OpenSound Control (OSC) is a protocol for communication among computers, sound synthesizers, and other multimedia devices that is optimized for modern networking technology. OSC has achieved wide use in the field of computer-based new interfaces for musical expression for wide-area and local-area networked distributed music systems, inter-process communication, and even within a single application.
In some situations, for example when using SuperCollider (SC), OSC might replace MIDI. OSC originates from CNMAT.
Pattern matching language to specify multiple recipients of a single message
High resolution time tags
"Bundles" of messages whose effects must occur simultaneously
Query system to dynamically find out the capabilities of an OSC server and get documentation
OSC is designed to support a client/server architecture. OSC data is transmitted in data units called packets. Anything that sends OSC packets (e.g., an application, physical device, subprogram, etc.) is a client and anything that receives OSC packets is a server. OSC is a transport-independent, high-level application protocol; in other words, OSC does not specify what low-level networking mechanism will be used to move OSC packets from the client to the server.
An OSC-based sensor interface built by Sukandar (who gives sensor workshops in Berlin): http://glui.de/prod/gluion.html. This might be a nice ICube alternative.