The cortical psychic patch is a Cybertronian device that allows a Transformer to read or enter the memories of another. It is often portrayed as an invasive process, usually associated with Shockwave's invention.
In the Transformers Prime episode, Megatron uses the cortical psychic patch on Starscream to uncover his true motivations. He begins by reviewing the events surrounding the space bridge explosion. Megatron watches various instances of Starscream's attempts at assassination: the time he made a bunch of clones to infiltrate the Nemesis; and when he tried to make a deal with Airachnid. Upon replaying Starscream's musings when Megatron was trapped underground, he suggests that Starscream refrain from thinking out loud in the future.
Starscream claims the occasional trouncing is enough to bring him back into line, and tries to play up his own generosity, bringing up the gift of Cliffjumper's corpse for Dark Energon experimentation, and his use of his wits in dealing with the Autobots. Megatron points out his wits are usually insufficient to compensate for his arrogance: when he faced Optimus Prime while charged up on Dark Energon; or when he tried to use the Energon Harvester on Bulkhead.
The revelation that MECH took Starscream's T-Cog greatly amuses Megatron, though Starscream is hoping that that might be restored to him in exchange for the Omega Keys - after all, he usually transforms with such style.
Megatron does not believe Starscream's change of heart at the time would have lasted, and replays a discussion between Starscream and Knock Out while Megatron was lying in a coma in the sick bay. As Knock Out goes to unplug Megatron, Dreadwing stops him and he is forced to make up an excuse.
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Megatron announces that Starscream will be allowed to rejoin the Decepticon forces proper, as they must be working as one unit if Cybertron is to be properly restored, a fact also addressed to the watching Knock Out.
In another instance, Starscream and some Vehicons are soon leading the two prisoners through Kaon to a laboratory. The two Autobots are strapped to tables, and Shockwave uses a cortical psychic patch to hook in to Arcee's mind. As Shockwave prepares to finish off Cliffjumper, Cliff suggests Starscream should be the one to do it. Shockwave leaves them to it, but as Starscream moves in, he's attacked by Arcee.
Shockwave is revealed to be the inventor of the illegal cortical psychic patch. As in "Predatory", the primary characters use the same models, meaning they all have Earth-mode kibble well before ever visiting Earth.
In the G1 comics he was able to read Buster's mind pretty well ('Devastation Derby'). As mentioned, he's no thought based telepath, he's an MRI style; he can detect the various areas that have activity and knows what they relate to. I wish they utilized this in Transformers Prime since that's the best characterization of him that I've seen so far. But, yeah, the cortical-neuron patch was Shockwave's mechanism.
Shockwave: The Scientist Behind the Patch
Shockwave is a Decepticon lead scientist and tends to be "logical" with his reasons, choices, or with his own experiments. Shockwave had created ancient incredible Cybertronian technology that was found to be very useful against the Autobots. He is a skilled fighter, which he used in self-defense against anyone who dare to attack and kill him.
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Shockwave is responsible for many scientific endeavors, such as Space Bridges, the Dinobots, resurrection of the Predacons, construction of the Omega Lock 2.0, and, with Ratchet, the completion of the Synthetic Energon formula.
During the Autobot-Decepticon war, Shockwave perfected his experiments with the Constructicons, creating a Devastator which was unleashed on Crystal City.
When Cybertron was beginning to shut down after suffering years of war and devastation, Shockwave wanted to reboot it, but to do this, he needed an large energon supply. As he searched for one, he discovered an ancient technology in the Sea of Rust known as the Space Bridge.
During this time Shockwave began to intently study the secrets of Ancient Cybertron. His studies eventually led him to the era of the Thirteen. Whilst researching the original Cybertronians he discovered Alpha Trion was a Prime.
After Megatron related to him that the Predacons were lost to the Decepticons by the ravages of time due to his arrival on Earth being delayed, Shockwave in turn stated that their remains had not been lost and that he would be able to extract their CNA from it. However, Starscream questioned mockingly how logical it would be for the Decepticons to have to locate the dusty remains of all of Shockwave's former pets.
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Discovering that the Synthetic Energon Formula was incomplete, the Decepticons would capture the Autobot medic Ratchet in order to finish it. After convincing Ratchet that this was Cybertron's best hope of being restored, the Synthetic Energon formula was completed.
Without their leader, the remaining Decepticons would abandon the ship, with Shockwave being forced to share the last escape pod with Starscream.
The Ethics of Memory Manipulation
Soundwave's Mental Abilities
Soundwave's mental powers tend to fluctuate based on the writers' interpretation of "able to scan electrical impulses of the brain." For his version of the power, he's probably pretty good since he can read organic brains and those aren't really wired for strong electrical impulses, otherwise they'd fry themselves. It's doubtful he could implant thoughts or control minds without outside help though.
Here's a summary of Shockwave's and Soundwave's mental abilities:
| Character | Abilities | Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Shockwave | Memory extraction, interrogation | Cortical psychic patch |
| Soundwave | Scanning electrical impulses of the brain, deciphering thoughts | Internal sensors |
In a race of living machines the hacking ability can be akin to reading minds. Does anyone know the extent of Soundwave's mental abilities? apparently he can scan and decipher the electrical impulses in the brain to effectively translate thoughts, i think that is how it was explained.
He can understand how other minds work, but he doesn't need to relate to them in any way. As mentioned, he's no thought based telepath, he's an MRI style; he can detect the various areas that have activity and knows what they relate to.