Abstract: An electronics module for an electric guitar is provided. The electronics module includes a processor, a plurality of controls, an antenna, and a computer-readable medium. The processor receives an audio signal generated by a vibration of a plurality of strings of the electric guitar. The plurality of controls are operably coupled to the processor and provide a mechanism for adjusting a sound created from the audio signal. The computer-readable medium is operably coupled to the processor and configured to cause the electric guitar to determine a control of the plurality of controls associated with the received effects parameter; adjust a state of the determined control based on the received effects parameter; modify the audio signal based on the plurality of controls and on the received effects parameter; and output the modified audio signal through the antenna to a second device.

Abstract: A standard electronic module for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. The standard electronic module is mounted within the main body of the electric stringed musical instrument in a module cavity in the back of the electric stringed musical instrument. The standard electronic module comprises two printed circuit boards, a main printed circuit board and a connector circuit board, wherein the standard electronic module provides rapid exchange of the main printed circuit board without changing the wiring harness of the electric stringed musical instrument, which is directly connected to the connector printed circuit board.

Abstract: A footswitch controller for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. In one embodiment, the footswitch controller comprises a foot pedal assembly, base assembly, bottom plate assembly, battery pocket assembly, and compound assembly. The footswitch controller does not directly alter the input sound, but upon activation by a user sends a signal to the digital signal processor within the electric stringed musical instrument to alter the sound.

Abstract: An electronics module for an electric guitar is provided. The electronics module includes a processor, a plurality of controls, an antenna, and a computer-readable medium. The processor receives an audio signal generated by a vibration of a plurality of strings of the electric guitar. The plurality of controls are operably coupled to the processor and provide a mechanism for adjusting a sound created from the audio signal. The computer-readable medium is operably coupled to the processor and configured to cause the electric guitar to determine a control of the plurality of controls associated with the received effects parameter; adjust a state of the determined control based on the received effects parameter; modify the audio signal based on the plurality of controls and on the received effects parameter; and output the modified audio signal through the antenna to a second device.

Abstract: A footswitch controller for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. In one embodiment, the footswitch controller comprises a foot pedal assembly, base assembly, bottom plate assembly, battery pocket assembly, and compound assembly. The footswitch controller does not directly alter the input sound, but upon activation by a user sends a signal to the digital signal processor within the electric stringed musical instrument to alter the sound.

Abstract: A standard electronic module for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. The standard electronic module is mounted within the main body of the electric stringed musical instrument in a module cavity in the back of the electric stringed musical instrument. The standard electronic module comprises two printed circuit boards, a main printed circuit board and a connector circuit board, wherein the standard electronic module provides rapid exchange of the main printed circuit board without changing the wiring harness of the electric stringed musical instrument, which is directly connected to the connector printed circuit board.

Abstract: The invention pertains to utilizing a data packet with a header extended to contain information dealing with the payload. Specifically, IEEE 802.1Q standard contains an extendable header which is normally utilized to contain information regarding a VLAN. However, these fields can also be utilized to provide information about the payload of the data packet. In this manner, networking devices which are primarily concerned with layer 2 data-link layer protocols can transmit information according to the information being transmitted by the packet.

Abstract: A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.

Abstract: A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.

Abstract: A digital media communications and control system includes a plurality of audio devices each of which includes a device interface module for communication of digital media data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices. A universal data link is operatively connected to each of the device interface modules. The device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital media data and control data between the devices.

Abstract: A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.

Abstract: The invention pertains to utilizing a data packet with a header extended to contain information dealing with the payload. Specifically, IEEE 802.1Q standard contains an extendable header which is normally utilized to contain information regarding a VLAN. However, these fields can also be utilized to provide information about the payload of the data packet. In this manner, networking devices which are primarily concerned with layer 2 data-link layer protocols can transmit information according to the information being transmitted by the packet.

Abstract: A reluctance pickup for a guitar including a pair of magnetic pole pieces disposed within wire coils. The coils are oppositely wound and wired in series. Each pole piece has an elongated magnetic pole end extending above its respective coil. The pole pieces are disposed so as to form a pickup face having two approximately parallel elongated pole ends. The elongated pole ends have opposite magnetic polarities and create a magnetic field therebetween. The pickup is mounted beneath a magnetically permeable string such that a projection of the string intersects the pole ends at a selected orientation angle between approximately 28 degrees and approximately 58 degrees, preferably, 43 degrees, so as to optimize selected performance parameters of the pickup, including: channel-to-channel separation, frequency response, and dynamic response.

Abstract: The combination recorder and player system includes a recorder/player unit and a remote control unit. The recorder/player unit includes a recorder/player computer system and recorder/player software that is operable to cause the recorder/player to record, play, and burn CDs. The remote control unit includes a remote control computer system and remote control software that can be used to control the recorder/player unit. The system can be used to automatically copy all of the audio on CDs into memory on the recorder/player, to control multiple pieces of audio and video equipment, and to download and store new music from the Internet.

Abstract: A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.

Abstract: A guitar interface device for a digital guitar system is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals, so that the digital guitar system may be utilized with conventional analog equipment. The interface device includes an input assembly to receive the digital signals, a processing circuit to generate the analog signals, and an output assembly to output the analog signals.

Abstract: Systems for distributing music to a plurality of customers via the Internet provide each customer with a uniquely identified proprietary device for receiving, playing and recording music. A music server computer system is provided for distributing the music to the proprietary devices over the Internet. The system provides for tracking usage of the music on the proprietary devices and reporting the usage data over the Internet to the music server compute system. The system provides for the secure distribution of digital music content over the Internet to consumers in a manner that allows efficient and economical usage of the content by consumers, while providing adequate usage reporting to copyright owners and providing adequate copy protection to prohibit unauthorized usage.

Abstract: Systems for distributing music to a plurality of customers via the Internet provide each customer with a uniquely identified proprietary device for receiving, playing and recording music. A music server computer system is provided for distributing the music to the proprietary devices over the Internet. The system provides for tracking usage of the music on the proprietary devices and reporting the usage data over the Internet to the music server compute system. The system provides for the secure distribution of digital music content over the Internet to consumers in a manner that allows efficient and economical usage of the content by consumers, while providing adequate usage reporting to copyright owners and providing adequate copy protection to prohibit unauthorized usage.

Abstract: A novel multi-signal guitar pickup is provided. The pickup includes a coil assembly for each string that is capable of generating two signals which can be combined together in a predetermined manner to generate an x-plane and a y-plane signal. The pickup is particularly useful in a digital guitar system which generates multiple digital signals representative of the vibrations of each string.