Humbucking switching arrangements and methods for stringed instrument pickups
First Claim
1. A method for interconnecting the signal outputs of K number of electrical sensors, also known as pickups, especially vibration sensors for the vibrating parts of musical instruments, in circuit topologies of J number of said sensors at a time, such that duplicate topologies with electrically equivalent circuits and vibrational outputs, also known as tonal outputs, also known as output timbres, are eliminated from consideration, comprising the steps of:
- a. designating categories of electrical circuit topology, as category (1), (2), . . . (J), such that category (M) is comprised of M of said pickups connected together, where 1≤
M≤
J, such that,a.i. beginning with 1 of said pickups, designated as said category (1) with 1 member, constructing said category (2) with 2 members,a.i.1. connecting 1 of said pickups in series with another 1 of said pickups, for one member of said category (2), anda.i.2. 1 of said pickups in parallel with another 1 of said pickups for the other member of said category (2), anda.ii. constructing said categories of (M) for M>
2 by the same process of connecting lower-orders of said categories in series and parallel, such that, for (M)=(3), all the members of said category (1) in series and in parallel separately with all the members of said category (2), and such that, for (M)=(4), all the members of said category (1) in series and parallel separately with all the members of said category (3), plus all the members of said category (2) in series and parallel with all the members of said category (2), such that said category (M) is constructed by connecting said category (1) in series and parallel to all the members of category (M-1), and by connecting the members of said category (2) in series and parallel with all the members of category (M-2), and continuing until all the members of category (N) are connected in series and parallel with all the members of category (M−
N), wherein N is an integer less than or equal to M/2, such that, (M)=(5) be constructed from (1)&
(4) and (2)&
(3), and such that (M)=(6) be constructed from (1)&
(5), (2)&
(4) and (3)&
(3), and up, excluding duplicates of any previously constructed topologies for said (M)>
(3), such that this method shall be extendable to higher complexities, anda.iii. wherein each said topology of said category (M) may be deconstructed into t number of topologies of sub-categories, (Mi)=(M1), (M2), . . . , (Mt), such that M=M1+M2+ . . . +Mt, with 1≤
Mi≤
M, such that the members of each said sub-category (Mi), i=1, . . . , t, comprise of Mi number of sensors connected all in series, or all in parallel, between two nodes with no circuit branches in between, also called a basic topology, such that the order of placement in the circuit of said basic sub-category (Mi) of said individual members of said sensors, without reversing phase or connections relative to the other said sensors, makes no difference to the timbre or tonal quality of the output of either said sub-category or said category (M), such that a set of allowable topologies of said category (4) can be constructed of members with sub-categories (2+1+1), (3+1), (2+2) and (4), and such that the set of allowable member topologies of category (5) may be constructed of members, or versions, with sub-categories (2+1+1+1), (3+1+1), (2+2+1), (4+1), (3+2), and (5), such that the number of allowable unique circuits of that subcategory is limited to the product of versions, or members, times the combinations of sensors allowed by the basic topologies in each sub-category, so that such distinctions can be used to determine how many possibly unique tonal outputs can be obtained from each of said J=M sensors, constructing combinations of sensors rearranged in all circuit positions, subject to the limits of combinatorial math, such that this method shall be extendable to higher complexities,a.iv. wherein the limit of the number of unique circuits from which K sensors can be constructed J at a time is less than or equal to the product of [K sensors taken J at a time] times the number of allowable sensor terminal reversals, NSGN, times the sum of [the products of the number of said versions of each sub-category of circuit topology times the allowable number of combinations of J sensors in each sub-category, as determined by said basic topologies],b. constructing combinations of phase by switching in reverse said terminals of selected said sensors in each distinct topology, so that their phase relative to the remaining said sensors is inverted, producing a change in tone at the output, such that for a topology of said J number of said sensors there can be no more than 2J-1 different said combinations of said phase reversals of said sensors that produce potentially unique tonal outputs, constructed by taking one set of connections of said J sensors to be all in-phase, and selectively reversing said connections of said sensors until 2J-1 unique phases result,b.i. in one method by successively reversing said terminals of all the said J sensors, for said J≥
2, in an ordered sequence of said combinations of said terminal reversals, by sets of (J said sensors taken i at a time), for i=0 to (J-1)/2 if said J is odd, and by said sets of (J sensors taken i at a time), for i=0 to (J-2)/2+1, and said J is even, limited to ((J-1) taken (J-2)/2 at a time) members in the last said set, such thatb.i.1. in the zero said set of said sensor terminal reversals, no said sensor is reversed, for said reversal combination set of one said member, andb.i.2. in the first said set of said sensor terminal reversals, if said J≥
2, only one said sensor at a time is reversed, to the number of said J sensors taken 1 at a time, unless said J=2, then said single sensor reversal occurs only once, and if said J=3, then said single sensor reversals occur only 3 times, andb.i.3. in the second said set of said sensor terminal reversals, if said J≥
4, 2 of said sensors at a time are reversed, uniquely, such that no pattern of said reversals is repeated, and said reversal continue to said J sensors taken 2 at a time, unless said J=4, then said sensor reversals of 2 each occur only 3 times, and if said J=5, then sensor reversals of 2 each occur only 10 times, andb.i.4. so on, increasing the number of times said J sensors are reversed at a time,b.i.5. until if said J is odd, then said pattern of said sensor reversal combinations is continued to said J sensors taken (J-1)/2 times, such that there are never more than 2J-1 of said reversals of any number of said J sensors taken any number at a time, andb.i.6. if J is even, then said pattern of said sensor reversal combinations is continued to said (J sensors taken (J-2)/2), plus said J sensors taken ((J-2)/2+1 times), to the limit of said members of (J-1 sensors taken (J-2)/2 times), such that there are never more than 2J-1 of said reversals of any number of said J sensors taken any number at a time.
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Abstract
This invention develops the math and topology necessary to determine the potential number of tonally distinct connections of sensors, musical vibration sensors in particular. It claims the methods and sensor topological circuit combinations, including phase reversals from inverting sensor connections, up to any arbitrary number of sensors, excepting those already patented or in use. It distinguishes which of those sensor topological circuit combinations are humbucking for electromagnetic pickups. It presents a micro-controller system driving a crosspoint switch, with a simplified human interface, which allows a shift from bright to warm tones and back, particularly for humbucking outputs, without the user needing to know which pickups are used in what combinations. It suggests the limits of mechanical switches and develops a pickup switching system for dual-coil humbucking pickups.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for interconnecting the signal outputs of K number of electrical sensors, also known as pickups, especially vibration sensors for the vibrating parts of musical instruments, in circuit topologies of J number of said sensors at a time, such that duplicate topologies with electrically equivalent circuits and vibrational outputs, also known as tonal outputs, also known as output timbres, are eliminated from consideration, comprising the steps of:
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a. designating categories of electrical circuit topology, as category (1), (2), . . . (J), such that category (M) is comprised of M of said pickups connected together, where 1≤
M≤
J, such that,a.i. beginning with 1 of said pickups, designated as said category (1) with 1 member, constructing said category (2) with 2 members, a.i.1. connecting 1 of said pickups in series with another 1 of said pickups, for one member of said category (2), and a.i.2. 1 of said pickups in parallel with another 1 of said pickups for the other member of said category (2), and a.ii. constructing said categories of (M) for M>
2 by the same process of connecting lower-orders of said categories in series and parallel, such that, for (M)=(3), all the members of said category (1) in series and in parallel separately with all the members of said category (2), and such that, for (M)=(4), all the members of said category (1) in series and parallel separately with all the members of said category (3), plus all the members of said category (2) in series and parallel with all the members of said category (2), such that said category (M) is constructed by connecting said category (1) in series and parallel to all the members of category (M-1), and by connecting the members of said category (2) in series and parallel with all the members of category (M-2), and continuing until all the members of category (N) are connected in series and parallel with all the members of category (M−
N), wherein N is an integer less than or equal to M/2, such that, (M)=(5) be constructed from (1)&
(4) and (2)&
(3), and such that (M)=(6) be constructed from (1)&
(5), (2)&
(4) and (3)&
(3), and up, excluding duplicates of any previously constructed topologies for said (M)>
(3), such that this method shall be extendable to higher complexities, anda.iii. wherein each said topology of said category (M) may be deconstructed into t number of topologies of sub-categories, (Mi)=(M1), (M2), . . . , (Mt), such that M=M1+M2+ . . . +Mt, with 1≤
Mi≤
M, such that the members of each said sub-category (Mi), i=1, . . . , t, comprise of Mi number of sensors connected all in series, or all in parallel, between two nodes with no circuit branches in between, also called a basic topology, such that the order of placement in the circuit of said basic sub-category (Mi) of said individual members of said sensors, without reversing phase or connections relative to the other said sensors, makes no difference to the timbre or tonal quality of the output of either said sub-category or said category (M), such that a set of allowable topologies of said category (4) can be constructed of members with sub-categories (2+1+1), (3+1), (2+2) and (4), and such that the set of allowable member topologies of category (5) may be constructed of members, or versions, with sub-categories (2+1+1+1), (3+1+1), (2+2+1), (4+1), (3+2), and (5), such that the number of allowable unique circuits of that subcategory is limited to the product of versions, or members, times the combinations of sensors allowed by the basic topologies in each sub-category, so that such distinctions can be used to determine how many possibly unique tonal outputs can be obtained from each of said J=M sensors, constructing combinations of sensors rearranged in all circuit positions, subject to the limits of combinatorial math, such that this method shall be extendable to higher complexities,a.iv. wherein the limit of the number of unique circuits from which K sensors can be constructed J at a time is less than or equal to the product of [K sensors taken J at a time] times the number of allowable sensor terminal reversals, NSGN, times the sum of [the products of the number of said versions of each sub-category of circuit topology times the allowable number of combinations of J sensors in each sub-category, as determined by said basic topologies], b. constructing combinations of phase by switching in reverse said terminals of selected said sensors in each distinct topology, so that their phase relative to the remaining said sensors is inverted, producing a change in tone at the output, such that for a topology of said J number of said sensors there can be no more than 2J-1 different said combinations of said phase reversals of said sensors that produce potentially unique tonal outputs, constructed by taking one set of connections of said J sensors to be all in-phase, and selectively reversing said connections of said sensors until 2J-1 unique phases result, b.i. in one method by successively reversing said terminals of all the said J sensors, for said J≥
2, in an ordered sequence of said combinations of said terminal reversals, by sets of (J said sensors taken i at a time), for i=0 to (J-1)/2 if said J is odd, and by said sets of (J sensors taken i at a time), for i=0 to (J-2)/2+1, and said J is even, limited to ((J-1) taken (J-2)/2 at a time) members in the last said set, such thatb.i.1. in the zero said set of said sensor terminal reversals, no said sensor is reversed, for said reversal combination set of one said member, and b.i.2. in the first said set of said sensor terminal reversals, if said J≥
2, only one said sensor at a time is reversed, to the number of said J sensors taken 1 at a time, unless said J=2, then said single sensor reversal occurs only once, and if said J=3, then said single sensor reversals occur only 3 times, andb.i.3. in the second said set of said sensor terminal reversals, if said J≥
4, 2 of said sensors at a time are reversed, uniquely, such that no pattern of said reversals is repeated, and said reversal continue to said J sensors taken 2 at a time, unless said J=4, then said sensor reversals of 2 each occur only 3 times, and if said J=5, then sensor reversals of 2 each occur only 10 times, andb.i.4. so on, increasing the number of times said J sensors are reversed at a time, b.i.5. until if said J is odd, then said pattern of said sensor reversal combinations is continued to said J sensors taken (J-1)/2 times, such that there are never more than 2J-1 of said reversals of any number of said J sensors taken any number at a time, and b.i.6. if J is even, then said pattern of said sensor reversal combinations is continued to said (J sensors taken (J-2)/2), plus said J sensors taken ((J-2)/2+1 times), to the limit of said members of (J-1 sensors taken (J-2)/2 times), such that there are never more than 2J-1 of said reversals of any number of said J sensors taken any number at a time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A digitally-controlled analog switching system for two or more vibration sensors, with the means to switch or shift approximately monotonically from tones of lower predominant frequency, otherwise known as dark or warm tones, to tones of higher frequency, otherwise known as bright tones, by means of simple mechanical or touch-swipe shift controls, symbolic status indicators, a digitally-controlled solid-state analog switching system, digital sampling of switching system signal outputs, digital calculation of signal characteristics, pre-amplification, gain setting, and output conditioning system, such that the musician or system user need never know which sensors are used in what configurations to achieve a given output signal, comprising:
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a. two or more of said vibration sensors, including electromagnetic, piezoelectric, optical, proximity, hall-effect and magneto-strictive sensors, otherwise known as pickups, and b. a conventional digitally-controlled M×
N analog crosspoint switch, where M is the number of said pickup terminals or greater, and N is equal to or greater than the number of said pickup terminals plus two or more, for output terminals, so that said pickups/sensors can be connected together in any desired circuit configuration, otherwise known as circuit topology, andc. for the purpose of switching said output of said switching system in sequence between the warmest to the brightest of tones produced by the topological circuit connections of said sensor and pickups in said analogy switch, a manual input to control the direction of switching along any sequence of said tones, to set said sequence of said tones, and to change modes of operation of said switching system, and d. a display for indicating the status of said switching system, and e. a programmable micro-controller, with suitable analog and digital inputs and outputs, configured to; e.i. provide interface, control and interpretation of said manual control inputs, including mechanical switches, and other controls, including x-y tablet entry controls, known as touch-swipe controls, and e.ii. provide control of said status display, including simple on-off lights, alphanumeric displays, digital alphanumeric and graphic panel displays, and digital alphanumeric and graphic panel displays under said touch-swipe controls, and e.iii. provide programmed and programmable, digital or analog sensing of the individual status of said sensors or pickups, including the orientation of electromagnetic pickup field orientation, so as to assure proper humbucking connections and outputs, and e.iv. provide programmed and programmable connections of the said sensors, via said analog cross-point switch to provide a sequence of outputs with measurably and uniquely different tones or timbres, and e.v. provide programmed and programmable gain control of a preamplifier at an output of said analog cross-point switch, so as to maintain substantially equal signal strengths at the output of said switching system, regardless of switching state, and e.vi. provide a means, including an analog-to-digital converter and associated programming, to monitor the signal output of said preamplifier as a means of feedback to said preamplifier for maintaining said output signal strength at constant levels, and to digitize output signals to obtain spectral or Fourier analyses, and e.vii. provide a means of outside input, via conventional USB or BlueTooth or other serial digital connections, so as to change and update the internal program and said sequencing of said output tones, and e.viii. provide a means of using said manual and touch-swipe controls to manage said internal program, including setting desired presets of the sequence of tones provided by the successive exercise of said manual shift controls, and change any modes of microcontroller programming and operation, and e.ix. provide the programmed and programmable means to receive analog feedback of signal from the output of said preamplifier, so as to conduct spectral analysis of the signals of each of said sensor switching states and topologies, using methods including Fast-Fourier Transform methods and statistical methods to characterize the tonal content of said signals from said sensor switching states and topologies, so as to choose and set the order of tones at said output, achieved by the actions of said manual controls, and f. said analog preamplifier at the output of said analog cross-point switch, including single-ended and differential amplifiers, with a gain setting circuit controlled by said micro-controller, and g. said analog output signal conditioning, including volume and tone control of conventional type, and any non-linear analog distortion, and any switching between linear and non-linear signal conditioning. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A switching system whereby two or more matched pickups, including matched single-coil pickups, dual-coil humbuckers and dual-sensor humbucking hall-effect pickups, are connected together to produce the maximum number of unique and distinct humbucking tones with the minimum number of commonly-available components, comprised of:
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a. a pre-switching circuit, comprised of one or more double-throw switches, configured to each connect a set of paired and matched sensors, with four terminals, between parallel and series connections, making said pair into a single two-terminal device, and b. a second pre-switching circuit, comprised of one or more switches, configured to select between three or more two-terminal sensors, so as to present a smaller set of terminals to the output of said second circuit and the input of the following switching circuit, and c. a main switching system, said following switching circuit, which takes two or more of said matched two-terminal sensors, and makes all-humbucking circuit connections at the output of said main switching system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification