Cognitive Reaction Assessment for Software Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing user reactions to software application updates are biased and delayed, relying on user surveys and forums, which may not accurately represent the majority of users' experiences, leading to potential modifications based on extreme feedback rather than overall user experience.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using psychophysiological sensing systems to continuously assess cognitive workload and emotional states of users interacting with updated software applications, providing more accurate and timely feedback through sensor data analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If user feedback is collected through surveys and forums after update release, then feedback can be gathered from general users, but the feedback is biased toward extreme experiences and delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of user reaction dataVSAvoiddelay in feedback collection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual surveys and forum monitoring with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors continuously monitor user physiological signals (heart rate, skin conductance, eye tracking) to automatically detect cognitive workload and emotional states, eliminating the time delay and bias inherent in self-reported feedback while providing real-time, objective measurement of user reactions to HMI changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If user feedback is collected through surveys and forums, then feedback can be obtained, but only extreme positive or negative experiences are represented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of user feedbackVSAvoidrepresentativeness of user experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to passively provide feedback through their natural physiological responses without requiring active participation in surveys or forums. The sensors automatically detect and record cognitive workload and emotional states during normal HMI interaction, ensuring that all users contribute data regardless of their experience extremity, thereby obtaining a representative sample of the entire user population rather than just extreme cases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If controlled environment user testing is performed before update release, then user reaction can be assessed, but testing is difficult once update is released to general community

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of user testingVSAvoidapplicability to general user community
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal feedback system that functions both in controlled testing environments and in real-world general user communities. The sensor-based detection system can be deployed across diverse devices and user contexts, automatically adapting to different environments while maintaining consistent measurement capabilities. This eliminates the barrier between controlled testing and general release, as the same system operates effectively in both scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3733068B1Assessing cognitive reaction to over-the-air updates
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3733068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3733068B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3733068B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

One or more embodiments include a cognition analysis system for determining a cognitive reaction to a software application update. The cognition analysis system determines that a software application executing on a computing device has been modified into an updated software application. The cognition analysis system acquires, via at least one sensor, sensor data associated with a user of the updated software application. The cognition analysis system determines, based on the sensor data, at least one of a cognitive workload and an emotional state associated with a user interaction with a feature of the updated software application.