Patents by Inventor MICHAEL MERZENICH

MICHAEL MERZENICH 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).

  • Patent number: 11139066
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and tools for enhancing cognition in an individual. The methods involve presenting to the individual multiple sets of stimuli. Each set of the multiple set contains two or more stimuli and at least one set of the multiple sets contains a target stimulus. The method then receives an input from the individual, and informs the individual as to whether the input is a correct response. The methods encompass iterations of stimuli presentation, receiving of the input, and lastly, generation of feedback to the individual until the individual learns and retains what the target stimulus is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Etienne de Villers-Sidani, Xiaoming Zhou, Jyoti Mishra-Ramanathan, Michael Merzenich, Adam Gazzaley
  • Publication number: 20200365051
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and tools for enhancing cognition in an individual. The methods involve presenting to the individual multiple sets of stimuli. Each set of the multiple set contains two or more stimuli and at least one set of the multiple sets contains a target stimulus. The method then receives an input from the individual, and informs the individual as to whether the input is a correct response. The methods encompass iterations of stimuli presentation, receiving of the input, and lastly, generation of feedback to the individual until the individual learns and retains what the target stimulus is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Etienne de Villers-Sidani, Xiaoming Zhou, Jyoti Mishra-Ramanathan, Michael Merzenich, Adam Gazzaley
  • Patent number: 10672292
    Abstract: Provided are methods and tools for enhancing cognition in an individual. The methods involve presenting to the individual multiple sets of stimuli. Each set of the multiple set contains two or more stimuli and at least one set of the multiple sets contains a target stimulus. The method then receives an input from the individual, and informs the individual as to whether the input is a correct response. The methods encompass iterations of stimuli presentation, receiving of the input, and lastly, generation of feedback to the individual until the individual learns and retains what the target stimulus is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Etienne de Villers-Sidani, Xiaoming Zhou, Jyoti Mishra-Ramanathan, Adam Gazzaley, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20130302762
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and tools that induce brain plasticity. The method involves presenting to an individual continuous noise over a period of time, and thereafter, providing the individual with tone sensitivity training or language training.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Xiaoming Zhou, Michael Merzenich, Etienne de Villers-Sidani
  • Publication number: 20130216985
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and tools for enhancing cognition in an individual. The methods involve presenting to the individual multiple sets of stimuli. Each set of the multiple set contains two or more stimuli and at least one set of the multiple sets contains a target stimulus. The method then receives an input from the individual, and informs the individual as to whether the input is a correct response. The methods encompass iterations of stimuli presentation, receiving of the input, and lastly, generation of feedback to the individual until the individual learns and retains what the target stimulus is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Etienne de Villers-Sidani, Xiaoming Zhou, Jyoti Mishra-Ramanathan, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20130203027
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and tools to enhance cognition in an individual. The methods involve presenting to the individual multiple sets of stimuli (e.g. two or more sets). Each set of the multiple sets contains two or more background stimuli. Out of the multiple sets presented to the individual, at least one set also contains at least one anomalous stimulus and such set is referred to as the target set. The method then receives an input from the individual that has been instructed to respond to the anomalous stimulus in the target set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Etienne De Villers-Sidani, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20080003558
    Abstract: System and method for enhancing cognition using continuous performance with multiple stimulus streams. A target correspondence is presented. A continuous sequence of stimulus groups is presented one stimulus group at a time, where each stimulus group includes at least two stimuli, and where each stimulus group is presented for a specified duration, and separated by a specified inter-stimulus-interval (ISI). For each stimulus group in the sequence: the subject is required to respond to the group, indicating when all the stimuli in the group correspond in accordance with the target correspondence, and refraining from indicating when the stimuli do not correspond, correctness/incorrectness of the response is determined, and the duration and/or the ISI adjusted accordingly, using an adaptive procedure, e.g., a continuous performance maximum likelihood procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Chan, Joseph Hardy, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20070293732
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of an older participant by requiring the participant to differentiate between rapidly presented visual stimuli. First and second visual sweeps are provided for visual presentation to the participant, e.g., spatial frequency or orientation sweeps. At least two visual sweeps are visually presented to the participant utilizing the first visual sweep, the second visual sweep, or a combination. The participant is required to indicate an order in which the at least two visual sweeps were presented. A determination is made regarding whether the participant indicated the order of the visual sweeps correctly. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition. The duration of the sweeps may be adjusted based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's response according to a maximum likelihood procedure. Assessments may be made during the exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Delahunt, Joseph Hardy, Stephen Lisberger, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20070293735
    Abstract: System and method for enhancing cognition using continuous performance with respect to one or more stimulus streams. At least one target attribute is presented to the subject after which a continuous sequence of stimulus groups from a stimulus set is presented one stimulus group at a time, each group including one or more stimuli, presented for a specified duration, and separated by a specified inter-stimulus-interval (ISI). For each stimulus group in the sequence: the subject is required to respond to the group, indicating when all the stimuli in the group correspond to the target attribute(s); correctness/incorrectness of the response is determined, and the duration and/or the ISI adjusted based on the determining using an adaptive procedure, e.g., a continuous performance maximum likelihood procedure. The presenting the target attribute(s), presenting the continuous sequence, and requiring/determining/adjusting for each group, are repeated iteratively to improve the cognition of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Chan, Joseph Hardy, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20070218439
    Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition of a participant using visual search. A target image and distracter image are provided for visual presentation. Multiple images, including the target image and multiple distracter images based on the distracter image, are temporarily visually presented at respective locations, then removed. The participant selects the target image location from multiple locations in the visual field, and the selection's correctness/incorrectness is determined. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated to improve the participant's cognition, e.g., efficiency, capacity and effective spatial extent of a participant's visual attention. In a dual attention version, potential target images differing by a specified attribute are provided, one of which is the target image. An indication of the specified attribute is also displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Delahunt, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20070166676
    Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of a participant using guided eye movements. Multiple graphical elements are provided for visual presentation to the participant, each having a value. A temporal sequence of at least two of the graphical elements are visually presented at a specified stimulus intensity, e.g., duration or presentation time, including displaying the value of each graphical element at a respective position in a visual field for a specified duration, then ceasing to display the value. The participant is required to respond to the displayed values. A determination is made as to whether the participant responded correctly, and the stimulus intensity modified in response, e.g., using a maximum likelihood procedure. The visually presenting, requiring, determining, and modifying are repeated in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognitive skills. Periodically, assessments of the participant's progress are performed, e.g., using the maximum likelihood procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan Bird, Samuel Chan, Peter Delahunt, Joseph Hardy, Stephen Lisberger, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich
  • Publication number: 20070166675
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition, e.g., for improving cognitive ability of a participant using visual stimuli. A set (or sets) of visual stimuli is provided for visual presentation to the participant. A visual stimulus from the set is visually presented to the participant. The participant is required to respond to the visual stimulus. A determination is made regarding whether the participant responded correctly. The stimulus intensity of the visual stimuli presented may be adjusted based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's response according to a single-stair maximum likelihood (e.g., ZEST) or N-up/M-down procedure. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition, e.g., ability to process visual information, memory, etc. Assessments may be performed during the repeating according to a dual-stair maximum likelihood (e.g., ZEST) or N-up/M-down procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sharona Atkins, Dylan Bird, Samuel Chan, Peter Delahunt, Shruti Gangadhar, Joseph Hardy, Stephen Lisberger, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Donald Richards
  • Publication number: 20070065789
    Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to listen to two or more aurally processed syllables, presented serially, view the syllables graphically, and then designate the order in which the syllables were aurally presented. A number of trials are presented to the adult. As the adult correctly determines the syllable order in trials, the difficulty of the trials is increased by increasing the number of syllables presented, and by reducing the amount of processing that is applied to the syllables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman
  • Publication number: 20070020595
    Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to listen to two or more aurally processed syllables, presented serially, view the syllables graphically, and then designate the order in which the syllables were aurally presented. A number of trials are presented to the adult. As the adult correctly determines the syllable order in trials, the difficulty of the trials is increased by increasing the number of syllables presented, and by reducing the amount of processing that is applied to the syllables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman
  • Publication number: 20060177805
    Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to listen to two or more aurally processed syllables, presented serially, view the syllables graphically, and then designate the order in which the syllables were aurally presented. A number of trials are presented to the adult. As the adult correctly determines the syllable order in trials, the difficulty of the trials is increased by increasing the number of syllables presented, and by reducing the amount of processing that is applied to the syllables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman
  • Publication number: 20060105307
    Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to listen to two or more aurally processed syllables, presented serially, view the syllables graphically, and then designate the order in which the syllables were aurally presented. A number of trials are presented to the adult. As the adult correctly determines the syllable order in trials, the difficulty of the trials is increased by increasing the number of syllables presented, and by reducing the amount of processing that is applied to the syllables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman
  • Publication number: 20060073452
    Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to differentiate between rapidly presented stimuli. The method utilizes a sequence of phonemes from a confusable pair which are systematically manipulated to make discrimination between the phonemes less difficult or more difficult based on the success of the adult. The manipulation includes processing of the consonant and vowel portions of the phonemes by emphasizing the portions, and/or by stretching the portions. Further processing includes separating the consonant and vowel portions by time intervals. As the adult improves in their auditory processing, the discriminations are made progressively more difficult by reducing the amount of processing to that of normal speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicants: Neuroscience Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman
  • Publication number: 20060051727
    Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to spatially match pairs of graphically presented response buttons that are associated with aurally presented stimuli which is processed by the computing device. An adult is presented with a grid of response buttons that have been paired with aural stimuli. As the adult selects a response button, its processed aural stimuli is presented. The adult is required to remember which response button is associated with which aural stimuli, and sequentially select response buttons having the same aural stimuli. As the adult sequentially selects response buttons having the same aural stimuli, the response button pair is removed. The number of response buttons presented in a trial, and the amount of processing applied to the stimuli adapts to the adults success or failure in completing trials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicants: Neuroscience Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman, Justin Char, Daniel Harrington
  • Publication number: 20050175972
    Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to differentiate between rapidly presented stimuli. The method trains the time order judgment of the adult by presenting upward and downward frequency sweeps, in random order, separated by an inter-stimulus interval. The upward and downward frequency sweeps are at frequencies common in formants which form the frequency components common in speech. Icons are associated with the upward and downward frequency sweeps to allow the adult to indicate an order in which the frequency sweeps are presented (i.e., UP-UP, UP-DOWN, DOWN-UP, and DOWN-DOWN). Correct selection of an order causes the inter-stimulus interval to be reduced, and/or the duration of the frequency sweeps to be adaptively shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Applicant: Neuroscience Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Joseph Hardy, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman
  • Publication number: 20050153267
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for training the sensory perceptual system in a human is provided. The apparatus and method incorporates a number of different programs to be played by the human. The programs artificially process selected portions of language elements, called phonemes, so they will be more easily distinguished by a human, and gradually improves the human's neurological processing of the elements through repetitive stimulation. The programs continually monitor a human's ability to distinguish the processed language elements, and adaptively configures the programs to challenge and reward the human by altering the degree of processing. Rewards are presented to the human when correct selections are made. Surprise rewards are randomly presented to the human when correct selections are made. Surprise rewards are provided randomly to the human to surprise and further reward the human during training.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Applicant: Neuroscience Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Goldman, Henry Mahncke, Michael Merzenich, Jeffrey Zimman