Sound Signal Processing for Dementia Therapy Frequency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for treating dementia using auditory stimulation face challenges in effectively outputting sound in specific frequency bands, such as 30 Hz to 90 Hz, as these frequencies can be unpleasant for many individuals, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Innovation Solution
A sound signal processing method that adjusts the signal level of a second sound signal based on a specific frequency band within a first sound signal, superimposing the adjusted signals to enhance the output of sound in the desired frequency range, while also correcting phase differences between multiple sound signals to ensure consistent delivery across both ears.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound in specific frequency band (30 Hz to 90 Hz) is output for dementia treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but sound comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a first sound signal (comfortable sound content) with a second sound signal (specific frequency band component for treatment) to create a composite sound signal. This combining approach allows the comfortable first sound to carry the therapeutic second sound, achieving both comfort and treatment effectiveness simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sound signal acts as an intermediary carrier that transports the second sound signal's therapeutic frequency components to the target. By embedding the treatment-frequency second sound within the comfortable first sound, the intermediary first sound enables effective delivery without direct exposure to uncomfortable frequencies.
2Reliability
If signal level of second sound signal is increased to enhance specific frequency band output, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but distortion and unpleasantness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the second sound signal with the first sound signal at an optimized mixing ratio. By controlling the superposition level where the second sound's specific frequency components are enhanced without exceeding distortion thresholds, the mixture achieves effective treatment delivery while maintaining signal quality and avoiding unpleasant distortion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple sound signals are processed to reduce phase difference, then sound consistency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical phase alignment procedures with digital signal processing techniques. By using computational methods to calculate and adjust phase differences between the first and second sound signals, the system achieves precise phase coordination and sound consistency through software-based processing rather than complex hardware mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A sound signal processing method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: adjusting a signal level of a second sound signal (for example, an additional signal) according to a signal level of a specific frequency band in a first sound signal (for example, a sound source signal) corresponding to a first content, the second sound signal corresponding to a second content and including only a component of the specific frequency band; and superimposing and outputting the first sound signal and the second sound signal adjusted.