Adaptive MIDI wind controller device

• US 8,497,760 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: My Music Machines, Inc.
• Original Assignee: My Music Machines, Inc.
• Inventors: Whalen, David S., Luther, James J., Dicesare, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMSON, SARA B
• Application Number:
  US12/745,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20110025455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,707 Days
• Field of Search: 340/4.1, 340/4.11, 340/4.12, 340/539.12, 341/21
• US Class Current: 340/4.1
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0008 Associated control or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0066 using a MIDI interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/361 Mouth control in general, i.e. breath, mouth, teeth, tongue or lip-controlled input devices or sensors detecting, e.g. lip position, lip vibration, air pressure, air velocity, air flow or air jet angle

Abstract

Provided is a system controller device intended for use by persons having limited or no use of their hands. The device includes a first air sensor configured to provide a first electromagnetic signal representative of an air pressure or an air-flow, or a combination thereof, a second orientation sensor configured to provide a second electromagnetic signal representative of a relative orientation or a change of orientation, or a combination thereof, of said first sensor, a third linear position sensor configured to provide a third electromagnetic signal representative of a relative position or change of position, or a combination thereof, of said first sensor along a linear carriage, and a signal processor configured to combine said first, said second and said third electromagnetic signals to provide an event message.

Claims

1. A system controller device comprising:

a air sensor configured to provide a first electromagnetic signal representative of an air pressure or an air-flow, or a combination thereof;

a orientation sensor configured to provide a second electromagnetic signal representative of a relative orientation or a change of orientation, or a combination thereof, of said air sensor;

a linear position sensor configured to provide a third electromagnetic signal representative of a relative position or change of position, or a combination thereof, of said air sensor along a linear carriage; and

,

a signal processor configured to combine said first, said second and said third electromagnetic signals to provide an event message.

2. The system controller device according to claim 1, wherein said linear carriage comprises two rails, a linear potentiometer and a wiper.

3. The system controller device according to claim 1, wherein said linear carriage comprises two rails and a linear optical encoder.

4. The system controller device according to claim 3, wherein said orientation sensor comprises an analog rotary potentiometer.

5. The system controller device according to claim 3, wherein said orientation sensor comprises a rotary optical encoder.

6. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a tactile strip mounted along said linear carriage providing at least one tactile reference protrusion which may be employed to determine position of said air sensor along said linear carriage by touch.

7. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mouthpiece attached to said first air sensor; and

a bite sensor connected to said mouthpiece, said bite sensor configured to provide a fourth electromagnetic signal representative of biting or pressing on a mouthpiece, said signal processor further configured to combine said fourth electromagnetic signal with said first, said second and said third electromagnetic signals to provide an event message.

8. The system controller device according to claim 7, wherein the bite sensor comprises an air bladder located within said mouthpiece.

9. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mouthpiece attached to said air sensor; and

a barrier system attachable to said mouthpiece, said barrier system protecting said mouthpiece from contamination during use.

10. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a software programmable device configured to convert said event messages to an audio signal.

11. The system controller device according to claim 10, wherein the audio signal is representative of a musical instrument.

12. The system controller device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the electromagnetic signals is used for any MIDI-assignable functions.

13. The system controller device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one external input.

14. The system controller device according to claim 11, wherein said software programmable device is configured to assign one or more musical scales or MIDI functions to any of the first, second or third electromagnetic signals.

15. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a software programmable device configured to convert said event messages to control a computer mouse.

16. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a software programmable device configured to convert said event messages to control a joystick.

17. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a software programmable device configured to convert said event messages to control a gaming input for an electronic gaming device.

18. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a software programmable device configured to convert said event messages to control a motorized wheelchair.

19. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a software programmable device configured to convert said event messages to control environmental controls.

20. The system controller device according to claim 1, further comprising a software programmable device configured to be used for respiratory/pulmonary therapy and feedback to enhance cardiovascular health.

21. The system controller device according to claim 11, wherein the musical instrument is a hand-held harmonica.

22. The system controller device according to claim 21, further comprising a hands-free harmonica-style mount.