A special-purpose computer is provided along with a method for testing users for alertness and mental fitness before beginning work or a potentially dangerous activity. The system and method are usable wherever there is a risk to persons, property, or the environment from individuals not fit to operate machinery or enter an work area safely. The testing methods resemble computer games, but they actually measure mental fitness and alertness rather than aptitude, ability, or intelligence. The disclosed basic test is general, simple and non-intellectual, and compatible with worldwide, multilingual use. Other tests are more specifically designed to test for the ability to perform certain occupational duties or types of activities. The basic test preferably comprises a plurality of yes or no questions based upon graphical data displayed to the user. Each user's answers and performance are preferably maintained in strict confidence through storage only on a removable storage medium, such as a Smart Card.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/042,577, entitled Alertness Testing System, filed Apr. 2, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein by reference is U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/058,841, entitled Brain Function Tester for All Ages, filed Sep. 15, 1997. Also incorporated herein by reference are the following disclosure documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: No. 394,198, entitled Special Purpose Computer System for Alertness and Readiness Testing, filed Mar. 4, 1996; No. 383,562, entitled Multilingual Software and its Use in Dedicated Computer System Used for Alertness and Readiness Testing, filed Mar. 11, 1996; No. 399,622, entitled Software and Hardware System to Test Alertness and Fitness, filed Jun. 6, 1996; No. 405,957, entitled Nonlinguistic Turnkey Test System for Mental Alertness and Awakeness, filed Oct. 16, 1996; No. 422,723, entitled Alertness Testing System with Alertness Gauge, filed Aug. 6, 1997; and No. 423,524, entitled Medical, Visual and Psychomotor Testing System, filed Aug. 21, 1997.
A computer is provided along with a method for testing users for alertness and mental fitness. The system and method are usable wherever there is a risk to persons, property, or the environment from individuals not fit to operate machinery or enter an work area safely, or for testing a user for dementia or other neurological impairment. The testing methods resemble computer games, but they actually measure mental fitness and alertness rather than aptitude, ability, or intelligence. The disclosed basic test is general, simple and non-intellectual, and compatible with worldwide, multilingual use. Other tests are more specifically designed to test for the ability to perform certain occupational duties or types of activities. Tests which measure neurological impairment do involve some intellectual functions such as memory. The basic test preferably comprises a plurality of yes or no questions based upon graphical data displayed to the user. Each user's answers and performance are preferably maintained in strict confidence through storage only on a removable storage medium, such as a Smart Card. Some neurological tests, such as for Parkinson's disease, may entail measuring finger tremors.
A device for the acquisition of coordinative abilities of a test person, allows different tests that test different coordinative abilities of the test person to be executed with the aid of a control unit. The control unit evaluates the individual test results and combines them to form a relevant quantitative overall assessment of the coordinative competence of the test person. This overall assessment is presented via a corresponding output unit, such as a screen.
A method for psychological testing of a subject is performed by (A) presenting a test by means of a testing means having output means (e.g. a computer monitor) and input means (e.g. a keyboard); and, (B) instructing the subject by displaying a simulation (as shown in the figure) of the test by means of the output means so that the subject can learn how to perform the test from the simulation. The test is therefore independent of the subject's language skills, or of verbal instructions provided by a supervisor.
Apparatus and methods for rapidly diagnosing the presence or absence of the symptoms of neurological pathology caused by physical head trauma (such as occurs in contact sports or automobile collisions), disease (such as occurs in Alzheimer's disease), toxins (substance abuse or environmental toxins) or infection (such as occurs as a side effect of later-stage AIDS infection). These inventions are useful for diagnosing neurological pathology, as well as for monitoring recovery from or maintenance or progression of neurological pathology.
A system is provided for testing and enhancing the alertness of operators who monitor video surveillance imagery. Alertness is tested by displaying any of a variety of visual elements on top of or near the video imagery, and receiving input from human operators in response to the visual elements, via one or more input devices. The system further allows for economic management of human operators by transmitting imagery from many video sources to any number of operators. Video feeds are automatically switched, via software, away from an operator who wishes to take a break or has poor alertness. In this fashion, the system maximizes operator vigilance while also maximizing workflow for all available operators.
