초록 ▼

New types of controllers allow players to make inputs to a video game or simulation by moving the entire controller itself. This capability is typically accomplished using a wireless input device having accelerometers, gyroscopes, and an infrared LED tracking camera. The present invention exploits t

New types of controllers allow players to make inputs to a video game or simulation by moving the entire controller itself. This capability is typically accomplished using a wireless input device having accelerometers, gyroscopes, and an infrared LED tracking camera. The present invention exploits these wireless motion-sensing technologies to modulate the player's movement inputs to the videogame based upon physiological signals. Such biofeedback-modulated video games train valuable mental skills beyond eye-hand coordination. These psychophysiological training technologies enhance personal improvement, not just the diversion, of the user.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for modifying the effect of an operator controlled input device on an interactive device to encourage the self-regulation of at least one physiological activity by the operator, the operator controlled input device utilizing one or more position reference signal elements to provide motio

1. A method for modifying the effect of an operator controlled input device on an interactive device to encourage the self-regulation of at least one physiological activity by the operator, the operator controlled input device utilizing one or more position reference signal elements to provide motion and/or position-sensing capability relative to the one or more position reference signal elements, the interactive device comprising a display area that depicts images and an apparatus for receiving at least one input from the operator controlled input device to thus permit the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images, the method for modifying comprising the steps of: measuring at least one physiological activity of the operator to obtain at least one physiological signal having a value indicative of the level of the at least one physiological activity; andmodifying the motion and/or position sensing capability of the operator controlled input device by modifying one or more position reference signal elements in response to (a) changes in the measured at least one physiological signal and/or (b) differences between the measured at least one physiological signal and a corresponding predetermined desired physiological signal level, thereby modifying the ability of the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images,wherein the one or more position reference signal elements comprise a plurality of LEDs, two of which emit light at any particular time; wherein the operator controlled input device comprises a light detector for detecting light emitted from the LEDs, and wherein the step of modifying one or more position reference signal elements comprises the step of changing which two of the LEDs are emitting light at any particular time. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of changing which two of the LEDs are emitting light at any particular time comprises turning pairs of LEDs on and off in a predetermined pattern based on either (a) the difference between the measured at least one physiological signal and the corresponding predetermined desired physiological signal level, or (b) the measured at least one physiological signal. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises two groups of linearly arranged LEDs, each of the two linearly arranged groups being positioned substantially horizontally. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises two groups of linearly arranged LEDs, each of the two linearly arranged groups being positioned substantially vertically. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprise two groups of LFDs, each of the groups being arranged in two linearly arranged sub-groups, each sub-group of a group crossing the other sub-group at a center of each sub-group and at a perpendicular angle. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one physiological signal comprises at least one or more of skin temperature, skin conductance, electrical activity of muscles, blood flow, heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one physiological signal comprises at least one or more of brainwave electrical event-related potentials, and at least one brainwave frequency band; wherein the at least one brainwave frequency band comprises at least one or more of: (a) theta, (b) alpha, (c) Sensorimotor Response (SMR), (d) beta, and (e) gamma. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the at least one physiological signal having a value indicative of the level of the at least one physiological activity. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the steps of measuring, modifying, and displaying are performed wirelessly without any direct connection to the operator controlled device and to the interactive device. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of measuring and modifying are performed wirelessly without any direct connection to the operator controlled device and to the interactive device. 11. An apparatus for modifying the effect of an operator controlled input device on an interface device to encourage the self-regulation of at least one physiological activity by the operator, the operator controlled input device utilizing one or more position reference signal elements to provide motion and/or position-sensing capability relative to the one more position reference signal elements, the interactive device comprising a display area, a processor for depicting images upon the display area, and a receiver device permitting the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images, the modifying apparatus comprising: at least one measurement device for measuring at least one physiological activity of the operator to obtain at least one physiological signal having a value indicative of the level of the at least one physiological activity; andat least one modifying device for modifying the motion and/or position sensing capability of the operator controlled input device by modifying one or more position reference signal elements in response to (a) changes in the measured at least one physiological signal and/or (b) differences between the measured at least one physiological signal and a corresponding predetermined desired physiological signal level, thereby modifying the ability of the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images,wherein the one or more position reference signal elements comprise two light emitting diodes (LEDs) or two sets of LEDs having a fixed distance therebetween; wherein the operator controlled input device comprises a light detector for detecting light emitted from the LEDs, and wherein the signal modulator comprises a mechanical translator for mechanically translating the two LEDs from a first position to a second position, the difference between the first and second positions being based on either (a) the difference between the measured at least one physiological signal and the corresponding predetermined desired physiological signal level, or (b) the measured at least one physiological signal. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one physiological signal comprises at least one or more of: skin temperature, skin conductance, electrical activity of muscles, blood flow, heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the measurement device is a chest band electrode in combination with a wireless transmitter. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one physiological signal comprises at least one or more of: brainwave electrical event-related potentials, and at least one brainwave frequency band; wherein the at least one brainwave frequency band comprises at least one or more of: (a) theta, (b) alpha, (c) Sensorimotor Response (SMR), (d) beta, and (e) gamma. 15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a display sub-area for displaying the at least one physiological signal having a value indicative of the level of the at least one physiological activity. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display sub-area is substantially separate from the interactive device. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one measurement device, the at least one modifying device, and the display sub-area are connected wirelessly without any direct connection to the operator controlled device and to the interactive device. 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one measurement device and the at least one modifying device are connected wirelessly without any direct connection to the operator controlled device and to the interactive device. 19. A method for modifying the effect of an operator controlled input device on an interactive device to encourage the self-regulation of at least one physiological activity by the operator, the operator controlled input device having one or more motion and/or position-sensing elements providing motion and/or position-sensing capability, the interactive device comprising a display area that depicts images and an apparatus for receiving at least one input from the operator controlled input device to thus permit the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images, the method for modifying comprising the steps of: measuring at least one physiological activity of the operator to obtain at least one physiological signal having a value indicative of the level of the at least one physiological activity,modifying the motion and/or position sensing capability of the operator controlled input device by modifying one or more position reference signal elements in response to (a) changes in the measured at least one physiological signal and/or (b) differences between the measured at least one physiological signal and a corresponding predetermined desired physiological signal level, thereby modifying the ability of the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images,wherein the one or more position reference signal elements comprise a plurality of LEDs, two of which emit light at any particular time; wherein the operator controlled input device comprises a light detector for detecting light emitted from the LEDs, and wherein the step of modifying one or more position reference signal elements comprises the step of changing which two of the LEDs are emitting light at any particular time,digitizing the at least one physiological signal,testing the digitized physiological signal against a corresponding predetermined desired physiological signal level; and, on the basis of the test, dynamically adjusting digitally controlled potentiometers that are configured as voltage dividers to modulate the voltage that powers the one or more motion and/or position-sensing elements, thereby modifying the motion and/or position sensing capability of the operator controlled input device in response to (a) changes in the measured at least one physiological signal and/or (b) differences between the measured at least one physiological signal and a corresponding predetermined desired physiological signal level, thereby modifying the ability of the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more motion and/or position sensing elements comprise one or more accelerometers and/or one or more gyroscopes.