Patent ID: 7446248

Claim:
An automatic tuning system for performing automatic fine tuning corrections on a stringed instrument, said tuning system comprising: a detector for detecting a musical tone produced by an activated string and producing a signal value corresponding to said tone; a processor coupled to said detector for comparing said signal to a reference frequency value associated with a desired frequency and producing an electrical control signal, said electrical control signal being a function of the difference between said signal value and said reference frequency value; and a string adjustment assembly coupled to said processor and to said string for adjusting the tension of said string to cause a frequency change required to reach said desired frequency, in dependence upon said electrical control signal, said string adjustment assembly comprising: a motor and gear assembly pivotally attached to a housing for said automatic tuning system; a tune arm to which said string is anchored; a string contact surface of a drive gear/string cam contained within said tune arm, said string contact surface being in adjustable tangential contact with said string; a gear of said motor and gear assembly in rotational contact with said drive gear/string cam; and a motor of said motor and gear assembly responsive to said electrical signal in rotational contact with said gear; whereby changing the position of said string contact surface with respect to said string changes the frequency produced by said string when activated such that said string produces said desired frequency.