Abstract: A multi-dimensional touch controller, e.g., a musical instrument controller, provides for selectable pad dimensions. The controller includes a matrix sensor for detecting, measuring, and tracking touch gestures. The sensor includes force-sensing resistors arranged in rows and columns. Intersections of the rows and columns are cells that define a unit pad size. The minimum pad size is 1×1 cell. Double width and/or double length pads can be defined by electrically connecting adjacent columns and/or rows, e.g., to define large 2×2-cell pads, tall 2×1-cell pads, and wide 1×2-cell pads. The electrical connections can be implemented using pairs of multiplexers that allow pairs of rows and/or columns to be selected at once. Virtual pads can be derived in software from switch-defined pads to mitigate a ghost-touch issue characteristic of matrix sensors that otherwise can be exacerbated in certain split configurations with both small and large pads.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional touch controller, e.g., a musical instrument controller, provides for selectable pad dimensions. The controller includes a matrix sensor for detecting, measuring, and tracking touch gestures. The sensor includes force-sensing resistors arranged in rows and columns. Intersections of the rows and columns are cells that define a unit pad size. The minimum pad size is 1x1 cell. Double width and/or double length pads can be defined by electrically connecting adjacent columns and/or rows, e.g., to define large 2x2-cell pads, tall 2x1-cell pads, and wide 1x2-cell pads. The electrical connections can be implemented using pairs of multiplexers that allow pairs of rows and/or columns to be selected at once. Virtual pads can be derived in software from switch-defined pads to mitigate a ghost-touch issue characteristic of matrix sensors that otherwise can be exacerbated in certain split configurations with both small and large pads.

Abstract: A polyphonic multi-dimensional controller (PMC) provides for independently expressing multiple concurrently sounding musical notes. The PMC includes rows and columns of force-sensing potentiometers (FSPs) that define an array of single-touch zones (STZs). Using a z-axis switch configuration, touches are detected and the forces associated with the touches are measured. For STZs for which a touch is detected, a fine x position and a fine y position are determined respectively using an x-axis switch configuration and a y-axis switch configuration. By repeatedly scanning the STZs, the x-axis position, the y-axis position, and the z-axis force can be tracked and translated into 3-axis note expression data. The PMC is multi-touch so that the 3-axis note expression data can be polyphonic.

Abstract: A polyphonic multi-dimensional controller (PMC) provides for independently expressing multiple concurrently sounding musical notes. The PMC includes rows and columns of force-sensing potentiometers (FSPs) that define an array of single-touch zones (STZs). Using a z-axis switch configuration, touches are detected and the forces associated with the touches are measured. For STZs for which a touch is detected, a fine x position and a fine y position are determined respectively using an x-axis switch configuration and a y-axis switch configuration. By repeatedly scanning the STZs, the x-axis position, the y-axis position, and the z-axis force can be tracked and translated into 3-axis note expression data. The PMC is multi-touch so that the 3-axis note expression data can be polyphonic.