Patents Assigned to Optek Music Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20170124898
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to music synchronization systems including an electronic artist audio database with a plurality of artist audio files and an electronic data database including a plurality of data files corresponding to the respective plurality of artist audio files. Each of the data files includes data relating to fingering positions for an instrument. The systems include a processing device configured to execute a synchronization engine that receives as input an artist audio file from the electronic artist audio database and a corresponding data file from the electronic data database, and outputs via a graphical user interface a synchronized music lesson for the artist audio file. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to methods of music synchronization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Rusty Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8481839
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for audio and/or visual playback. A system can include a first data encoded according to a first file format, a second data encoded according to a second file format, and a file using the first and second data to enable synchronized audio and/or visual playback of the data on one or more receiving elements. In certain instances, at least a portion of the second data includes information relating to finger positions on a musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Shaffer, Ken Pletzer
  • Patent number: 8263844
    Abstract: Described herein are fingerboards and neck assemblies for use with stringed musical instruments. The neck assembly can include a light-system disposed therein. The light system has a light matrix of light elements. The fingerboard is adapted to conceal the presence of the light elements when the light elements are not illuminated and to allow the passage of at least some illumination from the light elements when the light elements are illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8106288
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John R Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20110247478
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7863514
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John R Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7825313
    Abstract: Described herein are fingerboards and neck assemblies for use with stringed musical instruments. The neck assembly can include a light-system disposed therein. The light system has a light matrix of light elements. The fingerboard is adapted to conceal the presence of the light elements when the light elements are not illuminated and to allow the passage of at least some illumination from the light elements when the light elements are illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7732687
    Abstract: A fingerboard (or fretboard) for use with a stringed instrument and light-system is disclosed and has a bottom surface adapted to mate or be attached to a neck of the instrument, and has wells extending from the bottom surface toward, but not through, a top surface. The wells are sized to receive a light-emitting device, such as LEDs, and are positioned along the fingerboard according to finger positions of the instrument. Illumination from the light-emitting devices is visible to a player of the instrument, however, when the devices are not illuminated, the fingerboard appears substantially as one made without the wells. The structure is useful for learning to play the instrument, while not appearing as a learning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7427707
    Abstract: Described herein are fingerboards and neck assemblies for use with stringed musical instruments. The neck assembly can include a light-system disposed therein. The light system has a light matrix of light elements. The fingerboard is adapted to conceal the presence of the light elements when the light elements are not illuminated and to allow the passage of at least some illumination from the light elements when the light elements are illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20080127808
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7323633
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John R Shaffer