Brain-Computer Integration: A Framework for the Design of Brain-Computer Interfaces from an Integrations Perspective

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems hold the potential to foster human flourishing and self-actualization. However, we believe contemporary BCI system design approaches unnecessarily limit these potentialities as they are approached from a traditional interaction perspective, producing command-response experiences. This article proposes to go beyond interaction and toward a paradigm of human-computer integration. The potential of this paradigm is demonstrated through three prototypes: Inter-Dream, a system that integrates with the brain's autonomic physiological processes to drive users toward healthy sleep states; Neo-Noumena, a system that integrates with the user's affective neurophysiology to augment the interpersonal communication of emotion; and PsiNet, a system that integrates interpersonal brain activity to amplify human connection. Studies of these prototypes demonstrate the benefits of the integration paradigm in realizing the multifaceted benefits of BCI systems, and this work presents the brain-computer integration framework to help guide designers of future BCI integrations.

Automated summary

This article proposes a paradigm of human-computer integration, going beyond traditional interaction approaches in BCI system design. Three prototypes are presented to demonstrate the potential of this paradigm. Studies show the advantages of brain-computer integration in realizing the multifaceted benefits of BCI systems, and a framework is provided to guide future BCI integration designs.