IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,278,722
Granted Patent B2
US 11,278,722 · App. 16/374,433 · Granted Mar 22, 2022

System and method to cue specific memory recalls while awake

Inventors: Michael D. Howard (Westlake Village, CA); Praveen K. Pilly (West Hills, CA); Michael J. Daily (Thousand Oaks, CA)
Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
A61N1/36025A61N1/0456
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,278,722
App. No.
16/374,433
Granted
Mar 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described is a system for cueing a specific memory in a waking state. The system sends an initiation signal to a memory recall controller to select a stored stimulation pattern previously associated with a specific memory of an event. The system signals to a memory recall controller to initiate delivery of the selected stimulation pattern to a brain in a waking state for a duration of the event via a brain stimulation system. Following completion of the event, the system signals for the memory recall controller to stop the brain stimulation system from delivering the selected stimulation pattern.

Claims (45)

1. A system for cueing recall of a specific memory during wake, the system comprising:

one or more processors and a non-transitory memory having instructions encoded thereon such that when the instructions are executed, the one or more processors perform operations of:

when a user is going to experience a new event for recall at a later time, sending a first initiation signal;

randomly selecting a unique stimulation pattern;

initiating delivery of the unique stimulation pattern to a brain for a duration of the new event via a brain stimulation system, thus associating the unique stimulation pattern with a specific memory of the event;

following completion of the new event, stopping the brain stimulation system from delivering the unique stimulation pattern; and

storing the unique stimulation pattern with at least one event descriptor of the new event, and, for recall at the later time,

upon receiving a second initiation signal, selecting the stored unique stimulation pattern previously associated with the specific memory of the event;

initiating delivery of the stored unique stimulation pattern to the brain in a waking state for a duration of the event via the brain stimulation system; and

following completion of the event, stopping the brain stimulation system from delivering the stored unique stimulation pattern.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of the first initiation signal and the second initiation signal is generated by one of a user and an external automated system.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the stored unique stimulation pattern comprises at least one event descriptor corresponding to a salient feature of the event, and wherein the external automated system tracks salient features of the user's environment and actions such that when the salient features match the at least one event descriptor, the external automated system generates the second initiation signal.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of providing instructions to a user to relax prior to initiating delivery of the unique stimulation pattern.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured for receiving feedback from a user that is ready to receive delivery of the unique stimulation pattern.

6. A computer implemented method for cueing recall of a specific memory during wake, the method comprising an act of:

causing one or more processers to execute instructions encoded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such that upon execution, the one or more processors perform operations of:

when a user is going to experience a new event for recall at a later time, sending a first initiation signal;

randomly selecting a unique stimulation pattern;

initiating delivery of the unique stimulation pattern to a brain for a duration of the new event via a brain stimulation system, thus associating the unique stimulation pattern with a specific memory of the event;

following completion of the new event, stopping the brain stimulation system from delivering the unique stimulation pattern; and

storing the unique stimulation pattern with at least one event descriptor of the new event, and, for recall at the later time,

upon receiving a second initiation signal, selecting the stored unique stimulation pattern previously associated with the specific memory of the event;

initiating delivery of the stored unique stimulation pattern to the brain in a waking state for a duration of the event via the brain stimulation system; and

following completion of the event, stopping the brain stimulation system from delivering the stored unique stimulation pattern.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein each of the first initiation signal and the second initiation signal is generated by one of a user and an external automated system.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the stored unique stimulation pattern comprises at least one event descriptor corresponding to a salient feature of the event, and wherein the external automated system tracks salient features of the user's environment and actions such that when the salient features match the at least one event descriptor, the external automated system generates the second initiation signal.

9. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of providing instructions to a user to relax prior to initiating delivery of the unique stimulation pattern.

10. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors are configured for receiving feedback from a user that is ready to receive delivery of the unique stimulation pattern.

11. A computer program product for cueing recall of a specific memory during wake, the computer program product comprising:

computer-readable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by a computer having one or more processors for causing the processor to perform operations of:

when a user is going to experience a new event for recall at a later time, sending a first initiation signal;

randomly selecting a unique stimulation pattern;

initiating delivery of the unique stimulation pattern to a brain for a duration of the new event via a brain stimulation system, thus associating the unique stimulation pattern with a specific memory of the event;

following completion of the new event, stopping the brain stimulation system from delivering the unique stimulation pattern; and

storing the unique stimulation pattern with at least one event descriptor of the new event, and, for recall at the later time,

upon receiving a second initiation signal, selecting the stored unique stimulation pattern previously associated with the specific memory of the event;

initiating delivery of the stored unique stimulation pattern to the brain in a waking state for a duration of the event via the brain stimulation system; and

following completion of the event, stopping the brain stimulation system from delivering the stored unique stimulation pattern.

12. The computer program product as set forth in claim 11 , wherein each of the first initiation signal and the second initiation signal is generated by one of a user and an external automated system.

13. The computer program product as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the stored unique stimulation pattern comprises at least one event descriptor corresponding to a salient feature of the event, and wherein the external automated system tracks salient features of the user's environment and actions such that when the salient features match the at least one event descriptor, the external automated system generates the second initiation signal.

14. The computer program product as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of providing instructions to a user to relax prior to initiating delivery of the unique stimulation pattern.

15. The computer program product as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are configured for receiving feedback from a user that is ready to receive delivery of the unique stimulation pattern.

16. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the brain stimulation system comprises a neural cap having one or more electrodes.

17. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein delivery of the stored unique stimulation pattern is initiated via the second initiation signal based on a change in location detected via global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

18. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the new event is a recognized driving situation, and wherein delivery of the unique stimulation pattern prompts recall of an appropriate skill to deal with the recognized driving situation.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2019
From: HOWARD, MICHAEL D.; PILLY, PRAVEEN K.; DAILY, MICHAEL J.
To: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 048785/0927 →
Continuity (18)
Continuation In Part 15990460 · May 25, 2018
Continuation In Part 15947733 · Apr 6, 2018
Continuation In Part 15583983 · May 1, 2017
Continuation In Part 15332787 · Oct 24, 2016
Continuation In Part 15332787 · Oct 24, 2016
Continuation In Part 15332787 · Oct 24, 2016
Continuation In Part 15227922 · Aug 3, 2016
Provisional Application 62681503 · Jun 6, 2018
Provisional Application 62570669 · Oct 11, 2017
Provisional Application 62558133 · Sep 13, 2017
Provisional Application 62537892 · Jul 27, 2017
Provisional Application 62516350 · Jun 7, 2017
Provisional Application 62330440 · May 2, 2016
Provisional Application 62247435 · Oct 28, 2015
Provisional Application 62245730 · Oct 23, 2015
Provisional Application 62210890 · Aug 27, 2015
Provisional Application 62210907 · Aug 27, 2015
Related Publication 20190224480A1 · Jul 25, 2019
Cited By (1)
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