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Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brain-computer interfaces are devices which connect the brain to a computer. Other names for Brain-Computer Interfaces are BCIs, human-machine interfaces (HMI), and neural interfaces. Brain-computer interfaces read in electrical signals from neurons in the brain and then pass these signals to an external device for computation. Currently brain-computer interfaces are being used primarily to help aid either communication or physical movement, though recent research has tried to promote the use of BCIs for other purposes such as treating learning disorders or researching sleeping patterns. Recently, BCIs have been used for toys and controllers for gaming.

History
Brain-computer interface research started at UCLA in the 1970s. The basis of BCIs was discovered when, based on the theory of operant conditioning, researchers found out that monkeys could be taught to control neuron firing. The idea of reconstructing motor movement from neuron action potentials dates back to the 1970s as well [5]. Apostolos Georgopoulos started the resurgence of BCI research in the 1980s when he discovered a relationship between movement of arms and neurological firing patterns. BCI research increased again in the 1990s when direct interfaces with computers were being developed and motor control was added to the BCI repertoire.

Various enhancements have been done to BCIs since their initial run. Some modern interfaces use more electrodes to read in inputs. Others use newer forms of measurement developed by research. When computing hardware got more powerful, electroencephalograms became a more valid choice for use in BCIs[2].