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pocket neurobics®
Wireless Neurofeedback Trainers "Self-awareness, a first step toward self-mastery" |
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Frequently Asked Questions BioExplorer status bar reports "Connecting..." even though the Pendant/Pocket is switched on? When BioExplorer reports "Connecting.." and never "Connected" then the first thing to check is the green light on the wireless dongle. With the Pendant/Pocket switched off, the light should be off, then blink on every four seconds or so to indicate the wireless channel number that the dongle is tuned to (one blink for channel 1 etc). BioExplorer status bar reports "No Port"? If you have not installed the driver for the wireless dongle, then please refer to the User Manual (or download from the Manuals page). "No Port" means that the Pocket or Pendant driver inside BioExplorer is pointing at the wrong COM port. Open BioEXplorer Device Manager (see the "BioEXplorer" drop down menu), click on the Pendant or Pocket driver then select "Properties". Expand the COM port list and select the highest numbered COM port (eg "COM5"). This is probably the most recently installed COM port and is likely to be the COM port assigned to a recently installed wireless dongle. Click "OK" and with the Pendant or Pocket operating, BioExplorer should now report "connected". If not, this is not the correct COM port and you will need to discover which COM port has been assigned to the wireless dongle by Windows. To do this, press Windows "Start" logo and go to Windows Control Panel. Select "Device Manager" then expand "Ports". There should be an entry for "wireless dongle" and a COM port assignment. In the BioEXplorer Properties box for the Pocket/Pendant driver, choose that COM port number. BioExplorer should now report "connected". If Windows Device Manager does not have an entry for "wireless dongle" then refer to the User Manual to install the driver. Can't get BioExplorer to recognise a DVD player codec? Probably the most common problem BioExporer users have is getting the DVD decoder to work correctly. This has typically involved trying the commercial products WinDVD8+ or PowerDVD8+, and then installing the other if the first did not work. If your current DVD decoders are working fine, then there is no reason to change. DScaler is now included on the PN CD/memory stick.
Note that your BioExplorer designs should be using the 'DVD Player' object and not the 'WM DVD Player' object. Also note that under Parallels emulation, the BioExplorer 'DVD Player' object reports 'vmr off', meaning that some capability, like resizing the screen under biofeedback control, is not available. For Windows 64bit systems only, there are reports that this AMD64 DScaler driver works ok. There are also reliable reports that K-lite Basic, another free decoder, also works well on XP and Vista, although this has not been verified. Wireless dongle driver install failed? Preferred method to install the wireless dongle driver is to run this auto-installing program. This single driver is used for all Windows platforrms and for all PN products. The auto--install programshould run before the wireless dongle is plugged into a USB port for a first time. If the wireless dongle is plugged-in prior to running th auto-installing program, then the Windows 'New Hardware Found' wizard can be allowed to automatically install the dongle driver from its driver repository. Both alternatives will take a few minutes to execute. When installing automatically, allow the wizard to execute twice. If there has been an unsuccessful attempt to install the driver then... First, inspect the Windows Control Panel function "Add/Remove Programs" (XP) or "Programs and Features" (Vista). Look for "Windows Driver Package - Pocket Neurobics". If there are entries there, simply right click then select "uninstall". Then re-attempt driver intallation. Second, should there not be entries as above, then inspec the Windows Device Manager (accessible via the Windows Control Panel) and look for drivers which have a question mark or exclamation mark next to them, right click and uninstall. Remove and replace the dongle to have the wizard go thru the procedure again. After successful installation, in the Windows Device Manager you will see “pocket neurobics wireless dongle” under USB Controllers and under Serial Ports. The serial port listing will also tell you the COM port that windows has assigned to the dongle and this is the sole piece of information you need to advise PC applciations such as the BioExplorer Device Manager. The COM port assigned may differ from one computer to the next. Done once there should be no further issues. The wireless link requires installation of a special Windows driver. This is a one-time operation. Wireless Pendant & Pocket devices use a common 'serial-USB-wireless' dongle. The dongle behaves similarly to USB-serial adaptor cables: a Windows driver is installed and thereafter it appears to Windows applications as a conventional serial "COM" port. In Vista, when I try to install the program from the memory stick, it says, "the requested operation requires elevation" and nothing happnes? Vista requires you to “elevate” if you do not have enough rights to install and run programs (meaning, you have a limited user account). In order to run and install programs in Vista, you MUST be the Administrator AND the appropriate rights in the UAC. (Pete, when you get this message, if you go to All Programs, Accessories, right click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator (even if you alredy are, should work). Since creating another user account may create havoc for some users, I recommend you simply shut off the UAC (User Account Control) nagging pseudo protection that ships with Vista:
Uncheck the box. Click OK then Reboot! BioExplorer status bar reports "Sync Error"? Occasional flashes of "Sync Error" in the BioExplorer status bar is normal, especially when there is movment in the vicinity of the Pendant or Pocket. However if sync errors persist then this is symptomatic of some issues with the wireless link between the Pendant/Pocket and the wireless dongle. The wireless link works best if there is 'line of sight' between the dongle and the Pendant/Pocket. Check that this is so. If necessary, use a USB extender cable for the dongle. If the problem persists then it may be due to wireless interference. Most common source of interference is from wireless LANs although if your system is on the default wireless Channel 1, then it is normally OK. If on Channel 1, try switching to Channel 3 or 4. The problem might also arise from noise USB cables, so if the dongle is connected to a mini USB hub, try connecting the dongle directly to the PC USB port. System works OK for a period then one or other channel goes flat-line? Next time a channel goes flat-line, try lifting feet off the ground. If the signal restores, then the problem is probably excessive 50/60Hz interference. This may originate in the computer or other electrical equipment, or come from the walls and the ceiling, particularly if in a concrete building. You may need to re-arrange furniture and electrical items. If the dongle is plugged into a mini USB hub, try connecting it directly to the computer USB port. The other candidate here is the electrodes. We don't believe that 'prepping' the skin is necessary, altho we do think it good practice to rub the scalp vigorously with a finger-tip of paste. Then use abundant paste on the electrode itself. Also note that for one channel operation, always use eeg channel 1. Using channel 2 and not channel 1 will cause random flatlining. How do I change the upper frequency setting on the Pendant EEG/Pocket between 40/48/56Hz, and why is there a choice of 128/256/512 sampling rates? The low frequency response of the Pendant is fixed. For the older Pendant EEG (9V battery) the low frequency response hass fallen by 30% at 1.6Hz. For the newer Pendant EEG (AAA battery) the low frequency response has fallen by 30% at 0.1Hz. Extending the low frequency response from 1.6Hz to 0.1 Hz allows the AAA battery version to better support EKG & HRV), SCP and the new Othmer VLF Optimal Reward Frequency protocols. It is, however, more susceptible to low frequency artefacts such as electrode half-cell potential drift and motion artefacts. We recommend that if using the AAA battery version and it is not being used for the aforementioned protocols, then the protocol design on the PC (eg BioEra or BioExplorer) should feature a high pass filter set to 1.6Hz to mimic the older Pendant EEG. The high frequency response of the Pendant and Pockets is variable to either 40Hz, 48Hz, or 56Hz. 40Hz is the default. On the Pocket, this frequency can be changed in the Pocket menus. On the Pendant EEG, this change is effected by first setting the Pendant to Program Mode (refer Pendant User Manual), then selecting a "profile" from the drop-down list available in the utility buried in the Pendant EEG driver, found in the "BioExplorer" drop-down list under "Devices". Having selected "Properties" for the Pendant EEG driver, and selecting a tab called "Pendant", choose the high frequency response and sampling rate from the drop-down list. Then select the "Set Profile" button and the new Profile will be uploaded over the wireless link to the Pendant. If the upload was successful, after a few seconds the Pendant will switch to Pod Mode and start transmitting data. If unsuccessful, the Pendant will stay in Program Mode awaiting another attempt. Which High Frequency Response to choose? Unless interested in Gamma frequencies, we recommend that the Pocket and Pendant remain at the default setting of 40Hz. If interested in Gamma frequencies then Australia and European countries (50Hz mains frequency) can change the setting to 48Hz. This setting will not fully attenuate the 50Hz interfering signal but will be quite servicable for training Gamma. If in North America or Japan (60Hz mains countries) then the setting can be changed to 48Hz or 56Hz. The 56Hz setting will not fully attenuate the 60Hz interfering signal but will be quite servicable. The 56Hz setting will not attenuate a 50Hz interfering signal at all, and performance of the unit may be impaired. Which sampling rate to choose? Generally the default setting of 256 samples per second is fine for all applications. In the presence of a strong interfering signal (such as some wireless LANs) or when extra range is desired (say for sports performance applications) then 128sps might be preferred. How do I calibrate the temperature reading of the Pendant pIR HEG (AAA battery version)? Note that there is a calibration capability with the AAA battery version, and not the (older) 9V battery version. The Pendant pIR HEG (AAA) is calibrated at the factory using a thermocouple placed under the tongue, setting it to 97degF. This should give an accuracy of about 0.5degF. Thermocouples are available for sale from our store at a modest cost - and they can also be used for finger warming biofeedback using the Pendant pIR. Since there is some variation of readings from pIR Headset to pIR Headset which is not compensated for at the factory, the user may wish to adjust the calibration for their particualr headset. Since there is a variation in reading from one part of the forehead to another, we recommend that if calibrating to compensate for the headset, that it is best to calibrate all pIR Pendants against a common reference Pendant which you so label and keep for this purpose. This does not ensure absolute accuracy buit does ensure that the variation from unit to unit is controlled. To calibrate the Pendant pIR HEG (AAA) select the third mode (LED turns vellow) then use the Up and Down buttons to vary the readout until the desired result is achieved. What is the Low Frequency Response of the Pocket and the Pendant? The Pocket A3 and the Pendant EEG (9V battery version) have a frequency response down to 1.6Hz. The new Pendant EEG (operating from a AAA battery) has a response down to 0.1Hz. The decision to choose 1.6Hz as the lower frequency response is (ii) above mandates that one needs to be particularly cautious with electrode hygiene, and I would highly recommend that those wishing to exercise protocols in this band to use silver-silver chloride electrodes as these exhibit a small electrode offset potential. [The electrode offset potential or "half-cell effect" is as a result of the electrode being a metal and the paste being an electrolyte - the elements that comprise a battery.] Given the interest in the Othmer's VLF Optimal Response Frequency protocol, slow cortical potentials, and combining EEG with HRV training, the new Pendant EEG (AAA) has a response down to 0.1 Hz facilitating each of these modalities. I note that the Othmers are now sometimes choosing sub-0.1Hz frequencies. INote that the lower one goes in frequency, the more acute is the problem with artifacts. I believe,tho that the low-frequency response of the Pendant is about the same as the EEG Info Amplifier. I would not, tho, recommend going below 0.1 Hz. For those not using the above three modalities but using a new Pendant EEG (AAA), I would recommend that one places a low frequency high pass filter set to 1.6Hz in the BioExplorer or BioEra design just after the Source object, to produce a response similar to the old Pendant and the Pocket A3. Why can you not use the gold plated electrodes with the Pendant EEG? Because of the 'plating'. Silver & Tin electrodes are usually pure,
that's why there is almost price parity with gold.
When the gold plating wears or is scratched it exposes a (usually)
metallic base. The two metals plus an electrolyte (conductive paste)
gives you a battery. This battery voltage is outside the operating
range of the Pendant and Pocket. Some older AC-coupled designs could
handle this voltage (with some other compromises involved) and some
newer designs can also support the wide voltage. Do I need to clean the electrodes? In the case of pure Tin or Silver electrodes we recommend storing the electrodes in saline solution - distilled water with salt added to saturation. If for personal use, then there is no need to clean off the paste. If the electrodes are shared, then warm saline solution should dissolve the paste. In difficult cases, simply wipe off excess paste before dunking in the saline solution. Note that storing the electrodes in the saline solution should reduce the time required to achieve chemical equilibrium of the electrode-paste-scalp connection. Filter response - shall we keep the delay as low as possible to guarantee the EEG signal are processed in a "real time" situation or control it to a certain level to make a balance between the delay and the distortion of the magnitude? Firstly, the significance of delay depends on what you are training and the nature of the feedback presentation (DVD, game, robot etc). HEG is inherently sluggish anyway (changes in blood perfusion) and added delays in filtering are less significant Training Gamma, on the other hand, needs to be fast to capture the transient signals. Alpha & Beta & Theta training sit in the middle. In general its best to have simple filters (ie ‘low order’ filters, with Butterworth a good choice) with less delay and distortion and accept that there is not good rejection of nearby frequencies (ie an alpha filter will pass some beta and theta but at a reduced level). However if you are doing Coherence training then you need to be careful with distortion of the phase response as this will affect the coherence reading. So here you would generally be prepared to accept longer delays to get a linear phase response (ie constant delay across the frequency band). We can note that the FIR filter guarantees no phase distortion and is a good choice, but there is considerable delay. A flick of a switch will convert the battery charger from AA to AAA operation: Vista64: Is there a driver for the Wireless Dongle for Vista 64-bit operating system? We now have a single, auto-installing driver package for all Windows platforrms and for all PN products. To installl the wireless dongle driver, download and run this self-extracting file. For more info, see the "drivers" tab. Can PN products and BioEXplorer work on the MAC? We do not have direct experience with this. Our understanding form other who have been successful, if a solution works in the "parallel" config in MAC, it should work with "boot-camp" even better. But cannot guarantee at this point. We are not sure whether the new auto-inatalling driver for the wireless dongle will work ok or not. Will the delay thru a filter be lowered with a faster computer? NO! – it’s a physics thing. Actually this phenomenon is a manifestation of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
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Firmware upgrades for the Pocket & Pendant devices can be downloaded
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Having downloaded the file, there are then three options for uploading these files over the wireless link to the device:
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Instructions for downloading new Pocket-I firmware upgrades using Pocket-Neurobic Firmware Loader Utility (for Windows)
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Pendant EEG (9V battery!) profiles |
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Pendant EEG (AAA battery!) profiles |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Minder Labs PL MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, beyond product defect warranties expressly given in the body of this document. The User is responsible for determining whether this product is fit for a particular purpose.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This product is NOT FOR MEDICAL USE and is solely for PERSONAL USE. The prospective user is advised that some individuals with sensitive nervous systems may have negative reactions to neurofeedback and/or light & sound training. This can be the case even under professional guidance. Reports of negative reactions are rare & mostly anecdotal. If headaches or discomfort arise, cease use. Prior to use, READ USER MANUAL in its entirety, particularly the Section on USER SAFETY.
Pocket-Neurobics.com is the personal neurofeedback division of Minder Labs PL ACN 093 279 915, which reserves all rights on software, firmware & hardware property. Copywrite ©2002 Minder Labs