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in the hierarchy; the user must then listen to the earcon until the end. During the use
of long sequences, recent effects can also appear, i.e. the memorization of the last
elements of the sequence to the detriment of the first elements.
A possible solution to decrease the length of sequences is to simultaneously play
the different parts of the mixed earcon (i.e. by mixing). This is the work of
parallel
earcons
presented by Brewster in [BRE 95b], and the results of which show
recognition levels identical to those obtained with mixed earcons presented in
succession.
:
e.g.:
Figure 8.6.
Representation of the hierarchy by mixed earcons, adapted from [BRE 98a]
8.3.1.3.
Hierarchical earcons according to Leplâtre
In [LEP 00], [LEP 02], Leplâtre proposes an adaptation of Brewster's method for
the sonification of hierarchical menus in a cell phone. The author develops four
main principles for the sonification of menus on the basis of these musical
parameters.
Principle 1 - differentiation of families of items grouped together in semantic
families. To carry out this differentiation, the author uses four parameters:
- Tone: sounds from a “synthesizer” type are used.
- Envelope, i.e. the temporal evolution of the amplitude of the sound: the
envelope here is divided into three parts, the duration of which can be modified: the
time the sound increases (
attack
); the duration during which the sound is maintained
(
sustain
); and the duration for the sound to die (
release
).
