Alertness tester

A method for testing the alertness of a user with a system comprising a microprocessor;

• a visual display apparatus in electrical communication with the microprocessor, providing a data I/O port in electrical communication with the microprocessor;
• a portable data storage device having a user data memory, the portable data storage device being releasably interfaceable with the data I/O port, thereby enabling data downloading to and data uploading from the microprocessor;
• a test memory in electrical communication with microprocessor, the test memory being loaded with at least one executable software program comprising a user alertness test and a passing data set, the user alertness test comprising test information displayed on the visual display, and an input mechanism in electrical communication with the microprocessor for receiving input data from the user in response to the test information displayed on the visual display, the method comprising the steps of:
• said microprocessor receiving user data from said user data memory;
• said microprocessor receiving said test data from said test memory;
• said microprocessor displaying said test information on said visual display;
• said microprocessor receiving said input data from the user via said input mechanism;
• said microprocessor comparing said input data to said passing data set, and assigning either of a selected test performance-pass or a test performance-fail signal to said user depending upon the result of said comparison;
• an access control means in electromechanical communication with either a machine, a work area, or an item, for receiving said portable data storage device and either allowing the user to access or preventing the user from accessing the machine, work area or item based upon said test performance signal.

A system for testing the alertness of a user, the system comprising:

• a microprocessor;
• a visual display apparatus in electrical communication with said microprocessor;
• a data I/O port in electrical communication with said microprocessor;
• a portable data storage device having a user data memory, the portable data storage device releasably interfaceable with said data I/O port, thereby enabling data downloading to and data uploading from said microprocessor;
• a test memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said test memory being loaded with at least one executable program comprising a user alertness test and a passing data set, the user alertness test comprising test information displayed on said visual display;
• an input mechanism in electrical communication with said microprocessor for receiving input data from the user in response to said test information displayed on said visual display;
• said microprocessor thereby being enabled to receive user data from said user data memory, receive said test data from said test memory, display said test information on said visual display, receive said input data from the user via said input mechanism, compare said input data to said passing data set, and assign either of a selected test performance-pass or a test performance-fail signal to said user depending upon the result of said comparison;
• wherein said portable data storage device provides a temporary visual indicia of said performance-pass or performance-fail signal.

A system for testing the alertness of a user, the system comprising:

• a microprocessor;
• a visual display apparatus in electrical communication with said microprocessor;
• a data I/O port in electrical communication with said microprocessor;
• a portable data storage device having a user data memory, the portable data storage device releasably interfaceable with said data I/O port, thereby enabling data downloading to and data uploading from said microprocessor;
• a test memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said test memory being loaded with at least one executable program comprising a user alertness test and a passing data set, the user alertness test comprising test information displayed on said visual display;
• an input mechanism in electrical communication with said microprocessor for receiving input data from the user in response to said test information displayed on said visual display;
• said microprocessor thereby being enabled to receive user data from said user data memory, receive said test data from said test memory, display said test information on said visual display, receive said input data from the user via said input mechanism, compare said input data to said passing data set, and assign either of a selected test performance-pass or a test performance-fail signal to said user depending upon the result of said comparison;
• an access control means, for analyzing said portable data storage device and either allowing the user to access or preventing the user from accessing a desired destination or device, wherein said portable data storage device provides a temporary visual indicia.