Method of obtaining a user selection

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of obtaining a user selection in a software system, from a user with a musical instrument. One or more musical sounds are associated with each of a plurality of selectable objects (e.g. icons, menu items), which are provided to a user on a display. Musical audio is then received from the user, by playing on the musical instrument (e.g. guitar). The audio input may be received via a microphone or other audio input device. Then, the audio signal is analysed to determine whether the user played the one or more musical sounds associated with a selectable object. If so, that object is selected.

1 . A method of obtaining a user selection in a software system from a user with a musical instrument, the method comprising:
 associating one or more musical sounds with each of a plurality of selectable objects in a software system;   providing to the user representations of at least two of the plurality of selectable objects;   receiving a musical audio input from the user; and   selecting one of the plurality of selectable objects if the received musical audio input corresponds to the one or more musical sounds associated with the selectable object.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing to the user representations of at least two of the plurality of selectable objects, further comprises providing to the user representations of the one of more musical sounds. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the step of providing to the user representations of at least two of the of selectable objects, and a representation of the associated one or more musical sounds, further comprises displaying a musical representation of the associated one or more musical sounds along with the selectable object. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more musical sounds are permanently or semi-permanently associated with a selectable object. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more musical sounds are dynamically associated with a selectable object. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising associating a skill level with the user, wherein the skill level is used in choosing the distinct one or more musical sounds to be associated with each of the plurality of selectable objects. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising associating a skill level with the user, wherein the skill level is used in determining if the received musical audio input corresponds to the one or more musical sounds associated with the selectable object. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the musical instrument is a stringed instrument. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the musical instrument is a guitar. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the representations of the one or more musical sounds are in stave notation. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more musical sounds comprise a sequence of musical sounds. 
     
     
         12 . A system for obtaining a user selection in a software system from a user with a musical instrument, the system comprising:
 a processor adapted to perform the method of  claim 1 ; and   a memory in communication with the processor.   
     
     
         13 . A system for obtaining a user selection in a software system from a user with a musical instrument, the system comprising:
 means for associating one or more musical sounds with each of a plurality of selectable objects in a software system;   means for providing to the user representations of at least two of the plurality of selectable objects;   means for receiving a musical audio input from the user; and   means for selecting one of the plurality of selectable objects if the received musical audio input corresponds to the one or more musical sounds associated with the selectable object.   
     
     
         14 . A computer usable medium encoded with data representing a computer program that can be used to direct a programmable device to perform the method  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus adapted to perform the method of  claim 1 .