---
license: cc-by-nc-4.0
tags:
- cognitive-load
- attention-estimation
- education
- iks
- indian-knowledge-systems
library_name: custom
pipeline_tag: other
extra_gated_prompt: >-
  By requesting access you agree to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license terms.
  Commercial use requires a separate licence from IIT Delhi.
extra_gated_fields:
  Email: text
  Organization: text
  Country: text
  Intended use: text
model-index:
- name: SMRITI
  results:
  - task:
      type: cognitive-state-estimation
      name: Cognitive Load & Attention Estimation
    metrics:
    - type: custom
      name: Signals Used
      value: "response_time, interaction_timing, message_length, correctness"
    - type: custom
      name: Input
      value: "Behavioral interaction patterns (timing, length, correctness)"
    - type: custom
      name: Output
      value: "CognitiveState(cognitive_load, attention_level, confidence, signals_used)"
---

# SMRITI — Software-based Cognitive Sensing

**SMRITI** (स्मृति — *Remembered Knowledge / Tradition*) estimates cognitive load and attention from student interaction patterns — no hardware required.

Part of the **VIDYA** IKS-integrated adaptive education platform.

## Installation

```bash
pip install smriti-sensing
```

Or from source:

```bash
pip install -e .
```

## Quick Start

```python
from smriti import SmritiEngine

engine = SmritiEngine(baseline_response_ms=3000.0)

# Record student interactions
engine.record_interaction(response_time_ms=2500, message_length=45, was_correct=True)
engine.record_interaction(response_time_ms=4200, message_length=30, was_correct=False)
engine.record_interaction(response_time_ms=6100, message_length=15, was_correct=False)

# Get cognitive state
state = engine.get_cognitive_state()
print(f"Cognitive Load: {state.cognitive_load}")
print(f"Attention:      {state.attention_level}")
print(f"Confidence:     {state.confidence}")
print(f"Signals:        {state.signals_used}")
```

## How It Works

SMRITI estimates cognitive state from behavioral interaction patterns — response timing, engagement trends, and answer accuracy. No camera, no EEG, no biometrics — just interaction timing and behavior.

## API

### `SmritiEngine(baseline_response_ms=3000.0)`

Create an engine with a baseline response time (ms). Adjust based on your student population.

### `engine.record_interaction(response_time_ms, message_length, was_correct=None, timestamp=None)`

Record a student interaction. `was_correct` is optional (not all interactions have a right/wrong answer).

### `engine.get_cognitive_state() -> CognitiveState`

Returns the current estimate:

```python
@dataclass
class CognitiveState:
    cognitive_load: float      # 0.0 (idle) to 1.0 (overloaded)
    attention_level: float     # 0.0 (distracted) to 1.0 (fully engaged)
    confidence: float          # Confidence in the estimate (0-1)
    signals_used: list[str]    # Which signals contributed
```

## Privacy and Data Handling

SMRITI processes only **behavioral interaction patterns** (response timing, message lengths, answer correctness). It does **not** collect, store, or transmit:

- Personally identifiable information (PII)
- Student names, IDs, or demographic data
- Message content or conversation text
- Biometric data of any kind

All cognitive state estimation is performed locally in-memory. No data is persisted to disk or sent to external services unless the integrating application explicitly does so. Deployments involving minors must comply with applicable data protection regulations (e.g., India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, COPPA, GDPR-K).

## Patent Notice

The methods implemented in this software are the subject of Indian Complete Patent Application No. **1536IN242** — *"System and Method for Non-Invasive Cognitive State Estimation Using Behavioral Interaction Patterns in Educational Software"*, filed March 2026 in the name of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Inventor: Prof. Santhosh Sivasubramani.

The source code is released under CC BY-NC 4.0 for research and educational use. The patented method may not be used in commercial products or services without a separate licence from IIT Delhi.

## License

CC BY-NC 4.0 — Free for research and educational use. Commercial use requires a license from IIT Delhi. See [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.

## Citation

```bibtex
@software{smriti_sensing,
  title={SMRITI: Software-based Cognitive State Sensing for Adaptive Education},
  author={Sivasubramani, Santhosh},
  year={2026},
  institution={INTRINSIC Lab, RSL Foundation, IIT Delhi},
  url={https://github.com/RSL-INTRINSICLab-IIT/smriti}
}
```

## Contact

Prof. Santhosh Sivasubramani  
Director, INTRINSIC Laboratory  
RSL Foundation, Centre for SeNSE, IIT Delhi  
ssivasub@iitd.ac.in  
https://intrinsic.iitd.ac.in