Visual cognition learning device

Abstract

The invention provides a visual cognition learning device, and the device comprises a first box body which is made of an opaque material and is used for shielding external interference; the second box body is made of a transparent material and is used for placing a measured object; the volume of the second box body is smaller than that of the first box body, and the second box body is placed inside the first box body; wherein one side wall of the second box body is provided with a round hole, and the round hole is used for limiting the posture of a tested object in the visual cognition learning process of the tested object; the behavior feedback module is arranged between the circular holes in the side walls of the first box body and the second box body and is used for receiving behaviors of the tested object; and the display screen is positioned between the first box body and the behavior feedback module and is used for presenting the test picture to the tested object, so that the tested object watches the test picture through the round hole to perform visual cognition learning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of animal behavior test instruments, in particular to a visual cognition learning device. Background Art

[0002] Vision is the main way for organisms to perceive external information. For organisms, the eyes are the only organs that receive external light signals. The retina is an important part of the eye, attached to the back wall of the eyeball, and can convert light signals into electrical signals, which are transmitted to multiple brain regions through the optic nerve to process light and color stimuli, thereby forming vision to help organisms effectively perceive external objects and the environment. In the study of visual cognition and its brain mechanism, visual target discrimination, visual working memory, etc., mice and rats are often used as experimental model animals for visual cognition training, pairing visual cues with specific rewards or punishments, and establishing conditional visual connections between specific visual cues and specific behaviors, so that animals can exhibit specific behaviors when they are only stimulated by visual cues.

[0003] Existing visual cognitive learning devices are usually an experimental box with a display screen, in which mice and rats can move freely. There is no guarantee that the mice and rats are observing the visual stimuli when they appear. Moreover, the positions of the mice and rats are not fixed when the visual stimuli are presented. The position of the animals' heads has no significant repeatability in behavioral experiments, which will affect the visual learning effects of the mice and rats. Summary of the invention

[0004] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0005] The present invention provides a visual cognition learning device, which is used to at least partially solve one of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] (II) Technical solution

[0007] On the one hand, the present invention provides a visual cognitive learning device, comprising: a first box body, made of an opaque material, for shielding external interference; a second box body, made of a transparent material, for placing a test object; the volume of the second box body is smaller than the volume of the first box body, and is placed inside the first box body; wherein a circular hole is provided on one of the side walls of the second box body, and the circular hole is used to limit the posture of the test object during the visual cognitive learning process of the test object; a behavior feedback module, arranged between the circular holes on the side walls of the first box body and the second box body, for receiving the behavior of the test object; a display screen, located between the first box body and the behavior feedback module, for presenting a test picture to the test object, so that the test object views the test picture through the circular hole for visual cognitive learning.

[0008] Optionally, the behavior feedback module includes: a first feedback unit, a second feedback unit and a third feedback unit; wherein the first feedback unit, the second feedback unit and the third feedback unit are arranged horizontally at equal intervals on the central axis of the circular hole, and the second feedback unit is used to turn on the display screen based on the touch behavior of the object being measured.

[0009] Optionally, the first feedback unit, the second feedback unit and the third feedback unit include at least: a sensor, and the sensor is used to sense the touch behavior of the measured object.

[0010] Optionally, the first feedback unit and the third feedback unit further include: a water nozzle and a peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump is connected to the water nozzle, and the sensor is fixed at the water nozzle.

[0011] Optionally, the visual cognition learning device further includes: a sound module, used to play corresponding prompt sounds based on the behavior of the object being tested.

[0012] Optionally, the visual cognitive learning device also includes: a control module, which is composed of an information receiving unit, an information processing unit and an instruction issuing unit; wherein: the information receiving unit is used to receive the behavior information of the object under test sent by the behavior feedback module; the information processing unit is used to judge the behavior of the object under test based on the behavior information to obtain a behavior judgment result; the instruction issuing unit is used to issue a target instruction based on the behavior judgment result of the object under test.

[0013] Optionally, the information receiving unit judges whether the behavior of the object under test is correct through the correspondence between the preset test picture and the behavior information; when the test picture matches the behavior information, a behavior judgment result that the behavior is correct is obtained, and a first instruction is generated based on the behavior judgment result; when the test picture does not match the behavior information, a behavior judgment result that the behavior is incorrect is obtained, and a second instruction is generated based on the behavior judgment result.

[0014] Optionally, when the behavior judgment result is that the behavior is correct, the instruction issuing unit sends a first instruction to the peristaltic pump, where the first instruction is used to start the peristaltic pump.

[0015] Optionally, when the behavior judgment result is that the behavior is wrong, the instruction issuing unit broadcasts a second instruction to the sound module, and the second instruction is used to make the sound module play an error prompt sound.

[0016] Optionally, the visual cognitive learning device also includes a camera, which is fixed above the second box and is used to monitor the behavior of the object being tested.

[0017] (III) Beneficial effects

[0018] The visual cognition learning device provided by the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0019] A circular hole is set in the second box, and the behavior feedback module and the display screen are set in front of the circular hole, which can effectively limit the posture of the subject under test, ensure that the subject under test observes the visual stimulus just when the visual stimulus appears, and effectively improve the visual cognitive learning effect of the subject under test. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 The structure diagram of the visual cognition learning device in the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0021] Figure 2 A diagram schematically shows the correspondence between the test image and the behavior information in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 The diagram schematically shows the correspondence between the test picture and the behavior information in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Description of reference numerals:

[0024] 1-first box; 2-second box; 3-behavior feedback module; 4-display screen; 5-round hole; 6-camera. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The terms "comprise", "include", etc. used herein indicate the existence of the features, steps, operations and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations or components.

[0027] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or can communicate with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "length", "circumferential", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the subsystem or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0029] Throughout the drawings, the same elements are represented by the same or similar reference numerals. Conventional structures or configurations will be omitted when they may cause confusion in the understanding of the present invention. The shapes, sizes, and positional relationships of the components in the drawings do not reflect the actual size, proportion, and actual positional relationship. In addition, in the claims, any reference symbol between brackets shall not be construed as a limitation to the claims.

[0030] Similarly, in order to simplify the present invention and help understand one or more of the various disclosed aspects, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the various features of the present invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. The description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0031] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0032] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a visual cognitive learning device, in which a circular hole is set in the second box body, and a behavior feedback module and a display screen are set in front of the circular hole, which can effectively limit the posture of the object under test, ensure that the object under test observes the visual stimulus just when the visual stimulus appears, and effectively improve the visual learning effect of the object under test.

[0033] Figure 1 The structure diagram of the visual cognition learning device in an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, the visual cognition learning device may include, for example: a first box 1 , a second box 2 , a behavior feedback module 3 and a display screen 4 .

[0035] The first box body 1 is made of an opaque material and is used to shield external interference, so that the subject can focus on visual cognitive learning and avoid distraction due to external interference.

[0036] The second box 2 is used to place the object to be measured, wherein the object to be measured can be a rat or a mouse. The volume of the second box is smaller than that of the first box, and is placed inside the first box. The second box is made of a transparent material (for example, an acrylic plate) to facilitate the experimenter to monitor the behavior of the object to be measured.

[0037] A circular hole 5 is provided on one of the side walls of the second box body 2, and the circular hole 5 is used to limit the posture of the measured object during the process of visual cognition learning of the measured object.

[0038] In some embodiments, the area of ​​the circular hole is only enough for the head of the measured object to extend out of the second box and touch the behavior feedback module. The body of the measured object cannot pass through the circular hole and remain inside the second box, which limits the head posture of the measured object so that the head of the measured object is facing the display screen during the visual cognitive learning process, so that the measured object can observe the visual stimulation in time during the presentation of visual stimulation, thereby improving the visual cognitive learning efficiency of the measured object.

[0039] Compared with the existing visual cognition learning device that does not fix the head of the measured object, the circular hole set in the visual cognition learning device of the present invention can limit the posture of the measured object when the measured object actively triggers the visual cognition learning process, thereby ensuring that the measured object can effectively receive visual stimulation, allowing the measured object to perform visual cognition learning, avoiding the situation where the measured object does not observe the visual stimulation, and improving the visual cognition learning efficiency of the measured object.

[0040] The behavior feedback module 3 is used to receive the behavior of the object under test and is arranged between the circular hole 5 on the side wall of the first box body 1 and the second box body 2. The behavior feedback module at least includes a first feedback unit, a second feedback unit and a third feedback unit. The first feedback unit, the second feedback unit and the third feedback unit are arranged horizontally at the central axis of the circular hole 5 at equal intervals. The first feedback unit, the second feedback unit and the third feedback unit at least include sensors, and the sensors sense the behavior of the object under test.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second feedback unit is used to turn on the display screen based on the touch behavior of the object being tested and perform a visual cognitive learning process. For example, when the mouse licks the second feedback unit, the display screen is turned on to display visual stimulation, so that the mouse starts visual cognitive learning.

[0042] The current posture of the measured object can be known through the second feedback unit. When the second feedback unit senses the touch behavior of the measured object, it means that the head of the measured object is facing the display screen at this time, that is, the measured object can just observe the visual stimulation presented by the display screen at this time.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first feedback unit and the third feedback unit may further include a water spout and a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump is connected to the water spout, and the sensor is fixed at the water spout. When the peristaltic pump is turned on, food rewards are released to the subject through the water spout to stimulate the subject to establish a connection between vision and behavior and complete visual cognitive learning.

[0044] The visual cognition learning device provided by the present invention further includes: a sound module, which is used to play corresponding prompt sounds based on the behavior of the object being tested. The sound module can be a speaker or a sound.

[0045] The visual cognition learning device provided by the present invention also includes: a control module. The control module is composed of an information receiving unit, an information processing unit and an instruction issuing unit. Among them: the information receiving unit is used to receive the behavior information of the measured object sent by the behavior feedback module; the information processing unit is used to judge the behavior of the measured object based on the behavior information to obtain the behavior judgment result; the instruction issuing unit is used to issue the target instruction based on the behavior judgment result of the measured object.

[0046] In some embodiments, when the information receiving unit receives the behavior information of the measured object sent by the behavior module, the behavior information is further transmitted to the information processing unit, and the information processing unit determines whether the behavior of the measured object is correct. The behavior information includes: the name of the touched behavior feedback unit and the touch duration.

[0047] The information processing unit determines whether the behavior of the tested object is correct through the correspondence between the preset test image and the behavior information. When the test image corresponds to the behavior information, a behavior judgment result of correct behavior is obtained; when the test image does not correspond to the behavior information, a behavior judgment result of incorrect behavior is obtained.

[0048] Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows the correspondence between the test picture and the behavior information in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] like Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the correspondence between the test picture and the behavior information can be, for example, as follows: when the test picture shows a square, it corresponds to the first feedback unit; when the test picture shows a circular ring, it corresponds to the third feedback unit. When a square test picture is displayed on the display screen, if the behavior information content received by the information processing unit is that the mouse licks the first feedback unit, and the continuous licking time exceeds the preset time (the preset time can be, for example, 100ms), a judgment result of correct behavior is obtained. When a circular ring test picture is displayed on the display screen, if the behavior information content received by the information processing unit is that the mouse licks the third feedback unit, and the continuous licking time exceeds the preset time (the preset time can be, for example, 100 milliseconds), a judgment result of correct behavior is obtained. Presetting a certain length of continuous licking time can effectively ensure that the behavior is initiated by the subject to be tested to form visual cognition by watching the test picture, and is not a random mistake to touch the target feedback unit. When the test picture does not correspond to the behavior information, a judgment result of incorrect behavior is obtained. In addition, if no behavioral information is received within the specified time, that is, the mouse does not respond after the experiment begins, a behavioral error will also be obtained. The specified time is consistent with the presentation time of the test picture, for example, it can be set to 20 seconds by default.

[0050] Figure 3 The diagram schematically shows the correspondence between the test picture and the behavior information in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the corresponding relationship between the test image and the behavior information can be, for example, as follows: after the visual cognitive learning starts, a circular image will randomly appear in the display screen, and the side of the screen where the ring appears corresponds to the corresponding behavior feedback unit. For example, when the circle appears on the left side of the screen, the corresponding behavior feedback unit is the first feedback unit. At this time, if the behavior information content received by the information processing unit is that the mouse licks the first feedback unit, and the continuous licking time exceeds the preset time (the preset time can be, for example, 100ms), the correct behavior judgment result is obtained. When the circle appears on the right side of the screen, the corresponding behavior feedback unit is the third feedback unit. At this time, if the behavior information content received by the information processing unit is that the mouse licks the third feedback unit, and the continuous licking time exceeds the preset time (the preset time can be, for example, 100 milliseconds), the correct behavior judgment result is obtained. When the test image does not correspond to the behavior information, the wrong behavior judgment result is obtained. In addition, if the behavior information is not received within the specified time, that is, the mouse does not react after starting the experiment, the wrong behavior judgment result will also be obtained, wherein the specified time is consistent with the test image presentation time, for example, it can be defaulted to 20 seconds.

[0052] The instruction issuing unit is used to receive the behavior judgment result sent by the information processing unit, and issue a target instruction based on the behavior judgment result of the object under test.

[0053] In some embodiments, when the behavior judgment result is that the behavior is correct, the instruction issuing unit issues an opening instruction to the peristaltic pump of the corresponding behavior feedback unit. At this time, the opened peristaltic pump will release the corresponding food reward (such as milk, sugar water, etc.) to the mouse along the water nozzle, so that the mouse automatically gets the reward when licking the feedback unit, and establishes a connection between visual stimulation and reward, so that the mouse gets positive feedback after making the correct behavior based on visual cognition, and strengthens the visual cognition of the mouse through positive feedback, so as to achieve better learning effect. In addition, when the behavior judgment result is that the behavior is correct, the instruction issuing unit can also send a corresponding play instruction to the sound module, so that the sound module plays the correct prompt sound, wherein the correct prompt sound is a soft sound with a decibel within the appropriate hearing range of the mouse.

[0054] In some embodiments, when the behavior judgment result is a behavior error, the instruction issuing unit sends a corresponding play instruction to the sound module, so that the sound module plays an error prompt sound. The error prompt sound is a harsh sound with a decibel higher than the appropriate hearing range of the mouse, which makes the mouse feel uneasy. In addition, when the behavior judgment result is a behavior error, the instruction issuing unit can also send a flashing instruction to the display screen, so that the display screen flashes with the error prompt sound.

[0055] The visual cognition learning device provided by the present invention also includes: a single chip microcomputer for controlling the operation of the visual cognition learning device. The control module is stored in the single chip microcomputer, and the behavior feedback module, the display screen and the sound module are all connected to the single chip microcomputer through a communication interface. In addition, the single chip microcomputer also stores and runs control software, which is written in a computer program language and is used to construct an experimental process for visual cognition learning.

[0056] The visual cognition learning device provided by the present invention further includes: a camera 6 fixed above the second box body 2, which is used to enable the technician to monitor the behavior of the object being tested in real time.

[0057] In the specific implementation process, the subject triggers the display screen 4 to present the visual object by licking the second feedback unit, and performs corresponding behaviors based on the visual stimulation picture presented by the display screen 4. When the subject behaves correctly, food will be released to reward the subject, thereby establishing positive feedback. When the subject behaves incorrectly, the subject will be punished by a harsh sound and a flashing screen. The visual cognitive learning device provided by the present invention establishes a conditional visual connection between specific visual cues and specific behaviors by pairing visual cues with specific rewards or punishments. Through visual cognitive learning, the subject can also exhibit specific behaviors when only receiving visual cue stimulation.

[0058] In addition, the visual cognitive learning device provided by the present invention, by setting a circular hole 5 on the side wall of the second box body 2, requires the subject to insert the head into the circular hole 5 for learning during the cognitive learning process, so that the head position of the subject has significant repeatability and stability in the behavioral experiment, and during the stimulus presentation, the head of the subject is always facing the visual stimulus, so as to improve the efficiency of the visual cognitive learning of the subject.

[0059] Based on the visual cognition learning device provided by the present invention, the stability of the head of the measured object can be made close to the stability of the head of the measured object with the head fixed.

[0060] Compared to directly fixing the measured object to make it perform visual cognitive learning, the device provided by the present invention only limits the posture of the measured object when the measured object actively starts visual cognitive learning, so that it can observe visual stimulation in time, improve the visual cognitive learning effect and make the measured object have a higher degree of freedom. Compared to the measured object that is directly fixed and can only passively perform visual cognitive learning, the visual cognitive learning device provided by the present invention allows the measured object to have a higher degree of freedom. In addition to ensuring that the measured object can effectively observe visual stimulation when performing visual cognitive learning, improving the visual cognitive learning efficiency and effect of the measured object, the measured object can also actively put its head into the round hole to turn on the display screen through contact behavior, and autonomously perform visual cognitive learning, further improving the cognitive learning ability of the measured object, establishing the relationship between behavior and the start of cognitive learning, and training the measured object to autonomously choose whether to start the measured learning.

[0061] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A visual cognition learning device, characterized in that: include: The first box (1) is made of an opaque material and is used to shield external interference; The second box (2) is made of a transparent material and is used to place the object to be measured. The volume of the second box (2) is smaller than the volume of the first box (1) and is placed inside the first box (1). A circular hole (5) is provided on one of the side walls of the second box (2), and the circular hole (5) is used to limit the posture of the object to be measured during the process of visual cognition learning of the object to be measured. A behavior feedback module (3) is arranged between the circular holes (5) on the side walls of the first box (1) and the second box (2) and is used to receive the behavior of the object being measured; A display screen (4) is located between the first housing (1) and the behavior feedback module (3) and is used to present a test picture to the subject, so that the subject can view the test picture through the circular hole (5) to perform visual cognitive learning.

2. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The behavior feedback module comprises: a first feedback unit, a second feedback unit and a third feedback unit; wherein the first feedback unit, the second feedback unit and the third feedback unit are arranged horizontally at equal intervals on the central axis of the circular hole (5), and the second feedback unit is used to turn on the display screen (4) based on the touch behavior of the object being measured.

3. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first feedback unit, the second feedback unit and the third feedback unit at least include: a sensor, and the sensor is used to sense the touch behavior of the measured object.

4. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first feedback unit and the third feedback unit further include: a water nozzle and a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump is connected to the water nozzle, and the sensor is fixed at the water nozzle.

5. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes: a sound module, which is used to play corresponding prompt sounds based on the behavior of the object being tested.

6. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further comprises: a control module, which is composed of an information receiving unit, an information processing unit and an instruction issuing unit; wherein: The information receiving unit is used to receive the behavior information of the measured object sent by the behavior feedback module; The information processing unit is used to judge the behavior of the measured object based on the behavior information to obtain a behavior judgment result; The instruction issuing unit is used to issue target instructions based on the behavior judgment result of the object under test.

7. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The information receiving unit determines whether the behavior of the tested object is correct based on the matching relationship between the preset test picture and the behavior information; When the test image matches the behavior information, a behavior judgment result is obtained, and a first instruction is generated based on the behavior judgment result; When the test image does not match the behavior information, a behavior judgment result of a behavior error is obtained, and a second instruction is generated based on the behavior judgment result.

8. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the behavior judgment result is that the behavior is correct, the instruction issuing unit sends the first instruction to the peristaltic pump, where the first instruction is used to start the peristaltic pump.

9. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the behavior judgment result is that the behavior is wrong, the instruction issuing unit sends the second instruction to the sound module, and the second instruction is used to make the sound module play an error prompt sound.

10. The visual cognition learning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes a camera (6) fixed above the second box (2) and used to monitor the behavior of the object being measured.

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