Patent Description:
There has been typically known a playback system including an output unit and an information processing device and configured to play sound information on music and sound as well as image information (see, for instance, Patent Literature <NUM>).

In the playback system described in Patent Literature <NUM>, the information processing device is a playback device for a Disc Jockey (DJ) and includes a switch device. The switch device is shaped to resemble a turntable in a record player and variably sets a playback speed and a playback direction of music information, and a playback state (e.g., stop or restart of playback) of the music information. The switch device includes: a rotary body section having a jog table and a jogging portion; a shaft-supporting base; and a movement condition detector.

Among these components, the movement condition detector includes a rotational movement detecting unit for detecting a rotary operation performed on the rotary body section by a user, and a press detecting unit for detecting a pressing operation performed on the rotary body section by the user. The movement condition detector outputs a signal about the detected movement condition of the rotary body section.

The press detecting unit includes a tape-shaped switch disposed on a base of the shaft-supporting base supporting the rotary body section so that the rotary body section is rotatable. When the rotary body section is pressed to cause the switch to be closed by a pressing bulge that is pressed down along with the jog table, the press detecting unit detects that the rotary body section has been pressed.

Patent Literature <NUM> International Publication No. <CIT>.

<CIT> discloses in a playback apparatus: A tape-shaped switch is provided on a base part. Coil springs support a ring-shaped rotational drive section on the position opposed to the switch biasing the same away from the base part so that that the rotational drive section may move toward and from the base part First buffers are provided in association with the switches of the tape-shaped switch respectively. A flange extends outward from the disc-shaped table plate of a jog table unit and is mounted on the rotational drive section When the user depresses the jog table unit moving the same downward, at least one of the switches is closed. The motion of the jot table unit is reliably detected because it is detected at a position outside that part of the jog table unit which is depressed so that good feeling of the operation can be obtained.

However, in the information processing device described in Patent Literature <NUM>, since rollers for rotating the rotary body section and a roller-holding structure are disposed on the tape-shaped switch, the components disposed on the tape-shaped switch have a large weight. For this reason, when a large vibration acts on the information processing device due to music or the like played at a site where the information processing device is placed, the press detecting unit is likely to detect vibration as a pressing operation performed on the rotary body section. Accordingly, a detection sensitivity of the press detecting unit is forced to be lowered.

An object of the invention is to solve at least a part of the above-described problem. One of the object of the invention is to provide an acoustic device capable of improving a detection accuracy of the pressing operation.

According to an aspect of the invention, an acoustic device includes the features of claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments are subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to the acoustic device of the above aspect of the invention, a detection accuracy of the pressing operation performed on the pressed portion is improvable.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

<FIG> is an illustration showing a playback system <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The playback system <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment includes an information processing device <NUM>, a DJ controller <NUM> connected to the information processing device <NUM>, and a cable <NUM> connecting the information processing device <NUM> and the DJ controller <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The information processing device <NUM> plays audio data such as music piece data and outputs the audio data to the DJ controller <NUM> via a predetermined cable <NUM>. A playback control signal is inputted from the DJ controller <NUM> to the information processing device <NUM> via the cable <NUM>. In response to the inputted playback control signal, the information processing device <NUM> imparts various acoustic effects to the music piece data being played.

Such an information processing device <NUM> may be, for instance, a personal computer (PC). Specifically, the information processing device <NUM> is exemplified by a configuration including an arithmetic processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a storage such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

The DJ controller <NUM> corresponds to an acoustic device. The DJ controller <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, and a mixer <NUM>, a left deck <NUM> and a right deck 43R that are provided in the casing <NUM>.

It should be noted that a concept of the acoustic device in the exemplary embodiment includes not only an audio playback controller but also an audio playback device for playing music piece data.

The casing <NUM> includes a top surface 41A, an upper surface 41T, a lower surface 41B, a left surface <NUM>, a right surface 41R, and a bottom surface (not shown). The entire casing <NUM> is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The top surface 41A is a side of the casing <NUM> directed upward to face an operator when the DJ controller <NUM> is mounted on an installation surface.

The bottom surface is opposite to the top surface 41A in the casing <NUM>. The bottom surface, although not shown, has a plurality of legs in contact with the installation surface.

The upper surface 41T and the lower surface 41B are opposite sides of the casing <NUM> in a lateral direction thereof. Specifically, when the casing <NUM> is viewed from a position facing the top surface 41A, the upper surface 41T in the casing <NUM> is placed far from the operator while the lower surface 41B in the casing <NUM> is close to the operator.

The left surface <NUM> and the right surface 41R are opposite sides of the casing <NUM> in a longitudinal direction thereof. Specifically, when the casing <NUM> is viewed from a position facing the top surface 41A with the upper surface 41T directed upward, the left surface <NUM> is on the left side of the casing <NUM> while the right surface 41R is on the right side of the casing <NUM>.

The mixer <NUM> is disposed in the middle of the top surface 41A. The mixer <NUM> executes: switching audio data to be inputted from the information processing device <NUM>; adjusting a sound volume of each of channels; and imparting acoustic effects. The mixer <NUM> includes four channel adjusters <NUM> to <NUM>, a microphone adjuster <NUM>, and an effector <NUM>.

The effector <NUM> is provided in a lower right portion of the mixer <NUM>, and imparts a musical sound effect to a music piece being played. The effector <NUM> includes an effect selection switch <NUM>, channel selection switch <NUM>, effect-amount adjusting switch <NUM>, effect imparting switch <NUM>, and beat change button <NUM>.

The left deck <NUM> is disposed on the top surface 41A on the left of the mixer <NUM>. The right deck 43R is disposed on the top surface 41A on the right of the mixer <NUM>. The left deck <NUM> and the right deck 43R impart various effects to audio data inputted from the information processing device <NUM>, according to the operation by the operator.

The left deck <NUM> and the right deck 43R each include a jog controller <NUM>, a tempo slider <NUM>, a performance pad <NUM>, a cue button <NUM>, a play/pause button <NUM>, a loop button <NUM>, a deck selection button <NUM>, a load button <NUM>, and a cue/loop call switch <NUM>.

The jog controller <NUM> includes a jog dial <NUM> rotatable centered on a rotation axis Rx extending along +Z direction. Fast-forwarding or reversing of the audio data to be played is executed through an operator's rotary operation on the jog dial <NUM>.

The jog controller <NUM> includes a display <NUM> in the center as viewed from the +Z direction. The display <NUM> displays, for instance, a value of Beats Per Minute (BPM), a playback-elapsed time, a progression state, and a beat position of the audio data being played as well as a rotary state of an LP record at 33PRM in accordance with the progression of the audio data being played.

Details of the jog controller <NUM> are described below.

The tempo slider <NUM> adjusts a tempo of the audio data to be played.

The performance pad <NUM> executes switching of effects on the audio data being played. The performance pad <NUM> includes a plurality of buttons. The effect, such as loop, cue, key shift, or sampler, is instantaneously added to the music data being played in response to an operator's pressing operation on one of the buttons.

The cue button <NUM> is a button for cueing a music piece to be played.

The play/pause button <NUM> is a button for starting playing of audio data or pausing the audio data being played.

The loop button <NUM> is a button for looping the audio data being played.

The deck selection button <NUM> is a button for selecting a channel of audio data to be played from among channel adjuster <NUM> to <NUM> of the mixer <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, switching of the channel adjusters <NUM>,<NUM> can be executed in the left deck <NUM>, and switching of the channel adjusters <NUM>,<NUM> can be executed in the right deck 43R.

The load button <NUM> is a button for loading audio data from the information processing device <NUM>. When the load button <NUM> is pressed after audio data to be played on the information processing device <NUM> is selected, the audio data is loaded to any of the channels of the channel adjuster <NUM> to <NUM>.

The cue/loop call switch <NUM> is a switch for calling a cue point stored.

In the following, three directions orthogonal to each other are defined as +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction. The +Z direction is defined as a direction directed from the bottom surface to the top surface 41A. The +X direction is defined as a direction directed from the left surface <NUM> to the right surface 41R. The +Y direction is defined as a direction from the lower surface 41B to the upper surface 41T. Though not illustrated, a direction opposite to the +X direction is defined as -X direction, a direction opposite to the +Y direction is defined as -Y direction, and a direction opposite to the +Z direction is defined as -Z direction, for convenience of the explanation.

<FIG> is a plan view of the jog controller <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction.

The jog controller <NUM> is a rotary operation device configured to output an operation signal for executing fast-forwarding or reversing of the audio data to be played, as described above. The jog controller <NUM> is provided in each of the left deck <NUM> and the right deck 43R in the casing <NUM>. Each jog controller <NUM> includes the base <NUM>, the display <NUM>, and the jog dial <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the base <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction.

The base <NUM>, which is formed into a substantially circular shape as viewed from the +Z direction, is fixed to the casing <NUM>. The base <NUM> supports the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable centered on the rotation axis Rx, and also supports the display <NUM> disposed inside the jog dial <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes a plurality of guide ribs <NUM>, rotation support members <NUM>, a fixing portion <NUM>, a braking unit <NUM>, and a brake adjuster <NUM>.

The plurality of guide ribs <NUM> are disposed concentrically to project in the +Z direction from a surface 6A in the +Z direction of the base <NUM>. Specifically, the base <NUM> has three guide ribs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, which are sequentially disposed from an inside toward an outside.

Among the guide ribs <NUM> to <NUM>, the guide rib <NUM> in the innermost position projects beyond the guide ribs <NUM>, <NUM> in the +Z direction. A support <NUM>, which is a part of the jog dial <NUM>, is disposed on the inner side of the guide rib <NUM>.

The guide rib <NUM>, which is provided between the guide rib <NUM> provided in the outmost position and the guide rib <NUM>, has cuts <NUM> at every predetermined angle. A roller <NUM> forming each rotation support member <NUM> is provided in each cut <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, eight cuts <NUM> in total are provided at every <NUM> degrees with respect to the center of the guide ribs <NUM>. The guide rib <NUM> and the guide rib <NUM> guide the jog dial <NUM> to rotate and suppress the jog dial <NUM> from being displaced in the -Z direction from the base <NUM>.

The rotation support members <NUM> support the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable. The rotation support members <NUM> include a plurality of rollers <NUM>, respectively, which are rotatably provided in the respective cuts <NUM>.

A rotation axis of each roller <NUM> is set along a direction toward the center of the guide rib <NUM>. When the jog dial <NUM> is rotated in a circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis Rx, each roller <NUM> is rotated along the circumferential direction, whereby the jog dial <NUM> is smoothly rotated.

The fixing portion <NUM> is positioned in the center of the guide rib <NUM>. The display <NUM> is fixed to the fixing portion <NUM>. The fixing portion <NUM> includes a cylindrical portion <NUM> protruding in the +Z direction and a through hole <NUM>.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> is inserted in the jog dial <NUM> to define the rotation axis Rx of the jog dial <NUM>.

The through hole <NUM> penetrates the cylindrical portion <NUM> in the +Z direction. A later-described fitting portion <NUM> of the display <NUM> is inserted in the through hole <NUM> with the cylindrical portion <NUM> placed inside the jog dial <NUM>. It should be noted that the through hole <NUM> is not a circular opening but is formed with a recess <NUM> that is defined radially outward from an edge of the through hole <NUM> in the cylindrical portion <NUM>. A part of the fitting portion <NUM> is fitted into the recess <NUM>, thereby restricting the display <NUM> from rotationally moving centered on the rotationally moving axis extending in the +Z direction.

Braking force acts on the jog dial <NUM> by applying a rotation load to the jog dial <NUM> by the braking unit <NUM>. The braking unit <NUM> includes: a plurality of braking pads <NUM>; and a disk-shaped support base <NUM> supporting the plurality of braking pads <NUM>.

The plurality of braking pads <NUM> are brought into contact with the support <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> to attenuate the rotational force of the jog dial <NUM>. The plurality of braking pads <NUM> are provided at every predetermined angle with respect to the center of the guide rib <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, three braking pads <NUM> in total are provided at every <NUM> degrees with respect to the center of the guide rib <NUM>.

Each braking pad <NUM> includes: a T-shaped body (not shown) protrusible and retractable in the ±Z directions with respect to the support base <NUM>; a contact portion <NUM> provided in a +Z directional portion of the body; and a biasing portion (not shown) configured to bias the body toward the jog dial <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> is contactable with the jog dial <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> is formed from, for instance, felt.

The support base <NUM> is a disk member movable in the ±Z directions and supports the plurality of braking pads <NUM>. The support base <NUM> (not shown) is disposed on an annular rotationally moving base in a manner to be rotationally movable centered on the rotation axis Rx. The support base <NUM> is moved in the ±Z directions on the rotational movement of the rotationally moving base.

The brake adjuster <NUM> adjusts a braking force applied to the jog dial <NUM> by the braking unit <NUM>. The brake adjuster <NUM> includes: a dial <NUM> to be rotated by a user; and a plurality of gears (not shown) to transmit the rotation of the dial <NUM>.

When the dial <NUM> is rotated, the brake adjuster <NUM> transmits the rotation of the dial <NUM> to the support base <NUM> via the gears. This operation rotates the support base <NUM> to move in the ±Z directions. Movement in the +Z direction of the support base <NUM> increases a pressing force of the braking pads <NUM> against the jog dial <NUM>, thereby increasing the braking force applied to the jog dial <NUM>. On the other hand, movement in the -Z direction of the support base <NUM> reduces the pressing force of the braking pads <NUM> against the jog dial <NUM>, thereby decreasing the braking force applied to the jog dial <NUM>. The braking force is thus adjusted depending on the +Z directional position of the support base <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of the jog controller <NUM> from which the top plate <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> is removed, as viewed from the +Z direction. <FIG> and <FIG> are exploded perspective views of the jog controller <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction and the -Z direction, respectively. In <FIG>, the base <NUM> is not shown.

As shown in <FIG>, the display <NUM> is provided in the center of the circular jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. Moreover, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the display <NUM> is disposed inside the jog dial <NUM>. This display <NUM> includes: a display body <NUM> including a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel; and the fitting portion <NUM> protruding in the -Z direction from the display body <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The display body <NUM> displays an image according to image information inputted via a flexible printed circuit board FPC. The flexible printed circuit board FPC is placed through the fitting portion <NUM> to extend in the -Z direction as shown in <FIG>.

The fitting portion <NUM> is fitted in the through hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the fixing portion <NUM>. By this operation, the display <NUM> in a non-rotated state is fixed to the base <NUM>, as described above. The flexible printed circuit board FPC is placed through the through hole <NUM> to extend in the -Z direction beyond the base <NUM>.

The jog dial <NUM> corresponds to a rotary operator. As shown in <FIG>, the jog dial <NUM> is provided to be exposed on the top surface 41A of the casing <NUM> and is rotated by an operator. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the jog dial <NUM> includes a rotary body <NUM>, a top plate <NUM>, elastic members <NUM>, <NUM>, and a press detecting unit <NUM>, the top plate <NUM>, elastic members <NUM>, <NUM>, and press detecting unit <NUM> being provided to the rotary body <NUM>.

The rotary body <NUM> is a main body of the jog dial <NUM>. The rotary body <NUM> is disposed on the base <NUM> in a manner to be rotatable centered on the rotary axis Rx. The rotary body <NUM> includes the support <NUM> and the body <NUM>.

The support <NUM>, which is formed into a disk as viewed from the +Z direction, is disposed in the guide rib <NUM>. A plurality of braking pads <NUM> are brought from the -Z direction into contact with a bottom surface 82A that is a surface of the support <NUM> in the -Z direction. The plurality of braking pads <NUM> apply a braking force on the jog dial <NUM> when the jog dial <NUM> is rotated.

The support <NUM> has an opening <NUM> in the center that is circular as viewed from the +Z direction. The cylindrical portion <NUM> is placed through the opening <NUM>, whereby the rotary body <NUM>, consequently the jog dial <NUM> are rotationally movable centered on the rotation axis Rx.

As shown in <FIG>, a disk portion RD1 forming a rotation detecting unit RD for detecting rotation of the jog dial <NUM>, and a wireless communication unit (not shown) for transmitting a pressing operation performed on the jog dial <NUM> to the base <NUM> are provided on the periphery of the opening <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the body <NUM> is formed into a flat truncated-cone shape as viewed from the +X direction or the +Y direction. The body <NUM> surrounds the support <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. The body <NUM> has a lateral portion <NUM>, a rib <NUM>, a step portion <NUM>, an opening <NUM>, and a connecting portion <NUM>.

The lateral portion <NUM>, which is formed into an annular shape as viewed from the +Z direction, is an inclined surface whose outer diameter is smaller toward the +Z direction. An outer surface 831A of the lateral portion <NUM> is provided with a plurality of recesses <NUM> into which an operator can insert his/her finger(s), the recesses <NUM> being provided for assisting the rotary operation of the jog dial <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> are provided at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the outer surface 831A.

As shown in <FIG>, the rib <NUM>, which protrudes from an inner surface 831B of the lateral portion <NUM> in the -Z direction, is formed into a substantially annular shape as viewed from the -Z direction. The rib <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> disposed in the base <NUM> is in contact with a plurality of rollers <NUM>. When the jog dial <NUM> is rotated, the rib <NUM> slides on the rollers <NUM> in a circumferential direction of the jog dial <NUM>, thereby decreasing slide resistance of the jog dial <NUM>.

The step portion <NUM> is formed at a level one step lower in the -Z direction than an end in the +Z direction of the lateral portion <NUM>. Specifically, the step portion <NUM> is an annular portion formed in a position in the -Z direction from the end of the body <NUM> in the +Z direction and along an XY plane in the body <NUM>. The later-described top plate <NUM> is fitted in the step portion <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> is defined by an inner edge of the step portion <NUM> into a circular shape as viewed from the +Y direction. As shown in <FIG>, the display <NUM> is disposed in the opening <NUM>. An image displayed on the display <NUM> is observed through the opening <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting portion <NUM> connects the support <NUM> to the body <NUM>. Specifically, the connecting portions <NUM> are provided by a plurality of bosses protruding in the -Z direction from a -Z directional surface 833B of the step portion <NUM>, and is fixed to the support <NUM>. Nine connecting portions <NUM> in total are provided at regular intervals centered on the center of the body <NUM> in the exemplary embodiment. However, the number of the connecting portions <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The top plate <NUM> in the jog dial <NUM> is a pressed portion through which an operator performs a pressing operation. The top plate <NUM> includes an annular frame <NUM> and a circular-shaped light-transmitting component <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction.

The light-transmitting component <NUM> adheres to a surface in the +Z direction of the frame <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> is attached to the rotary body <NUM> by fixing the frame <NUM> to the step portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a surface 841A in the -Z direction of the frame <NUM> is provided with a plurality of recesses <NUM> defined in the +Z direction to accommodate a part of the later-described elastic members <NUM> and a plurality of bosses <NUM> protruding in the -Z direction from the surface 841A.

As shown in <FIG>, the light-transmitting component <NUM> is a disk member covering the display body <NUM> of the display <NUM> in the +Z direction. The light-transmitting component <NUM>, which is formed from a material through which an image on the display <NUM> can be transmitted, protects the display <NUM>. An operator can observe the image on the display <NUM> via such a light-transmitting component <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the jog dial <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the jog dial <NUM> along an XZ plane as viewed from the -Y direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM> are provided between the top plate <NUM> and the rotary body <NUM>. Specifically, the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM> are provided between the frame <NUM> and the step portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic members <NUM> are provided between the press detecting unit <NUM> and a -Z directional surface of the frame <NUM>. The elastic members <NUM> are disposed at regular intervals along a circumferential direction centered on the center of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the elastic members <NUM> are in a form of rubber cylinders. Eight elastic members <NUM> in total are provided at every <NUM> degrees with respect to the center of the jog dial <NUM>. The elastic members <NUM>, together with the elastic members <NUM>, keep the frame <NUM> spaced above from the press detecting unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic members <NUM> are disposed at regular intervals along a circumferential direction centered on the center of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. Specifically, four elastic members <NUM> are provided at substantially regular intervals along the circumferential direction. The elastic members <NUM> are each formed into an annular shape into which the boss <NUM> (see <FIG>) protruding in the -Z direction from the surface 841A of the frame <NUM> is insertable, as viewed from the +Z direction. The elastic members <NUM> are formed from an elastic material such as rubber and sponge.

The surfaces in the +Z and -Z directions of each elastic member <NUM> are adhesive surfaces. The elastic members <NUM> adhere to: the frame <NUM> in a +Z directional position with respect to the elastic members <NUM>; and the press detecting unit <NUM> in a -Z directional position with respect to the elastic members <NUM>. In other words, the elastic members <NUM> fix the frame <NUM> to an outside of a detection area of the press detecting unit <NUM> while the frame <NUM> is kept spaced above from the press detecting unit <NUM>. With this disposition of the frame <NUM>, a pressing force to be applied on the press detecting unit <NUM> is adjusted.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the press detecting unit <NUM> having an annular shape is provided over substantially the whole area of a surface 833A in the +Z direction of the step portion <NUM> that is a part of the rotary body <NUM>. In other words, the press detecting unit <NUM> is annularly provided along an outer circumference of the jog dial <NUM>. Moreover, the press detecting unit <NUM> is provided between the body <NUM> of the rotary body <NUM> and the top plate <NUM>. The press detecting unit <NUM> may be provided, for instance, by a resistive film type sheet switch or any other pressure detecting unit such as a pressure sensitive sensor or a tact switch.

The press detecting unit <NUM> detects a pressing operation performed on the top plate <NUM> (i.e., pressed portion) by an operator. Specifically, the press detecting unit <NUM> detects a pressure transmitted via the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> from the top plate <NUM> and outputs a signal indicating a change in the pressure. In other words, the press detecting unit <NUM> outputs a signal indicating that the top plate <NUM> has been pressed by a user.

The above-described playback system <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment can provide effects as follows.

The jog controller <NUM> of the DJ controller <NUM> (i.e., acoustic device) includes the jog dial <NUM> (i.e., operation unit) and the base <NUM> supporting the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable. The jog dial <NUM> includes: the rotary body <NUM> disposed on the base <NUM>; and the top plate <NUM> (i.e., pressed portion) provided on the rotary body <NUM> and on which a pressing operation is performed; the press detecting unit <NUM> provided to the rotary body <NUM> along the outer circumference of the jog dial <NUM> and configured to detect a pressing operation performed on the top plate <NUM> by an operator; and the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> interposed between the top plate <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM>.

This configuration can reduce a weight of the components disposed on the press detecting unit <NUM> as compared with a configuration in which the press detecting unit is provided under the jog dial. Accordingly, the components disposed on the press detecting unit <NUM> can be suppressed from vibrating significantly due to music and the like at a site where the DJ controller <NUM> is placed, so that the press detecting unit <NUM> can be suppressed from detecting vibration as a pressing operation by the operator. Accordingly, a detection sensitivity of the press detecting unit <NUM> can be improved, so that the pressing operation performed on the top plate <NUM> by the operator is appropriately detectable.

A pressing force applied on the top plate <NUM> by the operator acts on the press detecting unit <NUM> via the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> interposed between the top plate <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM>. With this action, regardless of which part of the top plate <NUM> is pressed, a pressing force applied on the top plate <NUM> concentrates on positions of the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> disposed on the press detecting unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the press detecting unit <NUM> can reliably detect that the top plate <NUM> has been pressed.

The base <NUM> includes rollers <NUM> rotatably provided to the base <NUM> and supporting the jog dial <NUM>.

With this configuration, the jog dial <NUM> can be stably rotated by the rollers <NUM> that are to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the jog dial <NUM>.

The jog controller <NUM> includes the display <NUM> in a position different from the position of the press detecting unit <NUM> disposed, as viewed from a side opposite to the base <NUM> with respect to the jog dial <NUM>.

With this configuration, the display <NUM> can present various information to an operator. In this case, the display <NUM> is provided in the position different from the position of the press detecting unit <NUM> disposed, which can suppress the display <NUM> from interfering with the press detecting unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the press detecting unit <NUM> can appropriately detect the pressing operation by an operator.

The press detecting unit <NUM> is annularly provided along the outer circumference of the jog dial <NUM>. The display <NUM> is provided on the inner side of the press detecting unit <NUM>, as viewed from the side opposite to the base <NUM> with respect to the jog dial <NUM>.

With this configuration, the display <NUM> can be reliably suppressed from interfering with the press detecting unit <NUM>. In addition, since the press detecting unit <NUM> is annularly provided along the outer circumference of the jog dial <NUM>, the press detecting unit <NUM> can easily detect a pressing operation of an operator regardless of which position of the top plate <NUM> the operator presses.

The invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiment but includes any modification, improvements, and the like as long as they fall under the claims.

In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> are provided between the top plate <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM> at regular intervals along the outer circumference of the jog dial <NUM>. Each elastic member <NUM> is shaped into a solid cylinder. Each elastic member <NUM> is shaped annular. However, the shapes of the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> are not limited to the above. Each elastic member <NUM> may be shaped into a flat plate and each elastic member <NUM> may be shaped into a rectangular frame. Alternatively, an elastic member having a shape and a size enough for completely covering the press detecting unit <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction may be used in place of the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, the press detecting unit <NUM> may be completely covered with at least one elastic member as viewed from the +Z direction.

The jog dial <NUM> does not necessarily include both the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM>. The jog dial <NUM> only needs to include at least one of the elastic members <NUM> or the elastic members <NUM>.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the press detecting unit <NUM> is annularly provided inside the jog dial <NUM> and along the outer circumference of the jog dial <NUM>. However, the press detecting unit <NUM> is not limited to the above. Any press detecting unit capable of detecting a pressing operation performed on the jog dial by an operator is usable. The press detecting unit <NUM> is not necessarily a single annular press detecting unit but may be provided by a plurality of press detecting units. In this case, a plurality of press detecting units may be disposed, for instance, at regular intervals along the outer circumference of the jog dial <NUM>. Also in this case, the elastic members may be interposed between the press detecting units and the top plate <NUM> (i.e., pressed portion) in a manner to correspond to positions where the press detecting units are disposed.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the top plate <NUM> includes the frame <NUM> and the light-transmitting component <NUM> fitted in the frame <NUM>, and is formed circular as viewed from the +Z direction. However, the top plate as the pressed portion is not limited to the above, but may be a single plate member. In a case where the display <NUM> is not provided inside the body <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction, the top plate <NUM> may include, in place of the light-transmitting component <NUM>, a plate member that does not transmit light.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the base <NUM> includes the rotation support member <NUM> supporting the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable, and the rotation support member <NUM> includes a plurality of rollers <NUM>. However, the base <NUM> is not limited to the above, but may not include the rollers <NUM>. In this case, for instance, the cylindrical portion <NUM> defining the rotation axis Rx of the jog dial <NUM> may be inserted into the opening <NUM> to support the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable.

A rotation axis of each roller <NUM> does not have to be directed toward the center of the guide rib <NUM> as long as the rollers <NUM> do not interfere with the rotation of the jog dial <NUM>.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the display <NUM> is provided in the center of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. However, the display <NUM> is not limited to the above, but may be provided in another part of the jog dial <NUM>, or the display <NUM> does not have to be provided.

In the above exemplary embodiment, an acoustic device where the jog controller <NUM> is provided is exemplified by the DJ controller <NUM> shown in <FIG>. However, the configuration of the acoustic device is not limited to the above that is the configuration and the layout shown in <FIG>. For instance, the acoustic device does not have to include both of the left deck <NUM> and right deck 43R or may include only the jog controller <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An acoustic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotary operator (<NUM>); and
a base (<NUM>) supporting the rotary operator (<NUM>) so that the rotary operator (<NUM>) is rotatable,
the rotary operator (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotary body (<NUM>) rotatably provided on the base (<NUM>);
a top plate (<NUM>) provided on the rotary body (<NUM>) and on which a pressing operation is performed;
a press detecting unit (<NUM>) provided on the rotary body (<NUM>) and disposed between the rotary body (<NUM>) and the top plate (<NUM>) along an outer circumference of the rotary operator (<NUM>), the press detecting unit (<NUM>) being configured to detect the pressing operation performed on the top plate (<NUM>); and
an elastic member (<NUM>, <NUM>) interposed between the top plate (<NUM>) and the press detecting unit (<NUM>), wherein
the top plate (<NUM>) presses the press detecting unit (<NUM>) via the elastic member (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the pressing operation is performed on the top plate (<NUM>).