Emotiv Response #3

We received these links after Mr. Lin's payment was confirmed. I am definitely going to look over the links for a couple days.

Useful Links:
Google+ Community
Early Access Page
YouTube videos
Knowledge Base
Newly released iOS Insight app
iOS Mental Commands app

Browser Based Apps:
Control Panel
EEG Viewer using Bluetooth
EEG Viewer using Dongle

SDK: GitHub

To rehydrate sensors:
this

Temporary Progress Report 3

I have to add my new Gantt chart and work completed when I get to school, therefore this progress report will be updated on November 16th. I am sorry that it has to be delayed.

-Isabelle Greenberg

Emotiv Response #2

This is the second email that I have received. I asked them about the order and gave them the order number. For some reason, they didn't say anything specific about the order. I think the main point is that it will take more time than expected. Here is the email exactly:

Hi Isabelle,

We’ll be using FedEx International Economy method to ship directly from China.

Unfortunately, we are experiencing a little delay in shipping due to FedEx service. We are hoping the issue will be resolved quickly (preferably within this week) so we can continue shipping.

Also, in the meantime, we have released iOS and Android Insight app.
- This is the link to iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/emotiv-insight/id1031805596?l=vi&ls=1&mt=8
- This is the link to Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emotiv.insightapp

- Insight app allows you to record sessions and review your performance metrics and Mental Commands app allows you to control a virtual object with your mind.

We thank you for your support and apologize for any inconvenience the delay in delivery of this order may have caused. We hope this instance has not tainted your experience with Emotiv and if it has, we hope to continue to work with you to improve your outlook in the future.

Kind regards,
Emy

Emy
EMOTIV Customer Support

Progress Report 3 (11/8/15)

Progress:

• I have found an extremely useful wireframe website where you can test out the positioning of various graphics for apps
• It can be used for many things, and the free trial is plenty as of now (I do not believe we will have to purchase a membership)
• This is the preview as of now, expect more soon! There is always ways to improve
• https://www.fluidui.com/editor/live/preview/p_aSUz6vve8epg6JOBypSbMUA22DpTPVUC.1447037055658
• With Lynda.com, there are plenty of tutorials and reviews for Objective C and App Design in general
• I am going to use this whenever I have time

Problems:

• A lot of the problems from last time haven't been resolved, and I could have done more studying
• No response on the forum specifically, but the response from the Emotiv official is a good thing
• While the wireframe is made, the code itself hasn't been created
• I will improve!!!

Plan:

• Finish the wireframe
• Do some concrete studying
• Get at least started on the code, if not finished

Emotiv Response

I sent a couple questions to Emotiv on the 20th of October to do with the differences between EEG and non-EEG. I also told them a little bit about my app ideas and asked about their Performance Metrics Suite. This is their response. I will try to work around the issues that this presents.

Hello Isabelle,

They have different firmware in the headset. EEG headset will allow the viewing of raw EEG data in our EEG viewer browser app as well as Emotiv’s proprietary metrics (Facial expressions, Performance Matrix, Mental Commands) in our CPanel browser app. It allows researchers to look at data at these specific locations and calculate their own metrics should they desire. Non-EEG headset will show metrics but no raw data. You won’t be able to do research but can still track your cognitive performance and develop apps.

If you want the software to work with OpenVibe, I'd recommend EPOC/EPOC+. 

Insight and EPOC are designed for different purposes. Clearly EPOC has more sensors and therefore measures more regions of the brain, giving a more complex view of mental activity. It is more appropriate for research where information density is critical. Insight is positioned over key brain regions found to be important for our detections but there is less signal redundancy which can be used to reduce the effects of noise in more extreme situations, therefore EPOC retains higher accuracy in more situations. In good operating conditions both headsets perform well in detecting our key emotional outputs. The reduced sensor count also means that distinguishing 3 or more Mental Commands is slightly more difficult and some facial expressions cannot be detected with Insight. 

Or let's say Insight detections have been reworked significantly and are different to EPOC detections. The lower sensor count produces a lower spatial resolution and significantly reduces the available redundancy in the available information. Expressiv has less detections, Affectiv detections are a different list by and large, and Cognitiv self-trains so the detections are similar in principle. The devices are designed for different markets and applications.

But if you still stick to Insight, we have released iOS and Android Insight app.
- This is the link to iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/emotiv-insight/id1031805596?l=vi&ls=1&mt=8
- This is the link to Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emotiv.insightapp

Insight app allows you to record sessions and review your performance metrics and Mental Commands app allows you to control a virtual object with your mind.

We thank you for your support and apologize for any inconvenience the delay in responding may have caused. We hope this instance has not tainted your experience with Emotiv and if it has, we hope to continue to work with you to improve your outlook in the future.

Kind regards,
Emy

Emy
EMOTIV Customer Support

Progress Report 2 (11-1-15)

Progress:

• The headset has been ordered, which is extremely exciting (thank you Mr. Lin!)
• I will be working with the Insight, and now there is a clearer goal in mind for the project
• More posts have been made on the Emotiv forum, and I have emailed my remaining confusions to their account
• The framework for the app has begun, and there should be a concrete set of code that I will post soon
• I have watched various tutorials for the kind of app I want to make, so a good portion of my reviewing has been completed already

Problems:

• I have not received any responses from the Emotiv forum, but the questions I posted are not too important (this isn't a major problem, just an annoyance)
• I need to refresh a bit more on app design, as it has been a while since I've worked with Objective-C
• I do not think I can use Swift since all the example code is in Objective-C (I might be able to just translate it into Swift if necessary)
• The headset will ship out in 3 weeks, which is a long period of time.

Plan:

I will use this next week to design the app and get something up and running to test. I can use Tuesday to my advantage, as we will not be having school. Also, on Tuesday I am touring an app development company, which could only benefit my endeavors on this project. Reviewing and such is important, but as of now it is not my key objective. I need to remember to post an updated Gantt chart. The present Gantt chart does not accurately reflect the work I have done so far.

Progress Report 1 (10-25-15)

Progress:

• Downloaded the example code from the Emotiv database
• Found a more extensive description of the difference between the two headset models on the Emotiv website, giving me more details with what comes with the EEG version of the headset.
• The EEG version gives the raw data and other programs, while the non-EEG just has their se algorithms. Here are the details:

Basic SDK
The Emotiv SDK provides an effective development environment that integrates well with new and existing frameworks and is now available to independent developers. It includes our proprietary software toolkit that exposes our APIs and detection libraries. 
Facial Expressions
This suite uses the signals measured by the Emotiv Brainwear to interpret user facial expressions in real-time.  Artificial intelligence can now respond to users naturally, in ways only humans have been able to until now. When a user smiles, their avatar can mimic the expression even before they are aware of their own feelings.
Performance Metrics & Emotional States
This suite monitors user emotional states in real-time. It provides an extra dimension in human computer interaction by allowing the application/game to respond to a user's emotions. Characters can transform in response to the user's feeling. Music, scene lighting and effects can be tailored to heighten the experience for the user in real-time. These algorithms can be used to monitor user state of mind and allow developers to adjust difficulty to suit each situation.
Mental Commands
This detection suite reads and interprets a user's conscious thoughts and intent. Users can manipulate virtual objects using only the power of their thought! For the first time, the fantasy of magic and supernatural power can be experienced.


EEG Access
When you purchase EEG data access, your headset will be equipped with EEG Firmware that allows the real-time display of raw EEG data stream, contact quality, FFT, motion sensors, wireless packet acquisition/loss display, and marker events in our exclusive TestBench software:
TestBench™ software provides:
Real-time display of the Emotiv headset data stream, including EEG, contact quality, FFT, gyro, wireless packet acquisition/loss display, marker events, headset battery level.
Record and replay files in binary EEGLAB format1. Command line file converter included to produce .csv format.
Define and insert timed markers into the data stream, including on-screen buttons and defined serial port events. Markers are stored in EEG data file
Marker definitions can be saved and reloaded. Markers are displayed in real time and playback modes. 
Export screenshot for documentation


TestBench™ features include:
EEG display:
5 second rolling time window (chart recorder mode)
ALL or selected channels can be displayed
Automatic or manual scaling (individual channel display mode)
Adjustable channel offset (multi-channel display mode)
Synchronized marker window


FFT display:
Selected channel only
ALL or selected channels can be displayed
Adjustable sampling window size (in samples)
Adjustable update rate (in samples)
dB mode – power or amplitude calculations
dB scale
FFT window methods: Hanning, Hamming, Hann, Blackman, Rectangle
Predefined and custom sub-band histogram display – Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, custom bands
Gyro display:
5 second rolling time window (chart recorder mode)
X and Y deflection
Data Packet display:
5 second rolling graph of Packet Counter output
Packet loss – integrated count of missing data packets
Verify data integrity for wireless transmission link
Data Recording and Playback:
Fully adjustable slider, play/pause/exit controls.
Subject and record ID, date, start time recorded in file naming convention.

• The FFT display can be made by OpenVIBE, so technically if it is compatible, we could purchase the cheaper headset.

• Created an OpenVIBE account on the forum to ask various questions about the compatibility of the platform

• Received a response from the OpenVIBE team (this is described more in the problems section)

Problems:

• The example code requires a headset for it to be able to run, and produces errors if not set up
• The Emotiv forum has not responded to my posts, and the answered questions are vague and confusing
• While it is great that openVIBE responded to me, they did not give any good news. They said that they do not have the Insight in their offices but they guess that it is not compatible. This is because of two reasons; the channel characteristics are different and the API is different than the EPOC.

Plan:

I might have no choice but to use the EPOC for various reasons. Firstly, a major component of the team is that I am supposed to collaborate with the openVIBE group. They would be extremely helpful, but what am I supposed to do if the headset doesn't even work with the platform? The order will also take almost three weeks to process, pushing back farther and farther my development process. I do not know if the headset could even be shipped after that time. I need to go over this progress and the details available to me on Tuesday. After I talk to Mr. Lin about all this, I will choose and then update the blog on Sunday.