Instructions
for using the ThoughtStreamtm
with a PC to display graphs, etc.
Download
the software
Note:
This software is late “beta test” software.
If you find any bugs, please contact support@syneticsystems.com
with a description of the problem(s).
Introduction
This
software is intended to extend the capabilities of the
ThoughtStream Personal Biofeedback Training Systemtm.
It was developed to run under Windows 95 and should
also run under Windows 98 and possibly NT 4.0.
Key features of the software include:
-Session data are plotted in graph form;
-Data from up to six sessions may be viewed on the same
graph;
-Sensitivity range is increased to 1000% maximum;
-Notes may be added to each session’s data graph;
-Three different biofeedback graphical displays are
included.
Installing
the software
Locate the ThoughtStream
Setup folder and run the Setup program.
Follow the instructions which appear on screen.
Running
the software
Perform the following
steps to prepare for a ThoughtStream session:
a.
Connect ThoughtStream to your PC with the special
serial cable.
It comes with a 9-pin serial connector; note which COM
port you have plugged it into.
Plug the other end into the PC port located on the
lower-right side of the system.
b.
Start the ThoughtStream Interface software, and click
the Serial Port popdown menu to select a serial port.
The following dialog box should appear:
c.
Select the COM port you have connected ThoughtStream to
then click OK.
d.
Popdown the Display menu, and select the functions you
would like to view (see reference section, below).
e.
Popdown the Session menu and select SET SENSITIVITY.
Move the slider which appears to
select the initial sensitivity for the session; the
available range is from 20% to 1000%.
f.
Fit the sensor snugly into the palm, then select START
from the SESSION popdown menu.
g.
When the session is over, select SAVE from the FILE
popdown menu. Type
in the session name (and directory path, if desired) and click
on the Save button; in the example below, the session saved is
john number 2.tst
h.
That’s all there is to running a session.
Software details and reference follows in the next
session.
Customizing
the display
The
user interface includes a variety of different display modes;
you will probably not want to view all of them at once.
Those with a check mark next to them will be displayed.
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<Picture
graph
<Color
bar graph |
The Picture Graph is the core of the program.
During a session a graph is drawn of skin resistance in
ohms (vertical
axis) vs. elapsed time. The
full scale range is established by the sensitivity setting you
have selected. If
a reading occurs outside the range of the screen, then the
vertical scale will automatically adjust itself to display the
entire graph. Likewise,
if the session lasts longer than the displayed time, the
displayed time scale will be compressed.
Color Bar Graph
This is a multicolored bar graph which changes from
solid red through a series of colors to magenta as the
measured probe resistance increased through its sensitivity
range. The
spectrum of colors includes red, orange, yellow, green, cyan,
blue and magenta. If
the measured skin resistance falls below the starting value
then the displayed colors are pastel.
Bar
Graph
Enables a two color bar graph with 32 steps.
As the skin resistance increases from the starting
value the number of green boxes increases until all 32 are
filled when the resistance has reached the level determined by
the sensitivity setting.
If the probe resistance decreases from its initial
value the bar graph color is displayed in red.
Note that this display may be used to train the GSR in
both directions.
Internal
Status
% change displays the current percent change in
resistance.
Res displays the current probe resistance
Cond. Displays the probe conductivity
(resistance) in Siemens (Siemens = 1/Ohms).
Also called Mhos.
Probe displays the current 12 bit ADC value
coming from the ThoughtStream.
If a probe reading is acceptable, the background color
will be pastel green. If
a probe error condition occurs (short circuit or open—no
skin contact) the background color will change to pink.
Note: The
ThoughtStream will automatically shut itself off if a probe
error lasts for ten seconds.
Session
comments
Select this when you wish to include comments about a
particular session within the session record.
Display
time, etc.
Time shows the elapsed time of the current
session.
Sens. % is the current sensitivity setting.
Port # shows which COM port is being used by the
interface program. Clicking
on the port number when a session is not running allows
the user to change the port number.
Before the Com window is displayed the program looks at
Com’s #1-4 to verify which are already in use.
The port is set up automatically when it is opened so
that the user does not have to set the baud rate, etc.
Displaying
multiple sessions
It is possible to recall and plot the data from up to
six sessions for comparison purposes.
To do this:
a.
Select DISPLAYED SAVED SESSION from the File popdown
menu. This brings
up the following window:
b.
Select the first session you wish to display by
clicking on a session name in the list on the lower left side
of the display, then clicking the ADD button.
The session will be displayed in the color shown (e.g.,
“John number 1” will be plotted in pale blue, etc.)
c.
Continue selecting sessions until you are ready to plot
them. Then, click
the DISPLAY button. This
will bring up the following window:
Any
comments recorded in the individual records will be displayed
together with the session data.
Tips
and reminders
--Wear
the sensor band for at least one minute (longer on cold days
or if you have unusually dry hands) before starting a session
to allow the metal to form a good contact with the skin.
--Clean
the sensor metal periodically with rubbing alcohol to remove
oils and residues which might interfere with accurate
readings.
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