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FAQ

  • Please read the following before you start -
    Please remind your research participants that the power switch is a slider, NOT a button. The light indicates charging status and does NOT illuminate when the device is on, as the headband is also designed for sleep studies. Proper sensor-skin contact is crucial for accurate brainwave (EEG) measurement. Please watch the following video to become familiar with the best practice of wearing the headband.
  • Connecting the headband with mobile apps
    Open the Enchanted Wave mobile app and press the headband icon in the top-right corner. Slide the power switch all the way to the "On" side. Choose "Wave-1" from the available device list. Note: Please do NOT attempt to "pair" the headband with the mobile device in the phone's "Setting" menu. Make sure there is only one Enchanted Wave mobile app running. Enchanted Wave has 3 mobile apps: Recorder, SleepCue and NeuroGoal. If you have downloaded more than one, please use the multitask view to terminate all the Enchanted Wave apps and restart the one you plan to use. Make sure there is only one mobile device in the vicinity running an Enchanted Wave mobile app. If there are more than one device with the app installed, please terminate all instances except the one you plan to use. If the headband was previously connected to a mobile device, it may not appear on the device list of other mobile devices. To connect the headband to a new phone, please turn off the headband while the first phone is powered off, then turn the headband back on to connect to the new phone. In some Android phones, you may be prompt for a "Location" access during the app installation. You need to grant/authorize it. Otherwise, the headband name "Wave-1" will not appear in the "Available devices" list. Troubleshooting: If there is no “Wave-1” in the available device list, follow the instructions below: Make sure your headband is charged. Turn off the headband. On the mobile APP, press the headband icon in the top-right corner. From the available devices list, choose a sample data (such as "Sample - Alpha wave"). And press the headband icon in the top-right corner again. Turning on the headband by sliding the switch button "all the way" to the "On" position firmly. (You should feel 2 "clicks".) If the “Wave-1” appears in the "Available device" list, select it and wait for 30 seconds for the initial transmission handshake to complete and for the signal to show up. If the “Wave-1” isn't in the "Available device" list, check your power switch: (1) Connect the headband to a proper power source, turning on/off the headband should change the illumination status of the charging light; (2) When you slide the power switch on, you should feel 2 clicks -- one in the middle, and another one all the way at the end. If your headband power switch doesn't work properly as described above, or the switch nob is sunk into the processor box, you can use this link to diagnose and repair it.
  • User manual download
  • Power switch problem
    Try the simple step first: Slide the power switch button all the way to the "On" or "Off" position for the corresponding functions: sensing vs. changing. To diagnose a power switch problem: If one of the following situations applies to you, your headband power switch may need a minor repair: The power switch slider sunk into the processor box; When the headband is connected to a proper charging source, switching on/off the headband doesn't affect the charging light; To repair (video instructions provided, total time 5 ~ 10 minutes) Step 1 - Detach the processing box from the sensor band; Step 2.1 - Move out the PCB board and the battery; Step 2.2 - Put the switch slider back into the slot; Step 2.3 - Put the battery and the PCB board back in; Step 2.4 - Align the switch unit on the PCB board with the slider; Step 3 - Reattach the processing box back to the sensor band.
  • Session terminated unexpectedly
    There are several reasons causing unexpected app terminations: The Enchanted Wave app was not on the screen -- such as your phone was on standby mode, home screen, or actively interacting with other apps. The phone's operating system usually terminate inactive or background apps according to the internal power management rules. Your mobile device's operating system sometime updated its version during the night -- it would shut down all the apps. Your phone was low on power - the operating system may shut down apps according to the power management rules. Your phone had too many apps active or open (in the background) and competing resources. The "Stop" button was accidentally pressed and held. To avoid this, we suggest you show the "Report" tab during your session, instead of the "Home" tab. Your headband is low on power - the app may terminate if communication with the headband is lost for too long.
  • Problem receiving data
    If you have trouble receiving data by email after successfully completing a recording session, please check the following: Does the email server you are using block emails with any ".zip" file? Many organizational email servers will block emails with a ".zip" file attachment. If this is the case for you, or you are not sure, you can try to receive your data with a general email service account, such as Gmail or Hotmail. For example, you can create a dedicated email account "SleepDataForXYZ@gmail.com" just to receive the data for your research; Is the data transfer complete? A full night of sleep data usually takes about several minutes to complete the transfer. When the recording session has ended, an envelope icon will blink at the top of the screen, indicating that the data are being processed and sent to the email address defined in the setting tab. When the data transfer is complete, an envelope icon with a checkmark should appear on the top, indicating that the email has been sent successfully; Is the data transfer disabled? There is an option in the APP setting tab to disable sending data from short sessions, usually used when testing the headband or preparing an experiment. If you run a short session, but cannot receive data in the email account, please press on the “Settings” tab, in the mobile APP, and make sure the “send short sessions” is on. Check if the phone's system clock setting is on "auto". If not, put it to "auto" may allow the data transfer again.
  • Interference in signal or data
    Ensure all sensors have good skin contact. The most common issue is hair getting between the ear-side sensor and the skin above the ear. Check the tightness of the forehead sensor by securely fastening the small black caps clockwise (as if they were bottle caps). Ensure they are firmly fastened. If the participant/user has long hair, it should be tied up as shown in the following picture. If there are no issues mentioned above, and you still experience heavy interference in the signal or data, please read the following document to identify the source of interference.
  • Charging time and battery life
    The time it takes to fully charge a headband typically ranges around 1 hour, depending on the power source. A fully charged headband can support data collection for up to 12 to 14 hours, depending on the environment.
  • Headband cleaning and maintenance
    Be gentle with the sensor band to avoid damaging the internal wires connecting the sensors. Do not over-stretch, over-twist, over-bend, or physically stress it. Before each use, always wash/clean your face, especially the forehead area and the area around the ears where the sensors make contacts. Gently wipe the sensors with dry tissue paper after each use. Gently wipe the sensors with alcohol pads once a week, or if sensors are exposed to excessive sweat/humidity. Do not use water to clean the headband. Do not wash the headband. Reminder: The sensor band is a replacement part. Its expected life span is 2 years, with proper care. In case you need a replacement, you can purchase a new "sensor band" here.
  • Screen dimming
    The screen dims 2 minutes after inactivity to save power, also to not disturb the user’s sleep. In case researchers or users want to watch the signal in real time, this auto-dimming can be turned off in the “Settings” tab in the recording mobile device.
  • How to run a full-night session? (Sleep & dream study)
    Keep this app on the main screen to stay "active". Many phone models would shut down background running apps after a few minutes if (1) the phone is on home screen, (2) the user is using another app, (3) the power button is pressed to black out the screen, (4) phone cover is closed. Make sure your headband is fully charged. One full charge supports only one night. Keep the phone and the headband close to each other (10 feet or 3 m). If they are too far apart for a few minutes, the app may be considered as "inactive" by the phone and be terminated. Reschedule or complete any pending system updates before starting the session. Most mobile device's operating systems’ updates are scheduled at night and all the apps would be killed. Make sure your phone has enough power or keep it charged for the night. (A full night session usually consumes 50% of phone power, depending on the model.) Phones with low power usually shut down more apps to stay alive. Display the "Report"/"Summary" tab during your session, instead of the “Home” page, to avoid accidentally touching the "Stop" button. Close out apps that you won't need for the night.
  • Signal transmission distance
    Usually about 10 feet or 3 meters. If there is no significant signal blocking material (metal, concrete wall, etc.) between the headband and the phone, it may transfer further. But don't count on it. Transmission at a longer range usually drains the battery faster.
  • Will the data recording resume if the user steps away from the mobile device for a short interval?
    Yes, if the interval is short. For example, if the participant wearing the headband walks away to pick up a ball and get back right after, the recording will resume automatically. There could be a data gap depending on how far the headband was away from the mobile device.
  • Sensors and (black) sensor caps
    There are 4 sensors on the Wave-1 headband: 2 metal sensors on the forehead and 2 conductive fabric ones by the ears. There are 2 black sensor caps outside of the forehead sensors to keep the color consistent when there is no external connectivity. It is designed to be detachable because some research labs need direct access to the sensors (the golden copper part) for extra electrical circuits. For researchers who have no need for an extra connection, the caps are optional -- you can leave it open or glue it on for a more consistent "look". Either way, there is no impact on data.
  • How to read the data file
    Please see the attached PDF file:
  • How to use the PC software
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