Patents Assigned to Line 6, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9203533
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the real-time wireless transmission of digital audio signals. A transmitter including a processor may be used to: generate a first digital data stream and a second digital data stream from a digital audio signal and transmit the first digital data stream at a first radio frequency and the second digital data stream at a second radio frequency. A receiver including a processor may be utilized to: receive the first and second digital data streams at the first and second radio frequencies, respectively, and generate the digital audio signal from the first and second digital data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Coker, James Purcell, Marcus Ryle
  • Patent number: 8692101
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument that includes a plurality of strings and a pickup to which each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled that is connectable to a computer to implement DSP modeling. A serial interface circuit is coupled to the pickup and to a digital connector that formats each digital string vibration signal received from the pickup into a digital serial protocol. A computer is coupled by a serial link to the digital connector such that the computer receives each serially formatted digital string signal (SFDSS). The computer operates at least one audio DSP-based software module to process each received SFDSS wherein each SFDSS is processed in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of stringed instruments to create an emulated digital string tone signal (EDSTS). Each EDSTS is then transmitted back over the serial link to the stringed instrument for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ryle, Michel A. Doidic, Peter J. Celi, Alan Zak
  • Patent number: 8509692
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the real-time wireless transmission of a digital audio signal and control data. A transmitter may be coupled to an audio source. The transmitter includes a processor to combine control data with a digital audio signal from the audio source and the processor wirelessly transmits the combined control data and digital audio signal to a receiver. The receiver includes a processor that is used to receive the combined control data and digital audio signal and to process the control data to perform a user pre-defined function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ryle, Guy Coker
  • Patent number: 8098830
    Abstract: A technique for reducing inherent noise in a real time digital audio wireless system. The technique allows for low power stereo analog to digital and digital to analog converters to be used in a battery operated real time digital audio wireless applications. The audio signal is sent to the left and right channels of an analog to digital converter with a preceding audio amp of different gain at the input to each channel. The signals are simultaneously digitized then combined to generate a new digital value resulting in noise reduction at lower amplitudes. This new data word is then transmitted via radio waves to a digital audio receiver. Once the data is received it is output simultaneously to a stereo digital to analog converter. The digital to analog conversion of both left and right channels is then summed using a resistor network and an audio amplifier. The audio amplifier output is then reduced to create further reduction of noise at all amplitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Coker, James Purcell
  • Publication number: 20100313740
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument that includes a plurality of strings and a pickup to which each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled that is connectable to a computer to implement DSP modeling. A serial interface circuit is coupled to the pickup and to a digital connector that formats each digital string vibration signal received from the pickup into a digital serial protocol. A computer is coupled by a serial link to the digital connector such that the computer receives each serially formatted digital string signal (SFDSS). The computer operates at least one audio DSP-based software module to process each received SFDSS wherein each SFDSS is processed in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of stringed instruments to create an emulated digital string tone signal (EDSTS). Each EDSTS is then transmitted back over the serial link to the stringed instrument for playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ryle, Michel A. Doidic, Peter J. Celi, Alan Zak
  • Patent number: 7812243
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument with embedded DSP modeling capabilities to model an acoustic stringed instrument. The stringed instrument has a body and a plurality of strings and each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled to a pickup to detect a vibration signal for each string. An A/D converter converts the detected vibration signal of a string into a digital string vibration signal. A DSP is located within the body of the stringed instrument to process the digital string vibration signal and to implement an acoustic modeling system to process the digital string vibration signal in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of selectable acoustic stringed instruments. Acoustic modeling includes acoustic string and body modeling, microphone placement modeling, and pick-sound modeling. The emulated acoustic digital tone signal is then converted to analog form for output to an amplification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Celi, Michel A. Doidic, Marcus Ryle
  • Patent number: 7799986
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument that includes a plurality of strings and a pickup to which each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled that is connectable to a computer to implement DSP modeling. A serial interface circuit is coupled to the pickup and to a digital connector that formats each digital string vibration signal received from the pickup into a digital serial protocol. A computer is coupled by a serial link to the digital connector such that the computer receives each serially formatted digital string signal (SFDSS). The computer operates at least one audio DSP-based software module to process each received SFDSS wherein each SFDSS is processed in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of stringed instruments to create an emulated digital string tone signal (EDSTS). Each EDSTS is then transmitted back over the serial link to the stringed instrument for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ryle, Michel A. Doidic, Peter J. Celi, Alan Zak
  • Patent number: 7711442
    Abstract: Disclosed is an audio signal processor that determines the type of audio processing to be performed utilizing an audio processing device (APD) and a removable module. The APD includes a digital signal processor (DSP) that modifies an input audio signal in accordance with a signal processing instruction set. The removable module includes the signal processing instruction set, and when the removable module is coupled to the APD, the signal processing instruction set is transferred to and implemented by the DSP of the APD to perform an audio processing function upon the input audio signal. The removable module may also include a user interface having at least one control to set a control parameter that is transferred to the DSP of the APD to further modify audio processing. The APD may also include a multi-state footswitch whose functionality can be determined by the DSP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ryle, Michel A. Doidic
  • Publication number: 20100022189
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the real-time wireless transmission of digital audio signals. A transmitter including a processor may be used to: generate a first digital data stream and a second digital data stream from a digital audio signal and transmit the first digital data stream at a first radio frequency and the second digital data stream at a second radio frequency. A receiver including a processor may be utilized to: receive the first and second digital data streams at the first and second radio frequencies, respectively, and generate the digital audio signal from the first and second digital data streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: LINE 6, INC.
    Inventors: Guy Coker, James Purcell, Marcus Ryle
  • Publication number: 20100022183
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the real-time wireless transmission of a digital audio signal and control data. A transmitter may be coupled to an audio source. The transmitter includes a processor to combine control data with a digital audio signal from the audio source and the processor wirelessly transmits the combined control data and digital audio signal to a receiver. The receiver includes a processor that is used to receive the combined control data and digital audio signal and to process the control data to perform a user pre-defined function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: LINE 6, INC.
    Inventors: Marcus Ryle, Guy Coker
  • Publication number: 20090086984
    Abstract: A technique for reducing inherent noise in a real time digital audio wireless system. The technique allows for low power stereo analog to digital and digital to analog converters to be used in a battery operated real time digital audio wireless applications. The audio signal is sent to the left and right channels of an analog to digital converter with a preceding audio amp of different gain at the input to each channel. The signals are simultaneously digitized then combined to generate a new digital value resulting in noise reduction at lower amplitudes. This new data word is then transmitted via radio waves to a digital audio receiver. Once the data is received it is output simultaneously to a stereo digital to analog converter. The digital to analog conversion of both left and right channels is then summed using a resistor network and an audio amplifier. The audio amplifier output is then reduced to create further reduction of noise at all amplitudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Coker, James Purcell
  • Patent number: 7404202
    Abstract: Disclosed is a security device coupled to a computing device, which is, in turn, coupled to a server through a computer network. The security device stores a serial number associated with the security device and a user key associated with the serial number. When the computing device attempts to log onto the server over the computer network, the server requests a serial number from the security device. If the serial number is stored within a user information database, the server obtains an associated user key and computes a challenge. Further, the server computes an expected response for the security device based on the associated user key. The server then sends the challenge to the security device over the computer network. If the server receives a response back from the security device that matches the expected response, the server will allow the computing device to log onto the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Hamilton, John Brinkman, John Longawa, Charles Corris Randall, Rob Rampley, Marcus Ryle
  • Patent number: 7279631
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument with embedded DSP modeling capabilities to model an acoustic stringed instrument. The stringed instrument has a body and a plurality of strings and each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled to a pickup to detect a vibration signal for each string. An A/D converter converts the detected vibration signal of a string into a digital string vibration signal. A DSP is located within the body of the stringed instrument to process the digital string vibration signal and to implement an acoustic modeling system to process the digital string vibration signal in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of selectable acoustic stringed instruments. Acoustic modeling includes acoustic string and body modeling, microphone placement modeling, and pick-sound modeling. The emulated acoustic digital tone signal is then converted to analog form for output to an amplification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Celi, Michel A. Doidic, Marcus Ryle
  • Patent number: 6998528
    Abstract: Multiple channels simultaneously provide multiple, modified digital audio signals, respectively, based on the same digital audio input signal. Each channel has a respective nonlinear effects section to apply a nonlinear transfer function, such as one that emulates a vacuum tube guitar amplifier, based on the input signal. In addition, a respective audio effects section is provided in each channel to apply an audio effect, such as a linear audio effect, based on the input signal. This audio effect is set in each channel by a controller. In another embodiment, multi-tracker (e.g., double tracker) functionality is provided by the multiple channels wherein at least one of the delay effect, pitch shift, and gain change in a channel is automatically changed as a function of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Limacher, Marcus Ryle, Michel Doidic, Carol A. Hatzinger
  • Patent number: 6881891
    Abstract: Multiple channels simultaneously provide multiple, modified digital audio signals, respectively, based on the same digital audio input signal. Each channel has a respective nonlinear effects section to apply a nonlinear transfer function, such as one that emulates a vacuum tube guitar amplifier, based on the input signal. In addition, a respective audio effects section is provided in each channel to apply an audio effect, such as a linear audio effect, based on the input signal. This audio effect is set in each channel by a controller. In another embodiment, multi-tracker (e.g., double tracker) functionality is provided by the multiple channels wherein at least one of the delay effect, pitch shift, and gain change in a channel is automatically changed as a function of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Limacher, Marcus Ryle, Michel Doidic, Carol A. Hatzinger