Modular MIDI controller

• US 20090301289A1
• Filed: 06/10/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deshko Gynes
• Original Assignee: Deshko Gynes
• Inventors: Gynes, Deshko
• Application Number:
  US12/157,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20090301289A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/645
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0066 using a MIDI interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/34 Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/096 using a touch screen touch screen note input, e.g. using a displayed keyboard G10H2220/241; personal digital assistant [PDA] G10H2230/015
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/256 foldable or rollable, e.g. for transport

Abstract

A modular MIDI controller. The novel controller includes two or more modules, each module including a plurality of controls, and a mechanism for connecting the modules together to form one unit. In an illustrative embodiment, each control is adapted to convert a mechanical action by a user into an electrical signal, and each module includes a processor adapted to convert the electrical signals from the controls into control messages. A system control unit receives the control messages from each module and generates a corresponding MIDI output. In a preferred embodiment, the controller includes a plurality of chassis connected together to form a controller having a desired size and shape. Each chassis is adapted to hold one or more modules and may include a slot for holding one or more removable modules.

Claims

1. A MIDI controller comprising:

at least two modules, each module including a plurality of controls, and

first means for connecting said modules together to form one unit.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein each control includes means for converting a mechanical action by a user into an electrical signal.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein each module includes means for converting said electrical signals from said controls into control messages.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said control messages include note on/off messages.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said controller further includes second means for receiving said control messages from each module and in accordance therewith generating a single encoded output.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said encoded output is encoded using a MIDI data format.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said second means includes a system control module.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said first means includes a plurality of chassis, each chassis adapted to hold one or more of said modules.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein each chassis includes physical features for attaching said chassis to one or more adjacent chassis.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein at least one of said chassis includes a slot adapted to hold one or more of said modules.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein each chassis includes a plurality of electrical connectors for coupling a module in said chassis to a module in an adjacent chassis.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said controls include keys, drum pads, buttons, sliders, knobs, wheels, ribbons, trackballs, and/or touch screens.

13. A MIDI controller comprising:

one or more control modules, wherein each control module includes a plurality of controls, each control is adapted to convert a mechanical action by a user into an electrical signal, and each control module includes a processor adapted to convert said electrical signals from said controls into control messages;

a system module adapted to receive said control messages from each control module and in accordance therewith generate a single MIDI output; and

a plurality of chassis connected together to form one unit, each chassis adapted to hold one or more of said modules.

14. A method for reconfiguring a MIDI controller including the steps of:

providing a plurality of modules, each module including a plurality of controls;

providing a plurality of chassis, each chassis adapted to hold one or more of said modules;

connecting a plurality of said chassis together to form a controller having a desired size and shape; and

installing selected modules in said chassis such that said controller includes a desired number and type of controls in a desired configuration.