Abstract: A portable device is used for recording, editing, and replaying musical sounds generated by a musical instrument external to the device. The musical sounds are converted from analog to digital format, compressed for minimum storage usage, and stored in a digital storage medium. The stored signals are filed according to an indexing scheme that allows selection and retrieval of selected portions of the musical sounds. The selected portions are retrieved from storage, decompressed, converted back to analog signals, and output to a sound generating device. The operation of the device is controlled by application software and operating system software.

Abstract: A digital guitar processing circuit includes a guitar converter circuit and a guitar formatting circuit. The guitar converter circuit receives one or more analog string signals representative of the string vibrations of a guitar and generates one or more digital string signals based upon the analog string signals. The guitar formatting circuit formats the digital string signals to be compatible with a digital communication protocol, and outputs the formatted digital string 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: 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 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.

Abstract: An 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 processing circuit includes a guitar converter circuit and a guitar formatting circuit. The guitar converter circuit receives one or more analog string signals representative of the string vibrations of a guitar and generates one or more digital string signals based upon the analog string signals. The guitar formatting circuit formats the digital string signals to be compatible with a digital communication protocol, and outputs the formatted digital string signals.

Abstract: A portable device is used for recording, editing, and replaying musical sounds generated by a musical instrument external to the device. The musical sounds are converted from analog to digital format, compressed for minimum storage usage, and stored in a digital storage medium. The stored signals are filed according to an indexing scheme that allows selection and retrieval of selected portions of the musical sounds. The selected portions are retrieved from storage, decompressed, converted back to analog signals, and output to a sound generating device. The operation of the device is controlled by application software and operating system software.

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: An 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 portable device is used for recording, editing, and replaying musical sounds generated by a musical instrument external to the device. The musical sounds are converted from analog to digital format, compressed for minimum storage usage, and stored in a digital storage medium. The stored signals are filed according to an indexing scheme that allows selection and retrieval of selected portions of the musical sounds. The selected portions are retrieved from storage, decompressed, converted back to analog signals, and output to a sound generating device. The operation of the device is controlled by application software and operating system software.

Abstract: A speaker system includes two cylindrical tubular cabinets. Each cabinet has a vertical longitudinal axis and defines a cylindrical cabinet cavity therein. At least one speaker element is located in each cavity. Preferably, there are upper and lower speaker elements mounted within each cavity, and dividing the cavity into upper, middle and lower speaker cavity portions. The speaker system is particularly constructed for reproduction of the very low frequency audio data below 200 Hz, and preferably below 60 Hz, which is associated with modern high fidelity sound sources such as those using a Dolby®5.1 format.

Abstract: A multi-channel audio speaker system is provided for use with a desktop personal computer. This system includes a cabinet having a bottom surface for placement upon a desktop and having a top surface for supporting a computer monitor. Left front, center front and right front speakers are housed in the cabinet along with two sub-woofer speakers. Left rear and right rear speakers are provided in separate remote cabinets. The primary cabinet includes an amplifier having seven channels of amplification. The system is provided for use with a multi-channel audio source such as Dolby® 5.1 format, which provides five channels of full range audio data which are directed to the first five channels of amplification and then to the front and rear speakers. The sixth channel of low frequency audio data is split and directed to the sixth and seventh amplification channels which are in turn directed to the two sub-woofer systems.

Abstract: An audio communications and control system includes a plurality of audio devices each of which includes a device interface module for communication of digital audio 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 audio data and control data between the devices.

Abstract: A multi-channel audio speaker system is provided for use with a desktop personal computer. This system includes a cabinet having a bottom surface for placement upon a desktop and having a top surface for supporting a computer monitor. Left front, center front and right front speakers are housed in the cabinet along with two sub-woofer speakers. Left rear and right rear speakers are provided in separate remote cabinets. The primary cabinet includes an amplifier having seven channels of amplification. The system is provided for use with a multi-channel audio source such as Dolby® 5.1 format, which provides five channels of full range audio data which are directed to the first five channels of amplification and then to the front and rear speakers. The sixth channel of low frequency audio data is split and directed to the sixth and seventh amplification channels which are in turn directed to the two sub-woofer systems.