Audio foot pedal

Abstract

An audio foot pedal having an activation arrangement comprising a control button and a stationary part, the control button being secured to the stationary part for relative movement along a travel range, the activation arrangement providing a control signal in response to movement of said control button, the audio foot pedal further comprising at least one signal processing arrangement arranged to execute at least two different functional modes, wherein at least one of said functional modes, in response to said control signal, variably controls a signal processing of audio signals communicated to said at least one signal processing arrangement thereby producing an audio output signal to an audio output, and wherein said control signal also controls switching between said at least two functional modes.

Claims

1. An audio foot pedal comprising: an activation arrangement that includes a control button and a stationary part, the control button being secured to the stationary part for relative movement along a travel range, the activation arrangement providing a control signal in response to movement of said control button, the audio foot pedal further comprising at least one signal processing arrangement arranged to execute at least two different functional modes, wherein at least one of said functional modes, in response to said control signal, variably controls a signal processing of audio signals communicated to said at least one signal processing arrangement thereby producing an audio output signal and transmits the audio output signal to an audio output, wherein said travel range comprises a modulation range and a switching range, wherein said control signal in response to said control button moving in said switching range controls switching between said at least two functional modes, and wherein the control signal in response to said control button moving in said modulation range forms variable input parameters to a signal processing algorithm related to said at least one of said functional modes when the control signal has invoked a switching to said at least one of said functional modes.

2. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein said modulation range and said switching range are non-overlapping.

3. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein said modulation range and said switching range are partially overlapping.

4. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein the travel range comprising the switching range and the modulation range, with the modulation range closer to the stationary part.

5. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein the control button has a resting position at an extended position at one end of the travel range defining an end of the switching range, and a depressed position at the other end of the travel range defining an end of the modulation range.

6. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein the modulation range is shorter than the switching range.

7. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein the modulation range is less than half of the full travel range, and the switching range is more than half of the full travel range.

8. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein the modulation range is 3 millimeters or less.

9. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein the audio foot pedal is arranged to operate in the modulation range and variably control said at least one of said functional modes without invoking a switching of functional mode in the process.

10. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein said at least two functional modes comprise a by-pass mode.

11. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein the switching to said at least one of said functional modes is controlled on the basis of said control signal and a predetermined time threshold related to said control signal.

12. The audio foot pedal of claim 11, wherein said controlling of switching between said at least two functional modes on the basis of said control signal and said predetermined time threshold is arranged to toggle said functional modes when a duration of said control signal is shorter than said predetermined time threshold.

13. The audio foot pedal of claim 11, wherein said controlling of switching between said at least two functional modes on the basis of said control signal and said predetermined time threshold is arranged to switch to said at least one functional mode variably controlling said signal processing and perform said step of forming variable input parameters to said signal processing algorithm of said at least one of said functional modes, when a duration of said control signal is longer than said predetermined time threshold.

14. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, comprising a visual indicator displaying an indication of a functional mode selected by said control button.

15. The audio foot pedal of claim 1, wherein said control button is movable along said travel range under influence of a spring force arrangement, wherein said spring force arrangement establishes a first spring force within a first travel range of said control button, and a second spring force in a second travel range of said control button.

16. The audio foot pedal of claim 15, wherein the first spring force is active when the control button is in said switching range and at least said second spring force is active when the control button is in said modulation range.

17. The audio foot pedal of claim 15, wherein said second spring force is greater than said first spring force.

18. A method for controlling a signal processing arrangement of an audio foot pedal, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a control signal in response to movement along a travel range of a control button of an activation arrangement relative to a stationary part of said activation arrangement of the audio foot pedal, said travel range comprising a modulation range and a switching range, receiving an audio signal and providing it to the signal processing arrangement, selecting a functional mode of said signal processing arrangement among at least two selectable functional modes, the selecting being based on said control signal in response to said control button moving in said switching range, and processing said audio signal by said signal processing arrangement in accordance with said selected functional mode and under variable control by said control signal in response to said control button moving in said modulation range, thereby establishing an audio output signal.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a foot operated click movement executed within a time threshold and with a force driving said control button at least into a switching range of said travel range before it is released, controls said selecting a functional mode of the signal processing arrangement among said at least two functional modes.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a foot operated click-and-hold movement followed by an increase in force driving said control button at least into a modulation range of said travel range which inputs control signal to said signal processing arrangement which activates said second functional mode and controls variable parameters in said second functional mode based on the amount of force applied to said control button.

21. An audio foot pedal comprising: an activation arrangement that includes a control button and a stationary part, the control button being secured to the stationary part for relative movement along a travel range, the activation arrangement providing a control signal in response to movement of the control button, the audio foot pedal further comprising at least one signal processing arrangement arranged to execute at least two different functional modes, wherein at least one of the functional modes, in response to the control signal, variably controls a signal processing of audio signals communicated to the at least one signal processing arrangement thereby producing an audio output signal and transmits the audio output signal to an audio output, wherein the travel range comprises a modulation range and a switching range, wherein the control signal in response to the control button moving in the switching range controls switching between the at least two functional modes, wherein the control signal in response to the control button moving in the modulation range forms variable input parameters to a signal processing algorithm related to the at least one of the functional modes when the control signal has invoked a switching to the at least one of the functional modes; wherein the switching to the at least one of the functional modes is controlled on the basis of the control signal and a predetermined time threshold related to the control signal; and wherein the controlling of switching between the at least two functional modes on the basis of the control signal and the predetermined time threshold is arranged to toggle the functional modes when a duration of the control signal is shorter than the predetermined time threshold.

22. An audio foot pedal, comprising: an activation arrangement that includes a control button and a stationary part, the control button being secured to the stationary part for relative movement along a travel range, the activation arrangement providing a control signal in response to movement of the control button, the audio foot pedal further comprising at least one signal processing arrangement arranged to execute at least two different functional modes, wherein at least one of the functional modes, in response to the control signal, variably controls a signal processing of audio signals communicated to the at least one signal processing arrangement thereby producing an audio output signal and transmits the audio output signal to an audio output, wherein the travel range comprises a modulation range and a switching range, wherein the control signal in response to the control button moving in the switching range controls switching between the at least two functional modes, wherein the control signal in response to the control button moving in the modulation range forms variable input parameters to a signal processing algorithm related to the at least one of the functional modes when the control signal has invoked a switching to the at least one of the functional modes; wherein the switching to the at least one of the functional modes is controlled on the basis of the control signal and a predetermined time threshold related to the control signal; and wherein the controlling of switching between the at least two functional modes on the basis of the control signal and the predetermined time threshold is arranged to switch to the at least one functional mode variably controlling the signal processing and perform the step of forming variable input parameters to the signal processing algorithm of the at least one of the functional modes, when a duration of the control signal is longer than the predetermined time threshold.

23. A method for controlling a signal processing arrangement of an audio foot pedal, the method comprising the steps of: of the audio foot pedal, receiving an audio signal and providing it to the signal processing arrangement, selecting a functional mode of the signal processing arrangement among at least two selectable functional modes, the selecting being based on the control signal, and processing the audio signal by the signal processing arrangement in accordance with the selected functional mode and under variable control by the control signal, thereby establishing an audio output signal; and wherein a foot operated click movement executed within a time threshold and with a force driving the control button at least into a switching range of the travel range before it is released, controls the selecting a functional mode of the signal processing arrangement among the at least two functional modes.

24. A method for controlling a signal processing arrangement of an audio foot pedal, the method comprising the steps of: of the audio foot pedal, receiving an audio signal and providing it to the signal processing arrangement, selecting a functional mode of the signal processing arrangement among at least two selectable functional modes, the selecting being based on the control signal, and processing the audio signal by the signal processing arrangement in accordance with the selected functional mode and under variable control by the control signal, thereby establishing an audio output signal; and wherein a foot operated click-and-hold movement followed by an increase in force driving the control button at least into a modulation range of the travel range which inputs control signal to the signal processing arrangement which activates the second functional mode and controls variable parameters in the second functional mode based on the amount of force applied to the control button.

Description

THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various embodiments of the invention will in the following be described with reference to the drawings where

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an audio foot pedal according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an audio foot pedal in a simple setup,

(4) FIG. 3a illustrates a graph displaying an embodiment of the control signal in relation to the travel range,

(5) FIG. 3b illustrates an activation arrangement relating to the graph of FIG. 3b,

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a timing diagram of an embodiment of the invention, and

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates flowchart of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates an audio foot pedal AFP according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(9) The illustrated embodiment comprises an audio receiving input ARI, an audio output ATO and a signal processing arrangement SPU comprising two functional modes FM and a switching arrangement. Further the illustrated embodiment comprises and an activation arrangement AA comprising a control button MC and a stationary part SP.

(10) In this embodiment, the signal processing arrangement SPU modifies an audio signal TS from the audio receiving input ARI using one of the two illustrated functional modes FM to an audio output signal AOS which is then transmitted from the signal processing arrangement SPU to an audio output ATO. A control signal CS from the activation arrangement AA is transmitted to the signal processing arrangement SPU an is used to switch between which of the two functional modes FM is transmitted to the audio output ATO. Further in this embodiment the control signal CS is also used as input to one of the functional modes FM, enabling the control signal CS to change variable parameters of signal processing algorithm in that functional mode FM.

(11) In this embodiment, the audio signal TS is to be understood in a broad sense that may be any acoustic signal converted to an electrical signal through a transducer, e.g., stringed instruments having a microphone or a pickup, a key-type instrument e.g., keyboard, MIDI-controller, a vocal microphone etc. This audio signal TS can be a digital or analogue signal. In a further embodiment, this audio signal TS may go through a series of audio modifying systems e.g. foot pedals, tuners, dedicated effect pedals etc. which means that the true audio signal from the musical instruments may be pre-processed before it becomes the audio signal TS inputted to the signal processing arrangement SPU.

(12) The signal processing arrangement SPU modifies the input audio signal TS according to the control signal CS and transmits the modified audio signal to an output channel, here audio output ATO. In this embodiment, the audio foot pedal comprises a single signal processing arrangement SPU. However, in another embodiment the system may comprise several depending on the modification requirements of the audio foot pedal. Further, the signal processing arrangement SPU comprises a single audio input, however, in another embodiment the system can comprise two or more signal inputs, in any combination e.g. an audio signal and a MIDI-signal or two audio signals, etc.

(13) The signal processing arrangement SPU comprises functional modes FM comprising signal processing algorithms such as, for example, reverb, distortion, wah-wah, delay, pitch modulation, etc., which can be used to modify the audio signal TS. Further, the signal processing arrangement enables the adjustment of variable parameters of the algorithms, such that the user can, e.g., adjust the time of a delay algorithm.

(14) One or more of the functional modes FM may comprise two signal processing algorithms, a first signal processing algorithm FF and a second signal processing algorithm SF, which the user can switch between using the activation arrangement AA, which is described in more detail in FIG. 4. However, in another embodiment the signal processing arrangement SPU may comprise three or more signal processing algorithms, which the user also can engage and disengage using the activation arrangement AA.

(15) In this embodiment, a variable parameter of the signal processing algorithm can be controlled by the control signal CS from the activation arrangement AA. The travel range TR of the multipurpose control button MC is associated with a consecutive set of values ranging from e.g. 0-1000, where each value represents a traveled distance of the multipurpose control button along this travel range. In other words, a control signal value tells the current position of the button along the travel range. In this embodiment, the multipurpose control button comprises a magnet providing a magnetic field which is detected by a magnetic field sensor e.g. a Hall effect sensor. The position of the multipurpose control button MC is determined based on the magnetic field strength detected by the Hall effect sensor which output a corresponding value for the control signal CS. However, in another embodiment the position of the multipurpose control button MC can be obtained using optical, ultrasonic, electric or other position sensor techniques.

(16) In an embodiment of the invention, the activation arrangement further comprises a spring arrangement SPA. This arrangement provides a spring tension between the multipurpose control button MC and the stationary part SP. This spring arrangement SPA forces the button to be fully extended from the stationary part positioning the button which can be described as a non-activated state where the button is not depressed by the user's foot and no control signal CS, or e.g. the value 0, is transmitted to the signal processing arrangement SPU.

(17) As force is applied to the button MC by the user, the movable button part will be pressed closer towards the stationary part SP of the activation arrangement AA, which further compresses the spring arrangement SPA. As the user applied pressure is removed, the spring arrangement will move the multipurpose control button MC back to its non-activated position.

(18) As the applied force causes the button to move, the position sensor will detect the movement of the button and convert that into a control signal which is passed on to the signal processing arrangement.

(19) In this embodiment, the spring arrangement SPA comprise a spring, however, in another embodiment, this arrangement could also comprise an elastic ring, pneumatics or the like. Further, in an advantageous embodiment, the spring arrangement comprises at least two different springs having different spring forces, e.g. a spring and an elastic ring, e.g. a rubber or silicone O-ring. An arrangement like such can provide the travel range TR with two types of tensions, creating a nonlinear spring characteristic e.g. progressive or progressive with knee characteristic e.g. the first part of the button's traveling is effected by the spring force of the spring, while the last part of the button's travel is further effected by the spring force of the elastic ring. This effect of the springs characteristic provides a soft click function and a hard click function where the switching between the two functions are determined by the amount of force applied.

(20) Further the control signal provided, can also be used to gradually change values of variable parameters of a signal processing algorithm, as the user increases the force applied to the button.

(21) FIG. 2 illustrates an audio foot pedal in a simple setup, comprising musical instrument MI, the foot of a user FO, a speaker SPE and an audio foot pedal AFP. In this embodiment, the audio foot pedal AFP comprises an audio input arrangement ARI and an audio output ATO. These arrangements are mechanical plugs adapted for receiving an end of an audio cable such as e.g. jack-cable, XLR-cable, optical cable or similar cables used for transmitting audio signals.

(22) In this embodiment, the audio foot pedal comprises a display or other visual indicator VI, here in the form of a light emitting diode, which displays information about the current active functional mode FM of the audio foot pedal AFP. In this embodiment, optional modes include an off/bypass of the audio foot pedal AFP, and an on mode where a signal processing algorithm is active. Further in this embodiment, variable parameters VP of the signal processing algorithm of a functional mode FM are changed by the control signal CS in accordance with the button's position along the travel range, which due to the spring arrangement SPA is experienced as the amount of applied force to the activation arrangement AA, which is also displayed. However, in another embodiment the display may comprise a series of light emitting diodes dedicated for specific changes performed by the user or a digital or analogue display, illustrating the changes.

(23) The musical instrument MI is communicatively coupled to the audio foot pedal AFP through the audio input arrangement ARI. The musical instrument MI is to be understood in a broad sense and may be any hand-operated stringed instrument, acoustic, semi-acoustic or electric, such as, e.g., a guitar, a bass, an electric guitar, an electric bass, an ukulele, a banjo, a harp, a violin, etc. In order to establish the guitar audio representing signal by use of the guitar any suitable method may be used, e.g. by means of common pick-ups or instrument microphones.

(24) A speaker SPE is communicatively coupled to the audio output ATO of the audio foot pedal. The speaker SPE may be understood in a broad sense and may be any audio amplification system e.g. personal amplifier system, music instrument amplifier, mixers etc. however, in another embodiment the audio output arrangement may be communicatively coupled to a further guitar effect pedal or the like.

(25) The usage of the audio foot pedal AFP is illustrated by a foot FO which is used to operate the pedal. The operational movement can vary depending on the result to be achieved but can comprise operation like e.g. a click movement where the button is pressed down for a brief amount time, a click and hold movement, where the button is pressed down and the foot held this position for a while, or a click and press movement where the button is pressed down followed by an increase in pressure, or any combination hereof. These movements can yield a command that switches between functional modes or switches to a modulation mode, where changes in variable parameters are made based on the force applied etc.

(26) FIG. 3a illustrates a graph displaying an embodiment of the control signal CS in relation to the travel range TR. It illustrates a travel range TR, comprising a switching range SR and a modulation range MR, and a control signal curve CSC. The control signal curve CSC in the graph illustrates the transmitted control signal value of an activation arrangement AA having a spring arrangement comprising a spring and an elastic ring, i.e. having two different spring forces along the travel range. The graph shows a linear relation correlation between the amount of pressure (x-axis) applied on the multipurpose button MC and the control signal CS when the spring force is defined by the spring. As the spring becomes fully compressed the graph breaks over to a less steep increase, which is where the spring force of the elastic ring is engaged.

(27) The switching range SR describes a set of control signal values that gets transmitted when the user applies a pressure to the button resulting in a position along the travel range within the switching range. The values in the switching range are used to determine if the user wishes to switch between algorithm functions, i.e. functional modes FM, in the signal processing arrangement SPU. In one embodiment, a switch command is determined if the user has pressed the button such that the spring is fully compressed. However, in another embodiment, the switching can also be determined by a threshold TH value in that given range, as illustrated.

(28) In this embodiment, the modulation range MR describes a part of the travel range TR having a spring force that is greater than in the switching range SR. This range of values can be used to activate a second signal processing algorithm function SF in the signal processing arrangement SPU. Further, the control signal CS in this range, can be used by the second algorithm function SF as variable parameter VP inputs. Doing so enables the user to change the effect of the second function SF, as the user changes the amount of force applied to the button, resulting in slightly changed position of the button due to the relatively high spring force, while within the modulation range.

(29) FIG. 3b illustrates an operational principle of an activation arrangement relating to the graph of FIG. 3a.

(30) The activation arrangement AA comprise a stationary part SP, a multipurpose control button MC, a spring arrangement consisting of a first spring arrangement FSA and a second spring arrangement SSA, an output control signal CS and a travel range TR comprising a switching range SR and a modulation range MR.

(31) In this embodiment, the activation arrangement comprises two spring arrangements. However, in another embodiment this activation arrangement may comprise one or several spring arrangements, which enables to create a unique control signal curve CSC. Further, in this embodiment the two activation arrangements have different resistance forces as explained in the description relating to FIG. 3a. However, in another embodiment, the two spring arrangements may comprise the same spring type e.g. they could both be springs and at the same time have the same resistance force.

(32) In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3b, the first spring arrangement FSA pushes the multipurpose control button MC to a non-activated state e.g., a resting position. The resting defines a position of the multipurpose control button MC where it is in a fully extended position providing the longest travel range and opposite of a compressed state where the button is compressed and positioned close to the opposite end of its travel range.

(33) From this resting position, the button can be pressed towards the stationary part SP by applying a force to the button. At a point along the travel range the button will engage the second spring arrangement which results in an increase in resistance force from the button's frame of reference.

(34) In this embodiment, the travel range TR is divided into two regions, a switching range SR and a modulation range MR, where they in combination may cover the entire travel range TR. However, in another embodiment they may comprise part of the travel range TR. Further, these ranges may be abutting, partially overlapping or non-overlapping, as long as a part of the modulation range MR is not covered by the switch range SR and as long as at least a part of the switching range SR is not covered by the modulation range MR.

(35) In this embodiment, the modulation range MR is within the active region of the second spring arrangement SSA. However, in another embodiment the modulation range MR comprise the entire second spring arrangement. The association of the different ranges with different spring arrangements may enable the user to get an intuitive understanding of which mode the user is operating in by knowing how much force needs to be applied to activate the second function, i.e. adjusting a variable parameter of a selected functional mode. The modulation range describes a group of control signal values CS that can be used to input as variable parameters in the second function SF of the selected functional mode.

(36) FIG. 4 illustrates a timing diagram of an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the relation between control signal CS, signal processing algorithms and timing is described. The diagram is divided into three sequences S1, S2 and S3. S1 describes an activation sequence where the push of the button switches between functional modes, from a functional mode FM comprising off/bypass, to a functional mode FM comprising a first signal processing algorithm FF and a second signal processing algorithm SF, where the first signal processing algorithm FF is activated. S2 describes a modulation sequence where an increase in pressure on the button activates the second signal processing algorithm SF, i.e. the variable parameter adjustment, of the active functional mode, and finally S3 describes a termination sequence where the system switches functional mode FM to an off/bypass mode by a push of the button.

(37) In sequence S1, the first signal processing algorithm FF of a functional mode FM is activated by pressing the control button MC and thereby increasing the value of the control signal CS. The activation is further based on checking whether the audio foot pedal AFP is already active or not. If the audio foot pedal AFP is in an off/bypass state e.g. in a bypass functional mode FM, the foot pedal will switch be in an active functional mode FM. After the user removes the pressure on the pedal resulting the control signal CS to return to its non-activated state, the audio foot pedal will remain in the first signal processing algorithm FF, and therefore in an activate mode.

(38) In sequence S2 a press and increase foot motion is performed. As the control signal CS activated, a timer is initiated and the control signal CS is monitored. If the control signal CS is active in the entire time threshold TT. The user can increase the pressure on the button MC which then switches signal processing algorithm in the active functional mode FM to the second signal processing algorithm SF. While in the second signal processing algorithm SF, a further variable pressure is applied to the button resulting in a varying control signal CS. This value of the varying control signal CS can then be used as parameter input to the second signal processing algorithm SF of the selected functional mode, where the variable control signal CS is inserted as a variable parameter VP of the second signal processing algorithm SF. When the user removes the pressure on the multifunctional button MC, the audio foot pedal AFP then switches back to the first signal processing algorithm FF.

(39) In sequence S3 the audio foot pedal AFP switches functional mode FM to a turned off/bypass mode by performing a click motion on the multifunctional control button MC. If this click movement is performed within a time period shorter than a predetermined time threshold TT and the audio foot pedal is in its active first signal processing algorithm FF state, the functional mode is switched to off or to bypass.

(40) FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of the invention.

(41) In the initial phase, the button is pushed down and the duration of that push is checked to see if it is above or below a threshold value. In the case of the duration being less than a threshold value, the functional mode FM status of the audio foot pedal AFP is checked and toggled from either off/bypass in a first functional mode FM to first signal processing algorithm FF in a second functional mode FM.

(42) In the case of the duration being greater than the threshold value, the status of the audio foot pedal AFP is checked. If the pedal is turned off or in bypass, the functional mode FM will be switched to a second functional mode FM comprising a first signal processing algorithm FF and a second signal processing algorithm SF, starting with the first signal processing algorithm being active. After this check the system initiates a looping sequence where the force applied to the button, as determined by the button's position along the travel range, corresponds to the control signal CS being in the modulation range MR. If that is true, the second signal processing algorithm SF will be activated and a further check is performed to see if the push of the button is released.

(43) Once the button is released the system switches back to being in the first signal processing algorithm FF.

(44) The time intervals presented in this embodiment of the flowchart are the same value. However, in another embodiment these time intervals can be set independent of each other.