BCI++: A New Framework for Brain Computer Interface Application.

Abstract

In the last years, the Brain Computer Interface community has focused on evaluating accuracy of a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system in some daily life applications, without considering the importance of the Human Computer Interaction (HCI)[1]. In many cases this is due to the hard work that is necessary to create a stable Real Time system starting from scratch. In order to use the BCI for real world application and not only for research, the availability of HCI features becomes critical. This work aimed at providing a set of tools for the development of Brain Computer Interfaces based on different kinds of acquisition and devices processing which could be used by both the end-user in their domestics activities (eg. Home Automation Control) and by the researcher in order to develop new protocols, algorithms and all the software modules useful in a BCI laboratory. The system is also thought to simplify the interfaces of the system with external devices (eg. BCI FES stimulator for rehabilitation). The framework was validated by setting up two different BCI systems: the first based on the SSVEP protocol; the second based on Motor Imagery. About thirty subjects have tested successfully the two systems