This paper presents a novel brain computer interface
(BCI) design employing visual evoked potential (VEP) modulations
in a paradigm involving no dependency on peripheral
muscles or nerves. The system utilizes electrophysiological correlates
of visual spatial attention mechanisms, the self-regulation
of which is naturally developed through continuous application
in everyday life. An interface involving real-time biofeedback is
described, demonstrating reduced training time in comparison
to existing BCIs based on self-regulation paradigms. Subjects
were cued to covertly attend to a sequence of letters superimposed
on a flicker stimulus in one visual field while ignoring a similar
stimulus of a different flicker frequency in the opposite visual
field. Classification of left/right spatial attention is achieved by extracting
steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) elicited by
the stimuli. Six out of eleven physically and neurologically healthy
subjects demonstrate reliable control in binary decision-making,
achieving at least 75% correct selections in at least one of only five
sessions, each of approximately 12-min duration. The highest-performing
subject achieved over 90% correct selections in each of
four sessions. This independent BCI may provide a new method of
real-time interaction for those with little or no peripheral control,
with the added advantage of requiring only brief training.
Ireland ->
Trinity College Dublin ->
Administrative Staff Authors (Scholarly Publications)
Ireland ->
Trinity College Dublin ->
Administrative Staff Authors
Gary McDarby,
Edmund Lalor,
Ciaran Finucane,
Richard Reilly,
Simon P Kelly