Hybrid Brain-Computer Interface :
Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) provide a new communication
channel between the human brain and a computer without using any muscle
activities. Applications of BCI systems comprise communication, restoration of
movements or environmental control. Within this study we propose a combined
P300 and steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) based BCI system for
controlling finally a smart home environment. Firstly a P300 based BCI system
was developed and tested in a virtual smart home environment implementation to
work with a high accuracy and a high degree of freedom. Secondly, in order to
initiate and stop the operation of the P300 BCI a SSVEP based toggle switch was
implemented. Results indicate that a P300 based system is very well suitable
for applications with several controllable devices and where a discrete control
command is desired. A SSVEP based system is more suitable if a continuous
control signal is needed and the number of commands is rather limited. The
combination of a SSVEP based BCI as a toggle switch to initiate and stop the
P300 selection yielded in all subjects’ very high reliability and accuracy
Beside virtual worlds BCI systems can also be used to control
real environments. Therefore smart homes are developed that allow independent
living. Within an European Union project called SM4ALL a middleware platform is
developed that allows to control multiple demotic devices with a BCI system.
The Pervasive Layer gives access to the hardware
infrastructure. Different devices and sensors can communicate with the layer
(lights, washing machine, doors, temperature sensors ….) and the embedded
software on top of them make services available to the composition layer.
The Composition Layer consists of all the components needed
to automatically satisfy user needs. It contains the user profile and context
manager that prepares the home and user interface according to certain states
of the house. Services are described in the repository.
The User Layer provides the interface for controlling the
house either with a web- interface on
a computer or with the BCI system.