Patents by Inventor Chad L. Stephens

Chad L. Stephens 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).

  • Publication number: 20240330819
    Abstract: System and methods for risk and risk precursor identification in commercial aviation operations according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a source of operation flight track data, a set of risk determination models containing instructions on how to process a set of received operational flight track data, a risk determination API for activating one or more risk models to process the set of received operational flight track data, and a user interface for communicating with the risk determination API. Each risk model may be trained to analyze flight track data to identify a particular type of risk precursor or identify a type of risk and any precursors that led to the risk. Processed results and identified risk precursors are forwarded to the user interface and displayed to allow users to quickly distinguish between nominal conditions for an aircraft and conditions with elevated levels of risk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Fasil Alemante, Rami B. Houssami, Vincent E. Houston, Bryan L. Matthews, Dominic Alistair Thando McConnachie, Peter C. Mehlitz, Nikunj C. Oza, Farley K. Reynolds, II, John P. Sarle, Chad L. Stephens, Shannon L. Walker, Milad Memarzadeh
  • Publication number: 20240264669
    Abstract: A brain-computer interface system includes a video processor for producing a display signal, a temporal controller for producing a plurality of repetitive visual stimulus (RVS) signals with different respective temporal aspects, a display device that receives the display signal and displays a corresponding image on a plurality of different display regions and receives the RVS signals and displays corresponding RVS in respective ones of the display regions, an electroencephalographic (EEG) sensor for sensing a visually-evoked cortical potential (VECP) signal in a user with eyes fixated on a viewed one of the display regions, and a VECP processor for processing the VECP signal to identify the respective temporal aspect of the respective RVS of the viewed display region to estimate the eye fixation location. The RVS are generated independently of the display update/refresh rate and at sufficiently high frequencies to avoid flicker perceptible to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicants: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, UNITED STATES OF AMERICAS AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Michael E. Miller, BRETT J. BORGHETTI, KELLIE D. KENNEDY, CHAD L. STEPHENS, ALAN T. POPE
  • Publication number: 20240168544
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for delivering psychophysiological self-regulation training in a virtual, augmented, and/or mixed reality environment that simulates a social situation, such as one involving conflict. A user (e.g., a trainee) may interface with a training computing system directly or via an avatar that may interact with other characters in the simulation who may be programmed at one or more levels of threat to or cooperation with the trainee. The system may provide feedback to the trainee regarding their cognitive and emotional states. The feedback may be designed to encourage them to develop the ability to respond in future real environments with appropriately effective states, where the feedback may take the form of the behavior of the characters, with the trainee's interaction based on their effective states being rewarded by desirable character behavior and the trainee's ineffective states being penalized by undesirable character behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: CHAD L. STEPHENS, John Edison Munoz Cardona, Alan T. Pope, Marsha J. Turner, Olafur S. Palsson
  • Publication number: 20240145066
    Abstract: Aspects relate to systems and methods for providing information about a person's physiological signals to that person (and/or others) as they travel through various venues of their daily work and play life. Ubiquitous physiological feedback incentivizes the person to regulate their cognitive and/or emotional states to better perform various tasks. The feedback also provides them with practice opportunities throughout their day to further develop a psychophysiological self-regulation skill set. Obtaining pervasive physiological feedback throughout the environment may be achieved through the person's use and/or interaction with wearable or otherwise mobile physiological monitoring devices or systems and with other systems that may be embedded in environments through which the traveler visits during the course of their day. Such systems may experience functionality changes in response to an individual's physiological signals via biocybernetic adaptation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: JOHN EDISON MUNOZ CARDONA, CHAD L. STEPHENS, OLAFUR S. PALSSON, ALAN T. POPE
  • Patent number: 11903719
    Abstract: A method of providing physiological self-regulation challenges prior to participating in a series of activities or exercises at a series of predefined locations includes determining a physiological goal associated with each location. A sensing device measures a physiological state of a user, and a mobile communication device communicates to a user whether or not the user has achieved the physiological goal for the challenge. The level of difficulty of the physiological goal may be reduced if the user does not meet the goal. The physiological goal may comprise a brain state that is conducive to learning, and the sensing device may be configured to measure brain state values representing cognitive engagement. Upon achievement of each physiological goal, the participant is provided with a reward such as information concerning the current predefined location and/or information concerning the next predefined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Chad L. Stephens, Alan T. Pope, William Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20240028968
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods for optimized integration of a human operator with a machine for safe and efficient operation. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and devices which evaluate and determine a cognitive state of an operator, and allocate tasks to either the machine and/or operator based on the cognitive state of the operator, among other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: ANGELA R. HARRIVEL, Chad L. Stephens, Kellie D. Kennedy, Alan T. Pope
  • Patent number: 11783228
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods for optimized integration of a human operator with a machine for safe and efficient operation. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and devices which evaluate and determine a cognitive state of an operator, and allocate tasks to either the machine and/or operator based on the cognitive state of the operator, among other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Angela R. Harrivel, Chad L. Stephens, Kellie D. Kennedy, Alan T. Pope
  • Publication number: 20220318673
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods for optimized integration of a human operator with a machine for safe and efficient operation. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and devices which evaluate and determine a cognitive state of an operator, and allocate tasks to either the machine and/or operator based on the cognitive state of the operator, among other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: ANGELA R. HARRIVEL, CHAD L. STEPHENS, KELLIE D. KENNEDY, ALAN T. POPE
  • Publication number: 20220306143
    Abstract: A dynamic function allocation (DFA) framework balances the workload or achieves other mitigating optimizations for a human operator of a vehicle by dynamically distributing operational functional tasks between the operator and the vehicle's or robot's automation in real-time. DFA operations include those for aviation, navigation, and communication, or to meet other operational needs. The DFA framework provides an intuitive command/response interface to vehicle (e.g., aircraft), vehicle simulator, or robotic operations by implementing a Dynamic Function Allocation Control Collaboration Protocol (DFACCto). DFACCto simulates or implements autonomous control of robot's or vehicle's functional tasks and reallocates some or all tasks between a human pilot and an autonomous system when such reallocation is determined to be preferred, and implements the reallocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Saeideh E. Samani, Richard K. Jessop, Angela R. Harrivel, Chad L. Stephens, Alan T. Pope, Kellie D. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20220032174
    Abstract: A method of providing physiological self-regulation challenges prior to participating in a series of activities or exercises at a series of predefined locations includes determining a physiological goal associated with each location. A sensing device measures a physiological state of a user, and a mobile communication device communicates to a user whether or not the user has achieved the physiological goal for the challenge. The level of difficulty of the physiological goal may be reduced if the user does not meet the goal. The physiological goal may comprise a brain state that is conducive to learning, and the sensing device may be configured to measure brain state values representing cognitive engagement. Upon achievement of each physiological goal, the participant is provided with a reward such as information concerning the current predefined location and/or information concerning the next predefined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: CHAD L. STEPHENS, ALAN T. POPE, WILLIAM HOLLINGSWORTH
  • Patent number: 11141092
    Abstract: A method of providing physiological self-regulation challenges prior to participating in a series of activities or exercises at a series of predefined locations includes determining a physiological goal associated with each location. A sensing device measures a physiological state of a user, and a mobile communication device communicates to a user whether or not the user has achieved the physiological goal for the challenge. The level of difficulty of the physiological goal may be reduced if the user does not meet the goal. The physiological goal may comprise a brain state that is conducive to learning, and the sensing device may be configured to measure brain state values representing cognitive engagement. Upon achievement of each physiological goal, the participant is provided with a reward such as information concerning the current predefined location and/or information concerning the next predefined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Chad L. Stephens, Alan T. Pope, William Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20210256425
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods for optimized integration of a human operator with a machine for safe and efficient operation. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and devices which evaluate and determine a cognitive state of an operator, and allocate tasks to either the machine and/or operator based on the cognitive state of the operator, among other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: ANGELA R. HARRIVEL, CHAD L. STEPHENS, KELLIE D. KENNEDY, ALAN T. POPE
  • Patent number: 10997526
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods for optimized integration of a human operator with a machine for safe and efficient operation. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and devices which evaluate and determine a cognitive state of an operator, and allocate tasks to either the machine and/or operator based on the cognitive state of the operator, among other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Angela R. Harrivel, Kellie D. Kennedy, Chad L Stephens, Alan T. Pope
  • Publication number: 20200193857
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for providing virtual reality environments that may be modified based on physiological measurements of a user. A user may be provided a virtual reality environment to perform a task, such as putting a ball into a hole or driving a vehicle. The virtual reality environment may comprise all or portions of the user's view and may comprise one or more portions of reality. A physiological state measurement device may receive measurements of a physiological state of the user. A computing device may determine, based on the measurements, a projected physiological state of the user. Based on the difference between the projected physiological state and a target physiological state, the virtual reality environment may be modified to make the task harder or easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: CHAD L. STEPHENS, ALAN T. POPE
  • Patent number: 10192173
    Abstract: Method and systems are disclosed for training state-classifiers for classification of cognitive state. A set of multimodal signals indicating physiological responses of an operator are sampled over a time period. A depiction of operation by the operator during the time period is displayed. In response to user input selecting a cognitive state for a portion of the time period, the one or more state-classifiers are trained. In training the state-classifiers, the set of multimodal signals sampled in the portion of the time period are used as input to the one or more state-classifiers and the selected one of the set of cognitive states is used as a target result to be indicated by the one or more state-classifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    Inventors: Chad L. Stephens, Angela R. Harrivel, Alan T. Pope, Lawrence J Prinzel, III
  • Publication number: 20180189681
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods for optimized integration of a human operator with a machine for safe and efficient operation. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and devices which evaluate and determine a cognitive state of an operator, and allocate tasks to either the machine and/or operator based on the cognitive state of the operator, among other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Angela R. Harrivel, Kellie D. Kennedy, Chad L. Stephens, Alan T. Pope
  • Publication number: 20180103867
    Abstract: A method of providing physiological self-regulation challenges prior to participating in a series of activities or exercises at a series of predefined locations includes determining a physiological goal associated with each location. A sensing device measures a physiological state of a user, and a mobile communication device communicates to a user whether or not the user has achieved the physiological goal for the challenge. The level of difficulty of the physiological goal may be reduced if the user does not meet the goal. The physiological goal may comprise a brain state that is conducive to learning, and the sensing device may be configured to measure brain state values representing cognitive engagement. Upon achievement of each physiological goal, the participant is provided with a reward such as information concerning the current predefined location and/or information concerning the next predefined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Chad L. Stephens, Alan T. Pope, William Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20170220956
    Abstract: Method and systems are disclosed for training state-classifiers for classification of cognitive state. A set of multimodal signals indicating physiological responses of an operator are sampled over a time period. A depiction of operation by the operator during the time period is displayed. In response to user input selecting a cognitive state for a portion of the time period, the one or more state-classifiers are trained. In training the state-classifiers, the set of multimodal signals sampled in the portion of the time period are used as input to the one or more state-classifiers and the selected one of the set of cognitive states is used as a target result to be indicated by the one or more state-classifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Chad L. Stephens, Angela R. Harrivel, Alan T. Pope, Lawrence J. Prinzel
  • Patent number: 9630093
    Abstract: Method for physiologically modulating videogames and simulations includes utilizing input from a motion-sensing video game system and input from a physiological signal acquisition device. The inputs from the physiological signal sensors are utilized to change the response of a user's avatar to inputs from the motion-sensing sensors. The motion-sensing system comprises a 3D sensor system having full-body 3D motion capture of a user's body. This arrangement encourages health-enhancing physiological self-regulation skills or therapeutic amplification of healthful physiological characteristics. The system provides increased motivation for users to utilize biofeedback as may be desired for treatment of various conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Alan T. Pope, Chad L. Stephens, Tyler Habowski
  • Patent number: 9623324
    Abstract: New types of controllers allow a player to make inputs to a video game or simulation by moving the entire controller itself or by gesturing or by moving the player's body in whole or in part. This capability is typically accomplished using a wireless input device having accelerometers, gyroscopes, and a camera. The present invention exploits these wireless motion-sensing technologies to modulate the player's movement inputs to the videogame based upon physiological signals. Such biofeedback-modulated video games train valuable mental skills beyond eye-hand coordination. These psychophysiological training technologies enhance personal improvement, not just the diversion, of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Alan T. Pope, Chad L. Stephens, Nina Marie Blanson