Stroboscopic therapy device and therapy system

Abstract

The invention relates to a stroboscopic therapy device (STG) having at least one light source for generating a strobe effect, a processor and a memory, wherein the stroboscopic therapy device (STG) is configured to receive at least one random audio signal from an audio source (AQ), to generate at least one calculation signal from the audio signal, and to define and output at least one light pulse sequence depending on the at least one calculation signal.

Description

[0001] STROBOSCOP THERAPY DEVICE AND THERAPY SYSTEM

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention relates to a stroboscopic therapy device and a therapy system.

[0004] Modern neurology divides brainwaves into five frequency ranges, which are determined by EEG measurements and each associated with a specific state of consciousness [1]: Delta (sleep, 0.1 to 4 Hz), Theta (meditation, 4 to 8 Hz), Alpha (relaxation, 8 to 12 Hz), Beta (focus, 12 to 30 Hz), Gamma (alertness, above 30 Hz). The discovery that brainwaves naturally synchronize with the rhythm of external stimuli (e.g.,Synchronizing stroboscopic light or binaural tones is a medically useful mechanism of action known as neuromodulation or brainwave entrainment [2]. The medical applications of neuromodulation range from the prevention to the treatment of common mental illnesses such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) [3], anxiety disorders, PTSD [4], and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease [5]. Two-thirds of patients surveyed using available systems described exposure to stroboscopic light as monotonous when applied for one hour daily. This raises concerns regarding adherence (compliance with the therapy protocol) and thus justifies the research and development of tolerable and practical neuromodulation methods, systems, and protocols. All patients surveyed indicated a preference for the most flexible application possible.

[0005] Patent application US 2025 / 0076685 A1 describes a wireless system comprising glasses with indirect lighting. The glasses allow therapy to be administered with the eyes open or closed, thus enabling users to continue everyday activities during treatment. Half of all respondents also indicated that they prefer stroboscopic light in combination with music. The invention is based on the objective of specifying a novel stroboscopic therapy device and a novel therapy system.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a stroboscope therapy device with the features of claim 1 and by a therapy system with the features of claim 10.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a stroboscopic therapy device is proposed with at least one light source, in particular several light sources, for example LED, for generating a stroboscopic effect, a processor and a memory, wherein the stroboscopic therapy device is configured to receive at least one arbitrary audio signal from an audio source, to calculate at least one computational signal from the audio signal, and to define and output at least one light pulse sequence depending on the at least one computational signal.

[0009] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device is designed as therapy goggles.

[0010] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device is configured to normalize at least one calculation signal or at least one of several calculation signals.

[0011] In particular, the at least one calculation signal can be normalized relatively by comparison with at least one previous calculation or absolutely by comparison with a predetermined fixed value.

[0012] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device is configured to determine, as a calculation signal, at least a total energy of the audio signal and / or at least an energy in at least one frequency band of the audio signal and / or a clock frequency of the audio signal. The energy or total energy can be determined, for example, by calculating the root mean square or by FFT, STFT, or filtering.

[0013] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device is further configured to determine at least one of the calculation signals by means of speech recognition, rhythm recognition and / or beat recognition.

[0014] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device is configured to select a stroboscopic frequency of the light pulse sequence as a multiple of the clock frequency and to select a brightness of the light pulse sequence proportional to a normalized total energy of the audio signal when the clock frequency is less than a predetermined clock frequency threshold, for example, 5 Hz. Furthermore, the stroboscopic therapy device can be configured to select the brightness of the light pulse sequence proportional to the normalized clock frequency and to select the stroboscopic frequency of the light pulse sequence proportional to the normalized total energy of the audio signal when the clock frequency is greater than or equal to the predetermined clock frequency threshold.

[0015] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device is configured to transform the audio signals FFT or STFT into the frequency domain, to determine a spectrogram from it, to determine and normalize the energy in the spectrogram within at least one predetermined frequency band, and to calculate a brightness of the light pulse sequence based on the normalized determined energy.

[0016] In one embodiment, the stroboscope therapy device is configured to determine the energy of the audio signal by calculating the root mean square or the sum of all energies of the bins of the spectrogram within the frequency band.

[0017] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device is configured to determine the energy within several predefined frequency bands, to which different control patterns for the light sources are assigned, and to select the control pattern that is assigned to the frequency band with the highest energy.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, a therapy system is proposed comprising an audio source, a stroboscopic therapy device as described above, and an audio output device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the audio source is designed as a smartphone, PC, tablet PC or smart TV.

[0020] In one embodiment, the audio output device is designed as a pair of headphones, hearing aids, or a loudspeaker system.

[0021] In one embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device, the audio source, and the audio output device are configured for wireless communication in a broadcast mode, in which the stroboscopic therapy device and the audio output device receive audio signals synchronously from the audio source, particularly in the commercial 2.4 GHz radio frequency range according to IEEE 802.XX, especially IEEE 802.15.1, for example Bluetooth® LE audio.

[0022] In another embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device, the audio source and the audio output device are linked via wired communication in such a way that the stroboscopic therapy device and the audio output device receive the audio signals simultaneously or synchronously from the audio source.

[0023] In one embodiment, the audio source device is configured to run an app in which a brainwave frequency range, a maximum applicable brightness or brightness range, a stroboscopic frequency range, at least one control pattern, and a light color or light color range can be entered as user settings. In another embodiment, the app is configured to input user needs and to select individualized treatment recommendations and / or user-optimized parameters based on these needs and / or the environmental conditions determined by tracking the user's location (e.g., weather, time of day, and / or sun position), and to transmit these parameters to the stroboscopic therapy device.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for operating the above-described stroboscopic therapy device or therapy system is proposed, wherein an audio signal is played on the audio source and transmitted to the stroboscopic therapy device, wherein the audio signal is decoded and stored in a buffer memory of the stroboscopic therapy device, wherein a light pulse sequence is calculated and played back when a predetermined fill level of the buffer memory is reached.

[0025] In one embodiment, one or more output parameters for the output of the light pulses, including at least one of the output parameters brightness, stroboscopic frequency, light color and control pattern, are varied within a respective value range selectable by the user, for example from 0 to 100%, depending on the energy of the audio signals.

[0026] In one embodiment, the value range defined by the user can be further specified by personal data.

[0027] In one embodiment, / will

[0028] - a user's location on Earth,

[0029] - Weather data at the user's location,

[0030] - the local time at the user's location,

[0031] - a date and the resulting season at the location,

[0032] - Smartphone sensor data, including ambient light and / or screen brightness settings, - Measurements from at least one wearable paired with the smartphone, including heart rate, ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sleep quality, sleep patterns and / or brainwave measurement (EEG), and / or

[0033] - Information about diseases of the eyes, the psyche and / or the nervous system, age and / or gender is used as personal data.

[0034] In one embodiment, the audio signals, for example music, can include binaural tones as additional auditory brainwave stimulation.

[0035] Unlike solutions known in the prior art, the solution according to the invention allows access not only to a few audiovisual sequences predefined by the manufacturer and stored in closed databases of these manufacturers, but to all streaming-capable audio tracks. This is made possible by signal analysis of the audio signals on the processor of the stroboscopic therapy device. In one embodiment, this processor can be used to calculate the signal energy in an audio frequency band or to calculate the clock frequency present in the audio signal. In other embodiments, other audio analysis methods can be used, for example, FFT, SFT, speech recognition, and mood analysis. Furthermore, the solution according to the invention also allows manual modifications to audiovisual tracks.Furthermore, the solution according to the invention provides an easily understandable and individual design of audiovisual neuromodulation protocols, which is particularly advantageous for medical applications and research purposes.

[0036] The solution according to the invention provides a therapy system that can process all available audio signals without being dependent on a database of audiovisual neuromodulation protocols. Using a novel algorithm, stroboscopic light sequences are generated from each audio signal and transmitted to therapy glasses with stroboscopic light sources, in particular LEDs, for generating stroboscopic light. These glasses may include a processor and an operating system. In particular, the glasses described in patent application US 2025 / 0076685 A1, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference into the present patent application, can be used for this purpose. For effective neuromodulation, the stroboscopic light is to be automatically synchronized with the audio signals without any perceptible delay. The algorithm runs, for example, on the processor and operating system of the therapy glasses.These resources must therefore be capable of performing the necessary calculations in real time. The processing of the audio data in a dedicated buffer must not result in such a delay that destructive interference occurs between the light and sound signals. In this case, the resulting stimulation could be weakened, since the visual neuromodulation effect of the stroboscopic light rhythms affects the visual cortex (approximately 33% of human brain volume), and the auditory neuromodulation effect of the binaural tones affects the auditory cortex (approximately 8% of human brain volume). The goal is therefore to generate the most constructive interference possible between the auditory and visual stimuli.

[0037] Since the solution according to the invention is intended to work with all music available via streaming, and in particular with binaural tones, the algorithm focuses on the three fundamental signal properties of all audio sequences: intensity, current sound frequencies, and tempo or rhythm. Intensity can generally be described as the sound energy per unit of time or power in the frequency band. In signal processing, this can be represented by the sum of the amplitudes of individual audio samples.To make the resulting neuromodulation not only as effective as possible but also entertaining, thereby increasing therapy adherence, the algorithm generates light sequences that also vary in three ways: the control pattern of the light sources, the brightness of the light sources, and the stroboscopic frequency within a brainwave frequency range selected by the user (which can be chosen, for example, from the ranges Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma described above). To initiate the synchronization of light sequences with sounds, the following procedure can be implemented for the user: 1. Connecting (pairing or bonding) a pair of headphones that use a transmission protocol in the commercial 2.4 GHz radio frequency range according to IEEE 802.XX, in particular IEEE 802.15.1, for example, Bluetooth® LE Audio, and the aforementioned therapy glasses to a smartphone that uses a transmission protocol in the commercial 2.4 GHz radio frequency range according to IEEE 802.XX, in particular IEEE 802.15.1. 2.4GHz radio frequency range according to IEEE 802.XX, in particular IEEE 802.15.1, for example Bluetooth® LE audio.

[0038] 2. Open an app to control the therapy glasses on your smartphone and select one of the five brainwave frequency ranges.

[0039] 3. Open a music streaming app on the smartphone, activate an audio broadcast, for example Bluetooth® Audio Broadcast, on the smartphone and play a desired audio track.

[0040] 4. Enjoy the stroboscopic light sequences using the therapy glasses in the selected brainwave frequency range.

[0041] In another embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device can transmit the output parameter values ​​calculated from audio signals back to the audio source, for example, an app. In this embodiment, the audio source, as part of the system, is able to utilize the returned values ​​(for example, the calculated stroboscopic frequency). In this embodiment, the audio source, as an app, can influence the overall output audio signals by, for example, mixing and / or superimposing neuromodulatory tones at the frequency calculated by the stroboscopic therapy device with audio sequences from another app. Neuromodulatory tones can be isochronic, binaural, monaural, frequency-modulated, or residual-modulated tones.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a therapy system with an audio oil, a stroboscopic therapy device and an audio output device; Figure 2 is a schematic representation to illustrate the fast Fourier transform.

[0044] Figure 3 shows a schematic program flowchart for the operation of the therapy system, and

[0045] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the limitation of value ranges for output parameters of the stroboscopic therapy device.

[0046] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0047] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a therapy system 1 comprising an audio source AQ, for example a smartphone, a PC, a tablet PC, a smart TV or another suitable device, a stroboscopic therapy device STG, for example therapy glasses and an audio output device AAG, for example a pair of headphones, hearing aids or a loudspeaker system.

[0048] For example, a therapy device STG uses therapy goggles with stroboscopic light sources, particularly LEDs, to generate stroboscopic light, a processor, and an operating system. Specifically, the therapy goggles described in patent application US 2025 / 0076685 Al can be used for this purpose. Furthermore, a pair of Bluetooth® LE audio-enabled headphones can be used as the audio output device AAG, and a Bluetooth® LE audio-enabled smartphone can be used as the audio source AQ. The therapy goggles are also configured to receive audio signals via Bluetooth® LE audio. The Bluetooth® LE audio standard (especially from Bluetooth® 5.2 or higher) introduces multiple independent, synchronized, and isochronous audio streams (or "multi-streams") for data transmission to peripheral devices.This is the basis for performing synchronous processing and output of the same audio data on several different end devices of a connected group (CIS - connected isochronous stream; CIG - connected isochronous group). This principle for the synchronous transmission of isochronous audio data streams to multiple output devices or device pairs is applied in broadcast mode (BIS - broadcast isochronous stream; BIG - broadcast isochronous group) [6]. The STG stroboscope therapy device thus receives the same audio data simultaneously as the audio output devices, for example, headphones or hearing aids.

[0049] In the present invention, light pulses are generated and output by the STG stroboscopic therapy device. The light pulses are defined by output parameters AP, for example, based on three groups of input parameter sets or data sets: The three groups of input parameter sets or data sets are:

[0050] Group 1 - Parameter value ranges selectable by the user, for example via an app on a smartphone: The parameter ranges selectable by the user include at least one of the following, but are not limited to the following: - Strobe frequency range (maximum and minimum cutoff frequency for the strobe light), - Brightness range (maximum and minimum brightness), - Light color range or wavelength range of the light (maximum and minimum wavelength), - Control pattern of the light sources of the STG strobe therapy device (e.g., alternating right - left or alternating top - bottom),

[0051] -Genre of the audio signals to be processed (e.g. speech, music with and without vocals, etc.),

[0052] -User's therapy goals (at least one of the five goals Delta (sleep, 0.1 to 4 Hz), Theta (meditation, 4 to 8 Hz), Alpha (relaxation, 8 to 12 Hz), Beta (focus, 12 to 30 Hz), Gamma (alertness, above 30 Hz) is selectable), -Treatment duration per application or session, and

[0053] -other freely selectable parameters.

[0054] 2. Group - User's personal data: The user's personal data includes at least one of the following, but is not limited to the following:

[0055] -Location on Earth (can be determined through activated GPS tracking), -Weather data at the user's location,

[0056] -Local time at the user's location,

[0057] - Date, resulting season (depending on location),

[0058] -Sensor data from the smartphone, such as ambient brightness and screen brightness setting,

[0059] -Measurements from other wearables paired with the smartphone, such as smartwatches: pulse, ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sleep quality, sleep patterns, brainwave measurement (EEG),

[0060] -other personal data, such as diseases of the eyes, mind and nervous system, age, gender, etc.

[0061] Group 3:

[0062] - Audio data received by the STG stroboscopic therapy device via radio transmission, - Speech,

[0063] -Music without words, music with words, -Nature sounds,

[0064] -more audio data.

[0065] Mathematical tools such as Fourier transforms and filter algorithms have long been known for processing signals from superimposed harmonic functions. To realize the present invention, the audio data is processed in real time without phase shift relative to the audio signals, so that users do not perceive a delay between light and sound, resulting in constructive interference between auditory and visual stimulation.

[0066] For example, a procedure can be carried out as follows:

[0067] 1. In a first thread, phases of a selected control pattern m are traversed at a current stroboscopic frequency h. A latency for calculating the current stroboscopic frequency can be specified by the operating system.

[0068] 2. A second thread receives audio data (in a processable form: for example, at least 48 kHz sampling rate and at least 8 bit sample resolution) and applies an algorithm that determines an updated stroboscopic frequency h*, an updated brightness, an updated light color and / or an updated control pattern m* as a result.

[0069] If the result of the algorithm corresponds to the current value for stroboscopic frequency h, brightness, light color and / or control pattern m, then these remain the same.

[0070] If the result of the algorithm differs from the current value for stroboscopic frequency h, brightness, light color and / or control pattern m, then the updated control pattern m can be traversed at the updated stroboscopic frequency h, brightness and / or light color.

[0071] For processing the audio data, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) can be used, for example, which is capable of estimating the presence of the entire spectrum of audio frequency bands in near real time. Certain frequency bands (e.g., the neurologically relevant frequency bands) can be computed even faster by limiting the frequency band, for example, to 40 Hz to 12 kHz, or by using targeted bandpass filter banks [7].

[0072] Simple calculations can be performed on a spectrogram obtained by fast Fourier transformation, for example, summing the power of all bins within individual frequency bands, for example 40 Hz to 80 Hz, to carry out intensity measurements.

[0073] It has also been shown that beat tracking and rhythm or tempo determination in real time are possible [8], These and other similar methods make it possible to synchronize the stroboscopic light pulses with the beats of the incoming music by choosing the played stroboscopic frequency as a multiple of the clock frequency.

[0074] The standard control pattern for the LEDs can be set to cause all LEDs to blink synchronously. Furthermore, other, different control patterns for the LEDs can be used, based on the intensity of the audio frequency bands in the spectrogram. Users can choose which control patterns, in addition to the standard pattern, they wish to use in their lighting sequences. The overall intensity in the spectrogram is also used to determine the brightness of the LEDs. The brightness can be limited within a user-defined range, for example, by setting a maximum value. The diversity of music and the spectrogram analysis thus result in almost endless combination possibilities for users, making monotonous use unlikely.

[0075] The system can be used as follows:

[0076] Before playing music through the headphones, the user transmits a parameter set to the STG stroboscopic therapy device via a smartphone app. This parameter set represents user preferences such as maximum brightness or a brightness range, stroboscopic light frequency range, light color, and LED activation pattern. The calculation of light pulse sequences begins when music is played on the audio source AQ, for example, the smartphone, which sends the audio data to the STG stroboscopic therapy device, which has a buffer. When the buffer is full of decoded audio data, a new sequence is calculated, which remains active for a period of time until a new data packet fills the buffer and can be processed.

[0077] The stroboscopic frequency used to drive the LEDs can be calculated, for example, based on the energy in the spectrogram. The energy of the audio signal can be determined by calculating the RMS value or the sum of the energies or powers in all bins or in at least one region of the bins within the amplitude spectrum.

[0078] The result of the audio signal energy calculation can be a percentage value applied to the user-defined brainwave frequency range (Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Independent). 100% corresponds to the upper limit of the selected brainwave frequency range, and 1% corresponds to the lower limit.

[0079] For example, the user selects the Alpha frequency range (8 Hz to 12 Hz) or one of the other available frequency ranges. Calculating the audio signal energy yields, for instance, 50%, which sets the played stroboscopic frequency (target brainwave frequency) to the center of the Alpha brainwave frequency range, i.e., 10 Hz. If the audio signal energy percentage is 0%, a stroboscopic frequency of 8 Hz is output; at 100%, 12 Hz is output.

[0080] Calculation approaches can include calculating root mean squares, FFT with and without binning, filtering, beatmatching, etc.

[0081] To standardize and make comparable (between specific numbers of individual audio data samples) the results of calculating the output parameters brightness, stroboscopic frequency, and light color based on the audio data, all audio signal processing calculations are normalized. This includes, for example, the energy of the audio signal using RMS (or other methods such as FFT, STFT, frequency filters, speech recognition, rhythm or beat recognition, etc., as well as combinations of these approaches). Normalization can be performed based on the mathematical methods used.

[0082] The calculation method (RMS, FFT, etc.) can be adapted, but it is important that the results are always normalized. Therefore, the possible range of values ​​for the signal-processing mathematical calculation methods must be known for normalization. For example, RMS values ​​can be normalized relatively (compared with previous calculations) or absolutely (compared with fixed values).

[0083] In the case of absolute normalization, the reference standard for the calculated RMS values ​​can be the highest possible value (hW) determined by the resolution of the digital audio samples. Any other fixed value within the range defined by the resolution is also conceivable. It is also possible for users to define their own reference standard values ​​within the technically defined range based on their own experience. The resolution of the audio data samples depends on the wireless transmission protocol and the codec used. Practical examples include 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit resolution per sample, but other resolution values ​​are also possible.

[0084] In the case of relative normalization, the reference standard for the calculated RMS values ​​can be the result of the preceding RMS value calculation, so that the newly calculated RMS value is always compared to the previous one. When using an FFT for audio signal processing, for example, after transforming the signal from the time domain to the frequency domain, the distribution of audio frequencies across the entire audio frequency spectrum can be compared to a standard. Similarly, it is possible to divide the entire audio frequency spectrum into individual audio frequency bands and assign and compare each frequency band with its own standard. The principle of relative or absolute normalization is applicable here as well.

[0085] In both cases of normalization, it should be noted that the number of individual audio samples used to calculate audio signal properties can always be the same or can be dynamically adjusted, since the sample rate (number of individual samples per second) can vary depending on the transmission standard, audio codec, and signal quality used. If the calculated properties of the audio signal, for example, using RMS, FFT, STFT, frequency filters, speech recognition, rhythm or beat recognition, etc., or combinations thereof, have a reference standard, then this can be used to represent an output parameter within the user-selected range of values ​​for output parameters.

[0086] Using the stroboscopic frequency as an example, this means that the user has selected the value range for the output parameter, for example [8 Hz, 12 Hz], and the reference standard is now compared with the currently available normalized value from the calculation of the energy in the audio signal (e.g., using RMS or FFT). If the reference standard represents the largest possible value of the output parameter—in this case, 12 Hz—and the current normalized value is half the reference standard, the output parameter is set to the middle of the interval of the output parameter—in this case, 10 Hz.

[0087] In summary, the calculation of the output parameters of the STG stroboscopic therapy device (stroboscopic frequency, brightness, and light color) uses a calculation approach known from signal processing, applied to an audio signal, and the result is normalized. Normalization can be absolute or relative.

[0088] It is conceivable that the maximum applicable brightness could be set by the user via an app and represented, for example, as a percentage (100%). All lower brightness levels could be calculated from the audio data and used in the light sequences.

[0089] Brightness can be determined by measuring the maximum volume (highest PCM amount of a sample) within an audio data packet.

[0090] Figure 2 is a schematic representation illustrating the fast Fourier transform using the example of a decoded audio signal f(t). The fast Fourier transform transforms the audio signal f(t) from the time domain to the frequency domain and calculates a spectrogram in which each frequency is assigned an intensity, energy, or power. The frequencies can be grouped into frequency bands n (for example, octaves), and the intensity, energy, or power a can be expressed as a function of these bands. nwithin the respective frequency band n.

[0091] In accordance with the frequency bands n shown in Figure 2 after the FFT, a control pattern can be assigned to each audio frequency band. For example, the control pattern of the frequency band most active per data packet (for example, the fourth octave) can be used in the light pulse sequence.

[0092] Furthermore, the app may allow the user to enter their needs. By tracking their location, the app can infer weather conditions, time of day (day or night), and the position of the sun, thereby enabling the selection of personalized treatment recommendations and user-optimized parameters, which are then transmitted to the STG stroboscopic therapy device.

[0093] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart for the operation of therapy system 1. In step S1, an audio signal is played from an audio source AQ. In step S2, the processor of the stroboscopic therapy device STG, which may be part of an embedded system ES, determines whether a new audio signal or audio data packet is being received from the audio source. If not, in step S3, all LEDs are switched on or off. Otherwise, in step S4, the audio signal is decoded and stored in the buffer. In step S5, it is checked whether enough new audio samples are available, i.e., whether the buffer is filled to a predetermined or predefinable minimum. If not, in step S6, a previously calculated light pulse sequence is played back on the stroboscopic therapy device STG.Otherwise, in block B, new light parameters for a new light pulse sequence are calculated based on the decoded audio signals and user-defined parameters V entered in an app. These parameters V can include, for example, brightness, stroboscopic frequency range, control pattern, light color, and so on. In block B, a new stroboscopic frequency is calculated in step S7, a new brightness is calculated in step S8, a new control pattern is selected in step S9, and further new light parameters, such as the light color, can be calculated in step S10. In one embodiment, the light color calculation can be based on the audio signal frequency range (e.g., one octave) with the highest signal energy.A simple mapping of audio signal frequency ranges to corresponding ranges of visible light wavelengths, for example using frequency binning, is possible. In another embodiment, two parameters are assigned to each frequency bin of the audio frequency spectrum—a stroboscopic frequency and a light color. In step SI 1, the new light parameters are adopted, and a light pulse sequence based on them is played back on the STG stroboscopic therapy device. This is followed by a return to step S2.

[0094] If, after the LEDs are switched off in step S3, an audio signal from an audio source is played again in step S12, then the program jumps back to step S1. Otherwise, it jumps to the end of the program.

[0095] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the limitation of value ranges of output parameters of the stroboscopic therapy device.

[0096] The output parameters AP of the STG stroboscope therapy device lie within value ranges that are technically limited by the hardware of the STG stroboscope therapy device. They are determined more precisely based on the input parameter sets or data sets described above. The output parameters AP of the STG stroboscope therapy device include at least one of the following, but are not limited to them: - Brightness,

[0097] - Strobe frequency,

[0098] -Light color,

[0099] -Control pattern of the light source(s) in the stroboscopic therapy device STG, -if applicable, further output parameters AP.

[0100] The value ranges of the output parameters AP are each represented by a number. The principle is explained below using the example of brightness. Brightness could be represented by a percentage or a value necessary for calculating pulse width modulation (PWM). The highest theoretical technical brightness value, OTG, represents the highest photometrically evaluated radiant power that the light source(s) of the stroboscope therapy device STG is / are capable of emitting. The lowest theoretical technical value, UTG, represents the lowest radiant power of the light source—zero—meaning the light source is switched off. Within this value range TVWB, technically defined by the stroboscope therapy device STG, the user defines at least one value range WBN for the output parameters AP.The user-defined value ranges WBN for output parameters AP always represent a portion of the total technically available output parameter value range TVWB. The personal data and audio data are then used to further specify the value range of the output parameters AP. Using the output parameter AP Brightness as an example, this means, for instance:

[0101] 1. (Selectable parameter ranges) The user sets their preferred maximum brightness below the technically possible maximum illuminance and their preferred minimum brightness above the technically possible minimum. The user also sets, for example, a maximum duration of 15 minutes and a minimum duration of 5 minutes for a single therapy application (session).

[0102] 2. (Personal data) For example, the user is located in the Northern Hemisphere, well above the 40th parallel, it is December, heavily overcast, and sleet is falling. The user states, for example, that they suffer from winter depression due to lack of light.

[0103] 3. (Audio data) The user listens to classical music during their therapy application (session).

[0104] Output parameter AP: The brightness set by the user as the maximum is set as the default brightness for the duration of the therapy session. The brightness is dynamically adjusted to the music. Due to changes in the music (e.g., decreasing volume, fewer instruments), the instantaneous value MW of the output brightness may briefly deviate from the set maximum brightness. A certain minimum total duration of all therapy sessions per day is recommended to ensure the necessary daily dose of natural light is absorbed. For example, half an hour per day is sufficient for user a) who uses the maximum brightness setting, while one hour per day is recommended for user b) who uses only half brightness.

[0105] This principle applies in principle to all other output parameters AP, as shown schematically in Figure 4. A number of different variants can be provided for the control pattern. For example, the stroboscope therapy device STG can have multiple light sources, such as eight, particularly LEDs. The following control patterns, for example, can be selected: all light sources flashing, half of the light sources flashing, the other half of the light sources flashing, half of the light sources flashing alternately with the other half, etc.

[0106] The audio signal is transformed into the frequency domain using FFT and divided into "frequency bins." Each bin is assigned a control pattern. These patterns can be freely configured by the user (e.g., the sequence of LEDs switching on and off). The control pattern assigned to the frequency bin with the highest proportion of the total signal power is selected for outputting the light pulse sequence.

[0107] Conversely, the values ​​of the output parameters AP of the stroboscopic therapy device STG that are usable for therapy application are determined by:

[0108] 1. User-selectable parameter ranges are restricted,

[0109] 2. further specifying the user's personal data, and

[0110] 3. Audio signals transmitted wirelessly to the STG stroboscope therapy device are dynamically and synchronously adjusted. In real time, a light therapy sequence is generated on the STG's microprocessor based on the three input parameter sets and output by the light source(s). The output parameters AP of the STG stroboscope therapy device are controlled modularly to achieve maximum flexibility for the user.

[0111] The modular control of the output parameters AP is represented by their values, for example, as relative values ​​between min. 0% and max. 100% (other numbers are also possible) of the user-defined value range. The user-defined value range, in turn, represents a portion of the technically possible value range. This user-defined value range is further specified by personal data. For this purpose, it is conceivable to define a "standard or default value" within the user-defined value range for output parameters AP. Based on this standard value for each output parameter AP, values ​​can then be dynamically calculated and output in relation to the music. Further approaches are conceivable for specifying the user-defined value range using personal data. The calculations based on the audio data (3.The group of input parameter sets, for example, yields values ​​between 0% and 100% (other numbers are also possible). They are therefore always normalized, allowing the mathematical calculation approach to be chosen depending on the application of the audio signals (e.g., FFT, STFT, frequency filter, RMS, speech recognition, rhythm or beat recognition, etc., as well as combinations of the aforementioned approaches).

[0112] Modularization is achieved through the standardization of calculation results from the analysis of radio-received audio data and the step-by-step specification of output parameters (AP) based on personal data and user-defined parameter value ranges. This aims to increase the efficiency, individualizability, and entertainment value of the treatment.

[0113] In another embodiment, the stroboscopic therapy device can transmit the output parameter values ​​calculated from audio signals back to the audio source, for example, an app. In this embodiment, the audio source, as part of the system, is able to utilize the returned values ​​(for example, the calculated stroboscopic frequency). In this embodiment, the audio source, as an app, can influence the overall output audio signals by, for example, mixing and / or superimposing neuromodulatory tones at the frequency calculated by the stroboscopic therapy device with audio sequences from another app. Neuromodulatory tones can be isochronic, binaural, monaural, frequency-modulated, or residual-modulated tones.

[0114] Bibliography

[0115] [1] NeuroHealth Associates, „THE SCIENCE OF BRAINWVES - THE LANGUAGE OF THE BRAIN,“ 2024. [Online], Available: https: / / nhahealth.com / brainwaves-the-language / . [Zugriff am 20 4 2024],

[0116] [2] A. Notbohm, J. Kurths und C. S. Herrmann, „Modification of Brain Oscillations via Rhythmic Light Stimulation Provides Evidence for Entrainment but Not for Superposition of Event-Related Responses,“ Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Nr. Feb. 2016, 2016.

[0117] [3] K. Berg und D. & Siever, „A Controlled Comparison of Audio- Visual Entrainment for Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder,“ Journal of Neurotherapy, Bd. 3, Nr. 13, pp. 166-175, 2009.

[0118] [4] V. Furtado da Silva, A. Ribeiro, V. Dos Santos, A. Nardi, A. King und M. Calomeni, „Stimulation by Light and Sound: Therapeutics Effects in Humans. Systematic Review,“ Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, Bd.

[0119] 11, pp. 150-154, 2015.

[0120] [5] Alzforum - Networking for a Cure, „Therapeutics - Sensory Stimulation Systems,“ 9 3 2023. [Online], Available: https: / / www.alzforum.org / therapeutics / sensory-stimulation-systems. [Zugriff am 20 4 2024], [6] TheMathWorks Inc., „Bluetooth LE Audio,“ TheMathWorks Inc., 2023.

[0121] [Online], Available: https: / / de.mathworks.com / help / bluetooth / ug / bluetooth-le- audio.html. [Zugriff am 20 4 2024],

[0122] [7] N. Yang, M. Usman, X. He, M. A. Jan und L. Zhang, „Time-Frequency Filter Bank: A Simple Approach,“ IEEE Access, Nr. 5, pp. 27114-27125, 2017.

[0123] [8] F. Gouyon, L. G. Martins und L. P. Reis, „A Real-time Tempo and Beat Tracking System,“ in Proceedings of the llth International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, ISMIR 2010, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2010.

[0124]

[0125] 1 Therapie- Sy stem

[0126] AAG Audio- Ausgabe-Gerät

[0127] <ln Intensität, Energie, Leistung

[0128] AP output parameters

[0129] AQ Audio Source

[0130] Block B

[0131] ES embedded system f(t) decoded audio signal

[0132] MW instantaneous value n frequency band

[0133] OTG upper technical limit

[0134] S1 to S12 Step t Time

[0135] STG stroboscope therapy device

[0136] TVWB value range

[0137] UTG lower technical limit

[0138] V specification

[0139] WBN user-selectable value range

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Stroboscopic therapy device (STG) comprising at least one light source for generating a stroboscopic effect, a processor and a memory, wherein the stroboscopic therapy device (STG) is configured to receive at least one arbitrary audio signal from an audio source (AQ), to calculate at least one computational signal from the audio signal, and to define and output at least one light pulse sequence depending on the at least one computational signal.

2. Stroboscope therapy device (STG) according to claim 1, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to normalize the at least one calculation signal or at least one of several calculation signals.

3. Stroboscope therapy device (STG) according to claim 2, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to normalize the at least one calculation signal relatively by comparison with at least one previous calculation or absolutely by comparison with a predetermined fixed value.

4. Stroboscopic therapy device (STG) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to determine, as a calculation signal, at least a total energy of the audio signal and / or at least an energy in at least one frequency band of the audio signal and / or a clock frequency of the audio signal.

5. Stroboscopic therapy device (STG) according to claim 3, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to determine the energy or total energy by calculating the root mean square or by FFT, STFT or filtering.

6. Stroboscope therapy device (STG) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to determine at least one of the calculation signals by means of speech recognition, rhythm recognition and / or beat recognition.

7. Stroboscopic therapy device (STG) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to select a stroboscopic frequency of the light pulse sequence as a multiple of the clock frequency and to select a brightness of the light pulse sequence proportional to a normalized total energy of the audio signal when the clock frequency is less than a predetermined clock frequency threshold, and to select the brightness of the light pulse sequence proportional to the normalized clock frequency and to select the stroboscopic frequency of the light pulse sequence proportional to the normalized total energy of the audio signal when the clock frequency is greater than or equal to the predetermined clock frequency threshold.

8. Stroboscopic therapy device (STG) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to transform the audio signals into the frequency domain using FFT or STFT, to determine a spectrogram from it, to determine and normalize the energy in the spectrogram within at least one predetermined frequency band, and to calculate a brightness of the light pulse sequence based on the normalized determined energy.

9. Stroboscopic therapy device (STG) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG) is configured to determine the energy within several predetermined frequency bands, to which different control patterns for the at least one light source are assigned, and to select the control pattern that is assigned to the frequency band with the highest energy in each case.

10. Therapy system (1) comprising an audio source (AQ), a stroboscopic therapy device (STG) according to any of the preceding claims and an audio output device (AAG).

11. Therapy system (1) according to claim 10, wherein the audio source (AQ) is configured as a smartphone, PC, tablet PC or smart TV.

12. Therapy system (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the audio output device (AAG) is configured as a pair of headphones, hearing aids or a loudspeaker system.

13. Therapy system (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the stroboscope therapy device (STG), the audio source (AQ) and the audio output device (AAG) are configured for wireless communication in a broadcast mode, in which the stroboscope therapy device (STG) and the audio output device (AAG) receive audio signals synchronously from the audio source (AQ), in particular in the commercial 2.4 GHz radio frequency range according to IEEE 802.XX, in particular IEEE 802.15.

1.

14. Therapy system (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the audio output device (AAG) is configured to execute an app in which a brainwave frequency range, a maximum applicable brightness or a range of values ​​for the applicable brightness, a stroboscopic frequency range, at least one control pattern and at least one light color can be entered as a user setting.

15. Therapy system (1) according to claim 14, wherein the app is used to input user needs and / or to select individualized treatment recommendations and / or user-optimized parameters based on the needs and the framework conditions determined by tracking the user's location (weather, time of day and sun position) and / or based on measurements from at least one wearable paired with the smartphone, including pulse, ECG, blood pressure, Oxygen saturation, sleep quality, sleep behavior and / or brainwave measurement (EEG), and / or based on information about diseases of the eyes, the psyche and / or the nervous system, age and / or gender and / or is configured to transmit the parameters to the stroboscope therapy device (STG).

16. Method for operating the stroboscope therapy device (STG) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or the therapy system (1) according to one of claims 10 to 15, wherein an audio signal is played on the audio source (AQ) and transmitted to the stroboscope therapy device (STG), wherein the audio signal is decoded and stored in a buffer memory of the stroboscope therapy device (STG), wherein when a predetermined fill level of the buffer memory is reached, a light pulse sequence is calculated and played back.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein one or more output parameters (AP) for outputting the light pulses, including at least one of the output parameters (AP) brightness, stroboscopic frequency and light color, are varied within a respective user-selectable value range (WBN) depending on the energy of the audio signals.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the value range specified by the user is further specified by personal data.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein - a user's location on Earth, - Weather data at the user's location, - the local time at the user's location, - a date and the resulting season at the location, - Sensor data from the smartphone, including ambient brightness and / or screen brightness settings, - Measurements from at least one wearable device paired with the smartphone, including pulse, ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sleep quality, sleep patterns and / or brainwave measurement (EEG), and / or - Information about diseases of the eyes, the psyche and / or the nervous system, age and / or gender is / will be used as personal data.

20. Method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the The stroboscope therapy device (STG) transmits the values ​​for the output parameters calculated from audio signals back to the audio source (AQ), whereby the audio source (AQ) emits neuromodulatory tones in the range specified by the The frequency calculated by the stroboscopic therapy device (STG) is mixed and / or superimposed with audio sequences from another app.

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