System and method for connecting and controlling musical related instruments over communication network

• US 10,403,252 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2012
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
• Inventors: Chapman, Keith L., Adams, Charles C., Cotey, Stanley J., Porter, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fletcher, Marlon T
• Application Number:
  US13/563,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20140033900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,590 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0083 using wireless transmission, e.g. radio, light, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/251 Mobile telephone transmission, i.e. transmitting, accessing or controlling music data wirelessly via a wireless or mobile telephone receiver, analog or digital, e.g. DECT GSM, UMTS smartphone, PDA or palmtop used for musical purposes G10H2230/015; mobile ringtone G10H2230/021

Abstract

A communication system provides connection, configuration, and control of a musical instrument. A musical instrument includes a first communication link disposed on the musical instrument. Various music related accessories, such as a speaker, effects pedal, computer, mobile communication device, and synthesizer, includes a second communication link. A communication link transmits and receives the audio signal and control data between the musical instrument and accessories through the first and second communication links. A controller receives the audio signal and control data for configuring and controlling the device. The communication link is further connected to a computer, mobile communication device, and server through a communication network. A web server interface is coupled to the communication link for user selection and viewing of the control data in human perceive form. A user control interface with one or more webpages is connected to the communication link for configuring the musical instrument and accessories.

Claims

1. A communication network for connecting and controlling a musical instrument, comprising:

a musical instrument including a first communication link disposed on the musical instrument;

an audio amplifier including a second communication link disposed on the audio amplifier;

an access point coupled to the musical instrument through the first communication link and the audio amplifier through the second communication link;

a first web server disposed on the musical instrument and configured to control the musical instrument in response to data received over the first communication link;

a second web server disposed on the audio amplifier and configured to control the audio amplifier in response to data received over the second communication link; and

a user control interface coupled to the access point and configured to poll and identify the musical instrument and audio amplifier, wherein the user control interface displays a status of the musical instrument and audio amplifier and provides links to the first web server and second web server.

2. The communication network of claim 1, further including a music related accessory comprising a third communication link in communication with the access point.

3. The communication network of claim 2, wherein the music related accessory is selected from a group consisting of a speaker, effects pedal, display monitor, computer, audio recorder, special effect system, stage lighting, mobile communication device, and synthesizer.

4. The communication network of claim 1, wherein the musical instrument is selected from a group consisting of a guitar, violin, horn, brass, drums, wind instrument, string instrument, piano, organ, percussions, and microphone.

5. The communication network of claim 1, further including a server connected to the access point for receiving and storing an audio signal from the musical instrument.

6. The communication network of claim 1, wherein the audio amplifier further includes:

a controller coupled to the second communication link;

a memory coupled to the controller; and

a signal processing circuit coupled to the controller and memory for configuring and operating the signal processing circuit.

7. The communication network of claim 1, wherein the user control interface includes a web interface.

8. The communication network of claim 1, wherein the user control interface allows for configuring the musical instrument via the first web server and audio amplifier via the second web server.

9. The communication network of claim 8, wherein the user control interface automatically displays the status of the musical instrument and audio amplifier.

10. A musical system, comprising:

a musical instrument;

a first communication link disposed on the musical instrument;

a controller coupled to the first communication link for receiving control data to control operation of the musical instrument and transmitting an audio signal originating from the musical instrument through the first communication link; and

a musical related device coupled to receive control data from the musical instrument via the first communication link.

11. The musical system of claim 10, wherein the first communication link transmits and receives over wired or wireless medium.

12. The musical system of claim 10, wherein the musical instrument is selected from a group consisting of a guitar, violin, horn, brass, drums, wind instrument, string instrument, piano, organ, percussions, and microphone.

13. The musical system of claim 10, further including a music related accessory comprising a second communication link for transmitting and receiving an audio signal and control data.

14. The musical system of claim 13, wherein the music related accessory is selected from a group consisting of an audio amplifier, speaker, effects pedal, display monitor, computer, mobile communication device, and synthesizer.

15. The musical system of claim 10, further including a user control interface for configuring the musical instrument.

16. The musical system of claim 15, wherein the user control interface includes a graphical user interface for configuring the musical instrument.

17. The musical system of claim 10, further including a web interface for user selection and viewing of the control data in human perceivable form.

18. The musical system of claim 10, further including a server connected to the first communication link.

19. A musical system, comprising:

a musical related device including a communication link disposed on the musical related device;

a controller coupled for receiving control data through the communication link and transmitting an audio signal from the musical related device through the communication link;

an access point coupled to the controller through the communication link; and

a user control interface connected to the controller through the access point and communication link and configured to detect the musical related device and display a status of the musical related device.

20. The musical system of claim 19, wherein the musical related device is selected from a group consisting of a guitar, violin, horn, brass, drums, wind instrument, string instrument, piano, organ, percussions, microphone, audio amplifier, speaker, and effects pedal.

21. The musical system of claim 19, further including a server connected to the access point.

22. The musical system of claim 19, wherein the user control interface includes a web interface for user selection and viewing of the control data.

23. The musical system of claim 19, wherein the user control interface allows for configuring the musical related device.

24. The musical system of claim 23, wherein the user control interface includes a graphical user interface for configuring the musical related device.

25. A communication system, comprising:

an audio or video device including a communication link disposed on the audio or video device;

a controller coupled for receiving control data to control operation of the audio or video device; and

a web server on the audio or video device to serve a web page to a computer system for selection and viewing of the control data.

26. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the audio or video device is selected from a group consisting of a guitar, violin, horn, brass, drums, wind instrument, string instrument, piano, organ, percussions, microphone, audio amplifier, speaker, effects pedal, display monitor, synthesizer, satellite or cable receiver, TV, audio and video amplifier, DVD component, computer, mobile communication device, and remote controller.

27. The communication system of claim 25, further including a server connected to the communication link.

28. The communication system of claim 25, further including a user control interface for accessing the web page.

29. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the web page includes a graphical user interface for configuring the audio or video device.

30. A method of configuring and controlling a musical system, comprising:

providing a musical related device including a communication link disposed on the musical related device;

coupling the musical related device to a communication network through the communication link;

providing a user control interface coupled to the communication network;

automatically generating a user interface element in the user control interface to control the musical related device after coupling the musical related device to the communication network; and

transmitting control data to the musical related device using the user control interface.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the communication link transmits and receives over wired or wireless medium.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the musical related device is selected from a group consisting of a guitar, violin, horn, brass, drums, wind instrument, string instrument, piano, organ, percussions, microphone, audio amplifier, speaker, and effects pedal.

33. The method of claim 30, further including providing a server connected to the communication link.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein providing the user control interface includes providing a web interface.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the user control interface includes a graphical user interface for configuring the musical related device.