Abstract: A system and method for processing and generating control signals for the real-time controlling of signal processors, synthesizers, musical instruments, MIDI processors, lighting, video, and special effects in performance, recording, and composition environments. The invention provides for the use of incoming control signals to control events and parameters of low-frequency oscillators and transient generators. The invention also provides for the processing of control signal values such as addition, multiplication, mirroring, offset, etc., individually or in combination with one another. The invention further provides for the conversion of one type of control signal to another type of control signal, for example conversion of MIDI “note-on message” parameters such as note number and velocity into MIDI “continuous controller messages” etc. The invention is particularly directed towards, but not limited to, the processing and generation of control signals in the form of MIDI messages.

Abstract: System and method expanding and generalizing string selection aspects of an autoharp and applying to general forms of string arrays. String vibration may be sympathetic or induced by strumming, plucking, and/or electrical drive transducers. Volume of individual vibrating strings within arrays of strings may be mechanically or electronically controlled by chord buttons or a music keyboard. Electronic control can also be made with foot switches or incoming MIDI control signals. These controls may be used individually or in combination. Keyboard keys may be provided with key-travel sensors, key-surface sensors, or other sensors for continuously controlling volumes and octave mixings of subgroups of individual strings. Incoming MIDI control signals may also be used for controlling volumes and octave mixings of subgroups of individual strings.

Abstract: South Asia's unique musical instruments and raag systems have provided many rich treasures to Western music. This invention melds Western-music technologies with the innovations, timbre, playing techniques, and performance environments of South Asian musical instruments and traditions. Sitars, Dilrubas, and Esraj may be provided with multi-channel signal processing and pitch change for individual strings, additional playing strings, keyboards, strumpads, percussion interfaces, controls for timbre and stage environment control, synthesizer interfaces, pickups for brass strings, resonant and twang processors, and spatial sound distribution. Bows may include sensors measuring the bow's physical activity or direct finger manipulation. Tabla and baya may be replaced with touch pads capable of recognizing relevant hand contact modalities and positions. Touch pads may be comprised of pressure sensor arrays that recognize traditional bols and permit other generalizations and deeper levels of sonic control.

Abstract: This invention allows for easy field-customization of mainstream and exotic electronic musical instruments with extensive support for the easy creation of aggregated instruments. This invention leverages extensive functional customization of instruments within mainstream accepted instrument modalities as well as opening a wide range of completely new instrument modalities. The invention further facilitates entirely new manufacturing, marketing, and sales paradigms permitting a broad range of open industry development and commerce, thus making an individual musician's creation of new exotic instrument arrangements an economically viable sector for both mass manufacturing and the niche cottage industry. New opportunities are provided for the creation of multiple-vendor standardizations, multiple-vendor manufacturing, multiple-vendor competitive features, etc.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for correcting misfocus in original particle beam image data by using a fractional Fourier transform operation or an approximation of it. In one embodiment, the particle beam image data is produced by an electron microscope. The approximation of a fractional Fourier transform operation may comprise a portion of a Taylor series expansion, a Hermite function expansion, a perturbation approximation, a singular integral approximation, or an infinitesimal generator. The described embodiments provide for the reconstruction of phase information associated with the original image data, and for the reconstructed phase information to also utilize an approximation of a fractional Fourier transform operation. The focus correction can be selected and controlled by user interaction or an automatic feedback control system that may include optimization.

Abstract: This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. A multi-channel cross-flanger with differing modulation signals for each flanger element deepens synthesized sounds. The configuration may process outputs from a plurality of distortion signal processors, each driven by a related signal, to create new levels of distortion richness. Each distortion signal processor may be driven by an output of a multiple-output spatializing signal processor. The characteristics and parameters of the processors and modulations may be recalled from stored program control or varied by real-time control signals, including those derived from the original input signal. The invention may be used individually or in conjunction with other signal processing and signal synthesis techniques in creating new forms of rich musical timbres.

Abstract: Synthesis of time-varying MIDI control signals useful in creating spatial perturbation, chase effects, new forms of rich musical timbre modulation, spatially-distributed timbre constructions, and other types of sonic animation. Phase staggered multi-channel MIDI-format control signals are created using one or more low frequency oscillators, each with a plurality of phase shifting elements. Control signal waveshapers may be included in the control signal synthesis chain. In an exemplary embodiment, frequency and phase parameters are adjustable, with values that may be recalled from stored program control and/or modulated in real-time by incoming MIDI control signals. In another exemplary embodiment, each outgoing control signal additionally may be independently assigned a selectable waveshape, which is determined by values that may be recalled from stored program control and/or modulated in real-time by incoming MIDI control signals.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for correcting misfocus in original image data using at least one approximation of a fractional Fourier transform operation. Original image data may comprise a light image, an electron beam image such as produced by an electron microscope, a particle beam image, or other types of images admissible to the technique. The approximation of a fractional Fourier transform operation may comprise a portion of a Taylor series expansion, a Hermite function expansion, a perturbation approximation, a singular integral approximation, or an infinitesimal generator. The method provides for the reconstruction of phase information associated with the original image data, and for the reconstructed phase information to also utilize an approximation of a fractional Fourier transform operation.

Abstract: Two independently adjustable and positionable cursors are employed in a visual interface for editing an electronic document. The document may comprise text symbols, text objects, and graphics objects, among others. If both cursors are located in close proximity within the document, then these cursors may be simultaneously displayed in a single window. Otherwise, two areas of the document, each comprising one of the cursors, may be simultaneously displayed using a separate window for each cursor, or alternately selected and displayed in a single window. Copy or cut operations may be made with one cursor, while paste operations may be repeated using the second cursor. Cursor locations may be left unchanged, or they may be moved between or within editing operations. The two cursors may be freely controlled by an enhanced pointing device, such as a mouse with an added touchpad or trackball, or sequentially selected and controlled by a conventional mouse.

Abstract: The invention allows for easy field-customization of floor controllers using techniques that are similar to those applicable to the easy creation of aggregated instruments. The invention further facilitates entirely new manufacturing, marketing, and sales paradigms permitting a broad range of open industry development and commerce, thus making an individual musician's creation of new floor controller arrangements an economically viable sector for both mass manufacturing and the niche cottage industry. New opportunities are provided for the creation of multiple-vendor standardizations, multiple-vendor manufacturing, multiple-vendor competitive features, etc. while offering the music equipment user and music industry as a whole, access to an extensive range of customization and diversification. The principles of the invention thus create a rich environment for floor controllers, their users, their features, their application, and the floor controller market.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical processor or optical processing system having a plurality of light modulating array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each light modulating array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In one embodiment, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive light modulating array elements. Other features include obtaining images from an electronically-controllable image source, using an image sensor to change the processed image into an electrical output, and using at least one of the light modulating array element to introduce a phase shift.