Rotary Beat-Interval Control for Intuitive Audio Effects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic apparatuses require separate operations for setting time intervals related to effect processing, which are not intuitive or flexible.

Innovation Solution

A rotary operator in the acoustic apparatus that is adjustable stepwise to multiple scales and can set time intervals in units of multiples of m/n beats, with a determination unit to adjust intervals based on BPM, allowing continuous adjustment between scales.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operators (button group and rotary operator) are used to set time interval, then setting flexibility is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting flexibilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the button group and rotary operator into a single integrated rotary operator that provides both selection and adjustment functions. The rotary operator has multiple operational modes: rotating to select from predetermined scales and pushing to adjust within selected scales, merging what were previously separate operators into one unified control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary operator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can select from different predetermined scales (1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 beat) by rotation, and within each scale it can adjust the time interval by pushing. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate button group and rotary operator while maintaining full setting flexibility.

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

2Measurement precision

If separate operators are used for setting time interval, then setting precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the button group and rotary operator into a single rotary operator component, reducing the number of physical operators while maintaining the same level of setting precision through its dual-mode operation (rotation for scale selection, push for fine adjustment).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary operator dynamically changes its function based on operational mode: in rotation mode it selects from predetermined scales, and in push mode it provides fine adjustment within the selected scale. This dynamic behavior allows one operator to replace multiple static operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4723676A1Audio device, audio device control method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 ALPHATHETA CORP
  • EP4723676A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4723676A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4723676A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An acoustic apparatus (1) includes a rotary operator (33). The rotary operator (33) is adjustable stepwise to a plurality of predetermined scales (333A to 333F) and sets a time interval used when adding a sound effect or a special effect to audio data. The acoustic apparatus (1) includes: a detector (72) for detecting a rotation angle of the rotary operator; and a determination unit (74) for determining the time interval corresponding to each of the scales in units of multiples of m/n beats of the audio data, depending on BPM of the audio data.