Multitrack Recording System Wireless LAN Channel Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multitrack recording systems are limited by the number of channels due to housing size constraints and require costly synchronization through cables, making them impractical for widespread use.

Innovation Solution

A multitrack recording system utilizing smartphones with wireless LAN functionality, allowing portable devices to connect wirelessly and expand the number of channels, enabling seamless audio signal exchange and recording across devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of channels in a multitrack recording apparatus is increased, then the recording capability is improved, but the housing size must be increased which is not practical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of channelsVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the multitrack recording function across multiple separate portable devices instead of consolidating all channels in one apparatus. Each device handles a subset of channels, and the wireless connection integrates them into a unified multitrack system, effectively segmenting the recording capacity across devices to bypass housing size constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-device spatial arrangement to a networked multi-device arrangement connected via wireless communication. This adds a network dimension to the system architecture, allowing channel expansion without physical constraints of individual device housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple multitrack recording apparatus are connected with cables to synchronize channels, then the number of channels is increased, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of channelsVSAvoidsynchronization system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces physical cable connections with wireless communication technology. Portable devices connect to each other and to the multitrack recording apparatus wirelessly, eliminating the need for complex cable management and physical synchronization interfaces while maintaining channel coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The multitrack recording apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as both a standalone recording device and a wireless coordination hub that manages synchronization across multiple portable devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated synchronization equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple expensive multitrack recording apparatus are prepared to increase channels, then the recording capability is improved, but the cost performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of channelsVSAvoidcost performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces expensive dedicated multitrack recording apparatus with more affordable portable devices that can be widely acquired. These portable devices, while individually less capable, collectively provide the required channel capacity when networked together, significantly improving cost performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of purchasing multiple expensive specialized devices, the system uses copies of affordable portable devices (smartphones, tablets, or budget recorders) that can be obtained at lower cost. The wireless networked approach allows these cheaper copies to function together as a unified multitrack system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of manufacture

If portable devices are used for multitrack recording, then cost performance is improved, but the number of channels is limited by housing size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost performanceVSAvoidnumber of channels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the recording capabilities of multiple portable devices through wireless communication. Each device contributes its recording channels to the collective system, and the multitrack recording apparatus coordinates them as a unified channel pool, effectively combining individual limited capacities into a larger total capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10020022B2Multitrack recording system with wireless LAN function

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 TEAC CORP

AI summary

A multitrack recording system is disclosed. A multitrack recording/reproducing apparatus records a first audio signal with a multitrack recording apparatus into any of a plurality of channels (tracks). In the meantime, a smartphone records a second audio signal as a sound record file into a recording medium. A Wi-Fi connection is established between the sound recording apparatus and the smartphone, and the sound record file is transferred from the smartphone to the recording/reproducing apparatus. The recording/reproducing apparatus stores the sound record file into a remaining channel where the first audio signal is not recorded among the plurality of channels.