Patents by Inventor Clifford S. Elion

Clifford S. Elion has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130074680
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a silicon rubber membrane, a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion
  • Patent number: 8242345
    Abstract: An electronic fingerboard for use on a musical instrument comprises a printed circuit board layer with contact electrodes and electronic sensing components. A first double sided adhesive tape is formed over the printed circuit board layer, and a polyester film membrane having carbon printing on the lower surface thereof is formed above the first double sided adhesive tape. A second double sided adhesive tape is formed above the polyester film membrane, and a silicon rubber overlay is mounted over the second double sided adhesive layer. A polyurethane overspray comprising a non-stick coating is then formed on the silicon rubber overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion
  • Patent number: 8003877
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes includes an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion
  • Publication number: 20110011248
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a silicon rubber membrane, a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion
  • Publication number: 20090260508
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion
  • Publication number: 20090100992
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion
  • Patent number: 5140890
    Abstract: A guitar control system using multiple string processing channels for developing pitch and peak signals for a multiple of string vibrations. Pitch data is multiplexed into a microprocessor along with the peak data and the programmed microprocessor outputs processed sound information on an address/data buss. Midi input/output, analog input/output and counter circuitry are interactively connected with the data buss, and final audio processing is derived from the analog output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion
  • Patent number: 5127059
    Abstract: A pre-amplifier for musical instrument audio signals which utilizes a solid state programmable logic device to control a plurality of solid state switches for routing the audio signals in preselected manner through successive stages of vacuum tube amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventors: Clifford S. Elion, John M. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5029510
    Abstract: A guitar control system using multiple string processing channels for developing pitch and peak signals for a multiple of string vibrations. Pitch data is multiplexed into a microprocessor along with the peak data and the programmed microprocessor outputs processed sound information on an address/data buss. Midi input/output, analog input/output and counter circuitry are interactively connected with the data buss, and final audio processing is derived from the analog output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventor: Clifford S. Elion