Brain-Machine Interface for Mental Posture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users with disabilities face challenges in accessing and controlling posture and gesture-controlled technologies due to their inability to perform the required physical gestures or postures, limiting their access to various devices and systems.

Innovation Solution

A brain-machine interface (BMI) system that detects neural signals associated with intended postures and translates them into commands for controlling devices, allowing mental control of posture and gesture-controlled technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If posture and gesture controlled technology is implemented, then ease of operation is improved for able-bodied users, but accessibility deteriorates for users with disabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical posture and gesture execution with a neural signal-based control system. Electromyographic (EMG) signals detected from muscle activity enable users with disabilities to control devices without requiring actual physical movement, thus substituting the mechanical requirement with an electrical/biological signal detection system that preserves accessibility while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If physical gesture recognition is used, then device control precision is improved, but user accessibility deteriorates for motor-disabled individuals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiduser accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces EMG signal detection as an intermediary between the user's intent and device control. The system detects electrical signals from muscle activity (even minimal or imagined movements) and translates them into precise control commands, serving as a mediator that preserves control precision while removing the barrier of physical motor execution for disabled users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of executing precise physical gestures with an electrical signal detection system that monitors muscle activity. This substitution maintains measurement precision by detecting the electrical precursors to movement while eliminating the need for actual physical execution, thereby improving accessibility for motor-disabled users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If traditional BMI decoding is used, then neural signal processing is simplified, but control versatility deteriorates for posture-controlled technologies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidcontrol versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal BMI decoding system that can handle multiple types of control commands (cursor movement, text selection, device control) through a single EMG-based neural signal processing framework. The system is designed to be multi-functional, accommodating both traditional BMI applications and posture-controlled technologies without requiring separate processing systems, thus achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables broader access to posture and gesture-controlled technologies for users with disabilities by allowing mental control of devices, providing complex and nuanced control through imagined postures, enhancing usability for individuals with motor disabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of electrodes, each configured to detect a neural signal within a nervous system (e.g., a brain) of a subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical signal detection: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230172522A1Providing mental control of position and/or gesture controlled technologies via intended postures

Publication Date: 2023.06.08 THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORP

AI summary

Neural signals of a subject intending certain postures can be decoded and a controllable device can be commanded to perform certain actions based on the decoded intended postures with a system, and method of use thereof, including a brain machine interface (BMI) device. The system also includes electrodes in communication with the subject's nervous system to record the neural signals and the controllable device, both in communication with the BMI device. The BMI device can store instructions and previously calibrated neural activity patterns for the certain postures and a processor for receiving the neural signals, pre-processing the neural signals, decoding the neural signals into neural activity patterns, and matching the neural activity patterns to the previously calibrated neural activity patterns. If a match is determined, then the BMI device can send a command, previously linked to the intended posture, to the controllable device to perform the action.