Patent Publication Number: US-2006000347-A1

Title: Acoustical device and method

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/580,496, filed Jun. 17, 2004, and which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      The invention relates generally to speakers and acoustical devices.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of an acoustical device in the form of an acoustic guitar;  
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view an acoustical guitar incorporating a speaker assembly and sound processor;  
       FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of a sound processor employed with the guitar of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 3B  is a side elevational view of the sound processor of  FIG. 3   a;    
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an acoustical guitar incorporating a speaker and employing a foot-pedal sound processor;  
       FIG. 5  is a pair of acoustical guitars, each incorporating a speaker, and which are configured for sending sound signals to the speaker of the other.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , an acoustic device  10  of the invention is shown. For purposes of the following description, the acoustic device  10  is shown as a guitar. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, the acoustic device  10  may include a variety of other stringed acoustical musical instruments. Non-limiting examples include such acoustical devices as a violin, viola, cello, bass, mandolin, etc.  
      The guitar or device  10  includes a hollow body portion  12  with a front wall or panel  14  that forms a soundboard having a generally centrally located soundhole or opening  16  formed therein. In the embodiment shown, the soundhole  16  is generally circular in shape. In other embodiments, one or more soundholes may be provided, which may be of a variety of shapes, both circular or non-circular, and may be provided at different positions, centrally and non-centrally located, within the soundboard, such as the S- or f-shaped soundholes commonly employed with violins and the like. The wall  14  is joined by side panels or walls  18  to a rear wall or panel (not shown) to define a hollow interior of the hollow body portion  12 .  
      One or more necks  20  extend from the side of the body portion  12 . A plurality of strings  22  of the guitar  10  are secured at one end of the neck by means of pegs or other devices (not shown) with the other end of the strings  22  being secured to posts  24  of sound bridge  26  provided on the front panel  14 . A saddle  28  may be provided on the bridge  26 , with the strings  22  extending and resting against the saddle  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the expanse of laterally spaced strings  22  overlays and extends longitudinally across the soundhole  16 . In other embodiments, the soundhole or soundholes may be located to the sides of the strings, such as in a violin.  
      Mounted to the soundboard  14  are one or more speaker assemblies  30 . The speaker assembly  30  may be of the type having a diaphragm or cone  32  with a central speaker coil portion  34 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a single speaker assembly  30  is utilized and faces outwardly and generally overlays and fills the soundhole  16 . The diaphragm  32 , which may be formed from a polymeric (eg. polypropylene, polystyrene, etc.), fiberglass, Kevlar, graphite paper, metal (eg. aluminum, titanium) or other materials, is positioned so that the speaker coil portion  34  is generally centered directly beneath the lateral expanse of strings  22 . The speaker assembly  30  may be secured to the soundboard with woodscrews  36  or other fasteners, which may include mechanical fasteners or glue or adhesive fasteners. Grommets or gaskets, which may be formed from an elastomeric material or resilient damping material, may be interpositioned between the soundboard  14 , speaker assembly  30 , and/or fasteners  36  for insulating the soundboard  14  from speaker vibrations, which may result in undesirable feedback. An example of a suitable speaker for use in an acoustic guitar includes an approximately four inch aluminum cone speaker. Those rated at 8 ohms with a maximum power handling of 50 watts have been found to be suitable, although other ratings may be used as well.  
      A self-contained “on-board” power supply  38  is provided with the guitar  10 . The power supply  38  may include one or more batteries having a voltage of 1.5 to 9 volts or more. The power supply  38  may be housed within the interior of the body portion  12 . In the embodiment shown, a 9 volt battery is used. The guitar or instrument  10  may also be coupled to an external power source, which may be used to power the instrument or to recharge rechargeable batteries, if they are used.  
      A preamplifier  40  is provided with the device  10 . The preamplifier  40  may be that which is typically employed with a conventional electric acoustical guitar having an output jack for connection to an external amplifier. The preamplifier  40  may be powered by power supply  38 .  
      Electrically coupled to the preamplifier  40  may be one or more pickup devices  42 ,  44 . The devices  42 ,  44  may include magnetic- or piezo-type pickups and may be positioned at different positions under the expanse of strings  22 . As shown, the pickup  42 , which is a piezo pickup, may be situated between the saddle  28  and sound bridge  26 . Alternatively, or in addition, the pickup may be positioned away from the sound bridge, such as the magnetic pickup  44 . If more than one pickup is utilized, a selector (not shown) may be provided for selecting the desired pickups.  
      The preamplifier  40  provides an output to one or more output jacks or sockets, such as the output jacks  48 ,  49 . The output jacks  48 ,  49  may be conventional ¼ inch output jack or a jack of conventional design and size. The jacks  48 ,  49  may include any other connector device for providing an output from the preamplifier  40  to an external device. As shown, the output jacks  48 ,  49  are provided on the sidewall  18  of the guitar  10 , although they may be located at other positions to facilitate connection to an external device.  
      In the embodiment shown, a power switch  46  is provided that switches power from power supply  38  to an onboard power amplifier  50 . The power amplifier  50  is connected to the power supply  38  through the switch  46  and provides power to the speaker assembly  30  by means of positive and negative electrical connections  52 ,  54 , respectively. The amplifier  50  is mounted to the guitar  10  and may be housed within the hollow body  12  out of view.  
      The amplifier  50  provides a boosted signal to the speaker assembly  30  to provide an amplified sound output from the speaker  30 . The output of the amplifier  50  may vary, but a suitable range for the power output is from 0.1 to 3 watts or more, with from 0.5 to 2 watts being typical, and from 0.75 to 1.5 watts being more typical. An example of a suitable power amplifier  50  includes that with the following specifications: 1) a DC power input of from 3 to 15 volts Max at 300 mA; 2) a power output of one watt at 8 ohms max; 3) a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz; and 4) a voltage gain of 30 dB Max.  
      Coupled to the amplifier  50  are one or more inputs  56 ,  58 . The inputs  56 ,  58  may be jacks or sockets that are mounted to the guitar or device  10  so that they are accessible to external devices. This may include mounting them in the sidewall  18  or the front or rear panel of the body portion  12 . The input jacks  56 ,  58  may be conventional ¼ inch jacks, mini jacks or other connector devices. Additionally, either or both of the jacks  56 ,  58  may also include combination input/output jacks for both receiving and sending signals.  
      By use of the inputs  56 ,  58 , external signals can be fed to the speaker  30  through power amplifier  46 . These may be combined with the sound signal from the strings  22  of the instrument itself, such as from pickups  42 ,  44 , which are routed to the power amplifier  50  and speaker  30 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sound processor  60  is provided with the instrument  10 . The sound processor  60  may be externally mounted to the hollow body  12  or other portion of the device  10 , such as along the sidewall  18 . Alternatively, it may be recessed within or built into the device  10 . The processor  60  may be removable and replaceable and be releasably coupled to the device  10  by means of releasable fasteners, such as hook and loop or Velcro® fasteners, brackets or other securing devices.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B , the processor  60  is provided with various controls, a display or visual indicators, input and output connections, etc. Although not shown, the processor  60  may also be provided with its own internal power source (such as a battery), memory or electronic data storage area, a data processor, and one or more programs, all contained or housed within a housing  62  of the processor  60 . The memory may be a removable type memory, such as a flashcard, etc. As shown, the processor  60  is configured generally as that of a KORG® ToneWorks PXR4 sound processor, available from Korg Inc., Tokyo, Japan. Details of this sound processor may be found in the KORG ToneWorks Pandora PXR4 Owners Manual and the KORG Pandora PXR4 EasyStart guide, which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other sound processors may be employed as well, such as the ZOOM PFX9003 Palmtop Effects Processor, available from Zoom Corporation, Tokyo, Japan.  
      A display screen  64  may be provided with the processor  60  for displaying level meters for recording and playback, time information, page information for various page displays, processor parameters, and other information. Controls, such as the cursor control  66  and dial control  68 , for navigating or moving between page displays and for selecting parameters or adjusting their values may also be provided. Mode controls, such as those indicated at  69 , may also be provided on the processor  60 .  
      One or more input jacks, sockets or connectors  70 ,  72  ( FIG. 3B ) are provided with the processor  60  for connecting to sound signal input sources. One or more output jacks or connectors  73  may also be provided with the processor.  
      The processor  60  may include a multiple track recorder and playback for recording and playing multiple tracks. The processor  60  may also allow one or more recorded or provided tracks or a sound input to be combined with others into a single track. Individual volume controls or faders for separate tracks, such as the controls  74 A- 74 D, may be provided for controlling the volume output of each individual track. An overall volume control  76  is also provided with the processor  60  for controlling the overall volume of all tracks. Record select keys  78 A- 78 D may be provided to facilitate recording of individual tracks. Playback controls  80  may also be provided with the processor  60 .  
      The processor  60  may provide other non-overall-volume sound effect generating functions. These may include expansion, equalization, compression, phase shifting, modulation, chorus, delay, reverberation, wah and flanging effects. As used herein, the expression “non-overall-volume sound effect” includes any sound effect that is not merely the adjustment of the overall volume of sound that may be provided as output to the speaker. “Non-overall-volume sound effect” thus may include adjustment of the volume of one or more tracks of a multiple track sound output or the adjustment of certain frequencies or portions of sound output, such as bass and treble sound output. “Non-overall-volume sound effect” may also include the adjustment of the volume of all tracks or portions of the sound output, but where the volume adjustment of such tracks or portions is not uniform with respect to all tracks or all portions of sound output.  
      The processor  60  may also generate certain sounds, such as drum or percussion-type sounds, rhythm or metronome sound patterns of various types. These may be prerecorded, synthesized or otherwise generated by the processor  60 . The tempo of such sound patterns can be continuously varied, such as by use of the dial  68 . The processor  60  may provide vocal and non-vocal accompaniment sounds, such as horn or woodwind-type sounds, organ sounds, piano sounds or other keyboard-type sounds, and sounds from numerous stringed instruments, etc. These sounds or a combination thereof may be recorded or stored by the processor  60  or they may be otherwise synthesized or generated by the processor  60 . The sounds may constitute sound input to the processor  60 , which may then be provided as one or more tracks. Such tracks may, in turn, be modified by the sound processor  60  and recorded as new or different tracks.  
      A built-in microphone  82  may be provided with the processor  60  for recording vocals or other externally generated sounds that may be picked up by the microphone  82 .  
      Use of the various controls or selectors of the processor  60  may provide a corresponding display on the display  64  indicative of the function or task being performed. Multiple functions may be carried out by using a single key or control or a combination of such keys or controls.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the output jack  48  of the guitar  10  is connected to the input jack  72  of the processor  60  by means of cable  84  (egs. 1/4″ shielded cable). Similarly, the output jack  73  of the processor  60  is connected to the input jack  56  of the guitar  10  by means of cable  86  (egs. ⅛″ shielded cable). Other means may also be employed for connecting the inputs and outputs of the processor  60  and guitar  10 . For example, the processor  60  may plug directly into connectors provided with the guitar  10  without the use of cables. Furthermore, the processor  60  may be incorporated into or hardwired into the guitar or device  10 .  
      The sound signal output provided from the guitar  10  from strings  22  through output  48  and cable  84  is input into the processor  60  through input connection  72 . The received sound signal may be recorded on the device  60  as one or more tracks. One or more sound effects or additional sound tracks may be combined with the recorded guitar input. The sound signal from the guitar strings  22  may also be modified or sound effects applied to the sound signal, such as reverberations, delays, modulations, etc., by the processor  60 . The processed sound input may then be stored or recorded in the memory of the processor  60  and/or may be provided as real-time processed or non-processed sound output provided by the processor  60 . The stored or recorded sound input may also be used as a single track and combined with other tracks, which may then be stored or recorded as one or more tracks, as well.  
      The output from the processor  60  may be provided to the speaker  30  from output  73 , which may be coupled to the guitar input  56  through cable  86 . This input signal is amplified by means of the power amplifier  50  for broadcasting the signal as sound output through speaker  30 .  
      The instrument  10  may also be provided with a wireless device  88  ( FIG. 1 ) that is connected to the speaker  30  through power amplifier  50 . The use of Bluetooth™ and other wireless technologies may be used for this purpose. The device  88  may also be coupled to the preamplifier  40  and include a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal to wireless devices, such as a sound processor or other audio recording or playback devices. Such devices may be mounted on the instrument itself or may be external remote devices. In this way, an electrical signal from the sound processor or other audio device may be transmitted wirelessly for broadcasting sound provided from such devices through the speaker  30 . Likewise, sounds produced from the instrument  10  may be transmitted to the wireless sound processor or audio device. This eliminates the need for wiring or cables.  
      In use, the user of the device  10  may provide prerecorded, synthesized or otherwise generated accompaniment provided from the processor  60 . This may be amplified by means of power amplifier  50  and broadcast to the speaker assembly  30  along with sounds from the strings  22  while the instrument is being played. The sound signal from the strings  22 , with or without any accompaniment generated from the processor  60 , may be looped through the processor  60  and provided as output from the processor  60  to the power amplifier  50  and speaker  30  as processed or unprocessed sound output. Alternatively, the sound signal from the strings  22  may be passed directly from the preamplifier  40  to the power amplifier  50  and speaker  30 . In still another mode, the device  10  may be played without amplification of the strings  22 , relying instead on the natural resonance of the device  10 , but with accompaniment from the processor  60  being broadcast through the speaker  30 .  
      The user may also record the sounds generated from the instrument during a performance using the processor  60 . The sound signals generated during the performance may then be processed and stored for play back for future use or accompaniment. Vocals may also be recorded, such as with the microphone  82 , and combined with the played instrument sounds onto one or more tracks.  
      The presence of the speaker  30  within the soundhole  16  does not significantly diminish the sound characteristics of the instrument  10  when it is played without amplification. The speaker assembly  30 , however, takes full advantage of the natural sound characteristics of the hollow body  12 , providing a full and rich sound that emanates from the instrument. The device  10  is self-contained and portable, allowing the musician complete mobility. The hole-mounted speaker  30  provides amplification for the instrument itself and any played accompaniment. The device  10  does not require any external amplification equipment or an external power source.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , in another embodiment the device  10  is shown with a foot-pedal controlled sound processor  90 . The various effects applied by the processor  90  may be similar to those provided by the processor  60 , discussed previously. The processor  90 , however, is controlled, at least in part, by means of one or more pedals  92  that may be operated by the user&#39;s foot while playing the device  10 . As shown, the processor  90  is provided with input and output jacks  94 ,  96 , respectively. These may be coupled to the output and input jacks of the guitar or device  10  through cables  98 ,  100 . An example of a suitable commercially available foot pedal controlled sound processor is that available as ZOOM GFX-5, available from Zoom Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Other foot pedal controllers may be suitable as well.  
      It should be pointed out that digital sound processors have been shown and described for use with the instrument  10 . Other playback devices, however, may be used in a similar manner with the device  10 , although these may not provide the same sound processing function as the processors described previously. These may include a variety of portable recording and playback digital audio devices, which may record and playback music or sound in a compressed or uncompressed format. Such devices may include minidisc players, DAT players, MP3 players (both disk drive and non-disk drive), PDA&#39;s, etc. The devices may relatively small so that they can be externally and releasably mounted to the instrument and so that they may be quickly removed and replaced. The devices may provide both recording and playback functions, including a built-in microphone. The devices allow accompaniment to be provided through the speaker  30  while simultaneously playing the instrument  10 . Laptop and desktop computers may also be connected to and used with the instrument  10 .  
      Additionally, the devices may be played without playing of the instrument  10 , but with the instrument acting merely as a speaker assembly, taking advantage of the natural resonance and sound characteristics of the hollow body  12  while the connected device is being played.  
      In another mode of operation, two or more of the devices  10 , which may be the same or dissimilar, may be coupled together. As shown in  FIG. 5 , two guitars  10  of similar construction are coupled together for playing in a duet mode so that both instruments may be heard simultaneously through both instrument speakers. In the embodiment shown, the jack  56  of each guitar  10  is a combination input/output jack. The jack,  56  of each of the devices  10  is connected by means of an input/output cable  102  so that the sound signal from either guitar is broadcast through the speaker assembly  30  of the other through the power amplifier  50 .  
      The sound signal produced from each guitar or device  10  may also be fed directly to its associated power amplifier  50  and speaker  30 . This may be accomplished by directing the signal from the preamplifier  40  directly to the power amplifier  50 . The device  10  may be hardwired in this way, or the output  49  may be coupled to the input  58  by a removable cable or the like. Alternatively, the sound signal produced from each guitar or device may be input into its associated sound processor  60  provided with the device  10  so that processed sound signals from the device  10  may be provided to its associated speaker  30 .  
      Likewise, the output  48  of each of the devices  10  may be provided to the sound processor  60  of the other device  10 , such as at inputs  70 ,  72 , so that the sound signal received from the other connected device  10  may be processed and provided as an output to the speaker assembly  30 . Accompaniment may also be provided with one or both instruments using the digital processor  60  or other playback device coupled to the instrument. The accompaniment generated from one instrument may be broadcast from the speaker  30  of the other or may be broadcast from the speakers of both instruments.  
      The instruments  10  may each be provided with a wireless receiver and transmitter  106  for transmitting and receiving sound signals to and from the other, thus eliminating the need for cable  102 .  
      While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.