ZONE (Zeroing Out Negative Effects)

Although biofeedback is an effective treatment for various physiological problems and can be used to optimize physiological functioning in many ways, the benefits can only be attained through a number of training sessions, and such gains can only be maintained over time through regular practice. However, adherence to regular training has been a problem that has plagued the field of physiological self-regulation limiting its utility. As with any exercise, incorporating biofeedback training with another activity encourages participation and enhances its usefulness.

NASA’s biocybernetic system is a cutting-edge technology designed to cultivate emotional regulation skills. It leverages the concept of biocybernetic adaptation, where the trainee engages with virtual entities, such as characters in VR/AR/MR environments, whose behavior dynamically responds to the trainee's physiological signals. This responsive system provides real-time feedback, incentivizing the trainee to attain a calmer physiological state. The key components of this VR innovation include: · Head-mounted display hardware · Physiological monitoring hardware, tracking heart rate, breathing, sweat, breath, and brain waves · Software, powered by the Biocybernetic Loop (BL) Engine, integrating physiological data into the VR simulation · Character response avatars · Integration of the trainee's biofeedback data with the VR environment This technology relies on two functional elements working in unison to adapt the behavior and appearance of VR/AR/MR characters. Inference of the trainee's emotional state from physiological signals requires the implementation of advanced machine learning and modeling techniques. A pattern comparator stores templates of physiological patterns and continually assesses the proximity of the trainee's real-time physiological activity to the desired patterns. The pattern comparator calculates a closeness score in relation to one or more reference patterns, transmitting this data to the VR/AR/MR environment components. Consequently, the level of threat or cooperation presented by virtual characters is dynamically adjusted in response to the closeness score, creating an immersive and adaptive training experience.

The technology is constructed to allow modulation of player inputs to a video game or simulation from a user interface device based on the players psychophysiological state. The invention exploits current wireless motion-sensing technologies to utilize physiological signals for input modulation. These include, but are not limited to, heart rate, muscle tension, and brain wave activity. The current capability has been successfully prototyped using the Nintendo Wii console and wireless Wii remote. The experience of electronic game play may also be enhanced by introducing a multiplayer component in which various players collaboratively pursue the goals of the game. The device can also enhance multiplayer experiences such as a video game tournament, in which the skill set required in competitive game play is increased by allowing players to interact with the game, and compete with one another, on a psychophysiological level. This system is compatible with the Nintendo Wii, and prototypes have been designed and are being developed to extend this capability to the PlayStation Move, Xbox Kinect, and other similar game platforms.

The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) provides a simulated reduced gravity environment that responds to human-imparted forces. System capabilities range from full gravity to microgravity. The system utilizes input/feedback sensors, fast-response motor controllers, and custom-developed software algorithms to provide a constant force offload that simulates reduced gravity. The ARGOS system attaches to a human subject in a gimbal and/or harness through a cable. The system then maintains a constant offload of a portion of the subjects weight through the cable to simulate reduced gravity. The system supports movements in all 3 dimensions consistent with the selected gravity level. Front/back and left/right movements are supported via a trolley on an overhead runway and bridge drive system, and up/down movements are supported via a precisely positioned cable. The system runs at a very high cycle rate, and constantly receives feedback to ensure the human subjects safety.

Measured values of physiological signals may be associated with physiological states and may be used to define the presence of such states. For example, in a physiological state of anxiety, adrenaline diverts blood from the body surface to the core of the body in response to a perceived danger. As warm blood is withdrawn from the surface of the skin, the skin temperature drops. Similarly, in a physiological state of stress, perspiration generally increases making the skin more conductive to the passage of an electrical current, thereby increasing the galvanic skin response. It is well known in the field of performance psychology that the peak performance of a task, such as, for example, putting in golf, foul shooting in basketball, serving in tennis, marksmanship in archery or on a gunnery range, shooting pool, or throwing darts, requires the presence of a physiological state, comprising one or more optimal measured values of physiological signals, coincident with the physical performance of the task. The presence of such an optimal physiological state in athletics is colloquially referred to as being in the zone. The technology provides: an apparatus and method of performance-enhancing biofeedback training that has intuitive and motivational appeal to the trainee, by tightly embedding the biofeedback training in the actual task whose performance is to be improved; and, an apparatus and method of performance-enhancing biofeedback training that is operational in real-time, precisely at the moment when a task or exercise, such as an athletic or military maneuver, is required to be performed. The feedback behavior of the physical environment provided by the present invention has the added benefit of providing aids to visualization that the trainee can use in the real-world skill performance setting.