A Short Introduction to

BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE

Outline
Definitions History Types EEG Commercialization Outlook Hands on!

Definitions
Braincomputer interface (BCI) A direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device A.K.A.
mind-machine interface (MMI) direct neural interface brainmachine interface (BMI)

Current BCI Systems

History
Hans Berger
First EEG recording in 1924 Find oscillation activity: alpha wave (8-12Hz)

History
Animal Study
1970s University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle 1980s Johns Hopkins University

Types
Invasive
Put the whole module into the brain

Partially Invasive
Attach sensors on the surface of the brain

Non-invasive
Leave everything outside of the skull

Invasive BCI
Sci-Fi
Plug in to human central neural system Qualia: subjective feelings

Real world
Vision
William Dobelle

Movement
Robotic arms

Partially Invasive BCI

Electrode on the brain surface
Better signals Lower risks

Non-Invasive BCI
EEG
the electrical activity along the scalp

MEG
the magnetic fields produced by brain

MRI
Use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to image nuclei of atoms inside the body

MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging
uses a powerful magnetic field to systematically alter the alignment of this magnetization causes the nuclei to produce a rotating magnetic field which can be detected

MEG
Magnetoencephalography
Record magnetic fields produced by electrical currents occurring naturally in the brain SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices)

EEG
Electroencephalography
the most studied fine temporal resolution ease of use portability low set-up cost

EEG Measurement
Measure the wave generated by the brain

Brain Waves
Different Brain waves

Delta Theta Alpha Low Beta Midrange Beta

0.1Hz ~ 3Hz 4Hz ~ 7Hz 8Hz ~ 12Hz 12Hz ~ 15Hz 16Hz ~ 20Hz

High Beta

21Hz ~ 30Hz

Brain Waves
Different Brain waves
Delta

Theta Alpha

Beta

Commercialization
BrainGate
Cyberkinetics Neural Signals

For PC users
Neural Impulse Actuator (April, 2008) Emotiv Systems (December, 2009) NeuroSky (2009-)

Current BCI Systems

Toward a Natural User Interface

Signal Acquisition
Non-intrusive

Signal Processing
Convert what we measured to bits and bytes

Translation
Convert intention to action

Challenges of BCI to NUI

Lost in Translation
1. What is in your mind? 2. How is your brain work? 3. What are the corresponding EEG patterns?

Brain Activity

EEG

Thoughts

Outlook
Artificial Sensory Channel
Hearing Vision Motion Neural disorder control

Portable, non-invasive BCI is not yet intuitive

Need to solve translation problems

Tan Le from Emotive System

Tan Le
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhggGSjXVg

Hands On: Neurosky

Mindset / Mindwave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV411vt_51w

Necomimi from Neurowear

Time Magazine 2011
Best Invention of the Year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w06zvM2x_lw

THANK YOU!