PADRS: Paranormal Detection Page 1 of 2Problem StatementSince its inception, the study of paranormal activity has remained trapped between scientific and personalexperiences. The methods and analyses are often drawn from the scientific community, but the data ispersonal evidence more likely to be accepted by general society. Catalogs outlining the variety of paranormal experience and summarizing individual cases appeared asearly as the sixteenth century. Since the late 19th century, modern science has been probed forexplanations of the phenomena that had previously been inexplicable. The Society for PsychicalResearch (SPR), formed in 1882, was the first organization, founded by British scientists, as a forum forscientific investigation of paranormal activity. The academic community did not embrace this researchand often refused to accept papers in the field. The rise of interest in rigorous investigation of paranormal occurrences historically parallels thedevelopment of sciences such as psychology, biology, and physics. These sciences were also attemptingto relate the function of the human, particularly the human brain, to its environment. The failure of thecommunity interested in paranormal phenomena to provide convincing evidence contrasts with thesuccess of physics to determine links between physiological activity and electrical measurements. HansBerger, often termed the father of electroencephalography, originally was interested in the link betweenelectrical activity in the brain and telepathic phenomena; however, the link between these provednonexistent. In contrast to this failure, the connection between electrical activity in the brain and mentaland physical activity yielded a significant medical tool, the EEG.One area of particular interest in the study of paranormal activity is the investigation of ghosts orapparitions. Movie series such as Ghostbusters and Poltergeist, which enjoyed great popular success,indicate a general fascination with the subject of post-death activity. Surveys have indicated belief inhaunted houses in as many as 30% of respondents; simultaneously, studies have attempted to correlatesuch beliefs to media exposure (Campbell), personality traits (Auton), and church attendance (Orenstein),to mention a few of the numerous considerations of this topic. These psychological explanations attemptto reduce belief to a byproduct of an environment; consequently, the possibility of scientific credibility isunmentioned. Behind general societal interest in apparitions and other occurrences is a core of individuals who activelyseek proof and scientific justification for beliefs in paranormal events. A dedicated set of skeptics forms acomplementary segment of society determined to reveal the absence of unequivocal evidence.Consequent to this opposition, believers seek to use scientific tools to observe, record, and considerevidence; additionally, the best locations to use these tools are sought. The “haunted house”, a locationidentified with potential paranormal activity, is an excellent choice because the location is known and thetime of the event may be predictable. As Carl Becker points out, studying these locations candemonstrate that “apparitions may be objectively perceived by recording devices and that they are notmerely the projections of the perceivers” [1]. This type of data, which offers the greatest potential forconvincing skeptics, creates a market for reliable instruments to characterize apparitions.The instrumentation associated with detecting ghosts includes EMF sensors, temperature probes, andmotion and audio detection devices. A great quantity of instruments is offered to interested parties;however, these exhibit a variety of qualities, functions, and reliabilities. Most interface with digitalmultimeters or are stand-alone devices with analog or digital displays. There are several problems withthe devices currently available:1. If multiple devices are to be used, multiple displays will need to be consulted to assess the currentenvironment.ECE 4532, Design I February 26, 2004PADRS: Paranormal Detection Page 2 of 22. To record data, the user will need to connect any devices to a computer. This may not be possiblefor some devices, and the user may not have the technical knowledge necessary to accomplishthis.3. If data is not being recorded, a person will need to be present to monitor the instruments.4. The sensors (EMF, temperature, motion, etc.) alert the user to the potential presence ofapparitions. These will not initially be set up to trigger any recording devices (cameras,microphones), but this function would increase the usefulness of the sensors and decrease humanerror when reading the sensors.An integrated device that includes sensors and recording devices needs to be developed to tackle theseproblems, automate the process, and increase confidence in the measurement procedure by eliminatinghuman error. Communication with a computer by 10/100 Base-T Ethernet will allow data to be exportedfor later reduction or reference. Temperature, EMF, motion, and audio sensors will be connected to thedevice; additionally, a webcam or other IEEE-1394 IIDC compliant camera will be connected viaFirewire.When the device is on, the current temperature, EMF, and motion levels will be sent to the computer. Thelatest thirty seconds of video, audio, and sensor measurements will be buffered on the device. If motionis detected, or temperature, EMF, or sound levels change, the buffer of data will be stored in the deviceand be made accessible to the remote computer. While motion or an elevated EMF or sound levelpersists, thirty-second increments of data will continue to be placed on the internal storage of the deviceand made available to the remote computer. The recording of data will continue until thirty seconds afterall abnormal or elevated sensations cease. Software on the networked computer will downloadinformation, manage data, and display sensor measurements.Professional investigators that monitor haunted locations will be interested in this device. It will operatewithout direct human supervision, and the device