A novel paradigm for multiple target selection using a two class brain computer interface

• Published in: IET Irish Signals and Systems Conference (ISSC 2009) p. 13
• Main Authors: Gandhi, V, Prasad, G, Coyle, D, Behera, L, McGinnity, M
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Stevenage IET 2009
• Subjects: Bioelectric signals; Biological and medical control systems; Control engineering computing; Electrodiagnostics; Graphical user interfaces; Manipulators; electroencephalography; wheelchair; front-end display; brain-computer interfaces; graphical user interfaces; manipulators; medical robotics; graphical user interface; BCI scheme; electroencephalogram; class brain computer interface; motor imagery prediction; brain signals; feature extraction; semisynchronous interface; multiple target selection; data acquisition; control engineering computing; robot arm; probability of error
• ISBN: 9781849192132; 1849192138
• DOI: 10.1049/cp.2009.1690

A brain computer interface (BCI) allows a person to communicate with external devices using electroencephalogram (EEG) or other brain signals. A typical BCI scheme consists of data acquisition, feature extraction and classification. Using the classifier output, a control command is issued to the intended devices and the subject is provided appropriate feedback. As a part of feedback, a graphical user interface (GUI) plays a very important role as a front-end display for the BCI user and enhancing overall communication bandwidth. This paper focuses on the interface design aspect of a BCI so as to provide effective control of a wheelchair or robot arm application. A motor imagery prediction based paradigm is used to create a semi synchronous interface with a focus on presentation of a new task for selection as well as to optimally utilize the subject intentions. From a theoretical assessment, it is expected that the overall time required to select from six choices using the proposed GUI will be much less compared to existing designs. Also, being a two class paradigm, it is expected that the probability of error occurrence is minimized along with a quicker traverse between choices and this may allow a limited bandwidth BCI to operate an external device with multiple degrees of freedom and choose from multiple different choices efficiently and effectively. (6 pages)