US6437226B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument
Assignee: IBIS LLC
•
Filing: 2001-03-07
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Granted: 2002-08-20
•
Expires: 2021-03-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including the steps of inducing a signal on a string under tension to generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal. The present invention also provides a system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including a string, tensioning means operably attached to one end of the string for tensioning the string, and a processor for driving the tensioning means to induce a signal on the string and generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and for adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Oudshoorn
- 👤 Jeff Moler
- 👤 R. Glenn Akhavein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:20
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10G; G10G7/00; G10G7/02; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument comprising the steps of: inducing a signal on a string under tension to generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string with tensioning means operable attached to one end of the string; and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument comprising the steps of: inducing a signal on a string under tension to generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string with tensioning means operable attached to one end of the string; and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the induced signal is a musical tone to which the string is to be tuned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of monitoring the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of producing a modulated motor movement signal in response to a musical tone and storing the modulated motor movement signal in memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of producing a modulated motor movement signal from a base signal modulated with a modulation signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 5 wherein one end of the string is operably attached to a motor and the step of inducing a signal on the string includes driving the motor with the modulated motor movement signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting tension of the string includes adjusting tension on the string to produce a maximum amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stringed instrument includes a plurality of strings and the steps of inducing a signal and adjusting tension are performed in a sequential order on the plurality of strings.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument comprising: a string; tensioning means operably attached to one end of the string for tensioning the string; and a processor for driving the tensioning means to induce a signal on the string and generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and for adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument comprising: a string; tensioning means operably attached to one end of the string for tensioning the string; and a processor for driving the tensioning means to induce a signal on the string and generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and for adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the tensioning means comprises a linear motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 9 further including: an audio input transducer for producing an electrical analog signal in response to the audio resonance signal; a signal conditioning circuit for conditioning the electrical analog signal; and an analog to digital converter for converting the electrical analog signal to an electrical digital signal and transmitting the electrical digital signal to the processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the processor produces a modulated motor movement signal and further including an actuator driver for receiving the modulated motor movement signal and driving the motor in response to the modulated motor movement signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 9 further including a manual switch interface for initiating automatic tuning of the stringed instrument.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 9 further including memory and a manual switch interface for storing modulation signals in the memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the manual switch interface selects modulation signals stored in the memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the processor adjusts tension of the string to produce a maximum amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument, comprising the steps of: driving a motor operably attached to one end of a string of the stringed instrument; generating a resonance signal from the string in response to the step of driving the motor, the resonance signal having an amplitude; and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument, comprising the steps of: driving a motor operably attached to one end of a string of the stringed instrument; generating a resonance signal from the string in response to the step of driving the motor, the resonance signal having an amplitude; and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of adjusting tension of the string comprises the step of adjusting tension on the string to produce a maximum amplitude of the resonance signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of driving the motor comprises the steps of: modulating a base signal with a modulation signal to produce a modulated motor movement signal; and driving the motor with the modulated motor movement signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of driving the motor comprises the step of inducing an induced signal on the string, the induced signal a musical tone to which the string is to be tuned.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |