[sdiy] Software problem hardware solution? + US patents

[Lincoln Fong]

Hi everyone,

Good to be back after a long absence.

I am using a cheap MIDI keyboard (Fatar 610) and a Roland sound module
(JV-1010) and have the daunting prospect of getting into editing
parameters in the sound module using a PC to achieve one very simple
thing: I want to reduce the overall velocity sensitivity of the keyboard
so that I don’t have to bash away at the keys like King Kong to get an
even tone when Im practicing/working stuff out. I haven't looked inside
the keyboard but what 'element' determines the velocity of a key struck
and shouldn't I be able to amplify it in an analogue way before it goes
digital to fool the MIDI generator into producing 'louder' notes?
Alternatively there may be a box someone has designed with a MIDI in/out
socket and a pot that can do just this task. Simple enough but quite
handy don't you think? Would love to build or buy if there's a schematic
on the web.

Secondly I'd like to try and get a US patent or at least 'lodge' one.
However I don't have the bucks to employ a patent lawyer. Now I don't
live in the US but I know many of you have experience with this and
remember hearing someone say that it's not that difficult to obtain,
although defending it may be the hard part. I have the UK patent for my
idea. Are there any sites or info to help me do this? Official sites
would be OK (though I can find these myself) but more inspiring would be
those aimed at the DIY'er and first timer, or even anecdotal advice. You
can email offlist if this seems OT.

Thanks,

Lincoln