| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090064841 | SPRING-BIASED TUNING MACHINE - A tuning machine for a musical instrument includes a base configured to engage a headstock of the musical instrument, an actuator rotatably connected to the base, a shaft rotatably connected to the base, the shaft providing a first aperture sized to receive a string of the musical instrument, the shaft being connected to the actuator such that actuation of the actuator causes rotation of the shaft about an axis of the shaft, a clamp member movably connected to the shaft and configured to engage the string, and a bias member connected to the clamp member and the shaft to bias the clamp member toward a closed position to engage the string when received by the shaft, where the clamp member and the shaft cooperate to inhibit removal of the string received by the shaft with the clamp member engaging the string. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090064842 | CAPO - A capo for use with a stringed musical instrument includes a frame that includes a first arm configured to extend across a neck of the instrument, and a second arm connected to the first arm and extending from the first arm at a first angle less than 180°, the capo further including a pivot arm that is substantially Y-shaped, includes base, actuator, and clamp portions and is pivotally connected to the frame to move between open and closed positions, a proximal end of the clamp portion is connected to the distal end of the base portion, the clamp portion extending away from the base portion toward the first arm when the pivot arm is in the closed position, the base portion being biased away from the second arm such that the clamp portion is biased toward the first arm. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090188371 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STRINGED CONTROLLERS AND/OR INSTRUMENTS - Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090191932 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STRINGED CONTROLLERS AND/OR INSTRUMENTS - Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100234109 | FRET AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FRETS FOR STRINGED CONTROLLERS AND INSTRUMENTS - A fret and method of making the fret are disclosed. The fret can include a body portion made of a non-conductive material, a first end, a second end, and a length defined between the first and second ends. A plurality of electrically conductive elements can be disposed along at least part of the body portion. Each element can be electrically insulated from the other conductive elements by the body portion. The method can include 1) providing a blank formed of electrically conductive material, 2) processing the blank to provide a plurality of electrically conductive elements, 3) affixing a body portion made of a non-conductive material to the plurality of electrically conductive elements, the body portion electrically insulating each element from the other conductive elements, and 4) removing material from the processed blank and affixed body portion to form a perimeter of the fret in a desired shape. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100261513 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INPUT DEVICES FOR INSTRUMENTS AND/OR GAME CONTROLLERS - Electronic game components are described. The electronic game components may define radiation striking zones in which user strikes may be detected. In response to detecting the strikes, control signals for an audio generator or gaming console may be generated. The electronic game components may be used to simulate percussive instruments, with the radiation striking zones corresponding to percussive components of the simulated percussive instrument. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100279772 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STRINGED CONTROLLERS AND/OR INSTRUMENTS - Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20110218022 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STRINGED CONTROLLERS AND INSTRUMENTS - Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. A plurality of frets can be disposed on a fingerboard and underlying the strings. The frets may include electrically conductive zones that can be electrically insulated from each other, and each zone corresponds to a different string. A polyphonic pickup having a plurality of wire-wound coils coupled to corresponding magnetic returns can be included, and can be adapted to detect striking of at least one of the strings by a user of the game controller. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. | 09-08-2011 |
