Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

Comprises: a brain information acquisition unit (21) for acquiring brain information of a subject; an output unit (14) that outputs the brain information acquired by the brain information acquisition unit (12) to the subject; and a delay unit (23) that delays the time at which the output unit (14) outputs the brain information to the subject for a predetermined period set in advance.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, a technique of measuring activation information in the brain is being developed, and a brain-machine interface technique as an interface between the brain and the outside is becoming a reality. It is described in Patent Literature 1 below that a target frequency corresponding to a brain state is determined, an electrical output of a user's brain received from a sensor associated with the user is measured, a current frequency associated with the user's brain is determined based on the electrical output, and a difference between the current frequency and the target frequency is determined.

[0003] PRIOR ART LITERATURE

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-205183 SUMMARY

[0005] However, in Patent Literature 1 described above, although it is possible to specifically determine a state in the user's brain, a method of controlling a brain wave signal without using a complex transfer function is not disclosed.

[0006] The present application was made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can control brain activity without using a complex transfer function.

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, an information processing apparatus according to the present application includes a brain information acquisition section that acquires brain information of a subject, an output section that outputs the brain information acquired by the brain information acquisition section to the subject, and a delay section that delays a timing at which the output section outputs the brain information to the subject by a predetermined period set in advance.

[0008] An information processing method according to the present application includes the steps of acquiring brain information of a subject, storing the acquired brain information, and outputting the stored brain information to the subject after delaying by a predetermined period.

[0009] A program according to the present application causes a computer to execute the steps of acquiring brain information of a subject, storing the acquired brain information, and outputting the stored brain information to the subject after delaying by a predetermined period.

[0010] According to the present application, an effect that brain activity can be controlled without using a complex transfer function is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing an information processing method according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present application is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0014] <Information Processing Apparatus>

[0015] Figure 1 Fig. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 suppresses the brain activity of a subject by delaying and feeding back (outputting) the electrical signal of the brain wave acquired from the subject. Figure 1

[0017] It can be considered that the human brain always monitors the prediction error of the autonomic nervous system in the body and the motor control system of the outside world, and also feeds back to the desired state itself, and performs the work of establishing a prediction using an internal model. Feedback to the brain (particularly, sensory organs and motor control) is very important. Therefore, it is considered that if the feedback to the brain has an error, complex processing is required in the motor system and the autonomic nervous system.

[0018] In addition, there is a method of forcibly hindering speech by applying feedback to a person who is speaking. This method applies a delay of several hundred milliseconds or so to the sound of the speaker's voice to the auditory feedback sound of the speaker, and the normal voice of the speaker is hindered. The delay time corresponds to the time of the phenomenon reaction between the sensory organs and the brain, and the speech will be hindered due to this effect. In addition, in the case where the person who is singing is fed back with his or her own voice in which the delay has been performed, the influence on the brain due to the pitch deviation of the song is large.

[0019] As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 suppresses the brain activity of a user (subject) by delaying and feeding back the electrical signal of the brain wave acquired from the user. The information processing apparatus 10 includes an input unit 11, a measurement unit 12, a control unit 13, and an output unit 14.

[0020] The input unit 11 is connected to the control unit 13. The input unit 11 is operable by the user, and is capable of inputting various signals to the control unit 13. The input unit 11 inputs, for example, a start signal for starting the process of feeding back the brain wave to the user or an end signal for ending the process of feeding back the brain wave to the user, to the control unit 13. The input unit 11 can be implemented by, for example, a touch panel, a button, a switch, a keyboard, or the like.

[0021] ​The measurement section 12 is connected to the control section 13. The control section 13 imparts a measurement signal to the measurement section 12 on the basis of a program. The measurement section 12 measures the brain information of the user on the basis of the measurement signal input from the control section 13.

[0022] The measurement section 12 is a sensor that detects the brain information of the user. The measurement section 12, for example, acquires an electrical signal of a brain wave as the brain information. The measurement section 12, for example, can use a measurement device that uses an electrode that invades.

[0023] The control section 13 has a brain information acquisition section 21, a determination section 22, a delay section 23, and a storage section 24. In addition, the control section 13 is constituted by, for example, an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0024] The brain information acquisition section 21 is connected to the measurement section 12. The brain information acquisition section 21 controls the measurement section 12 so that the measurement section 12 detects the brain information of the user. The brain information acquisition section 21 acquires the brain information of the user measured by the measurement section 12.

[0025] The brain information acquisition section 21 is connected to the determination section 22. The determination section 22 determines whether or not to feedback the electrical signal of the brain wave of the user acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21 to the user. The determination section 22, for example, determines that the feedback processing cannot be performed on the basis of the degree of activity (degree of inactivity), the degree of pleasure (degree of displeasure), and the like as the brain state of the user. Specifically, the determination section 22 instructs the execution of the feedback processing when it is determined that the degree of activity (degree of inactivity), the degree of pleasure (degree of displeasure), and the like of the brain of the user are lower than a threshold value set in advance. On the other hand, the determination section 22 does not instruct the execution of the feedback processing when it is determined that the degree of activity (degree of inactivity), the degree of pleasure (degree of displeasure), and the like of the brain of the user are higher than the threshold value set in advance.

[0026] In addition, various techniques can be used in the determination of the degree of activity (degree of inactivity), the degree of pleasure (degree of displeasure), and the like as the brain state of the user. For example, the determination section 22 can measure the reaction of the theta band of the brain in the electrical signal of the brain wave of the user acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21 (electrical signal of the EEG) and calculate the degree of pleasure (degree of displeasure). In addition, the determination section 22 can measure the reaction of the beta band of the brain in the electrical signal of the brain wave of the user acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21 (electrical signal of the EEG) and calculate the degree of activity (degree of inactivity).

[0027] It is preferable that the threshold value of the activity (inactivity), the pleasure (unpleasure), and the like be set for each user. In this case, the relationship between the emotion and the activity (inactivity), the pleasure (unpleasure) of a plurality of users is acquired in advance. Further, it is preferable that the threshold value be set based on the emotion in which the user feels active or pleased, in the acquired relationship between the emotion and the activity (inactivity), the pleasure (unpleasure) of a plurality of users.

[0028] The determination section 22 is connected to the delay section 23. The delay section 23 delays the timing at which the output section 14 outputs the electrical signal of the brain wave (brain information) to the user, based on the determination result of the determination section 22. That is, the delay section 23 outputs an instruction to delay the timing at which the output section 14 outputs the electrical signal of the brain wave (brain information) to the user by a predetermined period set in advance, when it is determined by the determination section 22 that the activity, the pleasure as the brain state of the user is low, that is, when the brain of the user is not active or the user feels unpleasure. At this time, the delay section 23 sets the predetermined period by which the output section 14 delays the electrical signal of the brain wave to a range of 200 msec to 500 msec. On the other hand, the delay section 23 does not output an instruction to delay to the output section 14 when it is determined by the determination section 22 that the activity, the pleasure as the brain state of the user is high, that is, when the brain of the user is active or the user does not feel unpleasure.

[0029] The storage section 24 is connected to the brain information acquisition section 21. The storage section 24 stores the electrical signal of the brain wave (brain information) of the user acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21. In addition, the storage section 24 stores various threshold values used when the control section 13 performs information processing. Further, the storage section 24 stores a program for the control section 13 to perform information processing. Furthermore, the storage section 24 is an external storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a memory, or the like.

[0030] The control section 13 is connected to the output section 14. The output section 14 outputs the control result of the control section 13 to the user. That is, the output section 14 can feed back the electrical signal of the brain wave of the user acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21 and stored in the storage section 24 to the brain of the user. At this time, the output section 14 outputs the electrical signal of the brain wave (brain information) to the user based on the determination result of the determination section 22. In addition, the output section delays the output of the electrical signal of the brain wave (brain information) to the brain of the user based on the instruction signal of the delay section 23 when the electrical signal of the brain wave (brain information) is output to the user.

[0031] Specifically, when the determination unit 22 determines that the activity or pleasure level of the user's brain state is low, it outputs the determination result to the delay unit 23. Upon receiving the determination result that the activity or pleasure level of the user's brain state is low from the determination unit 22, the delay unit 23 instructs the output unit 14 to delay the user's brainwave electrical signal stored in the storage unit 24 by a predetermined period, thereby performing feedback processing on the user's brain.

[0032] The output unit 14 outputs, for example, brainwave electrical signals as brain information to the user's brain for stimulation. Upon receiving instructions from the delay unit 23, the output unit 14 delays the user's brainwave electrical signals stored in the storage unit 24 by a predetermined period and feeds the signals back to the user's brain. For example, the output unit 14 may employ an output device utilizing invasive electrodes. Alternatively, the output unit 14 may be integrally formed with the measurement unit 12.

[0033] <Information Processing Method>

[0034] Figure 2 1 is a flowchart showing the information processing method according to this embodiment. After the information processing method is completed, it is repeated at a predetermined sampling cycle.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in step S11, the brain information acquisition unit 21 acquires the electrical signals of brain waves as brain information from the user's brain cells from the measurement unit 12 within the brain wave reading time, and the brain wave reading time is shorter than the predetermined time as the delay time. In step S12, the storage unit 24 stores the electrical signals of brain waves acquired by the brain information acquisition unit 21. In step S13, the determination unit 22 determines whether the pleasantness (unpleasantness) of the user's brain state is lower than a preset threshold value, that is, determines whether the user feels unhappy. Here, the determination unit 22 exits the routine when it is determined that the pleasantness (unpleasantness) of the user's brain state is not lower than the preset threshold value, that is, the user does not feel unhappy (No).

[0036] On the other hand, if the determination unit 22 determines that the user's brain state's pleasure (unpleasure) is lower than a preset threshold, that is, that the user is experiencing unpleasantness (Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, if the determination unit 22 inputs a determination result that the user's pleasure is low, that is, that the user is experiencing unpleasantness, the delay unit 23 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the brain information acquisition unit 21 acquired the brainwave electrical signal. The predetermined time is the delay time used to delay the user's brainwave electrical signal and feed it back to the user's brain.

[0037] If the delay unit 23 determines that the predetermined time has not passed (No), it maintains this state. On the other hand, if the delay unit 23 determines that the predetermined time has passed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, if the predetermined time has passed, the delay unit 23 instructs the output unit 14 to delay the user's brainwave signals stored in the storage unit 24 by a predetermined period to perform feedback processing on the user's brain. Receiving the instruction from the delay unit 23, the output unit 14 delays the user's brainwave signals stored in the storage unit 24 by a predetermined period and feeds them back to the user's brain. This controls the user's brainwave signals, thereby stopping them from thinking.

[0038] The average reaction speed of human sensory organs is 68 milliseconds in people in their 20s, 86 milliseconds in their 40s, and 106 milliseconds in their 60s. Furthermore, the time it takes for a person's brain to process commands, from receiving signals from their sensory organs to considering various scenarios and making a decision, is estimated to be between 150 and 300 milliseconds. For adults aged 20 to 60, the desired time is preferably between 200 and 500 milliseconds.

[0039] The information processing method performed by the information processing device 10 involved in the above embodiment is described in detail. First, the electrical signals of the corresponding neuronal activities in the somatosensory area corresponding to the specific behavior are recorded for the user. Next, the sense of touch can be reproduced by outputting the same electrical signals to the user using an invasive electrical input device. Applying this theory, the brain information acquisition unit 21 acquires the electrical signals of the user's brain waves (electrical signals of neuronal activity), the storage unit 24 stores the electrical signals of the brain waves, the delay unit 23 ensures a predetermined delay time, and the output unit 14 delays the electrical signals of the brain waves for a predetermined period and feeds back to the user's brain. As a result, the user's recognition of the sense of touch by the sensory organs is hindered and cannot be felt well.

[0040] Next, an application example of this specific example will be described. The brain information acquisition unit 21 acquires the user's brain wave electrical signals through the measurement unit 12. At this time, the brain information acquisition unit 21 performs a specific classification on the brain wave electrical signals. The brain wave electrical signals are evaluated as pleasant or unpleasant, as in "Evaluating sensibility and cognitive ability in real time using brain waves." Here, when classified as an electrical signal of neuronal activity for the user's tactile sensation when feeling unpleasant, the brain wave electrical signals are delayed for a predetermined period and fed back to the user's brain. As a result, the user's perception of the unpleasant tactile sensation is hindered.

[0041] In addition, in the above description, the information processing device 10 determines the pleasure and unpleasantness of the user's brain waves in real time, but is not limited to this method. The electrical signals of neuronal activity based on specific tactile sensations and the determination results of pleasure and unpleasantness can also be recorded in advance, and the determination can be made only by the electrical signals of neuronal activity based on tactile sensations.

[0042] Also, the information processing apparatus 10 can make the determination through two axes of the pleasantness and unpleasantness of the user's brain waves and the activity and inactivity of the user's brain waves. In addition, the user's sense organ for the determination can be other than the sense of hearing, and can apply other sense organs.

[0043] Specifically, the flowchart of step S13 is changed to be described, and the determination in step S13 is changed to be described. Figure 2 Figure 2 In step S13, the determination section 22 determines whether the pleasantness (unpleasantness) as the brain state of the user is lower than the first threshold value set in advance and whether the activity (inactivity) as the brain state of the user is higher than the threshold value decided in advance, that is, whether the user is unpleasant and the brain of the user is active. Here, the determination section 22 exits the routine when the pleasantness (unpleasantness) as the brain state of the user is not lower than the threshold value set in advance or the activity (inactivity) as the brain state of the user is not higher than the threshold value decided in advance, that is, when it is determined that the user does not feel unpleasant or the brain of the user is not active ("No"). In step S13, when the pleasantness (unpleasantness) as the brain state of the user is lower than the first threshold value set in advance and the activity (inactivity) as the brain state of the user is higher than the threshold value set in advance, the determination section 22 shifts to step S14. That is, when it is determined that the user feels unpleasant and the brain of the user is active ("Yes"), it shifts to step S14.

[0044] Further, in the determination of "Yes" in step S13 as a change point in the above-described Figure 2 , it is assumed that it is determined that the user feels unpleasant and the brain of the user is active, but it is not limited thereto. The determination section 22 can arbitrarily combine when the user feels pleasant or unpleasant and when the brain of the user is active or inactive in the determination of "Yes" in step S13.

[0045] In addition, the information processing method can be additionally executed during the determination of the elapse of the predetermined time in step S14. Figure 2 Thereby, it is possible to prevent the case where the execution of the information processing method is stopped during the waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time. Also, Figure 2 The information processing method repeatedly proceeds at the predetermined sampling cycle after the entry into the end, but it is not limited thereto. Figure 2 The information processing method can repeatedly proceed at the predetermined sampling cycle even before the entry into the end. That is, the information processing method can additionally start the sequence by the thread.

[0046] ​Further, in the above description, the storage section 24 is used, but by setting the time at which the measurement section 12 reads out the brain wave from the brain cell to one-half of the predetermined time as the delay time, the output section 14 can receive the instruction signal from the delay section 23 without passing through the storage section 24 and directly feed back the electric signal of the brain wave to the user. Further, the brain information acquisition section 21 acquires the brain wave from the brain cell and feeds back to the brain cell, but can acquire the brain wave from the scalp and feed back the brain wave to the scalp.

[0047] Effects of the Embodiments

[0048] The information processing apparatus of the present embodiment includes a brain information acquisition section 21 that acquires brain information of a user (a subject), an output section 14 that outputs the brain information acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21 to the user, and a delay section 23 that delays the timing at which the output section 14 outputs the brain information to the user by a predetermined period set in advance.

[0049] Therefore, the subject inputs the current thought with a delay of the predetermined period, and can control the brain activity without using a complex transfer function.

[0050] The information processing apparatus of the present embodiment sets the predetermined period by which the delay section 23 delays the output of the brain information to 200 msec to 500 msec. Therefore, the subject is input with the thought with a delay of an appropriate predetermined period, and can effectively control the brain activity.

[0051] The information processing apparatus of the present embodiment has a storage section 24 that stores the brain information acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21, and the delay section 23 outputs the brain information stored in the storage section 24 with a delay of the predetermined period. Therefore, the brain information acquired by the brain information acquisition section 21 can be accurately output to the brain of the user.

[0052] The information processing apparatus of the present application has been described so far, but can be implemented in various different ways other than the above-described embodiments.

[0053] Each of the constituent elements of the illustrated information processing apparatus is a functional concept, and can not necessarily be configured as illustrated in the physical aspect. That is, the specific manner of each apparatus is not limited to the illustrated manner, and all or a part thereof can be dispersed or merged in function or in the physical aspect in an arbitrary unit according to the processing load, usage state, or the like of each apparatus.

[0054] The structure of the information processing apparatus is realized, for example, by a program or the like loaded into a memory as software. In the above-described embodiments, functional modules realized by cooperation of these hardware or software are described. That is, as to these functional modules, they can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or by a combination thereof.

[0055] The above-described components include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, and substantially the same components. Also, the above-described components can be appropriately combined. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or changes of the components can be made within the scope of the gist of the present application.

[0056] The information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the program of the present application can be applied to a technology for controlling brain activity of a user.

[0057] Symbol explanation

[0058] 10 Information processing apparatus

[0059] 11 Input unit

[0060] 12 Measurement unit

[0061] 13 Control unit

[0062] 14 Output unit

[0063] 21 Brain information acquisition unit

[0064] 22 Determination unit

[0065] 23 Delay unit

[0066] 24 Storage unit

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a brain information acquisition section that acquires brain information of a subject; an output section that outputs brain information acquired by the brain information acquisition section to the subject; and a delay section that delays a period in which the output section outputs brain information to the subject by a predetermined period set in advance.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delay section sets the predetermined period in which brain information is delayed and output to 200 msec to 500 msec.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a storage section that stores brain information acquired by the brain information acquisition section, the delay section delays and outputs brain information stored in the storage section by the predetermined period.

4. An information processing method comprising the steps of: acquiring brain information of a subject; storing acquired brain information; and outputting stored brain information to the subject after a predetermined period has elapsed.

5. A program that causes a computer to execute the steps of: acquiring brain information of a subject; storing acquired brain information; and outputting stored brain information to the subject after a predetermined period has elapsed. ​ ​

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