Systems and methods for increasing control using a neural signal
Inventors
YOO, Peter Eli • Bennett, James • OPIE, Nicholas Lachlan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12248631-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for a brain-computer interface (BCI) to increase a number of degrees of freedom (DOF) of one or more neural signals that are used to interact with the BCI.
Core Innovation
The method interfaces an individual with a brain computer interface by providing a visual display that includes an indicator, an initial reference point, and a first identified cue point associated with a first command. The first identified cue point is spaced along a path at a first distance from the initial reference point, and the visual display is configured to show the indicator moving along the path starting at the initial reference point. Time of movement of the indicator over the first distance comprises a first duration time.
The method monitors the individual to obtain a signal while displaying the visual display and establishes a first review portion of the signal starting at an initial time that corresponds to when the indicator is at the initial reference point and ending after the first duration time. The method assesses the first review portion for a first evidence signal. The method issues the first command in the brain computer interface if the first evidence signal matches a first predetermined signal pattern.
Further aspects describe using additional identified cue points and corresponding commands, including establishing review portions based on indicator movement time over respective distances. The method can compile or alter predetermined signal patterns using evidence signal information over trials to account for noise. The approach supports endogenous signal sources such as neural implant detected neural activity as well as other signal sources, and can include a multi-dimensional vector-cursor interface with command confirmation.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a BCI interfacing method that issues a command based on an evidence signal assessed from a signal review portion defined by a temporally bounded visual indicator movement, with matching to a predetermined signal pattern. The independent claim and its dependent claims introduce 7 inventive features including multiple cue points/commands, constrained signal source types, compilation of predetermined patterns from previously accumulated evidence patterns, and broadened signal modalities for evidence assessment.
Moving visual indicator on a path with initial reference and cue point timing
Providing a visual display to the individual where the visual display includes an indicator, an initial reference point and a first identified cue point associated with a first command, the first identified cue point being spaced along a path at a first distance from the initial reference point, and showing the indicator moving along the path starting at the initial reference point, where time of movement of the indicator over the first distance comprises a first duration time.
Signal review portion aligned to indicator-at-reference to duration window
Monitoring the individual to obtain a signal while displaying the visual display; establishing a first review portion of the signal starting at an initial time that corresponds to when the indicator is at the initial reference point and ending after the first duration time; and assessing the first review portion for a first evidence signal.
Issuing command based on evidence matching a predetermined signal pattern
Issuing the first command in the brain computer interface if the first evidence signal matches a first predetermined signal pattern.
Multiple cue points and commands using comparative cue distances
Providing a second identified cue point for a second command at a second distance greater than the first, using the time to move over that second distance to define a second review portion, obtaining a second evidence signal in that portion, and issuing the second command when it matches a second predetermined signal pattern.
Endogenous neural signal from a neural implant detecting neural activity
Selecting an endogenous neural signal that comprises a signal generated by a neural implant configured to detect neural activity, and using that endogenous neural signal as the basis for obtaining a signal for evidence assessment.
Neural activity selected from affirmative thought, movement, or imagined movement
Selecting the neural activity from an affirmative thought, movement of a body part, or imagined movement of a body part.
Predetermined signal pattern compiled from previously accumulated evidence patterns
Compiling the first predetermined signal pattern from one or more previously accumulated evidence signal patterns.
Evidence signal obtained from one of multiple signal modalities
Selecting the signal from an endogenous neural signal, an auditory signal, a physical movement of a body part, and a key selection by the individual.
Across the independent claim and dependent claims, the inventive coverage centers on defining temporally bounded signal review portions using a moving visual indicator along a path with an initial reference and cue points, assessing an evidence signal from that review portion, and issuing corresponding brain computer interface commands based on matching to predetermined signal patterns, with optional extensions for multiple cue points/commands, endogenous neural implant-based detection, constrained neural activity types, compilation of predetermined patterns from prior evidence patterns, and additional signal modalities.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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