IP Library Patent Application 12474260
Patent Application
App. No. 12/474,260

Simulated Guitar Controller with Split Strum Bar

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/474,260
Abstract

A simulated guitar controller is disclosed that facilitates a player using multiple fingers to strum notes which includes a body portion, a plurality of strum bars disposed on a front face of the body portion, a neck portion extending outwardly away from the body portion, and a plurality of fret buttons disposed on the neck portion.

Claims (23)

1 . A game controller simulating a guitar which facilitates a player using multiple fingers to strum notes, the controller comprising:

a body portion;

a plurality of strum bars disposed on a front face of the body portion;

a neck portion extending outwardly away from the body portion; and

a plurality of fret buttons disposed on the neck portion.

2 . The game controller of claim 1 further comprising a thumb rest positioned on the front face of the body portion.

3 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of strum bars pivot with respect to a single axis.

4 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of strum bars pivot with respect to a plurality of axis.

5 . The game controller of claim 4 wherein the plurality of strum bars correspond to a plurality of pivot bars.

6 . The game controller of claim 5 wherein the plurality of pivot bars are arranged in parallel on the body portion.

7 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of strum bars is connected electrically in common.

8 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of strum bars shares a common pivot bar.

9 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein activation of each of the plurality of strum bars causes the controller to produce a unique output.

10 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein activation of each of the plurality of strum bars causes the controller to produce an identical output.

11 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of strum bars comprises three strum bars.

12 . The game controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of strum bars comprises four strum bars.

13 . The game controller of claim 1 further comprising a whammy knob.

14 . A method for facilitating interaction of a video game player with a game controller that simulates a guitar, the method comprising:

providing a game controller comprising a body portion, a neck portion extending outwardly from the body portion, and a plurality of strum bars positioned on a front face of the body portion;

displaying to the player a first target musical data associate with a musical composition; and

detecting an input generated by the player strumming at least one of the plurality of strum bars that corresponds to the first target musical data.

15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the detecting step further comprises detecting an input generated by the player strumming more than one of the plurality of strum bars during a particular time period as a single strum.

16 . The method of claim 14 further comprising evaluating the input generated by the player and the first target musical data to provide a player score.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2021
From: COLBECK PARTNERS II, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.; HARMONIX PROMOTIONS & EVENTS INC.; HARMONIX MARKETING INC.
Reel/Frame 057984/0087 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 11, 2011
From: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.; HARMONIX PROMOTIONS & EVENTS INC.; HARMONIX MARKETING INC.
To: COLBECK PARTNERS II, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 025764/0656 →