Dale L Curtis

US Patent:

6694029, Feb 17, 2004

Filed:

Sep 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/952942

Inventors:

Dale Vernon Curtis - Scottsdale AZ
Charles Clifford Adams - Gilbert AZ

Assignee:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

H04B 1500

US Classification:

381 941, 381 943

Abstract:

An input signal is applied to a notch filter having a transfer function that is the inverse of the expected noise signal. The filtered signal is coupled to a first amplifier and the input signal is coupled to a second amplifier. The outputs of the amplifiers are summed. The gains of the amplifiers are oppositely adjusted in response to the magnitude of the input signal. At low amplitude, the filtered signal is amplified more than the unfiltered signal. At high amplitude, the unfiltered signal is amplified more than the filtered signal.

US Patent:

7326849, Feb 5, 2008

Filed:

Apr 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/400472

Inventors:

Charles C. Adams - Gilbert AZ, US
Dale V. Curtis - Scottsdale AZ, US
Jeremy A. Brieske - Denver CO, US
Lawrence E. Lorenzen - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

G10H 1/32

US Classification:

84746, 84743

Abstract:

A modular docking station receives a variety of electronic modules, such as a tuner, effects processor, signal conditioner, signal distributor, and signal converter, for use with a musical instrument, such as a guitar. A base unit has a flat bottom portion and an angled top portion. A plurality of pushbutton switches are disposed in the angled top portion of the base unit. The electronic module is controlled by the pushbutton switches through the base unit. A plurality of electronic modules, each with a different electrical function, are interchangeable into the receptacle of the base unit. One electronic module is selected for inserting into the base unit to make mechanical and electrical contact. Each electronic module includes a display area and a plurality of indicators for the various electrical functions of the electronic module. The base unit has a connector for connecting to the musical instrument.

US Patent:

7678985, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Apr 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/784372

Inventors:

Charles C. Adams - Gilbert AZ, US
Dale V. Curtis - Scottsdale AZ, US
Jeremy A. Brieske - Denver CO, US
Lawrence E. Lorenzen - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

G10G 7/02
G10G 3/04
G10H 1/32
G10H 7/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

84645, 84454, 84462, 84644, 700 94, 381 98, 381118, 381119, 381123, 361728

Abstract:

An electronic module has an enclosure which is mechanically and electrically compatible with a plurality of receiving devices such as amplifiers, computers, mixer consoles, and musical instruments. The module has a programmable control panel and display on the enclosure and an electronic circuit disposed within the enclosure and receiving user commands from the control panel and displaying configuration information on the display. The electronic circuit performs a variety of functions for each of the receiving devices by way of a digital signal processor, synthesizer for generating a programmable audio signal in response to a data stream, storage device for storing musical information in a digital format, and playback device for retrieval and playback of the stored musical information. An audio output is coupled for transferring the programmable audio signal to or from the receiving device.

US Patent:

7804966, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/018010

Inventors:

Charles Clifford Adams - Gilbert AZ, US
Dale Vernon Curtis - Scottsdale AZ, US
Jerry Kenneth Hubbard - Chandler AZ, US
Eric Matthew Miller - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

H04R 1/02

US Classification:

381 87, 381386, 381120, 381332

Abstract:

An audio amplifier and speaker system are stacked and magnetically coupled together. The audio amplifier is coupled for receiving an audio signal. A first securing assembly is provided on a bottom surface of the amplifier. The first securing assembly may be a foot formed on the bottom surface of the audio amplifier. The speaker is electrically coupled to the amplifier. A second securing assembly is provided on a top surface of the speaker. The second securing assembly may be a receptacle formed in top surface of the speaker. The foot is inserted into the receptacle. The foot and receptacle are magnetically coupled to attach the amplifier to the speaker. The foot has a first electrical connector, and the receptacle has a second electrical connector mated to the first electrical connector to route the audio signal from the amplifier to the speaker.

US Patent:

20050204897, Sep 22, 2005

Filed:

Mar 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/802893

Inventors:

Charles Adams - Gilbert AZ, US
Mark Van Vleet - Scottsdale AZ, US
Richard Fliegler - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Dale Curtis - Scottsdale AZ, US

International Classification:

G10G007/02

US Classification:

084454000

Abstract:

A tuning device () uses a stroboscopic light source for tuning musical instruments (). The stroboscopic light source is programmable according to the musical instrument being tuned. A first control button () on the tuner programs the stroboscopic light source. A second control button () enables the stroboscopic light source. A display () indicates the state of the stroboscopic light source. A utility device () is integrated with the tuner. The utility device can be a key ring, lighter, utility tool, pin light, cell phone, card, watch, or jewelry. The utility device has a secondary function, which is independent and apart from the tuning activity associated with the musical instrument. The second function of the utility device provides convenience, accessibility, and increases the likelihood that the user will have the tuning device available when needed.

US Patent:

20050204898, Sep 22, 2005

Filed:

Jan 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/030798

Inventors:

Charles Adams - Gilbert AZ, US
Mark Van Vleet - Scottsdale AZ, US
Richard Fliegler - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Dale Curtis - Scottsdale AZ, US

International Classification:

G10G007/02

US Classification:

084454000

Abstract:

A tuning device () uses a stroboscopic light source for tuning musical instruments (). The stroboscopic light source is programmable according to the musical instrument being tuned. A first control button () on the tuner programs the stroboscopic light source. A second control button () enables the stroboscopic light source. A display () indicates the state of the stroboscopic light source. A utility device () is integrated with the tuner. The utility device can be a key ring, lighter, utility tool, pin light, cell phone, card, watch, jewelry, or audio amplifier. The utility device has a secondary function, which is independent and apart from the tuning activity associated with the musical instrument. The second function of the utility device provides convenience, accessibility, and increases the likelihood that the user will have the tuning device available when needed.

US Patent:

20060159291, Jul 20, 2006

Filed:

Jan 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/036505

Inventors:

Richard Fliegler - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Charles Adams - Gilbert AZ, US
Keith Chapman - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Dale Curtis - Scottsdale AZ, US
Shane Nicholas - Anthem AZ, US
Shawn Greene - Higley AZ, US

International Classification:

G10H 1/00
H03F 21/00

US Classification:

381118000, 381120000

Abstract:

A portable multi-functional audio sound system has an enclosure and control panel with an optional display on a front portion of the enclosure. The control panel provides for selection among menu options which are presented on the display. An audio input is coupled for receiving a live audio signal. An electronic circuit receives user commands from the control panel and displays configuration information on the display. The electronic circuit has an amplifier for amplifying the live audio signal, and a synthesizer for generating programmable audio signal in response to a MIDI data stream. The MIDI data stream is routed to the digital signal processor or to the synthesizer. A digital signal processor controls the menu options on the display. A speaker is mounted within the enclosure and coupled for receiving a combined signal of the live audio signal and the programmable audio signal.

US Patent:

20100180756, Jul 22, 2010

Filed:

Mar 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/749865

Inventors:

Richard H. Fliegler - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Charles C. Adams - Gilbert AZ, US
Keith L. Chapman - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Dale V. Curtis - Scottsdale AZ, US
Shane A. Nicholas - Anthem AZ, US
Shawn R. Green - Higley AZ, US

Assignee:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

G10H 3/00
H04R 1/02
G06F 17/00
G06T 11/20

US Classification:

84723, 381332, 700 94, 3454402

Abstract:

A portable multi-functional audio sound system has an enclosure and control panel with an optional display on a front portion of the enclosure. The control panel provides for selection among menu options which are presented on the display. An audio input is coupled for receiving a live audio signal. An electronic circuit receives user commands from the control panel and displays configuration information on the display. The electronic circuit has an amplifier for amplifying the live audio signal, and a synthesizer for generating programmable audio signal in response to a MIDI data stream. The MIDI data stream is routed to the digital signal processor or to the synthesizer. A digital signal processor controls the menu options on the display. A speaker is mounted within the enclosure and coupled for receiving a combined signal of the live audio signal and the programmable audio signal.