Introducing BF++: A C++ Framework for Cognitive Bio-Feedback Systems Design

L. Bianchi; F. Babiloni; F. Cincotti; S. Salinari; M.G. Marcian

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1634215

Methods of Information in Medicine, Table of Contents

Methods Inf Med 2003; 42(01): 104-110
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1634215

Original article

Schattauer GmbH

Introducing BF⁺⁺: A C⁺⁺ Framework for Cognitive Bio-Feedback Systems Design

L. Bianchi

¹Dip. Neuroscienze, Università “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy

^1aBrainware, Rome, Italy

,

F. Babiloni

²Dip. Fisiologia Umana e Farmacologia, Università “La Sapienza”, Rome Italy

,

F. Cincotti

³IRCCS, Fondazione “S. Lucia”, Rome Italy

,

S. Salinari

⁴Dip. Informatica e Sistemistica, Università “La Sapienza”, Rome Italy

,

M.G. Marcian

⁵Dip. Neuroscienze, Università “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy

^5bRCCS, Fondazione “S. Lucia”, Rome, Italy

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Objective: This paper addressed the issue of building-up a framework for the realization of several cognitive bio-feedback (CBF) systems. It minimizes the programming effort and maximizes the efficiency and the cross-platform portability so that it can be used with many platforms (either software or hardware).

Methods: A generic CBF system was decomposed into six modules: acquisition, kernel, feedback rule, patient feedback, operator user interface and persistent storage. The way in which these modules interact was defined by immutable software interfaces in a way that allows to completely substitute a module without the need to modify the others.

Results: Three Brain Computer Interface engines were developed with less than 40 lines of C++ code each. They can also be used under virtually any platform that supports an ANSI C++ compiler.

Conclusion: A framework for the implementation of a wide range of CBF systems was developed. Compared to the other approaches that are described in the literature, the proposed one is the most efficient, the most portable across different platforms, the most generic and the one that allows the realization of the cheapest final systems.

Keywords

Augmentative communication - cognitive bio-feedback - bio-feedback system design

Full Text

References

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