Section 101 Examples
Example 38: Simulating an Analog Audio Mixer
This is an example provided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for analyzing Section 101 patent subject matter eligibility issues. In particular, this example was created to help explain the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance (2019 PEG). The original PDF document is found here.
This example should be viewed in light of the introduction that was provided with it.
Index to USPTO's Section 101 Examples
Previous: Example 37 | Next: Example 39
Example 38: Simulating an Analog Audio Mixer
Background
Audiophiles are people interested in high-fidelity audio reproduction. For many, this means listening to music in its analog form, as digital audio files are considered to “lose” much of the sound quality in the conversion from analog to digital. Prior inventions attempted to create digital simulations of analog audio mixers to simulate the sounds from analog circuits. However, the prior art audio mixer simulations do not produce the same sound quality as the actual analog circuits.
Applicant’s invention seeks to more closely replicate the sound quality of an analog audio mixer by accounting for the slight variances in analog circuit values that are generated during the circuit’s manufacturing. By simulating these variances, a more authentic sound can be created that is preferential for the listener. The method begins with a model of an analog circuit representing an audio mixing console. The model includes a location of all the circuit elements within the circuit, an initial value for each of the circuit elements, and a manufacturing tolerance range for each of the circuit elements. A randomized working value of each element is then determined using a normally distributed pseudo random number generator (PRNG) based on the initial value of the circuit element and the manufacturing tolerance range. The model is then simulated using a bilinear transformation to create a digital representation of the analog circuit. This digital representation is then presented to the user through a graphical user interface as an operational digital audio mixer. The user can use the graphical user interface to test the sound quality of the digital representation. If the sound quality is not acceptable to the user, the user can generate new randomized working values for all the circuit elements and simulate another digital representation of the analog audio mixer.
Claim:
A method for providing a digital computer simulation of an analog audio mixer comprising: initializing a model of an analog circuit in the digital computer, said model including• a location, initial value, and a manufacturing tolerance range for each of the circuit elements within the analog circuit;
• generating a normally distributed first random value for each circuit element, using a pseudo random number generator, based on a respective initial value and manufacturing tolerance range; and
• simulating a first digital representation of the analog circuit based on the first random value and the location of each circuit element within the analog circuit.
| Step | Analysis |
| 1: Statutory Category? | Yes. The claim recites a series of steps and, therefore, is a process. |
| 2A - Prong 1: Judicial Exception Recited? | No. The claim does not recite any of the judicial exceptions enumerated in the 2019 PEG. The claim does not recite a mathematical relationship, formula, or calculation. While some of the limitations may be based on mathematical concepts, the mathematical concepts are not recited in the claims. With respect to mental processes, the claim does not recite a mental process because the steps are not practically performed in the human mind. Finally, the claim does not recite a certain method of organizing human activity such as a fundamental economic concept or commercial and legal interactions. The claim is eligible because it does not recite a judicial exception. |
| 2A - Prong 2: Integrated into a Practical Application? | N/A. |
| 2B: Claim provides an Inventive Concept? | N/A. |