The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 20, 2004
Filed:
Dec. 19, 2002
Thomas Allen Dolan, Naples, FL (US);
Don A. Gilmore, Kansas City, MO (US);
QRS Music Technologies, Inc., Naples, FL (US);
Abstract
An automated player for stringed instruments having a body portion including independent plucking and fretting mechanisms. The plucking mechanism includes a rotary plectrum assembly having a plurality of extendable quills positioned with its rotational axis parallel to a string of the instrument. The plectrum assembly is selectively rotatable by a first stepper motor and the quills are selectively extendable by an electric solenoid actuator, thus allowing for variable displacement of the string to produce vibration of variable intensity during operation. The fretting mechanism includes a carriage mounted to a belt and selectively driven by a second stepper motor along a track parallel to the instrument string. The carriage is in compressive contact with the string and thus may be selectively positioned at appropriate frets to shorten the vibrating length of the string. The player includes an embedded electronic circuit that controls the operation from programs installed or serially downloaded.