Communication and control by means of brainwave and other processes causing voltage changes that can be measured from the body

• US 6,529,773 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Air Force Government of The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Dewan, Edmond M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MALLARI, PATRICIA C
• Application Number:
  US09/918,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20030032888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 600/544-545
• US Class Current: 600/544
• 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 5/375 using biofeedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

People can be taught to control voluntarily their own alpha rhythms. This can be used to send messages in Morse code and printed out by printer when an electroencephalogram pattern is processed by an appropriate computer program. Such procedures can also be used as control signals to activate servomechanisms any other device or appliance.

Claims

1. A mentally controlled optical communication system that uses volitionally altered oculomotor states to modulate an EEG control signal and activate a light transmitter, said system comprising:

a means for sensing EEG control signals from a user that has been instructed to selectively alter his alpha-wave rhythms of his brain by an eye positioning technique and produce thereby a predetermined EEG control signal pattern corresponding to a Morse code message;

a means for transmitting an optical communication signal which is activated by the EEG control signals from the sensing means; and

a receiver means which receives and displays the optical communication signal of the transmitting means.

2. A brainwave controlled optical communication process that uses volitionally altered ocularmotor states to modulate an EEG control signal and activate a light transmitter, said process comprising:

instructing a user to selectively alter his alpha-wave rhythms of his brain by an eye positioning technique; and

sensing EEG control signals from the user to produce a predetermined EEG control signal pattern corresponding to a Morse code message.

3. A process as defined in claim 2, wherein the sensing step comprises:

using a plurality of electrically conductive EEG electrodes placed on the user'"'"'s head and which selectively block occipital alpha rhythms to produce a +1 toggle signal when blocked and a digital 0 when alpha rhythms are unblocked to thereby send Morse code signals for communication; and

using an amplifier for sensing the differential voltage between at least two of said electrodes and selectively amplifying the electrical signals generated by said electrodes to produce thereby said predetermined EEG control signal.

4. A process, as defined in claim 3, wherein the user selectively blocks alpha rhythms by a controlled manipulation of oculomotor activities that include selective eye closure and eye position.

5. A process as defined in claim 4, wherein said oculomotor activities comprise eye elevation to cause alpha rhythms to appear and fixing eyes on a spot to cause alpha rhythm activities to stop.

6. A process as defined in claim 5, wherein said oculomotor activities comprise eye focusing and convergence to stop alpha rhythms and non-focusing and non-convergence to cause alpha rhythms.