US5215468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for introducing subliminal changes to audio stimuli
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-03-11
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Granted: 1993-06-01
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Expires: 2011-03-11
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Martha A. Lauffer
- 👤 Donald K. Lauffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:10
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/005; A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0619; A63B71/0622; A63B71/0686; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/04; A63B2071/0625; A63B69/00; A63B69/0028; A63B69/0073; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An audio signal reproduction apparatus for producing an output aural signal related to an input audio signal comprising: receiver means including audio play-back means for receiving said input audio signal and outputting a receiver output signal capable of allowing a suer to correspond his activity thereto, which receiver output signal is a version of said input audio signal with altered identifiable characteristics; and control means coupled to said receiver means for programmably controlling, via control signals input by said user, at least a gradual alteration of said input audio signal over at least a portion of the duration of said input audio signal so that said alteration is subliminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An audio signal reproduction apparatus for producing an output aural signal related to an input audio signal comprising: receiver means including audio play-back means for receiving said input audio signal and outputting a receiver output signal capable of allowing a suer to correspond his activity thereto, which receiver output signal is a version of said input audio signal with altered identifiable characteristics; and control means coupled to said receiver means for programmably controlling, via control signals input by said user, at least a gradual alteration of said input audio signal over at least a portion of the duration of said input audio signal so that said alteration is subliminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 wherein said identifiable characteristics comprise tempo.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 wherein said identifiable characteristics comprise volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 wherein input audio signal is musical in nature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 wherein input audio signal comprises cadence indicia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 further comprising: program storage means coupled to said control means for storing said control signals in the form of one or more audio signal output programs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 wherein said control means is a module removably coupled to said receiver means, and said audio reproduction apparatus functions without subliminal alternation of said input audio signal when said module is removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 2 wherein said input audio signal is received by said receiver means via a pre-recorded storage medium, and wherein said receiver means comprises: driver means for driving said receiver output signal, the speed of said driver means determining the tempo of said receiver output signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 8 wherein said control signals comprise voltages which are proportional to the speed of said driver means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 8 wherein said control signals comprises frequencies which are proportional to the speed of said river means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 wherein said control means is a module removably coupled to said receiver means, said audio reproduction apparatus functions without subliminal alteration of said input audio signal when said module is removed, said input audio signal is received by said receiver means via a pre-recorded storage medium, and wherein said receiver means comprises: driver means for driving said receiver outuput signal, the speed f said river means determining the tempo of said receiver output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The audio signal reproduction apparatus in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises manual override means for allowing said user to manually alter said input audio signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 14 further comprising the step of: manually overriding said programmably controlling step to allow said user to manually alter said input audio signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
An audio signal reproduction method for production an output aural signal related to an input audio signal comprising the steps of: receiving said input audio signal and outputting, via audio play-back means, a receiver output signal capable of allowing a user to correspond his activity thereto, which receiver output signal is a version of said input audio signal with altered identifiable characteristics; and programmably controlling, via control signals input by said user, at least a gradual alteration of said input audio signal over at least a portion of the duration of said input audio signal so that said laceration is subliminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
An audio signal reproduction method for production an output aural signal related to an input audio signal comprising the steps of: receiving said input audio signal and outputting, via audio play-back means, a receiver output signal capable of allowing a user to correspond his activity thereto, which receiver output signal is a version of said input audio signal with altered identifiable characteristics; and programmably controlling, via control signals input by said user, at least a gradual alteration of said input audio signal over at least a portion of the duration of said input audio signal so that said laceration is subliminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 14 wherein said identifiable characteristics comprise tempo.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 14 wherein said identifiable characteristics comprise volume.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 14 wherein input audio signal is musical in nature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 14 wherein input audio signal comprises cadence indicia.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 14 further comprising the step of: storing said control signals in the form of one or more audio signal output programs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 15 wherein said receiving step comprises the steps of: receiving said input audio signal via a pre-recorded storage medium; and driving said receiver output signal, the speed of said driving determining the tempo of said receiver output signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 20 wherein said said control signals comprise voltages which are proportional to the speed of said driving.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The audio signal reproduction method in claim 20 wherein said control signals comprise frequencies which are proportional to the speed of said driving.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |