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

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.

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.