Emotional State Assessment Using Pre/Post Stimulus Vector Difference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assessing dynamic emotional states using EEG are limited by high cost, low mobility, and long preparation times, and require supplementation to accurately capture emotional changes induced by sensory stimuli.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that combines semiotic instruments with cognitive instruments (linguistic, aural, and visual) to assess pre- and post-emotional states, using a vector difference to quantify altered emotional states through sensory stimuli, supplemented by EEG data for validation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If EEG recording systems are used to assess emotional states, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemotional state detection accuracyVSAvoidEEG system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides emotional state assessment into multiple independent measurement components: physiological measurements (heart rate, skin conductance, temperature), behavioral observations (facial expressions, body language), and self-reported data. Each component can be measured separately and integrated to form a comprehensive emotional assessment, reducing the complexity of any single measurement system while maintaining high overall precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a multi-functional assessment framework that can operate with different combinations of measurement tools depending on the specific application needs. The same system can function with full EEG capability, or alternatively with simpler physiological sensors combined with behavioral observation, making it universally applicable across different resource constraints while maintaining assessment accuracy.

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

2Measurement precision

If high-density EEG recording systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but preparation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemotional state detection accuracyVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration and baseline measurement procedures before the main assessment. Subject information is collected in advance, and the system pre-configures appropriate measurement parameters based on the specific assessment goals. This preliminary preparation streamlines the actual measurement process and reduces the time required during the critical assessment phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system dynamically adjusts its complexity and duration based on real-time assessment needs. The system can transition between different measurement modes (continuous monitoring vs. spot checks, invasive vs. non-invasive methods) depending on the subject's state and assessment requirements, optimizing both precision and time efficiency throughout the assessment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If EEG alone is used to assess emotional states, then temporal measurement is improved, but reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal response measurementVSAvoidemotional state assessment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple measurement approaches into a unified assessment framework. Physiological measurements (including EEG when available) are combined with behavioral observations, contextual information, and self-reported data. This multi-source integration compensates for the limitations of any single measurement method, particularly enhancing reliability by cross-validating temporal emotional state changes through multiple independent indicators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where initial assessment results inform subsequent measurement strategies. Temporal patterns detected in physiological data are cross-checked against behavioral responses and contextual changes. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify and refine emotional state assessments in real-time, significantly improving reliability while maintaining the temporal resolution advantages of physiological monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4702923A1Method and system for assessing an altered emotional state
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD
  • EP4702923A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4702923A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4702923A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

This disclosure relates generally to a method and system for assessing an altered emotional state under the influence of a sensory stimulus. The sensory stimulus are known to have a sub-conscious influence on the emotional state of a person. This is effectively utilized in businesses to improve customer experience, and thus increasing sales. State-of-the-art methods assesses the altered brain state by measuring one or more physiological parameters using fairly complex apparatuses like electroencephalogram (EEG). The disclosed method involves assessing (i) a pre-emotional state before exposing a subject to the sensor stimulus, and (ii) a post-emotional state after exposing the subject to the sensory stimulus. The altered emotional state of the subject is obtained by a vector difference between the pre-emotional state and the post-emotional state which is an angular difference calculated as a cosine of an angle between the pre-emotional state and post-emotional state.