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.

A human interface device including a processor coupled to a memory. A plurality of switch banks, also coupled to the processor and a rotary dial and a slider, both coupled to control circuitry, said control circuitry operable to provide positional information from the dial and the slider to the processor. The rotary dial and slider are disposed on the human interface device to form an association with the switch bank, a drive transducer coupled to said processor, said drive transducer including a plurality of LED sources spatially positioned on a positioning ring, a set of non-transitory processor instructions operable to direct the processor to provide MIDI commands through a BLE port.

A modular control device for controlling a device, a process or an application, comprises a plurality of control modules, a module housing base, comprising an electronic motherboard where a plurality of electrical base contact groups is formed, arranged as an array, each electrical base contact group implementing an electrical connection with the electrical module contacts, and an electronic output interface operatively connected to the base. Each control module is provided with releasable coupling means adapted to allow quick fitting and release of each control module on and off the base. The motherboard is configured to bring electrical power to each control module fitted on the base, recognize placement and orientation of each module fitted on the base, and transmit to the electronic output interface electrical control signals generated by the control modules. The electronic output interface converts electrical control signals into electrical output signals compatible with the device, process or application to be controlled.

A modular control device for controlling a device, a process or an application, comprises a plurality of control modules, a module housing base, comprising an electronic motherboard where a plurality of electrical base contact groups is formed, arranged as an array, each electrical base contact group implementing an electrical connection with the electrical module contacts, and an electronic output interface operatively connected to the base. Each control module is provided with releasable coupling means adapted to allow quick fitting and release of each control module on and off the base. The motherboard is configured to bring electrical power to each control module fitted on the base, recognize placement and orientation of each module fitted on the base, and transmit to the electronic output interface electrical control signals generated by the control modules. The electronic output interface converts electrical control signals into electrical output signals compatible with the device, process or application to be controlled.

A musical instrument special effects device, comprising a special effects unit connected by wire between the musical instrument and an output device, where the unit is operatively arranged to selectively produce at least one of a plurality of preprogrammed special audio effects; and a controller is operatively arranged to wirelessly control the special effects unit.

A detection device includes: a movement detector that includes light emitters and light receivers, wherein in accordance with movement of a moving body among moving bodies, each corresponding to a different combination of a light emitter and a light receiver, a light reception level of the light receiver in a combination corresponding to the moving body changes; and a processor coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to: cause each of the light emitters to sequentially emit light in each light emission period by providing a driving signal, and cause a signal level of the driving signal to differ between unit periods within the light emission period; and select, for each light emission period, a light reception level in one of the unit periods within the light emission period as a detected value for each of the light receivers.

A musical instrument special effects device, comprising a special effects unit connected by wire between the musical instrument and an output device, where the unit is operatively arranged to selectively produce at least one of a plurality of preprogrammed special audio effects; and a controller is operatively arranged to wirelessly control the special effects unit.

A human interface device including a processor coupled to a memory. A plurality of switch banks, also coupled to the processor and a rotary dial and a slider, both coupled to control circuitry, said control circuitry operable to provide positional information from the dial and the slider to the processor. The rotary dial and slider are disposed on the human interface device to form an association with the switch bank, a drive transducer coupled to said processor, said drive transducer including a plurality of LED sources spatially positioned on a positioning ring, a set of non-transitory processor instructions operable to direct the processor to provide MIDI commands through a BLE port.

A button is disclosed, which includes a button unit suspended movably vertically in Z-direction in a fixed frame and having a button body with an upper actuating surface and at least one central shaft extending vertically downwardly from the button body and extending at an upper end below the button body horizontally into an extension. The shaft and the extension having a translucent material such that they commonly form a light guide which is fixedly connected to the button body. The button additionally includes a light source vertically below the shaft. Light from the light source leaves vertically upwardly and enters the shaft from below. The button further includes a first optical device arranged in the vertical upper area of the light guide above the shaft for deflecting light that has entered the shaft from the light source in a horizontal direction into a plane of the extension.

A button is disclosed, which includes a button unit suspended movably vertically in Z-direction in a fixed frame and having a button body with an upper actuating surface and at least one central shaft extending vertically downwardly from the button body and extending at an upper end below the button body horizontally into an extension. The shaft and the extension having a translucent material such that they commonly form a light guide which is fixedly connected to the button body. The button additionally includes a light source vertically below the shaft. Light from the light source leaves vertically upwardly and enters the shaft from below. The button further includes a first optical device arranged in the vertical upper area of the light guide above the shaft for deflecting light that has entered the shaft from the light source in a horizontal direction into a plane of the extension.