Voice to Skull (V2K)
Patent No. 6052336
Assignee: Austin Lowrey Associates , Springfield, VA (US)
Apparatus and method of broadcasting audible sound using ultrasonic sound as a carrier (Lowrey, III, Apr 18, 2000)
The primary psychological difference between this system and other proposed systems using sound for crowd control is the property creating the sound within the head of the target individual. The effect on a person who suddenly starts to hear sounds with no apparent source is not known.
"Since most cultures attribute inner voices either as a sign of madness, or as messages from spirits or demons, both of which . . . evoke powerful emotional reactions", quotes the Lowrey patent's effect on people.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a nonlethal individual or crowd control device which uses an audible sound broadcasted using an ultrasonic sound as a carrier.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that will allow the hearing impaired to hear speech.
It
is still another object of the present invention to provide a device
that will emit audible sound to listeners located in a defined area.
It
is yet another object of the present invention to provide a low
frequency sound, either audible or sub-audible frequency, in the heads
of listeners.
"Crowds can largely be divided into two kinds; those with leaders, and those without. A crowd with a leader can be affected either by limiting the communication between the leader and the crowd, or by directly affecting the crowd. A crowd without a leader (such as a looting mob) can only be affected by something that influences everyone in the crowd. Thus, it is necessary to develop physical methods to either impair communication, or to produce a physical or psychological effect in all persons exposed to the system."
"Studies indicate several classes of sound to be of interest in crowd control. One class of sounds includes those which are aversive in themselves. Examples of these are: (1) scraping noises, such as that of chalk on a blackboard, (2) the crying of a baby, and (3) screams of pain. These sounds almost involuntarily cause a person to avert his/her attention from what he/she is doing, at least momentarily. Repeated exposure to this class of sounds, if the occurrence is not predictable, tends to produce jumpiness and sometimes leads to irrational behavior."
"A third class of sound includes low frequency vibrations either slightly above or below 20 Hertz; the lower audible limit. Vibrations in this frequency range produce several effects on a person's body."
"Other sound patterns are possible, either alone or in combination. Sounds such as random shots, or screams may be very effective when combined with low frequency sounds producing apprehensiveness."
INVENTOR: Austin Lowrey, III, c/o Austin Lowrey Associates, 7212 Reservation Dr., Springfield, VA (US) 22153
ASSIGNEE: Austin Lowrey Associates, Springfield, VA (US)
Keywords: nonlethal individual or crowd control device; psychological trigger
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