The Berlin Brain-Computer Interface (BBCI) towards a new communication channel for online control of multimedia applications and computer games

The investigation of innovative HumanComputer Interfaces (HCI) provides a challenge for future multimedia research and development. BrainComputer Interfaces (BCI) exploit the ability of human communication and control bypassing the classical neuromuscular communication channels. In general, BCIs offer a possibility of communication for people with severe neuromuscular disorders, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or spinal cord injury. Beyond medical applications, a BCI conjunction with exciting multimedia applications, e.g. a dexterity game, could define a new level of control possibilities also for healthy customers decoding information directly from the user’s brain, as reflected in EEG signals which are recorded noninvasively from the scalp. This contribution introduces the Berlin BrainComputer Interface (BBCI) and presents setups where the user is provided with intuitive control strategies in plausible multimedia-based bio-feedback applications. Yet at its beginning, BBCI thus adds a new dimension in multimedia research by offering the user an additional and independent communication channel based on brain activity only. First successful experiments already yielded inspiring proofs-of-concept. A diversity of multimedia application models, say computer games, and their specific intuitive control strategies are now open for BCI research aiming at a further speed up of user adaptation and increase of learning success and transfer bit rates.