Detection and processing of signals in stringed instruments
AssigneeCypress Semiconductor Corporation
InventorsMarcus Kramer, Bhishan Hemrajani, Benjamin Pezzner
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Abstract
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and system for electronic sensing of string instrument input. The method includes receiving a first signal from a peak detection circuit. The peak detection circuit is operable to sense string activation. A second signal is received from one or more capacitive sensors. The second signal may include finger placement information. The method further includes processing the first and the second signals to generate an audio signal and outputting the audio signal.
Claims19
An audio rendering apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of capacitive sensors operable for sensing finger placement and movement;
- a plurality of lighting elements each operable to light an area corresponding to a respective capacitive sensor of said plurality of capacitive sensors;
- and a processing element operable to receive signals from said plurality of capacitive sensors and control said plurality of lighting elements, wherein said processing element is further operable to generate an audio signal based on said signals from said plurality of capacitive sensors;
- and
- a neck region, wherein said plurality of lighting elements is operable to backlight a portion of said neck region.
An audio system for electronic sensing in a stringed instrument, said system comprising:
- a plurality of capacitive sensors operable for sensing finger position;
- a plurality of lighting elements operable to each light an area corresponding to a respective capacitive sensor of said plurality of capacitive sensors, wherein each of said plurality of lighting elements is coupled to a respective capacitive sensor of said plurality of capacitive elements;
- and a processing element operable to receive signals from said plurality of capacitive sensors and to control said plurality of lighting elements, wherein said processing element is operable to utilize said signals from said plurality of capacitive sensors for generating an audio signal and wherein said processing element is further operable to control said plurality of capacitive sensors and said plurality of lighting elements in a time multiplexed manner.
A guitar comprising:
- a body portion comprising a strumming area;
- a neck portion comprising a fingerboard comprising:
- a plurality of capacitive sensors wherein said plurality of capacitive sensors are operable to detect finger position;
- a plurality of lighting elements operable to illuminate a portion of said fingerboard corresponding to a portion of at least one capacitive sensor and further corresponding to a portion of a string of said guitar;
- a controller coupled to said plurality of capacitive sensors and said plurality of lighting elements, wherein said controller is operable to control said plurality of lighting elements and further operable to receive signals from said plurality of capacitive sensors in a time multiplexed manner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.