Patent No. 5215468 Method and apparatus for introducing subliminal changes to audio stimuli
Patent No. 5215468
Method and apparatus for introducing subliminal changes to audio stimuli (Lauffer, et al., Jun 1, 1993)
Abstract
A method and apparatus for introducing gradual changes to an audio signal so that the changes are subliminal. The changes can involve tempo and volume, for example, and can take the form of a gentle gradient having ever increasing/decreasing ramp-like changes over a sufficient duration, or a more complex program involving several gentle gradients. In the preferred embodiment, an enhanced audio play-back device such as a portable audio cassette recorder can be programmed to subliminally alter the characteristics of a standard pre-recorded tape containing music, for example. As a motivational tool during walking, jogging or other repetitive exercise, the tempo is gradually increased over a period of time to encourage a corresponding gradual (and subliminal) increase in physical exertion by a user whose rate of movement is proportional to the tempo of the music. The tempo can be either manually changed in conjunction with a subliminal program, or by itself in an override mode, or by itself in a version of the present-inventive audio play-back device which allows only manual tempo alternation. In an alternate embodiment, a special pre-recorded tape contains subliminal changes in tempo, for example, for play-back on a standard audio cassette recorder (which operates at one speed, only) to cause the same effect as the preferred embodiment.
Notes:
SUMMARY
OF THE INVENTION
The following are objects of the present invention in view of the above.
A first object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus
for, during physical activity, motivating a user to change the rate of his or
her physical activity while receiving subliminally changing audio stimuli, the
physical activity being synchronized to the audio stimuli.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus
for, during physical activity, motivating a user to change the intensity of
his or her physical activity while receiving subliminally changing audio stimuli,
the physical activity being synchronized to the audio stimuli.
A third object of the present invention is to satisfy the first and second objects
of the present invention by use of a specially modified audio play-back device
in conjunction with a standard pre-recorded audio storage device.
A fourth object of the present invention is to satisfy the first and second
objects of the present invention by use of a standard audio play-back device
in conjunction with a specially recorded audio storage device having subliminal
variations.
A fifth object of the present invention is to satisfy the first through third
objects of the present invention by allowing the user to program the subliminal
changes to the audio stimuli.
A sixth object of the present invention is to satisfy the fifth object of the
present invention by programming the subliminal changes to the audio stimuli
via a pluggable module used to modify a standard, but compatible audio play-back
device, so that the audio play-back device functions in a conventional manner
when the module is unplugged.
A seventh object of the present invention is to satisfy the first through sixth
objects of the present invention using audio stimuli primarily of a musical
nature.
An eighth object of the present invention is to satisfy the first through sixth
objects of the present invention using audio stimuli primarily of a cadence
nature.
A ninth object of the present invention is to satisfy the first through third
and fifth through eighth objects of the present invention with the ability to
create and store complex programs.
A tenth object of the present invention is to satisfy the first through ninth
objects of the present invention using any type of audio play-back device--for
example, tape player, compact disk player, radio, etc.--whether or not "portable".
There is provided, in accordance with the present invention, an audio signal
reproduction apparatus for producing an output aural signal related to an input
audio signal which includes: receiver means for receiving the input audio signal
and outputting a receiver output signal which is a version of the input audio
signal with altered identifiable characteristics; transducer means connected
to the receiving means for converting the receiver output signal into and output
aural signal; and control means connected to the receiver means for programmably
controlling, via control signals input by a user, at least a gradual alteration
of the input audio signal over at least a portion of the duration of the input
audio signal so that the alteration is subliminal.
There is also provided, in accordance with the present invention, an audio signal
reproduction method for producing an output aural signal related to an input
audio signal which includes the steps of: receiving the input audio signal and
outputting a receiver output signal which is a version of the input audio signal
with altered identifiable characteristics; converting the receiver output signal
into and output aural signal; and programmably controlling, via control signals
input by a user, at least a gradual alteration of the input audio signal over
at least a portion of the duration of the input audio signal so that the alteration
is subliminal.
There is further provided, in accordance with the present invention, a pre-recorded
audio signal storage device which includes storage means for storing an input
audio signal having identifiable characteristics, wherein at least one identifiable
characteristic is gradually altered over at least a portion of the duration
of the input signal so that the alteration is subliminal.
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Alternate
Embodiment
It is desirous to practice the present invention when an exerciser does not
have one of the above-described audio motivation apparatuses 100. In that case,
a similar effect can be achieved by specially recording an audio tape or other
audio storage device to include subliminal changes, and playing the tape on
a constant-speed prior art audio play-back device. For example, during recording
of the tape at a recording studio, the tempo of the music being recorded can
be gradually increased so that the change is subliminal. This latter approach,
however, is inferior to the preferred embodiment since the user is restricted
to the pre-recorded changes, and does not have the ability to program any changes.
It is possible, however, to fuse a combination of the preferred and alternate
embodiments which also provide the user with some programmability.
Variations and modifications to the present invention are possible given the
above disclosure. However, all such variations and modifications are intended
to be within the scope of the invention claimed by this letters patent. For
example, the volume of a radio receiver can be subliminally increased or decreased
either during physical activity as a motivation tool, or subliminally decreased
during inactivity as a sleep aid. Additionally, the present invention need not
be limited to a training tool, but can also be used while participating in an
athletic event such as running a marathon race, or by disc jockeys to subliminally
stimulate dancers.
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