Brendan Phillip Beauchamp
Publications
Master's Thesis:
Surface Electromyographic (sEMG) Transduction of Hand Joint Angles for Human Interfacing Devices (HID)
GVSU SCHOLARWORKS 2023
Abstract
This is an investigation of the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) as a tool to improve human interfacing devices (HID) information bandwidth through the transduction of the fingertip workspace. It combines the work of Merletti et al and Jarque-Bou et al to design an open-source framework for Fingertip Workspace based Human Interfacing Devices (HID). In this framework, the fingertip workspace is defined as the system of forearm and hand muscle force through a tensor which describes hand anthropometry. The thesis will discuss the electrophysiology of muscle tissue along with the anatomy and physiology of the arm in pursuit of optimizing sensor location, muscle force measurements, and viable command gestures. An algorithm for translating sEMG to hand joint angle will be investigated using MATLAB for both static and moving gestures.
Coherence of Hand Muscles During Activities of Daily Living
CCWC 2022
Abstract
This paper applies the Coherence Spectrogram (CS) to forearm muscles of 22 patients performing activities of daily living in order to study the spectral characteristics of forearm muscle coherence. This study is novel in that it observes coherence spectra between EMG locations on the arm for three sources of coherent activity, namely that from sensors reading the same muscle, agonistic muscles, and antagonistic muscles. Coherent activity for thumb actuation was observed when comparing EMG from the radial dorsal and palmar forearm halfway between the elbow and hand. This was the largest source of coherence in the entire data set. This research could be improved by observing joint angles during actions and increasing the time resolution. The application of CS algorithm to forearm EMG provides a novel tool for analysis of human interface devices, and can be used to observe different physiological actions of muscles during activities of daily living. A complete appendix of muscle origin, insertion, action, and joint angle for the forearm and hand can be shared upon request.
Privacy of biofeedback human interfacing devices
IJAAS 2022 > Vol 11, No 2
Abstract
The public and governmental focus have been shifted increasingly onto data and privacy due to Facebook’s standoff with Apple and several Nations’ Governments. An imperative for the discussion of data handling has been made, while Biofeedback human interfacing device (HID) companies such as CTRL-labs and Neuralink introduce new risks in the access, use, and control of personal health information. This paper combines the lexicon of digital self-extension with line drawing analysis to help visualize the industry use of personally identifiable information (PII). Through this analysis encapsulation methods of users' PII have been identified such that discussion of encrypting personal health information (PHI) can be facilitated through analogy. To reduce the likelihood that companies generating biometric hardware are subject to future legal action through laws analogous to European Privacy Law, it is in their best interest to be transparent with their users about data sharing, and educate them on how the companies encrypt their PHI. Should users consent to the use of biometric hardware, this process validates the user control of their own PHI.
MQTT Based Wi-Fi Communication Between Microcontroller and FPGA
IPCCC 2021
Abstract
This paper explains the design, implementation, and application of communication between Microcontroller and FPGA using MQTT protocol. While there has been similar communication between the Microcontroller and FPGA using Bluetooth and RF modules, Wi-Fi modules can establish a larger network for communication, have larger coverage, and higher speed. Embedded systems using both the FPGA and microcontrollers bind the devices to performing specific functionalities, such cross-platform communication is not common. The use of microcontrollers in embedded systems is common because they are user friendly and comparatively easy to program. FPGA however involve parallel programming, increasing design complexity while increasing processing speed. FPGA can be used as central processing unit that improves system performance and frees up microcontrollers from cycle intensive tasks. In this project, the MSP432 microcontroller and BASYS3 FPGA board are made to communicate by using a MQTT protocol. A mobile application which acts as a MQTT broker (server) is initialized at certain static IP address. The Wi-Fi module connected to the MSP432 generates an Access Point to which the Wi-Fi module at BASYS3 and the mobile phones connect to. This establishes a wireless network between the three devices. Messages are then exchanged using UART communication which sends or receives characters on pressing the onboard pushbuttons. Bidirectional messages are sent or received based on the publisher/subscriber mode of BASYS3 and MSP432 board.
A Low Cost sEMG Development Platform for Hand Joint Angle Acquisition
IEMCON 2020
Abstract
The consolidation of technologies for sEMG to Muscle Force Translation and Fingertip Workspace has been performed with the intent of acquiring a translation from Muscle Force of the Forearm to Fingertip Joint Angle. This is done through the design of hardware for Forearm sEMG and Fingertip Joint Angle Acquisition. This investigation furthers research in the field of Gesture Computer Interfacing by reducing costs for data acquisition devices. The consolidation of sEMG to muscle force and kinematic hand modeling bridges the gap between physiologic research and human interfacing technology.
HD-sEMG for Human Interfacing Devices
IEMCON 2019
Abstract
The development of 6th Generation Computing introduced a new renaissance to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). With tremendous improvements in data processing due to machine learning, there has been a resurgence in computer interface development. This paper introduces the computer architecture and mathematics for Gesture Computer Interfacing (GCI). This device will work alongside current computer interfacing platforms to expand the Human-Computer Interface Bandwidth through the Internet of Things.
