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From: erich@eecs.cs.pdx.edu (Erich Stefan Boleyn)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: Question about Harmonization of Computer/Eye Electronic Impulses
Message-ID: <1991Apr3.002820.29584@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 2 Apr 91 22:11:48 GMT
References: <5282@mindlink.UUCP>
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a1860@mindlink.UUCP (B.F. Painter) writes:

>                                                  ...My question is has any
>research been undertaken to look directly into linking computer electric
>impulses with the eyes own electric impluses? or taking this further the body?
>Granted a translator would probably be required.

>        As mentioned earlier I was unable to find any documentation responding
>to this issue.

   The reason that you haven't been able to find anything is that there has
been little direct research doing precisely what you are talking about.

   However, there has been quite a bit that is related, and would provide
enough information to give some pretty good estimates.  First, as mentioned in
another thread, reading up on neurophysiology would probably be a great place
to start.  There has been a lot of work on elucidating not only the functional
subdivisions of other parts of the brain, but *especially* on the visual and
auditory tracts (and when other senses are involved, those as well...  for
example there has even been work done studying the electric field sensors of
electric fish).

   Now...  there has been work on interfacing directly with nerves, but I am
unclear on who is doing it and how far they have progressed.  A fairly
substantiated rumor passed by me saying that there has been quite a bit of
work done by a company (in the North Western area of the U.S., I think) on
interfacing nerves with microchips by encouraging them to grow through holes
and connect with the pads on the chip.  The rumor also included info saying
that they are surprisingly successful.  I have no further info at present...
although I am attempting to find out more.

   Connect these two together and you have the basis for some really neat
experiments.

   Erich
             "I haven't lost my mind; I know exactly where it is."
     / --  Erich Stefan Boleyn  -- \       --=> *Mad Genius wanna-be* <=--
    { Honorary Grad. Student (Math) }--> Internet E-mail: <erich@cs.pdx.edu>
     \  Portland State University  /        Phone #:  (503) 246-6120