Abstract: A joystick assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a retaining plate that has a bore through a central axis. Four microswitches are secured to the retaining plate around the bore. The microswitches each have a switch element facing towards the central axis. A housing is secured to the retaining plate wherein the bore on the retaining plate and the bore on the housing are aligned. A joystick with a shaft is received into the bore on the housing and is configured and arranged to selectively activate the switch elements of the microswitches when deflected.

Abstract: A game controller for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The game controller includes a body portion and a cradle pivotally attached to the body portion. The cradle configured and arranged to hold a handheld computing device therein. A number of controls are located on the body portion. A circuit is included that is configured and arranged to detect the state of the controls and transmit the state to the handheld computing device.

Abstract: A piano learning system for a touchscreen enabled device is disclosed. The system includes a housing configured and arranged to support a touchscreen enabled device. A keyboard on the housing has a plurality of selectably lightable keys. A communication interface is configured and arranged to connect to the touchscreen enabled device. A microprocessor is electrically connected to the keyboard and communication interface. The microprocessor is configured and arranged to read the state of the lightable keys and transmit the state through the communication interface and is further configured and arranged to selectively light the lightable keys of the keyboard in response to instructions received through the communication interface.

Abstract: A mobile device photo scanner is disclosed. The mobile device photo canner includes a cradle portion configured and arranged to hold a mobile device. The cradle has an opening therethrough configured and arranged to align with a built-in camera of the mobile device. A shroud depends from the cradle portion forming an enclosure beneath the cradle portion and centered beneath the opening, such that a user may use the built-in camera of the mobile device to scan a photograph placed within the shroud portion.

Abstract: A guitar controller for a tablet computer is disclosed. The guitar controller includes a body having a cavity formed therein sized and dimensioned to receive a tablet computer. The body has an edge on a front of the body defining an opening into the cavity. The edge has a thickness forming a lip into the opening wherein the lip is configured and arranged to be received partially over the tablet computer. A neck extends from the body and has a plurality of simulated fret positions thereon. An electronic circuit is included and configured and arranged to transmit a message encoded with presses of the simulated fret positions to the tablet computer.

Abstract: A digital piano having a dock for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The digital piano includes a keyboard having a number of keys and at least one speaker. A sound engine is operative to make audio signal in response to key presses on the plurality of keys of the keyboard. The sound engine includes an audio output to transmit the audio signal. A dock is configured and arranged to connect to a handheld computing device. The handheld computing device has an audio port and a music program running thereon operative to play musical accompaniment to the pianist. A summing circuit is provided that has an input electrically connected to the audio port of the handheld computing device and audio output of the sound engine and an output electrically connected to the at least one speaker.

Abstract: A turntable with a dock for handheld computing devices is disclosed. The turntable includes a housing having a record player with an analog output. An analog-to-digital converter has an analog input operatively connected to the analog output and a digital output. A serial interface device is operatively connected to the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter. A moveable dock connected to the housing is configured and arranged to support a handheld computing device therein.

Abstract: A karaoke machine with an integrated computer interface device is disclosed. The karaoke machine includes at least one microphone input having an audio output. A computer interface device configured and arranged to receive digital audio and convert it to analog audio. At least one speaker is also included. A summing node is provided to combine the analog audio from the computer interface device with the audio output of the microphone input together into combined audio and transmit the combined audio to the speaker.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning pages of bound materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base with a platform configured to support bound materials laid open. A depressor with a complimentary surface is provided to depress pages of the bound material flat against the platform of the base. The depressor has a transparent portion allowing the pages of the bound material to be viewed therethrough. The depressor is removable from the base. A camera assembly is connected to and supported over the depressor. At least one camera attached to the camera assembly and aimed towards the transparent portion of the depressor. The camera is configured to capture a digital image of at least one page of the bound material through the transparent portion of the depressor when the depressor is placed over a bound material that is laid open in the platform of the base.

Abstract: A method and system of installing a sound set on an electronic instrument is disclosed. The method and system includes an electronic instrument having a serial number, a sound set having a plurality of sampled sounds, and an encrypted key having a matching serial number and a signature of the sound set. A first step includes comparing the serial number of the electronic instrument with the serial number stored in the encrypted key to ensure they match. A second step includes comparing the signature of the encrypted key and the sound set. A fourth step includes installing the sound set on the electronic instrument only if the signature matches the sound set and the matching serial number matches the serial number of the electronic instrument.