A Functional BCI Model by the P2731 working group: Physiology

ABSTRACT

The development of Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) requires specialists in various fields, including engineering, computer science, medicine and neuroscience. Each of these disciplines possesses a specific and sometimes differing terminology, which creates obstacles to mutual understanding and research collaboration. The IEEE P2731 working group aims to improve communication among BCI researchers by developing a functional model and standard glossary that can be used in all relevant fields. This article describes the anatomical regions of the brain and physiological processes commonly used by BCI applications. It serves as an introduction to neurophysiology for engineers and other non-specialists, and it offers background to articles on the IEEE P2731 Functional Model and Glossary available elsewhere in this special issue.

KEYWORDS:

• BCI
• cerebral anatomy
• cognitive processes
• brain waves
• neurophysiology
• event-related potential
• functional model

Acknowledgments

While this paper was produced by a subset of the IEEE P2731 working group, it must be noted that the paper is the culmination of the work of the entire IEEE P2731 working group. While not all members of that working group are listed as authors of this paper, their work provided its foundation, and, as of this writing, the efforts to produce the P2731 Glossary and Functional Model are ongoing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).