US4776253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for electronic musical instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-05-30
•
Granted: 1988-10-11
•
Expires: 2006-05-30
Abstract
Abstract In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a control unit which is freely moveable in space is equipped with three sensors to measure motion (e.g. velocity, acceleration, or the time derivative of acceleration) along three substantially orthogonal axes. The sensors may be meter movements configured to output motion signals indicative of their movement in free space, which signals are amplified, digitized, processed by a microprocessor to detect relative minima and maxima. Processed motion signals are converted to standard MIDI control signals for controlling an electronic musical instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick G. Downes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:59
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/391; G10H2220/395; G10H2220/401; G10H2240/00; G10H2240/171; G10H2240/281; G10H2240/311
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the rotational acceleration of said control unit about one axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means being substantially non-responsive to linear acceleration; said sensor means comprising a rotational accelerometer; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the rotational acceleration of said control unit about one axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means being substantially non-responsive to linear acceleration; said sensor means comprising a rotational accelerometer; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 1 including a plurality of said sensor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 1 including three said sensor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 2, wherein said plurality of said sensor means measure rotational acceleration about substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein said three said sensor means measure rotational acceleration about three substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said control unit is capable of being hand-held.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said control unit is mounted in a substantially cylindrical housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 7, wherein said housing is capable of being hand-held.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
137 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about one axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means being substantially non-responsive to linear acceleration; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
137 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about one axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means being substantially non-responsive to linear acceleration; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 9 including a plurality of said sensor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 10, wherein said plurality of said sensor means measure the time-derivative of rotational acceleration about substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 9 wherein said sensor means is a meter movement.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means capable of generating a first signal; said first signal corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about a preselected axis; said sensor means being substantially non-responsive to linear acceleration; processor means, responsive to said first signal, for generating a second signal to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said second signal to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means capable of generating a first signal; said first signal corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about a preselected axis; said sensor means being substantially non-responsive to linear acceleration; processor means, responsive to said first signal, for generating a second signal to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said second signal to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 13 wherein said first signal is a motion signal and said second signal is a control signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 13 including a plurality of said sensor means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 13 including three said sensor means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 14 wherein said plurality of said sensor means measure the time-derivative of rotational acceleration about substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
135 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means capable of generating a first signal; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; said first signal corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about a preselected axis; processor means, responsive to said first signal, for generating a second signal to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said second signal to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
135 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means capable of generating a first signal; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; said first signal corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about a preselected axis; processor means, responsive to said first signal, for generating a second signal to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said second signal to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein said first signal is a motion signal and said second signal is a control signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 18 including a plurality of said sensor means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 18 including three said sensor means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 20 wherein said plurality of said sensor means measure the time-derivative of rotational acceleration about substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
149 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about an axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; said motion signals corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about said axis of said control unit; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
149 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a freely moveable control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about an axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; said motion signals corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about said axis of said control unit; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 23 including a plurality of said sensor means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 23 including three said sensor means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 24 wherein said plurality of said sensor means measure the time-derivative of rotational acceleration about substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 25 wherein said three said sensor means measure the time-derivative of rotational acceleration about three substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for providing an electronic musical instrument with control signals corresponding to peaks in the right-rotational time-derivative of acceleration and left-rotational time-derivative of acceleration of a freely moveable and hand holdable control unit about an axis comprising: at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of the control unit about the axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for providing an electronic musical instrument with control signals corresponding to peaks in the right-rotational time-derivative of acceleration and left-rotational time-derivative of acceleration of a freely moveable and hand holdable control unit about an axis comprising: at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of the control unit about the axis for generating motion signals; said sensor means including a moving coil, a permanent magnet, a bearing axis and a biasing means; said moving coil arranged so as to be capable of rotation on said bearing axis and about said permanent magnet; said biasing means mounted coaxial with said bearing axis and capable of biasing said moving coil toward a rest position about said bearing axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 28 wherein said control signals comprise first and second control signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as in claim 29 wherein said first control signal corresponds to peaks in the right-rotational time-derivative of rotational acceleration of the control unit about the axis and said second control signal corresponds to peaks in the left-rotational time derivative of rotational acceleration of the control unit about the axis.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
133 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the position of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means, a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the position of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
133 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the position of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means, a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the position of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 31 wherein said measuring means includes a hall effect sensor.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
135 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the rotational velocity of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means, a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the rotational velocity of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
135 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the rotational velocity of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means, a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the rotational velocity of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
135 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the rotational acceleration of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means, a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the rotational acceleration of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
135 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the rotational acceleration of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means, a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the rotational acceleration of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
139 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
139 words
A device capable of controlling an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a control unit; at least one sensor means responsive to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said control unit about a predetermined axis; said sensor means including a bearing axis, a biasing means a measuring means, and a mass; said mass mounted on said bearing axis; said mass disposed so as to be capable of rotation about said bearing axis; said biasing means disposed so as to bias said mass to a rest position about said bearing axis; said measuring means capable of generating motion signals corresponding to the time-derivative of rotational acceleration of said mass about said predetermined axis; processor means, responsive to said motion signals, for generating control signals to control the electronic musical instrument; and means for transmitting said control signals to the electronic musical instrument.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein said measuring means includes a moving coil and said mass is a permanent magnet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-11 | 1992-04-11 | 1992-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-11 | 1996-04-11 | 1996-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-11 | 2000-04-11 | 2000-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |