BCI stands for
Brain Computer Interface, a system capable of
acquiring brain activity’s signals, interpret them and eventually use them for
any kind of purpose. This
technology focuses on specific interaction between an
individual and any computer. Its prime objective is to allow the user to
communicate with a digital environment resorting exclusively to “thought
stimuli” <1; 7>.
The functional system of BCI could be summarized in four
steps:
signal acquisition; signal processing (which includes: pre-processing
and feature extraction); classification (of the signal);
application interface,
which can be biofeedback (the
Interface itself gives the user information about
his brain activity) or output devices like neuroprosthesis and wheeling chairs)
<7>.
There are two major fields of BCI applications: medical
field (rehabilitation and treatment) and entertainment field, where it is
thought that, in a distant future, this technology will achieve an enormous
success.
Concerning rehabilitation, this technology’s main
contribution is based upon prostheses, but it can also have an important role
in: functional control of electric stimuli; virtual keyboards; pointing device
equipment; vehicle control; etc.
Some significant applications of a BCI system in treatment
are, for example, the restitution of a communication signal for
patients with locked-in
syndrome or the control of neuroprosthesis by patients affected with Spinal
Cord injuries.
Even though it is still a low performance system, BCI
attracts people who only seek entertainment as well. Some companies have begun
to invest in this area, since it will undoubtedly revolutionize the way people
carry out simple tasks (in terms of commodity and amusement).
More abstracts about the Brain Computer Interface - BCI