Portable Reaction Time Measurement Device: Prototype Proposal and Validation

This paper is describing the prototype of a new patent of a Portable Reaction Time Measurement Device whose main assets in comparison to the conventional devices for the similar purposes are the portability, independence on the electrical power source, the absence of the personal computer and the immediate readiness for the usage once the device is turned on. The main contribution of this device is, that it allows to test the actual values of the reaction times at any given time and in any given situation without the necessity of the complicated hardware or software set-ups. It’s construction allows to be used in e.g. the pre-flight psycho-physiological assessment’s of the pilots directly short before the flight conduction or monitoring the daily fluctuation of the reactions readiness directly in the work environment of the concerned study subjects. The basic electrical scheme and the hardware and software components are presented. Furthermore, there was a successful experiment proposed and conducted to test the technical functionalities. Also the usability validation and comparison has been made with the positive outcomes.