Methods and apparatus for stringed controllers and instruments
US8454418B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10D3/06
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.