Biocybernetic de-escalation training system
Inventors
Stephens, Chad L. • MUNOZ CARDONA, JOHN EDISON • Pope, Alan T. • Turner, Marsha J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12236004-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Expiration Date
2043-11-21
Abstract
Methods and systems are described for delivering psychophysiological self-regulation training in a virtual, augmented, and/or mixed reality environment that simulates a social situation, such as one involving conflict. A user (e.g., a trainee) may interface with a training computing system directly or via an avatar that may interact with other characters in the simulation who may be programmed at one or more levels of threat to or cooperation with the trainee. The system may provide feedback to the trainee regarding their cognitive and emotional states. The feedback may be designed to encourage them to develop the ability to respond in future real environments with appropriately effective states, where the feedback may take the form of the behavior of the characters, with the trainee's interaction based on their effective states being rewarded by desirable character behavior and the trainee's ineffective states being penalized by undesirable character behavior.
Core Innovation
The invention provides methods and systems for delivering psychophysiological self-regulation training within virtual, augmented, and mixed reality environments that simulate social conflict situations. The system enables a user, directly or via an avatar, to interact with simulated characters programmed at varying levels of threat or cooperation. The feedback to the user is based on their cognitive and emotional states, influencing the behavior of the simulated characters to reward effective emotional regulation and penalize ineffective reactions.
The technology integrates physiological signal monitoring from user-worn devices, pattern comparison against reference templates, and dynamic modification of simulated character behavior in real-time. This biocybernetic adaptation aims to train users to maintain calmness and equanimity in high-threat scenarios by providing real-time feedback and reinforcement within immersive simulations.
Underlying the system is the problem of emotional dysregulation affecting human interactions, especially in conflict situations such as those encountered by law enforcement and military personnel. Existing training addresses implicit bias and emotional regulation, but this invention offers a new approach by combining physiological self-regulation training with virtualized social environments that adjust responsively to the user's physiological states.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains three independent claims outlining a system, a method, and a computing device each comprising key inventive features related to biocybernetic de-escalation training.
Biocybernetic de-escalation training system integrating physiological signals and dynamic simulation behavior
A system comprising multiple electronic devices associated with a user that generate signals representing physiological responses; a computing device that receives these signals, identifies physiological patterns, determines a closeness score by comparing to stored pattern templates, and causes presentation of psychophysiological stimuli within a virtualized environment. This environment is generated by an augmented reality computing system simulating individuals whose behavior is dynamically modified based on the user’s physiological response and the closeness score indicating proximity to desirable or undesirable patterns.
Method of training involving real-time physiological monitoring and adaptive virtual simulation
A method that receives physiological signals from user-associated devices, identifies physiological patterns, compares these patterns to interaction-specific templates, computes a closeness score, and causes presentation of psychophysiological stimuli via a virtualized environment. The method also includes generating a simulation of one or more individuals interacting with the user, where the simulated individuals’ behavior is modified based on the user's physiological response and the closeness score indicating desirable or undesirable patterns.
Computing device performing biocybernetic de-escalation training using physiological data and virtual simulation
A computing device with at least one processor and memory storing instructions to receive physiological signals from user devices, identify physiological patterns, determine a closeness score versus pattern templates, cause presentation of psychophysiological stimuli in a virtualized environment, and generate simulations of interacting individuals whose behavior adapts according to the user’s physiological responses and closeness score indicating desirable or undesirable behavioral patterns.
The independent claims comprehensively cover a biocybernetic de-escalation training system, method, and computing device that use physiological data to dynamically adapt virtual simulations by modifying simulated individual behavior based on real-time user states and established pattern comparisons.
Stated Advantages
Provides real-time feedback to users about their cognitive and emotional states to develop effective emotional regulation in conflict scenarios.
Integrates physiological monitoring with immersive virtual environments to create interactive, emotionally connected training experiences.
Enables adaptive modification of simulated character behavior based on user physiological responses to reinforce desired self-regulation skills.
Supports personalized training through adjustment and generation of physiological pattern templates specific to individual users or user groups.
Offers a novel approach to training emotional regulation relevant to law enforcement, military, airline crew, customer service, and educational personnel.
Documented Applications
Training law enforcement personnel to improve emotional regulation and decision-making during police-civilian interactions, reducing implicit bias and brutality.
Training military personnel, such as soldiers, to manage encounters with civilians and antagonistic individuals, promoting calmness and de-escalation.
Providing airline flight crews and customer service personnel with training to handle unruly passengers and stressful interactions.
Assisting classroom teachers in managing disruptive and unruly student behavior by maintaining emotional regulation during interactions.
Supporting returning war veterans in managing daily life social encounters by modulating responses to agitated or hostile virtual characters.
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