Portable recording, looping, and playback system for acoustic instruments

• US 9,286,872 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelliterran Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelliterran Inc.
• Inventors: Packouz, David, Podrizki, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Warren, David
• Application Number:
  US14/329,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20150013526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2250/641 Waveform sampler, i.e. music samplers; Sampled music loop processing, wherein a loop is a sample of a performance that has been edited to repeat seamlessly without clicks or artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/18 using a string, e.g. electric guitar mechanical features G10D1/085
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/186 Means for processing the signal picked up from the strings filtering G10H1/12

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic looping, recording, and playback apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a clamp, enabling the apparatus to be positioned in or on an acoustic instrument, such as an acoustic guitar. The clamp may be used to attach the apparatus to a portion of the acoustic instrument. The apparatus may further comprise, but not be limited to, for example, a speaker, a rechargeable battery, a microphone, a volume knob, an LED indicator light, a switch, and a processing module. The switch may be used to activate the electronic recording, looping, and playback system, much like a pedal in a stompbox configuration.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a clamp configured to attach the apparatus to an acoustic instrument;

a processing module configured to;

record an audio signal received from a microphone; and

cause a looped playback of the recorded signal;

a switch configured to operate the processing module, the switch being configured to attach to the acoustic instrument via the clamp;

a microphone configured to provide a signal to the processing module; and

a speaker configured to playback a signal, the signal being one of the following;

the recorded signal and a processed signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a volume knob configured to control a volume of playback.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) operative to provide an indication of a state of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a port configured for at least one of the following:

receiving a signal to the apparatus, and

providing a power supply to the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is an omni-directional switch configured to be operated at any angle, and attach to the acoustic instrument via the clamp at a location enabling a musician to activate and deactivate the switch with a playing motion of the acoustic instrument.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first activation of switch is configured to cause a recording of the audio signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a second activation of switch is configured to cause a looped-playback of the recorded audio signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a third activation of switch is configured to cause an overdubbing of the recorded audio signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the apparatus comprises the switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second portion of the apparatus comprises the speaker.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a clamp configured to attach the apparatus to an acoustic instrument;

a processing module configured to;

record an audio signal received from a microphone; and

cause a looped playback of the recorded signal;

a switch configured to;

operate the processing module, and

attach to the acoustic instrument via the clamp at a location enabling a musician to operate the switch with a playing motion of the acoustic instrument;

a microphone configured to provide a signal to the processing module; and

a speaker configured to attach to the acoustic instrument and configured to play back a signal, the signal being one of the following;

the recorded signal and a processed signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a volume knob configured to control a volume of playback.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) operative to provide an indication of a state of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a port configured for at least one of the following:

receiving a signal to the apparatus, and

providing a power supply to the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the switch is an omni-directional switch configured to be operated at any angle.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first activation of switch is configured to cause a recording of the audio signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a second activation of switch is configured to cause a looped-playback of the recorded audio signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a third activation of switch is configured to cause an overdubbing of the recorded audio signal.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a processing module configured to;

record an audio signal received from a microphone; and

cause a looped playback of the recorded signal;

a switch configured to operate the processing module;

a microphone configured to provide a signal to the processing module;

a speaker configured to attach to at least one of the following;

the interior of the acoustic instrument and the exterior of the acoustic instrument, the processing module being configured to cause a play back, via the speaker, of at least one of the following;

the recorded signal and a processed signal; and

a clamp comprising a housing configured to house the processing module, the switch, the microphone, and the speaker to the acoustic instrument, the clamping attaching said housing to the acoustic instrument.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the switch is an omni-directional switch configured to be operated at any angle.