Music Playback Cue Points for Selective Part Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for music playback using cue points and acoustically separated parts are not integrated, leading to complex and difficult real-time operations during DJ performances.

Innovation Solution

A music playback device and method that allows for easy execution of playback using cue points by recording cue point information for specific parts within a music piece, enabling selective playback of one or more parts from a designated position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If playback of specific parts from a designated position is enabled, then playback functionality is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback functionalityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cue point setting function with the part selection function into a single integrated operation. When a user designates a cue point, the system automatically associates the currently selected part with that cue point, eliminating the need for separate part selection operations and simplifying the overall workflow while maintaining advanced playback functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If cue point and part selection are integrated, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cue point setting section is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only records the temporal position of cue points but also simultaneously manages part selection and association. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle both basic cue point playback and advanced part-specific playback without requiring separate dedicated sections, thereby managing complexity while providing versatile functionality

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

Data Source

PatentEP4641558A1Music playback device, music playback method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ALPHATHETA CORP
  • EP4641558A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4641558A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4641558A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a music playback device including: a music playback section configured to play a music piece, the music piece including a plurality of parts that are acoustically separable from each other; a cue point setting section configured to set, as cue point information, a position of a cue point within the music piece and a part, of the plurality of parts, to be played from the cue point, in response to an operation of a user; a playing position regulating section configured to cause the music piece to be played from the cue point in accordance with the operation of the user and the cue point information; and a playing part regulating section configured to cause only one or more, but not all, of the plurality of parts to be played when the music piece is played from the cue point, in accordance with the cue point information.