US 7,569,762 B2 · RF-based dynamic remote control for audio effects devices or the like

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing wireless remote control of devices, where the sensing/transmitting device is worn by, or affixed to, the operator, and responds in real-time to position or movements. The technology enables the operator to control remote devices, even while the operator is engaged in other activities. For an exemplary musical performance application, the remote control apparatus may take the form of a normal sized ring worn on a finger of a hand that the musician uses to play a musical instrument. The ring senses position or movement, e.g. of one or more fingers of the hand. In the examples, the remote control apparatus uses a capacitive measurement technique to measure an electrical field generated in the vicinity of the hand indicative of position. The musician or operator can finely control a device with the system, e.g. to provide nuanced control of audio effects during the performance.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method, comprising steps of:

generating an electrical field at a location on a finger of a hand of a musician involved in a musical performance;
repeatedly measuring capacitance at a sensor plate contained in a ring worn at the location on the finger of the musician, as an indication of position of a part of the hand of the musician relative to the location of the ring on the finger, wherein each measuring of capacitance comprises:
(a) transferring charge from the sensor plate, and
(b) measuring the transferred charge as a representation of the capacitance at the sensor plate,
wirelessly transmitting a signal representing results of the capacitance measurements, wherein the signal representing results of the capacitance measurements indicates time required to complete each measurement of the transferred charge;
receiving the wirelessly transmitted signal;
and
generating a control signal for output to a controlled audio effects device processing a musical signal produced by the musician's performance, based on the results of the capacitance measurements represented by the received signal.

5 more elements

A wireless remote control system for controlling an audio effects device processing a signal produced as part of a musical performance, comprising:

a remote control apparatus comprising:
(a) a housing configured as a ring for wearing on a finger of a hand of a musician involved in the musical performance;
(b) a sensor plate contained by the housing;
(c) circuitry contained by the housing for applying a signal to the sensor plate to generate an electrical field at a ring location on the finger of the hand of the musician, and for sensing the electrical field at the ring location as an indication of position of a part of the hand of the musician relative to the location of the ring on the finger, wherein the circuitry comprises:
(i) a capacitance-to-digital converter for repeatedly sensing charge transferred from the sensor plate, for producing a digital value representing a measurement of capacitance at the sensor plate in response to each transferred charge;
and
(ii) a controller;
and
(d) a transmitter contained by the housing and controlled by the controller, for wirelessly transmitting a signal representing a result of the sensing of the electrical field, wherein the controller controls message transmissions from the transmitter in such a manner that the durations between successive message transmissions represent times required to complete respective measurements of capacitance at the sensor plate;
and
a base unit, comprising:
(1) a receiver for receiving the wirelessly transmitted signal;
and
(2) a processor coupled to the receiver, for generating a control signal for the audio effects device, based on the results of the capacitive measurements indicated in the received signal.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

RF-based dynamic remote control for audio effects devices or the like

Life of this patent

RF-based dynamic remote control for audio effects devices or the like

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18