Coded data generation or conversion – Analog to or from digital conversion – Analog to digital conversion
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-18
2001-08-28
Young, Brian (Department: 2819)
Coded data generation or conversion
Analog to or from digital conversion
Analog to digital conversion
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281830
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system for acquiring and processing signals for controlling a device or a process, including data processing means, analog-to-digital conversion means for digitizing signals supplied by sensors, means for supplying the digitized signals to the data processing means, which generate control signals according to the digitized signals, in accordance with a particular communication protocol and having predetermined configurations, and means for transmitting the control signals to at least one device or process for application therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Analog signals supplied by sensors, for example pressure or force sensors, have been used in the prior art to control a device or a process, the signals produced by the sensors being digitized and converted into control signals in accordance with a particular communication protocol for transmission to the device or process to be controlled.
In particular, electronic music devices and instruments can be controlled by means of the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) protocol published and updated by the MMA (Midi Manufacturers Association) (see for example the Internet site “Exploring Midi” of the School of Music of Northwestern University). This protocol enables information to be exchanged between devices such as synthesizers and an electronic device to be controlled by means of a keyboard, footpedals or the like, for example, whose actuation causes MIDI messages to be sent to the device, which generates sounds according to the messages received. The messages typically indicate the start and end of generation of a particular note, its volume, its modulation, a change of value of a controller, a change of program, a pressure per channel and a variation of height. Other MIDI messages can be used to transmit data, for example the result of analog-to-digital conversion of an analog input signal.
The object of the invention is to provide a system for acquiring and processing signals adapted to transmit control messages or signals of the aforementioned type, for example MIDI control messages or signals, enabling a user to modify the configuration of the control messages and signals and therefore to modify the operation of the device or the execution of the process controlled by the system.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a system for acquiring and processing signals for controlling a device or a process, includes data processing means, analog-to-digital conversion means for digitizing signals supplied by sensors and applying the digitized signals to said data processing means, which generate, according to the digitized signals, control signals produced in accordance with a particular communication protocol and having predetermined configurations, and means for transmitting said control signals to a device or process for application therein, said system further including access means for accessing configuration parameters of said control signals, means for modifying said parameters and means for storing modified values of said parameters, corresponding to a new configuration of at least some of said control signals, wherein said access means include menus prestored in a memory of said system and displayable on said display means, means for selecting said menus and means for selecting selection fields and configuration fields in the said menus.
Generally speaking, the invention enables control messages or signals sent by the system to be configured dynamically and in real time in accordance with signals supplied by the sensors, the control messages or signals no longer being fixed in time and enabling the behavior of the control device or the execution of the controlled process to be changed in real time. The control signals can also be dynamically configured by a remote host system which has communication means compatible with those of the system according to the invention.
In one particular application of the invention the aforementioned control signals are configured in accordance with the MIDI protocol and are applied to one or more sound generators.
Alternatively, the control signals are applied to information processing means using graphical software, for example CAD software.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4748887 (1988-06-01), Marshall
patent: 5245130 (1993-09-01), Wheaton
patent: 5576507 (1996-11-01), LaMarra
patent: 5801657 (1998-09-01), Fowler
patent: 5874909 (1999-02-01), Soenen
patent: 0 281 214 A (1988-09-01), None
patent: WO 92 09070 (1992-05-01), None
patent: WO 93 18504 A (1993-09-01), None
Anderson C.; “Keyboard Reports”; Keyboard, US; Miller Freeman Publications, San Francisco; vol. 23, No. 8, pp. 109-110, 112.
France Telecom
Laubscher, Sr. Lawrence E.
Young Brian
LandOfFree
System for acquiring and processing signals for controlling... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System for acquiring and processing signals for controlling..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System for acquiring and processing signals for controlling... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2534129