Claims
- 1. A stringed instrument comprising:
an elongated instrument body; a plurality of strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body; a plurality of bridges, wherein each bridge of said plurality of bridges is associated with a separate string of said plurality of strings, and wherein each bridge of said plurality of bridges is slideably adjustable over a substantial portion of said span over said instrument body; a plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, wherein each transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers is associated with a separate string of said plurality of strings, and wherein each transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers generates a distinct electrical transducer signal responsive to vibrations of said associated separate string; and an interface adapted to provide transducer signals generated by said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers to a multi-channel processing system.
- 2. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a plurality of signal processors, wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors generate a processed output signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 3. The instrument according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said signal processors provides a pitch shifting operation.
- 4. The instrument according to claim 2, said instrument further comprising:
a mixer for mixing processed output signals generated by said plurality of signal processors to generate at least one outgoing mixed audio signal.
- 5. The instrument according to claim 4, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 6. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a plurality of signal processors, wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors is associated with a separate transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, and wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors generate a processed output signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by said associated separate transducer.
- 7. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a mixer, said mixer generating at least one outgoing mixed audio signal in response to transducer signals generated by said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 8. The instrument according to claim 7, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 9. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 10. The instrument according to claim 9, wherein said outgoing control signal comprises signals of MIDI format.
- 11. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least one string of said plurality of strings is operatively coupled to an electrical sensor that is adapted to measure tension of said at least one string, and wherein said electrical sensor produces a string tension signal corresponding to said tension of said at least one string.
- 12. The instrument according to claim 11, said instrument further comprising:
a signal processor adapted to receive said string tension signal, wherein said signal processor generates a control signal based upon said string tension signal, and wherein said control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 13. The instrument according to claim 11, said instrument further comprising:
a signal processor adapted to receive said string tension signal, wherein said signal processor generates a control signal based upon said string tension signal, and wherein said control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 14. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, wherein said outgoing control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 15. The instrument according to claim 1, said instrument further comprises:
at least one strumpad coupled with said instrument body, wherein said at least one strumpad generates control signals in response to user contact, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user contact with said at least one strumpad.
- 16. The instrument according to claim 1, said instrument further comprising:
at least one miniature keyboard coupled with said instrument body, wherein said at least one miniature keyboard generates control signals in response to user operation, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user operation with said at least one miniature keyboard.
- 17. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument further comprises a video camera coupled to said instrument body and producing an outgoing video signal.
- 18. The instrument according to claim 17, said instrument further comprising:
an image processor adapted to process said outgoing video signal to create at least one derived video control signal, wherein said derived video control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 19. The instrument according to claim 1, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of harp strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of harp strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 20. The instrument according to claim 1, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of bass strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of bass strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 21. The instrument according to claim 1, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of sympathetic strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of sympathetic strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 22. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one percussion impact sensor coupled to said instrument body.
- 23. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one user operable control switch coupled to said instrument body.
- 24. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control slider coupled to said instrument body.
- 25. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control button coupled to said instrument body.
- 26. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument is configured as a Japanese Koto.
- 27. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument is configured as a Chinese Sheng.
- 28. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument is configured as a Vietnamese Koto.
- 29. A stringed instrument comprising:
an elongated instrument body; means for coupling a plurality of strings to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of strings is under tension and span a distance over said instrument body; a plurality of bridges, wherein each bridge of said plurality of bridges is associated with a separate string of said plurality of strings, and wherein each bridge of said plurality of bridges is slideably adjustable over a substantial portion of said span over said instrument body; means for generating a distinct electrical transducer signal responsive to vibrations of each string of said plurality of strings; and means for providing said distinct electrical transducer signal, for each of said plurality of strings, to a multi-channel processing system.
- 30. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a plurality of signal processors, wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors generate a processed output signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by said means for generating distinct electrical transducers signals.
- 31. The instrument according to claim 30, wherein at least one of said signal processors provides a pitch shifting operation.
- 32. The instrument according to claim 30, said instrument further comprising:
means for mixing processed output signals generated by said plurality of signal processors to generate at least one outgoing mixed audio signal.
- 33. The instrument according to claim 32, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 34. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a mixer, said mixer generating at least one outgoing mixed audio signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by said means for generating distinct electrical transducers signals.
- 35. The instrument according to claim 34, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 36. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by said means for generating distinct electrical transducers signals.
- 37. The instrument according to claim 36, wherein said outgoing control signal comprises signals of MIDI format.
- 38. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein at least one string of said plurality of strings is operatively coupled to an electrical sensor that is adapted to measure tension of said at least one string, and wherein said electrical sensor produces a string tension signal corresponding to said tension of said at least one string.
- 39. The instrument according to claim 38, said instrument further comprising:
means for generating a control signal based upon said string tension signal, wherein said control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 40. The instrument according to claim 38, said instrument further comprising:
means for generating a control signal based upon said string tension signal, wherein said control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 41. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by said means for generating distinct electrical transducers signals, wherein said outgoing control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 42. The instrument according to claim 29, said instrument further comprises:
means for coupling at least one strumpad with said instrument body, wherein said at least one strumpad generates control signals in response to user contact, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user contact with said at least one strumpad.
- 43. The instrument according to claim 29, said instrument further comprising:
means for coupling at least one miniature keyboard with said instrument body, wherein said at least one miniature keyboard generates control signals in response to user operation, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user operation with said at least one miniature keyboard.
- 44. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said instrument further comprises a video camera coupled to said instrument body and producing an outgoing video signal.
- 45. The instrument according to claim 44, said instrument further comprising:
means for processing said outgoing video signal to create at least one derived video control signal, wherein said derived video control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 46. The instrument according to claim 29, said instrument further comprising:
means for coupling a plurality of harp strings to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of harp strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 47. The instrument according to claim 29, said instrument further comprising:
means for coupling a plurality of bass strings to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of bass strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 48. The instrument according to claim 29, said instrument further comprising:
means for coupling a plurality of sympathetic strings to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of sympathetic strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 49. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one percussion impact sensor coupled to said instrument body.
- 50. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one user operable control switch coupled to said instrument body.
- 51. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control slider coupled to said instrument body.
- 52. The instrument according to claim 29, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control button coupled to said instrument body.
- 53. A stringed instrument comprising:
an instrument body comprising a neck; a plurality of frets coupled to said neck, wherein an open region is formed between adjacent frets of said plurality of frets; a plurality of strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of strings is under tension and spans a distance over said neck, and wherein said tension of each string of said plurality of strings permits displacement of said string into said open region between adjacent frets to facilitate pitch change; a plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, wherein each transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers is associated with a separate string of said plurality of strings, and wherein each transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers generates a distinct electrical transducer signal responsive to vibrations of said associated separate string; and an interface adapted to provide transducer signals generated by said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers to a multi-channel processing system.
- 54. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a plurality of signal processors, wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors generate a processed output signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 55. The instrument according to claim 54, wherein at least one of said signal processors provides a pitch shifting operation.
- 56. The instrument according to claim 54, said instrument further comprising:
a mixer for mixing processed output signals generated by said plurality of signal processors to generate at least one outgoing mixed audio signal.
- 57. The instrument according to claim 56, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 58. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a plurality of signal processors, wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors is associated with a separate transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, and wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors generate a processed output signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by said associated separate transducer.
- 59. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a mixer, said mixer generating at least one outgoing mixed audio signal in response to transducer signals generated by said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 60. The instrument according to claim 59, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 61. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 62. The instrument according to claim 61, wherein said outgoing control signal comprises signals of MIDI format.
- 63. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein at least one string of said plurality of strings is operatively coupled to an electrical sensor that is adapted to measure tension of said at least one string, and wherein said electrical sensor produces a string tension signal corresponding to said tension of said at least one string.
- 64. The instrument according to claim 63, said instrument further comprising:
a signal processor adapted to receive said string tension signal, wherein said signal processor generates a control signal based upon said string tension signal, and wherein said control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 65. The instrument according to claim 63, said instrument further comprising:
a signal processor adapted to receive said string tension signal, wherein said signal processor generates a control signal based upon said string tension signal, and wherein said control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 66. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, wherein said outgoing control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 67. The instrument according to claim 53, said instrument further comprises:
at least one strumpad coupled with said instrument body, wherein said at least one strumpad generates control signals in response to user contact, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user contact with said at least one strumpad.
- 68. The instrument according to claim 53, said instrument further comprising:
at least one miniature keyboard coupled with said instrument body, wherein said at least one miniature keyboard generates control signals in response to user operation, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user operation with said at least one miniature keyboard.
- 69. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said instrument further comprises a video camera coupled to said instrument body and producing an outgoing video signal.
- 70. The instrument according to claim 69, said instrument further comprising:
an image processor adapted to process said outgoing video signal to create at least one derived video control signal, wherein said derived video control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 71. The instrument according to claim 53, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of harp strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of harp strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 72. The instrument according to claim 53, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of bass strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of bass strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 73. The instrument according to claim 53, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of sympathetic strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of sympathetic strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 74. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one percussion impact sensor coupled to said instrument body.
- 75. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one user operable control switch coupled to said instrument body.
- 76. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control slider coupled to said instrument body.
- 77. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control button coupled to said instrument body.
- 78. The instrument according to claim 53, wherein said instrument is configured as a Chinese Pipa.
- 79. The instrument according to claim 53 wherein said instrument is configured as a Japanese Biwa.
- 80. A stringed instrument comprising:
an instrument body comprising a neck; means for coupling a plurality of frets to said neck, wherein an open region is formed between adjacent frets of said plurality of frets; means for coupling a plurality of strings to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of strings is under tension and spans a distance over said neck, and wherein said tension of each string of said plurality of strings permits displacement of said string into said open region between adjacent frets to facilitate pitch change; means for generating a distinct electrical transducer signal responsive to vibrations of each string of said plurality strings; and means for providing said distinct electrical transducer signals, for each of said plurality of strings, to a multi-channel processing system.
- 81. A stringed instrument comprising:
an instrument body; a plurality of strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body, and wherein each string of said plurality of strings comprise a plurality of individual fibers; a plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, wherein each transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers is associated with a separate string of said plurality of strings, and wherein each transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers generates a distinct electrical transducer signal responsive to vibrations of said associated separate string; and an interface adapted to provide transducer signals generated by said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers to a multi-channel processing system.
- 82. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a plurality of signal processors, wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors generate a processed output signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 83. The instrument according to claim 82, wherein at least one of said signal processors provides a pitch shifting operation.
- 84. The instrument according to claim 82, said instrument further comprising:
a mixer for mixing processed output signals generated by said plurality of signal processors to generate at least one outgoing mixed audio signal.
- 85. The instrument according to claim 84, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 86. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a plurality of signal processors, wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors is associated with a separate transducer of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, and wherein each processor of said plurality of signal processors generate a processed output signal in response to electrical transducer signals generated by said associated separate transducer.
- 87. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said multi-channel processing system comprises a mixer, said mixer generating at least one outgoing mixed audio signal in response to transducer signals generated by said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 88. The instrument according to claim 87, wherein said at least one outgoing mixed audio signal is further processed by a signal processor.
- 89. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers.
- 90. The instrument according to claim 89, wherein said outgoing control signal comprises signals of MIDI format.
- 91. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein at least one string of said plurality of strings is operatively coupled to an electrical sensor that is adapted to measure tension of said at least one string, and wherein said electrical sensor produces a string tension signal corresponding to said tension of said at least one string.
- 92. The instrument according to claim 91, said instrument further comprising:
a signal processor adapted to receive said string tension signal, wherein said signal processor generates a control signal based upon said string tension signal, and wherein said control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 93. The instrument according to claim 91, said instrument further comprising:
a signal processor adapted to receive said string tension signal, wherein said signal processor generates a control signal based upon said string tension signal, and wherein said control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 94. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said multi-channel processing system includes a signal processor, wherein said signal processor generates an outgoing control signal in response to transducer signals generated by at least one of said plurality of vibration-sensing transducers, wherein said outgoing control signal is adapted to control an external lighting system.
- 95. The instrument according to claim 81, said instrument further comprises:
at least one strumpad coupled with said instrument body, wherein said at least one strumpad generates control signals in response to user contact, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user contact with said at least one strumpad.
- 96. The instrument according to claim 81, said instrument further comprising:
at least one miniature keyboard coupled with said instrument body, wherein said at least one miniature keyboard generates control signals in response to user operation, and wherein said control signals are provided to a musical synthesizer which generates audio in response to said user operation with said at least one miniature keyboard.
- 97. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said instrument further comprises a video camera coupled to said instrument body and producing an outgoing video signal.
- 98. The instrument according to claim 97, said instrument further comprising:
an image processor adapted to process said outgoing video signal to create at least one derived video control signal, wherein said derived video control signal is adapted to control an electronic music system.
- 99. The instrument according to claim 81, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of harp strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of harp strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 100. The instrument according to claim 81, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of bass strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of bass strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 101. The instrument according to claim 81, said instrument further comprising:
a plurality of sympathetic strings coupled to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of sympathetic strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body.
- 102. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one percussion impact sensor coupled to said instrument body.
- 103. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one user operable control switch coupled to said instrument body.
- 104. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control slider coupled to said instrument body.
- 105. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one control button coupled to said instrument body.
- 106. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said instrument is configured as a Chinese Pipa.
- 107. The instrument according to claim 81, wherein said instrument is configured as a Japanese Koto.
- 108. A stringed instrument comprising:
an instrument body; means for coupling a plurality of strings to said instrument body, wherein each string of said plurality of strings is under tension and spans a distance over said instrument body, and wherein each string of said plurality of strings comprise a plurality of individual fibers; means for generating a distinct electrical transducer signal responsive to vibrations of each string of said plurality strings; and means for providing said distinct electrical transducer signals, for each of said plurality of strings, to a multi-channel processing system.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/812,400, filed Mar. 19, 2001, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/313,533, filed May 15, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,917, issued Aug. 26, 2003, which claims benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/085,713, filed May 15, 1998.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60085713 |
May 1998 |
US |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09313533 |
May 1999 |
US |
Child |
09812400 |
Mar 2001 |
US |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09812400 |
Mar 2001 |
US |
Child |
10701683 |
Nov 2003 |
US |