Grouped Audio Fader Indicators for Master-Slave Visual Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multitrack recorders face difficulties in allowing users to easily identify which faders belong to the same group, with existing solutions either relying on physical movement that can be problematic or lacking visual cues for grouped faders.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with faders that includes display means for each fader, group setting means to designate a master and slave faders, and display control means that lights or blinks indicators to visually distinguish master and slave faders, allowing users to easily recognize group membership and control audio signal levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If moving faders are used to visually indicate grouped faders, then ease of visual recognition is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical anomalies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual recognition of grouped fadersVSAvoidmechanical reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical moving fader system with an electronic display indication system. Instead of physically moving faders to show grouping, the system uses display means (such as LEDs or screens) to visually indicate which faders belong to the same group. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and failure while maintaining visual recognition capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the fader grouping status through display means. Rather than moving the actual faders, the system generates visual indicators that copy the grouping information, allowing users to see which faders are grouped without physical movement. This copying approach preserves the information display function while avoiding mechanical reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If all grouped faders are moved synchronously, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to false operations affecting all faders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of volume controlVSAvoidfalse operation propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the display means provides real-time visual feedback about which faders are grouped and which one is currently being operated. This feedback allows users to confirm their intended action before it affects all grouped faders, preventing false operations from propagating unintentionally. The visual indication system acts as a feedback loop that informs the user of the consequences of their action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If display means are provided for each fader, then ease of visual recognition is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual recognition of master and slave fadersVSAvoiddisplay system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display means multi-functional by using the same display elements to indicate multiple types of information: group membership, master fader identification, and operational status. Instead of having separate indicators for each function, the display means serves multiple purposes, reducing the overall number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive visual information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9215021B2Electronic device with a master fader and a plurality of slave faders

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 TEAC CORP

AI summary

An electronic device with faders. In order to enable a user to readily ascertain which of a plurality of faders belongs to the same group and which one of the faders in the group is a master fader, indicators of all of the faders in the group are lighted when the thus-set master fader in the grouped faders is operated. When the user operates slave faders, the operation is revoked, and only the indicator corresponding to the master fader is lighted or blinked.