EEG Interface System Dynamic Flicker Adjustment for Intent Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electroencephalogram interface systems face challenges in accurately determining user intent due to noise in electroencephalogram signals and the need for multiple measurements, leading to a trade-off between distinction accuracy and user attention time.

Innovation Solution

An electroencephalogram interface system that adjusts the number of flickers for options based on acquired event-related potentials, using a confirmation flicker control section to calculate a certainty level and adjust the number of confirmation flickers, thereby improving inference accuracy and reducing user intent expression time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple electroencephalogram measurements are acquired and summed to improve distinction accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to prolonged user attention requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistinction accuracyVSAvoiduser attention time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the number of summations based on the calculated certainty level. When the certainty level is high, fewer summations are performed, reducing time loss. When the certainty level is low, more summations are performed to improve measurement precision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between accuracy and time by adapting the measurement process to the actual signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of summation count based on the certainty level derived from initial measurements. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between distinction accuracy and user attention time, achieving high precision when necessary while minimizing time loss when the signal is already clear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the number of flickers is increased to improve option distinction, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases due to slower option selection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoption distinction accuracyVSAvoidoption selection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the number of flickers based on the certainty level. When certainty is high, fewer flickers are performed, maintaining productivity. When certainty is low, more flickers are performed to ensure accurate option distinction. This resolves the contradiction by making the flicker count adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs only the necessary number of flickers required to achieve sufficient distinction accuracy, avoiding excessive flickers that would reduce productivity. The certainty level calculation determines the minimal sufficient action needed, preventing waste of time while ensuring accurate option selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If confirmation flickering is performed multiple times to verify inferred options, then reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to extended verification process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinference verification accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically determines the number of confirmation flickers based on the certainty level from initial measurements. High certainty levels require fewer confirmations, reducing verification time. Low certainty levels trigger more confirmations to ensure reliability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between verification reliability and verification time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from the certainty level calculation to adjust the verification process. The initial measurements provide feedback about signal quality, which then determines the appropriate level of confirmation flickering needed. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable verification while minimizing unnecessary time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9078725B2Electroencephalogram interface system, electroencephalogram interface providing apparatus, method of operating electroencephalogram interface, and program

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An electroencephalogram interface system includes: a presentation section for presenting multiple options to a user, the multiple options being manipulable items concerning manipulations of a device; a selection flicker control section for flickering each option; an inference section for inferring one option corresponding to a desired manipulation of the user by utilizing an event-related potential of an electroencephalogram of the user, the event-related potential being based on the flickering of each option as a starting point; a confirmation flicker control section for effecting confirmation flickering of the one option inferred; a determination section for determining whether the inferred option corresponds to the desired manipulation of the user by utilizing an event-related potential of the user's electroencephalogram, the event-related potential being based on the confirmation flickering of the one option as a starting point; and an output section for executing a process which is in accordance with the determined result.