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NeuroControl BlinkTalk-Blink-Driven Speech and Device Control

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Human machine technolgies has introduced NeuroControl BlinkTalk application which translates electromyography (EMG) signals from a NeuroSky MindWave headband into patterns that can be associated with verbal phrases. The MindWave headband detects EMG patterns and streams blink-strength data over a wireless Bluetooth link to the host computer. The software encodes blink-strength data as binary patterns that correspond to user-definable verbal phrases that are expressed through the Windows operating system speech synthesis engine

The target recipient of this system is a person suffering from a severe mobility impairment such as locked-in syndrome or paraplegia, where the primary – or only – level of physical control is through the blinking of the eyes. The MindWave headband provides a lightweight, innocuous means of gathering blink strength data and other brainwave parameters that can be monitored for patient stress levels and overall wellness. A NeuroSky MindWave commercial brainwave monitor is required for this application to work correctly. These devices are available for a low price to any consumer interested in exploring this fascinating technology (www.neurosky.com). The NeuroSky software driver toolkit must be installed prior to using this application. BlinkTalk was design to run on standard desktop, laptop and Ultrabook computers running Windows 7 or 8.

By rough estimate, people afflicted with paraplegia and locked-in syndrome range in the hundreds-of-thousands and tens-of-thousands, respectively. These disorders often render the patient unable to control any bodily function other than eyelid movement (blinking). We are developing software around a commercial wireless brainwave sensor to convert electromyography patterns (the electrical activity of muscle tissue) into both synthesized verbal phrases and signals for controlling external devices such as household appliances and electric wheelchairs.At this stage of development they have demonstrated a software prototype that facilitates verbal communication (via speech synthesis) and external device control through eye-blink detection. The target recipient of this system is a person suffering from a severe mobility impairment such as locked-in syndrome or paraplegia, where the primary – or only – level of physical control is through the blinking of the eyes.

The sensor used in this application is a NeuroSky MindWave headband that detects electromyography patterns and streams blink-strength data over a wireless Bluetooth link to the computer. The software encodes blink-strength data as binary patterns that correspond to certain verbal phrases and device control commands. The MindWave headband provides a lightweight, innocuous means of gathering blink strength data and other brainwave parameters that can be monitored for patient stress levels and overall wellness.

In the video they pseudo-randomly select flash cards to demonstrate the deterministic nature of the blink pattern encoding algorithm. This type of control can be learned in minutes with extremely accurate results. With some practice the pattern scan-interval can be decreased to provide faster communication and control.

They are interested in investigating mobility scenarios that include electric wheelchair control. NeuroSky has recently introduced a mobile version of the MindWave headband, which we feel could potentially increase the comfort and practicality of this system.Human machine technolgies has introduced NeuroControl BlinkTalk application which translates electromyography (EMG) signals from a NeuroSky MindWave headband into patterns that can be associated with verbal phrases. The MindWave headband detects EMG patterns and streams blink-strength data over a wireless Bluetooth link to the host computer. The software encodes blink-strength data as binary patterns that correspond to user-definable verbal phrases that are expressed through the Windows operating system speech synthesis engine


The target recipient of this system is a person suffering from a severe mobility impairment such as locked-in syndrome or paraplegia, where the primary – or only – level of physical control is through the blinking of the eyes. The MindWave headband provides a lightweight, innocuous means of gathering blink strength data and other brainwave parameters that can be monitored for patient stress levels and overall wellness. A NeuroSky MindWave commercial brainwave monitor is required for this application to work correctly. These devices are available for a low price to any consumer interested in exploring this fascinating technology (www.neurosky.com). The NeuroSky software driver toolkit must be installed prior to using this application. BlinkTalk was design to run on standard desktop, laptop and Ultrabook computers running Windows 7 or 8.

By rough estimate, people afflicted with paraplegia and locked-in syndrome range in the hundreds-of-thousands and tens-of-thousands, respectively. These disorders often render the patient unable to control any bodily function other than eyelid movement (blinking). We are developing software around a commercial wireless brainwave sensor to convert electromyography patterns (the electrical activity of muscle tissue) into both synthesized verbal phrases and signals for controlling external devices such as household appliances and electric wheelchairs.

At this stage of development they have demonstrated a software prototype that facilitates verbal communication (via speech synthesis) and external device control through eye-blink detection. The target recipient of this system is a person suffering from a severe mobility impairment such as locked-in syndrome or paraplegia, where the primary – or only – level of physical control is through the blinking of the eyes.

The sensor used in this application is a NeuroSky MindWave headband that detects electromyography patterns and streams blink-strength data over a wireless Bluetooth link to the computer. The software encodes blink-strength data as binary patterns that correspond to certain verbal phrases and device control commands. The MindWave headband provides a lightweight, innocuous means of gathering blink strength data and other brainwave parameters that can be monitored for patient stress levels and overall wellness.

In the video they pseudo-randomly select flash cards to demonstrate the deterministic nature of the blink pattern encoding algorithm. This type of control can be learned in minutes with extremely accurate results. With some practice the pattern scan-interval can be decreased to provide faster communication and control.

They are interested in investigating mobility scenarios that include electric wheelchair control. NeuroSky has recently introduced a mobile version of the MindWave headband, which we feel could potentially increase the comfort and practicality of this system.

https://www.pantechsolutions.net/sensors/brainwave-starter-kit