Patents by Inventor John R. Shaffer
John R. Shaffer 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).
-
Publication number: 20240119405Abstract: Systems, method and computer readable medium are provided for automated storage and retrieval. User authentication information is received via a user interface for a dynamic storage and retrieval device. The user identity is verified based upon the authentication information and previously stored authentication data. Order information is retrieved for an order associated with the user following the verifying of user identity, the order information indicating one or more locations for items associated with the order. Instructions are transmitted to initiate a physical opening of at least one of the dynamic storage and retrieval device and at least one static storage location to enable the user to retrieve at least one item of the order, the static storage location including a controller controlling a locking mechanism and communicatively coupled to the dynamic storage and retrieval device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Paul Edward Durkee, Stuart William Clark, Colin Holmes, Jason D. Shaffer, Mark R. Ibbotson, John Suarez
-
Patent number: 8481839Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for audio and/or visual playback. A system can include a first data encoded according to a first file format, a second data encoded according to a second file format, and a file using the first and second data to enable synchronized audio and/or visual playback of the data on one or more receiving elements. In certain instances, at least a portion of the second data includes information relating to finger positions on a musical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: John R. Shaffer, Ken Pletzer
-
Patent number: 8191883Abstract: A system uses a plurality of sensors to detect and manage conditions within a moving pocket, such as a pocket carrying a flat product from one location to another. The system is particularly useful in connection with a newspaper insert machine. One sensor detects whether the product has been opened properly at a particular time; another sensor detects whether the product has been properly gripped by a gripper at a particular time; another sensor detects whether the pocket is empty at a particular time and another sensor detects whether the pocket is open or closed at a particular time. In the event an error condition is detected, the error condition is corrected by a control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Muller Martini Corp.Inventors: Eric W. Bader, Timothy Goszka, James Baird, John R. Shaffer, Richard J. Sterner
-
Patent number: 8106288Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: John R Shaffer
-
Publication number: 20110247478Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Optek Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: John R. Shaffer
-
Patent number: 7863514Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: John R Shaffer
-
Publication number: 20100300260Abstract: A fingerboard (or fretboard) for use with a stringed instrument and light-system is disclosed and has a bottom surface adapted to mate or be attached to a neck of the instrument, and has wells extending from the bottom surface toward, but not through, a top surface. The wells are sized to receive a light-emitting device, such as LEDs, and are positioned along the fingerboard according to finger positions of the instrument. Illumination from the light-emitting devices is visible to a player of the instrument, however, when the devices are not illuminated, the fingerboard appears substantially as one made without the wells. The structure is useful for learning to play the instrument, while not appearing as a learning device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventor: John R. Shaffer
-
Patent number: 7732687Abstract: A fingerboard (or fretboard) for use with a stringed instrument and light-system is disclosed and has a bottom surface adapted to mate or be attached to a neck of the instrument, and has wells extending from the bottom surface toward, but not through, a top surface. The wells are sized to receive a light-emitting device, such as LEDs, and are positioned along the fingerboard according to finger positions of the instrument. Illumination from the light-emitting devices is visible to a player of the instrument, however, when the devices are not illuminated, the fingerboard appears substantially as one made without the wells. The structure is useful for learning to play the instrument, while not appearing as a learning device.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: John R. Shaffer
-
Publication number: 20100107849Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for providing a neck assembly for a stringed instrument. The neck assembly can include a fingerboard structure having a well configured to receive a light-emitting device and permit light transmission from the light-emitting device to the top surface of the fingerboard structure, the well being located to represent a finger position of the stringed instrument. The neck assembly can further include a wooden neck structure attached to the fingerboard structure and have a lower surface substantially covered with a polymeric coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventor: John R. Shaffer
-
Publication number: 20100077306Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for audio and/or visual playback. A system can include a first data encoded according to a first file format, a second data encoded according to a second file format, and a file using the first and second data to enable synchronized audio and/or visual playback of the data on one or more receiving elements. In certain instances, at least a portion of the second data includes information relating to finger positions on a musical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: John R. Shaffer, Ken Pletzer
-
Publication number: 20090243179Abstract: A system uses a plurality of sensors to detect and manage conditions within a moving pocket, such as a pocket carrying a flat product from one location to another. The system is particularly useful in connection with a newspaper insert machine. One sensor detects whether the product has been opened properly at a particular time; another sensor detects whether the product has been properly gripped by a gripper at a particular time; another sensor detects whether the pocket is empty at a particular time and another sensor detects whether the pocket is open or closed at a particular time. In the event an error condition is detected, the error condition is corrected by a control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: MULLER MARTINI MAILROOM SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Eric W. Bader, Timothy Goszka, James Baird, John R. Shaffer, Richard J. Sterner
-
Publication number: 20080127808Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2008Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: Optek Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: John R. Shaffer
-
Patent number: 7323633Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of for displaying on a second instrument finger positions that were played on a first instrument. A teacher, for example, can play notes and/or chords on a first stringed instrument having a sensor. A processing having a decoder and a message generator can receive signals from the sensor and generate messages that are communicated to a light-system in the second instrument. The light-system displays the finger positions on the second instrument, each finger position corresponding to a finger position played on the first instrument. The processor can receive sensor information from the second information that can be used to determine whether a displayed finger position was correctly played on the second instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: John R Shaffer
-
Patent number: 7173175Abstract: A fingerboard (or fretboard) for use with a stringed instrument and light-system is disclosed and has a bottom surface adapted to mate or be attached to a neck of the instrument, and has wells extending from the bottom surface toward, but not through, a top surface. The wells are sized to receive a light-emitting device, such as LEDs, and are positioned along the fingerboard according to finger positions of the instrument. Illumination from the light-emitting devices is visible to a player of the instrument, however, when the devices are not illuminated, the fingerboard appears substantially as one made without the wells. The structure is useful for learning to play the instrument, while not appearing as a learning device.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: John R. Shaffer
-
Patent number: 5266735Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for learning to play a musical instrument retrieve a stored sequence of musical notes and other data from a source, and determine locations on the musical instrument corresponding to the sequential music data from the source, and then indicate to the user upon the musical instrument the locations thereon where the instrument should be engaged to produce the note or chord to be played in the sequence.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1992Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: John R. ShafferInventors: John R. Shaffer, Craig Bradley
-
Patent number: 4915005Abstract: For a musical instrument, a fingering display apparatus that includes a number of electrical switches manually operable to designate a desired musical note, either alone or as the root note for a desired scale or chord. For each of the notes designated by the switches, means are provided to activate a sub-display showing all of the possible fingering positions for that note. If a scale or chord is designated, then all of the fingering positions for all of the notes of the entire scale or chord are displayed. One form of the display, using small electrical lamps, is mounted on the fret-board of a guitar.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1988Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Inventors: John R. Shaffer, Robert W. Gorry, Jr.
-
Patent number: D324334Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1988Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Robert F. Thomas, John R. Shaffer