Toward self-paced brain-computer communication: navigation through virtual worlds.

Full Abstract

The self-paced control paradigm enables users to operate brain-computer interfaces (BCI) in a more natural way: no longer is the machine in control of the timing and speed of communication, but rather the user is. This is important to enhance the usability, flexibility, and response time of a BCI. In this work, we show how subjects, after performing cue-based feedback training (smiley paradigm), learned to navigate self-paced through the "freeSpace" virtual environment (VE). Similar to computer games, subjects had the task of picking up items by using the following navigation commands: rotate left, rotate right, and move forward ( three classes). Since the self-paced control paradigm allows subjects to make voluntary decisions on time, type, and duration of mental activity, no cues or routing directives were presented. The BCI was based only on three bipolar electroencephalogram channels and operated by motor imagery. Eye movements (electrooculogram) and electromyographic artifacts were reduced and detected online. The results of three able-bodied subjects are reported and problems emerging from self-paced control are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Scherer, Reinhold (R); Lee, Felix (F); Schlogl, Alois (A); Leeb, Robert (R); Bischof, Horst (H); Pfurtscheller, Gert (G);

Affiliation: Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interfaces, Institute for Knowledge Discovery, Graz University of Technology, Graz 8010, Austria. reinhold.scherer(-atsign-)tugraz.at

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering (IEEE Trans Biomed Eng), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Feb; vol 55 (issue 2 Pt 1) : pp 675-82

Dates: Created 2008/02/13; Completed 2008/03/14; Revised 2009/02/25;

PMID: 18270004, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 3/10/2009, IMS Date: 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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