Cognitive Enhancement Feedback Loop Signal Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cognitive enhancement techniques using feedback suffer from distorted measurements of the electrical output of the brain due to the feedback signal, which affects the accuracy and effectiveness of brain state modulation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a feedback loop to measure and adjust the brain's electrical output in real-time, using encoded signaling and filtering to accurately determine the difference between the current and target brain frequencies, and send signals through multiple pathways to achieve the target brain state, allowing for real-time adjustments and cancellation of undesirable signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If feedback signal is used to measure and adjust brain's electrical output in real-time, then cognitive enhancement and brain state modulation are achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to signal distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrain state modulation effectivenessVSAvoidelectrical output measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism that separates the feedback signal from the measurement signal. The filter processes the combined signal to extract the original brain electrical output characteristics while removing feedback signal components, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy despite the presence of feedback signaling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the feedback signal component from the measured electrical output signal through filtering. This separation allows the system to maintain accurate measurement of the brain's true electrical state while still applying feedback for cognitive enhancement, effectively taking out the harmful feedback distortion from the measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach enhances cognitive function by providing accurate and real-time adjustments to achieve the target brain state, improving cognitive performance, treating neurological disorders, and reducing recovery times with non-invasive stimulation, while being cost-effective and customizable.

Implementation Method 1

measuring an electrical output of the brain of the user received from one or more sensors coupled to the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical output measurement:

Implementation Method 2

sending a signal to the brain of the user through one or more pathways, the signal having a frequency operable to modify the current frequency associated with the brain of the user towards the target frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrain wave stimulation:

Implementation Method 3

A method and system that utilize a feedback loop to measure and adjust the brain's electrical output in real-time, using encoded signaling and filtering to accurately determine the difference between the current and target brain frequencies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2939706B1Cognitive enhancement using feedback
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP
  • EP2939706B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2939706B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2939706B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an embodiment, a method includes determining a target frequency corresponding to a target brain state and stimulating a brain of a user using feedback to attempt to achieve the target brain state in the user. The stimulating step may include measuring an electrical output of the brain of the user received from one or more sensors coupled to the user, determining a current frequency associated with the brain of the user based on the measured electrical output, and determining a difference between the current frequency and the target frequency. When the difference between the current frequency and the target frequency is greater than a predetermined amount, the method includes sending a signal to the brain of the user through one or more pathways. The signal may have a frequency operable to modify the current frequency associated with the brain of the user towards the target frequency.