Brain-computer interface based on generation of visual images

PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e20674. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020674. Epub 2011 Jun 10.

Abstract

This paper examines the task of recognizing EEG patterns that correspond to performing three mental tasks: relaxation and imagining of two types of pictures: faces and houses. The experiments were performed using two EEG headsets: BrainProducts ActiCap and Emotiv EPOC. The Emotiv headset becomes widely used in consumer BCI application allowing for conducting large-scale EEG experiments in the future. Since classification accuracy significantly exceeded the level of random classification during the first three days of the experiment with EPOC headset, a control experiment was performed on the fourth day using ActiCap. The control experiment has shown that utilization of high-quality research equipment can enhance classification accuracy (up to 68% in some subjects) and that the accuracy is independent of the presence of EEG artifacts related to blinking and eye movement. This study also shows that computationally-inexpensive bayesian classifier based on covariance matrix analysis yields similar classification accuracy in this problem as a more sophisticated Multi-class Common Spatial Patterns (MCSP) classifier.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Artifacts
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Blinking / physiology
  • Brain
  • Electrodes
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electrooculography
  • Eye Movements / physiology
  • Humans
  • Imagination / physiology*
  • Male
  • User-Computer Interface*
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology*
  • Young Adult