Gert Pfurtscheller

Bio: Gert Pfurtscheller is an academic researcher from Graz University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Brain–computer interface & Electroencephalography. The author has an hindex of 117, co-authored 507 publications receiving 62873 citations. Previous affiliations of Gert Pfurtscheller include University of Graz.

Event-related coherence during finger movement: a pilot study.

Abstract: Dynamic functional coupling between contralateral sensorimotor and supplementary motor areas during unilateral finger movements is studied using event-related coherence analysis. It is demonstrated in 3 subjects that the intrinsic rhythm of the sensorimotor area (mu rhythm) is phase coupled to intrinsic rhythmic activity of the supplementary motor area during rest. With preparation and execution of discrete, unilateral finger movements, these intrinsic rhythms are desynchronized due to activation of each of the local cortical networks, and the degree of synchrony or phase consistency between these rhythms decreases.

CONTROLLING A VIRTUAL BODY BY THOUGHT IN A HIGHLY-IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - A Case Study in Using a Brain-Computer Interface in a Virtual-Reality Cave-like System

Abstract: A brain-computer interface (BCI) can arguably be considered the ultimate user interface, where humans operate a computer using thought alone. We have integrated the Graz-BCI into a highly immersive Cave-like system. In this paper we report a case study where three participants were able to control their avatar using only their thought. We have analyzed the participants’ subjective experience using an in-depth qualitative methodology. We also discuss some limitations of BCI in controlling a virtual environment, and interaction design decisions that needed to be made. Brain-computer interface (BCI) has been studied extensively as a tool for paralyzed patients, which may augment their communication with the external world and allow them better control of their limbs. However, once it has been developed for these critical applications, we expect it will have profound implications on many other types of user interfaces and applications. BCI could be one of the most significant steps following “direct manipulation interfaces” (Schneiderman, 1983) – where intention is mapped directly into interaction, rather than being conveyed through motor movements. Furthermore, if used in an immersive virtual environment (IVE) this could be a completely novel experience and, in the future, lead to unprecedented levels in the sense of presence (for recent reviews of the concept of presence see (Vives and Slater, 2005) and (Riva et al., 2003)). A key requirement for a successful experience in an immersive virtual environment (IVE) is the representation of the participant, or its avatar (Pandzic et al., 1997; Slater et al., 1994; Slater et al., 1998). This paper describes the first ever study where participants control their own avatar using only their thoughts. Three subjects were able to use the GrazBCI to control an avatar, and their subjective experience was assessed using questionnaires and a semistructured interview. Naturally, a third-person avatar, such as used in this experiment, is only one possible interface to an IVE. Using a BCI to control an IVE by thought raises several major human-computer interaction (HCI) issues: whether classification of thought patterns is continuous (asynchronous BCI) or only takes place in specific moments (synchronous BCI), the number of input classes recognized, the importance of feedback, and the nature of the mapping between thoughts and resulting action in the IVE. In this paper we refer to these issues, and present a case study that specifically addresses the issues of feedback and mapping. A critical initial hypothesis is that natural mapping between thought processes and IVE functionality would improve the experience. A one-to-one mapping seemingly makes intuitive sense, but having this mapping is constraining because we are limited in the scope of thought patterns that we can detect based on contemporary brain recording techniques. In addition, it precludes other more complex or more fanciful body image mappings; what if we want to experiment with lobster avatars? (See Jaron Lanier’s “everyone can be a lobster” statement in http://www.edge.org/q2006/q06 7.html#lanier). In the case study reported here we have found out that natural mapping was reported to feel more natural and easy than when the mapping was reversed. However, the results do not indicate that BCI accuracy was better with natural mapping than with reversed mapping. The main implication of our case study is that this new type of interface, whereby IVE participants control their avatars by thought, is possible, and should be further pursued. In addition, we reveal new insights about the HCI issues that are involved in such an interface, and provide a first glance into what the experience of using such an interface may be like.

The Graz Brain-Computer Interface

Abstract: Brain-computer interface (BCI) research at the Graz University of Technology started with the classification of event-related desynchronization (ERD) [36, 38] of single-trial electroencephalographic (EEG) data during actual (overt) and imagined (covert) hand movement [9, 18, 40] At the beginning of our BCI research activities we had a cooperation with the Wadsworth Center in Albany, New York State, USA, with the common interest to control one-dimensional cursor movement on a monitor through mental activity [69] With such a cursor control it is in principle possible to select letters of the alphabet, create words and sentences and realize a thought-based spelling system for patients in a complete or incomplete “locked-in” state [68] At that time we already analyzed 64-channel EEG data from three patients who had accomplished a number of training sessions with the aim to search for optimal electrode positions and frequency components [38] Using the distinction sensitive learning vector quantizer (DSLVQ) [54] it was found that for each subject there exist optimal electrode positions and frequency components for on-line EEG-based cursor control This was confirmed recently by BCI studies in untrained subjects [2, 58]

The Design and Analysis of Experiments

Abstract: THE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTS. By Oscar Kempthorne. New York, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1952. 631 pp. $8.50. This book by a teacher of statistics (as well as a consultant for \"experimenters\") is a comprehensive study of the philosophical background for the statistical design of experiment. It is necessary to have some facility with algebraic notation and manipulation to be able to use the volume intelligently. The problems are presented from the theoretical point of view, without such practical examples as would be helpful for those not acquainted with mathematics. The mathematical justification for the techniques is given. As a somewhat advanced treatment of the design and analysis of experiments, this volume will be interesting and helpful for many who approach statistics theoretically as well as practically. With emphasis on the \"why,\" and with description given broadly, the author relates the subject matter to the general theory of statistics and to the general problem of experimental inference. MARGARET J. ROBERTSON

Principles of Neural Science

Abstract: I have developed "tennis elbow" from lugging this book around the past four weeks, but it is worth the pain, the effort, and the aspirin. It is also worth the (relatively speaking) bargain price. Including appendixes, this book contains 894 pages of text. The entire panorama of the neural sciences is surveyed and examined, and it is comprehensive in its scope, from genomes to social behaviors. The editors explicitly state that the book is designed as "an introductory text for students of biology, behavior, and medicine," but it is hard to imagine any audience, interested in any fragment of neuroscience at any level of sophistication, that would not enjoy this book. The editors have done a masterful job of weaving together the biologic, the behavioral, and the clinical sciences into a single tapestry in which everyone from the molecular biologist to the practicing psychiatrist can find and appreciate his or