Abstract:
An illustrative embodiment of a facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus includes at least one facial movement sensor adapted to sense facial movement in a subject and a device interfacing with the facial movement sensor or sensors and adapted to receive at least one signal from the facial movement sensor or sensors and indicate facial movement of the subject. A facial movement measurement and stimulation method is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses and methods for measuring movement of facial muscles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus and method for measuring and/or stimulating movement of facial muscles in the display of facial expressions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Facial expressions, while displayed by many animal species, are most highly developed in primates and most particularly in humans. Although humans have developed a great capacity to communicate using verbal language, the role of facial expressions in interpersonal interactions remains substantial. Facial expressions provide a means of understanding a person&#39;s innermost thoughts and emotions which may defy interpretation by verbal means alone. Therefore, facial expressions in combination with verbal expressions tend to more accurately convey the intended thoughts, feelings and intentions of a person than can be conveyed through verbal expressions only. Moreover, facial expressions and the underlying emotions of which they are a manifestation tend to be contagious, as a person who sees a smiling person is likely to embrace and reflect the positive emotions of that person by smiling as well. 
     Restoration of a person&#39;s lost ability to properly express his or her thoughts and emotions through facial expressions or training of a person in mimicking facial expressions may be desirable in a variety of contexts. In some cases, the ability of a person to express his or her underlying thoughts and emotions accurately through appropriate facial expressions, or the ability of a person to change facial expressions according to changing thoughts and emotions, may diminish or disappear due to causes such as disease, accident or drug abuse, for example. Additionally, actors-in-training may encounter challenges in reacting to staged situations with appropriate facial expressions which may be more naturally assumed by persons who encounter the actual situations. 
     Therefore, a facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus for measuring and/or stimulating movement of facial muscles and which is amenable to a variety of applications is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus and method for measuring and/or stimulating movement of facial muscles in a variety of applications. In some applications, the apparatus and method may determine a person&#39;s ability to assume facial expressions by measuring the electrical activity or movement of the person&#39;s facial muscles. In some applications, the apparatus and method may be implemented in a therapeutic context in which a person is trained to assume facial expressions that accurately reflect the person&#39;s underlying thoughts and emotions or the person is trained to change facial expressions to accurately reflect the person&#39;s changing thoughts and emotions. In some applications, the apparatus and method may be used to train a person in mimicking facial expressions in response to staged situations. In some applications, the goals of the apparatus and method may be implemented by facilitating the sharing or transfer of facial expressions between two or more subjects. 
     In some embodiments, the facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus may include:
         at least one facial movement sensor adapted to sense facial movement in a subject; and   a device interfacing with the facial movement sensor and adapted to receive at least one signal from the facial movement sensor and indicate facial movement of the subject.       

     In another aspect, the at least one facial movement sensor may include at least one electrode. 
     In still another aspect, the at least one facial movement sensor may include at least one accelerometer. 
     In yet another aspect, the device may include a video game console. 
     In a still further aspect, the facial movement sensor or sensors may be provided on a mask. 
     In another aspect, at least one electrode may interface with the device and the device may be adapted to transmit at least one electrical impulse to the at least one electrode. 
     In another aspect, one or more low level electrical impulses may, instead of causing firing of the muscles, be provided to cause sensory stimulation as a means for regulating emotions. 
     In a still further aspect, the at least one facial movement sensor may be provided on a first mask and the at least one electrode may be provided in a second mask. 
     In yet another aspect, the at least one facial movement sensor may interface with the device through wiring. 
     In another aspect, the at least one facial movement sensor may interface with the device wirelessly. 
     In still another aspect, the device may include a computer having a display and the computer may be adapted to indicate facial movement of the subject on the display. 
     In yet another aspect, the computer may be adapted to present a facial image on the display and present at least one facial movement indication on the facial image. 
     In another aspect, the at least one facial movement sensor may include a plurality of facial movement sensors. 
     In still another aspect, the facial expression and the stimulation can be treated as a feedback loop that can be monitored and regulated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus (partially in section), with multiple electrodes attached to a face of a subject (shown in section) in typical implementation of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a computer monitor of an illustrative embodiment of the apparatus, with a facial image of the subject presented on the monitor and multiple facial movement indications presented on the facial image and indicating movement of the subject&#39;s facial muscles in the locations which correspond to the facial movement indications; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the apparatus, in which facial movements are transferred or shared between two subjects via wireless communication with a computer; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a subject lying on a support (partially in section), with multiple electrodes of an illustrative embodiment of the apparatus attached to the face of the subject and oculography glasses worn by the subject to monitor sleep phases; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an alternative illustrative embodiment of the apparatus (partially in section), with multiple electrodes attached to a face of a subject (shown in section) and the electrodes connected to a video game in implementation of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement measurement method in which facial movements of a subject are measured; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement stimulation method in which facial movements are stimulated in a subject; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement stimulation method in which facial movements are transferred from a first subject to a second subject; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a therapeutic facial movement stimulation method; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement measurement method in which facial movements of a subject are utilised in a video game; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the facial movement stimulation method in which electrical stimuli from a video game are transferred to a subject to effect facial movements in the subject. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus and method for measuring and/or stimulating movement of facial muscles in a variety of applications. In some applications, the apparatus and method may determine a person&#39;s ability to make facial movements or assume facial expressions by measuring the electrical activity or movement of the person&#39;s facial muscles. In some applications, the apparatus and method may be implemented in a therapeutic context in which a person is trained to assume facial expressions that accurately reflect the person&#39;s underlying thoughts and emotions or the person is trained to change facial expressions to accurately reflect the person&#39;s changing thoughts and emotions. Alternatively, the stimulation can be provided at a low enough level to cause sensory stimulation without causing firing of the muscles. In some applications, the apparatus and method may be used to train a person in mimicking facial expressions in response to staged situations. In some applications, the goals of the apparatus and method may be attained by facilitating the sharing or transfer of facial movements or expressions between two or more subjects. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus, hereinafter apparatus, is generally indicated by reference numeral  100  in  FIG. 1 . In some applications, the apparatus  100  may function as an electromyographic measurement system to measure movements of facial muscles (not illustrated) in the face  107  of a subject  106  for any of a variety of purposes. For example, lack or impairment of movement of the facial muscles in the face  107  of the subject  106 , as interpreted by the apparatus  100 , may reveal a medical condition (such as facial paralysis due to a stroke, for example) and provide the basis for a medical diagnosis and/or therapeutic treatment regimen for the medical condition. Accordingly, the apparatus  100  may include multiple electrodes  110 , which in some applications may function as facial movement sensors that may be placed on the skin (not illustrated) at various locations on the face  107  of the subject  106  to measure movement of the musculature (not illustrated) in the face  107 . The locations of the electrodes  100  may correspond in position to individual muscles (not illustrated) of the facial musculature, which underlies the skin in the face  107 . In some applications, the electrodes  100  may be confined to a portion of the face  107 . In some applications, the electrodes  100  may be placed over the entire face  107  and may additionally or alternatively be placed on one or both ears and/or along the neck and larynx of the subject  106 . Each electrode  100  may be adapted to measure both sporadic or continuous high-level electrical nerve stimulation and continuous, low-level electrical nerve stimulation of the muscles in the face  107 . 
     In some embodiments, each electrode  100  may be directly affixed to the face  107  of the subject  106  using a suitable adhesive. In other embodiments, the system  100  may include a flexible or stretchable mask  116 , which conforms to the features on the face  107 . The electrodes  110  may be provided on a contact surface (not illustrated) of the mask  116  with the skin on the face  107 . Adhesive (not illustrated) may be provided on the contact surface of the mask  116  to facilitate adhesion of the mask  116  to the skin on the face  107  and maintain electrically-conductive contact between the electrodes  110  and the skin on the face  107 . In some embodiments, the electrodes  110  may be surgically implanted in the skin at the desired locations on the face  107 . 
     The system  100  may further include a computer  101  which in some embodiments may be connected to the electrodes  110  through electrode wiring  111 . The electrode wiring  111  may be wrapped in a wiring bundle  112 . In other embodiments, the electrodes  110  may interface with the computer  110  through wireless transmissions  130  ( FIG. 3 ), according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The computer  101  may be conventional and may include a computer disk drive  102  with a computer keyboard  103  and a computer monitor  104  having a display  105  connected to the computer disk drive  102 . In applications in which the electrodes  110  function as facial movement sensors that measure movement of the musculature (not illustrated) in the face  107  of the subject  106 , the computer  101  may function as a facial movement measuring and indicating device which receives electrical signals from the electrodes  110  in contact with the face  107 . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the computer  101  with supporting software may be programmed to display a facial image  120  on the display  105  of the computer monitor  104 . The computer  101  may additionally be programmed to convert the electrical output signals from the electrodes  110  into facial movement indications  121  and present the facial movement indications  121  on the facial image  120  in the areas of the facial image  120  which correspond to areas of muscle movement in the face  107  of the subject  106  in real time as sensed by the electrodes  110 . 
     The strength of the electrical output signals that the computer  101  receives from the electrodes  110  may be proportional to the level or intensity of electrical nerve stimulation and therefore, the level or intensity of contraction of the musculature in the face  107  of the subject  106 . Accordingly, the facial movement indications  121  may be adapted to visually differentiate the intensity of muscle movement in each area from the intensity of muscle movement in the other areas in the face  107  of the subject  106 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some applications each facial movement indication  121  may be represented by one or multiple circles. Facial movement indications  121  having a single circle may indicate muscular contraction of relatively low-level intensity in the corresponding area or areas on the face  107 , whereas facial movement indications  121  having multiple concentric circles of increasing number may indicate muscular contraction of correspondingly increasing intensity in the corresponding area or areas on the face  107 . The information that is provided by the facial movement indications  121  may be used to formulate diagnoses and/or treatment of the subject  106  or may be used for other purposes. 
     In some embodiments, the facial movement sensors of the apparatus  100  may be accelerometers instead of the electrodes  110 . Accordingly, the accelerometers may be attached to or secured into contact with the skin on the face  107  of the subject  106  or alternatively, surgically implanted in the face  107  in the same manner as was heretofore described with respect to the electrodes  110 . The accelerometers sense movement of the muscles in the face  107  of the subject  106  and convert the movement of the muscles into electrical output signals that are transmitted to the computer  101  through the electrode wiring  111 . The computer  101  may convert the electrical output signals into the facial movement indications  121 , which may be presented on the facial image  120  displayed on the display  105  of the computer monitor  104 . 
     In some applications, the apparatus  100  may electrically stimulate movement of muscles in the face  107  of the subject  106  for any of a variety of purposes. For example, the apparatus  100  may be used in therapeutic applications to enable or train the subject  106  to make facial movements or to assume facial expressions that accurately reflect the person&#39;s underlying thoughts and emotions, for example. In some therapeutic applications, the apparatus  100  may be used to train the subject  106  in changing facial expressions to accurately reflect the person&#39;s changing thoughts and emotions, for example. In some therapeutic applications, the apparatus  100  may be used to provide a low level stimulus, which causes sensory stimulation for regulation of emotions without causing firing of the muscles. In some therapeutic applications, the apparatus  100  may be used for clinical treatment of headaches, depression, anxiety and the like. In some applications, the apparatus  100  may be used to train a person in accurately mimicking or portraying facial expressions in response to staged situations as in the training of an actor, for example. Accordingly, in these applications the electrodes  110  may be placed on the face  107  of the subject  106  as was heretofore described with respect to the muscle movement measurement functions of the apparatus  100 . The computer  101  with supporting software may function as an electrical input device which may be programmed to transmit electrical impulses to the electrodes  110  through the electrode wiring  111  in such a pattern and with such an intensity as to electrically stimulate and contract the musculature in the face  107  and induce the desired facial movements or expressions in the face  107  of the subject  106 . In some applications, the computer  101  may be programmed to effect changing facial expressions in the face  107  of the subject  106  by changing the pattern and intensity of the electrical impulses that are transmitted to the electrodes  110 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, an alternative illustrative embodiment of the facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus is generally indicated by reference numeral  138 . The apparatus  138  may be adapted to transfer voluntary or involuntary facial movements or expressions from a first subject  126  to a second subject  128  in any of a variety of applications. For example, in some applications the apparatus  138  may transfer voluntary facial movements or expressions from the first subject  126 , who may be an acting trainer, to the second subject  128 , who may be an actor-in-training. In such applications, the first subject  126  may use the apparatus  138  to train the second subject  128  to accurately mimic or portray facial expressions in response to various staged situations such as those which may occur during dramatic productions, for example. In some applications, the apparatus  138  may be used to facilitate the sharing of emotions between the first subject  126  and the second subject  128  via facial expressions. 
     The apparatus  138  may include a first set of electrodes  110  for placement on or surgical implantation in the face  107  of the first subject  126  and a second set of electrodes  114  for placement on or surgical implantation in the same corresponding areas on the face  107  of the second subject  128 , either with or without the mask  116  as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 1 . The first set of electrodes  110  may function as facial movement sensors which sense movement of the various muscles in the face  107  of the first subject  126  via typically voluntary nerve-induced electrical stimulation of the facial muscles. In some embodiments, the facial movement sensors may be a set of accelerometers which are applied instead of the first set of electrodes  110  to the face  107  of the first subject  126  and which sense movement of the facial muscles. The second set of electrodes  114  may electrically stimulate movement of the various muscles in the face  107  of the second subject  128  according to the intensities and locations of the muscle movements in the face  107  of the first subject  126 . Therefore, the computer  101  with supporting software may function as a stimulus transfer device which transfers the muscle movements in the face  107  of the first subject  126 , received via the first set of electrodes  110 , to the muscles in the face  107  of the second subject  128  via the second set of electrodes  114 . In some embodiments, the first set of electrodes  110  and the second set of electrodes  114  may interface with the computer  101  via electrode wiring  111 , as was heretofore described with respect to the apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the first set of electrodes  110  and the second set of electrodes  114  may interface with the computer  101  via wireless transmissions  130 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. 
     The computer  101  with supporting software is adapted to receive electrical signals that correspond to typically voluntary, nerve-induced electrical stimulation of the musculature in the face  107  of the first subject  126  through the first set of electrodes  110 . The computer  101  may be programmed to determine the locations and intensities of the electrical signals from the electrodes  110  on the various areas on the face  107  of the first subject  126  and transfer electrical impulses which correspond to the electrical signals to the second set of electrodes  114  which are applied to the corresponding areas on the face  107  of the second subject  128 . The locations and intensities of the electrical impulses that are transmitted to the second set of electrodes  114  correspond to the locations and intensities of the electrical signals which were received from the first set of electrodes  110 . Therefore, the electrical impulses which the second set of electrodes  114  applies to the muscles in the face  107  of the second subject  128  cause contraction of the respective facial muscles to effect the corresponding facial movements or expressions in the second subject  128  that were made by the first subject  126  as the first set of electrodes  110  transmitted the electrical signals to the computer  101 . In some embodiments, the locations and intensities of the muscle movements in the face  107  of the first subject  126  may be indicated on the display  105  of the computer  101  such as in the form of the facial movement indications  121 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, in an alternative application of the apparatus  100 , which was heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the electrodes  110  may be applied to the face  107  of a subject  106  as the subject  106  lies on a bed or other support  135 . Oculography glasses  132  may be placed on the head of the subject  106  to record eye position and movements of the subject  106  such as in the analysis of various stages of sleep in the subject  106 , for example. The stages of sleep can include both non-REM (Rapid Eye Movements) and REM sleep periods. Criteria for REM sleep include not only rapid eye movements, but also low muscle tone and a rapid, low voltage EEG. These features are easily discernible in a polysomnogram, the sleep study typically done for patients with suspected sleep disorders. Accordingly, in use of the apparatus  100 , such as during sleep studies conducted on the subject  106 , the computer  101  ( FIG. 1 ) may function as a facial movement measuring and indicating device which receives from the electrodes  110  electrical signals that correspond to nerve-induced stimulation of the muscles in the face  107  of the subject  106  either through the electrode wiring  111 , as shown, or via wireless transmissions  130  as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 3 . As was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 2 , the computer  101  may be programmed to display a facial image  120  on the display  105  of the computer monitor  104  and present facial movement indications  121  on the areas of the facial image  120  which correspond to areas of muscle movement in the face  107  of the subject  106  in real time as sensed by the electrodes  110 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 1 . The information that is revealed by the facial movement indications  121  on the facial image  120  and by the data received from the oculography glasses  132  may be used for diagnostic, therapeutic and/or other purposes. Additionally or alternatively, the computer  101  may be programmed to electrically stimulate the muscles in the face  107  of the subject  106  via the electrodes  110  for diagnostic, therapeutic and/or other purposes, as was heretofore described. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, an alternative illustrative embodiment of the facial movement measurement and stimulation apparatus is generally indicated by reference numeral  140 . The apparatus  140  may include a video game console  141  which may be adapted to receive one of various types of video game cartridges  142  for the playing of video games on a display  144  connected to the video game console  141 . A joystick  143  may be connected to the video game console  142  to facilitate the movement of video game characters (not illustrated) on the display  144  as the video game is played. Electrodes  110  may interface with the video game console  141  via electrode wiring  111 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , or alternatively, via wireless transmissions  130  ( FIG. 3 ). The electrodes  110  are adapted for placement at various areas on the face  107  of a subject  106  either with or without the mask  116 . 
     In some applications, the electrodes  110  may function as facial movement sensors which are adapted to sense facial movements or expressions of the subject  106  by measuring typically voluntary, nerve-induced electrical stimulation of the various muscles in the face  107  of the subject  106 . The electrodes  110  may transmit electrical signals that correspond to the locations and intensities of the typically voluntary nerve-induced electrical stimulation of the facial muscles of the subject  106  to the video game console  141 . The video game console  141  may be adapted to utilize the electrical signals from the electrodes  110  as audio components and/or as visual components of a video game on the display  144  as the video game is played by the subject  106  or by another. The facial movements or expressions of the subject  106  may be used to control one or more aspects or characters of the video game. In some applications, the video game console  141  may be adapted to transfer electrical impulses to the electrodes  110  to effect various facial movements in the face  107  of the subject  106  via electrical stimulation of the facial muscles. The facial movements which are induced in the face  107  of the subject  106  via the electrical impulses may correspond to facial or other movements which are made by a character presented on the display  144  as a video game is being played. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement measurement method is generally indicated by reference numeral  600 . In block  602 , facial movement sensors are provided. In some applications, the facial movement sensors may be electrodes. In some applications, the facial movement sensors may be accelerometers. In block  604 , a facial movement measuring and indicating device is provided. In block  606 , the facial movement sensors are connected to the facial movement measuring and indicating device. In block  608 , the facial movement sensors are placed on or surgically implanted in the face of a subject. In block  610 , outputs of the facial movement sensors in the form of electrical signals are measured. In block  612 , the outputs of the facial movement sensors may be indicated on a facial image in the form of facial movement indications provided on a display. In block  614 , the outputs of the facial movement sensors may be used for diagnostic, therapeutic and/or other purposes. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement stimulation method is generally indicated by reference numeral  700 . In block  702 , electrodes are provided. In block  704 , an electrical input device is provided. In block  706 , the electrodes are connected to the electrical input device. In block  708 , the electrodes are placed on or surgically implanted in the face of a subject. In block  710 , electrical impulses are provided to the electrodes by transmitting an electrical current from the electrical input device to the electrodes. In block  712 , the response of the facial muscles of the subject to the electrical impulses may be used for diagnostic, therapeutic and/or other purposes. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement stimulation method in which facial movements or expressions are transferred from a first subject to a second subject is generally indicated by reference numeral  800 . In block  802 , facial movement sensors are provided. In some applications, the facial movement sensors may be electrodes. In some applications, the facial movement sensors may be accelerometers. In block  804 , electrodes are provided. In block  806 , a stimulus transfer device is provided. In block  808 , the facial movement sensors and the electrodes are connected to the stimulus transfer device. In block  810 , the facial movement sensors are placed on or surgically implanted in the face of a first subject. In block  812 , the electrodes are placed on or surgically implanted in the face of a second subject. In block  814 , the output of the facial movement sensors, which may be in the form of electrical signals, is transferred to the stimulus transfer device. In block  816 , the output of the facial movement sensors may be measured. In block  818 , the output of the facial movement sensors may be transferred from the stimulus transfer device to the electrodes in the form of electrical impulses to effect the same facial movements or expressions in the second subject, as were made by the first subject. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 9  of the drawings, a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a therapeutic facial movement stimulation method is generally indicated by reference numeral  900 . In block  902 , electrodes are provided. In block  904 , an electrical stimulus device is provided. In block  906 , the electrodes are connected to the electrical stimulus device. In block  908 , the electrodes are placed on or surgically implanted in the face of a subject. In block  910 , a therapy program is selected. In block  912 , the electrical stimulus device is operated according to the selected therapy program to induce facial movements or expressions in the subject for therapeutic purposes. In some applications, the selected therapy program may be preprogrammed into a computer which may then automatically cycle through the electrical stimuli induced in the face of the subject to implement the therapy. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 10 , a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a facial movement measurement method in which facial movements of a subject are utilised in a video game is generally indicated by reference numeral  1000 . In block  1002 , facial movement sensors are provided. In some applications, the facial movement sensors may be electrodes. In some applications, the facial movement sensors may be accelerometers. In block  1004 , a video game console connected to a display is provided. In block  1006 , the facial movement sensors are connected to the video game console. In block  1008 , the facial movement sensors are placed on or surgically implanted in the face of a subject. In block  1010 , the output of the facial movement sensors may be measured. In block  1012 , the output of the facial movement sensors may be utilized as an audio and/or visual component of a video game that is played using the video game console. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 11 , a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the facial movement stimulation method in which electrical stimuli from a video game are transferred to a subject to effect facial movements in the subject is generally indicated by reference numeral  1100 . In block  1102 , electrodes are provided. In block  1104 , a video game console connected to a display is provided. In block  1106 , the electrodes are connected to the video game console. In block  1108 , the electrodes are placed on or surgically implanted in the face of a subject. In block  1110 , electrical impulses are transferred from the video game console to the electrodes to induce facial movements or expressions in the subject. The facial movements or expressions which are induced in the face of the subject may correspond to facial or other movements or expressions which are made by a character presented on the display as a video game is being played using the video game console. In some applications, the facial movements or expressions of the subject may be used to control one or more aspects of the video game. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apparatus and method in the various embodiments described herein above have numerous potential applications beyond those which are expressly described herein. For example, the apparatus and method may be used to study the contagiousness of emotions or the effect which changing facial expressions have on emotions in human subjects. In some applications, the apparatus and method may be used in mood intervention scenarios in which facial expressions that are indicative of positive emotions are transferred from one subject to another subject. The apparatus and method may be used as a polygraph in which facial twitches and movements may indicate whether a subject is lying in response to questioning. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be constructed with non-magnetic parts for use in conjunction with an MRI or other medical device. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence