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Multi-user communication system which combines means that implement the spread spectrum coding technique SSC with means that implement the modulation technique of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing OFDM. This makes it possible to inhance the performance of the SSC system by simplifying certain data processing and data acquisition mechanisms.
A preferred use is the use in telephone communication systems between mobile stations and base stations.
1. A multi-user communication system including at least one base transceiver station and a plurality of user transceiver stations for communicating a message via a plurality of carriers via said base transceiver station, said system comprising:
a first transforming circuit for transforming said message into symbols of a constellation;
a coding circuit coupled to said first transforming circuit for coding said symbols with a code by spread spectrum coding;
a transmitting circuit for transmitting said coded symbols by modulating by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing;
a receiving circuit for receiving said coded symbols by demodulating by orthogonal frequency-division demultiplexing;
a decoding circuit for decoding said demodulated coded symbols; and
a second transforming circuit for transforming said symbols into said message.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modulating circuit includes a serial-to-parallel device, a fourier transform circuit for applying an inverse fourier transform to said symbols, means for adding protection against echo symbols, a parallel-to-serial device and a circuit coupled to said parallel-to-serial device for adding additional symbols.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said modulating circuit includes a time-division/frequency-division symbol interleaving circuit transform coupled between said serial-to-parallel circuit and said fourier transform circuit.
4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said demodulating circuit includes a sampling circuit, a serial-to-parallel device coupled to said sampling circuit and a fourier transform device to generated the coded symbols.
5. A base transceiver station for transmitting a message to a plurality of user transceiver stations via a plurality of carriers, said base transceiver station comprising:
a first transforming circuit for transforming said message into symbols of a constellation;
a coding circuit coupled to said first transforming circuit for coding said symbols with a code by spread spectrum coding; and
a transmitting circuit for transmitting said coded symbols by modulating by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said demodulating circuit includes a sampling circuit, a serial-to-parallel device coupled to said sampling circuit and a fourier transform circuit to generate the coded symbols.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said demodulating means includes a time-division/frequency-division symbol de-interleaving circuit coupled to said fourier transform circuit.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein said demodulating circuit includes an automatic gain control circuit.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein said demodulating circuit includes a plurality of automatic gain control circuits, one of said automatic gain control circuits corresponding to each carrier.
10. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said decoding circuit includes automatic gain control circuit, one of said automatic gain control circuits corresponding to each carrier.
11. A base transceiver station for receiving messages transmitted by a plurality of user transceiver stations as coded symbols via a plurality of carriers, said base transceiver station comprising:
a receiving circuit for receiving said coded symbols by demodulating by orthogonal frequency-division demultiplexing;
a decoding circuit for decoding said demodulated coded symbols; and
a second transforming circuit for transforming said symbols into said message.
The invention relates to a multi-user communication system comprising at least a base transceiver station and a plurality of user transceiver stations communicating with one other over transmission channels via the base station, the system comprising:
transforming means for transforming transmit messages into symbols of a constellation at the transmitter end and means for performing reverse options in each user station at the receiver end,
coding means for coding said symbols with a code by spread spectrum coding at the transmitter end and decoding means for performing reverse operations at the reveiver end,
means for transmitting/receiving coded data over a channel.
The invention likewise relates to a user transceiver station, more specifically, either a mobile station ensuring communication by radio links, or a fixed station communicating by cables, satellites or otherwise. The invention likewise relates to a base station intended and relay messages with the object of putting mobile stations into communication with one another.
A communication system among users is to satisfy several criteria and among these criteria the criterion of confidentiality is easily satisfied. The designers of such systems are thus oriented at the use of codes for the transmission of transmit messages. A high-performance coding system is the Code Division Multiple Access CDMA system. This system presents advantages of confidentiality, robustness to disturbance, robustness to interference or degradation and can furthermore be easily dimensioned to any number of users. The principle of the CDMA system consists of spreading the frequency spectrum. Therefore, a message to be coded, formed by bits of elementary length Ts, is multiplied before transmission by a pseudo-random bit sequence having an elementary length Tc, so that Tc=Ts/L. The parameter L is the period of the sequence, that is to say, the number of bits of the sequence. Each utilizer has thus his own allocated sequence. A base station receives the coded messages coming from all the users, decodes them and then recodes them and relays them to all the users. The base station generates the communications, that is to say, it enables a user and that user alone to decode a message intended for him. Such a system makes the use of an equalizer necessary when receiving, which equalizer may become complex with a rising number of users. In effect, when echoes from a multipath environment occur, the echoes relating to a user's channel will generally not be the same as the echoes from another user's channel. The real performance of such a system is thus limited. On the other hand, it is necessary to synchronize the receiver with the beginning of each sequence, so that the received message can be decoded, which often forms a problem.
Such a system is described, for example, in the book by J. G. PROAKIS, "Digital Communications", chapter 8, pp. 800-817, published by McGraw-Hill Book Company (1989), New York.
It is an object of the invention to enhance the transmission reliability and capacity in the communications among users.
An additional object is to maintain reduced complexity in the system whilst its performance is enhanced.
These objects are achieved with the communication system defined in the opening paragraph, in which the transceiver means comprise multicarrier modulating and demodulating means by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing.
Thus, advantageously an equalizer for equalizing the signals which have been subject to echoes caused by a multipath environment need no longer be used at the receiver end. In effect, when organizing the modulated signal in the form of successive frames which are constituted by blocks comprising check intervals, it is possible to absorb all the delays caused by multiple paths. Neither are there any problems of synchronization with the beginning of each coding sequence, because all the synchronization mechanisms are derived from those used by the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing. The choice and the number of coding sequences is much greater. The transmitted energy is much better frequency-divided over the channel, which renders this system more robust to selective fading. Moreover, the secondary lobes have less energy, which renders the system less sensitive to interference from adjacent channels. The combination of the spread spectrum technique with the technique of multicarrier orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) thus brings novel performance and advantages.
A system according to the invention is formed by user transceiver stations which may be mobile, and at least a base station which is fixed. The base station covers what is referred to as a cell, that is to say, it has a certain operating range. Beyond this operating range there is another base station which takes over the relay when the mobile station has left the boundaries of the cell. Advantageously, due to the invention, one cell can have a larger size whereas, previously, the increase of the size required enhanced complexity of the equalizer.
Each user station comprises transmitter means for transmitting to the base station and means for decoding only the messages intended for that user station.
The base station comprises transmitter means for transmitting to all the user stations and receiver means for receiving messages sent by all the user stations and management means for managing the communications traffic among the user stations.
In a user station or a base station the modulating means comprise:
input serial/parallel converter means for coded transmit symbols,
means for simultaneously applying an inverse Fourier transform to the symbols to be transmitted on the plurality of carriers,
means for adding protection symbols against echoes,
parallel/serial converter means,
means for forming frames of symbol blocks and for adding special symbol blocks.
The special symbols may be synchronization symbols, service symbols, channel estimation symbols or other symbols.
Similarly, the demodulating means comprise:
a sampler
input serial/parallel converter means for received modulated data,
means for applying a direct Fourier transform to produce said received coded symbols,
parallel/serial converter means.
The means for applying an inverse Fourier transform can be preceded by time-division/frequency-division symbol interleaving means. In that case the means for applying a direct Fourier transform are followed by time-division/frequency-division symbol de-interleaving means.
At the receiver end one or several automatic gain control module(s) may be added for taking signal attenuations into consideration. These modules may be disposed at the receiver end either downstream of the correlator(s) which applies (apply) the pseudo-random sequence(s) used for the coding at the transmitter end, or with each coded message assigned to each carder at the output of the means for applying the direct Fourier transform.
These different aspects of the invention and other aspects too will become apparent and be explained with respect to the embodiments to be described hereinafter.
The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following Figures shown by way of non-limiting examples which represent in:
FIG. 1: a circuit diagram of a transceiver processing system functioning in a user station.
FIG. 2: a general circuit diagram of part of a communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 3A: a circuit diagram (A) of known principle for spread spectrum coding and FIG. 3b an associated decoding circuit diagram operating in a user station.
FIG. 4A: 2 coding diagram and FIG. 4B 2 decoding circuit diagram of the same known principle applied to the base station.
FIG. 5: a circuit diagram of an OFDM multiplexer intended to be used with a multicarrier transmission.
FIG. 6: a circuit diagram of an OFDM demultiplexer.
FIG. 7A: 2 circuit diagram with interleaving of the symbols at the transmitter end and FIG. 7B with de-interleaving of the symbols at the receiver end.
FIG. 8: a circuit diagram of a demultiplexer of a user station comprising automatic gain control.
FIG. 9: a circuit diagram of a decoder of a base station comprising automatic gain control.
FIG. 10: a general circuit diagram of a multi-user communication system.
FIG. 11: a symbol distribution diagram covering a period of time μTs.
FIG. 12: two curves of the frequency response of a conventional spread spectrum system and of a system according to the invention.
FIG. 10 symbolically shows a multi-user communication system (U1, U2 . . . Uk . . . UM), where M is the total number of users. All the users communicate via two-way links with a base station B. This base station B serves as a relay to put two user stations into communication with each other. A base station has a coverage area. With the user stations being a priori mobile stations, a user station U2 (or several of them) can leave the coverage area of a base station B1. In this case another base station B2 participates in the management of the communications. The two base stations B1, B2 then exchange management information signals to put a user station U1 (of the coverage area of B1) into contact with a user station U2 (of the coverage area of B2).
A conventional processing array used in an arbitrary user station is shown in FIG. 1. At the transmitter end it comprises in a series combination:
coding means 10 for coding transmit messages Me and transforming them into symbols Se of a constellation,
spread spectrum coding means SSC 12 for coding the transmit symbols Se,
and modulating means 14 which modulate a carrier with digital data in the baseband, which data represent the symbols. The transmission is then effected over channel CHA 16.
The means 10 for coding the message Me comprise in a series combination:
analog/digital converter means A/D which may be followed by a source coder SOUR. COD. 13,
a channel coder CHAN. COD. 15,
and an allocation element MAPP 17 for the digital data in a constellation.
This may relate to QAM, QPSK, BPSK or other constellations. The source coder 13 and the channel coder 15 cannot be used according to the characteristics of the communication channel. Similarly, the A/D converter 11 and the source coder 13 cannot be used if the message Me is available in digital form (link 9). Conversely, the converter is used, for example, in the case of spoken messages for telephone communications from mobile user stations.
A user station also comprises means for receiving data coming from other user stations via the base station. Therefore, it also comprises:
demodulating means 24 for extracting the baseband digital data which represent the received coded symbols Scr,
decoding means SSC-1 22 for decoding received symbols Sr, said decoding means 22 performing the reverse operations to those: performed by the coding means 12,
decoding means 20 for decoding the received messages Mr in response to the received symbols Sr by performing the reverse operations to those performed at the transmitter end by the coding means 10.
The decoding means 20 comprise, in a series combination, channel decoding means CHAN DECOD 27, source decoding means SOUR. DECOD 23 and digital/analog converter means D/A 21. These means exist in the cases where the reverse coding operations have previously been performed at the transmitter end.
The invention basically relates to the modulating means 14 when digital data are transmitted which represent symbols Se and the demodulating means 24 for extracting received symbols Sr, whilst means 24 perform at the receiver end the reverse operations to those performed at the transmitter end.
FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of a communication system according to the invention, comprising a base station B and user stations, for example, two stations U1 and U2. Since the user stations have the same transceiver means, only station U1 will be described in detail hereinafter, it being understood that a transmitting station communicates with another station then operating as a receiving station.
According to the invention a spread spectrum coding SSC is combined with a multicarrier orthogonal frequency-division multiplex OFDM modulation. At the receiver end the reverse operations are performed in a reverse order.
Station U1 comprises coding means 10 which produce symbols Se. These are then coded in the spread spectrum coding device SSC 12 followed by a multiplexer OFDM 14n and a multicarrier modulator 14m, the digital data being transmitted as has previously been described.
These data which may be altered by the transmit channel CHA1 arrive at the base station B as data Pmr. They are demodulated in a demodulator DEMOD 24Bm, then demultiplexed by demultiplexing means OFDM-1 24Bn to produce the received coded symbols Pcr, then a decoding SSC-1 22B which is the reverse to that performed at the transmitter end, produces decoded symbols P. These symbols P are in their turn recoded at the base station by coding means SSC 12B and multiplexed by a multiplexer OFDM 14Bn, then relayed via a multicarrier modulator 14Bm. The transmit symbols arrive through a channel CHA2 which may be different from the preceding channel, at another user station U2 which acts as a receiving station. Let us consider the case where the station U1 operates as the receiving station of another transmitting station. This receiving station receives modulated symbols Star which are demodulated by the demodulator DEMOD 24m and then demultiplexed by a demultiplexer OFDM-1 24n which produces received coded symbols Scr, which symbols are then decoded by decoding means SSC-1 22 which decoding means perform a reverse decoding of the SSC coding performed at the transmitter end.
The base station B receives all the data coming from all the user stations. These data arrive superimposed on those in the same frequency band at the input of the base station. This base station manages the communications. For this purpose, when a station U1 is to be put into contact with a station U2, the base station B recodes the transmit message either with the sequence of the user station for which the message is intended, or with the same sequence as that of the transmitting station, and the base station sends to the receiving station the sequence belonging to the transmitting station, so that the receiving station can decode the messages arriving there through the channel.
FIGS. 3 and 4 describe the known spread spectrum coding/decoding technique implemented by the invention.
FIG. 3 represents a circuit diagram (A) of the principle of the spread spectrum coding SSC used for messages coming from a single source. For this purpose, a digital symbol Se of the constellation in the baseband and having time period Ts is multiplied at the transmitter end in a multiplier 30 by a pseudo-random sequence PNi coming from a periodic sequence generator 32e. The sequence may be invariable for each user station. In this case the sequence generator may be a memory which permanently stores the sequence PNi. The sequence PNi is formed by a bit sequence of binary period Tc, where Ts=L.Tc. The parameter L forms the period of the sequence. L coded symbols Sce at the output of the multiplier 30 correspond to each symbol Se. This is translated in the frequency domain by a wider band, thus a spread spectrum. In the conventional techniques the coded symbol Sce is then transmitted as indicated in FIG. 1. At the receiver end, still in the baseband, the received coded symbol Scr is fed (FIG. 3-B) to a correlator 34 which receives from a generator 32r either pseudo-random sequence PNi, identical with that used by the transmitting station which sends the symbol, or its own sequence PNj if the base station has thus re-coded the symbols. The output of the correlator generally ends in a decision circuit 36 which produces the uncoded received symbol Sr which is an estimate of the transmitted symbol Se. If the decoding is not a decision decoding, the decision element 36 is not used. The estimate is then made in the processing stages that follow.
FIG. 3 represents the mechanisms used in arbitrary user stations. FIG. 4 represents the mechanisms used in a base station which communicates with these user stations.
A base station comprises both a transmitting and a receiving section. Elements of the transmitting section are diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4-A. Various digital symbols Se 1 . . . Se j . . . Se M are to be transmitted. Each of these symbols is multiplied in the multiplier 301 . . . 30j . . . 30M respectively, by the pseudo-random sequence PN1 . . . PNj . . . PNM respectively, belonging to each user station. All the outputs are regrouped in a summator 35 to be transmitted via the modulator through the channel (FIG. 1). The receiving section is represented diagrammatically in FIG. 4-B. All the messages arrive at the base station and are combined to a symbol sequence to be decoded Scr. These symbols enter a set of correlators 401 . . . 40j . . . 40M which receive the pseudo-random sequences PN1 . . . PNj . . . PNM respectively, which are identical with those used at the transmitter end. As described above, the outputs of the correlators generally enter the decision elements 421 . . . 42j . . . 42M respectively, which produce each an estimate Sr 1 . . . Sr j . . . . Shd rM . . . of the transmitted symbols. The base station may work in two different ways: when it receives a signal coded with a sequence PNi intended for a user station using a sequence PNj, the base station can either recode the received message with the sequence PNj used by the receiving station of the message, or recode the received message with the sequence PNi and transmit to the receiving station the sequence that is to be used for decoding.
FIGS. 3 and 4 describe the known technique of spread spectrum coding. According to the invention this coding is followed at the transmitter end by an additional multicarrier modulation stage via orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing, and at the receiver end a stage is included performing reverse operations.
FIG. 5 is an example of a basic circuit diagram of an OFDM multiplexer 14n. The digital data representing the coded transmit symbols Sce, coming from the coder SSC 12, undergo a serial/parallel conversion in a block 50. The parallel data enter an Nth order inverse Fourier transform computation element FFT-1 52 which produces N parallel output signals.
At a given instant the N parallel output signals form part of an OFDM dam block. A device 54 adds data corresponding to a check interval to this data block part. This consists of copying certain data.
FIG. 11 gives a detailed representation of the mechanisms used for the construction of an OFDM data block. A symbol Se has a complex value in general. The first curve represents a state sequence of a symbol Se to be coded. A symbol Se has a time period Ts. A sequence having various symbols, for example μ symbols, is considered to correspond to a period of time μ.Ts.
After these symbols Se have passed through the coder SSC 12 (FIG. 2), they become the coded symbols Sce. A symbol Se thus becomes L symbols Sce. For the period of time μTs one thus has μL symbols Sce.
Block 50 (FIG. 5) performs a serial/parallel conversion and produces in parallel the μL symbols which enter block 52 that performs an Nth order inverse Fourier transform, so that N=2k >μL, where k is an integer. Therefore, the μL symbols are completed by a number of L1=(N-μL)/2 "0" data on either side of the input of block 52 (referenced X). If N-μL is odd, the beginning or end of the block obtains an additional symbol. To allow N symbols to leave afterwards during an interval μTs, block 52 functions with a shorter period, which is μ.Ts/N (referenced Y). The N symbols leaving block 52 are in their turn completed by KG symbols, which corresponds to a check interval Δ=KG.T'c that forms a protection. The KG symbols correspond to a copy of the last of the N preceding symbols. These KG symbols are affixed to the N symbols to form a data block of (KG +N) symbols to be transmitted (referenced Z). There too the check block 54 works with a still shorter period of time (T'c=μtTs/(N+KG)), so that at a later stage, a serial output signal of (KG +N) symbols is possible for a duration which is kept equal to μTs. A parallel/serial converter 56 converts the (KG +N) symbols to the serial mode. The successive blocks of (KG +N) OFDM symbols are then organized in an OFDM frame in a device 58 referenced FRAME. This device 58 adds special symbols 53 (synchronization, wobbling or other symbols) which are used, for example, for synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver or for estimating the channel. A low-pass filter LPF 59 filters the signals before they are transmitted by the multicarrier modulator 14m, 14Bm (FIG. 2).
At the receiver end the received modulated symbols Smr are demodulated by the demodulator 24m (FIG. 2) and then enter the device OFDM-1 24n, which carries out a reverse process to that carried out at the transmitter end. The device 24n comprises in a series combination (FIG. 6):
a low-pass filter 69
a sampler 63 with a timing 1/T'c,
a serial/parallel converter 66 which produces N useful signals and which thus discards the KG symbols received during the check interval,
a calculation element 62 for a direct Fourier transform which produces a sequence of N symbol blocks.
a parallel/serial converter 60 which processes these μL symbols and produces the received coded symbols Scr. These symbols Scr enter the decoder SSC-1 22, 22B described before (FIG. 3, FIG. 4-B).
The ends of the N-symbol blocks are waived to save only the central part which comprises μL symbols.
FIG. 12 shows the spectral power density of the transmitted signal plotted against frequency. Curve 70 corresponds to a conventional spread spectrum system, and curve 72 corresponds to a system according to the invention, which combines the spread spectrum techniques with the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing techniques for transmission by multicarriers. The horizontal scale corresponds to a baseband frequency Fn normalized relative to the useful band of the signal. The vertical scale corresponds to the spectral density expressed in dB. It is noted that for a monocarrier system the spectrum 70 presents maximum energy in the centre, but that the energy decreases very rapidly in the useful band. In contrast, for a multicarrier system, the spectrum 72 is rectangular, which shows that the energy transmitted for all the carriers remains constant in the useful band of the signal. There is thus a better use of the transmit channel which renders the transmissions more reliable and reduces the complexity of the receiving circuits. It is noted that the energy outside the useful band is much smaller for a multicarrier system than for a monocamer system.
If the channel can be subject to multipath interference, it is desirable to interleave symbols at the transmitter end and de-interleave symbols at the receiver end.
The circuit diagram shown in FIG. 7-A is a modified version of FIG. 5. Between the device S/P 50 and the device FFT-1 52 is inserted an interleaver ENT 51 which interleaves the symbols in accordance with known techniques.
Reciprocally, the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 7-B is a modified version of FIG. 6. Between the device FFT 62 and the device P/S 60 is inserted a de-interleaver ENT-1 61 which performs the reverse operations to those performed at the transmitter end.
The interleaving/de-interleaving operations are not desired, for example, in the case of direct satellite links.
The circuit diagrams of the OFDM multiplexers shown in FIGS. 5 and/or 7-A are used for realising the OFDM multiplexer 14n of a user station and for realising the OFDM multiplexer 14Bn of a base station.
Similarly, the circuit diagrams of the demultiplexers represented in FIGS. 6 and/or 7-B are used for realising the demultiplexer 24n of a user station and for realising the demultiplexer 24Bn of a base station.
The transmit channels can be subject to fading which alters the received signals. This fading can occur in the frequency and/or time-division domain. Therefore, it is desirable to perform an automatic gain control at the receiver end.
FIG. 8 shows a partial circuit diagram of the receiving section of a user station with automatic gain control AGC. It corresponds to the diagram of FIG. 7 in which each of the μL signals assigned to each carder and coming from the de-interleaver 61 is produced by an AGC device 631 -63.sub.μL. When there is no de-interleaver 61, the AGC devices are arranged at the output of the block FFT 62.
In a user station it is also possible to perform an aggregate automatic gain control by inserting an AGC device between the correlator 34 and the decision element 36 of FIG. 3-B.
FIG. 9 shows a partial circuit diagram of the receiving section of a base station with automatic gain control AGC. This circuit diagram corresponds to the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 4. In this case the better performance is obtained by inserting an AGC device 651 -65M for each user at the output of each correlator 401 -40M so as to individually correct the imperfections caused by each channel.
The combination of the spread spectrum coding with a multicarrier modulation by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing presents various advantages.
It is no longer necessary to perform a synchronization with the beginning of each sequence at the receiver end as required by the SSC technique when used alone.
Due to the use of a multicarrier modulation, there is a much wider choice of the pseudo-random sequences. In effect, it is permitted to have differences with respect to intercorrelation at any non-zero instants, of the sequences PN used, which is not the case if the SSC technique is used alone.
The OFDM signals are organized in frames. Since each user station has its own frame, the synchronization mechanisms at the receiver end are simplified. Moreover, the use of a check interval per data block makes it possible to do away with all the uncertainties that could appear no less caused by variable propagation delays which depend on the distances between transmitter and receiver than caused by delays owing to multiple paths. Particularly the propagation delays are linked with the coverage area of the base station. It is noted that the existence of the check interval makes it possible to increase this coverage area compared with the conventional SSC techniques and this without adding to the complexity of the software used. In the case of the conventional SSC technique one would of necessity need a complex equalizer to surmount these difficulties.
Moreover, according to the invention, the energy is distributed more uniformly over the channel, which renders the system more resistant to fading. The energy of the secondary lobes is much weaker for a multicarrier system than for a monocamer system.
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When school's out for you, the library is a very active place! Thanks to a Young Adult Library Services Association/Dollar General Store grant, we can hire two summer reading interns for 60 hours apiece.
We are looking for students going into grade 11 or 12 who love the library, love working with younger kids, have excellent communication skills, and can roll with the crazy-busy atmosphere in Youth Services during the summer. Interns must be able to work in June and July, and have good computer skills for keeping track of statistics and helping raise our profile on social media sites like Flickr.
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79 local teens voted in our annual Teen Choice Awards! Without any further adieu, here are the winners, determined by a straight count of your votes.
1. Glad You Came by The Wanted
2. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
2. Set Fire to the Rain by Adele
2. The Motto by Drake
Music Video
1. Glad You Came by The Wanted
2. Turn Me On by Nicki Minaj
3. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
3. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
Musical Artist *
1. The Wanted
2. Drake
2. Adele
4. One Direction
5. Nicki Minaj
5. Katy Perry
Video Game
1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops
3. Super Mario Brothers
4. Mario Kart
4. Sims 3
1. Hunger Games
2. Breaking Dawn: Part 1
3. A Walk to Remember
3. Up
TV Show
1. Pretty Little Liars
2. Victorious
3. The Game
3. Secret Circle
5. Jersey Shore
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Thinking about college? Struggling to decide on a major or save for tuition? These two upcoming programs are designed to help!
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Free Jazz Concert! Come out to support Gemini Jazz Band as they prepare for the Illinois Music Education Convention.
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The band program was eliminated from the school budget in the spring of 2004, but since its re-inception in 2005-2006, the Gemini Jazz Band has been a very strong part of the community. They perform regularly at malls, nursing homes, hospitals and bookstores. They have also been invited to represent the school district at area awards, banquets and dinners for the East Maine Township, Niles Chamber of Commerce, and Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce.
Since their re-inception in 2005, the jazz band has regularly attended festivals such as the North Shore Jazz Festival at Glenbrook South High School, the Jazz in the Meadows Jazz Festival at Rolling Meadows High School, and the Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival at New Trier High School. They have earned a 1st division superior rating at every jazz festival they have attended since 2005 and have ranked in the top three of every competitive festival they have attended since 2007.
Individual students from the band have earned honors as Outstanding Soloists at the North Shore Jazz Festival and Most Outstanding Soloist at the Jazz in the Meadows Jazz Festival in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
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Call 847-663-6613 or email email@example.com with any questions.
* The Grand prize winner must be 12-18 years old and have a Niles Library card in good standing.
The winner of our annual Teen Read Week Art Contest is Anna Koziol of Niles, IL. Here is her winning artwork:
Her banner will decorate this blog beginning November 1, and will rotate monthly with the other finalists chosen by our teen advisory board and librarians. Here is the full list of finalists:
2nd Place (tie): Nora Benson, Sergio F.
3rd Place (tie): Carolin Moy, Miguel P.
Finalists: Karyn M., Sava K.
Congratulations! All of their artwork can be viewed on our flickr site. Meet some of the artists at an art show and concert at he library this Sunday, October 30 from 2-4pm. Local band The Copy Chiefs will perform at 2:00, and there will be refreshments.
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries this year.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wells Fargo on Wednesday laid off another 102 Minnesota employees in its home mortgage division -- its third round of cuts since August.
The Minnesota layoffs were part of a larger move to cut 925 home mortgage employees nationwide. As in previous layoffs, the company cited lower demand for mortgage refinancing as the cause of its decision.
"While interest rates remain very favorable by historical standards for homebuyers, a recent rise in rates has affected consumer demand for mortgage refinancing, causing volumes to fall below what we experienced throughout 2012 and early 2013," Wells Fargo spokeswoman Peggy Gunn said in an email. "We are reducing staff in Minnesota to respond to this shift in demand and to better align and increase the efficiency of our organization."
All told, the company has laid off about 430 of its Minnesota home mortgage employees since August. It employs about 20,000 in Minnesota, about 8,000 of those in its home mortgage division.
-- Nick Woltman


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Gareth Porter: The Iranian proposals for change indicate Tehran believes that the IAEA draft is intended to keep Iran under suspicion for an indefinite period as part of a larger negotiating strategy by the United States and its allies.
How The Media Got The Parchin Access Story Wrong
The Top 10 Best and Worst of U.S. Politics in 2011
ObamaCare Passed Passing Up Reproductive Justice
Why Service Workers Are On Strike at University of California Campuses and Medical Centers
Over 8,500 service workers represented by AFSCME Local 3299 began striking at ten UC campuses and five medical centers yesterday. They have been negotiating for almost a year for a fair contract, but have remained deadlocked for months. An overwhelming 97.5 percent of the workers authorized a strike in May. These workers do everything from […]


text:
On Censorship
Cowards' favorite weapon
New in the Website
"This is Skinny Smith reporting for Radio NYC from the scene of the last incredible event. I am standing in front of the giant – towering high above the city – that was seen killing an orphan earlier today. I am trying to take a statement from him, though under the circumstances that may turn out to be difficult.
"I'm getting close to him; I'll try to ask a few questions. I can see the photographer of a major newspaper in town attempting to get a good picture of the giant. The giant attention is wandering; he does not look at me anymore and is lowering his head toward the photographer. He'll get a great picture."
(Unclear crunching sound followed by the sound of vomiting)
(Unclear noise)
"My God, my God. He ate the photographer. He is getting close to me."
"Why did you eat the photographer?"
"He took a picture from my bad angle."
"Is that a reason for killing a man?"
"I don't like bad press."
"Would you accept to participate in an exclusive interview with NYC Radio, with the friends of the dead orphan?"
"I'll love it, if my conditions are met."
"What are your conditions?"
"I choose the interviewers, the questions, I'll have time to repare the answers, and I'll be holding a weapon on my hands at all times, just in case. The friends should not be asked any questions and would not say anything."
"Come on, you can't be serious. That's not a fair interview; you don't give any space to the other side, the victims."
"I cannot afford any criticism that may damage my businesses."
"Why did you kill the orphan?"
"Hey! He criticized me."
"I don't understand. What crime did he commit?"
"He called me 'giant'"
"I understand you consider that a defamation. Where are you from?"
"I'm local here, but I like to wander in Gaza and the West Bank."
"But you allowed recent criticism on the recent events in Gaza."
"Read the texts published in the Hebrew media. There it was clearly mentioned these events were to be made public to create fear among Gaza's denizens."
"Please instruct me, how should I address you?"
"You can use my name: Israel, the Last Victim."
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
My articles on the web are my main income these days; please donate or buy The Cross of Bethlehem or Back in Bethlehem.


text:
German Language Schools in Darmstadt, Germany
Find the best German school at a good price. Comparison of quality, reviews and offers on German courses for adults and students in Darmstadt.
1 language school in Darmstadt, ranging from 525 € to 525 € for a 2 weeks German course including accommodation.
|Overall student rating:
|3.2/5.0 (4 reviews)
|Quality of teaching:
|social activity and excursion program,:
Price example (2 weeks):
|525 €
|250 €
|Main Course (German Course - 20 lessons per week)
|+ 250 €
|Hall of Residence Category I (Rhein 32), Single room, No meals
|+ 25 €
|School's administrative fee
F+U Academy of Languages, Darmstadt: The school is conveniently located just a three-minute walk from Darmstadt's main railway station, next to the new Intercity Hotel... More
Darmstadt: In the early 20th century, Darmstadt was an important centre for art and architecture and is now famous for its Art Nouveau buildings, the artist colony Mathildenhöhe in particular, and is home to the Hundertwasser house called "Waldespirale". There are also beautiful gardens around the city like the baroque Orangerie and the Rosenhöhe. In the nearby town of Mühltal you will find the ruins of Castle Frankenstein, possible inspiration for the novel of the same name. Did not find what you are looking for? Compare more German schools in Augsburg, Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Lindau, Mainz, Munich, Radolfzell, Stuttgart or get comparison of all schools in Germany .
Worldwide most visited independent site for booking language courses, German lessons & German language classes & German language study abroad programs at German schools in Germany.


text:
Volkswagen's Super Bowl teaser ad The Bark Side was top dog in January in Unruly's Global Ads Chart. The 60-second ad, created by LA agency Deutsch, attracted 646,766 shares last month, easily making it the most popular ad.
Certainly, the Force is strong with the German auto manufacturers' Star Wars-themed commercial, which features dogs dressed up as various characters from Star Wars barking Jon Williams' much-loved theme, The Imperial March.
The Bark Side feels like the natural successor to Deutsch's 2011 Super Bowl ad for the Volkswagen Passat, The Force - the most shared ad of all time.
It reprises much of the same content and emotional triggers, cleverly substituting a cute boy dressed up as Darth Vader with some even cuter pooches dressed up as various Star Wars characters. It even uses the same tune.
The ad also shows just how Internet-savvy Deutsch and Volkswagen are. Using a whippet dressed up as an AT-AT may serve as the perfect funny punch line, but it is also a clear nod to meme culture and, in particular, web sensation Bones Mello.
But while The Bark Side dominated the pre-match buzz during January, it is questionable whether it will remain the most popular Super Bowl ad of 2012.
Its biggest rivals for the top spot are Volkswagen's official game day ad, The Dog Strikes Back, and Honda's brilliant big game spot, Matthew's Day Off, which, despite only being launched on January 27, still managed to generate over 212,000 shares in 4 days, making it the fourth most popular ad last month.
The ad, for the Honda CR-V, sees a middle-aged Matthew Broderick reprise his role as 80s movie legend Ferris Bueller – 26 years since he last played the teenage skiver in the rites-of-passage film, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
And what an ad it is - a real homage to the 1986 cult movie. Created by RPA, it features Bueller doing what he does best - skiving. In fact, it's like Broderick has never been away.
Firstly, he calls in sick to a film shoot and then enjoys a good old day of slacking. Among other things, he rides a roller coaster, visits the local national history museum, goes to the racetrack, and, of course, sings at a parade. The commercial was also boosted by a controversial 10-second teaser, released a few days earlier.
It featured Broderick throwing open the curtains in a posh bedroom suite and offering an updated take on his famous line from Ferris Bueller's Day Off: "How can I handle work on a day like today?" We were even treated to a blast of Yello's Oh Yeah, the theme song to the iconic 80s hit, just in case you were in any doubt that you were watching the return of one of the most loved movie characters of the last 40 years.
The teaser clip also attracted some criticism for its lack of transparency. Because there was no brand name associated with the video, only the date of the Super Bowl, some Ferris fans were excitedly speculating it was actually a trailer for the much-anticipated sequel to Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
But auto blog Jalopnik was not fooled. Despite Honda initially denying it, the website revealed the 10-second teaser was actually an ad for the new Honda CR-V.
Honda finally came clean, releasing the full ad a few days later. However, with both videos appearing in the top 10, the controversy has certainly not affected the campaign.
Another ad to benefit from a touch of controversy is Megaupload's Mega Song. The file-hosting service has dominated the headlines recently, with founder Kim Dotcom arrested and the site shut down by the U.S. Justice Department over alleged copyright infringements.
Major industry organisations such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) have both attacked the site for allegedly 'facilitating online piracy'.
But Megaupload has some very well-known celebrity supporters, who voiced their support in a surprisingly catchy music video. Kim Kardashian, Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Diddy and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are just some of the famous faces who appear. The video attracted 620,978 shares last month, putting it second in the chart.
One place behind in third is a magical ad from Toronto bookstore Type Books, which celebrates the "Joy of Books". It's a superb stop-motion short film clip that features books playfully coming alive inside the store after hours.
Other new ads to make it on to the top 10 are a Tunisian short film created by FP7 McCann Tunisia for Coca-Cola, a trailer for the highly-anticipated second season of TV show Game of Thrones, an LG ad which comes up with a very clever way to demonstrate the thinnest television in the world and a commercial for the British Heart Foundation, which stars the rather unlikely combination of Vinnie Jones and the Bee Gees.
Top 10 Global Online Video Ads
1. Volkswagen: The Bark Side
Shares during January: 646,766
2. Megaupload- Mega Song
Shares during January: 620,978
3. Type - The Joy of Books
Shares during January: 236,355
4. Honda - Matthew's Day Off
Shares during January: 212,222
5. Coca-Cola - Si Lemhaf - Kharrej Legrinta Elli Fik
Shares during January: 185,133
6. Game of Thrones Season 2 - Shadow Tease
Shares during January: 130,576
7. Honda - Coming Soon
Shares during January: 81,344
8. GEICO - Maxwell the Pig Returns! Zip-line Piggy
Shares during January: 80,011
9. British Heart Foundation - Vinnie Jones' Hard and Fast Hands- CPR only
Shares during January: 79,767
10. LG - Smart Thief Caught on Cam
Shares during January: 62,888


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News Section: Local Government
This Week in Local Government: January 13-17, 2014
BRADENTON – The Palmetto City Commission will have a workshop and regular meeting Monday night. A Manatee School Board workshop that will include a discussion on CAPE and SAC funding will be held on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a regular meeting containing a public hearing on adopting an amendment to the district's electronic communications usage policy, and an Internal Audit report. A BOCC workshop on Drug Court and display racks on county beaches will also take place on Tuesday; a Bradenton City Council workshop and a City of Bradenton Planning Commission will also convene on Tuesday, and Manatee Planning Commission and Port Authority meetings will end this week in local government board meetings on Thursday.
Monday January 13
Palmetto City Commission Workshop (Agenda)
4:30 p.m.
Palmetto City Hall
516 8th Avenue West
Palmetto City Commission Meeting (Agenda)
7:00 p.m.
Palmetto City Hall
516 8th Avenue West
Tuesday January 14
Manatee County Commission Work Session (Agenda)
9:00 a.m.
Manatee Room
4th floor, County Administration Building
1112 Manatee Ave West
Manatee County School Board Workshop (Agenda)
3:00 p.m.
Manatee County School Board Building
215 Manatee Avenue West
Manatee County School Board Meeting (Agenda)
5:45 p.m.
Manatee County School Board Building
215 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton City Council Workshop
9:00 a.m.
Auditorium Conference Room
1005 Barcarrota Boulevard
City of Bradenton Planning Commission Workshop/Meeting (Agenda)
1:30 p.m. (workshop), 2 p.m. (meeting)
Bradenton City Hall Council Chambers
101 Old Main Street
Thursday January 16
Manatee County Planning Commission Meeting
9:00 a.m.
BOCC Chambers
1st floor County Administration Building
1112 Manatee Avenue West
Manatee County Port Authority Meeting (Agenda)
10:30 a.m.
Port Manatee Intermodal Center
1905 Intermodal Circle
Editor's Note: This Week in Local Government lists scheduled meetings of the various municipal governments who are covered in this publication, for which meeting results will be posted the next day after the meeting occurs. That includes the Manatee County Commission, Manatee County Planning Commission, Tourist Development Council and Port Authority, as well as the Manatee School Board, Sarasota-Manatee MPO, Bradenton City Council and Palmetto City Commission. For other meetings including island governments, downtown development authorities, CRA, fire boards, historical councils, code enforcement boards, and nuisance abatement boards, please refer to the specific municipality's calendar on their official website. In instances where multiple boards convene on the same day and we are not able to cover all meetings due to staff limitations, meetings are prioritized for coverage at our discretion.
Join the conversation post Facebook comments here or on our site at the bottom of article.
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Only a few hours away really.
The house is just outside beautiful Saumur in the community of Doué La Fontaine, the French national centre for rose growing and the largest such area for Europe- seven million roses perhaps can't be wrong!
Just outside the town is our tranquil home.
The Loire is not only a prime wine producing area but also an amazing holiday location for cycling, horse riding, painting,hiking/pilgrimage routes and golfing. You are also within easy reach of the cities of Tours and Angers and close to ""must see"" historic Chinon, Fontevraud and the famous Loire chateaux.
The Loire Valley is a UNESCO world heritage site abounding with history, culture, fine cities, vineyards, friendly people and classic French countryside.
Useful web-sites to check out:
Saumur activities-
Wines from the region-
www the winedoctor.com
The world famous equestrian displays-
French genealogy research-
www.pilgrim.peterrobins.co.uk lescheminsdumontsaintmichel.com
Website Builder
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text:
A device for inducing the brain waves of a user to assume a predetermined frequency comprising a playback device, stereo earphones, and at least one light mounted on glasses in front of each eye of the user. Three separate control signals are pre-recorded superimposed onto a single control track. This composite signal is read by the playback device and is decomposed into the separate control signals by filters in a decoder/controller. One control signal drives a first LED and another drives a second LED. The number of sinusoids within the first and second control signal determine the light intensity. The third control signal is passed alternately to two speakers, with the switching between the speakers being controlled by the state of the first and second control signal. Conventional earphones and a conventional tape player may be used. The invention may be used to selectively activate the pins of a parallel port on a personal computer, to which are connected the LEDs. Also, the invention may include a mercury tilt switch mounted to the spectacles worn by the user to determine if he is dozing off and transitioning into the Theta brain wave state. The spectacles have optional peep holes in the lenses.
1. A brain wave synchronizer for stimulating the brain of a user to obtain a brain wave synchronization frequency, comprising:
a personal computer including
a medium containing an audio program and a brain wave synchronization program,
a reader means for reading the audio program and the brain wave synchronization program,
a controller means for receiving the audio program and brain wave synchronization program read by the reader means, a power source connected to the controller means,
an interface port connected to the controller outputting from the personal computer a brain wave synchronization control signal and an audio control signal from the controller means in accordance with the brain wave synchronization program and the audio program;
a light emitting device, connected to the interface port and actuated in accordance with the brain wave synchronization control signal, adapted to be disposed proximal to an eye of the user; and
an audio emission device, connected to the interface port and actuated in accordance with the audio control signal, adapted to be disposed proximal to an ear of the user;
whereby the light emitting device and the audio emission device stimulate the user's brain.
2. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 1, wherein the medium includes a magnetic memory in the personal computer.
3. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 1, wherein the interface port further comprises a parallel port.
4. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 1, wherein the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode mounted to an opaque lens of a spectacle frame adapted to be worn by the user, and the audio emission device includes an electromagnetic transducer.
5. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 4, wherein the synchronizer further comprises a motion sensor mounted on the spectacle frame, and a tone generator powered by the power source and connected to the motion sensor.
6. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 5, wherein the motion sensor includes a mercury switch.
7. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 6, wherein the opaque lens of the spectacle includes a peep hole.
8. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 7, wherein the audio emission device further comprises headphones.
9. The brain wave synchronizer of claim 4, wherein the spectacle further comprises a motion sensor connected to the controller, wherein the controller outputs a detect signal through the interface port to the audio emission device.
10. An arrangement, including earphones having first and second speakers and a stereo connector, for inducing brain waves with a predetermined synchronization frequency in the brain of a user, comprising:
a recording medium with at least one, prerecorded control track, wherein the track includes a pulsed waveform signal having a frequency greater than a predetermined threshold flicker rate;
a playback device being arranged to read the control track and to generate an electrical control signal corresponding to the control track;
a visual presentation means for screening the eyes of the user from ambient light;
a motion sensor disposed on the visual presentation means;
a tone generator, electrically connected to the motion sensor, and providing a tone signal to the earphones;
a connector means for connecting the visual presentation means electrically with the playback device;
first and second lights, each mounted on the visual presentation means in front of a respective eye of the user;
light-switching means for activating the first and second lights at the predetermined threshold flicker rate when the control signal has a substantially non-zero amplitude;
sound-switching means for applying the control signal to the first and second speakers of the earphones and for producing audible tones; and
a power source connected to the arrangement.
11. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined threshold flicker rate is approximately 40 Hertz.
12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the recording medium includes a magnetic data medium.
13. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the first and second lights further comprise a light emitting diode.
14. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the motion sensor includes a tilt switch.
15. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the arrangement further comprises an unitary housing, and the recording medium and the playback device are contained in the unitary housing.
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/878,825, filed May 5, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,228.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for inducing desired brain wave frequencies in a user by presenting periodic visual and audio signals to the eyes and ears of the user, respectively.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known that the human brain generates periodic electrical signals, commonly referred to as "brain waves." These brain waves range in frequency from about 1 Hz to about 36 Hz and, for ease of reference, are commonly divided into four or more groups. "Beta" waves (12 to 36 Hz) tend to dominate in the brain during normal waking activity; "Alpha" waves (8 to 12 Hz) have been discovered to occur most frequently when the person is relaxed; "Theta" waves (4 to 7 Hz) are most common during periods of sleep or deep meditation and also occur during periods of learning or memory recall; and "Delta" waves (1 to 4 Hz) appear most frequently during periods of the deepest sleep. These ranges of frequencies are approximate, but in general, the dominate brain wave frequency increases with increasing mental activity.
Experiments have indicated that when light is repeatedly flashed into the eyes of a subject within this frequency band, the brain waves of the subject tend to assume the frequency of the flashing light. It has also been discovered that such "synchronization" of brain waves may lead to brain seizures in epileptics or in other people who have a history of brain seizures.
On the other hand, experiments have demonstrated that pulsating light and sound can induce a synchronized pattern of brain waves. There is, furthermore, evidence to indicate that by inducing a subject's brain waves to come within the Alpha range, the subject at least will be able to relax better, and may even be able to learn more quickly and permanently. Many researchers also report that a subject whose brain waves are caused to synchronize within the Alpha range or lower are better able to receive subliminal or audible audio messages.
Differential audio frequencies have also been shown to cause similar effects. For example, if the frequency of a tone played into one ear of a subject is 10 Hz higher than the frequency of a tone played into the subject's other ear, experimental evidence indicates that the subject's brain acts in a way similar to a "heterodyne," tending to generate brain waves at a frequency approximately equal to the difference in frequency between the two tones. That is, in this case, 10 Hz. The same result arises when tones are alternately put to the left and right ears with a frequency equal to the desired synchronization frequency.
There are accordingly many devices now available that are designed to present flashing lights, alternating tones, or both, to the eyes and ears of a user. Some devices use "bio-feedback," in which the brain wave frequency of the user is sensed and used to control the frequency of the flashing lights or pulsating tones; the user thereby attempts to train herself to produce the desired frequency, which is reinforced by the flashing lights and pulsating tones. Many other devices, which do not measure the brain waves in an attempt to create a feedback loop, actively control the flashing or switching frequency. Examples of such devices are described in the following U.S. patents:
______________________________________U.S. Pat. No. Inventor(s) Issue Date______________________________________5,064,410 Frenkel, et al. Nov. 12, 19915,036,858 Carter, et al. Aug. 6, 19914,955,389 Schneider Sept. 11, 19904,902,274 Gleeson, III Feb. 20, 19904,834,701 Masaki May 30, 19894,665,926 Leuner, et al. May 19, 19874,632,126 Aguilar Dec. 30, 19864,456,347 Stahly June 26, 19844,396,259 Miller Aug. 2, 19834,335,710 Williamson June 22, 19824,315,502 Gorges Feb. 16, 19824,008,714 Silva, et al. Feb. 22, 19773,882,850 Ballin, et al. June 13, 1975______________________________________
All of these known devices create the synchronizing pulsed light and/or sound by actively generating an electrical pulse at the desired frequency. This electrical synchronization pulse activates a small set of lights in front of the user's eyes, and controls a tone generator whose signal is fed into earphones. In many of these conventional devices, the electrical pulses result from a timing program in the memory of a microprocessor or a computer. In some of these devices, the user herself selects the synchronization frequency. In other devices, one or more frequencies or programs of varying frequency are generated automatically, whereby the user, in some cases, can select which program she wishes to follow.
The foremost drawbacks of known devices for synchronizing brain waves are that they are complicated and expensive. They typically contain many mechanical and electrical components that require careful testing and calibration. Few are suitable for easy use by most individuals, and fewer still are within their budgets. Even the least expensive of these known devices sells at retail for prices on the order of hundreds of dollars.
In order to reduce complexity, at least one device (see the patent to Gleeson) encodes control signals on magnetic tape. Such devices, however, typically require four or more audio channels simultaneously, so that they are not suitable for use in common 2-channel devices such as the portable stereo cassette tape players already owned by a large section of the population. Furthermore, the Gleeson device requires special conditioning circuitry separate from the tape player in order to drive the lights and speakers used; this increases design costs.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a device for inducing synchronized brain waves using both flashing lights and pulsating tones that is easy to use and that can be manufactured from inexpensive and compact components so as to make it much more affordable than existing devices. It is another object to adapt the present invention to a personal computer. It is yet another object of the present invention to detect when a user enters the Delta brain wave state.
The present invention relates to a playback device, stereo earphones, and at least one light mounted on glasses in front of each eye of the user. In an exemplary embodiment, first, second and third control signals are prerecorded superimposed onto a single control track. The playback device, which may be a conventional tape player, reads the control track, and the corresponding electrical composite signal is transmitted via standard connectors to a decoder/controller. The decoder/controller includes one filter (preferably band-pass) for each of the three control signals.
The first control signal, after filtering and extraction from the composite signal goes to an operational amplifier (Op Amp), the construction of which is well known within the art. The Op Amp drives a light. The second control signal drives a second light in a similar manner. The intensity of illumination of the lights is controlled by varying the number of sinusoids in the respective control signal.
The first and second control signals are recorded as "bursts", with a non-zero frequency during active period portions and an amplitude of substantially zero during inactive period portions. The state of each signal controls the states of speaker switches that alternately pass the third control signal to left and right speakers or to both speakers depending on the state of the respective signal. Conventional earphones and a conventional tape player may be used. The invention also includes the method according to which the control signals are prerecorded, played back, filtered, and applied to the lights and speakers.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is incorporated into an IBM personal computer, or any similar computing device. A program, stored on a hard drive, floppy disk, CD-ROM, or other media is loaded into the PC's RAM. The operating program contains brain synchronization data and an audio program. Executing the operating program outputs the synchronization program signal and audio program signal through an interface port. In an exemplary embodiment, parallel port pins of the PC are used to conduct the signals to a headset and spectacles with LEDs as arranged above. Specific pins in the parallel port are actuated and the LED in the spectacles are consequently triggered. Similarly, tones in the headset can be generated by triggering select pins in the parallel port. Of course, other interface ports can be used. Thus, the present invention is easily adaptable to the numerous PCs already in many homes.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a Delta wave sensor, which is a simple motion sensor. When a user enters the Delta wave state, he or she becomes drowsy, a sign that the brain is transitioning into the Delta state. If the user is sitting upright, her head inevitable droops forward. Therefore, when the motion sensor is mounted to the spectacles of the present invention, and the user's head droops forward, the motion sensor detects the change in condition and consequently triggers an audible alarm, and/or changes the frequency of the light pulses. Preferably, the motion sensor is a mercury tilt switch known in the art. Once the head of the user droops forward at a 45 degree angle or more, the mercury switch closes a circuit containing a common tone generator, which produces an audible tone. The tone is useful to keep the user awake and out of the Delta state, wherein the user completely loses consciousness falls asleep.
Alternatively, the motion sensor can trigger a circuit known in the art that increases the frequency of the light emitted from the LED, and/or increases the frequency of the audible tone. The overall effect of the increasing frequency of the tone and light prevents the user from transitioning into the Delta state. Hence, the present invention Delta sensor is a useful bio-feedback device for maintaining the user in the Theta brain wave state.
FIG. 1 illustrates the main components and general configuration of the brain wave synchronizer according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the decoding and control circuitry used in the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates graphically a simplified example of the structure and sequencing of a three-tone audio control track used as an input to the decoding and control circuitry.
FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the intensity encoding device used in the invention.
FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a control source originating from a PC via a parallel port, and incorporating a motion sensor in the spectacles.
FIG. 1 shows the main components of the system according to the invention. A standard, commercially available tape player is indicated generally by reference number 10. A standard cassette tape is indicated by reference number 12. The tape player 10 includes a least one audio output 14 and a volume control 16. It is not necessary according to the invention for the tape player 10 to be portable; instead, any tape player may be used, and application of the invention to other technologies such as reel-to-reel tape players, CD players, and digital audio tape players is also possible. The invention requires only that there be some audio output, for example, the output normally used to connect the tape player to headphones.
According to the invention, the recording medium such as the cassette tape 12 needs one track for recording an audio control signal. If the invention is used in combination with another audio program such as a self-help message or other learning program, the recording medium should have at least one other track for carrying this program. The invention is therefore well-suited for use with a standard stereo cassette tape.
The invention also includes a decoder/controller device 18, whose construction and operation are described below. As FIG. 1 illustrates, the user will normally plug the decoder/controller 18 into the output 14 of the tape player 10. The decoder/controller 18 therefore receives the left and right audio tracks of the stereo output. Either of the left or right track can be used as the control track with the unused track being sent directly to the earphones or speakers. After decoding the control signal (described below), the decoder/controller 18 generates signals that control audio and visual synchronization signals. The decoder/controller 18 also houses one or more standard batteries 19 that provide electric current to the circuity of the decoder/controller.
In order to present flashing visual signals to the eyes of the user, the invention includes glasses 20 with opaque lenses 22 and at least one light 23, 24 mounted on each lens in front of the eye of the user. The glasses 20 are preferably inexpensive, standard glasses whose lenses are covered with an opaque material. This material may be such as a metallic foil, but is it preferably a printed circuit board, which not only shields the user's eye from ambient light, but also carries standard etched or attached conductors that lead electrical current to the lights.
The lights 23, 24 are preferably pairs of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Such LEDs draw little electrical current and have a sufficiently fast on/off response that the user can clearly sense that they are flashing at or below frequencies in the Beta range. The color of the lights 23, 24 is not essential according to the invention as long as the light is visible. It is not necessary to include two paired lights in front of each of the user's eyes. Paired lights are preferred, however, since they provide a wider field of view than a single LED. This in turn makes the glasses 42 more universally useful and reduces the expense of having to manufacture the glasses with different placement of the lights.
One light per eye may, however, be used if it has sufficiently wide field of view and is sufficiently bright. In this context one should also keep in mind that the user's eyes will usually be closed while she is using the invention, and the flashing of the lights must then be visible through her eyelids.
The glasses 20 are connected to the decoder/controller 18 using a standard electrical connector, jack or plug 25. The number of electrical connectors between the decoder/control and the glasses 20, and why, is explained below.
The invention also includes common stereo earphones with a left speaker 28 and a right speaker 30. The earphones 26 are connected to the decoder/controller using a conventional stereo earphone jack 31.
FIG. 1 illustrates one of the main cost-saving advantages of the invention. Most users will already own a tape player 10 and headphones 26 suitable for use with the invention. Even for those users who do not yet own such equipment, the cost of a satisfactory tape player with accompanying headphones, together with the cost of the decoder/controller 18 and glasses 20 according to the invention, will still be much less than the cost of existing devices designed to synchronize brain waves.
According to the invention, control signals for driving the pulsating lights 23, 24 and alternating audio tones in the earphones 26 are pre-recorded using known recording equipment onto a single tract of the cassette tape or other recording medium. The control signals in the preferred embodiment comprise a superimposition of three separate audio frequencies onto the control track. These frequencies, labelled f1, f2, and f3 below, are sufficiently separated in the audio range that corresponding band-pass filters (described below) are able effectively to filter out the other two frequencies while passing its center frequency, which is approximately the frequency of the corresponding control tone.
Signals f1 and f2 are pulsating sine waves. During the recording process, the rate of pulsation is equal to the desired brain wave frequency ("pulse"). Each pulse's beginning and ending is determined by a preprogrammed or manually operated sequencer, the construction of which is well know within the art. Furthermore, the number of sinusoids within each pulse can be changed, during the recording process, to control the intensity of illumination of the lights, as is explained below. Furthermore, since f3, which is also a sine wave, will be used as the audio tone in the earphones 26, f3 should be chosen to be comfortable to listen to; frequencies within one octave on either side of middle C are, for example, suitable.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram that shows the general structure of the circuitry of the decoder/controller 18. The audio input signal from the control track of the cassette tape is indicated at the left as the signal IN. The signal IN first passes to a bank of three filters FLT1, FLT2, and FLT3. The output signals from the filters FLT1, FLT2, and FLT3 are S1, S2, and S3, respectively. The dominant (and for an ideal band-pass filter, the only, frequency of each output signal S1, S2, and S3 , is f1, f2, and f3, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the filters are band-pass filters, although a low-pass only filter may be used to extract the lowest-frequency control signal from the input signal IN.
Output signals S1 and S2 are both sine waves and are both used in three ways. First, signals S1 and S2 are used to switch on and of LED1 and LED2, respectively. Each signal, S1 or S2, goes to a separate and identical Op Amp. The Op Amp activates a light. Since the frequency of both S1 and S2 is greater than the frequency of the desired brain waves pulse, i.e. greater than 40 Hz and the approximate threshold of human visual perception, the light appears to be on continuously during each pulse.
Second, signals S1 and S2 are used to control the intensity of illumination of the lights. Since the lights are activated, turned on and off, at the same rate as the frequency of the sine waves of S1 and S2, removal of any of the sinusoids from either signal during the recording process will reduce the number of sinusoids going to the respective Op Amp and activating the lights. While the pulse remains unchanged, the reduction in intensity of illumination of the lights during the pulse is directly proportional to the number of sinusoids removed from the signal during the pulse. In other words, this reduces the number of times the lights are activated during the pulse which means the total illumination over the period is reduced.
One method to accomplish this part of the invention occurs during the recording of F1 and F2 and is illustrated in FIG. 4. Preferably, an oscillator (OSC) generates a continuous sine-wave tone of 2800 Hz (S4); this is an example only and the tone need not be of this frequency. Signal S4 goes through a clipper (CLIP) which shapes the S4 into square waves (S5). Signal S5 is used as a clock for a binary bit-rate multiplier (BBRM). The preprogrammed sequencer activates a detector (DET) which determines the beginning and ending of each pulse. This information goes to the BBRM which pulses signal S6 on and off at the desired brain wave frequency or pulse. A binary switch (SW5) controls the BBRM and determines the number of square waves that will be in each pulse of S6. The signal S6 goes to an analogous sine wave oscillator (AOSC) which produces the signal to be recorded, F (f1 or/and f2). To produce both f1 and f2 with dissimilar or alternating pulsation rates, two such devices as described above would be required. The construction of the above is well-know within the art.
Third, signals S1 and S2 are also used according to the invention to control the switching from one ear to the other of an audio tone into the earphones, (SPK1 and SPK2). This audio tone itself is carried by the third signal S3 and is present at switches SW1 and SW2. The presence of S1 and S2 activates switches SW1 and SW2, respectively. The activation of either SW1 or SW2 passes S3 to SPK1 or SPK2, respectively.
Although not necessary according to the invention, the third signal S3 preferably includes two frequency components that differ in frequency by an amount equal to the desired brain wave frequency. For example, if the base frequency of the audio tone in the earphones is chosen to be 440 Hz (middle A) and the desired brain wave frequency is 10 Hz (in the Alpha range) the second frequency component of S3 would be chosen to be 440 Hz±10 Hz.
As is mentioned above, experimental results indicate that the human brain "cancels out" or "heterodynes" the frequencies and responds as if it were subject to the differential frequency. Since the frequency difference will in all cases be small (less than approximately 36 Hz, since the desired brain wave frequency will normally be in the Beta range or lower), both of these frequencies will normally fall easily within the pass-band of the third filter FLT3. It is not necessary to include two frequency components in the signal S3 if no "heterodyning" effect is sought. Rather, S3 may then be a simple single-frequency audio tone.
FIG. 3 illustrates graphically an example of a portion of a time history of various signals in the circuit according to the invention. FIG. 3 does not show precise wave forms or amplitudes, but is rather a simplified, qualitative illustration of the timing and general relationship of the signals. According to the invention, signals S1, S2 and S3 are pre-recorded using known recording equipment onto a single track of the recording medium. Signal S3 is recorded directly. Signals S1 and S2 are processed prior to recording to make the number of sinusoids within each pulse proportional to the percent illumination desired. In FIG. 3, these signals are shown separately, that is, after separate filtering. On the control track of the recording medium, these three signals are superimposed on each other to form a singletrack, multi-control signal.
One significant advantage of this invention is therefore that it is not necessary to provide special signal generators, timing circuitry, or specialized microprocessor programming in any component that the user would have to buy in order to use the invention; instead, all necessary control signals are generated in a recording studio, and can then be put easily on a large number of inexpensive standard cassette tapes. Furthermore, the number of different synchronization routines is not limited to some predetermined and pre-programmed set, but rather may be varied for all users simply by mass recording of a new routine onto cassette tapes that can be made available to all at low cost.
In FIG. 3, the left portion of the horizontal time axis is divided into fourteen 1/10th second intervals T1-T14. Since the period is equal to the inverse of the frequency, the synchronization frequency fs in these intervals is 10 Hz (in the Alpha range). This is chosen by way of example only. After the fourteen 1/10th second period, it is assumed, also by way of example, that the synchronization frequency fs is to drop to 62/3 Hz, corresponding to a signal period of 15/100 seconds. Six such period T15-T20 are illustrated in FIG. 3.
The second signal S2 controls the flashing of the second light LED2. Over the first ten periods T1-T10 S2 is present when S1 is absent. This means that the two lights LED1 and LED2 flash alternately. This is not necessary according to the invention. Rather, during the intervals T11, T13, and T15, S1 and S2 are synchronized, so that the lights will flash simultaneously. Since S1 and S2 are independent of each other, any pattern of flashing can be created simply by recording the two signals S1 and S2 with the desired sequencing.
The signal S3 determines the audio tone that the user will hear in the earphones or speakers SPK1 and SPK2. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the signal S3 alternates between two frequencies. This frequency shift is optional according to the invention, but if it is used, the frequency difference should preferably be equal to the desired synchronization frequency fs. (In FIG. 3, the wave form for signal S3 is illustrated in greatly simplified form for the sake of clarity; for a base tone of 440 Hz, for example, signal S3 will go through 44 full cycles during each interval T1 through T10.) In the example shown in FIG. 3, the signal S3 has its higher frequency during each even-numbered time interval (T2, T4, T6, etc.) and its lower frequency during each odd-number interval. The signal S3 is recorded easily using known signal synthesizers and recording equipment.
During the first ten periods T1-T10 of the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the user will see lights that flash alternately left-right at a frequency of 10 Hz, and will hear a tone that switches back and forth between the left and right ears at a frequency of 10 Hz. Additionally, the tone heard in the one ear will be 10 Hz higher than the tone heard in the other ear.
According to the invention, the intensity of the flashing lights LED1 and LED2 can be controlled and varied according to a predetermined program during the original recording of the control track, for example, on a master tape.
During the time intervals T11-T15, the user will see lights that flash simultaneously in both eyes, with an intensity less than during the preceding ten intervals. The user will still, however, hear alternating tones of a slightly different frequency from ear to ear. During the time intervals T17-T20, the user will once again see alternating flashing lights at the lower intensity, and will hear alternating tones of slightly different frequency but during these intervals the synchronizing frequency will be lower since the "burst" and "pause" periods of the signals S1 and S2 are longer than during the first ten time intervals. Of course, in actual use a given frequency of lights and tones will normally continue for much longer than is illustrated in FIG. 3, but they do not necessarily have to do so; any pattern is possible by suitable pre-recording of the control signals S1, S2, and S3. As is mentioned above, the frequencies of the control signals S1, S2, and S3 should be separated sufficiently so that each filter FLT1, FLT2, and FLT3 will be able to reject that two control signals other than the control signal at or near its center frequency.
One advantage of the invention is that most of the components in the decoder/controller are readily available in the market and are inexpensive. Furthermore, components such as the active filters are readily available as small, inexpensive, integrated circuits incorporated into single chips. This helps to keep the decoder/controller both small and affordable. No signal generation circuitry is required, since the frequencies and timing of the control signals are arranged in advance during the recording of the control track of the cassette tape.
By centralizing the control function to the original recording studio that makes a master tape, no separate expensive microprocessor-controlled signal generation is required by the user.
Note that the playback speed of standard cassettes, compact discs, etc., is standardized, so that a control or audio signal recorded at, say, 5 Hz will not be "" or "compressed" significantly during playback. Furthermore, the frequency of the "bursts" (typically at the synchronization frequency) will not change substantially if the tape speed is kept within the limits normally found in conventional tape players.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is adapted for use with a personal computer or similar device. For the sake of illustration, the following discussion applies the present invention to an IBM compatible computer, but it is clear that the present invention can be used on other computing devices.
In a preferred embodiment, the brain synchronization program and audio program are easily stored in the computer hard drive, floppy, CD-ROM disk, digital tape drive, or like data storage medium. With the user at the keyboard, the brain synchronization program and audio program are called up and executed in the RAM through processes well-known in the art.
Through conventional software commands, various pins in a parallel interface port of the PC are selectively activated. The activated pins in the parallel port in turn are used to actuate the LEDs in a spectacle configured as shown above. Further, selected pins are used to transmit an audible signal to earphones worn by the user. Although a parallel port is used, other interfaces are possible. For example, a game card port, a sound card port, or the like can be used for output of the brain synchronization program data and the audible program to the LEDs and earphones, respectively.
FIG. 5 shows the above alternative embodiment. The personal computer 50 is shown in a cutaway view, and can be of any configuration known in the art. In the back of the computer 50 is a standard Centronics or like parallel interface port 52, again known in the art. The parallel port 52 can receive or transmit data. TABLE 1 shows the industry standard configuration of the parallel port, as follows:
In a typical computer, DATA pins 2 through 9 each is approximately +5 volts with a limit of 20 mA and are used by one embodiment of the instant invention; however, the present invention is not restricted to pins 2 through 9, nor is it restricted to the parallel port 52. Other user interface ports may be used insofar as data can be readily transferred into and out of the computer.
As mentioned above, very simple software containing the desired brain wave synchronization program and audible program can be written by any qualified computer programmer. The software is stored in a variety of media and executed by the microprocessor in the personal computer through any conventional process. The computer hardware is standard and does not form a part of the present invention; therefore, it is not shown in detail in FIG. 5.
The synchronization program and audible program in the present embodiment contain the same data as in the above embodiment. The data is sent through the DATA pins of the parallel port 52 to cable 54, and suitable divided and channeled to a headset 56 with earphones and to a pair of spectacles 58 configured as before. LEDs 60 mounted on the spectacles 58 are in turn operated by the synchronization program, while the audible program is reproduced in the headset 56. The 5-volt output voltage from the DATA pins are adequate to drive the transducers in the headset 56 as well as triggering the LEDs 60.
The spectacles 58 include optional peep holes 62 allowing the user to look through the spectacles 58 and see images on the computer monitor. This enables coordination between an audio stimulus and a visual stimulus which enhances the performance of the device. For example, when the present invention induces the user into an Alpha brain wave state in which the brain is conditioned for learning, a visual program containing a foreign language lesson can be viewed simultaneously on the monitor.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention provides an optional Delta wave sensor, used to keep the user from falling asleep and transitioning into the Delta wave state. In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the Delta wave sensor is a common motion sensor 64 positioned on the spectacles 58 worn by the user. When operative, the Delta wave motion sensor 64 detects the attitude of the user's head. As the user enters the Theta wave state, she may become drowsy and her head inevitably drops with the chin down. The motion sensor 64 mounted on the spectacles 58 she is wearing then detects this change in attitude and triggers, preferably, a tone generator to produce an audible tone. The tone alerts and awakes the user, causes her to raise her chin in attention, and forces her back into the Theta state thus preventing her from passing into the Delta wave sleep state. In effect, the present invention becomes a bio-feedback device.
The motion sensor 64 and tone generator are devices well known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the motion sensor 64 can be a simple mercury tilt switch that, when inclined at a certain angle, closes a circuit to activate the tone generator. Preferably, the motion sensor 64 is set up on the spectacles 58 so that when the user's head tilts forward beyond a 45 degree angle, the tone generator is set off.
As a modified bio-feedback device, the present invention can incorporate a circuit known in the art that increases the frequency of the signal output from the tone generator when triggered by the motion sensor. Accordingly, the flashing of the LEDs increases in frequency to keep the user's brain synchronized in the Theta wave state, which user might otherwise have drifted off into the Delta state. Similarly, the motion sensor can trigger an increase in the frequency of the audible tone, again forcing the user back into the Theta wave state.
The motion sensor and tone generator including the power source and speaker can be entirely self-contained, as shown in FIG. 5, or the devices may be separated. For instance, in another alternative embodiment, the tilt switch is used to send a control signal through the parallel port to flag the executing program that the user is close to passing into the Delta wave state. In response, a subroutine in the program can cause an alarm tone to be generated and sent to the headset. This accomplishes the same purpose as the separate tone generator mounted in the spectacles.
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Biale enjoyed a successful career on the Lafayette football team. The offensive guard was co-captain in 1981, which was Russo's first year at the helm of the program. With Biale anchoring the offensive line, the 1981 team made a dramatic transformation from a 3-7 record in 1980 to finish with a 9-2 mark the following year. The Leopards received a final No. 8 Division I-AA ranking and the No. 3 spot in the Lambert Cup while Biale earned All-ECAC First Team honors and was named to the Associated Press' All-America honorable mention team.
Biale continued his football career upon graduation from Lafayette, signing with the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent. He later played for the Arizona Wranglers of the USFL. Currently, Biale is the President of Euro RSCG's new pharmaceutical products agency following the sale of his previous company, Hurd Studios, Inc., to the Grey Healthcare Group (a WPP Company).
Biale, who resides in Franklin Lakes, N.J., has three daughters: Alexa (17), Hannah (13) and Olivia (9). He is married to Nan-Kirsten Forte, currently the Executive Vice President of WebMD and Editor in Chief of WebMD Magazine.
Lafayette Athletics, as a partner in the mission of the College, provides an incredibly effective learning experience for student-athletes through competitive NCAA Division I athletics. Lafayette sponsors 23 varsity sports with more than 600 student-athletes.Mission Statement | Leopard Tradition | Staff Directory | Feedback
The Lafayette Sports Network (LSN) handles all multimedia elements and advertising sales for athletics at Lafayette College. LSN is the Patriot League leader in delivering high-quality programming worldwide via television, radio, streaming video and satellite.Advertising and Sponsorships | Digital Media | LSN TV


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I have a few questions about plugging oxycontin.I used the search bar for several of these questions and didint find anything relevant.
1.What is the BA of plugging,is it higher then oral?
2.Is the duration longer then oral or shorter,is longer then snorting it.im not a fan of snorting pill i would rather pop them.
3.Would the dose be less then oral?
4.Can i break down a diphenhydramine pill and put it with the broken down oxy and plug both of those at the same time or should i just pop it the benadryl or what not?
5.would a 1 ml dropper work fine i have used it in the past to plug an oxy
6.should i take a shat if i can before i plug or does it not have any effect
I have plugged in the past with i think 60 mg of roxi and it was good..i was thinking about the most random stuff like halfway asleep waiting like 10 min so none dosent comeback out laying halfway over my bed..i was thinking about like bananas and random stuff like that it was great.I didint no all the stats like what i asked in the question though and didnt really no all the benifits.


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Welcome, one and all, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you are Muggle-born, and do not know of Hogwarts, fear not. I will tell you all you need to know. Hogwarts is a school of magic. Here at Hogwarts, we teach you how to use magic, and how to control magic. And, I would like to remind you all to make sure you have the following items: Your wand, your required spellbooks, a pet of your choice, your own school robes, and your desire to learn. You will find all these items at their respective shops in Diagon Alley. However, I do sincerily hope you bring your desire to learn from home, as I do not believe there are any shops where you can purchase it. Enjoy!
***REMEMBER: Once you have been sorted into your house and have picked out your wand, send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com. The subject of the email is to be Hogwarts. In your email, make sure you specify your username, the email you used to sign up, which House you have been Sorted into (take a picture of the screen using the "print screen" key on your keyboard and paste on Paint, or any other picture managing software), and the number of the wand you chose. Also, please include your wand's description. If this information is not sent, you will NOT be able to post on your House Board, be able to apply to become Prefect or Head Boy/Girl, become a member of the Quidditch team, and your name will not be listed in the House List. PLEASE DO NOT LIE, BECAUSE I WILL KNOW!!!
As an added precaution, only 5 people a month will be allowed to join each House. Please list your House preferences in case the House you were Sorted into is full. If your preferences are not listed, you will be placed into the House with the most vacancies. PLEASE DO NOT LIE, BECAUSE I WILL KNOW!!!
Which House will you be Sorted into? Read about each one below!
Will you be in Gryffindor? "Where dwell the brave at heart. Their daring nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart!" -Sorting Hat
Gryffindor House values courage, chivalry, and nerve. Although they are sometimes mischievous, they always stick up for what's right in the end. However, all Gryffindors are not good: Peter Pettigrew was in this noble House, yet he started to work for Voldemort.
Will you be in Slytherin? "You'll make your real friends. Those cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends!" -Sorting Hat
Slytherin House values ambition, cunning, and slyness. Also, Slytherin house looks for purebloods. Even though it is said that "there's not one witch or wizard in Slytherin that hasn't gone bad," there have been some good guys. Severus Snape, Professor Slughorn, and even Andromeda Tonks were in Slytherin.
Will you be in Ravenclaw? "If you've a steady mind. Where those of wit and learning will always find their kind!" -Sorting Hat
Ravenclaw House values intelligence, knowledge, and wit. Although Ravenclaw house is neither good nor evil, it does sprout some cruelty when Harry Potter was accused of being the heir of Slytherin and when he turned up in the Triwizard Tournament. Sometimes even brave and courageous students find themselves in this house, like Luna Lovegood.
Will you be in Hufflepuff? "Where they are just and loyal. Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil!" -Sorting Hat
Hufflepuff House values loyalty, patience, hard work, and justice. Although Hufflepuffs are generally kind and passive, they are not definitely good or definitely evil. Although Hufflepuff is usually underestimated by the other houses, it has been the house of some remarkable students, like Cedric Diggory.