Difference between revisions of "Brain-Computer Interface"

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===Definition===
 
===Definition===
Brain-Computer Interfaces, or BCI's describe systems of interaction between computers and neurological systems. The aim of a BCI varies by application. Traditionally, BCI's are used to augment or repair cognitive or motor functions in humans that have lost the ability to control parts of their bodies. In this case, BCIs act as restorative technologies. As BCIs become cheaper, more accurate and easier to use outside of medical facilities, their use will increasingly be used as part of augmentative technologies and entertainment in the form of video games, conferencing and communication, remote control and wireless data entry.
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A Brain-Computer Interface, or BCI, describes a system of interaction between a machine and an organic neurological system. The aim of a BCI varies by application. Currently, Brain-Computer Interfaces are used to augment or repair cognitive or motor functions in humans that have lost the ability to control parts of their bodies. In these cases, BCIs act as restorative technologies. As BCIs become more afforadble, more accurate and easier to use outside of medical facilities, their use will increase. Outside of the medal realm, BCIs may be used for entertainment in the form of video games, for communication in the form of conferencing and social networking, and for remote control and sensing of networked objects.  
  
 
===Types of BCIs===
 
===Types of BCIs===
There are two main types of BCIs. The first is non-invasive, which allow one to interface with technology without surgery. Two of the most interesting types of non-invasive BCIs are subvocal recognition, or SVR, and electroencephalograms, or EEG.
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There are two main types of BCIs. The first is non-invasive, which allow one to interface with technology without surgery. The second is invasive, which integrate directly with the nervous system through a mechanical installation.  
  
Subvocal recognition is a method that allows one to communicate without speaking. In 2008 the Ambient Corporation demoed a device that attached to one's neck and detected subvocal signals, turning them into sound. <ref>On February 26, 2008 the Ambient Corporation demonstrated what it called the world's first voiceless phone call. http://www.theaudeo.com/.</ref>
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Two of the most interesting types of non-invasive BCIs are subvocal recognition, or SVR, and electroencephalograms, or EEG. An EEG device is a non-invasive BCI that works by detecting neuro-electrical transmission in the brain. This neuro-electric brain activity can be converted into various outputs such as the movement of virtual objects, data entry, and the use of a computer without the use of a cursor or keyboard. Another method of non-invasive BCI is subvocal recognition. Subvocal recognition is a method that allows one to communicate without speaking. In 2008 the Ambient Corporation demoed a device that attached to one's neck and detected subvocal signals, turning them into sound. <ref>On February 26, 2008 the Ambient Corporation demonstrated what it called the world's first voiceless phone call. http://www.theaudeo.com/.</ref>
  
An EEG device is a non-invasive BCI that works by detecting neuro-electrical transmission in the brain. This neuro-electric brain activity can be converted into various outputs such as the movement of virtual objects, data entry, and the use of a computer without the use of a cursor or keyboard.
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Invasive require a surgical procedures in order to be installed. At the moment, Invasive BCIs are almost exclusively used in medicine as restorative healthcare. They are unstable and too expensive to be used in normal everyday life as commercial products. In order to become stable, everyday products they will have to go through safety testing, become small and cheap enough to be mass-produced, and run software that helps to solve everyday human problems.  
 
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The second kind of BCIs are invasive, which means that they require a surgical procedure in order to be installed. Currently Invasive BCIs are almost exclusively used in medicine as restorative healthcare. They are unstable and too expensive to be used in normal everyday life as commercial products. In order to become stable, everday products they will have to go through safety testing, become small and cheap enough to be mass-produced, and run software that helps to solve everyday human problems. Before this happens they may service in an upper level human augmentation market of video-games and expensive communication units.  
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==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 05:20, 14 October 2011

Definition

A Brain-Computer Interface, or BCI, describes a system of interaction between a machine and an organic neurological system. The aim of a BCI varies by application. Currently, Brain-Computer Interfaces are used to augment or repair cognitive or motor functions in humans that have lost the ability to control parts of their bodies. In these cases, BCIs act as restorative technologies. As BCIs become more afforadble, more accurate and easier to use outside of medical facilities, their use will increase. Outside of the medal realm, BCIs may be used for entertainment in the form of video games, for communication in the form of conferencing and social networking, and for remote control and sensing of networked objects.

Types of BCIs

There are two main types of BCIs. The first is non-invasive, which allow one to interface with technology without surgery. The second is invasive, which integrate directly with the nervous system through a mechanical installation.

Two of the most interesting types of non-invasive BCIs are subvocal recognition, or SVR, and electroencephalograms, or EEG. An EEG device is a non-invasive BCI that works by detecting neuro-electrical transmission in the brain. This neuro-electric brain activity can be converted into various outputs such as the movement of virtual objects, data entry, and the use of a computer without the use of a cursor or keyboard. Another method of non-invasive BCI is subvocal recognition. Subvocal recognition is a method that allows one to communicate without speaking. In 2008 the Ambient Corporation demoed a device that attached to one's neck and detected subvocal signals, turning them into sound. [1]

Invasive require a surgical procedures in order to be installed. At the moment, Invasive BCIs are almost exclusively used in medicine as restorative healthcare. They are unstable and too expensive to be used in normal everyday life as commercial products. In order to become stable, everyday products they will have to go through safety testing, become small and cheap enough to be mass-produced, and run software that helps to solve everyday human problems.

References

  1. On February 26, 2008 the Ambient Corporation demonstrated what it called the world's first voiceless phone call. http://www.theaudeo.com/.