Graphical user interface (GUI), a synthesiser and a computer system including a GUI

• US 20070136695A1
• Filed: 01/24/2007
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Adam, Chris
• Application Number:
  US11/657,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20070136695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/851
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios

Abstract

The present invention relates to a graphical user interface (GUI), a synthesizer and a computer system including such a graphical user interface. In the prior art, input signals may be modified using a variety of controls including rotatable knobs or levers or switches or effected via software controls. Hitherto, the value of each signal has been represented in a dedicated manner even when signals are being combined and this adds to the complexity for a user. The present invention thus relates to a graphical user interface for displaying three or more input signals; comprising a geometric display having the number of dimensions equal to one less than the number of signals whereby each signal represents an apex of the geometric display and a cursor is disposed within the geometric display and represents the combination of the signals.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a display for displaying a graphical user interface for interacting with three or more input signals; and

an input device for enabling a user to interact with the displayed graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprising a geometric display having a number of points equal to the number of signals, wherein each signal is represented by a point of the geometric display and a cursor is disposed within the geometric display and represents the combination of the signals.

2. A graphical user interface as claimed in claim 1, in which there are three signals and the geometric display comprises an isosceles triangle.

3. A graphical user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cursor is configured to be positioned within the geometric display by a user in order to combine the signals in a manner specified by the position of the cursor.

4. A graphical user interface as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a primary control for each input signal.

5. A graphical user interface as claimed in claim 4, in which said primary control controls the frequency of the input signal.

6. A graphical user interface as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a secondary control for each input signal.

7. A graphical user interface as claimed in claim 6, in which said secondary control controls the amplitude of the input signal.

8. An audio synthesiser including a graphical user interface as claimed in claim 1.

9. A synthesiser as claimed in claim 8, in which said input signals are each generated using an oscillator.

10. A synthesiser as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a memory for recording the input signals varying with time.

11. A machine implemented method for interacting with three or more signals, the method comprising:

displaying a geometric display having a number of points equal to a number of signals which exceeds two, wherein each point represents one of the signals;

displaying a cursor which is capable of being positioned within the geometric display, wherein a position of the cursor represents a combination of the signals.

12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a positioning of the cursor within the geometric display;

generating an output from the signals in a combination represented by the positioning.

13. The method as in claim 11 wherein the cursor is configured to be positioned within the geometric display by a user in order to combine the signals in a manner specified by the position of the cursor relative to the points.

14. The method as in claim 13 wherein the cursor is configured to be positioned within the geometric display by a user in order to combine the signals in a manner specified by the position of the cursor relative to the points.

15. The method as in claim 14 wherein a distance from a point and the cursor'"'"'s position represents a contribution of an amount of the signal represented by the point to a combination of the signals.

16. A machine implemented method for interacting with three or more signals, the method comprising:

displaying a geometric figure having a number of points equal to a number of signals which exceeds two, wherein each point represents one of the signals;

receiving an input which indicates a position relative to the geometric figure, wherein the position represents a combination of the signals.

17. The method as in claim 16, wherein the method further comprises:

generating an output from the signals in a combination represented by the position.

18. The method as in claim 17 wherein a distance from a point and the position represents a contribution of an amount of the signal represented by the point to a combination of the signals.

19. A machine readable medium containing executable program instructions which cause a system to perform a method for interacting with three or more signals, the method comprising:

displaying a geometric display having a number of points equal to a number of signals which exceeds two, wherein each point represents one of the signals;

displaying a cursor which is capable of being positioned within the geometric display, wherein a position of the cursor represents a combination of the signals.

20. The medium as in claim 19, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a positioning of the cursor within the geometric display;

generating an output from the signals in a combination represented by the positioning.

21. The medium as in claim 19 wherein the cursor is configured to be positioned within the geometric display by a user in order to combine the signals in a manner specified by the position of the cursor relative to the points.

22. The medium as in claim 21 wherein the cursor is configured to be positioned within the geometric display by a user in order to combine the signals in a manner specified by the position of the cursor relative to the points.

23. The medium as in claim 22 wherein a distance from a point and the cursor'"'"'s position represents a contribution of an amount of the signal represented by the point to a combination of the signals.

24. A machine readable medium containing executable program instructions which cause a system to perform a method for interacting with three or more signals, the method comprising:

displaying a geometric figure having a number of points equal to a number of signals which exceeds two, wherein each point represents one of the signals;

receiving an input which indicates a position relative to the geometric figure, wherein the position represents a combination of the signals.

25. The medium as in claim 24, wherein the method further comprises:

generating an output from the signals in a combination represented by the position.

26. The medium as in claim 25 wherein a distance from a point and the position represents a contribution of an amount of the signal represented by the point to a combination of the signals.

27. A machine for interacting with three or more signals comprising:

means for displaying a geometric display having a number of points equal to a number of signals which exceeds two, wherein each point represents one of the signals;

means for displaying a cursor which is capable of being positioned within the geometric display, wherein a position of the cursor represents a combination of the signals.

28. A machine for interacting with three or more signals, the machine comprising:

means for displaying a geometric figure having a number of points equal to a number of signals which exceeds two, wherein each point represents one of the signals;

means for receiving an input which indicates a position relative to the geometric figure, wherein the position represents a combination of the signals.