Continuous auditory brain stimulation
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Publication Number
US-12649041-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods discussed herein can be used to augment or induce brainwave behavior, such as using auditory stimulus, in an example, ambient acoustic information can be received, selectively modulated, and presented to a user in a substantially continuous manner. A low frequency portion of received ambient acoustic information can be modulated and then combined with a high frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information to produce a combined signal. The combined signal can be provided to the user as an auditory stimulation signal.
Core Innovation
A system for inducing brainwave activity using auditory stimulation receives ambient acoustic information from an environment of a user and uses a modulation reference signal generator to generate a modulation reference signal based on a modulation input. The system also generates a noise signal, and a first audio band processor circuit provides a primary modulated output signal based on a first frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information and on the modulation reference signal, and provides a secondary modulated output signal based on the noise signal and on the modulation reference signal.
A mixer circuit provides an auditory stimulation signal in which the content depends on whether the ambient acoustic information indicates an ambient sound pressure level meets or exceeds a specified threshold SPL. When the ambient SPL meets or exceeds the specified threshold SPL, the auditory stimulation signal includes the primary modulated output signal from the first audio band processor circuit and a different second frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information. When the ambient SPL is less than the specified threshold SPL, the auditory stimulation signal includes the secondary modulated output signal.
The described approach uses an amplitude modulation concept with frequency-selective processing, including a low-frequency portion modulated based on the modulation reference signal and a different frequency portion that preserves a speech intelligibility-related band. The system can optionally include noise bridging by generating and amplitude-modulating noise when ambient SPL falls below the specified threshold. Additional embodiments describe optional control and variation of the modulation reference signal, including frequency drift.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim describes a system with five core inventive components: ambient-audio input, modulation reference signal generation from a modulation input, noise signal generation, a first audio band processor producing primary and secondary modulated outputs, and a mixer that selects the delivered content based on an ambient SPL threshold.
Ambient-derived auditory stimulation with SPL-threshold selection
An audio input configured to receive ambient acoustic information; a mixer circuit that provides an auditory stimulation signal including the primary modulated output signal and a different second frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information when ambient SPL meets or exceeds a specified threshold SPL, and including the secondary modulated output signal when ambient SPL is less than the specified threshold SPL.
Modulation reference signal generation from a modulation input
A modulation reference signal generator configured to generate a modulation reference signal based on a modulation input.
Noise signal and dual modulated outputs
A noise signal generator configured to generate a noise signal; and a first audio band processor circuit configured to provide a primary modulated output signal based on a first frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information and on the modulation reference signal, and to provide a secondary modulated output signal based on the noise signal and on the modulation reference signal.
Primary modulation of a first frequency portion using the modulation reference signal
The first audio band processor circuit is configured to provide the primary modulated output signal by amplitude modulating the first frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information according to the modulation reference signal.
Frequency-selective preservation of a second frequency portion
When the ambient SPL meets or exceeds the specified threshold SPL, the auditory stimulation signal includes the primary modulated output signal from the first audio band processor circuit and a different second frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a dual-path modulation approach in which a primary modulated output derived from a first frequency portion of ambient acoustic information is used when ambient SPL is at or above a threshold, while a secondary modulated output derived from a noise signal is used when ambient SPL is below the threshold. Modulation reference generation from a modulation input and mixing with different frequency portions are core parts of the described system.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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