USOO5289438A

United States Patent (19) 11) Patent Number: 5,289,438

Gall (45) Date of Patent: Feb. 22, 1994
54 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALTERING i, 3. E. - O Oal O w8w w 4 as he was a no w w w w 82
www. ispel et al. ........................
No.
76 Inventor: James 9
1662. E.. Jacklin D
Jackln Jr.,
5,123,899 6/1993 Gall ....................................... 600/28
in
Fountain
Hills, Ariz.
S. AZ
85268 Primary Examiner-Robert J. Pascal
Assistant Examiner-Tan Dinh
(21) Appl. No.: 867,326 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cahill, Sutton & Thomas
(22) Filed: Apr. 13, 1992 57 ABSTRACT
- -- 8 A system for altering the states of human consciousness
Related U.S. Application Data involves the simultaneous application of multiple stim
62) Division of Ser. No. 642,439, Jan. 17, 1991, Pat. No. uli, preferable sounds, having differing frequencies and
5,123,899. wave forms. The relationship between the frequencies
51) Int. C. ................................................ G10F1/00
52 U.S. Cl. ...................... as a 8 is as u do 369/4; 600/28;
of theg=2/*f
styl stimuli is exhibited by the equation
128/905
58) Field of Search ................. 369/4, 127, 15; 360/5, where:
360/1; 600/28, 26; 128/905 f=frequency of one stimulus;
0 g=frequency of the other stimuli or stimulus; and
(56) References Cited n = a positive or negative integer which is different
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS for each other stimulus.
4,141,344 2/1979 Barbara ................................. 600/28
4,315,502 2/1982 Gorges .................................. 600/27 2 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet

/2 //
OSC LLATOR
F
As
/2 A4
OSC LLATOR
F2 RECORDER
PLAYER
/2
OSC LATOR
F3
U.S. Patent Feb. 22, 1994 5,289,438

BRAN WAVE TYPE

OMEGA DELTA THEA ALPHA BETA GAMMA EPSILON ZETA

O,875 75 3.5O 7OO 4.OO 28OO 56.OO 2.OO 224.OO

FREQUENCY (Hz)
N--
Arag-1

ST MULUS ALPHA
O.5Hz

STMULUS THETA
5.25Hz

ST MULUS DEA
2.625 Hz

COMPOSTE
STMULUS

Fraga
?/
OSCILLATOR
F A3
fa
A2
OSC LATOR
F2 RECORDER PLAYER

A2
OSCATOR
F3

Frg-3
Fr G-4
 5,289,438
1. 2
reduction of beta-rhythm into alpha-rhythm as well as
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALTERING to retain alpha-rhythm. The subject is subjected to two
CONSCOUSNESS sound signals which are each higher in frequency than
4-16 Hz. But are different and produce a beat signal
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 5 which is within the 4-16 Hz, range. It is represented
O7/642,439, filed Jan. 17, 1991 as now is U.S.A. that the subject exhibits improve ability in learning,
5,123,899. researching and inventing.
TECHNICAL FIELD B. C. Gindes also teamed with B. C. Meland to obtain
U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,516, granted Oct. 14, 1980, for "Ap
This invention is concerned with the application of O paratus for Electrophysiological Stimulation'. This
stimuli to a human subject to induce different states of patent discloses apparatus for stimulating the effects of
consciousness. brain wave activity in one of the delta, theta, alpha, and
BACKGROUND ART beta brain wave frequency ranges. A first wave is gener
ated in a frequency range above the brain wave ranges.
It is well accepted in scientific circles that there is a 15 This first wave is then modulated by a second wave
correlation between the electroencephalographic wave having a frequency within one of the brain wave fre
rhythms exhibited by the brain of a human and the state quencies. The modulated first waves are applied to the
of consciousness of that being. Rhythms customarily subject by means of electrodes on the forehead. The
found in the normal human adult when he is relaxed and second wave may also be applied by sound through
his eyes closed have a pulse frequency in the seven-four 20 headphones. A third wave in a range 150-600 Hz. may
teen Hz. range and have come to be identified as "al be modulated by the second wave and the modulated
pha' rhythms. Similarly, when a person is aroused and tone that is produced applied to headphones worn by
anxious, the rhythms exhibited fall in the 14-28 Hz. the subject. The system is represented as being able to,
range and are known as "beta' rhythms. A normal among other things, induce sleep, induce a hypnotic
person in sleep exhibits "delta” rhythms in the 1.75-3.5 25 state, produce heightened awareness and increase the
Hz. range. Other brain wave rhythms which have been ability of a person to concentrate.
identified by researchers as being associated with vari Each of the systems disclosed in these prior patents
ous normal and abnormal states of consciousness are: require that fairly complex apparatus be directly associ
“theta', 3.5-7.0 Hz. and "gamma', 28-56 Hz. Research ated with the subject. And the systems of the two
by the applicant has led to the identification and naming 30 Gindes, et al. patents hamper useful activity of the sub
of three additional rhythms, namely: "Omega', ject by the requirement that the subject be attached to
0.875-1.75 Hz.; "epsilon", 56-112 Hz.; and "zeta', electrodes and earphones.
12-224 Hz.
Researchers have devised a variety of systems for There continues to be a need for a system for induc
stimulating the brain to exhibit specific brain wave 35 to ing brain wave rhythms which is inexpensive and easy
rhythms and thereby alter the state of consciousness of use from the subject's point of view.
the individual subject. Most of these efforts have been DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
aimed at inducing an alpha, or relaxed, brain wave This invention contemplates utilizing a plurality of
rhythm or a delta, or sleep, brain wave rhythm.
E. W. Ballentine and B. C. Gindes, in their U.S. Pat. brain wave rhythm stimuli simultaneously with each
No. 3,762,396, granted Oct. 2, 1973, for "Method and stimulus having a specific frequency relationship with
Apparatus for Inducing Sleep by Applying Electrical every other stimulus. That relationship is expressed in
Pulses to Plural Portions of the Head', disclose a sys the following equation:
tem for inducing sleep, treating psychosomatic disor
ders, and aiding the induction of hypnosis. With this 45
system, the patient is subjected to three stimuli. The first when f is the frequency of one stimulus, g is the corre
stimulus is electrical current pulses having a frequency
of 8-10 CPS applied by electrodes to the back of the sponding frequency for each of the other stimulus or
head. A second stimulus of electrical current pulses stimuli and n is a positive or negative integer. Although
having a frequency four times the frequency of the first 50 visual and electrical current stimuli can be employed in
stimulus is applied to the optic nerve through electrodes the system of this invention, aural stimuli are preferred.
on the forehead. The third stimulus is a sound signal The latter can be recorded on small, convenient tape or
disc records and played back by the subject on an inex
produced by the first stimulus and applied to the patient pensive
via sound attenuating chambers in order to isolate the portable player.
patient from a noisy environment. 55.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
U.S. Pat. No. 3,576, 185 was granted Apr. 27, 1971, to
H. Shulz for "Sleep-Inducing Method and Arrange The invention is described in greater detail hereinaf.
ment. Using Modulated Sound and Light'. This patent ter by reference to the accompanying drawings,
describes an apparatus and a method for inducing sleep wherein:
by directing at the subject two sound signals in the FIG. 1 is a graphic presentation of the various types
range of 40–80 Hz., free of overtones and amplitude of brain wave rhythms with which this invention is
modulated between the perceivable minimum and a concerned;
perceivable maximum. The two signals differ in fre FIG. 2 illustrates graphically how a plurality of brain
quency by approximately 0.5-2 Hz. Optical stimuli may wave stimuli are combined to produce a brain wave
also be used. rhythm according to the invention;
K. Masaki in his U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,701, granted May FIG. 3 is a block diagram of brain wave rhythm
30, 1989, for "Apparatus for Inducing Frequency Re stimuli recording apparatus employed in the invention;
duction in Brain Wave' states his objective to be the and
 5,289,438
3 4.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of brain wave rhythm bined to produce a sound from which the individual
stimuli playback apparatus employed in the invention. stimulus can be perceived and distinguished by the sub
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE ject's brain. This characteristic is believed to be impor
INVENTION tant in producing effective brain wave rhythms.
On the other hand, research has revealed that effec
Referring particularly to FIG. 1, depicted there are tive brain wave rhythm inducement can be carried out
the several types, or ranges, of brain wave rhythms for regardless of the phase relationship between the several
which stimuli can be selected and utilized in accordance stimuli. The stimuli frequencies need not be synchro
with this invention. It has been recognized that the nized.
human brain tends to imitate or endeavor to duplicate O
As mentioned previously, the application of multiple
the rhythm it is subjected to via outside stimuli. For stimuli in accordance with this invention induces brain
example, if the subject is subjected to sound producing wave rhythms offering a greater range of altered con
a beat in the range of 4-16 Hz, as proposed by the sciousness than is achievable with prior systems. Im
Masaki patent identified above, the subject's brain is proved results can be obtained using only two or three
influenced to exhibit a similar electroencephalographic 15
stimuli, but more complex states of consciousness can be
wave rhythm giving the subject an alpha state of con induced utilizing as many as seven stimuli spread across
sciousness.
Research has demonstrated that the subject need not the entire range of brain wave rhythm types illustrated
in FIG. 1.
be conscious of, i.e. need not actually hear, an aural
stimulus in order for the brain to detect and seek to 20 The simpler, two and three stimuli, brain wave
emulate and synchronize with that stimulus. rhythms of this invention can be employed to improve
The discovery at the heart of the present invention is sleep patterns, increase dream recall activity, reduce
that a greater range of altered consciousness can be stress, and enhance the subject's sense of well-being and
achieved through the simultaneous application of multi contentment. The more complex, multi-stimuli rhythms
ple stimuli possessing specific harmonic relationships. 25 are more effective than the simpler rhythms and are
In accordance with this invention, that relationship can useful in inducing levels of consciousness wherein the
be expressed as: ability to work fast and perform complex tasksGis en
hanced. These multi-stimuli rhythms are also useful in
g=2/f the reduction of emotional distress associated with
30 long-forgotten, traumatic events in the subject's life.
where: FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the simple apparatus required
f=frequency of one stimulus; to practice this invention. Records of the brain wave
g=frequency of each other stimulus or stimuli; and stimuli are produced in a recorder 11 to which a plural
n=a plus or minus integer which is different for each ity of oscillators 12 provide the selected frequencies and
other stimulus. 35 wave forms for the individual stimuli. The records thus
By way of example, if one stimulus, f, has a frequency of produced can be played by a subject on a record player
10 Hz., the frequencies, g, for the other stimuli must be 13 having a speaker 14. The frequencies employed here,
selected from among the following (all expressed in namely in the range of about 0.1 Hz. to 200 Hz, can be
reproduced by inexpensive record playing equipment.
40 No high-fidelity player is required.
3. 8 This description of the invention has emphasized the
-8 2.5 - 1892 use of aural stimuli, but, as mentioned previously, the
-7 2,973 --2 4.42 stimuli may take the form of light energies for visual
-6 3.536 --3 16.818 stimulation or eletrical current for direct tactile stimula
-5 4.204 --4 20 45 tions.
-4 s --5 23.784
-3 5.946 --6 28.284 What is claimed is:
-2
-1
7.07
8.409
--7
--8
33,636
40
1. A method of making a sound recording comprising
the steps of producing and recording a first sound hav
50 ing a uniform frequency and a distinctive wave form,
From this table, it can be observed that the frequencies and simultaneously producing and recording on the
of the several stimuli bear another relationship. And same record a second sound having a different wave
that relationship is that within an octave (a range in form and having a frequency which is related to the
which the frequency is doubled) there are but three frequency of the first sound by the equation:
intermediate equally spaced frequencies. Stated some 55
what differently, the frequencies of two adjacent stimuli
are spaced no more closely than one-quarter of an oc
tave, wherein:
Another desired characteristic of the multiple stimuli f=the frequency of the first sound;
brain wave rhythm of this invention is that each stimu g=the frequency of the second sound; and
lus exhibit a discrete wave pattern different from the n=a positive or negative integer.
wave pattern of the other stimuli or stimulus. FIG. 2 2. The recording produced by the method of claim 1.
illustrates how three different aural stimuli are com k

65