APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AT LEAST ONE MIDI SIGNAL

• US 20090019998A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: SIM, Wong Hoo
• Granted Patent: US 7,563,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/645
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0066 using a MIDI interface

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for processing at least one MIDI signal. The apparatus includes a first input for receiving MIDI signals, a second input connected to an audio output of a sound generating device for receiving analog signals, a digital-analog converter coupled to the first input for converting the MIDI signals into analog signals, and a summing circuit for summing the converted MIDI signals from the first input and the analog signals from the second input. A resultant signal from the summing circuit may be output from a connector of the apparatus. The connector may be for connection to a sound reproduction apparatus. Preferably, the first and the second inputs allow input of signals either by a wired connection or wirelessly. There is also provided a corresponding method for processing data from a sound generating device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing at least one MIDI signal, including:

a first input for receiving MIDI signals;

a second input connected to an audio output of a sound generating device for receiving analog signals;

a digital-analog converter coupled to the first input for converting the MIDI signals into analog signals; and

a summing circuit for summing the converted MIDI signals from the first input and the analog signals from the second input;

wherein a resultant signal from the summing circuit is output from a connector of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a controller for processing the resultant signal from the summing circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resultant signal is processed in a manner selected from the group comprising:

by amplifying the signal, by restoring the signal to approximately its original form, by enhancing the signal using Creative Technology Ltd'"'"'s X-Fi technology and by augmenting signals to high definition format.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sound generating device is selected from the group consisting of:

an electronic musical keyboard, a Prodikeys keyboard from Creative Technology Ltd, and an electronic device for generating musical work product.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a port for input of data to either the digital-analog converter or the controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the port is for either wired or wireless reception of data.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wired port has a connector selected from the group consisting of:

a USB connector, an IEEE 1394 connector, and a proprietary connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wireless port uses wireless technologies selected from the group consisting of:

UWB, Bluetooth, infrared, and any form of radio frequency transmission.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of:

information relating to the sound generating device, and instructions for processing the resultant signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a switch at the port for selecting the input of data to either the digital-analog converter or the controller.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector is for connection to a sound reproduction apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and the second inputs allow input of signals either by a wired connection or wirelessly.

13. A method for processing data from a sound generating device, including:

receiving MIDI signals through a first input of an apparatus;

receiving analog signals through a second input of the apparatus;

converting the MIDI signals using a digital-analog converter in the apparatus;

summing the converted MIDI signals and the analog signals with a summing circuit in the apparatus; and

outputting a resultant signal from the summing circuit.

14. The method of claim 13, further including processing the resultant signal from the summing circuit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the resultant signal is processed in a manner selected from the group comprising:

by amplifying the signal, by restoring the signal to approximately its original form, by enhancing the signal using Creative Technology Ltd'"'"'s X-Fi technology and by augmenting signals to high definition format.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the sound generating device is selected from the group consisting of:

an electronic musical keyboard, a Prodikeys keyboard from Creative Technology Ltd, and an electronic device for generating music.