Soundless Sound System

[Ninkobei]

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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.

Norris said the uses for the technology could come in handy — in cars, in the airport or at home.

"Imagine your wife wants to watch television and you want to read a book, like the intellectual you are," he said to the crowd. "Imagine you are a lifeguard or a coach and you want to yell at someone, he'll be the only one to hear you."

Norris holds 47 U.S. patents, including one for a digital handheld recorder and another for a handsfree headset. He said the digital recorder made him an inventor for life.

"That sold for $5 million," Norris laughed. "That really made me want to be an inventor."

He demonstrated the sound system at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, also called OMSI, on Thursday.

Norris began tinkering as an inventor at a young age — taking apart the family radio and putting it back together again. He said ideas come to him when he's driving around or talking with friends.

"I don't know how I got to be an inventor, but I guess some kids can play the piano, and I can invent."

Norris will receive the Lemelson-MIT Prize at a ceremony here on Friday.



Scary and yet oh-so-cool. I wonder what the range on this will be? Could play some mean tricks on people...

[mavsman55]

This is awesome. Some pretty neat devices will probably be hitting the market soon.

[sike]

will probably not be hitting the market soon.

[Ninkobei]

How long before we get a video device like this? it'll be like the 70s all over again. jeesh

[sike]

what! this new tech is going to cause us to wear unbottoned shirts and all have grooming issues???

[Ninkobei]

nn..yyes. I guess I don't know. It should be obvious that I wasn't born anywhere near the 70s, or 60s and am basing my judgement on stereotype. You get the point though I hope. Imagine driving down the road and having someone point that device towards you and all of a sudden you're in hawaii(the "video" device, not audio). sigh. I guess im just a worry-wort. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these.

[Usually Lurkin]

the possibility for jokes is endless.

"Bob, this is your subconscious talking. Leave your pants in the elevator."

[irontoad]

Originally posted by: sike
what! this new tech is going to cause us to wear unbottoned shirts and all have grooming issues???

Simultaneous LOL and shudder on that one...