Patent No. 5052401 Product detector for a steady visual evoked potential stimulator and product detector
Patent No. 5052401
Product detector for a steady visual evoked potential stimulator and product detector (Sherwin, Oct, 1, 1991)
Abstract
An automated visual testing system is disclosed which presents an alternating steady state visual stimulus to a patient through an optical system that modifies the stimulus image. As the image changes, the patient produces evoked potentials that change. The evoked potentials are detected by a product detector which produces the amplitude of the evoked potentials. The product detector includes filters which isolate the patient's evoked potentials, a modulator which detects the response using the stimulus source frequency and a demodulator that determines the amplitude of the response. The product detector detects the level of the steady state evoked potential signals even in the presence of substantial background noise and extraneous electroencephalograhic signals. These detectors can be used to monitor the evoked potential produced by visual, aural or somatic steady state stimuli. The components described above can be used to produce a system that can determine to which of several different displays an observer is paying attention by providing images that blink at different frequencies and product detectors for each of the stimulus frequencies. The product detector producing the highest output indicates the display upon which the observer is focused.
Notes:
SUMMARY
OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated visual assessment
system suitable for a commercial environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frequency locked
evoked potential detector capable of detecting the brain wave patterns produced
by a patient when viewing a steady state evoked potential stimulator.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a detector capable of detecting
steady state evoked potentials produced in the human brain when caused by visual,
aural or somatic steady state stimuli.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a product detector
that is capable of changing the detection frequency by merely changing a reference
clock frequency
It is an object of the present invention to isolate a patient's brain wave response
to a visual stimulus from surrounding environmental and artificial noise.
The above objects are accomplished by an automated visual assessment system
that includes a steady state frequency locked evoked potential product detector
for monitoring the steady state evoked potentials created in the patient's brain
by the stimulus generator. The product detector detects the level of the steady
state evoked potential signals even in the presence of substantial background
noise and extraneous electroencephalographic signals. The product detector includes
filters which isolate the patient's evoked potentials, a modulator which detects
the response using the stimulus source frequency and a demodulator that determines
the amplitude of the response. The detector can be used to monitor the evoked
potential caused by visual, aural or somatic steady state stimuli.
These together with other objects and advantages which will be subsequently
apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully
hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
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The
many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed
specification and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such
features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and
scope thereof. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention
to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
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