METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A DEVICE

• US 20120101402A1
• Filed: 04/20/2010
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Technology at Sydney
• Original Assignee: University of Technology at Sydney
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hung Tan
• Application Number:
  US13/265,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20120101402A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/374 Detecting the frequency distribution of signals, e.g. detecting delta, theta, alpha, beta or gamma waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7267 involving training the classification device
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 4/00 Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body operating or control means for prostheses A61F2/48, A61F2/68
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/015 Input arrangements based on nervous system activity detection, e.g. brain waves [EEG] detection, electromyograms [EMG] detection, electrodermal response detection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A method for controlling a device, the method including the steps of, in a processing system: receiving a signal associated with a thought pattern (100), the signal being received from a single electroencephalogram (EEG) channel, the EEG channel having sensed any one or a combination of a visual cortex, a parietal cortex, or the area in between the visual cortex and the parietal cortex, and generating a control signal based on the determined thought pattern (120), the control signal being configured to initiate control of the device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a device, the method including the steps of, in a processing system:

a) receiving a signal associated with a thought pattern, the signal being received from a single electroencephalogram (EEG) channel, the EEG channel having sensed any one or a combination of a visual cortex, a parietal cortex, or the area in between the visual cortex and the parietal cortex; and

,

b) generating a control signal based on the determined thought pattern, the control signal being configured to initiate control of the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes positioning the single EEG channel away from the motor cortex.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes positioning the EEG channel on user'"'"'s scalp.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the thought pattern is associated with an action that is to be performed in relation to the device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the action is to move the device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes determining the thought pattern by analysing the signal received and classifying the signal received.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein analysing the signal received includes:

a) transforming EEG data from the signal into the frequency domain using a discrete Fast Fourier Transform; and

,

b) dividing the transformed data into delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein classifying the signal includes using a neural network classification system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the neural network has an optimal number of hidden nodes based on the highest level of Bayesian evidence.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes receiving a second signal, the second signal being associated with a mental or emotional state.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method includes using the second signal to complement the signal associated with the thought pattern.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes receiving information associated with physical surroundings, the information received being used to monitor and/or manage the generated control signal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes analysing and classifying the signal in real-time.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes receiving the signal associated with the thought pattern from a wireless transmitter positioned around a user'"'"'s head.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the device includes any one or a combination of a wheelchair, an automobile, a game console, and another processing system.

16. A processing system for controlling a device, the processing system being configured to:

a) receive a signal associated with a thought pattern, the signal being received from a single electroencephalogram (EEG) channel, the EEG channel having sensed any one or a combination of a visual cortex, a parietal cortex, or the area in between the visual cortex and the parietal cortex; and

;

b) generate a control signal based on the determined thought pattern, the control signal being configured to initiate control of the device.

17. The processing system of claim 16, the processing system being configured to perform a method for controlling a device, the method including the steps of, in a processing system:

a) receiving a signal associated with a thought pattern, the signal being received from a single electroencephalogram (EEG) channel, the EEG channel having sensed any one or a combination of a visual cortex, a parietal cortex, or the area in between the visual cortex and the parietal cortex; and

,

b) generating a control signal based on the determined thought pattern, the control signal being configured to initiate control of the device.