The idea of monitoring a wearers mood has been around for a long time (think back to the mood rings you had in middle school), but a quick look at the AI Biotech/Diagnostics: Neurology Sector seems to indicate that there is still a large split between companies investing in mood detection IP, and those who are not. For example, some of the major technology powerhouses such as IBM, Facense, Samsung, and Boston Scientific have IP related to mood detection devices, while others like Apple, Facebook, and Amazon do not.
This past week, a lesser known bio-startup from the UK, Thought Beanie Ltd., had its 3rd patent application published. The application (US Patent Pub. No. 20200373001), titled “System with Wearable Sensor for Detecting EEG Response”, teaches a new method and device for real-time electroencephalographic (EEG) response detection. EEG tests are used to measure brain electrical activity, and have seen great improvements in the past years. Because EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, it can be useful for detecting disorders such as stroke, dementia, epilepsy, and even head injuries. Traditional EEG testing methods require 16-25 electrodes strategically attached to the scalp, and must be performed in a clinic under controlled circumstances.
Thought Beanie Ltd. realized that EEG testing may have other uses besides disorder detection, and has been working to develop EEG devices for real-world use since being founded in 2016. Until recently, the company has split its focus between EEG devices used for monitoring sleep quality, and EEG devices for monitoring athletic performance. However, with the publication of the ‘3001 application, it appears that the company is planning to expand its EEG testing capabilities to even more applications. The ‘3001 application specifically discloses a wearable EEG sensor disguised into a baseball cap capable of real-time mood detection. The device also boasts connectivity with mobile devices, meaning the EEG device can potentially be used with existing mobile applications. One such example provided in the ‘3001 application includes using the device to develop catered music playlists in response to a wearer’s mood as detected by the EEG devices. Hypothetically, if a user’s mood appears to improve when listening to a particular song, an app such as Spotify or Apple Music could use this information to create more personalized playlists.
Only time will tell whether the technology becomes a commonplace or not, and if so, how smaller companies like Thought Beanie Ltd. will fit into the market. Make sure to check out the free preview of the AI Biotech Diagnostics: Neurology Sector for an interactive view of the most up to date IP data in the field.
