BRAINWAVES & BIOMETRICS AT LIGHT SPEED – (SMILE)
Tufts University researchers were demonstrating in 2007 that “Technology could enable computers to 'read the minds' of users”. This is accomplished through Functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Measuring the the oxygen content in blood can provide useful information if measured and interpreted properly. Forbes published, July 30 2019, that Facebook's Mind Reading Headset is consistently making improvements. “Facebook’s Research Lab is already exploring a promising alternative: infrared. By measuring blood oxygenation levels, Facebook believes that it can create a less bulky — and far less invasive — brain-computer interface.” The thing is, there are methods already available to gather this type of information. The question is, how sensitive and how accurate is the technology currently deployed?
US Patent - US9615749B2 – “A method of remote monitoring of vital signs by detecting the PPG signal in an image of a subject taken by a video camera such as a webcam” is available in just about every mobile device in circulation today. It states that blood oxygen levels can be determined by comparing the red, blue, and green (RGB)) channels and / or the infrared channel. This can be accomplished with software running on any computer, or mobile telephone, and utilizes the webcam incorporated within it. “In the 1970s, the technique of pulse oximetry was developed to obtain a non-invasive estimate of peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) by measuring the PPG signal at two wavelengths.” “The possibility of measuring PPG signals remotely using a camera (rather than a probe attached to the finger, ear or toe) is first discussed in the scientific literature around 2005”.
Furthermore, US Patent – US 9615749B2 states other information can be obtained from a web camera. Heart Rate (pulse) and Respiration (breathing rate) can be assessed and linked with facial recognition software enabling a unique positive identification, similar to a fingerprint. Biometrics enable surveillance, lie detection, and specific target identification. A connected camera can perform these functions remotely without any “physical” contact. Airports, Security Checkpoints, Grocery Stores, etc., provide opportunities for biometric information to be collected. This is, of course, in addition to your personal device camera(s).
There is even technology to “mask” this biometric information and prevent its collection. US Patent - US20140267919A1 – “Modifying a digital video signal to mask biological information” discusses methods to insert “noise”, replace signal information, etc., in order to omit, or to conceivably “change” this biometric information. Why would Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Ex-FBI Director James Comey cover their computer cameras if there is “publicly” available technology that can easily be incorporated into a Security Software Package "tailor made" for the CEO or Government "Official"? The article states the RAT technology can remotely access and control computer hardware. This is concerning considering modern electronic devices have sensors and other technology, in addition to the camera, which interact with the surrounding environment. Maybe United States workers should make the electronics used by the American Government, U.S. Corporations, and U.S. citizens instead of China.