# US 8,569,608 B2 · Electronic harp

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- Number: US 8,569,608 B2
- Document ID: US8569608B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/516,946
- Filed: 2010-11-17
- Published: 2012-11-01
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-17
- Applicants: Michael Moon
- Inventors: Michael Moon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8569608B2

## CPC

- G10H 1/0553: {using optical or light-responsive means}
- G10H 3/18: using a string, e.g. electric guitar {(mechanical features G10D1/085)}
- G10H 2220/066: Colour, i.e. indications with two or more different colours
- G10H 2220/165: for string input, i.e. special characteristics in string composition or use for sensing purposes, e.g. causing the string to become its own sensor
- G10H 2220/305: using a light beam to detect key, pedal or note actuation
- G10H 2220/411: Light beams
- G10H 2230/125: Spint harp, i.e. mimicking harp-like instruments, e.g. large size concert harp, with pedal
- G10H: ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE

## Abstract

A harp comprising a body, a set of strings attached to the body, an optical pickup to generate an analog signal produced by the vibration of a string within the set of strings, at least one circuit board to convert the analog signals to a corresponding digital signal, wherein the digital signal is then processed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A harp comprising:
a body having a top portion and a lower body;
a set of strings attached to the body, wherein said strings enter a top part of the lower body into a vibration area;
an optical pickup to generate an analog signal produced by the vibration of a string within the set of strings, wherein the optical pickup is mounted within a vibration area within the lower body of the harp;
at least one circuit board to convert the analog signals to a corresponding digital signal;
wherein the digital signal is then processed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The harp of claim 1 wherein the set of strings are lighted, and wherein the lighting for each string is actively controlled by a processor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The harp of claim 2 wherein the set of strings at a lower audio spectrum are lighted with lights in a low end of the visual light spectrum.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The harp of claim 2 wherein the set of strings at a higher audio spectrum are lighted with lights in a high end of the visual light spectrum.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The harp of claim 1 further including a set of circuit boards.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for analog to digital conversion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for a computer interface circuit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for a string light control circuit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for a light emitting diode (LED) control circuit.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The harp of claim 7 wherein the computer interface circuit receives signals from and transmits signals to a processor for controlling the harp.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The harp of claim 10 wherein the signals are Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signals.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The harp of claim 1 further comprising a pedal for controlling the set of strings.