Method and apparatus for generating transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining direct current and noise signal

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal. According to the present disclosure, an apparatus for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal may comprise: a direct current generation unit for generating a direct current; a noise signal generation unit for generating a noise signal; a combining unit for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining the direct current and the noise signal, determining whether parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal are the same as preset parameters, and adjusting a ratio of the direct current and the noise signal if the parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal are not the same as the preset parameters; and an output unit for outputting the transcranial electrical stimulation signal.

Description

Method and apparatus for generating transcranial electrical stimulation signals by combining direct current and noise signals

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a noise signal having positive and negative currents with a direct current, or by combining a noise signal having only a positive current with a direct current.

[0002] The following description merely provides background information related to the present embodiment and does not constitute prior art.

[0003] Transcranial electrical stimulation is a technique that stimulates the brain by non-invasively applying an electric current to the subject's scalp. Transcranial electrical stimulation improves brain function by regulating the state of brain neural activity and is utilized for the recovery of sequelae resulting from mental or physical brain injury. Methods of transcranial electrical stimulation include transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS).

[0004] Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDC) is a technique that stimulates the brain using direct current. TDC alters brain function by regulating the excitability and plasticity of neurons; it is used to treat various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, chronic pain, and post-stroke rehabilitation, and improves cognitive function. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (TAS) is a technique that stimulates the brain using alternating current; it regulates brain function by synchronizing the brain's natural vibration patterns using currents with specific frequency vibration patterns. Functions such as cognitive ability, memory, and motor learning can be enhanced through the use of TSC. Transcranial random signal stimulation (TRS) is a technique that stimulates the brain using randomly varying currents and increases neural activity through stochastic resonance. TSC can promote neuroplasticity and improve learning and memory formation processes.

[0005] Recently, oscillatory transcranial direct current stimulation (otDCS), which combines transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial alternating current stimulation, is being utilized. Oscillatory transcranial direct current stimulation is a technique that stimulates the brain by vibrating the intensity of a direct current of a constant magnitude based on a specific frequency. By using oscillatory transcranial direct current stimulation, it is possible to simultaneously obtain the effects of both transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial alternating current stimulation. In this way, technologies that stimulate the brain by combining transcranial electrical stimulation techniques are being researched.

[0006] Transcranial direct current stimulation can control brain activity by inducing depolarization or hyperpolarization of neuronal membrane potentials in the cerebral cortex, thereby regulating the threshold of neural network activation; however, it has limitations in efficiently stimulating neuroplasticity. On the other hand, transcranial random signal stimulation effectively activates neuroplasticity, but it has limitations in the targeting and precision of stimulation because the regulation of the neural network potential threshold is not precise. Theoretically, if these two technologies are combined, the DC component depolarizes neurons to lower the threshold for action potential generation, while the noise component, based on the phenomenon of stochastic resonance, allows weak neural signals to easily exceed this lowered threshold. Accordingly, a dual-modulation effect can be expected.

[0007] However, in conventional simple coupling methods, increasing the noise energy to maximize these synergistic effects results in the generation of negative current regions, which cancel out the inherent depolarization effect of DC stimulation. Conversely, simply clipping the noise to maintain polarity leads to the loss of noise energy essential for stochastic resonance, causing a reduction in neuroactive effects. Accordingly, a new signal processing technique is required that can ensure the mechanism of transcranial DC stimulation by maintaining single polarity, while simultaneously securing the effects of transcranial random signal stimulation by fully preserving the noise energy.

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide a method and apparatus for generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal. In particular, the present disclosure aims to provide a method and apparatus for generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by converting a noise signal having a negative current into a noise signal having only a positive current, and combining the converted noise signal with a direct current.

[0009] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a noise signal and a direct current, and converting the negative current in the combined signal into a positive current.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal is provided. The apparatus for generating the transcranial electrical stimulation signal may include a direct current generating unit for generating a direct current, a noise signal generating unit for generating a noise signal, a combining unit for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining the direct current and the noise signal, determining whether the parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to preset parameters, and adjusting the ratio of the direct current and the noise signal when the parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal are not identical to the preset parameters, and an output unit for outputting the transcranial electrical stimulation signal, and the transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a positive current.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal is provided. The method for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal may include a process of generating a direct current and a noise signal, a process of combining the direct current and the noise signal to generate a transcranial electrical stimulation signal, a process of determining whether parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal match preset parameters, and a process of outputting the transcranial electrical stimulation signal when the parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal match preset parameters, and the transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a positive current.

[0012] A computer-readable recording medium according to the present disclosure is a computer-readable recording medium in which instructions are stored, wherein the instructions may execute a process of generating a direct current and a noise signal, a process of combining the direct current and the noise signal to generate a transcranial electrical stimulation signal, a process of determining whether the parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal match preset parameters, and a process of outputting the transcranial electrical stimulation signal when the parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal match preset parameters, and the transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a positive current.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, there is an effect of generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal that has both the short-term electrical stimulation effect of transcranial direct current stimulation and the long-term electrical stimulation effect of transcranial irregular signal stimulation.

[0014] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by transferring frequency components and energy included in the negative region of the noise signal to the positive region, there is an effect of simultaneously maximizing the safety of transcranial direct current stimulation and the neuroactive effect of transcranial irregular signal stimulation.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a coupling portion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 3a to 3d are drawings for explaining a method of generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIGS. 4a to 4d are drawings illustrating a method for generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions could obscure the essence of the present disclosure, such detailed description is omitted.

[0021] In describing the components of the embodiments according to the present disclosure, symbols such as first, second, i), ii), a), b), etc., may be used. These symbols are intended only to distinguish the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by the symbols. When a part in the specification is described as 'comprising' or 'having' a component, this means that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0022] The detailed description set forth below, together with the accompanying drawings, is intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to represent the only embodiment in which the present disclosure can be practiced.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a device for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal (hereinafter, transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device, 10) includes, in whole or in part, a direct current generating unit (110), a noise signal generating unit (120), a coupling unit (130), and an output unit (140). The transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device (10) and each of its components may be implemented in hardware or software, or in combination of hardware and software. Additionally, the function of each component may be implemented in software, and one or more processors may be implemented to execute the function of the software corresponding to each component.

[0025] The direct current generating unit (110) generates a direct current. Here, the direct current can be generated independently by the direct current generating unit (110), or it can be generated based on a value set by a user using an interface, etc. For example, the value of the direct current to be generated can be set using a smartphone or a computer, etc.

[0026] The noise signal generation unit (120) generates a noise signal. Here, the noise signal may include white noise, random noise, and pink noise. The noise signal may be generated independently by the noise signal generation unit (120), or may be generated based on the amplitude of the noise signal set by the user using an interface, etc. For example, the amplitude of the noise signal may be set using a smartphone or a computer, etc. The noise signal generation unit (120) generates a noise signal having positive and negative currents, or generates a noise signal having only positive currents. In the case where a noise signal having only positive currents is generated, the noise signal generation unit (120) may generate a noise signal having only positive currents by generating a noise signal having positive and negative currents, taking the absolute value of the negative current, and then changing the value obtained from the absolute value to a positive current.

[0027] The DC current generating unit (110) and the noise signal generating unit (120) can each generate a DC current and a noise signal according to a certain ratio. For example, the DC current generating unit (110) and the noise signal generating unit (120) can each generate a DC current and a noise signal with a ratio of 60% for the DC current and 40% for the noise signal. Here, the DC current and the noise signal can be generated based on a ratio preset by the DC current generating unit (110) and the noise signal generating unit (120), or can be generated based on a ratio set by a user using an interface, etc. For example, the ratio of the DC current and the noise signal can be set using a smartphone or a computer, etc.

[0028] The combining unit (130) combines the direct current generated by the direct current generating unit (110) and the noise signal generated by the noise signal generating unit (120) to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. Here, the technique for stimulating the brain using the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may be tDNS (transcranial Direct current plus random Noise Stimulation). Since tDNS is a technique that has both the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial random signal stimulation, it may only have positive current.

[0029] When the noise signal generated by the noise signal generation unit (120) has both positive and negative currents and the value of the direct current is smaller than the amplitude of the noise signal, the combining unit (130) combines the direct current and the noise signal, takes the absolute value of the negative current in the combined signal, and changes the value from which the absolute value was taken into a positive current to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. Accordingly, the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have only a positive current.

[0030] When the noise signal generated by the noise signal generation unit (120) has both positive and negative currents and the value of the direct current is greater than the amplitude of the noise signal, the coupling unit (130) can combine the direct current and the noise signal to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. Here, since the value of the direct current is greater than the amplitude of the noise signal, the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have only a positive current even without the coupling unit (130) performing the process of taking the absolute value.

[0031] When the noise signal generated by the noise signal generation unit (120) has only positive current, the coupling unit (130) can combine the direct current and the noise signal to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. Here, since the noise signal has only positive current, the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal can have only positive current even without the coupling unit (130) performing the process of taking the absolute value.

[0032] The coupling unit (130) converts a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal. The coupling unit (130) compares the parameters of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is an analog signal, with target parameters to determine whether to regenerate the transcranial electrical stimulation signal. Here, the parameters include current intensity, frequency, voltage, and waveform, and may have arbitrary preset values.

[0033] When the parameter to be compared is the current intensity, the coupling unit (130) measures the Root Mean Square (RMS) current of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is an analog signal, using a current sensor, and determines whether to regenerate the transcranial electrical stimulation signal by comparing the measured RMS current with the target current. Here, the target current may be a preset current or a current set by the user using an interface, etc. If the RMS current of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal is the same as the target current, the coupling unit (130) transmits the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal to the output unit (140). If the RMS current of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal is not the same as the target current, the coupling unit (130) regenerates the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining the DC current and noise signals regenerated by the DC current generation unit (110) and the noise signal generation unit (120), respectively. In this case, the coupling unit (130) can adjust the value of the DC current generated by the DC current generating unit (110) and the amplitude of the noise signal generated by the noise signal generating unit (120). Alternatively, the value of the DC current and the amplitude of the noise signal can be reset by a user using an interface, etc.

[0034] To describe another embodiment, the coupling unit (130) can obtain a portion of the DC current and a portion of the noise signal current from a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is an analog signal converted using a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter. If the value of the obtained DC current is not the same as the preset value of the DC current, the coupling unit (130) can adjust the value of the DC current to be generated by the DC current generation unit (110) so that the value of the obtained DC current becomes the same as the preset value of the DC current. If the RMS value of the obtained noise signal current is not the same as the RMS value of the preset value of the noise signal current, the coupling unit (130) can adjust the amplitude of the noise signal to be generated by the noise signal generation unit (120) so that the RMS value of the obtained noise signal current becomes the same as the RMS value of the preset value of the noise signal current.

[0035] The output unit (140) outputs a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal received from the coupling unit (130). The output new transcranial electrical stimulation signal can be applied to the user's brain.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a coupling portion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, the coupling unit (130) includes all or part of a conversion unit (210), a monitoring unit (220), and a control unit (230). The coupling unit (130) and each of its components may be implemented in hardware or software, or in combination of hardware and software. Additionally, the function of each component may be implemented in software, and one or more processors may be implemented to execute the software function corresponding to each component.

[0038] The conversion unit (210) converts the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal using a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC). A DAC is a device that converts a digital signal into an analog signal. The monitoring unit (220) monitors the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal converted into an analog signal using a current sensor. The monitoring unit (220) monitors the parameters of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal converted into an analog signal. The RMS current of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is an analog signal, is measured by the current sensor.

[0039] The monitoring unit (220) includes a DC current monitoring unit (221) and a noise signal monitoring unit (222). The DC current monitoring unit (220) can acquire a portion of the DC current from a new analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal using a low-pass filter and monitor the value of the acquired portion of the DC current. The noise signal monitoring unit (222) can acquire a portion of the noise signal from a new analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal using a high-pass filter and monitor the RMS value of the current of the acquired noise signal.

[0040] The control unit (230) compares the parameters of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal with the target parameters and controls the DC current generation unit (110) and the noise signal generation unit (120) based on the comparison result. When the parameter being compared is the current intensity, the control unit (230) compares the RMS current of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal with the target current and controls the DC current generation unit (110) and the noise signal generation unit (120) based on the comparison result. The control unit (230) adjusts the value of the DC current to be generated by the DC current generation unit (110) and the amplitude of the noise signal to be generated by the noise signal generation unit (120) so that the RMS current of the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal and the target current become the same.

[0041] The control unit (230) compares the value of the portion of the DC current obtained from the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is an analog signal, and the RMS value of the current of the noise signal obtained from the new transcranial electrical stimulation signal, which is an analog signal, with the RMS value of the current of the DC current and the RMS value of the current of the noise signal, respectively, and controls the DC current generation unit (110) and the noise signal generation unit (120) based on the comparison result. The control unit (230) adjusts the value of the DC current to be generated by the DC current generation unit (110) and the amplitude of the noise signal to be generated by the noise signal generation unit (120) so that the value of the portion of the DC current and the RMS value of the current of the noise signal obtained become equal to the RMS value of the DC current and the RMS value of the current of the noise signal, respectively.

[0042] Here, mathematical formulas 1 to 4 can be used, and mathematical formulas 1 to 4 can be expressed as follows.

[0043] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0044] tDNS = a*DC + b*Random noise

[0045] [Mathematical Formula 2]

[0046] tDNS = abs(a*DC + b*Random noise)

[0047] [Mathematical Formula 3]

[0048] tDNS = a*DC + b*abs(Random noise)

[0049] [Mathematical Formula 4]

[0050] tDNS = a*DC + b*(Random noise+1)

[0051] Here, tDNS is a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal to be applied to the user's brain, DC is a direct current, Random noise is a noise signal, and abs() is an absolute value operation. DC is greater than or equal to 0, and Random noise can have a value between -1 and 1. However, it is not limited thereto. The control unit (230) can determine a and b in mathematical formulas 1 to 4 to adjust the value of the direct current generated by the direct current generation unit (110) and the amplitude of the noise signal generated by the noise signal generation unit (120).

[0052] FIGS. 3a to 3d are drawings for explaining a method of generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3a, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0.9 mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having a positive current with an amplitude of 0.1 mA and a negative current with an amplitude of 0.1 mA. The combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0.9 mA, the positive current with an amplitude of 0.1 mA, and the noise signal having a negative current with an amplitude of 0.1 mA to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0.8 mA and 1 mA and may not have a negative current.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3b, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0.5 mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having a positive current with an amplitude of 0.5 mA and a negative current with an amplitude of 0.5 mA. The combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0.5 mA, the positive current with an amplitude of 0.5 mA, and the noise signal having a negative current with an amplitude of 0.5 mA to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0 mA and 1 mA and may not have a negative current.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3c, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0.4 mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having a positive current with an amplitude of 0.6 mA and a negative current with an amplitude of 0.6 mA. Since the value of the DC current is smaller than the amplitude of the noise signal, the combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0.4 mA, the positive current with an amplitude of 0.6 mA, and the noise signal having a negative current with an amplitude of 0.6 mA, take the absolute value of the negative current in the combined signal, and then change the value from which the absolute value was taken into a positive current to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0 mA and 1 mA and may not have a negative current.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3d, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having a positive current with an amplitude of 1mA and a negative current with an amplitude of 1mA. Since the value of the DC current is smaller than the amplitude of the noise signal, the combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0mA, the positive current with an amplitude of 1mA, and the noise signal having a negative current with an amplitude of 1mA, take the absolute value of the negative current in the combined signal, and then change the value from which the absolute value was taken into a positive current to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0mA and 1mA and may not have a negative current.

[0057] FIGS. 4a to 4d are drawings illustrating a method for generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4a, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0.9 mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 0.1 mA. The combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0.9 mA and the noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 0.1 mA to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0.9 mA and 1 mA and may not have a negative current.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4b, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0.5 mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 0.5 mA. The combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0.5 mA and the noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 0.5 mA to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0.5 mA and 1 mA and may not have a negative current.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 4c, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0.1 mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 0.9 mA. The combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0.1 mA and the noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 0.9 mA to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0.1 mA and 1 mA and may not have a negative current.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4d, the DC current generating unit (110) can generate a DC current of 0mA, and the noise signal generating unit (120) can generate a noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 1mA. The combining unit (130) can combine the DC current of 0mA and the noise signal having only a positive current with an amplitude of 1mA to generate a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal. The new transcranial electrical stimulation signal may have a current between 0mA and 1mA and may not have a negative current.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a new transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining a direct current and a noise signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, the DC current generating unit (110) and the noise signal generating unit (120) each generate a DC current and a noise signal (S510). The process of generating the noise signal may include generating a first noise signal having positive and negative currents, or generating a second noise signal having only positive currents. The process of generating the second noise signal may include taking the absolute value of the negative current of the first noise signal and generating the value from which the absolute value was taken, and changing the value from which the absolute value was taken into a positive current to generate the second noise signal.

[0064] The coupling unit (130) combines a direct current and a noise signal to generate a transcranial electrical stimulation signal (S520). The process of generating the transcranial electrical stimulation signal may include, when a first noise signal is generated and the value of the direct current is smaller than the amplitude of the first noise signal, a process of combining the direct current and the first noise signal to generate a combined signal, a process of taking the absolute value of the negative current of the combined signal to generate a value with the absolute value taken, and a process of changing the value with the absolute value taken into a positive current to generate a transcranial electrical stimulation signal.

[0065] The coupling unit (130) converts the digital transcranial electrical stimulation signal into an analog signal (S530). The coupling unit (130) determines whether the parameters of the analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to the target parameters (S540). The parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal may include current intensity, frequency, voltage, and waveform. The target parameters may be pre-set.

[0066] If it is determined that the parameters of the analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal are not identical to the target parameters (S540-NO), the DC current generation unit (110) and the noise signal generation unit (120) each generate a DC current and a noise signal (S510). Here, the coupling unit (130) can adjust the ratio of the DC current and the noise signal. The DC current generation unit (110) and the noise signal generation unit (120) can each generate a DC current and a noise signal based on the adjusted ratio of the DC current and the noise signal. If it is determined that the parameters of the analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal and the target parameters are identical (S540-YES), the output unit (140) outputs the transcranial electrical stimulation signal (S550).

[0067] In another embodiment, the coupling unit (130) can obtain a portion of the DC current and a portion of the noise signal current from an analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal using a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter. The coupling unit (130) can determine whether the value of the portion of the DC current is the same as a preset DC current value, and whether the RMS value of the noise signal current is the same as a preset RMS value of the noise signal current. If the value of the portion of the DC current is not the same as a preset DC current value, or if the RMS value of the noise signal current is not the same as a preset RMS value of the noise signal current, the coupling unit (130) can adjust the value of the DC current or the amplitude of the noise signal. The DC current generating unit (110) and the noise signal generating unit (120) can each generate a DC current and a noise signal based on the value of the controlled DC current or the amplitude of the controlled noise signal.

[0068] The method described in this disclosure may be implemented by a general-purpose computer having a processor, memory, disk or other mass storage, a communication interface, input / output (I / O) devices, a display, and other peripheral devices. A general-purpose computer may function as a device that executes the method described above by loading software instructions into a processor and then executing the instructions to perform the function described in this disclosure.

[0069] The method described in this disclosure may be implemented with instructions stored in a non-transient recording medium that can be read and executed by one or more processors. A non-transient recording medium includes, for example, any type of recording device in which data is stored in a form readable by a computer system. For example, a non-transient recording medium includes storage media such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash drive, an optical drive, a magnetic hard drive, and a solid-state drive (SSD).

[0070] Although the flowcharts and timing diagrams of this specification describe each process as being executed sequentially, this is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of one embodiment of the present disclosure. In other words, a person skilled in the art to which one embodiment of the present disclosure belongs may modify and adapt the flowcharts and timing diagrams in various ways, such as changing the order described in the flowcharts and timing diagrams or executing one or more of the processes in parallel, without departing from the essential characteristics of one embodiment of the present disclosure; therefore, the flowcharts and timing diagrams are not limited to a chronological order.

[0071] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present embodiment, and a person skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs would be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Accordingly, the present embodiments are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present embodiment, and the scope of the technical concept of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present embodiment.

[0072]

[0073] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0074] This patent application claims priority to Korean patent application No. 10-2024-0182249 filed on December 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated into this patent application by reference.

Claims

1. A DC current generating unit for generating DC current; A noise signal generation unit for generating a noise signal; A coupling unit for generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining the above direct current and the above noise signal, determining whether the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to preset parameters, and adjusting the ratio of the above direct current and the above noise signal if the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal are not identical to the above preset parameters; and It includes an output unit for outputting the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal, and The above transcranial electrical stimulation signal is a transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device having a positive current.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above noise signal generating unit generates a first noise signal having positive and negative currents or generates a second noise signal having only positive current, and A transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device wherein the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal include at least one of current intensity, frequency, waveform, and voltage.

3. In Paragraph 2, A transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device, wherein when the noise signal generating unit generates the second noise signal, the noise signal generating unit takes the absolute value of the negative current of the first noise signal and changes the value from which the absolute value was taken into a positive current to generate the second noise signal.

4. In Paragraph 2, A transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device, wherein when the value of the direct current is smaller than the amplitude of the first noise signal, the coupling unit combines the direct current and the first noise signal to generate a combined signal, takes the absolute value of the negative current of the combined signal, and changes the value from which the absolute value was taken into a positive current to generate the transcranial electrical stimulation signal.

5. In Paragraph 1, A transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device, wherein the above coupling unit converts the transcranial electrical stimulation signal from a digital signal to an analog signal and determines whether the parameters of the analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to the preset parameters.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above coupling unit converts the transcranial electrical stimulation signal from a digital signal to an analog signal, obtains a portion of the direct current and a portion of the noise signal current from the analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal using a filter, determines whether the value of the portion of the direct current is the same as a preset value of the direct current, and determines whether the value of the noise signal current is the same as a preset value of the noise signal current, a transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device.

7. A method performed by a transcranial electrical stimulation signal generating device, Process of generating direct current and noise signals; A process of generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining the above direct current and the above noise signal; A process for determining whether the parameters of the above-mentioned transcranial electrical stimulation signal and preset parameters are identical; and The method includes a process of outputting the transcranial electrical stimulation signal when the parameters of the transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to the preset parameters, and The above transcranial electrical stimulation signal has a positive current, method.

8. In Paragraph 7, The process of generating the above noise signal is, The method includes a process of generating a first noise signal having positive and negative currents or generating a second noise signal having only positive currents, and A method in which the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal include at least one of current intensity, frequency, waveform, and voltage.

9. In Paragraph 8, The process of generating the second noise signal above is, A process of taking the absolute value of the negative current of the first noise signal and generating a value from which the absolute value has been taken; and A method comprising the process of generating the second noise signal by changing the value obtained from the absolute value into a positive current.

10. In Paragraph 8, The process of generating the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal is, When the first noise signal is generated and the value of the DC current is smaller than the amplitude of the first noise signal, a process of combining the DC current and the first noise signal to generate a combined signal; A process of taking the absolute value of the negative current of the combined signal to generate a value with the absolute value taken; and A method comprising the process of generating the transcranial electrical stimulation signal by changing the value obtained from the absolute value into a positive current.

11. In Paragraph 7, The process of determining whether the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to the above preset parameters is, A process of converting the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal from a digital signal to an analog signal; and A method comprising a process of determining whether the parameters of the analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to the preset parameters.

12. In Paragraph 7, The process of determining whether the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to the above preset parameters is, A process of converting the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal from a digital signal to an analog signal; A process of obtaining a portion of the direct current and a portion of the noise signal current from the analog transcranial electrical stimulation signal using a filter; and A method comprising the process of determining whether the value of the portion of the above direct current is the same as the value of the preset direct current, and determining whether the value of the noise signal current is the same as the value of the preset noise signal current.

13. In Paragraph 7, A method further comprising a process of adjusting the ratio of the direct current and the noise signal when the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal are not identical to the above preset parameters.

14. A computer-readable recording medium storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the computer, the computer, Process of generating direct current and noise signals; A process of generating a transcranial electrical stimulation signal by combining the above direct current and the above noise signal; A process for determining whether the parameters of the above-mentioned transcranial electrical stimulation signal and preset parameters are identical; and If the parameters of the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal are identical to the above preset parameters, the process of outputting the above transcranial electrical stimulation signal is executed, and The above transcranial electrical stimulation signal is a computer-readable recording medium having a positive current.

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