Electroencephalogram interface system

Abstract

An eyeglass-type electroencephalogram interface system is worn on the head of a user. The system includes: an output section for presenting a visual stimulation to the user; an ear electrode portion disposed at a position coming in contact with an ear of the user when the system is worn; a facial electrode portion disposed at a position coming in contact with the face below a straight line connecting an external canthus and an internal canthus of an eye of the user, such that the mass of the system is supported at the position, when the system is worn; and an electroencephalogram measurement and determination section for measuring an event-related potential on the basis of a potential difference between the ear electrode portion and the facial electrode portion based on the visual stimulation being presented by the output section as a starting point.

Description

[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 955,016 filed Nov. 29, 2010 which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / JP2010 / 000197, with an international filing date of Jan. 15, 2010, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-009179, filed on Jan. 19, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to an interface (electroencephalogram interface) system for allowing a device to be manipulated by utilizing an electroencephalogram.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]In recent years, wearable devices such as head-mount displays (hereinafter also referred to as “HMDs”) are gaining prevalence due to decreases in the size and weight of devices. Normally, as interfaces of devices, methods such as pressing a button, moving a cursor to make a decision, and manipulating a mouse while looking at a screen have been used. How...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention aims to solve issues with traditional electroencephalogram devices by providing a system that ensures stable electrode contact without adding burden to users. The system includes eyeglasses-shaped electrodes that are comfortable to wear and do not require separate attachment devices. This technology improves the ease and convenience of using electroencephalograms for research and diagnostic purposes.

Problems solved by technology

However, if the aforementioned physical device manipulations are required when manipulating a device whose body has a small size and which is characterized to be handsfree, e.g., an eyeglass-type HMD, the handsfree feature will be undermined, thus being ineffective.

However, since there is a strong need for downsizing any wearable device to be worn on the face such as an HMD, it is highly likely that the portion extending across the head (as in headphones) will be considered unnecessary in the future.

Moreover, a shape extending across the head is aesthetically poor, and may make the hair messy when worn, and thus is not an idealistic HMD shape of the future.

However, an HMD is a device which is frequently put on or taken off, rather than being perpetually worn.

Therefore, it will be a great burden on the user to have to separately wear a device in addition to the HMD.

However, an increased pressuring on the user will lead to an increased burden on the user associated with clamping, which makes long hours of wearing difficult.

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