An Instrumental Suite

This section looks at the commands needed to control an integrated home entertainment system. These commands would reside in the Specialization layer and they are related to Sport, Art and Leisure. We will assume that their Command address is #190000(00-FF), and we herein arrange the applicable #FF (or 256) commands.

This block might actually be part of the "User Interface" area, but since any part of the Specialization layer can be used as either terms or commands, we shall pretend that it is just an average innocent block of Special terms.

As always, the disclaimer: This design is just a guess disguised as a plan chock full of hastily chosen technical terms wrapped in an enigma. As far as I know, the system described below doesn't exist (and no one is planning on creating one). I am not an audiovisual recording engineer so some details below may be lost or confused or just plain wrong. Don't be alarmed, it is only a mock-up.

We are using the the "Circular Desk" as the template for this example. The Circular Desk is a pattern for a generic universal user interface. It was originally presented in a business setting, but there's really no point in being 'generic', and 'universal' if it can't be used anywhere. When you see the word 'Data' mentally substitute 'Media' and everything should work out just fine.

System Input on the right, Output on the left.

The commands are organized into four tables, each containing four sub-tables (or banks) which consist of sixteen cells. Each cell contains a keyword or a command depending on usage. 

The headings before the four tables below show the major System Input divisions and the (unique) spoke combinations that define each table's purpose. The four dark rows within each table separate the four minor System Input divisions (the sub-categories or banks) and contain the (repeating System Output) spoke combinations that define the meaning of each individual cell.

This design only shows positive terms. Negative terms would be the opposite of each 'passive' term listed below. If the term is 'active', the negative form will invoke the function or be used to capture the state or current Value.

The very first sub-table is all "Left Hand Only" indices (#0[0-F]), so this will be the most commonly used group of commands (I assume that your right hand would be holding a drink, a snack or a friend). The "Right Hand Only" indices are the first (#[0-F]0) commands in each sub-table. Notice also that '5' and 'D' are the most awkward finger combinations so they are used for less useful events (ideally).

The first table does not have either the Status Alter or the Communication spokes. This table contains commands related to basic control and ambiance.

The second table has the Communication spoke. This table contains commands related to finding new sources of entertainment.

The third table has the Status Alter spoke. This table contains commands related to controlling the current entertainment.

The fourth table has both the Status Alter and the Communication spokes. This table contains commands related to creating and manipulating new entertainment. Not everyone would use these features, but they should be available to anyone who wants to play. (hardware not included)

The general controls will start and stop any type of media that is selected. Defining the "hierarchy of control" is a major issue, but it can't really be solved until we get much closer to the physical mock-up stage.

Of course, these functions would not be totally exclusive. Some filtering functions may be applied to either video or audio signals. The real constraint for the structure of the tables is that successive functions should be accessed by changing single fingers in the current chord. Remember, using an Instrumentation controller will be a tactile (rather than a visual) experience.