Frequency determination apparatus, control apparatus, frequency determination method, control method, and program

Abstract

To determine the presence or absence of induction of brain waves with relatively high accuracy when a determination result of the presence or absence of induction of brain waves by stimulation is used for selection of a selection target.SOLUTION: A frequency determination apparatus includes induction determination means for determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by a stimulus in a brain wave measured in a state in which the stimulus of a designated frequency is output, frequency range search means for searching for a maximum value and a minimum value of a frequency at which the induction occurs, and frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as frequencies of the stimulus within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a frequency determination device, a control device, a frequency determination method, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Steady-state visual evoked potentials are sometimes used to control machines. For example, a visual evoked potential signal detection system described in Patent Document 1 blinks multiple light sources around which an observation target is located at different blinking frequencies for each light source. This visual evoked potential signal detection system acquires an observer's electroencephalogram signal, detects a visual evoked potential signal, and identifies which light source the observer is gazing at. A control operation for a device is assigned to each light source, and the visual evoked potential signal detection system controls the device by transmitting a control signal indicating the control operation assigned to the identified light source to the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-015788 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When steady-state visual evoked potentials are used to control a machine, for example, and the result of determining whether or not a stimulus induces an electroencephalogram is used to select a selection object, it is preferable to be able to determine whether or not an electroencephalogram has been induced with as high accuracy as possible.

[0005] An example of an object of the present disclosure is to provide a frequency determination device, a control device, a frequency determination method, a control method, and a program that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a frequency determination device includes an induction determination means for determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by a stimulation of a specified frequency in brain waves measured while the stimulation is being output, a frequency range search means for searching for a maximum value and a minimum value of a frequency at which the induction occurs, and a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the control device includes an induction determination means for determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in brain waves measured while a stimulation of a specified frequency is being output; a frequency range search means for searching for a maximum and minimum value of the frequency at which the induction occurs; a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequencies of the stimulation within the range between the maximum and minimum values; and an equipment control means for controlling the controlled equipment in accordance with a combination of the plurality of determined frequencies at which the induction is determined to have occurred.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a frequency determination method includes a computer determining whether or not a specified frequency of stimulation induces brain waves in brain waves measured while the stimulation is being output, searching for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the induction occurs, and determining multiple frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum and minimum values.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a control method includes a computer determining whether or not a specified frequency of stimulation induces brain waves in brain waves measured while the stimulation is being output, searching for a maximum and minimum value of the frequency at which the induction occurs, determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within the range between the maximum and minimum values, and controlling a controlled device according to a combination of the determined frequencies at which the induction occurs.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the program causes a computer to perform the following steps: determine whether or not a specified frequency of stimulation induces brain waves in brain waves measured while the stimulation is being output; search for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the induction occurs; and determine multiple frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within the range between the maximum and minimum values. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the result of determining whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by a stimulus is used to select a selection object, whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced can be determined with relatively high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a control system according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a control system according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a process performed by a control system according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in which a control system according to at least one embodiment determines a frequency to be used for SSVEP. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in which a control system according to at least one embodiment determines whether or not SSVEP is induced at a target frequency. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a frequency determination device according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control device according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an example configuration of a frequency determination system according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a control system according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a frequency determination method according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a control method according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer configuration according to at least one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following describes embodiments of the present invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0014] First Embodiment 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system according to at least one embodiment. In the configuration shown in Fig. 1, a control system 11 includes a stimulation output unit 101, an electroencephalogram sensor unit 200, a system control unit 300, and a control target device 401.

[0015] The electroencephalogram sensor section 200 includes an electroencephalogram measurement section 201 . The system control unit 300 includes an induction determination unit 301 , a frequency range search unit 302 , a frequency determination unit 303 , a frequency switching unit 304 , a determination result evaluation unit 305 , and a target device control unit 306 .

[0016] The control system 11 controls the controlled device by a multi-value input using SSVEP (Steady State Visual Evoked Potential). In particular, the control system 11 searches for a range of frequencies that are likely to induce SSVEP in a person receiving the stimulation, and determines multiple frequencies within the detected range as frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP. The control system 11 corresponds to an example of a frequency determination system.

[0017] The frequency used to induce SSVEP here is the frequency of the stimulation output by the control system 11 for multi-value input using SSVEP. Using SSVEP means utilizing the phenomenon known as SSVEP. The frequency used to induce SSVEP is also referred to as the frequency used for SSVEP.

[0018] A person who receives a stimulus from the control system 11 is also referred to as a user of the control system 11, or simply as a user. The control system 11 outputs stimuli at each of a plurality of frequencies in a manner that allows the user to select whether or not to accept the stimuli. The user performs multi-value input by selecting whether or not to accept the stimuli for each frequency.

[0019] Here, the frequency range in which SSVEP is likely to be induced differs depending on the user. By determining the frequency of the visual stimulus to be output by the stimulus output unit 101 within the frequency range in which SSVEP is likely to be induced in the user, the control system 11 is expected to be able to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not SSVEP is induced. The range of frequencies that are likely to induce SSVEP in a user is also referred to as the user's preferred frequency range. A frequency within the user's preferred frequency range is also referred to as the user's preferred frequency.

[0020] The controlled device 401 is a device that is subject to control by the control system 11. The control system 11 functions as a user interface that allows a user to operate the controlled device 401. A user operation on the controlled device 401 can be considered as control of the controlled device 401 performed by the control system 11 in accordance with the user operation.

[0021] The controlled devices 401 are not limited to a specific type of device, but can be various controllable devices. Furthermore, the number of controlled devices 401 included in the control system 11 is not limited to a specific number. It is sufficient that multiple types of control are possible for all the controlled devices 401. The user can select one of the multiple types of control by inputting multiple values. Control of the control target device 401 corresponds to an example of a selection target that is selected according to the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced. Selecting one of a plurality of control methods corresponds to an example of selecting one of a plurality of selection targets.

[0022] For example, the control target device 401 may be configured as a single television, and the user may selectively perform one of a plurality of operations, such as switching the television power on and off, changing channels, increasing or decreasing the volume, by multi-value input.

[0023] Alternatively, the control target device 401 may be configured to include multiple devices such as a lighting device, an electric fan, an electric heater, a radio, etc. When the user selects one of the multiple devices by multi-value input, the control system 11 may switch the power of the selected device on or off.

[0024] When distinguishing between the control target devices 401, they are also referred to as control target devices 401-i. i is an integer of 1, 2, . . . , N that identifies the control target device 401. N is an integer N≧1 that indicates the number of control target devices 401 included in the control system 11.

[0025] The stimulus output unit 101 outputs a stimulus, which the user can select whether or not to accept, at a frequency determined as the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where the stimulus output unit 101 outputs a visual stimulus. For example, the stimulus output unit 101 may include a display screen, and may be configured to blink a part of the display screen at a frequency that induces SSVEP. Alternatively, the stimulus output unit 101 may include a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and may be configured to blink the light source at a frequency that induces SSVEP.

[0026] The number of stimulation frequencies output by the stimulation output unit 101 at one time is not limited to a specific number as long as it is one or more. For example, the stimulation output unit 101 may have a display screen, and multiple parts of the display screen may be made to flash at different frequencies. Alternatively, the stimulation output unit 101 may have multiple light sources, and the multiple light sources may be made to flash at different frequencies.

[0027] However, the stimulus output section 101 may output a stimulus of another type in addition to or instead of the visual stimulus. For example, the stimulus output unit 101 may include a device that outputs auditory stimuli in a manner that allows the user to selectively listen to sounds, such as a directional speaker or earphones. When the user selectively listens to the auditory stimuli output by the stimulus output unit 101, the frequency of the auditory stimuli may induce brain waves of a frequency similar to that of the auditory stimuli, such as those equivalent to SSVEP.

[0028] Furthermore, the stimulus output unit 101 may include a vibrating device. The vibrating device can be considered as a device that outputs a tactile stimulus by vibration. When the user selectively touches the vibrating device, brain waves of a frequency similar to the frequency of the tactile stimulus, which corresponds to an SSVEP due to the frequency of the vibration, may be induced.

[0029] An administrator of the control system 11 may be able to arbitrarily set the type of stimulus to be output by the stimulus output unit 101. The administrator of the control system 11 may be, but is not limited to, a user. For example, the administrator of the control system 11 may be able to change the type of stimulus output by the stimulus output unit 101 by replacing the devices that make up the stimulus output unit 101. Alternatively, the administrator of the control system 11 may be able to select the type of stimulus output by the stimulus output unit 101 by selecting a device to operate from among multiple devices that make up the stimulus output unit 101.

[0030] The brain wave sensor section 200 measures the brain waves of the user and outputs the measurement data of the brain waves to the system control section 300. The electroencephalogram measuring section 201 is configured using terminals of an electroencephalogram sensor, and is worn on the user's head to acquire electroencephalograms.

[0031] The system control unit 300 analyzes the measurement data of the electroencephalogram and determines whether or not SSVEP is induced for each frequency of the stimulation output by the stimulation output unit 101. Then, the system control unit 300 selects control for the control-target device 401 according to the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced, and performs the selected control. The control that the system control unit 300 can select may include not performing control (operation) on the control-target device 401.

[0032] The induction determination unit 301 analyzes the measurement data of the electroencephalogram from the electroencephalogram sensor unit 200 to determine whether or not an SSVEP has been induced. That is, in a state in which the stimulus output unit 101 is outputting a stimulus at a frequency determined as the frequency to be used for inducing an SSVEP, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not an electroencephalogram has been induced by the stimulus from the stimulus output unit 101 in the electroencephalogram measured by the electroencephalogram sensor unit 200. The electroencephalogram induced by the stimulus from the stimulus output unit 101 is observed as an SSVEP. The induction determination unit 301 corresponds to an example of induction determination means. Here, the stimulus of a certain frequency is a stimulus that changes at that frequency. The manner in which the stimulus changes here is not limited to a specific one. For example, the presence or absence of the stimulus (ON and OFF) may be switched at that frequency, but is not limited to this.

[0033] The induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not an SSVEP is induced each time the frequency of the stimulation output by the stimulation output unit 101 is switched. As a result, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not an SSVEP is induced for each of the multiple frequencies determined as frequencies to be used for inducing an SSVEP.

[0034] The frequency range search unit 302 searches for the maximum value (maximum frequency) and minimum value (minimum frequency) of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced. The frequency range search unit 302 is an example of a frequency range search means.

[0035] The stimulation output unit 101 may repeatedly output the stimulation by lowering the frequency by a predetermined interval from a frequency set as the maximum frequency at which the stimulation output unit 101 can output the stimulation. For example, the maximum frequency at which the stimulation output unit 101 can output the stimulation may be set to 100 hertz (Hz). Then, the stimulation output unit 101 may repeatedly output the stimulation by lowering the frequency by 5 Hz, such as 100 Hz, 95 Hz, 90 Hz, and so on.

[0036] The induction determination unit 301 may determine whether or not SSVEP has been induced each time the stimulation output unit 101 outputs stimulation. The frequency range search unit 302 may detect the largest frequency (highest frequency) at which the induction determination unit 301 has determined that SSVEP has been induced as the maximum frequency at which SSVEP is induced.

[0037] Furthermore, the stimulation output unit 101 may repeatedly output the stimulation by increasing the frequency in predetermined intervals, for example, 5 Hz, from a frequency set as the minimum value (minimum frequency) of the frequency at which the stimulation output unit 101 can output the stimulation, such as 1 Hz. For example, because a stimulation of 0 Hz is a stimulation in a normal state that does not change over time, the minimum value of the frequency at which the stimulation output unit 101 can output the stimulation may be set to 1 Hz. Then, the stimulation output unit 101 may repeatedly output the stimulation by increasing the frequency in 5 Hz increments, such as 1 Hz, 5 Hz, 10 Hz, and so on.

[0038] The induction determination unit 301 may determine whether or not SSVEP has been induced each time the stimulation output unit 101 outputs stimulation. The frequency range search unit 302 may detect the smallest frequency (lowest frequency) at which the induction determination unit 301 has determined that SSVEP has been induced as the minimum value of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced.

[0039] The frequency determination unit 303 determines a plurality of frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP within a range of maximum and minimum values ​​of frequencies at which SSVEP induction occurs. The frequency determination unit 303 is an example of a frequency determination means.

[0040] The frequency determination unit 303 may determine a plurality of frequencies to include the maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced. For example, if the frequency range search unit 302 detects that the maximum value of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced is 80 Hz and the minimum value of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced is 1 Hz, the frequency determination unit 303 may determine two or more frequencies including 80 Hz and 1 Hz as the frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP.

[0041] The frequency determination unit 303 may determine a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets so that the intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible. For example, consider a case where six types of control are set for the control target device 401, and the control system 11 determines the control intended by the user using three frequencies. For example, by setting the determination result that SSVEP has not been induced as a binary number 0 and the determination result that SSVEP has been induced as a binary number 1, and identifying the six types of control as binary numbers 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, and 101, it is possible to distinguish the six types of control using three frequencies. In this case, the selection of control for the control target device 401 corresponds to an example of the selection of a selection target, which is performed according to a combination of frequencies determined to have caused the trigger among the determined plurality of frequencies.

[0042] It is also assumed that the frequency range search section 302 detects the maximum value of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced as 80 Hz and the minimum value as 5 Hz. It is also assumed that the frequency determination section 303 selects a frequency from among the frequencies that can be output by the stimulation output section 101, which are set at intervals of 5 Hz, such as 1 Hz, 5 Hz, 10 Hz, . . .

[0043] In this case, the frequency determination unit 303 determines three frequencies within a range of maximum and minimum frequencies at which SSVEP induction occurs. The frequency determination unit 303 may determine the three frequencies used to induce SSVEP to be 5 Hz, 40 Hz, and 80 Hz. This frequency corresponds to an example of a frequency determined so that the frequency interval is as wide as possible. The average value of the maximum frequency of 80 Hz and the minimum frequency of 5 Hz at which SSVEP is evoked is 42.5 Hz, and the frequencies selectable at 5 Hz intervals so that the frequency interval is as wide as possible are 40 Hz or 45 Hz.

[0044] The frequency switching unit 304 switches the frequency of the stimulation output by the stimulation output unit 101 (the frequency of the stimulation output by the stimulation output unit 101) according to time among a plurality of frequencies determined as frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP. The frequency switching unit 304 is an example of a frequency switching means.

[0045] For example, if the frequencies used to induce SSVEP are determined to be 5 Hz, 40 Hz, and 80 Hz, the frequency switching unit 304 may switch the frequencies in this order and cause the stimulation output unit 101 to output stimulation. However, the order in which the frequency switching unit 304 switches the frequencies is not limited to a specific order. For example, the frequency switching unit 304 may switch the frequencies in ascending order of frequency, or in ascending order of frequency. Alternatively, the frequency switching unit 304 may randomly determine the order of the frequencies.

[0046] The determination result evaluation unit 305 determines whether or not the determination result is in line with the user's intention each time the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not SSVEP has been induced. The determination result evaluation unit 305 corresponds to an example of a determination result evaluation means.

[0047] The control system 11 feeds back the determination result, whether or not SSVEP has been induced, to the user in real time to determine whether or not the determination result is in line with the user's intention. For example, the control system 11 may be provided with a display device, and may display the determination result and the control that can be selected when the determination result is adopted for each frequency determined as the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP.

[0048] Then, the control system 11 receives a user input as to whether or not the determination result is in line with the user's intention. The control system 11 may use SSVEP to receive a user input indicating whether the determination result is in line with the user's intention. For example, the control system 11 may output a stimulus for determining whether SSVEP is induced, determine whether SSVEP is induced, display the determination result and a control that can be selected if the determination result is adopted, and then output a confirmation stimulus at the same frequency as the frequency of the determination stimulus. The induction determination unit 301 may then determine whether SSVEP is induced by the confirmation stimulus, and the determination result evaluation unit 305 may determine whether the determination result using the determination stimulus is in line with the user's intention based on the determination result using the confirmation stimulus.

[0049] For example, it may be defined that the induction of SSVEP by the confirmation stimulus indicates that the judgment result is in line with the user's intention, and that the absence of induction of SSVEP by the confirmation stimulus indicates that the judgment result is not in line with the user's intention. Alternatively, it may be specified that the presence or absence of SSVEP induction is the same for the judgment stimulus and the confirmation stimulus, indicating that the judgment result is in line with the user's intention, and that the presence or absence of SSVEP induction is different, indicating that the judgment result is not in line with the user's intention.

[0050] If the determination result evaluation unit 305 determines that the determination result of whether or not SSVEP has been induced does not conform to the user's intention, the control system 11 may redo the output of the stimulation of that frequency and the determination of whether or not SSVEP has been induced. Here, "that frequency" refers to the frequency of the stimulation when it is determined that the determination result of whether or not SSVEP has been induced does not conform to the user's intention.

[0051] In this way, when the control system 11 determines that the determination result of whether or not SSVEP has been induced does not conform to the user's intention, it is sufficient to redo the determination of whether or not SSVEP has been induced for that frequency, and there is no need to redo the determination from the initial frequency. In this respect, the control system 11 is expected to take a relatively short time to redo the determination when the determination result of whether or not SSVEP has been induced does not conform to the user's intention.

[0052] Based on the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced, the target device control unit 306 controls the control target device 401. Specifically, when the determination of whether or not SSVEP is induced is completed for all frequencies determined as frequencies to be used for determining whether or not SSVEP is induced, the target device control unit 306 outputs a control signal to the control target device 401 to execute control identified by the determination result. The target device control unit 306 is an example of a device control means.

[0053] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system 12. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the control system 12 includes a stimulus output device 100, an electroencephalogram sensor device 200b, a system control device 300b, and a device group 400.

[0054] The stimulus output device 100 includes a stimulus output section 101 , a frequency instruction receiving section 111 , and a stimulus output control section 112 . The electroencephalogram sensor device 200b includes an electroencephalogram measurement section 201, a measurement data processing section 211, and a measurement data transmission section 212.

[0055] The system control device 300b includes an induction determination unit 301, a frequency range search unit 302, a frequency determination unit 303, a frequency switching unit 304, a determination result evaluation unit 305, a frequency instruction transmission unit 311, a measurement data receiving unit 321, a command determination unit 331, and a command transmission unit 332. The control target device 401 and the target device control device 411 are collectively referred to as a device group 400.

[0056] 2, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals (101, 201, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 401), and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. The control system 12 corresponds to a specific example of the control system 11 .

[0057] The stimulus output device 100 is a device that outputs a stimulus of a specified frequency from a stimulus output unit 101. The frequency instruction receiving unit 111 receives an instruction on the frequency of the stimulus to be output by the stimulus output unit 101 from the system control device 300b. The stimulus output control section 112 controls the stimulus output section 101 to output a stimulus of the instructed frequency.

[0058] The brain wave sensor device 200b measures the brain waves of the user and outputs the measurement data of the brain waves to the system control device 300b. The brain wave sensor device 200b corresponds to a specific example of the brain wave sensor section 200. The measurement data processing unit 211 performs processing such as signal amplitude amplification and A / D conversion (analog-to-digital conversion) on the measurement signal (analog measurement data) of the electroencephalogram from the electroencephalogram measurement unit 201. The measurement data transmitting section 212 transmits the measurement data of the electroencephalograms processed by the measurement data processing section 211 to the system control device 300b.

[0059] The system control device 300b analyzes the electroencephalogram measurement data and determines whether or not SSVEP is induced for each frequency. Then, the system control device 300b selects control for the control target device 401 according to the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced, and instructs the target device control device 411 to perform the selected control. The combination of the system control device 300b and the target device control device 411 corresponds to a specific example of the system control unit 300.

[0060] The frequency instruction sending section 311 sends to the stimulus output device 100 an instruction on the frequency of the stimulus to be output by the stimulus output section 101. Specifically, the frequency instruction transmitting section 311 transmits to the stimulus output device 100 data indicating the frequency that the frequency switching section 304 has determined as the frequency of the stimulus to be output by the stimulus output section 101 . The measurement data receiving unit 321 receives the measurement data of the electroencephalogram transmitted by the measurement data transmitting unit 212 .

[0061] Based on the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced, the command determination unit 331 determines the control to be performed on the control-target device 401. Specifically, the command determination unit 331 selects, from among a plurality of types of control, the control associated with the multi-value (input value by multi-value input) based on the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced, as the control to be performed on the control-target device 401.

[0062] The command transmission unit 332 transmits data instructing control of the control target device 401 to the target device control device 411 . For example, the command determination unit 331 may transmit bit string data indicating the determination result of whether or not SSVEP has been induced for each frequency using a bit value (binary) as data instructing control of the control target device 401. Then, the command transmission unit 332 may transmit the data to the target device control device 411.

[0063] The target device control device 411 receives a control instruction for the control target device 401 and executes the instructed control. As described for the control system 11, the number of control target devices 401 included in the control system 12 may be one or more, and is not limited to a specific number. As described for the control system 11, when distinguishing between the control target devices 401, they are also expressed as control target devices 401-i. i is an integer where i=1, 2, . . . , N that identifies the control target device 401. Here, N indicates the number of control target devices 401 included in the control system 12, and is an integer N≧1. When there are a plurality of control systems 11, a target device control device 411 may be provided for each control target device 401.

[0064] The type of communication in the control system 12 is not limited to a specific type. For example, each unit of the control system 12 may transmit and receive data and control signals via wireless communication such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or an LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network), or via wired communication.

[0065] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the procedure of processing performed by the control system 12. The control system 12 performs the processing of Fig. 3 when the power is turned on, startup is completed, and the electroencephalogram measurement unit 201 is worn on the head of the user.

[0066] 3, the measurement data processing unit 211 calibrates the EEG sensor device 200b (step S101). For example, the measurement data processing unit 211 adjusts parameter values ​​for processing the EEG measurement data, such as adjusting the amplification factor of the EEG measurement data. The measurement data processing unit 211 may perform the calibration automatically. Alternatively, the measurement data processing unit 211 may perform the calibration in accordance with the operation of an administrator of the control system 12.

[0067] Next, the measurement data processing unit 211 determines whether or not the calibration is complete (step S102). For example, the measurement data processing unit 211 may determine whether or not the magnitude of the amplitude of the electroencephalogram measurement data amplified by the measurement data processing unit 211 itself is within a range between a predetermined upper limit and a predetermined lower limit. The determination by the measurement data processing unit 211 whether or not the calibration is complete can be considered as a determination whether or not the electroencephalogram sensor device 200b is able to measure the user's electroencephalogram.

[0068] If the measurement data processing unit 211 determines that the calibration is not complete (step S102: NO), the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the measurement data processing unit 211 determines that the calibration is completed (step S102: YES), the control system 12 determines the frequency to be used for inducing the SSVEP (step S103).

[0069] When the control system 12 determines the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP, the frequency may be stored for each user. If the setting is such that the stored frequency is reused and the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP is stored for the user who is the target of the processing in Fig. 3, the control system 12 may use the stored frequency as the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP. For example, the frequency determination unit 303 may store the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP for each user. The user who is the target of the processing in FIG. 3 is also referred to as the current user.

[0070] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for determining a frequency to be used for SSVEP by the control system 12. The control system 12 performs the process of FIG. 4 in step S103 of FIG. 4, the frequency determination unit 303 determines whether or not a frequency previously determined as a frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP for the current user has been stored (step S201). For example, when the control system 12 is used by multiple users, the frequency determination unit 303 may store the user's identification information and the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP in association with each other. Then, the frequency determination unit 303 may acquire the current user's identification information and determine whether or not there is a frequency associated with the acquired identification information. Of the components of the control system 12, components other than the frequency determination unit 303 may store the user's identification information and the frequency used to induce the SSVEP in association with each other.

[0071] When it is determined that a frequency previously determined for the current user is stored as a frequency used to induce SSVEP (step S201: YES), the frequency determination unit 303 determines whether or not the stored frequency is set to be reused (step S202). The setting of whether or not to reuse the stored frequency may be set by the user. Reusing the stored frequency can also be said to be reusing a frequency previously determined. If the frequency determination unit 303 determines that the stored frequency is set to be reused (step S202: YES), the control system 12 ends the processing of FIG.

[0072] On the other hand, if the frequency determination unit 303 determines that the stored frequency is not set to be reused (step S202: NO), the control system 12 checks the frequency in the normal state (step S203). The normal state here refers to a state in which no stimulation for inducing SSVEP is output.

[0073] Specifically, while the control system 12 is not performing an operation for inducing SSVEP, the EEG sensor device 200b measures EEGs and transmits the measurement data to the system control device 300b. An example of an operation for inducing SSVEP is outputting a visual stimulus that flashes at a certain frequency by the stimulus output device 100.

[0074] The induction determination unit 301 performs a Fourier transform on the measurement data received from the EEG sensor device 200b and stores the value obtained by the Fourier transform. The value obtained by the Fourier transform here can be considered as data representing EEGs in a normal state as a frequency spectrum. The EEG data in the normal state can be used for comparison with EEG data during SSVEP induction. Of the components of the control system 12, components other than the induction determination unit 301 may store the values ​​obtained by the Fourier transform.

[0075] Next, the control system 12 performs an SSVEP induction operation at a frequency set as the maximum frequency for SSVEP induction (step S204). The maximum frequency for SSVEP induction here is a temporary value set to search for the maximum value of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced. The maximum frequency for SSVEP induction is also simply referred to as the maximum frequency. The maximum frequency at which the stimulation output unit 101 can output a blinking visual stimulation may be set as the initial value of the maximum frequency.

[0076] Then, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not SSVEP can be induced at the set maximum frequency (step S205). For example, the induction determination unit 301 determines that induction is possible when the magnitude of the difference between the value of the frequency component obtained by Fourier transforming the electroencephalogram measurement data obtained by the SSVEP inducing operation at the maximum frequency and the value of the frequency component obtained by Fourier transforming the electroencephalogram measurement data obtained in a normal state is greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude, for the frequency of the stimulation output by the stimulation output unit 101.

[0077] If it is determined that SSVEP cannot be induced at the set maximum frequency (step S205: NO), the induction determination unit 301 lowers (decreases) the maximum frequency of SSVEP induction (step S206). The induction determination unit 301 may reset the maximum frequency of SSVEP induction to a value lowered by a predetermined value, for example, by 5 Hz. After step S205, the process returns to step S204.

[0078] On the other hand, if the induction determination unit 301 determines in step S205 that SSVEP can be induced at the set maximum frequency (step S205: YES), the control system 12 performs the SSVEP induction operation at the frequency set as the minimum frequency for SSVEP induction (step S207). The minimum frequency for SSVEP induction here is a temporary value set to search for the minimum value of the frequency at which SSVEP is induced. The minimum frequency for SSVEP induction is also simply referred to as the minimum frequency. Since a frequency of 0 Hz results in a steady state, the initial value of the minimum frequency may be set to 1 Hz or higher.

[0079] Then, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not SSVEP can be induced at the set minimum frequency (step S208). For example, the induction determination unit 301 determines that induction is possible when the magnitude of the difference between the value of the frequency component obtained by Fourier transforming the electroencephalogram measurement data obtained by the SSVEP inducing operation at the minimum frequency and the value of the frequency component obtained by Fourier transforming the electroencephalogram measurement data obtained in a normal state is greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude, for the frequency of the stimulation output by the stimulation output unit 101.

[0080] If it is determined that SSVEP cannot be induced at the set minimum frequency (step S208: NO), the induction determination unit 301 increases (raise) the minimum frequency for SSVEP induction (step S209). The induction determination unit 301 may reset the minimum frequency for SSVEP induction to a value increased by a predetermined value, for example, by 5 Hz. After step S209, the process returns to step S207.

[0081] On the other hand, if the induction determination unit 301 determines in step S208 that SSVEP can be induced at the set minimum frequency (step S208: YES), the induction determination unit 301 determines the frequency to be used to induce SSVEP based on the set maximum and minimum frequencies (step S210). Here, the maximum frequency is the frequency detected as the maximum value of the frequencies at which SSVEP is induced, and the minimum frequency is the frequency detected as the minimum value of the frequencies at which SSVEP is induced.

[0082] For example, the frequency determination unit 303 determines the two frequencies, the set maximum frequency and minimum frequency, as the frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP. Furthermore, the frequency determination unit 303 determines a frequency between the maximum frequency and the minimum frequency as the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP. Since close frequencies can cause malfunction, the frequency determination unit 303 may determine the frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP so that the frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP are composed of frequencies that are at least 5 Hz apart.

[0083] When it is possible to select (determine) a number of frequencies equal to or greater than the number necessary to identify control over the control-target device 401, the frequency determination unit 303 may select the necessary number of frequencies so that the intervals between the frequencies are as wide (large) as possible within the range between the maximum frequency and the minimum frequency. For example, the frequency determination unit 303 may select the necessary number of frequencies so that the intervals between the frequencies are uniform or as close to uniform as possible within the range between the maximum frequency and the minimum frequency.

[0084] The frequency determination unit 303 may store previously determined frequencies, frequencies determined to be capable of inducing SSVEP, and frequencies determined to be incapable of inducing SSVEP, or some of these, for all users.The frequency determination unit 303 may then propose candidate frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP based on the information stored for all users. Among the parts of the control system 12, parts other than the frequency determination unit 303 may be configured to store previously determined frequencies, frequencies determined to be capable of inducing SSVEP, and frequencies determined to be incapable of inducing SSVEP, or some of these, for all users.

[0085] For example, the frequency determination unit 303 may calculate frequencies at which SSVEPs are likely to be induced and frequencies at which SSVEPs are unlikely to be induced based on information stored for all users.The frequency determination unit 303 may then propose previously determined frequencies and frequencies at which SSVEPs are likely to be induced as candidate frequencies to be determined as frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP.Furthermore, the frequency determination unit 303 may propose frequencies at which SSVEPs are unlikely to be induced to be excluded from candidate frequencies to be determined as frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP.

[0086] The frequency at which an SSVEP is likely to be induced may be a frequency that has been determined to be capable of inducing an SSVEP in the past, or may be a frequency at which an SSVEP is likely to be induced at a rate of at least a predetermined rate, such as at least 50%, of the number of times the frequency has been used.

[0087] The frequency at which SSVEP is unlikely to be induced may be a frequency at which SSVEP has been determined to be infeasible in the past, or may be a frequency at which SSVEP is unlikely to be induced at a rate of more than a predetermined rate, such as 50% or more, of the number of times the frequency has been used.

[0088] The frequency determination unit 303 may present previously determined frequencies, frequencies at which SSVEP is likely to be induced, and frequencies at which SSVEP is unlikely to be induced, or some of these, to an administrator of the control system 12. The administrator of the control system 12 may then designate a frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP by referring to previously determined frequencies, frequencies at which SSVEP is likely to be induced, and frequencies at which SSVEP is unlikely to be induced, or some of these. The frequency determination unit 303 may determine the frequency designated by the administrator as the frequency to be used for SSVEP.

[0089] Alternatively, the frequency determination unit 303 may select a frequency to be used for inducing an SSVEP from among previously determined frequencies and frequencies at which an SSVEP is likely to be induced. Also, the frequency determination unit 303 may select a frequency to be used for inducing an SSVEP so as to exclude frequencies at which an SSVEP is unlikely to be induced.

[0090] Next, the frequency determination unit 303 stores the frequency determined as the frequency to be used for inducing the SSVEP (step S211). Of the components of the control system 12, components other than the frequency determination unit 303 may store the frequency determined as the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP.

[0091] After step S211, the control system 12 ends the processing of FIG. On the other hand, in step S201, if the frequency determination unit 303 determines that a frequency previously determined as a frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP for the current user has not been stored (step S201: NO), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0092] After step S103 in FIG. 3, that is, after the processing in FIG. 4, the frequency determination unit 303 determines whether or not the determination of the frequency used to induce the SSVEP has been completed (step S104). For example, the control system 12 may use the SSVEP to inquire of the user whether the frequency intended by the user has been determined as the frequency to be used for inducing the SSVEP. If the frequency determination unit 303 replies that the frequency intended by the user has been determined, it may determine that the determination of the frequency to be used for inducing the SSVEP has been completed, and if the frequency determination unit 303 replies that the frequency intended by the user has not been determined, it may determine that the determination of the frequency to be used for inducing the SSVEP has not been completed.

[0093] If the frequency determination unit 303 determines that the determination of the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP has not been completed (step S104: NO), the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, if the frequency determination unit 303 determines that the determination of the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP has been completed (step S104: YES), the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not a trigger to start the selection of control for the control target device 401 has been detected (step S105). The mode in which the trigger determination unit 301 waits for the occurrence of a trigger that starts the selection of control over the control-target device 401 is also referred to as a standby mode.

[0094] If the inducement determination unit 301 determines that a trigger for starting the selection of control over the control-target device 401 has not been detected (step S105: NO), the process returns to step S105. The events used as triggers and their input methods are not limited to specific events and methods. For example, the administrator of the control system 12 may be able to arbitrarily set the events used as triggers and their input methods.

[0095] On the other hand, if the induction determination unit 301 determines that a trigger has been detected in step S105 (step S105: YES), the system control device 300b starts a loop L11 in which processing is performed for each frequency determined as the frequency to be used for inducing SSVEP (step S106). The frequency being processed in the loop L11 is also referred to as the target frequency.

[0096] In the processing of loop L11, the system control device 300b determines whether or not an SSVEP is induced at the target frequency (step S107). 5 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for the control system 12 to determine whether or not an SSVEP is induced at a target frequency. The control system 12 performs the process of FIG. 5 in step S107 of FIG.

[0097] 5, the system control device 300b causes the stimulation output device 100 to perform an SSVEP inducing operation at a target frequency (step S301). Specifically, the frequency instruction transmitting unit 311 transmits an instruction to the stimulation output device 100 to output a stimulation at the target frequency. The stimulation output device 100 outputs a stimulation of the target frequency in accordance with the instruction from the system control device 300b.

[0098] Next, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not an SSVEP is induced at the target frequency (step S302). Specifically, the measurement data receiving unit 321 receives measurement data of the electroencephalogram from the electroencephalogram sensor device 200b. Then, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not an induction of an SSVEP is detected in the measurement data of the electroencephalogram.

[0099] Next, the system control device 300b causes the stimulation output device 100 to perform an SSVEP inducing operation at the target frequency to confirm whether the determination result of whether or not an SSVEP has been induced is in line with the user's intention (step S303). Specifically, similar to the case of step S301, the frequency instruction transmitting unit 311 transmits an instruction to the stimulation output device 100 to output a stimulation at the target frequency. The stimulation output device 100 outputs a stimulation of the target frequency in accordance with the instruction from the system control device 300b.

[0100] Next, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not SSVEP is induced at the target frequency in order to confirm whether or not the determination result of whether or not SSVEP has been induced conforms to the user's intention (step S304). Specifically, similar to the case of step S302, the measurement data receiving unit 321 receives measurement data of the electroencephalogram from the electroencephalogram sensor device 200b. Then, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not induction of SSVEP is detected in the measurement data of the electroencephalogram.

[0101] Next, the determination result evaluation unit 305 determines whether the determination result of whether or not SSVEP was induced in step S302 is in line with the user's intention (step S305). For example, the determination result evaluation unit 305 compares the determination result of whether or not SSVEP was induced in step S302 with the determination result of whether or not SSVEP was induced in step S304. If it is determined that the determination result of step S302 and the determination result of step S304 are the same, the determination result evaluation unit 305 determines that the determination result of step S302 is in line with the user's intention. On the other hand, if it is determined that the determination result of step S302 and the determination result of step S304 are different, the determination result evaluation unit 305 determines that the determination result of step S302 is contrary to the user's intention.

[0102] If the determination result evaluation unit 305 determines that the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced in step S302 is contrary to the user's intention (step S305: NO), the process returns to step S301. In this case, re-execution of the processes from step S301 to S304 can be understood as the frequency switching unit 304 setting the frequency used to determine whether or not SSVEP is induced again as the target frequency, and the induction determination unit 301 redoing the determination of whether or not SSVEP is induced for the target frequency.

[0103] On the other hand, in step S305, if the judgment result evaluation unit 305 determines that the judgment result of whether or not SSVEP was induced in step S302 is in line with the user's intention (step S305: YES), the judgment result evaluation unit 305 stores the judgment result of whether or not SSVEP was induced in step S302 (step S306). A part of the system control device 300b other than the judgment result evaluation unit 305 may store the judgment result of whether or not SSVEP was induced in step S302. After step S306, the control system 12 ends the processing of FIG.

[0104] 3, the system control device 300b performs a termination process of the loop L11 (step S108). Specifically, the frequency switching unit 304 determines whether or not the process of the loop L11 has been performed for all frequencies determined as frequencies to be used for inducing the SSVEP.

[0105] If it is determined that there is a frequency for which the processing of loop L11 has not yet been performed, the frequency switching unit 304 sets the frequency for which the processing of loop L11 has not yet been performed as the target frequency, and the system control device 300b continues to perform the processing of loop L11. On the other hand, if the frequency switching unit 304 determines that the processing of loop L11 has been performed for all frequencies determined as frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP, the system control device 300b ends loop L11.

[0106] After the system control device 300b ends loop L11, the command determination unit 331 determines the control for the control-target device 401 based on the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced (step S109). Specifically, the command determination unit 331 selects, as the control for the control-target device 401, a control associated with multiple values ​​indicated by the determination result of whether or not SSVEP is induced, from among the multiple controls set as the control for the control-target device 401.

[0107] The command determination unit 331 may store a conversion table in which frequencies at which SSVEP induction is detected are associated with controls for the control-target device 401. Then, the command determination unit 331 may read out, from the conversion table, the controls associated with the combinations of frequencies obtained as the SSVEP determination results.

[0108] Then, the command transmitting unit 332 transmits an instruction to the target device control device 411 to perform the control determined as the control of the control-target device 401 (step S110). The target device control device 411 performs control of the control-target device 401 in accordance with the instruction from the system control device 300b.

[0109] Next, the command determination unit 331 determines whether or not the control of the control-target device 401 has been completed (step S111). For example, if the control determined in step S109 is a control that is completed in one control or is the last control in a series of controls, the command determination unit 331 may determine that the control of the control-target device 401 has been completed. On the other hand, if the control determined in step S109 is the first or intermediate control in a series of controls, the command determination unit 331 may determine that the control of the control-target device 401 has not been completed.

[0110] Alternatively, the command determination unit 331 may determine whether or not the user wants to continue the operation of the control-target device 401. In this case, the system control device 300b may receive a user input indicating whether or not the user wants to continue the operation of the control-target device 401.

[0111] If the command determination unit 331 determines that the control of the control-target device 401 has not been completed (step S111: NO), the process returns to step S106. On the other hand, if the command determination unit 331 determines that the control of the control-target device 401 has been completed (step S111: YES), the process returns to step S105.

[0112] As described above, the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not the stimulation induces brain waves (e.g., induces brain waves indicating SSVEP, i.e., induces SSVEP) in the brain waves measured while the stimulation of the specified frequency is being output. The frequency range search section 302 searches for the maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which stimulation induces an electroencephalogram. The frequency determination section 303 determines a plurality of frequencies as the frequencies of the stimulation to be output within a range of maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the stimulation induces an electroencephalogram.

[0113] The system control device 300b can determine whether or not a stimulus induces an electroencephalogram (EEG), using frequencies within a frequency range in which the stimulus is likely to induce an EEG. In this respect, the system control device 300b is expected to be able to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not a stimulus induces an EEG, such as an SSVEP.

[0114] Furthermore, frequency determination section 303 determines a plurality of frequencies of the stimulation to be output so as to include the maximum and minimum frequencies at which electroencephalograms are induced by the stimulation. According to the system control device 300b, the interval between the frequencies determined as the frequencies of the stimulation to be output can be made relatively wide.

[0115] Furthermore, the frequency determination unit 303 determines a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets selected according to the determination result of whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by stimulation, so that the intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible. This is expected to enable the system control device 300b to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not a stimulus induces an electroencephalogram.

[0116] Furthermore, the selection of the selection target is performed according to a combination of frequencies that are determined to induce electroencephalograms by stimulation, out of the determined plurality of frequencies. According to the system control device 300b, it is possible to relatively reduce the number of frequencies used to select the selection objects (the number of frequencies of the stimuli output by the stimulus output section 101). According to the system control device 300b, it is possible to relatively widen the intervals between the frequencies used to select the selection objects, and in this respect, it is expected that it will be possible to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by a stimulus.

[0117] Furthermore, the frequency switching section 304 switches the frequency of the stimulation output by the stimulation output section 101 among the determined multiple frequencies according to time. The induction determination section 301 determines whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by the stimulation each time the frequency of the stimulation output from the stimulation output section 101 is switched. System control device 300b can reduce the possibility of mistaking the frequency at which brain waves are induced by stimulation for another frequency by switching the frequency of stimulation output by stimulation output section 101. In this respect, system control device 300b is expected to be able to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not brain waves are induced by stimulation.

[0118] Furthermore, every time the induction determination unit 301 determines whether or not induction has occurred, the determination result evaluation unit 305 determines whether or not the determination result on whether or not induction has occurred is in line with the user's intention. If it is determined that the determination result of the presence or absence of induction does not match the user's intention, the frequency switching section 304 designates the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation to be output by the stimulation output section 101. The induction determination unit 301 redoes the determination of whether induction occurs for that frequency.

[0119] In the system control device 300b, when it is determined that the determination result of whether or not an electroencephalogram has been induced by a stimulus does not conform to the user's intention, it is sufficient to redo the determination of whether or not an electroencephalogram has been induced for that frequency, and there is no need to redo the determination from the initial frequency. In this respect, according to the system control device 300b, when the determination result of whether or not an electroencephalogram has been induced by a stimulus does not conform to the user's intention, it is expected that the time required to redo the determination will be relatively short. The system control unit 300 also provides the same effects as the system control device 300b.

[0120] The control system 12 can be used by people who have difficulty moving their bodies to input commands to operate equipment. The control system 12 can also be used by people with their hands full to input commands to operate equipment, such as when a worker in a factory operates equipment while their hands are full. The same applies to the control system 11.

[0121] The selection target in the control system 12 is not limited to the control of the control target device 401. For example, the control system 12 may be used to input a personal identification number. In this case, possible inputs for the personal identification number correspond to an example of the selection target. The same applies to the control system 11.

[0122] The number of frequencies determined by the frequency determination unit 303 as frequencies to be used for inducing SSVEP is not limited to a specific number. According to the control system 12, it is possible to increase the number of digits of multi-value input depending on the number of selection items, and in this respect, selection can be made even when there are many selection items. The same applies to the control system 11.

[0123] In the control system 12, the stimulus for inducing brain waves is not limited to a visual stimulus, and a stimulus other than a visual stimulus, such as a sound (auditory stimulus), can be used. The control system 12 can use a stimulus according to the usage environment of the control system 12, and can be adapted to various environments. The same applies to the control system 11.

[0124] Second Embodiment 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a frequency determination device according to at least one embodiment. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, a frequency determination device 610 includes an induction determination unit 611, a frequency range search unit 612, and a frequency determination unit 613.

[0125] With this configuration, the induction determination section 611 determines whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by a stimulus output at a specified frequency, based on the electroencephalogram measured while the stimulus is being output. The frequency range search section 612 searches for the maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which stimulation induces an electroencephalogram. The frequency determination unit 613 determines a plurality of frequencies as stimulation frequencies within a range of maximum and minimum values ​​of frequencies at which brain waves are induced by stimulation. The induction determination unit 611 is an example of induction determination means, the frequency range search unit 612 is an example of frequency range search means, and the frequency determination unit 613 is an example of frequency determination means.

[0126] The frequency determining device 610 can determine whether or not a stimulus induces an electroencephalogram (EEG), using a frequency within a frequency range where an electroencephalogram is likely to be induced by a stimulus. In this respect, the frequency determining device 610 is expected to be able to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not a stimulus induces an EEG, such as an SSVEP.

[0127] Third Embodiment 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control device according to at least one embodiment. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, a control device 620 includes an induction determination unit 621, a frequency range search unit 622, a frequency determination unit 623, and a device control unit 624.

[0128] With this configuration, the induction determination section 621 determines whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by a stimulus output at a specified frequency, based on the electroencephalogram measured while the stimulus is being output. The frequency range search section 622 searches for the maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which stimulation induces an electroencephalogram. The frequency determination section 623 determines a plurality of frequencies as the stimulation frequencies within a range of maximum and minimum values ​​of frequencies at which brain waves are induced by stimulation. The device control section 624 controls the controlled device in accordance with the combination of frequencies determined to have induced brain waves by stimulation, out of the determined plurality of frequencies. The induction determination unit 621 corresponds to an example of induction determination means. The frequency range search unit 622 corresponds to an example of frequency range search means. The frequency determination unit 623 corresponds to an example of frequency determination means. The device control unit 624 corresponds to an example of equipment control means.

[0129] The control device 620 can determine whether or not a brain wave is induced by a stimulus by using a frequency within a frequency range in which a brain wave is likely to be induced by a stimulus. In this respect, the control device 620 is expected to be able to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not a brain wave, such as an SSVEP, is induced by a stimulus, and can control the device to be controlled based on the determination result.

[0130] <Fourth embodiment> 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a frequency determination system according to at least one embodiment. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8, a frequency determination system 630 includes a stimulation output section 631, an electroencephalogram measurement section 632, an induction determination section 633, a frequency range search section 634, and a frequency determination section 635.

[0131] With this configuration, the stimulus output section 631 outputs a stimulus of a specified frequency. The electroencephalogram measuring section 632 measures electroencephalograms. The induction determination section 633 determines whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by a stimulation of a specified frequency, based on the electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation is being output. The frequency range search section 634 searches for the maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which stimulation induces brain waves. The frequency determination section 635 determines a plurality of frequencies as the stimulation frequencies within a range of maximum and minimum frequencies at which brain waves are induced by stimulation.

[0132] The stimulation output unit 631 corresponds to an example of stimulation output means. The brain wave measurement unit 632 corresponds to an example of brain wave measurement means. The induction determination unit 633 corresponds to an example of induction determination means. The frequency range search unit 634 corresponds to an example of frequency range search means. The frequency determination unit 635 corresponds to an example of frequency determination means.

[0133] According to the frequency determination system 630, it is possible to determine whether or not a brain wave is induced by a stimulus by using a frequency within a frequency range in which the brain wave is likely to be induced by a stimulus. In this respect, it is expected that the frequency determination system 630 can determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not a brain wave, such as an SSVEP, is induced by a stimulus.

[0134] Fifth Embodiment 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system according to at least one embodiment. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9, a control system 640 includes a stimulation output unit 641, an electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement unit 642, an induction determination unit 643, a frequency range search unit 644, a frequency determination unit 645, and a device control unit 646.

[0135] With this configuration, the stimulus output section 641 outputs a stimulus of a specified frequency. The electroencephalogram measuring section 642 measures electroencephalograms. The induction determination section 643 determines whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by a stimulation of a specified frequency, based on the electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation is being output. The frequency range search section 644 searches for the maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which stimulation induces brain waves. The frequency determination section 645 determines a plurality of frequencies as the stimulation frequencies within a range of maximum and minimum frequencies at which brain waves are induced by stimulation. The device control unit 646 controls the control target device in accordance with the combination of frequencies determined to have induced brain waves due to stimulation, from among the determined plurality of frequencies.

[0136] The stimulation output unit 641 corresponds to an example of stimulation output means. The brain wave measurement unit 642 corresponds to an example of brain wave measurement means. The induction determination unit 643 corresponds to an example of induction determination means. The frequency range search unit 644 corresponds to an example of frequency range search means. The frequency determination unit 645 corresponds to an example of frequency determination means. The device control unit 646 corresponds to an example of device control means.

[0137] According to the control system 640, it is possible to determine whether or not a brain wave is induced by a stimulus using a frequency within a frequency range in which a brain wave is likely to be induced by a stimulus. In this respect, the control system 640 is expected to be able to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not a brain wave, such as an SSVEP, is induced by a stimulus, and can control the device to be controlled based on the determination result.

[0138] Sixth Embodiment 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a frequency determination method according to at least one embodiment. The frequency determination method illustrated in FIG. 10 includes determining induction (step S611), searching a frequency range (step S612), and determining a frequency (step S613).

[0139] In determining whether or not an induction has occurred (step S611), the computer determines whether or not an electroencephalogram has been induced by the stimulation, based on the electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output. In searching the frequency range (step S612), the computer searches for the maximum and minimum frequency values ​​at which stimulation induces brain waves. In determining frequencies (step S613), the computer determines a plurality of frequencies as stimulation frequencies within a range of maximum and minimum frequencies at which electroencephalograms are induced by stimulation.

[0140] According to the frequency determination method shown in Fig. 10, it is possible to determine whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by a stimulus using a frequency within a frequency range in which an electroencephalogram is likely to be induced by a stimulus. In this respect, it is expected that the frequency determination method shown in Fig. 10 can determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not an electroencephalogram, such as an SSVEP, is induced by a stimulus.

[0141] Seventh Embodiment 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a control method according to at least one embodiment. The control method illustrated in FIG. 11 includes determining induction (step S621), searching a frequency range (step S622), determining a frequency (step S623), and controlling a device (step S624).

[0142] In determining whether or not an induction has occurred (step S621), the computer determines whether or not an electroencephalogram has been induced by the stimulation, based on the electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output. In searching the frequency range (step S622), the computer searches for the maximum and minimum frequency values ​​at which stimulation induces brain waves. In determining frequencies (step S623), the computer determines a plurality of frequencies as stimulation frequencies within a range of maximum and minimum frequencies at which electroencephalograms are induced by stimulation. In controlling the device (step S624), the computer controls the device to be controlled in accordance with the combination of frequencies determined to have induced electroencephalograms by stimulation, among the determined plurality of frequencies.

[0143] According to the control method shown in Fig. 11, it is possible to determine whether or not an electroencephalogram (EEG) is induced by a stimulus using a frequency within a frequency range in which an electroencephalogram (EEG) is likely to be induced by a stimulus. In this respect, the control method shown in Fig. 11 is expected to be able to determine with relatively high accuracy whether or not an electroencephalogram (EEG), such as an SSVEP, is induced by a stimulus, and the device to be controlled can be controlled based on the determination result.

[0144] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a computer configuration according to at least one embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, a computer 700 includes a CPU 710, a main memory device 720, an auxiliary memory device 730, an interface 740, and a non-volatile recording medium 750.

[0145] One or more of the above-described system control device 300b, target device control device 411, frequency determination device 610, and control device 620, or a part thereof, may be implemented in the computer 700. In this case, the operation of each of the above-described processing units is stored in the auxiliary storage device 730 in the form of a program. The CPU 710 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 730, loads it into the main storage device 720, and executes the above-described processing in accordance with the program. The CPU 710 also allocates storage areas in the main storage device 720 corresponding to each of the above-described storage units in accordance with the program. Communication between each device and other devices is performed by an interface 740 having a communication function and performing communication under the control of the CPU 710. The interface 740 also has a port for a nonvolatile recording medium 750, and reads information from the nonvolatile recording medium 750 and writes information to the nonvolatile recording medium 750.

[0146] When the system control device 300b is implemented in the computer 700, the operation of each unit thereof is stored in the form of a program in the auxiliary storage device 730. The CPU 710 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 730, loads it into the main storage device 720, and executes the above-described processing in accordance with the program.

[0147] Furthermore, the CPU 710 allocates a storage area in the main memory device 720 for the system control device 300b to perform processing in accordance with the program. Communication between the system control device 300b and other devices is performed by an interface 740 having a communication function and operating under the control of the CPU 710. Interaction between the system control device 300b and a user is performed by the interface 740 having an input device and an output device, which presents information to the user via the output device under the control of the CPU 710 and accepts user operations via the input device.

[0148] When the target device control device 411 is implemented in the computer 700, the operation of each unit thereof is stored in the form of a program in the auxiliary storage device 730. The CPU 710 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 730, loads it into the main storage device 720, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program.

[0149] Furthermore, the CPU 710 allocates a storage area in the main storage device 720 for the target device control device 411 to perform processing in accordance with the program. Communication between the target device control device 411 and other devices is performed by the interface 740, which has a communication function and operates under the control of the CPU 710. Interaction between the target device control device 411 and a user is performed by the interface 740, which has an input device and an output device, presenting information to the user via the output device under the control of the CPU 710 and accepting user operations via the input device.

[0150] When the frequency determination device 610 is implemented in a computer 700, the operation of each unit thereof is stored in the form of a program in an auxiliary storage device 730. The CPU 710 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 730, loads it into the main storage device 720, and executes the above-described processing in accordance with the program.

[0151] Furthermore, the CPU 710 allocates a storage area in the main storage device 720 for the frequency determination device 610 to perform processing in accordance with the program. Communication between the frequency determination device 610 and other devices is performed by an interface 740 having a communication function and operating under the control of the CPU 710. Interaction between the frequency determination device 610 and a user is performed by the interface 740 having an input device and an output device, presenting information to the user via the output device under the control of the CPU 710, and accepting user operations via the input device.

[0152] When the control device 620 is implemented in the computer 700, the operation of each unit thereof is stored in the form of a program in the auxiliary storage device 730. The CPU 710 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 730, loads it into the main storage device 720, and executes the above-described processing in accordance with the program.

[0153] Furthermore, the CPU 710 allocates a storage area in the main memory device 720 for the control device 620 to perform processing in accordance with the program. Communication between the control device 620 and other devices is performed by the interface 740, which has a communication function and operates under the control of the CPU 710. Interaction between the control device 620 and a user is performed by the interface 740, which has an input device and an output device, presenting information to the user via the output device under the control of the CPU 710 and accepting user operations via the input device.

[0154] One or more of the above-described programs may be recorded on nonvolatile recording medium 750. In this case, interface 740 may read the programs from nonvolatile recording medium 750. CPU 710 may then directly execute the programs read by interface 740, or may temporarily store the programs in main storage device 720 or auxiliary storage device 730 and then execute them.

[0155] Note that the processing of each unit may be performed by recording a program for executing all or part of the processing performed by the system control device 300b, the target device control device 411, the frequency determination device 610, and the control device 620 on a computer-readable recording medium, and having a computer system load and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. Note that the term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS (Operating System) and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs (Read Only Memory), and CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The program may be one that realizes part of the aforementioned functions, or may be one that can realize the aforementioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0156] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0157] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0158] (Appendix 1) an induction determination means for determining whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; a frequency range search means for searching for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the triggering occurs; a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value; A frequency determining device comprising:

[0159] (Appendix 2) the frequency determining means determines the plurality of frequencies so as to include the maximum value and the minimum value. 2. The frequency determining apparatus of claim 1.

[0160] (Appendix 3) the frequency determination means determines a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets selected in accordance with the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible; 3. The frequency determining apparatus of claim 1 or 2.

[0161] (Appendix 4) The selection of the selection target is performed according to a combination of frequencies determined to cause the induction among the determined plurality of frequencies. 4. A frequency determining apparatus as defined in claim 3.

[0162] (Appendix 5) a frequency switching means for switching the frequency of the stimulation among a plurality of determined frequencies according to time; Equipped with the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction has occurred each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 5. A frequency determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0163] (Appendix 6) a determination result evaluation means for determining whether or not the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction conforms to the user's intention each time the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction exists; Equipped with When it is determined that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in accordance with the user's intention, the frequency switching means designates the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation; the induction determination means redoes the determination of the presence or absence of the induction for that frequency. 6. The frequency determining apparatus of claim 5.

[0164] (Appendix 7) an induction determination means for determining whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; a frequency range search means for searching for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the triggering occurs; a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value; a device control means for controlling the control target device in accordance with a combination of frequencies determined to cause the triggering, among the determined plurality of frequencies; A control device comprising:

[0165] (Appendix 8) the frequency determining means determines the plurality of frequencies so as to include the maximum value and the minimum value. 8. The control device according to claim 7.

[0166] (Appendix 9) the frequency determination means determines a number of frequencies determined according to the number of types of control to be performed in accordance with the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible; 9. The control device of claim 7 or 8.

[0167] (Appendix 10) a frequency switching means for switching the frequency of the stimulation among a plurality of determined frequencies according to time; Equipped with the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction has occurred each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 10. The control device of any one of appendices 7 to 9.

[0168] (Appendix 11) a determination result evaluation means for determining whether or not the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction conforms to the user's intention each time the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction exists; Equipped with When it is determined that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in accordance with the user's intention, the frequency switching means designates the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation; the induction determination means redoes the determination of the presence or absence of the induction for that frequency. 11. The control device of claim 10.

[0169] (Appendix 12) a stimulus output means for outputting a stimulus of a specified frequency; an electroencephalogram measuring means for measuring an electroencephalogram; an induction determination means for determining whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; a frequency range search means for searching for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the triggering occurs; a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value; A frequency determination system comprising:

[0170] (Appendix 13) the frequency determining means determines the plurality of frequencies so as to include the maximum value and the minimum value. 13. The frequency determination system of claim 12.

[0171] (Appendix 14) the frequency determination means determines a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets selected in accordance with the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible; 14. The frequency determination system of claim 12 or 13.

[0172] (Appendix 15) The selection of the selection target is performed according to a combination of frequencies determined to cause the induction among the determined plurality of frequencies. 15. The frequency determination system of claim 14.

[0173] (Appendix 16) a frequency switching means for switching the frequency of the stimulation among a plurality of determined frequencies according to time; Equipped with the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction has occurred each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 16. A frequency determination system according to any one of claims 12 to 15.

[0174] (Appendix 17) a determination result evaluation means for determining whether or not the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction conforms to the user's intention each time the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction exists; Equipped with When it is determined that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in accordance with the user's intention, the frequency switching means designates the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation; the induction determination means redoes the determination of the presence or absence of the induction for that frequency. 17. The frequency determination system of claim 16.

[0175] (Appendix 18) a stimulus output means for outputting a stimulus of a specified frequency; an electroencephalogram measuring means for measuring an electroencephalogram; an induction determination means for determining whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; a frequency range search means for searching for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the triggering occurs; a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value; a device control means for controlling the control target device in accordance with a combination of frequencies determined to cause the triggering, among the determined plurality of frequencies; A control system comprising:

[0176] (Appendix 19) the frequency determining means determines the plurality of frequencies so as to include the maximum value and the minimum value. 19. The control system of claim 18.

[0177] (Appendix 20) the frequency determination means determines a number of frequencies determined according to the number of types of control to be performed in accordance with the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible; 19. The control system of claim 18 or 19.

[0178] (Appendix 21) a frequency switching means for switching the frequency of the stimulation among a plurality of determined frequencies according to time; Equipped with the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction has occurred each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 21. The control system of any one of claims 18 to 20.

[0179] (Appendix 22) a determination result evaluation means for determining whether or not the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction conforms to the user's intention each time the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction exists; Equipped with When it is determined that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in accordance with the user's intention, the frequency switching means designates the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation; the induction determination means redoes the determination of the presence or absence of the induction for that frequency. 22. The control system of claim 21.

[0180] (Appendix 23) The computer determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in the brain waves measured while the stimulation of the specified frequency is being output; searching for the maximum and minimum frequencies at which the triggering occurs; determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulus within the range between the maximum value and the minimum value; A frequency determination method comprising:

[0181] (Appendix 24) determining the plurality of frequencies includes determining the plurality of frequencies by the computer to include the maximum value and the minimum value; 24. A frequency determination method as described in Supplementary Note 23.

[0182] (Appendix 25) determining the plurality of frequencies includes determining, by the computer, a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets selected in accordance with the determination result of the presence or absence of the trigger, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible; 25. The frequency determination method according to claim 23 or 24.

[0183] (Appendix 26) The selection of the selection target is performed according to a combination of frequencies determined to cause the induction among the determined plurality of frequencies. 26. A frequency determination method as described in Supplementary Note 25.

[0184] (Appendix 27) The computer The frequency of the stimulation is switched over time among the determined plurality of frequencies. This includes: Determining the presence or absence of the elicitation includes the computer determining the presence or absence of the elicitation each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 27. A frequency determination method according to any one of appendices 23 to 26.

[0185] (Appendix 28) The computer Each time the presence or absence of the trigger is determined, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the presence or absence of the trigger is in accordance with the user's intention. This includes: Switching the frequency includes, when the computer determines that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in line with the user's intention, specifying the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation; Determining whether or not the trigger is present includes the computer redoing the determination of whether or not the trigger is present for a frequency when it is determined that the determination result of whether or not the trigger is present does not conform to the user's intention. 28. A frequency determination method as described in Supplementary Note 27.

[0186] (Appendix 29) The computer determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in the brain waves measured while the stimulation of the specified frequency is being output; searching for the maximum and minimum frequencies at which the triggering occurs; determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulus within the range between the maximum value and the minimum value; The control target device is controlled in accordance with the combination of frequencies determined to have caused the induction among the determined plurality of frequencies. A control method comprising:

[0187] (Appendix 30) determining the plurality of frequencies includes determining the plurality of frequencies by the computer to include the maximum value and the minimum value; 29. The control method of claim 29.

[0188] (Appendix 31) determining the plurality of frequencies includes determining, by the computer, a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets selected in accordance with the determination result of the presence or absence of the trigger, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible; 31. The control method according to claim 29 or 30.

[0189] (Appendix 32) The computer The frequency of the stimulation is switched over time among the determined plurality of frequencies. This includes: Determining the presence or absence of the elicitation includes the computer determining the presence or absence of the elicitation each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 32. The control method of any one of appendices 29 to 31.

[0190] (Appendix 33) The computer Each time the presence or absence of the trigger is determined, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the presence or absence of the trigger is in accordance with the user's intention. This includes: Switching the frequency includes, when the computer determines that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in line with the user's intention, specifying the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation; Determining whether or not the trigger is present includes the computer redoing the determination of whether or not the trigger is present for a frequency when it is determined that the determination result of whether or not the trigger is present does not conform to the user's intention. 33. The control method of claim 32.

[0191] (Appendix 34) On the computer, determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; searching for frequency maxima and minima at which said triggering occurs; determining a plurality of frequencies within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​as the frequency of the stimulus; A program that executes the following.

[0192] (Appendix 35) determining the plurality of frequencies by causing the computer to determine the plurality of frequencies to include the maximum value and the minimum value; 34. The program described in Appendix 34.

[0193] (Appendix 36) In determining the plurality of frequencies, the computer is caused to determine a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets selected according to the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible. 36. The program of claim 34 or 35.

[0194] (Appendix 37) The selection of the selection target is performed according to a combination of frequencies determined to cause the induction among the determined plurality of frequencies. 36. The program described in Appendix 36.

[0195] (Appendix 38) The computer, switching the frequency of the stimulation among a plurality of determined frequencies over time; Execute In determining whether or not the induction occurs, the computer is caused to determine whether or not the induction occurs each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 38. The program of any one of appendices 34 to 37.

[0196] (Appendix 39) The computer, determining whether or not a result of the determination of the presence or absence of the trigger is in line with a user's intention each time the determination of the presence or absence of the trigger is made; Execute When the computer determines that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in line with the user's intention, the computer is caused to execute the following: designating the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation by switching the frequency; In determining whether or not the induction is present, the computer is caused to redo the determination of whether or not the induction is present for a frequency when it is determined that the determination result of whether or not the induction is present does not conform to the user's intention. 38. The program described in Appendix 38.

[0197] (Appendix 40) On the computer, determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; searching for frequency maxima and minima at which said triggering occurs; determining a plurality of frequencies within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​as the frequency of the stimulus; Controlling the control target device in accordance with the combination of frequencies determined to have caused the triggering, among the determined plurality of frequencies; A program that executes the following.

[0198] (Appendix 41) determining the plurality of frequencies by causing the computer to determine the plurality of frequencies to include the maximum value and the minimum value; 40. The program of claim 40.

[0199] (Appendix 42) In determining the plurality of frequencies, the computer is caused to determine a number of frequencies determined according to the number of types of control to be performed according to the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible. 40. The program of claim 41.

[0200] (Appendix 43) The computer, switching the frequency of the stimulation among a plurality of determined frequencies over time; Execute In determining whether or not the induction occurs, the computer is caused to determine whether or not the induction occurs each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched. 43. The program of any one of appendices 40 to 42.

[0201] (Appendix 44) The computer, determining whether or not a result of the determination of the presence or absence of the trigger is in line with a user's intention each time the determination of the presence or absence of the trigger is made; Execute When the computer determines that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in line with the user's intention, the computer is caused to execute the following: designating the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation by switching the frequency; In determining whether or not the induction is present, the computer is caused to redo the determination of whether or not the induction is present for a frequency when it is determined that the determination result of whether or not the induction is present does not conform to the user's intention. 43. The program described in Appendix 43. [Explanation of symbols]

[0202] 11, 12 Control System 100 Stimulation output device 101 Stimulation output unit 111 Frequency instruction receiver 112 Stimulation output control unit 200 Brain wave sensor unit 200b Brain wave sensor device 201 EEG Measurement Section 211 Measurement data processing section 212 Measurement data transmission unit 300 System control unit 300b System control device 301 Induction Judgment Section 302 Frequency range search unit 303 Frequency determination unit 304 Frequency switching unit 305 Judgment Result Evaluation Unit 306 Target device control unit 311 Frequency instruction transmitter 321 Measurement data receiver 331 Command determination unit 332 Command transmission unit 400 equipment groups 401 Controlled Equipment 411 Target equipment control device

Claims

1. an induction determination means for determining whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; a frequency range search means for searching for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the triggering occurs; a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value; A frequency determining device comprising:

2. the frequency determining means determines the plurality of frequencies so as to include the maximum value and the minimum value.

2. The frequency determining device according to claim 1.

3. the frequency determination means determines a number of frequencies determined according to the number of selection targets selected in accordance with the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction, such that intervals between the frequencies are as wide as possible; 2. The frequency determining device according to claim 1.

4. The selection of the selection target is performed according to a combination of frequencies determined to cause the elicitation among the determined plurality of frequencies.

4. The frequency determining device according to claim 3.

5. a frequency switching means for switching the frequency of the stimulation among a plurality of determined frequencies according to time; Equipped with the induction determination means determines whether or not the induction occurs each time the frequency of the stimulation is switched.

2. The frequency determining device according to claim 1.

6. a determination result evaluation means for determining whether or not the determination result of the presence or absence of the trigger is in line with the user's intention each time the trigger determination means determines whether or not the trigger is present; Equipped with When it is determined that the determination result of the presence or absence of the induction is not in accordance with the user's intention, the frequency switching means designates the frequency at that time as the frequency of the stimulation; the induction determination means redoes the determination of the presence or absence of the induction for that frequency.

6. The frequency determining device according to claim 5.

7. an induction determination means for determining whether or not an electroencephalogram is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; a frequency range search means for searching for maximum and minimum values ​​of the frequency at which the triggering occurs; a frequency determination means for determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulation within a range between the maximum value and the minimum value; a device control means for controlling the control target device in accordance with a combination of frequencies determined to cause the triggering, among the determined plurality of frequencies; A control device comprising:

8. The computer determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in the brain waves measured while the stimulation of the specified frequency is being output; searching for the maximum and minimum frequencies at which the triggering occurs; determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulus within the range between the maximum value and the minimum value; A frequency determination method comprising:

9. The computer determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in the brain waves measured while the stimulation of the specified frequency is being output; searching for the maximum and minimum frequencies at which the triggering occurs; determining a plurality of frequencies as the frequency of the stimulus within the range between the maximum value and the minimum value; The control target device is controlled in accordance with the combination of frequencies determined to have caused the induction among the determined plurality of frequencies. A control method comprising:

10. On the computer, determining whether or not a brain wave is induced by the stimulation in an electroencephalogram measured while the stimulation of the designated frequency is being output; searching for frequency maxima and minima at which said triggering occurs; determining a plurality of frequencies within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​as the frequency of the stimulus; A program that executes the following.

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