Real-Time Biological Data Synchronization With Millisecond Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to synchronize visual stimuli, subject responses, and neuronal activity at a hardware level in real time with millisecond temporal precision, limiting the assessment of cognitive functions in neurological diseases.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a screen, optical sensor, neuronal activity measuring device, feedback device, microcontroller with a real-time clock, and control unit, which registers and synchronizes events with millisecond precision using synchronizing time signals to correlate visual stimuli, subject responses, and neuronal activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard devices are used for providing sensory stimuli and measuring behavioral and neuronal responses, then the system is easier to operate and more accessible, but the temporal precision deteriorates due to time differences arising from device operation and data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate devices (stimulus delivery system, response recording system, and neuronal activity measurement system) into a single integrated measurement system with a centralized real-time clock. This merging eliminates the time synchronization issues between separate devices while maintaining ease of operation through unified control software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central real-time clock as an intermediary time reference that all devices synchronize to. This mediator provides a common time basis for stamping events across different components, achieving millisecond precision without requiring complex inter-device timing negotiations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Matlab-based software solutions are used for real-time management of stimuli and responses, then the system becomes more flexible and adaptable, but the temporal precision becomes highly dependent on the software and hardware environment requiring adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by recording response times to calibration stimuli from multiple subjects and storing this data in a database. This pre-established reference data allows the system to automatically adjust and synchronize timing parameters for individual subjects, achieving consistent temporal precision across different environments without requiring manual adjustment of the Matlab algorithm for each experimental setup.
3Measurement precision
If hardware-level synchronization is implemented for millisecond precision, then the temporal precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal real-time clock that serves multiple functions: it provides time stamping for events, generates synchronizing signals for calibration, and coordinates data collection across different devices. This multi-functional time reference system achieves hardware-level synchronization without requiring separate complex timing mechanisms for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic self-calibration by using stored response time data from calibration stimuli to automatically determine and adjust synchronization parameters. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual timing adjustments and reduces the complexity of setting up and maintaining precise temporal synchronization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If subject-specific calibration is performed to synchronize brain activity and stimuli, then the adaptability to individual subjects is improved, but the real-time capability deteriorates as synchronization is performed after data collection based on previous subjects' responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by recording response times to calibration stimuli from multiple subjects and storing this data in a database. This pre-established reference data allows the system to automatically adjust and synchronize timing parameters for individual subjects, achieving consistent temporal precision across different environments without requiring manual adjustment of the Matlab algorithm for each experimental setup.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time synchronization of biological data with millisecond precision, allowing for accurate determination of psychophysical status and early detection of neurological diseases.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor connected to the screen for detecting visual stimuli
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (1) for synchronization of biological data in real time with millisecond temporal precision. The system comprises a screen (10) for displaying visual stimuli; a control unit (20) connected to the screen (10) for transmitting visual stimuli; an optical sensor (30) connected to the screen (10) for detecting visual stimuli; a neuronal activity measuring device (40) with an internal clock (41), which is connected to the control unit (20) for transmitting neuronal activity registered by the internal clock (41); feedback device (50), which comprises a plurality of push buttons (51) suitable for detecting responses of a subject to visual stimuli, and a stop button (52) suitable for stopping the display of visual stimuli. The system (1) is characterized by the fact that it comprises a microcontroller (60) with a real-time clock (61), which is connected to the optical sensor (30) and the feedback device (50) for registering their events in real time, with millisecond precision, using the real-time clock (61), wherein the microcontroller (60) is capable of generating a synchronizing time signal for each registered event, and the microcontroller (60) is connected to the control unit (20) for transmitting the registered events and their associated synchronizing time signals; wherein the control unit (20) is configured such that it is suitable for receiving each event registered by the real-time clock (61) and the neuronal activity events registered by the internal clock (41), as well as for their correlation based on the synchronizing time signals. The system further comprises optoisolator (70) suitable for providing the electrical isolation of the connection between the microcontroller (60) and the neuronal activity measuring device (40).The present invention also relates to methods for a system (1) for synchronization of biological data of a subject in real time with millisecond temporal precision.