Electronic harp

• US 8,569,608 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Moon
• Original Assignee: Michael Moon
• Inventors: Moon, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Warren, David S.
• Application Number:
  US13/516,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20120272813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 847/24, 84264-266
• US Class Current: 84/724
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0553 using optical or light-responsive means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/066 Colour, i.e. indications with two or more different colours
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/165 for string input, i.e. special characteristics in string composition or use for sensing purposes, e.g. causing the string to become its own sensor transducers, e.g. piezoelectric or magnetic G10H2220/461; plectrum sensors G10H2220/191; guitar neck sensors or fret switches G10H2220/301
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/305 using a light beam to detect key, pedal or note actuation light beams in general G10H2220/411
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/411 Light beams key actuation detection using light G10H2220/305
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/125 Spint harp, i.e. mimicking harp-like instruments, e.g. large size concert harp, with pedal
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/18 using a string, e.g. electric guitar mechanical features G10D1/085

Abstract

A harp comprising a body, a set of strings attached to the body, an optical pickup to generate an analog signal produced by the vibration of a string within the set of strings, at least one circuit board to convert the analog signals to a corresponding digital signal, wherein the digital signal is then processed.

Claims

1. A harp comprising:

a body having a top portion and a lower body;

a set of strings attached to the body, wherein said strings enter a top part of the lower body into a vibration area;

an optical pickup to generate an analog signal produced by the vibration of a string within the set of strings, wherein the optical pickup is mounted within a vibration area within the lower body of the harp;

at least one circuit board to convert the analog signals to a corresponding digital signal;

wherein the digital signal is then processed.

2. The harp of claim 1 wherein the set of strings are lighted, and wherein the lighting for each string is actively controlled by a processor.

3. The harp of claim 2 wherein the set of strings at a lower audio spectrum are lighted with lights in a low end of the visual light spectrum.

4. The harp of claim 2 wherein the set of strings at a higher audio spectrum are lighted with lights in a high end of the visual light spectrum.

5. The harp of claim 1 further including a set of circuit boards.

6. The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for analog to digital conversion.

7. The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for a computer interface circuit.

8. The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for a string light control circuit.

9. The harp of claim 5 wherein one of the set of circuit boards is for a light emitting diode (LED) control circuit.

10. The harp of claim 7 wherein the computer interface circuit receives signals from and transmits signals to a processor for controlling the harp.

11. The harp of claim 10 wherein the signals are Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signals.

12. The harp of claim 1 further comprising a pedal for controlling the set of strings.