Towards Standardized User and Application Interfaces for the Brain Computer Interface

In this paper, we consider two obstacles preventing widespread deployment of Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology: the lack of standardization for the user interface and the applications interface. We suggest a structure for an intuitive graphical user interface (IGUI) and propose a methodology for usability testing. A universal application interface (UAI) based on Universal Plug and Play and deployed by Open Services Gateway initiative is proposed. This issues user commands and receives device status; and communicates to the IGUI using an eXtensible Mark-up Language file containing menu definitions. Using this approach we have achieved control of simple domestic devices, using 'plug and play' technology, interaction with a set top box and media player for entertainment applications.