Abstract: A capo device for selectively altering the pitch range of a stringed instrument, the capo device being adapted to engage a variety of stringed instrument neck sizes and/or geometries while maintaining desired sound and pitch quality.

Abstract: A capo device for selectively altering the pitch range of a stringed instrument, the capo device being adapted to engage a variety of stringed instrument neck sizes and/or geometries while maintaining desired sound and pitch quality.

Abstract: A textured surface for improving grip on plectra and other hand-held implements. A series of parallel ridges serve to frictionally engage thumb and forefinger surfaces and “lock” the grip in place.

Abstract: A textured surface for improving grip on plectra and other hand-held implements. A series of parallel ridges serve to frictionally engage thumb and forefinger surfaces and “lock” the grip in place.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture provide a user interface for a decoder of audio data in the MPEG 1 Layer III (MP3) format. A display control program that controls operation of a touch screen is initiated. The touch screen is coupled to a reconfigurable logic device capable of decoding MP3 audio. A plurality of icons are displayed on the touch screen. A user selects one of the icons by touching the icon on the touch screen. A periodic determination is made as to whether a user has touched the touch screen. If a touch is detected, a location of the touch is determined. The location of the touch is correlated with one of the icons. A macro associated with the icon touched is called. The macro is utilized for processing a command for controlling the reconfigurable logic device.

Abstract: A guitar shoulder strap incorporates thickened, rolled edges along the length of the strap. The strap webbing between is generally about two millimeters thick and fifty millimeters wide. The thick, rolled edges are almost four millimeters thick and about six millimeters wide. A decorative pattern is weaved into the outside decorative surface. The strap webbing and thick, rolled edges are a single weave of textile wherein many longitudinal fibers have been bunched into cords at the edges and spiraling transverse fibers are woven to build the webbing and encase the cords.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for affording communication between a gate array and a host. The process begins with the receipt of a request to execute an operation on a gate array coupled to a host. First, a type of the gate array is identified. Thereafter, it is determined whether the gate array is capable of the operation based on the type thereof. Further, the operation is conditionally executed on the gate array based on the previous step.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for improved efficiency during the execution of floating point applications. Initially, a floating point application is provided which includes a floating point library. Hardware is then built based on the floating point application. Computer code of the floating point application shares components selected from the group consisting of multipliers, dividers, adders and subtractors for minimizing an amount of the hardware to be constructed.