Audio effects controller for musicians
AssigneeCleanStage LLC
InventorJohn Robert D'Amours
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention introduces several methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling musician audio effects or musical instruments wirelessly from the performer's footwear. In one embodiment, the performer's foot motions are monitored using a motion detection device and compared against a set of criteria by a microprocessor to activate or deactivate one or more audio effects that are ready or “armed.” Once the foot controller is activated, a radio transmits sampled foot pressure that is used by the Base Unit to modulate all armed audio effects capable of being modulated. Tactile feedback is provided in the footwear as a means to confirm system status changes.
Claims19
An audio effects controller, comprising
- a foot controller comprising a first microprocessor and a pressure sensor configured to monitor foot pressure and transmit at least one control signal in response to detecting sensed foot pressure, the foot controller further comprises a motion detection device that detects a foot movement pattern and at least one of the first microprocessor or the second microprocessor is further configured to compare the foot movement pattern to a preset foot movement pattern to enable or disable the at least one audio effect;
- and
- a base unit comprising a second microprocessor and configured to receive the at least one control signal to activate, deactivate, or modulate one or more audio effects on an audio signal in response to the control signal.
An audio effects controller, comprising:
- a base unit;
- at least one microprocessor;
- a foot controller configured to communicate with the base unit and comprising:
- a motion detection device that detects at least one foot movement pattern, wherein at least one audio effect on an audio signal is enabled when the at least one foot movement pattern matches a preset audio effect enablement pattern stored in the at least one microprocessor, and at least one audio effect is disabled when the at least one foot movement pattern matches a preset audio effect disablement pattern stored in the microprocessor;
- and
- a pressure sensor configured to monitor foot pressure, wherein a control signal is produced by the pressure sensor in response to detecting pressure when the at least one audio effect is enabled and transmitted to the base unit for activation, deactivation, or modulation of the at least one audio effects on the audio signal.
A method for controlling audio effects, comprising:
- detecting at least one foot movement pattern with a motion detection device on a foot controller;
- comparing the at least one foot movement pattern to preset audio effect patterns;
- enabling at least one audio effect when the at least one foot movement pattern matches a preset audio effect enablement pattern;
- disabling the at least one audio effect when the at least one foot movement pattern matches a preset audio effect disablement pattern;
- detecting foot pressure with a pressure sensor on the foot controller;
- producing a control signal in response to detecting the foot pressure when the at least one audio effect is enabled;
- transmitting the control signal from the foot controller to a base unit;
- and
- activating, deactivating, or modulating the at least one audio effect on an audio signal with the base unit or through the base unit to other audio effects.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.