A Wireless BCI-Controlled Integration System in Smart Living Space for Patients

AbstractIn this study, we proposed a wireless brain–computer interface (BCI) with steady-state visually evoked potentials (SSVEP) to control several devices in a smart living space for paralyzed patients. In this system, we used electroencephalography (EEG) acquisition chip to extract SSVEPs from EEG signals and transform them by using of FFT into frequency domain. Then, these SSVEPs can be converted into commands to control several devices such as lights, television, air-condition, electric bed, wheelchair, and short message services through a Bluetooth on a mobile device for patients. In this system, several flickering patterns with different frequencies were generated. NeuroSky EEG chips were used to capture EEG signals from locations Oz and FP2. The patients gazed these flickering patterns to generate SSVEPs, and then these SSVEPs were extracted from location Oz on their occipital lobe. Additionally, eye-winking signal was captured from location FP2 on forehead to generate an emergency command. Then these signals can be transformed by FFT into frequency domain and then transmitted to the hardware through Bluetooth interface. The advantages of the proposed BCI system are low cost, low power consumption and compact size so that the system can be suitable for the paralytic patients. The experimental results showed that feasible actions can be obtained for the proposed BCI system and control circuit with a practical operating in a smart living space for paralyzed patients.