Microprocessor controlled, accelerometer based guitar pickup switching system
US8642876B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10H2220/395
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An apparatus and method for selecting combinations of pickups on a guitar or other stringed instrument allows a performer to control the pickup selections without interrupting instrument play. Combinations of pickups are selected by a processor according to measurements of orientation, position, and/or rate of movement made by an accelerometer. The accelerometer measurements can be filtered. Any or all elements of the system can be contained in a hollow space within the instrument. A manual control can be included to override the processor. Pickup combinations and/or accelerometer measurement ranges can be specified by manual controls while in a training mode. In a sequential mode, pickup combinations are selected in a preset order and for preset time periods. The accelerometer sampling rate can be between 1000 and 100 samples per second, and the sampled data can be stored in an 11 by 11 array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.