Improving players' control over the NeuroSky brain-computer interface

Abstract In mid-2009, NeuroSky released the first consumer brain-computer interface (BCI). MindGames, since that time, has been developing games which players control with their powers of concentration and relaxation via consumer brain-computer interfaces. At present, all users of these novel interfaces are inexperienced, and have trouble controlling them. Therefore MindGames would like to develop a method for helping as people to learn as quickly as possible to activate the "relaxation" and "concentration" controls of the BCI. A pilot study with n=4 subjects was conducted in order to assess the feasibility of developing a real-time hint system which would: 1) detect what the user needs to do in order to increase the output of the Meditation function of the NeuroSky MindSet; 2) then offer behavioral suggestions which would, if carried out correctly, increase the output of Meditation accordingly. Research was structured into three tracks of inquiry: first, are there behavioral suggestions ("hints") which increase the output value of Meditation; secondly, are there hints which increase the output value of particular brainwave types (alpha, gamma, theta waves) which are known in the literature to be associated with meditative states, and therefore are likely to be part of the Meditation function; and thirdly, is there a typical shape for the power spectrum of the headset output (consisting of alpha, gamma, theta waves) for high values of Meditation. With a 95% confidence level, several hints which are associated with attaining meditative states were found to significantly increase Meditation. More statistical analysis will have to be performed in order to determine whether some of these hints affect alpha, beta or gamma waves at a high confidence level; however, some patterns were observed in the data which support this idea. However, there is most likely no typical shape for the power spectrum at high values of Meditation. Therefore, a system which gives directed hints (the user must increase his alpha output, therefore an alpha-increasing hint is given) is most likely not feasible. However, there is now support for the effectiveness of certain hints in raising users' Meditation output.

Author dc:creator

• Kristín Guðmundsdóttir 1983-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Viðmót (tölvur)
• Atferli
• Tölvunarfræði
• User interfaces (Computer systems)
• Meditation
• Computer science

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/9187

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/9187