Cyclic stereophonic sound pattern method and apparatus for reading improvement

• US 5,033,966 A
• Filed: 05/17/1989
• Issued: 07/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen O. Behunin
• Original Assignee: Stephen O. Behunin
• Inventors: Behunin, Stephen O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahr, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAHR, JENNIFER DOYLE
• Application Number:
  US07/353,007
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 434/178, 434/179, 434/236, 434/181, 434/182, 434/319, 600/27
• US Class Current: 434/179
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/04 for increasing the rate of reading; Reading rate control

Abstract

A reading method for reading text whereby the reader listens to a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern while reading text. The cyclic stereophonic sound pattern paces the reader'"'"'s eye movement over the text. A decrease in the pitch of the stereophonic sound pattern reduces reader stress due to learning to read more quickly. The invention also includes reading improvement apparatus used in the practice of this method.

Claims

1. A reading method to be employed by a reader comprising listening to a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern having a pitch while reading text;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern has been created by panning a recorded continuous sound source from left to right and from right to left to create a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern comprised of a "left to right then right to left" auditory cycle; and

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern paces the reader'"'"'s eye movement over the text in a "left to right then right to left" manner; and

wherein the pitch of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is adjusted.

2. A reading method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pitch is lowered while the reader reads the text.

3. A reading method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern remains constant.

4. A reading method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern increases.

5. A reading method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern remains constant.

6. A reading method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is increased.

7. A reading improvement apparatus to be used by a reader of text comprising (a) a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern having a pitch;

(b) a listening means for the reader to listen to said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern;

(c) a means for adjusting the pitch of said sound pattern;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern has been created by panning a recorded continuous sound source;

wherein said stereophonic sound pattern is comprised of a "left to right then right to left" auditory cycle; and

wherein said sound pattern is adapted to pace eye movement over said text in a "left to right then right to left" manner.

8. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a means for adjusting the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern.

9. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means for adjusting the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound patterns comprises audio tapes wherein said sound patterns are prerecorded on said tape and wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern, also prerecorded on the tape, increases.

10. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means for adjusting the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern comprises a microprocessor adapted to increase the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern.

11. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the means for adjusting the rate of the sound pattern is manually controlled.

12. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the means for adjusting the rate of the sound pattern is programmed in said microprocessor to occur automatically.

13. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a means for changing the voice of said sound pattern.

14. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a means for changing the volume of said sound pattern.

15. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the means for adjusting the pitch comprises an audio tape player and an audio tape wherein said sound pattern and said pitch are prerecorded on said tape;

and wherein said prerecorded pitch decreases as said tape is played by said audio tape player.

16. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the means for adjusting the pitch comprises a microprocessor adapted to lower the pitch of the sound pattern.

17. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said means for adjusting the pitch is manually controlled.

18. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein the means for adjusting the pitch is programmed in said microprocessor to occur automatically.

19. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 16 further comprising the means for changing the voice of said sound pattern.

20. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a means for changing the volume of said sound pattern.

21. Reading improvement apparatus comprising a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern recorded in a medium from which said sound pattern can be listened to by a reader of text either directly or with the aid of a machine;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern has been created by panning a continuous sound source;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is comprised of a "left to right then right to left" auditory cycle which is repeated when listened to by said reader;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is adapted to pace said reader'"'"'s eye movement over said text; and

said apparatus further comprising means for adjusting the pitch of said sound pattern.

22. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein the pitch of said sound pattern is lowered.

23. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is increased.

24. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern remains constant.

25. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is increased.

26. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein the rate of said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern remains constant.