Brain Computer Interface
Seattle PI's Todd Bishop has written up good story on Microsoft Research's Brain Computer Interface (BCI) project:
"Many computer scientists around the world are involved in the same field, commonly known as brain computer interfaces, or direct neural interfaces. But many other projects are focused instead on the concept of directly controlling the computer with brain waves, such as an alternative method of moving the cursor on the screen.
With its approach, the Microsoft project is aiming for something that could be adopted on a larger scale, Tan said. For example, the researchers are designing the system to work with brain-wave detection devices that would cost less than $100."
BCI is one of a number of projects run by the Visualization and Interaction for Business and Entertainment (Vibe),- you can check out these other Vibe projects here.
-
Comments
- Anonymous
April 04, 2006
Much has been talked about the brain computer interface. But one thing that has been missed out is the level of advancement of the device. Can it read the thought of a human being such as verbs, images, nouns and adjectives etc.
I don't think so. The brainwaves can be interpreted to a certain degree of accuracy. But beyond that, things become too complex for the present day technology.
The present technology can decipher brainwave patterns using advanced algorithms.
But the day is far off when a brain accesses the information in a computer directly and read its contents and processes the information.
In a way, bidirectional exchange and/or processing of information between a brain and a computer remains a dream till now.
Brain waves cannot be a good predictor of what is being imagined as every human being seems to have a signature brain pattern for each thought.
Th solution would be to create a gateway betwen the brain and a computer system with the computer not only recognizing the language of the brain but also the brain recognizing the language of the computer. The two way interaction would be th answer to extending out thinking and recalling capabilities to a degree undreamt of today.
But the idea remains still remains in theory. The present breakthrough seems too primitive comapered to what is required in a brain computer interface. - Anonymous
April 21, 2006
Very good discussion....
I am not from computer background but my interest in Research involving Human beings has triggered me to respond....
Mr. S. Sanjeev Kumar said:
"Brain waves cannot be a good predictor of what is being imagined as every human being seems to have a signature brain pattern for each thought."
My Response:
It is true that brain being dynamic and emotional pattern would vary because of unique biological constitution. So, mere recording all the brain waves of many people may not lead to the target!!!!
There is a hope...
In diagnosing conditions like epilepsy etc. EEG is a choice. People having similar kind of epileptic condition shows similar EEG pattern.
Based on this, I would say that if people are asked to repeat a small sentence loud with moderate intensity of emotion and with standard short time interval, one may get similar EEG pattern.
If this can be fed in computer then there are infinite sentences with varied emotional patterns to be transformed!!!!!!
One can try out with one small objective and capture all the words and sentences that are relevant with varied emotional pattern...
All the best to people who are involved in such Research!