Patents by Inventor William M. Jenkins
William M. Jenkins 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).
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Patent number: 6409685Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a training regimen which addresses motor control problems accompanied by sensory degradation. Accordingly, the training regimen is applicable to motor control disorders associated with a variety of different causes, including traumatic injury, disease, aging and gradual “occupational” type injury. For example, in an individual suffering from repetitive strain injury (RSI), the disabling motor control problems are often accompanied by sensory problems. These sensory problems appear to be caused over time by harmful attended rapid repetitive movements resulting in undesirable changes in the somatosensory, proprioceptive and/or kinesthetic ability of the affected regions of the individual.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Scientific Learning CorporationInventors: Michael Mathias Merzenich, Nancy N. Byl, William M. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20020076675Abstract: A computer program for execution on a computing device is provided to cross-train students in language development skills such as letter-word correspondence, word recognition, vocabulary, and sentence and paragraph comprehension. A set of programs provide an adaptive methodology for training a student in decoding (semantic, syntactic, phonological, and morphological relationships), knowledge of rhymes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones, spelling, letter-word correspondences, sentence comprehension, grammatical comprehension, working memory, vocabulary, paragraph comprehension, and improved reading comprehension. In each program, students are presented with an animated scene that poses a question, and a set of answers. The set of answers contain a correct response, and a number of incorrect responses or foils. The student advances to more complex levels by satisfying predetermined correct thresholds. Through repetition and intensity, the student's language skills are developed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: SCIENTIFIC LEARNING CORPORATIONInventors: Elizabeth H. Budra, Elizabeth C. Cottle, Logan E. De Ley, Jefferson A. Dewey, William M. Jenkins, Virginia A. Mann, Steven L. Miller
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Patent number: 6386881Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Bret E. Peterson, Steven Miller, Michael M. Merzenich, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6364666Abstract: A method for adaptively training a subject, using auditory processing of phonemes within command sentences, to improve the subject's listening comprehension, grammatical parsing, and serial memory is provided. The method utilizes a number of training installments, each designed for testing a particular aspect of the subject's language skills, all tied together by a common story. More specifically, installments are provided that narrate a story, test the subject's listening comprehension to the narrated story, test the subject's ability to grammatically parse increasingly difficult sentence structures, and test the subject's ability to select and manipulate graphical objects in response to auditory commands. Speech processing is used for the narration, as well as for commands within each test to allow the subject to more easily distinguish between similar sounding phonemes.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Scientific Learnîng Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Publication number: 20020034717Abstract: A method for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans, and a human's short term memory, is provided within an animated game environment. The method provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having similar sounding phonemes associated with graphemes. Upon initiation of a trial, a grid of tiles is presented to a subject. The subject selects the tiles, one at a time. As the tiles are selected, an associated phoneme is presented to the subject. The subject clears away tiles by pairing them with identical tiles. When all the tiles in a trial are cleared, the subject is either promoted or demoted in skill level. Promotion/demotion varies the number of tiles presented, the phonemes used within each trial, and the amount of audio processing that is applied to the phonemes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6358056Abstract: A method for adaptively training a human subject to process, and to distinguish between, similar acoustic events that are common in spoken language is provided. The method utilizes sequences of up/down frequency sweeps, of varying frequency and duration, and having varying inter stimulus intervals (ISI) between the frequency sweeps. A sequence is presented to the subject for order identification. The subject must listen to the up/down order of a sequence, and signal identification of the up/down order according to what s/he heard. Signal identification is provided utilizing a computer display, a mouse, and graphical buttons corresponding to the up/down frequency sweeps. Correct order identification causes the process to adaptively reduce the ISI separating the frequency sweeps, to reduce the duration of the frequency sweeps, to alter the frequency of the frequency sweeps, and to increase the number of frequency sweeps within a sequence.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Scientific Learning CorporationInventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Publication number: 20020006603Abstract: Execution status of a number of teaching processes distributed throughout a computer network are represented in a HTML document such that the status of the teaching processes can be observed remotely using a conventional HTML document viewer. In general, the status can be observed from any of a number of computers which can retrieve the HTML document through a computer network. To view the execution status of the teaching processes, an administrator uses a conventional HTML viewer to request the HTML document according to a file transfer protocol, e.g., the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). HTTP supports retrieval of HTML documents locally, i.e., within the computer in which a HTTP server executes, or remotely through a computer network. The HTML document includes user interface controls by which the administrator can invoke administrations tasks performed by the HTTP server.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 1998Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: BRET E. PETERSON, WILLIAM M. JENKINS, MICHAEL M. MERZENICH, PAULA TALLAL, STEVEN L. MILLER
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Patent number: 6334776Abstract: An apparatus and method for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans is provided. The method and apparatus provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having a target phoneme, and associated grapheme, and a number of distractor phonemes, and associated graphemes. Upon initiation of a trial, a target phoneme is presented to a subject. A stimulus stream is then prepared that consists of a random sequence of distractor phonemes. Located within the sequence of distractor phonemes is the target phoneme. The stimulus sequence is presented to the subject for identification of the target phoneme within the sequence. Speech processing is used to provide multiple levels of emphasis for enhancing a subject's ability to discriminate between similarly sounding phonemes. The processing is applied to the presentation of the target phoneme and the stimulus stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Scientific Learning CorporationInventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6334777Abstract: A method for adaptively training a human subject to process, and to distinguish between, similar acoustic events that are common in spoken language is provided. The method utilizes sequences of up/down frequency sweeps, of varying frequency and duration, and having varying inter stimulus intervals (ISI) between the frequency sweeps. A sequence is presented to the subject for order identification. The subject must listen to the up/down order of a sequence, and signal identification of the up/down order according to what s/he heard. Signal identification is provided utilizing a computer display, a mouse, and graphical buttons corresponding to the up/down frequency sweeps. Correct order identification causes the process to adaptively reduce the ISI separating the frequency sweeps, to reduce the duration of the frequency sweeps, to alter the frequency of the frequency sweeps, and to increase the number of frequency sweeps within a sequence.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Scientific Learning CorporationInventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6331115Abstract: A method for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans, and a human's short term memory, is provided within an animated game environment. The method provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having similar sounding phonemes associated with graphemes. Upon initiation of a trial, a grid of tiles is presented to a subject. The subject selects the tiles, one at a time. As the tiles are selected, an associated phoneme is presented to the subject. The subject clears away tiles by pairing them with identical tiles. When all the tiles in a trial are cleared, the subject is either promoted or demoted in skill level. Promotion/demotion varies the number of tiles presented, the phonemes used within each trial, and the amount of audio processing that is applied to the phonemes.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6328569Abstract: A method for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans is provided within an animated game environment. The method provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having a target phoneme and a plurality of associated foils (similar sounding phonemes). Upon initiation of a trial, a target phoneme is presented to a subject. Subsequently, the target phoneme is presented to the subject, along with one of the associated foils, in randomized order. As the target phoneme and associated foil is presented, a graphical animation associates the target and foil each with its own graphical image. The subject then designates identification of the target phoneme by selecting its associated image. Speech processing is used to provide multiple levels of emphasis for enhancing the subject's ability to discriminate between the target phoneme and the foils.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6293801Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven Miller, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6290504Abstract: An apparatus and method on a computing device for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans is provided. The method and apparatus provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having a number of different phonemes. Speech processing is used to provide multiple levels of emphasis and or stretching for enhancing a subject's ability to discriminate between similarly sounding phonemes. The processing is applied to phonemes and presented to the human as a trial. As a subject correctly identifies phonemes in the stimulus sets, the amount of processing applied to the phonemes is reduced, ultimately to the level of normal speech. A performance feedback mechanism is provided to allow the human to obtain a summary of his/her success over the stimulus sets, at the different processing levels. More detailed feedback is also provided indicating specific processing levels achieved for each of the stimulus sets.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: Angela Jane Benitz, Elizabeth H. Budra, William M. Jenkins, John J. Montgomery
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Patent number: 6267733Abstract: The present invention describes computer-implemented methods and apparatus for treating motor control and somatosensory perception deficits. The motor control and somatosensory perception deficits may have their genesis in a wide variety of issues ranging from injury, disease, or a gradual degradation of motor control over time due to repetitive strain, for example. By administering a computer-implemented training regime directed to improve sensory feedback and motor control, abnormal motor control and somatosensory perception may be substantially improved. The computer-implemented training regime includes somatosensory perception and motor control exercises which may be flexibly administered. Several training apparatus are described for implementing the somatosensory perception and motor control exercises. The training apparatus described herein are capable of driving improvements in temporal, spatial and intensity resolution of somatosensory feedback.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignees: Scientific Learning Corporation, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Bret E. Peterson, Barbara M. Calhoun, Michael Mathias Merzenich, William M. Jenkins, Nancy Byl, Srikantan Nagarajan
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Patent number: 6261101Abstract: An apparatus and method for training the cognitive and memory systems in a subject is provided. The apparatus and method incorporates a number of different games to be played by the subject. The games artificially process selected portions of language elements, called phonemes, so they will be more easily distinguished by the subject, and gradually improves the subject's neurological processing and memory of the elements through repetitive stimulation. The programs continually monitor a subject's ability to distinguish the processed language elements, and adaptively configures the programs to challenge and reward the subject by altering the degree of processing. That is, the subject advances through a number of different processing or skill levels as their ability to distinguish between language elements improves. The subject's progress through the processing levels is recorded to allow an adaptive timing mechanism to optimize game play time for each of the games.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: Angela Jane Benitz, William M. Jenkins
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Patent number: 6224384Abstract: An apparatus and method for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans is provided. The method and apparatus provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having a target phoneme, and associated grapheme, and a number of distractor phonemes, and associated graphemes. Upon initiation of a trial, a target phoneme is presented to a subject. A stimulus stream is then prepared that consists of a random sequence of distractor phonemes. Located within the sequence of distractor phonemes is the target phoneme. The stimulus sequence is presented to the subject for identification of the target phoneme within the sequence. Speech processing is used to provide multiple levels of emphasis for enhancing a subject's ability to discriminate between similarly sounding phonemes. The processing is applied to the presentation of the target phoneme and the stimulus stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6210166Abstract: A method for adaptively training a human subject to process, and to distinguish between, similar acoustic events that are common in spoken language is provided. The method utilizes sequences of up/down frequency sweeps, of varying frequency and duration, and having varying inter stimulus intervals (ISI) between the frequency sweeps. A sequence is presented to the subject for order identification. The subject must listen to the up/down order of a sequence, and signal identification of the up/down order according to what s/he heard. Signal identification is provided utilizing a computer display, a mouse, and graphical buttons corresponding to the up/down frequency sweeps. Correct order identification causes the process to adaptively reduce the ISI separating the frequency sweeps, to reduce the duration of the frequency sweeps, to alter the frequency of the frequency sweeps, and to increase the number of frequency sweeps within a sequence.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6190173Abstract: An apparatus and method for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans is provided. The method and apparatus provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having a target phoneme, and associated grapheme, and a number of distractor phonemes, and associated graphemes. Upon initiation of a trial, a target phoneme is presented to a subject. A stimulus stream is then prepared that consists of a random sequence of distractor phonemes. Located within the sequence of distractor phonemes is the target phoneme. The stimulus sequence is presented to the subject for identification of the target phoneme within the sequence. Speech processing is used to provide multiple levels of emphasis for enhancing a subject's ability to discriminate between similarly sounding phonemes. The processing is applied to the presentation of the target phoneme and the stimulus stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven L. Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6159014Abstract: An apparatus and method for training the cognitive and memory systems in a subject is provided. The apparatus and method incorporates a number of different programs to be played by the subject. The programs artificially process selected portions of language elements, called phonemes, so they will be more easily distinguished by the subject, and gradually improves the subject's neurological processing and memory of the elements through repetitive stimulation. The programs continually monitor a subject's ability to distinguish the processed language elements, and adaptively configures the programs to challenge and reward the subject by altering the degree of processing. Through adaptive control and repetition of processed speech elements, and presentation of the speech elements in a creative fashion, a subject's cognitive processing of acoustic events common to speech, and memory of language constructs associated with speech elements are significantly improved.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1997Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Michael M. Merzenich, Steven Lamont Miller, Bret E. Peterson, Paula Tallal
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Patent number: 6120298Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp.Inventors: William M. Jenkins, Bret E. Peterson, Steven Miller, Michael M. Merzenich, Paula Tallal