IP Library Granted Patent US 7,952,014
Granted Patent B2
US 7,952,014 · App. 12/164,513 · Granted May 31, 2011

Digital guitar system

Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,952,014
App. No.
12/164,513
Filed
Jun 30, 2008
Granted
May 31, 2011
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2832
USPC
84/742
Abstract

A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.

Claims (6)

1. A guitar, comprising:

an audio transducer assembly adapted to generate at least one pair of mixed analog string signals representative of string vibrations of guitar strings mounted on the guitar when the guitar strings are strummed, each mixed analog string signal further comprises an x-plane signal component and a y-plane signal component; a guitar processing circuit in communication with the audio transducer assembly, the guitar processing circuit adapted to generate a predetermined number of digital string signals based on the analog string signals and to format the digital string signals generated by the processing circuit to be compatible with a predetermined number of digital communication protocols; and

a guitar output assembly in communication with the guitar processing circuit and adapted to output the digital string signals generated by the guitar processing circuit; wherein the audio transducer assembly includes at least two out of phase coils adapted to generate the at least one pair of mixed analog string signals; and

wherein the x-plane signal components of the at least one pair of mixed analog string signals have inverted polarities.

2. The guitar of claim 1 , wherein the guitar output assembly is further adapted to output one or more of the mixed analog string signals generated by the audio transducer assembly.

3. The guitar of claim 1 , wherein: the audio transducer assembly is adapted to generate a single pair of mixed analog string signals when one or more guitar strings are strummed; the guitar processing circuit is adapted to convert the pair of mixed single analog string signals into a single digital string signal and to format the single digital string signal to be compatible with the predetermined number of digital communication protocols; and the guitar output assembly is adapted to output the single digital string signal.

Assignments (14)
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054839/0217 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST : RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME - 047384/0215 Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054823/0016 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2019
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC; WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; BANK OF AMERICA, NA
To: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048841/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2018
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 047384/0215 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2018
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 046239/0247 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 21, 2017
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.; GIBSON INTERNATIONAL SALES LLC; GIBSON PRO AUDIO CORP.; GIBSON INNOVATIONS USA, INC.; BALDWIN PIANO, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 041760/0592 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2016
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039687/0055 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 16, 2013
From: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
To: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031029/0942 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2013
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.; GIBSON INTERNATIONAL SALES LLC; GIBSON PRO AUDIO CORP.; GIBSON HOLDINGS, INC., AS A GUARANTOR; GIBSON CAFE & GALLERY, INC., AS A GUARANTOR; CONSOLIDATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC., AS A GUARANTOR
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 030983/0692 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2013
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
Reel/Frame 030939/0119 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 2, 2013
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
Reel/Frame 030932/0559 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2013
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030922/0936 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 14, 2011
From: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 027226/0860 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2011
From: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026113/0001 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 11546059 · Oct 11, 2006
Continuation 10657462 · Sep 8, 2003
Continuation In Part 09995405 · Nov 27, 2001
Continuation In Part 09557560 · Apr 25, 2000
Provisional Application 60478725 · Jun 13, 2003
Provisional Application 60438898 · Jan 9, 2003
Provisional Application 60131031 · Apr 26, 1999
Provisional Application 60156003 · Sep 23, 1999
Related Publication 20080276794A1 · Nov 13, 2008