A New Communication Device for Handicapped Persons: The Brain-Computer Interface

Abstract

For patients who are unable to perform normal movements or normally communicate with others it is important to search for a new communication device, which allows the patient to perform simple movements either by functional stimulation or by a robotic device, or to give answers to simple questions without a verbal response. The prerequisites for such a communication is mental activity (thoughts), represented in a specific spatio-temporal EEG pattern, that can be classified on-line.