Master Fader Range Display for Multi-Speaker Volume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-zone audio systems, the master fader's movement is limited by channel faders reaching their limits, making it difficult to intuitively grasp its movable range and requiring individual operation of channel faders to reach the volume limits.
Innovation Solution
The master fader's end portions are displayed at the minimum and maximum scale values of the channel faders, allowing it to reach the volume limits, enabling intuitive movement and collective adjustment of all channel faders through the master fader.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the master fader is arranged at the position indicating an averaged or median value of the scale values indicated by the channel faders, then the master fader can collectively control multiple audio devices while maintaining their relative volume differences, but the master fader cannot reach the lower limit value or upper limit value of the scale even when channel faders have not reached their limits
Solution Approach 1:
The master fader's position is dynamically adjusted based on the scale values of channel faders. The control unit calculates the minimum and maximum scale values among all channel faders and positions the master fader accordingly, allowing it to reach the full scale range while maintaining proportional relationships between channel volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of master fader positioning from a fixed averaged/median value to a dynamic value that adapts to the minimum and maximum scale values of channel faders. This parameter change enables the master fader to achieve full scale range utilization.
2Ease of operation
If the master fader collectively moves all channel faders while keeping their scale value differences, then the relative volume relationships are maintained, but the user cannot intuitively grasp the movable range of the master fader
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visual indication (analogous to color changes) by displaying the minimum and maximum scale values to show the movable range of the master fader. This visual feedback provides intuitive range perception without losing information about the control limits.
3Productivity
If the master fader is positioned at averaged or median scale values, then collective control is achieved, but individual channel faders must be operated separately to reach volume limits
Solution Approach 1:
The master fader is designed to perform multiple functions: it can collectively control all channel faders while also enabling individual channels to reach their volume limits through the master fader's movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate operations to achieve volume limits.
Data Source
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AI summary
Problem To improve the operability of a sound level operation performed with respect to a plurality of audio devices. [Solution] A control screen 25 is displayed, said control screen 25 comprising: channel faders 26-1 to 26-4 which individually accept sound volume level operations for wireless network compliant speakers 1-1 to 1-4; and a master fader 27 which accepts a sound volume level operation collectively for the wireless network compliant speakers 1-1 to 1-4. In the master fader 27, a minimum value end portion 271 is displayed in a position indicating a scale value that is the same as the minimum value from among the scale values indicated by each of the channel faders 26-1 to 26-4, and a maximum value end portion 272 is displayed in a position indicating the scale value that is the same as the maximum value from among said scale values. The master fader 27 thus has a width W corresponding to the minimum value and the maximum value of said scale values