Abstract: An automatic tuning system for a stringed instrument is provided having a string adjustment assembly comprising a motor and gear assembly, wherein the motor and gear assembly is pivotable on a housing for the tuning system. The system can also include a vibrato arm in contact with the motor and gear assembly, and a vibrato return spring in contact with both the motor and gear assembly and the instrument, which is capable of reversibly changing the position of a string contact surface in the string adjustment assembly with respect to the string, thereby lowering the pitch of the string and then raising it to its original pitch. The system can also include an option board for wireless communication with remote components such as a remote footswitch or other type of control panel. Other remote devices may also be wirelessly connected to the tuning system, including other instruments, audio devices for receiving sound, and the like.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 18, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 4, 2008
Assignee:
Transperformance, LLC
Inventors:
Neil Skinn, Frank Strazzabosco, Steve Kith, Sharon R. Stanberg, legal representative, Bryan S. Johnson
Abstract: This invention is a display system for an automatically tuned stringed instrument displaying, individually or simultaneously, the frequency of each string of the instrument. The system provides for using the display to manually tune the instrument or to initially tune the instrument to within the operating range of the automatic tuning system.
Abstract: This invention is a display system for an automatically tuned stringed instrument displaying, individually or simultaneously, the frequency of each string of the instrument. The system provides for using the display to manually tune the instrument or to initially tune the instrument to within the operating range of the automatic tuning system.
Abstract: The invention is a control system for automatically tuning a stringed musical instrument with a capo installed, using an original calibration function or closed-loop tuning system for the instrument without the capo. The control system uses a capo scale factor which scales frequencies measured with the capo installed to what they would have been without a capo. The control system enables a musician to quickly tune an instrument after installing a capo, in a manner unlikely to be noticed by an audience.
Abstract: This invention provides a control system for automatically tuning a stringed musical instrument, utilizing a library of calibration functions to tune the instrument in a plurality of operating conditions without recalibration. The operating conditions can include changes in temperature and humidity, different sets of strings made with different materials and gauges, broken strings and the installation of a capo. Calibrations can also be provided for instruments of different makes and models, string lengths, body materials and actuator types. The control system is adapted for use in a stringed instrument having actuators attached to each string for changing the frequency of the string in response to a control signal. Each calibration function relates the frequency of a string to the actuator position of that string. The invention further provides an automatically tuned stringed instrument using the control system, and a method for tuning a stringed instrument.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 12, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 20, 1998
Assignee:
Transperformance, LLC
Inventors:
Stephen J. Freeland, Gerard F. Hallaren, Neil C. Skinn