Volume Indicator Light Control for Flicker-Free Music Following
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indicator devices for electronic musical instruments and audio equipment fail to intuitively reflect volume changes, leading to low user-friendliness, particularly in pieces of music with varying volume levels, and suffer from flickering or poor music following due to simple volume level detection methods.
Innovation Solution
An indicator device with multiple light emitters controlled by a processor that calculates a relative ratio of maximum and minimum volume levels over time intervals, using moving averages to determine the number of emitters to light up, ensuring smooth volume indication without flickering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple volume level detection is used, then the indicator can show basic volume information, but the indication fails to reflect volume changes intuitively and causes flickering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for indication from absolute volume level to relative ratio of volume levels. By calculating the ratio between current volume and reference volume, the system adapts the indication to reflect relative changes rather than absolute values, preventing flickering and improving intuitiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that calculates maximum values over a predetermined period and determines relative ratios before controlling the indicator. This intermediary calculation layer smooths out rapid fluctuations and provides a stable basis for indication.
2Loss of information
If maximum volume level is used for indication, then the indicator shows peak information, but it cannot reflect volume changes in quiet pieces of music
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the indication parameter from absolute maximum volume to relative ratio of maximum volumes. This allows the indicator to show meaningful changes even in quiet pieces of music by comparing current maximums against reference maximums, preserving volume dynamics information while maintaining user-friendliness.
3Speed
If indication responds to every volume change, then the indicator follows music dynamics closely, but it causes flickering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by calculating maximum values over a predetermined period before updating the indication. This periodic sampling approach filters out rapid fluctuations that cause flickering while still capturing the essential volume dynamics of the music.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary maximum value calculation step that acts as a buffer between rapid volume changes and the indication output. This intermediary layer smooths the signal and prevents direct transmission of high-frequency fluctuations to the indicator.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for intuitive volume level indication that follows music dynamics, preventing flickering and maintaining music quality by using relative ratios and moving averages to adjust light emission based on volume fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitters; and at least one processor that controls light emission of the light emitters
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An indicator device (11, 151) includes a plurality of light emitters (L1-L4, R1-R4) and at least one processor (11). The processor (11) obtains, at intervals of a first period (T1), a first period maximum value representing a maximum volume among a plurality of pieces of volume information based on an input signal. The processor (11) obtains, for each second period (T2) including a plurality of first periods (T1) each being the first period (T1), a minimum value among first period maximum values each being the first period maximum value as a second period minimum value and a maximum value among the first period maximum values as a second period maximum value. The processor (11) controls light emission of the light emitters (L1-L4, R1-R4) based on a relative ratio of a predetermined first period maximum value among the first period maximum values. The relative ratio is based on the second period minimum value and the second period maximum value.