Patents Assigned to Zivix LLC
  • Patent number: 10249278
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the deflection of one or more strings of the digital instrument, produces a measurement of the detected deflection, correlates the measurement to a musical note, and produces at least a portion of digital output based upon the musical note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Sullivan, Robert John Cox
  • Patent number: 9899015
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the deflection of one or more strings of the digital instrument, produces a measurement of the detected deflection, correlates the measurement to a musical note, and produces at least a portion of digital output based upon the musical note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Sullivan, Robert John Cox
  • Patent number: 8841537
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20130180389
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Zivix LLC
  • Patent number: 8415550
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20120210846
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Dan Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8173887
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Dan Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8022288
    Abstract: A musical device is disclosed that performs a variety of user defined or user controlled activities. These activities include but are not limited to producing musical notes, determining, influencing or changing the sound, quality, voice, volume or other characteristics of a note, activating and coordinating the replay of stored loops, recording, editing and playing user created pieces previously produced and controlling peripheral devices such as lighting. The musical device uses a combination of strings and frets to locate notes on a fingerboard that a user may activate. As a result, the invention includes a system to generate a sound corresponding to a note selected and activated according to preselected parameters such as the voice (e.g., trumpet, violin). A user's intent to play a particular note can be confirmed by a system of sensors corresponding to each note position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7897866
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a finger position on the playing surface of an instrument are described. A sensor module located at a selected location of the playing surface emits light that is reflected or diffused by a finger or an object near the selected location. The reflected or diffused light is sensed by the sensor module, which generates a signal indicative of the amount of light detected. Based on the signal, a location of the finger or object is determined. When the finger placement corresponds to a specific note or effect, a digital signal is generated indicating the note or effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Dan Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20100087254
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Dan Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20100083807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a finger position on the playing surface of an instrument are described. A sensor module located at a selected location of the playing surface emits light that is reflected or diffused by a finger or an object near the selected location. The reflected or diffused light is sensed by the sensor module, which generates a signal indicative of the amount of light detected. Based on the signal, a location of the finger or object is determined. When the finger placement corresponds to a specific note or effect, a digital signal is generated indicating the note or effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Dan Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20100083808
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the movement of strings of an instrument are disclosed. According to some embodiments, one or more light emitting devices provide light to an array of photosensitive elements. One or more strings are disposed between the light emitting devices and the array such that the strings block a portion of the light form the light emitting devices over a portion of the array. A status of the one or more strings is determined based on the regions of detected and blocked light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Dan Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20090314157
    Abstract: A musical device is disclosed that performs a variety of user defined or user controlled activities. These activities include but are not limited to producing musical notes, determining, influencing or changing the sound, quality, voice, volume or other characteristics of a note, activating and coordinating the replay of stored loops, recording, editing and playing user created pieces previously produced and controlling peripheral devices such as lighting. The musical device uses a combination of strings and frets to locate notes on a fingerboard that a user may activate. As a result, the invention includes a system to generate a sound corresponding to a note selected and activated according to preselected parameters such as the voice (e.g., trumpet, violin). A user's intent to play a particular note can be confirmed by a system of sensors corresponding to each note position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7598449
    Abstract: A musical device is disclosed that generates note tones, influences the sound of notes that are generated independently and performs a variety of user defined or user controlled activities. These activities include but are not limited to producing musical notes, determining, influencing or changing the sound, quality, voice, volume or other characteristics of a note, activating and coordinating the replay of stored loops, recording, editing and playing user created pieces previously produced and controlling peripheral devices such as lighting. The musical device uses a combination of strings and frets to locate notes on a fingerboard that a user may activate. The notes correspond to locations on the fingerboard. As a result, the invention includes a system to generate a sound corresponding to a note selected and activated according to preselected parameters such as the voice (e.g., trumpet, violin).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Zivix LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Sullivan