Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical processor or optical processing system having a plurality of phase shifting array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each phase shifting 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 phase shifting 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 phase shifting array element to introduce a phase shift.

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: 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 high-dimensional touchpad providing at least four independently adjustable parameters.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical processor or optical processing system having a plurality of phase shifting array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each phase shifting 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 phase shifting 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 phase shifting array element to introduce a phase shift.

Abstract: A floor controller for real-time control of signal processors, synthesizers, musical instruments, MIDI processors, lighting, video, and special effects in performance, recording, and composition enviroments. Various combinations of physical controllers may be utilized (including foot switches, rocking foot pedals, null/contact touch-pads, pressure sensor arrays, etc.), as well as visual displays and internal control processing. Each physical controller may include a separate visual display of assigned name, status, and/or value. Rocking foot pedals may be used to simultaneously control multiple parameters by inclusion of aditional sensors. Each physical controller may be assigned specific control message functions, values, names, temporal event sequences, and invocation rules dicated by assignable state-machines. Assignments may be selected from organized structures via the physical controller elements.

Abstract: Fractional Fourier transform properties inherent in lens systems and other light and particle-beam environments may be exploited to correct misfocus effects in photographs, digital files, video, and other types of images. Small corrections may utilize fractional Fourier transform approximations around the reflection operator. The fractional Fourier transform and approximations can be rendered by optical or numerical methods, alone or in combination, directly or though use of a conventional discrete Fourier transform in combination with multiplying phase “chirps.” The corrective fractional Fourier transform power may be determined automatically or by human operator.

Abstract: Fractional Fourier transform properties of lenses or other elements or optical environments are used to introduce one or more positive-definite optical transfer functions outside the Fourier plane so as to realize or closely approximate arbitrary non-positive-definite transfer functions. Designs can be straightforwardly obtained by methods of approximation. The invention provides for single and multiple channel controllable optical processors which may be used for image or other types of computation, including computation with complex-valued arithmetic, visual color, and wide-spectrum optical signals. The invention also provides for synthesis of Fractional Fourier transforms, extensions to non-Hermite basis functions, phase-shifting filter elements and non-quadratic graded-index materials (which do not naturally invoke the Fractional Fourier transform operation).

Abstract: A system and method for real-time controlling of signal processors, synthesizers, musical instruments, MIDI processors, lighting, video, and special effects in performance, recording, and composition environments using images derived from tactile sensors, pressure sensor arrays, optical transducer arrays, chemical sensor arrays, body sensor arrays, and numerical computation. The invention provides for pressure sensor arrays and body sensor arrays as tactile control interfaces, for video cameras and light sensor arrays as optical transducers, for chemical sensor arrays, and for other numerical image generation from computer processing or numeric simulation. Tactile transducers may be put on instrument keys of conventional instruments, be attached to existing instruments, or be used to create entirely new instrument or controller configurations.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time controlling of signal processors, synthesizers, musical instruments, MIDI processors, lighting, video, and special effects in performance, recording, and composition environments using images derived from tactile sensors, pressure sensor arrays, optical transducer arrays, chemical sensor arrays, body sensor arrays, and numerical computation. The invention provides for null/contact touch-pads, pressure sensor arrays, and body sensor arrays as tactile control interfaces, for video cameras and light sensor arrays as optical transducers, for chemical sensor arrays, and for other numerical image generation from computer processing or numeric simulation. Tactile transducers may be put on instrument keys of conventional instruments, be attached to existing instruments, or be used to create entirely new instrument or controller configurations.

Abstract: A system and method for 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 combinations of various physical controller elements such as foot switches, rocking foot pedals, null/contact touch-pads, pressure sensor arrays, etc., and well as alpha-numeric displays, graphical displays, and internal control signal processing. Each physical controller element may be assigned specific control message functions, values, names, temporal event sequences, and invocation rules dictated by assignable state-machines. Separate visual display of assigned name, status, and/or value may be provided for each physical controller elements. Rocking foot pedals may be multidimensional through the inclusion of twist plates, pressure sensors, touchpads, levers, wheels, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing multimedia telecommunication services to multimedia workstations. The multimedia workstations communicate with a multimedia central office which includes a digital switch complex coupled to a public digital telephone network, and at least one twisted pair transceiver coupled to at least one twisted pair link in a telephone loop plant. The multimedia central office further includes at least one switch complex operatively associated with the digital switch complex and the at least one twisted pair transceiver. The multimedia central office is capable of transceiving signals with multimedia workstations interfaced to the public digital telephone network, and with multimedia workstations interfaced to the at least one twisted pair link in the telephone loop plant. The signals which are transceived include audio signals, video signals, and digital data signals used in providing the multimedia telecommunication services.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing multimedia telecommunication services to multimedia workstations communicating with a multimedia central office which includes a digital switch complex coupled to a public digital telephone network, and at least one twisted pair transceiver coupled to at least one twisted pair link in a telephone loop plant. The multimedia central office further includes at least one switch complex operatively associated with the digital switch complex and the at least one twisted pair transceiver. The multimedia central office is capable of transceiving signals with multimedia workstations interfaced to the public digital telephone network, and with multimedia workstations interfaced to the at least one twisted pair link in the telephone loop plant. The signals which are transceived include audio signals, video signals, and digital data signals used in providing the multimedia telecommunication services.