Automatic electronic reading pattern analyzer

Claim 3

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means comprises means responsive to the position of the subject''s eye for generating a signal having an amplitude level which is a direct function of the subject''s eye position, said signal generating means being so constructed and arranged so that saId incremental advancements effect changes in one direction in the amplitude of said generated signal, said regressions effect changes in the opposite direction in the amplitude of said generated signal and said return sweeps effect changes in said opposite direction in the amplitude of said generated signal, said amplitude changes for said return sweeps being substantially greater than said amplitude changes for the other of said eye movements, said circuit means for producing said pulses of said first, second and third characteristics comprising: means for sampling the amplitude of said generated signal at a successive discrete time intervals; and comparison circuit means for detecting the change in magnitude and direction of the amplitude of successively sampled pulses and for producing one of said first, second and third pulses in response to said change.

Claim 4

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 2 wherein said characteristics of said first, second and third pulses correspond, in polarity and amplitude, to the changes in directing and magnitude of successively generated signals by said monitoring means.

Claim 5

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 3 wherein said detection means further comprises: first amplitude threshhold and sense detector means responsive to said first characteristic pulse; second amplitude threshhold and sense detector means responsive to said second characteristic pulse; and third amplitude threshhold and sense detector means responsive to said third characteristic pulse.

Claim 6

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said threshhold and sense detectors is constructed to produce a drive pulse in response to presentation of its responsive signals thereto, said analyzer further comprises: a first gate means between said first detector means and its associated first digital register; second gate means between said second detector means and its associated second digital register; and means connecting the output from each of said gates to said first digital register whereby said first digital register may count the number of eye fixations and whereby the second digital register may count the number of regressive eye movements.

Claim 7

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 5 further comprising: means responsive to a drive pulse from said third threshhold and sense detector for disabling said second gate means to preclude said third characteristic pulse from driving said second digital register.

Claim 8

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 5 further comprising: second means for disabling said first and second gate means until said third threshhold and sense detector means produces a drive pulse, said circuit means being adapted to thereafter disable said first and second gate means after a selected number of drive pulses have been generated by said third detector means.

Claim 9

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 7 further comprising: oscillator means for generating a real time pulse at selected time intervals; a digital register adapted to be advanced to successive states corresponding to the number of pulses generated by said oscillator means; third gate means between said oscillator and said digital register; and means for disabling and enabling said third gate means simultaneously with said first and second gate means to provide a measurement of the duration of the reading test.

Claim 10

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for sampling said generated signal comprises: a first sample and hold circuit connected to said signal generating means; a second sample and hold circuit connected to the output of said first sample and hold circuit; means connecting the output from said second sample and hold circuit to said comparator circuit; oscillator means for driving said first sample and hold circuit at predetermined intervals to enable said first sample and hold circuiT to sample, for a portion of said predetermined interval, the signal from signal generating means; means connecting the output of said oscillator means to a delay circuit, the output of said delay circuit being connected to said first sample and hold circuit to terminate the sampling function thereof and also connected to said second sample and hold circuit for actuating said second sample and hold circuit to sample the signal level held in said first sample and hold circuit; means connecting the input to said first sample and hold circuit to said comparator circuit; switch means at the output of said comparator circuit; and said oscillator means being connected to said switch means for closing the output of said comparator in phase with initiation of the sampling function of said first sample and hold circuit.

Claim 11

A reading pattern analyzer as defined in claim 9 further comprising: said predetermined intervals being of the order of approximately 100 milliseconds; said delay circuit means being so constructed and arranged as to reverse the state of said first and second sample and hold circuits for at least 30 milliseconds after the sampling function of said first sample and hold circuit has been initiated; and whereby the sampling function of said first sample and hold circuit is sufficiently frequent to detect all changes in eye position and is of a duration sufficient to avoid unwanted signals as from blinks or the like.

Claim 14

A method as defined in claim 11 further comprising: counting all of said pulses in one of said registers to provide an indication of the number of fixations which the subject''s eyes have made during the test.

Claim 15

A method as defined in claim 11 in which said reading test includes reading matter having lines, some of said lines being atypical, said method further comprising: sensing when the subject''s eyes have advanced to said atypical lines in said test; and precluding counting of any of said detected pulses while said subject is reading said atypical lines.