Michael M Merzenich

US Patent:

6334776, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Jun 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/603982

Inventors:

William M. Jenkins - Pacifica CA
Michael M. Merzenich - San Francisco CA
Steven L. Miller - Pacifica CA
Bret E. Peterson - Lafayette CA
Paula Tallal - Lumberville PA

Assignee:

Scientific Learning Corporation - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G09B 500

US Classification:

434169, 434156, 434185, 704270

Abstract:

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 subjects ability to discriminate between similarly sounding phonemes. The processing is applied to the presentation of the target phoneme and the stimulus stream. As a subject correctly identifies target phonemes within stimulus streams, across all provided stimulus sets, the amount of processing applied to the phonemes is reduced, ultimately to the level of normal speech.

US Patent:

6334777, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Jun 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/603819

Inventors:

William M. Jenkins - Pacifica CA
Michael M. Merzenich - San Francisco CA
Steven L. Miller - Pacifica CA
Bret E. Peterson - Lafayette CA
Paula Tallal - Lumberville PA

Assignee:

Scientific Learning Corporation - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G09B 900

US Classification:

434185, 434118, 434169, 434307 R, 434362, 704209, 704254, 704260

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6358056, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Jun 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/598575

Inventors:

William M. Jenkins - Pacifica CA
Michael M. Merzenich - San Francisco CA
Steven L. Miller - Pacifica CA
Bret E. Peterson - Lafayette CA
Paula Tallal - Lumberville PA

Assignee:

Scientific Learning Corporation - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G09B 900

US Classification:

434185, 434118, 434169, 434307 R, 704260, 704205

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6364666, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jun 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/106947

Inventors:

William M. Jenkins - Pacifica CA
Michael M. Merzenich - San Francisco CA
Steven L. Miller - Pacifica CA
Bret E. Peterson - Lafayette CA
Paula Tallal - Lumberville PA

Assignee:

Scientific Learnîng Corp. - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G09B 1900

US Classification:

434156, 434185

Abstract:

A method for adaptively training a subject, using auditory processing of phonemes within command sentences, to improve the subjects 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 subjects language skills, all tied together by a common story. More specifically, installments are provided that narrate a story, test the subjects listening comprehension to the narrated story, test the subjects ability to grammatically parse increasingly difficult sentence structures, and test the subjects 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. As the subject improves his/her ability to correctly respond to the tests, the amount of processing applied to the commands is reduced, ultimately to the level of normal speech.

US Patent:

6386881, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Apr 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/553420

Inventors:

William M. Jenkins - Pacifica CA
Bret E. Peterson - Lafayette CA
Steven Miller - Pacifica CA
Michael M. Merzenich - San Francisco CA
Paula Tallal - Lumberville PA

Assignee:

Scientific Learning Corp. - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G09B 1900

US Classification:

434236, 434322, 434323, 434327, 434335, 434353, 434362

Abstract:

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. Context is changed at achievement milestones to indicate progress to the user.

US Patent:

6409685, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Mar 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/470047

Inventors:

Michael Mathias Merzenich - San Francisco CA
Nancy N. Byl - Oakland CA
William M. Jenkins - Pacifica CA

Assignee:

Scientific Learning Corporation - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 5103

US Classification:

600587, 600557, 601 23

Abstract:

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 âoccupationalâ 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. The present invention hypothesizes that repetitive delivery of simultaneous or nearly simultaneous afferent sensory inputs, under attended conditions of high cognitive drive, results in a learning-induced integration of the representation of the individuality of otherwise differentiable parts of the subjects thereby degrading the sensory feedback loop necessary for normal motor control. What started out as a degradation of the sensory feedback capability, essential for proper motor control, eventually manifests over time as a motor control problem.

US Patent:

6413092, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/588685

Inventors:

Paula Anne Tallal - San Francisco CA
Michael Mathias Merzenich - San Francisco CA
William Michael Jenkins - Pacifica CA
Steven Lamont Miller - Pacifica CA
Christoph E. Schreiner - Pacifica CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - San Francisco CA
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - New Brunswick NJ

International Classification:

G09B 900

US Classification:

434116, 434118, 434156, 434169, 704238, 704254

Abstract:

A method and a system is disclosed that provide means to enable individuals with speech, language and reading based communication disabilities, due to a temporal processing problem, to improve their temporal processing abilities as well as their communication abilities. The method and system include provisions to elongate portions of phonemes that have brief and/or rapidly changing acoustic spectra, such as occur in the stop consonants b and d in the phonemes /ba/ and /da/, as well as reduce the duration of the steady state portion of the syllable. In addition, some emphasis is added to the rapidly changing segments of these phonemes. Additionally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to modify fluent speech to make the modified speech better recognizable by communicatively impaired individuals. Finally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to train temporal processing abilities, specifically speed and precision of temporal integration, sequencing and serial memory.

US Patent:

6413093, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Sep 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/664845

Inventors:

Paula Anne Tallal - San Francisco CA
Michael Mathias Merzenich - San Francisco CA
William Michael Jenkins - Pacifica CA
Steven Lamont Miller - Pacifica CA
Christoph E. Schreiner - Pacifica CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - San Francisco CA
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - New Brunswick NJ

International Classification:

G09B 900

US Classification:

434185, 434118, 434156, 434169, 704238, 704254

Abstract:

A method and a system is disclosed that provide means to enable individuals with speech, language and reading based communication disabilities, due to a temporal processing problem, to improve their temporal processing abilities as well as their communication abilities. The method and system include provisions to elongate portions of phonemes that have brief and/or rapidly changing acoustic spectra, such as occur in the stop consonants b and d in the phonemes /ba/ and /da/, as well as reduce the duration of the steady state portion of the syllable. In addition, some emphasis is added to the rapidly changing segments of these phonemes. Additionally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to modify fluent speech to make the modified speech better recognizable by communicatively impaired individuals. Finally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to train temporal processing abilities, specifically speed and precision of temporal integration, sequencing and serial memory.