Music Playback Device with Partial Audio Preview and Instant Metadata Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing music playback technologies limit users' ability to quickly obtain associated information about music pieces they passively hear, as they rely on broadcasting schedules and do not allow for immediate access to detailed information or efficient storage of music data.

Innovation Solution

A program recording medium and playback device that enables users to partially hear music pieces, allowing them to perform an operation to display associated information, such as titles, explanations, and images, and store favorite music pieces for later playback, using a semiconductor memory and a portable video game machine architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If broadcasting technology is used to transmit music pieces with associated information, then users can obtain information about music pieces while passively hearing them, but the user is limited by broadcast time and cannot quickly obtain associated information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociated information accessVSAvoidtime to obtain information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and stores multiple music pieces with their associated information (titles, artist names, album names, track numbers) in the storage unit before the user needs them. When the user plays a music piece, the corresponding associated information is already available in the storage unit and can be immediately displayed without waiting for broadcast transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The music playback system is divided into independent components: storage unit for music data, storage unit for associated information, playback unit for music playback, and display unit for information display. This segmentation allows the associated information to be prepared and stored independently of the music playback, enabling immediate access when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If entire music pieces are transmitted during broadcast, then users can hear complete music pieces, but the playback time of each music piece is unspecified and users cannot quickly obtain associated information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemusic playback durationVSAvoidtime to access information
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and stores multiple music pieces with their associated information (titles, artist names, album names, track numbers) in the storage unit before the user needs them. When the user plays a music piece, the corresponding associated information is already available in the storage unit and can be immediately displayed without waiting for broadcast transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows flexible control of music playback duration. The playback unit can play entire music pieces or partial portions based on user selection. The display unit dynamically displays associated information at any point during playback, allowing users to access information quickly without being constrained by fixed broadcast schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If users need to know the title or artist name to search for music pieces, then search functionality is provided, but users with no active intention or knowledge cannot discover music pieces to their taste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemusic search capabilityVSAvoidpassive music discovery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automatic display of associated information (title, artist name, album name, track number) whenever a music piece is played. This self-service feature eliminates the need for users to actively search for information - the system automatically provides relevant information alongside the music playback, enabling both active searching and passive discovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit serves multiple functions: it can display associated information during playback, show search results when users search by title or artist name, and provide information about music pieces users may not have actively sought. This multi-functionality accommodates both users with active search intentions and those who want passive music discovery.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2000892B1Program recording medium, playback device, and playback control method
Publication Date: 2013.10.30 SQUARE ENIX HLDG CO LTD
  • EP2000892B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2000892B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2000892B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Disclosed is a technology that enables a user to quickly obtain associated information of a music piece to his/her taste while passively hearing music pieces. An initial screen is displayed (Step S1). A box is displayed at the center of the initial screen, and a character string 'FAVORITE MUSIC PIECE!' is displayed in the box. Next, extracted part of a music piece is randomly selected and played back (Step S2) . Accordingly, a player can passively hear different music pieces in sequence. While part of a music piece is played back, when being satisfied with the music piece, a player touches 'FAVORITE MUSIC PIECE!' with a touch pen. If so, it is determined YES in Step S6. Then, a process progresses to Step S9 from Step S6, and a detail screen display processing is executed. During the detail screen display processing, the explanation including 'COMPOSER', 'TITLE', and 'PLAYING FORM' of the music piece is displayed.