IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - July 2015 - 37

Conventional Approach

Assumptions and
Prior Knowledge
Band Power
Decomposition
Common
Spatial Patterns
Sensor

Blind Source
Separation

≠
Interpreted

Stimulants: Eye,
Audio, Motion, Etc.

A New Approach
Brain-Wave
Databank
Architecture and
Intelligent Search

Standardized User Brain Data
Input and Retrieval

Threshhold
Headset
FIGURE 3. A BCI technology road map-two approaches.

imprecision and have developed products with promising
benefits to eHealth, testing out the brain signals of the young
and the sick. Although growth has been proliferating where
selective parameters were chosen to represent brainwaves
within private groups, it is extremely difficult for reliable pattern matching and self-learning algorithms to be incorporated
universally. With standardization, brainwave data from all
sources and reactions can be intelligently accumulated and
used. This new approach is facilitated by the understanding
of the threshold (TH) between the brain's actual and interpreted meaning, as denoted in Figure 1. Applications can be
triggered by this threshold and go on to another proven activity such as games.
The databank should include not only the brainwave diagram
but the processing and search algorithms associated with the
brainwave, plus all prior knowledge. This databank will be well
positioned to blend fuzzy logic inference and pattern recognition
related to big data evolution.
The sections that follow will illustrate the paths taken in
achieving the level of interpretability of brain signals to date.
The emergence of imprecise brainwave headsets in the commercial world is illustrated. The current tools for research and
future development are discussed, with a recommendation to
standardize the brain-signal databank, anticipating its reach to
big data and, perhaps, cloud computing.

BRAIN SIGNAL FREQUENCY BANDS
Brain waves can be represented by six typical bands based on
the frequency range between 1 and 100 Hz, designated as the

a, b, T, c, n, and i bands. These band frequency ranges are
shown with a collective interpretation as follows [3]-[5].
▼ Frequency 1-4 Hz: T band, symbolizing high emotional
conditions or in a sleep stage.
▼ Frequency 4-7 Hz: i band, similar to the T band, also
symbolizing a calm and relaxed mood.
▼ Frequency 8-12 Hz: a band, symbolizing smooth patterns: awaken, calm, and eyes closed in a relaxed mood.
▼ Frequency 8-13 Hz: n band, desires from the sensorimotor
cortex.
▼ Frequency 12-30 Hz: b band, for desynchronized-normal awaken, open eyes, busy, churning, and concentrating.
▼ Frequency 25-100 Hz: c band, desires from somatosensory cortex for touch-busy, churning, and concentrating.
At these bands, typically a very low signal is collected by the
noninvasive sensor (in the range of 5-10 n V), while interfering
noise of 10-20 times stronger than the brain signal is measured
on the scalp. The correlation of these band signals with respect

BCI headsets, injecting new
break points in games and
entertainment, deliver desirable
special effects that can blend
in our pursuit of wellness
and rehabilitation.
july 2015

IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - July 2015