Inventor Creates Soundless Sound System

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the HyperSonic Sound system invented by Elwood "Woody" Norris, which purportedly allows sound to be directed at specific individuals without the use of traditional speakers. Participants explore the technology's feasibility, potential applications, and the implications of such a system.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the legitimacy of the technology, questioning whether it is a hoax or deserving of the award it received.
  • Others assert that the technology is real and discuss its potential applications, such as targeted advertising.
  • There are claims that the system uses microwave interference to create sound, while others argue it relies on a phased-array of small speakers.
  • Some participants challenge the idea that microwaves are involved, suggesting that the technology may be misrepresented or misunderstood.
  • A few participants reference prior knowledge of the technology, indicating it has been discussed in various contexts over the years.
  • Concerns are raised about the ethical implications of using such technology, including its potential for misuse in situations like cheating on exams.
  • One participant mentions a TED presentation by Norris, noting that he lacks a formal college degree and suggesting that TED screens its speakers for credibility.
  • There is a suggestion to relocate the thread to a more appropriate forum, such as General or Electrical Engineering, due to the technical nature of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the technology or its mechanisms. Multiple competing views remain regarding its feasibility and implications.

Contextual Notes

Some statements made by participants are based on personal interpretations or prior knowledge, which may not be substantiated by credible sources. The discussion includes references to various technical principles that are not fully resolved.

Michael66
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Fri Apr 22,11:30 AM ET Technology - AP

By TYPH TUCKER, Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. - Elwood "Woody" Norris pointed a metal frequency emitter
at one of perhaps 30 people who had come to see his invention. The
emitter — an aluminum square — was hooked up by a wire to a CD player.
Norris switched on the CD player.

"There's no speaker, but when I point this pad at you, you will hear the
waterfall," said the 63-year-old Californian.

And one by one, each person in the audience did, and smiled widely.

Norris' HyperSonic Sound system has won him an award coveted by
inventors — the $500,000 annual Lemelson-MIT Prize. It works by sending a
focused beam of sound above the range of human hearing. When it lands on
you, it seems like sound is coming from inside your head. [continued]
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=562&e=2&u=/ap/hypersonic_sound

AirScooter: http://www.airscooter.com
==============================================

Is this true or a hoax?

Thanks

Edit by Ivan. Welcome to PF Michael66. :smile:
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https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374
 
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Computer science news on Phys.org
anybody can check it out for me?
 
I saw this about a year ago, and imho, 500K is not deserved
 
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Great, just what I wanted, to be yelled at from across the room. Even while fleeing from the insanity on one of his ultra-lites, they could still point the sound "ray" at me and keep yelling!
 
This is real. I have heard on and off about this guy over the years. Pretty cool.
Last I heard the japanese bought his idea so they could use it to advertise with pop machines or something. You would only hear it when you stood in front of it.

Uses microwave interference to rapidly heat( vibrate ) the air in a localized region.

I like how whenever some new radical tech comes out, all the "scientist" on this website can never admit its possible, just because they do not understand it. This website suffers from the "We already know everything there is to know" syndrom. Most of these guys really need to spend less time on their computers, and more time in reality.
 
MrHayman said:
I like how whenever some new radical tech comes out, all the "scientist" on this website can never admit its possible, just because they do not understand it. This website suffers from the "We already know everything there is to know" syndrom. Most of these guys really need to spend less time on their computers, and more time in reality.

Do you have an example of this? I haven't had that experience here at all.
 
I am referring mostly to the fact there are many banned topics here.

I know there is a microwave version as well. I thought this was the guy using it.
 
MrHayman said:
I know there is a microwave version as well.

We need a credible source to support a claim like that.

To my knowledge, there is no way that your statement could be correct.
 
  • #11
russ_watters said:
The closest thing to a microwave version would be radar based on the same concept (actually, the radar probably came first): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/SPY-1

That I can understand because it is all RF. However. Mr. Hayman seems to be saying that the microwaves are being used to create conditions that lead to destructive interference in sound waves.
 
  • #12
I may be incorrect. But when I first read about this tech years ago he said it had something to do with microwaves. Maybe he was just referring to the phased array principle as it is used in rader. It was years ago I first heard about this. I am surprised it hasn't really made into the public field.
 
  • #13
http://blog.ted.com/2009/01/woody_norris_on.php"

Is this the same Woody Norris who gave a TED presentation, posted in Jan 2009 ?

I am pretty sure TED screens crackpots before allowing them to present their inventions, watch the video, 15 minutes or so and see what you think. I will tell you that he doesn't go into great technical detail in describing it, only examples and suggestions on practical applications for it. Woody does not have a college degree, and admits it in his presentation. I will leave it for you to assess.

Here is his TED http://www.ted.com/index.php/speakers/woody_norris.html"

Rhody...

P.S.

This is general observation on my part, please don't take offense, I have been watching TED for over 3 years now and regularly return for breakthroughs and advances in science and technology. For instance, Lee Smolin, George Smoot, and other Nobel Prize winners have presented 20 minute or so talks here. IMHO, there are few better sites in the world for the public to get news on breaking science or technology NOT covered by mainstream media. TED was the springboard that launched Garrett Lisi and his E8 Theory in 2007 I believe.
 
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  • #14
I have had a bit of time to think about this, if Woody's invention is being sold and used in different applications doing precisely what he claims it does, doesn't this thread deserve relocation in say the General or Electrical Engineering Forums ?

Rhody...
 
  • #15
Great idea, no science. I believe David Copperfield already pulled off this trick.
 
  • #16
Imagine cheating on an exam by beaming answers across the room to be heard by one listener. Students are going to get better at cheating, but that's another story.

Do you think we'll still be talking about boxes sliding down frictionless inclines then?
 
  • #17
It reminds me of whispering across a planetarium or other dome.