Voice Analysis Cognitive Evaluation System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cognitive function evaluation methods, such as the Hasegawa dementia scale-revised and mini-mental state examination, are time-consuming and burdensome for evaluatees, and there is a need for a simpler and more accurate method to assess cognitive functions.
Innovation Solution
A cognitive function evaluation device and system that records and analyzes the voice of an individual uttering specific sentences, calculating features from the utterance data to compare against reference data to evaluate cognitive function, providing a simple and accurate assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional test paper methods (HDS-R, MMSE, CDR) are used for cognitive function evaluation, then evaluation accuracy is maintained, but test time becomes long and burden on evaluatees increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of test paper-based evaluation with an acoustic analysis system. Instead of using physical test papers and manual scoring, the system captures voice data through microphones and analyzes acoustic features (pitch, volume, pauses, speech rate) to evaluate cognitive function. This substitution dramatically reduces test time while maintaining evaluation accuracy through automated voice pattern recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameters from traditional cognitive test scores to acoustic voice parameters. By measuring pitch variation, volume consistency, pause frequency, and speech rate during simple voice tasks, the system transforms the evaluation process into a non-intrusive, time-efficient method that captures cognitive function indicators through natural speech patterns without requiring lengthy test paper completion.
2Measurement precision
If traditional test paper methods are used, then cognitive function can be evaluated, but the method is complex and requires trained practitioners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical system requiring trained practitioners (doctors, clinical psychologists administering test papers) with an automated voice analysis system. The system uses microphones to capture voice data and automatically analyzes acoustic features through computer algorithms, eliminating the need for trained human operators while maintaining evaluation capability. This makes the system simpler to operate and more accessible.
3Measurement precision
If test papers are used for evaluation, then cognitive function assessment is possible, but repeated testing causes evaluatees to remember answers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces test paper-based evaluation with voice-based acoustic analysis, fundamentally changing how cognitive function is assessed. Instead of asking evaluatees to recall information from test papers (which leads to answer memorization), the system evaluates cognitive function through acoustic patterns in natural speech. This substitution ensures test validity is maintained across repeated assessments because voice patterns reflect genuine cognitive states rather than memorized responses.
Data Source
AI summary
A cognitive function evaluation device includes: an obtainment unit that obtains utterance data indicating a voice of an evaluatee uttering a sentence as instructed; a calculation unit that calculates, from the utterance data obtained by the obtainment unit, a feature based on the utterance data; an evaluation unit that compares the feature calculated by the calculation unit to reference data indicating a relationship between voice data indicating a voice of a person and a cognitive function of the person to evaluate the cognitive function of the evaluatee; and an output unit that outputs the sentence to be uttered by the evaluatee and outputs a result of evaluation by the evaluation unit.