Since the early 1990s, scientists have been working on establishing direct communication between brains and computers. This has always been costly, difficult, and time-consuming, but an area of research that fascinated me. While working on Helix™ (my Genetic Algorithm software), and developing related innovations in parallel processing, one of the acceleration technologies I examined was the Kyma™/ Capybara™ platform of real-time Digital Signal Processors intended for audio applications.

The innovation here is the connection I noticed between business software, audio applications, and brain scanning: Because frequency, voltage amplitude, and signal-to-noise ratios of scalp-registered brain signals are in the same ranges as the audio signals from piezo devices such as phonograph needles, the application of this equipment to develop a system for adaptively reading brainwaves would lend itself to easy programming, and reduce the equipment cost by at least two orders of magnitude (100x). While I did not endeavor to create such an application, I did forward my findings, via memo, to the three leading neurological research labs of the day.

In order to secure password protection, even when someone knows the password, I developed an adaptive pattern-match of the rhythm of keystrokes described during the entry of the password. This protection adapts to the evolution of an individual’s unique rhythm in typing. It was implemented successfully in dorm rooms across my campus, though originally inspired by one snooping roommate.