World Leader in Neuro-Technology Receives Patent for Eye Tracking in Virtual Reality Configuration

SyncThink adds to patents in eye tracking devices and analytics

Boston, MA—October 17, 2016–SyncThink, one of the world leaders in neuro-technology with foundational intellectual property (IP) in eye tracking analytics and devices, announces today another patent granted from the U.S. Patent and Trade Office. US 9,439,592 grants SyncThink IP for adding eye tracking to common virtual reality (VR) headsets. VR headsets have become a common platform for gaming and entertainment; and SyncThink’s innovative work builds on this concept by capturing robust eye tracking measurements. This information can be used to vastly expand VR experiences through intuitive user interface, foveated rendering, virtual communication, or neurological evaluation. SyncThink technology is currently deployed in its first mobile medical device, EYE-SYNC.

“VR technology is the ideal environment for eye tracking. It’s a platform where we can provide powerful cognitive insights,” said SyncThink CTO, Daniel Beeler. “The new patent will give us the ability to expand upon the already useful product we’ve created and the capabilities of multiple industries utilizing VR headsets.”

To date, the company has been granted 10 patents. In addition to eye tracking hardware, SyncThink IP covers analytical techniques for stimulating, measuring, and training brain attention networks. SyncThink analytics have been developed with support from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command to evaluate soldier readiness and brain impairment after injury. In addition to brain trauma, SyncThink analytics have applications for characterizing and monitoring fatigue, performance, and developmental or neurodegenerative conditions.

Real-time characterization of attention networks has applications far beyond the clinic. SyncThink analytics have the potential to dramatically change the way we interact with content in and outside virtual space. Knowing a subject’s level of attention, using eye movements, allows content to interact with the subject’s level of attention. The interaction can be educational, level of interest, improving attention and commercial in the form of advertising content. Attention analysis could provide the foundation for machines and experiences to be far more attuned to our cognitive state.

“The attention brain network is activated and can be evaluated by measuring eye tracking. Attention can be degraded in fatigue, distraction, or clinical conditions such as concussion” said Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, Chairman of the Board, Chief Scientific Adviser and Founder of SyncThink. “Also there are differences in attention between individuals that can be assessed. In evaluating attention, eye tracking is a very precise, reliable and very fast metric.”

The Company has partnered with the Brain Trauma Foundation to generate the largest-ever ocular-motor normative database. The partnership has studied over 10,000 individuals under clinical conditions and generated over 20 peer-reviewed research articles characterizing the impact of concussion on visual attention. This data, in addition to the granted patents, will give the team at SyncThink the ability to continue improving the EYE-SYNC product for consumer use.

SyncThink is the creator of EYE-SYNC, an FDA-cleared device with an integrated head-mounted eye tracking device for rapid, reliable recording, viewing and analyzing of eye movement impairment through the use of VR. The Company is working with three of the top ten NCAA D1 schools this season with EYE-SYNC on the sidelines to help with return to play decisions.

About SyncThink: Founded in 2009 by Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, MD, PhD, FACS, and President of the Brain Trauma Foundation, SyncThink is one of the world leaders in neuro-technology with foundational IP in eye tracking metrics and devices. Based in Boston, SyncThink works with a strong group of dedicated scientists, engineers and business experts with the goal of empowering people with effective tools to monitor and optimize their brain health. For more information please visit: www.syncthink.com

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