Multi-Dimensional Sound Automation Timeline Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sound automation software only allows for the creation and adjustment of one control point at a time, making it time-consuming and prone to errors, with disjointed transitions between control points due to their independent nature.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional sound automation tool with a user interface that enables users to insert, modify, and connect control points along a timeline, allowing for simultaneous adjustment of multiple control points and smooth transitions between them, using property markers and control point vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sound automation software allows only one control point to be created and adjusted at a time, then the software interface remains simple, but the sound automation process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The software interface is segmented into multiple layers: a main timeline view for overview and control point placement, and detailed property adjustment panels for each control point. This allows users to work with multiple control points simultaneously while maintaining interface simplicity through hierarchical organization of controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to control point management by allowing users to create and adjust multiple control points along the timeline simultaneously. The interface evolves from single-point sequential editing to multi-point parallel editing with automatic connection and transition management, effectively adding a dimension of concurrent control.
2Device complexity
If control points are adjusted independently one at a time, then the user interface remains manageable, but transitions between control points become disjointed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment of multiple control points into a unified process. When users create multiple control points, the software automatically connects them and manages transitions between them, ensuring smooth sound property changes. The control points are no longer independent isolated entities but part of an interconnected automation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The software provides visual feedback by displaying control points on the timeline and automatically generating transition curves between them. This feedback mechanism ensures that transitions are smooth and continuous, allowing users to verify the automation sequence visually while the software handles the complex interpolation mathematics.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple control points are created and connected manually, then precise control over sound properties is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The software performs preliminary actions by automatically creating control points at predetermined intervals along the sound waveform and pre-configuring their basic properties. Users can then refine these pre-created control points rather than creating them from scratch, significantly reducing the time and effort required while maintaining precise control over sound properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The software provides self-service automation by automatically connecting control points in sequence, generating transition curves, and managing the automation timeline without user intervention. Once users place control points and set their basic properties, the software autonomously handles the complex tasks of interpolation and sequence management, reducing manual effort while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein allow a user to create and modify a sound design in a user interface. For example, a user imports a sound file into the user interface, where the sound file is displayed graphically along a timeline. The user can then insert multiple control points along the timeline. The control points display the sound properties of the sound file at the selected points in time along the timeline. Accordingly, the user uses controls provided in the user interface to adjust and modify the sound properties displayed on a control point. The modifications the user makes to the sound properties are saved to the sound file.