Touch Screen Mixing Interface for Flexible Media Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mixing consoles are inflexible and limit user interaction, while software applications provide flexibility but struggle with effective user interaction, necessitating an improved digital mixing solution that combines user input and display capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A touch-sensitive electronic apparatus with a multipoint touch screen displaying a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for media mixing controls, allowing real-time modification and simultaneous multiple user inputs, along with optional surface guides for assistance, enables intuitive and flexible media mixing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mixing consoles are used, then physical controls (knobs, switches, sliders) provide direct user interaction, but the device becomes fixed and inflexible with limited adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical controls (knobs, switches, sliders) with a touch-sensitive display interface. The display screen serves dual purposes as both output display and input control surface, eliminating mechanical moving parts while maintaining mixing functionality through software-based controls that respond to touch inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen performs multiple functions: it displays visual information and simultaneously serves as the control interface for media mixing operations. The same screen that shows waveforms and levels also detects touch inputs to adjust parameters, replacing dedicated physical controls with a multi-functional surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If software applications are used for mixing, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but user interaction becomes less intuitive and direct

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiduser interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive display acts as an intermediary between the user and the software mixing controls. By making the display surface itself responsive to touch, it provides direct tactile interaction with the software interface, bridging the gap between physical intuition and digital control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The display utilizes visual feedback through color changes and graphical updates to indicate control states and respond to user touches. The interface dynamically changes visual properties to provide intuitive feedback about mixing parameters and control actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS9024884B2Touch-sensitive electronic apparatus for media applications, and methods therefor

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic apparatus, such as an electronic mixing apparatus and an electronic keyboard apparatus, and associated methods are disclosed. The electronic mixing apparatus or the electronic keyboard apparatus is provided on a touch screen that provides user input and display capabilities. In one embodiment, the touch screen is a multipoint touch screen so that multiple user touch inputs can be simultaneously acquired. In another embodiment, surface guides can be provided on the touch screen to assist with user input.