Workshop on direct
brain/computer interface &
control
Febo Cincotti
Psychological Effort
(Intention) Modification of
Brain Signals Signal Features
Classification Of Intent
Increase of
Increase of
performance
performance
appropriate feature extraction
appropriate feedback strategy
u
Multiple aims
Study of brain functions
Rehabilitation
through substitution through restoration
Enhancement of brain-environment
pathways
Workshop IV: Tec hnology
Topic 1: Technical Requir ements
4
Technical Requirements
depend on the “User”
1. End user
2. Clinical researchers,
Neuroscientists
3. Technical operators,
Therapists
4. Gamers, entertainers
Workshop IV: Tec hnology
Topic 1: Technical Requir ements
6
Disability Level and Application
Communication
Environmental
control
Robotics / Mobility
devices
Multiple points of view
Target users:
Researchers (e.g., clinical
researchers, neuroscientists, signal processing experts, etc.);
Technical operators (e.g.,
caregivers, therapists who are in charge of training someone on BCI operation);
End-users (e.g., people with
disabilities who rely on the system for communication)
Casual end-users (e.g., those
who use a BCI as an alternative input for entertainment devices)
Disciplines involved in
research
Clinical applications of BCI are not…
… just application of potentially working
technologies to a new group of experimental subjects.
Working with patients requires taking into
account new issues
Human computer interaction
Ease of use
Reliability
Sensible applications
Invasive vs. noninvasive techniques
Multi-electrode grids implanted in
cortex
Epi- or sub-dural implantation
Surface EEG
Non electrical signal (MEG, fMRI, NIRS,
Integration with assistive
technologies
need for "BCI device“
integration of the BCI device as a
control into standard
domotic and robotic systems
optimization of the BCI interface (to
M1 Hand area
RoI
Linear inverse estimates within a RoI are collapsed
(mean)
Scalp EEG
“Virtual” electrode
Non-invasive cortical
Role of technical standards in the
development of BCI systems
helpful to foster involvement of companies
into the field
important to promote cooperation among
research groups
Topics for standardization:
system architecture
relationship with existing human-computer
devices
training procedures
signal processing techniques
indices of performance
Advantage of Standards
Improved interoperability of components
Lowers need for expertise
Facilitates technology diffusion
Facilitates performance comparison
FDA/CE certification is cheaper
Standardization of software
Decision making
tool for operators
Documentation and
Pseudo-BCI applications
Monitoring
Biofeedback
Detection of psychological states
Conclusions
BCI field is out of the demonstrations phase and is
ready for clinical applications – need for more intense multidisciplinary cooperation
Any new BCI technology should be focused on
improving the quality of life of the end user
Many technologies still do not meet the requirements
of particular BCI applications
The BCI community needs
a technology standardization committee
BCI systems that can improve people’s lives are within
