Mapping an auditory space onto a graphical user interface

A strategy for providing spatialised audio cues in graphical user interfaces (GUIs) is described. With modern GUIs making increasing use of sound, providing spatial auditory information should help relieve information overload and provide a more natural and effective interface. A continuous spatialisation algorithm is implemented using monitor-side loudspeakers. The space occupied by the visual interface is defined as a cuboid populated by icons, windows and other visual artefacts. It is proposed that we map an exaggerated auditory space onto the visual interface, so that the spatial positions of auditory events are emphasised. A pilot series of perceptual tests verifies that this exaggerated spatial audio strategy can be used without compromising the cohesion of the combined auditory/visual interface