Audio Sync Return Position Alignment for Scratch Tempo Drift

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Solution Overview

Problem

In synchronized reproduction systems, such as DJ devices, special reproduction operations like scratch can cause the master and slave tracks to go out of tempo, disrupting the floor atmosphere and making it challenging to maintain synchronization.

Innovation Solution

A reproduction system and method that includes a content reproduction device, a special reproduction operation device, and a return process device to ensure the normal reproduction position aligns with cycle timing when special reproduction is canceled, using a return position determination device to select the closest in-cycle position for seamless tempo maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If special reproduction operation (scratch) is performed on the slave track, then creative performance capability is improved, but synchronization between master and slave tracks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecreative performance capabilityVSAvoidsynchronization between tracks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by calculating and storing the normal reproduction return position before special reproduction ends, and prepares the tempo adjustment amount in advance. This allows the slave track to seamlessly return to synchronized tempo with the master track after scratch operations without disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the reproduction position during special reproduction and compares it with the predetermined normal reproduction return position. Based on this feedback, the system calculates the appropriate tempo adjustment amount to ensure the slave track returns to perfect synchronization with the master track.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If special reproduction operation is performed on the slave track, then performance variety is improved, but tempo consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance varietyVSAvoidtempo consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the normal reproduction return position and the required tempo adjustment amount before special reproduction ends. This preliminary calculation ensures that when the slave track returns to normal reproduction, the tempo is already adjusted to match the master track, maintaining tempo consistency throughout the performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the reproduction speed parameter of the slave track during special reproduction and adjusts it back to the original tempo after special reproduction ends. This parameter adjustment ensures that while performance variety is enhanced during scratch operations, the original tempo consistency is restored afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If normal reproduction return position is used directly after special reproduction, then operation simplicity is improved, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the reproduction position during special reproduction and comparing it with the predetermined normal reproduction return position. Based on this feedback, the system automatically calculates and applies the appropriate tempo adjustment, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining high synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the return position determination device and tempo adjustment mechanism) that automatically handles the transition from special reproduction to normal reproduction. This intermediary ensures that the simple operation of returning to normal reproduction does not compromise synchronization accuracy, as the system automatically adjusts the tempo to match the master track.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9640216B2Reproduction system for maintaining synchronization between a first audio content and a plurality of audio contents during special reproduction of the first audio content, and method and program thereof

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 ALPHATHETA CORP

AI summary

A reproduction system has a content reproduction section 220 that reproduces a content having a cycle; a special reproduction operation section 230 that performs special reproduction on the content by which the content is reproduced at a reproduction position different from a normal reproduction return position at a time of normal reproduction reproduced normally; a special reproduction process section 235 that makes the content reproduction section 220 perform the special reproduction based on an operation of the special reproduction operation section 230; and a return process section 250 that matches the normal reproduction return position of the content with a position corresponding to cycle timing with which the normal reproduction continues without the special reproduction when the normal reproduction returns after the special reproduction is cancelled in case that the special reproduction is performed.