DJ Controller Beat Position Display for Compact Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound equipment displays, such as those used in DJ controllers, face reduced visibility when displays are minimized, making it difficult for operators to easily see the progress of music pieces being reproduced.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a beat position acquiring unit to analyze and display the differential numerical value of beats in both positive and negative directions relative to the current reproduced position, enhancing visibility by displaying a scale with numerical values for beats and cue points on a DJ controller's display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the display size is reduced, then the device becomes more compact and portable, but the visibility of the reproduction state and beat position information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidvisibility of display

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The display information is segmented into critical elements (current beat position, differential numerical values, cue points) that are selectively emphasized and arranged to maximize visibility within the limited display area, resolving the contradiction between compact size and information visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display are assigned different visual qualities and information densities - the current beat position receives prominent display, while differential numerical values are shown in a compact scale format, optimizing local visibility throughout the limited display area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If traditional horizontal/vertical bar displays are used, then the display structure is simple, but the ease of detecting beat position during reverse playback deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidbeat position detection during reverse playback

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically adapts to playback direction by showing differential numerical values that automatically indicate whether the current position is before or after cue points, providing intuitive feedback during both forward and reverse playback without increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Differential numerical values serve as an intermediary indicator between the physical jog dial position and the logical beat position, providing clear visual feedback about relative positions to cue points regardless of playback direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11386877B2Audio equipment and program for audio equipment

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 ALPHATHETA CORP

AI summary

Sound equipment includes: a beat position acquiring unit configured to analyze a beat position of music piece data to be reproduced or acquire an analysis result; and a beat position displaying unit configured to display a scale of a differential numerical value of the number of beats in a plus direction and a minus direction of the music piece data with reference to a currently reproduced position of the music piece data.