US5103408A — Apparatus and method for determining the ability …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 159 words

Apparatus for determining the ability of a subject to perform a task comprising: (a) a source of randomly occurring images, each of said images having a predetermined configuration of at least two test tasks; (b) means coupled to said source for presenting sequentially said images from said source to said subject but in a manner such that the sequence of presentation thereof is non-repetitive; (c) means operable by said subject for providing a signal indicative of recognition by said subject of said predetermined configuration of each said image as sequentially presented; (d) compiler means intercoupled with said selector means for receiving said signals and compiling a list representative of correct recognition by said subject of said image predetermined configuration; and (e) comparator means coupled to said compiler means for comparing said list of correct image configuration recognition to previous sequential presentation of said images for producing an output signal indicative of said subject's present ability to perform said task.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 159 words

Apparatus for determining the ability of a subject to perform a task comprising: (a) a source of randomly occurring images, each of said images having a predetermined configuration of at least two test tasks; (b) means coupled to said source for presenting sequentially said images from said source to said subject but in a manner such that the sequence of presentation thereof is non-repetitive; (c) means operable by said subject for providing a signal indicative of recognition by said subject of said predetermined configuration of each said image as sequentially presented; (d) compiler means intercoupled with said selector means for receiving said signals and compiling a list representative of correct recognition by said subject of said image predetermined configuration; and (e) comparator means coupled to said compiler means for comparing said list of correct image configuration recognition to previous sequential presentation of said images for producing an output signal indicative of said subject's present ability to perform said task.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 164 words

A process for interactively determining the capability of a subject to perform a task comprising: (a) simultaneously presenting on a screen visually perceptible to said subject at least two test tasks; (b) presenting on said screen with said at least two test tasks an indicator directing said subject to that task to be performed; (c) changing said test tasks in a randomly occurring manner to provide a battery of test tasks; (d) providing said subject a means for responding to each said indicated test task within said battery of test tasks; (e) measuring said subject's response to each of said randomly occurring test tasks to obtain a current response; (f) filtering the results obtained in step (e) using an algorithm that is statistically designed to pass subjects relative to a predetermined performance level while eliminating all false negatives; and (g) designating subjects who pass the filtering operation in step (f) as being substantially non impaired at the time said battery of tests is taken.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 164 words

A process for interactively determining the capability of a subject to perform a task comprising: (a) simultaneously presenting on a screen visually perceptible to said subject at least two test tasks; (b) presenting on said screen with said at least two test tasks an indicator directing said subject to that task to be performed; (c) changing said test tasks in a randomly occurring manner to provide a battery of test tasks; (d) providing said subject a means for responding to each said indicated test task within said battery of test tasks; (e) measuring said subject's response to each of said randomly occurring test tasks to obtain a current response; (f) filtering the results obtained in step (e) using an algorithm that is statistically designed to pass subjects relative to a predetermined performance level while eliminating all false negatives; and (g) designating subjects who pass the filtering operation in step (f) as being substantially non impaired at the time said battery of tests is taken.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 89 words

A process as defined in claim 2 which further includes the steps of (h) repeating steps (a) through (e) with respect to any subject who fails to pass said battery of tests; (i) filtering the results obtained in step (h) using a second algorithm that is statistically designed to pass subjects relative to a predetermined performance level while eliminating all false positives; and (j) designating subjects who pass the filtering operations in steps (f) and (i) as being substantially non-impaired at the time said battery of tests is taken.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

The process as defined in claim 2 wherein one of said at least two test tasks of step (a) is a letter recognition test and another of said at least two test tasks is a spatial orientation system.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

The process as defined in claim 4 wherein said letter recognition test is a Posner test and said spatial orientation test is a manikin test.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

A process as defined in claim 2 which further includes the steps of establishing a base line unique to each subject taking said test and comparing the current response of said subject to said subject's base line to ascertain said subject's current test results.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 48 words

A process as defined in claim 6 wherein said base line for each subject is established by each said subject taking said battery of tests a predetermined number of times with each test taking session temporally separated from the previous test taking session by a predetermined time period.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 41 words

A process as defined in claim 7 wherein said base line for each subject includes the results of all of said tests previously taken and passed subsequent to first establishing said base line by said subject up to a predetermined number.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 225 words

A process for interactively determining capabilities of a subject to perform normal job functions comprising (a) simultaneously presenting on a screen visually perceptible to said subject at least two test tasks; (b) presenting on said screen with said at least two test tasks an indicator directing said subject to that task to be performed; (c) changing said test tasks in a randomly occurring manner to provide a battery of test tasks; (d) providing said subject a means for responding to each said indicated test task within said battery of test tasks; (e) measuring said subject's response to each of said randomly occurring test tasks to obtain a current response; (f) filtering the results obtained in steps (a) through (e) using an algorithm that is statistically designed to pass a subject relative to a predetermined performance level while eliminating all false negatives; (g) repeating the operation in steps (a) through (e) using a second more comprehensive battery of tests in respect to any subject who failed to pass said battery of tests; (h) filtering the results obtained in step (g) using a second algorithm that is statistically designed to pass a subject relative to a predetermined performance level while eliminating all false positives; and (i) designating individuals who pass the filtering operations in steps (f) and (h) as being substantially non-impaired at the time in question.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 225 words

A process for interactively determining capabilities of a subject to perform normal job functions comprising (a) simultaneously presenting on a screen visually perceptible to said subject at least two test tasks; (b) presenting on said screen with said at least two test tasks an indicator directing said subject to that task to be performed; (c) changing said test tasks in a randomly occurring manner to provide a battery of test tasks; (d) providing said subject a means for responding to each said indicated test task within said battery of test tasks; (e) measuring said subject's response to each of said randomly occurring test tasks to obtain a current response; (f) filtering the results obtained in steps (a) through (e) using an algorithm that is statistically designed to pass a subject relative to a predetermined performance level while eliminating all false negatives; (g) repeating the operation in steps (a) through (e) using a second more comprehensive battery of tests in respect to any subject who failed to pass said battery of tests; (h) filtering the results obtained in step (g) using a second algorithm that is statistically designed to pass a subject relative to a predetermined performance level while eliminating all false positives; and (i) designating individuals who pass the filtering operations in steps (f) and (h) as being substantially non-impaired at the time in question.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The process as defined in claim 9 wherein said second battery of tests includes a plurality of individual tests each differing from the other.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

The process as defined in claim 10 wherein said subject is designated non-impaired after passing any one of said individual tests in said second battery of tests.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-04-07	1995-10-07	1996-04-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-04-07	1999-10-07	2000-04-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-04-07	2003-10-07	2004-04-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method for determining the ability of an individual to perform a task

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag