Systems and methods to select an action using a handheld device by perceptual association

Systems and methods are described in which a "one-of-N" selection may be produced based on one or more associations made by a human between a selected object from a group of "N" objects, and visual or acoustic cues produced by a handheld device. Objects may be comprised of real or virtual (i.e., displayed) objects in the environment of the handheld device user. Visual and/or acoustic cues may be generated by the handheld device under the control of the device user. Upon determining a perceived association between a cue and a selected object, the user may indicate a selection using one or more handheld device sensing elements such as a pushbutton, touch sensor, or inertial force measurement. Systems and methods may provide simple and intuitive methods to produce selected actions on the handheld device or on a connected device.