Patents by Inventor Barbara O. Rothbaum

Barbara O. Rothbaum has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Virtual reality system for treating patients with anxiety disorders
    Patent number: 6012926
    Abstract: A virtual reality system provides effective exposure treatment for psychiatric patients suffering from a particular anxiety disorder. The system is characterized by a video screen disposed in front of the patient to display an image of a specific graphical environment that is intended to trigger anxiety within the patient as a result of the particular patient phobia. A headset is worn by the patient, and has sensors disposed to detect movement and positioning of the patient's head. A computer program controls the operation of the system, and is designed to control the display of the graphical environment on the video screen, monitor the headset sensors and determine the position of the patient's head, and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen to reflect the movement and position of the patient's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignees: Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Larry F. Hodges, Barbara O. Rothbaum
  • System for treating patients with anxiety disorders
    Patent number: 5807114
    Abstract: A virtual reality system provides effective exposure treatment for psychiatric patients suffering from a particular anxiety disorder. The system is characterized by a video screen disposed in front of the patient to display an image of a specific graphical environment that is intended to trigger anxiety within the patient as a result of the particular patient phobia. A headset is worn by the patient, and has sensors disposed to detect movement and positioning of the patient's head. A computer program controls the operation of the system, and is designed to control the display of the graphical environment on the video screen, monitor the headset sensors and determine the position of the patient's head, and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen to reflect the movement and position of the patient's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Emory University and Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Larry F. Hodges, Barbara O. Rothbaum