Gaze-Based Cognitive Dysfunction Evaluation Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction, such as dementia with Lewy bodies, are subjective and lack objectivity, making accurate assessments difficult.

Innovation Solution

An evaluation device and method that includes a display unit, a point-of-gaze detector, a display controller, an area setting unit, a determination unit, and an evaluation unit, which display images with target and induction areas to detect and analyze a subject's point of gaze, calculating evaluation data based on gaze patterns to assess cognitive dysfunction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a subjective questionnaire method is used to evaluate cognitive dysfunction, then the evaluation can be performed with simple equipment, but the objectivity and accuracy of the evaluation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of evaluation equipmentVSAvoidobjectivity of cognitive dysfunction evaluation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/questionnaire-based evaluation system with an optical detection system. Specifically, it uses an imaging device to capture eye movement images and a point-of-gaze detector to track fixation points, substituting subjective self-reporting with objective optical measurement of actual visual attention patterns during image viewing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system between the subject and the evaluation outcome. Instead of directly asking subjects about their cognitive status, the system uses eye tracking technology as an intermediary to objectively measure visual attention patterns, which then serve as indicators of cognitive function and hallucination susceptibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If eye movement tracking is implemented to objectively measure gaze patterns, then evaluation accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of cognitive dysfunction evaluationVSAvoidcomplexity of evaluation equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display device multi-functional by integrating eye movement tracking capabilities into it. The display device not only presents visual stimuli but also functions as an imaging device to capture eye movements, eliminating the need for separate specialized eye-tracking equipment and reducing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the display function and the imaging function into a single integrated system. The display device that shows images to the subject also captures the eye movement images, combining two previously separate functions into one unified device, thereby simplifying the overall equipment configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3970624B1Evaluation device, evaluation method, and evaluation program
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 JVC KENWOOD CORP
  • EP3970624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3970624B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3970624B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An evaluation device includes a display unit; a point-of-gaze detector configured to detect a position of a point of gaze of a subject on the display unit; a display controller configured to display, on the display unit, an image containing a target area serving as a target that a subject is caused to gaze at and containing, in a position different from that of the target area, an induction area for inducing a visual hallucination in the subject; an area setting unit configured to set a specific area corresponding to the induction area in the display unit; a determination unit configured to, based on position data on the point of gaze, determine whether the point of gaze is present in the specific area; a computing unit configured to, based on a determination result of the determination unit, calculate point-of-gaze data; and an evaluation unit configured to, based on the point-of-gaze data, calculate evaluation data on the subject.