Wirless system for switching guitar pickups

• US 5,834,671 A
• Filed: 02/21/1997
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philip S. Phoenix
• Original Assignee: Philip S. Phoenix
• Inventors: Phoenix, Philip S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US08/803,591
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 84/609-614, 84/645, 84/646, 84/722-742, 84/DIG. 30, 84/477 R, 84/478, 84/644, 84/746
• US Class Current: 84/645
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0066 using a MIDI interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/211 Wireless transmission, e.g. of music parameters or control data by radio, infrared or ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/182 using two or more pick-up means for each string

Abstract

A wireless system is provided for switching the pickups of a guitar. The system may work in conjunction with MIDI devices such as effects processors. The system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter receives input from the MIDI device via a DIN connector and generates a control signal which corresponds to a preselected combination of pickups which have been programmed and stored in memory. A second DIN connector is provided to function as a pass-thru. The pickup combinations stored in memory are associated with a program from the MIDI device. A display is provided to indicate to the musician which program is in current use. The receiver is positioned within the cavity of the guitar and includes a plurality of relays coupled to the pickups of the guitar. Based on the control signal received, the relays are activated in order to provide the selected pickup combination. A display, coupled to the receiver, is disposed on the surface of the guitar in order to inform the musician of the discrete state of each pickup. The system is also capable of providing dual humbucker pickup combinations.

Claims

1. A wireless system for switching the pickups of a guitar comprising:

a remotely located MIDI device having stored therein a plurality of programs corresponding to pickup combinations;

a foot controller coupled to said MIDI device for selecting a program corresponding to a selected pickup combination;

a remote transmitter coupled to said MIDI device for sending a control signal indicative of the selected pickup combination, said transmitter including;

a transmitter control circuitry,

detection means associated with said control circuitry for identifying said selected program,

display means for visually indicating the identification of said selected program; and

a receiver disposed within said guitar for receiving said control signal, said receiver including;

a plurality of relays, each electrically coupled to one of said pickups,

decoding means responsive to said control signal for switching said relays to a discrete state indicative of the selected pickup combination,

a receiver display electrically coupled to said receiver and disposed on the surface of said guitar.

2. A wireless system for switching the pickups of a guitar as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiver display includes a plurality of LED lamps, each corresponding to one of said pickups, for identifying the discrete state of said pickups.

3. A wireless system for switching the pickups of a guitar as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitter circuitry comprises:

a. a micro-controller;

b. a first DIN connector for receiving input from said MIDI device;

c. an optoisolator circuit operatively coupled to said first DIN connector;

d. a second DIN connector for passing the signal from said MIDI device to an auxiliary device;

e. means for coupling said optoisolator circuit to said second DIN connector;

f. means for coupling said optoisolator circuit to said micro-controller.

4. A wireless system for switching the pickups of a guitar as recited in claim 1 wherein said display means comprises:

a. an LED display controller coupled to said micro-controller;

b. an LED display capable of displaying at least three digits, said LED display being coupled to said LED display controller; and

c. a plurality of auxiliary lamps coupled to said LED display controller for indicating the discrete state of each pickup.

5. A wireless system for switching the pickups of a guitar as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for coupling said optoisolator to said micro-controller comprises a serial port containing UART circuitry.

6. The wireless system for switching the pickups of a guitar as recited in claim 1, wherein said decoding means comprises an FSK decoder.

7. The wireless system for switching the pickups of a guitar as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes an FSK processor for generating said control signal.