# MindMachine - MVP Definition

## 1. MVP Goal

The MVP shall prove that a smartphone can function as a simple personal mind machine by:
- displaying controlled blinking light patterns on-screen,
- outputting binaural audio through stereo headphones,
- guiding the user through safe setup and session use,
- supporting short, usable sessions with minimal configuration.

The MVP is a working prototype focused on core experience, safety, and reliability rather than breadth.

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## 2. MVP Success Criteria

The MVP is successful if a user can:
1. open the app,
2. read and acknowledge the safety warnings,
3. choose a preset,
4. connect headphones,
5. start a session,
6. experience synchronized screen blinking and binaural audio,
7. pause or stop the session at any time,
8. finish the session without confusion or instability.

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## 3. Included in MVP

### 3.1 Core session engine
- Start, pause, resume, and stop a session
- Configurable session duration
- Countdown before start
- Remaining time display

### 3.2 Visual stimulation
- Full-screen flashing mode
- Full-screen pulse/fade mode
- Adjustable blink frequency
- Adjustable screen brightness recommendation
- Keep screen awake during session

### 3.3 Audio stimulation
- Stereo binaural tone generation
- Adjustable carrier frequency
- Adjustable binaural beat difference frequency
- In-app volume control or clear system-volume guidance
- Headphone-required guidance

### 3.4 Presets
The MVP shall include at least 3 built-in presets:
- Relax
- Focus
- Sleep Prep

Each preset includes:
- duration
- blink rate
- light pattern
- carrier frequency
- binaural difference

### 3.5 Safety
- First-run warning and acknowledgment flow
- Session-start reminder to use stereo headphones
- Explicit warning for seizure/photo-sensitivity risks
- Stop immediately guidance for discomfort

### 3.6 Setup guidance
- Brief instructions for how to place the phone in front of the eyes
- Basic explanation of a DIY cardboard holder
- Comfort and fit cautions

### 3.7 Completion flow
- Session finished screen
- Option to repeat session
- Option to return to home screen

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## 4. Excluded from MVP

The MVP does not need:
- accounts or cloud sync
- ambient background sounds
- downloadable content
- spoken voice guidance
- printable holder templates
- advanced animation editor
- adaptive or biometric feedback
- social/community features
- analytics dashboard for users
- medical claims or therapeutic workflows

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## 5. MVP User Flow

1. User opens app
2. User reads onboarding + warnings
3. User selects preset
4. User verifies headphones and setup
5. User starts countdown
6. App enters full-screen session mode
7. App runs synchronized light + audio session
8. User pauses/stops or reaches session end
9. App shows completion screen

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## 6. MVP Screens

The MVP should include these screens:
- Welcome / onboarding
- Safety warning acknowledgment
- Home / preset selection
- Session setup
- Active session screen
- Session complete screen
- Simple settings screen

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## 7. MVP Technical Priorities

Implementation priority order:
1. Stable session timing
2. Reliable stereo audio generation
3. Full-screen light rendering
4. Safe interruption handling
5. Clear UI for start/pause/stop
6. Preset persistence

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## 8. MVP Risks

Main risks for the MVP:
- audio latency or instability,
- timing drift between audio and visual patterns,
- inconsistent brightness behavior across devices,
- interruptions from calls/notifications,
- unsafe use without proper warnings,
- poor comfort if holder guidance is unclear.

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## 9. Recommended First Platform

The MVP should target **Android first** because:
- native Android gives more direct control over audio/session behavior,
- Android is more practical for experimental device-style applications,
- screen/audio/session APIs are generally more flexible for this use case.

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## 10. MVP Deliverable

The MVP deliverable is a native mobile app prototype that safely delivers a basic mind machine session experience with a small set of presets and a clean, minimal interface.