Physical Audio Mixer Controls for In-Game Sound Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing technologies require users to pause gameplay and use a mouse to adjust sound volumes and settings, disrupting the gaming experience and causing discomfort for viewers.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with intuitive physical knobs and LEDs that allow users to adjust sound settings directly on the device, enabling volume and acoustic effect changes without interrupting gameplay or requiring a mouse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users adjust sound settings using application software with mouse operations, then sound setting precision is improved, but operation complexity and interruption of gameplay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mouse operation system with a direct physical control system. The mixing device uses physical knobs that directly adjust sound parameters without requiring mouse operations or screen interactions. This substitution eliminates the need for complex graphical interface operations while maintaining precise sound control through tactile feedback and direct mechanical adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a physical mixing device as an intermediary between the user and the sound system. This intermediary device with physical knobs and displays serves as a mediator that translates user intentions directly into sound parameter adjustments without requiring interaction with the application software interface, thereby simplifying operations while maintaining precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users adjust sound settings during gameplay through application interface, then sound setting flexibility is improved, but gameplay continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing all sound adjustment controls directly on the mixing device itself, rather than requiring users to switch to an application interface. The physical knobs and immediate feedback mechanisms allow users to make sound adjustments without pausing gameplay or navigating away from the game screen, thus maintaining gameplay continuity while preserving sound setting flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing device serves itself by having all necessary sound control functions integrated into the device. The physical knobs, displays, and control mechanisms are self-contained, allowing users to adjust sound settings independently without needing to interact with the application software or pause the game. This self-service capability eliminates gameplay interruptions while maintaining full sound adjustment flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If physical controls are added to the mixing device, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mixing device into distinct functional modules, each with its own physical controls and displays. The device is segmented into sections for different sound parameters (volume, bass, treble, etc.), with dedicated knobs and indicators for each. This modular segmentation makes the device easier to operate by allowing users to focus on individual controls while managing the overall complexity through organized functional separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing device is provided. The mixing device includes: an input unit, inputting sounds; multiple output units, outputting the sounds; a sound setting operator, setting a sound setting value that is a setting value relating to the sounds; a selection operator, selecting the output unit of a target for setting the sound setting value; a setting value acquisition means, acquiring the sound setting value set by the sound setting operator with respect to the output unit selected by the selection operator; and a mixing means, for each of the output units, mixing the sounds input at the input unit based on the sound setting value corresponding to the output unit and being the sound setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition means.