Comparison of brain computer interface for selecting menus that utilize EEG and NIRS

The authors attempted to develop an environment control system for severely handicapped bed-ridden patients. In this study, we used electroencephalograms (EEG) and near infrared stereoscopy (NIRS) to test and compare a system called “brain computer interface” for the purpose of selecting menus. The feature of the EEG-based system is that wavelet analysis is used to detect the event-related potential P300, and then, to determine the selected menu. Additionally, an appropriate stimulus-to-stimulus interval time of the menu was derived to be approximately 0.50–0.75 s. Regarding the NIRS-based system, real-time feedback was effective in increasing oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) signal, which resulted in a higher success ratio. The average success ratio of EEG-based system was higher than that of NIRS-based system. In general, using the proposed system, the time required to select a menu is shortened, and the feeling of restraint is reduced.