Automatic track-selecting vinyl turntable

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic track selection turntable, which mainly includes a magnetic induction module, a firmware computing module, a power drive module for controlling the horizontal movement and vertical lifting of the tonearm, and an application program embedded in the tonearm. The magnetic induction module is used to detect the position of the tonearm on the vinyl record, while the firmware computing module receives the audio signal picked up by the stylus and determines the non-musical areas in the grooves of the vinyl record through audio feature analysis and duration verification. By combining magnetic induction technology with firmware computing logic, the starting and ending points of the music in the grooves of the vinyl record are detected, and the application program automatically marks and manages the gaps and data of the vinyl record tracks to achieve intelligent and convenient automatic track selection and playback.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vinyl record playback device with automatic control and track selection functions. Prior Technology

[0002] Note that traditional vinyl record players typically cannot accurately locate specific tracks and cannot intelligently record or operate digitally.

[0003] Existing optically positioned turntables, such as the classic Sony PS-FL7 II model produced in the 1980s, use a mechanical and optical system for track selection. They are primarily equipped with optical sensors or similar tracking technology. A photoelectric sensor is placed at the base of the tonearm to detect differences in reflectivity between grooves on the record surface. There are gaps between tracks, which contain no audio signal. When the optical sensor detects a gap, its reflectivity differs from that of the grooves on the audio track, thus triggering the sensor signal. Therefore, traditional turntables use optical sensors to detect the gaps between record tracks to determine the groove positions on the record. Then, a simple logic circuit calculates the number of gaps and drives the tonearm to move to the beginning of the target track. The actual operation is as follows:

[0004] 1. Set track number: The user enters the target track number using the number keys (0-9) on the turntable panel (e.g., press "3" for track 3).

[0005] 2. To activate automatic track selection, press the "Search" button. The tonearm will automatically lift and quickly move to the starting position at the outer edge of the record, then begin scanning. The turntable rotates at high speed (higher than normal playback speed), and the photoelectric sensor continuously detects track gaps. Each time a gap (i.e., track interval) is detected, the counter decrements by 1 until the counter reaches zero (the target track has been reached). Once the target track is reached, the tonearm automatically lowers and plays at normal speed.

[0006] Traditional turntable technology has many limitations and conditions. For example, there must be a noticeable physical gap between tracks (approximately 1-2 seconds of silence, with a selection error of about ±1 track). If the record is recorded continuously (such as classical music or live albums), the selection function may fail. Some non-standard recorded records (such as those from underground labels or DIY records) may not be detected correctly. In addition, photoelectric sensors are easily interfered with by dust, scratches, or reflective labels, which may lead to misjudgments, especially on old or worn records. Besides these, it also has the following disadvantages:

[0007] 1. To achieve high-speed scanning, the turntable needs to be accelerated briefly, which may increase the motor load and stylus wear.

[0008] 2. The success rate of song selection is greatly affected by the condition of the record, and its practicality is lower than expected.

[0009] 3. High-speed scanning may accelerate the wear and tear on the stylus and record (especially precious vinyl records should be used with caution).

[0010] 4. It has no memory function. For the same record and the same song, the above operation steps must be repeated every time a song is selected.

[0011] Therefore, based on this, the inventor, drawing on years of rich design, development and practical manufacturing experience in the related industry, has further researched and improved the technology to provide a turntable with automatic song selection, making it more usable and achieving greater practical value. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The main objective of this invention is to provide a turntable with automatic track selection, specifically one based on magnetic induction technology and intelligent firmware computing. This technology can identify and record the positions of grooves on a vinyl record where there is no music, and, combined with motor control, achieve automatic tonearm positioning and track selection. Furthermore, the invention aims to enhance the user experience by enabling operation and data management through an app.

[0013] To address the above problems, this invention proposes a turntable with automatic song selection. Its main purpose and effectiveness are achieved through the following specific technical means:

[0014] It mainly includes a magnetic induction module, a firmware computing module, a power drive module for controlling the horizontal movement and vertical lifting of the tonearm, and an application program embedded in the tonearm. The magnetic induction module is used to detect the position of the tonearm on the vinyl record, while the firmware computing module receives the audio signal picked up by the stylus and determines the non-music area in the groove of the vinyl record through audio feature analysis and duration verification. By combining magnetic induction technology with firmware computing logic, the starting and ending points of music in the groove of the vinyl record are detected, and the application program automatically marks and manages the gaps and data of the vinyl record tracks to achieve intelligent and convenient automatic track selection and playback.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the turntable has a first-use learning process, which can record the position and automatically mark the track gaps during playback via the application. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] Figure 1: 3D exploded view of the present invention. Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the architecture of this invention. Figure 3: Schematic diagram of the block of the present invention. Figure 4: Top view of the turntable of the present invention. Figure 5: Schematic diagram of the horizontal rotational displacement of the tonearm of the turntable of the present invention. Implementation

[0017] To provide a more complete and clear disclosure of the technical content, inventive purpose, and effects achieved by this invention, the embodiments of this invention will be specifically described below, and please refer to the figures and figures numbers disclosed herein.

[0018] First, please refer to Figures 1 and 2, which are three-dimensional breakdown and structural diagrams of the automatic track selection turntable of the present invention. The turntable mainly has a turntable body (1), on which a turntable (2) is provided to carry a vinyl record (A). The turntable (2) is driven to rotate by a turntable power source (21), and a tonearm (3) is provided on one side of the turntable (2). The tonearm (3) is mounted on the turntable body (1), and its front end has a cartridge (31) with a stylus (32) on it. The stylus (32) can move in the groove (A1) of the vinyl record (A) to pick up audio. The feature is:

[0019] The tonearm (3) is connected to a power drive module (4), which controls the horizontal movement and vertical lifting of the tonearm (3). A magnetic induction module (5) is embedded in the tonearm (3) to detect the horizontal movement position of the tonearm (3) on the vinyl record (A). The turntable body (1) is equipped with a turntable control unit (6), which is connected to the turntable power source (21) and the power drive module (4). A firmware computing module (61) and an application program (62) are built into the turntable control unit (6). The firmware processing module (61) receives the audio signal picked up by the stylus (32) and, through audio feature analysis and in conjunction with the time change of the stylus's horizontal displacement, determines the gaps in the grooves (A1) of the vinyl record (A) where there is no music, so as to detect the start and end points of each track on the vinyl record (A). Then, through the application program (62) in the turntable control unit (6), it records and manages the gaps and data of each track on the vinyl record (A) and provides remote control for track selection, so as to drive the turntable control unit (6) to control the tonearm (3) to descend to the groove at the selected track for playback, thereby realizing automatic track selection and playback of the turntable.

[0020] Please refer to Figures 1-5. This invention is mainly based on magnetic induction technology and intelligent firmware computation, which can determine the position of the groove without music in the vinyl record (A), and combine motor control to realize the automatic positioning and song selection function of the tonearm (3). The technical features of this invention are further explained as follows:

[0021] (a) Magnetic induction detection and tonearm positioning, which mainly involves embedding a magnetic induction module (5) inside the tonearm (3). The magnetic induction module (5) includes a magnetic arc seat (51) mounted on the pivot of the tonearm (3) and having stroke magnet units (511) and (512) at both ends, and a magnetic force sensing unit (52) mounted on the turntable body (1) and corresponding to the magnetic arc seat (51). The magnetic force sensing unit (52) is used to convert the magnetic force change generated when the magnetic arc seat (51) moves into a voltage change, which is then sent to the turntable control unit (6) for data interpretation. Furthermore, the magnetic force sensing unit (52) is a Hall sensor.

[0022] When the tonearm (3) is positioned and its position is calibrated, the magnetic induction signal detected by the magnetic sensing unit (52) is converted into the physical coordinates of the stylus (32) through the firmware computing module (61), and matched with the pre-stored vinyl record (A) specifications (such as diameter and speed) to establish a position-time correspondence model.

[0023] (II) Algorithm interpretation for firmware operation modules without music grooves (gaps)

[0024] Groove Feature Analysis: The audio signal picked up by the stylus (32) is converted by the analog-to-digital converter (7) [ADC], and then the following analysis is performed by the firmware processing module (61):

[0025] 1. Amplitude threshold detection: The amplitude of the music groove (A1) is lower than the set threshold.

[0026] 2. Spectral Feature Identification: Frequency domain energy is analyzed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to distinguish between musical segments and blank grooves. The signal analysis unit (73) is responsible for analyzing the signal from the signal reading unit (72) [which receives the stylus signal after gain adjustment by the signal output unit (71) and converts it into a usable form], determining whether the stylus (32) has passed through the blank gap between tracks or has entered the locked groove area of ​​the record, and outputting its analysis results to the turntable control unit (6).

[0027] 3. Duration verification: The duration of the blank groove (A1) must be greater than the preset value (e.g., 2 seconds) to avoid misjudgment.

[0028] 4. Dynamic learning mechanism: Automatically adjusts interpretation parameters based on the characteristics of different records (e.g., older records have higher noise levels).

[0029] (III) Multi-degree-of-freedom tonearm control mechanism

[0030] The multi-degree-of-freedom rotation of the tonearm (3) is mainly achieved by the power drive module (4), which includes a rotary motor unit (41) for controlling the horizontal movement of the tonearm (3) and a lifting motor unit (42) for controlling the vertical lifting of the tonearm (3).

[0031] The rotary motor unit (41) controls the horizontal rotation of the tonearm (3), and achieves closed-loop control in conjunction with the magnetic induction feedback of the magnetic induction module (5). The magnetic sensing unit (52) [Hall sensor] is responsible for reading the position sensing signal of the tonearm (3), processing the noise, and outputting the position data to the turntable control unit (6). The lifting motor unit (42) drives a lifting rod (421) to automatically raise and lower the tonearm (3) at the start or end of playback to prevent the stylus from scratching the record. The lifting motor unit (42) receives instructions from the turntable control unit (6) to lift the tonearm (3). In addition, it is worth mentioning that the path planning algorithm calculates the optimal movement path (such as the minimum acceleration curve) based on the position of the target track to avoid mechanical vibration.

[0032] The following describes a method for automatically selecting tracks on a turntable. First, when playing each turntable (A) for the first time, the user needs to go through a first-time use learning process: that is, the user only needs to press the play button or control it from an APP (8). The present invention further includes an APP (8) built on a mobile device (81). The APP (8) is wirelessly connected to a remote control module (9). The remote control module (9) is connected to the turntable control unit (6). Through the APP (8) on the mobile device (81), the user's operation commands are received to remotely control the selection of tracks. Therefore, the user can select tracks remotely from the turntable body (1) or the mobile device. When the APP program (8) in the device (81) presses the play button, the tonearm (3) is moved to the position of the first track on the vinyl record (A), and the stylus (32) is at the starting point of the first track and begins to rotate and play. The starting and ending points of each track on the vinyl record (A) are detected by the operation logic of the firmware operation module (61), such as the amplitude threshold detection, spectrum feature identification and time continuity verification mentioned above. The application program records the position and automatically marks the track gaps. At the same time, the turntable control unit (6) receives the judgment output of the signal analysis unit (73) and the output of the magnetic force sensing unit (52) [Hall sensor] to determine the starting position of each song on the vinyl record (A).

[0033] (iv) APP program integration and data management, which mainly uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication modules to connect with the APP program (8) on the mobile device (81) (control, database) and synchronize the following functions:

[0034] 1. Track Marking Database: Stores the track timecodes for each record (automatically learned or manually marked upon first playback). The mobile device (81) APP program (8) is responsible for creating and editing the database of the received vinyl record (A) location data.

[0035] 2. Remote control of song selection: After selecting a song through the APP program (8), the tonearm (3) automatically moves to the corresponding position of the song, and then the turntable control unit (6) receives the output command from the remote control module (9) [i.e., receives the APP command] to operate each unit.

[0036] 3. Customizable playlists: Edit track order across albums, with the system automatically switching albums (requires a multi-disc design).

[0037] 4. Turntable Control Unit (6): As the control core of the entire device, it is responsible for the playback control of the entire turntable [i.e., controlling the power drive module (4) of the tonearm (3) and the turntable power source (21)]. It receives user settings, signal analysis unit (73) and magnetic sensing unit (52) [Hall sensor] outputs. By interpreting the data of magnetic sensing unit (52) and analog / digital conversion unit (7), it calculates the position of tonearm (3), identifies the groove and non-groove areas, defines the song position, and issues instructions to other units to realize functions such as automatic song selection. At the same time, it is also responsible for the start, stop and speed control of the turntable (2) (the turntable power source (21) drives the turntable (2) to run at a constant speed), and provides the machine status and record song start position data to the remote control module (9).

[0038] 5. Cartridge (31): It is responsible for converting the sound grooves on the surface of the vinyl record (A) into a weak voltage signal. After being amplified by the cartridge signal amplification unit (74), part of it is output to the external amplifier, and the other part is provided to the analog / digital conversion unit (7) to be converted into a turntable control unit (6) for interpretation.

[0039] The innovation of this invention lies in its composite groove reading mechanism that combines audio feature analysis and physical position calibration, effectively solving the problem of interference susceptibility in traditional optical detection. Furthermore, the integrated magnetic induction positioning and motor-driven closed-loop tonearm control system achieves sub-millimeter positioning accuracy (e.g., 3±0.5mm). Multiple records can be managed via an app, enabling cross-record playlist functionality.

[0040] However, the foregoing embodiments or figures are not intended to limit the product structure or usage of the present invention. Any appropriate changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art should be considered as not departing from the patent scope of the present invention.

[0041] In conclusion, the embodiments of the present invention can indeed achieve the expected effects, and the specific structure disclosed therein has not only never been seen in similar products, but has also not been disclosed before the application. It fully complies with the provisions and requirements of the Patent Law. Therefore, we hereby file an application for an invention patent and respectfully request your review and grant of a patent, which would be of great benefit.

[0042] 1: Turntable body 2: Turntable 21: Turntable Power Source 3: tonearm 31: Cherry Blossom 32: Stylus 4: Power Drive Module 41: Rotary motor unit 42: Lifting Motor Unit 421: Lifting rod 5: Magnetic induction module 51: Magnetic arc seat 511, 512: Stroke magnet unit 52: Magnetic Sensing Unit 6: Turntable control unit 61: Firmware Computing Module 62: Application 7: Analog / Digital Conversion Unit 71: Signal Output Unit 72: Signal Reading Unit 73: Signal Analysis Unit 74: Phonograph Signal Amplification Unit 8: APP program 81: Mobile Device 9: Remote control module A: Vinyl record A1: Trench

Claims

1. A turntable with automatic track selection capability, comprising a turntable body, a platter for holding vinyl records mounted on the turntable body, the platter being driven to rotate by a turntable power source, and a tonearm mounted on one side of the platter body, the tonearm having a cartridge at its front end and a stylus on the cartridge, the stylus being able to move within the grooves of the vinyl record to pick up audio, characterized in that: The tonearm is connected to a power drive module, which controls the horizontal movement and vertical lifting of the tonearm. A magnetic induction module is embedded within the tonearm to detect its horizontal position on the vinyl record. A turntable control unit is located within the turntable unit, connected to the platter power source and the power drive module. The turntable control unit contains a firmware processing module and an application program. The firmware processing module receives the audio signal picked up by the stylus, converts the signal, and analyzes it for amplitude threshold detection, spectral feature identification, and time persistence verification, working in conjunction with the magnetic induction module to detect the horizontal movement of the tonearm on the record. The magnetic force change value corresponding to the horizontal displacement of the needle is used to determine the location of the gap between tracks without music in the groove of the vinyl record, so as to detect the start and end points of the music for each track on the vinyl record. The magnetic induction data is read by the application in the turntable control unit to record the gap and data of each track on the vinyl record. It is connected to a remote control module built into the turntable body. The remote control module is wirelessly connected to an APP built into a mobile device to provide the recorded magnetic induction data corresponding to the music track gaps to the APP for management and user operation commands to remotely control track selection. The turntable control unit controls the tonearm to descend to the groove at the selected track for playback.

2. The turntable with automatic track selection as described in claim 1, wherein the magnetic induction module includes a magnetic arc-shaped base mounted on the tonearm shaft and having travel magnet units at both ends, and a magnetic force sensing unit mounted on the turntable body and corresponding to the magnetic arc-shaped base, wherein the magnetic force sensing unit is used to convert the magnetic force change generated when the magnetic arc-shaped base moves into a voltage change, and then the data is interpreted by the firmware processing module.

3. The turntable with automatic track selection as described in claim 2, wherein the magnetic sensing unit is a Hall sensor.

4. The turntable with automatic track selection as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an analog-to-digital conversion unit, wherein the analog-to-digital conversion unit receives and converts the audio signal picked up by the stylus, and then analyzes the amplitude, spectrum and duration of the audio signal through the firmware computing module to determine the gaps between tracks without music.

5. The turntable with automatic track selection as described in claim 4, further comprising a phono stage amplification unit, wherein the phono stage amplification unit receives and amplifies the audio signal picked up by the stylus, outputs a portion of the signal, and transmits the other portion to the analog-to-digital conversion unit for conversion.

6. The turntable with automatic track selection as described in claim 5, further comprising a signal analysis unit, a signal reading unit, and a signal output unit, wherein the signal output unit receives the amplified audio signal, adjusts the gain, converts it, and outputs a portion, while the other portion is received by the signal reading unit and analyzed by the signal analysis unit through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to distinguish the gaps in the grooves where there is no music.

7. The turntable with automatic track selection as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the power drive module includes a rotary motor unit for controlling the horizontal movement of the tonearm and a lifting motor unit for controlling the vertical lifting of the tonearm.

8. A turntable that can automatically select tracks as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the turntable has a first-use learning process, and can record the position and automatically mark the track intervals during playback via the application.

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