US3794968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Analyzer for comparing the response of an organism to a reference pattern
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1972-09-11
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for testing the reaction of a human subject to a test stimulus for ascertaining the fitness of the human subject for performing a specific task, in particular, the driving of an automobile under the influence of alcohol. The test utilized in the preferred embodiment of the invention requires a human subject to monitor the magnitude of a quantity (such as the length of a line) which changes at a nonuniform predictable rate utilizing information provided by minimal cues, in particular, a pair of flashing lights which indicate whether the rate of change is being overestimated or underestimated. Circuitry for building a test device, as well as interlocking such a device with the ignition system of an automobile, are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/16; A61B5/18; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for analyzing the reactions of a person comprising: means for providing a time dependent pattern relative to a preferred response of said person, at least a portion of said pattern representing a response having an amplitude which changes continually in a preferred direction, said pattern being hidden from said person; means coupled to said person for transmitting his response to said system; means for comparing said response to said pattern; and means for communicating to said person the comparison provided by said comparing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for analyzing the reactions of a person comprising: means for providing a time dependent pattern relative to a preferred response of said person, at least a portion of said pattern representing a response having an amplitude which changes continually in a preferred direction, said pattern being hidden from said person; means coupled to said person for transmitting his response to said system; means for comparing said response to said pattern; and means for communicating to said person the comparison provided by said comparing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said comparing means for combining successive results of said comparisons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said combining means integrates the results of said comparisons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 3 further comprising means coupled to said combining means for determining when said integration signifies a failure on the part of said person to respond in accordance with said pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 4 further comprising means coupled to said determining means for indicating said failure to said person.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 5 further comprising means for indicating to said person that he has successfully responded to said pattern, and wherein said determining means is coupled to said pattern providing means, said determining means energizing said success indicating means at a predetermined point of said pattern if there has been no signifying of said failure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said communicating means elicits a sensory perception by said person, and said transmitting means comprises a handle operative by said person.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 7 wherein said pattern providing means comprises means operative by said person for restarting said pattern independently of the amount of said pattern which has already been provided by said pattern providing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said transmitting means includes means for transforming said response prior to said transmission thereof, said transforming means varying the amplitude of said response in a predetermined manner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said transforming means comprises at least one integrator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said transforming means includes means for varying the amplitude of said response in a nonlinear manner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 4 further comprising means coupled to said determining means for interlocking the circuitry utilized in operating a vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 12 wherein said determining means includes means for signifying a success by said person in responding to said pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 13 wherein said interlocking means comprises a relay having contacts connected to an ignition circuit of said vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 14 wherein said interlocking means comprises means for counting the number of said failures, said interlocking means having circuitry responsive to said signifying of success by said determining means for energizing said relay when the number of said failures in a succession of such failures is belOw a predetermined number.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 15 further comprising means for locking said relay in an energized position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system according to claim 16 wherein said relay locking means includes a timer for deactivating the locking circuit at the end of a predetermined time interval subsequent to the turning OFF of an ignition switch of said vehicle, said relay locking means having a circuit configured to permit the connection of said ignition switch therein, said relay locking means permitting energization of said relay by said ignition switch during said predetermined interval in the absence of a signal from said determining means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 17 wherein said interlocking means comprises means for decoupling said determining means after a predetermined time interval subsequent to the beginning of said response by said person.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 18 further comprising a switching circuit for bypassing said contacts of said relay, said switching circuit being coupled to a warning indicator of said vehicle for energizing said indicator when said contacts are bypassed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said pattern providing means comprises a staircase waveform generator and a filter coupled thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 20 wherein said pattern providing means includes a random signal generator for driving said staircase waveform generator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 21 wherein said staircase waveform generator comprises an UP/DOWN counter coupled to a digital-to-analog converter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 22 wherein said random signal generator comprises a random number generator, a clock, a switching means and a counter, said clock driving said random number generator and said counter, said random number generator providing an address to said switching means for selecting an output of said counter, said switching means applying said selected output to said UP/DOWN counter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said pattern providing means comprises a charging circuit, switching means for varying the rate of charging of said charging circuit, and a timer for operating said switching means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said comparing means comprises a differential amplifier having a first input connected to said charging circuit and a second input connected to said response transmitting means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said differential amplifier comprises a pair of coupled amplifier stages, said comparing means further comprising a pair of serially connected transistors each of which is coupled to a respective one of said amplifier stages, said serially connected transistors providing a signal indicating that the signal to one of said inputs of said differential amplifier is greater than the signal to the other of said inputs of said differential amplifier.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said determining means comprises a first and a second threshold detector connected respectively to said timer and to said combining means, and an AND gate connected in a logical arrangement wherein a signal from said first detector is passed by said AND gate in the absence of a signal from said second threshold detector for indicating that said person has succeeded in his response, a signal from said second threshold detector indicating a failure of said response while disabling said AND gate from passing the output signal of said first threshold detector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
In combination: means adapted to be coupled to an organism for providing a response by said organism; means for generating a pattern relative to a preferred response of said organism, at least a portion of said pattern representing a response having an amplitude which changes continually in a preferred direction, said pattern being hidden from said organism; means for comparing said response to said pattern; and means For communicating to said organism the comparison provided by said comparing means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
79 words
In combination: means adapted to be coupled to an organism for providing a response by said organism; means for generating a pattern relative to a preferred response of said organism, at least a portion of said pattern representing a response having an amplitude which changes continually in a preferred direction, said pattern being hidden from said organism; means for comparing said response to said pattern; and means For communicating to said organism the comparison provided by said comparing means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 28 further comprising means for interlocking said communication means with a vehicle to be operated by said organism, said interlocking means preventing operation of said vehicle when said response compares poorly to said pattern.
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) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |