Systems and methods for a digital stringed instrument
AssigneeZivix LLC
InventorDan Sullivan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
Claims21
A musical instrument adapted to be used as a video game controller, comprising:
- a body portion;
- a neck portion, the neck portion connected to the body portion at a first end and comprising a plurality of finger positions between the first end and a second end;
- a first string strung across the body portion to the second end of the neck portion;
- a first analog sensor module located under the first string on the neck portion, the first analog sensor module corresponding to a first one of the plurality of finger positions, the first analog sensor module configured to detect a finger at a location proximate the first string at the first finger position, and the first analog sensor module configured to generate a first signal when the finger is detected at the first finger position;
- a string detection module located on the body portion proximate the first string, the string detection module configured to determine whether the first string has been played, and the string detection module configured to generate a second signal when the first string has been played;
- and
- a processing module configured to receive the first signal and the second signal, the processing module configured to generate a digital signal corresponding to the first signal and the second signal, and the processing module configured to output the digital signal to an external computing system.
A method of generating control signals for a computing system comprising:
- sensing the presence of one or more objects using a plurality of analog sensors, the one or more objects on or near one or more of a plurality of playing locations on the neck of a stringed musical instrument;
- sensing when one or more strings of the stringed musical instrument are played;
- and
- generating a digital signal indicative of the one or more played strings and the one or more playing locations corresponding to the presence of the one or more objects.
A musical instrument comprising:
- a plurality of strings;
- an optical means for sensing the presence of one or more fingers at one or more locations proximate a playing surface, on the neck of the musical instrument;
- and
- means for determining when one or more of the strings has been played.
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising:
- a body portion comprising a bridge;
- a neck portion comprising a lower end and an upper end, the lower end of the neck portion connected to the body portion;
- a plurality of strings attached to the body portion proximate the bridge and to the neck portion proximate the upper end;
- a sensor board located on the neck portion underneath the strings, the sensor board comprising a plurality of IR-transceiver/receiver modules, the sensor board further comprising an IR-transparent surface, wherein the IR-transceiver/receiver modules are located underneath the IR-transparent surface;
- and
- a string detection module located on the body portion, the string detection module comprising a light-emitting element, the string detection module further comprising an array, the array comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements, wherein the strings pass substantially between the light-emitting element and the array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.