Systems and methods for generic control using a neural signal

{
  "publication_number": "US11093038B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Systems and methods for generic control using a neural signal",
  "abstract": "Universal switch modules, universal switches, and methods of using the same are disclosed, including methods of preparing an individual to interface with an electronic device or software. For example, a method is disclosed that can include measuring brain-related signals of the individual to obtain a first sensed brain-related signal when the individual generates a task-irrelevant thought. The method can include transmitting the first sensed brain-related signal to a processing unit. The method can include associating the task-irrelevant thought and the first sensed brain-related signal with N input commands. The method can include compiling the task-irrelevant thought, the first sensed brain-related signal, and the N input commands to an electronic database.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of calibrating neural signals as electronic switches to permit an individual to control an electronic device, the method comprising: measuring neural-related signals when the individual generates a task-irrelevant thought associated with muscle contraction to obtain a sensed neural signal; transmitting the sensed neural signal to a processing unit; associating the first task-irrelevant thought and the sensed neural signal with a universal switch in the processing unit, where the universal switch is assigned to an input command of the electronic device in the processing unit, and where the universal switch is assigned to the input command of the electronic device via a user interface; and compiling the task-irrelevant thought, the sensed neural signal, and the input command to a database stored in electronic format which allows the individual to control the electronic device by producing the task-irrelevant thought to cause electrical transmission of the input command to the electronic device.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, where the sensed neural signal is electrical brain activity.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, where measuring neural-related signals comprises measuring neural-related signals of the individual with an implanted endovascular device.",
    "4. A method of calibrating neural signals as electronic switches to permit an individual to independently and selectively control a first device and a second device, the method comprising: measuring neural-related signals when the individual generates a task-irrelevant thought associated with muscle contraction to obtain a sensed neural signal; transmitting the sensed neural signal to a processor; calibrating, via the processor, a universal switch based on the sensed neural signal, where the universal switch is assigned to an input command of the first device via the processor, where the universal switch is assigned to an input command of the second device via the processor, and where the universal switch is assigned to the input command of the first device and of the second device via a user interface; and compiling the task-irrelevant thought, the sensed neural signal, the input command of the first device, and the input command of the second device to a database stored in electronic format which allows the individual to control the first device or the second device by producing the task-irrelevant thought to cause electrical transmission of the input command of the first device to the first device or to cause electrical transmission of the input command of the second device to the second device.",
    "5. The method of claim 4, where compiling the task-irrelevant thought, the sensed neural signal, the input command of the first device, and the input command of the second device to the database stored in electronic format allows the individual to control the first device and the second device by producing the task-irrelevant thought to cause electrical transmission of the input command of the first device to the first device and to cause electrical transmission of the input command of the second device to the second device.",
    "6. The method of claim 4, where the sensed neural signal is sensed electrical brain activity.",
    "7. The method of claim 4, where measuring neural-related signals comprises measuring neural-related signals of the individual with an implanted endovascular device.",
    "8. The method of claim 4, where a function of the input command of the first device is unrelated to a function of the input command of the second device.",
    "9. The method of claim 4, where the measuring, transmitting, and calibrating steps are performed independently of a device.",
    "10. A method for preparing an individual to use their thoughts as universal electronic switches to control an electronic device, the method comprising: calibrating a first universal switch by measuring neural-related signals of the individual to obtain a first sensed neural signal when the individual generates a first task-irrelevant thought, transmitting the first sensed neural signal to a processing unit, associating the first task-irrelevant thought and the first sensed neural signal with the first universal switch, and assigning the first universal switch to a first input command of the electronic device in the processing unit; calibrating a second universal switch by measuring neural-related signals of the individual to obtain a second sensed neural signal when the individual generates a second task-irrelevant thought, transmitting the second sensed neural signal to the processing unit, associating the second task-irrelevant thought and the second sensed neural signal with the second universal switch, and assigning the second universal switch to a second input command of the electronic device in the processing unit; associating a combination of the first task-irrelevant thought and the second task-irrelevant thought with a third universal switch; and compiling the first task-irrelevant thought, the first sensed neural signal, the second task-irrelevant thought, and the second sensed neural signal to a database stored in electronic format which allows the individual to control the electronic device by producing the combination of the first task-irrelevant thought and the second task-irrelevant thought, where, via a user interface, the first universal switch is assigned to the first input command of the electronic device and the second universal switch is assigned to the second input command of the electronic device.",
    "11. The method of claim 10, where the first input command is any input command selectable from the user interface.",
    "12. The method of claim 10, where the first task-irrelevant thought is a thought associated with muscle contraction.",
    "13. The method of claim 10, where the second task-irrelevant thought is a thought associated with muscle contraction.",
    "14. The method of claim 10, where the first and second task-irrelevant thoughts are thoughts associated with muscle contraction.",
    "15. The method of claim 10, further comprising assigning the third universal switch to a third input command of the electronic device in the processing unit.",
    "16. The method of claim 15, where compiling the first task-irrelevant thought, the first sensed neural signal, the second task-irrelevant thought, and the second sensed neural signal to the database stored in electronic format allows the individual to control the electronic device by producing the combination of the first task-irrelevant thought and the second task-irrelevant thought to cause electrical transmission of the third input command to the electronic device.",
    "17. The method of claim 10, where compiling the first task-irrelevant thought, the first sensed neural signal, the second task-irrelevant thought, and the second sensed neural signal to the database stored in electronic format allows the individual to control the electronic device by producing the combination of the first task-irrelevant thought and the second task-irrelevant thought to cause electrical transmission of a third input command to the electronic device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates generally to methods of using neural-related signals and more particularly to methods of using neural signals as universal switches.\n\nCurrently for brain computer interfaces (BCIs), users are asked to either perform a task-relevant mental task to perform a given target task (e.g., try moving a cursor when the target task is to move a cursor) or are asked to perform a task-irrelevant mental task to perform a given target task (e.g., try moving your hand to move a cursor to the right). Furthermore, current BCIs only allow users to use the thought (e.g., the task-relevant mental task or the task-irrelevant mental task) to control a pre-defined target task that is set by the researcher. This disclosure describes novel methods and systems that prepare and allow BCI users to utilize a given task-irrelevant thought to independently control a variety of end-applications, including software and devices.\n\nSystems and methods of control using neural-related signals are disclosed, including universal switches and methods of using the same.\n\nMethods of preparing an individual to interface with an electronic device or software are disclosed. For example, a method is disclosed that can include measuring neural-related signals of the individual to obtain a first sensed neural signal when the individual generates a first task-irrelevant thought. The method can include transmitting the first sensed neural signal to a processing unit. The method can include associating the first task-irrelevant thought and the first sensed neural signal with a first input command.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 3/015",
    "A61B 2562/04",
    "A61B 2562/06",
    "A61B 5/24",
    "A61B 5/293",
    "A61B 5/372",
    "A61B 5/374",
    "A61B 5/375",
    "A61B 5/388",
    "A61B 5/4851",
    "A61B 5/6814",
    "A61B 5/6862",
    "A61B 5/6868",
    "A61B 5/7267",
    "A61B 5/7405",
    "A61B 5/742",
    "A61B 5/7455",
    "A61F 2/72",
    "A61F 4/00",
    "G06F 2203/011"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 3/01",
    "A61B 5/00",
    "A61B 5/24"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Synchron Australia Pty Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Peter Eli YOO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-06-28",
  "publication_date": "2021-08-17",
  "grant_date": "2021-08-17",
  "priority_date": "2019-05-14",
  "application_number": "US-201916457493-A",
  "family_id": "73231609",
  "cited_by_count": 14,
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  ]
}