Patent US 6,230,047

An apparatus combines a plurality of incoming audio signals and outputs a combined audio signal. The incoming audio signals include a music signal, e.g., from a CD or cassette player, and a rhythm signal triggered by a user's heartbeat. The tempo of the rhythm will increase or decrease with the pulse rate of the user. In an alternative embodiment, the tempo may be set at a predetermined level to raise or lower the heartbeat of the user. The apparatus includes means for storing a plurality rhythm patterns on memory means, means for the user to select one of the rhythm patterns, means for outputting the selected rhythm pattern to create a rhythm signal, means for receiving a pulse signal corresponding to the user's pulse, means for combining the rhythm signal and the pulse signal to create a linked rhythm/pulse signal, means for receiving an audio signal from a music playback device, a musical mixing device to combine the linked rhythm/pulse signal and the audio signal to create a combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal, and means for outputting the combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal. Also disclosed is a musical listening system which includes the musical listening apparatus of the present invention and further comprises means for monitoring a user's pulse to generate the pulse signal, a musical playback device to generate the audio signal, and means for receiving and outputting the combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal.