LouposKostas
11-12-2006, 09:23 AM
Post-doctoral position at INRIA (Rennes, France)
TITLE: “Immersive and interactive 3D visualisation of cerebral activity for Brain-Computer Interfaces”
BACKGROUND:
Typical computer-user interfaces include a keyboard and a mouse.
Research in Human Computer Interface (CHI) has always tried to improve
and to simplify the control of electronic devices. Brain-Computer
Interface (BCI) aims to use a new communication channel offered by the
activity of the brain. The goal is to achieve the so called “think and
make it happen without physical effort” paradigm. A typical BCI system
consists of a brain signal acquisition device (typically using
Electroencephalography (EEG)) and a signal processing device. The latter
outputs device-control commands. During a training phase, the
participant tries repeatedly to accomplish a specific mental task. After
a sufficient number of trials, given that the brain activity can be
extracted in the form of a consistent, valid, and specific feature, a
classification algorithm is able to translate it into a unique command.
At this point participants are able to issue simple commands (usually
binary) to an electronic device. Published study could demonstrate a
transfer rate up to around 20 bits per minute, that is, around 20 “1” or
“0” commands per minute.
The post-doc is part of an ongoing research effort for the connection
and integration of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) in Virtual
Environments (VE) and with Virtual Reality set-ups (VR). The BUNRAKU
team, through the Open-ViBE project (www.irisa.fr/siames/OpenViBE), aims
at using this new mean of interaction for manipulating virtual object or
navigating and exploring virtual worlds. In this framework BUNRAKU is
developing a software platform for the acquisition, processing and
visualization of EEG activity in virtual reality. The visualisation
engine is considered as an essential component of the overall system,
since every BCI system faces the problem of learning.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POST-DOC ACTIVITY:
Aim of the post-doc will be the development of efficient 3D
visualisation techniques for the interactive exploration of cerebral
activity. Such a tool has to be efficient so to work in real-time and
on-line, i.e. when the user is connected to an EEG acquisition machine.
The successful candidate will propose and compare several
representations for the mental activity including, for instance, a
realistic and holistic 3D model of the brain, with symbolic and
schematic display of electrical and band power activities inside the
volume of the virtual brain model. He/she will propose interactive tools
to explore, interact and navigate in this virtual brain model. The
system will be used together with an immersive and stereoscopic “Reality
Center” (large cylindrical visualisation screen).
The candidate will work in a multi-disciplinary environment in
collaborations with other members of the team and other team in France
working on complementary subjects.
PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The candidate should have a PhD in Visualisation, Computer Graphics,
and/or Virtual Reality. Knowledge and expertise with visualization,
virtual reality and interactive techniques is thus the main requirement.
Strong skill in computer programming (in C++) is also an important
prerequisite. Specific experience with EEG, Neuroscience and Cognitive
Sciences is not required, but would represent an important advantage
over other candidates.
RESEARCH UNIT:
INRIA (National Institute for Research In Informatics and Control),
LOCATION:
Rennes (Bretagne), France.
DURATION: 12 to 24 months
LABORATORY:
BUNRAKU (www.irisa.fr/bunraku)
OPEN-VIBE PROJECT:
Open-Vibe website : www.irisa.fr/siames/OpenViBE/
open-Vibe description : C. Arrouet, M. Congedo, J.E. Marvie, F.
Lamarche, A. Lιcuyer, and B. Arnaldi, "Open-ViBE: a 3D Platform for
Real-Time Neuroscience", Journal of Neurotherapy, Vol. 9, Num. 1, 2005
http://www.irisa.fr/siames/GENS/alecuyer/Open-ViBE.pdf
CONTACT
Dr. Anatole Lιcuyer
IRISA - SIAMES Project
anatole.lecuyer@irisa.fr
TITLE: “Immersive and interactive 3D visualisation of cerebral activity for Brain-Computer Interfaces”
BACKGROUND:
Typical computer-user interfaces include a keyboard and a mouse.
Research in Human Computer Interface (CHI) has always tried to improve
and to simplify the control of electronic devices. Brain-Computer
Interface (BCI) aims to use a new communication channel offered by the
activity of the brain. The goal is to achieve the so called “think and
make it happen without physical effort” paradigm. A typical BCI system
consists of a brain signal acquisition device (typically using
Electroencephalography (EEG)) and a signal processing device. The latter
outputs device-control commands. During a training phase, the
participant tries repeatedly to accomplish a specific mental task. After
a sufficient number of trials, given that the brain activity can be
extracted in the form of a consistent, valid, and specific feature, a
classification algorithm is able to translate it into a unique command.
At this point participants are able to issue simple commands (usually
binary) to an electronic device. Published study could demonstrate a
transfer rate up to around 20 bits per minute, that is, around 20 “1” or
“0” commands per minute.
The post-doc is part of an ongoing research effort for the connection
and integration of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) in Virtual
Environments (VE) and with Virtual Reality set-ups (VR). The BUNRAKU
team, through the Open-ViBE project (www.irisa.fr/siames/OpenViBE), aims
at using this new mean of interaction for manipulating virtual object or
navigating and exploring virtual worlds. In this framework BUNRAKU is
developing a software platform for the acquisition, processing and
visualization of EEG activity in virtual reality. The visualisation
engine is considered as an essential component of the overall system,
since every BCI system faces the problem of learning.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POST-DOC ACTIVITY:
Aim of the post-doc will be the development of efficient 3D
visualisation techniques for the interactive exploration of cerebral
activity. Such a tool has to be efficient so to work in real-time and
on-line, i.e. when the user is connected to an EEG acquisition machine.
The successful candidate will propose and compare several
representations for the mental activity including, for instance, a
realistic and holistic 3D model of the brain, with symbolic and
schematic display of electrical and band power activities inside the
volume of the virtual brain model. He/she will propose interactive tools
to explore, interact and navigate in this virtual brain model. The
system will be used together with an immersive and stereoscopic “Reality
Center” (large cylindrical visualisation screen).
The candidate will work in a multi-disciplinary environment in
collaborations with other members of the team and other team in France
working on complementary subjects.
PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The candidate should have a PhD in Visualisation, Computer Graphics,
and/or Virtual Reality. Knowledge and expertise with visualization,
virtual reality and interactive techniques is thus the main requirement.
Strong skill in computer programming (in C++) is also an important
prerequisite. Specific experience with EEG, Neuroscience and Cognitive
Sciences is not required, but would represent an important advantage
over other candidates.
RESEARCH UNIT:
INRIA (National Institute for Research In Informatics and Control),
LOCATION:
Rennes (Bretagne), France.
DURATION: 12 to 24 months
LABORATORY:
BUNRAKU (www.irisa.fr/bunraku)
OPEN-VIBE PROJECT:
Open-Vibe website : www.irisa.fr/siames/OpenViBE/
open-Vibe description : C. Arrouet, M. Congedo, J.E. Marvie, F.
Lamarche, A. Lιcuyer, and B. Arnaldi, "Open-ViBE: a 3D Platform for
Real-Time Neuroscience", Journal of Neurotherapy, Vol. 9, Num. 1, 2005
http://www.irisa.fr/siames/GENS/alecuyer/Open-ViBE.pdf
CONTACT
Dr. Anatole Lιcuyer
IRISA - SIAMES Project
anatole.lecuyer@irisa.fr