Parabolic Sound Reflector with Optical Tracking for Binaural Beats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating binaural beats require headphones and are not capable of directing collimated resonant sound streams to a listener's ears, especially for non-stationary individuals, limiting their effectiveness and application.

Innovation Solution

A sound generating system featuring a parabolic sound reflecting body mounted on a rotatable stand with a speaker that uses optical sensors and processors for facial recognition to direct collimated streams of resonant sound specifically to a listener's left and right ears, allowing for precise targeting and tracking of the listener.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If headphones are used to deliver binaural beats, then the sound delivery is direct and effective, but the device requires headphones and cannot track or direct sound to non-stationary listeners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to deliver binaural beats without headphones and track moving listenersVSAvoidrequires headphone insertion and setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a parabolic sound reflecting body as an intermediary device between the sound source and the listener's ears. This parabolic reflector collimates the sound waves and directs them precisely to the listener's ears, eliminating the need for headphones while maintaining effective sound delivery. The optical sensor acts as another intermediary to detect and track the listener's position, enabling the system to adapt to non-stationary listeners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sound is directed to non-stationary listeners, then the system becomes more versatile and user-friendly, but the system complexity increases due to tracking requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to track and follow non-stationary listenersVSAvoidrequires optical sensors, processors, and rotational actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs optical sensors that automatically detect and track the listener's position without requiring manual intervention. The processor autonomously processes the optical input to determine target directions, and the rotational actuators automatically adjust the parabolic reflector's orientation. This self-service capability enables the system to adapt to non-stationary listeners while minimizing the need for complex user interaction or manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If collimated resonant sound streams are directed precisely to the ears, then the binaural beats effect is enhanced, but the manufacturing and alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of sound direction to earsVSAvoidalignment of speaker and parabolic reflector

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses optical sensors to continuously monitor the listener's position and provides feedback to the processor. The processor adjusts the target direction based on this feedback, and the rotational actuators modify the parabolic reflector's orientation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for manufacturing tolerances and alignment variations, maintaining high precision sound direction without requiring extremely tight manufacturing specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the generation and directional delivery of binaural beats without headphones, enhancing their perceived effect and usability for therapeutic purposes by ensuring accurate targeting of the sound streams to the listener's ears, even for non-stationary individuals.

Implementation Method 1

resonant sound as the terminology is used herein refers to sound having a frequency spectrum that includes a base frequency and many harmonics of the base frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a speaker fixed on a support member that is connected with the parabolic sound reflecting body, wherein the speaker generates sound in a first direction away from the parabolic sound reflecting body and in a second opposite direction toward the parabolic sound reflecting body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

An optical sensor is disposed on the support member or the stand. A processor is disposed in electrical communication with the optical sensor and the one or more rotational actuators. The processor is configured to receive optical input from the optical sensor, process the optical input to target recognition of a human ear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250024195A1Collimated, Resonating, and Tracking Sound Generating System

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 HYATT DELTON

AI summary

A sound generating system comprises a parabolic sound reflecting body. A speaker is fixed on a support member that is connected with the parabolic sound reflecting body, wherein the speaker generates sound in a first direction away from the parabolic sound reflecting body and in a second opposite direction toward the parabolic sound reflecting body. The parabolic sound reflecting body is mounted on a stand and configured to rotate around two axes orthogonal to the first direction.