KR20190090556A - Apparatus and Method for Brain Function Evaluation using Binocular Rivalry, and Storage Medium Storing the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to evaluate a brain function using a binocular rivalry phenomenon. Each image is output to the eyes of a subject and the gaze of the subject is tracked or EEG is measured. The gaze position and/or brainwave of the subject is/are used to determine an image of winning the binocular rivalry, and evaluates the brain function of the subject according to the determination. Since the brain function is evaluated based on the visual information processing ability of the subject, early diagnosis of various brain diseases is easy. In particular, it can be used for early diagnosis of dementia, which has an increased incidence rate and mortality rate as our society becomes an aging society. As the early diagnosis of brain diseases is facilitated, not only an individual′s suffering and economic costs but also social costs can be reduced.

Description

Apparatus and Method for Brain Function Evaluation using Binocular Rivalry, and Storage Medium Storing the Same}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for evaluating brain function using binocular competition, and more particularly, to evaluate human brain function using human brain waves and binocular competition.

Various studies have been conducted to diagnose various brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia and epilepsy.

In particular, as aging progresses, mortality due to dementia is also increasing. Currently, various drugs are used for the treatment of dementia, but such drugs can only slow the progression of the disease, not the underlying treatment. However, early treatment is important because it is relatively effective when treated early.

If the early diagnosis of brain disease is made easier, it is possible to reduce not only the pain and economic cost of the individual but also the social cost, so it is necessary to make brain disease diagnosis easier and simpler.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to meet the above necessity, an apparatus and method for evaluating brain function using binocular competition that can evaluate brain function simply and easily using human brain waves and binocular competition phenomenon, and it contains The purpose is to provide a recording medium.

In order to achieve the above object, the brain function evaluation apparatus using the binocular competition according to the present invention, the image output means for outputting an image to each of the two eyes of the examinee; Measuring means for measuring the brain wave of the examinee or tracking the eye; Binocular competition determination means for determining an image of winning images of binocular competition among the images output by the image output means by using the EEG or tracked gaze position measured by the measuring means; And evaluation means for evaluating the brain function of the examinee in accordance with the determination of the binocular competition determination means.

The measuring means may include brain wave measuring means for measuring the brain wave of the examinee and gaze tracking means for tracking the eye of the examinee.

Brain function evaluation apparatus using the binocular competition according to the present invention, the input means for receiving a response of the examinee; And voice guide means for outputting a guide voice for examination.

The binocular competition determination unit may determine an image of winning the binocular competition using the event-induced potential of the occipital lobe or EEG power of a specific frequency region.

In addition, the binocular competition determination means may determine the image winning the binocular competition using the gamma wave power in the frontal lobe EEG, or the connectivity between the frontal lobe EEG and the occipital lobe EEG.

The image output means may show to one eye an image in which the indicated object exists and to show to the other eye an image in which such object does not exist. The brain function of the examinee can be evaluated according to whether they win the binocular competition.

The image output means may simultaneously show an image containing one or more objects belonging to the same kind to both eyes, and then display one object belonging to the kind in one eye and an object not belonging to the kind in the other eye. In this case, the evaluating means may evaluate the brain function of the examinee according to whether the image including the object belonging to the kind has won the binocular competition.

Brain function evaluation method using the binocular competition according to the present invention, the image output step of outputting an image to each of the two eyes of the examinee; A measurement step of measuring the brain wave of the examinee or tracking the eye; A binocular competition determination step of determining an image winning the binocular competition using the brain wave or the gaze position of the examinee; And an evaluation step of evaluating the brain function of the examinee according to the determination.

In the measuring step, the brain wave of the examinee is measured and the gaze is tracked. In the binocular competition determination step, the image of winning the binocular competition can be determined using the eye position and the brain wave of the examinee.

According to the present invention, when two images are viewed in different eyes, the two images compete to occupy the sense of vision, and the brain function can be easily and simply evaluated by using the binocular competition phenomenon in which the winner of the competition is inverted.

This facilitates early diagnosis of various brain diseases, and can be used for early diagnosis of dementia, in which the incidence and mortality rate increases with the aging society.

In addition, as the early diagnosis of brain diseases is facilitated, it is possible to reduce not only the individual suffering and economic costs but also the social costs.

1 is an embodiment of a brain function evaluation apparatus using the binocular competition according to the present invention,
2 is an example for explaining showing images to both eyes,
3 is an example for explaining a method of finding an indicated object;
4 is an example for explaining a method of finding an object of the same kind;
5 is an example of testing an integrated object recognition ability,
Figure 6 is an embodiment of a brain function evaluation method using the binocular competition according to the present invention,
7 and 8 are embodiments of a specific inspection method.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description.

It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 for assessing brain function using binocular competition according to the present invention includes an image output unit 110, an EEG measuring unit 120, a gaze tracking unit 130, and a binocular competition determination unit 160. , An evaluation means 170 may be included, and one or more of the input means 140 and the voice guidance means 150 may be further included.

The image output means 110 serves to output an image to both eyes of the examinee. That is, the image output means 110 separately outputs the image to the left eye and the right eye of the examinee.

The image output means 110 may be configured in various ways. For example, the image output means 110 may be configured using a head mounted display (HMD).

FIG. 2A illustrates an example in which the examinee uses the HMD 111, and FIG. 2B illustrates an image 111-1 and a yellow color in which a red house appears in the right eye 31 and the left eye 32 of the examinee, respectively. The image 111-2 showing the tangerine is shown.

The EEG measuring means 120 measures the EEG of the examinee. To this end, the EEG measurement unit 120 may be configured to include a plurality of sensors disposed on the scalp of the examinee for detecting the EEG at each position.

The gaze tracking means 130 tracks the eye of the examinee. That is, the eyes of the examinee are tracked to determine the position of the user's gaze.

In the present invention, one of the EEG measuring unit 120 and the eye tracking unit 130 may be used, and the EEG measuring unit 120 and the eye tracking unit 130 may be used to measure the examinee's response. have. The brain wave measuring means 120 and the eye tracking means 130 is not particularly limited and may include all of the various known in the art.

The input unit 140 is used to receive a response from the examinee when using the brain function evaluation apparatus 100. For example, the input unit 140 may include a button, and the examinee may respond by pressing a button in a specific situation according to the examiner's instruction.

The voice guide means 150 is configured to include a speaker as to give the examinee a guide voice necessary for a checkup. Examination-related behavior tips or instructions of the examinee may be directly informed by the examinee, or may be notified by an automated process through the voice guidance means 150.

The binocular competition determination means 160 performs an image determining the winning image of the binocular competition by using the EEG measured by the EEG measurement means 120 and the gaze position determined by the gaze tracking means 130.

The binocular rivalry is a phenomenon in which when both eyes of a person see different images, the two images compete with each other to occupy a sense of vision, and the winner of the competition is constantly changed over time.

Here, visual awareness means that some visual information is not conscious even when a lot of visual information comes in, and some visual information is clearly conscious, among which the contents of the perceived visual information or conscious visual information The process of processing.

In general, it is possible to determine the visually apparent image of the two images as the image that wins the binocular competition. If the two images are perceived to a similar level, the victory image can change over time, but if either one is strong or more meaningful, the image is the winner.

The binocular competition determination means 160 may determine a variety of methods for determining the image wins the binocular competition.

As one example, the event-induced potential of the EEG measured in the occipital cortex, or the EEG power in a specific frequency region, may be configured to determine the image winning the binocular competition.

As another example, the binocular competition determining means 160 may be configured to determine an image that wins the binocular competition using gamma wave power in the frontal lobe EEG or connectivity between the frontal lobe EEG and the occipital lobe EEG.

Specifically, when the position of the gaze stays absolutely high, and the event-induced potential of the occipital lobe or EEG power in a specific frequency region is high in the opposite direction from where the gaze stays, binocular competition is performed on the image where the gaze stays. Can be judged as the winner.

The evaluation means 170 evaluates the brain function of the examinee according to the determination of the binocular competition determining means 160.

According to the Gestalt theory, in processing visual information, the brain tends to recognize forms based on existing knowledge (the law of consolidation), and the tendency of similar elements to be grouped and viewed as a pattern (similarity Law), the tendency to group nearby objects (law of proximity), the tendency to perceive as simple as possible (law of simplicity), and the tendency to connect and perceive visual elements by binding them (law of continuity). Therefore, the brain function can be evaluated through the visual information processing ability of the examinee based on such a theory.

In other words, patients with diseases such as schizophrenia or dementia have poor visual information processing ability, and thus analyzing the processing of visual information by the examinee's brain can determine abnormal brain function.

As a specific embodiment of evaluating the brain function of the examinee, the brain function may be evaluated by examining the selective attention concentration of the visual, that is, the ability to focus attention on a specific object.

First, an image in which an object indicated by the image output means 110 is present is shown to one eye of the examinee, and an image in which such object is not present is shown to the other eye. Then, the evaluation means 170 evaluates the brain function of the examinee according to whether the image in which the indicated object exists has won the binocular competition.

As a specific example related to this, as shown in FIG. 3, different images 111-3 and 111-4 in which several people appear in both eyes of the examinee may be shown. At this time, there is a difference between the color of clothes worn by people in the image 111-3 displayed on the right eye 31 of the examinee and the color of clothes worn by people in the image 111-4 displayed on the left eye 32. . That is, the person 111-5 wearing white is present in the image 111-3 displayed on the right eye 31 of the examinee.

When you were instructed to count the number of people who wore white before the test, it was normal that the eyes of the white person moved, and that the image of the white person (111-3) was the winner of the binocular competition. can see.

That is, the image 111-3 displayed in the right eye 31 should be an image winning the binocular competition. If the image 111-4 displayed in the left eye 32 becomes the image winning the binocular competition, The evaluation means 170 can evaluate that the brain function of this examinee is abnormal.

As another embodiment of evaluating the brain function of the examinee, the brain function may be evaluated through a meaningful visual information processing ability test.

First, a plurality of objects belonging to the same kind are simultaneously shown to both eyes through the image output means 110, one eye shows an object belonging to the kind, and the other eye shows an object not belonging to the kind.

Here, the kind can be varied, such as trees, fruits, cars.

Then, the evaluation means 170 evaluates the brain function of the examinee according to whether the image containing the object belonging to the type has won the binocular competition.

As a specific example of this, as shown in FIG. 4, the same images 111-6 and 111-7 having various fruits are shown in the eyes 31 and 32 of the examinee. Thereafter, the right eye 31 shows an image 111-8 with a tool with a handle, and the left eye 32 shows an image 111-9 with a strawberry.

In such a test, even if there is no special instruction, an image highly related to the previously shown images 111-6 and 111-7 may be a winner of the binocular competition. At this time, by giving instructions in advance before the test to increase discrimination ('count the number of fruits', 'press the button when the fruit comes out', etc.), the test can be processed more consciously.

In other words, objects similar to those shown in the images shown in advance in the normal case naturally become the winner of the binocular competition, and the more attention and consciousness of perception, the more likely the winner of the binocular competition.

Therefore, in the inspection of the example shown in FIG. 4, the image 111-9 displayed in the left eye 32 should be an image winning the binocular competition, if the image 111-8 displayed in the right eye 31 is binocular. If the image has been won in the competition, the evaluation means 170 may evaluate that the brain function of the examinee is abnormal.

In addition to these embodiments, the method for the brain function evaluation apparatus 100 to present an image for examination to the examinee, and thus the method for evaluating the brain function may be variously configured as necessary. Let's look at them.

As an example of a method of presenting an image to a subject, the image output means 110 alternates the image to a specific frequency (for example, 30 to 50 Hz) to both eyes of the examinee, respectively, for a predetermined period (for example, 0.5 seconds to 2 seconds) (stimulation phase). If the frequency at which the image is visible is faster than 30 Hz, the person perceives it as a continuous screen, so the subject perceives only one of the two images as a mixed or mixed image.

Then, the still image is displayed for a certain period (for example, 1 second to 5 seconds) (pause phase).

The stimulus phase and the resting phase may be alternately processed several times, and various evaluations may be performed with respect to the presented image.

As another example, a short-term memory test may be performed.

To do this, it is instructed to press the button if the presented image is the same as the image presented in the same eye just before. In addition, the evaluation may be performed through the reaction of the examinee input through the input means. In this case, the instruction may be configured to be made through the voice guidance means 150.

In addition, if the presented image is the same as the image presented in the same eye for the second time, the button may be instructed to be pressed, or if the presented image is the same as the image presented in the same eye for the third time, the button may be instructed to be pressed. In other words, the difficulty compared to the short-term memory test can be adjusted by setting the image compared with the image currently output as a past image.

As another example, a long-term memory test may be performed.

To this end, images that have been presented while displaying a number of images (e.g., 10) or more repeatedly, one or several times, and after a certain time (e.g., 10 minutes) have been shown, are mixed with the images presented and the ones not presented. Evaluate their ability to remember

As another embodiment, the visual perceptions of the visually visible shapes may be grouped, bound, and recognized as an integrated object.

FIG. 5A shows images 111-11 and 111-12 showing a part of the number '2' to the eyes 31 and 32 of the examinee, respectively, and recognizes the shape by connecting lines created by alternating dots. Here is an example of checking for existence. In this case, the examinee groups the portions of the number 2 and binds them together to evaluate whether the number 2 can be recognized.

FIG. 5B shows images 111-13 and 111-14 of the number '2', which are mixed with the different points in the eyes 2 and 31 of the examinee, respectively, and can be perceived by finding shapes at closely attached points. Here is an example to check if it can.

Referring to Figure 6, an embodiment of a brain function evaluation method using the binocular competition according to the present invention will be described.

First, an image is output to both eyes of the examinee (S510).

The images output to the eyes of the examinee are for examination and are individually output to the eyes of the examinee. The image output method may be configured in various ways, or may be configured to be performed using the HMD.

When the image is output in step S510, the eye of the examinee is tracked and brain waves are measured (S520). To this end, a plurality of sensors arranged on the scalp of the examinee and detecting the brain waves at each position may be used, and the eyes of the examinee may be tracked to determine the position of the user's gaze.

Then, the image of winning the binocular competition is determined using the examinee's gaze position and brain waves (S530).

In operation S530, the method of determining the image winning the binocular competition may be variously configured.

As one example, the event-induced potential of the EEG measured in the occipital cortex, or the EEG power in a specific frequency region, may be configured to determine the image winning the binocular competition.

As another example, it may be configured to determine an image that wins a binocular competition using gamma wave power in the frontal lobe EEG or connectivity between the frontal lobe and the occipital lobe.

Specifically, when the position of the gaze stays absolutely high, and the event-induced potential of the occipital lobe or EEG power in a specific frequency region is high in the opposite direction from where the gaze stays, binocular competition is performed on the image where the gaze stays. Can be judged as the winner.

The brain function of the examinee is evaluated according to the determination of the image winning the binocular competition made in step S530 (S540).

An image may be output to each of the eyes of the examinee in operation S510, and a method of evaluating the brain function of the examinee in operation S540 may be variously configured according to the examination method.

As a specific embodiment of evaluating the brain function of the examinee, the brain function may be evaluated by examining the selective attention concentration of the visual, that is, the ability to focus attention on a specific object.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, an image in which an object indicated in step S510 exists is shown to one eye of an examinee, and an image in which such object does not exist is shown to another eye (S501-1). In step S520 and S530, an image of winning a binocular competition is determined (S501-2).

As a result, if the image with the indicated object wins the binocular competition (S501-3), the brain function of the examinee is evaluated to be normal (S501-4), otherwise, the brain function of the examinee can be abnormally evaluated. There is (S501-5).

That is, as shown in the example described with reference to FIG. 3, when an instruction to count the number of people dressed in white before the test is performed, the eyes of the person dressed in white move and the image of the person dressed in white (111-3 ) Is the normal winner of the binocular competition.

As another embodiment of evaluating the brain function of the examinee, the brain function may be evaluated through a meaningful visual information processing ability test.

Referring to FIG. 8, first, an image having objects belonging to the same type is simultaneously shown to both eyes through step S510 (S502-1), and then one object shows the object belonging to the type, and the other eye shows the type. Show an object that does not belong (S502-2).

Here, the kind can be varied, such as trees, fruits, cars.

In step S520 and S530, an image of winning a binocular competition is determined (S502-3).

As a result, if the image containing the object belonging to the kind shown in step S502-1 wins the binocular competition (S502-4), the brain function of the examinee is evaluated as normal (S502-5), otherwise Brain function may be abnormally evaluated (S502-6).

That is, as shown in the example described with reference to FIG. 4, if the same images 111-6 and 111-7 having various fruits are shown in the eyes 2 and 31 of the examinee in step S502-1, the left eye is shown. The image 111-9 shown in (32) should be the image winning the binocular competition. If the image 111-8 shown in the right eye 31 became the image winning the binocular competition, the brain of the examinee It can be evaluated that there is an abnormality in function.

Meanwhile, the brain function evaluation method using the binocular competition of the present invention may be implemented as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium.

A computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording apparatuses in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored.

For example, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, or optical data storage device, and the computer-readable recording medium is distributed to networked computer systems, so that the computer is distributed in a distributed manner. Readable code can be stored and executed.

While the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention may be modified and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention provided by the following claims. It can be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

100: brain function evaluation apparatus 110: image output means
111: HMD (Head Mounted Display) 120: EEG measuring means
130: eye tracking means 140: input means
150: voice guidance means 160: binocular competition determination means
170: evaluation means

Claims (14)

Image output means for outputting an image to both eyes of the examinee;
Measuring means for measuring the brain wave of the examinee or tracking the eye;
Binocular competition determination means for determining an image of winning images of binocular competition among the images output by the image output means by using the EEG or tracked gaze position measured by the measuring means; And
And an evaluation means for evaluating the brain function of the examinee according to the determination of the binocular competition determining means.
The method of claim 1,
The measuring means, brain function evaluation device using the binocular competition, characterized in that the brain wave measuring means for measuring the brain wave of the examinee and the eye tracking unit for tracking the eye of the examinee.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Input means for receiving a response of the examinee; And
Apparatus for assessing brain function using binocular competition, further comprising one or more of voice guidance means for outputting guide voice for examination.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The binocular competition determining means is a brain function evaluation device using the binocular competition, characterized in that for determining the image winning the binocular competition using the event-induced potential of the occipital lobe, EEG or power of the specific frequency region.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The binocular competition determination device is a brain function evaluation device using the binocular competition, characterized in that for determining the image winning the binocular competition using the gamma wave power in the frontal lobe EEG, or the connectivity between the frontal lobe brain and occipital lobe EEG.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The image output means shows to one eye an image in which the indicated object exists, and to another eye,
And said evaluating means evaluates the brain function of the examinee according to whether the image in which the indicated object exists has won the binocular competition.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The image output means shows an image containing at least one object belonging to the same kind to both eyes at the same time, one eye shows the object belonging to the kind, the other eye shows the object not belonging to the kind,
And the evaluating means evaluates the brain function of the examinee according to whether an image including the object belonging to the kind has won the binocular competition.
An image output step of outputting an image to both eyes of the examinee;
A measurement step of measuring the brain wave of the examinee or tracking the eye;
A binocular competition determination step of determining an image winning the binocular competition using the brain wave or the gaze position of the examinee; And
And an evaluation step of evaluating the brain function of the examinee according to the determination.
The method of claim 8,
The measuring step is to measure the brain wave of the examinee and track the eye,
The binocular competition determination step, the brain function evaluation method using the binocular competition, characterized in that for determining the image wins the binocular competition using the eye position and the brain wave of the examinee.
The method of claim 8,
The method for evaluating brain function using binocular competition, characterized in that the determination of the image winning the binocular competition is made using the event-induced potential of the occipital lobe, or the brain wave power of a specific frequency region.
The method of claim 8,
The method of evaluating brain function using binocular competition, characterized in that the determination of the image winning the binocular competition is made using the gamma wave power in the frontal lobe EEG, or the connection between the frontal lobe EEG and the occipital lobe EEG.
The method of claim 8,
The image output step shows an image in which the indicated object exists in one eye, an image in which no such object exists in the other eye,
And wherein said evaluating step evaluates the brain function of the examinee according to whether the image in which the indicated object exists has won the binocular competition.
The method of claim 8,
The image output step shows an image containing at least one object belonging to the same kind to both eyes at the same time, one object to show the object belonging to the kind, the other eye to show the object not belonging to the kind,
The evaluating step evaluates the brain function of the examinee according to whether an image including the object belonging to the type wins a binocular competition.
A recording medium readable by a computer system having recorded thereon a program for executing the brain function evaluation method using the binocular competition in a computer system according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

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