Actuator-Driven Rotating Interface for Haptic DJ Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating user interface devices for DJ music systems are hindered by high mechanical complexity, size, and cost, limiting their adoption and functionality, with most alternatives lacking haptic feedback and offering inferior user interaction experiences.

Innovation Solution

A haptic feedback music device featuring a rotatable user interface element directly coupled to an actuator, equipped with a haptic rendering processor that generates haptic effects based on user input, allowing for active rotation and customizable feedback options such as damping, inertia, and vibration, eliminating the need for bearings and reducing device size and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional motorized turntable mechanics are used, then haptic feedback and sophisticated user interaction are achieved, but device complexity, size, and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback qualityVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical turntable systems with an actuator-based system that directly drives the user interface element. The actuator electronically controls rotation and haptic feedback, eliminating the need for mechanical belts, gears, and complex motor assemblies while maintaining sophisticated interaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display surface and the interactive control element, and the actuator provides both rotational movement and haptic feedback generation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If traditional motorized turntable mechanics are used, then haptic feedback and sophisticated user interaction are achieved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback qualityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical turntable systems with a compact actuator-based system. The actuator electronically controls rotation and haptic feedback, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical belts, gears, and complex motor assemblies while maintaining sophisticated interaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts actuator parameters such as torque, rotation speed, and vibration frequency to generate different haptic effects. This allows the system to simulate various turntable behaviors (heavy and light) without requiring physically different mechanical components for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional motorized turntable mechanics are used, then sophisticated DJ functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDJ functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive mechanical turntable systems with a compact actuator-based system. The actuator electronically controls rotation and haptic feedback, eliminating the need for expensive mechanical belts, gears, and complex motor assemblies while maintaining sophisticated interaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts actuator parameters such as torque, rotation speed, and vibration frequency to generate different haptic effects. This allows the system to simulate various turntable behaviors (heavy and light) without requiring physically different mechanical components for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a compact, cost-effective, and adaptable rotatable user interface that mimics both heavy and light turntable behaviors, offering enhanced user interaction and feedback, expanding the device's functionality beyond traditional DJ controls while reducing mechanical complexity and space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatable user interface element (2) which is directly coupled to an actuator (7) and is actively driven by the actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A haptic rendering processor (10) is provided coupled to the means for detecting a user input (8), the actuator (7) and the audio processing unit (14). The haptic rendering processor (10) is adapted to generate a haptic effect (9) and to output a drive signal to the actuator (7), the drive signal comprising the generated haptic effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHaptic feedback generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a rotatable user interface element (2) with a degree of freedom for a rotational movement around an axis of revolution (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Data Source

PatentEP3617848B1Haptic feedback music device comprising rotating user interface element
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 NATIVE INSTRUMENTS
  • EP3617848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3617848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3617848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A haptic feedback music device (1) is provided comprising a rotatable haptic feedback user interface element (2) coupled to an actuator to actively drive the user interface element (2), at least one means for detecting a user input (8), and an audio processing unit (14) adapted to process an audio signal (13) according to the detected user input (4) and to output the audio signal (13) via an audio output (15). Further provided is a haptic rendering processor (10) is provided coupled to the means for detecting a user input (8), the actuator (7) and the audio processing unit (14), wherein the haptic rendering processor (10) is adapted to receive as input the detected user input (4), to generate a haptic effect (9) based on the received input, and to output a drive signal to the actuator (7), the drive signal including the generated haptic effect (9) such that a haptic feedback is generated at the user interface element (2).