Mind Readers

Matt Waldersen (Presenting)

T.J. StrzeleckiRick Schuman

Krishna Jharjaria

What We’re Doing The proposed project will be a mobile brain-computer

interface. Computer applications will be presented to the user

through commercially available video glasses. An EOG and commercially available EEG will be

mounted inside of a common enclosure and will enable the user to navigate and select various applications.

A microcontroller will be used to acquire the EOG and EEG signals, the EEG signals will be analyzed by an FPGA and a Intel Atom mother board will control the virtual reality environment as well as execute all of the computer applications

Project-Specific Success Criteria

1) An ability to encode/decode data packets from a NeuroSky EEG.

2) An ability for a user to select applications based on signals from a NeuroSky EEG.

3) An ability for a user to navigate between different applications on a display using EOG signals.

4) An ability for the system to interactively train the user to effectively operate the device.

5) An ability to display a live video stream from an external camera module, and integrate applications into the video system.

Google’s “project glass” is an augmented reality head-mounted display.

Expected to be commercially available sometime between 2013-2014.

Interface with the user through accelerometers and voice recognition software.

Product Comparison #1

PROS

Enables the user to interface with the device.

Features a transparent display.

Features a tested and reliable mobile operating system.

CONS

Physically awkward Expensive (~$1500) User cannot interact

with the device inconspicuously.

Product #1 Pro’s & Con’s

Arduino Eyeboard Developed by Luis

Cruz. The product is an

arduino shield that uses EOG signals to control a computer application

Product Comparison #2

PROS

The design is open-source and is designed specifically to aid people with disabilities.

Operates on a very common and user friendly platform.

Affordable.

CONS

Digital display varies with head position.

Doesn’t isolate digital and analog circuitry.

Significant distance between electrodes and analog circuitry.

Doesn’t operate a wide variety of computer applications.

Product #2 Pro’s & Con’s

Emotive Epoc Headset

Multi-electrode consumer EEG headset

Claims to be able to detect player thoughts, feelings and expressions.

Product Comparison #3

PROS

Best commercially available EEG on the market right now.

Only product with “thought detection”

Multi-electrode design allows for a wider variety of data.

Built in gyroscope

CONS Highly suggested that

electrodes are moistened for optimal use.

Multi-electrode design not visually appealing.

Is not a stand alone device

Lacks “socially redeeming” apps Feature creep dilemma

Product #3 Pro’s & Con’s

The system should be a mobile. The system should be as affordable as possible. EOG circuitry should be isolated as much as

possible Mount the EOG as close as possible to the electrode The digital display should be mounted in front of the

user. The system should have a significant amount of

processing power on a reliable platform. The system should be an inconspicuous and

effective means of interacting with an augmented reality platform.

What Does This Teach Us?

The system should be mobile and affordable. Rechargeable batteries for

continued use and mobility. Pico-ITX motherboard is

small and light weight. NeuroSky EEG is the

cheapest commercially available EEG on the market.

Hockey Helmet is a durable and affordable enclosure for a HMD

Sub-systems broken up into modules rather than one giant PCB

Size and Weight

SIZE (MM)

Charging Module: 28.8 x 14.8 x 1.9

Battery (x2): 67 x 40 x 13

Pico-ITX: 100 x 72 dsPIC: 14 x 14 x 1

WEIGHT (G)

Battery (x2): 86 EEG: 90 Video Glasses: 85 FPGA: 7

Total: 268 (0.59 lbs) + helmet

Isolate the EOG and Position it carefully.

The digital display should be mounted in front of the user. Video glasses are

mounted directly in front of the user’s eyes

The use of an EOG maximizes the field of view

Features Powerful Intel Atom Processor.Drivers and support packages offered on a variety of operating systems

Project-Specific Success Criteria

Enough Processing Power on a Reliable Platform

Inconspicuous and Effective Combination of

EOG and EEG allows for a new inconspicuous and effective means of interacting with an augmented-reality head mounted display.

Physically resembles devices currently in use.

Questions?