Passive sensor systems for peripheral input devices and the use thereof

Inventors

Benden, Mark E. • Rhee, Joohyun

Assignees

Texas A&M University System

Abstract

The biometric and performance monitoring system includes a computer having a mouse and a keyboard electronically coupled thereto. A first sensor is disposed in the mouse, and is electrically coupled to the computer. A second sensor is disposed in the keyboard and is electrically coupled to the computer. The first sensor and the second sensor measure biometric parameters of a user. A computer-readable storage medium is associated with the computer and is adapted for storing the biometric parameters and the performance parameters. The computer measures performance parameters associated with the mouse and with the keyboard. The computer at least one of provides an alert to the user, electronically communicates with a medical service provider, and electronically communicates with a supervising entity responsive to analysis of changes in the biometric parameters and the performance parameters.

Core Innovation

A passive biometric and performance monitoring system includes a computer electronically coupled to a mouse and a keyboard. The mouse disposes a pulse oximeter sensor and a galvanic-skin resistance sensor electrically coupled to the computer, and the keyboard includes at least one sensor electrically coupled to the computer to measure biometric parameters of a user. The computer-readable storage medium associated with the computer stores biometric parameters and performance parameters measured by the mouse and the keyboard.

The computer analyzes biometric parameters within the context of performance parameters associated with the mouse and the keyboard to provide indications of impairment of a user. The analysis interprets biometric parameters in context of the performance parameters to determine indications of impairment of a user. In some implementations, the system performs real time or near real time analysis.

When the computer determines that there are indications of impairment of a user, the computer initiates a corrective action. The corrective action comprises sending at least one of an alert to the user, an electronic communication to a medical service provider, and an electronic communication to a supervising entity. In a baseline-based implementation, the system determines a base-line data set from the biometric parameters and the performance parameters, analyzes variations from the base-line data set, and initiates the corrective action responsive to a determined variation from the base-line data set.

Claims Coverage

The provided claims include three independent claims. Across these independent claims, the core inventive features are centered on sensor integration in a mouse and keyboard for biometric and performance monitoring, contextual interpretation using performance parameters to detect impairment, and initiating corrective action through alerts and communications, optionally using a baseline data set and variation detection.

Across the independent claims, the system obtains biometric parameters using sensors disposed in a mouse and sensors embedded in a keyboard, stores biometric and performance parameters, and analyzes or interprets biometric parameters within the context of performance parameters for indications of impairment. Upon detecting impairment indications, the system initiates corrective action by sending alerts to the user and/or electronic communications to a medical service provider and a supervising entity, optionally using a baseline dataset with variation detection.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found