Patent US3760796A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3760796A
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Method and apparatus for automatic analysis of brain wave signals
Assignee: Humetrics Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-29
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1991-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for the automatic analysis of the electroencephalogram waveform through the evaluation of the waves of the EEG waveform which occur within the frequency range from 3.5 Hz. to 7.0 Hz. within a predetermined time interval, e.g. 10 seconds. A linear ramp signal is generated for the time periods between zero crossovers of the EEG signal which represent a frequency within the 3.5 to 7 Hz. range. The cumulative amplitude that the ramp attains during the predetermined time interval is compared with a predetermined value to indicate a characteristic of the EEG waveform.
Inventors
- 👤 H Glassner
- 👤 L Baessler
- 👤 L Pisarsi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/369; A61B5/372; A61B5/374; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of evaluating EEG signals comprising the steps of: a. detecting to be evaluated an EEG signal variable in both amplitude and frequency; g. generating a first series of pulses related in occurrence to the frequency of the EEG signal; c. generating a second series of constant amplitude pulses related in width to the temporal spacing of the pulses in the first series of pulses; d. summing within a predetermined time interval the energy in the pulses in the second series of pulses by adding up to a predetermined maximum the energy in each pulse which exceeds a first predetermined width and by subtracting energy equal to the predetermined maximum for each pulse which exceeds a second predetermined width; e. comparing the summed energy with a predetermined reference; and, f. indicating the results of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of evaluating EEG signals comprising the steps of: a. detecting to be evaluated an EEG signal variable in both amplitude and frequency; g. generating a first series of pulses related in occurrence to the frequency of the EEG signal; c. generating a second series of constant amplitude pulses related in width to the temporal spacing of the pulses in the first series of pulses; d. summing within a predetermined time interval the energy in the pulses in the second series of pulses by adding up to a predetermined maximum the energy in each pulse which exceeds a first predetermined width and by subtracting energy equal to the predetermined maximum for each pulse which exceeds a second predetermined width; e. comparing the summed energy with a predetermined reference; and, f. indicating the results of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of detecting the presence of 60 Hz. components above a predetermined value in the generated EEG signal; and, inhibiting both the summing of energy and the running of the predetermined time interval responsively to the detection of the presence of 60 Hz. components above the predetermined value.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of EEG evaluation comprising the steps of: a. detecting an EEG signal to be evaluated; b. generating an output signal related in amplitude to the frequency of the EEG signal over a predetermined time interval; c. comparing the amplitude of the output signal with a predetermined reference value; and, d. indicating the results of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG signal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of EEG evaluation comprising the steps of: a. detecting an EEG signal to be evaluated; b. generating an output signal related in amplitude to the frequency of the EEG signal over a predetermined time interval; c. comparing the amplitude of the output signal with a predetermined reference value; and, d. indicating the results of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 including the steps of inhibiting the generation of the output signal during the predetermined time interval in response to predetermined frequency components in the EEG signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of extending the duration of the predetermined time interval by an amount equal to the time that the generation of the output signal is inhibited.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for automatically evaluating an EEG waveform comprising: means for providing an EEG waveform to be evaluated, said waveform being variable both in frequency and amplitude; means for detecting the frequency of said EEG waveform; means for generating a series of pulses having a width related to the detected frequency; means for generating an output signal related to the integral oF the energy in the pulses in said series of pulses having a width within predetermined limits; means for comparing said output signal with a predetermined reference; and, means for indicating the results of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG waveform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for automatically evaluating an EEG waveform comprising: means for providing an EEG waveform to be evaluated, said waveform being variable both in frequency and amplitude; means for detecting the frequency of said EEG waveform; means for generating a series of pulses having a width related to the detected frequency; means for generating an output signal related to the integral oF the energy in the pulses in said series of pulses having a width within predetermined limits; means for comparing said output signal with a predetermined reference; and, means for indicating the results of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG waveform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including means for detecting 60 Hz. signals in said EEG waveform to be evaluated; and, means responsive to said 60 Hz. detecting means for inhibiting the evaluation of said EEG waveform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including timing means for limiting the duration of the operation of said output signal generating means, and means responsive to said evaluation inhibiting means for extending the duration of said output signal generating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for automatically evaluating an EEG signal comprising: electrode means for providing an electrical signal related to brain activity; means for generating pulses related in energy content to the frequency of said electrical signal; means for providing an ouput signal related to the integral of the energy in selected ones of said pulses; and, means for comparing said energy related signal with a predetermined reference and for indicating the result of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for automatically evaluating an EEG signal comprising: electrode means for providing an electrical signal related to brain activity; means for generating pulses related in energy content to the frequency of said electrical signal; means for providing an ouput signal related to the integral of the energy in selected ones of said pulses; and, means for comparing said energy related signal with a predetermined reference and for indicating the result of the comparison as an evaluation of the EEG signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the relationship between the energy content of said pulses and the frequency of the EEG signal is inverse.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pulses are uniform in amplitude and variable in width.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said output signal generating means is functionally responsive only to pulses having a width within a predetermined range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said pulse width range corresponds to a frequency range of about 3.5 Hz.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said pulse width frequency range corresponds to frequencies between about 3.5 Hz. and about 7.0 Hz.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for detecting power supply frequency components in said electrical signal, and means responsive to said detecting means for inhibiting said output signal generating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pulses are uniform in amplitude and variable in width.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the width of said selected pulses corresponds to frequencies between about 3.5 Hz. and 7.0 Hz.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pulse generating means includes: a time varying signal generator means; a binary means; a first threshold detector means responsive to the attainment of a first predetermined value by said time varying signal for setting said binary means to a first condition; and, means responsive to said electrical signal for resetting said binary means to a second condition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said output signal generating means includes a second threshold detector means responsive to the attainment of a second predetermined value by said time varying signal for resetting said binary means to a second condition and for reducing the value of said output signal by an amount equal to the energy in the pulse a width related to the time between the setting and resetting of said binary means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the width of said selected pulses corresponds to a frequency between about 3.5 Hz. and 7.0 Hz.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of evaluating an EEG signal comprising the steps of: a. providing a signal to be evaluated; b. comparing the EEG signal to be evaluated with a predetermined reference to thereby define a series of time intervals; c. providing a signal related to the cumulative duration of the time intervals within a predetermined range of time interval durations; and, d. evaluating the cumulative duration of time interval related signals as an evaluation of the signal to be evaluated.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of evaluating an EEG signal comprising the steps of: a. providing a signal to be evaluated; b. comparing the EEG signal to be evaluated with a predetermined reference to thereby define a series of time intervals; c. providing a signal related to the cumulative duration of the time intervals within a predetermined range of time interval durations; and, d. evaluating the cumulative duration of time interval related signals as an evaluation of the signal to be evaluated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the predetermined range of time intervals corresponds to a frequency range of about 3.5 Hz.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |