Brain-computer interface and visual perception

Abstract

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) has been a popular area of research, currently we can find several BCI related product in the market. For example the robotic arms that makes use of BCI.

However, BCI should not be just restricted in controlling robotic limbs and machines, but something that is more between humans, like emotions. The question that the author would like to answer in this project is whether our emotion changes when we look at different images. When we look at a happy photo and sad photo, we felt different emotionally. But is there a difference in our brain signal when we see different things? If yes, is it possible to detect and pick up the differences in term of our brain signal?

In this report, the author will be directing a project in developing a BCI system then find out if there exists a difference in EEG signal and later classify the difference into 1 of the 4 different targeted emotions (Anger, Fear, Happy and Sadness). By using a wireless EEG device, EPOC neuroheadset, to retrieve the EEG signal from a person’s scalp. The author also implements a Matlab script to handle the signal processing tasks in order to obtain the EEG signals.

The author also conducts experiments to test out the BCI system, whether it is capable of classifying the emotion of a person when he/she is looking at images of different objects.