Patent · US Expired

Tuning indicator for musical instruments

US5777248A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
10References
13Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 22, 1996
Grant dateJul 7, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S84/18
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A musical instrument tuning aid. The display provides the user tuning information in a rapidly interpreted form. The input note, or tuning device setting, is displayed in a clock face format. A sharp/flat indicator provides a course display for gross tuning. A display means for electronically producing a stroboscopic display between the input tone and the internally generated reference frequency provides for very accurate fine tuning with instantaneous response to pitch changes. Signal conditioning to control signal level enhances the strobe display. Tracking low pass filtering is provided to enhance strobe display for high harmonic content signals. An adjustable band pass filtering mode is provided to allow analysis of individual harmonics. A crystal timebase is used to generate a high accuracy reference frequency with fine calibration adjustment. A control means is provided to measure the input signal fundamental, select the nearest chromatic scale note, and set tuning device accordingly, allowing hands off operation. In automatic mode the note display tracks the input note providing an easy to read display indicating the note played, as well as tuning of that note.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.