Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a method of transmission of information by using cutaneous sensation elicited by electrical stimulation. In this paper, we proposed to present dynamically cutaneous sensation patterns such as characters or graphic symbols that could be understood intuitively. First, a basic design of stimulation electrode was determined experimentally. Then, basic 16 presentation patterns were examined in pattern recognition experiments with neurologically intact subjects. As one of reasons of misrecognition, remaining sensation after electrical stimulation was considered. Therefore, inter stimulus interval (ISI) between two presentation patterns was determined experimentally. Based on results of the first recognition experiments and determined ISI, modified 14 patterns were examined in the recognition experiments. Correct recognition ratio was 70.7∼90% on 4 of 6 subjects. It was higher than or equal to that of previous research works, in which only 4 patterns were tested experimentally. In addition, the correct recognition ratio was also expected to be about 90 % in average if patterns including diagonal lines were removed as patterns used in the previous study. The method proposed in this paper was expected to be effective in recognition of many presentation patterns. Optimization of stimulating electrode and parameters of electrical stimulation for pattern presentation, and examination of pattern presentation for practical characters and graphic symbols would be required.
