Determining stress level based on the performance of the person in a game or puzzle

Abstract

A system and a method are described for determining a stress level of a person based on the performance of the person in a game or puzzle. First, in a calibration phase the person is asked to judge his/her currently experienced stress level ( 120 ) and the person is asked to play ( 130 ) a game or puzzle resulting in a certain performance score. Subsequently in this calibration phase, the system links ( 150 ) the indicated stress level and the performance score. By repeating these steps a number of times, the system builds a table linking game performance scores and stress levels. The calibration phase will be executed initially and once every while to keep the system calibrated. Subsequently, in an operational phase, the person is occasionally asked ( 220 ) to play a game. Then, based on the current performance score and on the table assembled in the calibration phase, the system determines ( 250 ) the current stress level. Depending on the level, and on the period over which the level continues, the system may undertake some action ( 260 ), such as alerting the person or providing distraction.

1 . System for determining a stress level of a person based on the performance of the person in a game or puzzle, wherein the system is adapted for:
 in a calibration phase: executing the steps of measuring ( 140 ) the performance of the person in a game or puzzle and storing ( 150 ) information linking the performance to a given stress level of the person when playing the game or puzzle, and   in an operational phase, executing the steps of measuring ( 230 ) the performance of the person in the game or puzzle, again and determining ( 250 ) the stress level of the person based on the measured performance and the information stored in the calibration phase.   
     
     
         2 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is adapted for, in the calibration phase, executing the steps of measuring ( 140 ) the performance of the person in the game or puzzle and storing ( 150 ) information linking the performance to a given stress level of the person a plurality of times. 
     
     
         3 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is adapted for receiving ( 120 ) an indication of the person of the given stress level in the calibration phase. 
     
     
         4 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is adapted for measuring the given stress level in the calibration phase. 
     
     
         5 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is adapted for executing the calibration phase initially and repeating it, periodically. 
     
     
         6 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is adapted for performing ( 260 ) an action towards the person if the determined stress level in the operation phase is high. 
     
     
         7 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 6 , wherein the system is adapted for performing ( 260 ) the action towards the person if the determined stress level in the operation phase is high over a period of time. 
     
     
         8 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 6 , wherein the action is the generation of an alert. 
     
     
         9 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 6 , wherein the action is providing distraction to the person. 
     
     
         10 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein in the operational phase the system is adapted for inviting the person to play the game or puzzle in time slots with a similar activity level of the person. 
     
     
         11 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 10 , wherein in the operational phase the system is adapted for inviting the person to play the game or puzzle at a similar time of the day. 
     
     
         12 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein the game is a word memory game comprising neutral words and emotional words. 
     
     
         13 . System for determining a stress level according to  claim 1 , wherein the game is having the person naming colors in which words are printed. 
     
     
         14 . Method for determining a stress level of a person based on the performance of the person in a game or puzzle, comprising the following steps:
 in a calibration phase: measuring ( 140 ) the performance of the person in a game or puzzle and storing ( 150 ) information linking the performance to a given stress level of the person when playing the game or puzzle, and   in an operational phase, measuring ( 230 ) the performance of the person in the game or puzzle, again and determining ( 250 ) the stress level of the person based on the measured performance and the information stored in the calibration phase.   
     
     
         15 . A computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of  claim 14 , when said program is run on a computer. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program as claimed in  claim 15  embodied on a computer readable medium. 
     
     
         17 . A carrier medium carrying the computer program of  claim 15 .