US5384593A
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Method and apparatus for reflex blink reaction conditioning
Assignee: PARTNERSHIP OF GELL HAROLD A JR
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Filing: 1994-05-12
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2014-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for conditioning a blink reaction of a person using a computer terminal display. Blinking is selectively triggered by a macro shift in the dominant object viewed by the person or a macro tactile event simultaneously with a shift in a non-dominant object viewed by the person or a micro tactile event. The macro shift may be in the form of foreground/background reversal, display color changes, blank screen, etc. caused by hardware switching device or programed ANSI escape sequence changes. The non-dominant object may be a cursor, the last character typed, etc. The macro or micro tactile event may be a vibration, sound, puff of air, etc. The person is conditioned to blink in response to the non-dominant visual cue or micro tactile event by the association between the non-dominant or micro event and the dominant or macro event which causes involuntary blinking. As the persons conditioning develops, the intensity of the dominant or macro event is decreased until the force causing involuntary blinking shifts completely to the non-dominant or micro event, after which the dominant or macro event is discontinued.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold A. Gell, Jr.
- 👤 Constantine Haralambopoulos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H5/00; G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 82
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for reducing the eye irritation in video terminal users, including the steps of: periodically stimulating the involuntary reflex blinking response of a person observing the display of a video terminal monitor with a conditioning stimulus; said conditioning stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, audible, sub-audible, olfactory or tactile stimuli which cause the involuntary reflex blinking of said person; and providing said user with cue stimuli synchronously with said steps of stimulating said involuntary reflex blinking response, said cue stimuli selected from the group comprising visual, audible, sub-audible, olfactory, or tactile stimuli generated at a level of intensity which will not cause the involuntary reflex blinking of said person when said person is in a preconditioned state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for reducing the eye irritation in video terminal users, including the steps of: periodically stimulating the involuntary reflex blinking response of a person observing the display of a video terminal monitor with a conditioning stimulus; said conditioning stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, audible, sub-audible, olfactory or tactile stimuli which cause the involuntary reflex blinking of said person; and providing said user with cue stimuli synchronously with said steps of stimulating said involuntary reflex blinking response, said cue stimuli selected from the group comprising visual, audible, sub-audible, olfactory, or tactile stimuli generated at a level of intensity which will not cause the involuntary reflex blinking of said person when said person is in a preconditioned state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1, including the further steps of reducing the magnitude of said conditioning stimulus as said user becomes conditioned to blink in response to said cue stimuli.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1, including the further steps of reducing the duration of said conditioning stimulus as said user becomes conditioned to blink in response to said cue stimuli.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 1, including the further steps of eliminating said steps of stimulating said involuntary reflex blinking response with said conditioning stimulus when said user becomes conditioned to blink in response to said cue stimuli.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1, including the further steps of repeating the generation of said conditioning stimulus and said cue stimuli at a repetition rate set by a control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus is sustained over a period of time which renders it discernible by said person.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus is sustained over a period of time which is so short that it is not discernible by said person.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus is sustained for a period of time which causes it to be subliminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus comprises an image reversal of said display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus comprises a color shift of the background of said display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus comprises a color shift of the foreground of said display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus comprises defocusing of the foreground image on said display to the extent that it creates a macro reduction in the background of said display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus is a puff of air directed at the person's face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 13 wherein said cue stimuli is an olfactory stimulation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus is a beam of visible radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus is a sonic pulse.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conditioning stimulus is a sub-audible sonic pulse.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is sustained over a period of time which renders it discernible by said person.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is sustained over a period of time which is so short that it is not discernible by said person.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is sustained for a period of time which causes it to be subliminal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimulus comprises a change of cursor style presented by said display.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli comprises a temporary color shift of characters typed during the duration of said cue stimuli.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli comprises a temporary color shift of the foreground of characters typed during the duration of said cue stimuli.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli comprises a temporary intensity shift of the characters typed during the duration of said cue stimuli.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is a puff of air directed at the person's face.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is a beam of visible radiation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is a sonic pulse.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is a sub-audible sonic pulse.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cue stimuli is an olfactory stimulation.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for stimulating the involuntary reflex blinking of an individual observing a computer terminal monitor, comprising: means for generating a control signal; means responsive to said control signal for creating a conditioning stimulus directed at said individual, said conditioning stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, sub-audible, audible, or tactile stimuli which cause the involuntary blink of said individual; and means responsive to said control signal for creating a cue stimulus directed at said individual, said cue stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, sub-audible, audible, or tactile stimuli generated at a level which will not cause the involuntary blink of said individual unless said individual has been preconditioned to respond to said cue stimulus.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for stimulating the involuntary reflex blinking of an individual observing a computer terminal monitor, comprising: means for generating a control signal; means responsive to said control signal for creating a conditioning stimulus directed at said individual, said conditioning stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, sub-audible, audible, or tactile stimuli which cause the involuntary blink of said individual; and means responsive to said control signal for creating a cue stimulus directed at said individual, said cue stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, sub-audible, audible, or tactile stimuli generated at a level which will not cause the involuntary blink of said individual unless said individual has been preconditioned to respond to said cue stimulus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein the control signal created by said means for generating a control signal comprises a first component which initiates said conditioning and cue stimuli and a second component which terminates said conditioning and cue stimuli.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein the time duration between said first component and said second component is adjustable.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said means for generating said control signal produces a series of said control signals with each of said control signals spaced in time an adjustable duration from the proceeding one of said control signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises: means for switching a video reversal circuit of said monitor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises: an exhaust opening in a component of said terminal which is pressurized by a cooling fan; a louvered closure for said exhaust opening; and electromagnetic means for opening and closing said louvered closure in response to said control signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises a transducer for creating a sub-audible sound wave.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises a transducer for creating an audible sound wave.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises circuit means for changing the voltage of the focus control means of said monitor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises: a bellows normally biased open; and electromagnetic means responsive to said control signal for collapsing said bellows whereby a quantity of air is ejected from said bellows toward said individual.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises switching means for interrupting the video input to said monitor.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises means for switching the style of the cursor displayed on said monitor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises: an exhaust opening in a component of said terminal which is pressurized by a cooling fan; a louvered closure for said exhaust opening; and electromagnetic means for opening and closing said louvered closure in response to said control signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises a transducer for creating a sub-audible sound wave.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises a transducer for creating an audible sound wave.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises means for vibrating a system component in contact with said individual observing the computer terminal monitor.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises means for generating an olfactory stimulant.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises: a bellows normally biased open; and electromagnetic means responsive to said control signal for collapsing said bellows whereby a quantity of air is ejected from said bellows toward said individual.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning and cue stimuli comprises a light conducting and radiating means adjacent to the screen of said computer terminal monitor, said light conducting and radiating means including an area for radiating a low intensity light as said cue stimulus and an area for radiating a high intensity light as said conditioning stimulus.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein said area for radiating a low intensity light is created by a light filter covering a section of said light conducting and radiating means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein said area for radiating a high intensity light is created by a clear section of said light conducting and radiating means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
148 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning and cue stimuli comprises: an air compressor including an impeller, a motor driving said impeller, and a circular housing enclosing said impeller and forming a container for air compressed by said impeller; a window in said circular housing; means for generating an olfactory stimulant within said circular housing; a rotating shutter driven by said motor, said rotating shutter dimensioned and positioned to close said window; an opening in said rotating shutter dimensioned and positioned to become aligned with said window periodically as said rotating shutter rotates for allowing air compressed in said circular housing to escape through said window as one of said stimuli and the odor generated by said means for generating an olfactory stimulant to be carried by said escaping air as the other of said stimuli.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
139 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning and cue stimuli comprises: an air compressor including an impeller, a motor driving said impeller, and a circular housing enclosing said impeller and forming a container for air compressed by said impeller; a window in said circular housing; a source of visible light radiation; a rotating shutter driven by said motor, said rotating shutter dimensioned and positioned to close said window; an opening in said rotating shutter dimensioned and positioned to become aligned with said window periodically as said rotating shutter rotates for allowing air compressed in said circular housing to escape through said window as one of said stimuli and light generated by said source of visible light radiation to radiate there from as the other of said stimuli.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 52, comprising a closure for regulating the effective opening of said window.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 52, comprising a closure for regulating the effectiveness of said compressor.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 52 wherein said source of visible light radiation is positioned so that light generated thereby is reflected through said window by the blades of said impeller.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 52 wherein said air compressed in said circular housing which escapes through said window comprises said conditioning stimulus and said visible light radiation which radiates through said window comprises said cue stimulus.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 52 wherein said air compressed in said circular housing which escapes through said window comprises said cue stimulus and said visible light radiation which radiates through said window comprises said conditioning stimulus.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said conditioning stimulus comprises: an audio speaker including a speaker cone of the type which displaces air in response to an electrical pulse; said control signal comprises a series of single pulses causing single flexations of said speaker cone; and a vortex generating orifice for directing said displaced air.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said means responsive to said control signal for creating said cue stimulus comprises: an audio speaker including a speaker cone of the type which displaces air in response to an electrical pulse; said control signal comprises a series of single pulses causing single flexations of said speaker cone; and a vortex generating orifice for directing said displaced air.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for conditioning a person to blink periodically when observing a computer terminal monitor to reduce eye fatigue, including the steps of: periodically changing the screen attributes of said monitor for a predetermined time period to effect a change in the output of said monitor which is of a magnitude that will cause an involuntary blink reaction in said person; providing a cue stimulus synchronously with said steps of periodically changing the screen attributes of said monitor, said cue stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, audible, sub-audible, or tactile stimuli generated at a level of intensity which will not cause the involuntary reflex blinking of said person when said person is in a preconditioned state; and stopping said periodical changes of screen attributes while maintaining said cue stimulus at said periodical rate when said person is conditioned to blink in response to said cue stimulus.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for conditioning a person to blink periodically when observing a computer terminal monitor to reduce eye fatigue, including the steps of: periodically changing the screen attributes of said monitor for a predetermined time period to effect a change in the output of said monitor which is of a magnitude that will cause an involuntary blink reaction in said person; providing a cue stimulus synchronously with said steps of periodically changing the screen attributes of said monitor, said cue stimulus selected from the group comprising visual, audible, sub-audible, or tactile stimuli generated at a level of intensity which will not cause the involuntary reflex blinking of said person when said person is in a preconditioned state; and stopping said periodical changes of screen attributes while maintaining said cue stimulus at said periodical rate when said person is conditioned to blink in response to said cue stimulus.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 60, including the further steps of: discontinuing said cue stimulus when said person is conditioned to blink at said periodical rate when seated before said computer terminal monitor without being subjected to said conditioning stimulus or said cue stimulus.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said step of changing said screen attributes switches the display of said monitor from light foreground and dark background to dark foreground and light background.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said step of changing said screen attributes switches the display of said monitor from dark foreground and light background to light foreground and dark background.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said step of changing said screen attributes switches the display of said monitor from white foreground and black background to black foreground and white background.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said step of changing said screen attributes switches the display of said monitor from black foreground and white background to white foreground and black background.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said step of changing said screen attributes changes the background color of the display of said monitor.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said step of changing said screen attributes changes the foreground color of the display of said monitor.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is sustained over a period of time which renders it discernible by said person.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is sustained over a period of time which is so short that it is not discernible by said person.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is sustained for a period of time which causes it to be subliminal.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus comprises a change of cursor style presented by said monitor.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus comprises a temporary color shift of characters typed during the duration of said cue stimulus.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus comprises a temporary color shift of the foreground of characters typed during the duration of said cue stimulus.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus comprises a temporary intensity shift of the characters typed during the duration of said cue stimulus.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is a puff of air directed at said person's face.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is a beam of visible radiation.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is a sonic pulse.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is a sub-audible sonic pulse.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 60 wherein said cue stimulus is an olfactory stimulation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |