Patents by Inventor Alan Flum

Alan Flum 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).

  • Patent number: 8153883
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to control and audio manipulation of a digital audio signal by a user manipulable rotary control. The disclosure is specifically applicable to manipulation of a digital audio signal by disc jockeys (DJs). A magnet and corresponding sensor are used to obtain rotational state information from the turning of the user manipulable rotary control. This rotational state information is used to manipulate a digital audio signal. Manipulation of the digital audio includes forward and backward motion as well as a “scratch effect”. Rotational state information obtained from rotating magnet includes the possibility of absolute rotation position as well as relative rotational position, or rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Patent number: 8110734
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a display for a device for manipulating audio in a disc jockey or similar application. A touch sensitive user rotatable member detects the position where the DJ touches the surface. Effects like needle dropping are possible for the first time without the use of a phonographic table or without a computer device which uses a phonographic turntable as a control input device. The display can show music as color coded concentric circles which represent tracks and/or record grooves. Color coded markers show current position of the music on the control surface and allows the user to set and use visual cue points. Functionality of the rotatable member can be dynamically mapped for unprecedented control. For example, the inner portion of the rotatable member can be used for needle dropping while the outer portion can be used for scratch effects. The device is capable of manipulating audio and video streams or a combination of the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventor: Alan Flum
  • Patent number: 8053660
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Patent number: 7928313
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Patent number: 7763843
    Abstract: The controller of the present invention includes an optical navigation system which is responsive to movement, velocity of position of a rotatable platter. The optical navigation system is responsive to rotation of the rotatable platter and is further responsive to at least one degree of freedom of tilting of the rotatable platter. The rotatable platter typically includes a textured pattern so that the optical navigation system can acquire sequential surface images of the textured pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Publication number: 20100080109
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: STANTON MAGNETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Publication number: 20100020673
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to control and audio manipulation of a digital audio signal by a user manipulable rotary control. The disclosure is specifically applicable to manipulation of a digital audio signal by disc jockeys (DJs). A magnet and corresponding sensor are used to obtain rotational state information from the turning of the user manipulable rotary control. This rotational state information is used to manipulate a digital audio signal. Manipulation of the digital audio includes forward and backward motion as well as a “scratch effect”. Rotational state information obtained from rotating magnet includes the possibility of absolute rotation position as well as relative rotational position, or rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Publication number: 20100014390
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a display for a device for manipulating audio in a disc jockey or similar application. A touch sensitive user rotatable member detects the position where the DJ touches the surface. Effects like needle dropping are possible for the first time without the use of a phonographic table or without a computer device which uses a phonographic turntable as a control input device. The display can show music as color coded concentric circles which represent tracks and/or record grooves. Color coded markers show current position of the music on the control surface and allows the user to set and use visual cue points. Functionality of the rotatable member can be dynamically mapped for unprecedented control. For example, the inner portion of the rotatable member can be used for needle dropping while the outer portion can be used for scratch effects. The device is capable of manipulating audio and video streams or a combination of the two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Alan Flum
  • Publication number: 20090320670
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Patent number: 7566827
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mazur, Alan Flum
  • Patent number: 7567498
    Abstract: The present invention is a turntable which includes an internal analog to digital converter and a controller for a standard digital format. This allows a jack for a standard digital format to be incorporated into the turntable, so that digital signals are generated to be received by the soundcard of an external computer or similar piece of digital equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mazur, Alan Flum, Erik Themmen, Mark Demouy, Darrin Young
  • Publication number: 20080101183
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: James Mazur, Alan Flum
  • Publication number: 20080062560
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller wherein the lower surface of the user manipulated disc and the upper surface of the rotary platter are made of low friction material. The lower surface of the user manipulated disc and the upper surface of the rotary platter impinge against each other creating an area of low friction, thereby eliminating the need for a slip disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: James Mazur, Alan Flum
  • Publication number: 20050270926
    Abstract: The present invention is a turntable which includes an internal analog to digital converter and a controller for a standard digital format. This allows a jack for a standard digital frat to be incorporated into the turntable, so that digital signals are generated to be received by the soundcard of an external computer or similar piece of digital equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: James Mazur, Alan Flum, Erik Themmen, Mark Demouy, Darrin Young
  • Publication number: 20050195698
    Abstract: The controller of the present invention includes an optical navigation system which is responsive to movement, velocity of position of a rotatable platter. The optical navigation system is responsive to rotation of the rotatable platter and is further responsive to at least one degree of freedom of tilting of the rotatable platter. The rotatable platter typically includes a textured pattern so that the optical navigation system can acquire sequential surface images of the textured pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Flum, James Mazur
  • Patent number: 5586906
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a planar gripping member which allows for improved manual gripping of the connector to facilitate easy connection/disconnection of the electrical connector from an interface point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Staros, Alan Flum
  • Patent number: 5530765
    Abstract: Disclosed is an audio follow video mixer apparatus having a circuit which indicates the position of an adjustable depth of fade control member. When the depth of fade control member is adjusted to a position which does not permit full attenuation of an audio signal according to a FADE control signal, a depth of fade LED indicator is illuminated. According to one embodiment, the LED is driven by a Schmidt inverter directly coupled to the FADE control signal line. According to an alternative embodiment, the depth of fade control member is a dual element fader having a first element in the FADE signal path and a second element biased to drive the depth of fade LED indicator according to the position of the depth of fade control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zampini, Alan Flum
  • Patent number: 5488669
    Abstract: Disclosed is an audio follow video mixer incorporating a manual cross fade learn feature. According to the invention, an operator may set the mixer so that a crossfade operation performed manually is stored in memory. The stored crossfade operation can thereafter be recalled and performed in an AUTO mode and an EDITOR mode. Also disclosed are LED indicators to visually indicate the status of the mixer, including which channel is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zampini, Alan Flum, Donald E. Davis, Joseph J. Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 5485525
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for configuring an audio follow video mixer used to process audio signals input from several multi-channel devices, such as VTRs. Input modules of the audio follow video mixer include a selection button for choosing the number of a VTR coupled to the mixer module and an LED display for visually indicating the VTR number to a user. The input modules also include buttons for selecting the audio channel of the selected VTR, as well as the preview bus for the selected audio channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zampini, Alan Flum, Donald E. Davis, Joseph J. Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 5484298
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved XLR connector which automatically terminates at least two of the matable connecting terminals of the XLR connector when the XLR connector is not attached to another XLR connector. The XLR connector includes a spring-biased switching member which opens and closes depending on whether the XLR connector is attached to another XLR connector. According to a first embodiment of the invention, an internal resistor is provided in the XLR connector which has a resistance that matches the impedance of the signal lines coupled to the XLR connector. According to a second embodiment, two additional terminals are provided on the XLR connector which are coupled together through the switching member. Thus, the state of the XLR connector may be detected by detecting the potential difference between the two additional terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Flum, Michael A. Zampini, Norman A. Allum