Signal Processing & Control Systems
Protecting the Algorithms That Interpret, Regulate, and Respond
Signal processing and control logic power the systems that must sense, compute, and act in real time—across domains like robotics, autonomous vehicles, wireless communication, aerospace, and industrial automation. At Schmeiser Olsen, we help innovators protect the core methods that make these systems responsive, efficient, and reliable.
We work with R&D teams and system architects to secure patents on algorithms, hardware-software interfaces, and control schemes that improve how information is filtered, transformed, and acted upon—whether in analog, digital, or hybrid domains.
We protect not just the results of signal interpretation or system behavior, but the underlying methods that make real-time, closed-loop operation possible.
Patent Strategy for Control Systems and Signal Processing Innovation
Patenting innovations in signal processing and control requires careful articulation of the system-level improvements—whether they involve latency reduction, feedback stability, robustness to noise, or efficiency in data transmission. We focus on measurable performance benefits in control accuracy, signal fidelity, system response, or error reduction—ensuring the invention is framed as a technical advancement, not just algorithmic output. We help clients secure patents in areas such as:
Signal Processing & Transformation
– Filter design techniques (FIR, IIR, adaptive filters) for noise suppression and frequency selection
– Multirate signal processing for efficient resolution scaling or compression
– Digital signal demodulation, spectral shaping, and bandwidth optimization
– Time-domain to frequency-domain transformation pipelines (e.g., FFT variants)
Feedback & Control Logic
– PID and nonlinear controller optimization for real-time systems
– Model predictive control (MPC) strategies with constrained optimization
– Robust control techniques that adapt to system perturbations and parameter drift
– Sensor-driven feedback loops with dynamic response calibration
Sensor Fusion & Estimation
– Kalman filters, particle filters, and Bayesian estimation in navigation and automation
– Fusion of multimodal data (e.g., radar + camera + IMU) in robotics or vehicles
– Distributed sensor coordination and control in networked systems
– Real-time outlier rejection, uncertainty modeling, and confidence scoring
Actuation, Timing & Command Scheduling
– Real-time task schedulers and prioritization in actuator control
– Dead-time compensation and signal delay correction in feedback systems
– Jitter-tolerant communication protocols for command transmission
– PWM and DAC control methods for high-fidelity physical response
Communication & Encoding Techniques
– Signal encoding schemes optimized for error resistance and spectral efficiency
– Adaptive modulation and coding methods for fluctuating channel conditions
– Synchronization and timing recovery in noisy or high-mobility environments
– Compression techniques designed for bandwidth-limited control feedback loops
practical insight
Navigating Patent Eligibility in Control Algorithms
Control systems and signal processing innovations often involve mathematical transformations or rule-based logic, which can trigger scrutiny under §101. We help clients present these inventions as engineering solutions, not abstract calculations—by focusing on system interaction, physical signal properties, and tangible performance improvements. Our approach ties algorithms to their physical context—sensors, actuators, transceivers—demonstrating how they materially improve system operation. Where necessary, we include:
– Implementation architecture (e.g., FPGA, DSP, microcontroller)
– Hardware constraints addressed by the invention
– Timing, memory, or signal fidelity improvements validated through system-level design
We anticipate eligibility challenges and proactively structure claims and specifications to demonstrate technical effect and practical application in real-world systems.
Partner with Counsel Who Understand Real-Time Systems
At Schmeiser Olsen, we partner with control engineers, DSP specialists, and systems designers to protect the logic, filters, and feedback systems that make responsive automation possible. Our team understands the technical demands of real-time systems—and the legal strategy required to secure strong, enforceable IP around them.
Protect the intelligence that guides your systems—with patent counsel fluent in signal processing, feedback control, and system-level design.
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