Musical instrument self-tuning system with capo mode
AssigneeTransperformance, LLC
InventorsStephen J. Freeland, Neil C. Skinn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is a control system for automatically tuning a stringed musical instrument with a capo installed, using an original calibration function or closed-loop tuning system for the instrument without the capo. The control system uses a capo scale factor which scales frequencies measured with the capo installed to what they would have been without a capo. The control system enables a musician to quickly tune an instrument after installing a capo, in a manner unlikely to be noticed by an audience.
Claims53
A control system for an automatically tuned fretted stringed instrument adapted for use with a capo installed on one fret, said instrument having a plurality of strings, each string having an actuator connected thereto, said instrument further having a transducer coupled to said strings, said control system comprising:
- a processor adapted to be coupled to the transducer and to the actuators, said processor including means for receiving a transducer signal from said transducer, means for obtaining the measured frequency of each of said plurality of strings from said transducer signal, means for scaling said measured frequency of each string by a capo scale factor, means for generating control signals in accordance with the scaled frequencies, and means for outputting said control signals to said actuators.
An automatically tuned fretted stringed instrument adapted for use with a capo installed on one fret, comprising:
- a plurality of strings;
- a plurality of actuators, one of said actuators connected to each of said strings;
- a transducer coupled to said strings;
- and
- a processor coupled to said transducer and to said actuators, said processor including means for receiving a transducer signal from said transducer, means for obtaining the measured frequency of each of said plurality of strings from said transducer signal, means for scaling said measured frequency of each string by a capo scale factor, means for generating control signals in accordance with the scaled frequencies, and means for outputting said control signals to said actuators.
A method for tuning a fretted stringed instrument having an installed capo, said instrument having a plurality of strings, each string having an actuator connected thereto, said instrument further having a transducer coupled to said strings and a processor coupled to said transducer and to said actuators, said method comprising the steps of:
- installing a capo on one fret;
- strumming said strings;
- measuring the frequency of each of said plurality of strings from a transducer signal;
- scaling the measured frequency of each string by a capo scale factor;
- generating control signals in accordance with the scaled frequencies;
- and
- outputting said control signals to said actuators.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.