Patent ID: 8872010
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: G10D,G10G

Abstract:
1. An automatic tuner for a stringed instrument having a headstock and a plurality of tuning pegs disposed thereon, said automatic tuner comprising: a plurality of clamp and tuning motor assemblies, one for each of the strings on the stringed instrument, each of said clamp and tuning motor assemblies configured for attachment to the stringed instrument headstock and including clamping elements, a motor mount, and a tuning motor having a drive shaft operatively connected to a tuning peg connector; a power pedal having an instrument input jack for receiving an input electric analog signal from the stringed instrument, an analog to digital converter for converting the input electric analog signal into a digital square wave with a frequency equal to the frequency of the string being played, and a power pedal microcontroller programmed to calculate the frequency of the square wave, and transmit the calculated frequency information in a wireless signal; and a headstock-mounted electronics enclosure mountable on the stringed instrument, said headstock-mounted electronics enclosure housing an electronics board electrically connected to each of said clamp and tuning motor assemblies, and having a wireless transceiver for receiving the wireless signal from said power pedal, and further enclosing a headstock-mounted microcontroller programmed to compare the frequency received from said power pedal with four frequencies of a correctly tuned bass guitar strings, determine which string the received frequency is closest to, and calculate an error based on how far the frequency received from said power pedal is from the correct frequency, such that from said calculated error, said headstock-mounted microcontroller can determine whether the string is sharp, flat, or acceptably in tune, and thereafter send a motor control signal to the appropriate motor on one of said clamp and tuning motor assemblies so as to correct and maintain the correct tune for a string engaged by said tuning peg connector.