Microsoft Wants To Read Your Brain

Simon Night writes "Microsoft has entered the realm of brain machine interfaces, attempting to patent a method of classifying brain states from EEG input. 'Human beings are often poor reporters of their own actions,' the patent application notes, so reading directly from your brain is a preferred option."

Hrmmmm.... I don't think so.

I've spent a fair amount of time looking at this problem (as have others with certain agencies who have invested not insignificant amounts of money) and I can tell you that this is pretty much up in the night kinda speculation. Technical issues of obtaining clean EEG signals in a convenient manner aside, the origins of techniques like this to classify comes from the epilepsy literature, where folks attempt to classify interictal seizure spikes, but also from the sleep and awareness literature (both of which have been reasonably successful, yet are still lacking optimal tools). Granted, there are rather dramatic global state changes that occur with different states of consciousness, but this application focuses principally on the awake EEG. Specifically they quote the P300 signal which the FBI and CIA are using (trying to use) for lie detection, but the problem here is that the P300 is only an evoked potential that simply tells you whether or not someone recognizes an input (audio, visual, tactile etc...). So all questions or inputs into the system have to be crafted to understand that one is looking for an evoked potential with no necessary context in place to explain that evoked potential.

So, this is not mind reading per se nor is it a means to break cognitive processing into temporal windows to determine intent in any of those potential epochs. At its very basic fundamentals this is simply a rehash of signal detection theory doing simple Fourier analysis to "classify" brain waves. But the thing here is that there is no science behind using these signals to interpret what one is thinking even with the invocation of Bayesian networks. There are a number of other more promising methods for classifying data that have been in the literature and commonly used by a number of other disciplines that I am surprised have not made it into the EEG literature yet.

In short.... in my assessment, this is a patent proposal without much in the way of novelty or benefit to the problem at hand.

Re:Hrmmmm.... I don't think so.

I liked their use of that highly technical term: "too squiggly".

But the thing here is that there is no science behind using these signals to interpret what one is thinking even with the invocation of Bayesian networks.

It sounds like they were using this method to optimize the complexity of interfaces depending on the user's level of "confusion". (E.g., when the user is in a state of panic, the graph wizard in Excel could offer three or four styles of graph, instead of 12. One of the Linux makers with Microsoft patent licensing could adapt it to look at such a user and decide "Y'know, you probably don't need the GIMP...") I doubt they've tried anything as ambitious as knowing what the user is thinking.

Re:

I liked their use of that highly technical term: "too squiggly".

Yeah, like uncorrelated noise of artifact are too technical details for the Patent Office.

It sounds like they were using this method to optimize the complexity of interfaces depending on the u

Re:

...and this is some sort of effort to patent what essentially amounts to nonsense.

And this why Patent applicants should be required to have a working demonstration available at request (at least until the Patent is approved).

Re:

TFA is pretty misleading (though not as bad as the summary). This "mind-reading" would apparently take place at the design stage. Ars's coverage [arstechnica.com] is a little more level-headed.

nothing new

and I can tell you that this is pretty much up in the night kinda speculation.

Well, so is an operating system and applications that don't crash, and intuitive user interfaces, and that doesn't stop companies from claiming success in those domains either.

Precision

One must keep into account that :
- EEG only records surface activity (you only "see" what's visible on the "outside". Deep structures that also play important roles in the way the brain works, mostly by working as filters and first step analysis are not vi

This seems like one of those few stories...

...where the Bill-Gates-as-Borg icon truly applies.

Brains and thoughts

"'Human beings are often poor reporters of their own actions,' the patent application notes, so reading directly from your brain is a preferred option." Translated: Humans are often trying to keep personal secrets from us, so stealing it all directly from your brain is a preferred option.

Re:

It would be interesting if they would be liable if there was a bug that left the system easy to hack. I mean your wife finding out your thoughts about her friend, are can't wait for our date this Friday, probably wouldn't go over too well. And the user cou

Re:Brains and thoughts

What it doesn't say is that humans are also great at altering their own memories -- false memories -- I have experienced this myself where, say I remember someone like a Highschool friend doing something at my 18th birthday party and then when I view the tape and he wasn't even there!

I don't know about others, but I certainly don't put a lot of stock in human memory past a certain point. It's like an analog signal and everytime we re-remember something, we write a new record down that may introduce random errors (perhaps associations) that shouldn't be there.

Tolerance and testing

Well, one positive outcome would be if they use it in testing of new products.

Allow this action? Yes
Allow this action? Yes
Allow this action? Yes
Technician: Sir, the test-subject's EEG is spiking Allow this action? Grrr, yes
Allow this action? Yes, dam

Re:

Not necessarily. I've often clicked the wrong button/used the wrong command and thought to myself "Why couldn't the computer have known that I really meant to hit the button just to the left of that?" Of course it's nearly impossible, and probably won't be

Obligatory Clippy reference

"It looks like you're writing a letter. Would you like help?"

Re:Obligatory Clippy reference

"It looks like you're thinking about writing a letter. I know you want help."

... and hilarity ensues

Just imagine what happens if Clippy tries to cut and paste your thoughts into the letter.

Before:
"Dear Cindy: I'm afraid this won't work, our differences are too much"

After:
"Dear B**ch: Don't even dream about it, I found a girl who really knows how to- F***! How the heck do I turn this off! Don't"

e-mail sent.

Re:... and hilarity ensues

"Dear B**ch: Don't even dream about it, I found a girl who really knows how to- F***! How the heck do I turn this off! Delete that. Delete that. I think it's picking up a little double delete the killer select all."

This was tried in 1955

"It looks like you're writing a letter. Would you like help?"

My God! Do you know what this means? It means... that this damn thing doesn't work at all!

Guess I'll never get hired by them then

As soon as they read my mind to find out exactly what I think about their company.

Prior Art?

I didn't see any "references" in the application. There is numerous patents relating to EEG technology. I work with Quantitative EEG technology as part of my day job. There is definitely prior art for "de-artifacting" EEG data.

Please let this be prior art

Knew this seemed familiar [slashdot.org] This is a whole can of worms I don't want Microsoft in. As we've all pointed out, that we don't want ANYONE in. As soon as someone finds a generally good idea(tm) someone has to come around and make it worse...

Hm...

I really question if Microsoft would like to know what I REALLY think about them... :-)

Microsoft has always known better than you have.

Microsoft always knows better than the user! Hence installing patches which Microsoft knows are important but the user might have decided not to install, or telling you to reboot when you don't need to, or throttling your net connection when you play an mp

Achewood FTW.

reminds me of this [assetbar.com] delightful comic courtesy of Achewood [achewood.com].

-WFL

Similar ...

... though probably more down to earth.

Berlin Brain-Computer Interface [fraunhofer.de]

Quote: "For several years, research groups in Europe and the USA have been working on systems which allow for a direct dialog between man and machine. To this end, a "Brain Compute

You weel bee...

Ass-IMMOlated.

Don't know about YOU, but I don't want mshaft plugged into MY ass.

Let's see them try it on their EMPLOYEES first. Not even on criminals, but on THEIR employees, then politicians...

Instead of wasting money on this, maybe we could use more prog

They may not like what they find

But then again, perhaps they'll finally figure out why I'm so frustrated with Windows. Nah, that'll never happen.

Oh god no!

*Tink tink tink!*

GET OUT OF MY HEAD YOU ROTTEN PAPER CLIP!

*Tink tink tink!*

ARGHH!!! It's in my head! Aarrggghhh!

*Tink tink tink!*

Microsoft-think

Human beings are often poor reporters of their own actions

I find it very interesting that this reflects Microsoft's thinking. "You say no to this update, when you really mean yes", "You don't know what's best for you", "You don't need that feature, trust us".

What is creepier is that this patent application will grant Microsoft the exclusive right to read your brain... at least in the way the patent describes.

Mind-controlled games already on their way

Microsoft is not the first player in this market. Two Californian companies have already started producing devices that could be used to produce mind-controlled computer games [quizzes-online.com]. The technology has existed for some time and has been used to treat/assist pe

Perhaps they're reading *my* mind?

Holy cow, I was just joking [slashdot.org] around, honest! Now I'm gonna have IP lawyers knocking down my door. And's it's not like I'm going to be able to lie to get myself out of this one 'cus, like, they'd know.

We told you! We told you!

We told you, but you just called us paranoiacs and laughed at our tinfoil hats! This fall, the fashion accessory is foil!

Why are we even researching this technology?

You look at what scientists are researching - robots to replace people, computers that can think like people, scanners to read our minds.... I mean, for what benefit? Corporate compliance? Government security? These things are being built solely for the

Boy, this doesn't make me feel concerned

So what happens, you think of Linux, piracy, or boobies and you get a shock through the Windows Genuine Advantage Testicle Electrodes, aka MS Testitrodes(tm)?

Re:

So what happens, you think of Linux, piracy, or boobies and you get a shock through the Windows Genuine Advantage Testicle Electrodes, aka MS Testitrodes(tm)?

By 2010, the technology will be available. By 2015, you will get a discount if you accept it. By 2025, you will not be allowed to use a computer without it.

I can see it already

"This copy of Windows will expire in 10 days unless you register your brain with Microsoft"

Oblig UAC Reference....

"You are thinking about LINUX. Cancel or allow?"
"You are thinking about switching to MAC. Cancel or allow?"
"You are thinking about Ballmer and him dancing across a stage yelling developers and throwing chairs. Cancel or allow?"

Umbrella corporation

Microsoft is this world Umbrella corporation. It is a extinction for our species. The clue, why do they want to mess with peoples brain to start with.

This opens up sooo many grey areas

For example, you harbor thoughts of harm towards someone. You know in your own mind you would never do it. Does the computer know that. Would it report it? If so to whom. Could you incrimate yourself by your thoughts?

Suppose your a terrorist sympathiser, h

Quick! Lets all think "Format C:"!

Quick! Lets all think "Format C:"! See how long they want to read our minds with that. :-)

hmmmm

This puts a whole new light on the WGA program...

Re:

> Welcome that. They are welcome to read my mind, just so they will know HOW MUCH VISTA SUCKS ASS.

Can you read my mind now, Bill? BECAUSE I'M THINKING IT AS HARD AS I CAN!

Re:I Just Felt a Cold Chill

No no no, that was a sense of joy and happiness

Yours truly, Microsoft.

'Human beings are often poor reporters of their own actions,'

Re:

Hum...your reader must not be calibrated properly. Normally they prevent you from preserving them.

Re:

That's just the power cord. You'll get used to it.

Re:

Don't worry, thet's just because the technology is in its arly stages.
They'll fix that once they figure out how to write and execute.

Re:

Seriously the only thing that happens when Microsoft products try to guess what you are thinking is annoyance.

No, no, you don't understand the concept here. What you are reporting as "annoyance" is, in fact, a state of enlightened bliss. Our EEG says so.

So long as they use Vista speech recognition

as the fundamental technology, you have nothing to fear.

Re:

Well done, good sir. Shouldn't have done it AC.

Re:

AWESOME!!! Use the hdd's shock detection mechanism to determine when someone is banging on the desk!

"Would you prefer us to reinstall linux?" LOL