Effects Pedal Control Platform via Digital Potentiometer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Musical instrument effects pedals require manual adjustment of potentiometers and switches during performances, limiting tonal flexibility and practicality, as existing solutions like user-configurable analog effects switches are often complex and require continuous pedal enablement for functionality.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for interfacing and controlling multiple effects pedals and modules using a common platform with an embedded microprocessor and touch screen interface, allowing remote control of potentiometers, switches, and pedal configurations, as well as dynamic reordering of signal paths, via a footswitch or touch panel, reducing physical connections and components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual potentiometers and switches are used on effects pedals, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because musicians must stop playing to adjust settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical potentiometers and switches with digitally controlled equivalents. A microprocessor controls potentiometer values and switch states through digital signals, allowing remote adjustment via footswitches or computer interfaces without requiring manual mechanical manipulation during performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a microprocessor as an intermediary between the user interface (footswitches, computer) and the effects parameters. This intermediary enables indirect control of effects settings through digital communication protocols, eliminating the need for direct manual adjustment of mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple effects pedals are used to achieve tonal flexibility, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and quantity of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal effects system where a single pedal can perform multiple functions by loading different effect algorithms from memory. The microprocessor can select from various effect types (distortion, delay, reverb, etc.) and configure parameters dynamically, replacing the need for multiple dedicated pedals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple effects functionalities into a single integrated device. By combining the microprocessor, memory storage, and multiple effect circuits in one unit, the system consolidates what would traditionally require separate pedals, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional effects pedals with multiple power supplies and cables are used, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time for setup and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple power supply connections and cable interfaces into a single integrated connection point. The microprocessor manages power distribution to various effect circuits through internal switching, eliminating the need for multiple external power adapters and complex cable routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of effects parameters through computer software or preset memory locations. Users can pre-configure complex effect settings before performance, allowing rapid recall and minimal adjustment time during actual use, thus reducing setup time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10127899B2System and method to interface and control multiple musical instrument effects modules and pedals on a common platform

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 PEREZ JOHN A

AI summary

A system and method for interfacing and controlling multiple musical instrument effects modules and pedals on a common platform. The system includes: a system processor; a backplane coupled with the system processor; a plurality of musical instrument effects modules removably inserted into the backplane, a plurality of musical instrument effects pedals removably inserted into the backplane via looper channels, each of the plurality of musical instrument effects modules and pedals including an audio input signal interface and an audio output signal interface, at least one of the musical instrument effects modules including a programmable potentiometer and/or programmable switch to modify an audio output signal; and a user interface configured to enable a user to apply a desired setting on the programmable potentiometer of the musical instrument effects modules via the system processor and the backplane: and a user interface configured to enable a user to reorder the musical effects signal path by dragging and dropping a module or pedal icon to a desired position among a plurality of icons thus electrically reordering the effects signal path.