Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Franco

Kenneth J. Franco 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: 7563972
    Abstract: A musical instrument signaling system (10) that is designed to alert a player of a hand-held musical instrument when to commence and stop playing the instrument. Typically, the hand-held musical instrument consists of a handbell as used by members of a bell choir. The system (10) is disclosed in five embodiments, wherein each embodiment has a transmitting circuit that includes a musical instrument such as a keyboard, and a receiving circuit. In the first, third and fifth embodiments a set of electrical signals containing the notes are transmitted through space. In the second and fourth embodiments the signals containing the notes are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to the receiving circuit by a hard-wired cable. In all five embodiments only the selected notes of a musical performance are sent to the bell ringers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventors: Walter Kubitz, Rocky A. Cota, Kenneth J. Franco
  • Patent number: 5461188
    Abstract: A synthesized music, sound and light system (10) that is incorporated into articles of clothing (60) such as a pair of shoes. The system (10) when activated, allows a multiplicity of lights (32) to illuminate in synchrony with the rhythmic beat of either an internal or an external music or sound program that is heard through an audio transducer (26). When the system (10) is incorporated into a pair of shoes, a person can perform a dance routine or other form of expression in compliment with the selected music and light program. To enhance the utility of the invention, the system includes three user operated controls: a music program select switch (S1) that allows the selection of musical light programs, a control that allows the speed of the lights and rhythmic beat of the selected program to be increased or decreased, and a control that allows setting the volume of the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventors: Marcello S. Drago, Alexander Leon, Kenneth J. Franco