Wearable and mobile brain computer interface (BCI) device and method

• US 10,234,942 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2016
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medibotics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Medibotics, LLC
• Inventors: Connor, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weston, Tiffany
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Tho Q
• Application Number:
  US15/136,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20160239084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,059 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• 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

This invention is a wearable and mobile Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device which can be embodied in a head-worn undulating band. This band can have an ear-engaging segment, a side segment which spans the side part of a person'"'"'s forehead and/or face, and a top segment which spans the top of the person'"'"'s head. This band can encircle a person'"'"'s head and include an ear prong. This band can include a movable loop which can be moved to span across a person'"'"'s forehead.

Claims

1. A Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device comprising:

a continuous undulating band which is configured to be worn on a person'"'"'s head;

wherein the continuous undulating band further comprises a rear ear-engaging segment, wherein the rear ear-engaging segment is configured to be worn on a first side of the person'"'"'s head around at least a portion of the rear-facing surface of the person'"'"'s ear on the first side;

wherein the continuous undulating band further comprises a side segment, wherein the side segment is configured to span on the first side of the person'"'"'s head from the rear ear-engaging segment to a side portion of the person'"'"'s forehead, and wherein the side segment has a rear-facing concavity and a forward-facing peak;

wherein the continuous undulating band further comprises a top segment, wherein the top segment is configured to span on the first side of the person'"'"'s head from the side segment to the top of the person'"'"'s head;

at least one electromagnetic energy sensor which is held in proximity to the person'"'"'s head by the rear ear-engaging segment, the side segment, or the top segment, wherein the at least one electromagnetic energy sensor collects data concerning electromagnetic brain activity;

a data processor which receives data from the at least one electromagnetic energy sensor;

a data transmitter; and

a power source which powers the at least one electromagnetic energy sensor, the data processor, and/or the data transmitter.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein this device further comprises rear ear-engaging, side, and top segments on a second side of the person'"'"'s head opposite to the first side, and wherein first side and second side top segments connect at the top of the person'"'"'s head.

3. The device in claim 1 wherein the side segment is configured to loop from the person'"'"'s ear:

at least two inches toward the person'"'"'s eye;

at least two inches toward the center of the person'"'"'s forehead;

between one quarter and three-quarters of the way toward the person'"'"'s eye;

or between one quarter and three-quarters of the way toward the center of the person'"'"'s forehead.

4. The device in claim 1 wherein the side segment has a loop shape.

5. The device in claim 1 wherein the side segment is configured to:

(a) span in an undulating manner downward and forward from a person'"'"'s ear to a location on the side of a person'"'"'s face, (b) then span in an undulating manner upward, and (c) then span in an undulating manner upward and rearward to a location above the ear on the side of the head.

6. A Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device comprising:

a rear loop which is configured to loop around the rear portion or upper-rear portion of a person'"'"'s head, from a first side of the person'"'"'s head to a second side of the person'"'"'s head;

a rear ear-engaging member which is configured to curve around at least a portion of the rear of an ear;

a movable loop, wherein the movable loop has a first configuration in which the movable loop loops around the rear or upper-rear portion of a person'"'"'s head, wherein the movable loop has a second configuration in which the movable loop loops across the person'"'"'s forehead, wherein the movable loop can be reversibly moved from the first configuration to the second configuration;

wherein the movable loop further comprises a first portion with a first level of elasticity or expandability and a second portion with a second level of elasticity or expandability; and

wherein the second level is less than the first level;

at least one electromagnetic energy sensor which is held in proximity to the person'"'"'s head by the movable loop in the second configuration, wherein the at least one electromagnetic energy sensor collects data concerning electromagnetic brain activity;

a data processor which receives data from the at least one electromagnetic energy sensor;

a data transmitter; and

a power source which powers the at least one electromagnetic energy sensor, the data processor, and/or the data transmitter.

7. The device in claim 6 wherein this device further comprises a frontal ear-engaging member which is configured to curve around at least a portion of the front of an outer ear.

8. The device in claim 6 wherein this device further comprises a joint, hinge, or axle around which the movable loop pivots or rotates.