CN-122028879-A - Contextualized decoding of brain-computer interface systems

Abstract

A decoder for a brain-computer interface (BCI) that contextualizes neural signals from an individual using the BCI using contextual data and translates it into some executable command that enables the BCI to interact with a device coupled to the BCI.

Inventors

• JAMES BENNETT
• Evan Schneier
• Peter Ellie especially

Assignees

• 澳大利亚同步企业有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20241029

Priority Date

20231029

Claims (20)

1. 1. A method of decoding an electronic signal generated by a neural interface device configured to detect brain activity of an individual, the method comprising: transmitting the electronic signal to a computer processor; generating contextual data by monitoring the individual; Processing the electronic signal using the computer processor to produce an output signal, wherein the computer processor is configured to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of algorithms to decode the electronic signal, wherein selection of the at least one algorithm depends at least in part on the contextual data, and The output signal is electronically transmitted to one or more external electronic devices such that the individual is able to interact with the one or more external electronic devices using brain activity.
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual occurs before or during interaction between the individual and the one or more external electronic devices.
3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to processing the electronic signal, the computer processor confirms that the electronic signal is representative of brain activity intentionally produced by the individual.
4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more external electronic devices comprise a plurality of additional electronic devices, and wherein the contextual data comprises information related to the plurality of additional electronic devices.
5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the contextual data includes information regarding an electronic device of the plurality of additional electronic devices actively enabled by the individual.
6. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the contextual data includes information regarding which of the plurality of additional electronic devices are coupled to the computer processor.
7. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual includes obtaining data regarding environmental factors related to the individual.
8. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual includes obtaining data regarding health information related to the individual.
9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual includes obtaining data regarding how the individual uses the one or more external electronic devices.
10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual includes obtaining data regarding whether the individual is attempting to move a cursor on the one or more external electronic devices.
11. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual includes obtaining data regarding whether the individual is attempting to enter text electronically in the one or more external electronic devices.
12. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the context data selects the at least one algorithm to reduce a delay of the output signal.
13. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the context data selects the at least one algorithm to increase a delay of the output signal.
14. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the context data selects the at least one algorithm to increase accuracy of the output signal.
15. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the context data selects the at least one algorithm to increase a speed of generating the output signal.
16. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the context data selects the at least one algorithm to produce the output signal as a continuous output signal.
17. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the context data selects the at least one algorithm to produce the output signal as a discrete output signal.
18. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is located within a signal control unit that includes a housing structure that is physically separate from the neural interface device and configured to be portable, and wherein electronically transmitting the output signal to one or more external electronic devices includes electronically transmitting the output signal from the signal control unit.
19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual includes obtaining data regarding which of the one or more external electronic devices is operatively connected to the signal control unit.
20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein generating the contextual data by monitoring the individual includes obtaining data regarding a plurality of electronic communication modalities operatively connected to the signal control unit.

Description

Contextualized decoding of brain-computer interface systems Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application is a provisional application filed on day 29 of 10, 2023, U.S. application Ser. No. 63/594,022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background A decoder for a brain-computer interface (BCI) detects individual neural signals recorded or detected using the BCI and decodes the neural signals into certain operational commands, allowing the BCI to interact with devices coupled to the BCI. Some decoders may be more appropriate than others in some situations. BCI decoders are commonly used to change the state of computer applications. Some state transitions have higher potential functionality than others and can have corresponding usage consequences (e.g., pressing a send on an email as compared to typing a character). It may be appropriate to change the decoder based on its accuracy/speed and the current context of the application state. However, it is cumbersome and breaks down autonomy for an individual to have to manually switch decoders. There remains a need to improve the BCI interface and alter the decoder portion of the system to increase ease of use and benefit to individuals. Summary of The Invention The present disclosure includes a method of decoding an electronic signal generated by a neural interface device configured to detect brain activity of an individual and using contextual information to determine how to decode the signal such that decoding of the signal is affected by factors related to the individual. In one variation, the method includes transmitting an electronic signal to a computer processor, generating contextual data by actively monitoring an individual, processing the electronic signal using the computer processor to generate an output signal, wherein the computer processor is configured to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of algorithms to decode the electronic signal, wherein selection of the at least one algorithm depends at least in part on the contextual data, and electronically transmitting the output signal to one or more external electronic devices such that the individual is able to interact with the one or more external electronic devices using brain activity. In another variation, a method described herein includes, when an individual uses a neural interface device configured to generate an electronic signal decoded from brain activity of the individual, using contextual information related to the individual to facilitate interaction between the individual and one or more electronic devices, the method including transmitting the electronic signal to a computer processor, generating contextual input data by monitoring the contextual information related to the individual, processing the electronic signal using the computer processor to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of algorithms to decode the electronic signal to generate an output signal, wherein selection of the at least one algorithm is at least partially dependent on the contextual input data, and electronically transmitting the output signal to the one or more electronic devices, enabling the individual to interact with the one or more electronic devices using brain activity. Generating contextual data may occur by monitoring an individual prior to or during interaction between the individual and one or more external electronic devices. Monitoring of an individual may be proactively performed by observing real-time conditions associated with the individual as the individual interacts with the BCI and various electronic devices coupled thereto. Alternatively or in combination, monitoring of an individual may be performed by monitoring a condition history associated with the individual as the individual interacts with the BCI and various electronic devices coupled thereto. The contextual data may include information about an electronic device of a plurality of additional electronic devices actively enabled (engage) by the individual and/or information about which of the plurality of additional electronic devices are actively coupled to the computer processor. In another variation, the computer processor confirms that the electronic signal is representative of brain activity intentionally produced by the individual prior to processing the electronic signal. As described herein, generating contextual data by monitoring an individual includes obtaining data regarding environmental factors related to the individual, health information related to the individual, how the individual uses one or more external electronic devices, and whether the individual is attempting to move a cursor on the one or more external electronic devices, and whether the individual is attempting to electronically enter text in the one or more external electronic devices. The result of the context data may be such that an algorithm is selected that reduces the delay of the o