Patent No. 5128765 System for implementing the synchronized superimposition of subliminal signals

 

Patent No. 5128765

System for implementing the synchronized superimposition of subliminal signals (Dingwall, et al., Jul 7, 1992)

ASSIGNEE: Visual Subliminal Technologies, Inc., New York, NY

Abstract

An apparatus and system for the controlled delivery of a subliminal video and/or audio message on to a source signal from a video tape player or similar. The source signal is divided into audio and video portions. A video processor reads sychronization information from the source signal. A controller transmits a stored subliminal image at designated times to a mixer amplifier fully synchronized with the source signal. Concurrently, an audio subliminal message is applied to the source audio at a volume level regulated at some fraction to the source audio. The combined signals are transmitted to a monitor for undistracted viewing.

Notes:

Description

This invention generally relates to a system for processing a subliminal message signal. More particularly, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for superimposing a subliminal signal onto a continuous composite source signal at controlled intervals.

The human cognitive process is often broken down into discrete levels of perception. These range from conscious recognition of outside events down through varying degrees of semi- or unconscious levels of recognition. The factors that contribute to the level of event recognition or perception are numerous and include the duration of the event and the degree of autonomous processing normally associated with the event. For example, many activities reach such a level of instinctive behavior that conscious thought is no longer involved in the individual's reaction to the event; in appearance the reaction process becomes automated. In fact, the individual's reaction to the event is often relegated to subconscious control, as the individual is not consciously aware of his reaction to the event. In this context "event" is used to describe external stimuli to an individual, as perceived by the individual's senses, e.g., sight, hearing, touch, etc.

Subliminal perception involves the recognition by the individual of an event on an unconscious or semi-conscious level, i.e., the individual is conscious, but the level of sensory perception of the event is so low as to only register on the individual's subconscious memory. An example of a subliminal event would be a short duration image of a soft drink presented during an engrossing visual presentation, such as a movie. Since the image of the soft drink is provided for a fraction of a second, the viewer does not consciously perceive the image and continues to focus on the movie. But, the split-second soft drink image is perceived "subconsciously" and initiates a thirst drive in the individual. It is this potential commercial exploitation of subliminal perception that has evoked significant regulation on its use.

The use of subliminal perception has extended into the medical field and is applied for beneficial behavioral modification. For example, instead of an image of a soft drink, the subliminal message may include anti-smoking, or anti-eating symbols or statements. In the case of treating anorexia nervosa, the subliminal symbols will contain enticing visions of food in an attempt to stimulate a subconscious hunger drive. These symbols, received on the subconscious level, will contribute to behavior modification in accordance with an overall treatment. Furthermore, the subliminal message can be applied as an image, a low volume audio, or a combination of both image and audio. Low volume audio, as with the short duration image, is perceived on a lower order of memory and, therefore, not consciously recognized by the recipient.

Television/video systems are ideally suited for subliminal message conduits. In practice the problems involved in adapting the standard video/TV system for medical application of subliminal perception are numerous. To preclude improper use of the subliminal process, the insertion of the subliminal message must be a decentralized operation, i.e., it cannot be part of a central broadcast signal sent to many users. Moreover, the individual must have control of the message for proper application. Inserting the subliminal message locally, as a separate signal to the receiver, has remained troublesome, as the insertion process itself often distorts the source signal. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,261, a personal computer is used to turn off the source (i.e., broadcast) signal, insert a subliminal image and then reconnect the source signal. This interference with the source signal will invariably distort the resulting video image in a manner cognizable by the viewer.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a subliminal message in the form of a short duration image, as applied during the normal use of a conventional video system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simplified apparatus adaptable to a home video system for superimposing a subliminal message locally controlled by the user.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated system for superimposing a subliminal image at controlled intervals and a subliminal audio signal at controlled volume onto a source signal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for superimposing a short duration synchronized subliminal image onto a source video signal without distorting the source signal.

The above and other objects are realized in an apparatus and system for superimposing a subliminal message onto a source signal. The source signal is taken from a suitable discrete device, i.e., television receiver, video cassette recorder, laser disk, etc., in the form of separate audio and video signals. The video signal is processed for horizontal and vertical synchronization information. A controller recalls a video subliminal message from integrated memory and superimposes this message as a video signal, fully synchronized, onto the existing video source signal. In addition, the controller optionally feeds a low volume audio message into the source audio signal, wherein the volume level is regulated at some fractional value of the source audio.

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The above-described arrangement is merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.