e NeuroSky® product families consist of hardware and
software components for simple integration of this biosensor
technology into consumer and industrial end-applications.
All products are designed and manufactured to meet consumer
thresholds for quality, pricing, and feature sets. NeuroSky
sets itself apart by providing building block component
solutions that offer friendly synergies with related and complementary technological solutions.
NO WARRANTIES:THE NEUROSKY PRODUCT FAMILIES
AND RELATED DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED "AS
IS" WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY
OF ANY KIND INCLUDING WARRANTIESOF MERCHANTABILITY,NONINFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,
INCLUDING PATENTS,COPYRIGHTSOR OTHERWISE,
OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO
EVENT SHALL NEUROSKYOR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER(INCLUDING,WITHOUT
LIMITATION,DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, COST OF REPLACEMENT GOODS OR
LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO INFORMATION) ARISING OUT
OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TOUSE THE NEUROSKY
PRODUCTS OR DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED, EVEN
IF NEUROSKY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. , SOME OF THE ABOVELIMITATIONS
MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS PROHIBIT THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION
OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES.
USAGE OF THE NEUROSKY PRODUCTS IS SUBJECT
OF AN END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT.
“Made for iPod,” “Made for iPhone,” and “Made for
iPad”mean that an electronic accessory has been designed
to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively,
and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple
performance standards. Apple is not responsible for
the operation of this device or its compliance with safety
and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of
this accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may affect
wireless performance.
ank you for purchasing NeuroSky's MindWave™ Mobile. is Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)
device turns your brainwaves into actions, unlocking new worlds of interactivity. e MindWave
Mobile reports the wearer’s mental state in the form of NeuroSky's proprietary Attention and Meditation eSense™ algorithms, along with raw wave and information about the brainwave frequency bands.
e NeuroSky MindWave Mobile can be used with supported video games, research software, or a
number of other applications for an enhanced user experience.
For any technical information updates and additional support questions not answered by this document please register at the NeuroSky support website at http://support.neurosky.com. We also recom-
mend you join our email list by lling out the form on http://www.neurosky.com to receive general
information about NeuroSky, new products announcements, and any technical information updates.
MindWave Mobile Product Contents
• MindWave Mobile headset
• MindWave Mobile Quick Start
• User Guide (this document)
• MindWave Mobile DVD:
– Windows Frameworks, Connectors, and Utilities for MindWave Mobile
– PC installation Executables
– Bundled PC Apps
– OS X Frameworks, Connectors, and Utilities for MindWave Mobile
PC (Windows)Mac
Operating systemXP/Vista/7/8/8.1Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later
ProcessorIntel Core Duo or equivalent
Memory1GB or more
VideoDirectX 9.0 or greaterIntel GMA900 or greater
Hard disk2.5GB free disk space2GB free disk space
WirelessBluetooth Version 2.1 w/ EDR
Optical driveDVD-ROM
Important: On 32-bit Windows 7 systems, the system must have at least Windows 7 Service Pack 1
(SP1) applied.
Minimum System Requirements for iOS/Android
iOSAndroid
iOS 8 or laterAndroid 2.3 or later
Operating system
Hardware
Wireless
at least iPhone 4s, iPad 3
or iPod Touch 5th gen
BLEBluetooth
Compatible Android
phone or tablet
Replacing The Battery
e MindWave Mobile headset requires 1 AAA battery to operate, which provides 8 hours of run time.
To install or replace the battery, slide open the battery cover. Remove any existing battery within and
replace with a new AAA battery, making sure the polarity +/- are aligned correctly.
To power on the MindWave Mobile headset, slide the switch to the ON/Pair position. en a blue
LED light on the side of the headset will be turned on. If the MindWave has a low battery, the LED
light will turn to solid red to indicate low battery status.
To turn the MindWave Mobile off, slide the switch back to the OFF position.
LED Light
e MindWave Mobile's LED light has has two colors: red and blue. Refer to the chart to see what
state the MindWave is in.
OffPowered offMindWave is turned off or has no battery
Solid RedLow batteryMindWave needs to replace with a new battery
Solid BluePowered onMindWave is turned on
7
Page 8
Chapter 2 – Setting Up Your MindWave Mobile
Bluetooth Pairing
"Pairing" is when your computer/tablet/phone remembers your MindWave Mobile headset, and your
MindWave Mobile headset allows that computer/tablet/phone to connect to it. Note that this is
different from "connecting", which is when the computer/tablet/phone is actively sending or receiving
data and information.
You must rst pair each of your computers/tablets/phones to your MindWave Mobile headset in order
for them to connect to each other. To do so:
• Turn on the headset. e Blue LED light will be turned on. Now you can pair the headset in
anytime.
* Important: ere's no pairing mode on MindWave Mobile+, the headset is ready pair when turned
on. Please do not push the power switch too hard to reach the "On/Pair" position.
• For PC/Mac/Android Platform
Refer to pairing procedure that came from your PC, Mac or Android device. Select "MindWave
Mobile" device when it appears. If you see multiple devices named MindWave Mobile, please select a
option with a headset icon. Enter the "0000" as the Bluetooth authentication key if prompted.
• For iOS Platform
Visit http://mindwavemobileplus.neurosky.com/tutorial/, and follow the on-screen guide to down-
load, install and run the MindWave Mobile+ Tutorial app. en follow the instruction in tutorial app
to pair and congure the headset.
Your MindWave Mobile headset can "pair/remember" up to 3 computers/tablets/phones at the same
time.
Bluetooth Configuration
In order to function properly, the headset must know the electrical grid frequency of your country
or territory. Please visit http://mindwavemobileplus.neurosky.com/tutorial/, and follow the on-screen
guide to download, install and run the "MindWave Mobile+Tutorial" location in Tutorial Setting
Page. If you travel to another country, please recongure the headset accordingly.
Bluetooth Connection
Depending on your computer/tablet/phone, it may automatically connect to the headset whenever
an application needs to use the headset. If your Bluetooth software does not automatically connect
when an app is started, please refer to the Bluetooth connecting instructions that came with your iOS,
Android, PC, or Mac device to manually connect to the headset before running your apps.
Serial/COM Port Name or Number
Some games and applications will ask for you to enter the serial COM port name or number for the
game or application to connect to the headset. Use the Bluetooth software on your computer/tablet/phone to determine the COM port name or number that your MindWave Mobile has been assigned
to.
Unable to nd or connect to MindWave Mobile headset, or headset disconnects unexpectedly
Low batteryReplace the AAA battery in
MindWave is not turnedonTurn the MindWave on
the MindWave Mobile with a
new battery
MindWave is not paired
to this computer
MindWave headset is too
far from the Wireless
USB Adapter
inkGear Connector is
not running
OtherStrong radio interferenceMove the headset closer to the
Note: If problems still persist, re-run the MindWave Mobile Application Disc setup to download the
latest version of the software, or visit http://support.neurosky.com or email support@neurosky.com
Make sure that you use your
computer/device's Bluetooth
software to pair the headset
Check that your headset stays
within 10 feet of the Wireless
Adapter
Make sure the inkGear
Connector is running and enabled.
Make sure you have the latest version of the inkGear
Connector or app.
Bluetooth on your computer/device, or move the Bluetooth of your computer/device closer to the headset using a USB extension cable
(not included)
is chapter walks you through tting the MindWave and installation of the included MindWave
software on your computer. Be sure to rst connect and pair the headset as described in the previous
chapter rst.
Fitting the MindWave Mobile
e MindWave Mobile is more than your average headset. It has the ability to use your brainwaves
for exciting new applications.
Important: In order to take full advantage of these functions and features of the MindWave Mobile,
it must rst be properly worn.
1. Orient the MindWave with the forehead Sensor Arm on your left hand side. Rotate the Sensor
Arm from its base by about 90 degrees. It can be rotated slightly more if necessary to get proper
t and comfort.
2. e overhead band of the MindWave is adjustable and can be extended to t various sizes. Put
on the MindWave. If the sensor does not make contact with the forehead or if the t is not comfortable, remove the MindWave to readjust the overhead band and the forehead Sensor Arm.
e forehead Sensor Arm is exible and should arch inwards.
3. Allowthe rubber ear hoop to rest behind your left ear, and then clip the earclip onto your earlobe.
4. Make sure the two metal contacts on the inside of both sides of the earclip make skin-contact with your earlobe or ear. Move any hair or obstructions (such as jewelry) out of the
way. Readjust the earclip as necessary to make proper contact with the skin of your ear. You
may need to squeeze the ear clip against your ear for a few seconds.
5. Adjust the forehead Sensor Arm of the headset so that the Sensor Tip makes contact with the
skin of your forehead. is Sensor Tip must maintain steady skin contact in order to properly
measure your brainwaves, it will not work through hair. e Sensor Tip should be comfortable,
yet stay rmly in position. Keep hair away from the sensor – the sensor must be able to directlycontact the skin at all times. Make up, dead skin, or debris can interfere with the connection.
Scratch or wipe the obstruction away if you have trouble obtaining a clean signal.
6. is is how the MindWave should look when properly worn. During usage, if you are not receiving a signal, repeat the steps above to make minor adjustments to ensure the sensor and
contacts have proper skin contact.
Note: If you are having a problems with the signal quality, carefully recheck all the instructions above,
and then try sitting still for a few seconds. Note that talking can sometimes interfere with the signal
quality as well. If this does not work, check that your head is not within a few feet of a strong electrical
device (like a laptop adapter or an electrical outlet).
e last century of neuroscience research has greatly increased our knowledge about the brain and
particularly, the electrical signals emitted by neurons ring in the brain. e patterns and frequencies
of these electrical signals can be measured by placing a sensor on the scalp. e MindTools line of
headset products contain NeuroSky inkGear™ technology, which measures the analog electrical
signals, commonly referred to as brainwaves, and processes them into digital signals. e inkGear
technology then makes those measurements and signals available to games and applications. e
table below gives a general synopsis of some of the commonly-recognized frequencies that tend to be
generated by different types of activity in the brain:
Brainwave TypeFrequency rangeMental states and conditions
Delta0.1Hz to 3HzDeep, dreamless sleep, non-REM sleep, unconscious
eta4Hz to 7HzIntuitive, creative, recall, fantasy, imaginary, dream
Alpha8Hz to 12HzRelaxed (but not drowsy) tranquil, conscious
Low Beta12Hz to 15HzFormerly SMR, relaxed yet focused, integrated
Midrange Beta16Hz to 20Hzinking, aware of self & surroundings
High Beta21Hz to 30HzAlertness, agitation
ThinkGear
inkGear is the technology inside every NeuroSky product or partner product that enables a device
to interface with the wearers’ brainwaves. It includes the sensor that touches the forehead, the contact
and reference points located in the ear clip, and the on-board chip that processes all of the data. Both
the raw brainwaves and the eSense Meters (Attention and Meditation) are calculated on the inkGear
chip.
eSense
eSense™ is a NeuroSky's proprietary algorithm for characterizing mental states. To calculate eSense,
the NeuroSky inkGear technology amplies the raw brainwave signal and removes the ambient
noise and muscle movement. e eSense algorithm is then applied to the remaining signal, resulting
in the interpreted eSense meter values. Please note that eSense meter values do not describe an exact
number, but instead describe ranges of activity.
e eSense meters are a way to show how effectively the user is engaging Attention (similar to concentration) or Meditation (similar to relaxation).
Like exercising an unfamiliar muscle, it may take some time to gain full prociency with each of the
eSense™ meters. In many cases, people tend to be better at one eSense than the other when they
rst begin. We recommend trying different tactics until you are successful with one. Once you see
a reaction on the screen from your efforts, you will be able to duplicate the action more easily with
additional practice.
Generally, Attention can be controlled through a visual focus. Focus on a singular idea. Try to “funnel”
your concentration and focus your train of thought towards pushing up the meter. Other suggestions
include picking a point on the screen to stare at or imagining the action you are trying to accomplish
happening. For example, look at the Attention eSense meter and imagine the dial moving towards
higher numbers.
For Meditation, it typically helps to try to relax yourself. Connect to a sense of peace and calm by
clearing your mind of thoughts and distractions. If you are having difficulty engaging Meditation, close
your eyes, wait a number of seconds, and then open your eyes to see how the meter has responded.
If you have trouble at rst in controlling your eSense meter levels, be patient. Try different techniques
and practice. Also be sure to read and try to understand the Technical Description in order to get a
better idea about how eSense actually works under the hood.
eSense Meter - Technical Description
For each different type of eSense (i.e. Attention, Meditation), the meter value is reported on a relative
eSense scale of 1 to 100. On this scale, a value between 40 to 60 at any given moment in time is considered “neutral” and is similar in notion to “baselines” that are established in conventional brainwave
measurement techniques (though the method for determining a inkGear baseline is proprietary and
may differ from other methods).
A value from 60 to 80 is considered “slightly elevated”, and may be interpreted as levels tending to
be higher than normal (levels of Attention or Meditation that may be higher than normal for a given
person). Values from 80 to 100 are considered “elevated”, meaning they are strongly indicative of
heightened levels of that eSense.
Similarly, on the other end of the scale, a value between 20 to 40 indicates “reduced” levels of the
eSense, while a value between 1 to 20 indicates “strongly lowered” levels of the eSense. ese levels
may indicate states of distraction, agitation, or abnormality, according to the opposite of each eSense.
e reason for the somewhat wide ranges for each interpretation is that some parts of the eSense
algorithm are dynamically learning and at times employ some “slow-adaptive” algorithms to adjust
to natural uctuations and trends of each user, accounting for and compensating for the fact that
brainwaves in the human brain are subject to normal ranges of variance and uctuation. is is part
of the reason why inkGear sensors are able to operate on a wide range of individuals under an
extremely wide range of personal and environmental conditions, while still giving good accuracy and
reliability.
e eSense Attention meter indicates the intensity of a user's level of mental “focus” or “attention”,
such as that which occurs during intense concentration and directed (but stable) mental activity. Its
value ranges from 0 to 100. Distractions, wandering thoughts, lack of focus, or anxiety may lower
the Attention meter level. See eSense Meter - General Information for more details about interpreting
eSense levels.
MEDITATION eSense
e eSense Meditation meter indicates the level of a user's mental “calmness” or “relaxation”. Its value
ranges from 0 to 100. Note that Meditation is a measure of a person's mental states, not physical levels,
so simply relaxing all the muscles of the body may not immediately result in a heightened Meditation
level. However, for most people in most normal circumstances, relaxing the body often helps the mind
to relax as well. Meditation is related to reduced activity by the active mental processes in the brain.
It has long been an observed effect that closing one's eyes turns off the mental activities which process
images from the eyes. So closing the eyes is often an effective method for increasing the Meditation
meter level. Distractions, wandering thoughts, anxiety, agitation, and sensory stimuli may lower the
Meditation meter levels. See eSense Meter - General Information for details about interpreting eSense
levels in general.
To nd new and exciting ways to unlock the full potential of you MindWave, visit the NeuroSky Store
for additional software and applications: http://store.neurosky.com
NeuroSky's Development Tools
e NeuroSky's Development Tools is a collection of drivers, sample code, and documentation describing how to develop applications for several software platforms, including PC, Flash, and even
lower level platforms such as microcontrollers like the Arduino™. e DT is available for free from
the NeuroSky Store, and provides all the tools and resources necessary to create and publish games
and applications capable of taking advantage of the exciting new Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)
technology of NeuroSky’s MindSet or MindWave headset.
Languages directly supported include C/C++, C#, Java (through JNI), and J2ME. In addition, the
Development Tools provide the inkGear Connector (TGC), a daemon-like software that runs on
Windows or Mac OS X, and opens a TCP port on the user's local computer so that applications can
connect to it and retrieve MindSet or MindWave data. As long as the TGC is running on one of
the supported platforms and connected to a MindSet, then any application written in any language
that can communicate through TCP sockets (such as Flash's ActionScript3 and scripting languages in
general) can connect to the TGC to read data from the MindSet.
Create exciting new games that challenge people to use the power of their mind or retrot your existing
games with a new dimension of brainwave control.
e DT3 is available for free and can be downloaded from the NeuroSky Storeat http://store.neurosky.com.
Research Tools
e NeuroSky Research Tools bundle is a collection of two data collection and viewing applications.
e Research Tools enable researchers to use the MindSet, MindWave, or MindWave Mobile as a
data collection device. Using the cost-effective and user-friendly features of MindWave Mobile in
conjunction with the Research Tools allows researchers to broaden the scope of their research and to
make efficient use of resources.
e Research Tools bundle includes the NeuroView software, which make it easy to connect, graph,
view, and record MindSet, MindWave, or MindWave Mobile data in real time. e Research Tools
bundle also includes the more advanced NeuroSkyLab MATLAB module, which adds the ability to
dene custom MATLAB scripts and functions for customized processing and analysis of MindSet,
MindWave, or MindWave Mobile data.
For more information on the uses and capabilities of the Research Tools, please visit:
• Clean the MindWave's sensor and ear contacts with alcohol or a damp cloth periodically to
ensure the best signal quality. Use a soft cloth to clean the MindWave casing.
• For travel and storage, gently push the sensor arm up until it is aligned with the top of the
headset. Be careful not to overextend the maximum range of the boom by adjusting it beyond
the natural stopping point.
• Do not expose the MindWave to temperatures above 140°F (60°C)
• Dropping or throwing the MindWave may cause damage to the MindWave.
• Remove the battery from the MindWave when not in use for extended periods of time.
e battery might be low. Please try replacing the battery and try again.
e signal quality status is consistently poor (fewer than three bars).
Check that the forehead sensor and each clip contacts are making good contact with the skin. Make
sure to remove all obstructions including hair and jewelry.
It usually takes three or four seconds for the headset to validate the signal after holding still. Also make
certain to keep the sensor and contacts clean.
e eSense meters do not move.
Be sure to allow several moments for the eSense meters to go through some self-calibration and initialization before troubleshooting. If the meters still do not move after 10 seconds, make sure the
sensor rests on the skin of the forehead and the contacts are on the skin of the left ear. e sensor and
contacts must always make rm and consistent contact with your skin.
I don't seem to be able to control the eSense™ meters.
Like exercising an unfamiliar muscle, it may take some time to gain full prociency with the eSense™
meters. First, be sure you understand how the eSense meters work and what they are measuring.
Generally, we recommend engaging Attention by concentrating and Meditation by relaxing. Most
importantly, be sure you have read the detailed explanation of eSense previously described in the
eSense sections.
I still have a problem, or my problem is not covered by this Troubleshooting section.
For further technical support, please contact NeuroSky Support at http://support.neurosky.com or
email support@neurosky.com.
• Batteries should not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, re, or similar conditions.
ISO/IEC
FCC
ISO/IEC Guide 37 [17].
• No naked ame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus;
• Battery disposal: is product requires the use of an AAA battery. AAA batteries commonly
available in the market contains hazardous waste and should be properly disposed of. Contact
your local government for disposal or recycling practices in your area.
is device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void
the user's authority to operate the equipment.