) thereof include at least one of the steps of receiving at least one of a plurality of galvanic, myographic, encephalic, cardiographic and hemodynamic information from said human being; and wherein

steps (b) and (e) thereof include at lease one of the steps of calculation of the integral of said physiological information or said successive physiological information, or calculation of the peak magnitude or variation of said physiological information or said successive physiological information, per unit of time as a function of time, or calculation of the excursion or peak to peak variation of said physiological information on said successive physiological information, per unit of time as a function of time, or calculation of the excursion or peak to peak variation of said physiological information or said successive physiological information per unit of time as a function of time by means of at least one of said plurality of relatively independent cooperating computer means; and wherein

step (f) thereof includes at least one of the steps of calculation of an error quantity consisting of the difference between said successive physiological information and said predetermined measure considered to be optimal, or calculation of an error quantity which assumes one of two values, a first value when the absolute value of the difference between said successive physiological information and said predetermined measure considered to be optimal exceeds a predetermined value, and a second value when said absolute value of said difference does not exceed said predetermined value by means of said supervising computer means; and wherein:

step (g) thereof includes the step of representation of at least one selective display means on a television receiver or the like being in the form of a picture familiar to human beings such that variables associated with said picture are proportional to either said successive physiological information, said predetermined value considered to be optimal, or said error, or representation of said one selective display means on a speaker or the like, being in the form of sounds familiar to human beings such that variables associated with said sounds are proportional to either said successive physiological information, said predetermined value considered to be optimal, or said error by means of at least one of said relatively independent cooperating computer means.