Automatic tuning floating bridge for electric stringed instruments

{
  "publication_number": "US9536505B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Automatic tuning floating bridge for electric stringed instruments",
  "abstract": "A method, computer program product, and system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument. An initial height of a first string of an instrument having a plurality of strings and a floating bridge is determined. The height of the plurality of strings is determined using a bridge sensor. The floating bridge is locked. A frequency of the first string is analyzed. In response to determining the frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, thereby adjusting a string tension of the first string. The one or more bridge servo motors adjusts a spring tension until the spring tension of the one or more springs equals the string tension of the first string. In response to determining the first string is tuned, the floating bridge is unlocked.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method comprising: determining, by one or more processors, an initial height of a first string of an instrument having a plurality of strings and a floating bridge, wherein a height of the plurality of strings is determined using a bridge sensor; locking, by one or more processors, the floating bridge; analyzing, by one or more processors, a frequency of a first string; determining, by one or more processors, the frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency; causing, by one or more processors, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, the tuning peg configured to adjust a string tension of the first string; causing, by one or more processors, one or more bridge servo motors to adjust a spring tension in one or more springs attached to the floating bridge, wherein the spring tension of the one or more springs equals the string tension of the first string; unlocking, by one or more processors, the floating bridge in response to determining the frequency of the first string matches the predetermined frequency; detecting, by one or more processors, that a second string of the plurality of strings is vibrating within a predetermined range of frequencies; detecting, by one or more processors, an increased tension of the second string, wherein the increased tension is not within a predetermined threshold and in response, suspending, by one or more processors, detection of frequencies for the second string; detecting, by one or more processors, movement of a tremolo arm and in response, disabling, by one or more processors, detection of frequencies for the plurality of strings; determining, by one or more processors, a first frequency of the second string, using a magnetic pickup; comparing, by one or more processors, the first frequency to a table of expected frequencies; detecting, by one or more processors, a pitch change of the second string; and determining, by one or more processors, the first frequency is not on the table of expected frequencies; causing, by one or more processors, the tuning peg servo motor to adjust the tuning peg, the tuning peg configured to adjust a tension of the second string, wherein the instrument is retuned while the instrument is being played; detecting, by one or more processors, a broken string of the plurality of strings; muting, by one or more processors, a sound output of the instrument; adjusting, by one or more processors, the spring tension of the one or more springs, wherein the spring tension is adjusted until the spring tension equals the string tension, and wherein the floating bridge is at a user defined position; analyzing, by one or more processors, a second frequency of the first string; determining, by one or more processors, the second frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency; causing, by one or more processors, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, the tuning peg configured to adjust a string tension of the first string; and in response to determining the first string is tuned, restoring, by one or more processors, the sound output of the instrument."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to the field of tuning stringed instruments, and more particularly to an automatic tuning floating bridge for electric stringed instruments.\n\nBridges for electric stringed instruments (e.g., guitars) can be either floating or fixed. A bridge is an anchoring point at the base of the instrument. A fixed bridge provides no active control over string tension or pitch. Often, a floating bridge includes a tremolo arm that extends from below the string anchoring point and acts as a lever that the user can push or pull to change the strings tension and, as a result, the pitch of the strings. Frequently, a floating bridge can be positioned by a user to a desired angle. Electric instruments utilizing a floating bridge can be tuned by balancing string tension using the tunings pegs at the head of the instrument and by raising or lowering the bridge by adjusting spring tension on the back of the guitar.\n\nAccording to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatic tuning floating bridge for electric stringed instruments is provided.",
  "cpc": [
    "G10D 3/14",
    "G05B 15/02",
    "G10D 1/085",
    "G10D 3/04",
    "G10D 3/146",
    "G10D 3/153",
    "G10D 3/20",
    "G10G 7/00",
    "G10G 7/02",
    "G10H 1/44",
    "G10H 2210/066",
    "G10H 2210/191",
    "G10H 3/125",
    "G10H 3/18",
    "G10H 3/186"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G05B 15/02",
    "G10D 1/08",
    "G10D 3/14",
    "G10G 7/00",
    "G10G 7/02",
    "G10H 1/44",
    "G10H 3/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "International Business Machines Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Arkadiy O. Tsfasman",
    "John S. Werner"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-07-13",
  "publication_date": "2017-01-03",
  "grant_date": "2017-01-03",
  "priority_date": "2015-11-30",
  "application_number": "US-201615208638-A",
  "family_id": "57682405",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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  ]
}