Brain–Computer Interfaces - Index of

Using BCI2000 in BCI Research 273
For use in a patient communication system, it is necessary to make the system
more robust (since it needs to be operated by caregivers who are typically not experts
on BCI systems), and to make it simpler to set up and use. In addition, it may also be
necessary to integrate the BCI system with existing augmentative communication
technologies, such as predictive spellers. In such a context, the role of the BCI is
reduced to an input device, and, as such, its user interface needs to be reduced to a
minimum of options.
BCI2000 facilitates its application as part of a patient communication system
mainly in two ways. First, by integration of its control interface, i.e., its Operator
module, into a larger software system (Fig. 6); and second, by connecting its output
to external devices or software. Integration of BCI2000’s control interface is
possible through a number of means. First, the parameter configuration dialog may
be restricted to only show those parameters that are to be changed by operators.
Second, system behavior can be controlled via command-line parameters. Using
command-line parameters, it is possible to automatically load parameter files, start
system operation, and quit BCI2000 at the end of a run. In addition, beginning with
BCI2000 version 3, the system will be further modularized so that the graphical
interface to the operator can be completely replaced with an application-specific
(rather than generic) interface.
BCI2000 may be integrated into a larger software system by connecting it to
external devices or applications. One way to accomplish this is to use BCI2000’s
external application interface, which provides a bi-directional link to exchange
information with external processes running on the same or a different machine.
Via the external application interface, read/write access to BCI2000 state information
and to the control signal is possible. For example, in an SMR-based BCI, an
external application may read the classification result, control the user’s task, or
get access to the control signal that is calculated by the signal processing module
so as to control an external output device (such as a robotic arm or a web
browser).
As an example of BCI2000’s inter-operability capabilities, we will discuss the
scenario of a patient control system that allows paralyzed patients to use brain
activity to control a standard word processor. This scenario comprises the following
specifications:
• In an initial training phase, the BCI needs to be configured and adapted to the
patient. This usually requires expert supervision.
• In further sessions, the system should be operated by nursing staff, with a
minimum of interactions.
• The system should be based on the P300 speller paradigm, and choosing individual
matrix entries should correspond to entering letters into a standard word
processor (Fig. 8).
In this scenario, the standard P300 speller configuration will serve as a starting
point. First, implementing the required connectivity to external devices, one