NL1015268C2 - System uses computer to preset parameters of adjustable apparatus, allows operator to set up apparatus via computer keyboard, mouse and screen - Google Patents

Abstract

Many electronic systems require the settings of a large number of parameters. This control system consists of a standard personal computer (1), a specialist calculating interface (2) and an operator input circuit (3). The parameters of the apparatus (4) are set via a hard wired or remote connection (5). The operator uses an interactive graphical interface to set many parameters simultaneously.

Description

Short designation: Device for setting parameters for an adjustable device using the computer.

The invention relates to a device for setting parameters for an adjustable device using a computer, comprising means for inputting into the computer the parameters of a first number of presets of the adjustable device, means for displaying of a second number of presets, means for indicating to a computer computer an extent to which one or more parameters of the visualized presets contribute to the calculation by the computer of determining a value for one or more parameters for the adjustable device, means for setting the one or more parameters for the adjustable device to the value determined by the calculation unit, wherein for each parameter the determined value is a weighted average of the values that the relevant parameter has for each of the displayed presets, where setting the adjustable devices ng does not change the presets made visible on the basis of the 20 values determined by the unit of account

The invention also relates to a method for setting parameters for an adjustable device using a computer.

The invention also relates to a computer program product that can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a computer as well as to a computer program product comprising an appropriate medium on which a program is stored.

Known is the Yamaha CSlx control synthesizer, further referred to as the CSlx. A considerable number of parameters can be set on the CSlx. It is possible to select a Scene 1 and a Scene 2 preset at the same time. The choice of both presets is visible on the CSlx by illuminating two corresponding lights. After selecting the Scene 1 and Scene 2 for -35 settings, it is possible to set the value of the parameters 1015268 with a so-called "modulation wheel" or with a foot-operated element.

Scene 1 and Scene 2 determine to continuously change between Scene 1 and Scene 2. This involves continuously changing parameters between two presets along a line, therefore one-dimensional. A disadvantage of the CSlx is that it is only possible to change between two presets, which are selectable per se.

Many systems, such as the CSlx, for example, are designed as adjustable devices and require their users to specify the values of a large number of parameters. Such a system records this input, performs a simulation or changes something in the real world and presents the result to the user. The user observes the result and optionally changes his input to change the result. Two phases can be distinguished in such systems. In the first phase a model or configuration is defined, in the second phase one or more parameters are set. The first stage is usually specific to a field. In the second stage, many parameters, typically tens or hundreds, must be set. Each of the adjustable parameters can be thought of as a dimension in a multi-dimensional space. The dimensions of the corresponding multi-dimensional para-20 meter space are very large. On the other hand, usually only a small subset of all possible institutions is important. Operating such systems requires a great deal of skill and knowledge and is therefore often limited to professional users. In particular in simulations, the relationship between the result and each individual parameter is often not obvious. Often several parameters have to be changed at the same time to achieve a certain effect. Often, exact specifications of optimal results cannot be defined, as a result of which automatic optimization is not obvious. Not infrequently, there is no single, optimum, but it depends on the circumstances which of several possible optima is the most optimal for the situation in question. In many cases there is also a need for dynamic or even real-time control. Finally, it may be that the successive setting of individual parameters causes undesired intermediate situations, parameters to be (re) set must be set simultaneously and / or in a predetermined order as much as possible.

The use of simulations is widespread today, for example when designing products. The user can vary geometric, chemical, physical and other parameters and run simulations to determine very widely varying functional characteristics, such as strength, cost and appearance. Sound synthesizers are often based on the use of a network of components, such as oscillators and filters, each of which has several adjustable parameters. Also in animation where computers are used to model human, animal and cartoon bodies, many parameters are required to give the relevant animation figures acceptable attitudes and facial expressions.

Finding suitable institutions is therefore a process that requires a great deal of time, expertise and effort.

The adjustable devices mentioned in the preamble for which the parameters can be adjusted with the aid of the computer can be very diverse. These include sound synthesizers, color display devices, image acquisition medical equipment such as X-rays and MRI scanners, two dimensional animation figure display devices, and many other things that require a variety of parameters to be set.

There is a need to be able to assess a large number of possible settings in a simple, intuitive, whether or not automatic manner, in a case where a limited number of presets for the parameters of the adjustable device are known and given.

A device according to the invention is therefore characterized in that means are present for displaying an at least two-dimensional space and that means are present for making three or more presets visible in the at least two-dimensional space.

Hereby it is achieved that between the visualized presets can be arbitrarily interpolated, without destroying the starting position, the display of the presets. It has also been achieved that the result, from the determination of the value of the parameters by the calculation unit 1015268 4, is present quickly because it is not necessary to calculate the result of the value of the parameter for all possible combinations of presets of the adjustable device. parameters while still allowing a large number of pre-5 settings to be considered simultaneously.

The program Amorphium of Play in the United States is known per se (website: http://www.Amorphium.com). The Amorphium program relates to the design of two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional objects as well as the visualization of two-dimensional projections of designed three-dimensional objects from different angles of view. The Amorphium program is important for the present invention because it is possible to take three selected basic shapes as a starting point and then combine them in one of four ways. In each case two forms of the three selected forms can be combined with each other to form a fourth, respectively, all three forms can be combined with each other to form a fourth. In all cases, the third chosen form disappears and is replaced by the combined form. This has the drawback that it is not possible to return to a previous starting position because one of the three elements, i.e. the selected shapes, is no longer present. The combination options are also limited to the above-mentioned four options. There is no question of a sliding transition from one form to another.

25 In the article J. Marks at all, "Design Galeries: General

Approach to Setting Parameters for Computer Graphics and Animation ", Proceedings of SIGGRAPH-97 Computer Graphics Proceedings, annual conference series, pp. 389-400 (August 1997, Los Angeles,

California), Addison Wesley, edited by Turner Witted, ISBN 0-89791-30896-7 discusses a method in which for a relatively limited number of parameters an area is defined within which the parameter in question may vary. A step size is then defined in each of those areas. This provides a number of possible values for each of those parameters. The result is then calculated for each possible combination of the relevant parameter values. For all those results, a number of features have been defined. A distance metric has also been defined to assign a distance value to each of the results calculated above, based on those defined characteristics. As a next step, a limited number of results are selected in such a way that, calculated according to the selected distance calculation metric, the results in question are spread more or less evenly in a result space. Finally, the results obtained, which are more or less uniformly spaced, are presented in the result space. If the number of results in question is too large to be displayed on the screen at one time, the results are ordered hierarchically according to a preselected system and work can be carried out from a top to lower levels to finally view one of the results. As with the Amorphium program, these are only graphic representations. Other adjustable devices, such as music synthesizers and medical devices, are not discussed in the article in question, nor is it clear how the teachings of the article in question could be applied to such adjustable devices.

In the article Marion de Boo "Click to the right bottle of 20 wine", Delft Outlook 16 (2000), pp. 4-9 describes an interactive search system for a database of elements that is not ordered alphabetically-lexicographically and / or numerically. Starting from a number of randomly selected elements from the database, the element from the database can then be selected interactively that is closest to a question from the user. The randomly selected elements from the database are displayed on the screen at a mutual distance on the basis of a distance function defined on the basis of properties of the elements to be displayed. The display on the screen is therefore based on a distance definition in a space of elements.

The present invention, on the other hand, relates to the visualization of parameter presets of the adjustable devices.

A preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that the weights with which the average is weighed are standardized.

1015268 6

This ensures that the setting that is set using the parameters determined by the computer does not impose requirements on the adjustable device that are outside the range of the relevant adjustable device, ie that each parameter is at all times in the domain which for that parameter is permissible.

A further preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that means are present for recalculating all weights after a change of at least one of the weights.

This ensures that a new setting of the adjustable device can be effected as quickly as possible.

A further preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that means are present for displaying the at least two-dimensional space on at least a part of the screen, because means are present for indicating at least one control point of the at least one control point on the screen. two-dimensional space and because for each parameter the weighted average calculation is based on relative distances from the at least one control point to predetermined areas, which areas are associated with each of the presets visualized in the two-dimensional space.

This has achieved that in a visual and therefore insightful manner, namely by showing on the screen the different distances from the selected point to each of the 25 presets, the influence of each of the presets on the determining the setting associated with the control point can be estimated.

A preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that in the calculation of the weighted average the weight function is a monotonous non-rising function of the relative distance.

This distance weight definition for calculating the weighted average addresses the intuition that more distant presets have a smaller impact than closer presets.

1015268 7

A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that means are present for optionally positioning one or more presets to be displayed in the representation of the two-dimensional space.

5 This ensures that the user can choose between the presets he wants to combine into a new setting and the relative weight he wants to assign to each of the presets for the new setting.

Another preferred embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention is characterized in that means are provided for towing the at least one control point.

This ensures that, with a chosen arrangement of presets on the screen, the space between those presets can be easily explored by dragging the control point between the 15 presets.

A further preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that means are present for dragging at least one displayed preset.

As a result, it has been achieved that with a given positioning of all other presets on the screen and a choice made for the control point, the relative influence of one of the presets can be changed on that specific situation and the results are observed by the user.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that means are provided for selecting first and second positions in the representation of the at least two-dimensional space and in that means are provided for passing through the at least one preset / the at least one control point of a trajectory through the at least two-dimensional space from a first selected position to a second selected position.

In this way it is achieved that a range of control points / presets on the screen can be automatically traversed between a selected number of presets, while successively the adjustable device with the settings corresponding to the successive control points / presets is visible 1015268 8 is made audible, tangible, etc. In the case, for example, that the adjustable device is a cartoon in which the presets represent different positions of the cartoon figure, the cartoon figure can thus carry out all kinds of movements by running the control point over a certain distance on the screen. In case the adjustable device is a music synthesizer in which the presets represent, for example, different musical instruments, the traversing through the control point of a track on the screen can be continuously displayed as the execution of a specifically selected piece of music by each time with the position of the control point along the trajectory to be followed corresponding setting of the adjustable device. In this case, therefore, that setting corresponds to a musical instrument, which is an interpolated version of all musical instruments that are present on the screen as 15 presets. Note that for a specific music synthesizer not all possible presets, therefore not all possible musical instruments that are present as presets in a music synthesizer, need to be displayed on the screen. It should also be noted that, as already indicated above, the choice of positioning the presets can be completely free, so that a piano and an organ can be positioned very close to each other as presets, but also very far apart, depending on the choice of the user of the device.

It has also been achieved that, in the same example of a music synthesizer, with a chosen arrangement of presets and a selected control point, the influence of a specific preset in relation to the selected control point can be made audible by selecting the relevant preset for a specific, selectable range. let go through 30. For example, with a music synthesizer it is then possible to choose a trumpet, oboe and trombone as presets and have the trumpet presets run through a trajectory from a position near the oboe to a position near the trombone with the control point on a position is relative to the positions of the 35 oboe and trombone presets.

1015268 9

A further preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that means are present for grouping the displayed presets in groups. As a result, it has been achieved that different presets, which are arranged in a group, can be influenced simultaneously by the user, for instance by sliding them as a group, while maintaining their mutual positioning, over the screen.

A further preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that in the representation of the at least two-dimensional space on the screen areas around the displayed presets are shown as Voronoi diagrams.

This has achieved that it is visualized to the user which preset at a selected control point will have the smallest relative distance, and therefore generally the greatest influence.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an adjustable device and a computer; Figure 2 is a representation of (part of) a screen with a number of presets and a control point shown thereon;

Figure 3 shows the screen according to figure 2 with another control point indicated thereon;

Figure 4 shows the screen according to figure 2, wherein one of the presets has a different position;

Figure 5 is a representation of the screen according to Figure 2 with the control point running through a path;

Figure 6 is a representation of the screen according to Figure 2 with one of the presets running through a path; Figure 7 is a representation of the screen of Figure 2 with a number of control points as well as a displacement of the control points as a group;

Figure 8 shows the screen according to Figure 2, in which a number of presets have been grouped together and moved as a group; 1015268 10

Figure 9 is a representation of a display screen according to Figure 2 in which a separation is made between two parts of the two-dimensional space;

Figure 10 is an example of application of the invention to a number of drawings of animals;

Figure 11 is a representation of the construction of a drawing of an animal shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an example of another representation of the presets and their range of influence on the screen; Figure 13 is an example of an application of the representation according to Figure 12 for a sound synthesizer;

Figure 14 shows a display with another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 15 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 16 depicts yet another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention; Figure 18 shows how a computer can be provided with a program for carrying out (a method according to) the invention.

Figure 1 shows a computer which includes a screen 1, a calculation unit 2 and an input unit 3. In figure 1 an adjustable device 4 is also shown.

Adjustable device 4 can, but need not, be directly connected to the computing unit 2 as indicated by the dotted line 5. Adjustable device 4 can involve a multitude of things, even a computer program. Common to all these things is that there are a large number of adjustable parameters with which the adjustable device 4 can be set to one of a multitude of settings. The adjustable device 4 has a number of presets, which in general have already been entered into the adjustable device 4 by the manufacturer and sometimes by a user and are selectable either from a control panel for the adjustable device 4 or with the aid of a computer , as formed by the elements 1, 2 1015268 11 and 3 via a connection 5. Connection 5 indicates by the dotted line that the connection between the computing unit 2 and the adjustable device 4 can be direct, but also indirectly, for example because the data that serve for adjusting the adjustable device 4, the unit 2 is mounted on a floppy disk or CD-ROM or other removable memory element or transferred by wireless connection. Adjustable device 4 can be a device that simulates a situation in reality, a sound synthesizer, a display unit comparable to or identical to the screen 1, 10, a device for printing images in succession as a film, the images being determined by the setting of parameters determined by the computing unit 2 using the present invention, image acquisition medical equipment such as X-ray image and MRI scanners, color image display device 15 and so on.

An often used alternative to changing individual parameters is the use of presets. Experts pre-set a number of settings for the parameters so that each preset is usable in one sense or another. A 20 sound synthesizer is a good example: presets simulate as best as possible a set of real and also virtual musical instruments. The task of setting all parameters has therefore been reduced to choosing a preset so that new users can also use the system. More experienced users can use presets as starting points for variations of the basic parameters. Within the scope of the present invention, a parameter adjustment is calculated as a weighted average of a number of presets. The number of presets can relate to all possible presets of the relevant adjustable device 30, but it can also be a selection thereof. In particular, a convex combination of presets is chosen. Suppose n parameters with a fair value need to be specified. Then the input for the adjustable device 4 is a vector χ = [Χρ x2,. ..xn].

Suppose further that there are m presets Ρΐ5 i = l ...... m 35 where each preset includes the value of all n parameters. Then the vector x can be interpolated via: 1015268 12 m χ = Σ υ, Ρ, i-1

To keep the combination convex, the following conditions must be met m U ^ O, Σ U ^ l 1-1 10 where U, is the weight for the preset 1 ing P ,. The weights Ui are normalized, i.e. add up to 1, each weight being between zero and one. The m-dimensional vector U, together with the presets, defines the setting. The weighted presets define a convex subset of the parameter space, typically with a lower dimensionality than the original parameter space. In case n presets are used, the valid settings for the parameters form an (n-1) -dimensional convex object embedded in an n-dimensional parameter space. In itself, interpolation is not a problem for parameters with real values. However, some systems, adjustable devices 4, place additional demands on a set of parameters. Ordinal parameters, for example, can be depicted on a scale with real values and rounded afterwards. For example, the numbers 0, 0.5 and 1 can be used if there are three separate setting options. Nominal parameters (such as 25 country, vehicle type, etc.) can be assigned real values in the same way as ordinal parameters.

The user could then directly set or change each of the weights Uj. However, adjusting each weight Uj is cumbersome and indirect, which the user wants to avoid using the invention. An example of the application of the invention to adjusting the weights Uj is shown in figure 14. Figure 14 shows the screen 1 on which a number of presets 11, 12, 13 and 14 are shown. In connection with the aforementioned examples, the adjustable device 4 in this case could for instance be a sound synthesizer in which 11 indicates trumpet, 12 oboe, 13 organ, 14 piano. A number of sliders 15, 16, 17 and 18 are also shown in the screen. Buttons 19, 20, 21, and 22 on sliders 15, 16, 17, and 18, respectively, indicate to the user the relative weights applied to each of the presets 11 and 16, respectively. 12 resp. 13 resp. 14 5 are awarded. The calculation unit 2 meanwhile ensures that the conditions that the weights are greater than or equal to zero and that the sum of the weights is equal to one each time are met. As a result, when the setting of, for example, button 19 of slider 15 is changed, all other buttons change position. For example, when button 19 in figure 14 is moved to the right, buttons 20, 21 and 22 move to the left and vice versa. Presets 11, 12, 13 and 14, as shown on screen 1, have associated settings for the relevant parameters of the sound synthesizer 4 to ensure that filters and / or 15 oscillators in the sound synthesizer 4 are set that the sound produced by the sound synthesizer 4 sounds like a trumpet or oboe, organ and piano respectively.

In case the presets 11, 12, 13 and 14 are figures 20, the result can be shown as figure in a part 23 of the screen 1.

The embodiment of the invention according to Figure 14 discussed here is not very easy for the user because every change of one of the weights for the presets changes all 25 other weights in a manner which is not very transparent to the user. It is also difficult to reproduce an adjustment of the sliders 15, 16, 17 and 18 once obtained with the buttons 19, 20, 21 and 22 respectively.

A simpler and more transparent representation of the presets and the associated weights is shown in figure 2. In figure 2, reference numeral 25 shows the screen 1 or a part thereof, such as, for example, the part 23 in figure 14. Presets are shown with letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G. For the sake of clarity and recognisability, the presets A-G are indicated with small circles. A cross 26 is also indicated in figure 2. It should be noted that the presets 1015268 14 1 A-G are not necessarily all possible presets available for the adjustable device 4. It can be as many but it can also be fewer, ie it can be chosen that not all possible presets 5 play a role in determining the parameters settings for the adjustable device 4 of the position indicated by the cross 26. If desired, it can also be more because one or more of the presets 1 is displayed multiple times on the screen 25. Figure 2 also shows distances d (A), d (B), ..., d (G) which are the distances measured along the screen between the cross 26 and each of the presets A-G. The image displayed on the screen 25 is a flat plane representation of a projection of the parameter space presets onto a two-dimensional space, which space is displayed on the screen as a flat plane. With each preset AG of the adjustable device 4, a set of parameters with given value for the adjustable device 4 is associated and available to the computing unit 2. The positioning of the different presets AG on the screen 25 is at the discretion of the user of the design.

The device enables the user to determine a weighted average for any point of the screen 25 for each of the parameters with which the adjustable device 4 can be set, the weights being dependent on the distances measured from the relevant point, also referred to herein as the control point, up to the various presets displayed on the screen. In the example shown in Figure 2, there are seven presets A-G. The weights in question can be represented as a seven-dimensional vector U. The coordinates of the vector U are formed by the different weights of the 30 with the cross 26 control point 27 relative to the presets A-G. An example of a function which assigning weights to distances is the function m

Ui = drp / Zd / 1 1015268 J = 1 15 where if a certain ¢ 1, = 0 U, is by definition equal to 1 and all other Uj's are set to zero. This achieves that if the cross 26 is placed in a designated place which coincides with one of the presets, only that preset 5 determines what the setting of the adjustable device 4 will be. This also achieves that a continuous change is possible in the parameters determined by the calculation unit 2 for the adjustment of the adjustable device 4 if the control point 27 is getting closer to one of the presets.

The function shown above, which indicates the relationship between the weights U, and the distances d between the control point 27 and the presets A-G, is one of the many possibilities for determining the weights. In general, any function Ui which is a monotone non-rising function of the distances dj (j = 1, ... m). 15 In the present case, m equals 7.

It is also possible to make the method of calculating the Ui * s adjustable per parameter. In that case we have weights U1j} where j is the index of the parameter. For example, for a preset with three parameters, for example, the U / s for the first 20 parameter, the Uns, may be proportional to 1 / di, and for the second and third parameters, the U12s and U13s, for example, with 1 / d, 2.

In the n-dimensional parameter space, the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25 with the presets AG and the control point 27 is a two-dimensional projection on a flat or curved plane, shown on a flat or substantially flat screen , the presets for the adjustable device 4 corresponding to the control point 27 can be represented as an n-dimensional vector x. For the elements Xj of the n-dimensional vector x can be written: 30 »

Xj = Σ U1Pi j 1-1 where the coordinates are an m-dimensional vector and also the weights to be assigned to each preset i 35 for the control point 27, and where j is the jth parameter of the i- the preset. Preferably, the function from which the weights U1 1015268 16 are determined as a function of the distances between the control point 27 and the different presets A-G, P1}, respectively. ..Pm, chosen such that all U ^ O and that U, are normalized, i.e. Ii ... m of 1 ^ = 1.

5 Displaying on-screen presets in a manner as for example is done in figure 2 with circles and letter identification, each of those presets being linked to a set of parameters available for the calculation unit 2 and which parameters can be used for setting an adjustable device is part of the ordinary skill of those skilled in the art of computer programming and will not be described further here. It is also normal for the skilled person to indicate a control point 27 on the screen with an aid such as a mouse, a joystick, a keyboard, etc. Likewise, it is normal for the skilled person to calculate the weight vector U on the basis of a selected monotonic non-ascending function of the distances measured along the screen between the control point 27 and the presets AG available for the calculation unit 2, are shown on the screen 25. The function cited above, which indicates the relationship between Uf and d ^, for p = 1 depends on the inverse of the distance between the control point and the presets. Instead of a value 1 for p (hyperbolic), a value of p greater than 1 (superhyperbolic) can also be chosen or the distance can occur in the exponent of an exponential function (logarithmic), in which case the influence of a preset located on the display 25 closer to the control point 27 is greater than the influence of a preset on the display 25 further away from the control point 27.

Figure 3 shows a different control point 27, where 30 the presets A-G are the same as the presets A-G

shown in figure 2 on the screen 25. The distances d '(A), ... d' (G) shown in figure 3 show that the relative influence of the different presets in figure 3 for the control point 27 'is different from for the control point 27 shown in figure 2.

35 By indicating each time a different point 27 in the two-dimensional space with the presets AG displayed on the 1015268 17 screen 25, the user can visually change the influence of the different presets because he has a choice where to position the control point relative to the different presets.

Figure 4 shows another way in which the settings for the adjustable device 4, corresponding to the control point 27 and made visible with the cross 26, can be changed depending on the different presets A-G. Presets A, CG are positioned at the same positions in the two-dim-10 space shown on screen 25 as in Figures 2 and 3. However, for preset B, the user has a different position in the respective two- dimensional space chosen. As a result of this choice of the user, the distances d (A), d (C), ... d (G) are equal to the distances as shown in figure 2. 15 However, the distance d ”(B) of the control point 27 to the preset B shown on the screen 25 in Figure 4 is less than the distance d (B) from the control point 27 to the preset B shown on the screen 25 in Figure 2. As a result of that smaller distance, the degree in which Figure 4 the preset B determines the final setting 20 greater than the extent to which in Figure 2 the preset B determines the final setting of the parameters of the adjustable device 4. As a result of normalization, the weights of the presets A and CG are shown in Figure 2. 4 smaller than in figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a further application possibility of the device according to the invention. Figure 5 again shows the screen 25 with the presets A-G already known from Figure 2. Also shown in Figure 5 are an initial setting 28, an end setting 29 and a trajectory 30. Calculator unit 2 is now programmed in a manner customary for the skilled person so that 30 successively all points from the control point 28 along the trajectory 30 to the control point 29 and that the respective settings associated with a control point of the path 30 (whether or not including the control points 28 and 29) are applied to the adjustable device 4. In this way, a quick insight can be obtained into the relative influence of the presets B and G when the trajectory 30 shown in figure 5 is traversed from near preset A to close to preset D. It is of course also possible that the control points 28 and 29 coincide with, in this case, the presets A and B. Of course, the choice of the presets A and D is only by way of example here. The choice for a straight path 30 on the screen 25 is simple, also for the calculation unit 2, and also to a great extent general, because in the majority of cases it is mathematically possible, starting from an arbitrary distribution of the presets AG on the screen 25 and any curve for the trajectory 10 between the control points 28 and 29, to change the positioning of the presets AG so that the curved trajectory turns into a straight trajectory, such as the trajectory 30. An example of an adjustable device 4 in which a user would like to go through a trajectory 30 can be found in the animation and cartoon sphere. For example, the 15 presets AG are different postures of a cartoon figure displayed on a screen, and traversing the trajectory 30 then results in the posture of the cartoon figure corresponding to the control point 28 gradually changing into the posture of the cartoon figure given by the control point 29 wherein in the case shown in figure 5 near the center of the traversed trajectory 30 there is still influence of the positions of the cartoon figures corresponding to the presets B and C. The positions of the cartoon figure corresponding to the presets E, F and G play a lesser role when completing route 30.

In order to emphasize the role of nearby presets in relation to the influence of presets that are further away, not only superhyperbolic or logarithmic or exponential functions can be used to calculate the weights as a function of relative distances, but 30 the weights, which are between zero and one, are raised to a given exponent greater than one. It is also possible to choose to zero the weight of presets for which the distance function results in a weight below a certain threshold. Depending on the choice of the size of the threshold, however, in the latter case there may be a step in the continuity of the settings of the parameters because a parameter makes a 1015268 19 jump from 0 to the threshold or vice versa, which is reflected can come in an observable jump in the adjustable device 4.

Analogously, the point 27 in the two-dimensional space shown on the display 25 can be kept constant and one of the presets, B in Figure 6, can traverse a path 31 between the positions 32 and 33 in the two-dimensional space. displayed on the screen 25. In this way, the user can investigate the influence of changing the relative influence of one of the presets on the final setting associated with the control point 27 for the adjustable device 4.

In the foregoing, it has been assumed that there is one control point in the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25. It is also conceivable that the adjustable device 4 can be driven on the basis of several sets of parameters simultaneously. This is the case, for example, if the parameters or output signals of the adjustable device 4 are superposable or if, in other ways, several settings can be usefully or meaningfully used at the same time. For example, in a sound synthesizer, the sound waves delivered as an output signal are superposable. In a sound synthesizer, for example, it is quite possible to sound a trumpet, an oboe and a piano at the same time, whereby all three instruments are clearly distinguishable for the listener. In such a case of superimposability of the settings, it may be useful for the user to have more than one control point in the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25. This is shown in Figure 7 with the control points 33, 34 and 35, using the presets A-G as already known from Figure 2 by way of example. It will be possible for both the control points 33, 34 and 35 as well as the presets AG to run through different paths in the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25, all this as further described in connection with Figures 5 and 6. Figure 7 also shows another way of traversing the two-dimensional space on the screen 25. In that case a number of control points 33, 34 and 35 are seen as a group 1015268 20 36 which, as a whole, are in the same mutual constellation over the display 25, i.e. through the two-dimensional space shown on the display 25, is movable. For example to the control points 33 ', 34' and 35 'along the trajectory 37. In addition to a shift such as 5 along the arrow 37 of the group 36 of the control points 33, 34 and 35, it is also possible to rotate the group 36 around a selected point 38 and indicated by arrow 39. The rotation point 38 may be within group 36 or also outside it. It is also possible, while rotating about point 38, to run point 38 through a trajectory through the two-dimensional sional space shown on the screen 25, for instance as described in further detail in connection with the traversing of the two-dimensional space. shown on the screen 25 by a control point along the track 30 shown in Figure 5 or from a preset along a track 31 as shown in Figure 6. Such a displacement of the rotation point 38 is shown by way of example with the track 40.

Figure 8 shows that a number of presets, for example, presets 1, B, D and E, form a group 42. The group 42 can be moved as indicated by way of example with the arrow 41 to a position in which the influence of the group on the control point 27 is reduced. Likewise, by moving in the direction of an arrow 43, the influence of the group 42 on the settings for the adjustable device 4 corresponding to the control point 27 in the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25 can be increased by movement of the group 42 in the direction of the arrow 43. It is also possible to rotate the group 42 around a rotation point 44 as schematically indicated by arrow 45 and likewise it is possible to move the rotation point 44 during rotation along for example a trajectory 46. The rotation speed of the group 42 in the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25 is adjustable, for example, as is the translation speed of the rotation point 44 along the trajectory 46.

In Figure 9, again, the two-dimensional space of which the presets AG are part is shown on the display screen 25. The two-dimensional space shown on the display screen 25 is shown by a dashed line 47 (which may or may not be visible on 1015268 21 the display 25) divided into at least two areas, a first area 48 comprising the presets A, C, F and 6 and a second area 49 comprising the presets B, D and E. Also in Figure 9 with a cross 26 the control point is 27. The dividing line 47 between the regions 48 and 49 implies that for the presets B, D and E for a control point 27 in the region 48, another function determines the weights based on the distances from the control point 27 to the presets B , D and E then the function valid in area 48 regarding the distances from the control point 27 10 to the presets A, C, F and 6. For example, the weights associated with the control point 27 to the presets B, D and E are fixed for each control point located in the region 48 or the weights associated with the distances from the control point 27 to the presets B, D and E can be based on a fixed value which is still slightly varied depending on the position where the connecting lines between the control point 27 and the presets B, D and E intersect the dividing line 47.

Figure 10 shows an example of a two-dimensional space with eight presets. In addition, for a grid on the screen 25 it is always indicated what the result of the settings of the parameters is if the grid point in question is the control point. For the sake of convenience, in Figure 10, both the display screen 25 showing the two-dimensional space with the presets and the results as they appear on an output display screen of the adjustable device 4 are shown on the grid points. Each preset consists of a colored polygon with any number of points. One of those polygons, r (rhinoceros, rhinoceros) in Figure 10, is shown in more detail in Figure 14. In the example of Figure 14, polygon 30 comprises 46 points between which straight lines are drawn. Each of the 46 points has a set of x, y coordinates to identify that point. Also, the region 50 enclosed by the polygons is characterized by a color described with an amount of red, green and blue. In total, this concerns 95 coordinates (46 x coordinates, 35 46 y coordinates and 3 color coordinates red, green and blue). That is, the n-dimensional space is 95-dimensional, while the m-1015268 22 dimensional space is 8-dimensional. For any point on the grid shown in Figure 10, a value should be determined for each of the 95 coordinates. The value determination takes place as the weighted average of the respective coordinate in each of the 5 eight presets. Weighing takes place by means of a function that indicates the relationship between the respective weight and the distance from the respective location of the grid to the relevant preset. The choice of the location on the screen 25 of the presets G, C, P, W, V, D, R and O is at the choice of the user of the device. The figures shown in figure 10 are therefore directly related to the distribution of the presets over the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25.

Figure 11 shows another representation for the presets AK in the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25. In Figure 11, lines separating the areas from points of the two-dimensional space are shown on the screen 25 showing a smallest distance from one of the presets of areas with greater distances from the affected preset. For example, the area bounded by lines 51, 52, 53, 20, 54 and 55 will be formed by points of the two-dimensional space shown on the display 25 which have a smaller distance from the preset F may be to any other of the ones shown. presets AE, GK. Lines 51-55 form what is known as a Voronoi diagram. Such a Voronoi diagram can assist in choosing a point to be indicated in order to ensure that for the point to be selected, the influence of one of the presets is greatest relative to the influence of the other presets of the two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25. For the sake of clarity, figure 11 shows that a gray scale can be used to indicate within each area of the Voronoi diagram which points are closer to the preset of the area concerned and which are further away within that area. An example for forming a function that applies grayscale as shown in figure 35 11 is the following: consider the image on the display 25 as a top view of a curved surface z (x, y) given by: 1015268 23 mz (x, y) = a min (φ2 (χ, γ)) 1-1 where ds is the geometric distance measured across the screen from a 5 point x, y on the screen to preset 1 ing i at point (xu y ^ and a a (usually negative) scaling factor In other words, each bi-dimensional space, which is displayed on the screen, is assigned a paraboloid This surface is transformed into a gray-scale image via a simple diffuse reflection model. on the surface is given by: n = [2a (x-Xj), 2a (y-yj), 1] where j is the index of the closest presets on the screen. The intensity (1 gray value) I becomes then given by: 15 I = I0 + Ismax (0, (nl) / (| n | | 1 |) where I0 is the intensity of the ambient light, the intensity of a directed light source and 1 is a vector pointing to this light source. The diagram shown in Figure 11 is often referred to as the shaded Voronoi diagram. An advantage of a shaded Voronoi 20 diagram is that it visually assists the user in determining relative distances from a selected control point to the nearest preset in the two-dimensional space displayed on the screen 25. At current computing speeds of calculation units 2 and using the above formulas 25, the shaded Voronoi diagram can be displayed in real time even if the user drags one of the presets to another position in the two-dimensional space shown on the display 25.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the use of a shadowed Voronoi diagram, in which use is also made of a display according to figure 7.

The Voronoi diagram shows strings S, guitar G, alto saxophone AS, oboe 0, strumming P, xylophone X, trumpet T, violin V, cello C, piano P, electric organ EO 35 and electric bass EB. The diagram shows four control points, namely B, T, A and S, which represent four voices.

1015268 24

An extension of the possibilities of the adjustable device 4, a music synthesizer, used in figure 12 is the following. On the screen 25, a column 51 shows the different musical instruments, the presets 5 of which are shown in a two-dimensional space shown on the screen 25. Each of those musical instruments in column 51 is provided with a checkbox with which it can be indicated whether within the area in the Voronoi diagram around the preset of the respective instrument may or may not change the parameter setting values 10. In particular, in the area around the xylophone X, for example, it can be dictated by ticking as shown in Figure 12 that in the Voronoi area around the xylophone, each control point in that area assumes the values associated with the presetting of the xylophone i.e. pretending the distance in the whole 15 area around the Xylophone X preset has zero distance to that preset.

After the foregoing, many paths will be open to those skilled in the art to explore new avenues using the present invention to find new and meaningful settings for that element based on a limited number of presets for an adjustable device.

The foregoing description assumes that the two-dimensional space containing the presets shown fits completely on the display screen 25. That is not necessarily the case. It is possible that the two-dimensional space comprises more presets than are shown on the screen 25 and fall outside the screen 25 by the same measure of image of the two-dimensional space on the screen 25. This provides the possibility to go with the control point to the edge of the screen 30 without strange results occurring. Provision may also be made for the image field of the screen 25 to be movable relative to the two-dimensional space containing the displayed presets, in order to thereby achieve another area of the two-dimensional space in which partly the same and partly different presets are are in two-dimensional space. It is also possible to automatically scan control points of 1015268 25 the two-dimensional space and to make the results thereof visible, audible, tangible etc. via the adjustable device 4. For example, an algorithm may be included in the program for computer unit 2 with which the control point does not traverse a predetermined trajectory 30 (see figure 5), but a random trajectory that starts somewhere in two-dimensional space, in a straight line to an edge of the display 25 and then "reflects" therefrom at an arbitrary, or adjustable, angle. In this way, settings can be achieved and presented to the user which might otherwise not be reached or chosen. Another method of achieving completely different settings of the adjustable device 4 is by randomly scanning the weight vectors U in the m-dimensional space using a random number generator. The disadvantage of the last 15 method is that it is jumped from one control point to another without there being a relationship between the control points before and after the jump. Most likely this leads to settings of the adjustable device 4 that are not related to each other and may be difficult for the user to follow.

Figure 15 again shows a computer with a screen 1 and computer unit 2, an input unit 3, an adjustable device 4 and a connection 5 between the computer unit 2 and the adjustable device 4. The computer is also connected to a camera 60. The camera 60 in this example is aimed at a plateau 61 on which various persons 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 are located. Each of the persons 62-65 is individually identifiable, for example, by wearing differently colored headgear, as indicated, for example, by the reference numeral 67, or differently shaped headgear, as indicated, for example, by the reference numeral 68. The image from the camera 60, for example are displayed on the screen 1. It is then possible to identify the different persons 62-65 with presets of the adjustable device 4 and identify the person indicated with reference numeral 66 as a control point (indicated with reference numeral 27 in the previous figures). Persons 62-66 are now able to change the settings of the parameters for the adjustable device 1015268 26 each time by moving over the plateau 61.

Figure 16 shows an embodiment of the invention in which representations of the presets are projected in three dimensions in a space 70. The projections are made visible to observers 71, 72, 73, 74 and 75 using virtual reality glasses 76, 77, 78, 79 and 80. The positions of persons 71-75 in space 70 are detected using three cameras 81, 82 and 83. In this way it is possible for persons 10 71-75 to be in between by moving them visible presets and control points and moving them, using known and suitable software, in space 70, as a result of which the parameters for the adjustable device 4 are changed.

Figure 17 shows a display on screen 25 of a three-dimensional space 85. The three-dimensionality of space 85 is accentuated by, in this case, showing an x-axis 86, a y-axis 87 and a z-axis 88 On the screen 25, presets 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, and 94 are displayed relative to three-dimensional space. A control point 95 is also shown. Using 20 software known per se, it is possible to move the control point 95 relative to the presets 89-94. Again it is possible to move presets, add control points,. a control point traversing a trajectory through space, presets traversing a trajectory through space, summarizing control points both as presets into groups and moving them as a group through space 85, both translating and rotating. It is also possible to distinguish regions in three dimensions in space 85, just as it is possible to divide the two-dimensional space shown in figure 9 by the dividing line 47.

After the foregoing, it will be no more trouble for those skilled in the art to convert the displayed teaching into a computer program that will operate a computer with a screen 1, a calculation unit 2, an input unit 3 and connected to an adjustable device 4 as described above in relation to Figures 1-17. Such a computer program may be self-contained, but may also form part of a larger program where setting an adjustable device is only one of the functions that larger program can perform.

In figure 18 the computer is again shown with a screen 1, a calculation unit 2, an input unit 3 and connected to an adjustable device 4 as indicated by line 5. As is known, the calculation unit 2 is provided, inter alia, with memory means such as a hard disk and a RAM. In figure 18 it is also assumed that the calculation unit 2 is provided with communication means 10 with which the calculation unit 2 can communicate via communication link 7 with another computer 6. Communication connection 7 can be a telephone line, but can also be the internet. Via communication link 7, a program can be downloaded from computer 6 to computer unit 2 and there either stored temporarily in the RAM memory or (semi-) permanently stored on a floppy disk or a CD-ROM or stored on the hard disk. The program downloaded from the computer 6 via the communication link 7 to the computer 2 constitutes a computer program product which can be loaded directly into the internal memory of the computer 2. Another form in which a program for performing the methods and devices described above in connection with Figures 1-17 can be traded is in the form of a floppy disk or a CD-ROM 8. On the floppy disk or CD -ROM 8 may only include the program to perform the described methods and devices, it may also have other programs on it and it may contain a larger program where setting an adjustable device is just one of the functions that bigger program can run. The floppy disk or CD-ROM 8 can be transferred to interested users in order to load and run the program (s) on their own computer with screen 1, computer unit 2 and input unit 3. The program can also be loaded on your own computer by downloading it from another computer via a telecommunications connection.

1015268

Claims (70)

Device for setting parameters for an adjustable device using a computer, comprising means for inputting into the computer the parameters of a first number of presets of the adjustable device, means for displaying a second number of presets means for indicating to a computer computing unit a degree to which one or more parameters of the visualized presets contribute to the computation unit determining a value for one or more parameters for the adjustable device, means for setting the one or more parameters for the device adjustable to the value determined by the calculator, where for each parameter the value determined is a weighted average of the values that the respective parameter has for each of the presets visualized, wherein the adjustment of the adjustable device on the basis of the units specified by the Certain values do not alter the visualized presets, characterized in that means are provided for displaying at least two-dimensional space and means are provided for displaying. three or more presets in the at least two-dimensional space. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the weights with which the average is weighed are standardized. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that means are present for recalculating all weights after a change of at least one of the weights. 4. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the means for displaying the at least two-dimensional space comprise a screen. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one visualized preset is represented by a slider. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that 35 means are present for displaying the at least two-dimensional space on at least a part of the screen, that 1015268 means are present for indicating on the screen at least one control point in the at least two-dimensional space and that for each parameter the weighted average calculation is based on relative distances from the at least one control point to 5 predetermined areas, which areas are associated with each of the presets visible in the at least two-dimensional space made. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined areas are substantially point-shaped. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that in the calculation of the weighted average the weight function is a monotonous non-rising function of the relative distance. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the monotone non-ascending function is a function of the inverse of the relative distance. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the function of the inverse of the relative distance is hyperbolic (1 / d). 11. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the function of the inverse of the relative distance is super hyperbolic (1 / d ** n (n> 1)). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the function of the inverse of the relative distance is logarithmic (1 / exp (f (d)) with f (d) monotone not decreasing). 13. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-12, characterized in that means are present for optionally positioning one or more presets to be displayed in the representation of the at least two-dimensional space. 14. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-12, characterized in that means are present for towing the at least one control point. 15. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-13, characterized in that means are present for selecting first and second positions in the representation of the at least two-dimensional space and in that means are present for passing through the at least one control point of a trajectory by displaying the 1015268 at least two-dimensional space from a first selected position to a second selected position. 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that there are at least two control points and at least two first selected positions. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that there are at least two control points and at least two second selected positions. 18. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that there are at least two control points and at least two first and at least two second selected positions. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the number of selected first positions and the number of selected second positions is equal to the number of control points. 20 Voronoi diagrams are shaded. 20. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-19, characterized in that means are present for dragging at least one displayed preset 1. 21. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-19, characterized in that means are present for selecting first and second positions in the representation of the at least two-dimensional space and in that means are present for passing through the at least one displayed preset of a trajectory by displaying the at least two-dimensional space from a first selected position to a second selected position. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that there are at least two displayed presets and at least two first selected positions. 23. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that there are at least two displayed presets and at least two second selected positions. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that there are at least two displayed presets and at least two first and at least two second selected positions. 25. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that the number of selected first positions and the number of selected second positions is equal to the number of presets displayed. 1015268 26. Device according to claim 15 or 21, characterized in that the representation of the path on the screen is a straight line. 27. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-13, characterized in that means are present for passing successive points of the representation of the at least two-dimensional space through the at least one control point and / or according to a predetermined function. the at least one displayed preset. 28. Device according to any one of claims 6-27, characterized in that means are provided for grouping the displayed presets into groups. 29. An apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that means are provided for moving as a group by displaying the at least two-dimensional space of a group of displayed presets. Device according to any one of claims 6-29, characterized in that in the representation of the at least two-dimensional space on the screen areas around the displayed presets are shown as Voronoi diagrams. Device according to claim 30, characterized in that the Device according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that a separate weight function is defined per group of the displayed presets. 33. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6-32, characterized in that means are present for indicating at least two points of the at least two-dimensional space and that a separate weight function is defined per control point of the at least two-dimensional space. 34. Method for setting parameters for an adjustable device using a computer, comprising inputting into the computer the parameters of a first number of presets of the adjustable device, making a second number of presets visible, indicating a computer arithmetic to the extent that one or more parameters of the visualized presets contribute to the arithmetic unit determining a value for one or more parameters for the 1015268 adjustable device, setting the one or more parameters for the adjustable device to the value determined by the calculator, where for each parameter the determined value is a weighted average of the values that the respective parameter has for each of the presets displayed, whereby the adjustable device is set on the basis of the value determined by the unit of account does not change t in the visualized presets characterized by displaying an at least two-dimensional space and by displaying three or more presets in the at least two-dimensional space. Method according to claim 34, characterized by standardizing the weights with which the average is weighed. A method according to claim 35, characterized by recalculating all weights after changing at least one of the 15 weights. A method according to claim 34, 35 or 36 characterized by displaying the at least two-dimensional space on a screen. 38. A method according to claim 37 characterized by proposing at least one visualized preset by a slider. 39. Method according to claim 37, characterized by displaying the at least two-dimensional space on at least a part of the screen, by indicating at least one control point in the at least two-dimensional space and by calculating the weighted average for each parameter based on relative distances from the at least one control point to predetermined areas, which areas are associated with each of the presets visualized in the at least two-dimensional space. A method according to claim 39, characterized by substantially pointed predetermined areas. 41. A method according to claim 39 or 40 characterized by calculating the weighted average using a weight function is a monotone non-increasing function of the relative distance. 1015268 A method according to claim 41, characterized in that the monotone non-ascending function is a function of the inverse of the relative distance. 43. A method according to claim 41, characterized in that the function of the inverse of the relative distance is hyperbolic (1 / d). A method according to claim 41, characterized in that the function of the inverse of the relative distance is super hyperbolic (1 / d ** n (n <1)). 45. Method according to claim 41, characterized in that the function of the inverse of the relative distance is logarithmic (1 / exp (f (d)) with f (d) monotone not decreasing). A method according to any one of claims 39 to 45 characterized by optionally positioning one or more presets to be displayed in the display of the at least two-dimensional space. A method according to any one of claims 39-45 characterized by dragging the at least one control point. 48. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 46 characterized by selecting first and second positions in the representation of the at least two-dimensional space and by traversing the at least one control point of a trajectory by displaying the at least two-dimensional space from a first selected position to a second selected position. The method of claim 48 characterized by at least two control points and at least two first selected positions. The method of claim 48 characterized by at least two control points and at least two second selected positions. The method of claim 48 characterized by at least two control points and at least two first and at least two second selected positions. A method according to claim 51, characterized in that the number of selected first positions and the number of selected second positions is equal to the number of control points. A method according to any one of claims 39-52 characterized by dragging at least one displayed preset. A method according to any one of claims 39-52 characterized by cycling through the at least one displayed preset 1015268 of a trajectory by displaying the at least two-dimensional space from a first selected position to a second selected position. The method of claim 54 characterized by at least 5 two displayed presets and at least two first selected positions. The method of claim 54 characterized by at least two displayed presets and at least two second selected positions. The method of claim 54 characterized by two displayed presets and at least two first and at least two second selected positions. 58. A method according to claim 57, characterized in that the number of selected first positions and the number of selected second positions is equal to the number of presets displayed. A method according to claim 48 or 54, characterized in that the trajectory on the screen runs along a straight line. 60. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 46, characterized by traversing successive points of the representation of the at least two-dimensional space through the at least one control point and / or the at least one displayed preset according to a predetermined function. 61. A method according to any one of claims 39-60, characterized by grouping the displayed presets into groups. A method according to claim 61, characterized by moving as a group by displaying the at least two-dimensional space of a group of presets displayed. 63. A method according to any one of claims 39-62, characterized by displaying, as Vorenoi diagrams, areas around the displayed presets in the display of the at least two-dimensional space on the screen. The method of claim 63, characterized by shading the Vorenoi diagrams. 1015268 A method according to claims 61 or 62, characterized by defining a separate weight function per group of the displayed presets. 66. Method as claimed in any of the claims 39-65, characterized by indicating at least two points of the at least two-dimensional space and by defining a separate weight function per control point of the at least two-dimensional space. 67. A computer program product that can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a computer, characterized in that it comprises 10 software code parts for performing one of the methods according to claims 34-66. 68. Computer program product that can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a computer, characterized in that after loading the computer functions as a computer as defined in any one of claims 1-33 for setting parameters using that computer for an adjustable device. 69. Computer program product comprising an appropriate medium on which a program is stored which can be loaded into the memory of a computer for performing a method according to any one of claims 34-66. 70. Computer program product comprising an appropriate medium on which a program is stored, which program is computer readable and can be loaded into the computer, characterized in that after loading the computer can function as a computer helping to set parameters for an adjustable device, as described in any one of claims 1-33. 1015268