09-02-2010, 05:18 PM
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Brain Computer Interface
1. Abstract
A brain-computer interface (BCI) is literally a direct technological interface between a brain and a computer not requiring any motor output from the user. That is, neural impulses in the brain are intercepted and used to control an electronic device. The brain's electrical output is translated by a computer into physical outputs,. such as moving a cursor on a computer screen. To make the computer understand what the brain intends to communicate necessitates monitoring the brain activity. Among the possible brain monitoring methods, the scalp recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) constitutes an adequate alternative because of its good time resolution, relative simplicity and noninvasiveness. The EEG signals are analyzed and mapped into actions inside the computer rendered environment. A BCI allows a person to communicate with or control the external world without using the brain's normal output pathways of peripheral nerves and muscles. Messages. and commands are expressed not by muscle contractions, but rather by electrophysiological signals from the brain. BCls provide an alternative communication and control option for the severely disabled. There has been great success in using cochlear implants in humans as a treatment for non-congenital deafness. There is also promising research in vision science indicating retinal implants may some day prove to be similarly successful in treating non-congenital blindness.
Brain Computer Interface 2. Introduction
2.1. What is a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)? Since the creation of computer rendered environments, the computers power has been increasing to an amazing speed. Each year, the possibilities offered by a computer are growing extraordinarily. However, the communications with a machine have unfortunately not significantly evolved. We still have to content ourselves of an old keyboard, a mouse and a screen display. It is undeniable that it would be a wonderful evolution to improve our interactions with the machines. Following this idea, eminent computer professionals were concerned about developing a new way of communication using the brain. Based on measures of the electrical activity of the brain, the goal was to discover the user's thoughts in order to execute his orders. To accomplish this prowess, the natural properties of the brain were used: to identify a particular mental activity of the subject, we observe the variation of his mental activities in frequency and in time using an appropriate material. A mathematical algorithm will next analyze the collected data and guess about the subject thoughts. This technology offers creating a completely new way of communication offering lots of possibilities. For example, for persons with movements' disabilities, a BCI could help them to command their electric wheelchair without needing somebody else help, giving them more independence. As another example, we can image substitute some damaged nerves by computers intercepting the brain messages and redirecting them to the muscle. For people having to deal with epilepsy crisis, it would be interesting to improve their knowledge of the different processes that stimulate a crisis and try to avoid them, controlling their own brain as another muscle. ,
Brain Computer Interface The idea of using our brains to directly control a machine isn't particularly new. As far back as 1967, Edmond Dewan described experiments using subjects wired to an electroencephalograph (EEG), which records and graphs the electrical activity of the brain. With practice, the subjects were able to reduce the amplitude of their brain's alpha rhythms, to transmit Morse code to a teleprinter. Research into the Brain Computer Interface, or BCI, began in earnest in the early 70's, when the United States Department of Defense saw the promise of fighter pilots using their minds to directly control their planes. Given the technology of the time, there was limited success, and the program was cancelled. But the groundwork was laid for a field of research now growing rapidly. A major motivation has been to help patients suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy, or spinal injuries, which inhibit physical control, but which leave intellectual faculties intact. Over the last decade, great advances have been made. Automatic systems capable of understanding different facets of human communication will be at the heart of human-computer interfaces (HCI) in the near future. An HCI which is built on the guiding principle: "think and make it happen without any physical effort" is called a brain-computer interface (BCI). Indeed, the "think" part of this principle involves the human brain, "make it happen" implies that an executor is needed (here: a computer) and "without any physical effort" means that a direct interface between the brain and the computer is required. To make the computer understand what the brain intends to communicate necessitates monitoring the brain activity. Among the possible brain monitoring methods, the scalp recorded electroencephalogram (EEG)
Brain Computer Interface
1. Abstract
A brain-computer interface (BCI) is literally a direct technological interface between a brain and a computer not requiring any motor output from the user. That is, neural impulses in the brain are intercepted and used to control an electronic device. The brain's electrical output is translated by a computer into physical outputs,. such as moving a cursor on a computer screen. To make the computer understand what the brain intends to communicate necessitates monitoring the brain activity. Among the possible brain monitoring methods, the scalp recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) constitutes an adequate alternative because of its good time resolution, relative simplicity and noninvasiveness. The EEG signals are analyzed and mapped into actions inside the computer rendered environment. A BCI allows a person to communicate with or control the external world without using the brain's normal output pathways of peripheral nerves and muscles. Messages. and commands are expressed not by muscle contractions, but rather by electrophysiological signals from the brain. BCls provide an alternative communication and control option for the severely disabled. There has been great success in using cochlear implants in humans as a treatment for non-congenital deafness. There is also promising research in vision science indicating retinal implants may some day prove to be similarly successful in treating non-congenital blindness.
Brain Computer Interface 2. Introduction
2.1. What is a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)? Since the creation of computer rendered environments, the computers power has been increasing to an amazing speed. Each year, the possibilities offered by a computer are growing extraordinarily. However, the communications with a machine have unfortunately not significantly evolved. We still have to content ourselves of an old keyboard, a mouse and a screen display. It is undeniable that it would be a wonderful evolution to improve our interactions with the machines. Following this idea, eminent computer professionals were concerned about developing a new way of communication using the brain. Based on measures of the electrical activity of the brain, the goal was to discover the user's thoughts in order to execute his orders. To accomplish this prowess, the natural properties of the brain were used: to identify a particular mental activity of the subject, we observe the variation of his mental activities in frequency and in time using an appropriate material. A mathematical algorithm will next analyze the collected data and guess about the subject thoughts. This technology offers creating a completely new way of communication offering lots of possibilities. For example, for persons with movements' disabilities, a BCI could help them to command their electric wheelchair without needing somebody else help, giving them more independence. As another example, we can image substitute some damaged nerves by computers intercepting the brain messages and redirecting them to the muscle. For people having to deal with epilepsy crisis, it would be interesting to improve their knowledge of the different processes that stimulate a crisis and try to avoid them, controlling their own brain as another muscle. ,
Brain Computer Interface The idea of using our brains to directly control a machine isn't particularly new. As far back as 1967, Edmond Dewan described experiments using subjects wired to an electroencephalograph (EEG), which records and graphs the electrical activity of the brain. With practice, the subjects were able to reduce the amplitude of their brain's alpha rhythms, to transmit Morse code to a teleprinter. Research into the Brain Computer Interface, or BCI, began in earnest in the early 70's, when the United States Department of Defense saw the promise of fighter pilots using their minds to directly control their planes. Given the technology of the time, there was limited success, and the program was cancelled. But the groundwork was laid for a field of research now growing rapidly. A major motivation has been to help patients suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy, or spinal injuries, which inhibit physical control, but which leave intellectual faculties intact. Over the last decade, great advances have been made. Automatic systems capable of understanding different facets of human communication will be at the heart of human-computer interfaces (HCI) in the near future. An HCI which is built on the guiding principle: "think and make it happen without any physical effort" is called a brain-computer interface (BCI). Indeed, the "think" part of this principle involves the human brain, "make it happen" implies that an executor is needed (here: a computer) and "without any physical effort" means that a direct interface between the brain and the computer is required. To make the computer understand what the brain intends to communicate necessitates monitoring the brain activity. Among the possible brain monitoring methods, the scalp recorded electroencephalogram (EEG)
