US 6,629,844 B1Granted

Method and apparatus for training of cognitive and memory systems in humans

AssigneeScientific Learning Corporation

InventorsWilliam M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven Lamont Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An apparatus and method for training the cognitive and memory systems in a subject is provided. The apparatus and method incorporates a number of different programs to be played by the subject. The programs artificially process selected portions of language elements, called phonemes, so they will be more easily distinguished by the subject, and gradually improves the subject's neurological processing and memory of the elements through repetitive stimulation. The programs continually monitor a subject's ability to distinguish the processed language elements, and adaptively configures the programs to challenge and reward the subject by altering the degree of processing. Through adaptive control and repetition of processed speech elements, and presentation of the speech elements in a creative fashion, a subject's cognitive processing of acoustic events common to speech, and memory of language constructs associated with speech elements are significantly improved.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An adaptive method for improving a subject's short term memory, the method utilizing a computer to process and present sounds to the subject, the method comprising:

a) displaying at least four graphical images, the graphical images associated with processed acoustic events, the acoustic events being consonant-vowel combinations;
b) associating in pairs the at least four graphical images with particular acoustic events such that each pair of different graphical images arc associated with the same acoustic event;
c) upon selection of any of the at least four graphical images, presenting its associated acoustic event;
and
d) requiring the user to discriminate between the acoustic events by sequentially selecting the pair of different graphical images from among the at least four graphical images, that are associated with the same acoustic event;
e) when the user sequentially selects the pair of different graphical images that are associated with the same acoustic event, from the at least four graphical images, removing the pair of different graphical images that are associated with the same acoustic event from game play, and repeating said steps a)-e) until all of the at least four graphical images have been removed.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.