Patent US5524060A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5524060A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visuasl dynamics management for audio instrument
Assignee: Avid Technology Inc
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Filing: 1994-02-14
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Granted: 1996-06-04
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Expires: 2014-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A digital audio gain control system has an operator interface with a CPU, RAM storage, and input devices for a user to store transfer characteristics relating gain to be applied to an incoming audio signal to the signal strength of that incoming signal. A communication link allows the transfer characteristic function to be sent to a RAM in a separate patchable amplifier unit having a DSP and RAM, and level detection circuitry for monitoring the signal strength of an incoming audio signal and applying gain according to the transfer characteristic communicated to the on-board RAM. The amplifier unit also sends operating information back to the operator interface, where operation may be displayed to aid an operator in adjusting the function.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Silfvast
- 👤 Scott W. Silfvast
- 👤 Edward G. Fay
- 👤 Philip R. Wiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/02; H04H60/04; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/001; H03G7/00; H03G7/002; H03G7/005; H03G7/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a system for controlling output signal level as a function of input signal level for an automatic gain-control amplifier, the system including a transfer function and at least one time constant for determining gain to be applied to the input signal, a display comprising: the transfer function as a static curve of gain plotted against input signal strength or of output signal strength plotted against input signal strength; and a dynamic cursor object displayed on the area of the curve of the transfer function; wherein the dynamic cursor object is positioned on the area of the curve of the transfer function in substantially real time according to the input signal strength, the transfer function, and the time constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a system for controlling output signal level as a function of input signal level for an automatic gain-control amplifier, the system including a transfer function and at least one time constant for determining gain to be applied to the input signal, a display comprising: the transfer function as a static curve of gain plotted against input signal strength or of output signal strength plotted against input signal strength; and a dynamic cursor object displayed on the area of the curve of the transfer function; wherein the dynamic cursor object is positioned on the area of the curve of the transfer function in substantially real time according to the input signal strength, the transfer function, and the time constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A display as in claim 1 wherein multiple time constants are utilized in displaying the dynamic cursor object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A display as in claim 2 wherein the time constants include attack, release, and hold times.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A display as in claim 1 further comprising a dynamic abscissa bar and a dynamic ordinate bar in conjunction with the static curve and the dynamic cursor object, and the position of the dynamic abscissa and ordinate bars is updated in substantially real time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A display as in claim 1 wherein dual abscissa and ordinate bars are displayed, tracking dynamic level of stereo input and output channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A display as in claim 1 further comprising an array of control panels displaying parameters for the transfer function and time constant values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
An operator interface for controlling an output signal of an automatic-gain-control amplifier system relative to an input signal, a transfer function, and at least one time constant, and for displaying the dynamic result of applied control, the operator interface comprising: input apparatus for an operator to enter values for control variables; a display; and computerized control circuitry coupled to the display and the input apparatus and adapted for executing the transfer function and for driving the display according to prestored control routines and measured values of input signal strength; wherein the computerized control circuitry displays a control function on the display as a static curve of gain plotted against input signal strength or of output signal strength plotted against input signal strength, and also displays on the area of the control function a dynamic cursor object, the dynamic cursor object positioned on the area of the curve of the transfer function in substantially real time according to the input signal strength, the transfer function, and the time constant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
An operator interface for controlling an output signal of an automatic-gain-control amplifier system relative to an input signal, a transfer function, and at least one time constant, and for displaying the dynamic result of applied control, the operator interface comprising: input apparatus for an operator to enter values for control variables; a display; and computerized control circuitry coupled to the display and the input apparatus and adapted for executing the transfer function and for driving the display according to prestored control routines and measured values of input signal strength; wherein the computerized control circuitry displays a control function on the display as a static curve of gain plotted against input signal strength or of output signal strength plotted against input signal strength, and also displays on the area of the control function a dynamic cursor object, the dynamic cursor object positioned on the area of the curve of the transfer function in substantially real time according to the input signal strength, the transfer function, and the time constant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An operator interface as in claims 7 wherein multiple time constants are utilized in displaying the dynamic cursor object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An operator interface as in claim 8 wherein the time constants include attack, release, and hold times.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
An operator interface as in claim 7 further comprising a dynamic abscissa bar and a dynamic ordinate bar in conjunction with the static curve and the dynamic cursor object, and the position of the dynamic abscissa and ordinate bars is updated in substantially real time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An operator interface as in claim 10 wherein dual abscissa and ordinate bars are displayed, tracking dynamic level of stereo input and output channels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
An operator interface as in claim 7 further comprising an array of control panels displaying parameters for the transfer function and time constant values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An operator interface as in claim 7 wherein the computerized control circuitry executes the control function and displays the dynamic cursor object according to measured values of a tracked key audio signal rather than measured values of input signal strength.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An operator interface as in claim 13 further comprising a switching apparatus for switching control between measured values of input signal strength and a the tracked key audio signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
An operator interface as in claim 7 wherein the input signal is a stereo signal, and the computerized control circuitry executes the transfer characteristic and displays the dynamic cursor object according to the greater of the signal strengths of the stereo inputs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
103 words
In an automatic-gain-control amplifier system including a transfer characteristic and at least one time constant for applying the transfer characteristic, a method for displaying information to an operator, comprising steps of: (a) displaying the transfer characteristic on a display screen as a static curve of gain plotted against input signal strength or of output signal strength plotted against input signal strength; and (b) displaying a dynamic cursor object in the same area as the static curve; wherein the position of the dynamic cursor object is updated in substantially real time according to the input signal strength, the transfer characteristic, and the time constant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
103 words
In an automatic-gain-control amplifier system including a transfer characteristic and at least one time constant for applying the transfer characteristic, a method for displaying information to an operator, comprising steps of: (a) displaying the transfer characteristic on a display screen as a static curve of gain plotted against input signal strength or of output signal strength plotted against input signal strength; and (b) displaying a dynamic cursor object in the same area as the static curve; wherein the position of the dynamic cursor object is updated in substantially real time according to the input signal strength, the transfer characteristic, and the time constant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein multiple time constants are associated with the transfer characteristic for applying the transfer characteristic to the input signal strength.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the multiple time constants include attack, release, and hold times.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 16 including a step for displaying at least one of a dynamic abscissa or a dynamic ordinate bar, wherein the amplitude of the bar display is updated in substantially real time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the transfer characteristic and the dynamic cursor object are displayed according to a tracked key audio signal rather than the input signal strength.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the input signal is a stereo input, and the computerized control circuitry displays the dynamic cursor object according to the greater of the signal strengths of the stereo inputs.
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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) | 1999-06-04 | 1999-12-04 | 2000-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-04 | 2003-12-04 | 2004-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-04 | 2007-12-04 | 2008-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |