System and method to cue specific memory recalls while awake

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11278722-B2
Application number	US-201916374433-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 3, 2019
Priority date	Aug 27, 2015
Publication date	Mar 22, 2022
Grant date	Mar 22, 2022

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

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)

Assignees

• Hrl Lab Llc

Inventors

• Howard Michael D
• Pilly Praveen K
• Daily Michael J

Classifications

• A61N1/0456 Primary

  Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] · CPC title

• A61N1/36025 Primary

  for treating a mental or cerebral condition · CPC title